BOY Message from the Principal

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدَ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ. سُبْحَانَ اللهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ للهِ، ولَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ العَلِيِّ الْعَظيِمِ، ربِّ اغْفِرلِي

There is none worth of worship but Allah alone, Who has no partner, His is the dominion, and to Him belongs all praise, and He is able to do all things. Glory is to Allah. Praise is to Allah. There is none worth of worship but Allah. Allah is the Most Great. There is no might and no power except by Allah’s leave, the Exalted, the Mighty. My Lord, forgive me.

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu,

Dear ARS Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year at Al-Rahmah School, ARS! 

I hope this letter finds you in the best health and iman. With Allah SWT’s mercy, we are embarking on the upcoming school year with enthusiasm, gratitude, and a deep sense of pride in being a part of the Islamic Society of Baltimore community. It is a blessing to be part of a lively community where we find reminders of the Quran and Sunnah in everything we do. Alhamdulilah! May Allah SWT accept all our efforts and grant us and our children success in this world and hereafter. Ameen. 

Whether you are returning to ARS or joining us for the first time, each of you plays a crucial role in making our school a diverse and inclusive learning environment for all students to thrive. We are excited to partner with you to support your child’s educational journey 🙂

As the principal of Al-Rahmah School, I am thrilled to start this new academic year with a shared commitment to fostering a nurturing and stimulating educational atmosphere that encourages academic excellence, personal growth, and character development. Our dedicated educators and staff are equally passionate about supporting your children’s learning journey toward achieving their full potential, insha Allah.  At ARS, we believe that every student has unique strengths and talents, and our dedicated team of educators is here to help children reach their potential, insha Allah.

Our focus for the upcoming school year remains to support students’ learning through effective instruction, help them develop strategies to extend and apply their knowledge inside and outside the classroom, inculcate Islamic aadab as they build their religious identity, and ensure the social-emotional success of all our students.

This year, we are excited to introduce several new initiatives that will enhance the learning experience for our students at ARS: 

1. Middle School English Program: We have adopted a new middle school English program, Into Literature. It has diverse, culturally relevant texts that connect with students’ lives. Into Literature, the curriculum builds confidence, standards mastery, and college and career readiness for every learner in the classroom. 

2. Technology Integration: Alhamdulilah. We’re excited to announce that this year, every classroom will be equipped with a new interactive whiteboard! We are expanding our use of technology in the classrooms to enhance engagement and support visual and collaborative learning to make lessons more dynamic and accessible for students.

3. House System: This system aims to enhance student engagement, foster a sense of community, and promote a positive school culture. We want to encourage teamwork, improve student motivation, and build a strong sense of school spirit by dividing students into distinct houses that participate in various academic, extracurricular, and community-building activities.

Red: Bravery: Boys: Umar Ibn Khattab RA; Girls: Summaya Bint Khayaat RA 

Blue: Trust: Boys: Abu Bakr Al-Siddeeq; Girls: Khadijah bint Khuwaylid  RA 

Green: Generous: Boys: Zainab Bint Khuzaimah RA ; Girls: Uthman Ibn Affan RA

Yellow: Sincerity: Boys: Bilal Ibn Rabah RA; Girls: Aisha Bint Abi Bakar RA

4. Extra-Curricular Activities: Extracurricular activities are vital to a student’s overall development. They offer opportunities for personal growth, help students explore interests and talents outside the classroom, and build essential life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and time management. By participating in extracurriculars, students can develop a well-rounded skill set that supports both academic and personal success. More details about these activities will be provided in the coming days, insha Allah. 

• Ivy League Afterschool Clubs
• Chess Club
• Karate Club
• Soccer Club for girls and boys separately. 

5. Community Engagement: We will host a series of workshops and events to strengthen connections between home and school. These events will provide opportunities for parents to meaningfully engage with our staff and other families. We’ll share more information about these events throughout the year. Nonetheless, mark the calendar for the upcoming school events in August and September. 

