Published for the Arts Based School Community
October 2, 2025
How We Do It and Why
By Mary Siebert, ABS Founding Arts Director
“As Americans we are the inheritors of a uniquely rich and vibrant history, a magnificent tapestry of diverse cultures, beliefs, experiences, and intellectual movements, bound together by the shared ideals of progress and opportunity.” – Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo), National Endowment of the Humanities Chair
The pieces that make up America’s cultural mosaic originate from all over the world. Unless you are Native American, your people were immigrants. Some of us came because we wanted to, some because we needed to, and some because we were forced to. Over time, our lives have fit together into one intricate picture that we call America, yet each tile remains distinct and traceable to its place of origin.
North Carolina State Standards require second graders to study the diverse cultures within our country, to recognize and gain understanding. The state-required social studies curriculum for NC second graders is titled Foundations of America. Of course, this includes basic political and historical ideas, but when the foundations of America are examined from a cultural standpoint, you arrive at world cultures, because we come from everywhere. Each art form—music, dance, visual art, and theater—has required goals along these lines: “Exemplify the arts representing the heritage, customs, and traditions of various cultures. Recognize the impact of regional differences on the production of the arts.”
Music such as country, jazz, salsa, and hip hop. Foods such as tacos, pizza, hamburgers, hushpuppies, and hot dogs. Stories, from The Three Little Pigs to Star Wars. All of these things are American, yet each began in another place. If we could lift any one tile of the mosaic and look beneath it, it would lead us deep into history—across our continent and into nearly every other part of the world. So we begin the second-grade year with a celebration of cultures that trace back to those origins.
For our American Mosaic production, we highlight just four of those pieces through storytelling, visual art, dance, and music. We examine traditions as they emerge from the “four corners” of our country: north, south, east, and west.
- A story from a native tribe of our Pacific Northwest.
- Artwork inspired by vivid traditions of Mexico.
- Traditional dances that connect the African continent across centuries, linking popular social dances of the 1920s to hip hop.
- Songs that stretch from Ireland, Scotland, and England to the workdays, front porches, and celebrations of America.
Our goal is for students to grow curious and explore the many backgrounds that form our country, and to recognize, respect, and experience them. We discover that we have already embraced more multicultural influences than we realize—simply by being Americans.
Second Grade Performances
All Second graders perform American Mosaic at the North Campus, 1380 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, in the Ewing Black Box Theater beginning next week. All performances begin at noon and last only half an hour. Parking may require a few extra minutes, so please arrive in time to enjoy the show.
Pipes - Monday, October 20, 12:00
Rebhan- Tuesday, October 21, 12:00
Soesbee - Wednesday, October 22, 12:00
Campbell - Thursday, October 23, 12:00
Ward - Friday, October 24, 12:00
ABS Annual Giving Campaign – Officially Underway!
Our Annual Giving Campaign officially kicked off on October 1st, and we’re already on our way toward our goal of 100% participation! We’re grateful to our Board of Directors and several ABS families who have already stepped forward with gifts to get us started—thank you!
Annual Giving is the most important way our families and community members can support The Arts Based School each year. Instead of asking students to sell items, we ask families for one meaningful contribution annually. These gifts directly support the daily teaching and learning that make ABS such a joyful and creative place for children.
Here’s how you can join in and help us reach our goal:
WHAT IS ANNUAL GIVING?
Annual Giving is exactly as it sounds – gifts requested and given each school year to help support operating expenses at The Arts Based School (ABS). There is no tuition for attendance at ABS, but as a charter school, we do not receive the same state and federal funding as traditional public schools. We rely on the generosity of parents and families, board members, and our community to support the learning and creating that happens every day at ABS. Instead of asking our students and families to participate in fundraising activities (like selling cookies or wrapping paper), we ask all families for financial support just once each year. This is our annual fundraiser.
WHY IS MY PARTICIPATION IMPORTANT?
This year, as in past years, we are hoping to achieve 100% participation. Family participation in Annual Giving at ABS is more than financial support; it is a vote of confidence that demonstrates your belief in and investment in this remarkable place. When asking people outside of the school for financial support, it is especially important to be able to show them that our family participation in Annual Giving is reflective of the commitment to ABS that our community feels.
