Published for the Arts Based School Community
Sept 4, 2025
Learning Beyond the Classroom: The Value of Field Trips
At ABS, we believe that many meaningful learning experiences also happen outside the classroom. Field trips give students the chance to explore new environments, connect classroom concepts to the real world, and build lasting memories with their peers.
Soon our students will begin traveling into the community for field trips. Each grade level will visit a variety of exciting destinations. For example, our kindergarteners will explore the Piedmont Farmer’s Market and the Kaleideum, while our second graders will dive into local history at Bethabara Park, experience hands-on science at the Greensboro Science Center, and even take in the beauty of Pilot Mountain. Fourth graders will dig into earth science at the Emerald Hollow Mine and explore exhibits at the Greensboro Science Center, while fifth graders will learn about art and culture at Reynolda House and history at the Greensboro Civil Rights Museum. Older students will broaden their horizons further with visits to the Iredell Museum and other cultural landmarks.
These experiences help bring lessons to life—whether through art, science, history, or the natural world.
Important Reminder: Every student must have a completed field trip permission slip on file each school year in order to participate. If you haven’t yet, please take a moment to complete this year’s form here: Field Trip Permission Form.
We’re excited to see our students learning, exploring, and growing throughout our community this year!
Curriculum Night- Save the Date! Sept 16 & 17
Curriculum Night is an educational open house for parents to learn about their child's school year and how to support them at home. At curriculum night, parents can expect to learn about:
- Curriculum: What their child will learn in class
- Classroom routines: Schedules, Procedures, & Expectations
Curriculum night activities are held in your child’s classroom.
To ease parking, we have scheduled staggered sessions-
Attendance Update: New Email for Absence Notes
Consistent school attendance is essential to every child’s academic growth and success. As a public school, we are required to record and report excused and unexcused tardies and absences each day.
With the launch of the new North Carolina Student Information System (NCSIS), Infinite Campus, we’ve made an important change in how families should submit absence notes.
Instead of sending notes directly to your child’s classroom teacher, please email all attendance notes to: [email protected].
This includes both parent/guardian emails and doctor’s notes. Centralizing this process helps us ensure accurate reporting and compliance with state requirements. For more details, you can review our full attendance policy [here].
Thank you for helping us keep attendance records accurate and up to date!
Lunch Ordering
Thank you for your patience as we launch meal service with two new systems—LINQ for ordering and Infinite Campus for student information. We know this transition has been frustrating at times, and we truly appreciate your understanding.
We’re excited to offer meals through the federal free and reduced lunch program, ensuring more students have access to healthy food each day. While there have been some bumps in the road, we’re confident the process will smooth out quickly.
Remember orders are due by Wed, 5pm for the next week. You can [click here] to access the ordering page and save it to your favorites.
Questions or concerns? Please reach out anytime at [email protected]
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.
STEAM Club Kicks Off for 6th–8th Graders!
We’re excited to announce the first STEAM Club meeting of the year! The club will meet on Tuesday, September 16, from 3:00–4:00 PM, and will continue every other Tuesday.
Whether your interest is in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, or Mathematics, STEAM Club is a great way to dive into hands-on projects, explore creative ideas, and collaborate with friends in a fun, supportive environment.
To help cover materials, we are asking for a $10 supply donation. Permission slips and more information will be sent home in Thursday Folders. Space is limited, so please return permission slips promptly to secure a spot.
We can’t wait to get started!
After School Band and Percussion
After School Music Clubs (6th- 8th grade only) will begin again the week of September 8th. Band Club will help students advance as musicians, prepare for high school marching or symphonic ensembles, or just have fun making great music together. Mr. Reichmeier will work with students in the 7th Street music room from 3:00-3:45 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is no fee to participate, but your child must rent or own their instrument. Please complete this form if your child will participate in afterschool band.
Parent Council News
ABS Fall Fest-Saturday, October 4 | 12–3 PM
Join us for an afternoon of fun, food, and community at the ABS Fall Fest!
Highlights include:
Food Trucks
Book Fair
Tons of Games & Activities
Vendors
Admission: $5 per child (adults free) – pay by cash or Venmo.
100% of admission fees directly support The Arts Based School!
This Parent Council–sponsored fundraiser helps cover the school’s annual operating expenses. Come hungry, bring your family, and get ready to play!
Keep an eye out for emails from your class representative about volunteer opportunities.
Interested in being a vendor?
Apply here: Vendor Application Form
Around Town…
Salem Bach Festival This Weekend
The elegance and beauty of Bach and his contemporaries, played on instruments from Bach's time. FREE concerts this weekend, at the annual Salem Bach Festival. Each concert is about one hour long. See more at salembachfestival.com
Vespers, for choir and orchestra, 7:00 pm Friday, September 5, at Wesley Memorial in High Point
Bach Sonatas, for Violin, Cello, and Harpsichord - 12:00 pm Saturday, September 6, Home Moravian Church
From Baroque to Blue Ridge: Fiddle tunes comparing Baroque and Appalachian traditions, at Lot 63 Coffeehouse (614 S. Main)
Gottesdienst, for choir and orchestra, (repeat of Friday's concert) 3:00 pm, at Home Moravian Church
Special Note: Violinist Vivian Mayers, former 3rd grade teacher at ABS, also an ABS graduate, plays with this festival!
UNCSA Action Out at ABS
Registration link: https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=5375
Acting Antics: Fun and Games for Stage, Grades 3-5
Wednesdays, 4:30-5:15 p.m. (Sept. 3 - Dec. 10, 2025)
$307 / 14-week semester
Jordan Brown, Instructor (Arts Based School)
Stagecraft: Acting for the Theatre, Grades 3-5
Wednesday, 5:30-6:15 p.m. (Sept. 3 - Dec. 10, 2025)
$259 / 14-week semester
Jordan Brown, Instructor (Arts Based School)
Reel Adventures: Exploring Acting in the World of Film, Grades 6-8
Mondays, 4:30-5:15 p.m. (Sept. 8 - Dec. 15, 2025)
$259 / 14-week semester
Jordan Brown, Instructor (Arts Based School)
NEW! The Art of Comedy, Grades 6-8
Mondays, 5:30-6:15 p.m. (Sept. 8 - Dec. 15, 2025)
$259 / 14-week semester
Jordan Brown, Instructor (Arts Based School)
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