About Us
Enrollment expo saturday, feb. 5, 2022
Tulsa Public Schools is hosting 3 enrollment expos to help you find the right school for your child. Each expo has a hub site with food, information, resources, and transportation to each school. We'll be hosting small group tours every 30 minutes so you and your child can learn more about our school and get to know our teachers and staff!
Our expo date is Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Our hub is the Education Service Center, 3027 S. New Haven Ave.
Click here for more information
Kendall-whittier at a glance
Kendall-Whittier elementary
2601 E. 5 Pl.
Tulsa, OK 74104
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Phone: 918-833-9900
Principal: Ronda Kesler
Kendall-Whittier Flyer
Folleto de Kendall-Whittier Elementary
Kendall-Whittier Core Beliefs
We believe that every attempt should be made to maintain the dignity of both the adult and the student.
We believe that students should be guided and expected to solve the problems they create without making problems for anyone else in the world.
We believe that students should be given the opportunity to make decisions and live with the results, whether the consequences are good or bad.
We believe that misbehavior should be handled with logical/natural consequences instead of punishments whenever possible.
We believe that misbehavior should be viewed as an opportunity for individual problem solving and preparation for the real world as opposed to a personal attack on the school or staff.
We believe that students should have the opportunity to tell their side of the story (due process) when consequences appear to be unfair.
Student Expectations
- Respect yourself and others.
- Take pride in our school and our community.
- Think safety first and everybody wins.
- Listen and follow directions.
- Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
Behavior Concerns:
- Children with reoccurring discipline problems may be placed on an individualized behavior plan agreed upon by the teacher, the parent and child.
- Severe disruption or extreme behavior may result in immediate removal or suspension of student. (Example: verbal or physical aggression, disrespect to adults, possession of a weapon or disruption of the learning environment – See Behavior Response Plan)
- TOYS and ELECTRONIC DEVICES, INCLUDING LASER POINTERS ARE NOT ALLOWED AT SCHOOL. They will be confiscated and held until a parent picks the item up. If there are further occurrences, the item will not be returned.
- WEAPONS are defined by Tulsa Public Schools as anything that creates a threat to the safety of students or school staff. KNIVES WILL NOT BE RETURNED.
Playground Expectations
- Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
- Fighting or play fighting is not allowed. This includes karate kicking.
- Stay inside the fenced areas.
- No name calling or use of profanity.
- Do not throw rocks, sand toys, or gravel.
- Restroom breaks are only allowed in case of emergency.
Students who are experiencing problems on the playground should report the problem to the duty teacher.
Playground CONSEQUENCES for Inappropriate Behavior Choices may include:
- Verbal warning
- Time out on the playground.
- Referral to the classroom teacher.
- Referral to the principal.
kw mantra
K = Kindness
W = Willing Heart
T = Team
I = Integrity
G = Generosity
E = Effort
R = Responsibility
S = Success
Teach every student: Whatever It Takes, No Exceptions, No Excuses
MISSION
The mission of Kendall-Whittier Elementary School is that families, educators, community members and students join together for student success.
ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Students have two different forms of expanded learning opportunities. Harmony Project El Sistema serves approximately 100 students with music lessons taught by Tulsa Symphony Orchestra members for pre-K through 6th grade students, Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students may select from a variety of stringed instruments, choir, and ballet. As part of the program, students also participate in tutoring and/or instructional support. Tiger Clubs is offered once per semester for 8-10 weeks to those students who are not in Harmony Project but would like to experience 1 to 2 day a week club opportunities that range from Bike Club, Chess Club, Arts and Crafts, Zoo 2 U, and STEM Club.
STRONG PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
We depend on our partners in education to thrive, and we are proud to be a Growing Together school. Through the support of this organization, we are able to provide opportunities our students wouldn't otherwise have and show them the value of being in a community. Representatives from partner companies meet with the Kendall-Whittier staff three times per year and support our academic endeavors by providing teacher supplies, gifts and holiday packages for students and their families. Our partners also make it possible to host monthly family night events, such as Literacy Night, STEAM Night, dances and our annual Fall Carnival. In addition, we have a faithful group of volunteers who participate in Reading Partners, which provides one-to-one literacy tutoring for our scholars.
TWO-WAY DUAL LANGUAGE SCHOOL
Kendall-Whittier Elementary School employs several bilingual staff at each grade level to ensure seamless communication between students and their teachers.
This year, Kendall-Whittier Elementary School will continue its transition from a one-way program to a two-way dual language program, where eventually all students will leave Kendall-Whittier being literate in both English and Spanish. In the 2022-2023 school year, we will extend our two-way program into second grade. All students in pre-K - 2nd grade will learn to read first in their dominant language, then they will spend equal amounts of time building literacy in English and Spanish. Math will be taught in English, while science and social studies will be taught in Spanish. Students will build fluency in both languages through their daily interactions with peers and teachers. Our school will add one grade level each year in our two-way dual language program as these students progress. The one-way dual language program will continue until all grade levels are added one year at a time to become two-way.
Bilingual children who are educated in their second language have been seen to outperform single language children in their native language. Bilingualism increases brain cognition by utilizing the highest levels of thinking, focus, and awareness.
