Published for the Arts Based School Community
October 16, 2025
ABS Annual Giving Campaign
Thank you sincerely to everyone who has already contributed to this year's campaign! We are already in the third week of the campaign, and we urgently need your support to make a difference for ABS! Annual Giving benefits every student in every classroom at ABS. From visiting artists to the keeping the lights on and beyond, your gift helps to make the ABS experience unique, genuine, and meaningful for every student.
Last year, thanks to your generosity, we had our best year ever for Annual Giving, and it was remarkable to see what we can accomplish together for our students and for our school. You are an important part of ABS, and your support of Annual Giving matters. Please take a moment to give as generously as you are able! Making a recurring monthly gift is an excellent way to maximize your gift to ABS, as is sharing the call to action with your extended family and friends. Our goal is 100% participation, please join in the effort today!
Total School Participation to Date: 14%
Total Gifts to Date: $36,275
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. 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
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” – Albert Einstein
Each October, schools across the country come together to raise awareness about bullying and to promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. At The Arts Based School, we help students learn how to build positive relationships and stand up for one another with empathy and respect.
While bullying is less prevalent at ABS than in many schools, we work to address all incidents promptly and teach strategies for resolving conflict safely. Our staff model respectful behavior, intervene when needed, and empower students to express what support they need.
Families can join us in this effort by talking with children about kindness, modeling respectful behavior, reporting concerns, and encouraging open communication.
Unity Day: On Wednesday, October 22, wear orange to show your support for a safe and inclusive school community.
Together, we can ensure ABS remains a place where every student feels valued, respected, and safe to grow. For more information about National Bullying Prevention Month, visit PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center or contact them at 952-838-9000 or [email protected].
ABS Hosts 20th Annual NCAEE Conference
On Saturday, October 11, The Arts Based School proudly hosted the 20th Annual North Carolina Association of Elementary Educators Conference. Educators from across the state gathered to share ideas, celebrate teaching, and connect around innovative classroom practices.
ABS teachers Jordan Brown and Alysha Christian represented our school as presenters, sharing their expertise and creativity with fellow educators. The event’s keynote speaker, Lindsay Phillips, the 2025 NC Burroughs Wellcome Fund Charter School Teacher of the Year, inspired attendees with her message about reflective, intentional teaching. Phillips, a dedicated kindergarten teacher with 20 years of experience at Mountain Island Charter School, spoke about the power of consistency, passion, and growth in the classroom.
We were honored to host this meaningful event celebrating excellence in elementary education!
Got Pictures?
The Yearbook Club needs your help capturing our amazing school year! If you have photos from field trips, classroom activities, performances, or special events, we’d love to see them. Your snapshots help make our yearbook full of memories and moments from every grade. Upload your pictures and help us create a book that truly represents our entire school community- we can’t do it without you!
Use the link and navigate the drop-down menu to find your teacher/event. *School-wide events like fall fest are under Misc. Link to submit photos
October Parent Council Meeting
Friday October 15th at 12pm (Zoom Only)
- One-stop site for all things volunteering at ABS!
- Learn about volunteer opportunities at both campuses
- Links to sign up and log your volunteer hours
Book Fair Success!
This year’s Book Fairs were a wonderful success at both campuses — with higher sales than last year! Thank you to all the students, families, and volunteers who helped make it happen.
North Campus: $16,924.47 in sales
South Campus: $7,832.15 in sales
As a result, North Campus earned $8,462.49 and South Campus earned $3,916.08 in Scholastic Dollars. These funds help us purchase books and resources for classrooms and school libraries.
Once final payments to Scholastic are processed, we’ll be setting teacher wish list budgets using the updated Scholastic Dollars balances — currently $13,301.66 at North and $2,639.73 at South.
Thank you for supporting literacy and helping to keep the joy of reading alive at ABS!
Thank you!
A heartfelt thank you to ABS parent Samuel Mize for designing, building, and installing a beautiful Little Free Library at our North Campus! This wonderful addition invites students, families, and neighbors to share the joy of reading and helps build our sense of community. We’re so grateful for your creativity, craftsmanship, and generosity, Samuel!
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.
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!
Around Town…
Triad Harmony Express, the premier barbershop chorus of the Triad, will present their fall concert "Haunts, Howls, and Harmony!" on Saturday, October 18 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm at Hanes Auditorium on the campus of Salem College. Students are free! Find out more information here!
Race for the Arts! Costumes, running, and supporting the arts—what’s not to love? Join us Sunday, October 19 at 2:00 p.m. at Jamison Park (285 Meadowlark Drive, Winston-Salem) for the Running Scared 5K/13K to benefit the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Register to run or walk—and know that 10% of registration fees and 100% of donations go directly to supporting local arts programs. Prefer to cheer instead of run? Volunteers are needed! Help with athlete check-in from 12:15–4:30 p.m., and you could earn a $50 Visa gift card by recruiting three friends (ages 13+) to volunteer alongside you.
Bring your energy, costume, and community spirit—let’s make this a great day for the arts!
Register to Race
Sign Up to Volunteer
The Winston Salem Symphony Chorus’ stand-alone concert Illuminare is Sunday, October 26th at 5 pm at the Centenary United Methodist Church. The concert features pieces by two of the leading American contemporary choral composers, and should be about an hour long. Tickets are $35 for adults, $10 for children. Tickets available here: https://www.wssymphony.org/event/illuminare/
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