INSIDE:
C O M M U N I T Y P. 2 3 | B U S I N E S S P. 2 7 | O P I N I O N P. 3 2 | S P O R T S P. 3 6 | G E T O U T P. 3 8 | C L A S S I F I E D P. 4 4
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Wednesday, December 22, 2021
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Kyrene, TU go separate ways on facemasks BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
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@AhwatukeeFN |
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mid a surge in a new COVID-19 variant, Kyrene and Tempe Union school districts so far plan to take opposite approaches on mandatory masks on campuses. With both districts now on a two-week winter break, Kyrene on Dec. 15 reiterated its plan for an optional masks policy for all students
except preschoolers – who will be required to wear face coverings – while Tempe Union two days later announced its mask mandate will remain in effect when classes resume Jan. 3. Masks will still be required for all students using school buses in both districts because they are under a federal mandate. “As we first shared with you in November, the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccination for children ages five and older marks a significant
milestone in the fight against the pandemic. It provides an off ramp for some of Kyrene’s most restrictive safety protocols, including face covering requirements,” Kyrene Superintendent Laura Toenjes wrote in a letter to parents and the general community. “Just as we waited to reopen schools until all teachers and staff had an opportunity to be
A Christmas story of love in hardship BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor
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bove all, love. William “Bill” Reed lives by that advice, which he imparts in his first book, “Lessons from a Disabled Caregiver: Thriving Together and Maintaining Independence with Physical Disability and Dementia.” Immobilized for nearly a decade by progressive and untreatable nerve and muscle diseases, Reed writes of how he has tended to his wife of nearly
55 years, Jodie, as she weaves her way through the cognitive decline of dementia. “It takes a positive attitude – as difficult as that is at times – perseverance, and ingenuity to overcome the many problems you need to solve. When it comes to caregiving, you need all those attributes; but love is the most important,” he said. “Love is what keeps you going. You want to help. You want to make them happy,” he writes.
see REED page 9
see MASK page 4
Confined to a wheelchair by a progressively debilitating disease, William Reed of Ahwatukee still cares for his wife of 55 years, who is stricken with dementia. (Courtesy of William Reed)
Kyrene kids are highly performing.
www.kyrene.org/KyreneKids • 480-541-1000 • LEARNING. LEADING. ACHIEVING.