Message from Councilwoman Ann O'Brien
 Thursday, we observed Fallen Peace Officer Day, a day to recognize and honor the courageous individuals who have given their lives in service to our community. There was no better way to honor that day than to join in the commemoration of Phoenix Police Officer David "Star" Johnson. Officer Johnson was the second Phoenix police officer to pass away while in the line of duty. On May 2, 1944, Officer Johnson and his partner performed a traffic stop, which led to an altercation with an off-duty Phoenix Detective. Unfortunately, this resulted in Officer Johnson being shot multiple times and losing his life.
Due to major prejudice and racism at the time, Officer Johnson's sacrifices were not duly recognized. However, exactly 80 years after his death, we came together to honor Officer Johnson with a memorial sign in the heart of Downtown Phoenix – ensuring his legacy is honored and remembered. Additionally, next week, during National Police Week in Washington DC, Officer Johnson will be memorialized nationally on the National Police Memorial Monument. It’s never too late to do the right thing. Thank you to all Phoenix men and women who serve us in the line of duty.
This Wednesday's formal meeting was particularly significant as we discussed amendments to the Office of Accountability and Transparency as a result of recent state laws which were signed in by the Governor after OAT was approved. These changes to the ordinance also included the creation of a new Citizens Review Board which will be tasked with reviewing and determining whether the Phoenix Police Department's investigations dealing with use-of-force incidents and claims against officers were completed thoroughly and fairly. However, the board will have no role in the department's investigations of or in disciplining officers. The fairness of the proposed eligibility criteria to serve on the Citizens Review Board was at the heart of the discussion. As it stood, the ordinance excluded all former law enforcement officers from serving on the board. While this exclusion aimed to prevent potential biases, I found it necessary to ensure fairness for all stakeholders and include the feedback that I received from you, residents of our District.
During the meeting, I introduced a friendly motion to the ordinance. My proposal sought to change the eligibility criteria by also excluding individuals who have sued or are in the process of suing the Phoenix Police Department. I firmly believe that if former police officers are to be barred from the review board due to a potential pro-police bias, the same standard should apply to individuals with potential anti-police biases or agendas.
Councilman Kevin Robinson, a 36-year Police Department veteran, joined me in pushing for this change due to the same concern. He made a great point – he has not worked for the department for nearly a decade and believed he could render fair, unbiased decisions if he were on the Civilian Review Board. However, because of the language in the ordinance, he couldn’t serve if he wanted to. To show why the amendment is needed to ensure the balancing of the ordinance, Vice Mayor Stark also brought up an example: her neighbor, a former New York City police officer who has been retired for many years and has no ties to Arizona, is precluded from serving on the board.
Following robust discussion, Mayor Kate Gallego refined the revision to focus on only excluding individuals who had filed claims related to police use of force, in-custody deaths, or incidents resulting in serious bodily injury. However, Councilwoman Guardado introduced a substitute motion to pass the ordinance without this crucial language. Recognizing the importance of maintaining balance and fairness, the substitute motion was struck down by a margin of 5-4. Ultimately, the city council passed the ordinance, and both mine and the Mayor’s amendments were included.
As we all know, we are currently in the middle of a DOJ investigation that has been ongoing for two and a half years. Unfortunately, we still have no indication of when they will close their investigation and share the results with us. However, Phoenix is not waiting for the DOJ to finish its investigation to make reforms. The vote earlier this week is yet another example of the City of Phoenix being proactive in self-policing. We want to show the Department of Justice that we do not need a costly consent decree and monitor to reform our Police Department. We are capable of handling things on our own!
Have a safe weekend!
Ann O'Brien
Councilwoman for District 1
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DOJ Investigation Update
Final DOJ Update
Mark Your Calendars: Community Meeting
Our next meeting will be Monday, May 20th, at the Beuf Community Center located at 3435 W Pinnacle Peak Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85027. Plan for check in to begin at 5:30pm and the meeting to start at 6:00pm.
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!
News From the City of Phoenix
2024 Taipei Chinese Culture Camp Student Registration
2024 TAIPEI CHINESE CULTURE SUMMER CAMP OF ARIZONA
- 28th Anniversary
- Award Winning, Recipient of Phoenix Mayor’s Partnership Award
- Designated as Official Arizona Centennial Event
- Honored by US Congress with Special Congressional Recognitions
- Acknowledged by Arizona Department of Education with Recognition
- Camp Speaks English and Mandarin Chinese
 DATE: Tuesday to Friday, May 28 to May 31, 2024
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
CAMP LOCATION: Barry Goldwater High School, 2820 W Rose Garden Ln, Phoenix, AZ 85027
GRADUATION LOCATION: Barry Goldwater High School, 2820 W Rose Garden Ln, Phoenix, AZ 85027
AGES: Incoming 1st through 9th grade DVUSD students
FREE to current DVUSD students entering grades 1-9 in the 2024-25 school year
REGISTRATION: Registration is open until May 15, or when capacity is reached.
