ABS Thursday Notes- May 11, 2023

Published for the Arts Based School Community

May 11, 2023

How We Do It and Why

By Mary Siebert

“Arts education isn’t something we add on after we’ve achieved other priorities, like raising test scores and getting kids into college. It’s actually critical for achieving those priorities in the first place.” - Michelle Obama

There is a lot about ABS that makes us different from other public schools. But that defining word, “public,” means that we share certain absolutes with traditional schools. For example, we teach the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. We can approach these goals creatively, and we do, when it’s effective. But we take exactly the same end of grade tests that other public schools take. 

We are interested in nationwide efforts to correct biases in testing. We are aware of changing practices at the college level, inspired by indications that standardized tests may not be the most accurate measure of learning or potential—but as a state-supported school, we do what is required of us, as well as we possibly can. Our staff follows all detailed testing requirements. 

What we can be creative about, where testing is concerned, is our attitude! And for that...we have a leg up. How do we prepare for this important assessment time, where the mood of our school is so different from our typical, upbeat, spirited energy? First, we learn the material as well as possible, just as a musician prepares by studying, practicing, and practicing again. Next, we learn the regulations of the test, just as a fine artist learns the requirements of a juried art show before sending in her work for consideration. We might practice breathing techniques to remain calm and focused, just as an actor or spoken word artist does in the wings, before a demanding entrance. We trust our training and fly, just as a dancer does when the music cues them to begin. 

Performances and tests are similar in many ways. They feel very different from rehearsals. Maybe your most inspired singing occurs at home in the shower, but you focus and bring your best to the stage. Maybe you make a mistake here and there on the test, but you focus and do your very best on each question and persevere to the end.

The adults around our students, both teachers and families, set the tone. We like to think of testing as an exciting time to try our skills. We tell our students “You can do this!” We make sure they are rested, fed, watered, and ready to go. We know this is just one test on one day. They are full of ideas and intellect and skills that will keep growing after test day, and their skills as artists will progress after performance day. It’s just a moment in a lifelong flow.

First Grade Performances Schedule Next Week

First graders will perform The Great Dragon and the Pearl of Wisdom in the Alex Ewing Black Box Theater at ABS North on the following days and times:

McCrae/Fletcher, Tuesday, May 16, 12:00-12:30

Howard, Wednesday, May 17, 12:00-12:30

Tashina, Thursday, May 18, 12:00-12:30

Rogers, Friday, May 19, 12:00-12:30

Family and friends are welcome to attend. 

ABS Builders Club Spirit Week 5-8 Grades only

Friday 5/12, 5-8 grades only: Fandom Friday: Dress in what you are the biggest fan of, and please bring individually wrapped snacks for Ronald Mcdonald House/Brenners.

Friday 5/12, 5-8 grades only: Movie Day:  Puss and Boots: The Last Wish- PG, Frozen -G, Black Panther 2- PG13, Edward Scissorhands-PG13 - $5.00 ticket. Proceeds go to The Eliminate Project, an organization that provides international vaccinations for mothers and babies.

“January” Jam in May!  Friday, May 19th

January Jam is back! January Jam is an after-school dance party open to 5th-8th grade students. The dance is from 2:45 to 4:00 and admission is $5. Snacks will be sold. Permission slips and money are due by 3pm on May 18th. They will not be accepted on the day of the event. Students will be dismissed from inside the 7th Street building. You must park in a marked parking spot and come inside to pick up your child. There will NOT be an outside pick-up line. 

Teacher Appreciation Week at ABS!

Thanks to all of you for making our week so special!  Each day a sweet surprise, you really brightened our days!  THANK YOU!

ABS Yearbooks 

Yearbook pre-orders are coming home today.  If you did not pre-order you will be able to buy one at each campus front desk, beginning May 15. There will be limited availability.

• Sales will be on a first-come, first-served basis.   We are unable to hold. 
• Limit of 1 yearbook per transaction to make it fair for everyone that may have forgotten to order.
• Cost: $25, Cash only

Interested in working for ABS?
The Arts Based School (ABS) is a popular and successful K-8 public charter school in Winston-Salem, offering competitive salaries and NC State health plan and retirement benefits to full-time employees.

Warm collegial relationships and a high level of collaboration are consistently noted by teachers as favorite aspects of working at ABS. We accept applications year-round from licensed teachers. Ideal candidates are passionate, energetic, creative, and innovative. ABS teachers are team players who plan together across arts and other disciplines to deliver uniquely integrated curriculum. This contributes to our cheerful, vibrant, learning community, and results in accomplished, confident students.

Our campus, located in downtown Winston-Salem, includes two updated brick tobacco warehouses: a colorful K-4 building with a blackbox theater, dance studio and art room, and an “industrial chic” 5-8 building with a drama studio, an art room bordering an outdoor sketching garden, a modern, light-filled music room, and a large, open courtyard.

For more information and application,  check our website: https://www.artsbasedschool.com/apps/pages/employment

Current Openings:  Middle School Science, Middle School EC, Teaching Assistant, Part-time K-2 Music 

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!

Parent Council Meeting - Friday, May 12, 2023 

Please join us for our monthly Parent Council meeting at 8:30 am in the MLK building cafeteria and via ZOOM.  Link is included in your email. We will discuss field day preparations and other exciting upcoming events. All are welcome!

Around Town

UNCSA Preparatory Dance Spring Festival Performance

Saturday June 10th at 2pm

Freedman Theater, UNCSA campus (1533 South Main Street)

Come watch the UNCSA Preparatory Dance Program, as they celebrate the completion of the academic year. The talented preparatory students will perform with their classes in the balletic ‘Defilé’, followed by character and contemporary works choreographed by Preparatory faculty. The program will end with the junior and senior performance ensembles dancing in the premier of ‘The Red Reform’, choreographed by Alberto Blanco.

All ABS students and parents get a 15% discount on tickets with code CHILDBALLET  - more info here.

FLASHBACK FRIDAYS at MUSE Winston-Salem with a/perture cinema

Flashback Fridays begins this Friday, May 12, at MUSE Winston-Salem! Join us as we again partner with a/perture cinema for a summer of movies, food, and fun! A/perture will bring their giant inflatable a/mobile screen to setup outside at MUSEws. We're throwing it back this year, with four films from the 70s and 80s, plus activities, food, beer, and a SUPERSIZED SANDBOX, built by our friends at MIXXER Community Makerspace. Wutyasay food truck will be selling food at all four events, including specialty items to match each film! We'll have Hoots beer for sale. And we'll have fun activities for the whole family!

May 12: Goonies

June 23: JAWS

August 11: Dirty Dancing

September 8: Raiders of the Lost Ark