Weekly Blast 05.08.26

May 12, 2026 -

CONTENTS
 A NOTE FROM THE HEADMASTER
 HIGH SCHOOL SPECIFICS
 MIDDLE SCHOOL SPECIFICS
 ATHLETICS
 COLLEGE COUNSELING
 FAMILY GIVING

DATES TO NOTE

MAY 12 SPRING SPORTS AWARDS CEREMONY
MAY 13 MS INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT
MAY 14 SENIOR DINNER
MAY 18-21 FINAL EXAMS
MAY 20 8TH GRADE PROMOTION
MAY 22 GLENDALE PREP COMMENCEMENT

A NOTE FROM THE HEADMASTER

Dear Glendale Prep Families,

As Teacher Appreciation Week comes to a close, I want to thank you all for the many ways you honored and encouraged our faculty and staff throughout the week. The thoughtful notes, kind words, generous gifts, delicious meals and treats, and countless expressions of support were a consistent reminder of the partnership that exists between our families and our school.

Teaching is deeply meaningful work, but it demands much of us. Your encouragement this week ensured our teachers and staff felt seen, appreciated, and supported each day.

Thank you for making Glendale Prep a community not only marked by academic vigor and joyful learning, but also by gratitude and care. On behalf of our entire faculty and staff, thank you for your partnership and the many ways you continue to support us here.

With gratitude,
Mrs. Janssen

HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF 2026 COMMENCEMENT

FRIDAY, MAY 22 5:00PM PM

Haven Church in Glendale
5902 W Cactus Rd, Glendale, AZ 85304
*Graduating seniors must arrive to Haven Church no later than 4PM

MIDDLE SCHOOL

8TH GRADE PROMOTION
8th Grade Promotion is on May 20 at 6:00PM at Glendale Preparatory. Doors open for seating at 5:30PM. Specific details were emailed to families this past week.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CONCERT
7TH & 8TH GRADE MUSIC CLASSES AND JAZZ BAND & ORCHESTRA

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13TH 6:30 PM
Haven Church in Glendale
5902 W Cactus Rd, Glendale, AZ 85304
• Students must provide their own transportation
• Students must arrive at the church by 5:00 pm
• All students in curricular music classes are required to participate in the concert as a portion of their music grade
• Detailed information from teacher/director about the concert will be given to curricular music students
We hope our community will come to enjoy our fine performers share their musical gifts with you.

MISC SCHOOL INFO

SUMMER READING PROGRAM
Summer is almost here, and so is the Maricopa County Summer Reading Program hosted by Phoenix’s libraries! Students create an online account, read twenty minutes a day, and track their progress to win prizes. Maintaining a summer reading habit is a great way to get involved with your local library and prevent learning loss over the summer. For more information, visit maricopacountyreads.org!

SEMESTER 2 FINAL EXAM REMINDERS
Semester 2 Final Exams are scheduled for Monday, May 18- Thursday, May 21.

Final exams are a culmination of the material students have learned through the entirety of the first semester and account for 10% of a student’s final grade in each course.  Please schedule appointments and vacations outside of the final exam testing window.

Students who miss a final exam due to illness with a doctor’s note will make up any missed final exams the first week of summer break, on a given date. Unexcused absences or illness without a doctor’s note will result in the score of a zero for any missed final exam.

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL & STUDENT CELL PHONES

Students will not have access to lockers on the last day of school. While it is highly recommended that students do not bring cell phones to school, if your child must bring their phone, it will be checked in to their sixth period teacher at 8:05AM, safely stored, and returned at 12:15PM.

2026-2027 HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT

We are excited to announce our annual 2026-2027 High School Retreat to Lost Canyon for rising 9th – 12th graders! Seniors will depart from Glendale Prep to Lost Canyon on Tuesday, September 1 for a 1 day/1 night senior retreat to then welcome 9th-11th grade students on September 2. All high school students will return to Glendale Prep on Friday, September 4.

*Detailed pricing and date increases available on the payment portal

2026-2027 SCHOOL SUPPLIES & CONSUMABLES

Students at Glendale Prep are asked to purchase both school supplies (materials purchased by parents, or our outside vendor) and consumables (purchased on our Parent Payment Portal).

The Parent Payment Portal Is Open!

