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City News
CITY OF PHOENIX PLANS FOR FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF SPENDING By Councilwoman Thelda Williams The list below includes the council’s Distance Learning and Wi-Fi processes and applications for small addition for small business assistance, Access: $1 million businesses, residents and nonprofits. THE CITY OF PHOENIX RECEIVED individual utility and rent/mortgage • Broader Wi-Fi access for students’ What would normally take several $293 MILLION FROM THE CORO- assistance, as well as refugee assistance online learning months is being expedited to disburse NAVIRUS RELIEF FUND, WHICH IS and domestic violence in the vulnerable • Public Housing Wi-Fi the funds as quickly as possible. I enPART OF THE $2.1 TRILLION CARES population category. • Community access to online city ser- courage residents to check phoenix.gov ACT PASSED BY CONGRESS. The city can only use the funds for expenses directly related to COVID-19 and the funds must be spent before the end of the calendar year or it must be returned to the federal government. COVID-19 impacts are likely to be felt for some time so the council voted to take about half of the allocated relief funds to hold for potential future expenses through the year. In early May, the City Council adopted the Phoenix Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Strategic Plan; providing clear guidance to staff on the city’s use of CRF funds. The council broke the funds into three Business and Employee Assistance: $15.7 million • Small business assistance (with Phoenix IDA): $5 million • Small business guidance: $100,000 • Restaurant restart program: $1 million • Airport small business assistance: $1 million • Microenterprise: $6 million • Arts and culture: $2.6 million Utility and Rent/Mortgage Assistance: $30 million • City water, sewer and trash, electric and natural gas utility (3 months) and rent/mortgage assistance (1 month) for individuals (up to 10,000 customers) vices and remote meeting access Mitigation and Care for Vulnerable Populations: $10 million • City homelessness and affordable housing strategy (approved April 21) • Domestic violence impacts • Refugee/asylum seeker assistance Food Delivery: $5 million • Seniors, schools and food banks Better Health Outcomes and Community Testing: $5 million • Ensure broad testing, especially in underserved communities • Assist Maricopa County Public Health with contact tracing often for updates on how to apply for the various funding opportunities. The $75 million for city expenses is broken down into areas such as: personal protection equipment and cleaning/sanitizing; medical and public safety measures; public facility retrofit for COVID; and more. For a complete breakdown of how the $75 million for city expenses will be allocated, visit phoenix.gov. If you have any questions or comments, contact my office at council.district.1@phoenix.gov or call 602-262-7444. Councilwoman Thelda Williams serves major categories: Community Invest- affected: $24 million Unallocated: $8.3 million as the District 1 representative, which ment, $75 million; City Expenses, $75 • City water and sewer assistance (3 encompasses north west Phoenix from million; and Reserve to Preserve City months) for businesses affected: $6 City of Phoenix staff are working to set Northern Avenue to New River Road; Services, $143 million. million up procedures, procurement bidding and the Interstate 17 to 67th Avenue.
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ADDITIONAL FUNDING WILL HELP TARGET STREET RACING ON VALLEY FREEWAYS ON APRIL 3, 2020, AZDPS TROOPERS OBSERVED TWO DRIVERS ATTEMPTING TO RACE AT SPEEDS NEAR 90 MPH ON I-17 SOUTHBOUND NEAR INDIAN SCHOOL ROAD. Both drivers were stopped and taken into custody, and the vehicles were towed.
Unfortunately, racing incidents like this one are an ongoing issue on Valley streets and freeways. Now, with the help of a $30,000 funding increase from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), Arizona state troopers can boost street racing enforcement on highways in the metro Phoenix area.
The new funding is an add-on to the $244,280 grant awarded to AZDPS in December 2019 for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program & Materials (STEP). This increase will provide the Highway Patrol Division with more personnel for special enforcement details targeting street racing.
Street racing on highways is dangerous for everyone on the road, including both racers and the motoring public. The high speeds often associated with racing increase the risk of serious injury or death in a collision. As you may recall, on February 18, 2020, an 18-year-old Buckeye man was killed on State Route 51 as a result of a suspected street racing incident. The two cars were racing when one car reportedly flipped over and collided with a median wall near the Shea Boulevard overpass. While the case remains under investigation, the hope is that with this additional enforcement, we can minimize the chance of these tragedies occurring.
CITY NEWS
FOUR SCHOOLS RECEIVE THE ADL NO PLACE FOR HATE DESIGNATION FOR THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR EAGLE RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, EXPLORER MIDDLE SCHOOL, GREENWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND VISTA VERDE MIDDLE SCHOOL HAVE RECEIVED THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE® NO PLACE FOR HATE® DESIGNATION FOR CREATING SAFE AND RESPECTFUL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS, BRINGING AWARENESS TO ISSUES OF BULLYING AND BIAS THROUGHOUT THE 20192020 SCHOOL YEAR.
Each school has taken its own approach to implement and instill the values of the No Place for Hate motto in students and staff members.
