This article first appeared in the October 2016 SMDN

About 200 community members turned out in late September to get their first look at design plans for the 22-mile South Mountain Freeway that will travel through Laveen at about 61st Avenue.

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More than four decades after Congress enacted legislation to ensure children with special needs are granted the same opportunity for education as those without a disability, parents and school officials still struggle with how those services should look for individual students.

In Laveen and Roosevelt elementary school districts, the number of children who fall under the special education designation is rising with the population growth in Southwest Phoenix. Given Arizona’s poor record for spending money on education, parents and administrators find themselves at odds on how to find the financing necessary to help vulnerable students learn in the federally-mandated “least restrictive environment.”

Laveen resident Bonnie Carroll is the mother an adult daughter and a 7-year-old son with Down syndrome. Her son also is diagnosed with autism and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Carroll recently earned her law degree and has a strong legal understanding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and how that applies to her son and other children with special needs.

Part B of IDEA is the portion of the four-part law that addresses public education.  The mission for IDEA is to ensure that children with disabilities get the same opportunity for education as those students without disabilities.

To advocate for her child and to help others in Laveen, Carroll started a Facebook group called Laveen’s Exceptional Parents that includes more than 20 families with at least one special needs child.

Carroll also went to a Laveen school board meeting in May to note her concerns about the education children in Laveen receive if they are in a self-contained classroom. In a paper she prepared, Carroll said children in those placements often do not get to participate in such school activities as talent shows, technology days, some field trips and morning recognition programs. She said that children in self-contained classrooms also are not taught all the subjects other children have access to through placement in regular classrooms.

As of the end of May, Carroll said no one has responded to her concerns. She said her son has had some outstanding teachers and therapists during his time in Laveen, but her view is that district officials must do more to include children of all abilities in all parts of the curriculum.

“There are more and more children with disabilities. The numbers are changing drastically,” Carroll said. “How is the education system ever going to deal with it?”

Carroll goes on to partly answer her own question:

“The school districts have to learn how to teach our children. That’s going to be the reality. It’s not possible to choose to no longer teach a group of kids. Previously they could move them into a self-contained classroom and that is what they did. That’s not going to be acceptable. You can’t not teach a huge population, which is what you have when you take into account all the disabilities.”

The National Center for Education Statistics shows that for the school year 2011-2012 that special education students made up 12.9 percent of the total population of school-age students nationwide. While neither Roosevelt nor Laveen break down the numbers by percentages, district officials acknowledge the growing number of children with disabilities attending their schools.

In Laveen Elementary School District, for example, the number of special education students has doubled over the past 10 years growing to 1,156 (including 118 children with 504 accommodation plans). Roosevelt School District has a slightly higher number with 1,248. Both totals also include the developmental preschool programs with 145 in Laveen and 174 in Roosevelt that serve children ages 3-5.

“We all know that Arizona does not adequately fund special education,” says Todd Liolios, director of student services for Laveen. Liolios has held this job for nine years.  “That’s why there was an election (in May on Proposition 123). The federal government doesn’t properly fund special education. The federal funding is only 16 percent of what it should be …. It is atrocious.”

Proposition 123 narrowly passed in late May. It will boost funding for K-12 schools in large part by using the state land trust to help add $3.5 billion over 10 years.

For Carroll, it’s about having input on her child’s education. She has been working closely with her son’s team at Roger’s Ranch Elementary School to craft a plan that allows him to attend mainstream classrooms. While IDEA does not specifically spell out that children with disabilities should go to class with their typical peers, it does say children should be taught in the least restrictive environment possible.

How LRE is decided, though, leaves plenty of room for interpretation. Where children are placed and how the school district provides their education is determined by a cross disciplinary team that includes a child’s parents, teacher, a school psychologist and often a variety of therapists, such as speech, occupational, and physical.

Parents may invite anyone they choose to the meeting to review the Individual Education Plan (IEP) including private specialists from outside the district, advocates or others who can help determine the best course for the child’s education. The IEP is a legal document that teachers, faculty and therapists must follow after the team has agreed on the plan.

“As part of our evaluation system each teacher being evaluated must provide an explanation of how they will be meeting the needs of all learners,” said Jeanne N. Koba, superintendent at Roosevelt. “This includes discussion of students on IEPs and how the teacher plans to meet the students’ needs during the lesson that will be (pre-conference) and or has been (post conference) met in the particular lesson.”

Koba said the MET/IEP team looks at each individual child’s needs to determine what the child needs both academically as well as socially in order to progress and grow. “We have several different types of self-contained classrooms, with the goal always being to help children move to a less restrictive/higher functioning class and or general education.”

Both Koba and Liolios said funding and staffing are the two biggest challenges districts face in providing all students with the services they need.

“I would say that funding and finding qualified teachers and other service providers are our biggest challenges,” Koba said. “It is very costly to provide a full spectrum of services and the service providers to go along with the programs. It can be difficult to find the staff, which is highly qualified both on paper and in their actual practice.”

Liolios agreed, saying that special education departments throughout the valley and state struggle with a shortage of qualified employees, which leads to the use of substitute teachers and expensive, contracted staff in some districts.

