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 back to another exciting school year at ARS!

I hope this letter finds you in the best health and iman. It is with Allah SWT’s mercy we are embarking on the upcoming school year with enthusiasm, gratitude, and a deep sense of pride for our lively school community.  May Allah SWT accept all our efforts and grant us and our children success in this world and hereafter. Ameen.

I extend a warm welcome to our returning students and their families and those who are joining us for the first time 🙂 Each of you plays a crucial role in making our school a diverse and inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive.

As your principal, I am committed 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.

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 to enhance the overall learning experience. We will be strengthening our AIQ curriculum with the offering of the Arabic and Quran Parallel track program for all grades, catering to the needs of the diverse learners in Math by offering Math Accelerated Track in middle school, incorporating Jumu’ah Salah on Fridays to nurture and foster our students’ Islamic identity (schedule is posted below), focusing on integrating technology in the classrooms, organizing more extracurricular activities, and strengthening our community partnerships to provide our students with a holistic and well-rounded education.

Communication between the school and our families is vital to maintain a prosperous and harmonious learning environment. We will continue to keep you informed about important updates and events through regular newsletters, our school website, and parent-teacher conferences. Please actively participate in your child’s education and engage with our school community. You can get involved in ARS by volunteering for school events throughout the school year or by offering an after-school club for our students by signing up here.

Student success results from our shared commitment as students, parents, and staff. I am excited and looking forward to our partnership to achieve our collective goals with our dedicated parents and the talented faculty and staff for the upcoming school year.

Please know that 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.

I look forward to a year of growth, achievement, and memorable experiences. Let us embrace this journey together, supporting and encouraging one another. Please, find the school year calendar attached here.

I wish you all a terrific start to the school year!

JazakAllah Khair,

Sr. Mehnaz Fatima

Principal

Please find some announcements and reminders posted below:

Ice cream Social: Aug 19, 2023, from 11: 00 am to 1: 00 pm

Parents and students can meet with other families and students while enjoying a scoop of ice cream, Students will receive their ARS link cards and car dismissal numbers. 

Meet and Greet: August 25, 2023, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Parents and students must report to the main lobby to be escorted to their child’s classroom. 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 present in the lobby, insha Allah. 

First Day of School for Students: August 28, 2023,

Early Dismissal for the Kindergarten Students at 12:30 pm: ONLY August 28, 2023. Dismissal will be from the classroom on this day. 

Back to School Night: September 7, 2023, 5:00 pm to 7:00 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 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. If you wish, parents are allowed to drop their children off in the main lobby for the first two weeks. 

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 the dashboard of their cars 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 classroom. Parents must park their cars in the parking lot and come inside the building to pick up their children from their classrooms, insha Allah.  Please, find details for the Monday- Friday schedule posted below.

During the first week, please, be patient with the administrators as they may ask for your IDs, especially for new families. Please, have your ID readily available if it is requested. 

Before Care and After Care Program: 

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

Students being 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, September 11, 2023. 

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 your eligibility for the voucher for the Before and Aftercare services here. 

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

Late Pick-Up: 

Please, be aware that students that are 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, September 11, 2023. 

Uniforms: 

All students are required to be in proper uniform. The school will allow a transition period of two weeks, from August 28 thru September 8, 2023, for those families who have ordered and are waiting for their shipment to arrive. 

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/or 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. 

Lunch Timings:

Monday thru Thursday: 

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

Grades 4-8: 12:48 pm to 1:25 pm 

Friday: 

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

Alhamdulilah, the ISB Barakah Bistro, is open and will provide lunches to the students from Monday thru Friday. The menu will be shared closer to the start date of the school, Aug 28, 2023. Students must use a “My ARS Link” card to pay for their lunches. In the case of a missing or lost card, students must pay via cash until they obtain their missing or new card. 

My ARS Link Card: 

School staff will provide the new My ARS Link card to the returning students on Ice cream social Aug 19, and Meet and Greet on Aug 25. For New students, ARS staff will take pictures on Aug 19 to create the cards. I’ll be available to be picked up on Aug 25 during Meet and Greet.

“My ARS Link” card serves as a combined Student ID, Meal Card, and School Library Card. 

• Student ID Card: Helps school staff and security identify enrolled students to allow access to secured school premises.
• Meal Card: Pay for their meals at the Barakah Bistro at ISB.
• School Library Card: Check out textbooks, materials, and resources. 

Please, know that the barcode number and PIN on the back of the card will be required when reloading funds. 

Frequently Asked Questions, FAQs:

1. How do I load funds onto the card?

Funds can be added by scanning the QR on the rear side of the card or by visiting isb.org/reload.  The 16-digit Square barcode number (at the bottom of the back of your card) and PIN would be needed to add funds. 

2. What to do if the card is lost?  Can the card be canceled? What happens to the funds remaining on the lost card?

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 a new card.

3. Is there a fee for replacement cards?

There is a $5 fee for replacement cards which will be added as an incidental charge to the monthly FACTS bill. 

What happens if there are insufficient funds on the card when my child goes to purchase a meal?

Students will still receive their lunch meal, and an incidental charge will be added to their monthly FACTS bill. Please email [email protected] for any additional questions.

Salah: 

(i) Dhuhr Salah: 

Grades KG-1: Students will pray dhuhr salah in the class, and later they will transition to the musalah. Students must bring their own prayer rug. They are responsible for washing it and keeping it clean. 

Grades 2nd-8th: Students will pray dhuhr salah in the musalah. Students may bring their own prayer rug. They are responsible for washing it and keeping it clean. 

(ii) Jumuah Salah: 

Grades 2nd – 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 it is appropriate and possible.

Student General Schedule:

Your child will receive their class schedule on Monday, Aug 28, 2023, from their homeroom teacher.  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 as they may ask for your IDs, especially for new families. Please, have your ID readily available if it is 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 it is 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 are unable to 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 student to activate their email addresses using the guide posted here:

We have set up Al-Rahmah School emails for all of our 2023-2024 students to provide easy access to resources, updates and communications for both students and parents.

We value our students’ privacy and online safety and due to this reason 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, WordWall, Quizlet, etc.

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

In the case that 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 and/or to recover or change passwords.

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

Please reset the password for your child’s account from the account security settings before using it, to know more please click here.