Published for the Arts Based School Community
September 3, 2026
No School-Monday, Sept 7-Labor Day
How We Do It and Why
By Mary Siebert, ABS Founding Arts Director, retired
“In a live performance, it's a collaboration with the audience; you ride the ebb and flow of the crowd's energy. On television, you don't have that.” - Jon Batiste
ABS students quickly learn how rewarding it is, to perform for your parents. Of course, most of them have been performing on front porches and in back yards or parks since they were very small. “Watch me! Watch me!” To perform for a whole audience of parents is to perform for the most attentive audience there ever will be for you. Those parents take their lunch hour, they pick up Grandma, they watch at least one cast member with absolute, riveted focus. It’s delicious.
Each grade level at ABS presents an annual production that demands disciplined preparation for about six weeks, with classroom teachers, arts specialists, and visiting artists all working together. Some of these shows are traditions stretching far back into our history, and are considered landmarks for kids who look forward to performing them. Some are new productions, changed to align with newly released standards from the state. All of them provide opportunities for community building, for learning. The shows are developed with gradual scaffolding, to help students feel safe and supported on stage. Adults might lead the way on stage, stand to the side and narrate, prompt forgotten moments and words, even appear as a character who can offer support right on stage. But as they enter middle school, they take on more independence, until finally, all fifty-plus kids in the class can perform a show together, without the net to catch them.
Complex rehearsal schedules are communicated out to administrators, receptionists, speech therapists, counselors, and interventionists so that schedules can be woven to keep all learning flowing and to know at all times where the students are. Parents pitch in, avoiding scheduling dental appointments or vacations during critical rehearsal weeks, helping with costumes, helping move platforms and props from place to place. We want everyone to feel excited, polished and prepared when the big day arrives.
What can you do to support your child’s performance?
- Save the date, and attend the show
- Avoid scheduling trips or appointments for 2 weeks before the show.
- Watch for announcements about costume pieces your students will need
- Help with costumes
- Help move the sets in, and help move them back out
- Encourage your child to have fun with it! (It’s not high stakes!)
You can find your student’s performance dates schedule.
Community Helpers Visit First Grade!
Our first graders are learning all about community helpers and the important roles they play in keeping our community safe and strong! As part of the unit, students will have special visits from members of the Winston-Salem Police Department and Winston-Salem Fire Department.
Winston-Salem Police Department – Tuesday, September 8
• 9:00–9:50 – South Campus
• 10:00–10:50 – North Campus
Winston-Salem Fire Department – Friday, September 11
• 9:00–9:50 – North Campus
• 10:00–10:50 – South Campus
Students will have the opportunity to meet these community helpers, learn about their jobs, and ask questions. We are grateful to our local police officers and firefighters for taking time to visit ABS and share with our students!
BOG Results
Congratulations to our Third Grade students for completing the Beginning of Grade (BOG) test in reading last week. The state does not expect that all students will demonstrate proficiency on the BOG test because the content on the BOG is the same as what is measured on the EOG reading test administered at the end of the year. Your child’s results are coming home today in Thursday packets in a sealed blue envelope. If you have any questions about your child’s results, please contact your classroom teacher.
MAP Testing Begins
ABS uses Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments to monitor each student’s academic growth. Students in grades 3–8 will take MAP tests in reading and math to help us determine their instructional level and measure their growth throughout the school year and from year to year.
MAP tests are completed on a computer and are adaptive, meaning the questions adjust to each student’s individual level of learning. This allows us to gather detailed and accurate information about student growth while keeping testing time relatively short. Your child’s teacher will let you know the specific dates when your child will take the MAP assessments. Thank you for supporting your child as we use this information to better understand and support their learning!
Yearbook Club Interest Meeting
We are excited to kick off another year of Yearbook Club! There will be an interest meeting for 7th and 8th graders on Tuesday, September 8th from 3:00–3:30 p.m in Miss DeJarnette's room. Anyone insterested can attend to hear more about the club, guidelines, and pick up an application. Students must be picked up promptly at 3:30 p.m. We can’t wait to see those interested in helping create a memorable yearbook!
ABS Skate Night coming soon
Join the ABS STEAM Club for a fun Back-to-School Skate Night on Thursday, September 10, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at 120 Hood Dr. Winston-Salem, NC 27104
All ABS students are welcome!
- Admission: $8
- Skate rental: $4
Come celebrate the new school year with your ABS friends! Proceeds benefit the ABS STEAM Club.
K-5 Curriculum Night- Save the Date! Sept 15 & 16
Come experience your child’s classroom through their eyes during an interactive evening designed for the whole family. Families will step into the learning by trying activities, games, challenges, and routines that students experience throughout the school day. Bring your child and get ready to learn, play, problem-solve, and discover what makes learning at ABS come to life!
