TERPS TIDBITS

Dear Arnold Families,

School Start Time

With spring in the air and spring sports starting, we know bed times are sometimes later. Just a reminder that students are expected to be their classes by 8:00am. Our doors open at 7:40am so students can purchase breakfast and drop off instruments.

Kindergarten Registration

This Tuesday, Kindergarten registration opens for next school year. It is an online registration. Please encourage your neighbors and friends to register early so they can attend our kindergarten orientation in May.

Report Cards

Links to your child’s report card will be emailed to parents on Wednesday. Please check you email for more information.

Field Trips

This week we have two field trips. Second graders will visit Eco Adventures on Thursday and Third graders will visit the Baltimore Museum of Industry on Friday.

Volunteer Readers

Thank you to all parents who were able to come in and be a guest reader this week during media. Our students loved having you here. We look forward to our next Guest Reader week in May.

Spring Break

AACPS spring break begins this weekend, April 12-April 21. The first day back will be Tuesday, April 22nd. We hope everyone has safe travels and enjoys their break!

Have a great week!

Shauna Kauffman

Principal

Kristin Addleman

Assistant Principal

Kindergarten Registration

It is that time of year again. Kindergarten Registration is almost here. Kindergarten registration begins on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Please use the link below to enroll your Kindergarten Student.

https://secure.aacps.org/webapps/SEFP/en-US/OSS/Enrollment

Children must be five-years-old on or before September 1 to enroll in kindergarten.

Your child will not be enrolled until all required documents have been received.

Please contact Ms. Becky at rshavatt@aacps.org with any enrollment questions.

Arnold Elementary
4/25/2025
Online Code: arnold25

https://vando.imagequix.com/J9FRB96

FIELD DAY

Mr. Gardner would like to give Arnold parents a heads up that field day is right around the corner. The date is scheduled for Friday June 6th from 815 to 1015 for K-2, and 1215 to 215 for grades 3-5. The rain date will be either Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of the following week but an exact make up day will be chosen as we get closer to field day. The Arnold newsletter will send out a sign-up genius link for parents to volunteer in early May. All volunteers must have a current background check or fingerprint card on file. Please contact Mr. Gardner at algardner@aacps.org if you have any questions.

Over the summer many families move to new homes outside of the Arnold attendance area. When a child transfers to another school, there are certain documents that need to be completed and given to the family to take to the new school when they register.

If one of the scenarios below applies to you please complete the transfer/ withdrawal form linked below and return it to the school by Friday, May 30th, 2025.

• I will be moving out of the Arnold attendance area over the summer

• I will be attending a private school next year

• I have a 5th grade student who will NOT attend Severn River Middle School

If none of the instances mentioned above apply to you, please disregard this letter.

With this information, school personnel will be able to accurately complete the necessary transfer forms, which will be given to your child on the last day of school. These transfer forms must be taken to the new school at the time of registration.

Transfer/ Withdrawal Form

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Becky at rshavatt@aacps.org.

Vacation Planning

To help you with vacation planning and to avoid extra days out of school, we want to share a list of the weekdays between now and the end of the school year that are holidays or break time.  Hopefully you will plan family vacations during these days off so your child will not lose important instructional time and fall behind.

• April 14th – 21st – Spring Break (vacation could be from 4/12-4/21)

• Monday, May 26th – Memorial Day

• June 14th-August 24th-Summer Break (Dependent on inclement weather days)

Volunteer and Chaperone Information

Thank you for showing interest in chaperoning/ volunteering at Arnold Elementary! We appreciate you taking the time to help our school, however, in order to volunteer/ chaperone, you must complete either a commercial background check or get fingerprinted at the Board of Education. Here’s some information on what you should do!

All applications should be submitted electronically at least 3 weeks prior to the intended school event.

Best practice is to complete a background check at the beginning of the school year!

Commercial Background Checks

Who needs a commercial background check?

• All chaperones and volunteers without one-on-one unsupervised or unrestricted access to students

• Must be done through AACPS, regardless of clearance or completion through another provider.

• If you already have a fingerprint card, you do not need to complete a commercial background check! Please bring the fingerprint card to the school so that we can make a copy of it to have on file.

How long does a commercial background check last?

• Two (2) years

How much does it cost to complete a background check?

• They are free to apply/complete!

How do I apply for a commercial background check?

• Go to https://onboard.screenid.net/gen/inquiries/ and select continue.

• Input the information required and select submit.

• Once you press submit, go to your email and continue with the process via the link in the email from ScreenID

Fingerprint Cards

Who needs to get fingerprinted?

• All overnight volunteers or chaperones

• All drown proofing volunteers or chaperones.

• All Polar Bear Plunge volunteer and chaperones

• Any volunteer or chaperone with one-on-one unsupervised/ unrestricted access to children

• Student teachers

• All Student Services Interns/ Practicum students

• Any intern with one-on-one unsupervised/unrestricted access to children

How long does a fingerprint card last?

• Forever/ We keep fingerprint cards on file for as long as your students are in the school.

• Keep your fingerprint card where you can find it

• Once you receive it, stop by the school so we can make a copy of it to have on file.

How much does it cost to get fingerprinted?

• Sixty-five dollars ($65.00)

How do I get fingerprinted?

• Fingerprint-supported background checks must be scheduled through the Fingerprinting Office at 410-222-5045.

• The Fingerprinting Office is located at the AACPS Central Office on Riva Road and is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, during the school year.

Volunteer/ Chaperone Video

Where can I find the video?

• You can find the Sexual Harassment/ Child Abuse Training Video here at https://www.aacps.org/Page/2460

Do I need to fill out the Volunteer Video Verification form?

• Yes! Please fill out the form after watching the video and submit the form to the main office!

Please contact Ms. Valerie at vaholland@aacps.org with any questions regarding your background check.