15 minute read
BUSINESS
Lawyer opens pop-up law office at Gilbert mall
BY SYDNEY MACKIE
GSN Staff Writer
Visitors to the San Tan Village in Gilbert can now find dining options, plentiful shopping – and legal counsel, courtesy of Mesa attorney Billie Tarascio. Opened early this month, her walk-in Modern Law Express office is the most recent iteration of Tarascio’s lifelong goal to ensure legal advice is attainable and affordable. The Modern Law Express location and is designed as a bridge between self-representation and traditional legal representation. The services provided by the San Tan location are family law matters such as divorce and custody, estate planning and guidance in Arizona’s new marijuana conviction expungement program. A graduate of the University of Oregon and its law school, Tarascio has utilized her 16 years of legal experience to create innovative options for those undergoing costly and complex legal battles. “If people don’t have access to information, guidance and strategy, it can be devastating for them and their families,” she said. “They can lose their kids, they can really hurt themselves in court or they can end up with a divorce decree or judgment that costs them tens of thousands of dollars that could have been avoided. “So having some options that are not just the traditional model is really important.” Her own experience has influenced her approach to law. “I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer, but very early on in college, my parents went through a divorce that was pretty unexpected and pretty traumatic and not really well done,” she recalled. “It was so disruptive to not only their lives but also to mine and my brother’s, that I decided I wanted to become a family law attorney and work with families going through similar issues.” Her in-store team of family law and legal advocates help customers determine the services needed and their cost, then connect them with the right lawyers or certified legal document preparers. To save clients what can become thousands of dollars in retainer fees, Tarascio often directs customers to online resources. These can range from Modern Law’s sister company, I Do Over, a legal document preparation service, to free online classes or legal coaching. The San Tan Village Modern Law pop-up also helps people clear some marijuana convictions in Arizona courts from their records following the recent passage of Proposition 207, which legalized recreational marijuana. According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, under the Smart and Safe Act, individuals may petition the court to have a marijuana-related arrest, charge, adjudication, conviction or sentence expunged if a case meets necessary qualifications. A charge can be expunged if the case involved possession of paraphernalia used to consume marijuana or less than 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana. Expungement also is possible if an individual was convicted of cultivating less than six plants at a primary residence for per-
Billie Tarascio
see LAWYER page 15
Gilbert painting firm aims to give back
GSN NEWS STAFF
COVID-19 did a lot of bad things to a lot of people, but it inspired Pete Schnepp of Gilbert. The pandemic’s impact harkened him to the motto of his 14-year-old business, Envision Painting. His employees are “painters with a purpose” – meaning that while Envisions is naturally a business, they also want to give back to the community. While his company often helps the nonprofit Homeless Engagement Lift Partnership, the pandemic inspired him to also He started offering to paint the exterior of a deserving individual’s home, by seeking nominations early last year for an essential worker who could use some help. Schnepp selected a nurse “that was saving people day in and day out,” he said, and then at Christmas solicited nominations for two other people in need. He chose a paraplegic and a senior citizen on a fixed income who was being threatened and fined by their HOA. Now he’s soliciting nominations again, hoping to help some needy individual anywhere in the Valley. Schnepp said the pandemic inspired to do more than he and his crews already do to help people. “We were labeled an essential business, so we were able to keep working – albeit with much less work,” he explained. “I saw so many people in need – losing their jobs, not able to pay their bills, etc... – and I was looking for a way to help. We actually started giving back to our community by spraying disinfectant for free for non-profits.
sonal use. As the option for expungement just became available in July, Tarascio said her legal team has yet to see the process to completion. “Arizona doesn’t have expungements for any type of criminal matters, they have set asides,” Tarascio clarified, “An expungement literally wipes it off your record so you can have all your civil rights restored.” These rights include the ability to obtain loans funded by the government, hold public office, serve on a jury, and the right to vote among many others. Tarascio explained that at the San Tan Village location, “You can get your expungement done for $199 and you can get an uncontested divorce for $999, so it really is quite a bit less expensive than what you would pay going through a traditional attorney.” Equipped with 25 legal professionals committed to increasing access to justice and original ideas for saving clients money, time and energy, Tarascio said the Modern Law Express location could change the lives of countless East Valley residents. “Typically with law firms, you have to go out searching for them, but with this, you’re shopping and along with getting a shirt at Macy’s, you can also get the power of attorney,” Tarascio said.
