It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Ahwatukee, AZ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always Best Care took care of my brother so we could bring him home to”
“I cannot say enough good things about Jann’e M. Gutierrez and her team at Always”
“When looking for care for the people you love you hope to find someone who”
“I am so grateful to Janne Gutierrez of ABC Senior Services in Tempe! Faced”
“On behalf of myself and my sister, Deborah Lampignano, I would like to express our”
“The professionals at ABC provided exactly what my mom needed when she needed it. Initial”
“We had a wonderful experience with Always Best Care and Janné. We had to work”
“My husband was well cared for during my absence for 10 days. He enjoyed the”
“Highest Marks on All Fronts We contacted ABC when my aunt in Tempe was in her”
“You really need to give Always Best Care Senior Services a call. I have”
“Responsive, Reliable, Quality Care for Mom in her home. Jan'ne and her staff provided immediate reliable”
“Thank you so much for helping me with the placement of my mom. I love”
“Always Best Care assisted with my mom's care over a couple years. Janne and her”
“ABC has been a life and marriage saver for me. My husband needed home care”
“I needed senior care after rehab and contacted a service agent for my area. ”
“I started working with ABC 3 years ago after just moving to AZ. in the”
“Always Best Care helped us navigate through a rough time. We are grateful for”
“Always Best Care helped us navigate through a rough time. We are grateful for their”
“The caregivers have been wonderful. Elena takes initiative and sees what needs to be done”
“I had lunch with Janne. During the conversation it became clear that her reason for”
“May is Older Americans Month. This month we want celebrate the extraordinary older Americans that”
“Tom and Jann'e are awesome. They are very professional, flexible, and easy to work with.”
“Always Best Care took care of my brother so we could bring him home to be safe and secure in his home which was his wish.”
“I cannot say enough good things about Jann’e M. Gutierrez and her team at Always Best Care Senior Services. Jann’e responded immediately when I called for help with my mother. We were in a terminal situation and needed help in the home. She came immediately and provided us with the much needed care. The caregivers she provided were wonderful. They were qualified, patient, and kind and we were so comfortable leaving our mother alone with them. It is never a good situation when you need this type of care and Jann’e made it so easy. I would recommend them 100%.”
“When looking for care for the people you love you hope to find someone who is competent, confident and is a value add. We received all of that and so very much more with Always Best Care From Janné who made the process as simple & pain free as possible to our caregivers. To Lakisha is an angel, caring for our patient & us. AND Bobbie COOKED the most wonderful mashed potatoes for my Dad… I could go on Make your tough time simpler- call & use Always Best Care”
“I am so grateful to Janne Gutierrez of ABC Senior Services in Tempe! Faced with an immediate need for hands-on support for my aging father (I live in Michigan) I was lucky to have connected with Janne. Communication was excellent. Within days, she did a thorough home visit assessment and gave me a complete report of what was working and where she thought support would be most effective. Options for levels of care were tailored to needs while also considering our budget. I could tell that Janne not only has years of experience in the field, but also actually enjoys what she does. We were able to discuss not just home care, but also assisted living options and health management arrangements. I'd highly recommend contacting ABC if you need a similar service.”
“On behalf of myself and my sister, Deborah Lampignano, I would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the staff and caregivers at Always Best Care senior services who helped us to make a reality of our late mother's wish to remain in her own home as her death drew near.”
“The professionals at ABC provided exactly what my mom needed when she needed it. Initial service was once a week chore assistance that urgently became a need for overnight care after a fall. Janee was able to provide a compassionate, responsible attendant for mom with just a few hours notice. The caregivers were kind and helpful with all of mom’s needs. I’m not sure what we would have done without ABC. They really stepped up and helped with a very critical need. Thank you so much.”
“We had a wonderful experience with Always Best Care and Janné. We had to work fast and within a budget and didn’t know where to start. They listened, genuinely cared about our situation, made recommendations and set us on a path to success! We couldn’t be happier. I highly recommend them for senior care services!”
“My husband was well cared for during my absence for 10 days. He enjoyed the company, assistance with his shower, and other very helpful things around the house. We would definitely use this service again.”
