Published for the Arts Based School Community
May 29, 2025
Last day of School- Friday, May 30
Early Release Day
- K-4 Dismiss at 11:45
- 5-8 Dismiss at 12 noon
Celebrating Our 8th Grade Graduates: A New Chapter Begins
As the school year draws to a close, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to our 8th-grade students as they prepare to embark on their next adventure. This transition marks a significant milestone, and we are immensely proud of each student's growth and accomplishments during their time with us.
Reflecting on our school's traditions, we recall the days before the establishment of our middle school when we celebrated the graduation of our 5th graders. Over the years, we've been honored to have distinguished commencement speakers, including Peter Perret, founding board member and Conductor Emeritus of the Winston-Salem Symphony, and Mary Siebert, our Founding Arts Director. On one occasion, when Mary was unavailable, Paige Raper graciously stepped in to address our graduates.
This year, we embraced a new tradition by inviting one of our own alumni to speak at the commencement ceremony. Jackson Calhoun, a 2016 graduate of our school, returned to share his journey and insights with our departing 8th graders.
Jackson's path is a testament to dedication and passion. After graduating from our school, he pursued his love of dance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), where he honed his craft and graduated from the high school program in 2020. His talent and commitment led him to join Ballet Rhode Island as an apprentice in 2024. Notably, in 2023, Jackson achieved a significant milestone by becoming a professional choreographer, further showcasing his artistic versatility.
During his address, Jackson shared personal anecdotes and reflections, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, self-expression, and embracing one's unique journey. His words resonated deeply, offering inspiration and encouragement to our graduates as they step into the next phase of their academic and personal lives.
We are grateful to Jackson for returning to his roots and contributing to this memorable occasion. His achievements serve as a beacon of what is possible with passion and dedication.
We know that all of our graduates will take different paths — some bold, some quiet, some winding — but each uniquely their own. We look forward to hearing where they land and how they grow, thrive, and succeed in the years to come.
To our 8th-grade graduates: as you move forward, carry with you the lessons learned, the friendships forged, and the memories cherished. May your future be bright, your challenges met with courage, and your successes celebrated with humility. Congratulations!
Hellos and Goodbyes
As we wrap up another wonderful school year, it's time for one of our most meaningful traditions—celebrating the transitions within our school family. While we say goodbye to a few familiar faces, we also have the joy of welcoming new members to our community.
First, we bid a fond farewell and heartfelt thank you to:
- Ms. Tellez – Our passionate and inspiring Spanish teacher, whose love for language and culture has made a lasting impact.
- Ms. Paden (3rd Grade) – A caring and creative educator who has nurtured her students with grace and dedication.
- Ms. Ruffin (3rd Grade) – Known for her calm leadership and warm classroom environment, she will be greatly missed by all.
At the same time, we’re excited to welcome several new staff members who will be joining ABS next school year:
- Aysia Hargrove (3rd Grade North) – Brings energy, fresh ideas, and a strong commitment to student growth.
- Jehn Boyd (4th Grade South) – A passionate educator ready to bring her creativity and experience to our community.
- Alexandra Brady (3rd Grade North) – Not to be confused with Ashley Brady (no relation!), Alexandra joins us with a heart for teaching and a student-centered approach.
- Alex Toledo (Front Desk, South Campus) – Will be the new friendly and welcoming presence greeting our South Campus families, providing ice packs and bandaids, and a helping hand to all.
We’re grateful for all the contributions of those who are leaving and thrilled to begin a new chapter with those who are joining us. Change brings both reflection and renewal, and we are proud to continue growing as a school community.
Welcome aboard to our new team members—and to those departing, thank you for everything. You’ll always be part of the ABS story.
EPA Clean Bus Rebate-finally
We are thrilled to share that last Friday, ABS received official notice from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the $345,000 payment for our new electric school bus will be deposited into our account within the week! This funding is part of the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, which aims to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and modernize transportation in school districts across the country.
The Clean School Bus Program is a federal initiative that supports the transition from diesel-powered buses to cleaner electric alternatives. The program not only benefits the environment but also promotes healthier air for our students, drivers, and community.
While this payment has been highly anticipated, it did experience some delays due to federal processing and administrative hurdles that affected many recipients nationwide. We appreciate your patience as we worked through these disruptions alongside the EPA and remained in close contact to ensure everything stayed on track.
As we move forward, we’ll continue to keep you updated on the final steps of the process, including submitting closing forms and retiring our old diesel bus, as required by the program. We’re proud to be part of a cleaner, greener future for school transportation and grateful for the support that made this milestone possible!
EC Parent Survey
The NC Department of Public Instruction, Office of Exceptional Children, is asking for your input through the 2024-25 Indicator 8 Parent Survey. You may access the survey using the link or QR Code below. To better serve families, the short, two-minute survey allows the respondent to select from multiple languages in which to complete the survey.
2024-25 Indicator 8 Parent Survey
https://go.ncdpi.gov/24-25ParentSurvey
End of Year Checklist
- Pick up medications from the front office.
- Be sure all fees and lunch balances are paid.
- Let us know if you will not be returning to ABS next year. If your child is transferring to another school, please let us know where to send your child’s records by emailing Director Hollis [email protected]
- Friday, May 30 is the last day of school, with early dismissal. K-4 dismisses at 11:45. 5-8 dismisses at 12pm.
Field Day
Field Day will be held on Friday, May 30 this year. It’s a half-day and we need volunteers to help the classes run their games. Please contact your class rep if you can help. This is one of the last opportunities of the year to earn volunteer hours. In the event of rain, field day will be canceled.
2025 Summer Camps
Registration for summer camps has closed. Please remember to pay your invoices sent from bill.com. If you need a new invoice sent, please contact Angela Wooten at [email protected]. If you are in need of signing up for a camp and can provide payment on the same day, please email [email protected].
Parent Council News
May 16 Recording ABS PC Meeting Minutes 05/16/2025
The Parent Council board has finished the By-Laws revision. Please review and send any questions/comments to Parent Council Chairs-Kathleen Stimely/Emily Gregg. Parent Council will plan to vote/adopt at the August Parent Council meeting. The May 2025 revision can be found here.