To ease parking, we have scheduled staggered sessions-
*New: 6th-8th Grade will no longer be hosting Curriculum Night this year. Stay tuned for additional offerings to engage with your students’ curriculum.
Crosby Scholars Kickoff
Crosby Scholars will host a Welcome Back Meeting/ Interest Meeting for returning and new members .
All students (6th-8th) interested in attending should see Dr. Gwyn to sign up. New Members interested in joining should see Dr. Gwyn for an application.
- Applications are due by September 15th .
When: Crosby Scholars Welcome Meeting / Interest Meeting Pizza Party
Where: Room 2006 ( Guidance/Spanish Room)
When: Thursday, September 17th
Time: 3PM- 3:45PM
ALL Students interested in attending the meeting should sign up with Dr. Gwyn by September 15th
Please send all questions to Dr. Gwyn at [email protected]
ABS Students Cheer the Deacs!
We are so excited to share a special opportunity for our 5th and 6th grade students! Through Wake Forest Football’s Coaches’ Kids program, our 5th and 6th grade students were gifted tickets to attend the Wake Forest football game against Akron. We are incredibly grateful to Strickland Legacy Group and Justin Strickland for their generosity and for creating this opportunity for our students and families to experience the excitement of college football right here in our community. Thank you for investing in our students and helping create memorable experiences beyond the classroom. We are so appreciative of your support of The Arts Based School!
Notes from Parent Council:
September Parent Council Meeting
The next Parent Council meeting will be Friday, September 11th from 8:30-9:30am in the South Campus cafe, and on Zoom. We look forward to seeing you there!
Have a child in Ms. Daniels 3rd class? Join our teacher reps!
We are still looking for a South Campus parent to serve as Class Representative for Ms. Daniel’s 3rd grade class for the 2026–2027 school year. The Class Representative helps connect families, teachers, and Parent Council. Parent Council will provide the information and support you need throughout the year. Does this interest you? Have questions? Please reach out to: Sara Morales, South Campus Class Rep Coordinator [email protected]
September Staff Meeting Snacks - 5th Grade!
You know what makes Monday staff meetings just a little better? SNACKS. Each month, a different grade level gets to help us keep our incredible teachers and staff fueled, happy, after a long Monday!
Calling all 5th grade families! We need your help stocking the snack table for the September staff meeting. Cash donations are welcome, too, and we'll put them toward filling the snack table!
Ready to help? Grab a spot on the sign-up in the Volunteer Hub! Every contribution, big or small, helps us show our staff how much we appreciate them.
Volunteer opportunities in the Volunteer Hub
There are so many ways to jump in and make a difference this year—whether you have an hour a week or just an occasional day to help! Opportunities include 2026–2027 Classroom Reps, car rider line, pizza Friday lunch delivery, art room assistance, teacher snack & fridge stocking, and more. Plus, remember to log your volunteer hours. Check out the Volunteer Hub here.
Save the Date: Fall Fest – Saturday, October 3, 2026
Mark your calendars! Join us Saturday, October 3, from 12–3 PM at the North Campus for Fall Fest fun. Enjoy vendors in the courtyard, food trucks, class booths, and the Book Fair—plus music and activities for the whole family. Tickets are $5 per child (cash or Venmo only) and adults are free. If you or someone you know is interested in bringing their food truck, musical talents, or crafts as a vendor, let us know! Email Sarah Avery ([email protected]), Jessica Crews ([email protected]), or Naquita Yellock ([email protected]).
ABS Book Fairs September 28-October 2, PLUS Fall Fest!
The Scholastic Book Fairs are coming!! Exciting news! We will have a fair set up at both North and South Campuses! The North Campus will also be extended to be open at Fall Fest which will be a great way to grant those wish lists AND enjoy Fall Fest!
We NEED YOUR HELP! Volunteer signup is LIVE! This is a really fun opportunity to get volunteer hours during the school day and during Fall Fest. Thank you to everyone who has already signed up! We can't do it without you!
Sign up to volunteer here for North Campus:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4FABAF22A4FD0-64782008-north#/
Sign up to volunteer here for South Campus:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4FABAF22A4FD0-65090994-south#/
Please visit the links below to sign up for an E-Wallet account*, see the fair schedule, view the book fair flyer, or shop our online book fair.
North Campus Book Fair link: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/artsbasedschoolnorth
South Campus Book Fair link: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/artsbasedschoolsouth
*Set up an E-wallet account so your student can shop the Fair cash-free. If you have multiple children, you must create a separate account for each child, be sure to use the correct fair link.
Every purchase you make at the book fairs earns money towards new books for ALL CLASSROOM libraries and BOTH SCHOOL LIBRARIES! More than half of all dollars spent at the book fairs go directly to purchase books for the school!
Questions can be directed to [email protected]