Thanking Our Sponsors
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Message from the Executive Director
Dear Parents and Families,
Wow! What an incredible evening we shared at our Iftar Benefit. Seeing our community come together with such warmth, generosity, and spirit was truly moving. Your presence didn't just fill the room; it fueled our mission.
From the bottom of our hearts: Thank you. Your ongoing support allows us to provide the best possible environment for our students to thrive, and we are deeply grateful for your partnership.
We are officially entering the "Championship Season" of the school year. Our students are gearing up for their End-of-Year Standardized Tests and Finals. We are finishing up the curriculum and tying up all loose ends. Now is the time to keep that momentum high! Let’s encourage them to stay focused, get plenty of rest, and give it their absolute best.
We are also buzzing with excitement as we prepare to celebrate our incredible graduates! Please mark your calendars for our upcoming ceremonies:
These milestones are a testament to your hard work as parents and their dedication as students. Let’s make these celebrations unforgettable!
Learning shouldn't stop when the final bell rings! We want to keep our students engaged, active, and inspired all summer long. Our Summer Program is designed to blend academic enrichment with high-energy fun, ensuring they return in the fall sharper than ever.
Don't let the "summer slide" happen—let's turn June and July into a season of growth and discovery!
Ready to join the fun? Space is limited! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE SUMMER PROGRAM 🔗
Let’s carry the energy from our IFTAR into these final weeks. Thank you for being the heartbeat of our school community. Together, we are finishing this year stronger than ever!
Hatem Elagha
Executive Director
Kindi Academy
Wow! What an incredible evening we shared at our Iftar Benefit. Seeing our community come together with such warmth, generosity, and spirit was truly moving. Your presence didn't just fill the room; it fueled our mission.
From the bottom of our hearts: Thank you. Your ongoing support allows us to provide the best possible environment for our students to thrive, and we are deeply grateful for your partnership.
We are officially entering the "Championship Season" of the school year. Our students are gearing up for their End-of-Year Standardized Tests and Finals. We are finishing up the curriculum and tying up all loose ends. Now is the time to keep that momentum high! Let’s encourage them to stay focused, get plenty of rest, and give it their absolute best.
We are also buzzing with excitement as we prepare to celebrate our incredible graduates! Please mark your calendars for our upcoming ceremonies:
- Kindergarten: Our littlest learners taking their first big step: May 20th @ 6PM
- 3rd Grade: Transitioning into the upper elementary years: May 21st @ 6PM
- 8th Grade: Ready to tackle the challenges of High School: June 6th @ 11 AM
- High School Class of 2026: Pursuing their fields of passion: June 6th @ 11 AM
These milestones are a testament to your hard work as parents and their dedication as students. Let’s make these celebrations unforgettable!
Learning shouldn't stop when the final bell rings! We want to keep our students engaged, active, and inspired all summer long. Our Summer Program is designed to blend academic enrichment with high-energy fun, ensuring they return in the fall sharper than ever.
Don't let the "summer slide" happen—let's turn June and July into a season of growth and discovery!
Ready to join the fun? Space is limited! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE SUMMER PROGRAM 🔗
Let’s carry the energy from our IFTAR into these final weeks. Thank you for being the heartbeat of our school community. Together, we are finishing this year stronger than ever!
Hatem Elagha
Executive Director
Kindi Academy
Message from the Curriculum Director
Greetings Eagles,
It’s hard to believe that we’re in April already…the year seems to be going by faster and faster. There’s lots happening around the school these last couple months of the school year. Students are putting in their best efforts in their classes, and teachers are working diligently to provide excellent lessons and learning opportunities for all our students.
This month, students in Grades 4-8 will be preparing for the Iowa Assessments. These standardized tests give us a good idea of where students are performing at their grade level. In the coming weeks, students will be preparing during class with their teachers to ensure they are ready when the time comes to take the tests in May!
Additionally, our High School students are gearing up for their AP Exams. We are proud to offer many Advanced Placement courses at Kindi, including AP World History, AP US History, AP Language and Composition, AP Precalculus, AP Calculus, AP Psychology, AP Physics 1, AP US Government, and AP Microeconomics, with plans in place to introduce AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics C in the Fall! In all courses, we are now transitioning to preparing for the exams during class time for the month of April, to ensure students are adequately prepared to rock their exams and potentially earn college credit. Our AP Team consists of Mr. Dan Aukst, Dr. Mark Jones, Ms. Quratulain Khalid, Ms. Meghan Mullin, and Ms. Sanjukta Paul. I applaud my colleagues on the AP Team for their hard work and dedication to student success!
