Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why are the doors all locked including the front entrance? The doors are locked after 8:05 a.m. so we can monitor who is in our buildings by having them check into the office.
Safety is important to us and locking the doors prevents people from entering without anyone knowing.
Arnold Elementary has aquired a new system to help protect our children. V-soft helps track visitors, students, faculty, contractors and volunteers at our school to provide a safer more monitored environment for the students.
Parents/Visitors should present a valid state issued ID when checking in at the school office. Public sex-offender database information is used to screen visitors as well as private alert data entered by the school on custody issues and restraining orders. This is NOT a background search, no other criminal intormation is searched or provided such as traffic tickets, warrants, felonies, etc.
Privacy Policy:The data collected is exclusively for the use of the school, school district and law enforecement only. This information is NOT sold or shared with ANY outside sources.
What is the student sign-out process?Effective, May 4, 2008 we are implementing a new student sign-out system. Anytime you sign your child out, you will need to provide a drivers license. We will then scan your driver’s license instead of signing the binder in the office or in the health room. Please call the office if you have any questions.
Why doesn't Arnold provide more recess time? We follow county guidelines of 45 mins for lunch and recess. Students in grades 3 - 5 have the option of getting 10 additional minutes in recess time if they finish lunch with 20 minutes.
My child's teacher is excellent. How can I report his/her efforts?
Write a note to the teacher and give a copy to the principal to be added to the teacher file. Send a letter to the Regional Director.
I am concerned with my child's teacher, who can I talk to?
Talk to the teacher about your concerns first, and if necessary have a discussion with the school counselor. If you still have questions, reach out the the Principal as the final step.
My child is being bullied, what can I do to stop this?
Report the incident as soon as possible to the teacher or counselor.
My child needs extra help in understanding his/her work, what are our options?
Notify the teacher as soon as possible.
Can I eat lunch with my child?
Yes
Why do we have so many fundraising efforts?
With the shrinking school budgets, our PTA plays a large role in helping to provide our students with cultural arts and enrichment programs, technology equipment, and to offset costs on basic classroom materials and school supplies that are needed to help our children succeed.
Our PTA has only one official Fundraiser and that is Innisbrook. There are other opportunities to raise additional funds (i.e. Fall Festival, Father Daughter Dance etc.) that although they are social and community events, your participation allows us to generate income for our PTA. We can also get money for our school by participating in our Community Partners program.
How can busy parents get involved in PTA or school initiatives?
Parents can get involved by volunteering in their child’s classroom. This can be done by checking with the teacher or the room parent to match schedules. Many teachers have things that can be done at home for parents who cannot come during the school day.
Parents can also participate in PTA and can show their support by joining and or by contacting the PTA President for board positions or to participate in activities sponsored by the PTA. Arnold also has a Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) made up of parents and staff. This position is elected in the spring. Parents interested in being on the CAC can contact the office. The CAC meets at least four times per year to review budget, curriculum, policies, grading, and other educational issues. The group also investigates transportation, redistricting issues and can serve on committees.
Parents can also support the school by collecting box tops and Campbells labels and by participating in our PTA Community Partner programs.
What can we do to get more school club/enrichment programs that kids wouldn't get during regular school hours? Arnold offers, thanks to parent volunteers, a number of after-school clubs which meet for four to eight weeks in winter and in spring. One of the newest and most popular is “Girls on the Run”, a fitness endeavor for grades 3-5. Chess, yoga, book clubs, dance, and scrap-booking are some of the other offerings.
What additional activities are offered at Arnold outside of the "regular" course curriculum?
Arnold offers co-curricular programs to stretch student achievement, including “24”, a math competition, Young Authors, Science Fair, and the Black Saga Competition, where teams from all over Maryland test their knowledge of African-American contributions to American History. Beginning in third grade, students may take twice-weekly lessons from a strings teacher. Fourth and fifth graders have the option of joining the Arnold band and fifth grade can participate in the Honors Chorus.
What kind of help can I get from the Guidance Counselor at Arnold? Our Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Dana Smith, conducts monthly lessons in each class, on topics ranging from friendship to bully-proofing to study skills. She also meets with students individually and in small groups to provide mentoring, individual or group counseling. Mrs. Smith can also provide parent and teacher consultations to listen to concerns and help develop plan of action, and is a much-utilized resource by parents. There is a resource center in the school lobby that contains books, video and other material that parents may sign out and borrow.
What opportunities do children have to take on leadership roles in school? Children have opportunities to take on leadership roles by being cross-grade reading buddies, peer mediators, student organizers, and classroom ambassadors who assist the staff to ensure that the climate at school is supportive and conducive to learning. Fourth-grade announcers share announcements by conducting opening activities each morning.
Still can't find your answer? Send us a note via the "Contact Us" link.