WhizKidz picks Mesa for its third Valley preschool
BY KRISTINE CANNON Tribune Staff Writer
WhizKidz Preschool is taking the leap to the East Valley this fall.
What was once PS Academy in Mesa, a K-12 school for students with autism and other exceptionalities, has been converted to WhizKidz’s third location, slated to open in August.
This is WhizKidz’s first location in the East Valley; the preschool also has campuses in Scottsdale and Phoenix.
WhizKidz is an all-inclusive preschool with play-based curriculum and weekly enrichment classes, including music, P.E., art and gardening.
At the Scottsdale location — the largest of the three preschools at over 8,000 square feet — students can be seen caring for the zucchinis, tomatoes, kale, sunflowers and more growing in the garden.
WhizKidz also provides diapers and wipes, as well as all-natural meals and snacks for its preschoolers.
“We are family centered, so we offer convenient, all-inclusive care, which means parents literally just have to drop off their kids,” said WhizKidz Owner Martha Piccaio.
At 5,500 square feet, the Mesa location boasts a state-of-the-art facility with space to cook nutritious meals for the students — meals that accommodate children’s specific dietary needs.
The Mesa campus will have nine classrooms, where students engage in handson learning stations, as well as take part in sensory learning and sensory play.
Each week, children are introduced to a new letter, number, color and shape, as well as other objects, words and things that pair with each of those new areas.
According to Piccaio, WhizKidz’s curriculum sets the children up for success when they reach kindergarten.
“We work with Zoo-phonics [a multisensory language arts program], which is a really good program. [When] a lot of the kids that have been with us for several, several years get to kinder, they’ve already learned what they’re being taught in kindergarten because of the programs that we’re using,” she said.
WhizKidz also fosters a community for parents to meet, offers parents all-inclu-
sive care and creates a support system for them to navigate parenting together.
“We create really amazing communities,” Piccaio said. “Almost every month, we’ll have a family event, and what that does is it brings parents to meet and just connect. That’s also a big, big game-changer. We’re not large and corporate; it’s my husband and I, and we’re there at the events and part of the hiring process.”
WhizKidz has anywhere from 25 to 30 people on staff.
“We are very particular on the things that we’re looking for that align to our core values and align who we are. So it’s a full circle,” she said.
The goal of Piccaio’s is to ensure the parents, in addition to their children, feel a sense of belonging.
“We want people to find a place. It’s our psychology: When you feel that you belong somewhere, you stay. And if you feel loved and you feel safe, you thrive. And if the parent feels accepted, they’re most likely to be open to our suggestions,” she said. “We are an extension of their family.”
This year, Piccaio plans to offer parenting workshops free of charge to parents of children enrolled into WhizKidz.
“They come to us with questions or wanting feedback and support, and we don’t always have that appropriate answers to their questions,” she said. “So, we’ll bring in a parenting consultant.”
The parenting consultant will host training classes off-site, including potty training classes, toddler survival skills and more.
“It’s good to have that added resource,” Piccaio said.
Piccaio said she always had plans to expand to the East Valley; she was merely waiting for the right building to convert.
“We wanted to make sure there was enough space for children, good outdoor areas — all those things that we believe are important for children to have as part of their development,” she said.
After looking at many buildings, the once-
named Pieceful Solutions K-12 school — the academy re-branded in June and moved to its new location in Gilbert this month — opened up, and WhizKidz began renovating the building four months ago.
“We were really looking to get into the East Valley because there are a lot of young families,” Piccaio said. “We’ve had families who’ve moved from Scottsdale and purchased a home out in the East Valley who have called us back, [saying], ‘You guys have to come out here. There’s nothing out here.’”
Similarly, the Scottsdale campus was converted three years ago; what is now WhizKidz used to be BASIS Scottsdale Primary. BASIS Scottsdale Primary has since relocated to 136th Street.
Piccaio started WhizKidz in 2007 from her home in Glendale, and eventually moved into what was once Sahuaro Preschool in Phoenix, transforming it into WhizKidz’s first campus.
The Scottsdale campus then opened in 2016.
WhizKidz is now enrolling students ages 0 to 5 for the 2019/2020 school year. Enrollment caps at 125 students, and tuition averages about $260 a week. Those interested in taking a look at the Mesa campus before the school year begins can schedule a tour on WhizKidz’s website.