While test preparation is definitely a priority-item this month, our students are thrilled to be partaking in the Outdoor Educational Opportunities at Timber Lee for Grades 4 to High School and White Pines Ranch for Grades 1 to 3. These trips provide valuable experiences for our students to take learning beyond the walls of the classroom. These trips, along with the various field trips students take monthly in the school, sets us apart from any other school…we value and integrate these learning opportunities for our students as an integral part of our curricular programming in the school.
As if this month was not busy enough, we will be working with our 8th Graders and High School students on solidifying their Course Plans for the upcoming school year, and working on other exciting projects within the College and Career Readiness courses. These opportunities give students the chance to explore their passions and interests to see what career(s) align with them.
The success of our students is truly due to the collaborative team-spirit throughout the school…without the hard-work and dedication of our faculty, the efforts of our students, and the support of parents and the community, nothing would be possible! I applaud all of you for your continued support and dedication to our mission. We’re not just preparing learners, we’re preparing the Next Generation of Leaders!
If you have any questions regarding our academic offerings here at Kindi, please feel free to contact me via email at [email protected].
Go Eagles, Go!
Sevim Memisovski
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Kindi Academy
It’s hard to believe that we’re in April already…the year seems to be going by faster and faster. There’s lots happening around the school these last couple months of the school year. Students are putting in their best efforts in their classes, and teachers are working diligently to provide excellent lessons and learning opportunities for all our students.
This month, students in Grades 4-8 will be preparing for the Iowa Assessments. These standardized tests give us a good idea of where students are performing at their grade level. In the coming weeks, students will be preparing during class with their teachers to ensure they are ready when the time comes to take the tests in May!
Additionally, our High School students are gearing up for their AP Exams. We are proud to offer many Advanced Placement courses at Kindi, including AP World History, AP US History, AP Language and Composition, AP Precalculus, AP Calculus, AP Psychology, AP Physics 1, AP US Government, and AP Microeconomics, with plans in place to introduce AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics C in the Fall! In all courses, we are now transitioning to preparing for the exams during class time for the month of April, to ensure students are adequately prepared to rock their exams and potentially earn college credit. Our AP Team consists of Mr. Dan Aukst, Dr. Mark Jones, Ms. Quratulain Khalid, Ms. Meghan Mullin, and Ms. Sanjukta Paul. I applaud my colleagues on the AP Team for their hard work and dedication to student success!
While test preparation is definitely a priority-item this month, our students are thrilled to be partaking in the Outdoor Educational Opportunities at Timber Lee for Grades 4 to High School and White Pines Ranch for Grades 1 to 3. These trips provide valuable experiences for our students to take learning beyond the walls of the classroom. These trips, along with the various field trips students take monthly in the school, sets us apart from any other school…we value and integrate these learning opportunities for our students as an integral part of our curricular programming in the school.
As if this month was not busy enough, we will be working with our 8th Graders and High School students on solidifying their Course Plans for the upcoming school year, and working on other exciting projects within the College and Career Readiness courses. These opportunities give students the chance to explore their passions and interests to see what career(s) align with them.
The success of our students is truly due to the collaborative team-spirit throughout the school…without the hard-work and dedication of our faculty, the efforts of our students, and the support of parents and the community, nothing would be possible! I applaud all of you for your continued support and dedication to our mission. We’re not just preparing learners, we’re preparing the Next Generation of Leaders!
If you have any questions regarding our academic offerings here at Kindi, please feel free to contact me via email at [email protected].
Go Eagles, Go!
Sevim Memisovski
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Kindi Academy
Social Counselor's Corner
Dear Kindi Community,
I hope everyone had a nice and restful Spring Break and was able to spend some quality time with family. It’s been great having the students back and getting back into our routines.
I honestly can’t believe we’re already getting close to the end of the school year. I’ve truly enjoyed this year and getting to work with your children, it’s been very meaningful for me.
For the month of April, we’re focusing on Respect. This is something we talk about often with students, but it’s also something we continue to build and revisit throughout the year. Respect shows up in simple, everyday ways, how students speak to each other, how they handle disagreements, how they listen, and how they carry themselves in different spaces.