CAMP PROGRAMS INCLUDE: Taiwan Culture and Folk Art, Folk Athletics & Sports, Taiwan Yo-Yo, Kung Fu, Dragon and Lion Dances, Taiwan Folk Dances, Chinese Calligraphy and Painting, Lanterns, Art of Paper Folding and Paper Cuttings 3D Arts and Crafts, Taiwanese Pastries, and Mandarin Chinese Lessons
COORDINATOR & ORGANIZER: Taipei Chinese Culture Summer Camp of Arizona
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH: Deer Valley Unified School District, Barry Goldwater High School, Phoenix Sister Cities, and Taipei Sister Cities Committee
CONTACT: DVUSD Administrator, Leah Moran at leah.moran@dvusd.org or (602) 341-3776 and Taipei Camp Executive Director Wen Chiu at TaipeiCamp@hotmail.com
Cactus Park Annual Water Drive
 This year's annual Cactus Park Precinct Water & More Drive will take place on June 8th from 9am to 12pm. Please consider stopping by the Cactus Park Precinct at 39th Ave and Cactus to drop off a case of water or any other additional goodies to show appreciate for our officers. The past two years have been so successful, they're nearly run out of room for all the water storage! If you have any questions, you can contact Sandra Miller at PHXOAFUND@gmail.com
Cactus Park Precinct Dinner with a Cop
 Coffee with a Cop is back but with a twist! On Wednesday, May 29th at 5pm your Cactus Park Community Action Officers will be hosting a Dinner with a Cop! We will see you at Jason's Deli located at 10217 N Metro Pkwy West! This is a great opportunity to come out and meet you officers!
City Launches Community Survey
 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.
We’ve also created a survey landing page on Phoenix.gov to answer questions, including the security and privacy of the survey.
News From Deer Valley Unified School District
Two DVUSD Students Awarded Prestigious Flinn Scholarships
 Brendan Salisbury, a senior at Barry Goldwater High School, and Zahrah Ralph, a senior from Mountain Ridge High School, are two of 20 Arizona seniors selected for this prestigious Flinn scholarship award.
Members of the Flinn Scholars Class of 2024 will receive a comprehensive scholarship package valued over four years at more than $130,000, including the cost of tuition, fees, housing, meals, and at least two study-abroad experiences.
The merit-based Flinn Scholarship, the most competitive and prestigious in the state, is supported by the Phoenix-based Flinn Foundation in partnership with Arizona’s three public universities.
More than 1,000 applications were received by the program in the fall for the 20 awards, an award rate of less than 2%.
DVUSD Tennis Teams Serve Up Success at 6A Singles State Championships
DVUSD's tennis teams found success on the court once again this season!
 Boulder Creek Girls tennis no.1 and no. 2 ranked players battled it out in a game of friendly competition to take home the 6A singles state champion and runner up title. Japneet Kaur and Michelle Bullock, both Freshman at BCHS, walked off the court as state champion and runner up after a successful first high school season. Japneet ultimately topped Michelle 6-1, and 6-2. The pair exchanged a hug after their match and went on to play doubles together in the team state competition.
Mountain Ridge senior, Lincoln Baldonado, looked to defend his back-to-back state championships facing a tough Rincon/University opponent with a target on his back. Baldonado played his heart out and came up just shy earning a state champion runner up after a a high intensity match
7-6, 6-1.
SDOHS Eagles Win District First ESports State Championship
Twelve high school gaming teams vied for the title of Esports state champion Saturday, April 27.
 It was the Eagles who would soar to victory earning a first ever DVUSD ESport championship during the League of Legends competition.
The Eagles entered their final competition against Arizona College prep with a record of 12-1 with their sites set on a title. It all came down to the final map, which was a complete opposite of the first map. This time, the Eagles blew out the Broncos with ease to win the series 2-1 and secure the state championship.
MRHS Student Places 2nd in National Brain Bee
The 2024 USA National Brain Bee Championship was held April 19-21 at the University of Central Florida, drawing together 54 local Brain Bee chapter winners from 32 states to vie for the national title.
 Securing the second place position this year was Mountain Ridge High School Senior, Rishi Suresh, who will be awarded $1,000 for his remarkable achievement.
Founded in 1998, the USA Brain Bee is an international platform for teenage neuroscientist enthusiasts. Each year, high schoolers around the globe compete in local Brain Bee competitions. The winners of these local competitions in the US are invited to represent their local chapters at the national USA Brain Bee Championship, held annually in April.
This year’s competition comprised a series of rigorous tests including a written exam, lab practicum, patient diagnosis, and a final oral round. Beyond the competitive aspects, participants also engaged in other activities including keynote lectures by University of Central Florida faculty Dr. Kiminobu Sugaya and Dr. Stephen King, a faculty panel about neuroscience education and the path to a neuroscience career, and sheep brain dissections.
