Skip to main content

Home

Welcome!
 

Posts

Fundraiser
On Thursday, March 19th after the Empire Mine field trip, head on over to downtown Grass Valley for our first fundraiser with BOTH The Book Seller & Lazy Dog Chocolateria!
 
The Book Seller fundraiser lasts all weekend 3/19-3/22.
The Lazy Dog fundraiser lasts only 3/19 1:30-5:30pm.
At 2pm, Arete artists will read their creative writing submissions out front of The Book Seller.
 
So... calling all poets, authors, screenwriters - submit your poems, short stories, or anything you have written that you want to be published in Arete Artists first newsletter.
Please send your writing by 3/17 to [email protected]
 
You can do a public reading of your work on 3/19 at the fundraiser!
Scholastic Book fair

Dear families,

Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a great opportunity to build your child’s home library with new books they’ll dive into again and again. 

The easiest way to let your child shop the Fair independently is by creating an eWallet. It’s easy to set up and easy for others to add funds. 

Create an eWallet, and you’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to Share the Fair - the giving program that supports students at our school who need help buying books. Consider participating so that no child leaves the Fair empty-handed!

Here’s everything else you need to know about the Book Fair: 

Dates:  Tuesday April 7th to Tuesday April 14th - From 8am to 2pm

Location: Arete Library 

For full details, and to create an eWallet, visit our school’s Book Fair homepage:

https://www.scholastic.com/bf/aretecharteracademy

More than ever, we need to get students reading. Studies prove* that children with more books at home have higher-level reading skills, and attain more years of education overall. 

Lastly, this is a great opportunity to be a Book Fair volunteer! When you give your time, it helps make our Fair an unforgettable reading experience where every purchase benefits our school directly.

Happy reading,

Sarah Schwartz

Principal

Arete Charter Academy 

Yearbook Time

We Want Your Photos (Deadline: Friday, April 24th)
-New page idea this year: Arete students doing school with their pets or farm animals. Please send us anything along these lines, so we can get to know the whole family!
-Any sporting events or academic competitions
-Halloween photos from on campus trick-or-treating
-Anything else you think would be good for the yearbook
Ordering (Deadline: Monday, May 4th)
Use this LINK to order.  
You will be directed to create an account if you have not done so already in past years. 
Arete PASSCODE: 101636661669265

New Arete Club: Bay Blades

The Beyblade club would hold meetings on Thursdays, from 12:15 to 1:00 in Room 5. Everyone in the club would be able to bring their beys and battle against other members, and a stadium will already be provided. Aside from only battling, members would also be informed on the different types of Beyblades, different ways to launch, and what types of beys have an advantage against other types of beys. Some days we might do team battles or have a tournament. All members should have at least one bey or have a
friend willing to share beys with them, because it is not guaranteed that everyone will be okay with sharing their beys. Any type of beyblade is allowed. Everytime during the meet up we will have time for being educated on beys and time for battling with the beys. Depending on the day, education time and battle time will vary.

Sunday, March 15 Update

 

Good evening families,

 

It has been decided that our two emergency days will be used on the following dates:

  • Monday, April 6, 2026
  • Tuesday, May 26, 2026

School will be in session these two days and site calendars were changed to reflect this.

 

Reminder for all Arete Authors to submit your writing (story excerpt, poem, etc) to [email protected] by 3/17.  Your writings will be published in the Arete Author's Daily Dragon Newsletter and placed on the counter of The Book Seller 3/19-3/22 to remind patrons about our fundraiser and give you a chance to have readers see your published work!

Authors can also do a public reading of their work on Thursday, 3/19 at 2pm in front of The Book Seller.

The Book Seller fundraiser lasts all weekend 3/19-3/22.

The Lazy Dog fundraiser is 3/19 1:30-5:30pm.

10% of all sales go back to Arete, so invite friends, family, your community!

 

The Talent Show is Tuesday, March 24 10:30am-12pm.

 

Arete Track Team

The season runs from March 30-May 29 with the first meet on Tuesday, April 14. 4-8th grade students are invited if they have vaccinations or a valid medical waiver. Sarah Herring is our coach and is volunteering. Arete will pay for track meet fees, so there is no charge for this. A permission slip must be turned in to Sheila in the front office.

Practice will start in April at Arete on Tuesdays from 12-1 and Thursdays  from 2-3.There will be one practice before the first meet on the Bear River Track on a Thursday from 3:30-5.

 

Drama Club Update

This week we will be continuing rehearsals for our first drama club play! If your child would like to participate in the drama club production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar please email Isabelle to sign up. If your child does not want to participate in the play, they are welcome to join us during the first half of class for warm-ups and games, then you can pick them up at 1:30!