In my conversations with students, we’ve been talking about how respect is not just about others, but also about how we treat ourselves. When students slow down, think before reacting, and take responsibility for their choices, you really start to see that growth.
From a psychological perspective, respect is closely tied to self-awareness and emotional regulation. When students learn to respect themselves, they begin to make more thoughtful choices, manage their emotions more effectively, and develop a stronger sense of responsibility. At the same time, showing respect to others helps build trust, strengthen relationships, and create a safe and supportive school environment.
I’ve also been continuing to spend time connecting with students across different grades, and it’s always a reminder that when students feel heard and supported, everything else starts to fall into place a little more smoothly.
Thank you, as always, for your support and partnership.
Warm Regards,
Ms Huda Aljouda
School Counselor
Eagles of the Month
It’s time to celebrate our Eagles of the Month for February.
Please join me in congratulating:
6-9
R3
G1- Minha Malick
G2- Jude Watti
G3- Muhammad Osman
R4
G1- Arya Khan
G2- Miral Mohammed
G3- Mustafa Suhail
R7
G1- Leen Abukifa
G2- Janina Luna
G3- Yusuf Murtaza
R8
G1- Arya Israr
G2-Mia Alnajmi
G3- Layla Hassan
4th Grade
Layana Sulayman
Amin Kan
Yazan Karzoun
Zain Alameri
Jawari Chaudhary
Yasin Akhtar
5th Grade
Ayra Khan
Khalil Siddqui
Huzayfa Farooqui
Humzah Ahmed
Maryam Umair
6th Grade
Musa Ali
Taha Chaudri
Ibrahim Masood
7th Grade
Mustafa Hussein
Zain Eladwiy
Hamza Nouraldin
8th Grade
Sara Kabani
Umair Wahhab
Muzzamil Suhail
Haneen Siddique
Hanaan Uddin
Inaya Humayum
High School: Zaid Abdul Jaleel, Reem Adhami, amina shejah,
Thank you for being shining examples of what it means to be a true Eagle.
Keep soaring high! 🦅✨
Please join me in congratulating:
6-9
R3
G1- Minha Malick
G2- Jude Watti
G3- Muhammad Osman
R4
G1- Arya Khan
G2- Miral Mohammed
G3- Mustafa Suhail
R7
G1- Leen Abukifa
G2- Janina Luna
G3- Yusuf Murtaza
R8
G1- Arya Israr
G2-Mia Alnajmi
G3- Layla Hassan
4th Grade
Layana Sulayman
Amin Kan
Yazan Karzoun
Zain Alameri
Jawari Chaudhary
Yasin Akhtar
5th Grade
Ayra Khan
Khalil Siddqui
Huzayfa Farooqui
Humzah Ahmed
Maryam Umair
6th Grade
Musa Ali
Taha Chaudri
Ibrahim Masood
7th Grade
Mustafa Hussein
Zain Eladwiy
Hamza Nouraldin
8th Grade
Sara Kabani
Umair Wahhab
Muzzamil Suhail
Haneen Siddique
Hanaan Uddin
Inaya Humayum
High School: Zaid Abdul Jaleel, Reem Adhami, amina shejah,
Thank you for being shining examples of what it means to be a true Eagle.
Keep soaring high! 🦅✨
Eid Celebration
EID MUBARAK!
Subhan Allah — how swiftly the blessed days of Ramadan have passed. It feels
like just yesterday we welcomed this sacred month, and now bided it farewell.
Throughout Ramadan, the school was filled with a spiritual energy that inspired
reflection, growth, and unity.
We embraced this holy time by focusing on Quranic recitation and
memorization across all grade levels. Lessons also centered around
the importance of worship, the virtues it brings, and the etiquette and rulings
of fasting. Students explored the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and
our collective duty towards the less fortunate, nurturing values of empathy,
generosity, and moral excellence.
Subhan Allah — how swiftly the blessed days of Ramadan have passed. It feels
like just yesterday we welcomed this sacred month, and now bided it farewell.
Throughout Ramadan, the school was filled with a spiritual energy that inspired
reflection, growth, and unity.
We embraced this holy time by focusing on Quranic recitation and
memorization across all grade levels. Lessons also centered around
the importance of worship, the virtues it brings, and the etiquette and rulings
of fasting. Students explored the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and
our collective duty towards the less fortunate, nurturing values of empathy,
generosity, and moral excellence.
