Tuesday, January 13- ALL families are invited to an assembly put on by the Forest Service called, “Tahoe in the Classroom”.

*TK-3rd- 30 minutes 9:30-10- Animal Superpowers

*3/4- 45ish minutes 10:15-11:00- Trees

*6-8- 45-60 minutes 11:10-12:10- Trees

Spring STAR AR/NWEA Testing

Feel free to ignore this if you only have TK/K/1 or a Blended Middle School kiddo. 

We are noticing that there seems to be a correlation between how long students spend on the tests and whether or not students show growth on the tests. 

Students will take the NWEA Math test from 9:15-10:30. They will be encouraged to take their time, try their best, and work out their problems on paper before they enter them into the computer. If they finish before the 10:30 snack break, they may read a book they brought from home or work on lessons they brought from home. 

At 10:30, students will have a 20 minute snack/recess break. When they return from the break, they may finish the math test if they need to or may start on the STAR Accelerated Reader test. They will be encouraged to take their time and try their best. If they finish early, they may read a book they brought from home or work on lessons they brought from home. If they need additional time to complete the tests, we will email you. 

At 12pm, all students will head out to the front of the school to be picked up by parents. This will give students the opportunity to show all they have learned and to not feel rushed or disrupted by students moving into and out of the classroom. If your child needs extra testing support, please email Sarah at [email protected] and we will work with you!

Reminder that all testing will be completed in person and is mandatory. (CAASP Testing is on the State schedule for May). Second-Eighth Grade will still need to take the STAR AR test and the NWEA Math test. 

Testing sessions will be offered on Monday, March 9, Thursday, March 12,  Friday, March 13, Monday, March 16, Thursday, March 19, and Monday, March 23.

High School students will test on Monday, March 23 from 9:15-12.

If you have a busy schedule, please sign up early.  We only have ONE Friday testing day, so if you need that PLEASE book early. If your child has an Arete Chromebook checked out to them, please charge and have them bring it with them.  If they need to check one out from us, please add that they will need one in the comment section next to their name and we will have one waiting for them with their name on it in the front office.

If they need to check one out from us, please come 10 minutes early to check it out so the kiddos can be logged in and ready when the testing session starts.

ALL 2-8th grade parents should sign their kiddos up for one of the testing slots. Only the Blended Middle School will complete these assessments during their regular resource center time. As always, please email [email protected] with questions! Thanks!

Spring STAR AR/NWEA Math Testing

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.

Second Annual Heritage Festival

Friday, February 27th 2026, 9:00-1:00.    All Are Welcome

Please join us for this one of a kind community building event. Last year’s festival was such a special experience, we decided that we had to make it an annual tradition. Our goal is to create meaningful opportunities for parents and students alike, to connect with one another. We want to nurture the “village” mentality, so that school feels like a home away from home, and students are set on the secure foundation of a strong community. If you do not typically attend school events, please, from the bottom of our hearts, consider joining us for this one. Every family adds a bit of magic to the adventure of the day.

Poster Boards, rectangular stickers to hold parent contact information (share whatever you are comfortable with), and round student stickers to represent the country your family chooses, are available in the front office. Some parents were hoping to have them to work on over Winter Break.

Second Annual Heritage Festival

There is a planning meeting this Wednesday, January 14 in the Arete library if anyone is interested. The meeting is in person, but can also be attended remotely. Email [email protected] for the link.

Important Sign Ups:

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

Second Annual Heritage Festival

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

Second Semester Enrichments 2026

Spelling Bee Sign up: Register now on SignUp Genius 

Tuesday Math Tutoring at Arete High School

Garden Wish List

2025-2026 Field Trips

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

Arete Charter Academy Blended Middle School 25/26 

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

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.

Date

Time

Event

January 12 

Resource Visits Garden

January 12 

1:30-2:30

Art Class Snowman Bowling Kit

January 12 

2:30-3:30

After Art Fun

January 13 

12:15-1:15 

Pottery Wheel

January 13 

12:15-1:30 

Botanical Home Workshop

January 14 

12:15-1:15 

Pottery Wheel

January 19 

MLK Day- No School

Good evening families,

Hope you all had beautiful and/or survived the holidays! Happy New Year!

