Weekly Blast 10.23.26
October 26, 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
OCT 28 PSAT- 10TH & 11TH GRADES
NOV 4 FIELD DAY
NOV 10 PICTURE RETAKES
NOV 11 VETERAN’S DAY- NO SCHOOL
NOV 23-27 THANKSGIVING BREAK- NO SCHOOL
DEC 2 CHORAL CONCERT
DEC 7 SEMESTER I ART SHOWCASE
DEC 9 INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT
DEC 14 EXAM STUDY DAY- NO SCHOOL
DEC 15-18 FINAL EXAM WEEK
A NOTE FROM THE HEADMASTER
Hello GP Families,
Since the founding of Glendale Prep, the Symposium has been a cherished tradition. Each year, our high school students set aside a morning to gather around a single text and wrestle with questions raised about what it means to be human. This year, we were delighted to carry that tradition further by welcoming our middle school students into the work of symposium for the first time.
High School Symposium: The Picture of Dorian Gray
Our high school students shared and discussed our Project Week book, Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. We were honored to welcome Dr. Joshua Blander of the Honors College and Great Books program at Arizona Christian University as our keynote speaker. Dr. Blander opened with a charming Socratic confession, that he had “no idea” what the book is about, and then led students through the questions that make it so rich: Is excess always punished? Is the trouble loving too much, or loving the wrong things? Can goodness and beauty truly be separated? Students carried those questions into their own seminars in active pursuit of the true, the good, and the beautiful.
Our First Middle School Symposium: Defining the American Experience
In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, our middle school students expanded their Project Week assignment into Glendale Prep’s first-ever middle school symposium, Defining the American Experience. Students shared their work and discussed what it means to be part of the American story. They were joined by our own alumnus, Cameron Dausend, who delivered a keynote titled “E Pluribus Unum” (“out of many, one”). He challenged students to see themselves as heirs to the ideals of our Founders and as responsible for carrying them forward. It was a joy to see one of our graduates return to inspire the students who now walk the same halls.
A few weeks ago, I shared about the work of building sustained attention for reading. Project Week was a chance to put that into practice. Our students gave days of sustained effort to a single book or a single question, and I hope you found yourselves seeking to read and research alongside them: picking up The Picture of Dorian Gray alongside your highschooler or asking your middle schooler what they were learning about the American story and reading more together. Sustained work like this is hard won, and it is built the same way at home as at school, one focused session at a time. Thank you for partnering with us in forming this habit. Our symposia are possible because of you.
Warmly,
Mrs. Janssen
FAMILY GIVING
The Opportunities are Endless!
I hope your family had a restful fall break! Thank you to every family who has already contributed to Community Investment, participated in the Arizona Public School Tax Credit, or volunteered on campus this school year. We are so grateful for your generosity and support!
We’re off to a great start toward meeting our Community Investment and Tax Credit goals, but we still have a way to go. Here are a few ways you can help support Glendale Prep:
• Community Investment
As a public charter school, Glendale Prep receives $1,500 less per student each year than district schools. Your tax-deductible gifts to Community Investment help us attract and retain outstanding teachers while continuing to offer our stellar curriculum.
To make your Community Investment gift, please use this link: Donate to Glendale Preparatory Academy
• Arizona Public School Tax Credit
Any Arizona resident can make a dollar-for-dollar tax credit contribution to the school of their choice. That means grandparents, aunts, uncles, co-workers, and friends can choose Glendale Prep to contribute their AZ Tax Credit to even if they do not have a student enrolled here!
Your contribution to Glendale Prep helps fund Athletics, Field Trips, and after-school enrichment clubs. Single filers may contribute $200 each year, and married filing jointly may contribute $400 each year. You get every dollar back when you file your 2026 taxes!
To make your Tax Credit contribution, please use this link: Donate to Glendale Preparatory Academy and scroll down to the second half of the page.
• Corporate Matching Alert!
Did you know that many companies match charitable gifts to Glendale Prep? American Express, UnitedHealthcare, Fidelity, UPS, USAA, Cigna, Vanguard, and many other corporations offer matching gift programs.
That’s an opportunity to make your support go even further. To see if your employer participates, use this link Matching Gifts – Great Hearts Glendale Prep, Serving Grades 6-12 and enter your employer’s name. You may be surprised by the opportunities available, some even match volunteer hours!
Thank you again for being such an important part of the Glendale Prep community. Every gift, volunteer hour, and matched contribution makes a difference in the lives of our students.
If you have questions about Community Investment, the Arizona Public School Tax Credit, or Corporate Matching, or Athletic Sponsorships please contact Tammy Kempton, Family Giving Officer, at tkempton@glendaleprep.org.
DONATE
HIGH SCHOOL SPECIFICS
11th Grade College Visit- Friday, October 30
Our 11th graders will enjoy a day together visiting the nearby GCU college campus, taking a tour, learning about college life, and enjoying lunch together. Please ensure your student arrives on time as buses will leave at 8:30 am.
