Published for the Arts Based School Community
Sept 30, 2021
Dear ABS families,
At the Arts Based School, we are so very grateful for all we have: our community of teachers, students, families, and friends; our place in this great city of Arts and Innovation; our vibrant 20-year history; and a future full of light and growth. We recognize that when we are able to regard what we have as a gift, our gratitude feeds a sense of abundance, a spirit of generosity, and a desire to care for one another. We believe that what we have together at ABS is worthy of celebrating and sustaining, and we hope you will join us!
Throughout October, we will be highlighting the collective power of Annual Giving at the Arts Based School, as well as the past two decades that have shaped our path forward. All gifts and pledges made to our 20th Anniversary Annual Giving campaign help to make the ABS experience what it is: joyful, genuine, rigorous, and unique.
Below, you will find our Annual Giving FAQs and a link to give. Please consider making a gift that is meaningful for your family. Your support affects everything that happens here: for every student and every classroom. This year, as in years past, we are asking for 100% participation. At ABS, we do not ask your children to sell anything on our behalf—we simply ask for your financial support, to whatever degree you are able. This is our annual fundraiser.
Thank you sincerely for participating in the Arts Based School community; we are grateful for all that our students and families bring to this shared experience, and we hope you will help us continue to move forward with hope and purpose.
Sincerely,
Robin Hollis
Principal
Save the Date: Scholastic Book Fair
We are excited for the return of the Scholastic Book Fair! The fair will take place Monday Oct 18th - Fri Oct 22nd in our new gymnasium. This year’s fair will have books for K-8 all in one space! Stay tuned for more information on ways to volunteer and shop during the fair.
Picture Day: Oct. 5
Smile! October 5 is Picture Day! All students will be photographed to be included in the ABS yearbook. Proofs will be sent home along with information if you would like to order. You can sign up with our photographer to receive updates via email regarding your child's school portraits.
Live Audiences for Upcoming Performances
We’re excited to welcome a limited, live audience to second grade’s performances of The Cowtail Switch, and for 5th Grade’s Romeo and Juliet on the Border!
A limit of TWO guests per student may attend. Audience members must be masked and distanced, and students and staff will be masked throughout. Note that this decision could be adjusted, depending on the COVID landscape. We will also shoot a stationary video of the performances, for sharing later.
These performances will be at the Ewing Blackbox Theater in the MLK building of The Arts Based School. Please arrive early, so you can find parking. The 2nd grade show is about 30 minutes long. 5th grade will be about 40 minutes long.
2nd Grade Performances:
Tuesday, October 19, 12:15 p.m. - Ms. Warren’s class
Wednesday, October 20, 12:15 p.m. - Ms. Jess’ class
Thursday, October 21, 12:15 p.m. - Ms. Londoño’s class
5th Grade Performances:
Tuesday, November 16, 12:15 p.m. - Ms. Frazier’s class
Wednesday, November 17, 12:15 p.m. - Mr. Tate’s class
Thursday, November 18, 12:15 p.m. - Ms. DeJarnette’s class
Late Pickup Policy
The regular school day ends at 2:30 for K-4th grade students and 2:45 for 5th-8th graders. Parents should have a ride at school for their child within ten minutes of dismissal time.
Students who have not been picked up on time will go to the main office in the building appropriate for the oldest child in the family. School personnel will contact the student’s family to inform them that the student has not been picked up.
When a parent arrives late, they will be asked to sign the student out. After three late pick-ups, parents will need to meet with the building administrator to make a plan for ensuring on-time pick-ups in the future.
At 3:30, any student still at school will be taken to the ABS Afterschool Program until a parent arrives. Families will be charged a $20 fee when this happens.
If no contact has been made with anyone about a late pick-up by 3:30, the Winston-Salem Police Department will be contacted to help locate a parent or family member.
Family Directory
This year’s Family Directory is now published behind the Parent Portal of our website! If you’d like to make any changes to your listing, please let us know.
Annual Giving!
Our 20th Anniversary Annual Giving campaign will run throughout the month of October! Here are a few FAQs…
WHAT IS ANNUAL GIVING?
Every year, we reach out to ask for giving in support of operating expenses and long-term financial stability at ABS. There is no tuition for attendance at ABS, but as a charter school, we do not receive the same state and federal funding as traditional public schools. We rely on the generosity of parents and families, board members, and our community to support the learning and creating that happens every day at ABS. Instead of asking our students and families to participate in fundraising activities (like selling cookies or wrapping paper), we ask all families and friends to make a gift to the school to whatever degree is possible. This is our annual fundraiser.
WHY IS MY PARTICIPATION IMPORTANT?
This year, as in past years, we are hoping to achieve 100% participation. Your participation in Annual Giving at ABS is more than financial support; it is a vote of confidence that demonstrates your belief in and investment in this remarkable place. When asking people outside of the school for financial support, it is especially important to be able to show them that our family and board participation in Annual Giving is reflective of the commitment to ABS that our community feels. Your participation is also important because ABS needs broad-based financial support from everyone to continue to provide students with an effective and joyful way to learn.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I GIVE?
Given the importance of the Annual Giving Campaign and the impact those dollars have on each child’s education, we ask that you give as generously as you are able. Last year, gifts to the annual fund ranged from $10 to $10,000. We are grateful to everyone who contributes, as each gift is crucial to the success of our school.
HOW CAN I MAKE MY GIFT?
There are two simple ways to give: 1) Make your check payable to “The Arts Based School,” complete the Annual Giving form, and send both to ABS. You can send it by mail, return it in your child’s Thursday folder, or drop it off in the front office. 2) You can also make a secure gift on our website.
WHAT IF I’M ALREADY GIVING MONTHLY?
Thank you so much! You are helping to sustain ABS in a meaningful way! If you’d like for your monthly giving to remain unchanged, then you don’t need to do anything–your gift will count towards this year’s goal.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO MAKE MY DONATION?
You can make a gift or pledge now, and make your full pledge payment any time between now and June 1. Please know that your gift is deeply appreciated and meaningful to us, no matter the amount.
ARE GIFTS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE?
Yes! The Arts Based School is a 501(c)3 organization, so charitable contributions are eligible for deduction.
CAN OTHER MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY CONTRIBUTE?
Absolutely! We welcome and sincerely appreciate the support of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, ABS alumni, and friends! Please direct them to the giving page on our website or contact us at [email protected]. We are happy to reach out to your family members and friends to assist them with making a gift!
Thank you!!