PHX Council District 1 Newsletter

Our next meeting will be Friday, February 27th, at the DoubleTree at Metrocenter located at 10220 N Metro Pkwy E, Phoenix, AZ 85051. Plan for check-in to begin at 7:30am and the meeting to start at 8:00am.

You can register below for the upcoming meeting! As a reminder, please fill out the form SEPARATELY for EACH member of your family planning to attend. Thank you!

The City of Phoenix is looking for motivated individuals to join our Aquatics team for the upcoming summer season. If you are looking for a rewarding way to serve the community, build professional skills, and stay active, becoming a lifeguard is the perfect opportunity.

Ready to get started? Visit phoenix.gov/lifeguard for full details, certification class schedules, and apply!

Please join your Cactus Park Precinct officers who serve for Coffee with a Cop at Ronnie's Cafe at 4323 W Cactus Rd on February 25th at 8:00am. This is a great opportunity to come out and meet the members of our police department that make up the Black Mountain Precinct.

Maricopa County Department of Public Health in partnership with the City of Phoenix Office of Public Health are conducting a Community Health Survey from February through April to identify local strengths, challenges, and opportunities for improving health. Every three years, in partnership with community organizations and healthcare providers, we gather residents’ input on quality of life, essential services, and physical and mental health. Your feedback helps guide planning and create a healthier Maricopa County for all. Take the survey today: Phoenix.gov/Health

February is Graffiti-Free Phoenix Month – Join the Effort!
This February marks the City of Phoenix’s 12th annual Graffiti-Free Phoenix Month, which highlights efforts to keep neighborhoods across the city clean and welcoming.

Graffiti vandalism impacts neighborhood pride, creates safety concerns, and hurts businesses. Through the Graffiti Free Phoenix program, the City partners with residents and businesses to remove graffiti quickly and prevent future vandalism.

In 2025 alone, the City’s Graffiti Busters cleaned graffiti at more than 46,000 sites, at no cost to residents or businesses. Quick removal is one of the most effective ways to stop graffiti from coming back.

Help keep your neighborhood clean! If you see graffiti, report it through one of three easy methods:

For graffiti on private property, a signed permission slip from the property owner is required. Residents can also request color-matched paint and supplies for community clean-ups.

The City of Phoenix invites you to join us in raising awareness to prevent youth dating violence and encourage healthy relationships. According to the CDC, about one in 12 U.S. high school students have experienced physical or sexual dating violence. The City of Phoenix works closely with organizations and schools to educate young people and their parents about dating violence, social media safety, consent, and healthy relationships. Follow us on X and Facebook, and visit phoenix.gov/teendatingviolence to learn more.

Families with young children are invited to attend the 5^th annual Playfest, an event designed to give parents fun and meaningful ways to support their young children’s growth. From hands‑on activities like playdough making and painting to selecting a new book, every experience will encourage children to explore, learn, and build important early skills. The event is being held at the Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85007, from 8:30am-1:30pm. Register at swhd.org/PLAYFEST and use Promo Code THRIVE26PARTNER to attend for free.

The City of Phoenix is ready to launch the community survey. This survey asks questions on a wide range of topics around life in our community, from what residents think is working, to where they see a need for improvement, providing feedback that is used to calculate ongoing satisfaction scores. The survey is one more way to gather information from residents in our effort to more holistically understand neighborhood issues and enhance our responsiveness to community priorities.

The survey takes less than five minutes to complete and is available in both English and Spanish. The survey system sets response targets based on Census data to ensure community representation. Survey responses will be anonymous.

The survey is served up to residents on various websites and social media platforms. Residents can also respond to the survey directly with this link.

The future of Arizona’s workforce has officially arrived at Boulder Creek High School. On February 2, students under the guidance of Mr. Thomas Clarke, one of the school’s Career and Technical Education teachers, embarked on an ambitious 11-week journey: the Manufacturing Specialist Intensive (MSI). This program isn't just a class; it’s a high-speed track to careers at global giants like TSMC Arizona.

The MSI is a targeted curriculum designed to expose high school students to the complex world of high-tech manufacturing. As Arizona solidifies its reputation as the nation’s "Semiconductor Hub," this program provides students with a foundational understanding of:

The current 16 DVUSD students enrolled in the current cohort spend five days a week in evening courses that are fully funded by Grand Canyon University and TSMC.

By the time these 11 weeks conclude, participants won't just have theoretical knowledge—they will possess a "day-one" readiness for a manufacturing position within TSMC, offering competitive salaries. At the completion of the program, these students will also walk away with 16 college credit hours and a certificate of industry credentials.

The MSI program is a testament to Deer Valley Unified’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve, providing extraordinary educational opportunities to every learner and ultimately graduating lifelong learners who will successfully compete, lead, and positively impact the world. By equipping students with these specialized tools today, they are ensuring that Arizona’s fastest-growing industry is led by local talent tomorrow.

Join the DVUSD family! As one of the Forbes Best Midsize employers in the state from 2020-2024 there is an opportunity for everyone in several areas of the District! Make and impact on the next generation and the community by beginning a career at DVUSD! The DVUSD Career Fair is Saturday, April 18 from 9 a.m. - noon at the DVUSD District Office (20402 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85027).

News From Washington Elementary School District

Help Us with Our Superintendent Search

First, a big thank you to those of you who were able to attend one of our two community meetings regarding our superintendent search. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with the representatives from the search firm McPherson & Jacobson.

If you were not able to attend, you still have an opportunity to provide feedback by taking this brief survey. The survey will be open until Tuesday, February 17. We appreciate your input and support.

News From Glendale Union High School District

Parent University

CHS Parent University.png Glendale Union High School District is proud to launch its annual Parent University, a series of free workshops designed to help families support their teens throughout high school. Several GUHSD campuses will host evening sessions led by trusted experts who will address real challenges facing students today. Each event will also feature resource tables from community partners, door prizes, and Spanish translation services to ensure accessibility for all families. Parent University will be held at Cortez High School on February 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. Open to all families, Parent University provides valuable information, resources, and opportunities for parents to stay informed and actively engaged in their students’ success.

Moon Valley High to Host Community Resource Day

Moon Valley High School will host Community Resource Day on Tuesday, February 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., to support Glendale Union High School District students in special education and their families as they plan for the future. The event will provide families with information about services and resources available to students after graduation. Representatives from community agencies, including the Division of Developmental Disabilities and Glendale Community College’s Disability Resource Center, will be available to answer questions and offer guidance on the next steps. Families are encouraged to attend and take advantage of this free opportunity to build connections that support a successful transition beyond high school.

Cortez High School Receives Triple AAA Rating

Cortez AAA 2025.png The Glendale Union High School District Governing Board recognized Cortez High School’s Achievement Above All honorees for their dedication, leadership, and service to students and the broader Colt community. This year’s recipients include teacher Brian Mildener, student Shahad Al Mufti, the Cortez Marching Band (directed by Vanessa Smith), support staff member Rebecca Wilson, and volunteer Haley Tannheimer. Together, these honorees represent the many ways excellence shows up on campus through instruction, student leadership, school spirit, academic support, and community service. Their collective efforts strengthen school culture and reflect a shared commitment to student success at Cortez High School.

Interested in serving on Phoenix's Boards and Commissions?

District 1 is seeking community leaders interested in serving as the District's representative for various boards and commissions, such as the Village Planning Committee.

Councilwoman O'Brien has been appointed chairperson of the Economic Development & Arts Subcommittee, and is also a member of the Public Safety & Justice Subcommittee and the Community Services & Education Subcommittee. Visit the Council Subcommittee webpage for the schedule of public meetings.