🐾Welcome to Whitmore!🐾
Welcome to September!
We are in the middle of our beginning of the year diagnostic testing with iReady, DIBELS, and IXL. Once these are complete, students will be leveled and can practice at their instructional level as well as have access to grade level standards for mastery learning and practice.
September is Attendance Awareness Month. It is imperative that students attend every day, on time, show up ready to learn, and are respectful so others may learn as well to maximize their education. All students arriving on time and at school every day each week will receive 10 ClassDojo points for the week. Students riding the bus will not be penalized for late buses. Thank you Wildcats for being at Whitmore every day, ready to learn!
Academic Focus for 2024-2025:
Triple Crown:
1. Teacher Clarity - Learning Targets and Success Criteria for the highly leveraged and continuing standards for learning.
2. PLCs - Plan instruction based on student understanding/data
3. District Curriculum - Fidelity to the state authorized and district adopted curriculum
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
Mark your calendars:
September 2 – No School – Labor Day
September 4 – District Title I walk-through – 8:30 – 11:30am
September 5 – PTA Meeting @ 5:15pm
September 5 – 6th Grade Code of Conduct Meeting @ 6:30pm – via ZOOM
September 6 – Fire Drill – after recycling; T-shirt Designs due
September 9 – CATS Club starts
September 13 - Movie Night @ 6pm in the cafeteria
September 18, 19, 20 – Parent/Teacher Conferences – dismiss at 11:25am
September 23 - T-shirt orders go home
October 4 – No School – Grading Day – End of first quarter
October 7 – 11 – No School – Fall Break
October 23rd – No School – PLD Day
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???
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.
