| A Note From Headmaster
Hello Parents,
I am sure you are aware of the increase in Covid cases in Arizona in the last month, and you have seen my Covid update emails over the last month or so. My wife continues to ask me if we are going to shut down and move to distance learning, so I am wondering if other parents have the same question. I would like to use this blast to share my position, which is consistent with our network’s position when it comes to whether we would preemptively shut our doors and move to distance learning given the increase in Covid cases in Arizona.
Given we are a public school, if at any point there is a government mandate that we must move to distance-learning, we will most certainly comply. We will also consider moving to distance-learning if somehow our own context would deem that wise and prudent given the number of positive cases and/or spread on our campus. However, we will not consider moving to distance-learning as a preemptive safety measure. We believe the current onsite measures we are implementing every day when it comes to temperature checks, wearing masks, distancing grades/sections, as well as nightly cleaning provide a safe environment for our students. I found this data very encouraging and reassuring- We have had 1400 students quarantined as close contacts with only 9 of those testing positive during their quarantine.
Here is our position- Students need to be in school. The benefits of students attending school together on campus extend beyond simply academics. To hold this position steadfastly does not mean we are minimizing the seriousness of the pandemic or do not believe safety is our number one priority. I wholeheartedly respect and support any parent who desires for their child to be a distance learner and am glad we can offer that option, knowing that for some students and families, the risk is too great. The health and safety of our students is the number one priority, but our concern for health and safety extends beyond coronavirus to consideration of the soul of a human, and how the souls are enriched through face-to-face contact, engaging with others in a community, which cannot be replicated through a screen.
So, our doors will remain open, and we will do all we can to minimize the risk; I believe we have been able to do that because you as parents also take precautionary measures at home. Just as first responders are an essential service, I believe keeping our doors open to families and students who want to send their students to school is an essential service we are committed to providing.
Have a great weekend,
Mr. Navarrette
Picture Retakes
Wednesday, December 9th is Picture Retakes! If your student was absent on Picture Day or would like their photo retaken, please instruct him/her to go to the camera when their classroom is called. If you are exchanging a portrait package, your student must take the old package to the photographer at the time their photo is re-taken. The Picture ID number to order online is EVT6WV6XN. Use this link to place an order.
Distance Learning Students: We want YOU in the yearbook! There are two ways to get your photos in the yearbook:
- Make an appointment to visit the Lifetouch Studio on 12/10, 12/11, or 12/14 from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Call 480-296-2880 extension 4. They are located at 4925 W Bell Rd Suite C-10
- You can order pictures directly from the Lifetouch Studio
- Students must follow all uniform guidelines including hair, jewelry, make-up, etc. Click here to review the Family Handbook uniform policies.
- Seniors are asked to wear a blazer and tie.
- If you need assistance, please contact Melesia Pearson, Lifetouch Operations Lead at mperarson@lifetouch.com.
- Take a good quality picture of your student following the guidelines below and email it to our Yearbook Coordinator, Mrs. Park, at your earliest convenience at lpark@glendaleprep.org.
- Pictures must be from mid-chest and up
- The background must be neutral and solid in color
- Students must follow all uniform guidelines including hair, jewelry, make-up, etc. Click here to review the Family Handbook uniform policies
- Seniors are asked to wear a blazer and tie
Students must comply with the Family Handbook for pictures to be accepted for the yearbook. IF a picture is submitted and doesn’t meet the GHA criteria, it will be rejected and a new one will be requested.
PSO Snowstorm is Here!
GP’s Parent Service Organization (PSO) holds this annual event as a way to collectively show our parents’ deep appreciation for the faculty at Glendale Prep. PSO collects all donations and divides them evenly. Checks are presented to the faculty as an amazing gift before the holiday break. We encourage families to donate in lieu of individual gifts for teachers and staff. Donations can be made online at http://www.gpapo.org/shop/. The last day to contribute is December 15th.
Community Investment
Notice to Families: In an effort to honor the generous support of our families and create communication efficiencies, effective January 1, 2021, Great Hearts Academies will receipt all charitable gifts made by credit card with automatic emailed receipts issued at the time of the transaction. Please retain the email you receive for your tax purposes. Please keep all digital receipts, as annual total giving summaries will no longer be provided commencing with the 2021 calendar year. For the 2020 calendar year, this is a reminder that annual total giving summaries are created based on each academy and will be sent separately. Contact Cathy Sparks at 623.889.0822 with questions. Thank you.
College Counseling
- ACE PROGRAM: Offered through Maricopa Community Colleges, this program assists students in the transition from high school to college. Applications for this program are done during sophomore year of high school. Follow this LINK for more information regarding this program.
- SENIORS: Make sure you have completed the FAFSA as soon as possible. Colleges and universities utilize this form to determine financial aid and many require it on file to distribute merit aid scholarships. A select few colleges and universities also require the CSS Profile to be completed. Make sure you know what each school requires and their deadlines.
GP Athletics
Winter Tryout Information
Tryouts have begun for the winter sports season! If your child missed these tryouts for any reason and is interested in learning more, please email jgarrison@glendaleprep.org.
Winter Sports Payment Portal
High School: https://glendaleprep.configio.com/pd/828/hs-winter-sports-2020-21
Middle School: https://glendaleprep.configio.com/pd/824/ms-winter-sports-2020-21
Fall Virtual End of the Year Celebration
GP Athletics plans to honor and celebrate our Fall Athletes on Friday, December 11th via the Griffin Sports Net. This event will be livestreamed and will include sports awards, highlight videos, competitions, and “The Griffin,” with special host Ryan Cullum (GP Senior)! You won’t want to miss it! Save the date and save the time, 6:00 p.m.! Griffin Sports Net – Stream Big. Stream Different.
Follow Us: @gpathleticdept – Instagram & @Glendale Prep Athletics – Facebook
Thank you to our GOLD Level Athletic Sponsors
Clean Air Solutions, Penny Chiropractic, Pete King Construction, and Shipley Orthodontics
Contact them today and tell them Glendale Prep sent you!
To join our Athletic Parent Board email gp_APO@glendaleprep.org with your full name and the sport that your child participates in.
Support Glendale Prep While You Shop
Choose Glendale Preparatory Academy as your charity of choice on smile.amazon.com and Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to GP! By taking this simple action, you can help raise funds for our school at no additional cost to your family.
- Sign In – Log in to your Amazon account at smile.amazon.com.
- Select Glendale Prep – Search for and select Glendale Preparatory Academy as your charity.
- Shop – Shop, and checkout as you would on Amazon. No extra cost is passed on to you.
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