Hello all,

Reminder that there is no school tomorrow in honor of the great Martin Luther King, Junior. Here are some free lessons if you are interested. Free MLK Lessons

*Parent Action Committee Meeting- This was moved to Tuesday, January 30 because the state changed their deadline to have School Safety Plans turned in to the school board. All are invited to our meeting at 12:15 in the library to review the plan and gain parent input.

​​"Math Masterminds" is a fun math night for the whole family. All Arete families are invited. You are invited Thursday, February 8, 5:30-6:30 pm to the Arete MPR for an evening of 'make & take' math activities hosted by Mrs. Tamo and other Arete teachers followed by a Math "Spy Adventure" Escape Room. All participants are invited to come dressed in black as part of our SUPER SPY team. Your family will leave that night with several activities that promote math and maybe a raffle prize. We will have some fun math theme prizes. Please come and join us for this fun math adventure. This is a free event for all. 

Math Masterminds Family Night

PRSD is so excited that Arete is hosting our Student Showcase that they are holding a board meeting at Arete in April to tour our students' awesome displays. *April 9 and 10 Arete Student Showcase- Similar to our STEAM Showcase last year- we are inviting ALL students to display projects they work on during the year. Please drop off projects on April 4, 5, or 7 for us to create the display. Then come back on April 9/10 at 9am to stand by your project. Classes and other interested adults are invited to view the displays starting at 9:15. We are telling you now so you can save projects you can complete during the year. Projects can be submitted by any Arete student!

2nd-8th Grade Spring NWEA Math and AR Reading Assessments 2023-2024

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. Starting with this testing session and moving forward, 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. 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. 2nd-8th Grade Spring NWEA Math and AR Reading Assessments 2023-2024

*Chess Club is moving to Magnolia Intermediate School on Thursdays at 1pm. If your child is interested in attending, please email me to set up arrangements.

*Practice CAASP Testing- This year we are going to have individual and/or sibling times for families to sign up to practice some of the skills that will be included on the State tests. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to get familiar with the testing format and the tools that may be used. During practice testing, students can ask any questions they have and we CAN answer/help them. If your student gets overwhelmed on testing days this is a chance for them to see it's really not so bad!

Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you! Please email [email protected] if you need a different day/time.

**This sign-up is for students who DO NOT usually come on campus as we are building testing practice into our Resource Center and Blended Middle School days.**

Practice CAASPP Testing Sign Up

*PRSD is focusing on reducing Tech Addiction in Children and building pathways for Digital Health. Each week I will share a NEW tidbit about this or how to to reduce screen time for kids who struggle with this.

-In 1984, 64% of 17-year-olds said they read for pleasure once a week or more; in 2014, 45% of 17-year-olds said they read for pleasure once or twice a YEAR- if that.

- “Ill Communication: The Impact of Mobile Phones on Student Performance” a study by the London School of Economics found that after schools banned mobile phones, the test scores of students aged 16 improved by 6.4%. Banning mobile phones improves outcomes for the low 

achieving students say an increase of 14.23% in test scores. “The results suggest that low- achieving students are more likely to be distracted by the presence of mobile phones, while high achievers can focus in the classroom regardless of whether phones are present. Banning mobile phones could be a low-cost way for schools to reduce educational inequality.”

-Professor Anne Mangen, January 2013 Study in International Journal of Education Research: Students’ comprehension rates were worse for students who read text on screen vs. paper.

*Our Leadership class in the Blended Middle School is requesting your input on what you would like them to work on this year. They are an awesome team of 6th-8th graders so please keep that in mind! Arete Leadership Survey

*Want to Sign Up For the Resource Center- do so here

*Winter Enrichments- Sign up here

*2023-2024 Field Trips- Sign up here

*Have Photos For the Yearbook? Upload here 

Want to join Arete’s Private Family Group on Facebook- do so here. Arete Charter Academy Family Group

Remember to email Sarah at [email protected] a few days before a kiddos’ birthday if you want to send in treats so I can check for food allergies. Nuts are never allowed, but some individual classes have food allergies that I also monitor closely. Thanks for keeping our students safe. We also strongly encourage healthier treats if possible as some families closely monitor their kiddos’ sugar and food dye intake.

Please remember that we are a NUT FREE school as we have several students with severe nut allergies. Kiddos may enjoy nut free granola bars and spreads on their sandwiches and all the nut free favorites when away from Arete. Thanks!

*Want to see dates for the entire year? Click here

Dates for the 2023-2024 School Year

*January 15- Martin Luther King Day-school is not in session

*January 16-Cookie Science W/Meredith Doerr 12:15-1:30

*January 17- 9am 3-5th Grade Anti Bullying/ Positive Choices Assembly (If your kiddo is not normally on campus on Wednesdays, you are welcome to bring them for this awesome assembly!