“Despite the chronic shortage of special education teachers and therapists, each year we have been fully staffed in special education,” Liolios said of his district. “We have been able to do this by providing strong support and structure to our staff. Each new hire is provided with explicit orientation and specialized training. Additionally, each new hire is assigned an expert mentor who works with them throughout the year.”

He estimates an 85 percent district retention rate for special education staff in Laveen.

Brooke Lange, a former teacher in the Laveen district, said funding plays a big part in how well districts can address the needs of individual students. Lange returned to teaching in her native Oregon last year, a state that spent $9,543 per pupil in fiscal 2013 compared with $7,208 for Arizona. The information is from the U.S. Census and was released in May 2015.

She said that her current district emphasizes inclusion of special needs children in a multitude of ways.

“Something my current school district does to support inclusion is having goal meetings where we set social and behavior goals with the students and have them a part of tracking their goals,” said Lange, who previously taught fourth grade at Desert Meadows. “This helps motivate them and strengthens their self-esteem.”

“We call it a “check-in/check-out” system. They check in every morning with the counselors and SPED (special education) team, go over their already set goals, have a positive interaction and then head to their gen-ed rooms.”

Lange said throughout the day the classroom teachers help the children keep score on their goals. “Help is always one walkie-talkie call away if we need push-in support to get a kiddo back on track,” she said. “Having a student leave the room and miss instruction is what we try to avoid. “

At the end of the day the special needs students take their charts back to the check in/ check out team and total up their points. “They get to earn things for reaching their goals and if they don’t reach their goal, they have someone to talk to about what went wrong. It is an amazing system,” Lange said.

While having more money to hire better staff will always be a goal, the local educators also are focusing on innovative ways to integrate students and train general education teachers on how to best support the special needs students in their classrooms.

Despite budget and staff challenges, Liolios said Laveen’s special education program has received the highest rating for seven consecutive years when evaluated annually by the state of Arizona.

“We have worked to creatively maximize our dollars to provide the greatest support,” he said. “First, our generous Laveen voters are very supportive of our mission to educate our students. They have supported elections to provide support for staff salaries and benefits. They have also supported capital elections to fund classroom technology, wheelchair buses and other expenses.”

Liolios said another solution to funding challenges is seeking grants. Laveen said he received word at the end of the 2015-16 school year to that Laveen would receive a little under $10,000 in grant money for use in technology to support special education student achievement. The exact amount hadn’t been determined at press time.

A third solution that Liolios mentioned was paring with outside resources in the community. He said Laveen partnered with Southwest Behavioral and Health Services allowing two behavioral therapists to support students while their salaries are paid by Southwest.

In the Roosevelt district, Koba has a long history working with special education children. She joined the district in 1985, taught special education for 15 year and was assistant superintendent of special Education for approximately nine years.

As superintendent, Koba ensures that Roosevelt offers extensive professional development opportunities to both special education and general education teachers on a wide variety of topics that relate to special education.

“Whenever we see a pattern or trend in questions, needs etc., we attempt to develop training to support the teachers. One of our professional development coaches was selected for the position specifically due to their background and experience teaching special needs students,” she said.

The district also has two consulting teachers who are available to mentor, guide, answer questions and generally support teachers who have special needs students in the general education.

Carroll said innovative partnerships with parents and the local community is one way that Laveen can achieve more inclusion for special needs students. She is working with her son’s school and IEP team to find more ways for him to be part of the mainstream at his school.

“I am working on a model for my son, but it could be a model for other children as well,” Carroll said. “It’s about educating them in an environment where you get them to be a part of society. They need to learn how to be part of society.”

“I think as parents we can help,” Carroll said. “We know all kinds of resources, we know about the research. We could create a plan — one that doesn’t require money, but requires time and dedication.”

By Rose Hutchinson Tring (This article first appeared in the print edition of the South Mountain District News on June 1, 2016)

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Laveen Woman Leading Workshop on Light Treatments

Tami Blake, owner of the Enlightened Horse, will be presenting a workshop “Discover the Revitalizing Power of Light,” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on June 8 at the Cesar Chavez Library, 3635 W. Baseline Road, Laveen.

LED light energy application is a process by which energy is delivered to various parts of the body via light-emitting diodes. The light is then absorbed by cells.

According to Blake’s flyer, the various energy wavelengths penetrate the skin to different depths and provide the energy that cells need to activate increased circulation and stimulate cells to release nitric oxide. NASA’s studies have shown that cells exposed LED light energy applications have a 150 percent enhanced to their cellular metabolism, which accelerates repair.

The light sessions are non-abrasive, non-invasive, painless and result in no downtime afterward. It is safe for all ages and skin types.

Blake said that light energy can support pain relief, increased circulation, skin rejuvenation, reduced inflammation and expedited recover of bruises, scars and wounds.

To register, email Blake at horseluvr59@gmail.com or call either Blake at 602-790-9404 or her co-presenter, Maggie, at 520-444-7643.

Local dairy offering butter-making classes

Danzeisen Dairy in Laveen is offering butter making class through the summer at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Danzeisen Dairy creamery, 6024 W. Southern Ave., Laveen.

The classes are open to parents and children. Classes are free with the purchase of a bottle of fresh cream to use during the class. Participants can bring their own container or purchase a butter jar at the creamery.