Reminder that Monday, January 5 we are closed for staff training.

This has been our most active year to date for Arete's Parent Crew, thanks to the many helping hands who have contributed to: Fall Dance, Spiritwear, Field Trips, Pie Fundraiser, Math Olympiad, Class Liaisons, Garden looks incredible thanks to so many volunteers (still needs soil for the planter beds if you got any dirt ;-) and so much more!

• Our next meeting will be Tuesday, January 6th 9:15-10:15 - RSVP here - and we will finalize our budget for the rest of the year, chat about Heritage Festival and Spelling Bee, and do a New Year activity!
•  
• - To submit your thoughts on APC budget, you can use this form
• - To keep up with APC happenings, join Slack
• - We are building a Business Directory to support Arete Family Businesses, enter your info here

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 on Wednesday, January 28th.

Anyone is welcome to join the practice sessions and the spelling words will be based upon your grade level.  (for the official Scripps Spelling Bee, contestants must not have reached their 15th birthday on or before August 31, 2025)

Looking ahead at dates for Practice Sessions:

- Wed Jan 7, 1-2pm

Second Annual Heritage Festival

Friday, February 27th 2026, 9:00-1:00.     All Are Welcome!

 Please join us for this one of a kind community building event. Last year’s festival was such a special experience, we decided that we had to make it an annual tradition. Our goal is to create meaningful opportunities for parents and students alike, to connect with one another. We want to nurture the “village” mentality, so that school feels like a home away from home, and students are set on the secure foundation of a strong community. If you do not typically attend school events, please, from the bottom of our hearts, consider joining us for this one. Every family adds a bit of magic to the adventure of the day.

Poster Boards, rectangular stickers to hold parent contact information (share whatever you are comfortable with), and round student stickers to represent the country your family chooses, are available in the front office. Some parents were hoping to have them to work on over Winter Break.

Second Annual Heritage Festival

Nevada County Speech Contest

We are so excited to announce the topic for the 2026 Speech Tournament: 

A Family Tradition that is Meaningful to You

This tournament is open to two 4th - 8th graders from each school. The preliminary competition will take place on Friday, March 13th, with the finals the following Monday, March 16th. Ms. McAlister will be the teacher chaperone and will be hosting two speech coaching sessions on Thursdays, February 26 and March 5 at 12:15-1:45. Please let me know ASAP if your child wants to participate. If we have more than two entries per grade level, we will have an on site speech contest at Arete. The final day to let me know your kiddo will participate is Friday. January 9, 2026.

CAASPP Family Night

Every year, students in grades 3-8 complete CAASPP testing in the spring.  CAASPP testing results are reported to the state and we use the results of these tests to help keep our charter open. We are looking to show growth each year. Many families have questions about how to help their children practice and prepare, and this night is for you!  On January 22, please join us for a welcome dinner from 5:00 - 5:30 followed by an informative session and training from 5:30 - 6:30. Bring your questions and a charged chromebook if you have one (chromebooks can also be checked out to families during the event).  We will go over basic testing information, answer questions, and complete practice test walk-throughs to help your family learn about the CAASPP testing platform and how your children can practice at home.  This is a great opportunity for both confident testers and students who struggle with testing anxiety. Also very helpful for students in the Blended Middle School Program! You don't want to miss this important event! We will be handing out raffle prizes to attendees!

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:

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

Arete Parent Crew Slack

25/26 8th Grade High School Information

Second Annual Heritage Festival

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

Second Semester Enrichments 2026

​​Arete Christmas Celebrations 2025

Spelling Bee Sign up: Register now on SignUp Genius 

Tuesday Math Tutoring at Arete High School

Garden Wish List

2025-2026 Field Trips

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

Arete Charter Academy Blended Middle School 25/26 

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

Arete Charter Academy’s Promotion Ceremony has been moved to Wednesday, June 10 at 5:30 to support other district events.

Arete accepts these forms of payment:

*Exact cash

*Check to PRSD

*Mymealtime.com (need student ID number)

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.

