Published for the Arts Based School Community
March 19, 2026
How We Do It and Why
By Mary Siebert, founding Arts Director, retired
“…he demonstrated his Ph.D. on metal fatigue by using the forces between human bodies as an analog. He even used the dancers to depict data graphs."
- John Bohannan, Science journalist and Director of “Dance Your Ph.D.”
A group of us were inspired years ago by a TED talk by scientist and writer John Bohannan, who proposed using dancers instead of Powerpoint presentations to explain physics, and engaged professional dancers to make his point. Supplied with this cool idea, a team of faculty designed a TED-inspired performance for 6th graders, called Math & Science Dances. The students describe, through dance, ideas around scientific studies of matter: atoms, molecules, their properties, what can cause them to change. (It is particularly appropriate to describe energy via the movements of 6th graders, whose intensity and stamina are an excellent match for atomic power.) They also dance some terms from introductory algebra, characterizing them through music and movement. Visiting artist Thao Nguyen (a mystifyingly gifted singer/choreographer/actor/teacher,) conjures fresh, collective movement ideas, inspired by the individual gifts and collective energy of each year’s students.
You might imagine that, if you told a 6th grader (or nearly sixty of them,) that they were expected to dance math and science, they would respond with something less than enthusiasm. But during their very first warm up with “Mr. Thao,” our students are hooked. They seem to revel in daily, intense sets of warm-ups; crunches, planks and push ups to the pump of pop music, and they flow from this into high energy rehearsals, fully engaged. Our kids magically love this show.
Play, experimentation, and feedback are engines of rich learning in any field. We wanted our students to play with math, through movement and characterization. Vocabulary for new concepts is a challenge in early algebra, so we targeted algebra words for students to learn more deeply, developing humorous familiarity and an undaunted, playful attitude around these terms. Likewise, in science, we targeted vocabulary and molecular structures upon which to build choreography. We hope that, when those terms are encountered again in science and math classes, a positive recognition will arise and inspire confidence.
6th Grade Math & Science Dances Performance- April 7th, 8th & 9th
The performances of this event will take place on April 7 (Christian), April 8 (Dejarnette), and April 9 (Tate) at the Ewing Theater at The Arts Based School North, located at 1380 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Winston-Salem. All shows will begin at 12:30 PM and will last a little under half an hour. Admission is free, and donations are gratefully accepted.
Parent Satisfaction Survey-closing soon
Yes, that's you! We want to know what you think! Please follow the link ABS Parent Survey to a 10-question online survey about our school. Your responses are completely anonymous and help us determine what's working well and what needs more work! Please take a few minutes to complete and submit. Thank you!
2026-27 School Year Calendar
At Tuesday night’s board meeting, the final Student Calendar for the 2026-27 school year was approved. Key points include:
- First day for students: August 10
- Additional snow make-up days have been added within the school year
- To maintain continuity of curriculum delivery, we will alternate between in-person make-up days and remote make-up days
- The first three missed days will still be forgiven
- October 14 has been swapped for January 4 as a teacher workday to support re-entry after the long winter break. January 4 is also marked as a potential weather make-up day
Current Calendar Change
- The board approved using Friday, April 3 (Good Friday) as a make-up day to meet the instructional hours requirement, to compensate for Monday, March 16, which was cancelled due to severe weather and tornado warnings
- We have exhausted all scheduled make-up days and have also used all five emergency remote learning days. Although we have requested a waiver for additional remote weather days, the legislature has not yet taken action on this request
Spring Class Photos – March 23
Spring class photos will be taken on Monday, March 23. Students should come to school ready to smile for their class picture. We look forward to capturing these special memories!
Celebrating Our Honor Band Musicians!
We are incredibly proud to recognize Eryksson Miller, Reese Maier, Autumn Meeks, and Austin Beckwith for being selected to participate in this year’s Honor Band!