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, several items are now available in the Parent Payment Portal. We know it can feel like a lot, so here’s a quick guide to what each fee covers:
• Consumables: These are the workbooks and materials students write in and use throughout the year. Because they are written in, they cannot be reused or returned.
• Classics to Keep: These are the literature books students will read and annotate throughout the year (6–8 in Literature & Composition and 9–12 in Humane Letters). These books become part of your student’s personal Great Books collection.
• Field Trip Fees: These cover the cost of grade-level educational trips that enhance classroom learning experiences.
• Yearbook: Capture and celebrate the memories of the school year.
• House Fees: Supports our House system and includes a House t-shirt plus supplies for our twice-a-year Field Day competitions and activities.
We hope this breakdown helps clarify each item! Please reach out to the front office if you have any questions, we’re happy to help.

IN ADDITION…

If you’d like to save time, we have partnered with 1st Day School Supplies this year to offer parents a one-stop-shop for all 26-27 school supplies.

Click below to purchase by June 15. All supplies will be conveniently delivered to your door.

2026-2027 FIELD TRIPS

You will see the 26-27 field trip fees vary by grade level next year. Here is what we have in store for students in the coming school year:

6th Grade – Lake Pleasant Center
Students will enjoy a day of outdoor exploration and team-building at Lake Pleasant. Activities are designed to encourage collaboration, curiosity, and a love for nature in a fun, structured environment.

7th Grade – Riparian Preserve
This field trip offers students a hands-on look at local ecosystems and wildlife at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch. Through guided exploration, students will deepen their understanding of conservation and Arizona’s unique habitats.

8th Grade – Pink Jeep Tour Sedona
Students will experience the beauty of Sedona on a guided Pink Jeep Tours adventure. This exciting trip combines both geology and local history for a memorable learning experience.

9th Grade – MIM Phoenix
Students will visit the Musical Instrument Museum to explore music and culture from around the world. Interactive exhibits provide a unique opportunity to connect history, geography, and the arts.

10th Grade – Flagstaff Day Trip (Destination TBD)
This day trip to Flagstaff will offer students a chance to explore Northern Arizona’s natural beauty and cultural sites. Final destination details will be shared soon, but the day will focus on enrichment and community building.

11th Grade – iFLY Scottsdale
Students will experience the thrill of indoor skydiving at iFLY Scottsdale while exploring basic principles of physics and flight in this safe, supervised setting.

12th Grade – Senior Trip to Washington DC & Quarterly Senior Mini Retreats
In addition to our March trip to Washington DC, GP seniors will enjoy a series of relaxed outings including a day of leadership and community at the HS retreat in Williams, AZ before the remaining high schoolers arrive, a coffee shop morning with a service project for the community, among other experiences. These mini retreats are designed to celebrate their final year together and create lasting memories as a class while serving the GP and greater community.

ROBOTICS! 2026 WORLDS and RECRUITMENT

This past week, Glendale Prep’s Varsity robotics team, Metal Masters, with Lex Bodzin, Brennan Fahey, Luciano Marcolini, Sean Valentine, Maddie Marshall, Jai Chaudhary, Krish Patel, and Tommy Skinner, competed in the FIRST Championship against 336 teams from around the world in the FIRST Tech Challenge’s highest competition. The team faced fierce competition, but won 5 out of their 10 qualifying matches and was picked to be on the 4th seeded alliance (of 8). Their alliance took 2nd place in their division.

The Robotics Program is currently recruiting for next season for the 8th-12th program and seeking any adults with engineering backgrounds that wish to become mentors. Please go to the following website to learn more and apply, or reach out to Mr. Roper at broper@glendaleprep.org for more information.

CHESS CLUB

For the first time in Glendale Prep history, we will be offering interscholastic chess through AIA, starting in the upcoming 2026-2027 school year! Membership is open to all incoming high school students, and the chess season starts promptly in August. If you are in participating, please submit an interest form here: https://forms.gle/CfY3CnenESCjjRMY6

If you have any questions about chess at GP, please contact Mr. Kilcup, mkilcup@glendaleprep.org

NOTE FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE

If your student currently has medication in the Health Office, please remember to pick it up by the last day of school. Medication has to be picked up by an adult and will not be sent home with the students. Please reach out with any questions.

ATHLETICS
Spring Sports Awards
The spring sports award ceremonies will be on Tuesday, May 12th.
• Middle School – 5:30-6:45PM
• High School – 7:00-8:00PM
Athletes should dress up in a nice, school appropriate outfit. Athletes will sit with their coaches in the blue chairs on the court. Parents will sit in the bleachers.

