Al-Arqam School Parent Orientation | September 8th, 2019

1. AL-ARQAM SCHOOLWWW.ALARQAMSCHOOL.ORG2019-2020 Parent Orientation Sunday , September 8th, 2019 Abeer OdehAbushama

2. Agenda: • Welcome and Introduction • School Overview • PTA and Volunteering • Conclusion / Q& A • School Tour

3. Al-Arqam School… • Al-Arqam is a supplemental school that offers students an education in Arabic, Quran, and Islamic Studies equal to that offered at full time Islamic schools. • Two day School, Fridays and Sundays • Teaches four subjects: Quran, Tajweed, Arabic and Islamic Studies

4. Al-Arqam School • Al-Arqam was founded in March, 2000 by Br. Ahmed Dwidar and Sr. AzzaFahmi. It started with one class, 4 students and two teachers. • Currently, Al-Arqam school has 19 classes, almost 250 students, a committee, a principal, three head teachers, 37 teachers, one office manager, PTA, and babysitter

5. Al-Arqam School / Head Teachers

6. Governance • School account is managed by the MCA Controller and the MCA Treasury. • The Committee: board@alarqamschool.org • Br. Asim Khan (Chairman) • Br. Ahmad Itani • Br. AhbaidGaffoor • Sr. SamahAlbilazy • Responsible for: • School Policies and Procedures • Long term planning

7. Communication • Muntazim system: https://mohid.co/muntazim • Log in and update information • School files, homework assignments, grades, tuition, etc… • Dismissal and withdrawal through office only

8. Communication • Today all teachers will upload an assignment with the title Class Subject ”Introduction Letter” Example: 2B&2D IS Introduction Letter • Please go over the introduction letter with your child as it has important information about each class ( teacher, supplies, rules, etc…)

9. Communication • Starting 9/15 and every Sunday after, teachers will be adding an assignment containing all information to be sent to parents • No more weekly emails • Format used: Class Subject “Week of “ Date Examples: Beginner A&C Quran&Tajweed Week of 9/15 1B&1D IS Week of 9/15 3C Arabic Week of 9/15 • File uploaded with these assignments contains all information for the whole week ( class update, homework, study guide, etc..) • All other assignments will only be added for grading purposes and they will not have any attached files

10. Communication • Assignments can be found in the ”Student Activities” section • Attendance and Classwork • Grades can be found under the “Real Time Report Card” Section • Files from principal can be found on the dashboard under section “Parent’s Documents”

11. Grade Breakdown

12. Communication • School Website: www.alarqamschool.org • Email Addresses: • Principal: principal@alarqamschool.org • Office Manager: admin@alarqamschool.org • Board: board@alarqamschool.org • Bimonthly Newsletter: Please send your contributions to “Al-Arqam Proud” page! • Phone Number: 408-727-7277 ext 401

13. Calendar

15. Classroom Schedule

17. Floor Plan

19. Notes Regarding the Floorplan • Every Friday, room #22 will be used by GIS for their after school extended care program. • Class 1D will move to room #1 every Friday • Layout due to GIS class distribution

20. Book List

22. Notes Regarding the Booklist • Beginner Arabic books can be purchased from the office ($20 each) • All other books can be purchased from the MCA Bookstore

23. Operations and Policies Overview

24. Arrival/ Tardiness • Good Arrival Times: • Arrive by 12:15pm on Sundays • Arrive by 4:15pm on Fridays • Tardy: • Arriving after 12:35pm on Sundays • Arriving after 4:35pm on Fridays • Student must have a tardy permission slip to join the class late • Miss the first period if 15 minutes late: • Sundays 12:45 • Fridays 4:45 • Students have to wait in the office for next period

25. Classroom Interruption • Parents are not allowed to interrupt or delay the class period. • Discuss your child’s concerns when teacher is available outside of the classroom hours and not at drop off or pick up time. • Early Dismissal: Parents sign the student out and wait for him/her in the office.

26. Prayer Time • Sunday: Duhr prayer time (2:20 p.m.) (subject to change) • Friday: Asr prayer time (5:25 p.m.) (subject to change) • Level 3-Level 7 pray jamaa every Friday and Sunday. • Every Friday, one beginner level class and one level 2 class pray jamaa • Every Sunday, one level 1 class and one level 2 class pray jamaa • Teachers accompany students for Salah in Women’s Prayer Hall • Teachers and Volunteers make the transitions between Salah and class as short as possible. • Students lead Salat (Imam) and Athkar and Duaa before and after Salat • Students return to their classes with their teachers.