News from our 3-6 Classrooms
“When children come into contact with nature, they reveal their true strength.” — Maria Montessori
We hope everyone had a wonderful spring/Eid break! As spring brings new life and transformation to our environment, it’s the perfect time to explore life cycles with the children. Teachers will be introducing a variety of life cycles—such as butterflies, frogs, chickens, bees, turtles, and ladybugs—and we are always excited to follow the children’s curiosity wherever it leads.
Each classroom has received caterpillars and is eagerly awaiting their transformation. Each day, the caterpillars grow bigger as they munch away—soon, they will begin spinning their chrysalides!
We were also delighted to welcome the children back with a joyful Eid celebration at school. The day was filled with excitement, including face painting, cotton candy, popcorn, and the opportunity for each child to decorate their own Eid gift bag. It was a wonderful way to celebrate together as a community and create special memories.
As the world around us begins to bloom, the children will observe budding trees, blossoming flowers, and other signs of new life during outdoor play. They will also learn about how plants grow, including the process of germination and the important roles each part of a plant plays in helping it thrive.
Earlier in March, we enjoyed a fun in-school field trip from RC Juggle Entertainment. The show was filled with music, juggling, and balloon creations, and each child had the opportunity to take home a balloon animal, sword, or hat.
As the school year quickly winds down, we are making the most of every moment. Our students are working diligently toward their end-of-year academic goals, and our kindergarteners have begun rehearsing for their graduation program, which will take place at the end of May.
We look forward to a joyful and meaningful final stretch of the school year, filled with growth, discovery, and celebration. Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership.
~ The 3–6 Montessori Team
Arabic, Quran & Islamic Studies- Ms Nareman Srour
It has been a fun and productive month in our Arabic classes! Students successfully finished learning the Arabic letters ع، غ، ك، م and practiced using them with new vocabulary words and engaging activities to strengthen their reading and writing skills.
In addition, we talked about the month of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid. In Arabic class, students learned new vocabulary words related to Ramadan, helping them understand and use language connected to this special time.
To make learning even more enjoyable, students participated in interactive songs and activities about different topics such as colors, shapes, school, body parts, numbers, and more. The classroom has been filled with energy as students learn through music, movement, and participation.
Islamic Studies
In Islamic Studies, students have been learning about the stories of the Prophets. We discussed the inspiring stories of Prophet Adam (AS), Prophet Nuh (AS), and Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and talked about the important lessons we can learn from their lives.
We also discussed the importance of the month of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid, and what makes these occasions special for Muslims around the world.
Quran
• KG students have been memorizing Surah Al-Qadr.
• Preschool students have started memorizing Surah Al-Asr.
• During every class, students also review the short surahs Surah An-Nas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah Al-Ikhlas to strengthen their memorization.
Spanish (Ms Maria Herrero)
Students in the 3–6 program worked with the song “La finca del Tío Ramón” (Uncle
Ramón’s Farm), about a farmer and his farm animals. Regarding “La araña pequeñita”
(The Itsy Bitsy Spider), we introduced it in February, and during March we continued
singing the song and reinforcing its learning.
We also took advantage of the beginning of spring to review the seasons, the weather,
and colors by playing Bingo. In addition, we played games such as Memory, where
students learned spring vocabulary, and we practiced numbers by counting gold coins.
Updates from Our 6-9 Classroom
Ms Mehreen Alvi
"There is an urgent need to deepen our understanding of child development, using comparative studies, to improve and provide the best possible educational practices and environments for children"
Our students are exhibiting a more richly connected semantic memory network. This experience is of paramount importance for later cognitive and emotional outcomes. In this period of high brain plasticity children’s knowledge is acquired efficiently through statistical learning and it is significantly shaped by interactions with the environment.
Our first year students are diving into new concepts of word study (compound words, synonyms, antonyms.......) which will form a deeper understanding of language mechanics. Furthermore the reading and comprehension is embedded across the board. They are enjoying their descriptive writings with a purpose of polishing their penmanship, spellings and punctuation. New mathematical concepts of multiplication and division with 4 digits are being established for solid understanding with our special Montessori equipment. Working with these tools will help develop their divergent thinking. Addition of fractions with like denominator has been introduced. In social sciences students are exhibiting their creativity with pleasure and understanding of geography, history and science. They are taking pride in their beautifully generated projects.
