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Sunday, August 30 Update

 

Good evening families,

Reminder that next Monday is Labor Day. The Resource Center opens the next day. Academic Enrichment classes start September 14. Looking forward to seeing more of you on campus!

 

Supply Order Key Deadline & Contacts

  • Submission Start Date: September 1

Step-by-Step Submission Instructions

  1. Submit Individual Requests: Complete one Supply Budget and one email per student.
  2. Itemize All Purchases: List every item individually on the budget sheet alongside its specific price.
  3. Follow Amazon Wishlist Rules:
    • Place all Amazon items on a dedicated Wishlist.
    • Clearly label both the email and budget sheet as "Amazon Wishlist".
    • Remove any items from the Wishlist that are not listed on the budget sheet.
  4. Email To: Your Educational Advisor,  Sarah ([email protected]) and Amber Sullivan ([email protected])

Supply Guidelines & Purchasing Rules

  • Basic Classroom Essentials Only: Requested items must reflect “basic” materials needed for one student for the semester and like what you would see in a comprehensive classroom.
  • Prohibited Items: Non-educational or organizational supplies (e.g., sticky notes, laminating film, stickers) will not be approved.

 

*Our first Arete Parent Crew Meeting is Tuesday, September 8 at 9:15 in the MPR. Please drop your kiddos off to class and head over. 

*Ahoy Mateys- Tickets for our Family Dance will go on sale that day. Our theme this year is Shipwrecked and it is September 18. Tickets are $5 each or $20 for a family and will include food. Pre-sale tickets are much appreciated and there will be a small amount of tickets sold at the door. More details to come!  
 

 

📅 Key Dates & Enrollment Process

  • 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 Sports Season 2026

  • Girls Flag Football starts this Tuesday, September 1 from 2:00-3:30pm at the field. Coach Cook will be sending out a formal schedule soon! All athletes must have a permission slip in the office before they practice.

 

 

🚗 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.

 

Health & Food Policies

  • 🚫 NUT-FREE CAMPUS: Please save all nut-based snacks for home.
  • Birthdays: Check with Sarah and the classroom teacher before sending in birthday treats due to specific classroom allergies.
  • Healthy & Low-Waste: We encourage healthy, low/zero-waste snacks and treats!

 

📅 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

*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

September 1 

2-3:30 

Girls Flag Football Practice

September 1

2:10-3

Cross Country Practice @ Arete

September 2 

2-3:30 

Girls Flag Football Practice

September 2

2:10-3

Cross Country Practice @ Arete

September 3

2-3:30 

Girls Flag Football Practice

September 3

2:10-3

Cross Country Practice @ Arete

August 20, 24, 28, 31

Sept 3

  

PRSD Benchmark Assessments- NWEA/Star Reader

September 7

  

Labor Day

September 8

  

Resource Center Opens

September 8

9:15 MPR

Parent Crew Meeting

September 8 

2-3:30 

Girls Flag Football Practice

September 8

2:10-3

Cross Country Practice @ Arete

September 9 

2-3:30 

Girls Flag Football 

September 9

  

Cross Country Meet at Weimar

September 10 

2-3:30 

Girls Flag Football Practice

September 10

2:10-3

Cross Country Practice @ Arete

9/11, 9/14 - 9/15

  

Session 1 Meetings

6th Grade FUN Night - Minute to Win It at the Magnolia Campus

6th graders…Mark your calendars for Friday, September 4, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm for the first Science Camp fundraiser of the year, Minute to Win It!! It will be a fun challenge with your friends to play the games at the Minute to Win Fun Night! There will be games and prizes throughout. Tickets are $5 for admission ONLY OR $10 for the Pizza value pack (admission, one slice of pizza, drink, and a piece of candy). Extra candy and drinks will be sold separately at the snack bar throughout the event. All proceeds help fund our Science Camp Extras!! You can grab your permission slip and pay directly to the Arete front office anytime between August 31st and September 3rd.

Supply Orders

September 1 is the day that you can start to turn in your Supply Budget. 

Please complete one budget and one email for each student. 

If you are ordering from Amazon, please put everything on a wishlist and label in your email and on the budget sheet, "Amazon Wishlist". Your wishlist should be empty of any items that are not also on the budget.

