Published for the Arts Based School Community
October 1, 2026
ABS Annual Giving Campaign – Officially Underway!
Our Annual Giving Campaign officially kicks off today, October 1st, and we’re heading toward our goal of 100% participation! We’re grateful to our Board of Directors and several ABS families who have already stepped forward with gifts to get us started—thank you!
Annual Giving is the most important way our families and community members can support The Arts Based School each year. Instead of asking students to sell items, we ask families for a meaningful contribution annually. These gifts directly support the daily teaching and learning that make ABS such a joyful and creative place for children.
Here’s how you can join in and help us reach our goal:
WHAT IS ANNUAL GIVING?
Annual Giving is exactly as it sounds – gifts requested and given each school year to help support operating expenses at The Arts Based School (ABS). There is no tuition for attendance at ABS, but as a charter school, we do not receive the same state and federal funding as traditional public schools. We rely on the generosity of parents and families, board members, and our community to support the learning and creating that happens every day at ABS. Instead of asking our students and families to participate in fundraising activities (like selling cookies or wrapping paper), we ask all families for financial support just once each year. This is our annual fundraiser.
WHY IS MY PARTICIPATION IMPORTANT?
This year, as in past years, we are hoping to achieve 100% participation. Family participation in Annual Giving at ABS is more than financial support; it is a vote of confidence that demonstrates your belief in and investment in this remarkable place. When asking people outside of the school for financial support, it is especially important to be able to show them that our family participation in Annual Giving is reflective of the commitment to ABS that our community feels.
Your participation is also important because ABS needs broad-based financial support from everyone to continue to provide students with an effective and joyful way to learn.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I GIVE?
Given the importance of the Annual Giving Campaign and the impact those dollars have on each child’s education, we ask that you give as generously as you are able. For every family this is a personal decision and should be at a level that is comfortable for you. You also have the option of making a recurring monthly gift to ABS. We are grateful to everyone who contributes, as each gift is crucial to the success of the Annual Giving Campaign.
HOW CAN I MAKE MY GIFT?
There are two simple ways to give:
Make your check payable to “The Arts Based School,” You can send it by mail, or drop it off in the front office. We also accept cash in the school front office.
You can make a secure gift online at our website
K-Kids: Kids Making a Difference!
Would your child love the opportunity to make a difference in our school, community, and world? K-Kids is a great place to start!
Beginning Thursday, October 8, K-Kids will meet every Thursday from 7:45–8:10 a.m.
- North Campus: Ewing Theater (MLK Building)
- South Campus: Cafeteria
K-Kids is open to 3rd–5th graders. Students will have opportunities to run for K-Kids office, develop creative ideas for making our school and community better, and work together to turn those ideas into action.
To participate, please complete the permission slip and return it with the $5 fee by Thursday, October 8. Forms and payment may be turned in to the front office at your child’s campus.
Questions? Please reach out to Coach Bri, Ms. Carlisle, Ms. Ally Shelton or Ms. Hollis. We’d love to have your child join us as we learn, lead, serve, and make a difference together!
ABS Family Directory
This year’s Family Directory will be published behind the Parent Portal of our website soon! Families who opted out of the directory or did not complete the required form are not listed. This information includes student name and parent email address and is provided only for school-related communications. If you’d like to make any changes to your contact information or be added to the directory, please email Director Hollis
Picture Day-Oct 16
Smile! October 16 is Picture Day! All students will be photographed to be included in the school’s yearbook. This year everyone will receive a photo proof in order to buy pictures.
To order pictures online, please visit www.strawbridge.net, click the red “Order Pictures and Yearbooks” button, and enter code PX504571. More information will be coming home soon.
Club Invention: Kindergarten-4th Grade, 10/5-11/20
Cost: $79/8 week program (optional aftercare add on +$40)
Children build skills for the future as they explore the past in Castles, Catapults and Coats of Arms™. Investigating basic scientific principles through the lens of medieval history, children use their imaginations to take on the roles of lords, ladies, knights, craftspeople and serfs. They work together to complete hands-on challenges and discover that inventiveness has existed even in times of suppressed learning, helping them to build empathy and social awareness, along with responsible decision making.
This club will be ran by our very own teachers, Ms. Katie Pipes (North) and Ms. Jehn Boyd (South)! The club will run from 3:45-4:45. If your student would like to attend and is not already registered for a 3 or 5 day plan for aftercare, we are starting a “Club Hold Over” Membership.
