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ABS Thursday Notes- October 5, 2023

Published for the Arts Based School Community

October 5, 2023


No School: Oct 6-9  Fall Break


Dear Fellow ABS Families,


Today I am asking you to remember.


Remember the night of the ABS lottery. That day was THE DAY that your child’s chance to join the Arts Based School would be decided. Back in the day, before the lottery was automated, we all gathered in the Cafe, picked a lucky seat and held our breath. Your number was called and then you knew that your child had the spot – the  opportunity to attend a school like none other in our city. A school based on a custom-made, arts-based curriculum crafted by passionate faculty and staff, where every student feels a part of the magic and receives a phenomenal education. 


Number by number the newest students were announced, and the Arts Based School filled for another year. The excitement of those students heading to ABS the following year was mixed with the disappointment of parents who wanted nothing more than for their number to be called. It was an emotional evening and now seems like a blur since our family has been here for so many years. But I do recall the feeling that we were so lucky, so fortunate to have the opportunity to learn at ABS. 


It’s impossible to place a value on the kind of education ABS provides to our children and, at the same time, difficult to believe that it all happens on a very limited budget. As ABS families and friends, we are invited to experience this magic for ourselves through our children and as volunteers. We are also invited to contribute financially to ensure that our school and our students receive the resources needed to be successful.

 

By design, our children are not asked to sell coupon books or wrapping paper. In turn, we ask our parent community, once a year, to donate to the Annual Giving Campaign. We ask you to open your hearts and think about what this school means to your family. We ask you to remember how lucky you are to have a place in the ABS community. No matter what you’re able to give - $5 or $5,000 - every dollar counts toward our goal of 100% participation. We know we can do this with YOUR help! Every donation is important! 


Thank you for your support of the 2023 ABS Annual Giving Campaign!


Brandi Cleveland

ABS Parent of 1st grader and 8th grader

 

Annual Giving FAQ’s 

WHAT IS ANNUAL GIVING?

Annual Giving is exactly as it sounds – gifts requested and given each school year to help support operating expenses at The Arts Based School (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 for financial support just once each year. This is our annual fundraiser.

WHY IS MY PARTICIPATION IMPORTANT?

This year, as in past years, we are hoping to achieve 100% participation. Family 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 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. For every family this is a personal decision and should be at a level that is comfortable for you. This year, you also have the option of making a recurring monthly gift to ABS. We are grateful to everyone who contributes, as each gift is crucial to the success of the Annual Giving Campaign. 


HOW CAN I MAKE MY GIFT?

There are two simple ways to give:

Make your check payable to “The Arts Based School,”   You can send it by mail, or drop it off in the front office. We also accept cash in the school front office. 

You can make a secure gift online at our website or use QR code.

 

mClass/DIBELS Results Sent Home

Kindergarten through third-grade students will receive mClass results in their Thursday Packets today. Please take some time to review these results. This assessment is required for kindergarten through third-grade students to help teachers assess, track and support each student’s reading skills. Each student will be assessed every trimester. Teachers will use this data to focus their instruction around your child’s specific needs, in areas that may include:

  • Hearing and using sounds in spoken words (Phonemic Awareness)
  • Knowing sounds of letters and sounding out written words (Alphabetic Principle)
  • Reading words in stories easily, quickly, and correctly (Accuracy and Fluency) 
  • Understanding what they read (Reading Comprehension). 

After each assessment period you receive a letter outlining your child’s specific assessment results and progress as a reader. The letter includes learning activities you and your child can do together at home to reinforce skills learned at school. Parent support and reading at home are a vital part of your child’s education. The teacher’s efforts, combined with your support, will help your child read with mastery and confidence. If you have any questions about the assessment, the activities, or your child’s classroom work and progress, please talk to your child’s teacher.


Thank you!

Thank you to our Basement Cleanout volunteers!  We made great progress last Saturday, clearing out more than 20 years worth of stuff.  We also organized so we can find the great stuff that we kept.  Don’t forget to record your hours in the volunteer log!  Thanks!