For more information and to reserve your space, call Danzeisen Dairy at 623-478-9494.

Kroc Center offering competitive summer swimming

If your child is interested in competitive swim this summer check out the Kroc Center’s Swim Team.

The price is $59 for a whole summer of swim team action. Kroc Center members pay $45. Practices and events are indoors at the center, 1375 E Broadway Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85040. Space is limited. Call 602-425-5055 for more information or to register online visit http://www.krocphoenix.org/

Do you have some news you want to share about your business? Email your information to the South Mountain District News with subject line: BUSINESS BRIEF. This is a perfect time to let people know about a business anniversary, special sales or events, an expansion, the addition of new staff, a promotion, etc. Send news to smdnews@cox.net.

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The City of Phoenix is deep into the process of conducting its annual budget hearings for the proposed $1.22 billion operating budget for Fiscal Year 2016-2017 that includes a potential $50 more a year in property taxes for homeowners. But Laveen residents are clamoring for more attention to public safety needs for their community, something not specifically addressed in the city manager’s proposed Trial Budget.

For Laveen, there is only a single line-item related to the community with this paragraph:

Chavez Park: The Trial Budget also provides operating costs needed to provide additional maintenance and additional soccer field lighting at the Chavez Park expansion at 35th Avenue and Baseline in Laveen.

In the city’s Trial Budget Summary posted online at Phoenix Proposed Budget the community also gets a single mention:

Other significant Capital Improvement Projects in 2016-17 include:

• Construction of the Laveen Park-and-Ride

Laveen residents are not happy that the city is overlooking one of the growing community’s biggest concerns, which is public safety.

Alison L. Richardson, an active member of the Laveen Meadows Block Watch, has been strongly encouraging residents to voice their concerns at public meetings on the budget, including the one held April 5 at Cesar Chavez High School. She’s posted numerous excerpts about the budget on social media in the region to encourage attendance and support for more patrol officers.

“Although we are doing everything we can with a Phoenix Neighborhood Patrol, active block watches and citizens willing to call in suspicious activity and crime when it happens, we can’t make a difference without sufficient officers to answer our calls,” Richardson said.

Last fall, the Laveen Association of HOAs, released a report showing that there was a 22 percent increase in burglaries in the Laveen area compared with the same period in 2014. There were 370 burglaries through the first part of August, compared 303 through the same period in 2014.

“With all of our home burglaries, the thieves know the cops aren’t going to show up because they don’t have the resources to come out,” Richardson said, adding that response times in the Maryvale-Estrella Mountain Precinct that covers Laveen are some of the slowest in the city.

The LA-HOA report also noted that violent crime in the Laveen area was up 17 percent compared with the same period the previous year. Of the 117 violent crimes reported, there were 67 aggravated assaults, 21 robberies and 29 armed robberies. It was noted that 51^st Avenue and Baseline Road area was a hotspot for such crimes and police put together a task force to focus on strong-armed robberies in the vicinity.

Richardson doesn’t expect any of these numbers to improve without budget support for more officers on the street in the community.

“We have maybe six patrol officers for this huge area that stretches from 104^th Avenue to 27^th Avenue and from the I-10 to south of Dobbins Road, which is not enough,” she said. “On top of that, our detectives and community action officers are being pulled from their regular duties to fill in on patrol. All the officers are working overtime on their days off to make up for the deficit.”

Although there are no more hearings specifically scheduled for Council Districts 7 and 8, which cover the Laveen area, residents can still email the city with their budget concerns by writing to:budget.research@phoenix.gov

Richardson encourages everyone to also copy their respective council members, too, when sending the emails:

Councilwoman and Vice Mayor Kate Gallego, D-8, council.district.7@phoenix.gov

Councilman Michael Nowakowski, D-7, council.district.7@phoenix.gov

Rose Tring is a long-time journalist and owner of AZ Media Maven, a Laveen-based marketing and public relations company. She is also the founder of FinditinLaveen.com, a local business directory and free community calendar. Email her at rose@azmediamaven.com

Laveen Village Voice Blog April 2016

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This article appears in the April edition of the South Mountain District News