Greenway Middle School
No Place for Hate has become a strong aspect of Greenway Middle School. Every year, students, as a whole school, are taught about the organization and its purpose. “We begin every single morning with a No Place for Hate quote, as well as encourage No Place for Hate T-Shirts to be worn every Tuesday. Our committee has formed two separate sub-committees with the students, seventh and eighth grade, who meet twice a month and plan activities, random acts of kindness, as well as events for the students campus-wide. We have worked together to create a unity quilt, suicide-awareness posters, along with other signs around the school. We use this motto as a code to check interactions that are considered or could be considered bullying,” says Jeff Quisberg, principal at Greenway Middle School.
For eight years, No Place for Hate ADL has designated Greenway Middle School as a No Place for Hate School. Greenway prides itself on the hard work the students do every year to encourage love, tolerance, and friendships. Coming from diverse backgrounds and many different ethnicities, students have to come together and learn about each other especially learn to love each other. With this program, staff members are able to teach them and show them how tolerance makes the world go round and, without it, we would fall apart.
Vista Verde Middle School
The Vista Verde Middle School community took the Resolution of Respect, which is: “I pledge from this day forward to do my best to combat prejudice and to stop those who, because of hate or ignorance, would hurt anyone or violate their civil rights. I will try at all times to be aware of my own biases and seek to gain understanding of those who I perceive as being different from myself. I will speak out against all forms of prejudice and discrimination. I will reach out to support those who are targets of hate. I will think about specific ways my community members can promote respect for people and create a prejudice-free zone. I firmly believe that one person can make a difference and that no person can be an innocent bystander when it comes to opposing hate. I recognize that respecting individual dignity, achieving equality, and promoting inter-group harmony are the responsibilities of all people. By signing this pledge, I commit myself to create a community that is No Place for Hate®.”
“My favorite activities were creating an environment for respect and unity at Vista Verde and the classroom Be an Ally Poster Contest for students to share what being an ally meant and our community art mural project that brought our community together to build relationships and collaborate,” says Vista Verde Principal Paul Ferrero.
ADL’s anti-bias, allyship, and bullying prevention programs assist PreK-12 educators and students in understanding and challenging bias, building ally behaviors, and creating a climate of respect. No Place for Hate guides schools toward fostering and maintaining a positive school climate through campus-wide activities, student leadership, and community involvement.
LOCAL NURSE RECEIVES MAJOR NURSING AWARD FROM PHOENIX CHILDREN’S By Katy Springer practitioner (PCP-C) and certified rehabilitation registered nurse (CRRN) certifications. “WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?” Even as a little girl, North 32nd But she didn’t just grow up to become a nurse – she resident Melissa Reichenbach knew the answer to became a health care professional whose committhat question. There’s a photo tucked away on her ment, passion and excellence were honored recently bookshelf of career day at kindergarten: 5-year-old during Phoenix Children’s 16th annual Nursing Melissa is dressed up as a nurse. Excellence Awards. Given the health system’s staff of more than 1,600 nurses, this acknowledgment “My mom has been a cardiovascular intensive care is no small feat. “I was absolutely shocked when I nurse for nearly 40 years,” she says. “I wanted to be received the award,” Reichenbach says. just like her.” Reichenbach is the nursing educator for Phoenix To say she’s fulfilled a lifelong dream is an under- Children’s Inpatient Rehabilitation unit and the statement. The 37-year-old earned her bachelor’s hospital’s East Tower, where children with gasin nursing from Purdue University, her master’s in trointestinal disorders, endocrine conditions, and nursing from Arizona State University, and other infectious illnesses receive care. In her role, she is credentials including primary care pediatric nurse responsible for training up new graduates, helping “We have such amazing leadership here at Phoenix veteran nurses learn new techniques, and ensuring Children’s,” she says. “In addition to helping me her team of 170 nurses, technicians and health unit juggle my life as a nurse and a mom, they saw value coordinators keep their skills sharp. in having a dedicated nurse at the hospital every night to answer all COVID-19 questions. One of my Her colleagues and supervisors report she is master- responsibilities is to stay current on all of our poliful as a nurse and as an educator. Her approach to cies and procedures, like visitor restrictions and the teaching is engaging and motivating – not to men- use of personal protective equipment.” tion patient and kind. Her Nursing Excellence Award is just one of two “There’s nothing like helping new nurses move honors she received. She also was named the Educafrom uncertainty in their role to confidence in car- tion team’s “Nurse of the Year.” ing for patients and families,” she says. “I also love watching my experienced staff show compassion Phoenix Children’s hosts its Nursing Excellence and skill in their work with patient families and in Awards during National Nurses Week each year. It’s supporting one another.” an opportunity to spotlight four nurses who have gone above and beyond. The health system awardA mother to two young children, she started work- ed Reichenbach the Education Award. Francine ing the night shift when COVID-19 hit. This has al- Hoekstra, RN, CDE, of Glendale won the Nurslowed her to continue working as a nurse while she ing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Award; and her husband, Jason, tag-team caring for their Gretchen Schwindt, MSN, RN, CPN, of Scottsdale children, whose schools have been shuttered amid was named Transformational Leader; and Phoenix’s the pandemic. She says it has been a blessing, both Casey Kinney, BSN, RN, CPN, was awarded Staff personally and professionally. Nurse of the Year.
