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Picture Day is Coming!!

Picture Day Details: Tuesday October 7th & Wednesday October 8, 9am-12pm

Ordering Information

Parents can either order online before picture day and up to 4 days after picture day at www.dorianstudio.com or via a paper order form. Paper order forms should be turned in on picture day to the photographer. We are not able to accept late paper order forms. I have attached a PDF you can customize to your school with picture day and school name that you can share out via email or post on your school website and social media.

If you want to be a parent helper that day, email [email protected] to let me know. We will provide you with a coupon for Package C.

Makeups are November 18.

Spelling B News
Arete is participating for the first time in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.  We will send at least one Spelling Champion to Regionals in Sacramento with a chance to go to the Finals in Washington DC.
 
Register now on SignUp Genius to express your interest, receive the study guides, and get invited to practice sessions.  Our official Spelling Bee will be scheduled in January 2026.

Sunday, September 14 Update

 

Good evening families,

Hope you had a great weekend!

 

Bishops Pumpkin Patch-

For the first time ever, we had to cancel five families for non-payment of the chaperone fee. This is disappointing because we were not communicated with and therefore were not able to offer the field trip to other interested families. Moving forward, if you know that you will not be attending a field trip, please cancel on the Sign Up Genius so that it opens it up to other families.


For Bishop’s, Meet Mrs. McGough out front of Bishops at 8:45 so she can check you in and be ready to enter the field trip promptly at 9am. They charge for parking on Fridays, so make sure to tell them you are with Arete so that the fee is waived.


Arete Parent Crew member, Ashley Patch, is organizing field trips this year and this has been a huge blessing. Thank you Ashley for all of your hard work!

 

Important Update: New Attendance Reporting System

Dear Parents,

We are excited to announce a new online system for tracking and reporting student attendance! This change is in response to new state regulations that require us to be more specific in how we document student attendance.

The new system will help us accurately track student participation and ensure that each student meets the applicable minimum school day requirement for their grade. To be counted as a day of attendance, a student's engagement must meet the required instructional time. The online system will give you a clear and convenient way to view your child's attendance and participation, helping us all work together to ensure their success.

Thank you for your cooperation as we transition to this new and improved system. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

 

Our Dear Families! We are excited for our annual Reading Night held in the MPR, Wednesday, November 5 at 5:30 pm. This year we will be nibbling on popcorn while we enjoy some poetry selections presented by the teachers. We are encouraging students to come in costume dressed as their favorite poet, character in their favorite poem, or some comfy pajamas. Also, you may bring a book for the book exchange table, if you would like. Don't forget to bring a cozy blanket and pillow for our reading time.

The schedule is as follows:

5:30- 6:00- Students will visit crafting booths and a book exchange table. 

6:00- 6:15- Popcorn will be provided.

6:15- 7:00- Families will pile in the middle of the MPR with pillows,

and blankets for reading time.


"Popcorn and Poetry" Reading Night

 

Spirit Week- October 13-18

Monday: Copycat Day

Tuesday: Anything but a Backpack

Wednesday: Pajama Day

Thursday: Country vs. Country Club

 

Here is our Arete garden wish list for fall 2025. Please help out if you can.

 https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/4090A4AADAE2CA13-58508507-arete

We are also seeking volunteers for garden classes on the first and third Monday and Tuesday of the month from 10:30-12. Please contact [email protected] to be added to our Band App group where we update garden volunteer times and tasks we need help with in the garden. Dates for September are 9/15, 9/26, 9/29 and possibly 9/30.
 

 

Join the Band!

Are you the parent of a 4th or 5th grade student? Are they interested in learning an instrument?? Elementary Band, led by PRSD's own Mr. Horton, will begin on September 22! For detailed information (including how to sign up), click here. 

 

Important Sign Ups:

Fall Field Trips- Semester One

Fall Enrichment Sign Ups 26/26

Academic Enrichment Class- K-6th Grades for 2025-2026

Arete Charter Academy Blended Middle School 25/26 

Arete Planning for the 2025-2026 School Year (This is the official Resource Center Sign Up). 