The grand opening celebration of the new campus will take place August 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Information: 4909 E. Brown Road, Mesa; 480-999-4255; whizkidzpreschool.com
WhizKidz owner Martha Oiccaio said her new Mesa location is a state-ofthe-art facility. (Special to the Tribune)
Public Notice
CITY OF MESA MESA, ARIZONA NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING STAPLEY PARK PLAYGROUND
IMPROVEMENTS
Project No. LF0329STP
The City of Mesa is developing plans to upgrade the playground equipment at Stapley Park. The old playground equipment will be removed and replaced with new playground equipment along with new play area surfacing. The City of Mesa would like students and members of the neighboring community to share their input on which type of play features will be in the new playground.
You are invited to attend a Public Meeting where City staff will be available to answer your questions. No formal presentation will be given.
Date: Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Time: 6:00 pm to 7:00pm
Location: Eagles Park Community Center-Room 118
828 E. Broadway Rd Mesa, AZ 85204
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this project, please contact Michele Arrollado, Lucy Lopez or Juanita Gonzales with the City of Mesa Engineering Public Relations Department at (480) 6443800.
Published: East Valley Tribune, Aug 4, 11, 2019 / 22307
Public Notice
CITY OF MESA MESA, ARIZONA NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING WASHINGTON PARK PLAYGROUND
IMPROVEMENTS
Project No. LF0330WSH
The City of Mesa is developing plans to upgrade the playground equipment at Washington Park. The old playground equipment will be removed and re-placed with new playground equipment along with new play area surfacing. The City of Mesa would like the neighboring community to share their input on which type of play features will be in the new playground.
You are invited to attend a Public Meeting where City staff will be available to answer your questions. No formal presentation will be given.
Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Step Up SchoolAccordion Room
44 E 5th Street Mesa, AZ 85201
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this project, please contact Michele Arrollado, Lucy Lopez and Juanita Gonzales with the City of Mesa Engineering Public Relations Department at (480) 644-3800.
Public Notice
CITY OF MESA MESA, ARIZONA COMMERCIAL WATER METER
REHABILITATIONS PHASE 11B
PROJECT NO. CP04680001
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received
until Thursday, September 19, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. All sealed bids will be received at Mesa City Plaza Building, Engineering Department at 20 East Main Street, 5th Floor, Mesa, Arizona; except for bids delivered 30 minutes prior to opening which will be received at the information desk, 1st floor, Main Lobby of the Mesa City Plaza Building. Any bid received after the time specified will be returned without any consideration.
This contract shall be for furnishing all labor, materials, transportation and services for the construction and/or installation of the following work:
This project calls for the rehabilitation of 15 water meter assemblies (WMA) at 10 sites in the City of Mesa. The existing WMAs are within underground vaults, and are sized 3-inches, 4-inches or 6-inches. The concrete lid of the concrete vaults will be removed with the remaining vault to be abandoned in place per the approved plans. The existing WMAs shall be replaced with new dual 2-inch, 4-inch or 6-inch WMAs, and relocated above ground. Site work will include installation of new piping restoration of the site, and landscape improvements to mitigate to impact of the view of the WMA.
The Engineer’s Estimate range is $650,000.00 - $750,000.00.
For all technical, contract, bidrelated, or other questions, please contact Stephanie Gishey at stephanie.gishey@mesaaz.gov.
Contact with City Employees. All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of dis-qualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized representative identified above.
Contractors desiring to submit proposals may purchase sets of the Bid Documents from ARC Document Solutions, LLC, at https://order.earc.com/arcEOC/PWELL_Main. asp?mem=29. Click on “Go” for the Public Planroom to access plans. NOTE: In order to be placed on the Plan Holders List and to receive notifications and updates regarding this bid (such as addenda) during the bid-ding period, an order must be placed. The cost of each Bid Set will be no more than $23.00, which is non-refundable. Partial bid packages are not sold. You can view documents on-line (at no cost), order Bid Sets, and access the Plan Holders List on the website at the address listed above. Please verify print lead time prior to arriving for pickup. For a list of locations nearest you, go to www.e-arc.com.
One set of the Contract Documents is also available for viewing at the City of Mesa’s Engineering Department at 20 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ. Please call 480-644-2251 prior to arriving to en-sure that the documents are available for viewing.
In order for the City to consider alternate products in the bidding process, please follow Arizona Revised Statutes §34.104c. If a pre-bid review of the site
has been scheduled, details can be referenced in Project Specific Provision Section #3, titled “Pre-Bid Review of Site.”
Work shall be completed within 257 consecutive calendar days, beginning with the day following the starting date specified in the Notice to Proceed.