You can also get involved with the school community by volunteering for school events throughout the school year or offering an after-school club for our students. If you are interested, please sign up here. 

Communication between school and home is vital to student success. Stay informed and engaged by regularly checking our school website, reading the newsletters, and attending school events. Please contact your child’s teachers or our administrative team with any questions or concerns throughout the year. Also, my door is always open, and I welcome your input, suggestions, and concerns. Together, we can create a dynamic and supportive educational experience for every child in our care.

We can make this school year one of growth, achievement, and joy for all our students. 

Let us embrace this journey together, supporting and encouraging one another. 🙂

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. 

JazakAllah Khair,

Sr. Mehnaz Fatima

Principal

Please find some announcements and reminders posted below:

ARS 2024-2025 School Calendar

Please check the academic calendar for the upcoming school year attached above! It’s packed with important dates, holidays, and events to help you stay organized and plan ahead. We look forward to a fantastic year filled with learning and growth!

New Parent Orientation: Aug 16 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Parents must report to the main lobby to be escorted to the presentation area. New parent orientation is a program designed to help parents familiarize themselves with a school’s environment, policies, and procedures. 

• Overview of School Policies: Information about academic programs, behavioral expectations, and school rules.
• Introduction to Staff who will be involved in their child’s education.
• Tour the school’s campus, including classrooms, offices, and other vital areas.
• Details on staying informed about their child’s progress, including parent-teacher meetings, report cards, and online platforms.
• Learn about available student support services and resources, such as counseling, health suite, special education services, and extracurricular activities.

Meet and Greet: Aug 23 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Parents and students must report to the main lobby to be escorted to their child’s room. This is a perfect opportunity for the families to bring their child’s school supplies and meet their child’s homeroom teacher and other parents. Please don’t forget to pick up your car dismissal number from the booth in the lobby, insha Allah. 

First Day of School for Students: Aug 26

Student arrival is from 7: 45 AM to 8: 00 AM. Students must be dropped off in a car loop. Staff will be stationed in the parking lot to receive the students. However, parents can walk in with their students if they like during the first week of school. Dismissal is always from the car loop in the parking lot from 3: 05 PM to 3: 20 PM. 

Early Dismissal for the Kindergarten Students ONLY at 12:30 PM: August 26. Students will be dismissed from the classroom on this day only. 

Ice Cream Fundraiser: Sep 6

We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Ice Cream Fundraiser. We’ll share more details about the time and location shortly. This event is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a variety of delicious ice cream flavors and toppings while supporting our school’s fundraising effort.

Back to School Night: Sep 19, 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM

An opportunity to meet with the staff and faculty. Gain a sense of the classroom environment. Build rapport with your child’s teachers. Please refrain from discussing your child or personal concerns with your child’s teachers in the presence of other parents at the event. We value your input, but as a school, we must respect and maintain the confidentiality of all our students. If you need to discuss your child, please schedule an appointment with your child’s teacher separately. 

Student Arrival: Monday thru Friday: 7:45 AM to 8: 00 AM

Parents must drop off students in the car loop. Staff members will be there to receive and usher the students inside the main building. To maintain the safety of all our students, especially our young ones in the parking lot, please, follow the directions given by the ARS Staff on the parking lot strictly. Parents can drop their children off in the main lobby or to their class during the first week of school. 

Student Dismissal: Monday thru Friday: 3:05 PM to 3: 20 PM

Monday thru Thursday: All parents must pick up their children from the student pick-up zone from the car loop. All parents are required to place the car dismissal number placards on their cars’ dashboards at the time of dismissal. The administrators in the parking lot will call the numbers on the intercom for your child to be sent to the parking lot for dismissal. 

We need your full support to successfully implement these procedures for the safety of all our students and parking staff. We request adults picking up the students to be vigilant behind the wheel in the parking lot, as our little ones are still forming a habit of walking instead of running. 

