Published for the Arts Based School Community
June 27, 2024
No Thursday Notes next week-Happy 4th of July!
First Day of School - Monday, August 12 (Staggered entry for Kindergarten)
Staffing Updates
We’re excited to announce several staffing updates. It's an important time of the year as we look for the next great teachers to join the ABS team. We get to meet many wonderful educators during the process who are inspired by the way we teach children. Here's the lineup for 2024-25:
Kindergarten North:
Matthew Greene, Nicole Londoño, Missy Warren
Kindergarten South:
Christi Barnes, Kenya Heck
First Grade North:
Heather Cruz, Rebecca Parker, Mary Rogers
First Grade South:
Rachael Clarke, Tayah Fray
Second Grade North:
Katie Pipes, Nicole Rebhan (formerly Howard), Caroline Soesbee
Second Grade South:
Anne Campbell, Caitlyn Ward
Third Grade North:
Jenn Fletcher, Rains Paden, Naomi Ruffin
Third Grade South:
Isaiah Chaney, Lauren Munoz
Fourth Grade:
Ashley Brady, Amanda McGarry-Pike, Kelly Robertson
Fifth Grade:
Laura Lynne Frazier, Monique Johnson, Renee Meeks
Sixth Grade:
Alysha Christian, Alex DeJarnette, Adam Tate
Seventh/Eighth Grades:
Melissa Cleland, LeeAnn Farrell, Anna Hoffman, Lenora McNamara, Thom Woosley
The Arts North:
Mary Boudreault, Trish Goldberg, Tahvyea Rains, Jordan Brown, Elizabeth Gledhill, Chris Reichmeier
The Art South:
Lauren Alzamora, Marti Bessinger, Taylor Payne
PE:
Coach Bri Pierce
Spanish:
Deisy Tellez
Kindergarteners Staggered Start
ABS kindergarten students begin the school year with a staggered start. Students in kindergarten will be assigned their first day of school when they receive their class placement. We schedule a third of each class to attend to help students acclimate to their school day and routine. Kindergarteners will only attend one of the first days, either Monday (8/12), Tuesday (8/13), or Wednesday (8/14). Then all kindergarteners will attend together starting Thursday, August 15. The staggered entry schedule does not affect a student’s attendance record.
Kindergarten Required Forms
Parents of kindergarten students are required to provide the school with a copy of the child’s birth certificate, immunization record, and NC Kindergarten Health Assessment form.
Save the Date- ABS Parent Workdays July 19 & 20, 9am-12noon
Help us move get ready for a new school year! We'll be moving furniture, distributing materials, assembling furniture, and so much more at both North and South campus! Please join us, and let us know you’re coming by to help! You get double hours credit for these days! Sign up here so we know how many to expect! Thanks!
Value of Volunteering
Of course, each of you knows that volunteering is an important commitment that each family makes to our school. We ask each family to volunteer one hour per week for each child enrolled at ABS. We welcome and encourage parents to volunteer in a variety of ways—we know that you are people of many talents! Our volunteers help in the classrooms and with schoolwide projects. Ongoing volunteer opportunities are also posted throughout the year in our Thursday Notes. Check out our Volunteer Handbook to learn more.
ABS Aftercare Program
We are delighted that you’ve chosen the Arts Based School After School Care Program for your child. 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.
Please review the 2024-2025 Aftercare Handbook and register with the link below. Email Ashley Tate at [email protected] with any questions.
2024-2025 Aftercare Registration
ABS Bus Service
For the 2024-2025 school year, ABS will offer morning and afternoon bus service with dropoff and pickup locations of: Winston Lake YMCA, Hanes Mall, and Sherwood Plaza. Please review the Bus Guidelines and Information before registering.
Please contact Mr. Cutts at [email protected] with any questions.
2024-2025 ABS Bus Registration
ABS Bus Guidelines and Information
ABS T-shirts
We are happy to offer a fresh round of Arts Based School t-shirts! All shirts are a soft blended fabric available in youth and adult sizes, choose red, pink or black. Deadline to order is July 12, closes at midnight tonight. All orders will ship to ABS (unless you elect to have them shipped to your home for an additional fee). We will sort orders and have them ready for pick up at Special Visits, August 6th and 7th.
School Calendar and Important Dates
The approved 2024-25 school calendar is available here, on our website, or Student Calendar
Important dates coming up (details below):
- July 24: ABS South Campus Playdate
- July 25: ABS North Campus Playdate
- July 29: New Parent Orientation
- August 12: First Day of School (Staggered Entry dates for Kindergarten)
New Student Playdates
We're bringing back an old tradition! We will host a playdate for our incoming K at local parks, an informal opportunity to meet one another and play. We've reserved the shelters at the splash parks for these events.
- July 24 10am-12:30
- South Campus K -2 graders Play Date-Happy Hill Park 1230 Alder St
- July 25 10am-12:30
- North Campus K Play Date- Hathaway Park 301 Anita Dr.
Cell Phones at School
As we prepare for another great school year, we are considering how to support teachers and students with regard to cell phones at school. Many of our middle schoolers bring a cell phone to school each day and follow the rule of keeping it out of sight during the school day. Some students have trouble staying focused and ignoring the distraction of their cell phones while at school, taking extra time in the bathroom to text or scroll, or trying to check them surreptitiously while in class. We’re asking for parents, teachers, and staff to take a short survey to help us understand your perspective on this issue.
ABS Current Cell Phone Policy from the Parent Student Handbook
Our middle school students have access to our computer network, laptops, and tablets for academic purposes. As a result, the following policy is in place regarding cell phones and personal electronics. Cell phones and personal electronic devices are not to be used by students during the school day. Students must store unapproved electronic devices in a pocket or schoolbag for the entirety of the school day. Failure to do so will result in the device being held by a staff member until dismissal or until picked up by a parent or guardian. E- readers (such as a Kindle or Nook), with teacher permission, represent an exception to this rule, when used to read books already downloaded at home. Parents and students should recognize that loss of or damage to these devices is possible and the devices are the responsibility of the student. The Arts Based School is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen, phones or devices. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in a disciplinary referral to the appropriate administrator.
New Parent Orientation
Save the Date- Monday, July 29 at 10am for 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. Please mark your calendars and join us!
Middle School Orientation
Save the Date-Monday, July 29 at 2pm for 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.
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. Class placement lists will be sent to parents mid-July.
New Parent Orientation
Save the Date- Monday, July 29 at 10am for the New K-4 Parent Orientation at ABS. Families from both campuses will have orientation at our North Campus, 1380 N Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr 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. Please mark your calendars and join us!
Middle School Orientation
Save the Date-Monday, July 29 at 2pm for Middle School Orientation. For new parents (grade 5-8) and also for parents new to middle school. Families will meet in the middle school courtyard, 107 E 7th St. 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 6 and 7, 2024. Your child’s teacher will be contacting you to schedule a 15-20 minute appointment.
ABS Family Portal Access
Access to our ABS Family Portal will be switching over to new credentials in July for the 2024-25 school year. Currently enrolled families will receive login information via email. The ABS Family Portal is your source for a great deal of information that is not publicly available on our website, including class lists, a family directory, links to videos of our past productions, and more.
Around Town…
Catch a show on these hot days…Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Musical presented by Spring Theatre. The show dates are June 28 ( 7pm), June 29 (2pm and 7pm) and June 30 (2pm). Family friendly. $19 general admission. Tickets can be purchased through the Spring theatre website or the Arts Council website.
Ways to get involved and learn more about ABS:
- Follow us on Social Media
- Catch up on Thursday Notes you may have missed
- Explore the ABS website
- Make sure we have best contact information so that you receive all communications