Weekly Blast 02.20.26
February 23, 2026 -
CONTENTS
A NOTE FROM THE HEADMASTER
HIGH SCHOOL SPECIFICS
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPECIFICS
ATHLETICS
COLLEGE COUNSELING
FAMILY GIVING
DATES TO NOTE
FEB 25 WINTER SPORTS AWARDS
MAR 6 MS EPIC CYCLE
MAR 13 END OF Q3
MAR 14-22 SPRING BREAK
MAR 23-28 SENIOR CLASS TRIP TO DC
A NOTE FROM THE HEADMASTER
The Usefulness of Latin…
A parent joining in on a recent school tour asked me what I believed the usefulness of learning Latin might be. This isn’t the first time such a question has surfaced, and ultimately parents who ask, seek an answer that defines what practical good can come from studying a “dead language.”
It may be true that Latin is no longer spoken as the language of any modern society, but to conclude from this that learning Latin is useless is to assume that the primary purpose of language study is conversational fluency. Such is not the view of classical education.
Latin is “dead” in only one sense: its grammar and vocabulary are fixed. This, however, is what makes learning Latin so powerful pedagogically. Because Latin does not shift with modern usage, students encounter a highly ordered and stable linguistic system. Nothing can be guessed from context alone; students must attend carefully to endings, syntax, and structure in order to reason through the system. The very study of Latin strengthens a student’s command of the English language, all while cultivating analytical habits and intellectual virtues.
The aim of the classical education you have chosen for your child is the formation of the whole person, not merely the acquisition of immediately marketable skills. Within this aim, Latin endures not because it is fashionable, but because it is formative. In a world demanding usefulness and utility, the charge that Latin is “useless” rests on too narrow a definition of usefulness. If this education we seek for our children is only ordered towards job acquisition, then many of the intellectually demanding studies we daily employ would also be argued as expendable. But, if this education we seek is meant to cultivate careful readers, critical thinkers, and articulate human beings, Latin is well suited to the task.
As a former middle school parent on the front lines myself, defending the argument that Latin remains useful was most certainly challenging in practice. I remember the evenings spent sitting at the table memorizing pages of vocabulary, puzzling through declension endings, and laboring over translation exercises (all bring fond memories of Dr. Asso!). The work felt slow and there were tears of frustration because the learning didn’t come immediately or without struggle. I look back and fully recognize that this is where formation took place. Attention was trained, habits of accuracy built, and I might even argue that grit was acquired. Over time, something far more significant than the mastery of a single language had prevailed. My children were formed in soul, heart, and mind, learning to think deeply, love what is noble, and live in pursuit of the good. This is a usefulness that cannot be measured.
Pax et bonum,
Mrs. Janssen
And for your GP Family Survey Update…
As of 12PM today, 9th grade is in the lead!
Please be sure to complete the 2025-2026 Family Survey! Only 5 days remain before the survey closes.
HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR TRIP- MEETING RESCHEDULED!
Attention seniors and senior parents! Join us this coming Tuesday, February 24th at 6:30PM in the Archway MPR for an informational meeting to discuss the final details of the senior trip to Washington DC.
11th GRADE FIELD TRIP
When: Friday, March 13
Where: iFLY Phoenix
This year, our 11th graders will partake in a special field trip to iFly for a hands-on experience of Physics in action!
Parents, the waiver linked below must be completed in order for your student to participate.
STUDENT WAIVER
MIDDLE SCHOOL
8TH GRADE FIELD TRIP
When: Friday, February 27
Where: The Phoenix Art Museum
Students should…
• wear their regular uniform and uniform shoes
• bring a sack lunch and plastic water bottle.
After the visit to the Art Museum, students will enjoy a picnic lunch at a nearby park; they may bring a sports ball to enjoy basketball, volleyball, soccer, or football areas at the park.
MIDDLE SCHOOL EPIC CYCLE
Attention middle school students!
This years Middle School epic cycle will be held on Friday, March 6 from 7-10PM.
Tickets must be purchased in advance on the payment portal by Wednesday, March 4.
MS EPIC CYCLE TICKETS
MISC SCHOOL INFO
GP RE-ENROLLMENT
Re-enrollment for the 2026–27 school year is open now!
All GP families must log in to the Parent Portal to complete the re-enrollment application and indicate whether their student is returning or withdrawing. Please be prepared to upload Arizona proof of residency, as this is required each year by the Arizona Department of Education.
Re-Enrollment should be completed no later than Monday, February 23.
GP ROBOTICS
This Friday and Saturday, our GP robotics teams Metal Masters and Unscheduled Disassembly will be taking part in the AZ State Championship for the FIRST Tech Challenge at NAU in Flagstaff against 50 other teams. Metal Masters is currently 1st in the state and holds onto the state record.
Wish them luck as they work to hold their record and win a ticket back to the World Competition in Houston. Unscheduled Disassembly is currently ranked 5th in the state and hopes to push towards the finals in the knockout rounds of their division. The event consists of matches where two alliances of two robots each will compete in the FIRST Tech Challenge game “Decode”, performing many tasks to score points in 2.5-minute matches.
The event is free and open to the public from 8 am to 5 pm on Saturday on the NAU Campus.
The matches will be streamed live from this YouTube channel at these links: Grand Canyon Division (Metal Master’s division) and Saguaro Division (Unscheduled Disassembly’s Division).
