Published for the Arts Based School Community
May 1, 2025
How We Do It and Why
By Mary Siebert, Founding Arts Director, retired
Unlike the frightening Dragon of Western mythology, Chinese Dragons are benevolent creatures that live in the heavens and amongst the wind, mist, rain, thunder, and lightning. - Shelly Wu
For several years, our first graders performed a group of Cinderella stories from various cultures. It was an opportunity to study and compare cultures, and it was a lot of fun. But there was one Cinderella and one Prince in each story, and we found ourselves teaching against the moral of the story. Beauty is not about gowns and glass slippers. Women do not need a man to rescue them. Men are not just rescue engines. Partnerships are not made happily-ever-after by owning a castle.
We set out to find a story that would incorporate more lead players, would avoid antiquated gender stereotypes, and would still lead us into some fascinating cultural studies. We settled on China, because we had a lot of rich resources for teaching about China at first grade.
Great Dragon and the Pearl of Wisdom is an adaptation from a Chinese legend, sometimes titled The Ten Brothers, as well as a later adaptation: The Seven Sisters. Students become familiar with the original stories, and then help develop their own adaptation, in which seven siblings have superpowers. (Due to enthusiastic 1st grader input, there are also quite a few pandas in the story.) There is an adult narrator, to keep the story rolling and provide security for the performers, and there are occasional lines for students who are ready. These little actors dance and sing and perform with remarkable focus, ensemble, and commitment. That confidence comes from weeks of working with their teachers and specialists to take a deep dive into Chinese culture and this adapted folk tale. You can see your 1st grader’s performance in the Alex Ewing Blackbox Theater in the MLK building next week as follows:
Monday, May 5, 12:00 Cruz
Tuesday, May 6, 12:00 Parker
Wednesday, May 7, 12:00 Rogers
Thursday, May 8, 12:00, Clarke
Friday, May 9, 12:00, Fray
Got tickets?
Community Creates – May 3rd!
Don’t miss the return of Community Creates on Saturday, May 3rd from 7-11pm! It’s a fun-filled evening with food from The Porch, drinks from Thirsty Buffalo, friends and some outstanding artwork! All proceeds from the event support our Artist-in-Residence program (think Mr. Bill, Mr. Bob, Diana Greene, Thao Nguyen and many others!). Tickets on sale now at Eventbrite!
We would like to offer our great thanks to our Community Leader Sponsors Elliot Morgan Parsonage PLLC and Wrennie & Elizabeth Pitt. Visit EMP at https://emplawfirm.com/. Thank you for your generous support!
Community Creates Volunteers needed
If you are interested in volunteering for the event, you are able to get a half-price ticket ($25). We need help on Friday afternoon set up, Saturday during event, and Sunday clean up. The list of specifics is on the form.
Sign up here to volunteer
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 5. There will be limited availability. Special thanks to our yearbook coordinators and ABS parents, Elizabeth Lawson and Nicole Taylor.
- 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: $30, Cash only
Test Proctors -Volunteers Needed
Thanks to those who have already signed up to proctor our EOG/EOC test sessions in May. We still need many more to cover all the test session on those days. If you can serve as a proctor, please sign up on this proctor form.
K-Kids and Builder’s Club
Thank you to our K-Kids and ABS Builders Club members for a great year of service to the school and community. Through your kind donations, we were able to contribute support to many local, regional and international groups in need. We conducted our last meetings for these clubs this week and will reconvene next year!
STEAM Club
Our new ABS Steam Club has been a tremendous success. Thank you to everyone who helped support our ABS STEAM students. Get your ABS STEAM club t-shirt today- ABS STEAM T-Shirt
Have a great summer! - Mrs. Gledhill and Mrs. Hoffman
Measles Guidance for Schools
The NC DHHS Communicable Disease Branch has developed a Measles Guidance Document for Schools to support measles prevention and response efforts in school settings. This resource is intended for use in coordination with local and state public health departments.
For questions related to exclusion, case reporting, exposures, contact investigation, or environmental cleaning, please contact the Communicable Disease Branch at 919-733-3419.
For questions related to vaccines, eligibility, immunization schedules, or the NCIR system, please contact the Immunization Branch at:
- 1-877-873-6247 (general information & NCIR support)
2025 Summer Camps
Registration for summer camps closes on May 9th- 15 days! Make sure to look at the updated flier with the current available camps. We still have a couple that need more students to enroll in order to run. Payments for camp will be due by May 9, 2025. You may receive a refund up until May 30th for any changes in schedules. After May 30th refunds will not be given for missed camps. Please email Ashley Tate, [email protected] with any questions.
Check out the updated flyer here!
Parent Council News
The next Parent Council meeting is scheduled for May 16 at 12noon. This will be a virtual meeting. ABS PC Meeting Minutes 04/14/2025, also available on our website.
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5th- May 9th. Help us show our amazing ABS teachers and staff all the love they deserve! Check out each day’s idea below! Here's their list of Favorites
Message Monday: Have your student write a special letter or thank-you card.
Treat yourself Tuesday : Treat your teacher with something from their favorites list (ex. gift card for their favorite store, self care items, a relaxing candle etc)
Wishlist Wednesday: Surprise your teacher with an item from their wishlist
Thirsty Thursday: Bring in a beverage or gift card to a coffee/smoothie shop OR a yummy treat.
Floral Friday: Have your student pick a flower or bring in a plant for the classroom. Or get creative with seeds for a garden, floral jewelry, or customize a pressed flower bookmark (look for these to come home in Thursday Folders).
Lost & Found
Please check lost and found for items that are anxiously awaiting their return to your student. Any items not claimed by next Friday, 5/2 will be donated.
Around Town…
FUSE Makers Market: an outdoor event celebrating community, culture, and joy!
Saturday, May 3, 10-5pm
At NCMA Winston-Salem (formerly SECCA)
50 Artists representing all types of media, make-and-take activities with Mixxer Community Makerspace and ArtSHAC, plus food, coffee, and dessert trucks - all in a beautiful outdoor setting. Admission is Free.