“There is no truer truth obtainable by man than comes of music.” ~ Robert Browning

Headmaster Letter

 Dear North Phoenix Prep Families,

Thanks to everyone who joined us last Thursday evening for our Winter Concert! Our musical performers were truly inspiring, and I especially enjoyed singing "Auld Lang Syne" and "Deck the Halls" in unison at the conclusion. It's moments like these that remind us of both the spirit of the season and the spirit of our community. I am so grateful to our students for a job well done, and I am especially grateful for the leadership of Mr. Herrera, Ms. Foglesong, and Mr. Crowley in making the evening such a tremendous success.

As we begin the final push to conclude the Fall Semester, let's keep that same feeling of warmth and togetherness in our hearts, and let's truly love one another in each moment. 

With Devotion,



Headmaster Weinhold

Arizona Tax Credit

Dear North Phoenix Prep families,

Our athletics and extra-curricular programs are so important. They help develop our student’s interests, talents, and passions. And, they provide an outlet that opens the way for lasting friendships and community.           

Help us continue to provide these special programs to our students at no cost to you.

·        Please make your 2018 Arizona Public School Tax Credit contribution today or schedule your contribution to process on a future date at www.northphoenixprep.org/Support . 

·        Then, please encourage your family, neighbors, and friends to do the same for our school. Anyone who contributes their Tax Credit will receive a dollar-for-dollar credit on their Arizona state tax liability for 2018.

Our after-school clubs, athletics and field trips are all funded by Tax Credit contributions. A successful 2018 Arizona Public School Tax Credit drive will allow us to continue to offer these wonderful opportunities for our students.

Your partnership is very much appreciated. Please contact me should you have any questions.

Thank you,

Jackie Curtis | Academy Giving Manager

From Ms. Coughlon- Assistant Headmaster- FAQ's About Exams and Semester Grades

Dear Parents,

As the semester quickly comes to a close, several of you have raised important questions about grades and final exams. While you can expect several detailed communications during the next week about your child's specific exams, the purpose of this communication is to address general questions that have recently hit my inbox.Please read through the answers below, and continue to send questions my way. Your feedback is essential to my ability to serve your students.

Are exams cumulative and comprehensive? 

Many are, and some are not. The form of the exam is a factor of many influences, including the nature of the content area, the age of the students, and the scope of the course.

How much weight does the final have on my child's grade?

This too depends on many factors, including the age of the student, and whether or not the exam is cumulative. Most cumulative exams will account for 10-20% of the semester grade, with the exams in higher grade levels receiving greater weight.

Are exams standardized?

No. Assessments take many forms, including papers, presentations, projects, and performances - in addition to traditional written exams. Moreover, while different teachers who teach the same course strive to cover a high percentage of the same content, all teachers are encouraged to construct an exam that reflects the learning that occurred in their classroom.

When will I know what is on my child's exam?

Your child's teachers will be sending you specific information, including study guides, no later than Tuesday, 12/11.

What happens if my child gets a D or F in a course?

D's and F's are different. While a D is considered deficient, it is still a passing grade. Only a grade of F is considered a failing grade. The impact of a failing grade depends on the semester and the grade of the student. Promotion decisions are based upon  second semester  grades. (Please see pages 32 and 33 of the Family Handbook for detailed information about credit recovery and promotion policies.)

NPX Angels

Gladiator families,

Five years ago when I was in eighth grade my best friend and I started a program at North Phoenix Prep that we call Christmas angels. I am now a senior, and with the help of Key Club, the program is still going strong! Every year we “adopt” a class (now around 50 students) from Palomino Intermediate Elementary School. This means we agree to get gifts for the students in the class who may otherwise not get gifts for the holiday season. One way we accomplish this goal is by setting up a homeroom challenge. You can help us by participating! Students from our school bring in coins and dollar bills to their homeroom classes to raise money which helps to buy holiday gifts, school supplies, and non perishable snacks for students at Palomino. Both the middle school and high school homeroom that brings in the most money will win a donut party.