The second year students are demonstrating high quality work and striving towards the acquisition of knowledge. They are focusing on the ongoing lessons of building new vocabulary and using them correctly in the context. Editing and proofreading is an ongoing work, serving as scaffolding for future writings. Advanced math materials have been introduced for multiplication and division for their future mathematical mind development. Students are excited to work with Racks and Tubes (advanced division material). Working with unlike denominators in adding fractions with our special material is expanding their cognitive development. Types of angles and their measurement have been introduced. The social sciences projects provide them the opportunity to develop their research skills tied to reading comprehension.
Our third year students' creative thinking is greatly influenced by the "Montessori Way of Learning". The validity of their work quality is evident from the vigor and enthusiasm in all of their work. They are taking pride in their reading comprehension skills, editing and proofreading, grammar, and creative writing. The introduction of pre-algebra is being actively received by the students. The abstract practice of advanced multiplication and division is being practiced. Students are engaged in understanding the angles and their measurement. They are being introduced with the measurement units of the US Customary and Metric system. Measuring Volume with isometric cubes and understanding the units of 3D solids is paving the way for future studies. Multiplying and dividing fractions will be the highlight for this month.
They loved their project of nets of 3D shapes tied with faces, edges and vertices. Projects of social sciences including Food Chains, systems of the human body and learning about US History timeline is providing them the fundamentals of the subject area. They have been introduced with the mechanism of the Three Branches of the Government.
It is important to understand that the quality of learning is more fundamental than the quantity. The more concepts are memorized with meaning, with experience, with involvement, with pleasure and personal understanding, the more they will be organized in memory in a flexible, diversified and enriched way.
Arabic- Ms Lina Eltibi
Over the past month, our Arabic lessons have been closely connected to the themes of Ramadan and Eid. Students learned new Arabic vocabulary related to Ramadan, including words connected to fasting, prayer, and good deeds. They practiced reading and understanding sentences and short texts about the importance of this blessed month.
The students were very engaged and enjoyed sharing their own family traditions during Ramadan. These discussions helped them practice speaking in Arabic while also learning from one another’s experiences.
Throughout our lessons, students practiced recognizing letters and sounds, forming simple sentences, and expanding their Arabic vocabulary through different class activities. They also worked on reading short passages and discussing the meanings of new words to strengthen their comprehension skills.
After returning from the break, our lessons focused on Eid. Students learned new vocabulary related to Eid and discussed why this day is special for Muslims. They also shared how they celebrate Eid with their families, including visiting relatives, wearing new clothes, and exchanging gifts.
Through reading, writing, interactive activities, and class discussions, students continued developing their ability to read, write, and express themselves in Arabic. It has been wonderful to see their effort and progress as they grow more confident using the Arabic language in class.
Islamic Studies- Ms Lina Eltibi
1st Grade: Prayer, Purity & the Prophet's ﷺ Way
In first grade, students are currently memorizing Surah Al-‘Aadiyat and are making good progress, Alhamdulillah. In Islamic Studies, they completed a lesson about fasting during the month of Ramadan, supported by engaging activities and discussions that helped students understand its importance. Students also learned about Eid and completed a fun activity related to the celebration. In Seerah, students learned about the Makkan period of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, gaining insight into the early life of the Prophet and the challenges he faced during that time.
2nd Grade: The Life of Rasulullah ﷺ
In second grade, students are memorizing Surah Al-‘Alaq and practicing their recitation individually in class. We completed our lesson about Ramadan along with interactive activities and discussions that helped deepen their understanding. Students also learned about Laylat Al-Qadr and why it is such a special night in Islam. In addition, we had a lesson and activity about Eid, where students learned about the joy and significance of this special celebration. In Seerah, students learned how Rasulullah ﷺ taught his family and friends, focusing on his kindness, character, and his beautiful way of teaching others.
3rd Grade: History & The Pillars of Islam
In third grade, students learned about the importance of fasting and how the blessed month of Ramadan helps Muslims grow spiritually and strengthen their relationship with Allah. They also learned about Laylat Al-Qadr and why it is such a special and significant night in Islam. Students focused on strengthening their Quran memorization and recitation, showing great effort and dedication in their learning, Alhamdulillah.
