From the Head of School
I hope that all GPS families had a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving break last week. The three weeks between Thanksgiving and the Winter beak are usually a busy time with lots of events taking place. This year, as with many other things, we are scaling things down due to the COVID pandemic. Although we are not going to have our traditional Winter Concert, we will have an on-line holiday assembly on December 18th. More specific details will be given below. GPS families will also receive their First Trimester report cards today. Please look for an email from GPS generated by Renweb, which contains the report. If you do not see this by the end of Friday you might try looking in your spam folder.
For the past few weeks we have all been working together to support our sponsorship of 6 local families through the MEND (Meet Each Need with Dignity) program. I would like to thank all of the parents that have so generously contributed to this program as well as all of the GPS faculty and staff for their work in collecting, organizing and wrapping the presents. We will be delivering our gifts to the First Presbyterian Church committee that is coordinating the program this coming Wednesday. Any last minute donations must be submitted early next week.
PRE-HOLIDAY ASSEMBLY ON DECEMBER 18TH
The last day of school before the Winter break will be Friday, December 18th and there will be an all-school virtual assembly starting at 8:30. As part of the assembly, each class will participate in a video presentation on the theme of Winter Holiday Celebrations. Our music teacher, Mr. Silva, will be working with each class on their song/performance and we will be giving you more specifics on how we will be recording this. In addition to the class presentations, we invite individual performances from our student community. Submissions can take the form of a song, a dance, an instrumental performance or the recitation of a poem. The performance should be within the theme of Winter Celebrations and we invite performances that celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity. The selection committee should receive submissions by December 14th. Contact Mr. Metzger, pmetzger@gpsschool.org, with any questions you may have.
GPS Annual Fund
We are now a few weeks into our Annual Fund drive and we thank all that have donated for your generosity. As you know, we have decided that contributions to the Annual Giving Fund will be used to augment our professional development budget for our faculty and staff. As we move towards the end of the year, I know that many of you will be thinking about making your tax-deductible donations to take advantage of tax credits in 2020. At this time of the year you will most certainly be asked to support many worthy non-profit organizations. Most likely, however, none will have as much impact on your child’s future as that of their education at GPS. Thus, our slogan Here We Gois very much about all of us helping to pave the path for the success of our students. So please consider making your tax-deductible donation or pledge to GPS by the end of December. Here is a link to our donation portal if you would like to make an online donation and a link to the pledge form. Remember that your donation of any amount will be appreciated.
Art Corner
Second and Third Grade just finished their unit "Sparking Change". They learned about the artist Piet Mondrian and how he sparked change by creating abstract art. He only worked with geometric shapes and primary colors. Even though many critics didn't like his work, he stuck to his beliefs and is now considered one of the most influential artists in the world.
Student Council News
Video Game Club
Middle School Students: Come join the video game club on Thursdays from 3-4 P.M. sponsored by GPS Student Council. Download the sign up sheet for more information.
Faculty Spotlight
Meet Dolly Perillo
This week we have the pleasure of introducing our Administrative Assistant, Dolly Perillo. With years of knowledge about the campus, and a caring and friendly demeanor, we are so lucky to have her on the GPS administrative team.
I first started working here some thirty years ago when my two youngest children started preschool at First Presbyterian Weekday School. At first I volunteered by cleaning the paint corner and working hot lunch. Then on to
Kindergarten aid for the next ten years it was a position I truly loved. When my children graduated I moved on to Administrative Assistant where I am currently. I like working in the office. It gives me the opportunity to know all the students, parents and staff. Three years ago the school rebranded and became First Presbyterian Preparatory School. This year we merged with Chatsworth Hills Academy and are now Granada Hills Preparatory School. So as you see I have seen many changes over the years.
I have four grown children and ten grandchildren. The love of my life is spending time with grandchildren which I do as much as possible. They are such a blessing. At Christmas time each year I try to plan a special outing for the young ones. This year it will be holidays in your car at the Ventura fairgrounds.
Wishing all a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season.
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