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2009 Ken Vandehei Memorial Scholarship Recipients

On May 12, 2009, it was announced that Samira Ejaz will receive $3,000 over 4 years, Alexandria Davies and Alyssa Marcinko each will receive $4,500 over 4 years, and Jordan Brackett will receive $7,000 over 4 years. Samira and Alexandria will be attending Arizona State University, Alyssa will be attending Chandler-Gilbert Community College, and Jordan will be attending Mesa Community College.

The Ken Vandehei Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by the Vandehei Family, after Ken was tragically killed by lightning in July 2006 while vacationing with his family at Lake Powell. The scholarship is awarded annually to outstanding high school seniors in the Higley Unified School District who plan to continue their education at a college or university. The scholarship awards vary in amounts from $1,000. - $8,000. Since establishing the Ken Vandehei Memorial Scholarship Fund, $49,000 has been given out to graduating seniors. It is our hope that with continued support from the community in donations and contributions, along with the Annual Ken Vandehei Golf Classic, we will be able to help more students in the future realize their dream of furthering their education.

This year’s golf classic will be September 19th at Las Colinas in Queen Creek, AZ with a shotgun start at 7:30 am. For further information please contact Mark Swisher, Tournament Director at mdswisher@hotmail.com or (480) 235.5857.
Dear Higley Parents and Community Members:

I would like to update you today on the measures we are taking and the steps we have in place to monitor and manage the situation regarding the Swine Flu. We are carefully monitoring the situation through several organizations including Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Arizona Department of Health Services, Arizona Department of Education and the Arizona School Board Association. We are following all the state and county protocols.

According to current state guidelines that could change at any time, in the event a case of the Swine Flu is confirmed at one of our schools, we would follow the guidelines outlined for us. We would close the school at the end of the school day and notify all staff. At that point, all activities at the school would cease, and the school would be closed for seven days to avoid spreading of the influenza. We will communicate that quickly and widely should a case be confirmed.

Please be aware that our nurses and staff are very aware of the situation and following all procedures to monitor and report illnesses. They are on heightened alert.

Prevention is important. Please remind your child of the following practices to follow and do not send a sick child to school.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your hand or tissue
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick (hugging, shaking hands, etc.).
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs    and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick. If possible, do not go out in public. This will prevent others from catching your illness.

We are carefully making sure these practices are followed in our schools and also increasing our sanitization procedure.

There are numerous county and state resources available to you if you seek additional information. You may call 602-263-8856 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with bi-lingual staff about general questions about Swine Flu, to learn how it is affecting our local community as well as learn websites and telephone numbers for more information.

Additionally, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health has preparedness information available on their website, www.wearepublichealth.org that offers specific guidance.

For more information about Swine Flu, www.cdc.gov
For more information about Swine Flu and how it is affecting our State, www.azdhs.gov

We will keep you updated if additional information becomes available or if we have a confirmed case of flu in our schools.

Sincerely,
Dr. Denise Birdwell
Superintendent
The following is a message from Dr Bob England from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.

I am asking the schools to share this message - so that you can hear from me directly about how Swine Flu is affecting our community and possibly your family.

As you may know already, Swine Influenza has arrived in our community. This is a virus and so far is behaving like Seasonal Flu.

We see that the cases here are mild and that the virus responds well to treatment. However, we have had to close schools and this is because this Swine Flu is a new virus and we still need to monitor how it affects us.

So - what can you do right now?

What is most important for you to know and understand is that if you or your child is ill - please stay home, treat the symptoms of fever, vomiting and diarrhea as you would normally.

If the condition worsens such as high fever, excessive vomiting and diarrhea and difficulty breathing then - yes - seek medical attention. Also, if your child has additional health issues such as asthma, diabetes and the like - AND - they are showing flu like illness, then yes, seek medical attention.

Pediatric urgent cares, offices and community health centers are ready to treat serious illness.

In your home, help your children practice thorough hand washing, covering their cough and sneezes and use disposable tissues.

Encourage getting rest, keeping hydrate and listening to your children if they are anxious too about getting sick. It is normal for them to also be concerned about what they hear about this virus.

I know this is an anxious time. I too have a child. We will work to keep you updated and informed through your school, through our website www.wearepublichealth.com and through the media.

