August 7, 2020
From the Headmaster
Dear Families,
 
Welcome to the new year! I am sure that wrestling with the technology, format, and new schedule today caused frustration for many of you on what is typically a day full of excitement. Thank you for persevering. The faculty and staff were overjoyed to see all their students in classes today. The work we have ahead is meaningful, engaging work and your students are ready for it. If you did not get all the technological issues worked out today, I encourage you to use the resources below.
 
The front office is available for phone calls 8 am until 1 pm each day. We are here to support you. The deans are available at each break to help and support students and their google numbers can be found on our remote learning page.
 
As a reminder, students are expected to login to a synchronous session for at least the first 5 minutes of every class. Their Wednesday section team building is mandatory and will be used for attendance. Their classes and links can be found in their google calendar (through their google classroom). We are aware of the issues some families are having with zoom links asking for passwords. Teachers will now include these in their calendar invite.

I encourage you to reflect with your students how their routine served them today. When where they are their best? When did they struggle? What can be adjusted in their workspace or routine to support an engaged and focused Monday?
 
Thank you for your continued partnership and grace.
 
GO CHARGERS!

Sincerely,
Julia Gillingham | Headmaster, Arete Prep
Recordings
Meet the Team:
7th Grade Meet the Team**
9th Grade Meet the Team**
10th Grade Meet the Team**
12th Grade Meet the Team**

**We are experiencing issues with these recordings and IT is working on it. We will post the power points next week and once the videos have been restored we will send them to the families.

Distance Learn Town Hall

New Family Orientation
Late Textbook Pick Up
For those that were unable to pick up textbooks, music workbooks or Spanish books - they will be available for pick up on Monday and Tuesday, August 10 and 11 from 8:30 am - 2 pm. Please purchase the music workbooks for grades 7th - 10th and Spanish books before arriving, as it is contactless payment, you may pay here: https://areteprep.configio.com/search?cid=378
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.
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.
Mentors
Mr. Vaughan and Ms. Attridge are working on creating a Google Classroom for mentors and mentees for more communication about meetings. Keep an eye out for more information next week.
Community Investment
We are seeking parent and student (11th and 12th grade only) volunteers for the Teacher Excellence Fund Telethon on September 19th at Veritas Prep. Funds raised will provide bonus compensation to our very own teachers at Arete Prep in their December payroll. Click here for volunteer roles and shifts available. Contact Brenna Norris at https://bnorris@greatheartsaz.org for more information.
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
 
Coffee Shop Schedule
Middle School Zoom Coffee Shop - August 19 @ 10 am CLICK HERE
High School Zoom Coffee Shop - August 26 @ 10 am CLICK HERE
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