SaddleBrooke Community Outreach (SBCO) awarded a $5,00 grant to Hayden High School for the 2024 to 2025 school year for a project to increase parental and community involvement with the school, thus strengthening the family and school relationship. Hayden High School already has a strong following from the community for its athletic teams and events. The Hayden High School Community Partnership Project is designed to mirror that participation in all school events.
The Hayden-Winkelman area is remote with a small population. There are few extracurricular activities or venues such as shopping malls, water parks, skating rinks or movie theaters for students to enjoy with their families. Students not engaged in team sports have few events geared to their interests.
The SBCO grant is designed to fund one school-sponsored activity per month in which all students can participate with their family members. In September, the school held Title I and Family Appreciation Night, in October Tostadas and Loteria Night, and in November the event was Family Appreciation Day held on a Sunday. Volunteer barbers provided 64 free haircuts to students. There was a cake walk, a DJ, food and booths set up by the PTO, Hayden Police Department, Gila County Police, Hayden Winkelman and Dudleyville volunteer fire departments and Arizona Youth Partnership. In December, the school hosted Lobo Christmas Event and in January Family Game Night.
The February event, held on Thursday, February 20, was titled "Valentine Family Social”. Students and their families were able to eat dinner together as they enjoyed music by a DJ and then frosted and decorated cupcakes to eat for dessert. Crafting activities included creating a flower bouquet to take home, and partner canvas painting. A photo booth was available with props for families to have fun posing for pictures. They also decorated wooden frames to put their pictures in and take home as a memento of the night. Finally, a variety of games were available for families to enjoy with each other and with other families in attendance.
In March, Art Gallery Walk and Silent Auction will be held with School Carnival Night and Field Night to promote healthy lifestyles are planned for April and May.
Pamela Gonzalez, Hayden High School Principal, feels strongly that, "Providing these events for our school's families is important for students at all ages. Continuing a positive and engaging partnership with families in our district is valued. We thank SaddleBrooke Community Outreach for their continued support of our efforts to provide the best education we can to our students and Lobo families."
SBCO annually provides enrichment grants to teachers, schools, libraries, pre-schools and community groups. In the 2023 to 2024 fiscal year, SBCO awarded $135,000 in grants.
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