Thank you for listening to this message. Sincerely, Dr. Bob

Maricopa County Public Health Letter
Tuition Free All Day Kindergarten!

Starting school is such an exciting time and the Higley School District is looking forward to welcoming our future graduating class of 2022! If your child will be five years old by August 31, 2009 it is time to register your child for kindergarten. Registration is currently happening at your neighborhood K-8 school! If your child will be attending Centennial our newest K-8 school you may register at any of our K-8 schools or at our District office. Higley will have tuition free full day and half day options for your student so register now!
Dear Parents/Guardians:

In addition to the services that are currently provided at each K-8 school, Higley School District is planning a Self-Contained Gifted Program that offers a complete gifted curriculum and is designed for students in grades three through five who have extraordinary academic needs, abilities and intellectual potential. Due to the large number of applications received before the deadline of May 8th, our current classes are full. We are in the process of placing new applications on a waiting list and will determine if there are available seats in the program prior to school starting in August. The program will be housed at the district’s newest campus, Centennial elementary School.

The Self-Contained Gifted Program is a full-day program designed for qualifying students who need the support and challenge that a peer group of students with similar academic interests and abilities provides. The goal of this program is to provide students who have advanced intellectual, academic, and/or creative thinking skills the opportunity to dynamically interact with teachers who specialize in gifted education as well as peers of similar aptitude within a rigorous, interdisciplinary learning environment in order to reach their highest levels of learning and accomplishment. These students are grouped together all day with the exception of specialty classes and lunch. The teachers are gifted endorsed and have experience working with gifted students.

Criteria for qualifying for enrollment in this program include:
     1. Score at or above the 97%ile on one of the three gifted subtests (verbal, non-verbal and quantitative); and a second score at the
          90%ile or above in another subtest
     2. Completion of the application form
     3. Two recommendations, one from a regular classroom teacher and one from the gifted specialist at the current school
     4. A self-recommendation form
     5. Past classroom performance

The classroom instruction expands and accelerates the traditional curriculum to accommodate the unique needs and interests of the students. Differentiation in environment, instructional methods, course content, process, and product provides appropriate educational experiences for these students. Students are provided with a rigorous interdisciplinary core curriculum of language arts, social studies, science, and math. Standard curriculum is compacted for students who demonstrate mastery and proficiency in basic skills. Students also have an opportunity to explore areas of interest in depth through independent research.

Assessment of program effectiveness will be designed around these expected outcomes:
• Adequate yearly academic gains on standardized tests;
• More specific individualized instruction and direct teaching;
• Challenging, extended curriculum;
• Differentiated content, process, product, and learning environment;
• Higher levels of self-confidence and self-reliance among students;
• Increased parent involvement and satisfaction;
• Increase in teacher expectations of students;
• Higher level of teacher satisfaction and enthusiasm.

Centennial Elementary School is located at 3507 South Ranch House Parkway, Gilbert. Transportation will be the responsibility of the parent. If you are interested in having your child considered for this program, please fill out an application form and return it to the Differentiation Coach/Gifted Teacher at any of our elementary schools or to Nancy Foote at the District Office.

For more information, contact any of our site Differentiation Coaches/Gifted Teachers or Mrs. Nancy Foote at the District Office.

Rosann Perry, Chaparral (480) 279.7900
Rebecca Nieboer, Coronado (480) 279.6900
Gerrie Clower, Cortina (480) 279.7800
Janet Williams, Gateway Pointe (480) 279.7700
Vicki Simer, Higley Elementary (480) 279.6800
Robin Engel, Power Ranch (480) 279.7600
Karen Lopez, San Tan (480) 279.7200
Nancy Foote, District Office (480) 279.7057

Self-Contained Gifted Program Application
Self-Contained Gifted Program Frequently Asked Questions
Dear Parent,

Higley Unified School District is writing to inform you of updates to district implementation of open enrollment policies. Due to the increasing district student population, open enrollment must be renewed for all grade levels on an annual basis to ensure that families will be able to receive educational services at their home schools, if so desired. Student population growth necessitates a yearly evaluation at each site as to whether the site has capacity for additional students.

HUSD would also like to inform you that open enrollment will now be available for all grade levels at both high schools. Williams Field High School will have a student population at all four levels starting next year. Therefore, open enrollment no longer has grade restrictions for the high schools.

