April 19, 2018 9:00 p.m. 

Dear HUSD Families and Community:

At 9 p.m. today, the Arizona Education Association announced that teachers and school employees voted to hold a statewide “Walk Out.”

What does this mean?

As we stated in an e-mail earlier today, Higley teacher leadership will keep the District administration apprised of plans for a “Walk Out” in order for District Administration to plan for student safety. The District and teacher leadership team will meet Friday morning.

School will continue as scheduled on Friday, April 20.

As details of a “Walk Out” are released, the District will provide updates on the website and will send email and phone communications if needed.

The following plans are currently in place:

For student safety:

• Schools will close during the "Walk Out," and will continue until the “Walk Out” is over.

• Details about any make up time will be evaluated by administration and communicated through the school administrative teams once details are known.

• All schools in the district will be closed to the public.

• The District Office will run regularly scheduled hours, similar to fall and spring break.

• AIA spring varsity level activities, such as practice, competition and tournaments, will continue as scheduled. Other District extracurricular programming, including celebrations, concerts and awards ceremonies, will be suspended.

• Prom will continue as scheduled on Saturday, April 21.

• Graduation ceremonies will take place as scheduled. Diplomas will be released when course requirements are met.

• Transportation services for students taking classes at off-campus sites will continue should those campuses not be impacted.

• Use of campuses on Saturdays and Sundays pursuant to facility use agreements will still be honored.

We urge families to make plans for a school closure. Kids Club will be unavailable.

We want to thank you for the support of Higley schools as we work through this time together.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mike Thomason
Superintendent

Special Education Records Destruction Notice

Pursuant to A.R.S. §41-1351 and the General Records Retention Schedule for School Districts and Charter Schools Student Records (#000-11-53) established by Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records (L.A.P.R.), Special Education Records (including placement records, referrals, evaluations, testing data and other related records) will be destroyed “four (4) years after fiscal year of final enrollment.”

Students must meet with their counselor if they are interested in enrolling in summer school courses outside of HUSD.

HUSD Walk-Ins

Dear HUSD parents and community,

As a District, we support our teachers and staff as they work to gain the attention of our state legislators relating to the underfunding of public schools. During this process, we aim to ensure that our daily commitment to providing a high quality, safe learning environment for our students and staff is not compromised.

Staff members at our schools are planning to hold peaceful #RedForEd Walk-ins prior to the start of the school day on Wednesdays, starting April 11. Teachers and staff will be outside their schools. When campus opens, teachers and staff will walk onto the campus together. Due to testing and classroom instruction, we ask that community supporters do not walk into the buildings. We want to assure that student supervision and classroom instruction will not be impacted. The purpose of the Walk-in is to demonstrate unity among the educational professionals and the community while allowing for education to continue.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s school directly.

Sincerely,
Higley Unified School District

2018/2019 Preschool Enrollment

Preschool enrollment for the 2018/19 school year is open.

Higley’s Early Childhood Development Centers offer several programs for children ages 3-5: full-time, part-time, Highly Gifted, Introduction to Spanish, and Introduction to Mandarin.

Learn more about the programs available for children during an information/enrollment night:

6 p.m., Tuesday, April 17th
Cooley Early Childhood Development Center
1100 S. Recker Road, Gilbert

6 p.m. Tuesday, April 24th
Sossaman Early Childhood Development Center
18665 E. Jacaranda Blvd., Queen Creek

Want to learn more now? See the preschool website: www.husd.org/pre

District adds school-day orchestra option for 5th, 6th grade in 2018/19

Fifth- and sixth-grade students at Higley Unified School District elementary schools will have the option to take orchestra during the school day beginning with the 2018/19 school year. Currently, Higley offers band to students during the school day. With the new option, more students will have the opportunity to study music and learn new skills. The schedule for the class will be determined by each school site.

To make this selection for next school year, students must sign up with their school during their registration process.

Students interested in this option can learn more about the instruments during an upcoming instrument "petting zoo.”

• 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 14, during District Fine Arts Festival, Higley High
• 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, April 23, Higley Traditional Academy
• 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, Power Ranch Elementary School

Students may attend any of these events.

E-mail communication

Higley Unified School District has launched an APP as another tool for communication with Higley families. The new system will allow schools to send e-mails, as well as push notifications for those who download the app. 

We are excited to offer this new communication tool to our families and look forward to seeing how it grows over the next few months.

Please note: In order to continue receiving e-mail communication, families must have a current, up-to-date e-mail address on file with their schools. The current Constant Contact system will be phased out before the end of the school year. Families that do not have an updated e-mail with the schools may not receive all the communication being sent.

If you have changed your e-mail in the last few months, created a new e-mail or have not provided an e-mail to your school, please do so as quickly as possible.

Math Curriculum Adoption Update – March 2018

The Higley Unified School District’s Math Adoption Committee has selected McGraw-Hill for the district’s new K-12 mathematics curriculum adoption.

Prior to a vote by the Higley Unified School District Governing Board, the curriculum will be on display at the district office, 2935 S. Recker Road, Gilbert, Ariz., through May 4. Community members may also complete an evaluation form following material review.

Did you miss Kindergarten Round-up? It’s not too late to register for the 2018/19 school-year.

All Higley elementary schools are now accepting registration packets for next school year. Families that wish to open enroll into one of our campuses should turn in an open enrollment form, along with registration packet. Open enrollment spots may be limited at some sites, so apply today!

Hear it? See it? Don't repeat it - Report it

Letter from the Superintendent

Senior Citizen Athletic Pass

Higley Unified School District residents who are age 60 or older are eligible to receive an athletic pass – entitling them to FREE admission to all regular season athletic events held in Higley Unified School District. Does not include admission to tournaments.

To obtain a senior citizens pass, visit the Higley Unified School District Office, located at 2935 S. Recker Road, Gilbert, AZ. Proof of age and residency via a driver’s license, passport, or a document with a Photo ID is required.

For more information, please contact the Higley Unified School District Office at 480-279-7000.

ParentVue Reminder

All HUSD families should sign up for a ParentVue account. This allows parents to view student grades and absences, as well as see – when they are posted – class schedules and teacher information. The district also uses ParentVue during class selection times at the middle schools and high schools.

Sign up requires an IN PERSON visit to the school office. If you already have a ParentVue account, and your child is moving from one HUSD school to another, no action is required. The updated information will appear when it is available.

If you have questions, please contact your school's office.

Kids Club Registration Now Online and Open

Kids Club is excited to welcome all families back for the new school year. We provide before- and after-school care programs to enhance the learning that takes place during the school day for students in preschool through sixth grade.

Registration is now open for the 2017-18 school year. Families that plan to use Kids Club must register by the Thursday the week prior. 

For more information or to register, please visit the Community Education website.