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Academic Enrichment Update

We are excited that our new teacher, Rachel Smith, will be hosting Literacy Launch on Mondays. If you would like to sign up, please complete the form.
 
 
K- 2 Literacy Launch (Mondays from 9am - 12pm): Join our Arete team this semester as we continue to explore the alphabet and immerse ourselves in literacy learning! We will do fun and engaging read-alouds, book studies, spelling, phonics, penmanship practice, and writing surrounding these explorations. We will also incorporate art and some hands-on activities as part of our literacy adventures. Our goal will be to strengthen reading and writing skills in a fun and thematic way! Note: This class will be appropriate for kindergartners who are beginning to read through 2nd graders who are not yet fluent readers. Kinder students should know all letter names and the majority of sounds, demonstrate an interest in reading basic words, and be comfortable with writing/formation of all letters.
 
Families would need to commit for one semester for a total of $135 out of Curriculum/Enrichment Funds for Mondays.

Sunday, August 16 Update

 

Good evening families,

So excited to see you tomorrow at 1pm for the Ice Cream Social and Tuesday for the Parent Orientation!

 

Quick update for breakfast/lunch sign-ups: 

Please remember to add the days and your child's grade next to their first and last name when you register. This makes organizing the rosters so much easier for our team. Email requests to [email protected]. Sheila needs to order meals ONE week in advance.

Lunch for Blended Middle School starts on August 18. Lunch for the hybrid program starts on September 8.

The law says that we have to offer lunches to students who are enrolled  in classes for at least two hours each day. Currently, as a courtesy, we offer meals Monday- Thursdays and students can receive those meals even if they do not attend classes. Only students attending our Friday enrichment class can sign up for Friday meals.

The pick up time for breakfast is 8:50-9:05. The pick up time for lunch is 11:55-12:05. After the time has passed, meals will be given to any available hungry children, so we can reduce food waste. Also, it is VERY helpful if you email Sheila if you know your children will be absent for the day so she can share the food with others.

The free meals are paid for with tax payer money and we try not to be wasteful!

Reminder: NO eating in the library and PLEASE make sure all of the trash makes it into the garbage cans and the food waste makes it into the food waste bin.

We really appreciate your help!

 

📅 Key Dates & Enrollment Process

  • August 17: Ice Cream Social at 1pm
  • August 18: First Day of school - Blended and High School programs start on campus + Family Orientation for ALL families Arete Family Orientation
  • August 20-September 3: Fall Math and Reading Testing
  • September 8: Resource Center classes begin
  • September 15: Academic Enrichment classes begin
  • View the 2026-2027 Parent Calendar here 

Important Note on Curriculum: We cannot purchase curriculum until budgets are signed, proof of residency is verified, and all paperwork is complete. We process orders in the order that files are finalized—the sooner you complete the paperwork and submit the required documentation, the sooner your materials arrive!

 

🏫 Fall Assessments (2-12th Grade; excluding the Blended Middle School)

 2nd-12th Grade Fall NWEA Math and AR Reading Assessments 2026-2027

 

  • Sadly, we did not have enough interest to support a Boys' VB Team. We do have enough interest to field a 4-8th Grade Cross Country Team with Coach Tamo.
  • We are so excited to possibly host a team for the first year there is Girls' Flag Football, but we need more Sign Ups and possibly a Coach. Also, it's looking like Arete would host home games on our field. How cool would that be?!!! By next Tuesday (deadline extended) we need 4-5 more 5th-8th grade girls to sign up (ADDED 5th grade to the possible age group).
  • If we have enough (10) to play, Arete can pay for the coach. If we have less than that, we need a volunteer coach. Either way there are requirements coaches have to go through to be eligible. Let us know if you are interested. The coaches meeting is 6:30 pm on 

🏆 Fall Sports Season 2026

  • Registration/Interest Deadline: Email [email protected] by August 18.
  • Minimum Enrollment: Each sport must hit minimum numbers by August 15 to run.
  • Coaches Needed: We are looking for head/assistant coaches for Boys’ Volleyball and Girls’ Flag Football! Email [email protected] if interested.

