Published for the Arts Based School Community
October 9, 2025
No School October 13-14: Fall Break
Friday, Oct 31- Early Dismissal-Conferences
- K-4 Dismiss at 11:45
- 5-8 Dismiss at 12 noon
Monday, Nov 3- No School-Conferences
Dear ABS Families,
The Arts Based School is a rare gift in our community. Here, children master the North Carolina standards while learning through music, theater, dance, and visual art. Our students don’t just study these subjects, they use them as powerful tools for problem solving, collaboration, and self-expression. It is an education that sparks both intellect and imagination.
We know how priceless this opportunity is, and yet it is made possible on a very limited budget. There is no large endowment or corporate sponsor to lean on. Instead, ABS depends on the strength of our community. Each year, our families, staff, and friends bridge the gap so that every child can benefit from this innovative, holistic approach to learning.
This year, your support matters more than ever. Across the country, schools are facing federal funding cuts and a general climate of scarcity in public education. Resources are stretched thin and programs are being reduced, making it even more remarkable that ABS continues to provide an education that integrates the arts so deeply and meaningfully. In this environment, every contribution we make is not only a gift to our own children, but also a statement that this kind of education must endure.
That is why we ask every family to participate in the Annual Giving Campaign. We invite you to give in any amount that feels meaningful for your family. Whether $5 or $5,000, every gift matters. Just as important, every gift is a vote of confidence that says: this education is worth protecting.
Your donation to the Annual Giving Campaign is more than support; it is a vote of confidence in ABS’s mission. It says you believe that learning through the arts is not a luxury, it is essential. It says you trust that ABS can continue offering a rigorous, holistic, deeply creative curriculum even when budgets shrink. Let this year be the year we reach 100% participation from ABS families. Together, we can ensure that ABS continues to inspire, challenge, and nurture every child.
With gratitude,
Kathleen Stimely & Emily Gregg
Co-Chairs, ABS Parent Council (North and South Campuses)
ABS Annual Giving By the Numbers!
We’ve only just begun this year’s Annual Giving campaign, we wanted to share a few big-picture numbers:
- In a typical year, state, local, and federal funds cover approximately 90% of ABS expenses. The remaining 10% of our budget must be generated annually via fundraising, grants, and other revenue. This is why we hold an Annual Giving campaign. What do we do with your support?
- We serve 714 students from 21 zip codes across Winston-Salem and the surrounding area. This means paying our outstanding teachers and staff, keeping our buildings safe and secure, and making sure we have what we need to deliver an intentional, arts-based curriculum centered on state standards.
- For the 2025-26 school year, 30% of our students qualify for Free and Reduced lunch. Part of our budget includes supporting these families throughout the year—and Annual Giving helps us meet this growing need.
- Through the years, we have hosted more than 150 unique visiting and resident artists, and we annually put on 9 full-scale grade level productions. These enriching experiences are a huge part of what makes our school special… and we rely heavily on fundraising to make these possible.
- 100% of our students participate daily in the arts—music, dance, drama, and visual art. We are so proud of all of our students and teachers for bringing the idea of an arts-based school to life every day! We believe that what we have together is special and worth sustaining.
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
Conference Time is Coming
Soon your child’s teacher will be setting up conferences to discuss your child’s progress. Students attending the Arts Based School are assessed using a portfolio system in place of the traditional report card. The portfolio is designed to illustrate a student’s academic growth and successes as well as guide the teacher in planning appropriate instruction. Teachers at ABS do not issue letter grades in K-5 grades. Teachers use observation, interviews, analysis of student work and performance tasks to assess student understanding. Examples of student work, as well as other objective standards of assessments are incorporated into the student’s portfolio to give an enhanced portrait of the student’s progress. These portfolios will be discussed and presented to parents during the Student-Teacher-Parent conferences. Please be sure you schedule and attend your conference so that you can support your child’s learning.
Conference Days- Oct 31- Early Dismissal
K-4 Dismiss at 11:45
5-8 Dismiss at 12 noon
November 3-No School-Conferences
Exciting Update: Assistant Principal for the Day!
We’re thrilled to share some updates to our Assistant Principal for the Day experience!
Starting next month, all K–4 students will automatically be included in the monthly drawing—no raffle ticket needed. Each month at Friday Sing, we’ll select one lucky student to shadow the principal for part of the day. Students at North Campus will spend a morning with Principal Leab, and students at South Campus with Principal Sherell.
The chosen student will get to help with important duties, including:
- Greeting students
- Accompanying principals on prospective parent tours
- Participating in other leadership tasks as needed
Each Assistant Principal will have their own desk, name tag, and a list of very important duties for the morning—giving them a real sense of responsibility and a fun behind-the-scenes look at school leadership.
