Published for the Arts Based School Community
March 16, 2023
How We Do It and Why
By Mary Siebert
“Appalachian storytelling isn’t a theatrical performance with sets and costumes and lighting and accents, though a good storyteller can conjure all those things in the mind of the listener.”
– Dave Tabler
The 4th grade “Like a Family” event is not a formal performance, but a shared experience focused on the art of Appalachian story-telling and song, and the history of the textile industry in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. It recalls life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, in the days before radio, when we all participated: telling stories, dancing, singing on front porches, playing instruments, adapting household objects to produce percussion and melody, sewing our own clothing and household linens, creating art from whatever we found around us.
Students learn about the vibrant cultural mix of people who contributed to establish an influential and unique culture in our state during this time. We explore our state culture through reading, research, maps, visiting artists, and the arts. We share it with our families in a culminating event that includes dancing to old-time music, student art and sewing exhibitions, music, and storytelling.
Preparation for the storytelling involves extra time with “Mr. Bob” Moyer, who helps students focus on the lifeblood lines of acting: simply telling the story, and truly listening. Students learn traditional tales from Mr. Bob, but they also learn about child labor in the textile mills, and unionizing efforts that followed changes in lifestyle from farming to millwork. Through the famous period photos of Lewis Hine and written memoirs of folks who were there, students imagine themselves into the mills and act out a scene using quotes from the letters of textile workers. Along with the stories, students will perform some traditional songs from the region, and demonstrate delightful reels, fiddling, hambone rhythms, and will display their hand sewing projects.
4th Grades “Like a Family” Presentations: Next Week
4th Grade families are welcome to attend their students’ Like a Family presentations next week in the Ewing Blackbox Theater at the ABS-North campus, MLK building.
Meeks 12:00-12:45 Tuesday, March 21
Robertson 12:00-12:45 Wednesday, March 22
McGarry-Pike 12:00-12:45 Thursday, March 23
Traffic Issues
Thank you to our staff and parents who continue to work on increasing the safety and efficiency of our morning and afternoon traffic line. The Parent Council chairs have been helping with traffic flow in the morning. Parent Council will discuss additional solutions at Friday’s meeting.
Staffing/Hiring 2023-24 School Year
As we look toward the 2023-24 school year, we have some staff positions to hire. We have posted these positions on our website. If you are interested, or know someone who would be a great match for ABS, please send them to our website for an application.
Summer Camp Openings
Summer camps are filling quickly! Take a look at your summer schedules and find an ABS camp that will work for you! Registrations are ongoing. If you have questions about billing or invoicing, please reach out to Angela Garner. For other questions, please reach out to Mrs. Hollis.
Parent Council Meeting - March 17th-
Our next meeting is Friday, March 17th, at 8:30am in the Cafe of the MLK Building. If there is an agenda item you want considered for discussion, please submit the topic to [email protected].
School Calendar 2023-24
The ABS Board of Directors approved the school calendar for 2023-24.
School Calendar Considerations
- 180 days of instruction
- Major breaks coincide with WS/FC schools
- Trimester system allows teacher workdays to coincide with parent/teacher conferences
- Begin school year earlier than WS/FC school to secure enrollment and fill from waiting list
- Snow Make up days are built into calendar throughout the school year
- Gather input from teachers, staff, and parents
Nominations for Parent Council Board
We will be accepting nominations for the Parent Council Board positions at the March Parent Council Meeting. Please consider running for one of these positions or encourage another parent to do so. Getting involved on the Parent Council Board is a great way to get more involved at ABS. Following are the positions that make up the Parent Council Board.
Board Positions
- Co-Chairs ( 2 years)
- Class Representative Coordinator (1 year)
- Secretary (1 year)
- Teacher Appreciation Coordinators ( 1 year)
- Technical Support Coordinators (1 year)
Assistant Principal for the Day
Does your child want a chance to be Assistant Principal for the day? We hold drawings every month at Friday Sing! You can purchase raffle tickets online or in the front office of your campus 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!
Around Town
Opening night of the Reynolds High School’s production of The Wizard of Oz is tonight! Follow the link at the end of this announcement to purchase tickets for one of five shows (Sunday is a sing-along matinee!), and please help spread the word. The Munchkins are representing several schools, including ABS, The Downtown School and Meadowlark, and they are working hard! https://gofan.co/app/school/NC1938?activity=Performing%20Arts
Chase the Dream 5K
To register for the Dream Center's 'Chase the Dream' 5K or Fun Run, scan the QR code or visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/WinstonSalem/ChasetheDream