Also, please itemize each item on your budget sheet along with the price. We will review each item to ensure that all items are “basic”, like what you would see in a comprehensive classroom, and enough for one student for the semester. We will not purchase non-educational or organizational items like sticky notes, laminating film, stickers, etc. Please click here to review the complete list of what we can/cannot purchase. 

Items that do not comply will not be ordered and if basic items are not requested, we will replace the requested item with a basic item.

Email your supply orders, including your signed supply budget sheet to your Educational Advisor, Sarah at [email protected], and Amber Sullivan at [email protected].

Girls Flag Football

We are thrilled to bring Girls Flag Football to Arete Charter Academy! As a brand-new sport in our county, we are so excited to build a team of enthusiastic players who are ready to learn, compete, and have fun together. Season details begin on Tuesday, September 1, 2026!

Practice Details:

Days: Tuesday – Thursday
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: Arete Charter Academy Soccer Field

Required Equipment & Preparation:

Water: Please send your athlete with plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Footwear: Plastic cleats

Apparel: T-shirt or athletic top, and athletic shorts with no pockets

Safety & Hair: Mouth guards (Arete will provide these for players) and hair tied back securely

Permission Slips: Please make sure all required permission slips are completed and turned in as soon as possible so your athlete is cleared to participate.

We look forward to an amazing inaugural season ahead!

Best,

Coach Cook

Represent Our School in a National Online Chess League!

Onsite Chess Club begins September 25 from 1-2.

We are excited to offer our students a new opportunity to compete in Rookly’s Online Scholastic Chess League, where students can represent our school while playing chess against students from schools across the country—all without having to travel!

Rookly turns chess into a team sport. Each week, students log on at a designated time, join our school’s team, and compete in structured matches against other schools. A typical match lasts approximately one hour, making it an exciting and manageable addition to our school’s chess program.

What Does It Look Like?

Students will play online as members of our school’s chess team. Rookly organizes weekly head-to-head matchups with other schools and uses skill-based pairings to help create competitive and enjoyable games for players of different experience levels.

Students don’t have to be our school’s strongest chess players to participate. The goal is to give students regular opportunities to play, improve their skills, compete, and experience the excitement of being part of a team.

Parents and school staff can also watch the matches through Rookly’s spectator system.

Rookly is designed specifically for scholastic chess, with supervised matches, no student-to-student chat, optional video, and real-time monitoring. Students can play using a computer, laptop, or tablet, and no software needs to be downloaded or installed. 

2026–27 Rookly Seasons

Fall Season:
October 5 – December 14

Spring Season:
February 1 – April 26

Our school will select one weekly playing time from the available options.

Our anticipated playing time will be Wednesday at 3:45

How Many Students Can Participate?

Each individual match can have a team of 4–10 players. However, there is no limit to the number of students who can have Rookly accounts at our school.

This means we can have a larger group of students involved throughout the year. For example, one group of students might play one week, while different students could participate the following week.

The first 10 students to log on for a particular weekly match will be the students who play that week.

This gives us an opportunity to involve many students rather than limiting participation to a small, permanent team.

Why Participate?

Students can:

  • Represent their school in weekly team competition
  • Play chess against students from around the country
  • Develop their chess skills through regular competitive play
  • Experience teamwork and school pride
  • Compete without the expense or logistics of traveling to tournaments
  • Watch and support their teammates
  • Track team results and progress throughout the season

Rookly describes its league as a season-long tournament, with weekly school matchups, skill-based pairings, standings, and playoff competition. 

What Do Students Need?

Students need:

  • A computer, laptop, or tablet
  • An internet connection
  • A Rookly account

No special software or installation is required. 

 Interested in Representing Our School?

If your student enjoys chess—or is simply interested in trying competitive chess—we encourage them to consider joining us!

Students do not need to be expert chess players. Rookly’s skill-based pairing system is designed to provide competitive games for players with different levels of experience. 

We hope to build a team that represents our school with enthusiasm, sportsmanship, teamwork, and school pride.

