October 23, 2020
From Headmaster Gillingham
We have completed our second week of quarter 2 and our first asynchronous day. Teachers had a busy week with professional development, meetings for conferences and other student interventions and our all virtual Curriculum Event. We recorded the virtual Curriculum Event and that access will be sent to the sections to allow families who were unable to attend to get to learn a little more about the teachers and curriculum. Monday, October 26 is a day off to rest and recoup. I hope that this is true for your family as well. 

We will have two more asynchronous days this quarter: 
November 6 (half day)
December 11 (full day)

We are updating our Google calendar regularly with events and our distance learning site has the most up to date resources. (Password: APA!2020)

Next Friday, October 30, is Literary and Historical Figure Day. Please review the dress code with your student: CLICK HERE for the dress code. We encourage distance learners to dress up too! You can send a picture of your costume to Mrs. Harris and we will share a collage of the creative ideas and characters. ALL costumes must adhere to the dress code or students will be asked to change or go home. 

Sincerely,
Headmaster, Arete Preparatory Academy
Thank You from Arete Prep Faculty and Staff
Thank you to Nancy Wong and all the parents that donated to the Teacher Appreciation lunches.
Community Investment News
As an Arizona state taxpayer, you direct where a portion of your state taxes go with the Arizona Public School Tax Credit.

Will you please contribute your Tax Credit to Arete Prep?  

Individual filers can contribute up to $200 and joint filers can contribute up to $400. When you file your state taxes, you can claim your contribution and receive it back on your state tax return.

Senior Trip 2021 Fundraiser
Order Honey Baked Ham gift cards for your holiday meals and support the 2021 Senior Class Trip to Washington, DC! Click here to order.
Picture Day's Coming Soon
There are two Picture Day's scheduled, one for the in person learners and one for the online learners.
  • In Person Learners - Thursday, November 5
  • Distance Learners - Friday, November 6 (after school is dismissed)
Distance Learners will have a Sign Up Genius link in next weeks newsletter Friday, October 30.
Senior Trip 2022
Attention Arete Prep Juniors and families:

Senior trip 2022: Enrollment has started! Enroll between now and December 15, 2020 and save $500! Contact Ms. Hansen with questions, hhansen@areteprepacademy.org
Visit website or scan QR code to enroll:
Senior Trip 2022: Scholarship Opportunity 
Every year EF Explore America gives away $50,000 worth of scholarships to select students from around the country.
How to apply for this needs-based scholarship:
  1. Have your student write a brief essay (no more than 250 words) answering the question, "Why do you want to go on this EF Explore America Tour?"
  2. A parent/guardian must complete the Explorer Scholarship application.
  3. Submit the application by the deadline specified.
 
International Travel
As you begin to make your holiday plans, please remember that any international travel will result in quarantine (as many as 14 days) before your child/ren are permitted to return to school. The GreatHearts International Travel Policy can be found in our COVID Incident Response Guidelines and below for your convenience. Please notify administration if your family intends to travel internationally.

International Travel Isolation Guidelines
1.         Stay home for 14 days after you return home from international travel.
2.         Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for a fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.
3.        Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school
4.        Do not take public transportation taxis, or ride-shares.
5.        Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters)
  • Please note that Puerto Penasco is considered international 
Lunch Drop Off Updates, New Policies
Lunch Drop Off Updated:

MIDDLE SCHOOL: 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.
HIGH SCHOOL: There will be a cart OUTSIDE the front office doors from 11:15 am - 12:15 pm for lunches, the cart will be moved to the courtyard at 12:20 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.

The Front Office: The new policy 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.

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.

If you are attending in-person and borrowed an Arete Prep Laptop/Device, please hold onto the laptop until further notice. 

Google Classroom Help
If your username or password does not work, please visit the Great Hearts Password/Login Help at https://theveeya.com/GreatHeartsFamilyHelp/

Remote Learning Info:
https://areteprepacademy.greatheartsamerica.org/remote-learning/

There will be NO student item drop off during the day.
College Counseling Corner
The October PSAT has been RESCHEDULED. All 9th, 10th and 11th grade students will take the PSAT in January 2021. Information regarding practice testing and the actual test in January will be sent to families in the second quarter from College Counseling.
Mask Policy
We ask that students not wear masks with exhalation valves, vents or mesh. These type of masks do not prevent the person wearing the mask from transmitting COVID-19 to others. The purpose of masks is to keep respiratory droplets from reaching others to aid with source control. 
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:

New Volunteer Clearance 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.  
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