Published for the Arts Based School Community
August 14, 2025
How We Do It and Why
By Mary Siebert, ABS Founding Arts Director, retired
"In order to create, there must be a dynamic force, and what force is more potent than love?" - Igor Stravinsky
Welcome, familiar friends and new ones! Our first day of school breezed by smoothly, both in the classrooms and in the hallways. There was joy in the air! Nearly every Thursday, you’ll find an article highlighting our unique methods, the research supporting our philosophy, and inspiring moments from the classroom and school community.
We believe that our approach “levels the playing field” so that your child has many options for appropriately challenging learning and accomplishment. We continually assess and reconsider our work with this important goal: helping your child become a successful student who loves learning. We focus on meeting each child where they are, and moving forward from there. Beyond that, we want our students to become confident, inspired, curious, creative problem-solvers. We need your partnership in this endeavor as well. Based on current research, here is how you can give your child the opportunities they desire and deserve. Make sure your child:
- Gets 10 hours of sleep every night. (That’s right…TEN!)
- Eats a nutritious breakfast every morning, avoiding sugary foods.
- Brings a healthy snack and a water bottle, every day.
- Arrives at school on time, and avoids early departure.
- Gets outside and exercises after school and on weekends.
- Has clear expectations and supervision of your child’s screen time and social media
- Reads at home daily. (Read aloud together!)
- Talks with you about school and enjoys your help with learning, daily.
- If your child takes medication, administer it appropriately and consistently. Make sure you send any meds, even cough drops, to the front office of your building with a medication form completed by the doctor.
- Even on difficult mornings, send your child off with a hug and loving words.
No amount of creative, dedicated, brilliantly-taught lessons or technology can replace the love and care you provide. Please, partner with us to make your child’s year at ABS the best it can possibly be, and we pledge to do the same!
Note: Mary Siebert, our Arts Director retired two years ago. You will see and feel her presence throughout our school because she was one of the founders and creators of the Arts Based School. With her permission, we continue to publish some of her wise words and philosophical musings in Thursday Notes.
Fall Enrollment Forms Now Available – Past due!
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!
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.
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!
mClass/DIBELS 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.
Activity Fee
ABS is publicly funded and free to all students. We ask families to contribute a $40 activity fee each year to help cover the costs of our field trips, special arts activities, and more. You can pay your Activity Fee through the website donation link. Please mark other and in the comment box type “Activity Fee”. Families qualifying for free/reduced lunch are exempt from this charge.
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 .
Openings at Second Grade South Campus
We have a few spots open at the South Campus second grade if you know of someone trying to get into ABS. Please spread the word. If interested, apply for an open spot by completing the Lotterease lottery application for2nd grade South Campus. These spots are first-come, first-served.
Parent Council News
Parent Council Meeting – August 15, 2025
Join us Friday, August 15, at 8:30 AM on the North Campus in cafe (or via Zoom) for our next Parent Council meeting, meeting agenda. We’ll be voting on the newly revised bylaws—please send any questions or comments to Co-Chairs Kathleen Stimely or Emily Gregg. You can also submit topics for the meeting here.
Volunteer Hub – Get Involved!
There are so many ways to jump in and make a difference this year—whether you have an hour a week or just an occasional day to help! Opportunities include 2025–2026 Classroom Reps, gardening projects, pizza Friday lunch delivery, art room assistance, teacher snack & fridge stocking, and more. Plus, remember to log your volunteer hours. Check out all openings and sign up here.
We have a particular need for Pizza Friday volunteers. Sign up here:
South Campus: Volunteer Signup
North Campus: Volunteer Signup
Fall Fest Save the Date – Saturday, October 4, 2025
Mark your calendars! Join us Saturday, October 4, from 12–3 PM at the North Campus for Fall Fest fun. Enjoy vendors in the courtyard, food trucks, class booths, and the Book Fair—plus music and activities for the whole family. Tickets are $5 per child (cash or Venmo only) and adults are free. We’re still looking for more food trucks, vendors, and musicians—let us know if you have a connection or would like to host a vendor booth! (Contact Erin Sorenson [email protected])
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
Code Ninjas! Grades 5-8
Code Ninjas is offering an exciting afterschool program, Coding and Computational Thinking with LEGO® SPIKE Prime, at the North Campus for students in grades 5–8. This 6-week program runs every Wednesday from October 15th to November 19th, with classes meeting from 2:50–4:00 PM. Students will build and program their own LEGO Spike robots while learning coding skills, problem-solving, and teamwork, all in a fun and creative environment. The cost for the program is $225, and space is limited, so be sure to sign up soon! Click this link to see the flyer and sign up!
Crazy Running K-4 Both Campuses
The Crazy Runners Club is a fun and energetic program where students build endurance while enjoying the excitement of running with friends. Through weekly practices, runners develop stamina, improve fitness, and learn the value of perseverance in a supportive and encouraging environment. Both the North and South Campus programs cost $120 and will conclude with the Mistletoe 5k & Fun Run on Saturday, December 6th, 2025. Race entry fees are included in registration, giving every participant the chance to celebrate their training by running in this exciting community event. Click here to register!