Published for the Arts Based School Community
August 7, 2025
First Day of School - Monday, August 11 (Staggered entry for Kindergarten)
Parking Lot Pointers
We love using our creativity here at the Arts Based School, just not in the parking lot routine. We ask that you follow all rules and regulations when picking up and dropping off your students. We have volunteers and staff that will help new families and old learn the routine. Please review the attached North Campus and South Campus for more information about drop-off and pick-up procedures. Here are some helpful hints for pick-up and drop-off to help keep our students safe:
- Please drive slowly and cautiously through the school parking lot at all times.
- Watch for children and adults in the parking lot, especially the first few days when many parents will be parking and walking their child into the school.
- Please allow extra time the first week as parents and children become accustomed to the routine.
- Please be kind and courteous to parking lot helpers.
- Please cross at crosswalks when walking children into the building.
- Please be responsible for explaining the drop-off/pick up procedures to your after school daycare vans or anyone else who may be picking up your children.
- Please keep students in cars until 7:45. If you would like to get out earlier, please park in a marked parking spot and supervise your child outside of the car until 7:45.
- In the morning, please turn right on 7th Street when exiting campus. Follow the sign.
- In the afternoon, please display your car sign on your dashboard on the passenger side until your child is in the car.
- Walk-ups in the afternoon, use PikMyKids to announce your child. Then line up to the left of the building to check your child out from the cafe door.
- Please have your student ready to get out of the car on the passenger side of the vehicle and move immediately to the sidewalk. Students can exit the car once they are next to the sidewalk or potted plants.
- If you must unload/load on the driver's side, please help us train our students to walk around the front of your vehicle so you can see them make it safely to the sidewalk.
- Please do not get out of your car in the carline. If your child needs extra help buckling and unbuckling, please park and assist your child until they can do that independently.
- Please stay in the line and do not pull around another car, even if you are already loaded or unloaded.
- For North Campus, please do not drop off on MLK or park on 7th Street.
- For South Campus, please do not park in upper lot. ABS families must park in the lower lot.
- Finally, please consider volunteering for morning drop-off or afternoon pickup. Extra adults are always helpful as students and parents learn the routine. Thanks!
Fall Enrollment Forms Now Available – Due tomorrow!
All returning and new families are asked to complete registration for the 2025–26 school year. The Arts Based School uses the Enrollease platform to streamline this process.
Please log in here using your Lotterease or Enrollease account, and complete the 2025–26 Required Student Form for each of your children attending ABS.
This form is required for:
- Laptop use
- Field trip participation
- Medical information updates
Please take a moment to complete the form today to ensure your child is ready for the first day of school!
Helpful Links and Reminders:
- Who is my student’s teacher? What supplies do we need? You can find class lists, supply lists, and class pages behind our parent portal, on this page.
- Have you filled out your required student form in Enrollease? Please complete these ASAP! More details below.
- If you are new to ABS, please download the app PikMyKid for our dismissal process. You should have received your car tag and Pikmykid number at Special Visits.
School Meals Update: Lunch and Breakfast Options
As we get ready for the new school year, here are a few important reminders about school meals and how to ensure your child is set up and ready to go.
Applying for Free or Reduced-Price Meals
We encourage all families to complete a Free or Reduced-Price Meal application at linqconnect.com. Simply click on “School Services”, then choose “Free & Reduced Meal Application.”
You do not need to create an account to complete the application.
When Will I Know if My Child Qualifies?
You will receive a letter of eligibility within 10 days of submitting your application. This letter will be emailed to you. If we do not have an email address on file, a copy will be sent by U.S. Mail.
Setting Up a Meal Account
To pre-order meals and add funds to your child’s account, go to linqconnect.com and create an account using your child’s:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Date of Birth
- State Identification Number
If you do not know your child’s State ID, please email us at [email protected], and we’ll be happy to help.
New This Year: All Meals Must Be Pre-Ordered
Please note that students will only receive meals if they have been pre-ordered and there are sufficient funds in their account. We encourage families to stay involved and check accounts regularly.
While we wait for the LINQ system to be fully operational, we will be using a Google Form to pre-order school lunches and breakfasts.
If your child plans to eat school lunch or breakfast during the first week of school, please complete the form for the full week by tonight at 9:00 PM.
We apologize for the short notice and appreciate your understanding as we work to ensure a smooth start to the year.
Please complete the form here: https://forms.gle/huKQKJJVGQz7DsT3A
Need More Help?
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information about lunch accounts, ordering, payments, and eligibility.
Let’s work together to make this a healthy and successful school year!
ABS Regular Board Meeting
The ABS Board of Directors Board will meet on Tuesday, August 12, 2024 at 5:45pm at the 7th St School building. Board meetings are open to the public.
Kindergarten Required Forms
Parents of kindergarten students are required to provide the school with a copy of the child’s birth certificate, immunization record, and NC Kindergarten Health Assessment form.
North Carolina Vaccine-Specific Requirements
The North Carolina General Statutes (G.S. 130A-152(a)) require immunizations for every child present in this state. Every parent, guardian or person in loco parentis is responsible for ensuring that their child(ren) receive required immunizations. Here’s the NCDHHS website for more information about school immunization requirements. If you have specific questions regarding your child, please contact your child’s health care provider or your local health department.
Kindergarten, 7th grade students, and any students new to the school system who are not compliant with state immunization requirements will not be permitted to attend school after 30 days. Please turn in all immunization documentation by September 19, 2025 .
Staff Meeting Snacks Sign-Up – August is Middle School's Month!
As part of our teacher appreciation efforts this year, we're providing snacks for staff to enjoy during their weekly meetings. Each grade level will be assigned a month (or two for lower grades) to help keep our amazing teachers fueled and feeling appreciated!
August has been assigned to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade families, and September will be covered by 5th grade families. If you're able to contribute snacks during your month, please drop them off at the front desk or café at either campus, labeled “Staff Meeting.” Thank you for supporting our admin and teachers!
Sign up here: Staff Meeting Snack Signup
Ways to get involved and learn more about ABS:
- Follow us on Social Media
- 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
Pickleback 2 School Tournament: Honoring Daniel Marks
Winston-Salem is once again hosting the annual Pickleback 2 School pickleball tournament—and this year, it holds special meaning for our community.
We’re dedicating this event to honor the memory of Daniel Marks, a beloved former student of the Arts Based School and a familiar face at Foothills who had a passion for pickleball.
Daniel bravely beat lymphoma in 7th grade but was later diagnosed with leukemia in 8th. Though he passed away, we don’t believe he lost the fight—he met every challenge with strength, courage, and heart.
Cancer Services will be on site accepting donations in Daniel’s memory. We’ll also have special edition hats available featuring the Pickleback 2 School logo and the phrase “Dink for Daniel”—a way to remember and celebrate his spirit.
We hope you’ll join us for a day of pickleball, fun, and honoring someone truly special.
Tournament Details:
- Registration Deadline: August 17 at 5:00 PM
- Men’s & Women’s Doubles: Saturday, August 23
- Mixed Doubles: Sunday, August 24
- Cost: $50 (covers all events)
- Note: Brackets may be combined by age and/or skill level.
Register here: https://app.pickleballden.com/external-tournament/5944928
Even if you don’t plan to play, come out and cheer on the players—it’s sure to be a great time for a great cause.
Questions?
Contact Anna at [email protected] / 336-727-2313
or Bri Pierce at [email protected]