 

 

🚗 Campus Safety & Daily Protocols

Always sign in and out at the office when visiting campus. During safety drills or real emergencies, we must account for every individual checked into the building.

Drop-Off & Pick-Up Routine

  • Drive Slowly: We have children, families, and chickens walking through the parking lot!
  • Pull All the Way Forward: Load and unload at the front of the line to keep traffic moving.
  • No Parking Past the Garden: Do not drive past the garden into staff/handicapped spaces unless authorized.
  • Walk Your Child: If you park, walk to get your child. Do not wave them across traffic.

 

📅 Quick Dates & Campus Info

  • Free & Reduced Meals: Email Sheila at [email protected] to order breakfast or lunch.
  • Accepted Office Payments: Exact cash, check (to PRSD), or online at MealTime

.

🔗 Quick Links

*Arete Approved Curriculum 2026-2027

*Arete Family Orientation

*Fall Semester Enrichments

*Arete Planning for the 2026-2027 School Year

*Academic Enrichment Sign Up

*Click here to sign up for Blended Middle School:

*2nd-12th Grade Fall NWEA Math and AR Reading Assessments 2026-2027

*K- 12 Arete Piano Lab - Semester One Registration 26/27
 
 
See Important Dates for the Entire School Year Here
 

August 17

1:00

Ice Cream Social/PD

August 18

  

1st Day of School/ Parent Orientation/ Blended Middle School and High School Start On Campus

August 20, 24, 27, 28, 31

Sept 3

  

PRSD Benchmark Assessments- NWEA/Star Reader

September 7

  

Labor Day

September 8

  

Resource Center Opens

9/11, 9/14 - 9/15

  

Session 1 Meetings

September 18

5-7

Shipwrecked Family Dance

Fall Sports Update

Sadly, we did not have enough interest to support a Boys' VB Team. We do have enough interest to field a 4-8th Grade Cross Country Team with Coach Tamo.
 
We are so excited to possibly host a team for the first year there is Girls' Flag Football, but we need more Sign Ups and possibly a Coach. Also, it's looking like Arete would host home games on our field. How cool would that be?!!! By next Tuesday (deadline extended) we need 4-5 more 5th-8th grade girls to sign up (ADDED 5th grade to the possible age group).
 
If we have enough (10) to play, Arete can pay for the coach. If we have less than that, we need a volunteer coach. Either way there are requirements coaches have to go through to be eligible. Let us know if you are interested. The coaches meeting is 6:30 pm on Thursday.
 
 

🏆 Fall Sports Season 2026

  • Registration/Interest Deadline: Email [email protected] by August 18.
  • Minimum Enrollment: Each sport must hit minimum numbers by August 15 to run.
  • Coaches Needed: We are looking for head/assistant coaches for Boys’ Volleyball and Girls’ Flag Football! Email [email protected] if interested.

 

Sport

Participant Group

Dates

Cross Country

Boys & Girls (Grades 4–8)

Aug 24 – Oct 23

Flag Football

Girls (Grades 5–8)

Aug 31 – Oct 9

Pricing & Requirements

  • BMS Students: Included in tuition/enrollment.
  • All Other Students: $175 per participant (payable out of student funds).
  • Immunizations: All athletes must have complete, up-to-date records on file before the season begins.

 

Gold Country Scholastic Chess Fall Tournament

Chess Club will be back September 18 from 1-2pm in Room 5.

Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Magnolia Intermediate School in Grass Valley.

Students can compete individually, and if 3 or more students from your school attend, your school will be eligible to compete for a team trophy. Team trophies are awarded based on the combined performance of your school’s top 3 players.

Our March tournament was a great success, with 65 students representing 19 different schools. The event was featured in both The Union and YubaNet.

We hope to make the October tournament even bigger and give even more local students the opportunity to participate.

Students and families can find all of the tournament details and register at:

www.goldcountrychess.org

Thank you for helping us promote scholastic chess in our area. We would love to see your students at the tournament!