Interested? Please contact Mr. Walsh at [email protected] to learn how your student can participate.

camp
Male High School Counselors Needed for Science Camp
 
*September 14-18
Be at Magnolia with luggage by 7am ish to check in and return Friday sometime around 5 pm ish (depending on traffic)
 
*I will write a Letter of Recommendation for any kiddo who helps us out!

Sunday, August 23 Update

 

Good evening families,

What a wonderful time we had last week seeing so many families at the Ice Cream Social and Parent Orientation. Thanks to the Arete Parent Crew for hosting lunch on BBQ Expert Cody V, for bbqing both chicken legs and grilled cheese. Who knew you could bbq grill cheese? Delicious!

 

*Our first Arete Parent Crew Meeting is Tuesday, September 8 at 9:15 in the MPR. Please drop your kiddos off to class and head over. 

*Ahoy Mateys- Tickets for our Family Dance will go on sale that day. Our theme this year is Shipwrecked and it is September 18. Tickets are $5 each or $20 for a family and will include food. Pre-sale tickets are much appreciated and there will be a small amount of tickets sold at the door. More details to come!  
 

 

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

Click on the link to read all of the directions. Please follow them carefully. If you have a busy schedule, sign up early to secure a desired spot!

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

 

 

🏆 Fall Sports Season 2026

  • Cross Country Practice starts this Tuesday, August 25 from 2:10-3pm at the concrete tables outside Room 4. Coach Tamo will be sending out a formal schedule soon! All athletes must have a permission slip in the office before they practice.

 

 

🚗 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

  • Walk Your Child: If you park, walk to get your child. Do not wave them across traffic.
  • 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.

 

Health & Food Policies

  • 🚫 NUT-FREE CAMPUS: Please save all nut-based snacks for home.
  • Birthdays: Check with Sarah and the classroom teacher before sending in birthday treats due to specific classroom allergies.
  • Healthy & Low-Waste: We encourage healthy, low/zero-waste snacks and treats!
 

💻 Keyboard & Typing Resources

Homeschool families do a wonderful job limiting screen time, but typing is an essential skill for schoolwork and assessments. Comprehensive schools typically start typing practice in 2nd grade for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a week.

If you want to practice at home, check out these free, fun sites:

Typing Pal

Dance Mat Typing

Ed Club  

Learn to Type With Me  

Need help setting up keyboarding practice? Email Carrie at [email protected].

 

🔗 Quick Links

*Arete Approved Curriculum 2026-2027

*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 24

8-8:50

Piano Lab Starts

August 25

2:10-3

Cross Country Practice @ Arete

August 26

2:10-3

Cross Country Practice @ Arete

August 26

2:10-3

Cross Country Practice @ Arete

September 1

2:10-3

Cross Country Practice @ Arete

September 2

2:10-3

Cross Country Practice @ Arete

September 3

2:10-3

Cross Country Practice @ Arete

August 20, 24, 27, 28, 31

Sept 3

  

PRSD Benchmark Assessments- NWEA/Star Reader

September 7

  

Labor Day

September 8

9:15 MPR

Parent Crew Meeting

September 8

  

Resource Center Opens

Vendor/Independent Contractor Budgets.

Important Budget Guidelines-

It's time to start submitting vendor budgets for services and classes that can start September 1.

  • Write clearly to ensure accurate processing.

  • Include the student's full first and last name, your name, the Educational Advisor's name along with the vendor name and specific class name (if applicable).

  • Term Selection: Circle Fall.

  • Expiration Date: Fall budgeted services must be used by December 31st at which time the purchase order expires. Up to $450 of unused Enrichment Funds may roll over from the Fall to the Spring Semester, but a new budgeted must be completed for Spring

  • Service dates will be requested directly from vendors, and updated budgets will be emailed to both you and your Education Academy (EA).

  • Clearly indicate to both the vendor and Sheila T it the student will not be continuing services. Then we will rescind the purchase order. Otherwise they can keep billing us.
  • The most that you can allocate at this time is $350 for curriculum towards Approved Educational Enrichment Centers who provide direct instruction and $1250 towards Enrichment offerings. Budgets that allocate more than those amounts will be returned to be corrected by you.
  • Purchase orders will be emailed to both you and the vendor so you know that your child can start the class and you know how much money was allocated.
 

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!