Participation is always voluntary. If a student does not want to be Assistant Principal for the Day, they may opt out without pressure to avoid stress or embarrassment. They can always remain in the drawing for future months.
Parents will be notified if their child is selected and will be informed of the day their child will participate.
Art at the Fair
Congrats to these young artists, whose work is exhibited at the Carolina Classic Fair: October 3-12.
1st grade: Melanie Torres, Emma Murphy, Leah Capi, Ellie Somers, Jane Somers
2nd grade: Maeve Woods, Emerson Dressler
3rd grade: Scott Simmons, Beatrice Bennett, Zachary Robinette, Caydian Curnuck, Laney Claggett
4th Grade: Clementine May, Thomas “Ace” Benner, Jorja Trejo
5th Grade: Payton Shaw, Declan McGuire, Annabelle McGee, Cruz Rementer
7th Grade: Jade Chase, Ruby Johanson, Bo Powell, Lane Puckett
8th Grade: Zoey Testerman, Cody Baker
Arts Based School Winners at the Carolina Classic Fair
Middle School
1st Place- Cody Baker
2nd Place - Zoey Testerman
3rd Place - Bo Powell
Elementary
1st Place - Declan McGuire
2nd Place -Cruz Rementer
3rd Place - Payton Shaw
A New Sign Coming Soon to ABS North Campus
A beautiful new school sign will soon be installed at our North Campus!
This project represents more than just new signage. It’s the realization of a long-envisioned goal: creating a welcoming and artistic gateway that reflects the vibrant spirit of ABS. Thanks to the generosity of several former ABS Board members, whose donations were made directly to the sign project, this vision is about to become a reality.
The new sign at the MLK Drive entrance will greet families and visitors, serving as both a landmark and a symbol of our continued growth, creativity, and strong sense of community.
A matching sign for our South Campus is also in the works and will be installed next year, once the upper level of the building is ours and we can place it at the main entrance.
We are deeply grateful for the support and foresight of our early board members and all who contributed to this project. Your generosity helps ensure that the welcoming spirit of ABS continues to shine—through art, community, and the joyful energy of our students.
Dental Screening
When children have dental problems, their overall health and ability to learn can be seriously compromised. As part of our regular school preventive dental health program, the NC Oral Health Section, Division of Public Health, and Kayla Lindsay Atkins, RDH, Public Health Dental Hygienist for Forsyth County, will conduct dental screenings for children in grades K, 3rd, 5th on October 28th for both campuses. This service is provided free of charge by the Health Department. Information gathered from the dental screening is used to evaluate current dental disease trends that will assist in the development of preventive dental health services in Forsyth County. We will also identify children who need dental treatment and assist children and their families with community resources. Children who see the dentist regularly are still encouraged to participate.
*If you are able to volunteer during the dental screening from 8:30-12:00 at North, or 12:30-2:00 at South, please email Ashley Tate at [email protected].
If you do not want your child included in this dental screening, please send a note to your child’s teacher. If you have any questions, please call Kayla Lindsay Atkins, RDH, at the Forsyth County Health Department at (336) 703-3375.
Book Fair Success!
Book Fair 2025 was amazing! It's always a joy to see so many students excited for their new books! Thank you to our many volunteers from both campuses who came together and covered every shift so that the fair could remain open for every student and family to shop! Our preliminary numbers show us having our best fair yet! If your student did not use all of their eWallet funds, you will receive an email from Scholastic converting your eWallet to a Scholastic eCard.
Fall Fest Results!
Many thanks to all our wonderful volunteers for their time and efforts in making Fall Fest such a success! Hats off to Erin Sorenson who coordinated and re-energized this annual tradition! It was a beautiful day to enjoy a variety of fun games, good friends and yummy food! Fall Fest raised almost $2,100 for our school – THANK YOU!!
Prospective Parent Tours
School tours for prospective parents begin in October. They are scheduled weekly on Tuesdays at 9:15 am at South Campus and Thursdays at 9:30 am at North Campus. Each tour is limited to 10 adults in an effort to limit the disruption to our students and teachers in the classrooms. Parents interested in learning more about ABS and how to enroll their child, should contact the front office to sign up for a tour. 748-4116 ext 1023. Applications will be accepted beginning January 1. The lottery will be held the second Tuesday of February.
ABS Regular Board Meeting
The ABS Board of Directors will meet in person on Tuesday, Oct 14 at 5:45pm at ABS North Middle School building. Board meetings are open to the public.
Halloween is Coming
Please do not send students to school in costumes. We all enjoy the fun and excitement of Halloween but find that costumes and accessories make it very difficult to concentrate. Also we do not want students to bring candy in their lunch bags for snacks. Although it can be delicious, high sugar snacks should not replace a healthy snack. Thanks for your help!
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