Published for the Arts Based School Community
January 16, 2025
No School-Monday, January 20, 2025- MLK Day
Charter Renewal for The Arts Based School!
We are thrilled to announce that on January 13, 2025, the Charter School Review Board approved a 10-year charter renewal for The Arts Based School! This significant milestone reflects the dedication, creativity, and hard work of our entire school community—students, teachers, staff, and families.
The new charter agreement will take effect on July 1, 2025, immediately following the expiration of our current charter. This renewal affirms our mission to inspire learning through the arts and ensures another decade of educational excellence and innovation.
Thank you for being part of this journey and for your continued support. Here's to 10 more years of growth, creativity, and success at The Arts Based School!
PowerSchool Data Breach
On January 7, PowerSchool informed all North Carolina public schools and the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) about a cybersecurity incident affecting student and teacher data from Summer 2013 to the present. The breach was caused by the compromised credentials of a contracted employee, allowing unauthorized access to administrative systems.
Key Points:
- The incident is global, involving PowerSchool’s entire client base.
- Law enforcement is monitoring the Dark Web for any further threats, and data has been confirmed destroyed.
- PowerSchool is leading breach notifications and will establish a website and call center for support.
NCDPI and PowerSchool are working together to support schools, parents, and educators, with updates on additional protective measures to follow.
Welcome Our New Bus Driver!
We’re excited to welcome Jo Ann Jennings as our new bus driver! With over 15 years of experience driving for Lexington City Schools and a brief stint at Carter G. Woodson School, Ms. Jennings brings a wealth of expertise. She also holds a degree in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Jennings will handle our AM/PM routes and field trips. While she was set to start this week, the weather had other plans. Meanwhile, we wish Mr. Smitty a continued speedy recovery from his neck surgery.
Farewell to Ms. Naomi Ruffin
Ms. Naomi Ruffin, one of our talented and cherished 3rd-grade teachers at the Arts Based School, will be embarking on an exciting new chapter as she moves closer to her hometown to be near family at the end of the school year. Her creativity, dedication, and love for teaching have enriched the lives of her students and our community. While we will deeply miss her presence, we are thrilled for this new opportunity in her journey and wish her the very best!
As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we are seeking charismatic elementary educators to join our team. We are hiring for a 3rd-grade position and additional 4th-grade positions at our South campus. If you or someone you know would be a great fit, please contact us or visit our website for more details.
Snow Days Update
May 27-30 will now be school days as noted on the school calendar as a makeup days for the missed snow days. Although three makeup days were built into the calendar, we have missed seven days this year.
Please note that this adjustment will affect Field Day and the early release day. More details will be shared soon—stay tuned!
ABS 2025-26 Student Calendar
The ABS Board of Directors approved the 2025-26 Student Calendar at this week’s board meeting.
Student Intent for 2025-26 School Year
As we prepare for next year’s enrollment lottery (2025-26), it is important to know how many spaces are available in each grade. As a current student, your child has priority placement and no additional action is required until August Required Forms are due. If your child is not returning to ABS for the 2025-26 school year, please notify Director Hollis. Siblings of current students get priority placement, but you must complete an application in Lotterease before Jan 31 deadline.
School/Parent/Teacher Compact
ABS recently had a monitoring visit to review our procedures and practices with regards to Federal Grants. ABS receives Title I funding which requires us to follow certain federal guidelines. During the visit, we were asked to update our School/Parent/Teacher compact. Here is a draft of the document for your review. Please provide feedback, comments, and questions on this form.
News from Parent Council
The next meeting is scheduled for January 17 at 8:30am Here’s the link to join. We will conduct the meeting even if there is a school delay.
January Jam- Friday, January 24th 2:45-4:00pm for grades 5-8
For $5 we will provide a fun afternoon with a live DJ, music, and dancing in the 7th St. Building from 2:45 to 4:00pm. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase (prices will range from $1-$3 for drinks, chips, and candy.). All parents must park in a marked spot and come inside to pick up students at or before 4:00. Permission Slip and Money must be turned in by Thursday, Jan 23 at 3:00pm. Students will not be permitted to stay without a permission slip. This event is only for students in grades 5-8.
Kids STEAM Night Out
Join Mrs. Hoffman and Mrs. Gledhill for an evening of science, technology, and art fun on Saturday, February 1st, 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 1/17. Open to any ABS Student K-8.
Sign Up- https://bit.ly/FebSTEAMNight
ABS Skate Night-Jan 23
The ABS Builders Club is sponsoring a Skate Night on Thursday, January 23, from 6:30 - 8:00 at Skate Haven, 120 Hood Drive in Winston-Salem. This event funds many charities the ABS Builders Club supports during the year.
8th Grade photo request
It's that time again 8th grade parents. Please submit your child's "guess who" baby photo to the yearbook via the online upload system. Please make sure to include your child's full name. The deadline is March 1st. Here is the link to add your photo.
https://plicbooks.com/go/U7BKCX
Order forms and information for yearbooks will be arriving shortly. We will send out all information as soon as it is received.
Crazy Running
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 essentials 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. This program will run February 24-April 22 and is $120 per student. This includes the training season, a t-shirt, and season ending race entry for the Crazy Kz Kidz Race on April 26th. Register now at crazyrunning.com
North Campus K-4: Mondays
North Campus 5-8: Tuesdays
South Campus K-3: Mondays
Mad Science
Mad Science is coming to Arts Based Elementary School South! In this introductory STEM program, kids explore a variety of introductory topics and learn about the wonders of both the life and physical sciences. They explore themes and answer questions like “What makes your hair stand up?”, “Is it a magnet or magic?”, and “Just what are carbs, anyway?”. See more in this fun video! This program runs from February 26th-April 23rd and is $135. Register now at triad.MadScience.org.
North Campus K-5: Thursdays
South Campus K-3: Wednesdays
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).