Hello all,

For anyone wanting to order supplies or curriculum, the last day we will be taking budgets will be 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. 

This Tuesday evening I am presenting to Superintendent Clark and the school board for PRSD. This will include an LCAP mid year update on our goals and all of the exciting things we have done this fall. Here is some of the exciting news I will be sharing!

*While our reading test scores are down from 63% of students reading at grade level last year, fall testing showed 50% of students were reading at grade level and winter testing showed 54% of students reading at grade level. That is great news!

*Even better, 63% of students showed growth in STAR reading. That is amazing news! We also saw a lot of growth in our Dibels reading and Phonemic Screening for Intervention assessments. Families, kids and teachers are working hard at reading and it is showing. Such great news. 

*In math, 41% of students made Measures of Academic (MAPS) growth targets by five points in their grade level in math in 2023. From fall to winter testing, 61% made Measures of Academic (MAPS) growth targets by five points in their grade level in math. When adding together the 16 students who already score over the 70th percentile (several in the high 90s) that percentage comes up to 71% of students.

*37% of students are at grade level in math. We implemented two math intervention programs this fall and are seeing great growth. 

*Ms. McAlister or Mrs. Tamo may be reaching out to you if your child qualifies for this FREE intervention program. We worked really hard to get this MTSS grant and credentialed teachers are providing research based intervention for free. Students are considered to be at grade level if they score at the 50th percentile. We will be offering intervention if they scored in the 35th percentile or lower.

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

*Tuesday, December 12- Dress like a Grinch or wear something green.

*Thursday, December 14- Ugly Christmas sweaters

*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

*Practice CAASP testing. In January, we will be offering opportunities on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays for kiddos who are typically off campus to come in and have access to this same practice. We encourage you to take us up on this and give your kiddos the chance to see what kids of questions are on the test, to practice logging in and typing and using the tools within the test portal. Below is a link that parents can use at home to do some more limited test practice. 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

*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.

*“Facebook Depression”: more “friends”= greater depression rates. The “Comparison effect”.

* “Facebook literally changes your relationship with society, with each other. God only knows what it’s doing to our children’s brains,” Facebook co-founder Sean Parker, NY Post article, 11/9/17.

*“Facebook is designed to exploit ‘a vulnerability in human psychology’ to get its users addicted,”Facebook co-founder Sean Parker, NY Post article, 11/9/17. “The inventors, creators- it’s me, it’s Mark [Zuckerberg], it’s Kevin Systrom on Instagram, it’s all of these people – understood this consciously,” he said. “And we did it anyway.”

*Resources for Digital Health for Adults: https://www.nidhw.org/our-mission/

*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

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

Dates for the 2023-2024 School Year

*December 13 Culinary Holiday German Plum Cake  12:15-1:15

*December 13 Culinary Cinnamon Rolls 1:15-2:15

*December 14 Ugly Sweater Day

*December 14 Culinary Holiday German Plum Cake  12:15-1:15

*December 14 Lighted Bottle  12:15-2:15

*December 14 Lego Motor Madness 12:15-1:45

*December 14 Culinary Cinnamon Rolls 1:15-2:15

*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 15 Art Class Hot Cocoa Bar 10:30-11:30

*December 15 Friday Fun  11:30-12:30