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Common Programs in Upper School

 Even before the focus on the Girls Prepped program, we have used **Special and Z periods** to good use. This semester, for instance, we have had Z period presentations by UMOJA, the Creative Writing Club, and the Environmental Science Club; our girls have performed previews of the spring musical and the upper school concert; we have held National Engineering Week and hosted Chencho Alas, a Catholic Digest hero. Special Periods have offered, among others, SAT/PSAT review, a Japanese Program by Fulbright participant Linda Dizer, performing groups like Singing for the Stage and Terpsichord, a history Women of the World presentation, Character Forum Conversations (of a global nature this year) and an extremely effective DUI simulation. These programs are presented to all grade levels. **The Advisory System .** Every teacher in grades 6 – 12 has a group of advisees for whom he or she is responsible. These groups meet bi-weekly in the upper school to provide opportunities for informal conversations. Topics already explored in the classroom oftentimes find themselves revisited during advisories. Because the group is small and the time less structured, the advisory session is perfect for reinforcing topics introduced in other areas. Also, during advisory time, the girls and their teachers explore issues that are happening in the world. The ninth and tenth grade students and faculty receive a monthly edition of the __New York Times__ news magazine Up Front, from which each group is responsible for exploring a topic of interest. The juniors and seniors and their faculty explore World Savvy, an informative magazine that focuses on a world issue each month. **Chapel Talks.** Almost all GPS seniors present a talk to the student body, faculty, and guests. In the past topics have been as diverse as the importance of family and friends to the need to follow our passions. Lately, these topics have included elements of global awareness and philanthropy.
 * Upper School Assembly** **.** Three times a week, the school assembles midday to “touch base.” The following are assembly activities of note:
 * As the girls arrive, they see a Power Point overview offering reminders on how to be more environmentally responsible.
 * Every Friday the History department offers an overview of events that have occurred during the week. Students are in charge of this effort: they choose the events, write the script, and make the presentation.
 * Amnesty International and other service-oriented clubs also routinely make presentations on issues of local and global concern.