 

Read-a-Thon Update

Pledge money was due by Thursday March 12th to earn Book Fair Bucks, but can still be turned into the front office. 

The Pizza Party is this Tuesday at 12pm at the outside wooden picnic tables.

All students who earn a prize will also be given a ticket to win $50 Cash donated by the Lion’s Club Reading Contest. The drawing will be THIS Thursday morning.

Additionally, the student who raises the most money and the student who reads the most minutes will win either Arete Beanie or Arete Baseball Hat! 

Click the link to learn more about the upcoming Book Fair.


 https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/aretecharteracademy

 

Yearbook Time

We Want Your Photos (Deadline: Friday, April 24th)

-New page idea this year: Arete students doing school with their pets or farm animals. Please send us anything along these lines, so we can get to know the whole family!

-Any sporting events or academic competitions

-Halloween photos from on campus trick-or-treating

-Anything else you think would be good for the yearbook

*send to [email protected]

Ordering (Deadline: Monday, May 4th)

Use this LINK to order.  

You will be directed to create an account if you have not done so already in past years. 

Arete PASSCODE: 101636661669265

 

Celebrating Curiosity: Arete Annual Student Showcase

Tuesday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 15 from 9:15-9:45am in the MPR

We are proud to invite parents, teachers, and community members to join us for an evening of innovation and hands-on learning. Our students have been hard at work moving beyond textbooks to create tangible solutions, art, and experiments.

This showcase is a celebration of the process as much as the result. Students will be stationed with their projects to demonstrate their work, answer questions, and share the "aha!" moments they experienced along the way. From engineering prototypes to interactive history exhibits, come see how our students are applying their knowledge to the real world.

 

Arete Spring Photos – April 28 & 29

We’re so excited to be back on campus for Spring Photos! I’m a 9th year Arete mom and love photographing our students! 

Every student on campus will be photographed during their class time.
We will also have designated times for siblings, walk-ins, drop-ins, and homeschool families — everyone is welcome!

If you’d like sibling photos, please plan to come during one of the sibling time slots listed below.

Tuesday, April 28

(McAlister, Tomasetti, Codiga, Baker, Doerr)

9:05–9:30 – McAlister
9:30–9:45 – Tomasetti
9:45–10:00 – Codiga
10:05–10:20 – Baker
10:35–10:50 – Doerr
10:45–11:00 – Walk-Ins & Siblings

Wednesday, April 29

(Veblen, Whalen 6th, Tamo 7th, Codiga 8th, Newell/McGough)

9:30–9:45 – Newell/McGough
9:50–10:10 – Whalen
10:15–10:30 – Tamo
10:30–10:50 – Codiga
10:50–11:10 – Veblen
11:15–11:35 – Baker
11:40–12:00 – Walk-Ins & Siblings

A few reminders:

  • All students will be photographed.
  • Sibling photos must come during sibling time.
  • Drop-ins and homeschool students are welcome during walk-in times.
  • Ordering details will be sent via email once galleries are ready.

We can’t wait to capture these spring smiles

Aimee and Total Capture Photography 

 

See Important Dates for the Entire School Year Here

Important Dates:

March 16 

1:30-2:30

Art w/Friends Leprechaun Traps

March 16 

2:30-3:30

After Art Fun

March 16 

5-6:30         

Volleyball Practice

March 17   

  

Resource Visits Garden

March 17

12:00-12:30

Read-a-Thon Pizza Party

March 17 

12:15-1:30

Culinary Science

March 17 

4:00

VB Game @ Forest Lake Charter 

March 18 

5-6:30 

Volleyball Practice

March 19 

10:30-12:30 

Empire Mine Field Trip All Ages 

 

March 19-22

  

Bookseller/Lazydog Fundraiser

March 19 

1:00-2:00

Drama Club

March 19 

6:00    

VB Game @ Magnolia vs CC

 

Important Sign Ups:

3-8th Grade CAASPP & 5th & 7th Grade Physical Fitness Testing 2026

Spring STAR AR/NWEA Math Testing

Arete Parent Crew Slack

25/26 8th Grade High School Information

K- 12 Arete Piano Lab - Semester Two Registration 25/26

Second Semester Enrichments 2026

2025-2026 Field Trips

Second Semester Academic Enrichment Class- 2nd/3rd and 4th/5th/6th Grades for Literacy Launch K-2nd Grades

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

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

 

 

Calling all Pleasant Ridge Families!

We want to make sure our school’s goals align with your family's needs. From technology and campus safety to mental health and extracurriculars—your feedback tells us where to focus our budget and energy.

Help us reach our goal of 100% participation! 