2025 Cross Country Sign Up- complete this form to officially sign up!!!

Parent Copy of Athletic Permission Slip for Cross Country

Click here to join our Arete Family Facebook Page- https://www.facebook.com/groups/248326042576101

 

We are a NUT FREE campus. Please save nut snacks for while at home. Also, we have some other class specific allergies, so please email Sarah and the classroom teacher BEFORE bringing in birthday treats.  We are also working towards a healthier campus and encourage snacks/treats that align with that. Low and zero waste items are preferred.
Important Dates
 

September 16 

12:15-1:15 

Culinary Science

September 16 

12:15-1:15  

Sun Printing 

September 16 

2-3

Cross Country Practice

September 17

9-12:30

Nevada County Ag in the Classroom Field Trip

September 17 

12:15-1:15

Sun Printing

September 17 

2-3

French

September 18 

2-3

Cross Country Practice
 

SB 414 Passes the Legislature, SB 84 and 494 Fall Short

 


Early this morning, the Assembly approved the pro-charter bill SB 414 (Ashby) with 55 aye votes and 3 no votes. The Senate followed later this afternoon, approving it with 24 ayes and 0 no votes. It now heads to the governor.  

Both anti-charter measures, AB 84 (Muratsuchi) and SB 494 (Cortese), were sidelined and placed on the Inactive File when it became clear that neither had the votes needed to proceed. 

SB 414’s passage and the defeat of AB 84 represent a decisive defeat for Assemblymember Muratsuchi who appeared visibly shaken as he railed against SB 414 on the Assembly Floor. 

This victory is the direct result of statewide grassroots engagement by charter school leaders and families and unprecedented collaboration between charter school support organizations. 
 
 

We are thankful for the unflinching leadership of the author, Senator Angelique Ashby (D - Sacramento), and her staff who faced intense opposition by school labor unions and the chair of the Senate Education Committee, Sasha Renee Perez, who argued that the bill needed more work. 

Governor Newsom has until October 13 to sign, veto, or take no action on SB 414, in which case the bill becomes law without his signature. 

Popcorn and Poetry

Our Dear Families! We are excited for our annual Reading Night held in the MPR, Wednesday, November 5 at 5:30 pm. This year we will be nibbling on popcorn while we enjoy some poetry selections presented by the teachers. We are encouraging students to come in costume dressed as their favorite poet, character in their favorite poem, or some comfy pajamas. Also, you may bring a book for the book exchange table, if you would like. Don't forget to bring a cozy blanket and pillow for our reading time.

The schedule is as follows:

5:30- 6:00- Students will visit crafting booths and a book exchange table. 

6:00- 6:15- Popcorn will be provided.

6:15- 7:00- Families will pile in the middle of the MPR with pillows,

and blankets for reading time.


"Popcorn and Poetry" Reading Night

Garden Update

Here is our Arete garden wish list for fall 2025. Please help out if you can.
We are also seeking volunteers for garden classes on the first and third Monday and Tuesday of the month from 10:30-12. Please contact [email protected] to be added to our Band App group where we update garden volunteer times and tasks we need help with in the garden. Dates for September are 9/15, 9/26, 9/29 and possibly 9/30.

6th Grade Science Camp starts TOMORROW!!!

 TIME FOR SCIENCE CAMP!

We are so excited for Science Camp 2025! Drop off is Monday morning, 6:45 a.m. sharp. Mrs. Tamo and I will both be there helping out. Please note, our buses leave promptly at 7:30 a.m. Parents, please do a health check of your child on Monday morning. If your student already received their color-coded luggage strings, please have them already tied on your two pieces of luggage. (Strings will be available in the morning as well.) Please remember, technology is not allowed at Science Camp, so phones should stay at home. Your student should bring a sack lunch for the trip to camp. Here is more detailed information about the Science Camp departure: Flier Here is the packing list: List Questions about Science Camp? Email: [email protected]

Sunday, September 7 Update

 

Good evening families,

Hope you had a great weekend!

