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Weekly Blast 11.2.18

November 3, 2018 -

School Dates to Note:

  • Nov 9-10 – Griffin Players Performance
  • Nov 12 – No School/Veteran’s Day
  • Nov 13 – Fall Sports Awards Ceremony
  • Nov 14 – 6th Grade Field Trip
  • Nov 15 – PSO Restaurant Night
  • Nov 16 – Field Day
  • Nov 17 – 8A & 8B Drama Performance
  • Nov 21 – Early Release 12:05 p.m.
  • Nov 22-23 – No School/Thanksgiving
Table of Contents:

  1. A Note From the Headmaster
  2. School Calendar Change for 2019-2020
  3. Griffin Players Performance
  4. Fall Sports Awards Ceremony
  5. GP Spain Trip -Summer 2020
  6. 6th Grade Field Trip
  7. PSO Restaurant Night
  8. Student-Parent Seminar
  9. Great Hearts Info Night
  10. Field Day
  11. College Counseling
A Note From the Headmaster

So much of what we do at GP for 7 hours a day is cultivate the mind, heart, and soul of each student. But that is not all we do; we are also committed and intentional about the development of the body through our athletics programs. There is a strength and beauty and goodness that comes from competition; and when one sees this display of excellence, one cannot help but cheer. I felt this in my soul at the homecoming game, particularly when I saw time and time again Ryan Rafidi dragging three defenders as he gained an extra yard or two on a run play. I could not help but stand and cheer in seeing our freshmen quarterback, Sam Terpstra, roll out of the pocket and make various passes, namely completing two passing touchdowns within a minute of each other. As I walked down the hall to my car this week, I stopped to watch our 3rd ranked volleyball team in their color-coordinated shirts preparing for the State tournament this Friday and Saturday. I learned that 8 Great Hearts schools are competing in the AIA state volleyball tournament! Looking out from my car, I saw dozens of soccer players practicing on our field while also seeing our Cross-Country runners taking to the sidewalks and street for their practice. Our Cross-Country ladies qualified for state and finished 2nd in sectionals; our men’s team also qualified for state and finished 5th in sectionals.  I thought about the reality that at any given time after the school day, so many of our students are practicing as part of their participation in GP athletics. So much virtue and discipline and selflessness develop through competition. Winter sports season began this week, and we have over 150 total middle school and high school students participating in athletics. In addition to sports, there are other opportunities for extra-curricular participation. This last Saturday, I was surprised to see so many students on campus and then learned they were at school for Robotics. They were spending the morning doing various tasks and collaborating to build a robot for an upcoming competition. The Griffin Players (our extracurricular drama company) will be performing William Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors on November 9th and 10th.  This Wednesday, I was able to enjoy a morning choir practice and see over 30 students rehearsing a song they will sing at our winter concert. It is wonderful to see the interests and talents of our students displayed through our school’s various extra-curricular activities. Thank you for your support for these programs and encouraging your child’s participation in them. I know it is a sacrifice to transport your son or daughter and make the numerous practice and game schedules part of your daily routine. Such sacrifice has and will continue to surely reap great fruit in your children and in our community.

Sincerely,
Mr. Navarrette
Headmaster

School Calendar Change for 2019-2020
We wanted to share with you as soon as possible that there will be a schedule change for the 2019-2020 school year. Project Week and Parent-Teacher Conferences will now be held immediately following Fall Break. This will give teachers the opportunity to meet with parents directly after Quarter 1. It will also allow students’ strengths to be built upon sooner and any areas of needed growth can be given immediate attention. This additional week will also serve as Project Week, leading up to our high school symposium. Because of this change, we will now have two weeks for our winter break with no other scheduled Project Week or Parent-Teacher Conferences. I understand that it can be difficult to adjust to this significant change, but we believe that having conferences sooner rather than later is in the best interests of our students and their success.

10/14/19 – 10/18/19 – Fall Break
10/21/19 – 10/25/19 – Project Week & Parent-Teacher Conferences
12/23/19 – 1/3/20 – Winter Break
3/9/20 – 3/13/20 – Spring Break

Thank you,
Mr. Navarrette

Griffin Players Performance
The Griffin Players return on November 9th and 10th with the raucous romp by William Shakespeare. Every sixth grader reads it in lit-comp, now enjoy it live with the whole family! This play has it all, slapstick, mistaken identity, twins, romance, family reunions, and more twins! Come see a talented cast of high school students and faculty in this high-speed, mad-cap Comedy of Errors. Tickets are $10 for students, $15 for others, and are available now on the payment portal. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 9th and 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 10th. 