 Take the 2-minute survey here.

Why Your Input Matters

When you fill out the LCAP survey, you are directly influencing:

  • Learning Resources: Deciding on new technology, textbooks, and classroom tools.

  • Student Wellbeing: Prioritizing counseling services and school climate initiatives.

  • Programs & Electives: Supporting music, art, sports, and after-school clubs.

  • Campus Improvements: Identifying needs for facility upgrades and safety measures.

The final day to complete the survey is Thursday, March 19. 
Thanks so much! Sarah

Yearbook Time

We Want Your Photos (Deadline: Friday, April 24th)
-New page idea this year: Arete students doing school with their pets or farm animals. Please send us anything along these lines, so we can get to know the whole family!
-Any sporting events or academic competitions
-Halloween photos from on campus trick-or-treating
-Anything else you think would be good for the yearbook
Ordering (Deadline: Monday, May 4th)
Use this LINK to order.  
You will be directed to create an account if you have not done so already in past years. 
Arete PASSCODE: 101636661669265

Arete Fundraiser @ Bookseller & Lazy Dog

On Thursday, March 19th after the Empire Mine field trip, head on over to downtown Grass Valley for our first fundraiser with BOTH The Book Seller & Lazy Dog Chocolateria!
 
The Book Seller fundraiser lasts all weekend 3/19-3/22.
The Lazy Dog fundraiser lasts only 3/19 1:30-5:30pm.
At 2pm, Arete artists will read their creative writing submissions out front of The Book Seller.
 
So... calling all poets, authors, screenwriters - submit your poems, short stories, or anything you have written that you want to be published in Arete Artists first newsletter.
Please send your writing by 3/17 to [email protected]
 
You can do a public reading of your work on 3/19 at the fundraiser!

Emergency/Snow Update

Good evening Pleasant Ridge,

It has been decided that our two emergency days will be used on the following dates:

  • Monday, April 6, 2026
  • Tuesday, May 26, 2026

School will be in session these two days and site calendars will be changed to reflect this.

Sunday, March 8 Update

 

Good evening families,

Each week I try to pick through all of the news of the awesome events happening at our school and highlight just a few so as not to overwhelm you, but this week, there is so much good stuff happening, please read all the way through!

The Arete Chess Team had an awesome showing this weekend with a great showing! Seven of our students competed from grades 4-8th. Our K-5 team of Delanie, Jess and Hunter took home the team gold award for 1st place. Delanie Menth tied for 4th place in the individual competition.  Our 6-8th team of Luukas, Oliver, Kolohe and Jackie took home the silver for 2nd place with Kolohe winning 2nd place in the individual competition. Their awards will be hanging in the Arete Trophy Case in the library hallway this week!

Parents who would like to be notified about future tournaments can sign up: Click Here

 

  • SPIRIT DAYS:
  • Mon 3/9 - Dress like your favorite singer
  • Tues 3/10 - Crazy hair day
  • Weds 3/11 - Dress as your teacher
  • Thurs 3/12 - Wear spring colors
  • Fri 3/13 - Wear Arete colors

 

Hi Arete Family, time to show off your talents! 

Arete Talent Show casting calls will be next Tuesday, March 10 & Wednesday, March 11 - 10:30am-12pm both days.

No practice required, just be prepared to tell us what you plan to perform for the Talent Show in a few weeks.

If you attend Resource on those days we will come by your room. If you don't attend Resource and want to sign up you can find us in the MPR or Outdoor Stage depending on the weather.

The actual Talent Show is Tuesday, March 24 10:30am-12pm.

 

Arete Track Team

The season runs from March 30-May 29 with the first meet on Tuesday, April 14. 4-8th grade students are invited if they have vaccinations or a valid medical waiver. The fee is $150 out of funds or free for students in the Blended Middle School. Our amazing Arete parent, Sarah Herring, will be our coach as long as we get enough kiddos! Please email [email protected] by Monday, March 10 if your kiddo is interested.

Practice will start in April at Arete on Tuesdays from 12-1 and Thursdays  from 2-3.There will be one practice before the first meet on the Bear River Track on a Thursday from 3:30-5.

 

Drama Club Update

Next week we will be starting rehearsals for our first drama club play! If your child would like to participate in the drama club production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar please email Isabelle to sign up. If your child does not want to participate in the play, they are welcome to join us during the first half of class for warm-ups and games, then you can pick them up at 1:30!

 

The Intent to Return for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year has expired. If you did not complete the form by the deadline to guarantee your spot for next year, you can complete the Arete application here.

Here. Also, if you have another child who you want to attend Arete next year, we would love to have them! Please complete the above application.