 

This week starts our first round of 20 day meetings. If your child turns in everything DURING their meetings, they will get a ticket to come to the front office to receive an ice cream cone (we also have non-food treats). Reminder that to earn the $500 late spring/summer enrichment funds, students must meet all of these requirements.

TK-12 students will be allocated $4,000 of instructional funding for the 2025-2026 school year. Students will be allocated an additional $500, available at the end of Session 7, provided the student meets the following qualifications: 

● Students must be in good academic standing for Learning Periods 1 - 7. That means a student must have been prepared for all learning period 20-day meetings with the appropriate work samples turned in on time. 

● Student must be at grade level on local and state assessments (prior year for state testing) 

● Students must demonstrate academic rigor/grit during state testing. This will be evaluated and signed off by the testing proctor (in short, the student cannot rush through testing). 

● All expenditures must be with a current Arete vendor or meet reimbursement protocol and spent between the end of session 7 and the end of July.

 

Reminder to pay for chaperone and sibling spots for Bishop's Pumpkin Farm.

*Adult chaperones and siblings over 2 are $13 each and must be pre-paid by September 10 in the front office with Sheila or at mymealtime.com.

*You may cancel for no charge up until September 10th. After that time, you will need to reimburse us for ANY student fees that we have already paid out.

 

Join the Band!

Are you the parent of a 4th or 5th grade student? Are they interested in learning an instrument?? Elementary Band, led by PRSD's own Mr. Horton, will begin on September 22! For detailed information (including how to sign up), click here. 
 
 

 

Important Sign Ups:

Fall Field Trips- Semester One

Fall Enrichment Sign Ups 26/26

Academic Enrichment Class- K-6th Grades for 2025-2026

Arete Charter Academy Blended Middle School 25/26 

Arete Planning for the 2025-2026 School Year (This is the official Resource Center Sign Up). 

2025 Cross Country Sign Up- complete this form to officially sign up!!!

Parent Copy of Athletic Permission Slip for Cross Country

Click here to join our Arete Family Facebook Page- https://www.facebook.com/groups/248326042576101
 

 

One of the lovely things Arete homeschool parents do is limit their children’s screen time. We wholeheartedly agree. One time this becomes a little  tricky is when kiddos need to type. Typing/ keyboarding is a skill they will need in life, school, and on assessments. In comprehensive schools, students usually start typing practice in second grade for 20 minutes about two-three times a week. There are websites that make this fun and easy for kids and families. Please consider checking out one of these programs to support your kiddos in this area.  Please email Carrie at [email protected] if you need assistance.


Typing Pal

Dance Mat Typing

Ed Club  

Learn to Type With Me  

 

*Please email Sheila at [email protected] if you would like to order free/reduced breakfast or lunch this year.

 

We are a NUT FREE campus. Please save nut snacks for while at home. Also, we have some other class specific allergies, so please email Sarah and the classroom teacher BEFORE bringing in birthday treats.  We are also working towards a healthier campus and encourage snacks/treats that align with that. Low and zero waste items are preferred.
 

Important Dates

 

September 8-12

  

6th Grade Science Camp

September 8 

  

Art Class w/ Friends- Cancelled

September 8

2:30-3:30

  
 

