Published for the Arts Based School Community
April 22, 2021
How We Do It and Why
By Mary Siebert
“Happiness is a thing to be practiced, like the violin.” - John Lubbock
There is something magical about opening an instrument for the first time and learning to coax sound out of it. It’s almost like adopting a new puppy or kitten. It has a little soul of its own. Any child can feel it.
Only three years ago, ABS acquired a full class set of violins in varying sizes. A few are full sized, but most of them are ¾ or ½ sized, for children. Violin is, surprisingly, appropriate for very young children to learn. It is not uncommon for children as young as three to start violin lessons, progressing throughout childhood. With miniature versions of the instrument, their tiny fingers can manage the bow, press down on the strings, wrap their left wrist around the violin’s neck in that strange swan-like grip, hold it up with their chin, and learn to play.
When ABS received our set of violins, it was through funds bequeathed to us by Alex Ewing; the same generous donor who helped us create our Ewing Blackbox Theater and our light-filled dance studio. We formed a tradition of introducing all 4th graders to the violin during the third term.
Mrs. Boudreault is able to safely teach using these shared instruments in spite of COVID restrictions because students are not rotating through arts classes each week. Instead, they take music for a week, then dance the following week, and art the next. This keeps students more safely clustered and exposes the teachers to fewer individual children each week. (In a typical year, specials teachers see all 320 students twice weekly.) So each student, including remote learners, is assigned their own private instrument for the week. Mrs. Boudreault can sterilize and clean the violins at week’s end and have them ready for the next class on the following Tuesday. For the few students who have played since toddlerhood, there are adapted assignments. One accomplished violinist took home a small cello to try.
The students have been excited to learn how to handle these fragile instruments. Mrs. Boudreault has already heard from parents of one remote student who is asking for a violin for her birthday. Another fourth grader was still bubbling with delight as he entered his parents’ car at dismissal, and exclaimed, “That was so much fun! I love learning to play the violin!”
In class, the focus is absolute. Nobody is talking. Everyone is concentrating on their instrument and the teacher. Everyone is carefully following instructions. There are meticulous procedures for everything from opening the case to positioning the body. Mrs. Boudreault’s laptop sits in the row of students like another member of the class, the camera focused on her. She often addresses the remote musicians, and checks on their position, correcting details. Once they’ve gotten the basics down and are plucking strings, she brings up a recording of Counting Stars by OneRepubic. She calls out patterns and the carefully masked students play along, marveling that their violins fit right in with the song, and that they can so quickly urge them to sing.
Board Decision about 6th Grade
The ABS Board voted unanimously Tuesday evening to return our 6th grade students to 4 days a week of in-person learning following Plan A starting April 27. Unfortunately, we are unable to return 7th and 8th graders because the numbers of students in those classes are too large to maintain minimal distancing (3ft) in the classrooms. We continue to strive to get all students back to in-person learning as much as possible.
COVID Reminders
Although numbers of cases in NC have been rising slightly, our school has not seen any student or staff cases. Thanks to our parents, students, and staff for their hard work in following the health and safety requirements. Our COVID dashboard is available and updated by our school nurse weekly. Some of our parents have reported possible exposures outside of school, which requires a negative test before a student can return to school. Parents must contact Stephanie LeFever [email protected] before returning if tested for COVID-19.
There are two different types of rapid tests. The Public Health Department says a negative rapid antigen test needs to be followed up with a negative PCR before a student can return to in-person learning. A negative rapid PCR is sufficient for immediate return to in-person.
Being a Good Neighbor
Our car lines create a real headache for our neighbors in the mornings and afternoons. In an effort to reduce these challenges, please make these adjustments to your routine.
- Do not arrive at school for pickup before 2:10. We do not move the line until 2:20 and the students do not begin coming out of the building until close to 2:30.
- When you arrive, please keep the line on Chestnut St to the right of the street as you wait, so that apartment residents can pass down the street.
- Please be kind and considerate as you wait in traffic… No honking or fussing at others.
- If someone makes a mistake, let us know so we can help them understand the system.
Additional Day for School Pictures
Another Drive-thru Picture Day will be Monday, May 3 from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM
1.) Sign-up for an appointment HERE.
2.) You will follow the same traffic pattern as you would for dismissal, entering our parking lot from Chestnut Street at Lloyd's Presbyterian Church.
3.) You will not need to "announce" in the PikMyKid app for picture day. You do not need to complete a health screening, but please do not come if you are feeling sick.
4.) Your help is needed for this to run efficiently. We know you want to get in and out! Please have your child ready to immediately exit the car when we open the car door. If your child is not ready, you will be asked to move to a holding station.
5.) Your child should exit the car with their mask on. They will take their mask off just before their picture is taken.
