Published for the Arts Based School Community
March 18, 2021
How We Do It and Why
By Mary Siebert
“To forget a Holocaust is to kill twice.” – Elie Wiesel
Brundibár is a children’s opera by Czech composer Hans Krása, based on a cheerful folk tale. It is widely regarded as the finest opera ever composed for children to sing (with an adult orchestra). It premiered in 1941, at a Jewish orphanage in Prague. In 1942, Hans Krása was arrested by the Nazis and imprisoned at Terezín (Theresienstadt) concentration camp, where an estimated 33,000 people died of overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. 88,000 people were sent from Terezín to Auschwitz and other death camps. The Nazis allowed the children of Terezín to perform Brundibár at least 55 times at Terezín, routinely shipping the young singers to death camps afterward, to be replaced by a new cast of children. When the International Red Cross visited Terezín in 1944, the Nazis theatrically staged the camp as a temporary showpiece to refute growing allied suspicions that Jews were being exterminated. Terezín was staged with a new Kindergarten, a park, flowers, rich food, and concerts. The prisoners were dressed in fine clothing. Just before the arrival of the Red Cross, the Nazis shipped 7,500 people to Auschwitz, to create more open space. The opera Brundibár was performed for the Red Cross visitors, to demonstrate how happy and productive the children of Terezín were. Red Cross representatives reported to the world that Nazi prison camps were safe, clean, and pleasant, and the nazis created a propoganda film from that performance. Immediately after the Red Cross departed, the cast was sent to Auschwitz to be killed. This innocent little opera has carried the weight of its terrible historical context, ever after.
The Arts Based School’s 7th Graders learn Brundibár annually, as part of a state-required study of World War II, the Holocaust, and genocide. In 2006, a surviving cast member, Ela Weissberger, visited us and shared memories of the friends she had loved and lost at Terezín, where she had performed the opera 55 times. Here is a video of her speech at ABS before the show. She stood with our students to join in singing the Victory Song, at the end of the opera, and asked us always to remember her friends.
Memoirs of children who lived at Terezín, the testimony of surviving cast members, the historic propaganda video of the Red Cross visit, and the experience of singing the very notes those children sang, help us consider the Holocaust through the eyes of young victims whose memory we keep alive through this project.
Last year, we were ready to move our production to the theater, when the pandemic arrived. We did not know how to rescue it online then. We did not yet have the tools or skills required. It was a painful blow to students and staff. We had worked hard together. The live orchestra, the theater rental, the lighting and sound professionals—all had to be canceled, and costumes moved back to the basement.
This year, 7th graders are performing Brundibár by remote recording, from their homes. We are in the process of filming it via Zoom now, and it will be over a month before edits are complete and the film is released. It is challenging to keep energy and spirits up, and to accept yet another lost opportunity to perform together, in person. But these challenges do not begin to approach the ghastly ones faced by the children of Terezin. We sing in solidarity with those lost friends.
3rd Grade Videos of “Renaissance Spectacles” are here!
Please visit the Family Portal of our website for access to view them.
ReOpening School Plans
The Arts Based School Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to provide in-person learning beginning April 6.
We continue to prepare for the return to the classrooms for parents that choose that option for their child. We are committed to following all current required Health and Safety requirements. (updated March 4) provided by NCDHHS.
Students will return on a staggered schedule:
- April 6 Grades K-1, Tues/Thurs Cohort of 6-8
- April 7 Grade K-5, Wed/Fri Cohort of 6-8
We are working with three plans:
- K-5 would follow Plan A: Regular schedule, 4 days a week, minimal distancing, mask mandatory.
- 6-8 would follow Plan B: 6 ft distancing, every other day attendance, mask mandatory.
- Some students would elect Plan C: Remote Learning - Joining the classroom instruction via Zoom while the teacher is teaching those in the classroom.
How Do I Stay Up to Date with School ReOpening Plans?
We’re doing our best to keep ABS families, staff, and community updated with the latest information about our School ReOpening. We will continue to provide information in multiple places, including direct email, Thursday Notes, and Virtual Parent Meetings. Our next virtual information meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 24th at 12 pm. You should have received an invitation and link via your email from Evite. If you have specific topics or questions, please send them to us via this form so we can be sure to address them. Form to submit questions.
