Page 4 March 2017 It’s easy to recognize and nominate your favorite teacher for Teachers We Love! Just fill out this form and mail, fax or drop it by our office. OR, you can nominate a teacher online at arcadianews.com Be sure to include details about why your teacher is great (more details = better chance of winning!) Winning teachers will receive special gift certificates to Postino and The Phoenician! DO YOU KNOW A TEACHER WHO REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE? Teacher/Administrator Name: ___________________________________________ School Name: _________________________________________________________ Your Name: ___________________________________________________________ Your Email Address: ___________________________________________________ Your Phone Number: ___________________________________________________ How does this person make a difference? ________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Teachers We Love c/o Arcadia News • 3850 E. Indian School Rd., Phx, AZ 85018 or fi ll out a nomination form online at: www.arcadianews.com Send Entries to: in school at the top of his class,” said Bhatnagar. “In the one year that she has with our children, she gets them to learn how to be a citizen of a classroom, how to be an independent learner, and how to value the virtues of truth, beauty and goodness.” By Greg Bruns A s many parents can attest, those early days of kindergarten can be tough. Once the pictures of the little ones in their new backpacks are taken, there’s eventually that moment when you have to let go. The grace of a good kindergarten teacher can be priceless for both the child and the parent. “Mrs. Opitz made time to meet with me personally when I was worried about how my daughter would fit in to the school setting before she started,” said Anuj Bhatnagar, father of three who have all been in Mrs. Opitz’s care at Archway Veritas. The Bhatnagar family has nothing but praise for this special teacher, with kind words from each child in their 400-word nomination. But they could have missed out on her talents, because she almost took a different path. After graduating from ASU with a degree in education, Opitz took the next step into the public education system. Yet she found it a bit troubling, and not really what she thought it was going to be. “It seemed very scripted,” said Opitz. “I didn’t really feel challenged and it felt like the students weren’t either.” So, she took a break and enrolled in Arizona Culinary School and pursued her love of cooking, which included an externship at Vincent’s on Camelback. While that love of the culinary arts didn’t fade, Opitz found herself drawn back to education, with a position at a new school with a different concept. “When I heard about what they were doing here, with the focus on virtue, and the philosophy of teaching with the classics and the Socratic method, it just sounded wonderful.” said Opitz. The Socratic method is a question and answer based philosophy of teaching, designed to stimulate conversation and dissection of topics among the students. The foundation for this method begins in kindergarten, and the young minds pick things up quickly. After all, this is the age when they learn how to read, and that’s one of the main reasons why Opitz enjoys the 5-year-olds so much. “That first time they read a book without having to sound out, I usually cry. They just put in so much work building up to it, and they are so proud of themselves.” Bhatnagar’s youngest son will be moving on to first grade next year, and while that will wrap up the family’s experience with kindergarten and Mrs. Opitz, her influence and encouragement will carry on. “Our 11-year-old son still credits her with giving him a foundation for learning that has carried him through the following five years THIS MONTH’S WINNER: Megan Opitz - Archway Veritas NOMINATED BY: Anuj Bhatnagar All three of the Bhatnagar children have passed through Megan Opitz’s kindergarten class (left to right): Kalyani, Kishan and (this year) Jahnav. Winning teachers receive Arcadia News gift items, a gift certifi cate for The Spa at The Phoenician and a gift certifi cate for Postino. All winners are invited to an end of school year celebratory luncheon. Nominate a teacher you love at arcadianews.com.

2017 TAVAN SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS (1/1/2017-1/31/2017) Active Homes - 75 Homes Homes Sold - 14 Homes Average Sale Price - $516,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $247 Average Days On Market - 96 days There is currently 4 months of home inventory. (based on 2016 sales results) 2017 home sales have decreased 22%. (based on 2016 sales results) 2017 home prices have decreased 2%. (based on 2016 sales results) 2017 $ Per Square Foot prices have increased 5%. (based on 2016 sales results) 2017 Homes are taking 3% more time to sell. (based on 2016 sales results) 2016 TAVAN SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS Homes Sold - 219 Homes Average Sale Price - $527,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $235 Average Days On Market - 93 days 2015 TAVAN SCHOOL DISTRICT YEAR END SALES RESULTS Homes Sold - 216 Homes Average Sale Price - $477,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $225 Average Days On Market - 108 days Arcadia Real Estate Stats 2017 HOPI SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS (1/1/2017-1/31/2017) Active Homes - 166 homes Homes Sold - 20 homes Average Sale Price - $1,315,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $338 Average Days On Market - 115 days There is currently 7 months of home inventory. (based on 2016 sales results) 2017 home sales have decreased 13%. (based on 2016 sales results) 2017 home prices have increased 8%. (based on 2016 sales results) 2017 $ Per Square Foot prices have increased 3%. (based on 2016 sales results) 2017 homes are taking 10% less time to sell. (based on 2016 sales results) 2016 HOPI SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS Homes Sold - 278 homes Average Sale Price - $1,210,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $328 Average Days On Market - 128 days 2015 HOPI SCHOOL DISTRICT YEAR END SALES RESULTS Homes Sold - 291 homes Average Sale Price - $990,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $300 Average Days On Market - 108 days If you are buying or selling a home in Arcadia, call Tommy! visit Tommy Atkinson .com Free MLS Access • Complete list of ALL Hopi properties for sale Complete List of ALL Tavan properties for sale • Complete list of ALL Arcadia foreclosures West USA Realty Cell: 602-625-6020 tomatkinson1@msn.com I have several buyers looking for houses in Arcadia. If you don’t want to list your house but would consider selling, please call me. 5416 E Avalon • $ 535,000 3 Bedroom/ 2 bathroom • 1,932 square feet Charming Arcadia Ranch 5819 E Calle Del Media • $ 3,500,000 5 bedroom/ 7 bath • 5,576 square feet Quintessential Arcadia Estate 6436 E Calle Del Media • $ 2,200,000 5 bedroom/ 4 bath • 4,878 square feet Charming Arcadia Ranch 4505 E Vermont • $ 750,000 3 bedroom/ 3 bath • 2,416 square feet 24,350 sq ft Camelback Mountain Lot