Published for the Arts Based School Community
November 6, 2025
No School-Tuesday, Nov 11-Veterans Day
Kudos to ABS: Celebrating Exceptional Student Growth!
We’re thrilled to announce that The Arts Based School achieved top 10% growth in North Carolina on last year’s state End-of-Grade (EOG) tests! This outstanding accomplishment reflects the dedication, creativity, and hard work of our students, teachers, and principals.
Our principals have been recognized by the state with a bonus for their leadership in driving this growth. Teachers of tested subjects will also be honored in January, receiving recognition and bonuses based on their students’ remarkable progress.
Congratulations to everyone in the ABS community for making learning, growth, and excellence a shared achievement. Your commitment to student success continues to make ABS a place where students thrive!
Visiting Artist: Ellen Heck
We’re thrilled to welcome Ellen Heck, a printmaker, painter, and children’s book illustrator based in Winston-Salem, to our Kindergarten art classes during the first weeks of November!
Ellen’s artwork explores questions of identity—how it’s created, changes, and endures—through portrait and printmaking series shown in galleries across the U.S. and U.K. Her work is part of major collections including the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and Stanford University.
In addition to her fine art, Ellen has illustrated acclaimed picture books such as A Is for Bee: An Alphabet Book in Translation (named a New York Times Best Picture Book of 2022) and Golden Gate: Building the Mighty Bridge. Her newest book, Sunflower Seeds (2025), invites readers to follow the life of a sunflower and discover lessons of patience, growth, and creativity.
During her visit, students will meet Ellen, explore her artistic process, and enjoy hands-on activities inspired by Sunflower Seeds. We’re excited for our young artists to learn from such an inspiring creator!
Crisis Control Food Drive: Supporting Our Community
Our K-Kids and Builders Clubs are sponsoring a Canned Food Drive to benefit Crisis Control Ministries, a local organization that provides food and essential items to families in need.
We invite everyone to join in this effort by bringing non-perishable food items—such as canned goods and boxed foods—to the collection boxes located in the hallways outside each grade level and in common areas. (Please avoid glass containers.)
The drive will continue through November 20, and every contribution helps make a difference. Together, we can show our care and support for neighbors in our community who need it most.
Kids STEAM Night Out
Join Mrs. Hoffman and Mrs. Gledhill for an evening of science, technology, and art fun on Saturday, November 15th, 5:30-8:30pm! Dinner will be served. All proceeds will benefit the ABS STEAM Club. The cost is $30 per child and $25 for each additional sibling. Spots are limited- Registration begins Thursday, 11/6 and ends Thursday, 11/13. Open to any ABS Student K-8.
Sign Up- bit.ly/steamnightnov
ABS Annual Giving Campaign-Thank You!
As we move into fall, the Arts Based School continues to thrive with music, movement, color, and creativity. None of this would be possible without the generosity of supporters like you. Your contribution to our Annual Giving Campaign continues to make a lasting impact, and we are deeply grateful.
Because of your support, our students step into classrooms where learning is infused with the arts—where creativity fuels curiosity, and where children are encouraged to discover their unique voices. Your gift helps ensure that every student has the opportunity to explore, express, and thrive in a vibrant environment that celebrates the whole child.
This year, your generosity is helping us:
- Sustain and expand our visual arts, music, theater, and dance programs.
- Provide access and financial support for families who might not otherwise have these opportunities.
- Invest in our dedicated teachers through meaningful professional development.
- Maintain and improve our facilities so they remain safe, inspiring spaces for learning and creating.
Your belief in our mission is more than financial support—it is a vote of confidence in our students, our teachers, and the power of arts-based education. Thank you for partnering with us to shape a joyful and transformative school experience. We look forward to sharing stories of student growth and achievement with you throughout the year.
Here are the final results this year:
Total School Participation to Date: 33%
Total Gifts to Date: $59,556
Our goal was 100% participation, please click on the link if you would like to donate!
Get Involved with Volunteering!
ABS Families can now easily sign up for volunteer opportunities through SignUp Genius, including Pizza Fridays, Book Fair, Carline, classroom help, and more.
- 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
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.
Thanksgiving Break Camp: TV Broadcast, November 24 & 25, 2025
Grades 5-8
Students create their own broadcast that portrays a world they want to see. Become a broadcaster in sports, the weather, the local news, and more and learn the speaking skills to deliver important news in an effective and fun way. Students can choose to be in front of the camera, behind the camera, or writers.
Camp Times: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
It will be at ABS and here is the link to register:
https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=5375#CourseID=301682
JUXTAPOSITION Fine Arts presents Music Man Kids on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 2 PM at Arts Based School Theatre (1380 N Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Winston-Salem, NC). This shortened, child-friendly adaptation of Meredith Willson's classic musical follows a charming con man who convinces a small town to form a boys’ band to scam them, only to have his plans complicated by falling for the local librarian. With roles for children of varying skill levels, the show is family-friendly and perfect for young performers. Tickets are $15 + tax/fees, and Arts Based families receive 50% off with code ABS50. Seats are limited—get yours here: Ticket Link.
Around Town…
You and your families are invited to the Ardmore Art Walk, a fun outdoor art and craft show showcasing the work of 100 Ardmore resident artists and their guests! Artists will display work on their own lawns 11am-4:30pm this Saturday, November 8. A great way to knock out holiday shopping while supporting local artists, many of whom are part of the ABS family - including Mrs. Gledhill!
There will also be live music around the neighborhood as well as food trucks and family friendly art activities with Mixxer in the parking lot of Ardmore Baptist Church. Find all the info you need, including the 2025 Artist List and Map at www.ardmoreartwalk.com . We hope to see you there on Saturday!
Join us for Wicked Movie Night at the Dash on Friday, November 7, at 6 PM at Truist Stadium, home of the Winston-Salem Dash! Admission is FREE, but each attendee must claim a free ticket for entry. Truist Stadium enforces a clear bag policy and a youth escort policy: anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian age 25 or older, with each guardian supervising no more than four youths. Safety is a top priority—come enjoy a fun and family-friendly evening!
Join Us for a Special Film Screening at Salemtowne!
Salemtowne is excited to host a special screening of An Unlikely Fandom: The Impact of Thomas the Tank Engine, and we warmly invite Arts Based School families to attend- Nov 14 at 7pm! This heartwarming program celebrates Thomas’s timeless messages of friendship, kindness, and connection, and is perfect for guests of all ages. Free but reservation required. Come enjoy an inspiring story, snacks, and goodies for the kids while sharing a memorable experience with our community. Our goal is to fill the auditorium with families and fans alike to celebrate the joy and lessons Thomas brings to generations. For more details, please see the attached digital flyer. We hope to see you there!