HS Spring Playoffs
• Baseball – Friday, 5/8 6:30PM at Goodyear Baseball Complex South
If they win, baseball will play at 11:00 AM at Goodyear Baseball Complex on Saturday 5/9.

• HS Track/Field – 5/8-5/9 at Mesa Red Mountain High School

COLLEGE COUNSELING
University of Arizona Summer Engineering Academy
Still figuring out your summer plans? What if you could spend part of it learning about what engineers do? The University of Arizona Summer Engineering Academy is calling all curious minds, problem-solvers, and future innovators! Whether you dream of building bridges, coding the next big app, or exploring how things work behind the scenes, this is your chance to dive in. And the best part is it is not too late to sign up! Spots are still available, so don’t miss your chance to turn your summer into something extraordinary. For more information, use this link.

ASU Summer Programs
ASU has an incredible lineup of summer opportunities for students of all interests. Whether your student is interested in engineering, art and design, business, computer science, health and medical, STEM, or language arts, ASU has a program for them. Please check out the various programs at: https://eoss.asu.edu/access/programs/summer/search

Book Club – First Read is Atomic Habits
Our third Book Club meeting was postponed and will be held next Wednesday, May 13th from 7:00 to 8:00 pm in Room 406! If you’ve been thinking about joining, it’s not too late—we would love to have you with us.

Our last meeting of the year will be held on Wednesday, May 20th from 7:00–8:00 PM in Room 406. We will be choosing a new book, so come and have a say as to our next great read!
If you and/or your child are interested in joining us, please reach out to Mrs. Sarbacker at ksarbacker@glendaleprep.org. We hope to see you there!

ASU High School Leadership Academy
In partnership with the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum’s White House Decision Center, the ASU Center for American Institutions is excited to invite incoming high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to the High School Leadership Academy on the Arizona State University Tempe campus. This immersive experience challenges students to step into the roles of Harry S. Truman and his top advisors during one of the most pivotal moments in history: deciding how and when to end the war with Japan. Participants won’t just learn about history; they’ll live it. Students will select a cabinet role and collaborate, debate, and make high-stakes decisions in a dynamic simulation that brings the past to life. If you’re ready to think critically, lead boldly, and experience history from the inside out, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. More information is available here.

Grand Canyon’s Engineering Summer Camp for Middle School Girls
Calling all future engineers—this one’s for the girls who love to build, design, and discover! The Grand Canyon University College of Engineering and Technology is hosting an exciting 3-day Engineering Camp designed especially for middle school girls ready to explore the world of innovation. From mechanical to biomedical to electrical design, students will dive into hands-on activities that bring engineering to life—no experience required, just curiosity and creativity! The camp will be held on June 2-4 from 9:00 am-1:00 pm at Grand Canyon University. If you have questions, email them to CET@gcu.edu. Click here to register and secure your spot as space is limited.

Academic Support – Summer
Are you looking for academic support during the summer for your child? If so, Revolution Prep is offering a free gift card up to $900 to use on personalized academic support this summer. The gift card can be used toward private tutoring in academic subjects or test prep (SAT/ACT/PSAT), executive function coaching to improve organization, time management, and study skills, or small group SAT/ACT/PSAT prep courses. For more information, please look at their flyer or use this link.

FAMILY GIVING
Thank You for Investing in our Students, Teachers, and School!

Thank you to everyone who supported our Great Hearts Day of Giving! We are incredibly grateful for the generosity shown by our school community. Every donation, message of encouragement, and act of support helps strengthen the educational experience we provide for our students and encourages the dedicated teachers and staff who make our academy so special.

Because of your participation, we are able to continue bridging the gap between state funding and the true cost of a Great Hearts education. Your support directly impacts our classrooms, programs, and the opportunities available to our students each day.

Although the official Day of Giving has ended, we are still working toward our overall fundraising goal, and donations made today and through the end of our fiscal year, June 30th, will continue to count toward that effort. If you would still like to contribute, there is still time to make a meaningful impact on our community. Every gift, no matter the size, is special and appreciated.

You can donate here:
https://give.glendaleprep.org/campaign/706416/donate

Thank you again for your generosity, partnership, and commitment to our students and faculty. We are truly grateful to be part of such a supportive and caring community.

#GriffinsGive

CONTACT INFORMATION

Jenny Haley, Office Manager
JHaley@glendaleprep.org

GLENDALE PREP ATTENDANCE

623.889.0822
Option 4
attendance@glendaleprep.org

 

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