Weekly Blast 09.25.26
September 25, 2026 -
CONTENTS
A NOTE FROM THE HEADMASTER
FAMILY GIVING
HIGH SCHOOL SPECIFICS
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPECIFICS
MISC SCHOOL INFO
ATHLETICS
COLLEGE COUNSELING
PSO
DATES TO NOTE
SEPT 26 HS HOMECOMING DANCE
OCT 5 & 6 HALF DAYS PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
OCT 7-9 NO SCHOOL PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
OCT 7-9 PROJECT WEEK
OCT 12-16 FALL BREAK
A NOTE FROM THE HEADMASTER
Dear Glendale Prep Families,
In case you missed it… last weekend, something remarkable happened in our GP Cafe-gym-atorim, otherwise known on production nights as our GP Performing Arts Center!
Fifteen of our faculty and staff joined this year’s faculty productions of Audience and The Real Inspector Hound: Mrs. McCauley, Mrs. Wieland, Mrs. Yingling, Ms. Rathbun, Ms. Ong, Mr. Lundgaard, Dr. Nolte, Ms. Palubinskas, Magistra Oakes, Mr. Cecil, Mrs. Innes, Mr. Ritterling, Ms. Hirshfeld, Mrs. Dunphy, and Mrs. Mekenney all spent the first seven weeks of the school year learning lines and taking direction from our very own drama students.
Why spend hours of their days after school for such a cause? Because they believe, as we all do at GP, that the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty is not something we assign to our students and stand apart from ourselves. It is a discipline we practice alongside them.
But the play is only the most visible example of something true of our entire faculty of more than 40. Every week, teachers who spend their days teaching Euclid or Latin grammar stay late to run our choir and band programs. Others give up their afternoons and evenings to coach our athletic teams, or to guide our robotics team through another round of troubleshooting, or to sponsor the handful of clubs and extracurriculars that make this school feel like a community rather than a building. And every single one of them, whether or not you ever see them on a stage or a sideline, shows up each morning to teach the subjects they love; not because it’s a job, but because they cannot imagine doing anything else.
Parents, these are a special group of teachers at Glendale Prep. They chose, year after year, to give more of themselves than any job description requires, because they want your children to see what a well-lived, well-loved intellectual life looks like in practice.
Mrs. Kempton speaks to Unity in Our Community below, and I want to thank you for helping us continue to provide the best teachers to deliver this classical curriculum, those who work beyond what is asked, day in and day out. That is only possible through your commitment to our Community Investment Campaign, which bridges the gap between state funding and the exceptional classical education our students receive every day.
Your support helps provide outstanding teachers, enriching curriculum, classroom resources, fine arts, athletics, and the programs that make our school so special. Thank you.
With gratitude,
Mrs. Janssen
FAMILY GIVING
When a community comes together, incredible things happen!
This week, we celebrated Unity in Our Community and the impact we can make when every family plays a part in supporting our schools.
Thank you to everyone that completed a Unity in Our Community crossword puzzle! I will be tallying the crosswords to see which grade wins an ice cream party! In addition, next week we will announce who the lucky middle school and high school student is to win a GP swag basket, along with front row seating for their families to each of their performances, ceremonies, and events for the remainder of the school year! Stay tuned!
At Glendale Prep, Community Investment helps bridge the gap between state funding and the exceptional classical education our students receive every day. Your support helps provide outstanding teachers, enriching curriculum, classroom resources, fine arts, athletics, and the programs that make our school so special.
Remember, no gift is too small. When each family contributes what they can, the collective impact is extraordinary. Together, we are investing in our students, strengthening our schools, and building a community rooted in Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. Join us as we work toward 100% family participation and show what is possible when we are truly united in our community.
If you have any questions about Community Investment or Tax Credit, please reach out to Tammy Kempton, Family Giving Officer, at tkempton@glendaleprep.org, or if you would like to donate your tax-deductible gift, click here.
Thank you for your support!
DONATE
HIGH SCHOOL SPECIFICS
GLENDALE PREP HOMECOMING DANCE
A Night at the Rodeo
Glendale Preparatory Academy is pleased to invite you to the annual Homecoming Dance
WHO: All Current GP High School Students
WHERE: GP Gym
WHEN: Saturday, September 26, 2026; 6:30-9:00PM
COST: $25
Tickets to be bought online only and are non-refundable.
DEADLINE: Friday, September 25th midnight.
NO Tickets at the door
Doors open at 6:00 PM
HOCO TICKETS
In addition to the Homecoming dress code that is available online, we are adding the following to match the theme of the event:
• Cowboy boots
• Bolo ties
• Belt buckles
• Cowboy hats
• Full-length jeans for ladies and gentlemen (embellishments are approved but no lettering)
• Full-length denim skirts are approved (slits must be no higher than mid-thigh)
Notes
· It is recommended to work with the Dean of Students when any questions regarding dress styles arise.
· Necessary alterations at the point of entry must remain intact for the duration of the event.
HOCO DRESS CODE
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPECIFICS
New Student Practicum
This week concluded the first annual New Student Practicum Program for all new middle school students. Over the past six weeks, students have gained skills in studying techniques, testing strategies, organization, participation tips, cardinal virtues of education and created a student growth plan.
Study Hall
Today, middle school students were given a study hall during the High School HoCo Spirit Assembly. This provided them with a valuable opportunity to begin their homework and study before the weekend.