Honor bands bring together top student musicians from multiple schools to rehearse challenging music under the guidance of experienced clinicians and conductors. Students collaborate with talented peers, grow their musical skills, and perform in an ensemble outside of their regular school band setting — culminating in a concert open to families and the community.
This year, our students will spend Friday night and Saturday morning rehearsing, followed by a final concert on Saturday evening where they will showcase their hard work.
Kudos to Chris Reichmeier, our Middle School Band Teacher, who is incredibly proud of their dedication and achievement! Please join us in congratulating Eryksson, Reese, Autumn, and Austin for representing ABS with excellence and passion.
ABS Teachers Shine in Nationwide Contests!
We are excited to share some exciting news from our talented teachers! Both Ms. Christian and Mr. Greene have been honored with nominations in two separate national contests.
Ms. Christian is participating in a nationwide contest that celebrates innovative teaching and creativity in the classroom. Her dedication to inspiring students and bringing new ideas to life makes her a strong contender, and we couldn’t be prouder! Please vote to support Ms. Christian's contest
Mr. Greene is also taking part in a nationwide competition recognizing outstanding educators. His passion for engaging students and making learning meaningful has earned him this well-deserved recognition. Please vote to support Mr. Greene's contest
Staffing Update
Marti Bessinger, our dedicated music teacher at South Campus, will be leaving ABS at the end of the school year. We are deeply grateful for the creativity, energy, and expertise she has shared with our students and our school community. If you know of someone who would be a wonderful fit to continue her work, please send them our way. Information about employment opportunities and applications can be found on our website.
What is Community Creates?
Community Creates is ABS’s biggest fundraising event—a vibrant, adults-only evening featuring art, auctions, great food, and community connections! Our Middle School building transforms into a chic gallery with incredible artwork from local artists, all supporting our artists-in-residence program.
Enjoy a night of fantastic art, a 100 for $100 drawing, silent and live auctions, and delicious food and drink! Save the date: Saturday, May 2nd, 7–11 PM!
Want to get involved?
Become a Sponsor – Advertise for your company or business… Sponsorship Package info
Submit Artwork or Volunteer – Contact Robin Hollis ([email protected])
Tickets go on sale soon—$60 for a single ticket. Two for $100. Don’t miss it!
Yearbook Orders Are Closing Soon!
It’s time to order your student’s yearbook! Don’t miss out on capturing all the memories from this school year.
Deadline: Tuesday, March 31st
*Please note: there will be NO late orders accepted, so be sure to get your order in on time!
Parent Council Notes:
Join Us for the March Parent Council Meeting!
The March Parent Council meeting will be held Friday, March 20 at 12:00 PM. This is a virtual meeting, and all parents are welcome to attend.
Click here to join the meeting
Please submit any questions you'd like answered at tomorrow's meeting here.
Ice Skate Day
Thank you to everyone who came to Ice Skate Day last month! The event raised over $650 that will go towards the Teacher Appreciation Lunch in May.
Find opportunities for Pizza Friday, Teacher Appreciation, Car Line, and log miscellaneous or classroom volunteer hours.
ABS 2026 Summer Camps-Registration OPEN!
It's time to sign up for ABS Summer Camps! Click here for the flyer to preview all of our camps, and click the dates above the camp to register! This year we are offering before camp care from 7:45-9:00 for an additional childcare fee. Read the FAQ at the bottom of the flyer for more information and email Ashley Tate at [email protected] with any questions.
Soccer Shots: Kindergarten-2nd Grade, 4/6-5/15
Cost: $108/student
Soccer Shots Premier is a new to ABS Soccer Program that focuses on individual skill, fitness and sportsmanship by providing an opportunity for children to be challenged through fun games and team interaction. Children will also be introduced to competition in a developmentally appropriate manner.
North Campus: Wednesdays, 2:45-3:30, Registration Here!
South Campus: Mondays, 2:45-3:30, Registration Here!
Around Town…
Save the Date: Piedmont Earth Day Fair April 18. See flyer for details about art contest.
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