Published for the Arts Based School Community
May 25, 2023
Friday, May 26- Early Dismissal-Conference Preparation
- K-4 Dismiss at 11:45
- 5-8 Dismiss at 12 noon
Monday, May 29 No School-Memorial Day
Thank you ABS Volunteers!
I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your dedication to volunteering at the Arts Based School. Your invaluable support and commitment have made a significant difference in our school community, and we are truly grateful for your presence.
Your willingness to invest your time and energy into various school activities and events has had a profound impact on our students, teachers, and staff. From assisting in classrooms, chaperoning field trips, or contributing your skills and expertise, your efforts have enriched the learning environment and created memorable experiences for our students.
Your commitment to fostering a positive and nurturing educational atmosphere has not gone unnoticed. Your unwavering support has shown our students the importance of community involvement and instilled in thm a sense of pride in our school.
Although not all volunteers “logged their time” into the system, we do have over 1535 hours worth of volunteer services recorded worth more than $27,000. If you forgot to add your time into the system, it’s not too late. (Form here!) We use this data when applying for grants to demonstrate the support and commitment of our school community. Thank you!
Conference Time is Coming
Soon your child’s teacher will be setting up conferences to discuss your child’s progress. Students attending the Arts Based School are assessed using a portfolio system in place of the traditional report card. The portfolio is designed to illustrate a student’s academic growth and successes as well as guide the teacher in planning appropriate instruction. Teachers at ABS do not issue letter grades. Teachers use observation, interviews, analysis of student work and performance tasks to assess student understanding. Examples of student work, as well as other objective standards of assessments are incorporated into the student’s portfolio to give an enhanced portrait of the student’s progress. These portfolios will be discussed and presented to parents during the Student-Teacher-Parent conferences. Please be sure you schedule and attend your conference so that you can support your child’s learning. Final conferences are schedule June 9 & 12. Student narratives, EOG results, and mClass results will be shared at final conferences.
How Did We Do?
Each year we conduct a student survey (grades 2-8) to gauge our success from our students’ perspectives. We also use these results to understand what’s working and what’s not working as well as we’d like. Results are attached to your email.
End of Grade Testing (EOG)
It’s that time of year again. The flowers are blooming, the days are longer, and the tests are coming! ABS students in grades 3-8 will be taking the North Carolina End-of-Grade tests during the last ten days of school.
The North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests are designed to measure student performance on the goals, objectives, and grade-level competencies specified in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. The End-of-Grade tests in reading comprehension and mathematics are administered to students in grades 3-8 as part of the statewide assessment program. End-of-grade tests in science are administered in grades 5 and 8.
Parents, please help your child do his or her best by following these guidelines:
- Help your child get 9 hours sleep throughout the weekend and each night before the test.
- Make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast, including more proteins and fewer carbohydrates.
- BE ON TIME to school. Rushing around creates anxiety. Latecomers must take a make-up test.
- Exercise. No couch potatoes, video games, or on-line junkies the week before. Go outside and run and play. You will rest better, think better, and feel better.
- Help them arrive at school with a positive attitude.
Testing Schedule Continues
May 26 No Test- Early Dismissal for conference prep
May 29 No School Memorial Day
May 30 EOG Reading 5th -8th grades
May 31 EOG Math 5th -8th grades, Math I EOC
June 1 EOG Reading Make Up Tests & RtA-3rd
June 2 EOG Math Make Up Tests
June 5 EOG Science Make Up Tests
EOG results will be shared with parents at the third trimester conferences- June 9 and 12.
Videos of Performances
You can find videos of this year’s performances at the Family Portal on our website.
End of Year Checklist
- Pick up medications from the front office.
- Be sure all fees and lunch balances are paid. (Reach out to Ms. Garner to check your balance.)
- Let us know if you will not be returning to ABS next year. If your child is transferring to another school, please let us know where to send your child’s records by emailing Principal Hollis [email protected]
- Tuesday, June 6th is the last day of school, with early dismissal. K-4 dismisses at 11:45. 5-8 dismisses at 12pm.
Field Day
Field Day will be held on Tuesday, June 6th this year. It’s a half-day and we need volunteers to help the classes run their games. Please contact your class rep if you can help. This is one of the last opportunities of the year to earn volunteer hours. In the event of rain, field day will be canceled.
We will serve pizza on Field Day, June 6 and it is an early dismissal! Don’t forget to order the day before.
ABS 8th Grade Graduation
Let’s celebrate our 8th graders! Graduation is scheduled for Monday, June 5 at 12 noon in the ABS Alex Ewing Theater. Seating is limited to 4 tickets per graduate. Thanks to MIXXER to allowing the use of their parking lot for overflowing parking during graduation ceremony.
Interested in working for ABS?
The Arts Based School (ABS) is a popular and successful K-8 public charter school in Winston-Salem, offering competitive salaries and NC State health plan and retirement benefits to full-time employees.
Warm collegial relationships and a high level of collaboration are consistently noted by teachers as favorite aspects of working at ABS. We accept applications year-round from licensed teachers. Ideal candidates are passionate, energetic, creative, and innovative. ABS teachers are team players who plan together across arts and other disciplines to deliver uniquely integrated curriculum. This contributes to our cheerful, vibrant, learning community, and results in accomplished, confident students.
Our campus, located in downtown Winston-Salem, includes two updated brick tobacco warehouses: a colorful K-4 building with a blackbox theater, dance studio and art room, and an “industrial chic” 5-8 building with a drama studio, an art room bordering an outdoor sketching garden, a modern, light-filled music room, and a large, open courtyard.
For more information and application, check our website: https://www.artsbasedschool.com/apps/pages/employment
Current Openings: Middle School Science, Middle School EC, Teaching Assistant, Part-time K-2 Music
Around Town
UNCSA Preparatory Dance Spring Festival Performance
Saturday June 10th at 2pm
Freedman Theater, UNCSA campus (1533 South Main Street)
Come watch the UNCSA Preparatory Dance Program, as they celebrate the completion of the academic year. The talented preparatory students will perform with their classes in the balletic ‘Defilé’, followed by character and contemporary works choreographed by Preparatory faculty. The program will end with the junior and senior performance ensembles dancing in the premier of ‘The Red Reform’, choreographed by Alberto Blanco.
All ABS students and parents get a 15% discount on tickets with code CHILDBALLET - more info here.