More than 100 leaders from schools, nonprofits and businesses are moving forward with new partnership ideas after the Higley Unified School District hosted its annual Fall Business and Community Partner Breakfast.

Participants gathered on the campus of Cooley Middle School to celebrate student achievement and brainstorm ways they can all work together to strengthen local schools and the community.  

A performance from Cooley Early Childhood Education Center kicked off the event as kinder prep students sang about friendship, showing off their skills in counting in multiple languages including Spanish, German, Mandarin, and ASL.   

Presentations from Cooley students in the Imprints of Honor club highlighted the district’s dedication to serving and honoring those in the military. The school is one of three Purple Star Designated schools in the district for its initiative to support military families.

Students shared their experiences interviewing local veterans for a hardcover book as part of an effort to preserve and honor their stories.  

Attendees engaged in tabletop conversations about how to strengthen community ties, expand career and enrichment opportunities for students, and support the district’s mission to prepare learners for limitless opportunities.

Terri Bowen from PuriFi said the partnerships are mutually beneficial.  

"When everybody's working together there's a cycle of success,” she said.   

From internship ideas to shared resources, the event sparked innovative thinking and reinforced the power of partnership in shaping the future of education in Higley, according to the district.