Building Bright
Futures
Whether you’re looking for the academic calendar, handbook, graduation requirements, or need assistance from our staff, everything you need is right here in one place.
Transcript
At Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES), parents and caregivers are valued partners in every student’s educational journey. We believe that strong family-school connections are essential to student success.
Throughout the school year, families are invited to engage with teachers and staff through events such as Back-to-School Night, student performances, parent-teacher conferences, family newsletters, and more. All family events are interpreted, and free child care is provided to ensure meaningful access and participation for everyone.
If you have any questions or need support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
NEW! ONE-STOP CALENDAR
The purpose of the KDES One-Stop Calendar is to share events with students, families, adults at home, and guardians. This calendar serves as a single resource that includes the academic calendar, athletics calendar, and after school calendar.
- Kendall Demonstration Elementary School Starts on August 25
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Labor Day is on September 1.
School is Closed
- Deaf Awareness Day is on September 24
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PIP Field Trip is on
September 25
KDES Parent-Student Handbook
2025-2026
The Clerc Center works in partnership with schools and programs throughout the nation to develop, collect, disseminate, conduct research into, and evaluate effective educational strategies. The goal of these collaborative partnerships is the provision of quality educational opportunities to all students, with particular attention given to students who are lower achieving academically, come from families who speak a language other than English in the home, have additional disabilities, are members of diverse racial or cultural groups, or live in rural areas.
Shared Reading Project
The Early Childhood Education program at KDES offers families the opportunity to participate in the Shared Reading Project (SRP). This program provides one-on-one tutoring and support to parents and caregivers, helping them develop effective strategies for sharing books with their young Deaf or hard-of-hearing child.
Through SRP, families learn how to create meaningful reading experiences that support language development, foster a love of reading, and strengthen communication at home.
To accommodate varying schedules, classes are held on weekday evenings and Saturdays. Free child care is provided for children who are not participating in the classes, making it easier for the whole family to engage and learn together.
These classes support stronger communication at home and promote deeper connections within the MSSD community.
FAMILY ASL CLASSES
KDES offers free American Sign Language (ASL) classes for families with children enrolled at the school. Classes are available at three levels—Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced—so that all family members can build their skills and confidence in ASL, regardless of their starting point.
To accommodate varying schedules, classes are held on weekday evenings and Saturdays. Free child care is provided for children who are not participating in the classes, making it easier for the whole family to engage and learn together.
These classes support stronger communication at home and promote deeper connections within the KDES community.
KENDALL PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (KPTA)
The Kendall Parent Teacher Association (KPTA) offers meaningful and engaging opportunities for parents, guardians, and caregivers to be actively involved in their child’s education at KDES.
Throughout the school year, the KPTA board organizes workshops and meetings to promote information sharing and strengthen the home-school partnership. KPTA also hosts popular seasonal events, including the Fall Spooktacular, Winter Festival, and Spring Fever Picnic—bringing the school community together for fun and connection.
In addition to community-building events, KPTA sponsors fundraising efforts such as the Scholastic Book Fair and the annual Chocolate Ball, which directly support school-wide programs and activities.
For more information or to get involved, please visit the KPTA website.
Policies
Legal Safeguards
FERPA: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.
Procedural Safeguards in ASL (English) (Español): This notice explains procedural safeguards that apply to students who are placed at the Clerc Center by their parents.
Harassment/Nondiscrimination Policies
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) at the Clerc Center
Requesting Student Records
Need a copy of your transcript or IEP? Students, parents, or alumni who need to receive a copy of official student records may do so by filling out and submitting the Authorization for Release of Student Records (Español):
Return by fax, mail, or e-mail; or to request assistance:
Coordinator of School Operations: Randee Bickford at Randee.bickford@gallaudet.edu
Only current and former students and their parents/legal guardians are authorized to make requests. All records are kept confidential in accordance with applicable privacy laws.