Multiple economic factors are driving renewed interested along the Baseline Corridor in South Phoenix and Laveen, including plans to extend the city’s light rail system into the area by 2023 and the long-anticipated South Mountain Freeway to open in 2019.
Development along the rural foothills will be guided by the Baseline Area Master Plan adopted in 1997 and part of the city’s General Plan. City planners noted in the document that: “After extensive discussions with area property owners and residents, the overriding theme of the Plan became promotion of development which respects and preserves the lifestyle in the area.”
Lori Quan, a deputy director of community and economic development for the city, said that whenever transportation corridors grant greater access to an area, “it opens up a lot more opportunities for commercial development.”
As investors eye the potential value of the estimated 2,700 acres of under-developed land along Baseline, pressure to change zoning to accommodate denser housing development, as well as retail and commercial growth, is intensifying.
In November, a Scottsdale investment company, BLC Realty Advisors, purchased the 19.3 acres that once housed Gardener’s World, 3401 E. Baseline Road in Phoenix. The nursery, run by the Petterson family, closed in late 2013 after co-founder Gary Petterson died in February of that year.
His wife and business partner, Sharon, said she and their children retained the landscaping portion of the business until December of last year when that was sold to Gilbert-based TerraVerde Landscape Solutions. Her daughter, Kari, became marketing director at TerraVerde.
“I am still at the office and closing down things – getting the bookkeeping done,” Petterson said. “There are still so many things to finish, but I am kind of ready to go.”
Gardener’s World was the go-to place for decades for landscaping companies, as well as many of the new homeowners flooding into Awhatukee, South Mountain and Laveen villages during the housing boom. But closing and selling the business hasn’t been an easy process.
“It’s been a real challenge in that it’s a mixed-used agricultural designation and that kept us from being able to sell,” she said. “For developers to get something going, the zoning will have to be changed.”
John Bullington, owner at BLC Realty Advisors, says his hope is to sell part of the property for low-density housing (two structures per acre) while keeping the front portion of the property for agricultural and or commercial use. One possible lead for the property was a farm-to-table restaurant, but unfortunately Bullington said that particular deal didn’t work out.
“We would love someone to come in and use the existing structure and the tree out front for a similar purpose,” he said. “We want to keep our neighbors happy.”
He also agreed with the premise that the improved transportation to the Baseline Corridor will spark renewed interest in development in the South Phoenix area, noting that improved infrastructure is a plus for the community.
Andrew Crosson, senior vice president of acquisitions at Arcis Equity Partners, the nation’s second-largest owner of daily fee golf courses and country clubs, including The Raven, said emphatically in an interview that “We are not selling Raven for development.” The Raven is one of the cornerstones of our portfolio,” Crosson said.
Arcis owns and or operates 73 properties nationwide. Crosson said that The Raven and other properties in their portfolio are being evaluated for redevelopment potential with Arcis’ partner, Ridgewood Real Estate Partners. Ridgewood is a New Jersey-based residential real estate developer, investor and advisory company specializing in land. Ridgewood has two Arizona projects, Bridges at Gilbert and Parkside Village Avondale.
Crosson said Ridgewood and Arcis are jointly reviewing several properties to determine future development opportunities. “At this point, it’s very early in the process.” If redevelopment were to happen at The Raven, zoning would have to be changed, the city’s general plan amended and it would have to make “economic and political sense” to move forward, he said.
For The Raven, preliminary plans would be for a housing development, he said, along with open space buffers being part of the project. But again, Crosson emphasized everything is in the study phase only. “This is just a concept. We are looking at several properties in our portfolio. It’s a time-consuming and unpredictable process and it would have to be economically and politically feasible.”
Samantha Keating, village planner for Laveen and East Camelback, said the process to change zoning or to amend the General Plan requires numerous steps, including public input from nearby property owners, review by the appropriate village planning committee and public hearings. The process can take four to six months and outcomes depend on factors specific to each request. “It really depends on the specifics of the proposal. We look at each case individually,” she said.
Quan’s department works hand-in-hand with planners such as Keating to ensure the city recruits businesses that will bring jobs and retail to the area while following the vision set by planners.
“We follow the guiding documents and the vision set down by planners to ensure a balance between the commercial development and the needs of residents,” Quan said.
For the Petterson family, selling the last of the Gardner’s World assets signals an end to an era. For the Baseline Corridor, this might signal the beginning of a new era of development.

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(This article first appeared in the print edition of the South Mountain District News on March 7, 2016)

After a six-year hiatus, Laveen residents are relaunching this month a Phoenix Neighborhood Patrol to drive through multiple neighborhoods at least once a month in an effort to deter crime and report suspicious activity.

PNPs are partnerships between the Phoenix Police Department and residents who undergo at least four hours of training through the department. The patrols originated from Block Watches in 1984 as Block Watch on Patrol but quickly became separate action groups that assist police in reducing neighborhood crime.

“I think it makes the neighborhoods a better place,” said Officer Julie Egea, community programs sergeant for Maryvale-Estrella Precinct, which oversees police services in Laveen. “They really do make a difference. I don’t live in all the neighborhoods that I patrol. You guys bring things to our attention things that we wouldn’t necessarily see. You see things that aren’t normal in your neighborhood.”

Wendy Ensminger, president of the Laveen Association of HOAs, said the Laveen PNP volunteers are planning their first patrol this month.

“Our hope is to have at least five cars,” Ensminger said. “We will pick a night, and then go out for a couple of hours. Each car will have a map and a minimum of two people. We’ll have a navigator, driver and everyone will be connected by radio.”

Officer Angie Shuman, community programs officer for the precinct, said individuals who complete PNP training get magnets for their car doors, T-shirts and ID badges. “Our hope is that (the criminals) do see it as a deterrent because of all the eyes that are being vigilant.”

In the South Mountain Precinct, Officer Holly Dancy is point person for the PNP. She said that typical issues the neighborhood patrols report in her area are graffiti and suspicious activity.

Graffiti, suspicious cars, suspicious people who don’t seem to be the norm in the neighborhood — that’s the majority of the reports,” said Dancy, who joined the PNP program in July. “I don’t have annual stats, but every month the teams submit the hours they were out on the street.”

