County Superintendent announces Higley Governing Board Appointments

The Office of the Maricopa County School Superintendent informed Higley Unified School District this week that the next group of new Board Members will be appointed and the scheduled November election will be cancelled, saving the district more than $22,000.

Congratulations to the three candidates who filed for election for three open positions: current board member Greg Wojtovich will serve a new two-year term; current member Amy Kaylor will serve a new four-year term; and new member Jill Wilson will serve a four-year term.

The members will be sworn in during the month of December and take office in January.

At this time, we wish to thank Rick Thornock for his service and contributions as a Board member. His term ends Dec. 31. We wish him well in his future endeavors.

Higley District to offer SAT exam for young, accelerated students

Higley Unified School District will offer the SAT test on Dec. 1 at Higley High. While this test is open to all students, this specific opportunity is designed to give young, accelerated students a chance to better prepare for future college entrance exams. Spaces are limited.

Information about the SAT for families of younger students will be available during a meeting 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at Williams Field High School in room 199.

In addition, a representative of Johns Hopkins University will offer an informational meeting about its young talent program, which is available to sixth- to ninth-grade students who receive a qualifying score on the SAT. High-scoring young students will be honored during a ceremony Feb. 12.

To register for the SAT exam, visit the College Board website to create an account. Registration deadline: Nov. 2. Cost: $47.50. Optional essay portion: $17. The essay portion is not required for the talent search program and is not recommended for middle school students.

Due to internet privacy laws, parents of students 12 and under will need to call College Board at 866-756-7346 to request a paper registration packet. Packets must be complete and mailed to College Board by November 2nd. Registration packets received by College Board that are postmarked on or before November 2nd will be accepted for December 1st testing.

Higley Governing Board Accepts FY18 Annual Financial Report

The Higley Unified School District Governing Board accepted the FY18 (2017-2018 school year) Annual Financial Report (AFR) during a public board meeting on Sept. 26, 2018. The presentation can be found on the Finance Department webpage.

Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S) 15-904 requires school districts to prepare and submit an Annual Financial Report (AFR) in electronic format by October 15 annually.

The AFR has been filed with the Arizona Department of Education and can be found on the ADE reports website.

Higley Governing Board Accepts FY18 Bonds and Overrides Report

The Higley Unified School District Governing accepted the FY18 (2017-2018 school year) Bonds and Overrides Report during a public board meeting on Sept. 26, 2018. The presentation can be found on the Finance Department webpage.

It includes an update on how bonds and override funds were spent in the last school year.

Higley Unified School District Parent Presentations

Higley Unified School District will host several parent presentations surrounding the topic of mental health over the next few months. Three of the presentations will be held 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Higley Unified School District Office, 2539 S. Recker Road, Gilbert.

Dr. Cheryl Smith, PsyD, LPC will run these events and be available to speak with individuals for 30 minutes following each session. The Dec. 4 event will be run by Community Bridges at Williams Field High School.

Nov. 7: "Communicating for Connection: Scaling a stone wall."
Dec. 4: “Resiliency and Coping with Stress,” 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Jan. 23: "Parents being held hostage: 'If you don't let me, I will...'"
April 3: Parent Presentation: "When kids are mad or sad, Not Bad."

Mental Health Community Awareness Events

Information about community events that address a number of mental health and mental wellness topics, including suicide prevention, coping with stress, depression and anxiety, is now available online.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to research information about each program to determine the best fit for their family audience. The page will be updated as other events become available.

Spots still open in Higley’s newest preschool options

The Higley Integrated Preschool Program offers an exciting first-learning experience for children who are typically developing to learn and serve as peers for children who experiencing delays in development.

The 2.5-hour, 3-days per week preschool is the perfect setting for young children to ease into the school experience and prepare for success in kindergarten. Classes are taught by a certified teacher and follow an age-appropriate curriculum. Morning and afternoon classes available. Tuition: $100/month. Information: 480.279.8600.

Parent Education Presentations 

Dear Higley Parents with High School Students:

Hamilton High School in Chandler has put together a series of parent education presentations. Higley and Williams Field High parents are invited to attend. High school students may also attend a student version of the presentation at the same time. Please open the link below for detailed information.

Parent Education Presentations

Higley earns financial reporting honor

The Higley Unified School District was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting recently by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). The award was given for the district’s comprehensive annual (FY 17) financial report (CAFR). It is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and “its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management,” the GFOA reports.

Higley Unified School District has more than 12,000 students on 13 campuses in grades preschool through high school. Schools are located in Gilbert and Queen Creek, Ariz.

E-mail communication

Higley Unified School District launched an App this spring as a 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. In order to receive e-mail communication, families must have a current, up-to-date e-mail address on file with their schools. 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. If your child is rolling up to a new school, your current information will transfer with your child.

If you have not downloaded the App, we encourage you to do so. It can be found in your favorite App store.

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.

Follow us today on Social Media

The District maintains three social media accounts to celebrate school, student and staff accomplishments, as well as update the community on events. We invite you to join us!

Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HigleyUnifiedSchoolDistrict

Follow us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/higley365

and Tweet us at: http://www.twitter.com/higleydistrict

Should an emergency situation arise that impacts the school day please visit the school's website where a parent notification will be displayed to provide you with the most up-to-date information.

Kids Club

Kids Club is excited to welcome all families to the 2018 - 2019 school year. We provide before and after school care programs and Kids Club Camps during school breaks to enhance the learning that takes place during the school day for students in preschool through sixth grade.

Kids Club is available at our two Early Childhood Development Centers and at all our elementary schools from 6:00 a.m. until school begins and directly after school until 6:00 p.m.

For more information on Kids Club rates and how to register/schedule please visit our Kids Club page. 

If you have any questions, please contact Community Education office at 480.279.7055 or community.education@husd.org