“Highest Marks on All Fronts We contacted ABC when my aunt in Tempe was in her last stage of battling cancer. With no local family to care for her, we knew we had to find a reliable, compassionate and responsive caregiver service. We found exactly that in ABC. The owner, Janne, is exceedingly efficient, understood our needs immediately, and flexible (which was vital in our situation, given my aunt's fluid health situation). The caregivers were kind, hard working and demonstrated initiative. We are grateful to Janne and her entire team for stepping in with support and assistance when we needed it most. I highly recommend ABC for senior care services.”
“You really need to give Always Best Care Senior Services a call. I have a service company as well and I know service for over 45 years. They're excellent with my referrals. The word Care in their name is what they're about - most of all they should have the word Love in their name as well - for that is what they produce for the needs of those with home care. Give them a call today!”
“Responsive, Reliable, Quality Care for Mom in her home. Jan'ne and her staff provided immediate reliable support! ABC caregivers are courteous, caring and extremely helpful to support mom's daily routine. A couple of things after that which exceeded my expectations... you made follow up calls to see if everything is going well, you visit regularly with mom/family to ensure they are comfortable with the care giver services. Thank you for supporting our family with our "care giver" responsibilities, ABC services gives good care that provides peace of mind to the family.”
“Thank you so much for helping me with the placement of my mom. I love how professional and caring the staff is.”
“Always Best Care assisted with my mom's care over a couple years. Janne and her team were always responsive to changing needs and flexible as she was in/out of hospitals. ABC worked within our budget range and discussed the options and social programs available that might supplement the care as well. They had great communication while providing care and I would highly recommend them for the excellent personal attention they showed for my mom. It was a relief knowing she had great care while I could not be there all of the time.”
“ABC has been a life and marriage saver for me. My husband needed home care services and the staff from the back office to each of the care givers has been top notch and caring. I would highly recommend them.”
“I needed senior care after rehab and contacted a service agent for my area. Alex of Always Best Care reached out to me right away, visited me at rehab the next day and I was impressed by the company. He has advocated for me since. All the caregivers have done the tasks contracted and came on time so I was never alone. I would like to recognize Sheila and Lana for above effort and compassion too.”
“I started working with ABC 3 years ago after just moving to AZ. in the middle of COVID-19. 2022 during the Holiday Season I started working, Tom and Janne' are truly incredible people and seem to be very authentic in the way they provide care for their clients and the well-being of the staff as well. The work hours are flexible, the pay is reasonable with flexible payment options. There were free online classes offered to stay up-to-date, which is awesome. I felt like I was a part of a family while working for this company because I knew nobody in AZ, one certain Sunday they needed a caregiver and I needed at Church service, It was a win-win! Hands down working for or working with Always Best Care would be a blessing. Michele Roland”
“Always Best Care helped us navigate through a rough time. We are grateful for their knowledge, care, and professionalism.”
“Always Best Care helped us navigate through a rough time. We are grateful for their knowledge, care, and professionalism.”
“The caregivers have been wonderful. Elena takes initiative and sees what needs to be done so I don’t have to keep a list. She and Louisa are great communicators and very helpful. Louisa has a solution before I’m even done explaining my problem. They both cook and bake well. I’d be eating frozen dinners if it wasn’t for them.”
“I had lunch with Janne. During the conversation it became clear that her reason for being is business is all about helping folks. She listens to their needs, offers the benefit of her experiance, and then provides them with what they want. I walked away knowing that she looks at each client as a person in need.”
“May is Older Americans Month. This month we want celebrate the extraordinary older Americans that embody aging unbound and let's everyone know that age is not the end, it is the beginning. #OlderAmericansMonth #AgingUnbound #SeniorCare #AgeIsJustANumber #AlwaysBestCare #SeniorCommunity #Caregiver #Caregiving #OlderAdult #SeniorCare #SeniorLiving #SeniorServices #SeniorHousing”
“Tom and Jann'e are awesome. They are very professional, flexible, and easy to work with. The Caregivers with ABC are well trained and take great care of my Dad with Alzheimer's. They are willing to go above and beyond and get very creative with keeping my Dad content which can be a challenge. Thank you ABC.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Ahwatukee, AZ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Ahwatukee, AZ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Ahwatukee, AZ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Corrections & Clarifications: A previous version of this article misspelled Ryan Pfutzenreuter's last name.Several parents expressed anger at the Kyrene School District Governing Board meeting on Aug. 5 over the handling of air quality issues stemming from a school roof construction project.“I’ve lost my faith in the district’s ability to keep my kids safe,” said Ryan Pfutzenreuter, the parent of three students at Kyrene de la Sierra.The district announced the closure of the elementar...