Breakfast and Lunch Signups

Quick update for breakfast/lunch sign-ups: 

Please remember to add the days and your child's grade next to their first and last name when you register. This makes organizing the rosters so much easier for our team. Email requests to [email protected]. Sheila needs to order meals ONE week in advance.

The law says that we have to offer lunches to students who are enrolled  in classes for at least two hours each day. Currently, as a courtesy, we offer meals Monday- Thursdays and students can receive those meals even if they do not attend classes. Only students attending our Friday enrichment class can sign up for Friday meals.

The pick up time for breakfast is 8:50-9:05. The pick up time for lunch is 11:55-12:05. After the time has passed, meals will be given to any available hungry children, so we can reduce food waste. Also, it is VERY helpful if you email Sheila if you know your child/ren will be absent for the day so she can share the food with others.

The free meals are paid for with tax payer money and we try not to be wasteful!

Reminder: NO eating in the library and PLEASE make sure all of the trash makes it into the garbage cans and the food waste makes it into the food waste bin.

We really appreciate your help!

Arete Parent Crew Update

Arete has lots of new families joining this year, so these events are a great opportunity for our returning Parent Crew members to connect with new parents and offer support as new families start their Arete homeschool journey.  Here is how we can help the Arete staff and support new families at these events:
 
Ice Cream Social - Monday, August 17 1-2pm
- Ice Cream scoopers - FULL
- APC table - meet and greet for new parents, sign up list for APC emails and slack, quick tour around campus as requested - sign up here
 
Arete Family Orientation - Tuesday, August 18 - Parent Crew is hosting the lunch from 12-1pm
- Lunch crew - prep, cook/ serve, clean-up - sign up here
- APC table - meet and greet for new parents, sign up list for APC emails and slack, quick tour around campus as requested - sign up here
 
I'll be in touch with everyone who signs up to plan the details.  In case you haven't used it lately, reminder that our slack link is here!
 
Thanks everyone for helping out, looking forward to another great school year.  See you soon!

Cody

Sunday, August 9 Update

 

Good evening families,

It seems so hot and summery that it’s hard to imagine that we are busily preparing for school to open in nine days. Enjoy the fair this week and here are a few reminders of what is coming for the year!

 

📅 Key Dates & Enrollment Process

  • Late July/Early August: Enrollment Meetings (via Sign Up Genius)
  • August 17: Ice Cream Social at 1pm
  • August 18: First Day of school - Blended and High School programs start on campus + Family Orientation for ALL families Arete Family Orientation
  • August 20-September 3: Fall Math and Reading Testing
  • September 8: Resource Center classes begin
  • September 15: Academic Enrichment classes begin
  • View the 2026-2027 Parent Calendar here 

Important Note on Curriculum: We cannot purchase curriculum until budgets are signed, proof of residency is verified, and all paperwork is complete. We process orders in the order that files are finalized—the sooner you complete the paperwork and submit the required documentation, the sooner your materials arrive!

 

🏫 Fall Assessments (2-12th Grade; excluding the Blended Middle School)

Click on the link to read and please follow all of the directions carefully. 

 2nd-12th Grade Fall NWEA Math and AR Reading Assessments 2026-2027

 

🚌 Field Trip Guidelines

We are excited to offer a new round of field trips! Please review the sign-up rules and guidelines below:

Sign-Up Window

  • First Week: You may sign up for ONLY ONE field trip per student.
  • Starting Saturday, August 15: You may sign up for as many field trips as you want.
  • ⚠️ Important: If you sign up for more than one field trip during the first week, all of your sign-ups will be deleted, and you will have to re-register for just one.