Fall Sports Awards Ceremony
We would like to invite you to our Fall Sports Award Ceremony on Tuesday, November 13th. We will be honoring our teams from both the Middle School and High School on that night in the Glendale Prep Gymnasium. Middle School awards will begin at 7:00 p.m. and High School at 8:00 p.m. There will be a 15-minute intermission between the two ceremonies to celebrate with cake. Those families who do not have high school athletes may leave after cake; however, you are more than welcome to attend both ceremonies. Young men should wear a dress shirt and tie, and ladies should wear a modest-length skirt or dress with
hems that approach the knee or dress pants. We hope you all can make it, and if you have any questions please feel free to contact Mr. Drake at sdrake@glendaleprep.org.

GP Spain Trip -Summer 2020
Exciting news! Glendale Prep is organizing a trip to Spain with EF Tours for high school students in June 2020. It will be a 10-day trip that will include Madrid, Seville, Malaga, and other exciting cities. Students will have the opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of the Spanish culture, from tapas and flamenco in Toledo to the staggeringly complex Alhambra palace in Granada. RSVP for the informational meeting on Tuesday, November 13th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at this link: https://rsvp.eftours.com/c32npet. If you have any questions, please email Mr. Allison at callison@glendaleprep.org.

6th Grade Field Trip
The 6th Grade Field Trip to the Desert Botanical Garden is scheduled for Wednesday, November 14th. All families have paid and given permission for the field trip as a part of their consumable contribution, so no further action is needed.

Regular Uniform Dress Code is required; however, students may wear athletic shoes. Students will depart by bus at 8:15 a.m. sharp (please arrive by the start of school at 8:05 a.m.) and must bring a sack lunch to be eaten after their visit. Only water is permitted on the bus. Students will be released at the usual time of 3:05 p.m.

The expectation is that all sixth-grade students will attend. If your student is unable to attend please contact Ms. McLoughlin at tmcloughlin@glendaleprep.org.

PSO Restaurant Night
Join us at the next PSO Restaurant Night on Thursday, November 15th at Café Rio on Happy Valley Rd. and Lake Pleasant Parkway. Tell your friends and family about this fun event! You must show a paper or electronic copy of the flyer and 20% of the sales will go towards the Senior Trip.

Student-Parent Seminar
We are pleased to announce an opportunity for parents and students to discuss some of Glendale Prep’s core commitments with administration and faculty.

On Thursday, November 15th from 7:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m, we will be hosting a discussion of a document called the “6 Loves.” This document outlines six things that our academy holds dear. Mr. Withers spoke on the topic of these loves earlier in the year, and now there is a chance to interact and discuss their importance. See here for the document.

We do hope you and your children will join Mr. Navarette, Mr. Withers, and other members of the faculty for an enlightening discussion on these foundational principles.

Great Hearts Info Night
Do you know anyone interested in learning more about enrolling their children in a Great Hearts academy? Invite them to the Great Hearts Info Night at Archway Glendale on Thursday, November 15th at 6:00 p.m. Please note, this night is not intended for families with students currently enrolled at Glendale Prep.

Field Day
Field Day is Friday, November 16th. This day combines the best of both Athletic and Academic Field Days to make the day more fun for everyone. Field Day attendance is required, just as it would be on a regular school day with normal hours, 8:05 a.m. – 3:05 p.m. Please arrive at campus by 8:00 a.m. and plan to stay for the entire school day. Students should go to their 1st-period class for attendance and team assignments.

What to Wear

Students may wear:

  • T-shirt or school polo/oxford. Glendale Prep spirit wear shirts are preferred and highly encouraged.
  • Sweat/athletic pants or shorts. No yoga pants and no short-shorts: shorts must be at least fingertip length or longer when the wearer is standing with arms and fingers straight at the sides and must not fall too far below the knee.
  • Athletic footwear
    *Clothing may display athletic team logos (professional or collegiate) or athletic brand names (e.g. Adidas)

Students may not wear:

  • Jeans or tight-fitting pants of any kind (e.g. no spandex, no tights or yoga pants, no athletic tights). Shorts worn over the above items are allowed.
  • Clothing displaying pop culture images or inappropriate images or messages.
  • Tank tops, spaghetti strap tops, shirts that expose the stomach or sleeveless shirts.
  • Dress shoes, flip flops, clogs, or sandals

What to Bring

  • Lunch (unless you have already ordered hot lunch)
  • A water bottle
  • Sunscreen (highly recommended)
    *Students will not need to bring books or homework. All homework assigned Thursday will be due Monday.

Volunteers are needed to help out at this fun event.

College Counseling
Please check out the College Counseling Page for the most up-to-date information about on-campus college visits, application workshops, and other important events and dates.

Contact Information
Silvia Hayakawa, Office Manager
623-889-0822
shayakawa@glendaleprep.org

Attendance Line:
623-889-0822 Option 1
or attendance@glendaleprep.org

Websites and Links
Glendale Prep Website
Glendale Prep PSO Website
GP Athletics Website
“Like Us” on Facebook
2018-19 School Calendar
Event Calendar
Tutoring Schedule
Booster Items
GP Family Handbook
Payment Portal
Family Directory
Lunch Ordering – Password “griffins4”