Dancy said she has observed multiple successes with PNP. For example, if the teams report that a particular address has a lot of people coming and going, or cars coming and going, at odd hours then she can turn over the information to a task force.

“We pass that along to our drug enforcement or neighborhood enforcement teams to work,” she said. “We’ve had numerous successes with that.”

The PNP training emphasizes being visible while avoiding confrontations. Training covers patrol procedures, observation skills, the 9-1-1 system, reporting techniques, confrontation avoidance, safety practices and Block Watch grants.

A rash of robberies in February, including an armed holdup of the Safeway gas station at the southeast corner of 51^st Avenue and Baseline Road, sparked a lot of community concern, particularly on social media about crime in Laveen. “When crime happens in Laveen, word gets out quickly via multiple social media pages,” Ensminger said.

Community Action Officer Brandy Carter noted at a recent LA-HOA meeting, that police have targeted that intersection with a Neighborhood Enforcement Team. Although Carter did not provide statistics, she and Sgt. Egea both said violent crime in the area has decreased in the three months since the taskforce was assigned.

Ensminger is hopeful to see the same sort of results in property and neighborhood crimes when the PNP takes to the streets.

“The PNP members will know how to call in good information for the police to follow up with, whether it’s immediate or part of follow-up,” Ensminger said. “We are taught to be excellent observers of all information to provide the best leads and possibility of crimes getting solved.”

Phoenix police offer the trainings on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to Noon at the Mountain View Precinct’s Community Room, 2075 E. Maryland Ave, with the next training class set for March 12. Other classes are slated for May 14, July 16, Sept. 10 and Nov. 5.

To become a member of the Laveen PNP, residents must be at least 18 years old, possess a valid driver’s license or Arizona identification card and have completed the PNP training class.

“There’s nothing security-like about it, nothing vigilante about it,” Ensminger said. “They have to be certified and trained so they know what their rights and responsibilities are. All PNP members have to adhere to the rules and regulations that they are trained.”

In 2014 PNP members citywide logged over 27,000 miles and volunteered over 44,000 hours of their time to their neighborhood, according to the Phoenix Police web site.

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(Article from the South Mountain District News)

Dedicated to youth, their growth and development, Heritage Academy teaches the mastery of primary and secondary skills in the fields of history, math, writing, literature, reading, science, music, foreign language, visual art, performing arts and physical development. By offering a variety of programs such as history tours, a performing arts retreat, basketball, soccer and more, Heritage Academy strives to meet the needs of families in the Southwest Valley.

Heritage Academy also has a strong commitment to the teachers at our school. We have a positive working environment, a four-day workweek (M-TH), offer a competitive salary and participate in the Arizona State Retirement System. We are accepting resumes in all academic disciplines (English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, and world languages) as well as Special Education and administrative positions.

What can you expect if you join our team? A dedicated principal and vice principal who work tirelessly to ensure the needs of the teachers as well as the scholars are met. Peers who care about seeing you succeed and truly enjoy working at Heritage.

Tara Miller (BA, MEd), English and Yearbook

“One of the things I truly love about working at Heritage Laveen is the sense of community felt by the students, teachers and parents.  The school brings together such a diverse group of people who work together to help our scholars find their success.   Students are collaborating, learning multiple perspectives and growing as individuals, while, at the same time challenging themselves academically.   It’s beautiful to watch scholars who might not have ever met, work together to produce a product or discover an idea.  They are being prepared for the real world.  So far this year, I have watched my students discover themselves with the support from their teachers, parents, our dedicated PTO group and most of all their peers.  I’m proud to work at Heritage. “3

Alicia Guenthner (BA, MA in Special Education), Special Education

“The vibe and environment is very positive here at Heritage Academy. It feels like a tight-knit community, where teachers want to help the students succeed and families are very involved in their children’s education. The expectations are high and challenges students to work hard towards their goals and aspirations for the future. For a quality education and caring teachers, Heritage Academy in Laveen is the way to go. “   

Sederis Ford (BA)

“This school year is my second year teaching at Heritage Academy Laveen. It has been one of my most fulfilling teaching experiences thus far. The community and parent participation has made teaching at Heritage Academy Laveen very special.”  

Beth Farris (BA), Registrar

“I consistently hear students say that they have never felt more cared for at a school.  Our small environment combined with quality teachers, a mission to make a difference in our community, and high standards of performance combine to create an educational experience that is unmatched.”

Jennifer Foerst (AA), ELL coordinator

“My husband and I were looking at different schools for our two daughters.  A friend of mine gave me some information about Heritage Academy Laveen.  After attending an open house, we were very impressed with the curriculum and the arts program.  My daughters loved Heritage so much, that I decided that I wanted to be a part of their educational team as well.”

Isaac Demke (BS), Science

“My time teaching in Laveen has been an incredible experience. The students that I have had the opportunity to teach have far exceeded my expectations. I have been overwhelmed by the desire to learn demonstrated by my students and the level of support they receive from their parents. As I have taught the juniors and seniors, I have seen the drive and ambition many of them exhibit as they pursue and prepare themselves for higher education. Their work ethic makes be proud to be part of this community.”

