Local Education/Sports News

The Higley Unified School District, with 16 schools located in Queen Creek and Gilbert, has earned two national awards for its financial reporting and accountability, bestowed by both the Association of School Business Officials International and the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.

November students and employees of the month are from Jack Barnes Elementary and Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary schools.

Arizona Health and Physical Education recognized San Tan Valley resident Toni Chilton, health and physical education teacher at Highland Junior High School in Gilbert, by presenting her with its Honor Award during the group's state convention last month in downtown Phoenix.

Arizona Health and Physical Education recognized Sherry Towns, principal at Faith Mather Sossaman Elementary in Queen Creek, by presenting her with its Administrator of the Year award during the group's state convention last month in downtown Phoenix.

Cole Silva, a second-grader at American Leadership Academy Queen Creek K-6, received the Queen Creek Citizen Award Nov. 15 for saving the life of his 3-year-old sister, Jordyn Silva, after he witnessed her fall into his family’s backyard swimming pool.

In a meaningful tribute to Bridges, the first African American child to integrate into an all-white school in New Orleans during 1960, the EduPrize community gathered at San Tan Heights Park to commemorate Bridges' courage and inspire positive change on the school's San Tan Valley campus, located at 4567 W. Roberts Road.

As education continues to evolve, innovative approaches like early release days provide creative solutions to enhance the educational journey.

With 16 schools located in Queen Creek and Gilbert, the local school district is seeking community leaders to assist them and its governing board in understanding funding needs regarding a continuation of its Maintenance and Operations Override and potential bond election.

The program provides an opportunity each month for one student from each of the San Tan Valley school district's eight schools to be recognized for demonstrating one of the various pillars of the Character Counts program.

Under the new college prep model, Newell Barney College Prep will offer a challenging curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership and communication skills. Students will have the opportunity to take advanced courses, participate in extracurricular activities and leadership programs.