Whitmore Elementary🐾
Principal's Pen - August 2024🖊️
Whitmore is "B" rated!
Congratulations Wildcats!
6th Grade
6th grade is here at Whitmore!
Registration is open in ParentVUE
Open Enrollment - School Choice for families
🐾Whitmore Wildcats🐾
🐾Welcome to Whitmore!🐾
Welcome and Welcome Back!
I am Mrs. Fig, the principal, of Whitmore. You will find me almost every morning in our parent parking lot or on the playground with the kids. I'm in my 13th year as a principal in TUSD and my 8th year here at Whitmore. Whitmore is very dear to my heart as this is home to where my teaching career began in 2003. Our focus is student achievement and positive behaviors. Wildcats are learning how to be kind, respectful, and work hard to attain our goals. That's what a Whitmore Wildcat is all about.
Can you believe it? We are in our first full week of school and it has been so amazing to see new and returning wildcats! Thank you for choosing Whitmore again and again! We love our Whitmore Families and Community!
We have an awesome year ahead. To ensure you are connected, please join ClassDojo to stay up-to-date and to have two way communication with teachers and staff. You should receive an email or text from the teacher to connect if you haven't already.
Lost and Found. Our lost and found is located in the foyer by the cafeteria. It is a wooden rack with a bin. Please check it regularly to reclaim your lunch boxes, backpacks, sweatshirts, jackets, etc. Glasses are turned into the office. Items not claimed in a timely manner will be donated to the TUSD clothing bank.
6th Grade at Whitmore. We are so excited to be a pre-K through 6th grade school. This provides our students with more opportunities in a smaller environment. This year our 6th graders will have the chance to study journalism, theater, leadership skills, and orchestra. Although sports for 6th graders are not available, students may have the opportunity to participate as a manager and assist with the teams.
Connect with Whitmore:
via Whitmore Webpage
via Facebook @whitmorewildcatsTUSD
via Instagram @whitmorewildcats
via ClassDojo - Please let teachers know if you are not connected so they can assist you.
Reporting Absences/Attendance:
TUSD/Whitmore streamlined our attendance reporting procedures. Parents/guardians can now log into ParentVUE to enter a student's absence.
Late/Tardy.
If students are late, arrive after 8:15am, students must stop in the office for a tardy slip before heading to class, even if they come on the bus. This is to ensure students are not marked absent. Parents can call the office and excuse tardies if you don't walk in with your student(s).
School Hours:
7:45am - Students may enter campus; Breakfast begins in the cafeteria
8:10am - First bell - Students line up and teachers lead to class
8:15am - Tardy bell rings; Class begins
8:30am - All gates are locked except the one closest to the office, off of the bus bay/Glenn St.
2:15pm - Gates are opened.
2:25pm - Whitmore dismisses (1:25pm - Wednesdays)
Bus Riders:
All students who ride the bus must have and wear an ID to get on the bus at home and at school. Please ensure your child keeps their ID with their backpack and school items so they have it available daily. This is their ticket to ride!
Cell Phones:
Students often come to school with their cell phones. However, Whitmore has a policy for cell phone usage. Students are NOT permitted to video record or take pictures of students at any time. This includes the bus! Once students arrive on campus, phones are to be turned off and kept out of view in a backpack. Phones shall not be turned on at any time. Students violating the policy may have the electronic device confiscated and be subject to disciplinary action.
CATS CLUB:
Whitmore will begin our after-school tutoring, enrichment classes, and sports in September. Ms. Kunk and Ms. Sammy are our coordinators, so please check ClassDojo for the latest information on how to enroll.
TUSD’s FREE Tutoring Sessions: Please inform students and families about the FREE dynamic Smart Tutoring Program that is designed to prepare students for lifelong success through TUSD’s Family Resource Centers. Personalized tutoring sessions with experienced educators that work closely with each student. REGISTER YOUR STUDENT
Spirit Days to help Kindergarten learn colors:
August 5 - Red ******August 12 - Orange
August 6 - Blue ******August 13 - Brown
August 7 - Pink ******August 14 - Purple
August 8 - Green ******August 15 - Yellow
August 9 - Black ******August 16 - White
Mark your calendars:
August 1st - 1st day of school
August 8th - PTA Meeting @ 5:10pm online and in-person - See the Dojo link
August 9th - Fire Drill @ 8:30am
August 13th - Open House @ 6:00pm - start in the cafeteria
August 21st - No School for students; No KIDCO - Professional Development Day for staff
August 26th - T-shirt design contest begins
August 29th - Fall Pictures
September 2 – No School – Labor Day
September 18, 19, 20 – Parent/Teacher Conferences – dismiss at 11:25am
Let's have a great year!
Thank you,
Jennifer Figueroa, Principal
Whitmore Elementary School
🗨️Counselor's Corner💭
Mrs. Sawyer and Mr. C support our strong PBIS program at Whitmore. Through positive behavior, students earn points to redeem for rewards. Students have a menu of items to choose from weekly. Teachers nominate students who are rocking kindness, safety, and responsibility!
Ms. Sawyer and Mr. C also provide student check-ins and small group support. If you think your child would benefit from these services, please contact either or both of them through Dojo or by calling 520-232-8046.
Who will be our first "Cool Cat" Champions!
🚗Parent Drop-off and Pick-up🚘
Parent Drop-off and Pick-up:
The bus bay is not a parking, drop-off, or pick-up area. This lane is strictly for buses at all times.
Enter the parking lot from Glenn (this is an entrance only). There are two lanes. The right lane is a valet and keeps moving as students exit their vehicle curbside. All students must exit the vehicle curbside to use the valet lane. If that is not possible, please park and an adult will cross in the cross walk. Do not park in the right lane or leave your car in the right lane. You must use a space to park.
The left lane is not a drop-off or pick-up lane. It is used to park into a parking space. Please do not let your child exit the car in this lane. The adult (usually Mrs. Fig or Mrs. Madrid) will assist in merging traffic. Do not merge yourself. Continue forward until the monitor guides you.
Driver speed should be at a minimum speed to ensure student, family, and staff safety.
🐾🐾🐾 Whitmore Pics 🐾🐾🐾
Whitmore's Mission and Vision
Wildcats . . . 🐾
Our mission is to encourage, motivate, and support all students, families, and the community to meet each child’s needs – socially, emotionally, and academically so they develop into a mature, responsible, and respectful citizen.
Our vision - Safe Environment, Take Academic Risks, Get Involved with School Enrichment Programs (the school community), and Take Pride in Education by Respecting, Acknowledging, and Including students of all different backgrounds and differences.