Published for the Arts Based School Community
January 23, 2025
How We Do It and Why
By Mary Siebert
“We left feeling that we had just visited the best school in the nation…a belief I am sure we are not alone in having! The joy of teaching was so apparent in your teachers and staff. And the students were all so engaged! We applaud your commitment to respecting the individuality of each child, and to the positive/creative/nurturing way that you help them grow. We saw beauty everywhere. Not obligatory displays of a talented few, but a celebration of the imaginations of all. You truly are building healthy, confident, aware and participatory citizens. We are trying to remain hopeful that our daughter will be lucky, that her number might be called to attend ABS, if not this year perhaps the next.”
– ABS applicant, after a school tour.
The glowing evaluation above, written by a parent who is also a professor at UNCSA, is a reminder of how many people love our school and would like for their children to attend. Unfortunately, this parent was among the hundreds of families who are disappointed each year. We wish we could accept more students; it is hard to turn anyone away.
On the second Tuesday of February, the annual ABS lottery will take place. The lottery is required by the state, and we follow guidelines with care. We use an automated enrollment and lottery system that manages siblings, twin pairings, weighted applications, waitlists, and enrollment forms. It is secure and password protected. Before this technological leap, we had gathered for the lottery in one room, with prospective parents. They waited for hours on hard lunchroom benches, watching as we drew meticulously numbered, gumball-sized balls out of a bingo turner and announced each name, one by one. With nearly 500 applicants in some years, it was a long process.
It’s exciting for us that our school is beloved and that so many families hope to join our community. It’s also painful that we have to turn many away. This community desire for children to be educated at a school like ours was the inspiration for our second campus, the “Arts Based School South” in the Happy Hill neighborhood. The South campus currently serves K-3 and is growing by one grade level each year.
We hope that children who are not able to attend ABS will encounter schools invigorated by the current educational reforms which lean toward the National Education Association’s “Four Cs”: critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration, and we offer sincere thanks to all of you who continue to entrust us with caring for your children.
The enrollment application to the ABS Lottery for new students may be found HERE.
Deadline to apply: January 31 at 3:00 p.m.
Second Graders Explore the Wonders of the Pipe Organ
This week, our second graders had the exciting opportunity to visit Home Moravian Church to learn about the majestic pipe organ as part of our integrated science-of-sound and music curriculum. The visit combined hands-on learning and auditory exploration.
We are especially grateful to organist Susan Foster and ABS founding arts director Mary Siebert for volunteering their time and expertise to make this experience truly unforgettable. Mrs. Foster captivated the students with a live demonstration of the organ’s incredible range—from soft, whisper-like notes to powerful, room-filling chords—while Ms. Siebert enriched the visit with her knowledge of music and sound.
During the visit, students discovered how sound is created and amplified by organ pipes of various sizes and shapes. This hands-on exploration reinforced their science lessons, introducing concepts like vibrations, pitch, and volume in a memorable and engaging way.
Thank you to Home Moravian Church, Susan Foster, and Mary Siebert for sharing the beauty of music and science with our students. This annual tradition continues to inspire curiosity and creativity in our second graders!
January Raffle Winners
Congratulations to our January Asst Principals for the Day-Nala Yellock-Petree, Spencer Holcomb, and Oliver Hampton Each will spend a day shadowing the Principal and taking the care of the important duties of the day. We hold drawings every month at Friday Sing! You can purchase raffle tickets online to give your child a chance to be Assistant Principal of the Day. Assistant Principals have their own desk, name tag, and list of very important duties for the day. All proceeds from the raffle support our teacher appreciation fund and allow us to do special things for our staff throughout the year. Thank you, and good luck!
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.
With the additional days, the schedule for end of year activities will change as well.
May 16-May 30 EOG Testing Days
May 23 is now a full day of school
May 29 at 12 noon will be 8th grade graduation
May 30 is an early release day and field day
Remote Learning on Inclement Weather Days
Since we have used all of our designated weather days, our school will implement remote learning for any additional inclement weather days this year. Below are key details and expectations for students, families, and staff:
- Attendance: Students will be marked present if they log into their online assignments (Google Classroom, IXL, etc.) or complete assigned packet work. Attendance will be recorded in PowerSchool using the “1R” designation for Remote Learning.
- Work Packets: If applicable, work packets will be sent home in this week’s Thursday folders to have on hand. Please do not complete these packets until a remote learning day is announced.
- Assignments and Communication: Teachers will email families by 8:15 a.m. on the morning of a remote learning day with instructions and assignments. Remote learning tasks will focus on core academics, and specialist teachers are not required to provide additional assignments.
- For Families with EC Students: Packet work, IXL, or additional time in future sessions may be used to make up missed instructional time based on the student’s IEP.
- Staff Expectations: Faculty and staff will use remote learning days as remote workdays.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep students engaged in their learning during inclement weather. If you have questions, please contact your child’s teacher.
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.
Activity Fee Reminder
Each family is asked to pay $20.00 per semester per child to help cover the costs of our extensive curriculum enhancement activities. If you have not already paid in full, second semester activity fees are due now.
News from Parent Council
Minute from PC Meeting ABS PC Meeting Minutes 01/17/2025
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-tonight!
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 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. 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 HERE!
North Campus K-4: Mondays
North Campus 5-8: Tuesdays
South Campus K-3: Mondays
Mad Science
Mad Science is coming back to The Arts Based School!! 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 and remote learning days on local TV channels, under “The Arts Based School”. This information will also be posted on the ABS website (www.artsbasedschool.com).