Howdy PES Community

Dear PES Students, Staff, Families and Community,

It is with great excitement and gratitude that I introduce myself as the new principal of Preston Elementary School. I am truly honored to join this wonderful school community and look forward to getting to know each of you in the months ahead.

Education has always been more than a profession to me; it is my passion. I believe that every child deserves to feel safe, valued, challenged, and inspired each day they walk through our doors. My goal is to create a school where students love learning, families feel welcomed and connected, and staff members are supported as they help every child reach their full potential.

As I begin this new journey, I recognize the strong traditions and relationships that already exist within our school. I look forward to building on that strong foundation while working collaboratively with our dedicated teachers, staff, families, and community partners. Together, we will celebrate successes, embrace new opportunities, and ensure that every student thrives academically, socially, and emotionally.

One of my highest priorities is building meaningful relationships. I believe that open communication, trust, and teamwork are essential to a successful school. My door will always be open, and I encourage you to share your ideas, questions, and hopes for our school. By working together, we can create an environment where every child feels a true sense of belonging and is inspired to achieve their very best.

As we prepare for an exciting school year, I look forward to meeting you at school events, in classrooms, and throughout our community. I am eager to learn about what makes Preston Elementary School so special and to partner with you in creating an exceptional educational experience for every student.

Thank you for welcoming me into your school family. I am honored to serve as your principal and excited for all that we will accomplish together. Here's to a year filled with learning, growth, kindness, and success!

With appreciation,

Mary Jo Kerr
Principal
Preston Elementary School

Join us on Tuesday, August 11th, for a meet and greet with our new principal, Mrs. Mary Jo Kerr. We invite you for an evening of family fun as we saddle up for a year of success together. There will be food, activities, and more. We hope to see you there. 👨🏻‍🌾🌵🐴

PreK-3

Please note: If your child is not toilet-trained, you will need to provide diapers/pull-ups and baby wipes.

• 6 packages of baby wipes

• 2 rolls of paper towels

• 2 boxes of tissues

• 1 box gallon-size ziplock bags

• 1 box sandwich or quart sized ziplock bags

• 1 bottle of hand sanitizer

• 2 Magic Erasers

• 1 bookbag (needs to fit a regular-size folder) (please label with child’s name)

• 1 lunch bag/box (please label with child’s name)

• 2 changes of clothes (shorts/pants, shirts, socks, underwear) Please place

  these items in a ziploc bag and write your child’s name on the outside of the bag.

PreK-4

Please do NOT label supplies unless specifically noted.

• 1 large bookbag (please label with child’s name)

• 1 lunch bag/box (please label with child’s name)

• 1 snack bag/box (please label with child’s name)

• 1 Hard Pencil Box (please label with child’s name)

• 1 container of baby wipes

• 3 boxes Crayola crayons (16 pack; Basic colors ONLY)

• 2 jumbo glue sticks

• 1 three-prong plastic folder

• 1 Wide Ruled Composition Book

• 1 bottle of hand sanitizer (8-12 oz)

• 2 roll of paper towels

• 2 box tissues

• Change of Clothes: (pants or shorts, shirt, socks, underwear) - Please place these items in a sealed bag and write your child’s name on the outside of the bag.

Kindergarten

• 4 packs of Crayola crayons (16 or 24 Pack – Crayola only, please)

• 12 glue sticks

• 2 packs of black Expo dry-erase markers

• 4 pack washable Crayola markers (no skinny markers)

• 1 tray of watercolor paints

• 4 pocket folders-any color*

• 2 composition books (no spirals or holes)*

• 1 hard pencil box to hold markers and crayons*

• 1 soft pencil case/zipper pouch*

• 1 large bottle of hand sanitizer (8 oz. or larger)

• 3 container wet wipes (bleach free-safe for skin)

• 1 box of gallon-sized zip bags

• 1 box of sandwich-sized zip bags

• 2 boxes of tissues

• 1 roll paper towels

• 1-2 pair of QUALITY headphones (no earbuds/mics/bluetooth)*

• 1 change of clothes in a labeled bag (to be kept at school for emergencies)*

1st Grade

Please NO mechanical pencils, pencil sharpeners, pens, markers, scissors, or colored pencils.

Please label these items with your child’s name:

• 1 blue, 1 green, and 1 red poly pocket folder

• 1 pocket folder, any design

• 1-2 pairs QUALITY plug-in headphones (no earbuds or mics).

