May 6, 2015 • Vol. 13, No.23
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Anthem School receives A+ School of Excellence designation
ELIZABETH MEDORA STAFF
ANTHEM – Anthem School has been awarded the Arizona Educational Foundation’s A+ School of Excellence designation. Anthem staff was notified on April 28 that the school
was receiving this prestigious designation. A ceremony is planned for mid-May to celebrate when the school receives its official banner from the Arizona Educational Foundation. “We’re very proud,” said Anthem School principal Deb Roets. “It was really affirming
Merrill Gardens scheduled to break ground in June ELIZABETH MEDORA STAFF
ANTHEM – Merrill Gardens may be taking reservations for their senior living community as soon as fall 2015. The groundbreaking for the new retirement facility that will be built off of Meridian Drive in Anthem is scheduled for mid-June. “We’re about five or six weeks out,” said Merrill Gardens chairman Bill Pettit, describing the company as “getting anxious” to get started on construction.
Merrill Gardens has received most of the necessary permits for building. “We have permits from the Anthem Community Council, and we are expecting our final permits from Maricopa County here in early June,” Pettit said. Construction is estimated to take 12-14 months. A few months after the planned groundbreaking in June, Merrill Gardens representatives will begin taking reservations for
MERRILL GARDENS continued on page 10
for all the hard work that the staff has done over the years.” The school celebrated the award with a special assembly out on the school field. Staff, students, and parents partied with Silly String and noisemakers and an impromptu dance party. The A+ School of Excellence designation honors schools with a consistent commitment to quality education, high achievement, and best practices throughout the school. Locally, Anthem School joins Barry Goldwater High School, Cactus Shadows High School, Desert Sage Elementary School, Diamond Canyon School, and Pinnacle High School as 2015 A+ School of Excellence winners. The A+ application was the
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Inventory obtained at government auctions together with general order merchandise which constitutes the majority of goods offered at the auction. We are a privately owned company that is not affiliated with any government agency.
first step towards the designation.
was then selected for a site visit.
Teachers, staff, parents, and students worked together on the school application. Anthem
ANTHEM SCHOOL continued on page 11
‘Olympic Rickshaw Rider’ visits New River NEW RIVER – Chen Guan Ming, an east China farmer, rode his rickshaw through Anthem and New River last week on his latest Olympic trek. Chen is on his way to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympic Games. He started his worldwide travels when Beijing was awarded the 2008 Olympics. He travels mainly on his rickshaw, continuing his trek via airplane where necessary. Chen hands out business cards with his information and his mission of sharing “the Olympic message of goodwill.” He made it to Washington in January 2015; he is now
planning on heading across the United States. Follow Chen’s travels around the world at www.
ACADEMICS:
ON THE ROAD:
BAGS OF HOPE:
Gavilan Peak’s Mandarin
Texting-while-driving
D-backs players ‘Pack the
program shows great success
ban debated
House’ to fight hunger
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chenolympicrickshaw.com and www.bryanjames.co.uk/chenguan-ming.
OTHER : • Bluhm Column
6
• Service Directory
15
• Classified Ads
18