September 9

12:15-1:15

Create w/ Clay & Learn a Bit of Math- room 5

September 9

12:15-1:30

Botanical Home Workshop- Room 2

September 10

12:15-1:15

Snack Attack- MPR

September 10

12:15-1:15

Create w/ Clay & Learn a Bit of Math- room 5

September 10

1:15-2:30

Make & Take Dinner- MPR

September 11

12:15-1:15

Snack Attack- MPR

September 9, 10, 11

All Day

20 Day Meetings

September 9 

2-3

Cross Country Practice

September 11 

2-3

Cross Country Practice

Charter School Legislative Update

As many of you know, I went to the Capitol yesterday to advocate for all of the amazing work that is happening at Arete. I shared pictures of all of our on campus activities and shared an updated about how much better our kids are doing at math and reading over the past two years. So much growth. Lots of people asked me yesterday and today about how it went. I have been saying that it went as well as could be expected, but that I met with Senator Dahle's aide, and Senator Dahle is already charter friendly. But I still felt like I needed to go and make our voices heard. One of the issues I was trying to really impress upon them is that they are treating Arete as a non-classroom based charter and want to cut our funding by 30%, even though we have kids on campus all of the time. I just received an update and they are asking for continued help in supporting charter schools and that is listed below. What I am seeing for the first time is a new term, "flex based" charters to honor the work that schools like us are doing on our campus. Our voices are being heard!!!
 
 

Email Your Assemblymember Today -

https://chartercenter.quorum.us/campaign/emailSB414/
 
After 25 meetings and more than 75 hours of negotiations, charter advocates—including CSDC—bargained in good faith to reach a consensus solution to AB 84. But the deal collapsed when backers refused to include adequate due process protections before imposing budget cuts. 

CSDC remains committed to preventing fraud and protecting students. Our goal is to advance common-sense policies that prevent negative headlines, strengthen oversight, protect classrooms, and end the moratorium on establishing new flex-based schools. 

That’s why we are shifting our focus: Tell your Assemblymember YES on SB 414. 
 
SEND EMAIL NOW
 
Email your Assemblymember today and urge them to vote YES on SB 414 – the real solution to prevent fraud and protect students. 
 

What's in SB 414?
 

SB 414 (Ashby) is backed by a broad coalition of charter public school support organizations, including CSDC. It was developed in collaboration with Senator Ashby because charter leaders want to prevent fraud in charter public schools, stop bad actors, and protect students—without damaging schools that serve families well. 

SB 414 takes a measured and responsible approach to improving oversight and fiscal accountability for all schools, including charter public schools identified as “nonclassroom-based,” also referred to as "flex-based schools." 

  • September 2 Amendments. SB 414 was amended to include consensus reforms around auditing and contracting. These apply to all public schools—not just charter schools—ensuring fairness and consistency. 

  • Aligned with experts. The bill reflects findings from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and the State Controller, and is designed to address systemic vulnerabilities without punishing high-performing schools or creating excessive mandates. 

  • Future Amendments May Include: 

    • Replacing the outdated term “nonclassroom-based” with “flex-based.” 
    • Adding authorizer accountability provisions to ensure districts approving charters are also held to strong standards. 

Bottom line: SB 414 is practical and preventative. It improves accountability while ensuring every student—no matter their learning environment—is funded fairly and equitably. 
 
 
 

NO on AB 84
 

Despite some progress on audits and contracting, major problems remain in AB 84: 

  • Unfunded mandates that gut classrooms. New audits, data systems, and reporting requirements come with no new funding. This widens the gap between traditional public schools and charter public schools, hurting students who need options most. 

  • Charter caps that kill choice. Small districts would be banned from authorizing, creating “charter deserts” and providing no options for families. 

  • Automatic budget cuts without due process. Rigid expenditure tests impose steep, automatic cuts even when no fraud is involved. 

  • Costly, unnecessary accounting mandates. SACS accounting for all charters adds millions in costs, and is not recommended by oversight experts. 

Bottom line: AB 84 creates more harm than good. SB 414 is the responsible path forward—consensus-driven, fair, and student-centered. 

PRSD Band Opportunity


Introduction

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Elementary Band! I truly believe that a musical education is an invaluable part of the curriculum PRUSD provides for our students. The truth is, there are only so many fields that train a sensitivity for beauty and an appreciation for art. At the same time, music also strengthens virtues such as courage, perseverance, discipline, and self-reliance! I hope that your child is able to join us for our 2025/26 season!