ABS ReOpening School Updates Recording-March 10
What can parents do to get ready for in-person learning?
- Download Pikmykid app to your phone.
- Have children practice wearing masks.
- Stayed tuned for updates.
- Continue to educate yourself and review the COVID safety protocols.
- Consider what option your family will choose between in person and remote learning so you are ready to complete the confirmation form.
PikMyKid App
So far we have 59 parents who have registered with the Pikmykid app. That’s 9% of our parents. For families who choose to return to in-person learning, it is important that you
download the PikMyKid parent smartphone app on IOS or Android. Once you have downloaded the app, you will press the “Register” button and follow the prompts to sign up. When you have successfully registered, please log in, allow notifications, and check to make sure that you see your ABS student(s) listed. If you do not see your child’s name, it is most likely because we do not have your mobile phone information. Please contact Stephanie LeFever at [email protected]
If you do not have a smartphone or are unable to download the PikMyKid app for any reason, please email Leah Lavin so that we can help find a solution: [email protected].
For more information about Pikmykid, visit our school website.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Will the 8th grade graduation be via zoom or in person?
A: We’re hoping to provide an in-person graduation for our 8th graders. There are many details to work out to maintain COVID safety protocols. Stay tuned.
Q: Will we have school pictures taken this year?
A: We are working with Strawbridge Studios to schedule a “Drive thru Photo Shoot” on a Remote Learning Monday so that students can have a photo outside without wearing a mask.
Q: Will 3rd graders take the Beginning of Grade (BOG) Test?
A: Third graders will not be taking the BOG this year. We will be administering the EOG tests for grades 3-8 in May.
Q: Will Remote Learners be able to take the End of Grade tests?
A: Yes, the State is requiring us to administer EOG tests to all students. We will schedule in-person testing sessions for Remote Learners on Remote Learning Mondays.
Q: Will we have to quarantine if our family travels over Spring Break?
A: Neither the State of NC nor our Board of Directors has required that we quarantine after travel. Currently, the CDC is advising against traveling during Spring Break.
Q: What are school start and end times?
A: All students can arrive between 7:45-8:15am. Students in K-4 are dismissed at 2:30pm. Students in 5-8 are dismissed at 2:45pm.
Q: How will my kindergartener (or new student) know where his/her classroom is located?
A: ABS staff will be welcoming students in the drop off line, conducting health screenings and temperature checks. Our kindergarten and first grade teaching assistants will be stationed at the doors to help escort their students to classrooms.
Q: How many students are returning to in-person learning?
A: 78.7% are returning to in-person learning. 21.3% will remain in Remote Learning
Q: When will we know our cohort assignment?
A: For students in grades 6-8, students will be assigned either Tu/Thur Cohort or Wed/Fri Cohort. Those assignments will be shared with families by Wed, March 24.
Q: Since we are back in-person, will our show be in-person too?
A: Our productions will remain remote, Zoom-filmed ones. We'll do Zoom filming on Remote Mondays, during specials times, and by student submission, so all remote and in-person learners may participate. We may experiment with some small group segments in-person, masked and socially distanced.
ABS Before and Afterschool Care Program
Registration is now open for the ABS Before and Afterschool Care Program.If you're interested in registering your child and haven't received the information, please email Stephanie LeFever - [email protected]
ABS Summer Camps
We're working behind the scenes to put together an exciting summer camp experience for ABS students. A special thank you to all of you who took the time to complete the interest survey! Look for additional information to be sent out early April.
8th Grade "Guess Who?" and All Grades Virtual Learning Photos Needed
Please email [email protected] one toddler or baby photo of your 8th grader for the Yearbook's 8th grade "Guess Who?" Page ASAP. All grades may also submit photos of your student learning virtually.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING PHOTOS FOR THE YEARBOOK IS MARCH 26.
Yearbooks may be ordered for $22 online via YEARBOOK ORDERS (deadline is April 15). Photos should be emailed to [email protected] and please list your child's grade/teacher. Thank you!
ABS Alumni in RJ Reynolds Jesus Christ Superstar
A large number of ABS alumni are filling important roles, onstage and off, for RJ Reynolds’ performance this weekend. The live stream will be Friday March 19th at 7:30pm on youtube. Virtual tickets can be purchased at https://tinyurl.com/superstarrjr