6.) Your child will be asked to get back in the car immediately after their picture is taken.
7.) Please do not walk up for picture day.
If you have further questions, please email Stephanie LeFever: [email protected]
Teacher Appreciation Week is coming soon - Mark your calendar!
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 3-7, 2021. There is nothing like a global pandemic to shine a spotlight on the creativity, hard work, and determination of ABS Teachers and Administrators. Acknowledging how taxing this school year has also been on families and students, let’s channel a bit of energy and have some fun to show teachers how much we appreciate them!
Parents Council Hospitality is providing a schedule of ideas for the week and pitching in to help, too. Use these themes/ideas or get creative with how you demonstrate your care for Teachers. Any and all expressions of appreciation will be loved by the Teachers and Staff.
Teacher Appreciation Week 2021
May 3: Virtual Appreciation Monday
- Send your Teachers and Specialists a virtual treat: e-cards, video message, giftcards, or a photo of your student’s custom art expressing why they appreciate their teacher. If participating in virtual class sessions on Monday, encourage students to hold up thank you signs or artwork to surprise their teacher via Zoom. Spread the digital love!
- Tips: Refer to the ABS Staff Favorites list for ideas. Evite offers free e-cards.
May 4 & May 5: Decorate & Donate - combo days
- Let’s bring some joy to the carline! DECORATE your vehicle with signs of appreciation for Teachers & Specialists. We are doubling days for this fun idea so that both Middle School cohorts will have the opportunity to participate.
- DONATE a book to your teacher’s classroom (gently used from your home library or buy through Scholastic); Donate classroom supplies or give a gift card so your teacher can buy whatever they need!
- Tip: Scholastic gives 2% in rewards to the Arts Based School when you shop our online book fair link https://www.scholastic.com/bf/artsbasedschoolk8. Sign in to ensure ABS benefits from purchases you make all year long.
May 6: Thank You Thursday
- Send a heartfelt thank you note to Teachers, Specialists, and Administrators for all they have done to invent and reinvent this school year. Get creative with handmade cards or artwork.
- Parent Council Hospitality Committee will be providing healthy snacks for teachers & staff to enjoy during the week on behalf of our families.
May 7: Fun Friday - ABS Spirit Day
- Encourage students to wear their ABS t-shirts or sweatshirts. Show your spirit and celebrate the reason we love ABS so much - the teachers!!!
- Take every opportunity to thank the Teachers, Specialists, and Staff for making ABS an amazing place to learn & grow.
Thank you for helping make this an extra special week for our awesome teachers & staff at ABS!
Warmly,
ABS Parents Council Board
ABS Summer Camps
Summer Camp Registration is OPEN! Look for an email from Stephanie LeFever later today with all details about summer camps and information on how to register your child(ren). We've had a lot of interest in summer camps this year so don't wait; space is limited! All questions should be directed to Stephanie LeFever, [email protected]
Garden Workday- April 24
ABS Parents:
The forecast for Saturday is showing a 100% chance of rain. Therefore, we will move our Parent Workday from April 24 to May 1.
In honor of Earth Day, please plan to join parent volunteer lead, Kristen Haaf, on Saturday, May 1 between 10 AM and 12 NOON.
You can sign up as an individual or bring the entire family to help! We will offer DOUBLE volunteer hours for each individual volunteering!
Please bring any equipment such as gardening gloves, wheelbarrows, shovels, pruners, clippers, and tree trimming equipment. IF you have a truck or large trunk and are a city resident with yard waste pick up, please also consider bringing your yard waste bin for us to fill. Don't forget your water bottle!
Please click HERE to sign-up so we'll know who's coming and we can record your volunteer hours!
Courtyard Construction!
This week, glass was inserted behind our cool sculptural grilles, to create dramatic light sources for our new rooms. Wall board has started to go up in the gym area, while ductwork is waiting to be installed. We’ve been busy selecting cabinets, carpet, and other finishes. In the music room, there is a small room for sectional rehearsals (for example, flutes only,) and for recording sound. Wall board has defined this space, doubled for sound insulation. So far, only a handful of committed ABS families and board members are making this new learning, gathering, and music-making space possible for us. If you are able, please consider participating in the effort by making a one-time gift to help us complete the courtyard construction by the end of the school year. If you have any questions, or if you are interested in designating a larger gift to a particular need, please reach out to Leah Lavin: [email protected].
Yearbook Order Deadline Extended to May 1st
Here is the link to order. The cost is $22 – and this will be a year to remember, so get yours today! May 1st is also the deadline for submitting photos for the yearbook.
Save the Date- June 10 morning for 8th grade graduation
We are working on plans for the 8th grade graduation as a morning event outside. We’ll keep you posted as we know more!