HUSD News Stories

Across Higley Unified School District (HUSD), character education helps students develop the skills and values they need to succeed in school and beyond. Each campus takes an approach that reflects its own community and culture while teaching qualities such as respect, responsibility, perseverance and safety. 

Through clear expectations and behavior matrices, students learn what these qualities look like in classrooms, cafeterias, libraries, playgrounds and other areas of campus. 

At Coronado Elementary, that approach is called P.A.W.S., which stands for Positive Perseverance, Acting Respectful, Working to Potential and Staying Safe. The idea began in 2019 when Coronado staff identified a need for a shared understanding of what it meant to be a Coronado Coyote. The school sought input from teachers, students, families and community members as staff developed and refined the expectations. 

"We want to set students up for success, so they're not having to guess at what success looks like," Coronado Principal Brian Griggs said. 

The school didn't want the expectations to apply only to student behavior on campus. Staff considered the skills students would need as they moved through school and eventually into their communities. 

"When we talk about what it means to be successful, it's not only in school, which is a huge part of our job, but also we are preparing students for all those opportunities that we talk about in Higley, those limitless opportunities," Griggs said. 

Today, P.A.W.S. provides a common language that students, staff and families can use when talking about positive choices. Students can receive Coyote Cash when staff members recognize them demonstrating one of the P.A.W.S. expectations. Students can then use their Coyote Cash for opportunities to earn prizes. 

Griggs said the recognition helps students connect the expectations they hear about at school with the choices they make each day. 

"Students were able to talk about it. 'I was identified as demonstrating working to potential, and what that meant was I was working hard in class,'" Griggs said. "They see that direct connection between what we talk about and the actual choices that they make." 

That shared language has also extended beyond the school day. 

"It really has become a conversation of just how we do things at Coronado," Griggs said. "Even families have conversations at home with, 'Hey, are you demonstrating perseverance in this?' and 'I know you have the ability to work to potential. Let's talk about what that potential is.'" 

For Griggs, that partnership gives students a clear understanding of what their school and families expect from them. 

Coronado's P.A.W.S. represents just one of the ways HUSD schools make character education part of their campus culture. Here are the expectations each campus has in place to ensure students are performing at their best: 

• Bridges Elementary: Keys to Success- Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be a 21st Century Learner 

• Centennial Elementary: Cardinals R.I.S.E.- Respect, Integrity, Support and Excellence 

• Chaparral Elementary: Leader in Me- Framework based on the Eight Habits  

• Coronado Elementary: P.A.W.S.- Positive Perseverance, Acting Respectful, Working to Potential and Staying Safe 

• Cortina Elementary: A Tiger R.O.A.R.S.- Respectful, Organized and Ready to Learn, Accepting of Self and Others, Responsible and Safe 

• Gateway Pointe Elementary: Gators S.N.A.P.- Safe Actions, Non-Stop Learning, Accepting Responsibility and Practicing Respect 

• Higley Traditional Academy: Hawk High-Fives- Respect, Accountability, Integrity, Safety and Excellence 

• Power Ranch Elementary: P.A.W.S.- Persistent, Accountable, Welcoming and Safe 

• San Tan Elementary: Leader in Me- Framework based on the Eight Habits 

• Cooley Middle School: C.H.A.M.P.S. - Conversation, Help, Activity, Movement, Participation, Success 

• Sossaman Middle School: Respect and Accountability 

• Higley High School: United in Excellence and Honor 

• Williams Field High School: Black Hawks Soar with These 4 Core – Dedication, Mental Toughness, Integrity, Selflessness 

Although the names and approaches differ, HUSD schools use character education to help students develop skills they can take with them beyond their campuses. 

Griggs said he emphasizes that message with Coronado's sixth graders as they prepare to leave elementary school. 

"They are leaving with those skills for success. They know how to persevere. They know how to work hard. They know how to be able to work as a team and be able to do it in a way that really not only builds themselves up, but also their community," Griggs said. "It really is setting those kids up to be people who make a positive difference in the world around them."