Page 50 April 2013 Program ensures prom experience for foster kids By Michelle Milan Hope & A Future’s Arizona Princess Program collects prom dresses for teenage foster girls. An event is held for the girls where they get to dance, be pampered and enjoy a fi ve-course meal. This year’s big night will be July 7 during camp at Whispering Hope Ranch, said Sharon Davis, vice president philanthropy of the Cactus Wren Chapter of the National Charity League, which sponsors Hope & A Future. “The Arizona Princess Program reaches hundreds of foster teen girls – a segment that is often neglected by other programs,” said Anne Price, chapter president. About a 100 volunteers are needed for the event including 30 Dolce Salon & Spa hair and makeup stylists, 20 local fi remen who serve as escorts for the girls and 50 others to set up and break down. Each girl has a mentor to help with the “personal shopping” and selection of the dress, shoes and accessories, Davis said. The Arizona Princess Program also has volunteers who put on individual dress drives throughout the Valley, Davis said. This year the NCL Cactus Wren chapter has teamed up with Hope & A Future to Continued on page 54 Prom, graduation season brings special dangers By Katie Snyder As high school students prepare for prom and graduation, DrugFreeAZ.org warns this can be an exciting but dangerous time. “Eager for more independence and to venture into adulthood, teens often get caught up in the party whirlwind,” said Kim Obert, program manager for DrugFreeAZ.org. “Being better prepared on how to handle these types of situations can help keep teens safe and make sure they aren’t pressured into making potentially harmful decisions.” So, what can teens do to ensure they don’t fall prey to graduation and prom- party peer pressure? • Make sure their cell phones are charged in case of emergencies. Have a safe word to be used as needed to have parents come and pick them up. • Establish a check-in time with parents. • Don’t buckle under pressure to drink, do drugs or do anything that goes against who they are to fi t in. • Go to the prom or graduation party with people who support them. If they feel uncomfortable or in danger, leave. Parents can help, too. “Prom night and graduation are probably the most anticipated nights of the year for teens,” Obert said. “Parents can help make sure their teen gets home safe and sound by simply talking with him or her about the night’s events.” Obert recommended parents: • Know where their teen is going, who with and make sure to have their phone numbers. • Discuss the possibility alcohol will be present during these celebrations and emphasize the dangers and consequences associated. Ask their teen how they would handle the situation, what would they do if they discovered their ride had been drinking or using drugs? Be prepared to coach them through a few scenarios. • Have strict rules about where the limousine can stop, if renting one. (Renting a limo can be seen as a license to drink – because they have a designated driver). • Discuss guidelines and curfew. • Hire the limo themselves and make it clear to the driver there are no stops other than those pre-authorized. • Wait up for their teen to return home safely. Give them a big hug and let them know you love them and are glad they had fun and made good choices. “Talk to your teen about making good decisions that will lead to a night of fun, laughter and a night they will remember… for the right reasons,” Obert said. For more information, visit www. DrugFreeAZ.org. NMLS# 179446 / BK0902429 / NOVA NMLS 3087 om Ross has been my lender for almost 10 years. He constantly strives to be the best and that translates into impeccable service. I refer Tom to all my clients knowing they are going to get the most honest and professional advice in the industry. I will continue to use Tom Ross as my preferred lender and would encourage you to do the same. - Monique Walker ~ RE/MAX Excalibur Senior Loan Officer 602.791.5861 www.asktomross.com W Wh hy y T To op p p p A A Age en nts I In n n O Ou ur r r M M Mar rk ket t T T Tr ru us st t U Us: i

Page 51 April 2013 Hopi teaches volunteerism to students and parents By Shelby Slade Hopi Elementary School is a happy place. At least that is what PTA President Chamise Broucek said of the school her three children have attended. And, Hopi is a place where children and adults serve. “I think (service) is a big part of what we do. We have such a strong community anyway,” Broucek said. “We always try and make sure that we are giving back in some way or helping a family that might be in need.” In December, the school raised just 37 cents short of $2,500 in a coin drive bene fi tting the Child Life Program at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The program provides toys, games, crafts and parties for children hospitalized under dif fi cult and often long-term circumstances. The school also collected toys, craft supplies and movies to donate to the program. Dina Musselmann, PTA vice president, said the hospital program is a wonderful cause. “The Child Life Program is a great way for the kids to bene fi t,” Musselmann said. “(Phoenix Children’s Hospital) kind of structured where they wanted the money to go to and said what they needed. We just followed through, with what they needed, on our end.” The coin drive and collection are part of an annual Holiday Care Drive. In past years the school has sent packages to troops overseas or made backpacks for a local organization. The school also holds a used-book fair. After students and community members have purchased what books they want, the remaining books are donated. Last year, the remaining children’s books were donated to Phoenix Indian Hospital and the others given to the Visiting Nurses Association. Kathleen Edgar, a third-grade Hopi teacher, said her students embrace each service opportunity wholeheartedly and anticipate each annual event. “Every child in my third grade class has a huge heart and they look forward to opportunities when they can put a smile on another neighbor’s face,” Edgar said. Continued on page 61 Montessori school changes with times for 41 years By Shelby Slade For 41 years, toddlers and younger children have been learning and growing at Arcadia Montessori. Judy Pemberton, an educator and mother, started the school in 1972. She said she worked then and now to create a positive learning environment. “There was some hook that always kept me there,” Pemberton said. “Part of my premise was always to do better and when you have that hook you are always looking to make something better.” When Pemberton started the school, her two children were preschool age and she considered the educational options available not designed for most children, she said. “There were so many things that I wanted to do, that I believed in and felt. There were so many restrictions and rules,” Pemberton said. “I saw children as each one being different and the need to progress at your own rate.” Arcadia Montessori began in Shepherd of the Hills United Church of Christ where Pemberton rented a room. The class was small and Pemberton was a “fish out of water just jumping in,” she said. She began looking for the right building so she could serve more children. She settled on an area that was versatile and a good fi t for both her family and the school at 5115 E. Virgina Ave. “This worked because it was kind of on the path of people going to Tempe, Scottsdale and Downtown,” Pemberton said. “We were sandwiched into a good commuter kind of area.” This new building served as a classroom for 25 students and home to Pemberton’s family. The school has remained in that house, expanding to encompass several surrounding houses. Today, the school has 111 students and can hold up to 122 between 18 months and 5 years. There is one kindergarten class, two classes for 3- to 5-year-olds and three classes for toddlers 18 months to 3 years. The Montessori philosophy comes from the studies of Maria Montessori, an Italian physician during the 1800s. Montessori taught poor children in poor areas, which allowed her to develop new techniques and ideas. The Montessori philosophy places several age groups into one classroom with visually appealing and tactile lessons where students teach themselves. Rachael Dempsey, director of Arcadia Montessori, said by creating an age- appropriate and engaging environment for students they practically teach themselves. “If an adult provides a good environment for the child, if we have good material, if we have work that Continued on page 60 Landscaping extends your world outdoors. Invest in your lifestyle. S U CC E S S F U L LY T R A N S F O R M I N G A N D TA K I N G C A R E O F A R I ZO N A P R O P E R T I E S F O R 1 8 YE A R S 602 200 1749 www.treelinedesigngroup.com ROC License NO 158731 Home Furnishings ~ Interior Design ~ Fabrics ~ Accessories ~ Upholstery ~ Renovations Retail Showroom Open M-F 10am-5pm, Sat by Appt. 2720 North 68th Street, Suite 3, Scottsdale, AZ 85257 (Located next door to Switch Consigment) 480-326-7771 www.ParkAvenueDesign.com All Styles. All Spaces. 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