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Nevada County Elementary School Wildfire Art Contest

The Nevada County Office of Emergency Services is hosting a Wildfire Art & Coloring Contest to promote wildfire safety and resilience.

 Elementary (K–5): Submit one completed wildfire-themed coloring page
 Middle School (6–8): Submit one original drawing or painting inspired by themes like wildfire, forest health, or defensible space

 Winners will be selected for each grade level, and artwork may be featured in county materials and social media!

 Deadline: May 31, 2026
 Drop-off Locations: Nevada County Office of Emergency Services or local libraries (SEE FLYER…Nevada City, Grass Valley, Truckee, Penn Valley, Bear River)

 Don’t forget: Each submission must include a completed application form.

Important Update: Library News & End-of-Year Procedures

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we approach the end of the school year, we want to share some important updates regarding our library and the transition into our year-end curriculum wrap-up.

Showing Love to Our Library

Our library is a shared treasure, and we want to keep our collection in the best shape possible for all students. We have seen an unusually high number of damaged books requiring extensive repairs this year.

We kindly ask for your help in reminding your students to:

  • Handle with care: Use clean hands and turn pages gently.

  • Shelve with respect: If a book isn't being checked out, please ensure it is placed back on the shelf properly rather than tucked away or left in the wrong section.

  • Keep it safe: Keep books away from liquids, snacks, and pets while at home.

  • There is NO eating in the library.

Final Checkout & Return Dates

To allow our staff to prepare for the upcoming year, please note the following timeline:

  • Monday, May 11, 2026: This is the final day for library book checkouts.

  • Immediate Returns: If you have library books at home that you are finished with, please return them as soon as possible.

Shifting Focus to Curriculum

Returning library books now allows our team to shift our full attention to Curriculum Books during your scheduled end-of-year return appointments.

Gathering, cleaning, repairing, and bagging curriculum sets for next year is a massive undertaking. By clearing out your library accounts early, we can ensure your final appointment is quick, focused, and efficient.

Arete's second annual Spring Music Showcase is coming up on Tuesday, May 12 at 9:30 AM in the MPR! Everyone is invited to see Arete's musicians take the stage! All students who participate in Mr. Horton's music classes will be performing, so you will hear everything from singing to recorders to ukuleles to percussion to piano! We hope to see you there!
 
There will be no Drama Club this Thursday May 7th

Arete Planning for the 2026-2027 School Year

Welcome to Arete Charter Academy!

Thank you for choosing Arete Charter Academy for your child’s education. We are thrilled to have you in our community! To help us prepare our staff and resources for the upcoming year, please complete a separate form for EACH child by August 1, 2026.

Action Required: We need a response from every family to confirm receipt of this information and to finalize your enrollment decision.

Learning Options for 2026-2027

Please review our three primary tracks for the upcoming year:

  1. 100% At-Home Learning: Comprehensive independent study.

  2. Hybrid Program: Two mornings on campus per week, with the remainder at home.  *Resource Center hours are Mondays and Wednesday from 9am-12pm for 4-8th Grades (divided into cross grade level classrooms) and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-12pm for TK-3 (divided into grade level classrooms) and Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am-1pm. for high schoolers. 

  3. Blended Middle School (Grades 6-8): Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. (Many of you already completed this in April, no need to do again).

The Arete Resource Center

The Resource Center offers social time, group instruction, and academic support. Even if you have previously expressed interest, this form is the official sign-up required to add your student to the attendance sheet and reserve a Chromebook.

 

August 1, 2026: Deadline to submit this form (to reserve spots/Chromebooks).

  • August 18, 2026: School Starts (Blended Middle School, High School, and At-Home Learning).

  • September 8, 2026 Resource Center opens for TK-3

  • September 9, 2026: Resource Center opens for .4-8th Grade.

View the Full 2026/2027 Arete Parent Calendar here

Thank you for your timely response! Your input allows us to ensure we have the proper staffing and technology ready for your student's first day.

Arete Planning for the 2026-2027 School Year

Sunday, May 3 Update

 

Good evening families,

This week I will going with some wonderful Arete families and Ms. T to a field trip at Fort Ross and will be away from the school on Tuesday and Wednesday. You can reach me via email. There is limited wifi there so please anticipate a delayed response.  Also, we have some sad and happy news. Mrs. Mary is taking a longer break from Arete. We hope to have her back one day, but she needed to step away from Arete. Mrs. Andrea is back in the office part-time and will be retiring from Arete at the end of June. Both of these secretaries have greatly improved Arete in their time with us. They love hard on our kids. families, and staff and do everything to support us all. We will miss them greatly but are so thankful for their time with us. Amber Sullivan is our new purchasing secretary and Sheila Torres is our new vendor secretary. They both have had kids at Arete for awhile and love our school.