The “Club Hold Over” membership will be $40 total for the 8 weeks. This will allow students to stay in the aftercare program for the hour in between regular dismissal and when the club begins. If you register for the club and are not a part of aftercare, please email Angela Wooten to start the Club Hold Over Membership. You may also pick up your student at dismissal and bring them back for the club if you prefer.
Registration Links:
North Campus Registration Link
South Campus Registration Link
LAZR Dojo Game Design Enrichment Club – North Campus
Does your child(ren) love gaming, art, storytelling, and creating? Arts Based School & LAZR Dojo are exploring a fall afterschool Game Design Enrichment Club for students in grades 5–8!
Students will explore the creative world of game design, including developing game ideas, creating characters and worlds, and learning how games are designed and built. No prior game design or coding experience is required!
Mondays: 2:45–3:45 p.m. at North Campus, Grades 5–8
We are currently gauging interest to determine whether there is enough interest to offer the club. If your student would be interested, please complete the short interest form below:
LAZR DoJo Interest Survey
https://www.lazrdojo.com/abs-gaming-club-signup
Parking Lot Safety
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.
- Please drive slowly and cautiously through the school parking lot at all times.
- Please do not use your phone in the line.
- 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.
- When walking students through the parking lot, please have your child on the inside, away from the traffic.
- Please be kind and courteous to parking lot helpers.
- Please cross at crosswalks when walking children into the building.
- Please keep students in cars until 7:45.
- Please have your student ready to get out of the car on the passenger side and move immediately to the sidewalk. Students can exit the car once they are next to the sidewalk or potted plants.
- Please do not get out of your car in the car line. If your child needs extra help buckling and unbuckling, please park and assist them until they can do it 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 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.
Notes from Parent Council:
*Check out the map!* This Saturday is Fall Fest!
Head to the North Campus for family-friendly music, activities, and seasonal fun including face painting, food trucks, touch-a-truck opportunities, games and vendor booths. Book Fair will also be open for browsing! Click here to view the map and check out the informational sheet!
When: Saturday, October 3 | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM *do not be alarmed by the forecast! While there is no rain date, we remain hopeful the weather will hold out*
Where: North Campus Courtyard
Admission: $5 per child (Cash or Venmo only) | Adults free
Parking: Parking is available at Mixxer, Atrium Health Downtown Plaza, and street parking.
Limited slots available for the Fall Mini Photo Sessions to Benefit ABS
Brooke Hoffman, an ABS parent and owner of Brooke Hoffman Photo, will be offering fall mini photo sessions on October 11 with split profits to benefit teacher appreciation efforts by Parent Council. You can view her flyer and visit the SignUpGenius to select a time slot.
Needed: Fall Fest Volunteers for Clean-up and Vendor Parking Attendants
We need your help and some muscle to make Fall Fest great! We will need assistance moving tables and getting things arranged to setup a fun day for the kids and families! And as all good things come to an end we will need some assistance breaking it all down and cleaning up. There are also opportunities to help with vendor parking. Sign up on the SignUpGenius page.
Book Fair Ends Saturday at Fall Fest
Thank you to all the volunteers this week who have created two wonderful Book Fair spaces! As a reminder, the Book Fair will stay open during Fall Fest on October 3 so families can shop together. It’s not too late to setup an eWallet or stop by in person. Each location is open until 3:15, with a pause from 2:30-3:00 for dismissal.
October Parent Council Meeting
The next Parent Council meeting will be Friday, October 16 from 8:30-9:30am in the North Campus cafe, and on Zoom. We look forward to seeing you there! Have questions or topics you'd like discussed at our upcoming Parent Council meeting? We want to hear from you! Use this form to submit questions, concerns, or suggestions you'd like addressed.
Monday Staff Meeting Snacks - 4th Grade October
Calling all 4th grade families! We need your help stocking the snack table for the October staff meetings on Mondays. 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.
Carline, Pizza Friday, Art Room Volunteers Wanted!
Get involved and make an impact this year—no matter your schedule! Whether you can spare an hour a week or a single afternoon, we have plenty of ways to help. Volunteer roles include car rider line duty, Friday pizza lunch delivery, art room support, and keeping the teacher breakroom stocked with snacks. Don’t forget to log your hours as you go! Check out the Volunteer Hub here.
Around Town…
By popular request, Kids’ Game Night is coming to LAZR Dojo x Ctrl V Arcade & Enrichment Studio on the second Saturday of each month! See the flyer for details.
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