Corrections & Clarifications: A previous version of this article misspelled Ryan Pfutzenreuter's last name.
Several parents expressed anger at the Kyrene School District Governing Board meeting on Aug. 5 over the handling of air quality issues stemming from a school roof construction project.
“I’ve lost my faith in the district’s ability to keep my kids safe,” said Ryan Pfutzenreuter, the parent of three students at Kyrene de la Sierra.
The district announced the closure of the elementary school in Ahwatukee Foothills on Aug. 3 after initial testing showed "elevated particulate levels" in the air, according to a statement the district sent to families. Parents had questioned the safety of the roof installation and associated smells, prompting the district to conduct air quality tests, according to an Aug. 1 letter to parents.
"This is not just an unpleasant smell," Pfutzenreuter told the board. "It's dangerous, and we were never warned."
Yelena Glass, who has a second grader and a fourth grader at Kyrene de la Sierra, said she raised concerns about the smell on campus at Meet the Teacher night on July 21, before the start of the 2025-26 school year two days later.
Glass said her children experienced health problems, and that when she took them to the emergency room, her “fears were confirmed that the symptoms that they were experiencing were due to inhalation" of particulates in the air.
Students at Kyrene de la Sierra were sent home for distance learning for the week of Aug. 4-8. Beginning Aug. 11, their classes will be held at Kyrene de los Cerritos Leadership Academy and Kyrene Altaden?a Middle School, which share a campus in Ahwatukee about 1.5 miles north of Kyrene de la Sierra.
Kyrene de la Sierra will remain closed until after the district's fall break in October.
“We didn't want to leave families hanging week to week," said Superintendent Laura Toenjes. "We thought this was a way less disruptive option."
Mason Meade, the district's director of facilities, said that the roof construction was pushed into the school year due to weather, and while air quality tests are conducted on request, they are not routine. According to district protocol, air intakes should be sealed during construction, but that was not done during the roof work at Sierra, which the district is looking into, Meade said.
Complaints from parents about the smell from the construction first came at the Meet the Teacher event, and a preliminary air quality test was conducted on Aug. 1, which showed elevated levels of compounds in the air that could potentially be harmful. A second test was conducted on Aug. 3 that produced similar results, and officials decided to close the campus after receiving a recommendation from a certified industrial hygienist.
The district was expecting more detailed air quality testing results on Aug. 6, Toenjes said.
The district's emergency management team has recommended that all future construction projects have routine air quality testing to avoid similar situations.
Kyrene School District has 25 schools serving about 12,000 students from preschool to eighth grade, with roughly 500 students attending Kyrene de la Sierra.
District officials said they would be posting updates about the Kyrene de la Sierra roof replacement and its impact on school operations at www.kyrene.org/SierraRoof.
(This story has been updated to add more information.)
Coverage of education solutions on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is partially supported by a grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund.
Officials with the Kyrene School District announced on Aug. 3 that one of their elementary school campuses in the Ahwatukee area of Phoenix will be closed through fall break.What we know:Per a notice that is posted to the school's website, officials say students at Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School will move to remote learning, starting on August 4, due to concerns over air quality."Multiple air quality tests conducted over the weekend inside the school indicated elevated particulate levels. This does not mean t...
Officials with the Kyrene School District announced on Aug. 3 that one of their elementary school campuses in the Ahwatukee area of Phoenix will be closed through fall break.
What we know:
Per a notice that is posted to the school's website, officials say students at Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School will move to remote learning, starting on August 4, due to concerns over air quality.
"Multiple air quality tests conducted over the weekend inside the school indicated elevated particulate levels. This does not mean the particulates are harmful or even that the levels are harmful. However, official results of the air quality tests will take 5-7 days, and we will not take any risks with staff and student health," read a portion of the notice.
According to the notice, the school is undergoing a roof construction project. The school year began on July 23, and officials said children noticed a smell.
"We were hearing from our staff as well, so that prompted us to take a closer look," said Erin Helm with the district.
Dig deeper:
School officials say regardless of results from the air quality tests, students will not return to campus until after fall break. The school's fall break is set to start on Monday, September 29, and end on Friday, October 10.
