4 AUGUST 2020 EDITOR’S NOTE We’ve all heard the saying – in fact, it’s been driven into our minds as of late: “These are unprecedented times.” But one thing that has held strong is the positivity of the Arcadia community, no matter how uncertain things may be. This month we pay tribute to a long-time friend and advertiser of the Arcadia News . W.R. Williams Fine Jewelry has closed its doors after 27 years in the Arcadia Towne Center. Owner and long-time Arcadia resident Randy Williams has passed away, and we are honored to share his story (right). Speaking of legacy, we’re also featuring a piece of Arizona’s history this month. The Verde Canyon Railroad have been around for a few decades and has become a place that tourists and residents know and love. Some of our local students have been hard at work this summer coming up with ways to help donate to COVID-19 relief funds. Kidz 4 Causes and Xavier and Brophy students each set up a virtual run to raise funds for the Navajo Nation and St. Vincent de Paul. The August edition has always had a ‘back-to-school’ theme. This year we will keep that tradition alive with several stories inside and sending our best wishes to our students – and parents – for a successful year. These days, it feels like the world is a totally different place. But the one thing that stays true is Arcadia’s community spirit, which shows no signs of fading, no matter what life throws at us. Also – there’s still time to send in your summer vacation photos – you could be on the cover of next month’s edition! Email them to editor@arcadianews.com. Be well, Mallory Gleich Mallory Gleich The late Randy Williams, Peggy Briggs and goldsmith Lauren Kormylo. PHOTO COURTESY OF JUDY WILLIAMS By Rachael Bouley Randy Williams and his company cultivated a special relationship with the Arcadia neighborhood. Located at 48th St. and Indian School Road, W.R. Williams came to be known as a trusted name in jewelry. Countless marriage proposals had their sparkling beginnings forged at their glass countertops. Owner Randy Williams poured his heart and soul into the small business with his family by his side. Deciding to close down shop was bittersweet after Randy passed away late last year, but his wife, Judy, knew it was the right time. The couple was married for over 30 years and raised their family in Arcadia. Randy’s passion for jewelry was born when he started working in the jewelry business as a 15-year- old in Ohio. He worked his way up, going on to manage several stores in Arizona before opening his own in 1993 when their first child was just a baby. Randy’s original store was located in a shopping center at the southeast corner of 16th Street and Camelback. When the center was slated for demolition, the wheels were put in motion to move to the Arcadia location. “He was so nervous. He had not been in business long, and moving a business is expensive,” Judy said. The new shop in Arcadia Towne Center turned out to be the perfect home for the Williams family and business. “It was the best thing that could have happened,” Judy said. “The neighborhood has been so good to us. Randy always felt that the people who came into the store were his friends who happened to be customers.” The jewelry store quickly became known for its popular estate and bridal pieces, and Randy was invited to and attended many weddings throughout the years. For Randy, it was all about the community connection and helping customers find a meaningful piece of jewelry that they couldn’t live without. “Randy always said that this was a happy business. People were happy to be getting married or getting a birthday or anniversary gift,” Judy said. “He loved that generations of families would come in to shop. He would sell a wedding set to a couple, then years later to their children, and then grandchildren would come in.” Randy took a lot of pride in his reputation as the trusted neighborhood jeweler. “The repair shop and custom jewelry design department were, we think, the finest in town,” Judy said. “I would occasionally ask him if he would want to open another location. He never did. He was happy with the family he grew here in the neighborhood.” Closing the business was not something Judy took lightly. “The decision to close was heartbreaking. It has been a huge part of our family for so long, and it’s all my kids have known their dad to do,” Judy said. Saying goodbye to the store’s employees was also difficult. “Chris had been with us for over 15 years, Peggy for 10 years, and Lauren, the jeweler, was with us for 22 years before she retired. All three of them, along with many others over the years, have been essential to the business’s success.” These friendly and familiar faces were known across Arcadia as the helpful and knowledgeable jewelry team. Yet when one door closes, another one opens, and that’s the main reason why Judy decided to move forward with this next chapter. “When deciding what to do with the store, I wanted to honor the integrity and reputation that Randy had created,” Judy said. A friend of Randy’s who worked with him back in the 1980s – Bryan Freytag – agreed to move to Phoenix and open a jewelry store in the same location as W.R. Williams Fine Jewelry. Freytag has spent the last 23 year running a jewelry store in Farmington, N.M. “It is exactly what Randy would have wanted,” said Judy. While W.R. Williams Fine Jewelry is now closed, Judy says a remodel will take place before Freytag opens his doors. “The new store will open with the same level of trust Arcadia deserves,” she said. W.R. Williams Fine Jewelry says farewell after 27 years

5 AUGUST 2020 By Cody Kennedy A question that has been on every parent, teacher and school administrators’ mind lately: What’s going to happen when it’s time for school to start? The original date for when students would return to school campuses was set for August 10. Then, COVID-19 numbers soared, and the Scottsdale Unified School District determined that in-person schooling was not a viable option. Instead, students will start the school year online. SUSD Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel and the Board decided to delay students’ return to campus until at least September 8, the day after Labor Day, if allowed to return in-person at that time. At recent governing board meetings, SUSD voted to provide families with two choices for student learning when its 28 schools reopen. • Full-time on campus: (after initial online distanced learning program – see Model A above) On an SUSD campus five days a week, with enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols. Following the June 19 Maricopa County regulation, face masks will be required of all students and staff while on campus. Face masks will also be required on all SUSD school buses. • Full-time online: (referenced in chart) Online five days a week through SUSD’s fully accredited, age-appropriate, distance- learning program called Scottsdale Online Learning. SUSD’s state-certified teachers will lead classes. Parents can also choose the