November 22- Early Dismissal
- K-4 Dismiss at 11:45
- 5-8 Dismiss at 12 noon
Nov 25-29 No School Thanksgiving Break
How We Do It and Why
By Mary Siebert
Wake up, Jacob, Day’s a-breakin’!
Peas in the pot and the hoecake’s bakin’.
Early in the morning, almost day;
If you don’t come soon…gonna throw it all away.”
-Cook’s Wake-Up (Traditional American)
Fifth graders lie on the ground, eyes closed, imagining a time when only the sounds of nature and the occasional snoring comrade were heard at night. Suddenly, their repose is shattered by the banging of spoon on a frying pan, and the “Cook’s Wake-Up”, and with a big “yahoo!” we’re off on day one of the “Cowboys” unit in music class that kicks off our Romeo and Juliet on the Border project.
The unit is built around historic folk songs, works of art, and frontier history of the cattle drive era of the American “Wild West”, dating from the end of the 19th century. Students learn about the direct connection from the Civil War to the cattle drives and the industry’s role in Reconstruction. A diverse group of topics are touched upon, including the prairie biome and its creatures, economic factors, star constellations, racial inclusion, the railroads, supply and demand, transportation, and social customs. The lessons introduce historic American cowboy and Northern Mexican folk songs for the show.
In their classrooms, students have already completed an introduction into the structure of Shakespeare’s writing, through curriculum designed by Ms. Zayas. The Bard’s 16th century inventions were integrated with the technology of the 21st century as small groups wrote mini-plays about explorers, incorporating Shakespeare’s iambic pentameter into the structure of their writing. They documented their writing with computer presentations on the SmartBoard and performed their projects for the class.
In Spanish class, they have already been introduced to the tradition of the “corrido,” a song form that uses the syllabic structure of eight beats per phrase, just as Shakespeare’s iambic pentameter uses five.
Heidi McIver has introduced audition techniques and the western characters they will inhabit in their adaptation of Romeo & Juliet. When we return from break, 5th graders will audition for the show, with casting completed before winter break. Their “Dancing Classrooms” expertise, combined with this constellation of preparatory study, will have them ready to take their big show by storm in the new year!
Disney’s The Lion King Jr. Will be performed TONIGHT by the entire ABS 8th grade
Where: First Presbyterian Church Worship Center, 200 N. Cherry Street, downtown W-S
When: 7:00 p.m. (principals arrive 5:45, remaining cast arrives 6:00)
Cost: Free, but we welcome your cash/check donation to cover theater costs.
Parking: On the south side of 2nd Street across from the theater, between Marshall and Cherry. (The lot typically charges $1.00 but the fee is waived for us tonight.)
PLEASE STAY AND HELP US RETURN THE SET AND COSTUMES TO ABS AFTER THE SHOW! Thank you! (No small children.)
Crisis Control Food Drive
K-Kids are sponsoring a canned food drive for Crisis Control Ministries, a non-profit organization that provides food for the needy in our community. Please bring non-perishable items in cans and boxes (no glass containers, please). Items will be collected in a hallway location outside each grade level. This drive will continue until Friday, Dec. 13.
Be on time!
School begins at 8:15 a.m. Students may arrive at school between 7:45 and 8:10. Students will be counted tardy if they’re not in their classroom at 8:15am. The student entrance will be locked at 8:15 a.m. After 8:15 a.m., parents must park and escort their child(ren) to the Front office entrance and sign in. Ten tardies are considered one absence on state attendance records.
Activity Fees Due
As we grow closer to the end of the first semester, please be sure your activity fees have been taken care of. Notices for outstanding Activity Fees and lunch charges are being sent home in Thursday packets.
Picture Retakes
November 22 is picture make-up and retake day. Any student who was absent on picture day will automatically be photographed as these pictures are used for our annual yearbook. However, if you are interested in your child having his/her picture retaken, please send a note or email to your child’s homeroom teacher. Students will only be sent for a retake if the parent sends in a request.
NC School Report Card
Each year the North Carolina School Report Cards provides a comprehensive resource for information about student achievement, the school environment and student safety at the state, district and school levels.
To see our school’s report card click on the following link: NC School Report Card
Lost and Found
Please check lost and found for items you may have forgotten. All items not claimed by November 22 will be donated.
ABS Spelling Bee
We will be holding our annual spelling bee for third through eighth grade students on Thursday, Dec 12. The top three winners from each classroom will participate in the school-wide event. For more information about word lists, check with your classroom teacher.
ABS Science Fair
ABS will hold its annual science fair on January 9, 2020. All students are invited to participate. Registration forms will be sent home via Thursday packets this week. Science Fairs give students an opportunity to think and work independently, develop and refine individual science interests, and engage in critical thinking. Please help your child choose a science fair project topic that aligns with the science standards at his or her grade level. Science standards can be found for each grade level on the ABS website under “Our Students”. Science Fair applications are due to your teacher by Monday, January 6.
Save the Date for the last Community Creates! - May 2, 2020
For ten years, we have enjoyed enchanting works of art, unique collaborations, and hearty celebrating, at the Community Creates fundraiser at The Arts Based School. The event has raised fees for visiting and resident artists of varied disciplines who inspire and challenge our students. It really has earned a reputation of “party of the year!”
This year will mark our FINAL Community Creates. We will still have a fundraiser each year, something new and yet-to-be-invented.
This spring, we hope you will join us for this “last blast,” so we can take this party out in style! If you would like to help with this event, please let Principal Hollis know at [email protected]
Flu Season
As you know, flu can be easily spread from person to person. We are asking for your help in reducing the spread of flu at ABS. The symptoms for the seasonal flu and H1N1 are the same: fever of 100 degrees or more, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. Students with these symptoms will be sent home.
You can help us by taking these simple steps:
- Teach children to wash their hands often.
- Teach your children not to share food or drink.
- Teach children to cough or sneeze into their elbows to avoid spreading germs.
- Keep sick children home.
Get the flu vaccine for you and your children.
Inclement Weather
In the event of inclement weather, ABS will announce school closings on local TV channels, under “The Arts Based School”. This information will also be posted on the ABS website (www.artsbasedschool.com).
High School Information Night
ABS will host counselors, teachers, and administrators from several area high schools for an information session on December 3rd from 6-7pm. This will include a brief introduction from the high school reps and time to ask questions and gather information from a variety of schools. High School Information Night will take place in the 7th Street building and all 7th and 8th grade families are invited to attend.
Prospective Parents’ Tours
School tours for prospective parents are scheduled weekly on Thursdays at 9:30am. Each tour is limited to 10 adults in an effort to limit the disruption to our students and teachers in the classrooms. Parents interested in learning more about ABS and how to enroll their child should contact the front office to sign up for a tour. 748-4116 ext 1023. Applications will be accepted beginning January 1. The lottery will be held on the second Tuesday of February.
Nutcracker Tea Party!
Get your tickets now for UNCSA’s Preparatory Dance Nutcracker Tea Party! Performances on December 7th & 8th at The Arts Based School – see the attached flyer for more information or click here to purchase tickets online from the Stevens Center Box Office. Don’t miss this wonderful holiday tradition!