Esther T. Golding (BA, MA Secondary Education, MA Fine Art, Adjunct Professor MCCC & Ottawa University), English

“Heritage Academy Laveen is a great school.  I find the parents to be very supportive and they really go out of their way to support the learning process.  I like the energy and creativity the youth bring to assignments.  Because of the encouragement of friends, these young people at Heritage Academy Laveen take risks and try many diverse extracurricular activities.  I love watching them grow and develop in academic and social skills.”

We are accepting resumes for all grade levels. A Bachelor’s degree is required for 7th and 8th grade teachers. We are also looking for candidates who have taught college or university level courses or in a dual/concurrent enrollment capacity for 9-12 grades. Visit our websitehttp://www.heritageacademyaz.com/index.cfm/about-us/jobs/ for more information.

If you are interested in working at Heritage, please email a cover letter and resume tocwest@heritageacademyaz.com.

Heritage Academy invites interested families to call the office to schedule a tour of the campus and speak with teachers, staff and scholars about Heritage’s unique curriculum and educational opportunities. You may bring a completed application to the school located at 4275 W. Baseline Road Laveen, AZ 85339. Go to www.HeritageAcademyAZ.com and click “Apply” to download all the necessary forms. If you have questions, you can reach us at laveeninfo@heritageacademyaz.com or call 602-290-8546.

Heritage Academy is Hosting an Open House: Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 at 7 p.m.
Written by Chris West

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(This article appears in the February 2016 print  issue of the South Mountain District News)

Home prices for existing homes rose throughout the South Mountain and Laveen village areas during 2015, a steady trend that local realtors predict will continue throughout 2016.

“I like this kind of steady increase. It’s not only good for the buyers, but it’s good for sellers,” said Sam Lawmaster, a Laveen resident and a  Realtor with Realty One. “The economy has improved and interests are staying low, so there are still people buying. When you have historically low interest rates and inventory as low as it, it’s typical supply and demand and house prices start to rise.”

For the Laveen area with ZIP code 85339, the average sales price for an existing home increased from $188,894 in 2014 to $198,535 in 2015, an increase of 5.1 percent. In neighboring South Mountain Village, prices were up nearly 22 percent at $118,990 in ZIP 85040 and up 8.1 percent to $164,857 in 85041. In the 85042 area, prices increased 7.25 percent to $189,025.

According to Victor Vidales, owner at ReMax New Heights Realty in south Phoenix, prices for January appear to be continuing the trend.

The Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service’s Pending Price Index projected a median sales price for January 2016 of $212,000 and it ended at $210,000 compared to $194,700 in 2015.

Vidales said that January started off with 7,486 Pending or listings Under Contract compared to 6,731 last year. In January of 2015, ARMLS reported 4,784 sales, this year we had 5,433 sales for January 2016.

“This is a great sign and a great way to start the year,” Vidales said. “I believe our local real estate market will continue to be strong throughout 2016 but there are national concerns with the overall economy that could impact our local market and the type of year we have.”

For example, he cited recent volatility in the financial markets and some nervousness on the part of the Federal Reserve Bank about the health of the U.S. economy, and slow Gross Domestic Product growth in the fourth quarter of last year.

“These factors have reminded us all that economic and real estate market cycles are alive and well. As for now, values are strong and inventory levels are still at record lows with high demand for the affordability offered in our south Phoenix and Laveen communities. We are still the best bang for the buck when you compare our housing stock to the rest of the Valley.”

Doyle Perry, a Realtor and owner of Black Realty in Laveen, said he expects prices to continue climbing as the year progresses with more sales during the spring and summer months. “I see a lot more people looking now,” Perry noted.

He also believes that when the South Mountain Freeway – currently under legal review — is formally under way, the housing market in Laveen will gain more ground. “Once the freeway becomes certain, within a year that will crank up the market.”

The number of days a house stayed on the market in 2015 vs. 2014 decreased in 85339 and 85040, but remained flat in 85041 and 85042. Total number of homes sold rose in 85339, 85041 and 85042, but were one less in 85040 when compared with 2014.

Lawmaster said new homes being built by Beazer and Richmond American, as well as other builders, also will help prices for existing homes. He noted that several residential developments that have been largely dormant since the real estate market crash in 2008, are now adding homes to the once vacant lots. In addition, new retail and other construction is exploding along Baseline Road.

“All the new builds and the new businesses, the new commercial and residential along the Baseline corridor are really adding value to this area,” Lawmaster said.

Here’s a breakdown of the four ZIP code areas:

85339 – Average Sales Price rose 5.10 percent between 2014 and 2015, from $188,894 in 2014 to $198,535 in 2015.  Total number of sales also rose year-over-year by 18.4 percent with 875 homes sold in 85339 in 2015, an increase of 136 sales over 2014.  The number of days to sell a home in Laveen decreased 11.84 percent; in 2014 it took 76 days on average to sell a home versus 67 days in 2015.

85040 – The average sales price of homes in 2015 was $118,990, up 21.83 percent over 2014.  Total number of sales in the ZIP code remained flat at 324 residential sales in 2015 versus 325 in 2014.  The average number of days to sell a home decreased from 59 in 2014 to 45 in 2015.