 

8th Graders in good standing are invited to join Magnolia on June 4 to attend Sun Splash. The cost will be about $65 and will include a pizza lunch. Students will meet at Magnolia at 9am and board the bus to head down. Buses will leave Sunsplash at 4pm and head back to Magnolia where you will pick up your students. Mr. Codiga will be chaperoning. Permission slips and more details will be coming soon!

 

Dear Arete Families,

We have sent out Alexandria and/or Asset Tiger reports to you so you can begin gathering all non-consumable items that need to be returned to Arete.

To complete this process, you will need to sign up for a time slot to return all items listed on your checkout lists. Please use the following link to schedule your return time:

25-26 Return Sign-Up: 25-26 Return Sign Up.

Important Details for Returning Items:

  • Individual Time Slots: You will need to select a separate time slot for each child.
  • Item Condition: All items being returned must be in good and clean condition. Please be aware that if items are not in acceptable condition, they will need to be paid for out of your own pocket.
  • Chromebooks: If your child has a Chromebook and charger checked out, please remember that the corresponding Chromebook case must also be returned.

Return Location: Returns will be collected at the Parent Resource Room during your scheduled sign-up time. Please pull up the gravel driveway, which is located just past the front office and before the garden. We will have two reserved parking spaces available for your convenience.

Summer Checkout Option for Returning Families: If you are a returning family for the next school year (25/26) and have completed your Intent to Return form, you may be eligible to check out some of your items to use over the summer. This is a courtesy we provide specifically for returning families.

To request a summer checkout, please use this link:

Summer Checkout Form: Summer Checkout Form

Important Details for Summer Checkout:

  • Chromebook Inspection: If you wish to keep your Chromebook over the summer, you must bring it into the Parent Resource Room so we can verify that it is in good working order.
  • Individual Forms: Please fill out a separate Summer Checkout form for each child.
  • Item Identification: On the form, you MUST list the tag number and the item/title name for each item you wish to keep.

Questions? If you have any questions, please email us and CC [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected].

 

Staff Appreciation Week is Coming!

Samantha Randall, Isabelle Robinson along with the Parent Action Crew will be celebrating Arete's hard working staff during the first week of May. There is a Farmer's Market with lots of fun treats planned. Please click on the Sign Up Genius to see how you can support. Thanks so much!

Staff Appreciation Week 2026

 

Parent Appreciation Day

We love celebrating our At Home Teachers- YOU. This year we are having a lemonade/treat bar and we hired Susie Bell to come in on May 12 and make clay hearts with you. Come for the Arete Music Showcase at 9:15, stay for the Parent Appreciation Event and then hang around for the last Arete Parent Crew Meetup at 12. We even scheduled some Parent Appreciation time at 1:30 so more parents can attend. Each participant will get to take home their own hand made item (after it is fired) before the end of the year. 

Parent Appreciation Day Sign Up

 

Yearbook Time

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
 

 

Important Sign Ups:

Arete 8th Grade Promotion 2026

Arete Blended Middle School 2026/2027

Let it Glow Middle School Dance Permission

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

Arete Parent Crew Slack

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

Date

Time

Event
 

May 4 

8:45-11 

Physical Fitness Testing MPR

May 4 

1:30-2:30

Art w/Friends Mother’s Day Gift

May 4 

2:30-3:30

After Art Fun

May 5 

  

Resource Visits Garden

May 5 

12:15-1:30 

Cookie Science

May 5&6

Overnight Starts 11am first day

Fort Ross Marine Ecology Program Overnight Field Trip All Ages

May 7 

9-12

CAASPP Testing

May 7

9:30-12

Percussion Set up and Dress Rehearsal

May 7,8,11 

  

20 Day Meetings

May 7 

12:15-1 

Beyblade Club

May 7 

1-2 

Drama Club

May 11 

  

Resource Visits Garden

May 11 

1:30-2:30 

Art w/Friends Bird Bath

May 11 

2:30-3:30 

After Art Fun

May 12

9:15

Arete Music Showcase

May 12

10:15-11:15

TUPE: Tobacco Awareness- All grade levels

May 12 

12:15-1:15 

Paint Ceramics

May 12   

12:15-1:30

Botanical Home Workshop

May 13

10:15-11:15

TUPE: Tobacco Awareness- All grade levels

May 13
  1. 9:15-10:30- Sam
  2. 10:30-11:45- Baker/Veblen

Art Docent

May 13 

12:15-1:15 

Acrylic Painting 

May 14 

9-12

CAASPP

May 14
  1. 9:15-10:30 Nicole
  2. 10:45-11:45- McAlister/Codiga

Art Docent

May 15th

5:30-7pm

Middle School Dance

May 19 

  

Resource Visits Garden

May 20

6:30

PRSD Spring Concert at Magnolia

May 25

  

Memorial Day- No School

May 26

Snow Make up Day

School is IN session

May 27 & 28 

9-12

TK-3 Fun Field Day

May 27

  

8th Grade Breakfast

(Last Day of BMS on campus)

Last day to submit reimbursements

May 29

9-10

Staff Meeting

May 31

  

The last day to spend funds on vendors (unless ELO funds have been secured.)

