ABS Thursday Notes- March 30, 2023

Published for the Arts Based School Community

March 30, 2023

How We Do It and Why

By Mary Siebert

“An audience can really lift you right up off the stage.: - Don Van Vliet

Yesterday we presented a live concert for our kindergarten and first grade students; about 170 of them. They were going to hear two pieces played by the same quintet that visited first graders earlier in the year, plus a percussionist and a narrator. The program included a little Presto by the composer F. J. Haydn, which had served as a sort of theme song as the quintet opened each visit with this lively piece. Then the musicians performed Peter and the Wolf, by Prokofiev. 

Before the concert, I reminded the young children that, as audience members, they should not talk. However, I didn’t think to mention dancing. All of these students had danced the story of Peter and the Wolf in kindergarten. And they began to display their moves as the concert progressed. Wolves in howling statues, cats doing scratching moves, and hunters stomping made the concert reminiscent of a cult movie, like Rocky Horror Picture Show, where people dance the Time Warp or throw hot dogs at particular moments.

I’m afraid it made us laugh…it was such a runaway problem that there was no calling it off. The musicians just carried on and played brilliantly. They knew their audience, and they understood that they meant no disrespect, they were just enthusiastic and young. And it was a good reminder that attending concerts and plays as children is a valuable entree into our diverse cultures. In some audiences you can throw hot dogs. At others…it’s better not to.

Friday Sing Tomorrow

Tomorrow's Friday Sing-North for 3rd and 4th grades only will be from 1:40-2:20. Parents are welcome.

Staffing/Hiring  2023-24 School Year

   Here's the latest news on hiring and staffing for next year...

Mr. Joseph Cutts will join the ABS administration team as Assistant Principal in the Middle School Building.  Mr. Cutts has over 20 years of experience in education both in leadership and in the middle school classroom.  After 20 years teaching math, science and social studies at Wiley Middle school, he has spent the last 3 years in administration at Gibson Elementary.   His experiences in the arts include both theater arts and photography. 

Liz Green and Ashley Tate have both been administrative interns at ABS this year and working to complete their administrator licenses. They will both be joining the admin team at ABS next year.

Mrs. Liz Green will join the administrative team as Director of Curriculum. She will focus her work on strengthening and aligning core instruction at both campuses. Mrs. Ashley Tate will join the administrative team as Director of Operations and Student Services.  She will focus her time and expertise on student services and operations including MTSS, the Aftercare Program, and facilities.

Ms. Taylor Payne will be moving into the part-time arts position at the South Campus.  Taylor has been working as a teaching assistant in first grade at the South Campus.  She is pursuing her teaching license.

Ms. Sariah Lowrance has been working at the South campus in the aftercare program and supporting first grade.  She will continue working as a teaching assistant at South Campus next year.

Ms. Caitlyn Ward will be teaching second grade at ABS-South.  Caitlyn has been working on her teaching license this year while serving as a TA in Ms. Heck's kindergarten class.

Ms. Anne Campbell will be moving from third grade to join the second grade team at South Campus.

Mr. Rob Ramach will be leaving ABS to move to Kentucky.  Although we’re very happy for his family, it's hard to see him go.  Mr. Rambach has been such an important part of our middle school team and the strong science program-big shoes to fill...

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.

Gardening Season!

We would love for anyone who is able and willing to donate soil to ABS to please help us fill our raised beds! 

• At ABS North, the raised beds in the terrace garden outside the 7th street building were refurbished for us last year by an Eagle Scout alum… and they are now in dire need of soil so that our first grade classes can plant seeds! 
• At ABS South, there are two oval galvanized beds that also need a great deal of soil to allow for planting.

Please feel free to drop off and fill these raised beds at either campus any time it’s convenient for you! If you have any questions at all, please reach out to Leah Lavin.

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!

Introducing: A Fresh Crop of ABS Tees!

Due to popular demand, we are happy to offer a fresh round of Arts Based School t-shirts! All shirts are a soft blended fabric available in youth and adult sizes. Please place your orders before April 14. All orders will ship to ABS (unless you elect to have them shipped to your home for an additional fee) on May 2. We hope to sort orders and send them home via Thursdays folders as quickly as possible! If you have any questions at all, please let us know. 

Place your orders here! 

Around Town

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