Published for the Arts Based School Community
January 11, 2024
How We Do It and Why
By Mary Siebert
“Through study of original works of art and extensive exploration of art criticism, history, theory, and studio practice, students will learn to see themselves as makers of meaning, not simply vessels into which knowledge is poured.” - From the ABS charter
Even at The Arts Based School, students sometimes learn and practice via traditional means, like working problems or reading material and answering questions about it, but always with the instructor’s eye on the individual child. In addition, we integrate the arts in the 4 ways we often mention: Direct arts instruction in the studio, visits into the community or visits from artists in the community, large-scale “Landmark” productions, and arts-integrated lessons in the classroom. For these lessons in the classroom, teachers provide structure, goals, guidance, materials, and assessment for them to engage in learning in many ways.
Here are some models of integration as it appears in the regular classroom:
Quick Connections - Planned or spontaneous use of the arts to help understand or reinforce concepts. For example: dance breaks, drawing, curriculum songs, drama games that reinforce learning from other subjects.
Student-Led Lessons - Where possible and appropriate, teachers follow student curiosity. Examples: Students write and direct a scene, write a song and perform it, create a work of art to explore a topic, with necessary support and structure from the teacher or parents.
Teacher Designed and Led Lessons - Teachers create lessons based on required curriculum, inspired by the connections that naturally occur across subjects, seeking to captivate the interest of students, and sometimes sharing a particular passion of the teacher. Example: A teacher who loves throwing pots designs a series of lessons around the basics of working with clay and connects the lessons with social studies, geometry, and problem-solving skills. She leads her team to provide the experience for all students at that grade level. A visiting expert might be brought in to demonstrate slab pottery techniques.
Immersion Experiences - Teachers bring students into a great work of art or an artist study, allowing students to become immersed and to feel ownership. For example: Leonardo DaVinci study, grade level plays, filmmaking, self-portraits. These experiences require a lot of adult vision, planning, and assistance, giving students access to experiences they would not be able to synthesize on their own. The final quality is elevated because the student applies their skills within a dedicated and supportive structure.
None of these trumps the others…we like all of them!
Safety First
Our ABS community looks for ways to provide our children and staff with stability, security, and a collective sense of well-being.
The relatively small footprint of our campus as well as our entire staff’s knowledge of children and their parents not only nurtures our tight-knit community, but it also sustains a connectedness that enhances our children’s safety. Our community members know and support one another. Children’s safety is always our highest priority. As a result, throughout the year we have several different precautionary drills that include fire, tornado, and lockdown drills.
1) Fire drills are when we test our response time for evacuation of the building. We conduct these drills monthly. Students are taken outside for this drill.
2) For a tornado drill, students are inside away from exterior windows. They are seated with their heads down and hands over the back of their necks. We conduct this drill in March in coordination with the State’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week in March.
3) For lockdown drills, teachers and students stay in the classroom, turn off the lights and must be silent. We practice this drill twice a year.
Our procedures are based on the state’s crisis intervention kit, provided to all schools. As part of our school safety and crisis plan, we conduct annual lockdown training for staff which includes the children’s orderly following of directions, lockdown “shelter in place”, and common sense decision-making. Full details of our lockdown plans are not shared publicly as recommended by security experts.
Inclement Weather Days
As you are aware, school was closed on January 9th due to inclement weather. We will not need to schedule a “make up” day for January 9th, based on our school policy. In the event of school closing due to inclement weather, natural disasters or other emergencies, up to three days will be forgiven and not required for staff or students to make up.
Additional days for both students and staff will be built into the approved calendar each year, designated as possible make up days. After three days are forgiven, as specified above, students and staff will make up the days when school is closed due to inclement weather, natural disasters, or other emergencies, until the days designated on the school calendar as possible make up days have all been used.
For families who ordered lunch for January 9th, you will see a credit applied to your account.
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.
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.
Siblings of students also receive priority, but must fill out an enrollment application. You must complete an application for the 2024-25 school year for siblings of current students in order to reserve a space before the lottery. The deadline for receiving applications is Jan 31 at 3pm. Applications are available on our school website under enrollment.
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:
News from Parent Council
Please note updated time for the virtual PC Council meeting- Friday 1/12 at 1230 via zoom. Link was provided in Thursday Notes email.
There’s still time to add agenda items! Please sent to Katy Whiteheart or Stephanie Smith.
It’s almost time for January Jam! This is a fun afternoon of dancing to a live DJ, snacks and friends for students in grades 5-8. January jam will take place Friday January 19th in the 7th st building. Permission slips were sent home this week. We need a few parents to help make this a fun and safe afternoon. Please sign up if you can help!
School Calendar 2024-25
The ABS Board of Directors is considering the school calendar for 2024-25. If you would like to 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
The School Leadership Team met last Friday to review the feedback from staff and parents for the 24-25 school calendar. From that feedback, we developed 3 versions for your consideration:
All New Versions adjusted Winter Break, and Spring Break to avoid single day return.
Version 1: Moves fall break to Oct 11-14 to align with Indigenious People's day as it has been in past years.
Version 2: Moves fall break to Oct 31-Nov 1. This helps with Halloween challenges, but leaves 8 weeks without a break, Sept-Oct.
Version 3: Moves first day to August 21, one week later to align closer with school system.
Sign Up for After School Band and Percussion - 6th, 7th, and 8th Grades
After school ensembles with Mr. Reichmeier started up again during the week of January 8. These free programs take place on Tuesday/Thursday/Friday. If your student is already participating and would like to continue, please sign up again so we have a refreshed roster. Find more information and sign up HERE.
January Jam- Friday, January 19th 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 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 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, 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 are accepted January 1 -31 . The lottery will be held the second Tuesday of February.
Around Town
Standing Ovation Enrichment Program
The wait is over!!! 7th & 8th graders can now sign up for the Standing Ovation Enrichment Program on either Mondays or Wednesdays located right next door to ABS at Ovation Sound Recording Studio, owned by ABS parents, Bill & Laura Stevens. Please see the flier attached and visit www.ovationsound.com/soep to sign up! SOEP begins next week!
Ways to get involved and learn more about ABS:
- Follow us on Social Media
- Read and Review the Student/Parent Handbook
- Catch up on Thursday Notes you may have missed
- Explore the ABS website
- Make sure we have best contact information so that you receive all communications