August 28, 2020
New Policies and Office Hours
The Front Office will officially open on Thursday, September 3 at 7:30 am. The new policies will be that only one person or one family per school will be allowed in the office. Please have a mask for each family member that enters the building and follow social distancing guidelines.

Lunch Drop Off: there will be a cart OUTSIDE the front office doors from 10:20 am - 11:20 am for lunches, the cart will be moved to the courtyard at 11:20 for students to pick up lunches - PLEASE NOTE: there will be no supervision of the lunch cart and we will not be responsible for lost lunches. Door Dash/ Uber Eats will need to be delivered onto the cart as we will not accept them in the front office. They can be delivered between 10:20 am - 11:20 am.

Tardy Students: students that are late for school will be allowed in the Front Office to sign in one person or one family. They must have on masks and their temperature will be taken at that time. Students will need to wait their turn to come into the school outside and please practice social distancing guidelines.

There will be NO student item drop off during the day.
Information from the School Nurse
Town Hall on 8/27
Your Gift Matters
Our Community Investment campaign makes it possible to provide a rich curriculum to all of our students. I want to sincerely thank to the families who have chosen to partner with us by giving to our 2020-2021 Community Investment campaign. If you have not yet given, please consider partnering with us this year through a monthly gift. Your generosity leaves a lasting impact on our students.

Many thanks to the families who have already given or pledged to our 2020-2021 Community Investment campaign. 
We still need to raise 26% more in order to reach our operating budget for the year. Join our donors and begin giving: follow this link or email me, Jessica Vaughan, at jvaughan@areteprepacademy.org. 
Fall Athletics
Fall ’20 Athletics are underway! Cross Country and Swim began this week (still time to register) and MS and HS Volleyball begin next week. MS and HS football have a start date of 9/7. Visit areteprepchargers.com for more information, and follow us on Instagram @areteprepchargers for updates.

Coaching Opportunity! We are looking to hire a MS Flag Football Coach for our season starting 9/7. If interested, contact Coach Conklin tconklin@areteprepacademy.org
PSO News
PSO is looking forward to welcoming previous and new Arete Prep families and working with families to support the school admin and teachers this year. A few things to note:

  • PSO is planning to have a limited hot lunch program in Q1. Starting Sept 24, hot lunches will be available Thursdays and Fridays. For details: https://areteprepacademy.greatheartsamerica.org/academy-life/lunch-program/
  • Snacks and drinks MAY be available for purchase other days, but this will depend on the availability of volunteers. We encourage you to sign-up to volunteer so we can continue selling snacks and drinks to the students: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d4facae2ca5fe3-arete10
  • To provide the safest environment possible, some items of convenience will no longer be available during lunch until further notice. Specifically: NO microwaves
  • NO hot water (for Ramen and other foods) NO utensils or napkins NO condiments
  • Stay Connected: Sign up for PSO text alerts: text @aretepso to the number 81010
  • If you want to volunteer with the PSO, we recommend you fill out this form: https://forms.gle/CGRE6cZzrTgZZXEk8 
  • All PSO volunteers must have a background check using the new Raptor system.
  • PSO meeting dates will be announced soon.
  • Please be sure you sign up for PSO text alerts to receive important PSO information.
We are seeking volunteers for the Teacher Excellence Fund Telethon on Saturday, September 19 at Veritas Prep. Funds raised will provide bonus compensation to our very own teachers at Arete Prep in their December paycheck. Click here for volunteer roles and shifts available. Contact Brenna Norris at bnorris@greatheartsaz.org for more information. 
Online Learning Info
Important Online Learning info can be found on the Arete Prep website using the password APA!2020. CLICK HERE for the webpage.
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.
Click here to apply. The cost is $5.00 per application per school year.
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.  
Great Hearts Safe Return Plan
Click here for the most up-to-date info from Great Hearts regarding our safe return.
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.
PSO
Arete Preparatory Academy | 480.222.4233