Friday: On Fridays, dismissal will take place from the third-floor musallah. Parents must park their cars in the parking lot and come inside the building to pick up their children, insha Allah.  Please find details for the Monday- Friday schedule posted below.

During dismissal in the first week of school, please be patient with the administrators. They may ask for your IDs, especially for new families. Please have your ID readily available if requested. 

Before Care and After Care Program: 

If you are interested in the Before care (7: 00 AM to 7: 45 AM) or/ and After care (3: 20 PM to 6: 00 PM), please, click here to register your child with the Al-Rahmah Before and After Care Program.

Students who are dropped off early by default will be sent to the before-care services until 7:45 AM, and a fee will be charged starting Monday, Sep 3, 2024. 

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to call the Before and Aftercare office at 410-719-0921, ext. 103. 

Before care: $ 150; ARS Students: $ 75

After care: $ 350; ARS Students: $ 175

* Al-Rahmah School students receive 50% off. 

You can check for eligibility for the Before and Aftercare services voucher here. 

If you are interested in applying for it, please click here. 

Late Pick-Up: 

Please be aware that students not picked up by the parents or guardians by 3: 20 PM from Monday to Friday will be sent to late pickup, and a fee will be charged starting Monday, Sep 3, 2024. 

Uniforms: 

All students are required to wear proper uniforms. The school will allow a transition period of three weeks, from Aug 26 to Sep 13, for those families who have ordered and are waiting for their shipment to arrive. Please follow the uniform guidelines posted on the school website before you purchase the uniform. All students are required to purchase P.E. uniforms from the school. The uniform company will share the online order form with us shortly so you can place an order for the P.E. uniforms. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

The students who are not in uniform must dress modestly. The non-uniform guidelines are shared below:

• • Students must adhere to the ARS non-uniform dress code and modest attire in line with the Quran and Sunnah.
  • ARS Head of School and Principal has the discretion to address severe deviation from the acceptable dress code. Clothing may not include images or messages contrary to Al Rahmah School’s mission. 
  • The ARS dress code is in effect at all school and community-sponsored events in which the student is acting in their capacity as an ARS member. 

Male Student Dress Code: 

• Loose-fitting, modest pants and shirt. No shorts or tank tops are allowed. 

Female Student Dress Code: 

• Loose-fitting, modest pants and shirt. No shorts or tank tops are allowed
• Headscarves must be worn at all times except KG-4th Grade. 

Supplies: 

A list of all student supplies has been posted on the school website and on Renweb. Please access it. If you have any questions, please contact the school office at 410-719-0921.

Lunch Timings:

Monday thru Thursday: 

Grades K-4: 12:05 PM to 12: 48 PM

Grades 5-8: 12:48 PM to 1:25 PM 

Friday: 

Grades K-8: 12:15 PM to 1: 00 PM

Ordering Lunch Procedure: Alhamdulilah, the ISB Barakah Bistro will provide lunches to the students from Monday through Friday. 

Parents can

•  go on Alrahmah.org
•  click on the tab “My ARS” 
• click on “ARS Lunch” from the drop-down menu 
• click on “Student and Teacher Lunch”
• select “Student Meals” and pay for your child’s lunch, insha Allah. 

Please do not send cash to your children. If a student doesn’t have lunch, lunch will be ordered from the cafe, and parents will be charged via FACTS. 

This is the direct link to the “Student Meals” 

Parents can purchase lunches for their children daily, weekly, or monthly by signing up online using this link and paying using the credit card. 

My ARS Link Card: 

School staff will provide the My ARS Link card to the new students and will replace the misplaced and lost cards for the returning students by  Sep 13, 2024. 

“My ARS Link” card serves as a combined Student ID and School Library Card. It will no longer serve as a meal card. Any balance you may have from last year will be applied towards this school year. For more information, please contact the Cafe Manager, Br. Mustapha Snoussi, [email protected].