online platform Enhanced Distance Learning, which is taught by teachers from each school. Community feedback at the meetings included concerns about in-person versus online school, including grading policies and transportation and safety concerns. Arcadia High’s new principal Dr. Cain Jagodzinski held multiple Zoom meetings in late July to address parents’ concerns and help clarify return-to-school options. Some policies are still being discussed. “One of our goals is to find a medium between screen time so that kids aren’t staring at a screen for seven hours,” Dr. Jagodzinski said. “We want to make sure that kids have a routine. We want everyone to have more accountability and for teachers to have more opportunities to interact with the kids. Our goal is to make it as good as we can for the kids and have them ready to go when it’s time to get back on campus.” Parents suggested a “back to school” video for parents and students so that they can become familiar with the two online learning platforms. Parents, students and teachers will also have access to an online educational platform called Buzz. Dr. Jagodzinski explained that Buzz is like a blank canvas that teachers can continually update with homework, assignments and grades and can be used as a way to communicate with students. As for safety concerns, Dr. Jagodzinski explained that he and the board are hoping to get more guidance soon, as this is the most asked question when it comes to returning to school. He did mention that kids will be required to wear masks, and they are working on spacing desks between students, as well as putting up signage to remind students of these new protocols. Lunchtime is also a concern. “We are still deciding what to do during lunch,” Dr. Jagodzinski said. They will need to decide whether the cafeteria will offer a grab-and-go option and if there will be air-conditioned places for kids to eat, he said. “It’s hard to get kids to stay apart; we have to re-learn these things and will do our best to educate ourselves and students on safety measures. Safety is our number one concern.” The board also decided that there should be a principal for the online learning models and chose Ingleside Middle School Principal Dr. Christopher Thuman as the district’s online learning programs’ interim principal. Another concern among parents and students is high school sports. The most recent Arizona Interscholastic Association Executive Board meeting detailed that sports will start and finish at their usual times with full safety modifications. According to the AIA, there will be an 8-10 game schedule for 2A-6A football. Games will start the week of September 7. The current playoff structure may have to be adjusted after input from schools. 1A football is currently looking at modifications, if necessary. The remainder of fall sports will be adjusted slightly to ensure complete regular seasons. “As of today, falls sports are still on,” Arcadia High School Athletic Director Rudy Alvarado said. “There will be a few changes but we are confident that we can pull it off. We want to give our kids a chance to compete if they can.” Estimated starting dates for competition: • Golf – August 24 • Badminton – August 31 • All other fall sports – week of September 7 “We are in summer mode, which means our rules move to local school districts. Some are still practicing; some haven’t been – it’s a little all over the place,” AIA Executive Director David Hines said. “From what I understand, coaches [within SUSD] are still working with kids in some form or another.” “At this point, we are dependent on when a school can go back to being in-person,” Hines said. “But the intent is that we have some fall sports.” Hines explained that as the months progress, the reality is that high school sports will have a reduced schedule. “Even though we’re starting later, we could still have a nine or ten game football season,” he said. For more: susd.org or aiaonline.org SUSD offers two back-to-school options Enhanced Distance Learning Start 8/10/2020 Anticipated End Date 9/7/2020 • 100% remote learning • Home school-assigned classroom teachers • SUSD curriculum • Enhanced platform: provides a “learning hub” where all resources are streamlined and accessible • Full time, full day, in school attendance with SUSD teachers and curriculum • Focus on social/emotional learning (SEL) • Appropriate safety measures such as physical distancing and masks • Fully accredited SUSD teachers • Blend of asynchronous & synchronous learning • Discussion-based assessments (DBAs), activities and assignments • Program Demos Full Return Anticipated Start Date 9/8/2020 Model A: Enhanced Distance Learning to Full Return Return to Learn Models – Choose 1 per Student Model B: SOL Scottsdale Online Learning Start 8/10/2020 (1 Semester Commitment) SUSD | 125 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE 2020-2021 www.susd.org 4122 N 56th Street • $ 1,195,000 5 Bedroom/ 4 Bath • 3,723 square feet IN THE HEART OF ARCADIA 2020 TAVAN SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS (1/01/2020-6/30/2020) Active Homes - 70 Homes Homes Sold - 92 Homes Average Sale Price - $723,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $304 Average Days On Market - 65 days There is currently 4 months of home inventory. (based on 2019 sales results) 2020 home sales have decreased 17% this year. (based on 2019 sales results) 2020 home prices have increased 10%. (based on 2019 sales results) 2020 $ Per Square Foot prices have increased 9%. (based on 2019 sales results) 2020 Homes are taking 29% less time to sell. (based on 2019 sales results) 2019 TAVAN SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS Homes Sold - 221 Homes Average Sale Price - $651,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $276 Average Days On Market - 91 days Arcadia Real Estate Stats 2020 HOPI SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS (1/01/2020-6/30/2020) Active Homes - 141 homes Homes Sold - 145 homes Average Sale Price - $1,555,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $405 Average Days On Market - 120 days There is currently 5 months of home inventory. (based on 2019 sales results) 2020 home sales have decreased 8% this year. (based on 2019 sales results) 2020 home prices have increased 12%. (based on 2019 sales results) 2020 $ Per Square Foot prices have increased 8%. (based on 2019 sales results) 2020 homes are taking 3% more time to sell. (based on 2019 sales results) 2019 HOPI SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS Homes Sold - 312 homes Average Sale Price - $1,362,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $371 Average Days On Market - 117 days Free MLS Access: visit TommyAtkinson.com SELLING YOUR HOME? Ask me about my comprehensive online and print marketing program that exposes your home to the largest pool of qualified buyers. Walt Danley Realty Cell 602-625-6020 www.tommyatkinson.com Buyer Need: I have buyers looking for a 1/2 acre lot in Arcadia. Any condition. Will pay up to $ 1,300,000.