Date

Time

Event

January 5

Professional Development Day- No School

January 6 

12:15-1:30

Cookie Science

January 7  

12-1

Drawing Club

Good evening families,

We have one quick week before we are off for just over two weeks. Reminder that Monday, January 5 we are closed for staff training.

Arete Charter Academy’s Promotion Ceremony has been moved to Wednesday, June 10 at 5:30 to support other district events.

Arete accepts these forms of payment:

*Exact cash

*Check to PRSD

*Mymealtime.com (need student ID number)

Second Annual Heritage Festival

Friday, February 27th 2026, 9:00-1:00.     All Are Welcome

  Please join us for this one of a kind community building event. Last year’s festival was such a special experience, we decided that we had to make it an annual tradition. Our goal is to create meaningful opportunities for parents and students alike, to connect with one another. We want to nurture the “village” mentality, so that school feels like a home away from home, and students are set on the secure foundation of a strong community. If you do not typically attend school events, please, from the bottom of our hearts, consider joining us for this one. Every family adds a bit of magic to the adventure of the day.

Poster Boards, rectangular stickers to hold parent contact information (share whatever you are comfortable with), and round student stickers to represent the country your family chooses, are available in the front office. Some parents were hoping to have them to work on over Winter Break.

Second Annual Heritage Festival

We are planning our Arete Resource Center Pajama Ice Skating Party. This event promises to be lots of fun and we will need some help with family volunteers and supplies. This was a tradition at the original Pleasant Ridge School and we are bringing it back. We are building a mini ice skating rink in the MPR, bringing in fake snow and students will skate around on paper plates. 

The 4-8th Hybrid Resource Center Party with Ms. Baker and Mrs. Veblen AND the BMS Party will be Wednesday, December 17 from 11:15-11:55.

Ms. Tomasetti's, Ms. McAlister, and Mrs. Codiga's Resource Center Party will be Thursday, December 18 from 11:15-11:55. 

The Blended Middle School will also have a special craft project with Susie Bell on Thursday, December 17 from 9:10-10am.

Thank you to those who signed up to bring in supplies to support this fun event. Please bring the items in the day before or at 9am drop off so we can get everything ready ahead of time for the fun event. 

​​Arete Christmas Celebrations 2025

Nevada County Speech Contest

We are so excited to announce the topic for the 2026 Speech Tournament: 

A Family Tradition that is Meaningful to You

This tournament is open to two 4th - 8th graders from each school. The preliminary competition will take place on Friday, March 13th, with the finals the following Monday, March 16th. Ms. McAlister will be the teacher chaperone and will be hosting two speech coaching sessions on Thursdays, February 26 and March 5 at 12:15-1:45. Please let me know ASAP if your child wants to participate. If we have more than two entries per grade level, we will have an on site speech contest at Arete. The final day to let me know your kiddo will participate is Friday. January 9, 2026.

The Arete Parent Teacher Crew (PTC) is hosting an author visit on Tuesday, December 16 from 10:30-11:15.  Kentrell Martin is an author who brings an unforgettable literacy and inclusion experience to our students. Current book titles include Shelly Goes to the Zoo, Shelly's Outdoor Adventure, Shelly Goes to the Bank (co-author), Kasey's First Day of Basketball Practice, Shelly Goes to the Fiesta, Shelly va a una fiesta (Spanish), Shelly Meets a New Friend, KJ's Emotional Day, Shelly Goes to New York, Count with KJ, Shelly Goes to the Dentist, and Colors with KJ. These are the first 12 books that bridge the gap between the Deaf and hearing world through American Sign Language. Here is a video about Kentrell’s visit. ALL families are invited on campus for this special event!! 

You also have an opportunity to pre-order his books and receive your autographed copies during his visit. Here is the link to the store. 

