Published for the Arts Based School Community
August 22, 2024
Parent Bill of Rights
In 2023 Senate Bill 49 (S.L. 2023-106), the Parents’ Bill of Rights was enacted by the NC General Assembly. This bill codifies the rights of parents to direct the upbringing of their child and to make certain decisions regarding the education, health care, mental health, and well-being of their child. The bill also outlines requirements for schools to provide information to parents about how they can be involved in their child’s education.
Parents’ Bill of Rights (N.C.G.S 114A-10)
- Direct the upbringing and moral or religious training of their child
- Direct the education of their child
- Enroll a child in a traditional public school, public charter school, or private school
- Access and review all educational records
- Make health care decisions for their child
- Access and review all medical records of their child (except in matters of abuse/neglect)
- Prohibit the creation, sharing, or storage of biometric scans of their child without consent
- Prohibit the creation, sharing, or storage of their child’s blood of DNA without consent
- Prohibit the creation by the State of a video or voice recording of their child without consent
- Prompt notification if an employee suspects that a criminal offense has been committed against their child unless it would interfere with police investigation
For more information about how we support students, please review the Parents' Guide to Student Achievement (PGSA).
mClass/DIBELS Reading Testing This Month
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has implemented and required a kindergarten through third-grade reading assessment called mCLASS: Reading 3D to help teachers assess, track, and support each student’s reading skills. Each student will be assessed every trimester using the online assessment program. mCLASS: Reading 3D will instantly analyze your child’s development in grade-appropriate foundational reading skills. 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 will receive a letter outlining your child’s specific assessment results and progress as a reader. The letter will also include 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.
Beginning of Grade Test (BOG)
The State Board of Education requires a standardized reading test for all third graders in North Carolina. Third-grade students will take the Beginning of Grade (BOG) test in reading. A student’s BOG score will be used as baseline data to measure growth as well as a screening tool to identify those students who will need remediation to pass the End of Grade test. The NC Read to Achieve initiative requires retention for students who do not pass the Reading EOG at third grade. The test has 42 questions, takes approximately 90 minutes to complete, and is administered online at school. It will be administered on August 27 at North Campus, and August 28 at South Campus. Testing accommodations will be provided for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP). Make-up tests will be required for any student who is absent from the regular administration of the test.
Curriculum Night- Save the Date! Sept 17 & 18
Curriculum Night is an educational open house for parents to learn about their child's school year and how to support them at home. At curriculum night, parents can expect to learn about:
- Curriculum: What their child will learn in class
- Classroom routines: Schedules, Procedures, & Expectations
Curriculum night activities are held in your child’s classroom.
To ease parking, we have scheduled staggered sessions-
Kindergarten Speech Screening
We will soon begin screening kindergarten students for any speech or language difficulties. Mary Dunevant and Victoria Shull, our speech pathologists, will visit each kindergarten classroom to have a short conversation with each student. This screening allows us to identify any speech concerns that may interfere with your child's learning. If further testing is required, the parents will be notified for additional permissions for formal testing. If your child already receives speech services, a screening will not be conducted. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mary Dunevant at [email protected]
Please complete this form to provide written consent for the kindergarten speech screening. Thank you!
Activity Fee
ABS is publicly funded and free to all students. We ask families to contribute a $40 activity fee each year to help cover the costs of our field trips, special arts activities, and more. You can pay your Activity Fee by check or at your MyMeal Acct. Families qualifying for free/reduced lunch are exempt from this charge.
HelpCounter
This year we will be tracking volunteer hours using the HelpCounter system. Please create your account., if you haven’t already. We’ll use this system to let you know about volunteer opportunities, send reminders, and check in visitors on campus. There will be a kiosk to sign in at the front offices but you can also log hours from home.
North Carolina Vaccine-Specific Requirements
The North Carolina General Statutes (G.S. 130A-152(a)) require immunizations for every child present in this state. Every parent, guardian or person in loco parentis is responsible for ensuring that their child(ren) receive required immunizations. Here’s the NCDHHS website for more information about school immunization requirements. If you have specific questions regarding your child, please contact your child’s health care provider or your local health department.
