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Safety & Wellness

Student and Staff Safety and Wellness are Top Priorities 
in the Kettering City Schools

JANUARY 9, 2026

PEDESTRIAN/TRAFFIC INCIDENT ON LINCOLN PARK BLVD., FRIDAY MORNING...

Dear Kettering Families,

We are writing to share information regarding a serious traffic incident that occurred this morning involving one of our students.

While walking to classes, a student pedestrian was struck by a vehicle while crossing Lincoln Park Blvd. Emergency responders from the Kettering Police, Fire, and EMS departments arrived quickly on the scene. The student was transported by squad to the hospital for medical evaluation. We are relieved to share that, at this time, the student appears to be okay.

As many of you experienced, this incident caused significant traffic delays during student arrival. The emergency response impacted Lincoln Park Blvd as well as surrounding arteries, including Far Hills Avenue and Shroyer Road. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as our local first responders worked to secure the scene and provide care.

Events like this serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of road safety. Please know that the safety of our students is our highest priority. The Kettering City Schools and the City of Kettering are actively collaborating through our new community-wide initiative: CROSS SAFE, KETTERING.

This program is focused on:

  • Improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers on our streets.

  • Reviewing specific incidents, including this morning’s, to identify infrastructure or educational improvements.

  • Fostering a culture of heightened awareness for everyone sharing the road.

We will continue to work closely with city officials and law enforcement to examine this location and others across Kettering to ensure our students have the safest possible routes to school.

We ask that you join us in keeping the involved student and their family in your thoughts. We also encourage all families to take a moment this evening to talk with your children about pedestrian safety and remaining vigilant near traffic.

Please contact our Board Offices at 937-499-1458, with questions or concerns regarding this morning's incident.

Sincerely,

Kari Basson Community Relations Coordinator

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JANUARY 7, 2026

Greenmont Elementary School received an anonymous tip today that a student intended to bring a weapon to school.

The following communication was sent to all Greenmont Families and Staff by Greenmont Principal Booke Goodwine today:

Dear Greenmont Families and Staff:

I am writing to share important information regarding a report we received this morning and the immediate steps taken to ensure the safety of our school community.

At approximately 8:20 a.m. today, the school received an anonymous phone call. The caller reported they had been notified by another individual that a student intended to bring a weapon to school. Because the caller chose to remain anonymous, we had very limited information; however, we take every report of this nature with the utmost seriousness.

Upon receiving the call, we immediately engaged the Kettering Police Department (KPD) and our School Resource Officer (SRO).

  • Investigation: Following a thorough investigation, KPD and school administration could not substantiate any indication that a student at Greenmont Elementary was in possession of a weapon.
  • Increased Presence: Out of an abundance of caution and for general peace of mind, KPD has assigned extra patrols to the Greenmont neighborhood today. Additionally, SRO Lester Spinks has been on-site at our school today.
  • School Monitoring: I am personally making myself visible and present throughout the building for the duration of the school day to support our students and staff.

Based on our internal review and the investigation conducted by law enforcement, we are confident that our students, staff, and visitors are safe and secure. The safety of our children is our highest priority. If you have any concerns or possess additional information regarding the report made this morning, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly via phone or email.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in keeping our school safe.

Sincerely,

Dr. Brooke Goodwine
brooke.goodwine@ketteringchools.org
9937) 499-1850

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SAFETY & SECURITY DURING A SCHOOL INCIDENT

Terms you may Hear During a School Incident

Ensuring the safety of our students and staff is a top priority for our district. In any school emergency or incident, clear and consistent communication is essential. To support this,  we have introduced standardized terms that you may hear during an emergency or incident involving the Kettering City Schools.

Our main goal in standardizing these terms is to ensure that we all have an accurate understanding of the nature of an incident, its impact on student and staff safety and what our respective roles may be in response to the incident.

Likewise, these consistent terms will help us communicate the nature of a situation more precisely, thereby helping to eliminate confusion, enhance transparency, and make sure everyone receives the same information in a timely manner.

