Good morning, Surprise.

Surprise will offer a free recreation program for students in grades 5 to 8 at Sierra Montana Recreation Center from Oct.

3 through Dec. 15—featuring eight sessions with games, crafts and a newly remodeled Teen Lounge with arcade and video games. Pre-registration is required online and cash-only concessions will be available.

West-MEC serves over 45,000 students from 49 high schools and offers more than 30 career training programs to close the skills gap in advanced manufacturing and other in-demand fields.

The public technical education district works closely with local employers such as Amkor and Nestlé—ensuring that training matches real job needs.

Jack Hastings, Surprise’s vice mayor and District 5 council member, urged officials to reinvest savings from two years of property tax cuts in the city’s schools—emphasizing a recent boost of 14 school resource officers to enhance student safety in Dysart schools.

He said the plan will protect the city’s long-term prosperity without raising taxes.

Highland Prep in Surprise launched its first girls flag football program this fall—young athletes are already showing growth in teamwork and confidence.