Link to order form

APC December Meeting follow-ups:

• To submit your thoughts on APC budget , you can use this form
• We are building a Business Directory to support Arete Family Businesses, enter your info here - great idea shoutout to @Jaime King
• @Lori Long wanted to thank all of the AMAZING Garden volunteers , and also remind everyone that we could still use some dirt - got dirt?
• Arete's first ever Spelling Bee is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28th.  PRSD Superintendent, Gregg Motarjeme will be our word announcer, but we still need:
  • 3 judges - anyone you recommend? @Lindsay Loparco had a great idea to ask our Bear River Librarian
  • donations from local biz community as prizes
  • snack stand

Talented Learner's Hub will be sponsoring the December 20 Day Meeting Prizes and the Voellingers will be on campus the week of December 15th from 9am-1pm to distribute prizes and answer questions about their enrichment courses.

TLH is an Arete approved vendor that was founded by parents El and Cody Voellinger.  They will be offering semester-long courses in the afternoons after resource starting in January 2026.  Courses include: Life Skills, Speech & Debate, Nature Bowl, and Poetry Lab. They will provide transportation from Arete to the instructional site (make sure to let Arete know that someone other than you will be picking up your kiddos) and work samples will be included in lessons!

To learn more or sign-up, you can connect with El next week in-person or email questions to [email protected]

*Extra prizes will be in the office for kids to redeem tickets if their meeting is at a different time.

EA’s will also be passing out awesome Informative Writing Packets created by Marina Codiga and STAR AR reports to all 2-8th grade students and NWEA Math reports to students who scored below grade. These awesome reports give specific information about what math skills should be targeted for instruction.

Every year, students in grades 3-8 complete CAASPP testing in the spring.  CAASPP testing results are reported to the state and we use the results of these tests to help keep our charter open. We are looking to show growth each year. Many families have questions about how to help their children practice and prepare, and this night is for you!  On Janaury 22, please join us for a welcome dinner from 5:00 - 5:30 followed by an informative session and training from 5:30 - 6:30. Bring your questions and a charged chromebook if you have one (chromebooks can also be checked out to families during the event).  We will go over basic testing information, answer questions, and complete practice test walk-throughs to help your family learn about the CAASPP testing platform and how your children can practice at home.  This is a great opportunity for both confident testers and students who struggle with testing anxiety. Also very helpful for students in the Blended Middle School Program! You don't want to miss this important event! We will be handing out raffle prizes to attendees!

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

Tuesday, January 13- ALL families are invited to an assembly put on by the Forest Service called, “Tahoe in the Classroom”.

*TK-3rd- 30 minutes 9:30-10- Animal Superpowers

*3/4- 45ish minutes 10:15-11:00- Trees

*6-8- 45-60 minutes 11:10-12:10- Trees

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 on Wednesday, January 28th.

Anyone is welcome to join the practice sessions and the spelling words will be based upon your grade level.  (for the official Scripps Spelling Bee, contestants must not have reached their 15th birthday on or before August 31, 2025)

Looking ahead at dates for Practice Sessions:

- Wed Jan 7, 1-2pm

Wacky Tacky (Mismatch Day) Monday 12/15

Blizzard Day Tuesday 12/16

Pajama Day    Wednesday 12/17

Pajama Day Thursday 12/18

Important Sign Ups:

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

Arete Parent Crew Slack

25/26 8th Grade High School Information

Second Annual Heritage Festival

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

Second Semester Enrichments 2026

​​Arete Christmas Celebrations 2025

Spelling Bee Sign up: Register now on SignUp Genius 

Tuesday Math Tutoring at Arete High School

Garden Wish List

2025-2026 Field Trips

Blended Middle School Field Trip 2526

Fall Enrichment Sign Ups 26/26

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

Arete Charter Academy Blended Middle School 25/26 

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

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.

December 16 

10:30-11:30

Author Kentrell Martin

December 17   

12-1

Drawing Club

December 17   

11-11:55

The 4-8th Hybrid Resource Center Party with Ms. Baker and Mrs. Veblen AND the BMS Party

December 18,19, Jan 6

20 Day Meetings

December 18

11-11:55

Ms. Tomasetti's, Ms. McAlister, and Mrs. Codiga's Resource Center Party will be Thursday, December 18 from 11:15-11:55. 

December 19

End of Semester 1

December 22-31 

January 1-2 

Winter Recess- No School

January 5

Professional Development Day- No School