Open enrollment applications for the 2009-2010 school year must be submitted to the school office of the school in which you are requesting enrollment by April 1, 2009. For open enrollment into Centennial for the 2009-2010 school year, please come to the District Office during business hours. Open enrollment decisions will be made by June 1st 2009. Once informed of the open enrollment decision, parents will have 15 days to confirm acceptance. Schools will maintain a waiting list for submitted open enrollment requests.

If you are currently open-enrolled and need to renew your open enrollment status or would like to open enroll for the first time, you can find the necessary forms at the link below. You will find separate forms for in-district and out-of-district open enrollment. Forms are also available at school sites. In the event there is no room at the desired school or you do not participate in the open enrollment process this year, your child will need to be enrolled in their home school in order to start school in the 2009-2010 academic year.

Forms

Please understand that a top priority of the Governing Board and the district is to keep your children enrolled in the same school, as much as possible. Continuity in your child’s education is important to us. Thank you for helping HUSD during our growth as a community.

If you have any questions please contact the school into which you would like to enroll.
Sincerely,

A. Denise Birdwell
Interim Superintendant
Centennial and K-8 School Boundaries for 2009-2010.

The school board approved the new K-8 school boundaries for the Higley Unified School District on January 28, 2009. The new school boundaries for K-8 were delineated to accommodate the addition of Centennial Elementary School. The description and map below identify the new boundaries.

1. The boundaries for Chaparral Elementary, Gateway Pointe Elementary, Higley Elementary and Middle School, and San Tan Elementary     remain unchanged.

2. The boundaries for Coronado include all of the current boundaries plus the addition of students living in the Arbors subdivision of     Power Ranch south of Manzanita Road and west of Luiseno Blvd.

3. The boundaries for Cortina include all of the current boundaries minus students living west of Power Road.

4. The boundaries for Power Ranch include students living in Power Ranch south of Germann except for the following:
    a. Students living in the Arbors subdivision of Power Ranch south of Manzanita will attend Coronado
    b. Students living in the Arbors subdivision of Power Ranch north of Manzanita will attend Centennial
    c. Students living in Power Ranch, south of Germann and on the following streets will attend Centennial
        i. S. Angler Court
        ii. S Bandit Court
        iii. S. Cricket Court
        v. S. Dewdrop Court
        v. E. Moreno Court
        vi. E. Murrieta Road
        vii. S. Shady Court – Between 4000 and 4199
        viii. S. Skyline Court
        ix. S. Summer Court
        x. E. Sundance Avenue – Between 4140 and 4300
        xi. E. Sundance Court – Between 4300 and 4700
        xii. E. Temecula Court
        xiii. S. Vineyard Avenue
        xiv. E. Warbler Court
        xv. S. Winter Court

5. The boundaries for Centennial will include all of Power Ranch north of Germann, as well as students living south of Germann and meeting the criteria of either 4(b) or 4(c) above.

Centennial and K-8 School Boundaries for 2009-2010 Map
PRIME THE PIPELINE

TO:     High School Sophomore Students and Parents

RE:     Prime the Pipeline Project

Dear sophomore students and parents of sophomore students,

I am writing to strongly encourage you to consider an opportunity to participate in a grant program offered through Arizona State University. The program, called Prime the Pipeline, provides high school sophomores the chance to work on projects with high school instructors, university instructors, university students, and industry leaders. The projects integrate science, technology, engineering, mathematics and business; allowing students to gain important practical experiences applying academic knowledge to real world applications. The opportunity is further described below. Please consider participating in this wonderful opportunity.

Justin Prost, Ph.D.
Director of Research and Assessment
Higley Unified School District

Dear Sophomore,
We are pleased to invite you to participate in ASU’s National Science Foundation Grant called Prime the Pipeline Project (P3). Students selected to participate will get full scholarships to attend the program and all costs for project materials are paid by ASU.

• The P3 after-school and summer program will be offered at the Arizona State University (ASU) Polytechnic campus in partnership with    Higley Public Schools and three other nearby school districts.

• You will work together with experts from business and industry, ASU professors, college students and fellow high school students.