"This will allow us to expedite roof construction so the portion of the work involving asphalt and off-gassing would be complete by October, when students return to campus," read a portion of the statement.
On Aug. 4, school district officials released their plans for the coming weeks.
"All students should have received assignments from teachers [on Monday] for independent work at home," read a portion of the website. "Additional assignments will be provided tomorrow and Wednesday for independent learning. Thank you for your patience with this, as the district is working to support teachers as they prepare to provide some level of live, online learning Thursday and Friday."
In addition, district officials said all non-preschool students at Sierra will be relocated to the shared campus of Kyrene de los Cerritos Leadership Academy and Kyrene Altadeña Middle School, starting on Aug. 11. Preschool students will be relocated to Kyrene de la Esperanza Elementary School.
Local perspective:
On Monday, some parents scrambled to make alternative plans with their children.
"We're doing everything we can to keep him entertained, and still make it educational," said Kate Fullmer.
Fullmer and her son, Duncan, were at Ironwood Library during school hours. Duncan had started kindergarten at Kyrene de la Sierra in July.
"I was freaking out a little bit," said Fullmer. "I work. My partner works, so we're just trying to do the best we can, and make sure he doesn't fall behind."
Expert Perspective:
We spoke with Joanna Strother with the American Lung Association about air quality, and she said particles in the air can cause serious issues.
"Really, breathing in any of these particles can cause asthma episodes, cardiovascular disease, or worsening and even long-term exposure can lead to lung cancer," said Strother.
Air quality in schools is something they have been looking at for years because of how important it is, for many reasons.
"Sometimes when you have poor air quality in schools, it can increase absenteeism for students and staff if they're always sick, especially vulnerable people, like people with asthma," said Strother.
What's next:
District officials said the issue related to Kyrene de la Sierra's roof will be discussed during a governing board meeting on Aug. 5.
https://www.kyrene.org/family-student-resources/safety-security/911-active-emergencies/sierra-roof-construction
AHWATUKEE, AZ (AZFamily) — A Phoenix elementary school notified parents on Sunday that all students will be learning remotely this week due to air quality concerns and ongoing roof construction.“The health and safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. Out of an abundance of caution, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close the Kyrene de la Sierra campus during this phase of roof construction, through fall break,” the Kyrene Emergency Management Team said in a statement.Th...
AHWATUKEE, AZ (AZFamily) — A Phoenix elementary school notified parents on Sunday that all students will be learning remotely this week due to air quality concerns and ongoing roof construction.
“The health and safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. Out of an abundance of caution, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close the Kyrene de la Sierra campus during this phase of roof construction, through fall break,” the Kyrene Emergency Management Team said in a statement.
The school announced that students would be remote from Aug. 4 through Aug. 8 as crews work to conduct multiple air quality tests.
Kaylee Hayes, a Sierra parent, said she was able to take her two kids to work on Monday. She’s an administrative assistant at Whiz Kidz Preschool in Phoenix.
“I’m fortunate to be here, but if I was not here, I would be taking time off work or have someone babysit like a family member. And that really throws off the week for the kiddos,” said Hayes.
She said not all working parents have the same flexibility as she does, and told Arizona’s Family other parents called her work to ask for help with childcare.
“The parents aren’t alone. We know and understand how stressful this is. My daughter just went to Kindergarten. She’s in a different school district, but I can’t imagine the transition these families are going through and we just want to be here for them,” said Nicole Erickson, the Program Director for Whiz Kidz.
Starting Monday, Aug. 11, all Sierra students will go to the Kyrene de los Cerritos/Kyrene Altadeña campus on Desert Foothills Parkway near Chandler Boulevard.
Students in kindergarten, first and second grades will have classes at Cerritos. Students in third, fourth and fifth grades will learn at Altadeña.
However, preschoolers will be going to the Kyrene de la Esperanza Elementary School campus near 41st Street and Chandler Boulevard.
“I think it’s going to be very chaotic at first cause obviously the first day of school is chaotic, so can you imagine with double the kiddos?” said Hayes.
District officials said its working on logistics and will be providing details on everything from transportation to Kids Club daily. It’ll take the rest of the week to set everything up at these schools so they have the necessary equipment for teaching and learning.
The district will provide more information about digital resources like Zoom links and technology support on Tuesday.
