Weekly Blast 8.22.2020

• Aug 21 – Fall Sports Information Zoom
• Aug 26 – New Student Orientation
• Aug 31 – First Day of Onsite Learning
• TBD – Study Skills Workshop
• TBD – Curriculum Night
• Sept 7 – Labor Day/No School
• Sept 14 – In-Service Day/No School

1. A Note From Headmaster
2. Family COVID Testing
3. Homework Club
4. New Student Orientation
5. Opt-In Text Communications
6. GP Remote Learning Resources
7. College Counseling
8. Community Investment
9. GP Athletics
10. Office Hours

Hello Parents,

We are approaching our first day of onsite school, which will be Monday, August 31^st. The board approved headmasters choosing a window for when to return. Our Monday start will be two days after Archway’s start; this will allow for better planning and adjustments before both schools are on campus.

This coming week, we will be orienting our teachers to new safety protocols and procedures, as well as providing them with guidance for teaching blended classes, which will include both onsite and online students. We will be continuing with an updated block schedule for all students upon our August 31st start. What you will notice is one blocked period for middle school each day is separated by their lunch and lyceum because we needed to stagger our middle school and high school schedules. High school students will have an entirely separate lunch and lyceum.

The staggered schedule ensures that we can keep students distanced during passing periods and lunch/lyceum, and limit the number of different classrooms used during the day. Onsite students will grow accustomed to this new staggered schedule, as students per grade level must be in certain parts of campus when outside of class and follow specific directions when moving through our halls. Online students must be disciplined to check Google Classroom during the blocked periods each day as they may be required to attend Zoom sessions or complete assignments at specific times.

*Note that students will follow the original 3-Week Remote Block Schedule for Monday (8/24), Tuesday (8/25), Thursday (8/27), and Friday (8/28), but on Wednesday (8/26), students will only attend their Period 1 class to complete their attendance quiz and a reflection assignment. For all new students attending the New Student Orientation on Wednesday, attendance will be taken on campus, but they will need to complete the reflection assignment later that day.

The schedule below will commence for all students on our first day of onsite school which is Monday, August 31^st.

Sincerely,

Mr. Navarrette

Family COVID Testing
Great Hearts is providing COVID testing for Archway and Glendale Prep families tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Archway Multipurpose Room. This is not mandatory for any of our students, it’s simply a way to collect more accurate data around infection rates in our community. This access to knowledge empowers us to take a more proactive role in being able to determine if it is safe to reopen and to detect and contain cases early, which helps to reduce the risk to our campus when we reopen. Click here to read the letter from Erik Twist that includes directions on how to register.

Homework Club is BACK!
As our school prepares to open its doors once again, Homework Club will be made available immediately, starting on our first day of classes.

For those who don’t know, Homework Club is our primary non-athletic after school program. We offer a quiet, safe environment on campus for students to work on the day’s assignments from 3:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. each and every school day. Teachers from our own faculty provide supervision and basic tutoring assistance, if possible. Any students from grades 6-12 are welcome and can be picked up directly from the club at any time before 5:30 p.m.

If you are interested in signing up, please find our listing on the GP Payment Portal. Please carefully read the information there, even if you have used Homework Club in the past. As with anything these days, we have implemented new safety protocols to ensure that our students stay healthy and comfortable during their time in Homework Club. We ask that you carefully review these new protocols and let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Registration will be available for families on the payment portal Friday, August 28th, and will be linked in next week’s Weekly Blast.

As always, our first and foremost duty to our students is to ensure their safety and well-being. If there are ANY health or safety concerns you have for your child, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Faithfully yours,

Mr. Kilcup
8th Grade History, 6th Grade Latin, & Homework Club Facilitator

New Student Orientation
Wednesday, August 26th, we will be conducting a New Student Orientation from 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. for all students who are attending Glendale Prep in person for the first time. We will walk students through the key aspects of Glendale Preparatory Academy, including our academic honor code, behavioral expectations, campus layout, and much more. This event is for new students only (not parents). New families will receive an email with more details closer to the date. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Mrs. LeTrent at kletrent@glendaleprep.org.

