Published for the Arts Based School Community
August 6, 2026
First Day of School - Monday, August 10 (Staggered entry for Kindergarten)
Parking Lot Pointers
We love using our creativity here at the Arts Based School, just not in the parking lot routine. We ask that you follow all rules and regulations when picking up and dropping off your students. We have volunteers and staff that will help new families and old learn the routine. Please review the attached North Campus and South Campus for more information about drop-off and pick-up procedures. Here are some helpful hints for pick-up and drop-off to help keep our students safe:
- Please drive slowly and cautiously through the school parking lot at all times.
- Watch for children and adults in the parking lot, especially the first few days when many parents will be parking and walking their child into the school.
- Please allow extra time the first week as parents and children become accustomed to the routine.
- Please be kind and courteous to parking lot helpers.
- Please cross at crosswalks when walking children into the building.
- Please be responsible for explaining the drop-off/pick up procedures to your after-school daycare vans or anyone else who may be picking up your children.
- Please keep students in cars until 7:45. If you would like to get out earlier, please park in a marked parking spot and supervise your child outside the car until 7:45 at all times, including inside the playground.
- After-school supervision on the playgrounds requires an adult to be with them on the playground.
- In the morning, please turn right on 7th Street when exiting campus. Follow the sign.
- In the afternoon, please display your car sign on the passenger-side dashboard until your child is in the car.
- Walk-ups in the afternoon: use PikMyKids to announce your child. Then line up to the left of the building to check your child out from the cafe door.
- Please have your student ready to get out of the car on the passenger side of the vehicle and move immediately to the sidewalk. Students can exit the car once they are next to the sidewalk or potted plants.
- If you must unload/load on the driver's side, please help us train our students to walk around the front of your vehicle so you can see them make it safely to the sidewalk.
- Please do not get out of your car in the carline. If your child needs extra help buckling and unbuckling, please park and assist your child until they can do that independently.
- Please stay in the line and do not pull around another car, even if you are already loaded or unloaded.
- For North Campus, please do not drop off or pick-up on MLK or park on 7th Street.
- For South Campus, please do not park in upper lot. ABS families must park in the lower lot.
- Finally, please consider volunteering for morning drop-off or afternoon pickup. Extra adults are always helpful as students and parents learn the routine. Thanks!
Fall Enrollment Forms– Due Tomorrow!
All returning and new families are asked to complete registration for the 2026-27 school year. The Arts Based School uses the Enrollease platform to streamline this process.
Please log in here using your Lotterease or Enrollease account, and complete the 2026-27 Required Student Form for each of your children attending ABS.
This form is required for:
- Laptop use
- Field trip participation
- Medical information updates
Please take a moment to complete the form today to ensure your child is ready for the first day of school!
Helpful Links and Reminders:
- Who is my student’s teacher? What supplies do we need? You can find class lists, supply lists, and class pages behind our parent portal, on this page.
- Have you filled out your required student form in Enrollease? Please complete these ASAP! More details below.
- If you are new to ABS, please download the app PikMyKid for our dismissal process. You will receive your car tag and Pikmykid number at Special Visits or the first day of school.
- For Lunch & Breakfast: LINQ Connect is used for meal applications, meal account management, and online payments. The LINQ Online Ordering Portal is used to place meal orders and view the menu.
Activity Fee
ABS is publicly funded and free to all students. We ask families to contribute a $40 activity fee each year to help cover the costs of our field trips, special arts activities, and more. You can pay your Activity Fee through the website donation link. Please mark other and in the comment box type “Activity Fee”. Families qualifying for free/reduced lunch are exempt from this charge.
North Carolina Vaccine-Specific Requirements
The North Carolina General Statutes (G.S. 130A-152(a)) require immunizations for every child present in this state. Every parent, guardian or person in loco parentis is responsible for ensuring that their child(ren) receive required immunizations. Here’s the NCDHHS website for more information about school immunization requirements. If you have specific questions regarding your child, please contact your child’s health care provider or your local health department.
Kindergarten, 7th grade students, and any students new to the school system who are not compliant with state immunization requirements will not be permitted to attend school after 30 days. Please turn in all immunization documentation by September 18, 2026.
PikMyKid App: Afternoon Pickup Made Safe and Simple
The Arts Based School uses the PikMyKid app to ensure a safe and efficient afternoon pickup for all students. This app streamlines the dismissal process by allowing parents to announce their arrival, manage pick-up permissions, and receive real-time notifications—all from their smartphones.
All new families will need to download the PikMyKid Parent app before the first day of school. After downloading, simply tap “Register” and follow the prompts to create an account. A QR code and further instructions will be sent by email to new families in the coming weeks—please be on the lookout for this important message.
In preparation for the new school year, student records in PikMyKid are being updated to align with changes in student ID numbers due to the state-wide transition to Infinite Campus. While this update should not impact returning families’ ability to access the app or use existing accounts, they may notice a new student number associated with their child. The updates should be completed by August 6.
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in using PikMyKid to help keep our dismissal process running smoothly and safely.
