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

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