Published for the Arts Based School Community
January 22, 2026
The Arts Based School Dance Fit Fundraiser!
We’re doing it! As a school, we’ve already raised $9,147! We know we can make it even further toward reaching our goal of $60,000 for our school!
If you’re CURIOUS about the The Arts Based School Dance Fit program, check out today’s classroom video and make sure you’re signed up at MyBooster.com.
Don't forget: when we reach our school goal, every student will get a day pass to Great Wolf Lodge + a shot to win a night stay!! Sign-up and share today on MYBOOSTER.COM to help us reach that goal!
Tonight our challenge is the class with the most new donations tonight earns a PJ Day!. If you are donating funds, sharing your page, volunteering your time—it makes a differencel. Thank you!
Preparing for Winter Weather Forecast
As you have likely seen, the forecast is calling for the possibility of significant snow/and or ice this coming weekend, which could result in school delays or cancellations next week, depending on snowfall amounts and freezing temperatures. While it is too early to know exactly how this will unfold, we want to ensure we are prepared and communicating clearly.
Our leadership team has begun reviewing possible workarounds for school events already on the calendar, should weather disruptions occur. This includes extending the DIBELS testing window, extending the Booster fundraiser, adjusting the Peter and the Wolf rehearsal and performance schedule, adjusting Diana Greene’s residency schedule, and rescheduling the 3rd grade field trips to the Greensboro History Museum.
As a reminder, the next two missed school days are forgiven and would not need to be made up. After those are used, three additional days would be made up at the end of the school year. We would not plan to use remote learning days next week; however, we asked teacher to send home remote learning packets today in your child’s Thursday packets for future use.
Inclement Weather
In the event of inclement weather, ABS will announce school closings on local TV channels, under “The Arts Based School”. This information will also be posted on the ABS website (www.artsbasedschool.com) and emailed to the Thursday Notes distribution list.
Breakfast/Lunch orders will be credited to student accounts if school is cancelled due to inclement weather.
Growing Future Educators: University Partnerships at ABS
This semester, The Arts Based School is proud to partner with Wake Forest University as part of its teacher preparation methodology lab. Wake Forest education students, led by Dr. Leni Caldwell (former ABS teacher), are attending class on our campus and observing K–8 classrooms and arts specialists, with a primary focus on classroom management and the Positive Discipline model, as well as arts integration, instructional design, and disciplinary literacy. Observations take place mid-morning, allowing students to experience the full rhythm of the school day. We are also excited to host several interns and student teachers:
Liz Najjar (Wake Forest) with Ms. Robertson in 4th grade;
Betsy George (Wake Forest) with Ms. Carlisle and Dr. Gwyn;
Hannah Gaskins (UNC Charlotte) with Ms. Rebhan in 2nd grade
Kalyn Alston (Appalachian State) student teaching with Mrs. Hoffman in 7–8 Science; and
Ms. Brielle (Winston-Salem State) student teaching with Mrs. Cernak in EC.
We are grateful to our faculty and staff for mentoring future educators and strengthening ABS’s connections with higher education partners.
Student Intent for 2026-27 School Year
As we prepare for next year’s enrollment lottery (2026-27), it is important to know how many spaces are available in each grade. As a current student, your child has priority placement and no additional action is required. If your child is not returning to ABS for the 2026-27 school year, please notify Director Hollis.
Siblings of students also receive priority, but must fill out an enrollment application. You must complete an application for the 2026-27 school year for siblings of current students in order to reserve a space before the lottery. The deadline for receiving applications is Jan 31 at 3pm. Applications are available on our school website under enrollment.
EC Parent Survey
The NC Department of Public Instruction, Office of Exceptional Children, is asking for your input through the 2025-26 Indicator 8 Parent Survey. You may access the survey using the link. To better serve families, the short, two-minute survey allows the respondent to select from multiple languages in which to complete the survey.
School Calendar 2026-27
The ABS Board of Directors is considering the school calendar for 2026-27. The WSFC school board recently updated its calendar with an early start. We have added an additional draft for consideration. If you would like to review the Draft A calendar and Draft B and Draft C and provide feedback, please respond to this form.
School Calendar Considerations
- 1050 hours of instruction
- Major breaks coincide with WS/FC schools
- Trimester system allows teacher workdays to coincide with parent/teacher conferences
- Snow Make up days are built into calendar throughout the school year
- Gather input from teachers, staff, and parents
Yearbook Ordering Is OPEN!
It’s that time of year! Our 2025-2026 yearbook is officially available for pre-order, and you won’t want to miss it. Packed with photos, memories, and all the amazing moments that made this school year shine, this year’s book is one to treasure! LINK TO ORDER
ABS Skate Night-Jan 22 tonight
The ABS Builders Club is sponsoring a Skate Night on Thursday, January 22, from 6:30 - 8:00 at Skate Haven, 120 Hood Drive in Winston-Salem. All students invited! This event funds many charities the ABS Builders Club supports during the year. Skate Night $7.00-includes entrance and skate rentals.
Parent Council Notes:
ABS PC Meeting Minutes 1/16/2026
ABS Volunteer Hub
Find opportunities for Pizza Friday, Teacher Appreciation, Car Line, and log miscellaneous or classroom volunteer hours.
ABS Ice Skate — Saturday, February 21 at 1:30pm!
Join us at the Annex (414 Deacon Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27105) for a fun Parent Council fundraiser supporting our Teacher Appreciation lunch. Admission is $12 and skate rental is $3. Please arrive a little early to ensure skate sizes, and remember: parents must stay with their children—no drop-offs. We hope to see you on the ice!
Clubs and SummerCamps!
We have several very exciting afterschool clubs coming in the spring: Crazy Running, Soccer Shots, Club Invention, and LAZR Dojo! Keep checking back for registration and dates in the next several weeks.
Although winter break just passed, it’s time to think about summer! Summer Camps for The Arts Based School will be released for registration on February 12th. We already have some great ideas from our teachers such as Knits & Giggles, Unplug and Explore, and Camp 90s Rewind. Mark your calendars today!
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.
Around Town…
Did you know we have after school options in partnership with University of the North Carolina School of the Arts taught by our very own Mr. Brown? Register here (link: https://www.uncsa.edu/
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