ARIZONA ENRICHMENT CENTERS STILL OPEN TO LOCAL FAMILIES
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS IMPACTED MANY AREAS OF LIFE—CHILD CARE IN PARTICULAR BEING ONE OF THE HARDEST HIT FOR MANY LOCAL FAMILIES. Back in April, Governor Doug Ducey announced the official launch of Arizona Enrichment Centers to offer child care for the children of first responders, critical health care workers, and essential public sector workers, including child safety workers. In May, the program expanded to offer prioritized child care for the children of grocery store employees and food bank workers. The program will continue to offer prioritized care and scholarships to eligible families through the end of July.
The initiative was made possible thanks to a broad network of child care providers and numerous state agencies, including the Arizona Departments of Education, Health Services, Administration, Economic Security, First Things First, and the Government Transformation Office. “Arizona is coming together to serve our frontline workers serving all of us,” Governor Ducey says. “Through support including child care assistance and financial resources, we can help alleviate some of the stress and concerns that families serving on the frontlines are facing. I’m grateful to Superintendent Hoffman and all the nonprofit, faith-based and community organizations for partnering with us to make these resources available.”
“This initiative is critically important for the children and families of our first responders, health care workers, and other essential emergency personnel,” says Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman. “I’m grateful for everyone that is stepping up to serve these families during this difficult time.”
A full list of approved child care facilities is also listed on the website and scholarships are available through the end of July. Questions can be e-mailed to AZEnrichmentCenters@az.gov.
GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL TO OPEN LOCALLY, REGISTRATION NOW OPEN GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL pre-sale period beginning this month. Goldfish Swim School provides swim 129 in development, Goldfish Swim FRANCHISING, LLC, THE PREMIER Goldfish Swim School-North Scottsdale lessons and water safety instruction School is continuing its rapid franchise LEARN-TO-SWIM FRANCHISE may be reached at 480-687-8710 or at to infants and children ages four development through 2020 with CONCEPT, HAS ANNOUNCED GoldfishSwimSchool.com. months to 12 years, teaching more eyes on Arizona. With such a large RAPID EXPANSION PLANS FOR than 138,000 children each week population of children and parents, ARIZONA WITH GOALS TO BRING Additionally, Sherry and her husband how to be safer in and around the on top of the ideal climate for pools, 10 LOCATIONS TO THE STATE are owners of four pediatric dental water. Each school offers swim the greater Phoenix region proves to OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS, offices throughout Phoenix and San lessons and programs using a be an ideal target market for franchise SPECIFICALLY TARGETING THE Antonio, Texas. Together, they are proprietary philosophy, The Science of expansion. GREATER PHOENIX AREA. Arizona’s passionate about giving back to the SwimPlay®, to build life skills both in first Goldfish Swim School is slated to community and helping to improve the and out of the water using play-based “The positive business climate and debut in Scottsdale this August. lives of children. learning in a fun and safe environment. community-focused neighborhoods Each school’s number one focus and directly align with the supportive Kickstarting franchise development is “Instilling confidence in children is main priority is always the same – atmosphere of our schools – making local entrepreneur Sherry Scott. The such a rewarding experience and we educating children on water safety the region an ideal expansion market longtime resident of the Scottsdale are grateful to have the opportunity to while teaching them how to swim and for Goldfish Swim School,” says Dan community is bringing the first Goldfish bring such an incredible and necessary respect the water. Israel, vice president of franchising Swim School to the state and is business, like Goldfish Swim School, at Goldfish Swim School. “We are scheduled to open its doors this August. to the Scottsdale community,” she says. The brand’s commitment to innovation searching for local entrepreneurs who The swim school is situated at the “Swimming is a lifesaving skill every and keeping a keen eye on the ever- share our passion for water safety Scottsdale 101 Shopping Center (7000 child deserves to have access to and changing landscape of the space has and community engagement. As we E. Mayo Blvd., Suite 26). Community Goldfish Swim School has found a been a key factor of its success. With continue to grow, it’s more important members are encouraged to sign their way to make it fun and memorable for 100 locations open and operating than ever we partner with franchisees children up for lessons during the children.” across North America and an additional who believe in our mission and vision.”
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We’re Making a SPLASH in North Scottsdale!
Goldfish Swim School is the premier learn-to-swim facility for kids ages 4 months to 12 years. We use our holistic philosophy, The Science of SwimPlay®, to build life skills both in and out of the water using play-based learning in a fun and safe environment. Coming August 2020!
• FREE MAKE-UP LESSONS • 30-MINUTE WEEKLY LESSONS
Ask us about our Charter Memberships!
• SHIVER-FREE, 90-DEGREE POOL • CLIMATE-CONTROLLED INDOOR FACILITY
Visit our website to enroll TODAY!
NORTH SCOTTSDALE | 480.687.8710
7000 E. Mayo Boulevard, Suite 26 | Phoenix, AZ 85054 goldfishswimschool.com |