Your participation is also important because ABS needs broad-based financial support from everyone to continue to provide students with an effective and joyful way to learn.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I GIVE?
Given the importance of the Annual Giving Campaign and the impact those dollars have on each child’s education, we ask that you give as generously as you are able. For every family this is a personal decision and should be at a level that is comfortable for you. You also have the option of making a recurring monthly gift to ABS. We are grateful to everyone who contributes, as each gift is crucial to the success of the Annual Giving Campaign.
HOW CAN I MAKE MY GIFT?
There are two simple ways to give:
Make your check payable to “The Arts Based School,” You can send it by mail, or drop it off in the front office. We also accept cash in the school front office.
You can make a secure gift online at our website
Family Directory Now Available in the Family Portal
The Family Directory is now available in the Family Portal. This resource provides contact information for families in each class, making it easier to connect with one another.
The information was pulled from NCSIS (Infinite Campus), so there may be some missing data. In addition, some families have chosen to opt out of having their contact details included. If you notice any errors or omissions, please let me know. While we do our best to be accurate, sometimes human error happens, and I’m happy to make edits as needed. Please email Director Hollis with any questions.
Thank You, Garden Group!
A big thank you to our Garden Group for their work sprucing up the school grounds at both campuses! With Sarah Avery leading the charge, the group has been busy planning and getting things started to make our outdoor spaces more welcoming and beautiful. We are grateful for the time, energy, and care you are giving to our school community.
K-Kids Starting Soon (Grades 3-5)
Hello! That's right, K-Kids is back! This is a leadership club for those wanting to help improve the school, community, and world through service projects throughout the year. Students can run for officer positions as well.
K-Kids will start back on Thursday, 10/16 for both North and South campuses. We will meet every Thursday through the Spring, 7:45-8:15am, at the Black Box Theater (North) and the dance studio (South).
Requirements: Must be in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade, with a signed form here
and $5 brought in (forms are also available in North and South main offices). North 5th graders arrive as normal at the 7th St. building and then will be taken to the Theater by their designated staff adult in time for the 7:45 start time.
Any questions? Ask Coach Bri or Allison Carlisle (North) or Robin Hollis (South).
Parent Council News
ABS Book Fairs September 29-October 3, PLUS Fall Fest!
The Scholastic Book Fairs are here! We will have a fair set up at both North and South Campuses! The North Campus will also be extended to be open at Fall Fest which will be a great way to grant those wish lists AND enjoy Fall Fest!
Volunteer signup is LIVE! This is a really fun opportunity to get volunteer hours during the school day and during Fall Fest.
Sign up to volunteer here for North Campus: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4FABAF22A4FD0-57973274-north
Sign up to volunteer here for South Campus: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4FABAF22A4FD0-57973322-south
Please visit the links below to sign up for an E-Wallet account*, see the fair schedule, view the book fair flyer, or shop our online book fair.
North Campus Book Fair link: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/artsbasedschoolnorth
South Campus Book Fair link: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/artsbasedschoolsouth
*Set up an E-wallet account so your student can shop the Fair cash-free. If you have multiple children, you must create a separate account for each child, be sure to use the correct fair link.
Every purchase you make at the book fairs earns money towards new books for ALL CLASSROOM libraries and BOTH SCHOOL LIBRARIES! More than half of all dollars spent at the book fairs go directly to purchase books for the school!
Questions can be directed to Kristen Faulkner, Book Fair Chairperson at [email protected]
Fall Fest 2025
Saturday, Oct. 4 | 12–3 PM
Arts Based School – North Campus
Come celebrate fall with games, crafts, food, and family fun! Enjoy grade-level game booths, a cake walk, book fair, and a festive photo backdrop. Kids can check out the police car (12–2 PM) and fire truck (2–3 PM), while parents browse local vendors and handmade goods.
Food trucks will serve everything from tacos and sliders to charcuterie, coffee, and sweet treats. Don’t miss the raffle with prizes like Kersey Valley tickets, pickleball and dance lessons, lawn service, concert tickets, and more.
Admission: $5 per child (adults free). Wristbands required for activities.
Parking at Mixxer, Atrium Health WFB Health Plaza, or N. Main St. (no parking on campus)
We can’t wait to see you at Fall Fest 2025!
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