Bids must be submitted on the Proposal Form provided and be accompanied by the Bid Bond for not less than ten percent (10%) of the total bid, payable to the City of Mesa, Arizona, or a certified or cashier’s check. PERSONAL OR INDIVIDUAL SURETY BONDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.
The successful bidder will be required to execute the standard form of contract for construction within ten (10) days after formal award of contract. In addition, the successful bidder must be registered in the City of Mesa Vendor Self-Service (VSS) System (http://mesaaz.gov/business/ pur-chasing/vendor-self-service).
The successful bidder, simultaneously with the execution of the Contract, will be required to furnish a Payment Bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, a Performance Bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, and the most recent ACORD® Certificate of Liability Insurance form with additional insured endorsements.
The right is hereby reserved to accept or reject any or all bids or parts thereto, to waive any informalities in any proposal and reject the bids of any persons who have been delinquent or unfaithful to any contract with the City of Mesa.
BETH HUNING
City Engineer
ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk
Published: East Valley Tribune, Aug. 11, 18, 2019 / 22622
Public Notice
PUBLIC NOTICE
CITY OF MESA COMMUNITY
SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Transfer of City-Owned Properties
Public Comment Period
(August 12, 2019 – September 10, 2019)
Public Meetings
(August 26, 2019 & September 5, 2019)
Date of Publication: August 11, 2019
Transfer of City-Owned Properties
The City of Mesa (City) has received a request from A New Leaf, an Arizona non-profit agency, to have three (3) City-owned properties transferred title ownership to A New Leaf. Each of the three properties have been leased by A New Leaf for more than ten (10) years. Under the City’s policy for the “Criteria for the Disposition of City Property Encumbered by CDBG, HOME, and NSP funding to Nonprofit Agencies” approved under City Council Resolution No. 11018, approved on Au-gust 28, 2017, properties leased to nonprofit agencies for a continuous period of ten (10) years are eligible to be sold/transferred to the nonprofit agency leasing the property. A New Leaf has met those requirements and has made a request for the property transfer.
In accordance with the federal regulations at 24 CFR, Part 570.505, the City may not change the use or planned use unless the City provides affected citizens with reasonable notice of, and opportunity to comment on any proposed change. The properties and their proposed changes are as follows:
217 W. University Drive – the property lease is to operate an alternative youth center providing counseling, education, administration, and related services for youth ages 8 to 17 and their families. Due to funding cuts for the program, the proposed use would be to house the IT services, quality management and facility support for all of A. New Leaf services. These services afford emergency and quality responses of acute importance to support the clients and staff of A New Leaf.
Address Confidential – the property lease is to operate a youth shelter and domestic violence sup-port services. Due to funding cuts for the program, the proposed use would be transitional housing for single women who are successfully overcoming challenges, homelessness, domestic ab-use, achieving financial goals and learning to live independently.
Address Confidential – the property lease is to operate a shelter for women and children seeking shelter from domestic abuse. The shelter provides women the time and resources needed to re-cover from trauma they experienced and gain independence from their abuser. The facility provides safe housing, meals and basic needs, support services including case management, financial coaching, employment assistance, childcare, life skills development and referrals for additional assistance. There will be no change to the use and services at this property.
Notice of Public Comment Period
A 30-day public comment period regarding the proposed transfer of properties and uses will begin on Monday, August 12, 2019 and end on Tuesday, September 10, 2019. All written comments received no later than September 10, 2019 will be considered. In addition, the City will hold two (2) public meetings to hear comments and address questions related to the property transfers.
Written comments may be sent to: Raymond Thimesch, City of Mesa, P.O. Box 1466, Mesa, AZ 85211-1466. You may also contact him at (480) 6444521, or via e-mail at Ray.Thimesch@ mesaaz.gov for further information.
Public Meetings
Public Meeting #1: Will be held on Monday, August 26, 2019 at 5:00 pm at the Mesa City Plaza located at 20 E. Main St., Room 170 East.
Public Meeting #2: Will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 5:00 pm at the Mesa City Plaza located at 20 E. Main St., Room 170 East. The City of Mesa will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who need an alternative accessible format of notices. If you need to request translations, or additional information, please contact Ray Thimesch at (480) 644-4521, e-mail: Ray.Thimesch@ mesaaz.gov
Liz Morales, Housing and Community Development Director (August 11, 2019, East Valley Tribune)
Equal Housing Opportunity
Published: East Valley Tribune, Aug 11, 2019 / 22616