PAINTER from page 14
“We did several Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA’s, churches, Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and other non-profits at no cost to help get people back to work safely. Then it blossomed into helping residents in need with a free paint job.” His “contest” is all part of his and Envision’s philosophy. “We’re known for caring about our customers, but we’re also dedicated to making sure that carries over into the community as a whole,” Schnepp says on his company’s website. “We’re committed to giving back to the community and accomplish this in a number of ways.” As for the lucky person who will get a re-do on their home, Schnepp said, “We are looking for someone who has demonstrated selflessness over and over – someone who continually helps others, but perhaps has fallen on hard times or has a hardship meaning they don’t have the resources to have their home painted, but needs it painted.” Some examples of good candidates, he said, include “veterans, people with disabilities, senior citizens, essential workers, people severely impacted by COVID.” The person he selects will get up to $5,000 worth of labor and materials for an exterior paint job. Also, he added, “They must own the home, and the home must be in dire need of a paint job.” Schnepp said he doesn’t have a hard deadline for nominations, though “I would love to do the free job in August or September, so I’d like to wrap up the nominations in a month or so, but I am flexible.” Information/nominations: phoenix-painting.com/nominate.php.; Company info: 480-535-6625.
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PeoriaTimes.com /PeoriaTimes July 25, 2021
GPS Superintendent McCord addresses community
BY DR. SHANE MCCORD
GSN Guest Writer
Dear Community and GPS Family, Welcome to all of our Gilbert Public Schools students and families joining us and returning for the 2021/22 school year. This school year, perhaps more than ever before, we are all ready to be together again, in our classrooms, in our school buildings, and as a family that learns and grows together. Thank you to all of our employees who have been working so hard to ensure we are ready for a strong and supported start to the new school year. Also, thank you to our students and families for your continued support of the important work that takes place in our schools every day. Together we are a family and I thank you for choosing Gilbert Public Schools. As we begin this school year, we will continue to focus on what is best for our students. Student success will remain at the center of our strategic operating plan and our day-to-day decision making. We are here to inspire excellence in every learner, and I take that responsibility very seriously. As a school district we are moving forward, and continuing to evolve and improve, while offering students a level of academic excellence and educational choice like never before.
Central to our schools are our highly trained, certified educators who remain committed to delivering academic excellence, while supporting all students to learn and thrive. Our educators, support staff, and administrators are the very best,
Shane McCord
see MCCORD page BTS 4
Gilbert Public Schools names five new principals
GSN NEWS STAFF
Gilbert Public Schools students at five schools will be welcomed this school year by new principals. Tyler Dumas is the new principal at Campo Verde High School while Jonathan Schley will be heading up South Valley Junior High. New principals at three elementary schools are: Chris Bergen, Carol Rae Ranch; Sam Valles, Islands; and Amber Bickes, Playa del Rey. Here’s a look at the new school leaders.
CHRIS BERGEN
Chris Bergen comes to Carol Rae Ranch after 10 years as principal at Islands Elementary. He also has been assistant principal and dean of students at South Valley Junior High and was a special education teacher at Greenfield Junior High. “Carol Rae Ranch Elementary is dedicated to building a community of compassionate, life-long learners
that are working to make our world a better place to live,” GPS spokeswoman Dawn Antestenis added.
SAM VALLES
Chris Bergen Amber Bickes Tyler Dumas Johnathan Schley Sam Valles New Islands Elementary Principal Sam Valles began his career in education 1996 as an intermediate elementary classroom teacher and see PRINCIPALS page BTS 4
EVIT changes lives.
GILBERT SUN NEWS | JULY 25, 2021 PRINCIPALS from page BTS 1 has taught in various grade levels for GPS. He has held several administrative positions, most recently as principal of Houston Elementary. A Navy veteran, he is the husband of Dawn Valles, a reading specialist at Ashland Elementary. The couple have two sons: Diego, a Campo Verde graduate currently in the Navy, and Aidan, a sophomore at Campo. Valles’ goals are “are to work diligently with students, faculty, and parents to foster an environment that promotes a learning community characterized by child centered instruction, academic excellence, community involvement, and consistent communication.”
AMBER BICKES
As the new principal of Playa del Rey, Amber Bickes has a notable thing in common with her husband Rob: they’re both principals. He is the principal of Arizona College Prep, the new high school in Gilbert that Chandler Unified opened just days ago. Bickes’ 27-year career in education includes teaching, field coordinator at Arizona State University, a GPS elementary instructional coach and dean of students at Gilbert’s Neely Traditional Academy and Gilbert Global Academy. “While student success is at the core of what she believes we strive to achieve, relationships and people matter most,” Antestenis said. “She approaches every situation with a positive attitude and truly believes that by collaborating with one another, any situation can be resolved.” The Bickes have a daughter, Hailey, majoring in education at the University of Arizona and a son, Hunter, who is a senior at ACP.