27. Prayer Time/ Reminders • Discuss continuously the importance of being respectful to Prayer Hall and Salat time • Shoes with no laces please! • Personal hygene! • Follow dress code (Refer to Student Handbook) • Girls 11 and up should wear hijab to school • No shorts for boys 11 and up • Hijab for all girls to wear at Salat time • Modest Clothes …

28. Lunch Break • Lunch Options • Pack a home lunch. • Buy from cafeteria • Subscribe to PTA lunch ($110 for the whole year) • During Lunch: • Students may be at the playground or having lunch in the cafeteria. • Volunteers supervise students • After Lunch: • Students line-up next to their classroom door at 3:20pm • Students are not allowed in the class without adult supervision • No eating inside the classrooms after lunch

29. Classroom Discipline • Teachers use a Student Reward System to encourage and motivate students. • Teachers use student evaluation notebook to evaluate and assist struggling students. • If these strategies are not enough, the student is sent to the office to sign a student behavior contract. • If unacceptable behavior, absenteeism, tardiness, incomplete homework and class disturbance continues, parents are notified for a parent teacher conference.

30. Classroom Discipline • Cell phone use is absolutely prohibited inside classrooms. • Students are not allowed to bring toys to school. • In case of violation, items (including cell phones) will be taken away by the teacher and sent to the office. Items will only be returned to a parent/guardian • In case of GIS property damage, parents of student responsible will be liable for cost of replacement/repair • Please refer to the student handbook for more details

31. Dismissal • School ends…. • Sundays: 5:15 pm • Fridays: 6:45 pm • Teachers dismiss students only to parents or guardians ( except students allowed to be dismissed by themselves). • Early dismissal must be authorized by the office. • Students to take all possessions before leaving school premises. • Teachers escort students whose parents were more than 10 minutes late to the baby sitting room ($15 charge/child/hour)

32. PARENTS’ RESPONSIBILITIES • Drop off and pick up students on time • Update your information and emergency contacts • Make sure your child has all books and school supplies every time they come to school • Make sure your child clothes are in compliance with the school’s dress code • Check to make sure your child finishes his/her homework • Stay in touch with your child’s teachers and follow up when teachers have concerns about the student’s performance • Do your volunteer hours • Go over the student handbook with your child • Be involved… We want to hear from you!

33. Volunteering • Purpose • Strengthen student, school, and parent relationship. • Enrich our school with activities • Ensure student safety • Required • 20 hours per family • Volunteer hours have to be finished by 5/1/2019

34. Areas of volunteering/ Committed Tasks • Photographer • Students Certificates • Newsletter • PTA helper

35. Areas of Volunteering/ Other Tasks • Hallway monitoring – Fridays and Sundays (5) • Lunch supervision – Sundays only ( minimum 8 ) • Events (Hajj Simulation coming up) • Office work • Take home tasks • Storage for Al –Arqam (2)

39. Door Volunteers • Please stay at the assigned doors at all times. • If you have to leave your spot for any reason, let other volunteers know and ask them to cover for you • Give students tardy slips for the first 15 minutes after school begins • Send students who are more than 15 minutes late to the office • Only parents with a visitor/volunteer badge are allowed in hallways when classes are in session. • Please stay in your spot and do not take any breaks during lunch. • When using a chair from classrooms, please return it back to the same classroom at the end of the school day. • Do not allow students to leave school without an adult even if teacher sends them

40. Volunteers Near Bathrooms • Please supervise students at the bathrooms at all times. • If you have to leave your spot for any reason, let other volunteers know and ask them to cover for you • Make sure that the students do not waste time. • Do not go inside the bathroom unless there is an emergency • Please stay in your spot and do not take any breaks during lunch.

41. Lunch Volunteers • Please meet PTA members outside at 2:30 • You will be given a vest and assigned a spot • Please stay attentive and remember you are in charge of students in your spot • After lunch please check the area for students and return items students forgot to lost and found • Return vest and record your hours

42. School Events

43. Policy for Missing Hours • $25 for each missing hour after 5/1/2020

44. Volunteering Reminders • Please take your tasks seriously, we count on you!!! • If you would like to cancel your signup, please do so as soon as possible • Add date/time to your calendar or take a picture of sign up sheet • During lunch all volunteers should be in their spots. Please do not take a break during lunch • Please remember to record your volunteer hours in the binder in the office (Check Children’s names as we have many families with the same name) • No babysitting for volunteer parents • Please pick a task that matches your time and interest • We hope you will enjoy your time with us!

45. PTA

46. Al-Arqam PTA • Began in 2012 • Lunch every Sunday • Gifts for events and throughout the year ( rewards) • Year book and calendar • Spirit days winner prizes • Email Address: 2alarqampta@gmail.com

47. Support the PTA • Donations • Buy the Year book • Buy the Calendar • Buy Lunch • Volunteer with PTA • Provide feedback

48. Jazakum Allah Khairan !! AbeerOdehAbushama principal@alarqamschool.org