For kids who don’t have a laptop or tablet at home, a limited number of Chromebooks are available and can be picked up at Kyrene de los Cerritos on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Officials emphasized they are for students who don’t have the technology at home.
The district has a specific website for the Sierra roof project and the latest details of the relocations.
The students will be at the alternative campuses until Sept. 26.
The school then has fall break, which lasts until Oct. 13. Officials plan to return students to campus on Oct. 14.
In a statement, the school said multiple air quality tests were conducted over the weekend, revealing “elevated particulate levels,” but said that these levels may not be harmful. Official results are expected to be complete in five to seven days.
“We are finalizing logistics now and will be sending families detailed information this week, including location, transportation, Kids Club, and what to expect during the relocation period. Thank you for your patience while we work on those details,” the emergency management team said in a statement.
The team also shared that the chemicals and materials used in the room are safe, but the school is taking precautions to mitigate any potential risks, including: sealing air intakes, replacing all filters, placing air scrubbers around campus, and repeated air quality tests.
Kyrene Elementary School District has a total of 25 schools spread out across the Ahwatukee, Chandler and Tempe areas.
“We know how deeply disruptive a change like this can be to family schedules, and we truly appreciate your understanding as we prioritize safety, uninterrupted instruction and expedited completion of this critical improvement to our campus,” the emergency management team said.
Arizona’s Family talked with parents who are upset with the handling of the school closure.
One mother of two students, Elise, said she received an automated phone call from the school district on Sunday afternoon notifying her of the change to remote learning.
“It shows they don’t really have any empathy for the parents,” said Elise.
She said she called and emailed school officials for an explanation, but no one answered.
“It feels really calculated to me that they wanted to make sure they had the least amount of time that they were going to have to deal with parents,” she said.
Elise will be able to work from home while her kids learn remotely, but she is concerned for other families that won’t have the same flexibility.
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TEMPE, AZ (AZFamily) — It was a tense night at the Kyrene District Governing Board meeting Tuesday evening.The hot topic was air quality concerns amid roof repairs that are causing a closure of Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary in Ahwatukee.“I do apologize for the challenge you and your kids are going through,” said Board President Kevin Walsh.Over the weekend, parents received a 24-hour notice about a switch to online learning this week due to the campus closing down through fall break. Next week, ...
TEMPE, AZ (AZFamily) — It was a tense night at the Kyrene District Governing Board meeting Tuesday evening.
The hot topic was air quality concerns amid roof repairs that are causing a closure of Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary in Ahwatukee.
“I do apologize for the challenge you and your kids are going through,” said Board President Kevin Walsh.
Over the weekend, parents received a 24-hour notice about a switch to online learning this week due to the campus closing down through fall break. Next week, students will be temporarily relocated to other schools in the district.
At the meeting, school leaders gave parents and the board a timeline of events. It stated the first complaint of a bad smell was brought to their attention on Meet the Teacher night on July 21.
However, the superintendent said that information did not make it to the higher-ups.
“There were no complaints reported to the district office in July, so nobody here was aware of a smell at this point,” Superintendent Laura Toenjes said.
She said a parent submitted a complaint about the smell to the district office days later, which prompted the air quality test.
Parents at the meeting disputed school officials’ timeline.
“This is negligent, and you all know I emailed every single one of you. I told you what needed to me done, and now it’s going to be a much bigger problem,” said one Sierra parent.
Another parent, Courtney Maxedon, said the board president’s apology is for how the district handled the late notice, but she’s more concerned with what students and staff were exposed to.
“My kid was at Kids Club, where I smelled the exposure as well. As her mom it’s my job to protect her,” Maxedon said.
Maxedon said she picked up the smell of paint thinners and chemicals.
“My eyes teared up from the fumes,” said another Sierra mom. “They were not aromas. It was clearly fumes that my Asthmatic son had been breathing in for I don’t know how long.”
Preliminary air quality test results posted on the school’s website on Tuesday showed chemical particles in the air came up at higher than recommended levels. It’s important to note, the preliminary results only show the levels, not which chemicals are detected. The exposed chemicals will be known when the final report is in, which is expected on Thursday.
“I’m anxious about it,” Maxedon said. “I hope I’m just being an overprotective mom.”
A couple board members, including the president, told the superintendent they want air quality tests to be a standard moving forward, not only a practice following a complaint.
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