Weekly Blast 12.05.25
December 11, 2025 -
Glendale Preparatory Weekly blast 12.05.25
CONTENTS
A NOTE FROM THE HEADMASTER
HIGH SCHOOL SPECIFICS
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPECIFICS
FINAL EXAMS
HOMEWORK CLUB
ATHLETICS
COLLEGE COUNSELING
FAMILY GIVING
DATES TO NOTE
DEC 15 NO SCHOOL- FINAL EXAM STUDY DAY
DEC 16-19 FINAL EXAM WEEK- NO HOMEWORK CLUB
JAN 7 FIRST DAY OF SEMESTER 2
A NOTE FROM THE HEADMASTER
Dear Glendale Prep Families,
In my visiting classrooms today and delighting in the beauty of what unfolds each and every day here at Glendale Prep, I thought I would share a glimpse of what I observed. The questions posed to students in the first classrooms I visited included:
• What sort of living and working conditions did the industrial revolution create?
• How do we live together in freedom?
• What changes must Socrates defend himself against now? What is the nature of his apology?
• How is Scrooge changing? What is most influential in causing this change?
• Why do flowering plants make flowers?
• What characteristics do you notice about this piece of artwork (Degas) as we study impressionism?
• Why do flowering plants make flowers?
Moving through other classrooms, students were examining how friction force and normal force change with different objects in motion, noting the characteristics of differing elements, comparing and contrasting Norse and Modern English, unpacking the function of syntax, and identifying major and minor keys when given a set key signature.
This snapshot is only a fraction of what happens here each day. The classical liberal arts tradition is alive and thriving here at Glendale Prep, where students lean not only to master content, but ask and answer questions asked by the greatest minds of antiquity.
Thank you for entrusting us with this work. It is a privilege to daily witness.
With gratitude,
Mrs. Janssen
HIGH SCHOOL SPECIFIC
EPIC CYCLE 2025
We are looking forward to an amazing event this evening! Check-in begins at 7:00PM and doors close for entry at 7:30PM. While food will be provided, students should eat dinner before they arrive. Students should also bring a refillable water bottle. Optional items: a favorite board game and a blanket or sleeping bag if they wish. We can’t wait!
NOTE: Pre-purchase was required for this event. There will be no purchase at the door.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPECIFIC
8TH GRADE DRAMA PERFORMANCES
Eighth grade drama students are thrilled for The Trumpet of the Swan performances! Shows are on Saturday, December 13th.
SCHOOLWIDE INFO ACADEMIC
FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDES
Semester 1 Final Examinations are fast approaching! Study guides will be distributed in each class on or before 12/9/25. Please take time to review these with your students.
NOTE: There is NO School on Monday, December 15th to allow for uninterrupted study time at home.
FINAL EXAM WEEK SCHEDULE
Monday
12/15/25 Tuesday
12/16/25 Wednesday
12/17/25 Thursday
12/18/25 Friday
12/19/25
No School
Half Day
8:05-12:15PM Half Day
8:05-12:15PM Half Day
8:05-12:15PM Half Day
8:05-12:15PM
Students are given the day to study materials at home. Half Day Schedule- Final day of review in each class Final Exams
Period 1
&
Period 2 Final Exams
Period 3
&
Period 4 Final Exams
Period 5
&
Period 6
FINAL EXAM ATTENDANCE
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 semester grade in each course. Please schedule appointments and vacations outside of the final exam testing window.
Students who miss a final exam due to illness with a doctor’s note will make up any missed final exams according to the following schedule. Unexcused absences or illness without a doctor’s note will result in the score of a zero for any missed final exam.
Parents will be notified of the confirmed final exam make-up date over the winter break.
Wednesday
1/7/26 Thursday
1/8/26 Friday
1/9/26 Monday
1/12/26
12:30PM- 2:00PM
Make up Exam 1
3:30PM-5:00PM
Make up Exam 2
3:30PM-5:00PM
Make up Exam 3
3:30PM-5:00PM
Make up Exam 4
*Additional arrangements will be made with the Dean of Academics for any students who miss more than 4 Final Exams due to illness with a doctor’s note.
HOMEWORK CLUB
The final day for Semester 1 Homework Club is Friday, December 12th.
Homework Club will resume Wednesday, January 7th.
SCHOOLWIDE INFO EVENTS & CULTURE
WINTER FORMAL DANCE
Save the date!
What: “Winter Wonderland” Glendale Prep’s High School Winter Formal
When: January 24, 2026.
The Deans of Students will be visiting high school classrooms next week to provide the permission slip and dress code details.
