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ABS Thursday Notes- January 4, 2024

Published for the Arts Based School Community

January 4, 2024


How We Do It and Why

By Mary Siebert


“…he demonstrated his Ph.D. on metal fatigue by using the forces between human bodies as an analog. He even used the dancers to depict data graphs."

  • John Bohannan, Science journalist and Director of “Dance Your Ph.D.”

A group of us were inspired years ago by a TED talk by scientist and writer John Bohannan, who proposed using dancers instead of Powerpoint presentations to explain physics, and engaged professional dancers to make his point. Supplied with this cool idea, a team of faculty designed a TED-inspired  performance for 6th graders, called Math & Science Dances. The students describe, through dance, ideas around scientific studies of matter: atoms, molecules, their properties, what can cause them to change. (It is particularly appropriate to describe energy via the movements of 6th graders, whose intensity and stamina are an excellent match for atomic power.) They also dance some terms from introductory algebra, characterizing them through music and movement. Visiting artist Thao Nguyen (a mystifyingly gifted singer/choreographer/actor/teacher,) conjures fresh, collective movement ideas, inspired by the individual gifts and collective energy of each year’s students. 


You might imagine that, if you told a 6th grader (or nearly sixty of them,) that they were expected to dance math and science, they would respond with something less than enthusiasm. But during their very first warm up with “Mr. Thao,” our students are hooked. They seem to revel in daily, intense sets of warm-ups; crunches, planks and push ups to the pump of pop music, and they flow from this into high energy rehearsals, fully engaged. Our kids magically love this show.


Play, experimentation, and feedback are engines of rich learning in any field. We wanted our students to play with math, through movement and characterization. Vocabulary for new concepts is a challenge in early algebra, so we targeted algebra words for students to learn more deeply, developing humorous familiarity and an undaunted, playful attitude around these terms. Likewise, in science, we targeted vocabulary and molecular structures upon which to build choreography. We hope that, when those terms are encountered again in science and math classes, a positive recognition will arise and inspire confidence.


6th Grade Math & Science Dances Performance January 18

The performance of this event begins at 6:00 on Thursday, January 18, and lasts a little under half an hour. 6th Graders will congregate at SECCA between 5:30-5:45, dressed in black dance clothing. Admittance is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. SECCA (the (Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art,) is located at 750 Marguerite Drive, in Winston-Salem. 

 

Student Intent for 2024-25 School Year

As we prepare for next year’s enrollment lottery (2024-25), 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. If your child is not returning to ABS for the 2024-25 school year, please notify Director Hollis.

 

NC School Report Card

Each year the North Carolina School Report Card provides a comprehensive resource for information about student achievement, the school environment and student safety at the state, district and school levels. Congratulations to our students and teachers for their hard work.  We are very proud of the work everyone has done to meet and exceed the State’s expected academic growth!

 

To see our school’s report card click on the following link:

NC School Report Card

 

mClass Reading Testing This Month

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has implemented and required a kindergarten through third grade reading assessment called mCLASS: Reading 3D to help teachers assess, track, and support each student’s reading skills. Each student will be assessed every trimester using the online assessment program. mCLASS:Reading 3D will instantly analyze your child’s development in grade-appropriate foundational reading skills. Teachers will use this data to focus their instruction around your child’s specific needs, in areas that may include:

  • Hearing and using sounds in spoken words (Phonemic Awareness)
  • Knowing sounds of letters and sounding out written words (Alphabetic Principle)
  • Reading words in stories easily, quickly, and correctly (Accuracy and Fluency) 
  • Understanding what they read (Reading Comprehension) 

After each assessment period you will receive a letter outlining your child’s specific assessment results and progress as a reader. The letter will also include learning activities you and your child can do together at home to reinforce skills learned at school. Parent support and reading at home are a vital part of your child’s education. The teacher’s efforts, combined with your support, will help your child read with mastery and confidence. If you have any questions about the assessment, the activities, or your child’s classroom work and progress, please talk to your child’s teacher.



Middle of the Year MAP Testing Begins Next Week

ABS uses Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) to assess each student’s academic growth. We will give students in grades 3-8 MAP tests to determine each child’s instructional level and to measure academic growth throughout the school year, and from year to year in the areas of math and reading. Your child will take the tests on a computer. MAP tests are unique in that they adapt to be appropriate for your child’s level of learning. As a result, each student has the same opportunity to succeed and maintain a positive attitude toward testing. And with MAP tests, we can administer shorter tests and use less class time while still receiving detailed, accurate information about your child’s growth.

 

 

News from Parent Council

The next meeting is scheduled for January 12 at 8:30am at the MLK building cafe.

School Calendar 2024-25

The ABS Board of Directors is considering the school calendar for 2024-25. If you would like to review the draft calendar and provide feedback, please respond to this form.

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

Sign Up for After School Band and Percussion - 6th, 7th, and 8th Grades

After school ensembles will start up again during the week of January 8. If your student is already participating and would like to continue, please sign up again so we have a refreshed roster. If your student would like to join up, find more information and sign up HERE.


January Jam- Friday, January 19th 2:45-4:00pm

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 18th at 3:00pm.   Students will not be permitted to stay without a permission slip.  This event is only for students in grades 5-8.


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).

 

Prospective Parent Tours

School tours for prospective parents begin in October. They are scheduled weekly on Tuesdays at 9:30am at South Campus and Thursdays at 9:30am at North Campus. Each tour is limited to 10 adults in an effort to limit the disruption to our students and teachers in the classrooms. Parents interested in learning more about ABS and how to enroll their child, should contact the front office to sign up for a tour. 748-4116 ext 1023. Applications will be accepted beginning January 1. The lottery will be held the second Tuesday of February. 

ABS Regular Board Meeting

The ABS Board of Directors will meet in person on Tuesday, January 9 at 5:45pm at ABS North Middle School building.  Board meetings are open to the public.



Around Town

Top Tier Teens: Winter Session

What is it: An opportunity for teens to learn to move with a purpose and experience functional fitness which can be transferred to day to day activities and sports. 

Start Date: Monday January 8th

Class times: 3-4pm Monday/Wednesday

Time Frame: 8 weeks (through February 28th)

Price: $300
Interested? Email [email protected]   ASAP!!


Ways to get involved and learn more about ABS:

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