• You will explore science, technology, engineering, mathematics and business through projects that involve:

     º Film production

     º Cell phone dissection and cell tower exploration

     º Clean room exploration and model design

     º Wind turbine design and feasibility study

     º Health assisting devices

     º Computer game simulation and design

     º ASU’s Decision Theater and 3-D mapping for potential crime scenes and security

     º And nine other projects that promote learning and success in STEM career fields.

• You will have access to ASU project website and all project-related software

•There will be 8-9 sessions each semester and two summer institutes through your senior year. The first series of projects will begin    March 3, 2009

• Spring 2009

     º 8 sessions on Tuesdays March 3, 24, April 7, 14, 28, May 5, 12, and 19, 2009, 3:45-6 PM

• Summer Institutes 2009 & 2010

     º June 8, 2009 - June 19, 2009

     º Summer 2010 – To Be Determined

• Complete P3 Application with your parent/guardian signature ASAP and return it to the principal. Acceptance of application is based on a    “first come, first served” basis. Application materials link
Effective December 19, 2008, Dr. Denise Birdwell is assuming the duties of the Superintendent for the Higley Unified School District. Please direct all Superintendent related inquiries through her office at (480) 279.7016. In addition to Dr. Birdwell's office, the following members of the leadership team are in place and look forward to serving you:

Mr. Fred Stone, Executive Director of Support Service: (480) 279.7063
Mr. Mark Busch, Executive Director of Business Services: 480-279-7110
Dr. Steve Nance, Director of Curriculum, Elementary: (480) 279.7033
Mr. Vic Harrel, Director of Curriculum, Secondary: (480) 279.7033
Cathey Mayes, Director of Human Resources: 480-279-7100

If you questions regard a specific school campus in the Higley District, please contact the principal's office directly. Those numbers are:

Chaparral Elementary School - Jessica Edgar: (480) 279.7913
Coronado Elementary School - Theodora Schiro: (480) 279.6913
Cortina Elementary School - Brad Jamison: (480) 279.7813
Gateway Pointe Elementary School - Paul Murray: (480) 279.7713
Higley Elementary & Middle School - Kathleen Hughes: (480) 279.6813
Power Ranch Elementary School - Greg Bellemare: (480) 279.7613
San Tan Elementary School - Maureen Migacz: (480) 279.7213
Higley High School - Larry Rother: (480) 279.7313
Williams Field High School - Cindy Royer: (480) 279.8013

The district schools will be closed December 22, 2008 through January 2, 2009 for winter break. Classes will resume on January 5, 2009 and the school offices will reopen on that date. The District Office will be open on December 29th and 30th to accept tax credit donations.

We look forward to responding to your needs in 2009 and wish you a safe and happy holiday season.
Higley Student Registration & Enrollment To Take Place On School Campuses Beginning January 5, 2009

Beginning January 5, 2009, all Higley School District students will register for school at their school campus. For the past couple of years, kindergarten through grade eight students registered at the district's main office on Recker Road. However, to better serve our students and families, the registration and enrollment process will now take place on all school campuses for both kindergarten through grade eight and our high schools. This new process is more convenient for our families and will enable them to become familiar with their new school and staff right away. The new process applies to open enrollment, transfer, early entrance kindergarten, special education and preschool students, as well. However, please note there may be additional requirements for enrollment for those students that may require appointments at the district office. Regardless, we will work hard to streamline each process for the convenience of our students and families.

Click here for information regarding registration, school boundaries, office and school hours, as well as programs that are available. You may also call (480) 279-7000.

Please sign up for our district and school email communications by joining our Listserv. Registration information will be sent on a regular basis through our email communications.

Thank you for your support of the Higley Unified School District. We look forward to serving you and your children in 2009!
Higley Unified School District Governing Board approves 2009-2010 Calendar

2009-2010 School Calendar
Current School Calendar
This message is to let you know about a survey ADE is conducting on school report cards. In its continuous effort to improve the report cards, ADE is asking users to tell us about the importance to them of the information provided on the report card.

It can be found on the ADE web site at www.ade.az.gov
Please take the time to fill it out. Also, please ask your staff and parents to fill it out as well.

Thank you very much for your help.

Sincerely,
Robert Franciosi, Ph.D.
Deputy Associate Superintendent
Research and Evaluation
Annual Financial Report

Fiscal Year 2008 District/Charter Annual Financial Reports
(C) 2009 Higley Unified School District. All rights reserved. Staff