Instruments

Students who join Elementary Band can choose from four instruments to play: flute, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone. There is no benefit to one instrument over another. In fact, switching instruments after a few years of experience is not uncommon. 


A limited number of school instruments is available at this time. These instruments will be loaned at no cost with the stipulation that they be returned in similar condition to how they were originally loaned. Repair costs may be incurred for any repairs that become necessary. If you are interested in seeking an instrument from an outside vendor, I recommend starting with Soundcheck Music in Grass Valley or The Music Store in Rocklin. I caution you against ordering any instruments from Amazon or Walmart (you will get what you pay for!). 


Cost

I am delighted to be offering the Elementary Band at no charge to families! Please be aware, however, that expenses may be incurred if instrumental repairs become necessary, or when students need to replace or upgrade accessories. 


Scheduling

Classes will take place on Magnolia’s campus Monday through Thursday, from approximately 2:25-3:15 (this is Magnolia’s 6th period). Any exceptions are related to Mr. Horton’s absence or schedule changes at Magnolia. At 3:15, all students will be released. At that time, they may be picked up by a parent/guardian, or they may use the buses that depart from Magnolia. Please check with your corresponding school’s front office if you are unsure of your child’s bus route number, and communicate that to Mr. Horton!


During the first few weeks of Elementary Band, the fourth and fifth grade students who are signed up will meet ONLY one day per week. They will be meeting with members of their section, whether that is flutes (F), clarinets (C), trumpets (T), or trombones (B). 


Free transportation will be provided from Alta Sierra Elementary School via the “band bus.” 


Interested?

If you are ready to sign up your child(ren) for Elementary Band, please fill out the GoogleForms at this link (opens Monday, 9/8 at 6 AM). If you have any questions, please reach out via email to [email protected]. 


Schedule

Please note: Elementary Band students will perform twice during the 2025-2026 school year. The first performance will be November 20 at 2:30 (during our normal rehearsal time). Their second performance will be at the Spring Concert (Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 6:30 PM). 



Week

Dates

Group

Week 1

Sept. 22-26

Monday - T | Tuesday - B |Wednesday - C | Thursday - F

Week 2

Sept. 29 - Oct. 2

Monday - T | Tuesday - B |Wednesday - C | Thursday - F

Week 3

Oct. 6-9

Monday - T | Tuesday - B |Wednesday - C | Thursday - F
 

Oct. 13-16

No Rehearsal - Minimum Days
 

Oct. 20-23

No Rehearsal - Fall Break

Week 4

Oct. 27-30

Mon. - T/B | Tues. - T/B |Wed. - F/C | Thurs. - F/C

Week 5

Nov. 3-6

Mon. - T/B | Tues. - T/B |Wed. - F/C | Thurs. - F/C

Week 6

Nov. 10-13

PD Day | Veteran’s Day |Wed. - F/C | Thurs. - F/C

Week 7

Nov. 17-20

Full Band Rehearsal Monday - Thursday 

PERFORMANCE for parents - Thursday at 2:30!
 

