HUSD connects students with business, community partners

Higley Unified School District recently hosted its Business and Community Partner Breakfast at Cooley Middle School, bringing together local businesses, community organizations, students and staff to strengthen partnerships that support student success.

The district holds the event twice each school year to foster connections between schools and the organizations that contribute to educational opportunities across the community. Approximately 120 people attended this year’s gathering.

Students from Centennial Elementary School and Sossaman Middle School highlighted programs that are making an impact on their campuses.

Centennial students discussed their involvement in school participatory budgeting, a program that allows students to help decide how funding is used to improve their school.

As part of the initiative, students develop proposals for campus improvements and vote on which projects receive funding. This year, students selected the purchase of 3D printers and noise-reducing headphones.

Students from Sossaman Middle School shared information about Spartan Buddies, a club designed to promote friendship, inclusion and leadership opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Participants discussed how the program helps students build relationships and strengthen connections across campus.

District officials also used the event to highlight ways businesses and community organizations can support students through partnerships that extend learning opportunities beyond the classroom. These collaborations can help expose students to potential career paths and provide schools with additional resources and experiences.

The breakfast was designed to give community partners a better understanding of district programs while creating opportunities to build relationships with schools and other organizations throughout the area.

HUSD recognized Tolin Mechanical, McGraw Hill, DLR Group, RWC Group, Ghaster Painting & Coating and Chartwells for sponsoring the event, along with the many business and community partners that support district students.