Field Trip Policies

  • Transport & Supervision: All field trips meet directly at the location. Parents are responsible for driving/carpooling. An Arete teacher will meet the group on site. If you need to arrange a drop-off/pick-up, please email [email protected].
  • Check-In: Arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.
  • Age Limits: Pay close attention to age restrictions for each event.
  • Adult Chaperone Pre-Payment: If a trip requires chaperone payment, pay 2 weeks in advance.
Payment methods: Exact cash or check (payable to PRSD) in the Arete office, or online via MealTime
  • ($20 minimum).
  • Cancellations: Arete prepays for all students. If you cancel with less than a week’s notice, you will need to reimburse Arete for your child’s fee.
  • 👉Arete Field Trips 2026-27

 

 

🏆 Fall Sports Season 2026

  • Registration/Interest Deadline: Email [email protected] by August 15.
  • Minimum Enrollment: Each sport must hit minimum numbers by August 15 to run.
  • Coaches Needed: We are looking for head/assistant coaches for Boys’ Volleyball and Girls’ Flag Football! Email [email protected] if interested.

Sport

Participant Group

Dates

Volleyball

Boys (Grades 6–8)

Aug 24 – Oct 23

Cross Country

Boys & Girls (Grades 4–8)

Aug 24 – Oct 23

Flag Football

Girls (Grades 6–8)

Aug 31 – Oct 9

Pricing & Requirements

  • BMS Students: Included in tuition/enrollment.
  • All Other Students: $175 per participant (payable out of student funds).
  • Immunizations: All 6th–8th grade athletes must have complete, up-to-date records on file before the season begins.

 

 

🎨 Fall Enrichment Classes (TK–8th Grade)

  • Semester Dates: September 14 – December 11 (No class Oct 12–16, Nov 11, Nov 25–27. Make-up week: Dec 14–18).
  • Sign-Up Requirement: Register at least 48 hours in advance so we can verify funds and supplies.
  • Cancellations & Refunds: Classes canceled by families with less than one week’s notice will still charge student funds, and a "to-go" kit will be left in the school office.
  • Insufficient Funds: If student funds run out, Sign Up Genius will notify you, and your spot will be removed. You can contact the instructor directly to arrange private payment.
  • Waitlists: Email Sarah at [email protected] to be added to a waitlist.

⚠️ Important Schedule Change (Lunch Supervision)

Arete will no longer employ a supervisor from 11:55–12:15. Vendors will set up outside on the grass near the stage at 11:55 AM to watch students until class starts at 12:15 PM. This gives kids time to have a snack, run around, and use the restroom.

👉 Fall Semester Enrichments

 

 

🚗 Campus Safety & Daily Protocols

Always sign in and out at the office when visiting campus. During safety drills or real emergencies, we must account for every individual checked into the building.

Drop-Off & Pick-Up Routine

  • Drive Slowly: We have children, families, and chickens walking through the parking lot!
  • Pull All the Way Forward: Load and unload at the front of the line to keep traffic moving.
  • No Parking Past the Garden: Do not drive past the garden into staff/handicapped spaces unless authorized.
  • Walk Your Child: If you park, walk to get your child. Do not wave them across traffic.

 

📅 Quick Dates & Campus Info

  • Free & Reduced Meals: Email Sheila at [email protected] to order breakfast or lunch.
  • Accepted Office Payments: Exact cash, check (to PRSD), or online at MealTime

🔗 Quick Links

*Arete Approved Curriculum 2026-2027

*Arete Family Orientation

*Fall Semester Enrichments

*Arete Planning for the 2026-2027 School Year

*Academic Enrichment Sign Up

*Click here to sign up for Blended Middle School:

*2nd-12th Grade Fall NWEA Math and AR Reading Assessments 2026-2027

*K- 12 Arete Piano Lab - Semester One Registration 26/27
 
See Important Dates for the Entire School Year Here

August 13

  

Professional Development

August 14 

  

Teacher Contract

August 17

1:00

Ice Cream Social/PD

August 18

  

1st Day of School/ Parent Orientation/ Blended Middle School and High School Start On Campus

August 20, 24, 27, 28, 31

Sept 3

  

PRSD Benchmark Assessments- NWEA/Star Reader

September 7

  

Labor Day

September 8

  

Resource Center Opens

9/11, 9/14 - 9/15

  

Session 1 Meetings

Arete Field Trips 2026-27

Arete Field Trips 2026-27

We are so excited to offer a new round of field trips. FOR THE FIRST WEEK THIS IS POSTED, YOU MAY SIGN UP FOR ONLY ONE FIELD TRIP. THEN STARTING ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR AS MANY AS YOU WANT. IF YOU SIGN UP FOR MORE THAN ONE FIELD TRIP DURING THE FIRST WEEK, WE WILL DELETE ALL SIGNUPS AND YOU CAN RE-SIGN UP FOR ONLY ONE. 