Kindergarten, 7th grade students, and any students new to the school system who are not compliant with state immunization requirements will not be permitted to attend school after 30 days. Please turn in all immunization documentation by September 20, 2024 .
Parent Council
In case you missed the Parent Council meeting last week, here’s the recording
Minutes: Will be posted on school website in the Parent Portal.
Subs Needed
Of course, it’s nearly impossible to replace our great teachers, but our ABS subs do a mighty fine job when the need arises. Our school uses our own pool of subs and we’re always looking for patient, kind, and reliable people to add to our list. If you are interested in subbing at ABS, please reach out to Ashley Tate, Director of Operations and Student Services, to learn more about it.
Openings at First Grade South Campus
We have a few spots open at the South Campus in first grade if you know of someone trying to get into ABS. Please spread the word. If interested, apply for an open spot by completing the Lotterease lottery application for 1st grade South Campus. These spots are first come first serve.
Mad Science Program- Grades 1-5
Mad Science is coming to Arts Based Elementary School North & South! Kids will unbox the surprising world of science as they discover a new STEM topic in each class!
In this program, kids learn about several specialized areas of science, including forensics, geology, meteorology, entomology, and mechanical engineering. They gain foundational science knowledge that will help them in their future science endeavors. See more in this fun video!
Mad Science will run on Wednesdays from September 25-November 13 from 2:30-4:00. The cost is $132 per student.
Crazy Running Program- NEW K-4 AND 5-8!
October 7th-December 2nd
We’re all about sparking a lifelong love for fitness in our young athletes! Our coaching style is all about blending fun with fitness, ensuring our kiddos are learning essential skills while having a blast. From drills to plyometrics, we’re shaping not just runners, but strong, resilient athletes with a burning passion for the sport. Let’s get them moving, improving, and achieving their best!
North Campus: K-4 on Mondays 2:45-3:45, 5th-8th Tuesdays 2:45-3:45
South Campus: K-4 on Mondays 2:45-3:45
Cost: $120, includes training, t-shirt, and season-ending Mistletoe 5K Race & Fun Run
Register at crazyrunning.com today- spots fill up fast!
School Calendar and Important Dates
The approved 2024-25 school calendar is available here, on our website, or Student Calendar Here is a copy of the updated Parent Student Handbook
Around Town…
In partnership with UNCSA, ABS has several opportunities for students to explore dance and drama. The preparatory dance program is having an Open House, trial class on August 26. More information here
The Acting Out program has many offerings to choose from. These programs are held at ABS North Campus-7th St building with Mr. Brown teaching.
Acting Antics: Fun and Games for Stage Grades 3-5
Wednesdays 4:30-5:15 p.m. (September 4 - December 11)
$307/14-week semester
Jordan Brown, Instructor
Students will be immersed into the ridiculously fun world of theater games - a methodology inspired by the teachings of Viola Spolin - to encourage cooperative play and ensemble thinking. This process-based class will include improv and pantomime to ignite children's imaginations in a manner that gets them acting in front of their peers without even realizing it! No final class demonstration will be offered for families; kids-only fun!
Reel Adventures: Exploring Acting in the World of Film, Grades 6-8
Mondays 4:30 - 5:15 p.m. (September 9 - December 11)
$259/14-week semester
Jordan Brown, Instructor
In this class, students will be introduced to the camera as their audience. Students will learn basic camera angles and will work together using a green screen and a phone camera to create their very own movies!
Stagecraft: Acting for the Theatre, Grades 3-5
Wednesdays 5:30 - 6:15 p.m. (September 4 - December 11)
$259/14-week semester
Jordan Brown, Instructor
Explore the world of theater through scene work, theatre games, and monologues. Get creative, build communications skills and confidence while having fun! No final class demonstration will be offered for families; kids-only fun!
Registration Link:
https://uncsa.asapconnected.com
Questions please write: [email protected]