June 1

1-4

Parent Crew Swim Meetup ant LOP

June 4

9-5ish

8th Grade Sunsplash Trip w/ Magnolia

June 8,9,10 

  

20 Day Meetings

June 10 

5:30

Arete Promotion

June 10

  

Last Day of School

June 11

June 12

  

Emergency Days

July 31

  

The last day to use ELO funds with approved vendors.

staff appreciation
Happy Staff Appreciation Week! Thank you to everyone that signed up to help make this week run smoothly.
Tuesday Isabelle will be setting up a breakfast bar for all of the staff. For those that volunteered to bring breakfast items, please bring them in either Monday during school hours, or Tuesday by 8:30. This will allow Isabelle ample time to set up and time for staff to enjoy before classes begin.
Chess
Hello,
 
I'm hosting an informal blitz chess tournament at Magnolia in A5/A6 on June 5th (It's a Friday) from 2:30-5:30, to which all PRUSD kids are invited.  This is not for kids who don't know how to play.      There will be pizza and chess.  There will be a rated and unrated blitz tournament.  Here is the flyer.  It should be fun. 
 
Don Walsh

8th Grade Sunsplash

8th Graders in good standing are invited to join Magnolia on June 4 to attend Sunsplash. The cost will be about $65 and will include a pizza lunch. Students will meet at Magnolia at 9am and board the bus to head down. Buses will leave Sunsplash at 4pm and head back to Magnolia where you will pick up your students. Mr. Codiga will be chaperoning. Permission slips and more details will be coming soon!

8th Grade Activities

In case you missed the sign up reminders, you can sign your child up here: Arete 8th Grade Promotion 2026 
 
And here is the planning meeting information over Google Meet or in person.
 
 
8th Grade Parent Planning Meeting
Thursday Apr 30, 2026 ⋅ 2pm – 3pm (Pacific Time - Los Angeles)
Please meet in Mrs. Whalens room:) Room 15. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the Google Meet Link.
Join with Google Meet
 

Meeting link
 

Join by phone
(US) +1 315-812-1593
PIN: 878789888

Sunday, April 26 Update

 

Good evening families,

Reminder that April 24 was the last day to purchase curriculum or supplies for the 2025-2026 school year. May 29 is the last day to use vendor services.

 

Garden Update

We are planning a school garden workday on Wednesday April 29 from 9-11am to get our irrigation sorted. We could use some extra hands, no experience needed.

 

 

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 

 

Staff Appreciation Week is Coming!

Samantha Randall, Isabelle Robinson along with the Parent Action Crew will be celebrating Arete's hard working staff during the first week of May. There is a Farmer's Market with lots of fun treats planned. Please click on the Sign Up Genius to see how you can support. Thanks so much!

Staff Appreciation Week 2026

 

Parent Appreciation Day

We love celebrating our At Home Teachers- YOU. This year we are having a lemonade/treat bar and we hired Susie Bell to come in on May 12 and make clay hearts with you. Come for the Arete Music Showcase at 9:15, stay for the Parent Appreciation Event and then hang around for the last Arete Parent Crew Meetup at 12. We even scheduled some Parent Appreciation time at 1:30 so more parents can attend. Each participant will get to take home their own hand made item (after it is fired) before the end of the year. Please sign up for one spot per family until May 1 and then you can add an additional participant if you want. Thanks!

Parent Appreciation Day Sign Up

 

Yearbook Time

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 Let it Glow 5th-8th School Dance

Tickets: $10, and includes food, drinks and snacks 

Click here to sign up to help decorate, chaperone or donate food and supplies Arete Dance Sign Up

Requested Attire is white or neon colors to allow students to GLOW under the blacklights!

Location: Arete Charter Academy MPR     

Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm. 

There will be dancing, music and games! 

(Permission slip and payment in exact cash or check to PRSD, must be turned in by Wednesday, May 13th. We must have 20 students signed up by this date for the dance to happen) We must have FOUR parents signed up by Wednesday to chaperone and CLEAN up to hold the dance.