Nov. 24-27

No Rehearsal - Thanksgiving Break

Week 8

Dec. 1-4

Full Band Rehearsal Monday - Thursday

Week 9

Dec. 8-11

Full Band Rehearsal Monday - Thursday
 

Dec. 15-18

No Rehearsal - Mr. Horton at Conference
 

Dec. 22-25

No Rehearsal - Winter Break
 

Dec. 29 - Jan. 1

No Rehearsal - Winter Break

Week 10

Jan. 5-8

Full Band Rehearsal Tuesday - Thursday

Week 11

Jan. 12-15

Full Band Rehearsal Monday - Thursday

Week 12

Jan. 19-22

Full Band Rehearsal Tuesday - Thursday

Week 13

Jan. 26-29

Full Band Rehearsal Monday - Thursday

Week 14

Feb. 2-5

Full Band Rehearsal Monday - Thursday

Week 15

Feb. 9-12

Full Band Rehearsal Monday - Thursday

Week 16

Feb. 16-19

Full Band Rehearsal Tuesday - Thursday

Week 17

Feb. 23-26

Full Band Rehearsal Monday - Thursday

Week 18

Mar. 2-5

Full Band Rehearsal Monday - Thursday

Week 19

Mar. 9-12

Full Band Rehearsal Monday - Thursday

Week 20

Mar. 16-19

Full Band Rehearsal Monday - Thursday

Week 21

Mar. 23-26

Full Band Rehearsal Monday - Thursday
 

Mar. 30 - Apr. 2

No Rehearsal - Spring Break

Week 22

Apr. 6-9

Full Band Rehearsal Monday - Thursday

Week 23

Apr. 13-16

Full Band Rehearsal Monday - Thursday

Week 24

Apr. 20-23

Full Band Rehearsal Monday - Thursday

Week 25

Apr. 27-30

Rehearsal Cancelled Monday/Tuesday

Full Band Rehearsal Wednesday/Thursday

Week 26

May 4-7

Full Band Rehearsal Monday - Thursday

Week 27

May 11-14

Full Band Rehearsal Monday - Thursday

Week 28

May 18-21

Full Band Rehearsal Monday - Thursday

Wednesday Spring Concert Performance! 

Week 29

May 25-28

Memorial Day (Monday) and Emergency Day (Tuesday)

Come to band on Wednesday and Thursday for instrument return and end of year party!




After School Enrichments Start This Week at Arete

Students who are attending the Resource Center will be dropped off by the teacher with Andrea by the stage on nice days or MPR on rainy days. Andrea will check in and supervise students from 12-12:15 while they play, go to the bathroom and/or have a nut free snack that you sent from home or they can get their hot lunch if you ordered one from Sheila.
 
At 12:15 the Enrichment teacher picks them up from Andrea and takes them to class. At the end of the class time, the teacher will walk them down to the front pick up where you will sign them out from her.
 
There can be NO BREAKS between classes where your child is just hanging out in the library, office, or playground as we have no supervision or after school care. They must be signed up for back-to-back classes (we will make sure their get to their next class) or you can come and have lunch with them and do lessons with them during their breaks!
 
Thanks!

Sunday, August 31 Update

 

Good evening families,

Had a wonderful weekend visiting my parents on cooler Dutch Flat and my youngest at college in hotter Chico!

 

Our first APC (Arete Parent Crew) meeting will be Tuesday so join us for coffee, treats, and meeting great people while learning about how we will support our school and kids this year.


All the info you need is here-

When: Tuesday, September 2nd at 9:15am

Where: outside on the lawn area near the stage and garden, look for a group of parents standing around drinking coffee

Who: You and other people interested in the Parents Crew

What: A quick intro about what the Parents Crew is/ does, and some ways to get involved this year if you are interested - no pressure to volunteer for more than you do already!

 

Arete Charter High School Corner- 

*Math Tutoring continues this week. We need 3-5 students to attend each week in order to continue with it. Sign up here:

Tuesday Math Tutoring at Arete High School


*High School Family Life is coming: Click here to opt in or out. We need a response from every family!

Arete Charter High School Family Life 25/26


*You and your high schooler should have received an invite from me to our ACHS private Facebook page.

 

Garden: Lori Long, Arete’s own Garden Goddess, is actively looking for garden volunteers every other week to support our students in the Resource Center visiting the garden and receiving awesome lessons. Please email [email protected] if you are interested. It is a wonderful way to be involved at Arete. You do not have to know anything about gardening to help.

 

Important Sign Ups:

Fall Field Trips- Semester One

Fall Enrichment Sign Ups 26/26

Academic Enrichment Class- K-6th Grades for 2025-2026

Arete Charter Academy Blended Middle School 25/26 

Arete Planning for the 2025-2026 School Year (This is the official Resource Center Sign Up). 