Opt-In Text Communications
It’s times like these in which Glendale Prep would like to keep you up-to-date and informed. If you would like to receive text updates text “yes” to 67587. If you change your mind in the future, you can reply “stop” to cancel future text updates. Thank you for your partnership.

GP Remote Learning Resources
Our Glendale Prep website is filled with useful information for our families. On the Glendale Prep home page, located on the right-hand side, families can find a “Remote Learning” tab. This tab has useful information that can help navigate you through any difficulties you might encounter during Remote Distance Learning. You will also be able to retrieve past emails sent to families on the “Academy Life” tab, under “Weekly Blasts & Event Calendar.”

College Counseling

• SAVE THE DATE: College Counseling will be hosting Student/Parent Nights for the junior, sophomore, and freshmen classes. For in-person attendance, these sessions will be held in the Archway Glendale Multi-Purpose Room. An option to attend via Zoom will also be provided.
  • Juniors Class of 2022: Thursday, September 3rd, at 6:30 p.m.
  • Sophomores Class of 2023: Thursday, September 10th, at 6:30 p.m.
  • Freshmen Class of 2024:  Thursday, September 17th at 6:30 p.m.
• Columbia University is offering an enrichment academic immersion program this fall. For more information, please visit their website http://precollege.sps.columbia.edu/highschool/academic-year-immersion. If you are interested and would like to connect with an admissions rep for this program for a virtual introduction to the program, please express your interest to Mrs. Smith at rsmith@glendaleprep.org.

Community Investment
Hello Glendale Prep families!

This year, we are thrilled to serve as your Academy Giving workforce for Glendale Prep both in-person and online!  Our role is to raise the necessary funds for our school that make our classical liberal arts curriculum possible. We do this through two campaigns that are vital to our school, the Community Investment Campaign, and the Arizona Public School Tax Credit Campaign. We look forward to partnering with you throughout the school year in supporting our great academy. In the meantime, please feel free to contact us at 623.889.0822 x1502 should you need any assistance. We cannot wait to see everyone in person!

In the service of our students and teachers,

Cathy Sparks and Tonya McHale

P.S. We would love to see (and post) photos of your student participating in online classes at home. Send your photos to csparks@glendaleprep.org.

GP Athletics

Virtual Informational Night
Glendale Prep Athletics is inviting you to attend our fall sports informational evening. This evening will be led by our Athletic Director, Mr. Garrison, and will provide overall information on dates, registration, fees, and projected season lengths. Tonight August 21^st at 5:30 p.m.

Registration
The NEW Great Hearts Covid – 19 Sports Waiver is live on Registermyathlete.com. This waiver must be signed prior to participating in any practices this school year. The summer waiver goes void at the start of your student-athletes first official season practice. Please visit RMA today and sign that document.

*The entire registration process must be complete prior to the first practice. Middle School athletes DO NOT need to complete the Brainbook or Opioid portion.

Payment Portal
The Fall Sports payment portal is now open. Click here, to pay for the upcoming fall sports seasons. Student-athletes trying out for middle school volleyball are not expected to pay prior to tryouts. Once teams are assigned, you will be directed to the payment portal.

Sports Starting Next Week!
MS Cross Country: Monday 8/24 -email chris_c_thomas@msn.com
HS Cross Country: Monday 8/24 -email Eric_webdale@hotmail.com
MS Golf: Thursday 8/27 -email bruce@scottsdalegolfplace.com
HS Swim: Monday 8/24 -email Coachannacostina@gmail.com

Swag Shop
Click here to purchase some GP Swag! This store will remain open until the 24^th of August!

Athletic Parent Organization
The purpose of the Athletic Parent Organization is to support, develop, and increase student and parent engagement in Glendale Prep Athletics in pursuit of excellence and community. If you are interested in joining, please contact gp_APO@glendaleprep.org. Mr. Tim Terpstra (GP Athletics Parent) is the leader of the parent organization.

Office Hours
Per the Great Hearts lead office, all school front offices will remain closed until in-person/onsite learning begins unless an appointment is arranged. Please email any Glendale Prep questions to attendance@glendaleprep.org. 

Contact Information
Silvia Hayakawa, Office Manager
shayakawa@glendaleprep.org

Attendance Line:
623-889-0822 Option 4
or attendance@glendaleprep.org