CONTENTS
A NOTE FROM THE HEADMASTER
HIGH SCHOOL SPECIFICS
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPECIFICS
THE ANXIOUS GENERATION PARENT BOOK CLUB
ATHLETICS
COLLEGE COUNSELING
FAMILY GIVING
DATES TO NOTE
NOV 11 VETERAN’S DAY- NO SCHOOL
NOV 12 VOCAL MUSIC CONCERT- 9TH & 10TH GRADES
NOV 19 INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT- 7TH & 8TH GRADES
NOV 24-28 THANKSGIVING BREAK- NO SCHOOL
DEC 5 HIGH SCHOOL EPIC CYCLE
DEC 16-19 FINAL EXAM WEEK- NO HOMEWORK CLUB
A NOTE FROM THE HEADMASTER
Dear Glendale Prep Families,
This morning, our students, faculty, and staff gathered for one of Glendale Prep’s most cherished traditions, the Blazer Ceremony. Each fall, this event serves as a visible marker of our students’ growth, honoring the virtues and responsibilities that come with each new step.
For our sophomores, receiving the Glendale Prep tie is their first formal recognition as members of our high school student body. It marks their progression from their first year as freshman laying the foundation for the years to come, into a season of maturity and purpose, as they begin to take their place as examples for younger our students.
For our juniors, the blazer stands as a symbol of leadership and integrity. It is more than part of the uniform; it is a visible sign of the trust placed in them as upperclassmen. Since the founding of Glendale Prep, over 690 students have worn the blazer with pride. Today, we joyfully added 66 more to those ranks, recognizing their readiness to lead with character both inside and outside the classroom.
In keeping with the spirit of tradition, we were honored to hear from faculty member Mr. Cecil, who opened the ceremony with an inspiring reflection, and from senior Madelyn King, who shared what the blazer has meant to her as a student of Glendale Prep.
This year, we also introduced a new tradition for our seniors, the pinning of the senior class. The senior pin represents the culmination of our students’ journey at Glendale Prep, a symbol of the leadership, gratitude, and virtue that define this final chapter of their time with us. As they were pinned, I reminded them, “as you wear it, remember that your student body is watching; not only what you achieve, but how you live, how you treat others, and how you carry yourselves. Long after awards are forgotten, it will be your love, your generosity, and your kindness that remain.”
We closed the ceremony, as we always do, with our school song, The Minstrel Boy; a fitting reminder of our shared values, our gratitude for one another, and the enduring traditions that bind our community together.
To our sophomores, juniors, and seniors: congratulations on this milestone. May you continue to grow in wisdom, virtue, and joy as you live out the honor these symbols represent.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Janssen
HIGH SCHOOL
SAVE THE DATE!
High School Epic Cycle- Friday, December 5th
Save the date for our annual all-night event for high schoolers filled with community building, fun activities, and reading excerpts from one of our beloved Epic Poems.
LAST CALL!- 11TH GRADE FIELD TRIP- GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21
All 11th Graders will participate in a college visit and tour in partnership with Grand Canyon University. Please complete the permission form below so that your student might participate in this unique field trip opportunity.
VOCAL MUSIC CONCERT
9TH & 10TH GRADE MUSIC CLASSES AND ALL EXTRA-CURRICULAR CHOIRS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH 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.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
6TH GRADE FIELD TRIP
GP 6th Graders will be visiting the Desert Outdoor Center at Lake Pleasant on Thursday, December 4th.
• Field trip specifics coming soon!
• 6th Grade Parents, please do not order hot lunches this day.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CONCERT
7TH & 8TH GRADE MUSIC CLASSES AND JAZZ BAND & ORCHESTRA
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH 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.
SEMESTER 2 NOTE
As we approach the second semester, please note that student schedule changes are expected.
• All middle school students will begin a new Fine Arts class.
• In most cases, this will result in an updated class schedule.
• Although it is rare, there may be teacher changes in more than just Fine Arts classes due to the schedule changes.
Thank you for your understanding as we make these adjustments to provide a well-rounded experience for every student.
