July 31, 2020
The first day of online school is Friday, August 7th

In person start date is Tuesday, September 1st

Should local officials extend school closures,
we will comply and notify you of any changes
From the Headmaster
Dear Families,

We have spent this week orienting our new faculty to Arete Prep and the things that we hold most dear. On Thursday and Friday we had all faculty on campus for training. We spent time wrestling with how best to support students in online learning while ensuring rigorous, rich and engaging content. We are excited to get started!


On Tuesday, August 4, I will hold our last town hall before school starts. We will be focusing solely on the online launch, supports for student and parents and the remote learning bell schedule. We will also outline the schedule for the virtual Meet the Team. We will have a New Family Orientation on Wednesday, August 6 from 5:30 to 6:1 5 pm, after the “Meet the Team.” This is a time dedicated to new parents.

The links and all information are in the document above. Please keep a look out for direct emails with reminders for these events.

Sincerely,
Julia Gillingham | Headmaster, Arete Prep
Textbook & Computer Distribution
Arete Prep will distribute textbooks, language novels and computers from the gym back doors on
Tuesday, August 4 through Thursday, August 6.

If you requested a computer, you will be able to pick it up at the same time as books. If you need to order Spanish or French books for pick up at the same time, click here to purchase and bring the proof of payment with you.

 
  • When you arrive on campus circle around campus and pull up alongside the curb of the gym. A staff member will help direct the flow of vehicles and bring your child’s items to your vehicle
 
  • When directed, pop open your trunk and a staff member will place the items in your vehicle
 
Pick-up schedule:
Please do your best to adhere to your pick-up scheduled time below to pick up your student's items.
 
T uesday from 8 am – 10 am: Last name that begins with M-R
Tuesday from 10 am – 12 noon: Last name that begins with S-Z
 
Wednesday from 8 am – 10 am: Families that are unable to make the scheduled
 
Thursday from 8 am – 10 am: Last name that begins with A-F
Thursday from 10 am – 12 noon: Last name that begins with G-L
Consumables
Your child’s classes will utilize classic works of literature during the upcoming school year. At Great Hearts Academies, it has always been the tradition for students to develop a personal library of books that they write in, keep, and even revisit during their time at the academy. These are books they can treasure for years to come. We call these books, “Classics to Keep.”  

Families may purchase these books from Barnes & Noble at San Tan Valley or whichever vendor they choose. We require that all books match the ISBN’s listed on our booklist . This ensures that students can follow along on the same page when reading and discussing in class.

Watch for book distribution instructions.

Mentoring
Dear New Families,

On August 6 th , your children will have their first mentor meeting via Zoom. The mentor meeting will take place at its regular time, from 2:15-3 pm. For the first quarter, every week, your child will have their mentor meeting at this same time. These will all be done over Zoom. Also, on that same day, there will be several videos that our lead mentors put together to answer various questions your children might have about online learning. Both the link to the videos and the link to your child’s Zoom mentor meeting will be emailed to you on August 5 th . 

If you have not received the email on August 5 th , please make sure to check your spam folder and if there is still nothing there, email me at pvaughan@areteprepacademy.org and I will get you that information directly—please include your child’s name so that I know what mentor group he or she is in. You should also, then, check with Mrs. Harris or one of our front desk workers to verify we have the right email for you. 

Thank you and let us know if you have any questions.

If you have any further questions, please reach out to the Deans of Students Mr. Vaughan or Ms. Attridge .
Configio - Online Parent Payment Portal
Arete Prep has an online parent payment system, Configio , that is used to avoid handling checks and cash at the school. Use this link to view what’s in the Online Parent Payment system. Payments such as clubs, sports, parking permits, etc. can be made here .  
Arete Prep & Communication
A weekly email newsletter for parents is sent each Friday and includes important upcoming events and information from the school including College Counseling and the Parent Service Organization.
Please be aware that our preferred method of communication is via email, so it is vital that we have up-to-date email addresses on file so that we can keep you informed. Please email Beth Melvin with any updates to email addresses.
Uniforms
Arete Prep uses Anton Uniforms for all school uniforms. Click here for the website.

Click here for the Arete Prep dress code.
New Volunteer Fingerprint Process
Great Hearts has changed the volunteer fingerprint process effective with the 2020-21 school year. The application is entirely online and available now. All volunteers must be approved through this new online procedure , including those with previously issued/non-expired Great Hearts badges, there will be no exceptions. Please note, when selecting the school, it will not differentiate between Arete Prep and Archway Arete, it will simply state Great Hearts Arete. The system will approve you for both schools.
With the times that we are currently experiencing, volunteers will not be allowed on campus until we are in-person approved, but the process can be completed so that volunteering can resume as soon as we are back on campus. 
Click here to apply . The cost is $5.00 per application per school year.
Community Investment
We have heard questions from so many asking how you can help support our teachers and our school in this time, thank you! We froze all staff pay for this year, in order to absorb the projected costs for additional technology and additional cleaning/sanitation. In order to unfreeze salaries we will need to meet and exceed our Community Investment goal of $225,000. If you are looking for a direct way to help in this time, please partner with us financially. If you have questions about Community Investment, reach out to Jessica Vaughan or click here to make a gift.  

Thank you to our current donors! Your consistent and generous giving directly impacts our teachers, our staff and our students. You donation is necessary to compensate for how we are publicly funded. Each and every gift is important and appreciated, no matter the amount.
Athletics
The following are updated start dates for fall athletics at Arete Prep. These are of course, subject to change based on Arizona, AIA and GHMSL policy and procedure.

H igh School Athletics: Practice begins 8/17, first competition date is 9/7.
Middle School Athletics: Practice begins 8/24, first competition TBD

Registration for athletics will open on 8/1. Due to Covid-19, a new sports physical is required for ALL fall athletes. NO physicals from the 19-20 school year will be accepted. We are working on hosting physicals on campus, but in the meantime you are welcome to get one completed with your local physician, urgent care, or minute clinic.

Any athletics questions can be directed to Athletic Director Todd Conklin.
@areteprepchargers

Welcome New 6th Grade Arete Prep Families!
Hello New Arete Prep 6th Grade Families!

Welcome to the Charger family! The Parent Service Organization would like to invite the 6th grade parents to a Zoom meeting. We would like to share the duties of the PSO and address any questions you may have. We hope you can join us!

Topic: PSO Parent Meeting
Time: Aug 12, 2020 03:00 PM Arizona
 
Positions Open at Great Hearts
Dear Great Hearts families,

We hope you are doing well this summer and enjoying good health and some relaxation. Due to the current state of affairs, it is anticipated that during the 2020-21 school year our campuses may have an increased need for the following:

  1. Short and long-term substitutes
  2. Athenaeum teachers and assistants
  3. Teachers available to fill mid-year openings

If you or someone you know has interest in applying, please use the links above to complete an online application today! Important to note, a bachelor’s degree is required for a substitute who is assigned to the same lead teaching role lasting more than 4 weeks.

Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

The Great Hearts Talent Team  
Great Hearts Safe Return Plan
Click here for the most up-to-date info from Great Hearts regarding our safe return.
PSO
Arete Preparatory Academy | 480.222.4233