85041 – 2015 saw an increase of 8.12 percent in the sales price of homes in the ZIP code over 2014, with homes selling for an average price of $164,857 during 2015.  There was a 10.1 percent increase in the number of completed sales in 2015 over 2014, rising to 796 homes sold in 2015, an increase of 73 completed home sales year-over-year.  Number of days to sell a home remained relatively flat in 85041, with 66 average days in 2015 and 67 days in 2014.

85042 – The average sales price of homes in 2015 was $189,025, up 7.25 percent over 2014. Total number of sales in the ZIP code increased 6.2 percent at 534 residential sales in 2015 versus 503 in 2014.  The average number of days to sell a home remained the same year- over-year at 63 days.

The post Home prices rise throughout South Mountain and Laveen appeared first on Laveen Business Directory.

Liberty Mutual app makes claims easier to process

Gabriel Felix, a Laveen resident since 2007 and an insurance agent for Liberty Mutual, recommends reviewing homeowners and renters insurance policies before a burglary to make sure they are covered in the case of theft.  “Knowing your coverage limits and deductible is very important information to have when any loss occurs,” Felix said.

Many insurance companies give discounts for homes with burglar alarms and monitored home security systems, discounting annual premiums for such deterrents. Felix says that Liberty Mutual also offers the Home Gallery App, a free and easy to use app that allows homeowners to create an organized inventory of the items in their homes, making navigating the claims process easier in case of a theft or burglary. The app also can help homeowners and their insurance agent determine the right amount of coverage needed to help protect themselves and their belongings.

Most insurers offer different discounts and it is best to check with your insurance company to see what specifics your policy offers. Knowing and understanding that information will make navigating a loss much easier, Felix added.

For more information about homeowners or other insurance, visit https://www.libertymutual.com/gabriel-felix or contact Felix at 602-818-9182.

Local dairy donating to Phoenix Children’s Hospital

During the month of February, Danzeisen Dairy will be donating a portion of proceeds from the sale of all Danzeisen Dairy products to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Danzeisen Dairy is a local, family-owned and operated dairy in Phoenix for more than 50 years. It is the only Arizona dairy to bottle milk in glass, recyclable bottles and its products can be found in Bashas, Safeway, AJ’s Fine Foods, Sprouts and Whole Foods.

This is the first year that Danzeisen has partnered with Phoenix Children’s.

Visit www.danzeisendairy.com for more information.

Local horse expert gains animal reiki certification

Tami Blake, owner of The Enlightened Horse equine care business, recently earned her animal Reiki certification. Reiki is a healing technique based on the principle the therapist can channel energy into the patient by means of touch, to activate the natural healing processes.

The Enlightened Horse provides photopuncture and light therapy to improve horses’ performance and wellbeing by bringing their body back to balance by eliminating pain. The business also sells both human and equine In Light units.

Blake is a certified photopuncture technician and has completed courses in equine anatomy and physiology and the Masterson.  Blake is offering human clients their first photopuncture visit for free. Her credentials include: Certified Equine Technician, Certified Animal Aromatherapy I,

Masterson Method – equine bodywork and Reiki I & II.

Visit theenlightenedhorse.com for more information or call 602-790-9404.

Dunkin’ Donuts plans mid-February opening
At print time, the local franchise of Dunkin’ Donuts was expected to open on Feb. 22, according to a spokeswoman.  She said the store is planning to hold a grand opening event on Feb. 27. The company also is finalizing plans for a coffee deal/offer for local residents.

February class offered on starting pet-sitting business

Teri Ann Tate, owner of Comfy Pets of AZ, will be teaching would-be entrepreneurs how to turn pet-sitting efforts into a full-time business. The two three-day seminars also will include professional training on medical care for both small pets and horses, determining what services your business might offer, how to deal with difficult clients, marketing and social media.

The first New Professional Pet Care Provider Boot Camp is set for Feb. 19-21 in Laveen and the second is scheduled for June 24-26. Tuition is $400. Classes take place on three consecutive days, Friday-Sunday, starting at 8:30 each morning.

Tate started pet-sitting part-time 16 years ago, and has since grown Comfy Pets of AZ into a well-established business that provides a variety of pet-related services in Laveen and Fountain Hills, ranging from pet-sitting to dog walking to teaching pet CPR and First Aid to other professionals.

During the Boot Camp, Tate also will discuss the legal forms necessary to become a full-service business. As part of the intensive training, participants will earn certificates in Pet First Aid and Advanced Pet First Aid, as well as Equine First Aid.  Tate is certified in the following: Certified quine First Aid Instructor (EFAI), Pet Tech Instructor (PTI), Emergency Animal Medical Technician I, EMT, Wilderness EMT and Large Animal Rescue Tech II.

Visit www.comfypetsofaz.com for more information.

Do you have some news you want to share about your business? Email your information to the South Mountain District News with subject line: BUSINESS BRIEF. This is a perfect time to let people know about a business anniversary, special sales or events, an expansion, the addition of new staff, a promotion, etc. Send to smdnews@cox.net

The post Business Briefs: Liberty Mutual app eases claim process appeared first on Laveen Business Directory.