• 1 soft pencil pouch - please NO hard pencil cases

• 1 - 1 subject spiral notebook

• 1 black and white Composition notebook

Please do NOT label these items with your child’s name:

• 1 box of 12 sharpened #2 pencils (Ticonderoga are best)

• 2 packs of 24 Crayola crayons

• 4 fine-tip black Expo dry-erase markers (other brands stain boards)

• 2 boxes of tissues

• 1 bottle of hand sanitizer

• If possible, 1 wrapped roll of paper towels.

2nd Grade

• 4 -2-pocket prong plastic folders - 1 of each color (red, yellow, green, blue)

• 2 packs of sharpened pencils (Ticonderoga are the best)

• 2 packs of 24 Crayola crayons

• 2 packs of colored pencils (Riley and Watson only)

• 2 packs of 3x3 sticky notes

• 2 Highlighters

• 2 pink erasers

• 1 box quart or gallon size Ziplock bags

• 3 packs of fine tip black Expo dry erase markers (other brands stain boards)

• 2 boxes of tissues

• 1 roll of paper towels

• Clorox wipes

• 1 bottle of hand sanitizer

*Please label these items with your child’s name

• 1 black and white “traditional” composition book

• 1 pencil box

• 1 Pair of wired overhead Headphones (no earbuds)

3rd Grade

• 1 pair of wired overhead headphones (no earbuds); please label your child’s headphones.

• 1 pencil case - any style for Burns & Faller; only soft for Daffin

• 3 pocket folders (preferably plastic) - 1 red, 1 blue, 1 green

• 1 notebook

• 1 pair of scissors (intermediate 7 in. “big kid” size)

• 2 glue sticks

• 2 packs of sharpened yellow pencils (no mechanical pencils; Ticonderoga are best)

• 2 pink block erasers

• 2 boxes 24-count crayons

• 2 packs of colored pencils

• 1 highlighter

• 2 boxes of tissues

• 4 packs of fine tip dry-erase markers (black, preferably expo)

• Optional - the class would appreciate ziploc bags (sandwich, quart, or gallon) and a roll of paper towels. Thank you!

4th Grade

• Wired over-ear headphones. Please label your child’s headphones.

• 2 pink block erasers

• 1 pkg of Wide Ruled Loose Leaf Paper

• 2 packs of skinny/fine point BLACK dry erase markers, Expo preferred

• 2 packs of multi-colored skinny/fine highlighters (at least 4 colors)

• 4 boxes of tissues

• 3 packs of pre-sharpened pencils

• 1 pack of crayons or colored pencils

• 2 soft pencil pouches with binder holes - no boxes please

• 2 packs of 3x3 sticky notes

• 1 poly/plastic heavy duty folder with metal prongs and pockets

• 1 Package of loose graph paper

• 2 folders with binder holes & pockets

• 2 one-inch binders

• 1 Roll of Paper Towels

• 1 box of quart-size ziploc bags

5th Grade

• Wired over-ear headphones Please label your child’s headphones.

• 2 pink block erasers

• 1 pkg of Wide Ruled Loose Leaf Paper

• 2 packs of skinny/fine point BLACK dry erase markers, Expo preferred

• 2 packs of multi-colored skinny/fine point highlighters (at least 4 colors)

• 4 boxes of tissues

• 3 packs of pre-sharpened pencils

• 1 pack of crayons or colored pencils

• 2 soft pencil pouches with binder holes - no boxes please

• 2 packs of 3x3 sticky notes

• 2 folders with binder holes & pockets

• 2 one-inch binders

• 1 poly/plastic heavy duty folder with metal prongs and pockets

• 1 Package of loose graph paper

• 1 Roll of Paper Towels

• 1 box of gallon-size ziploc bags

Supply support is available is needed. Please contact the school at 410-479-2897

Hours of Operation:

Monday-Friday

8:15am-4:15PM

225 Main Street

Preston, MD 21655

Phone: 410-479-2897

Fax: 410-673-7301

Parents Right to Know: The Federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) contains several provisions that promote a parent/school partnership through communication. One such provision gives parents the right to ask for and receive information about the professional qualifications of their child’s classroom teachers. A parent may request the following information: Any college or university degree, major or certification held by the teacher

• Whether the teacher is certified by the State of Maryland to teach a particular grade level or subject area

• Whether the teacher holds a conditional teaching certificate

• The qualifications of the paraprofessionals serving the student

If you would like to request the professional qualifications of your child’s classroom teachers or paraprofessionals, please submit a written request to the principal. The principal will provide the information to you within 30 business days of the date of your request.