Published for the Arts Based School Community
December 12, 2024
Early Dismissal- Friday, Dec 20
Winter Break- No School Dec 23- Jan 3
How We Do It and Why
By Mary Siebert, Founding Arts Director, retired
“I am still learning.” – Michelangelo
Third grade students study the Italian Renaissance as part of an exploration of innovation and its power to initiate change. They study the solar system and body systems through the art of Leonardo DaVinci, who helped create breakthroughs in those scientific fields. Leonardo’s biography is explored, and students locate Italy on a world map. They study Leonardo’s scientific precision in drawing the muscular and skeletal systems. They are introduced to the music of Monteverdi, superstar composer of the late Renaissance. Leonardo studies and sketches for inventions are shared in art. In dance, the posture and traditional movements of Renaissance dance are studied for a performance.
As a culminating activity, we present a Renaissance Spectacles performance, inspired by exquisite, miniature presentations that were developed during the Renaissance. These “Intermezzi” were designed to engage the audience between acts of a longer play, and became more popular than the plays themselves. Intermezzi were lavishly produced portrayals of Greek myths and other stories, in which progressive scenes appeared in fluid tableaux. The performers did not speak or sing, but relied on gesture and static positioning to retell familiar tales. DaVinci designed elaborate stage mechanisms for the Medici family’s Intermezzi, dazzling the wealthy at celebratory events.
Our production tells the story of the Greek myth Jason and the Golden Fleece. Our beautiful sets were designed and painted by ABS art teacher Ms. Gledhill, with additional set pieces and props painted by 6th grade teacher and artist Ms. Christian. The story, pre-recorded during this production’s premiere year by sound engineer/composer Bill Stevens (also an ABS dad,) at Ovation Sound, is played during the pantomime. Third-grade students are working with guest director Danielle Tarmey on gesture, facial expression, and manipulation of props and sets as isolated elements of acting.
No traditional textbook can hope to compare to this constellation of connections! The result is summed up for me by a comment by a 3rd Grader. “Ms. Siebert,” he said, “I think this school is a Renaissance school.” I asked him why. “Because,” he answered, “we learn about things by using everything: math, science, reading, and all of the arts.”
3rd Grade Performances of “Renaissance Spectacles”
All performances at the Alex Ewing Theater at ABS North
Fletcher: Monday, December 16 12 noon
Paden: Tuesday, December 17 12 noon
Ruffin: Wednesday, December 18 12 noon
Chaney: Thursday, December 19 12 noon
Munoz: Thursday, December 20 10am Early Release Day
Happy Winter Break!
Friday, December 20 is "Long Winter's Nap" spirit day. Celebrate the last day before our winter break by wearing comfy clothes (e.g. sweatpants, pajama pants). Please be sure your comfy clothes are appropriate for school. Student participation is optional.
Dental Screening
When children have dental problems, their overall health and ability to learn can be seriously compromised. As part of our regular school preventive dental health program, the NC Oral Health Section, Division of Public Health, and Kayla Lindsay Atkins, RDH, Public Health Dental Hygienist for Forsyth County, will conduct dental screenings for children in grades K, 3rd, 5th on December 17th for both campuses. This service is provided free of charge by the Health Department. Information gathered from the dental screening is used to evaluate current dental disease trends that will assist in the development of preventive dental health services in Forsyth County. We will also identify children who need dental treatment and assist children and their families with community resources. Children who see the dentist regularly are still encouraged to participate. If you do not want your child included in this dental screening, please send a note to your child’s teacher. If you have any questions, please call Kayla Lindsay Atkins, RDH, at the Forsyth County Health Department at (336) 703-3375.
Kids STEAM Night Out
Join Mrs. Hoffman and Mrs. Gledhill for an evening of science, technology, and art fun on Friday, December 13th, 5:30-8:30pm! Dinner will be served. All proceeds will benefit the ABS STEAM Club. The cost is $30 per child, $25 for additional siblings. Spots are limited- Registration begins Friday 12/6. Open to any ABS Student K-8.
Sign Up- https://bit.ly/DecSTEAMNight
School Calendar 2025-26
The ABS Board of Directors is considering the school calendar for 2024-25. If you would like to review the draft calendar and provide feedback, please respond to this form.
School Calendar Considerations
- 1050 hours of instruction
- Major breaks coincide with WS/FC schools
- Trimester system allows teacher workdays to coincide with parent/teacher conferences
- Snow Make up days are built into calendar throughout the school year
- Gather input from teachers, staff, and parents
Parent Council Notes:
Join us for the December Parent Council meeting scheduled for December 13 at noon. This is a virtual only meeting. Here’s the link to join.
High School Information Night-Rescheduled for December 17
ABS will host counselors, teachers, and administrators from several area high schools for an information session on December 17th 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.
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.
Inclement Weather
In the event of inclement weather, ABS will announce school closings on local TV channels, under “The Arts Based School”. This information will also be posted on the ABS website (www.artsbasedschool.com).
Around Town…
Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance will be presenting two family-friendly shows each of the next two weekends. Saturday mornings Dec. 14 and 21 at 11:00 will be Yo Ho Ho: A Pirate's Christmas, only about 70 minutes and great for young audiences. Thursday through Sunday Dec. 12-15 and 19-22 will be White Christmas from the classic movie celebrating its 70th anniversary. A current ABS student is in both shows along with an alum in the first show and two alums in the second. Tickets have sold early, and the best availability for White Christmas is tonight, so look soon if you are interested! https://theatrealliance.ws/box-office/
Spring Theatre presents A Christimas Carol Unplugged December 17. You may recognize some of our ABS students, Brooks Butner and Jessica Borrero. For ticket information, check out the webpage. https://www.intothearts.org/campus-events/acc-unplugged
Daniel Marks Celebration of Life
ABS students are invited to attend the event “Daniel Rocks” on December 21st at FirstHand Climbing gym. Daniel Rocks will be a celebration of the life of ABS student Daniel Marks and a way to introduce young people to bouldering (indoor climbing) - an activity Daniel greatly enjoyed.
Daniel, who played young Simba in last year’s production of “Lion King”, was beloved by many at ABS. He passed away this summer after a long battle with cancer.
“Daniel Rocks” will feature several of the things that Daniel loved. There will be a tie dye station and a mac & cheese cook-off. Come try out climbing on lots of easy routes, learn from experienced climbers, all while listening to some of Daniel’s favorite rock tunes.
The event is from 11am-2pm on December 21st and new kid climbers climb for free. A waiver must be completed and can be done online at https://www.firsthandclimbing.com/ or at the gym, which is located close to North campus at 1024 N Chestnut Street.
Contact Kate at [email protected] with any questions.
Please come to Daniel Rocks and share this invitation with other young persons in the Triad who might be interested!