BCHS ACADECA Brings Home Hardware at Nationals
Boulder Creek High School’s Academic Decathlon team cleaned up during their nationals weekend in Pittsburgh! Varsity competitor, Nicholas Solla, won:
Gold medal in Music
Gold in Science
Gold in Social Science
Gold in Literature
Silver in Economics
Bronze in Art
Bronze in Essay
News From Washington Elementary School District
WESD Teacher Honored at School Awards
 The WESD was well represented at School Connect’s 2024 Champions of Education Awards! Congratulations to Desert View Principal John Mospan and Sweetwater School who were recognized as finalists at the ceremony. Mr. Mospan was a finalist for the Catalyst for Education Award while Sweetwater, under the leadership of Susie Smith, was a finalist for the Because It Takes A Village Award. A special surprise also took place during the event as Deb Lupnacca, the achievement interventionist at Abraham Lincoln Traditional School, was honored with the 2024 Founder’s Heart Award! This award recognizes a leader with a courageous heart who sees the genius, passion, and love in other people and then gathers those people together and works to unleash their collective power for positive change in the world around them. In attendance to celebrate the honorees was Superintendent Dr. Paul Stanton, Governing Board President Jenni Abbott-Bayardi and other WESD staff.
We are so proud of our honorees’ achievements and appreciate their commitment to the district!
Register Your Future WESD Kindergartner for Jumpstart
 Registration for our free, four-week, half-day kindergarten readiness program, Jumpstart, is open now! Available at 27 locations in the WESD, the program will be offered this summer from May 28 to June 20. During the program, children will make friends, learn kindergarten routines and practice kindergarten readiness skills. Free breakfast and lunch are included! To participate in the program, children must be registered for kindergarten in a WESD school for the 2024-2025 school year. Please share this opportunity with your family, friends and neighbors with soon-to-be WESD kindergartners. To register for Jumpstart classes today, click here!
Let the WESD Help You Become A Teacher
 If you missed our recent meeting to learn about the BRIDGE program, the WESD has another opportunity coming up! Join us for the final BRIDGE Meeting of the school year on Wednesday, May 15, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Governing Board Room at the Administrative Center! During the meeting, the BRIDGE team and Human Resources representatives will provide information about our free program that can help you earn your teacher certification while working as a full-time teacher! The minimum requirement is a bachelor’s degree in any area other than education. To RSVP, please call 602-347-2622 or email Teach@wesdschools.org.
News From Glendale Union High School District
Save the Dates for GUHSD Graduations
Mark your calendars for Glendale Union High School District graduations! All graduations will be held at the Desert Diamond Arena located at 9400 W. Maryland Avenue in Glendale. To view, all dates and times see the list below. We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2024.
May 20, 2024
Glendale High School - 10:00 AM
Cortez High School - 12:30 PM
Thunderbird High School - 3:00 PM
Moon Valley High School - 5:30 PM
Sunnyslope High School - 8:00 PM
May 21, 2024
Greenway High School - 10:00 AM
Independence High School - 1:00 PM
Washington High School - 4:00 PM
Apollo High School - 7:00 PM
To learn more about GUHSD news, visit @GUHSDAZ on Facebook.
Join GUHSD's Free, Signature Summer Opportunities
 Glendale Union High School District’s signature, free Summer Opportunities are available once again for eighth-grade students and current GUHSD students. GUHSD’s Summer Opportunities include Summer School, Summer Academies, and Summer Camps, which will allow students to expand their skills and knowledge and prepare them for the important next step. Don’t allow your child/teen to miss out on this chance to attend GUHSD summer opportunities!
To learn more GUHSD news, visit our Facebook page @GUHSDAZ.
Community Calendar
May 11th
- How to Talk to Your Kids about Substance Abuse, 2pm at Agave Library
May 18th
- Phoenix Zoo Presents: Ask a Zoo Expert!, 2pm at Agave Library
May 20th
- District 1 Community Meeting, 5:30pm at Beuf Community Center
May 25th
- Phoenix Sister Cities Taipei Committee Buddha Bathing, 2pm at Deer Valley Community Center
May 29th
- Cactus Park Dinner With a Cop, 5pm at Jason's Deli located at 10217 N Metro Pkwy West
June 1st
- 25th Annual "Tapping" Into Water Safety, 9am to 12pm at Tapatio Cliffs Resort Hilton Phoenix
June 8th
- 3rd Annual Cactus Park Officer Appreciation Water Drive, 9am to 12pm at Cactus Park Police Precinct
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.
To start the application process, please visit the Boards and Commissions webpage.
Upcoming City Council Meetings
- Next City Council Policy Meeting: May 21st
- Next City Council Formal Meeting: May 15th
Councilwoman O'Brien has been appointed chairperson of the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee, and is also a member of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee. Visit the Council Subcommittee webpage for the schedule of public meetings.
Learn more about Councilwoman O'Brien, her priorities and focus for District 1 on the district's webpage.
Connect with us!
   
phoenix.gov/district1
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