Contact Mr. Roper with any questions: broper@glendaleprep.org
DROP-OFF & PICK-UP
Student and family safety, as well as our partnership with the surrounding community, remain our top priorities as we manage morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. Please keep the following in mind as you approach our school and as you make your way through the drop-off and pick-up lines.
• 83rd Avenue- Please leave an opening/access point in the traffic lines at residential intersections so our neighbors can safely enter and exit their streets both north and south of Pinnacle Peak on 83rd
• Access Point Openings- When you see an open gap in the traffic line, maintain the order of the line—do not “gap jump” or cut in front of other families.
• Speed- Please reduce your speed once you enter the parking lot to keep students and staff safe.
General Reminders for Traffic Procedures & Courtesies
• No Left Turns: There are no left turns onto 83rd Avenue during morning drop-off or afternoon pick-up, as posted by the City of Peoria. Please avoid lefts on Wednesdays too, it causes a backup that stretches to 83rd Avenue.
• Lane Usage: When entering southbound on 83rd, use only the single right-hand turn lane. Do not pass the right lane and enter through the lane designated for left-hand turns.
• Fire Lanes: Please do not park in the fire lane to wait for your student. Remain in the queue and pick up at the designated curb. You may be asked to join the queue if you are on the fire lane.
• Stay in Your Vehicle: For safety and flow, do not exit your vehicle while in the traffic queue.
• Keep Moving: Pull forward as far as possible when picking up to help us keep the line moving efficiently. Students should walk to you when you are pulled up and stopped as far as possible.
• Official Zones Only: Planada is not a drop-off or pick-up area; please obey the “No Standing/Parking/Stopping” signs. Additionally, do not use the parking lot entrance off of Pinnacle Peak for loading.
• Turn Lane Safety: Do not drop off students while in the turn lanes. The Peoria Police have informed us that this is considered blocking or impeding traffic, which is prohibited by Arizona state law and city code. They will be issuing tickets when they see this happening.
• Communication: If you see something that concerns you, please let a faculty member know so they can forward the information to administration.
ATHLETICS
WINTER STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
GIRLS VARSITY SOCCER
Glendale Prep vs Phoenix Country Day – Soccer – Feb 21, 2026.
BOYS VARSITY SOCCER
Glendale Prep vs Trivium Prep – Soccer – Feb 21, 2026
Winter Sports Awards Ceremony
The winter sports awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, February 25 in the GP Gym. The middle school ceremony will be from 5:30-6:45 PM. The high school ceremony will be from 7:00-8:00 PM.
Spring Game Schedules
Please visit the athletics website to find the most up to date game information. High school schedules are currently available, and middle school schedules will be available at the end of next week.
GP ATHLETICS
COLLEGE COUNSELING
ASU Civic Leadership Institute
Summer Program
A free, in-person summer day program for motivated 9th-12th grade high school students to explore America’s founding principles through engagement with master teachers, scholars, and peers. Participants dive into the Declaration of Independence and Constitution to connect liberty, equality, democracy, and civic responsibility to real-world community involvement. Students must have at least a 2.75 unweighted GPA. For more information visit civics.asu.edu/cli. A flyer can be found here.
Free ACT Practice Test
Revolution Prep will be offering a free ACT practice tests on March 7th. For more information and sign up instructions, please use this link.
College Tour in California – June 1-4, 2026
Great Hearts is providing high school students with the opportunity to participate in a four-day tour of nine different California colleges and universities. If you are interested, please see the attached flyer. There is a non-refundable deposit of $150 and the total cost for the trip is $859. If you have questions, please email Roslyn.fletcher@greathearts.org.
Save the Date for the Annual Great Hearts’ College Symposium on Saturday, February 28th
Each year Great Hearts hosts a College Symposium for 9th-11th grade students. There will be a college essay writing workshop, presentations for parents and students, and a college fair with college representatives from many colleges and universities across the country. You can register here.
COLLEGE COUNSELING
FAMILY GIVING
Race to 150: Contest Update!
The Arizona Public School Tax Credit Contest is in full force! Did you know you can help support our awesome extracurricular programs and get a tax break this year? It’s true! Arizona offers a Public-School Tax Credit, which means friends, family, neighbors (any Arizona taxpayer!) can donate up to $200 ($400 if married filing jointly) to support our school’s activities and get that same amount dollar-for-dollar off their state taxes!
That’s a win–win!
More funding for field trips, sports, clubs, music, and more. A tax credit that could mean a smaller tax bill or bigger refund. 100% of the donation goes right back to our school programs!
Time’s ticking! Make your contribution by April 15 to claim the credit on this year’s tax return. Ask family and friends to help too, every bit counts!
CONTEST UPDATE!
Who will win the grade-wide pizza and snow cone lunch?
12th grade is currently in first place with 23% of the senior class referring a tax credit!!
The winner of our first Handel’s Ice Cream gift card is Brennan F. in 12th grade!
To get a schoolwide Head-to-Toe Crazy Wear Day we still need 139 more Tax Credits by April 15th!
We can do it! Help us spread the word and support GP!
Questions? Please reach out to Tammy Kempton, Family Giving Officer, at tkempton@glendaleprep.org.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Jenny Haley, Office Manager
JHaley@glendaleprep.org
GLENDALE PREP ATTENDANCE
623.889.0822
Option 4
attendance@glendaleprep.org
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