 

Read-a-Thon Update

Pledge money is due by Thursday March 12th. 

All students who earn a prize will also be given a ticket to win $50 Cash donated by the Lion’s Club Reading Contest. Additionally, the student who raises the most money and the student who reads the most minutes will win either Arete Beanie or Arete Baseball Hat! 

Click the link to learn more about the upcoming Book Fair.

 https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/aretecharteracademy

 

Topic: Arete Prospective Parent Informational Meeting

If anyone who has a friend who is interested in Arete, or if you are looking at changing models within our program, here is the link for an informational meeting.

Time: Mar 12, 2026 05:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://prsd-us.zoom.us/j/4817950151?pwd=U2JJY29rZlRQblczTmozV1cwZmp3dz09&omn=79291630707

Meeting ID: 481 795 0151 Passcode: GoAreteGo

Join instructions

https://prsd-us.zoom.us/meetings/79291630707/invitations?signature=ta86LcqJibZ-LKUUIEEWN8WCx2OJiCtD1V50U2mrIps
 

 

On Thursday, March 12th, from 5:30-6:30, Arete will host an exciting and interactive Math Night, where families can experience the magic of math in a fun-filled evening with a series of stations, each designed to help students explore different math concepts while getting ready to see math in a whole new light! Join us for a fun and engaging Family Math Night where we will unleash our inner artists and explore the beautiful connection between mathematics, shapes, and creativity. This evening is dedicated to the visual and artistic side of math, focusing on hands-on activities that build spatial reasoning and a love for patterns. We would love to have you all join Mrs. Tamo for this fun and active night!

This is a free night and ALL are invited!

Two Great Nights of FUN and LEARNING: CAASPP Family Night and Geometry Night
 

 

Important Sign Ups:

3-8th Grade CAASPP & 5th & 7th Grade Physical Fitness Testing 2026

Spring STAR AR/NWEA Math Testing

Two Great Nights of FUN and LEARNING: CAASPP Family Night and Geometry Night

Arete Parent Crew Slack

25/26 8th Grade High School Information

K- 12 Arete Piano Lab - Semester Two Registration 25/26

Second Semester Enrichments 2026

2025-2026 Field Trips

Second Semester Academic Enrichment Class- 2nd/3rd and 4th/5th/6th Grades for Literacy Launch K-2nd Grades

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

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

 

See Important Dates for the Entire School Year Here

Important Dates

March 9

Spirit Day

  

March 9, 12, 13, 16, 19 Spring

  

NWEA/AR Assessments

March 9 

  

Resource Visits Garden

March 9 

1:30-2:30

Art w/Friends Kindness Rocks

March 9 

2:30-3:30

After Art Fun

March 9 

5-6:30        

Volleyball Practice

March 10

Spirit Day

Dress Like Your Favorite Singer

March 10 

  

Resource Visits Garden

March 10

10:30-12

Talent Show Casting Calls

March 10

12-12:30

Read-a-Thon Hot Cocoa Party

March 10 

12:15-1:15 

Acrylic Painting 

March 10  

12:15-1:30

Botanical Home Workshop

March 10 

4:00       

VB Game @ Ready Springs

March 11

Spirit Day

Dress As Your Teacher

March 11
  1. 9:15-10:30- Sam
  2. 10:30-11:45- Baker/Veblen

Art Docent

March 11

10:30-12

Talent Show Casting Calls

 

March 11 

12:15-1:15 

Acrylic Painting 

March 11 

12:15-1:15 

Make and Take a Dinner Dish

March 11 

5-6:30         

Volleyball Practice

March 12

Spirit Day

Wear Spring Colors

March 12
  1. 9:15-10:30 Nicole
  2. 10:45-11:45- McAlister/Codiga

Art Docent

March 9-12th 

  

Spirit Week

March 12

  

Read-a-Thon Donations Due

March 12 

12:15-1:15 

Make and Take a Dinner Dish

March 12 

1:00-2:00

Drama Club

March 12 

5-6:30         

Volleyball Practice

March 12 

TK-8- 5-5:30- 

9th-12th Grade 5:45-6:15 5:30-6:30 

Prospective New Family Meeting Q&A Rm 4

March 12

5:30-6:30

Math Night

March 13

Spirit Day

Wear Arete Colors

 

Arete Track Team

The season runs from March 30-May 29 with the first meet on Tuesday, April 14. 4-8th grade students are invited if they have vaccinations or a valid medical waiver. The fee is $150 out of funds or free for students in the Blended Middle School. Our amazing Arete parent, Sarah Herring, will be our coach as long as we get enough kiddos! Please email [email protected] by Monday, March 10 if your kiddo is interested.