GP PARENT BOOK CLUB: THE ANXIOUS GENERATION
Please join us as we gather for a Parent Book Club to review and discuss The Anxious Generation by Jon Haidt. The discussion will be facilitated by our school counselor, Mary Ashworth. This is a follow up to Katey McPherson’s Talk on Protecting Human Flourishing in a Digital World. You do not have to have the book read when we meet, nor do you have to have attended Katey’s presentation! We’d love to have parents join us for the presentation and conversation.
Where: Glendale Prep
When: 6:30-8PM
• Nov. 13: Parts 1 and 2
• Jan 8: Parts 3 and 4
• March 5: Conclusion and Action Steps
What to bring: Your own copy of the book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt.
Be on the look out for an RSVP link next week!
ATHLETICS
High School Cross Country
High school cross country competes for a state championship on 11/15 at Cave Creek Golf Course. Good luck!
Fall Sports Awards Ceremony
One week from today, November 13th, is the fall sports awards ceremony. The middle school ceremony is from 5:30-6:30 PM. The high school ceremony is from 7:00-8:00 PM. All fall sports athletes should attend with their parents. Bring your uniforms to turn in at the ceremony. Dress to impress in a school appropriate outfit!
Middle School Winter Sports
Middle school baseball, softball, tennis, and soccer tryouts begin next week. Updated information is available on the athletic website. Those planning to play a middle school winter sport, here are next week’s tryout times and locations:
Middle School Girls Soccer
Monday 4:00-6:00 at Thunderbird Paseo Park
Wednesday 4:00-6:00 at Deem Hills South
Friday 4:00-6:00 at Deem Hills South
Middle School Boys Soccer
Wednesday 4:00-6:00 at Deem Hills North
Thursday 4:00-5:30 at Deem Hills North
Middle School Baseball
Monday 4:00-6:00 at Foothills Park Field #1
Wednesday 3:30-5:30 at our GP cages
Middle School Softball
Monday 3:30-5:30 at our GP cages
Wednesday 4:00-6:00 at Foothills Park Field #1
Middle School Tennis
Monday 4:00-5:30 at Sunrise Mountain HS
Wednesday 4:00-5:30 at Sunrise Mountain HS
Friday 4:00-5:30 at Sunrise Mountain HS
Big Teams registration must be complete to tryout. If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to Mr. Roundy (nroundy@glendaleprep.org)
COLLEGE COUNSELING
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. A non-refundable deposit of $150 is due by November 19th. If you have questions, please email Roslyn.fletcher@greathearts.org.
Changes in the ACT Test
Recently, the ACT test was updated. The main changes are: (1) there are 44 fewer questions, making for a shorter exam; (2) students are given more time per question; (3) math answer choices have been reduced to four, instead of five; and (4) the composite score is now made up of English, Math, and Reading as the Science section is now optional.
Two New AP Exams Offered
In response to student requests, we are offering two AP exams at Glendale Prep. If your student is interested in taking the AP Physics II and/or the AP Computer Science Principles exam, we will be offering them on May 7th and May 14th, respectively. Because we have just been approved to offer these exams, we are offering an extension on the early registration fee of $100 until 11/12 but ONLY FOR THESE TWO AP TESTS (the fee will increase to $140 on 11/13). If interested, please submit a check made out to Glendale Prep with the name of the AP exam your child wishes to take in the reference line to the front office AND register on your child’s College Board account using the join code that will be provided to your student after he/she submits payment. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Sarbacker at ksarbacker@glendaleprep.org.
Save the Date: 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.
FAMILY GIVING
Dear Glendale Prep Families,
We invite you to join us in celebrating our academy on December 2nd for #GivingTuesday. This day of giving was created to focus on doing good for the community after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday.
Our education at Glendale Prep relies upon parent partnership. Thank you to our parents who already support our classrooms through Community Investment. On #GivingTuesday, our intent is to fulfill our Community Investment goal and raise $15,000. Please consider making a gift meaningful to your family to help us fully fund our classrooms for the year. You can give by clicking here or by connecting with Tammy Kempton, Family Giving Officer, at tkempton@glendaleprep.org. Thank you for your support!
Warmly,
Tammy Kempton
CONTACT INFORMATION
Jenny Haley, Office Manager
JHaley@glendaleprep.org
GLENDALE PREP ATTENDANCE
623.889.0822
Option 4
attendance@glendaleprep.org