UNIFORMS
Parents, Winter Break is a great time to take inventory of student uniforms. Growing adolescents often means the hemlines of shorts/skirts may no longer hit the top of the knee, which is the dress code standard. Sweater elbows also find themselves worn through and may need to be replaced. Land’s End is our uniform supplier; former local suppliers may have remaining inventory.
SCHOOLWIDE INFO FRONT OFFICE
STUDENT ATTENDANCE
Please ensure that you report all student absences by phone or email before 8:00AM the day of the absence.
Phone: (623) 889-0822, Option 4
Email: (623) 889-0822, Option 4
From the GP Handbook (pg. 30):
In order for absences relating to illness, doctor appointment, bereavement, or family emergencies, the Academy must be notified in advance or at the time of any absence by the parent/guardian per A.R.S. § 15807(B).
It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to call or email the school before 8:00 a.m. to report an absence by leaving a message on the attendance line.
SCHOOLWIDE INFO OPERATIONS.
ATHLETICS
Winter Sports Participation Fee Links
The winter sports participation fee links are live! Please pay your participation fee ASAP.
HS Participation Fee Link
HS PAY PORTAL / ALL SPORTS
MS Participation Fee Link
MS PAY PORTAL / ALL SPORTS
State Champions!
Congratulations to our Varsity Boys Cross Country Team on their AZ State Championship!
What makes this even more incredible… this is a back-to-back state championship for the team. Congratulations!
Winter Game Schedules
All winter game schedules (high school and middle school) are available to view on our athletics website (greatheartsglendaleathletics.org). There are also links to fan gear, pictures, volunteer opportunities, and announcements.
COLLEGE COUNSELING
FAFSA Workshop
We will be hosting a workshop to answer FAFSA questions for parents of seniors at 6:00 pm on December 16th. This will be a virtual workshop and once you sign up, you will be sent a link. Please email Mrs. Sarbacker at ksarbacker@glendaleprep.org if you plan on attending. Prior to the workshop we are asking that you create an FSA ID, ensure you have everything on the FAFSA checklist, and complete as much of the form as you can. The links provided will enable most of you to complete the entire process without attending the workshop, but if you have any questions, please plan on joining us.
ASU Barrett Polytechnic Visit
On Wednesday, December 10th at 3:30 pm, ASU will be hosting Great Hearts students on the ASU Polytechnic campus to share how Barrett pairs with the majors at their Polytechnic campus. If interested, please see the flyer to register.
University of Dallas Summer Program – Arete: An Introduction to the Classics
Arete engages students in understanding what excellence and the noble life require of them. The focus is on the ancient Greek philosophical and literary traditions (Plato, Aristotle and Sophocles), the medieval and Renaissance traditions (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Shakespeare) and modern poetry and stories (Keats, Hopkins, Wilbur and Flannery O’Connor). With a broad perspective on the Western tradition, students see how ancient ideas continue to shape and inform contemporary thought, and they earn college credit for their efforts.
This summer the session will be held, June 7 – 20, 2026. Students will attend lectures given by University of Dallas faculty members and seminars led by UDallas PhD students, as well as view acclaimed films, write essays, give an oral presentation, visit celebrated art museums, and attend a production at Shakespeare in the Park.
The deadline to apply is March 1, 2026 and applications can be found at udallas.edu/arete.
Free ACT Practice Test
Revolution Prep will be offering free ACT practice tests on January 10th and March 7th. For more information and sign-up instructions, please use this link.
Save the Date for the Annual Great Hearts’ College Symposium, 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….We Did It — And Then Some!
We are thrilled to share some incredible news: our community exceeded the Giving Tuesday goal of $15,000, raising more than $20,000 for our school! Your generosity and commitment to Glendale Prep continue to amaze us, and we are deeply grateful for every family who contributed on Giving Tuesday.
And yes… this means pies are happening!
As promised, at our Winter Spirit Assembly in January, students will have the chance to throw pies in the faces of our brave teachers and administrators. Thank you to our faculty for being such good sports, and to our families for bringing fun to life through your support! We will be sure to have this recorded for all families to view.
While we celebrate this milestone, we also want to share that we still have a way to go to meet our overall annual fundraising goal. If you haven’t yet had an opportunity to give this year, it’s never too late. Every contribution, no matter the size, directly strengthens our programs, supports our teachers, and enriches the student experience at Glendale Prep.
Thank you for being such an essential part of our school community. Your support makes all the difference.
With gratitude,
Tammy Kempton
Family Giving Officer