Please pay attention to age restrictions. All field trips meet at the location and parents drive/carpool with their children. An Arete teacher will meet you there. Please watch dates closely and make note of the field trips that require prepayment for adult chaperones. Please pay 2 weeks early in the Arete office with exact cash, check made to PRSD, or at Mealtime https://www.mymealtime.com/ ($20 minimum). We pre-pay for all Arete students so if you need to cancel with less than a week's notice, you will need to reimburse Arete for the field trip fee for your child. All field trips will start at the field trip location with check in 15 minutes before the start time. Families are responsible for making transportation arrangements for their children. Families typically join the field trip. Please email at [email protected] if you need to drop off and pick up your child.

Arete Field Trips 2026-27

Arete Fall Sports 6-8th Grades

Arete Charter Academy is excited to announce our upcoming Fall Sports Season! Please review the details below regarding sport schedules, eligibility, and registration requirements.
Sport Participant Group Season Start Date Season End Date
Volleyball Boys (Grades 6–8) August 24 October 23
Cross Country Boys & Girls (Grades 6–8) August 24 October 23
Flag Football Girls (Grades 6–8) August 31 October 9

Key Program Information & Requirements

  • Registration & Interest Deadline: Parents must send an email expressing interest to [email protected] by August 15.
  • Program Viability: Each sport must meet minimum enrollment numbers by the interest deadline to run this season.
  • Coaching Opportunities: We are actively seeking head/assistant coaches for Boys’ Volleyball and Girls’ Flag Football. If you are interested in coaching, please reach out via the registration email address.
  • School Participation & Pricing:

    • BMS Students: Included in tuition/enrollment.
    • All Other Students: $175 per participant (payable out of student funds).
  • Immunizations: All participating 6th–8th grade students must have complete, up-to-date immunization records on file prior to the start of the season.

Fall Enrichment Classes 2026-27

This is the first sign up for TK thru 8th Grade enrichments for the 2026-2027 School Year. Enrichments will run September 14 - December 11 (no school October 12 to 16, November 11 and November 25 to 27) with make ups December 14 to 18. 

We have an IMPORTANT CHANGE this year. Arete will no longer be hiring a supervisor to watch the kiddos from 11:55-12:15. Vendors will be at school and set up and out on the grass by the stage at 11:55 to watch the kiddos until they take them into the class at 12:15. That gives the students time to have a snack, run around, go to the bathroom, etc before their class starts. 

For ALL classes, please check your calendar to see if your kiddo is REALLY available on the days you select. For classes canceled by families with less than one week's notice, student funds will be charged, and a "to go" kit will be waiting for you in the school office. (Instructors have to buy materials in advance, and other kids could attend). If a class is full and you want to be added to the waiting list, please email Sarah at [email protected].  Please sign up for classes at least 48 hours in advance so we can check to make sure you have enough funds and that the instructor has enough supplies. We will try and add more sessions of the same classes if possible.  If classes do not meet the minimum number of students, they will be canceled with a week's notice, and funds will be returned to the student's account. 

If your child is out of funds, Arete will delete them from the class sign up and Sign Up Genius will send you an email notifying you. Then you may refer back to the Sign Up for the Instructor's email address to make private arrangements for signing up for the class and for private payment.

*Fall Semester Enrichments

HHOPE 4 Nevada County Back-to-School event is back!

Date:           SATURDAY, July 18th, 2026
Time:           9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location:      Nevada Union High School (NUHS)

The goal is to serve 1,800–2,000 children with essentials like high-quality backpacks, new shoes and socks, fresh haircuts, and grocery support—helping them start the school year with confidence.

Explore the website - there’s a fantastic recap video and photo gallery that beautifully captured the heart of this event.