In less than a month we celebrate our agrarian heritage with the Laveen Community Parade on Feb. 6 and the Annual Laveen Pit Barbecue on Feb. 21.

Hundreds of community volunteers, local business and local leaders pitch in thousands of hours to make these events enjoyable successful.

“Laveen is a unique, close-knit community,” says Jeff Sprout, parade chairman for the Laveen Lions Club, which sponsors the event that unfolds along Dobbins Road. “One of the ways to maintain that closeness is having the parade and the barbecue.”

This year marks the 16^th for the parade and the theme is “Growing Together.” Sprout, who also serves as executive director of human resources for the Laveen Elementary School District, said it is free for businesses and organizations to take part in the parade.  Last year, there were 62 entries, featuring local boy and girl scouts, charter schools, marching bands from Cesar Chavez and Betty Fairfax high schools, prancing horses, floats, massive farm equipment and floats from dozens of local businesses and youth sports groups, marching along from 43^rd Avenue to 51^st Avenue.

Signups are underway and anyone wanting to participate can contact Sprout at laveencommunityparade@gmail.com for additional information.

“What other community has this?” Sprout asks. “Where every year, everyone in the community comes together for these two events? It really makes Laveen a special place.”

The barbecue, marking its 64^th year, has been in Laveen longer most of its 50,000 residents. The first event was an informal affair in 1952 when a group of rancher’s wives hosted a fundraiser at the old Laveen Elementary School at the southwest corner of Dobbins Road and 51^st avenue to fight against polio. The food-fest continued to take place at the same site until about five years ago when it moved for two years to Betty Fairfax High School before settling two years ago at the Corona Ranch & Rodeo Grounds, bringing back the rural vibe.

In comparison, at last year’s event, more than 3,400 pounds of pork and beef was cooked up and served by volunteers to about 2,000 people. Another 4,000 came to stroll through the vendor booths and exhibits, according to Stephanie Hurd, chairwoman of this year’s event. Hurd was a co-chair for 2015 and volunteered in 2014 as well.

“That’s what it’s about. We want everyone to get tougher and talk and get to know each other,” Hurd said. “We’re going to send out a newsletter to all residents to let them know about and encourage them to get involved.”

The barbecue is sponsored by the Laveen Community Council, a nonprofit volunteer organization that boasts more than 300 volunteers and more than 25 community organizations that are members.  “Any money we take goes back to the community,” Hurd explained.

Youth groups, animal supporters, school organizations – all can apply to the council to request financial support. Throughout the spring, the council will be accepting applications from local high school students for the three $1,000 grants that are awarded each May to graduating seniors.

Hurd said that sometimes the barbecue – depending on the donations and sponsorships – is a big fundraiser for the council while other times, the group is happy to break even.

“Some years we don’t make hardly any money. With sponsors, we make money. It totally depends,” she said. For the second year, Dignity Health – Arizona General Hospital has agreed to be a major sponsor for the barbecue.

Hurd said her team is still lining up additional sponsors and donors for food items. Visit www.laveen.org to volunteer, donate or sign up as a vendor or sponsor.

“There are only a handful of people who plan it, and then there are about 200 volunteers the day of. It’s a massive undertaking,” Hurd says.

A related event, the Best of Laveen Photo Contest, returns for its third time during the month of February. Laveen residents are invited to submit their favorite Laveen photo via Facebook for a chance to win gift cards to the Laveen business of their choice. First place is a $100 gift card, second is $50 and third is $25. Previous winners spent their prize money at Red Dragon Express, Fry’s, Home Depot and a Child’s Image.

The contest is sponsored by AZ Media Maven, my Laveen-based marketing company. In its first year, about 40 people voted on handful of photos. In last year’s contest, more than 500 votes were cast to determine the winning photo of the flyover that opens the parade. For more information, visit AZ Media Maven on Facebook, or email laveenphotos@azmediamaven.com to request contest rules.

GET INVOLVED:

• The 16^th Annual Laveen Community Parade, sponsored by the Laveen Lions Club, is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 6. The parade route runs along Dobbins Road from 43^rd Avenue to its end at 51^st For more information or to participate, email laveencommunityparade@gmail.com

• The 64^th Annual Laveen Pit Barbecue takes place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016 at the Corona Ranch & Rodeo Grounds, 7611 S. 29^th, Laveen. Visit www.laveen.org for more information or if you are interested in being a vendor, email bbqspace@laveen.org

• Laveen Community Council – Meetings are 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month (September through May) in Historic Building ‘A’ on SMCC Laveen Campus at 51st Avenue & Dobbins Road.

• Laveen Lions Club – Meets 7 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays at Laveen Education Center, 5001 W. Dobbins Road, Laveen.

• The Third Annual Best of Laveen Photo Contest runs from Feb. 1 to 29. Visit AZ Media Maven’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AZMediaMavenLLC/?fref=ts for more information and updates or email laveenphotos@azmediamaven.com

Rose Tring is a long-time journalist and owner of AZ Media Maven, a Laveen-based marketing and public relations company. She is also the founder of FinditinLaveen.com, a local business directory and free community calendar. Email her at rose@azmediamaven.com

The post Laveen Village Voice: Countdown to parade and barbecue appeared first on Laveen Business Directory.