History
Biography
In 1861, Reverend Henry Kendall became secretary of the Board of Home Missions for the Presbyterian Church and served for over thirty years until his death in 1892. He also served as pastor of Presbyterian churches in East Bloomfield, New York, and Pittsburgh. Rev. Kendall was called the "missionary statesman" and wanted to spiritualize America's western frontier. He was instrumental in establishing schools for Native Americans throughout the west. Reverend Kendall was called "Great Chief" by thousands of Native Americans due to his efforts to develop a network of finishing schools for girls.
John Greenleaf Whittier was an American Quaker poet and advocate of the abolition of slavery in the United States. Frequently listed as one of the Fireside Poets, he was influenced by the Scottish poet Robert Burns. Whittier is remembered particularly for his anti-slavery writings as well as his book Snow-Bound.
Key Contributions
Kendall College was founded in Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1894. The school was named after Rev. Kendall in consideration of his long-time Presbyterian missionary workings in Indian Territory from 1831. Kendall College was later moved to Tulsa and in 1921 merged with the proposed McFarlin College, eventually becoming the University of Tulsa. Reverend Kendall was instrumental in opening schools for Native Americans, especially finishing schools for girls, and providing equal education opportunities. The Presbyterian Church and many Native Americans look up to Rev. Kendall for his work in Indian Territory.
In 1833, Whittier published the antislavery pamphlet Justice and Expediency, and from there dedicated the next twenty years of his life to the abolitionist cause. The controversial pamphlet destroyed all of his political hopes — as his demand for immediate emancipation alienated both northern businessmen and southern slaveholders — but it also sealed his commitment to a cause that he deemed morally correct and socially necessary. He was a founding member of the American Anti-Slavery Society and signed the Anti-Slavery Declaration of 1833, which he often considered the most significant action of his life.
Relevant Historical Context
Henry Kendall opened in 1912. The community came together to create one school out of two. Although still in two schools (Kendall and Whittier) at the time, Kendall-Whittier was established in the fall of 1997 and the building construction began on the current site. The school moved into the current building in October of 1998.
References
Goslin, T.S., II. (1949). Henry Kendall, Missionary Statesman. Journal of the Presbyterian Historical Society, 27 (2), 69-87. Retrieved from here.
Presbyterian Historical Society. (n.d.). Presbyterian Historical Society. Retrieved from here.
Leadership
Ronda Kesler
Principal
keslero@tulsaschools.org
I received my Bachelors of Science degree from Oral Roberts University and MA in Administration from OU Tulsa. I have taught Special Education and Regular Education in public schools in the states of Colorado, Washington, and Oklahoma for a total of approximately 20 years, along with homeschooling my four children in their early elementary years. When my family and I moved to OK in 2004, my children were enrolled in public school, and I began teaching at Hamilton MS as a Special Education teacher for 7th grade. After two years in that position, I became a Behavior Coach and Positive Behavior Intervention Support Coach for the district for two years before working in the capacity of Special Education Coordinator, assisting 20 schools with Special Education guidance and support, as well as providing extensive Professional Development for teachers and principals. In 2009 I moved into the capacity of Principal at McKinley ES, and in 2011 was asked to move to Kendall-Whittier where I have been ever since. I have four grown children, three grandchildren, and have been married for 36 years.
Letter from the Principal
Dear Kendall-Whittier Parents/Guardians,
I would like to extend a warm welcome to you and your student(s) to Kendall-Whittier E.S.. As key stakeholders in this community, we welcome your ideas, communication, and support.
At Kendall-Whittier, we offer many services for students, parents, and community. The staff and I are dedicated to providing your family with quality educational experiences.
We look forward to partnering with you to help your child reach his/her full educational success. It’s going to be a great year!
Sincerely,
Ronda Kesler, Principal
Curtis Swinford
Assistant Principal
swinfcu@tulsaschools.org
I received my Bachelors of Science degree from Northeastern State University and my Masters in Educational Leadership from OSU. I have taught regular, gifted and alternative education in public schools in Texas and Oklahoma for 20+ years. I spent the majority of my teaching career here in this neighborhood at the former Cleveland Jr. High. I am a National Board Certified educator. I also spent two years coaching novice teachers in Tulsa before arriving at Kendall Whittier. I have one daughter studying at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Tiffany Thomason
Assistant Principal
thomati@tulsaschools.org
I am a proud Tulsa Public Schools graduate. I earned my Bachelors in Elementary Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Oklahoma State University.
I have taught regular education, gifted education, and reading intervention. I have 13 years of public school teaching experience in Oklahoma and Colorado. In Colorado, I was apart of my school's instructional leadership team as a mentor and master teacher. My duties included teacher evaluation, teacher mentoring, and planning and presenting professional development. I worked on the district’s language arts curriculum team to streamline curriculum across grade levels.
I also coached middle school girls and boys basketball. At Edison Preparatory I taught AP 7th grade language arts and served as the language arts department chair. I have one son who will be a 3rd grader next year.
Gracye McCoy
Learning Director
mccoygr@tulsaschools.org
I received my Bachelors of Arts and Sciences degree from the University of Tulsa and my Master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language/Bilingual Education from the University of Central Oklahoma. I have taught kindergarten, first and second grade mostly in multi-age and Dual Language classrooms. I got my National Board Certification in Early Childhood Education in 2007 and then recertified in 2017. My entire professional career has been here at Kendall-Whittier, and I couldn’t have chosen a better place to come to work everyday! I have a husband and 5 children, and we are all proud KW Tigers!