This is the fifth year of the program and it wouldn’t be possible without your generosity. Another important way you can help is by stopping by the office to “adopt” a student from Palomino. You can check out a tag and agree to purchase a gift for a child this holiday season. We suggest the gifts remains around $20

and please have them returned to NPX unwrapped with the tag attached. By adopting a child and encouraging your student to participate in the homeroom challenge you will help us have another successful year! The homeroom challenge runs from December 5th to December 13th. We ask that all gifts (with their tags) are returned by December 17th. Thank you so much and happy holidays!

Sincerely,

Milena Brnovich

Senior - North Phoenix Preparatory

Upperclassmen Traditions

It is a Gladiator tradition that 11th grade students receive their blazers and 12th grade students receive their class pins in a special school ceremony. This year, the blazer and pin ceremony will be on Thursday, January 10 during a special all-school assembly.

The blazers, Oxford shirts, and ties are an optional uniform to be worn by upperclassmen.  All three must be worn together. 

Blazer information

Blazers are purchased by the student and brought to the ceremony. Any two-button, solid black blazer is acceptable.

Oxford shirt information:

Shirts are available through Anton Uniforms

Neckties: 

Official NPX striped neckties (please bring your receipt to Ms. Cole to pick up your necktie). 

Pins:

Senior pins are being gifted to Seniors by the school.

Juniors must wear their uniform bottoms, Oxford shirts, and NPX neckties for the ceremony. 

Seniors must wear their blazers, Oxford shirts, and NPX neckties for the ceremony. 

Traffic and our Neighbors

As a reminder, please do not use the Calvary North parking lot as a turnaround during drop-off or dismissal. Our use of their lot poses a risk to the safety of their young students. Our neighbors at Calvary North have their own preschool traffic to manage, so let us demonstrate good citizenship by respecting that process.

December Dine Out Tuesday December 11th

The PSO is hosting our December Dine-out at NPX, a locally-owned neighborhood restaurant, offering a "creative spin on traditional American classics." The restaurant has an expansive heated patio along with ample interior space to accommodate our NPX families. The restaurant is contributing 20% of the day's sales from 11am to 9pm for dine-in and take-out orders when you mention NPX. Please, consider joining us, or taking-out, as the name is impossible to forget and the proceeds will make it possible for us to provide meals for teachers during January's conferences. 

NPX 4717 E Bell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85032

College Counseling

Senior Scholarship Opportunities

Now is the time to start applying for college scholarships! Remember, small awards can add up fast and by spring many deadlines will have already passed!

 

Juniors

One of many benefits as a Great Hearts student is individualized college counseling support. Each year, Juniors formally meet with their college counselor twice—a “Check-In” in January with their families and a “Check-Out” meeting in May. The Check-In is a 20-30 minute meeting to discuss goals, progress, next steps, and any questions you might have in getting started in planning your steps after North Phoenix Prep! The Check-Out meeting is to ensure that each student has a clear sense of his or her application needs, a strategy for summer, and an individualized timeline for the colleges to which he or she intends to apply. 

Junior families will receive an invitation to schedule their Initial Individual Meeting after Winter Break. We will spend 20-30 minutes with each Junior Family going over the progress the student has made thus far, considering next steps, defining objectives, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and providing general support and encouragement so that students and families can make the most out of this incredible journey! It is that specific goal which makes me so grateful to be here: we are taking back the admissions process from the frenzy and hype of the modern day. We are finding ways not only to survive this complicated path, but to see the beauty and grow with every step along the way. This is truly the Great-Hearted way to be a College Applicant!

PSAT/NMSQT Score Reports

Score reports for the 2018 PSAT/NMSQT will arrive this week. Students will be able to access their score reports online. 

To make the most of your scores and effort. Be sure to:

Great Hearts North Phoenix Community Service Day

On January 26 ^{t h} , 2019 there will be 2 great opportunities to serve the school campus and the local community. From 9am – 12pm, you are invited to come to the Great Hearts North Phoenix campus and either help with rock/ gravel removal throughout the campus or to help make sack lunches for the Phoenix Rescue Mission. Details below:

In order to sign up to help, please visit the link below. We will need many volunteers to bring shovels, brooms, wheelbarrows, and a helping hand!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4ba4a82ca2f94-great