Please know that the barcode number and PIN on the back of the card will no longer be active for reloading. 

Student ID Card: Helps school staff and security identify enrolled students to allow access to secured school premises. 

School Library Card: Check out textbooks, materials, and resources. 

Frequently Asked Questions, FAQs:

What should you do if the card is lost? Can it be canceled? 

If the card is lost, please contact the ARS office at 410.719.0921 or email [email protected].  The lost card can be suspended, and any funds on the card can be transferred to the student this upcoming school year.

Is there a fee for replacement cards?

A $5 fee for replacement cards will be added as an incidental charge to the monthly FACTS bill. 

What happens if students don’t sign up and don’t pay for lunch online?

Students will still receive their lunch meal. An incidental charge will be added to their monthly FACTS bill. 

Salah: 

(i) Dhuhr Salah: 

Grades KG-2nd: Students will pray dhuhr salah in class and then transition to the Musalaha. They must bring their own prayer rug and are responsible for washing and keeping it clean. 

Grades 3rd-8th: Students will pray dhuhr salah in the Musalaha. They may bring their own prayer rug, but they are responsible for washing and keeping it clean. 

(ii) Jumuah Salah: 

Grades KG – 8th: Students will pray in the congregation from 2: 45 PM to 3: 00 PM. 

(iii)Janaza Salah: ” A Muslim has five rights upon other Muslims: responding to his Salam, answering his invitation (to food), making Tashmeet when he sneezes, visiting him when he is sick, and following his Janazah when he dies”(Bukhari and Muslim). 

We want our kids to practice and learn the etiquette of the janaza salah. Grades 5th thru 8th will participate in the janaza salah with the community whenever appropriate and possible.

Student General Schedule: Your child will receive their class schedule from their homeroom teacher on Monday, August 26, 2024. For your convenience, please find the general schedule attached below. 

Monday thru Thursday:

Student arrival: 7: 45 am 8:00 am (late after 8: 01 am)

Morning Assembly: 8 am to 8: 15 am

Dismissal: 3: 05 pm to 3: 20 pm. Dismissal from the Carloop. 

• All parents are required to place the car dismissal number placards on the dashboard of their cars at the time of dismissal. 
• During the first few weeks, please be patient with the administrators. They may ask for your IDs, especially for new families. Please have your ID readily available if requested. 

Friday: 

Student arrival: 7: 45 am 8:00 am (late after 8:0 1 am)

Morning Assembly: 8 am to 8: 15 am

Dismissal: 3: 05 pm to 3: 20 pm. Parents must park their cars and come to the classrooms to pick up their children. During the first few weeks, please be patient with the teachers as they may ask for your IDs, especially for new families. Please have your ID readily available if requested. 

RenWeb Information

To log into your RenWeb account and view uniform policy, supply lists, grades, report cards, and other resource documents, please visit FACTS SIS >Family Portal Login.

If you cannot access your RenWeb account, please contact our Program Director, Sr. Donna Khan, at [email protected].

ARS Student Email Address: 

ARS students need to access their Google Classroom for announcements and resources. Parents, please guide your students to activate their email addresses.

We have set up Al-Rahmah School emails for all of our 2024-2025 students to provide easy access to resources, updates, and communications for students and parents. 

We value our students’ privacy and online safety, so school emails have been created for all Al-Rahmah School students. This will increase security and accessibility to the features of our learning management system, such as Clever, Google Classroom, Google Meet, and other educational tools that they will use throughout the school year.

Please remember that these student emails are the ONLY emails students must use for school online platforms and applications.

If you or your child lose access to the primary student email, we have set your (the parent’s) personal email, which we have on file, as the recovery email. This can be used to regain access if your child is locked out of the account or to recover or change passwords.

To sign in to your child’s account, please click here.

Please reset your child’s account password using the account security settings before using it. To learn more, please click here.