2025 Cross Country Sign Up- complete this form to officially sign up!!!

Parent Copy of Athletic Permission Slip for Cross Country

Science Camp Information Sept 2025

Click here to join our Arete Family Facebook Page- https://www.facebook.com/groups/248326042576101
 

 

Reminder to sign in (and out) every time you are on campus. This is a safety issue. We need to have an accurate accounting of who is on campus. When we do a drill (or if we have a real event), we have to find every person who sings in (but not out) and account for all of the parents who are on campus but did not sign in. Thanks!

 

Reminder that pick up and drop off can only happen in front of the school. Please do not pull up past the garden to staff parking unless you have a handicapped sign on your car.  (That is also where we take our school walks). Also, please drive very slowly through our parking lot. We have CHILDREN and CHICKENS wandering our campus and cars pulling in and out of the pick up line. Thank you for putting everyone’s safety a priority!

 

*Please email Sheila at [email protected] if you would like to order free/reduced breakfast or lunch this year.

 

We are a NUT FREE campus. Please save nut snacks for while at home. Also, we have some other class specific allergies, so please email Sarah and the classroom teacher BEFORE bringing in birthday treats.  We are also working towards a healthier campus and encourage snacks/treats that align with that. Low and zero waste items are preferred.

Important Dates

September 1 

  

Labor Day- No School

September 2

2-3

Cross Country Practice
 

September 3 

7-7:30pm

Washington DC & New York City Trip Information meeting @ Magnolia School

September 4 

2-3

Cross Country Practice

September 8-12

  

6th Grade Science Camp

September 9, 10, 11

All Day

20 Day Meetings

Charter Schools Need Your Help

Two major charter school bills are moving forward in the final days of the legislative session, which ends September 12. Both carry important implications for charter school leaders. These measures address the rules that govern how charter schools are authorized, funded, and held accountable. While some proposed changes could help prevent future high-profile fraud cases that have hurt the charter school sector, others could impose new costs or limit flexibility in ways that directly affect charter school operations and students.

AB 84 (Muratsuchi) was amended and passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee on a 4–2–1 roll call vote, with Senator Cabaldon (D–Napa) abstaining. The amendments should be made public over the weekend, after which the bill heads to the Senate Floor.

One expected change is the removal of Section 43, which would have prohibited charter schools from allocating funds for educational enrichment to anyone who is not directly employed by the school. This provision was a major concern for nonclassroom-based/ flex-based schools that rely on partnerships with outside vendors to provide enrichment opportunities for students. While its removal would be an important step forward, other issues such as funding determinations, authorizer accountability, and mandated costs to implement the bill – including increased audit requirements, record-keeping, and expanded oversight – remain unresolved.

SB 414 (Ashby) also advanced, passing out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee and heading to the Assembly Floor.

These bills were introduced in response to high-profile concerns about fraud in the charter school sector.

AB 84 was first introduced in December as a massive “charter killer” bill, presented under the guise of fraud prevention but sweeping far beyond that purpose in ways that would have severely harmed charter schools and restricted student access to public school options.

SB 414, by contrast, represents the charter school community’s response: a much more focused and narrow approach that addresses fraud directly without undermining educational choice or student opportunities.

Thank you to those of you who have already engaged in advocacy. Your calls and emails have strengthened our position and put us in a place to fight for changes that will protect California’s schools and students.

I will be meeting at 12pm on Wednesday, September 3 at 12pm with Taylor Brown, assistant to Megan Dahle, to share the important work we are doing at Arete Charter Academy!

Tell your Rep: Vote NO on AB 84!

Email your Rep: Vote NO on AB 84!

Our first APC (Arete Parent Crew) meeting will be next week

Join us for coffee, treats, and meeting great people while learning about how we will support our school and kids this year.
 
All the info you need is here-
When: Tuesday, September 2nd at 9:15am
Where: outside on the lawn area near the stage and garden, look for a group of parents standing around drinking coffee
Who: You and other people interested in the Parents Crew
What: A quick intro about what the Parents Crew is/ does, and some ways to get involved this year if you are interested - no pressure to volunteer for more than you do already!