Greetings From the Head of School
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Our campus has been busy this summer and full of happy campers enjoying The Green Leaf Academy summer program for the older students and our own GPS Preschool Summer Camp for the younger students. In the midst of that, the office staff has been hard at work preparing for the 2021-2022 school year. It is exciting to think that we will be able to open in person this August, unlike last year when we needed to be online.
There are a few changes this year as we have some new additions to our staff. As announced in June, Sandra Veigel left to take a full-time position in a Spanish immersion program at another school. In her place, we are happy to welcome Marcia Aroche to our school family. Marcia comes to us with 18 years of experience teaching Spanish in the Pinecrest schools, Woodland Hills Private school, and West Valley Christian School. She grew up in the San Fernando Valley, attending Granada Hills High School and Cal State Northridge where she received a BA in Spanish Language and Culture.
Troy Tieuel will be joining our staff to teach art in place of Zena Mauro who relocated to Nevada at the conclusion of the school year. Troy has a background and teaching experience in both art and science, so he will be teaching the 6th and 7th grade science classes as well. Troy has been in the field of education since 2006, first as an instructional aide and then as a credentialed teacher. He received an AA degree in Photography from The Art Institute in Philadelphia, a BA in Graphic Design from Jackson State University, and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from Cal State Dominguez Hills. He has taught both art and science in several different programs in the LA area spanning all grade levels. His most recent assignment was at the Ingenium Clarion Charter Middle School in Los Angeles. We welcome Troy to our staff.
While we are sad to say good-bye to George Silva, we are excited to welcome Tyler Graves as our new music teacher. Tyler comes to us with a wealth of experience both as a personal performer as well as a teacher of both voice and piano. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY, and a Bachelor’s in Music and Theater from the University of St. Andrews. She has taught music across all grade levels as a teacher, choral director and accompanist and is excited to take our students to the next level musically.
We are welcoming back an old friend, Kira Blauvelt. She will be joining Paulette Collins in the JK program as a co-teacher. Kira has several years’ experience teaching the IB program in preschool at CHA and was much loved by her students.
Lastly, I am settling into my new role as Interim Head of School. For those of you who don’t know me, I have been at CHA (now GPS) since the school opened in 1978. I have primarily taught middle school science, although for several years my assignment included teaching Physical Education grades K-8, Computers grades K-8 when the Apple computers first came out, weekly Science lab to K-8, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra 1. I have been actively involved in all aspects of the school my entire career and took on the role of Middle School Principal when Mr. Allan left in 2018, while continuing to teach my science classes.
On a more personal level, I am a native Californian and have lived in Los Angeles my entire life, attending the same elementary school and high school as both my father and grandmother. I have a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from UCLA, and both single subject PE and Multi Subject Credentials, also from UCLA. I have been married almost 43 years, and have 2 sons and a daughter, all of whom attended CHA. They went on to Notre Dame High school, and then to different colleges to pursue their various interests. Today, one is an engineer, one an athletic trainer, and one an occupational therapist. They are all married and I am blessed with 6 wonderful grandchildren. In my spare time, I enjoy the outdoors in my garden, hiking, or at the beach.
I am very excited about my new position as Head of School and am grateful that I am able to keep my hand in the classroom by teaching the 8th grade science class.
I am looking forward to an exciting and productive school year.
Carol Shibel
Interim Head of School
Summer @GPS
GPS Preschool Summer Camp
We are having an exciting summer at GPS. Our Preschool Summer Camp was a big success with over 70 campers during the 9-week program. Students enjoyed playing and learning during our camping, under the sea, and Hawaiian theme weeks. Water play Wednesday was a huge hit with our little ones. They participated in a 4th of July parade, a cookie exchange and an art show. There are 2 more weeks left of fun before we take a 3 week break to get our classrooms ready for the start of the new school year.
Green Leaf @GPS
Our lower and middle school classrooms were filled with students attending Green Leaf Academy. Over 120 students in Kindergarten through 8th grade took classes in writing, math, and science. They also enjoyed sports, music, computers and art, as well as a popular social club. We are grateful that Dr. Marylin Williams and Dr. Nancy Prosenjak hosted their program on this campus and at the CHA campus over the last few years. Their program has made an impact with students all over the San Fernando Valley and we wish them well as they journey into retirement.
Look for information on an exciting new camp coming to GPS in the Summer of 2022!
Announcements
GPS Clothing Available
Order your GPS clothing from our school store. Share your school spirit with polo shirts, sweatshirts and hats. Refer to the 2021-2022 dress code requirements for information.
GPS Enrollment Open for the 2021-2022 School Year
Spread the word with family and friends. GPS is enrolling for students in Preschool through 8th grade. There are limited spots available in our Preschool through Junior Kindergarten classes, and there is still time to enroll for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Help us grow our community of life-long learners!
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