JONATHAN SCHLEY
Jonathan Schley, the new principal at South Valley Junior High, has been an educator in Gilbert Public Schools for 17 years. His first three years of teaching were spent at South Valley, then at Campo Verde. He was dean of students at Highland Junior High and Desert Ridge High and most recently was South Valley’s assistant principal and athletic director. He “brings extensive experience working with students, teachers, other administrators, parents, and community members, along with an understanding of the importance of effective communication and leadership within a school community,” Antestenis said.
TYLER DUMAS
Tyler Dumas heads to Campo Verde as its new principal after a stint as principal of South Valley. He was an assistant principal in academics at Campo Verde and “quickly fell in love with the community in which he lives, and that has educated his four children,” Antestenis said. Dumas spent three years at Dobson High in Mesa as an assistant principal and spent 20 years in the Dobson community as a teacher and coach
and are excited to welcome back familiar faces and meet new students and families for this new school year! As a school district we are proud to offer a wide range of high-quality learning opportunities, academic programs, and extra-curricular activities to serve our students and community. Students and families can choose from an extensive range of programs and schools, including exceptional neighborhood community schools, K-6 Traditional Academies, International Baccalaureate, Gilbert Classical Academy, Spanish Dual-Language Academy, Performance Academy, GPS Global Academy online, Advanced Placement Capstone programs, accelerated kindergarten, performing arts, athletics, career and technical education, and much more. A Gilbert Public Schools education is well-rounded and designed to support all students in their unique see PRINCIPALS page BTS 7 see MCCORD page BTS 7
GILBERT SUN NEWS | JULY 25, 2021
COVID-19 isn’t the only vaccine kids need this year
BY MELISSA BAKER, ROBERT OUIMETTE AND JENNIFER YOUNG
Guest Writers
As families prepare to send their kids back to in-person classes, there might be one essential item parents still need to add to the back-toschool list – immunizations. Staying up to date on immunizations helps keep communities safe from an outbreak of a life-threatening disease. Unfortunately, millions of people fell behind their vaccination schedule
PRINCIPALS from page BTS 4 at elementary, junior high and senior high levels. “Throughout his time as an administrator, classroom teacher, and coach, Mr Dumas’ primary focus has always been serving students and the community while empowering student success.” Antestenis added. learning journey. I invite you to visit our website gilbertschools.net to learn more. For the new school year, we will be continuing to offer GPS Global Academy K-12 for students and families who choose to learn online. We have an incredible team of administrators and teachers leading the way and we are excited for our families to experience all that our Global Academy has to offer. Over the summer you may have seen some work being done to upgrade and improve our campuses, including the installation of new secure entrances at some of our schools. Thank you to all GPS staff who have worked so hard to make this possible. We are committed to continuing to provide supportive and safe learning environments that inspire our students to learn and do their very best. It is truly my honor to serve you and our community and I am excited for the new school year which brings with it many opportunities for learning and growth. Thank you for being an integral part of our community. It is our students, families, and employees that make our district great and together we will continue to connect, create, and care, with our students at the center of it all.
during the last year, as they could not physically visit the doctor or put off well-checks during the worst of the pandemic. It is important to keep up to date with these vaccines to receive the best protection against viruses. If you are still unsure why vaccinations are so necessary, consider the 1.5 million people who die from vaccine-preventable diseases annually. With teachers and kids heading back to the classrooms this fall, it has never been more important to take stock of your health. Do your part by checking in with your doctor to confirm you and your family are protected. If you are unsure of your vaccine history, you can request a copy of your immunization records from your primary care doctor. Upon pulling up your records, they may have you schedule an appointment for a vaccine or booster shot. If you do not have a primary care physician or are unsure of your previous health history, there are many healthcare resources like Jewish Family & Children’s Service that can connect you to the right kind of care.
MCCORD from page BTS 4
PURPOSE | PASSION | PLAY
• Voted Best of the Best Charter School 3 Years in a Row! • Voted Best Pre-School & Best Charter School in Mesa 4 Years in a Row! • Educational Model Inspired by Finland (Education, Play, Family) • Kindergarten thru 8th Grade (Tuition Free) • Full-Day Pre-K (4-year old) Program - $500 / month • PE | Music | Art | Social / Emotional Learning | Garden • Grades 4 - 8 Soccer and Basketball Leagues. • FREE Breakfast, Lunch, & Transportation • 2019 Recipient of KaBOOM! Playground Grant • 2019 & 2020 Recipient of NFL Play 60 Grant • BARK to Excellence PBIS Model • After School Clubs • Monthly Community Events E. Guadalupe Rd. • 3 Recess Per Day • Before & After Care (YMCA) S. Power Rd.
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