Published for the Arts Based School Community
March 25, 2021
SPRING BREAK- No School March 29-April 2
Return to In-Person Learning: Coming Soon!
April 6: Grades K-1 and Tu/Thurs Cohorts 6-8
April 7: Grades K-5 and Wed/Fri Cohorts 6-8
How We Do It and Why
By Mary Siebert
“The arts aren't just important because they improve math scores. They're important because they speak to parts of children's being which are otherwise untouched.” – Sir Ken Robinson
Why integrate the arts into classroom instruction?
The arts encourage discipline, to channel energy into productive learning. Arts integration is a tool to present information in memorable ways and build models of understanding. The arts push students into higher-level thinking synthesis and creation, and application of knowledge.
- Mastering the arts requires engagement, repetition, discipline, accuracy, and focused application, resulting in delight, deep recall, and increased self-esteem. Integration allows other subject matter to “hitch a ride” with the energy of the arts.
- When you use the arts, students’ brains are fully engaged, as opposed to the tedious left-brain isolation of rote memorization.
- Integration enables the instructor to teach several subjects simultaneously.
- Through personal, artistic expression, the arts allow students to own the knowledge, which helps them retain it. When you create art, you care about it.
- Integration of the arts provides an answer to that age-old question: “When would I ever useProblem-solving and calculating in architecture and sculpture this math?”
- Problem-solving and calculating in architecture and sculpture
- Basketry
- Mixing paints
- Counting and rhythm in music
- Measurement and scale in set design
- Measurement in costuming
- Geometry in graphic design and dance
- The financial challenges of becoming an arts entrepreneur or a producer
Performance or exhibition opportunities provide combined goals and assessments that inspire excellence. Students express their knowledge in an individualized fashion.
- If you tell a student that they will be taking a test, they moan.
- If you tell a student they’ll be doing a show, they cheer!
- If you tell a student that they might get a lower grade, they will worry.
- If you tell a student that people are coming to see a performance, they all care.
Assessment via performance is more authentic than testing (…but we test well, too.)
- In the real world, you are judged by your product, performance, and relationships.
- When you see the excellent work of others, you are inspired to try new things.
- The opportunity to be self-expressed, and to have that individual expression recognized and valued (through an exhibit or performance,) builds self-esteem. This causes the student to expect even more great things of herself, and gives her the courage to try.
ReOpening School Plans
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 23) 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 Slideshow
ABS ReOpening School Updates Meeting- March 24 Slideshow
What can parents do to get ready for in-person learning?
- Download Pikmykid app to your phone.
- Have children practice wearing masks.
- Stay tuned for updates.
- Continue to educate yourself and review the COVID safety protocols.
PikMyKid App
So far we have 34% of parents who have registered with the Pikmykid app. 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, join Parent Council tomorrow, Friday, March 26 for a Pikmykid Parent Training session at 11:30. You should have received an evite with the link.
Parking Lot Safety
- Please drive slowly and cautiously through the school parking lot at all times.
- Do not use cell phones while in our parking lot.
- Watch for children and adults in the parking lot.
- Please allow extra time the first week as parents and children become accustomed to the routine.
- Please be kind and courteous to parking lot helpers.
- Please be responsible for explaining the drop off/pick up procedures to your afterschool daycare vans or anyone else who may be picking up your children.
Remember to enter only on Chestnut St. (by white church) during pick-up and drop-off.
Please review the attached traffic map for more information about drop-off and pick up procedures.
Student Medication at School
The Arts Based School staff is not allowed to administer any herbal, over-the-counter, or prescription medications or ointments without prior written authorization from the child's physician. If your child needs to take medication during school hours or your child has a life threatening allergy that requires medication to be kept at the school, please email Stephanie LeFever at slefever@artsbasedschool to obtain the necessary forms that must accompany all medications. All medications must be dropped off by a parent and kept in the school office. If you have questions about medications at school, please email Stephanie LeFever.
If your child has medication (epi-pen, inhaler, etc) that needs to be kept at school, please plan to drop off the medication in the MLK office (K-4) or 7th street office (5-8) on Monday, April 5 8am-3pm.
Welcome to our New School Nurses!
ABS is very pleased to welcome school nurses Olga Silva and Rebecca Isaac! The school has received funding through the state’s COVID relief to support these new positions. The nurse’s office is located in the MLK front office, and both MLK and 7th Street buildings now have designated rooms for sick students. In addition to caring for sick students, our nurses will help ABS implement COVID protocols, contact tracing, and manage our school COVID dashboard. One nurse will be on campus Monday through Friday, 7:30am-2:30pm.
Garden Workdays
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been more than a year since we have scheduled group garden workdays—and our gardens are in need of some TLC! There's much to be done so we're asking all families to email Stephanie LeFever to sign up for an hour or two of pulling weeds and tending the garden from now until April 4. You will pick the date and time that works best for your family, and you will be assigned an area of focus when you sign-up. This is a wonderful opportunity to welcome spring! Can we count on you? If so, please email [email protected] to sign up!
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 in 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 EXTENDED TO APRIL 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!