School Meals: Lunch and Breakfast Options
We are pleased to announce that The Arts Based School will be participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) for the 2026–2027 school year. This program provides students with access to nutritious meals that support their growth and learning.
Applying for Free or Reduced-Price Meals
We encourage all families to complete a Free or Reduced-Price Meal application at linqconnect.com. Simply click on “School Services”, then choose “Free & Reduced Meal Application.”
You do not need to create an account to complete the application.
When Will I Know if My Child Qualifies?
You will receive a letter of eligibility within 10 days of submitting your application. This letter will be emailed to you. If we do not have an email address on file, a copy will be sent by U.S. Mail.
Meal Ordering
You will continue placing your child’s meal orders through the LINQ Online Ordering Portal, just as you did last school year.
Meal orders must be submitted the week prior by Wednesday. To order for the first week of school, orders should be placed by Wednesday, August 5. Meal orders must be submitted during the designated ordering window. Late meal orders cannot be accepted.
Please remember that you will continue using two separate LINQ websites. LINQ Connect is used for meal applications, meal account management, and online payments.
The LINQ Online Ordering Portal is used to place meal orders and view the menu.
Need More Help?
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information about lunch accounts, ordering, payments, and eligibility.
Notes from Parent Council:
Volunteering at ABS
The Arts Based School Volunteer Hub offers a variety of ways for parents to support our school community, from classroom assistance to special events and ongoing needs. Current opportunities include serving as Class Reps, volunteering in art classes, helping with lunch distribution on Fridays, maintaining our school gardens, providing staff meeting snacks by grade level, and supporting teacher appreciation efforts by stocking the Teacher's Lounge. All volunteer opportunities are available through SignUpGenius links on the portal, where you can easily sign up for activities that fit your schedule and interests. Additionally, there's an area to log your hours for individual classroom volunteering, with those opportunities organized on a more individual basis by teachers and class reps.
Parents Needed: Sign up to be a Class Representatives!
Each classroom should have a Classroom Representative that will coordinate with their teacher to communicate needs to the classroom. Parent Council will work with you to make sure you have all of the information and support you need. Main responsibilities include:
- Coordinating class-specific volunteer efforts and classroom needs.
- Coordinating parent volunteers for Book Fair, Fall Fest and Field Day.
- Coordinating any hospitality events (Teacher appreciation week, recognizing teacher birthdays, etc.)
- Communicating information from Parent Council.
Please sign up to be a class representative using this Google Sheet: ABS Class Reps 2026-2027
Learn more about what being a class rep involves here: ABS Classroom Representative Information Sheet
Please contact Parent Council Rep Coordinators with any questions.
Tabatha Smith, North Campus [email protected]
Sara Morales, South Campus [email protected]
Thank you for helping build our school community!
Aftercare Registration 2026-2027
Aftercare Registration is now open for both campuses! We look forward to providing a safe and fun filled environment where we focus our efforts on the social, emotional, and physical development of your child. We'll do this by nurturing strong relationships and offering your children choices that reflect their individual needs, interests and abilities. This year we are hopeful to offer more structured activities that the students and staff will both love! The program runs from 2pm-6pm each day and we offer a 2 days (NEW!), 3 days, and 5 days a week program. You can also register for the drop in service. Check out updated pricing and dates in the Aftercare Parent Handbook. Please email Ashley Tate at [email protected] with any questions.
2026-2027 Aftercare Registration
2026-2027 Aftercare Parent Handbook
ABS Bus Service
For the 2026-27 school year, ABS will offer morning and afternoon bus service with dropoff and pickup locations of: Winston Lake YMCA, Hanes Mall, and Sherwood Plaza. Please review the Bus Guidelines and Information before registering.
Please contact Mr. Cutts at [email protected] with any questions.
2026-2027 ABS Bus Registration
ABS Bus Guidelines and Information
ABS Regular Board Meeting
The ABS Board of Directors Board will meet on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 5:45pm at the 7th St School building. Board meetings are open to the public.
Around Town…
Tonight's Special Comedy Special
Saturday, August 8 | 8:00 p.m.
Mountcastle Forum
251 N. Spruce Street, Winston-Salem (Second Floor)
A fast-paced comedy variety show featuring improv, stand-up, music, and more. Every show is different, so you never know what to expect. Bring your friends and enjoy a night of laughter!
- Tickets: $15 advance / $20 at the door (plus taxes and fees)
- Rated R (18+) for language and adult themes
Tickets: https://www.intothearts.org/campus-events/tonight's-special-comedy-special-
Spielberg Summer: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Saturday, August 8 | 7:00 p.m. (One Night Only!)
Reynolds Place Theatre
251 N. Spruce Street, Winston-Salem (First Floor)
Join A/perture Cinema and the Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County as we celebrate one of Steven Spielberg's most beloved films. Experience E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial on the big screen and introduce a new generation to this timeless classic.
- Tickets: $10 (plus taxes and fees)
- Rated PG
- Runtime: 2 hours
Ways to get involved and learn more about ABS:
- ABS Parent Student Handbook
- 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