ABS Thursday Notes- July 22, 2021

Published for the Arts Based School Community

July 22, 2021

First Day of School –Wed, August 18th

Starting the New School Year

Hello to all our new and returning families!  As we continue to enjoy our summer, we’re also doing the planning and preparation work to launch into a great school year. Although there are still some unknowns based on the COVID pandemic, we anticipate having all our students back to in-person learning on a regular schedule for the 2021-22 school year.  The State continues to provide updates on requirements for health and safety in the Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit.-Update July 21, 2021. We will keep you informed as we know more.  The latest update allows parent volunteers back into school buildings and has students and staff in K-8 schools wear masks in the school buildings.

Garden Workday-Volunteers Needed

We'll start early to beat the heat! Please plan to join us on Saturday, July 31 between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM. 

Please bring your own equipment such as gardening gloves, wheelbarrows, shovels, pruners, clippers, gas powered weed eaters, 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! 

Class Representatives Needed

We are currently recruiting class representatives for all classrooms at ABS for the upcoming school year. It’s a great way to get your volunteer hours for the year and to be more involved with our amazing school. If you’re interested, please contact Aaron Willey at [email protected] Thank you so much for your willingness to volunteer!

Who’s My Teacher?

Classroom teachers met with the grade level team before school was out to create the class rosters for next year. They use all that they know about your child’s academic, social, emotional, and behavioral qualities to determine which classroom is the best match. K-6 Class placement lists were sent to parents Friday, July 16 via email from Principal Hollis. 7th and 8th Grade class lists will be delayed until August due to the Math Placement test.

New Parent Orientation

Save the Date! Wednesday, Aug 4 at 10am is the New K-4 Parent Orientation at ABS. This program is designed specifically for new families in grades K-4th at ABS to support your transition into ABS and to answer your questions.  If your family was new to ABS last year, you are welcome to join the orientation as well.  Please mark your calendars and join us!

Middle School Orientation

Save the Date! Wednesday, Aug 4 at 2pm is Middle School Orientation. For new parents (grade 5-8) and also for parents new to middle school. This program is designed to answer questions about how our middle school program works (grades 5-8) and what to expect.

Special Visits

Educational research shows that the relationship between the student and his or her teacher is one of the most important factors in a student’s academic success. This critical relationship is enhanced by our small class size and our educators’ commitment to children. In support of the teacher/student relationship, our teachers will be offering a Special Visit before school begins. A Special Visit is simply an opportunity for your child to meet his or her teacher in a familiar setting, a chance to learn a bit about the class and what to expect in the coming school year. This year’s scheduled days for Special Visits are August 12 and 13, 2021. Your child’s teacher will be contacting you to schedule a 15-20 minute appointment.

Back to School Night-Save the Date!

ABS Back to School Night is scheduled for Monday, August 16, 5-8pm.  More details soon…

Parking Lot Safety

Here are a few safety reminders and procedures to ensure the safety of our students and families in the school parking lot when school begins.

• 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.

Food Allergies at ABS

You’ve all read the headlines and seen the news stories: food allergies are a growing concern in schools across America. Millions of children – children who are perfectly healthy and normal in every other way – must watch every single bite they eat, or risk suffering a severe or even life-threatening reaction. In fact, food allergies claim over 200 lives and are responsible for over 30,000 emergency room visits each year. A major health issue such as this one needs to be taken very seriously, and it has always been the policy of this school to make the safety and well-being of our students our top priority.  If a student in your child’s class has a life-threatening food allergy you will receive this information in a letter.  We ask that you pay careful attention to the food restriction and accommodations that the school has put in place to keep these students safe.  We work closely with parents of these students to tailor the requirements based on the student’s 504 or medical plan.   For some students, the allergy is with ingestion only but others can suffer symptoms from contact or airborne allergens.  If you have any questions or concerns about food allergies or packing your own child’s safe lunch, please contact your classroom teacher.

Afterschool Care at ABS

ABS Afterschool Care Program was created out of a need for high-quality care with a flexible, convenient schedule for working parents. We look forward to providing a safe and fun-filled environment where we focus our efforts on the social, emotional and physical development of your child. We’ll do this by nurturing strong relationships and offering your child choices that reflect his/her individual needs, interests and abilities. Registration is open now through July 31. If you have questions, please email Stephanie LeFever- [email protected]

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