Seniors who make a difference
honored by Governing Board

Seniors at Higley and Williams Field High make an impact on their schools and community on a daily basis. From serving as mentors and role models in the classroom and on the playing fields to leading school clubs and volunteer work in the community, they make a difference.

To honor these students, more than three dozen seniors were invited to the first Higley Unified School District Governing Board "Seniors Who Make a Difference" Dinner on Nov. 5.

"It was a wonderful evening for everyone. Thank you to all the high school students," board member Greg Wojtovich said.

Board president Venessa Whitener agreed.

"The more we can recognize our students who are service-leadership driven, the more of a positive impact we will feel in our communities and schools.  Because of these seniors, who are willing to donate any amounts of time to bettering their world, we all benefit tenfold. Thank you Higley District seniors who make a difference and thank you parents who support their leadership," she said.

Community Education offers $10 on
early-release Wednesdays 
Beginning in January, families that use Kids Club only on early-release Wednesdays will be charged $10. Kids Club is available 6 a.m. to start of school and after school until 6 p.m. each school day. Families must register with the Community Education Department, open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1100 S. Recker Road, on the west side of Cooley Middle School.

2016-17 Preschool registration gets
under way in January


Children ages 3-5 can attend one of Higley Unified School District's quality Early Childhood Development Centers located in Gilbert and Queen Creek.

Registration starts the week of Jan. 18. Two information sessions will be held:
Sossaman Early Childhood Development Center: 6 p.m. Jan. 19
Cooley Early Childhood Development Center: 6 p.m. Jan. 21

For more information, see www.husd.org/preschool

Kindergarten Round-up scheduled for Feb. 4

Who: Families with children who will enter kindergarten in the 2016-17 school year
What: Meet the principal and turn in registration papers
Where: The elementary school in your attendance boundaries
When: 8:30 a.m. or 6 p.m. Feb. 4 (Bridges families will register at HCPA a day earlier)
Information: www.husd.org/kru

Language Immersion programs

Mandarin Immersion: Coronado Elementary School is accepting students in kindergarten, first, second, and third-grade for its Mandarin Choice Program for the 2016/17 school year.

Spanish Immersion: San Tan Elementary School is exploring the option to offer Spanish Immersion for kindergarten and first-grade students beginning with the 2016-2017 school year.

Both schools offer information sessions on Thursdays. See school websites for more information.

Higley Program for Accelerated Learning to open
at Bridges Elementary  
Higley Unified School District has announced that Bridges Elementary School will host the Higley Program for Accelerated Learning (HPAL), open to students in grades 3 through 6 in 2016-17.

Administrators and teachers are designing this program to meet the needs of Higley's high achieving, highly motivated students. The Higley Program for Accelerated Learning will prepare students for honors classes in middle school, and AP and dual credit classes in high school.

Are you interested in the Accelerated Program? Please let us know by submitting the interest form.

Information meeting dates for Bridges Elementary School are now available on a new Bridges Elementary School webpage.

Save the date: Learn how to prepare for high school and college on Jan. 14 during Academic Blitz 
Where do you want to go? How do you plan to get there? It's never too early to start thinking about your future!

Parents and students can attend FREE mini workshops on topics such as:
* AP Classes (Higley offers 20 class titles)
* Dual Enrollment (HHS & WFHS offer dozens of class options with local and state colleges and universities)
* College application process
* Getting ready for high school and more!

Higley Academic Blitz will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 14 at Williams Field High School, 2076 S. Higley Road, Gilbert. Learn more at www.husd.org/academicblitz.

Open Enrollment

Open enrollment registration for all of our campuses for the 2016-17 school year began Dec. 1, with priority given to applications received by Feb. 1. Click here to find the Open Enrollment Application.

Applications may be turned in at the campus you wish your child to attend.


District boundary maps for elementary, middle school and high school are located here. Please complete the application form and return to the school during business hours.

Support HUSD and receive up to $400
AZ Tax Credit


The state of Arizona allows you to receive a tax credit of up to $200 ($400 if married and filing jointly) when you make an ECA tax credit donation to our school. We will use your tax dollar donation to help fund extra-curricular activities and opportunities for our students to extend their learning beyond the regular school day and you will get a dollar-for-dollar credit toward your tax return. We appreciate your support and are dedicated to spending your tax dollars responsibly.

We THANK YOU for your tax credit donations.

If you wish to make a donation, please click here for more information.

Upcoming middle & high school open house events

Students in middle school and high school will start class registration in January. Open enrollment forms are now being accepted.

Cooley Middle School: Jan. 21 (incoming 7th graders)
Sossaman Middle School: Jan. 19 (incoming 7th graders)
Higley High School: "Hangin' with the Knights" (incoming freshmen) 6 p.m. Jan. 12
Williams Field High School: Rising Freshmen Night 6 p.m. Jan. 20 & Rising Sophomore/Junior/Senior Night 6 p.m. Jan. 21

Governing Board Column: Higley Students reach
out to help community  
Some of the most heart-warming stories I hear from our schools come from parents who watch their children take part in community service projects organized by their school, sport or club. These students come together and take ownership of the project, whether they are promoting clothing or food drives, spending time beautifying a campus or volunteering for a nonprofit organization.

Our Higley students have been out in the community a great deal the last few weeks, helping feed the hungry or striving to make a day better for a sick child. I have heard countless stories about the efforts of students, as young as preschool, doing something to help others.

Here is just a small list of what our Higley students have done:

* Chaparral Students collected more than 9,500 cans for the KNIX Million Can Crusade.
* Cooley Middle School NJHS students collected more than 100 toys to donate to Phoenix Children's Hospital.
* Sossaman Middle School and preschool students wrote more than 900 letters to current and veteran servicemen and women.
* Higley High girls soccer team members spent time cleaning up the campus in December. Students joined members of the community - with the help of Sun Valley Church - on several other projects, including painting.
* Williams Field High students organized the "Stuff the Bus" food drive, providing more than 13,600 meals through United Food Bank.
* Several Jingle Jogs were held around the district, including one at Centennial Elementary School to raise funds to purchase food boxes for Centennial Angel Tree families.

Through projects such as these, students learn valuable lessons of leadership, community service and team building. I want to applaud all the students, as well as their teachers and staff who support them in these endeavors.

Higley Center for the Performing Arts
upcoming shows


Don't miss out on these great shows in January & February. All Shows are at 7:30 p.m., except where noted.

Info and Tickets at www.higleycenter.org

On the Air: A Tribute to Bob Hope and other Radio Stars of the 40's - January 8th
Jim Curry: Take Me Home, The Music of John Denver - January 9th

Acoustic Eidolon: World Music for the Soul - 3 p.m. January 10th

The Abbey Road Band - January 14th

Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand
- January 15th
Peter, Paul and Mary Remembered - January 16th

Grammy Nominee for Best Blues Recording - Blind Dog Smokin' - January 28th

Nelson Illusions - The Largest Touring Illusion Show in the U.S. - February 5th and 6th

Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters - February 24th

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