*January 17- 10:15am 6-8th Dare to Be Great/Positive Choices Assembly 

*January 17- Bear River High School Visit- 6-8th Grades- 9:15am

*January 17- Little Fish Arts w/Susie Bell 12:15-1:15

*January 18- Little Fish Arts w/Susie Bell 12:15-1:15

*January 18 Lego Motor Madness  12:15-1:45

*January 18-NU Preview Night 6-8pm ALL Current 8th Graders and Families

*January 19- Future Bruin Day - From 9:15-12:30: Students will come to campus for a morning of information, tour, lunch and a rally! Please RSVP to [email protected] by Nov 29 with adult T shirt size. Future Bruin Day

*January 19- Culinary Adventures W/Ms. Doerr 9-10:30

*January 19 Field Trip @ Mosaic Museum of Science and Curiosity 9:30-12:30

*January 19- Art W/Stephanie and Wendy 10:30-11:30

*January 19- Friday Fun Day

Hello all,

Hope you had wonderful holidays with your families. I soaked up time having both of my adult children under the same roof with my husband and I. That is about the best gift a mama can get!

*Chess Club is moving to Magnolia Intermediate School on Thursdays at 1pm. If your child is interested in attending, please email me to set up arrangements.

*Practice CAASP Testing- This year we are going to have individual and/or sibling times for families to sign up to practice some of the skills that will be included on the State tests. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to get familiar with the testing format and the tools that may be used. During practice testing, students can ask any questions they have and we CAN answer/help them. If your student gets overwhelmed on testing days this is a chance for them to see it's really not so bad!

Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you! Please email [email protected] if you need a different day/time.

**This sign-up is for students who DO NOT usually come on campus as we are building testing practice into our Resource Center and Blended Middle School days.**

Practice CAASPP Testing Sign Up

*Typing Practice

Most of you know that we are struggling at Arete to show progress from year to year on CAASP testing (which is one of the assessments used to renew our charter petition every five years) as well as NWEA math and Star AR. As we analyze why this is occurring, it is becoming apparent that some of it may have to do with many of our students having a lack of access to typing practice. We love that families closely monitor their children’s screen time, and are hoping that you might consider having your child do some daily or a few times a week typing practice. Students in public school generally start practicing typing a few times a week starting in second grade.

*PRSD is focusing on reducing Tech Addiction in Children and building pathways for Digital Health. Each week I will share a NEW tidbit about this or how to to reduce screen time for kids who struggle with this.

*A 2013 study in Psychological Science that followed 17,000 people from birth to age 50 found that reading level at age 7 was the most important indicator of future socioeconomic status.

*A 2013 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) study found that “reading for pleasure at age 15 was the most important indicator of the future success of the child.”

*According to research, kids who read on screens are THREE TIMES less likely say they enjoy reading.

*According to recent research, kids are reading much less. The proportion who NEVER read TRIPLED from 1984 to 2014.

*Our Leadership class in the Blended Middle School is requesting your input on what you would like them to work on this year. They are an awesome team of 6th-8th graders so please keep that in mind! Arete Leadership Survey

*Want to Sign Up For the Resource Center- do so here

*Winter Enrichments- Sign up here

*2023-2024 Field Trips- Sign up here

*Have Photos For the Yearbook? Upload here 

Want to join Arete’s Private Family Group on Facebook- do so here. Arete Charter Academy Family Group

Remember to email Sarah at [email protected] a few days before a kiddos’ birthday if you want to send in treats so I can check for food allergies. Nuts are never allowed, but some individual classes have food allergies that I also monitor closely. Thanks for keeping our students safe. We also strongly encourage healthier treats if possible as some families closely monitor their kiddos’ sugar and food dye intake.

Please remember that we are a NUT FREE school as we have several students with severe nut allergies. Kiddos may enjoy nut free granola bars and spreads on their sandwiches and all the nut free favorites when away from Arete. Thanks!

*Want to see dates for the entire year? Click here

Dates for the 2023-2024 School Year

*January 8- Science Adventures in STEAM with Ms. Doerr - 4th - 8th Grades 12:15-1:30

*January - Science Adventures in STEAM with Ms. Doerr - TK-3rd Grades 12:15-1:30

*January 9- Art Docent

*January 10- Art Docent

*January 10- Culinary Arts Classes with Susan Gouveia - 4-8th Grades - Gourmet Taco Platter 12:15-1:15

*January 10- Little Fish Arts with Susie Bell - 4th - 8th Grades - Sculpture - 01/10 & 01/31 12:15-1:15

*January 10- Culinary Arts Classes with Susan Gouveia- TK-3rd Grades - Empanadas (Meat or Veg) w/Sauce 1:15-2:15

*January 11- Culinary Arts Classes with Susan Gouveia- TK-3rd Grades - Gourmet Taco Platter 12:15-1:15

*January 11- Little Fish Arts with Susie Bell- TK-3rd Grades - Sculpture - 01/11 & 02/01 12:15-1:15

*January 11- Culinary Arts Classes with Susan Gouveia- TK-3rd Grades - Empanadas (Meat or Veg) w/Sauce 1:15-2:15

*January 11- Lego Motor Madness 12:15-1:45

*January 15- Martin Luther King Day-school is not in session

Hello all,

For anyone wanting to order supplies or curriculum, the last day we took orders was the 13th of December. PRSD has chosen this day to ensure all items can be safely delivered in time before we go on winter break. Any orders that come in now will be processed when we return in January.

