Published for the Arts Based School Community
November 14, 2024
How We Do it and Why?
by Mary Siebert, ABS Founding Arts Director, retired
If you have never tried African drumming, you should. The first time you’re faced with the challenge of sitting down at a drum circle, you might feel that you don’t have the skills or background to participate. But that is one of the beauties of African drumming: you will succeed right at entry level, and there’s the possibility of a lifetime of growth in artistry. And it feels great!
When kindergarten students first walk into a room to find a circle of beautiful djembe and ashiko drums waiting at every chair, they don’t experience the fear of failure that adults do. They are simply struck with hope: “Is this for me?” Everyone wants to play a drum! When they sit down at a drum, they’re in heaven. And by the end of the very first class, they have experienced the thrill of playing in ensemble, supported by the booming expertise of the teachers on the big dunun drums.
Bill Scheidt has taught African drumming at ABS for many years. In this time his local company, Tam Tam Mandingue Djembe Academy, has grown dramatically. “Mr. Bill” is not only in demand at drumming residencies around the country, but also internationally. He and his associates have introduced the djembe to small collections of five-year-olds, and also to vast assemblies of corporate leaders, but his roots are in his studies with his mentor and dear friend, Mamady Keita, a master drummer from Guinea. Bill made many extended visits to Guinea to master his art, and was adopted as part of Mamady’s family. Sadly, he passed away in 2021, but not before he’d shared the beauty and excitement of his art and culture, founding the Tam Tam Mandingue school, world-wide.
Drumming students work with rhythms from simple counting to complex, layered, traditional songs. This internal understanding of rhythm assists children with patterning and grouping in math. There is obviously an important social studies connection to African culture, but in addition there are proven health benefits, such as strengthened immunization and stress relief, from group African drumming.
We bring African drumming workshops to every student in the school, K-8 the first week of December! Time to make a joyful noise!
A Mosaic of Memories: Creating New Art at the South Campus
Last week, I had the privilege of teaming up with our students at the South Campus to create a vibrant mosaic featuring the letters "ABS." Alongside Ms. Taylor Payne, our talented art teacher, we worked with K-2 students, exploring the significance behind these letters and why we chose them for this special project.
If you've ever visited the front office of the North Campus, you may have seen the stunning mosaic created years ago by our first students, guided by local artist Jan Detter. Inspired by that legacy, we introduced our young artists to the mosaic technique. Before diving into the project, students experimented with wooden dominoes, designing their own patterns, pictures, and, naturally, setting up domino lines to knock over and towers to build. This exploration gave them a chance for creative expression and play.
After our design session, we brought everyone together to start the main project. Working in teams, students helped glue the dominoes onto the large wooden letters A, B, and S, covering them with a colorful, random mosaic. The finished letters will soon be displayed as a vibrant art installation in the front office of the South Campus.
While we worked, I shared a bit of our school’s history with the students. I explained that we were originally called "The Arts Based Elementary School" (ABES) when we only had grades K-5. But in 2013, when we expanded to include middle school, we needed a new name that reflected our broader community. We considered several options, like "Arts Based Academy," "Arts Based Enrichment School," and "Arts Based Education School." In the end, we chose "The Arts Based School" — a name that captures the heart of who we are.
One clever student asked me, "Then why don’t we call it ‘TABS’?" I didn’t have a good answer for her, but her question certainly made me smile.
Keep an eye out — our beautiful mosaic letters will be proudly displayed in the South Campus front office in just a few weeks!
Attendance Reminder
Consistent school attendance is an essential component of each student’s academic growth and progress. As a public school, we are required to record and report excused and unexcused tardies and absences daily. Please notify the office when your child is expected to be absent. When your child returns to school, please send note or email explaining the reason for the absence, dated and signed by a parent or guardian.
TARDINESS-School begins at 8:15 a.m. Students may arrive at school between 7:45 and 8:10. Please do not “drop off” your child before 7:45am. Children should stay in your vehicle until the doors are unlocked at 7:45am.
Students will be counted tardy if they’re not in their classroom at 8:15am. The student entrance will be locked at 8:15 a.m. After 8:15 a.m., parents must park and escort their child(ren) to the Front office entrance and sign in. Ten tardies are considered one absence on state attendance records.
Please help your child have a successful school year by being at school on time each day!
Happy Holidays
The holidays can be perplexing for American educators. The North Carolina Standard Course of Study (guidelines for what children should be taught at each grade level) specifies only first grade as a time for focusing on celebrated holidays and special days in communities, while nearly every other grade is expected only to discuss historical figures and practices associated with diverse holidays. We respect the religious and cultural backgrounds of every student.
Holiday decorations are not used indiscriminately in the classroom or about the school; though they may be used as part of a focused study. We do encourage fun in learning and discovering. We decorate our walls all year with the brilliant creations of our students. We often incorporate delicious receptions into our art openings and performances. We join together singing songs of peace and understanding. Thank you for supporting us in making every child feel included in the delights of learning together.
Builder’s Club Outreach
Help ABS Builders Club spread holiday joy to children affected by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. We will be collecting the following items:
November 18-22
Monday-Fun Socks
Tuesday- Books
Wednesday-Stuffed animals
Thursday-Fidgets
Friday-Arts+Crafts
Builders Club Collection Boxes are in the 7th Street building lobby.
Thank you for your support!
Parent Council Notes:
Reminder of the next PC meeting on Monday, Nov 18th at 7pm. Here’s the link
High School Information Night
ABS will host counselors, teachers, and administrators from several area high schools for an information session on December 3rd from 6-7pm. This will include a brief introduction from the high school reps and time to ask questions and gather information from a variety of schools. High School Information Night will take place in the 7th Street building and all 7th and 8th grade families are invited to attend.
Fall Camp: TV Broadcast, November 25-26
Grades 5- 8
Students create their own broadcast that portrays a world they want to see. Become a broadcaster in sports, the weather, the local news, and more and learn the speaking skills to deliver important news in an effective and fun way. Students can choose to be in front of the camera, behind the camera, or writers.
Link to Register: https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=5375#CourseGroupID=62662
Location: ABS North
Instructor: Jordan Brown
Time: 9am-3pm Monday + Tuesday Nov. 25-26th
*If you are in need of aftercare after 3pm for $15 per day, please email Ashley Tate at [email protected].
Picture Retakes
November 20 is picture make-up and retake day. Any student who was absent on picture day will automatically be photographed as these pictures are used for our annual yearbook. However, if you are interested in your child having his/her picture retaken, please send a note or email to your child’s homeroom teacher. Students will only be sent for a retake if the parent sends in a request. Here’s a link to Strawbridge for more information about school pictures.
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. Applications will be accepted beginning January 1. The lottery will be held the second Tuesday of February.
Around Town…
UNCSA present The Nutcracker with a special performance for the families of ABS, Tuesday, Dec 10 at 6pm. Registration required. Donations welcome to support Hurricane Relief.