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

HUSD App available to download

Want to stay up on all the news?

The Higley Unified School District App is now available to download! Visit your favorite App store and search for "Higley."

Once downloaded, families can select which schools they wish to receive information from every day - from school calendar updates to social media feeds to notifications.

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 their current, up-to-date e-mail address on file with their schools. 

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.

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.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

With spring upon us, it is that time of year when students in 3rd through 6th grade will take state assessments. Teachers have been working diligently all year to prepare students with the knowledge they will need to master grade level standards. AzMERIT/AIMS is one way for your child to demonstrate this knowledge. Please remind your child to take their time and to put forth his/her best efforts while taking the tests. Getting a good night’s sleep, eating a healthy breakfast, daily attendance, and arriving to school on time are essential during this season. If your child arrives late to school, he or she will not be permitted to enter the testing room and will be required to make up the test on a different day. We ask that you please schedule appointments outside of school hours and avoid checking students out of school early if possible.

For some additional tips to help your child feel comfortable with state assessments please visit https://www2.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/succeed/part9.html

We appreciate your efforts in working with us to ensure that students have a successful assessment experience.

Testing will take place on the following dates:

March 26th – 4th grade AIMS Science
April 2nd – 3rd grade Writing
April 3rd – 4th grade Writing
April 5th – 5th grade Writing
April 6th – 6th grade Writing
April 9th & 10th – 4th grade ELA and Math
April 12th & 13th – 6th grade ELA and Math
April 16th & 17th – 3rd grade ELA and Math
April 19th & 20th – 5th grade ELA and Math

Cortina Principal Update: March 26

Dear Cortina Families:

In order to provide Cortina with the smoothest transition and with the strongest leadership who already knows the community and students, the district has made the decision to appoint Ms. Kelly Papke as the permanent principal for Cortina Elementary School, effective immediately. Ms. Papke has been an assistant principal at Cortina for five years, and we believe she is the person who can best support the school and community moving forward.

The district will be conducting a search for a new assistant principal in the upcoming weeks. For the rest of this year, the district has hired Ms. Sophia Patterson, a former teacher within the district with her administration certification and previous administrator experience, to be the interim assistant principal. She will begin tomorrow. We are confident she will be up to speed quickly and be a strong support for Ms. Papke and the school community.

We are excited to have Ms. Papke in this new position as principal of Cortina Elementary School. We know she will do an excellent job and provide stable leadership for the students, staff, and community. Please join us in welcoming her to this new position.

Sincerely,

Warren Shillingburg, PhD
Associate Superintendent for Educational Services

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

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.