Art at the Fair

Congrats to these young artists, whose work is exhibited at the Carolina Classic Fair:

Cashel Chanas, William Morris, Cody Baker, Jude Fletcher, Ella Nochajski, Molly McBride-Gambill, Fern Stottlemyer, Lyla Moreland, Lola Frank, Bo Powell,Adele Bercovitch, Althea Dickson, Lily Parsonage, Cruz Rementer, Emelia Arnold, Juniper Stottlemyer, Annabelle McGee , Sophia Harding , Zachary Robinette, Sully Avila, Amorie Elliot-Wade, Tristen Fletcher, Ginger Justiniano, Ace Benner

 

News from Parent Council

If you have not done so already, please fill out this PC meeting time survey to help us schedule some PC meeting times convenient for your family. 

 

PC Meeting Reminder: 

Please join us for the next Parent Council meeting of the school year on Friday, October 13th at 8:30am in the MLK Cafe at ABS North Campus.  All ABS parents, families, and caregivers are part of the Parent Council and are welcome to attend!   If you would like to submit a topic for the agenda, please send an email to Parent Council Katy Whiteheart or Stephanie Smith  by Wednesday 10/11. We look forward to seeing you there! You can also join virtually at Join Zoom Meeting

 

Fall Fest is coming up soon on Saturday 10/14 from 12-3pm. There will be games, a cake walk, vintage ABS t-shirts for sale, food trucks and more! This is a wonderful fundraiser for our school and a great way to kick off fall. Entrance is $5 per child (adults free) cash only. Please help make this event amazing by volunteering to help your grade level station. Be on the lookout for signups from your class rep. 

 

 

ABS Book Fairs Oct 16-20

 

The Scholastic Book Fairs are coming!!  Exciting news! This year we will have a fair set up at both North and South Campus and the North Campus will also open the Fair at Fall Fest which will be a great way to shop early AND enjoy Fall Fest!  

 

Crazy Running Returns to ABS!

We are very excited to welcome back Crazy Running! Below is the information and registration. Read carefully for North and South Campus dates.  Crazy Running is running made FUN! Program happens immediately after school from 2:45-3:45. After-school care participants can run too!

 

CRAZY RUNNERS; GRADE K-4! We focus on getting kids moving and making exercise fun! Runners will be introduced to simple strength exercises, fundamental running techniques, and play games that provide a kid-friendly cardio workout! These young runners will be challenged based on their ability; this program is appropriate for the beginning runner or a young athlete who has finished lots of races! This training teaches the qualities of “what it takes” to be a good runner and athlete: goals and determination, endurance, strength, speed, flexibility, & good nutrition. Cost of the program includes a t-shirt, training & entry into Mistletoe Fun Run. All Crazy Runners will train to compete in the Mistletoe event. It is a great atmosphere for the whole family!

North Campus Information South Campus Information

Sign Up for Crazy Running Here


Skate Night for ABS

The ABS Builders Club is sponsoring a Skate Night on Thursday, October 19, from 6:30 - 8:00 at Skate Haven, 120 Hood Drive in Winston-Salem. The charge is $6.00, which covers the rental of skates. This event funds many charities the ABS Builders Club supports during the year. Also, put the next Skate Night on your calendar - Thursday, April 25, 2024. 


Halloween is Coming

Please do not send students to school in costumes. We all enjoy the fun and excitement of Halloween but find that costumes and accessories make it very difficult to concentrate. Also we do not want students to bring candy in their lunch bags for snacks. Although it can be delicious, high sugar snacks should not replace a healthy snack. Thanks for your help!


Prospective Parent Tours

School tours for prospective parents begin in October. They are scheduled weekly on Tuesdays at 9:30am at South Campus and Thursdays at 9:30am at North Campus. Each tour is limited to 10 adults in an effort to limit the disruption to our students and teachers in the classrooms. Parents interested in learning more about ABS and how to enroll their child, should contact the front office to sign up for a tour. 748-4116 ext 1023. Applications will be accepted beginning January 1. The lottery will be held the second Tuesday of February. 

ABS Regular Board Meeting

The ABS Board of Directors will meet in person on Tuesday, Oct 10 at 5:45pm at ABS North Middle School building.  Board meetings are open to the public.

 

 

Ways to get involved and learn more about ABS:


 

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