MISC SCHOOL INFO
Field Day- Wednesday, November 4
Field day is in 2 short weeks! This day focuses on building community in our House groups through fun competitions and activities. We have some new activities this year that your student won’t want to miss!
We are also looking for snack donations and volunteers to run our snack station. The sign up link is below. Thank you for all your support!
https://signup.com/go/JwoRcsq
Final Exams
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.
Students who miss a final exam due to illness with a doctor’s note will make up any missed final exams in January, 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.
Title I Annual Parent Meeting
The Title I Annual Parent Meeting will be held virtually Tuesday, October 27 and Wednesday, October 28. Two
sessions will be available:
• Session 1, October 27 at 9:00 AM: https://arizona.greatheartsamerica.org/title1/morning/
• Session 2, October 28 at 1:00 PM: https://arizona.greatheartsamerica.org/title1/afternoon/
These sessions will answer the questions: What is Title I? What is the Title I Grant Program? What resources are available for students who qualify for this assistance?
The meeting will conclude with an open Q & A. Following the meeting, a brief survey will be distributed to collect feedback from attendees.
Questions about this event or Title I: Please email Missy Penniman at melissa.penniman@greathearts.org
Great Hearts Holiday Card
It’s that time of year to make a little holiday magic!
We’re inviting Great Hearts scholars to create artwork for our 2026 holiday card. Each year, student artwork brings warmth, cheer, and a little extra joy to the season, and we can’t wait to see what our scholars create this year!
The contest is open to all Great Hearts students in grades K–12.
Artwork must be created entirely by the student, without parent guidance.
Please submit your child’s artwork by November 13th. If your child’s artwork is selected, we may send a professional photographer to capture the image, so please keep the original artwork after submitting the form.
SUBMIT HERE: https://arizona.greatheartsamerica.org/holiday-card/
ATHLETICS
Winter Sports Tryouts
2026 Winter Sports Tryouts are coming soon. See the GP athletics page for all tryout date information: https://www.greatheartsglendaleathletics.org/athletic-calendar/
• HS Basketball (Girls and Boys)
• HS Soccer (Girls and Boys)
• HS Baseball (Boys)
• MS Baseball (Boys)
• MS Softball (Girls)
• MS Soccer (Girls and Boys)
• MS Tennis (Girls and Boys)
Senior Night
Save the date for our Fall Sports Senior Night where we will be honoring our seniors in Volleyball and Cross Country. The events will take place prior to the Varsity Volleyball match at 6PM against Chandler Prep on October 29.
GP ATHLETICS
ATHLETIC VOLUNTEER SIGN UP
COLLEGE COUNSELING
PSAT – Wednesday, October 28
The PSAT will be administered to all 10th and 11th grade students during the school day on Wednesday, October 28. Please make sure your student arrives at school on time, as students who arrive late cannot be admitted to the testing room once testing has begun.
To help students perform their best, we encourage them to get a great night’s sleep the night before, eat a good breakfast that morning, and bring their personal calculator to use during the exam.
A little preparation the night before can make for a much smoother testing morning. Thank you for helping your student arrive rested, prepared, and on time!
College Rep Visits
College representatives will be on campus Monday during Lunch/Lyceum. A representative from the Kansas City Art Institute will meet with interested students during 1st Lyceum, and Northern Arizona University will visit during 2nd Lyceum.
Students interested in learning more about either school are encouraged to attend.
Explore Fulton: ASU Engineering
Students interested in engineering and technology are invited to attend Explore Fulton, the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering’s most specialized prospective-student event. Students can meet Fulton faculty, staff, and current engineering students, explore specific degree programs, and participate in campus tours.
ASU Tempe Campus
Saturday, October 24, 2026
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Each campus offers different engineering programs, so students may attend both events.
Explore degree programs: https://engineering.asu.edu/degrees/undergraduate/
Register: https://na.eventscloud.com/explorefulton2026
COLLEGE COUNSELING
PSO
MEET YOUR PSO BOARD
Becky Brown – PSO Treasurer
• Part of the Archway & Glendale Prep community since the Peoria campus opened 13 years ago
• Mom of 8, with 3 GP graduates and 3 more coming through GP
• Loves GP’s teachers, staff, families, and commitment to the core virtues
• Believes getting involved helps build friendships, support, and a stronger school community
• Wants families to enjoy being part of GP, meet other parents, and build lasting connections
• Serves on PSO because she believes the more families get involved, the stronger our community becomes
Laura Cary – PSO Secretary
• Part of the Archway & Glendale Prep community for 10 years
• Mom of 4 boys, with 2 currently at GP
• Loves that GP’s core virtues and the pursuit of Truth, Goodness & Beauty carry over from school to home
• Values the connection between what families teach at home and what teachers and students model at school
• Loves volunteering for both what she can give and what she receives from being involved
• Believes volunteering is one of the best ways to build parent community and invest in our school
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.
Oktoberfest Teacher Appreciation Lunch —10/28!
TEACHER LUNCH
https://signup.com/go/TBbXzPk
PSO MEETING
Join us for the next PSO General Meeting on Thursday, November 12 at 6PM in Room 405.
Enter through the courtyard gates.
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