We have some fun dress up days coming planned by our awesome Leadership Class. 

*Monday, December 18- Christmas colors: red, green, and gold.

*Tuesday, December 19-  Tree Topper Day: wear a Christmas hat or any festive hat 

*Wednesday, December 20- PJ Day (because this is the day the 4-8th grade hybrid kids have their party)

*Thursday, December 21-  PJ Day

Reminder that our Resource Center and Blended Middle School Christmas Celebrations are this week. Please send in any supplies you signed up for and show up to work at the shift you signed up to help out with. Thanks so much for your support! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0A4EAAAB29A6FE3-45747040-arete

*CAASP Testing Practice

*Click here

*Click the GREEN Sign In at the bottom. (No need to change anything on the page)

*Select GRADE 3-8th.

*Select any of the Smarter Balanced Practice Tests.

*After you have tried all of those, Click​ Smarter Balanced Training Tests

*Click the Green SELECT at the bottom.

*Click the Green Begin Test Now

*Typing Practice

These programs will teach your kiddos where to place their fingers for typing.

Here's the link to Typing Pal's school edition https://www.typingpal.com/en/school-edition

Email [email protected] to have her set up a free account for your kiddo!

Here's Dance Mat Typing https://www.dancemattypingguide.com/

There is also ed club https://www.edclub.com/  Which is a lot like Typing Pal- you'll have to pay to keep track of your progress

Then there are free typing games https://www.typing.com/student/games But these don't really focus on where to place your fingers

These links are also at arete.prsd.us under Student Links.

*PRSD is focusing on reducing Tech Addiction in Children and building pathways for Digital Health. Each week I will share a NEW tidbit about this or how to to reduce screen time for kids who struggle with this.

*Former Google product manager Tristan Harris: “Silicon Valley is intentionally engineering your phone, apps and social media to get you hooked.” 60 Minutes: Brain Hacking (4/9/17).

*“There’s a whole playbook of techniques that get used to get you using the product for as long as possible…every time I check my phone, I’m playing the slot machine to see, ‘What did I get?’ This is one way to hijack people’s minds and create a habit, to form a habit,” former Google product manager Tristan Harris. 60 Minutes: Brain Hacking (4/9/17).

*Teachers Joe Clement and Matt Miles discuss in their book “Screen Schooled” the“Googlefication” of the classroom, “Students can recall facts via Google, but as they get older, they don’t develop critical thinking, inference and the ability to weave those facts into a cohesive tapestry/narrative.

*Resources for Digital Health for Adults:

https://childmind.org/article/media-guidelines-for-kids-of-all-ages/#:~:text=The%20American%20Academy%20of%20Pediatrics,any%20questions%20they%20might%20have

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/Pages/default.aspx

*Our Leadership class in the Blended Middle School is requesting your input on what you would like them to work on this year. They are an awesome team of 6th-8th graders so please keep that in mind! Arete Leadership Survey

*Want to Sign Up For the Resource Center- do so here

*Winter Enrichments- Sign up here

*2023-2024 Field Trips- Sign up here

*Have Photos For the Yearbook? Upload here 

Want to join Arete’s Private Family Group on Facebook- do so here. Arete Charter Academy Family Group

Remember to email Sarah at [email protected] a few days before a kiddos’ birthday if you want to send in treats so I can check for food allergies. Nuts are never allowed, but some individual classes have food allergies that I also monitor closely. Thanks for keeping our students safe. We also strongly encourage healthier treats if possible as some families closely monitor their kiddos’ sugar and food dye intake.

Please remember that we are a NUT FREE school as we have several students with severe nut allergies. Kiddos may enjoy nut free granola bars and spreads on their sandwiches and all the nut free favorites when atArete. Thanks!

*Want to see dates for the entire year? Click here

Dates for the 2023-2024 School Year

*December 15th, 18th, 19th 20 Day Meetings- Trail Mix (with lots of healthy options) in the Office For Everyone Who Turns EVERYTHING in during their meeting.

*December 18 Art Holiday Christmas Cards, Gift & Ornaments 12-1:30

*December 18 Gingerbread Workshops 9-10:30

*December 19 Gingerbread Workshops 9-10:30

*December 20 Ghidotti Early College High School presentation

*December 20 Resource Center Pajama Christmas Party 4-8th 10:30-11:50

*December 21 Resource Center Pajama Christmas Party TK-3rd 10:30-11:50

*December 21 Blended Middle School Christmas Pajama Party 1-2

*December 21 Lego Motor Madness 12:15-1:45

*December 22- Chess Club CANCELED

December 22 Office Closes at 1:00

*Winter Break- December 25- January 5