Published for the Arts Based School Community
July 29, 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.
How Do I Stay Up to Date with School Health and Safety Plans?
We’re doing our best to keep ABS families, staff, and community updated with the latest information about our Health and Safety plans as the requirements continue to be adjusted for schools. 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, August 11 at 12 pm. You will receive 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. This session will be recorded and available for those who are unable to attend.
Volunteering at ABS
Each family is asked to volunteer at least one hour per week (per child), helping with classroom activities and/or school events. We welcome help from adults over the age of 18. Each class will have a volunteer class representative who will serve to organize and coordinate with the teacher. The Parent Volunteer Coordinator, classroom reps and Parent Council will help coordinate volunteers, matching talents and interests with the needs of the school and teachers. You will find the rewards are much greater than could be imagined! Please be sure to wear a visitor badge (and a mask) when you are volunteering at the school.
Volunteer Background Checks
All volunteers must undergo a national sex offender registry check. Registered sex offenders will not be allowed to volunteer. Volunteers wishing to volunteer in roles that allow unsupervised interaction with students must undergo a national criminal background check. Volunteers who have been charged with or convicted of an offense will not be allowed to volunteer. To review full Volunteer Screening Policy, click here.
Volunteers Needed
Call for volunteers to help deliver textbooks to teachers' classrooms Friday morning, August 6 at 9:00am. It would be nice to have 4-5 people and would probably take an hour or two. Meet in the MLK building cafeteria. If you can help, please email [email protected]
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!
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!
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…
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]
ABS Regular Board Meeting
The ABS Board of Directors will meet in person on August 10, 2021 at 5:45pm in the gym of the 7th St Building. Board meetings are open to the public. If you would like to view the meeting, please email Principal Hollis [email protected] for the link.
Looking for more information about our school?
Check out the website artsbasedschool.com. As an ABS parent, you will have access to the Parent Portal. Last year’s password will expire soon. You should have received the log in and new password with your class lists.