Weekly Blast 11.14.25
November 17, 2025 -
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 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,
As Thanksgiving approaches, we want to take a moment to express how grateful we are to have your family as part of our Glendale community. This season is a wonderful time to reflect on the blessings we share, including the opportunity to work together to foster a rich and vibrant environment for our students.
At Glendale Prep, we are committed to providing an exceptional education within a public school; an education that not only inspires young minds but nurtures their character and potential. Our Community Investment campaign makes this possible. It bridges the gap between public funding and the true cost of running our academy, ensuring we can provide small class sizes, outstanding teachers, and enriching programs for every student, including yours.
Fully funding our academy is a team effort, and it’s one of the things that makes our community so special. This Giving Tuesday, on December 2nd, we’re inviting every family to participate at a level that feels right for them. Whether your gift is large or small, your support strengthens our shared mission and directly benefits your student’s experience.
I am grateful to our parents who already support our classrooms through Community Investment. On Giving Tuesday, our intent is to fulfill our Community Investment goal and raise $15,000.
If we hit $15,000, our faculty and staff have committed to participating in a “pie in the face” event at our next assembly!
Every gift makes a difference, but more importantly, every family’s participation sends a powerful message: we believe in the value of this education and the bright future we’re building for our students.
We hope you’ll consider supporting this effort as we continue to build a strong and supportive community. As always, thank you for your trust and partnership.
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving,
Mrs. Janssen
HIGH SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL EPIC CYCLE
Become part of the legend; sign up now!
Friday, December 5th
Cost: $30
Prepare for an all-night odyssey through The Iliad filled with adventure—organized competitions, art activities, silent disco, bingo, waffle truck, pizza, snacks, and more!
Tickets must be purchased in advance by Wednesday, December 3rd. Signed permission slips must also be turned in to the front office by Wednesday, December 3rd.
• Check-in-Students must check-in at the gym lobby between 7:00-7:30 pm. Doors close at 7:30 pm. Students must arrive with phones in a zip lock bag with their name written in sharpie on the bag. Phones will be checked-in upon arrival but may be used to contact parents, if necessary.
• Attire-Comfortable warm clothing such as pajamas, sweatpants, and hoodies may be worn. (Attire should be free of inappropriate or political messages. Sports team logos and apparel brand names are acceptable.) Clothing must cover what the uniform short sleeve shirt and shorts cover (no spaghetti straps, sleeveless shirts, crop tops, inappropriate wording, or short shorts). Leggings and yoga pants may be worn with large shirts covering the hip area. Students who dress inappropriately will be asked to call home and wait in the front office to receive appropriate attire.
• Permitted items-Students are encouraged to bring school appropriate playing cards, board games, or other non-electronic games. They may also bring blankets, pillows, sleeping bag, or sleeping pad. No tents or mattresses allowed.
• Food and drinks-Students with dietary restrictions should bring their own food. We will provide pizza and snacks. Students should bring a refillable water bottle. No energy drinks allowed.
• Pickup- There will only be one early pick-up option at 11:30 PM. Parents must plan ahead and request this on the paper permission slip that must be filled out and returned in order to attend. With safety as our top priority, no other students will be dismissed early. We strongly recommend that parents drop off and pick-up all students to this all night event, even our student drivers.
11th GRADE COLLEGE 101
Next Friday Nov. 21st will start with a College 101 class given by our College Counselor Mrs. Sarbacker. Students will learn important information about getting ready for the college application process. This will be followed by a visit to GCU. Your students won’t want to miss this! Students will wear the normal uniform and lunch will be provided.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
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.
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.
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. 20: 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.
GREAT HEARTS HOLIDAY CARD
It’s a Great Hearts tradition to showcase our student artwork in our annual holiday card. If your child is interested in creating a winter/holiday themed piece of art, please upload it no later than November 30th to be considered. This is open to all students in grades K-12.
You can submit your artwork here: https://arizona.greatheartsamerica.org/holiday-card/
ATHLETICS
Cross Country State Championship
High school cross country competes for a state championship on 11/15 at Cave Creek Golf Course. The girls team runs at 1:10 PM and the boys team runs at 2:00 PM. Good luck!
Upcoming Winter Games
The high school basketball teams open their season on Wednesday, November 19th. The FR/SO boys play at 2:30 PM, the boys JV team plays at 4:00 PM, the girls varsity team plays at 5:30 PM, and the boys varsity team plays at 7:00 PM.
Winter Sports Participation Fee Links
The winter sports participation fee links are live! Please pay your participation fee asap. Student athletes will not receive a uniform until the fee is paid. Here are the links:
HS Participation Fee Link
click here to access HS PAY PORTAL / ALL SPORTS
MS Participation Fee Link
click here to access MS PAY PORTAL / ALL SPORTS
COLLEGE COUNSELING
Notre Dame Summer Programs
Summer Scholars or Leadership Seminars allow students to live on Notre Dame’s beautiful campus for two weeks. They’ll stay in a residence hall with a roommate, take a challenging college-level course, and participate in fun community-building activities in the evenings. All of this, plus students earn transferrable college credit from Notre Dame!
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.
ACT Bootcamp
Tutors Across America is offering a weekend bootcamp at ASU on December 5-7. If you are interested, please see the flyer. If you sign up, please let Mrs. Sarbacker know (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
GIVING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2ND
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
Family Giving Officer
CONTACT INFORMATION
Jenny Haley, Office Manager
JHaley@glendaleprep.org
GLENDALE PREP ATTENDANCE
623.889.0822
Option 4
attendance@glendaleprep.org