Let it Glow Middle School Dance Permission

 

Important Sign Ups:

Arete 8th Grade Promotion 2026

Arete Blended Middle School 2026/2027

Let it Glow Middle School Dance Permission

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

Arete Parent Crew Slack

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

 

Date

Time

Event

 

April 27 

9-12

CAASPP

April 27 

  

Resource Visits Garden

April 27 

1:30-2:30

Art w/ Friends Mini Pinata

April 27 

2:30-3:30 

After Art Fun

April 28

9-11:30

Spring Pictures

April 28 

12-1 

Track Practice

April 28 

12:15-1:15 

Sculpey Clay 

April 28 

12:15-1:30

Science Adventures in STEAM

April 29

9:30-12:00

Spring Pictures

April 29 

12:15-1:15 

Sculpey Clay 

April 30 

9-12

CAASPP Testing

April 30 

10:00-12:00

Nevada Union High School Spring Dance Concert Field Trip

April 30  

12:15-1 

Beyblade Club

April 30 

1-2 

Drama Club

April 30 

2-3 

Track Practice 

May 1 

10:00-11:00 

Esquire IMAX Theatre Field Trip All Ages

May 2 

  

Nevada Union Track Invitational

May 4 

8:45-11 

Physical Fitness Testing MPR

May 4 

1:30-2:30

Art w/Friends Mother’s Day Gift

May 4 

2:30-3:30

After Art Fun

May 5 

  

Resource Visits Garden

May 5 

12:15-1:15 

Acrylic Paint 

May 5 

12:15-1:30 

Cookie Science

May 5&6

Overnight Starts 11am first day

Fort Ross Marine Ecology Program Overnight Field Trip All Ages

May 6 

12:15-1:15 

Acrylic Paint 

May 7 

9-12

CAASPP Testing

May 7

9:30-12

Percussion Set up and Dress Rehearsal

May 7,8,11 

  

20 Day Meetings

May 7 

12:15-1 

Beyblade Club

May 7 

1-2 

Drama Club

May 11 

  

Resource Visits Garden

May 11 

1:30-2:30 

Art w/Friends Bird Bath

May 11 

2:30-3:30 

After Art Fun

May 12

9:15

Arete Music Showcase

May 12 

12:15-1:15 

Paint Ceramics

May 12   

12:15-1:30

Botanical Home Workshop

May 13
  1. 9:15-10:30- Sam
  2. 10:30-11:45- Baker/Veblen

Art Docent

May 13 

12:15-1:15 

Acrylic Painting 

May 14 

9-12

CAASPP

May 14
  1. 9:15-10:30 Nicole
  2. 10:45-11:45- McAlister/Codiga

Art Docent

May 15th

5:30-7pm

Middle School Dance

May 19 

  

Resource Visits Garden

May 20

6:30

PRSD Spring Concert at Magnolia

May 25

  

Memorial Day- No School

May 26

Snow Make up Day

School is IN session

May 27 & 28 

9-12

TK-3 Fun Field Day

May 27

  

8th Grade Breakfast

(Last Day of BMS on campus)

Last day to submit reimbursements

May 29

9-10

Staff Meeting

May 31

  

The last day to spend funds on vendors (unless ELO funds have been secured.)

June 8,9,10 

  

20 Day Meetings

June 10 

5:30

Arete Promotion

June 10

  

Last Day of School

June 11

June 12

  

Emergency Days

July 31

  

The last day to use ELO funds with approved vendors.

 

Parent Appreciation Day

We love celebrating our At Home Teachers- YOU. This year we are having a lemonade/treat bar and we hired Susie Bell to come in on May 12 and make clay hearts with you. Come for the Arete Music Showcase at 9:15, stay for the Parent Appreciation Event and then hang around for the last Arete Parent Crew Meetup at 12. We even scheduled some Parent Appreciation time at 1:30 so more parents can attend. Each participant will get to take home their own hand made item (after it is fired) before the end of the year. Please sign up for one spot per family until May 1 and then you can add an additional participant if you want. Thanks!
 

Film

You’re invited to a free public screening of Perfect Strangers on April 29th at the Del Oro Theater in Grass Valley, featuring Nevada City Chief of Police Dan Foss.

This powerful documentary explores how digital culture, peer influence, and grooming tactics are reshaping the path to exploitation. It’s an important film for parents, educators, community leaders, and anyone who believes, “this couldn’t happen here.”

Event Details:
Del Oro Theater, Grass Valley
April 29th
7:00 PM

Hosted by Child Advocates of Nevada County

The film is directed by award-winning local filmmaker Lou Douros and includes interviews with Chief Dan Foss.

This is a free event. Please feel free to share with friends and family.

Learn more and watch the trailer: www.strangersfilm.com