Thank you for working together to keep Firebird Country as safe as possible for everyone!

Communication During an Emergency

Tips for Parents/Guardians in a School Emergency

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OHIO'S 988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE

Those experiencing a mental health crisis, and their loved ones, can reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by CALLING OR TEXTING to 988 or CHATTING ONLINE at 988Lifeline.org, 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week.

What is the 988 Lifeline?
Ohio's 988 Lifeline is a FREE resource that connects the caller -- whether it be an individual in crisis or their loved one -- with CONFIDENTIAL, judgment-free care and support. 

What happens when I call 988?
You will hear a message telling you that you have reached the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You will then listen to music while you are connected with a trained crisis worker at a crisis center closest to where you are located.

What can I expect from the Crisis Worker with whom I speak?
The trained crisis worker will ask you to describe your crisis or your loved one's crisis, listen and interact with you so they can provide support and share any resources that may be helpful.

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Community Resources

Kettering City Schools (KCS) wants to ensure our families and community are aware of local resources that may be helpful throughout the year. Find more information on our  ​​​​​Kettering Community and Family Resources Page.

Connect with the City of Kettering/Kettering City Schools Youth & Family Resource  Coordinator Laura Tran at laura.tran@ketteringschools.org or at (937) 499-1496.

  • The Youth and Family Resource Coordinator role focuses on connecting families all across Kettering with resources and referrals to address the challenges that affect our youth and families in today’s world. Responsibilities include connecting families to vital resources like housing, childcare, food, and transportation, identifying service gaps, and collaborating with local agencies and partners to bring essential support into the community. Click here for our Community Resource Page.

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REPORT SAFETY CONCERNS

Safety Tipline Information

Through the district's notification system, The Education Connection (TEC), anyone can access a Safety Tip Line...when you witness verbal, written, physical, or social media safety concerns, PLEASE SPEAK UP! 

You can report anonymously any safety issue by calling TEC at 
(937) 643-4444, choosing Option 7 and selecting the respective school.

You can also do the same by going online to kettering.tipline.info.  The prompts will ask for the date, time, location, and names of those involved. The information will be forwarded to the proper authority.  All reports can be made anonymously and are taken seriously and will be investigated thoroughly by school administration and the Kettering Police Department, if warranted.

Please take a moment now to write down, file, or store the Tip Line Contact Information so that it is handy when a safety concern arises.

Building and Unit Principal Contact List -- 2025-2026

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KETTERING SCHOOL NURSES

School Nurses help students be healthy, safe and ready to learn

View KCS School Nurse Website

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KCS MULTI-TIERED SYSTEMS OF SUPPORT

View the KCS MTSS Website

Carrie Hennessy, Ed.D.

Carrie Hennessy, Ed.D.,
District MTSS Coordinator

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a framework that helps educators provide academic and behavioral strategies for students with various needs. MTSS grew out of the integration of two other intervention-based frameworks: Response to Intervention (RtI) and PBIS.

 

 

 

 

 

Family Resources Guidebook

 

 

 

 

School Resource Officers

The Kettering City Schools work in partnership with the Kettering Police Department to ensure our schools remain safe places for our staff members to work and students to learn and grow.

One of the most important aspects of this strong partnership is the placement of highly trained police officers in our schools. These School Resource Officers, or SROs, play a multifaceted role in ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of students, staff, and the entire Kettering school community.

SROs provide a safety and security presence in our buildings. Just as importantly, they foster positive relationships between law enforcement and our youth, families and staff, thereby playing an integral role in fostering a positive school culture and climate.

SROs

KPD School Resource Officers
2024-25 School Year

 

SRO Ed Drayton                                          Kettering Fairmont High School

 

SRO Ed Simoni
Kettering Middle School

 

SRO Kayla Gudgell
Van Buren Middle School

 

 

 

 

 

SRO Lester Spinks                                    KCS Elementary Buildings 

 

SRO Eric Rustad
STEM School and Kettering Non-Public Schools