MISC SCHOOL INFO
Parent/Teacher Conferences
October 5 & 6 and 7-9
Sign-up links have been emailed. Please sign-up for a time to meet with each of your child’s teachers to discuss their growth and progress this year! If you did not receive the sign-up link, reach out to Mrs. Hayward at jhayward@glendaleprep.org
Middle School conferences are for parents only.
High School students will attend their conferences and must be in uniform. Junior and Senior students will lead their conferences and must also be in uniform.
Glendale Prep conferences are more than a review of student progress and letter grades; they are an integral part of our community and a renewal of the partnership between home and school. It is here that parents and teachers reflect upon the work of the past quarter and set thoughtful goals for the quarter ahead. Together, we share in the noble task of forming both intellect and character, guiding our students to love what is true, good, and beautiful. It is here that I hope you witness how much each teacher has come to know your children, and how faithfully we labor alongside you in preparing them to live wisely and virtuously. Please sign up, it is my hope to have 100% of our parents attending in this noble endeavor.
-Mrs. Janssen
Project Week
The week of parent teacher conferences is also project week for our students.
High school students will enjoy the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, which will be handed out and started together in class on Monday, October 5. Students will finish the text independently the remainder of the week.
Middle school students will enjoy a different project this year, focusing on America 250.
Specific instructions will be handed out prior to Fall Break.
Upon our return from Fall Break, both Middle and High School students will conclude project week with respective Symposia on Wednesday, October 21.
HIGH SCHOOL: The 12th grade takes the prize for high school participation in our Literary and Historical Figure Day!
SPIRIT DAY WINNERS
MIDDLE SCHOOL: Congratulations to the 6th grade for having the most participation on Wednesday’s Literary and Historical Figure Day!
BOTH the 6th grade and the 12th grade will enjoy a KICKS Day on Monday, September 28.NO open toes shoes/sandals, slippers, crocs, etc.
ATHLETICS
Powder Puff
Ladies, it’s time to take the field!
Powder Puff 2026, Friday, October 23rd, 6:00pm! Purchase a shirt on the payment portal for $20. Shirts are for players and supporters! Find your class captain to let them know you are interested in participating. The competition is going to be intense. See you there!
Who’s ready for some GRIFFIN FOOTBALL?
Giddy Up, Griffins! Join us for the HoCo Football Game TONIGHT!!!
The Tailgating Experience begins at 5:30PM!
We will be offering hot dog, hamburger, and cheeseburger meals with a bottle of water for only $5, plus our concessions will be running full force!
Join us for $5 Mechanical Bull rides for the brave (12 and older- ride at your own risk!), and games for the rest of us!
The fist 40 game entry tickets, get a free bull ride!
Kickoff at 7PM
Winter Sports Registration
It is hard to believe that is that time of the school year. The Winter Sports season will begin on November 2nd. We will be offering the following sports
· High School Basketball
· High School Soccer
· Middle School Soccer
· Middle School Baseball
· Middle School Softball
· Middle School Tennis
If you have not registered your student athlete for a fall sport, please start the process now so they can start on time.
· AIA Physical Form
· AIA Academy for High School
· Arbiter Registration Portal
Please reach out to Mr. Fiore with any questions at mfiore@glendaleprep.org
GP ATHLETICS
ATHLETIC VOLUNTEER SIGN UP
COLLEGE COUNSELING
NACAC National College Fair – Greater Phoenix
Mark your calendars! Students and families are invited to attend the NACAC National College Fair – Greater Phoenix on Sunday, September 27 from 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. at the Phoenix Convention Center.
Registration is free, but students should register in advance.
Register for the 2026 NACAC National College Fair – Greater Phoenix
Explore Fulton: ASU Engineering
ASU Polytechnic Campus
Saturday, September 26, 2026
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
ASU Tempe Campus
Saturday, October 24, 2026
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Register: https://na.eventscloud.com/explorefulton2026
College Representative Visits
Next week we have the following colleges visiting:
· Seattle Pacific University – Monday during 1st Lyceum in Room 404
· Baylor University – Monday during 2nd Lyceum in Room 403
· Miami University – Monday after school (3:15 – 3:45 pm) in Room 408
· Colorado College – Monday after school (3:15 – 3:45 pm) in Room 409
· Seton Hall – Tuesday during 2nd Lyceum in Room 403
· Whitworth College – Wednesday after school (12:20 pm – 12:50 pm) in Room 409
· Abilene Christian University – Wednesday after school (12:20 pm – 12:50 pm) in Room 408
· Creighton University – Thursday during 1st Lyceum in Room 404
· St. John’s University – Friday during 1st Lyceum in Room 404
COLLEGE COUNSELING
PSO
MONTHLY TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCH
The next luncheon for our teachers will be:
Wednesday, September 30
Please sign up to donate items!
https://signup.com/go/TBbXzPk
DONUT FRIDAY
Don’t forget $1 donuts on FRIDAYS before school in the courtyard.
SNOW CONES
Snow cones will be sold at the September 25 home football game $2.
LUNCH ORDERS
Monday-Chick-fil-A
Tuesday-Tropical Smoothie
Thursday-Pita Jungle
Friday-Streets of New York
Ordering is now open: https://ordernow.myhotlunchbox.com/login
**Please let your student know there will not be access to a microwave when packing their lunch.
PSO
GP WEBSITE
GP FAMILY HANDBOOK
GP DRESS CODE
GP PAYMENT PORTAL
GP PSO
GP SPIRIT STORE
CONTACT INFORMATION
Jenny Haley, Office Manager
JHaley@glendaleprep.org
GLENDALE PREP ATTENDANCE
623.889.0822
Option 4
attendance@glendaleprep.org
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