Welcome!
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. Whitmore's 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.
Every month, I will send a school newsletter titled, "Principal's Pen" via ClassDojo and it will be posted on our school's website. This will help you stay up-to-date with the activities planned for each month. It is a good idea to print them and post on your refrigerator at home for reference.
Get involved at Whitmore! Each month, families and staff come together as our PTA group. We hold meetings to support Whitmore as a community. This is an opportunity to help plan events and home/school connections. Meeting dates will be posted in the monthly Principal's Pen.
We also have a family engagement team. This team focuses on families and students being actively involved in student achievement. This team plans academic, parent, and student events that focus on curriculum, homework help, enrichment opportunities, and interventions. We meet quarterly during our PTA meeting.
If you like to be active in the school community, we also have a school site council. This is also made up of a group of staff, families, and community members to support Whitmore. This team decides how to best support students using tax credit funds. We meet once a quarter and focus on student achievement, family involvement, and school improvement projects.
If you have any questions about joining the Whitmore Community, please contact our front office at 520-232-8000. Ms. Naadiya McClendon is our attendance technician and Ms. Kelly Viguers is our office manager. They can assist you with any questions you may have or connect you with the right people!
Whitmore is made up of the following classrooms with approximately 380 students:📚
Preschool (1) - Ms. Sammy (morning and afternoon sessions - district application process)
Kindergarten (3) - Ms. Kunk, Ms. Li, and Mrs. Williams
First Grade (3) - Mrs. Brandon, Ms. Jonalee, and Ms. Smith
Second Grade (2) - Mrs. Perras and Mrs. White
Third Grade (2) - Mrs. North and Mrs. Yearego
Fourth Grade (2) - Ms. Jackson and Mrs. Perr
Fifth Grade (2) - Ms. Kerstein and Mr. Ratey
Sixth Grade (1) - Mr. Rutherford
Cross Category Primary Self-Contained Exceptional Education Classroom
(1) - Mrs. Leonard
Cross Category Intermediate Self-Contained Exceptional Education Classroom (1) - Ms. Ezzo
Thank you for choosing Whitmore again and again! We love our Whitmore Families and Community!
To ensure you are connected with our school community, 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.
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 monthly "Cool Cat" Champions?
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.