Spanish: Ms Maria Herrero
The 1st grade students began the month by playing the classic Bingo game before
Spring Break. After the break, they worked on the project based on the song “La araña
pequeñita” (The Itsy Bitsy Spider), learning and practicing high-frequency words such
as “hace calor” (it is hot), “hace frío” (it is cold), “puede” (can), “no puede” (cannot),
“no le gusta” (does not like), and “sube” (goes up). We practiced the song, read the
book, and watched the video, which they love. The project concluded with a mini book
that students took home, which includes a QR code linking to the YouTube video so
they can continue practicing at home.
The 2nd grade students began the unit Doctores y Pacientes (Doctors and Patients),
where we worked on vocabulary related to body parts. At the end of the project,
students participated in a speaking activity where some were doctors and others were
patients. The doctors asked questions such as “¿Te duele la cabeza?” (Does your head
hurt?) to find out which patient had a headache. It was a very fun and engaging activity.
The 3rd grade students worked with the story “Susanita tiene un ratón” (Susanita Has a
Mouse). This story is based on a very popular children’s song in Spanish-speaking
countries. The song includes a lot of high-frequency vocabulary such as “tiene” (has),
“come” (eats), “duerme” (sleeps), “sueña” (dreams), “juega” (plays), “le gusta” (likes),
“baila” (dances), “observa” (observes), and “canta” (sings). Students loved it, and now
we sing it every day. They will also take home the mini book with a QR code linking to
the YouTube video, which they really enjoy, so they can continue practicing at home.
"There is an urgent need to deepen our understanding of child development, using comparative studies, to improve and provide the best possible educational practices and environments for children"
Our students are exhibiting a more richly connected semantic memory network. This experience is of paramount importance for later cognitive and emotional outcomes. In this period of high brain plasticity children’s knowledge is acquired efficiently through statistical learning and it is significantly shaped by interactions with the environment.
Our first year students are diving into new concepts of word study (compound words, synonyms, antonyms.......) which will form a deeper understanding of language mechanics. Furthermore the reading and comprehension is embedded across the board. They are enjoying their descriptive writings with a purpose of polishing their penmanship, spellings and punctuation. New mathematical concepts of multiplication and division with 4 digits are being established for solid understanding with our special Montessori equipment. Working with these tools will help develop their divergent thinking. Addition of fractions with like denominator has been introduced. In social sciences students are exhibiting their creativity with pleasure and understanding of geography, history and science. They are taking pride in their beautifully generated projects.
The second year students are demonstrating high quality work and striving towards the acquisition of knowledge. They are focusing on the ongoing lessons of building new vocabulary and using them correctly in the context. Editing and proofreading is an ongoing work, serving as scaffolding for future writings. Advanced math materials have been introduced for multiplication and division for their future mathematical mind development. Students are excited to work with Racks and Tubes (advanced division material). Working with unlike denominators in adding fractions with our special material is expanding their cognitive development. Types of angles and their measurement have been introduced. The social sciences projects provide them the opportunity to develop their research skills tied to reading comprehension.
Our third year students' creative thinking is greatly influenced by the "Montessori Way of Learning". The validity of their work quality is evident from the vigor and enthusiasm in all of their work. They are taking pride in their reading comprehension skills, editing and proofreading, grammar, and creative writing. The introduction of pre-algebra is being actively received by the students. The abstract practice of advanced multiplication and division is being practiced. Students are engaged in understanding the angles and their measurement. They are being introduced with the measurement units of the US Customary and Metric system. Measuring Volume with isometric cubes and understanding the units of 3D solids is paving the way for future studies. Multiplying and dividing fractions will be the highlight for this month.
They loved their project of nets of 3D shapes tied with faces, edges and vertices. Projects of social sciences including Food Chains, systems of the human body and learning about US History timeline is providing them the fundamentals of the subject area. They have been introduced with the mechanism of the Three Branches of the Government.
It is important to understand that the quality of learning is more fundamental than the quantity. The more concepts are memorized with meaning, with experience, with involvement, with pleasure and personal understanding, the more they will be organized in memory in a flexible, diversified and enriched way.
Arabic- Ms Lina Eltibi
Over the past month, our Arabic lessons have been closely connected to the themes of Ramadan and Eid. Students learned new Arabic vocabulary related to Ramadan, including words connected to fasting, prayer, and good deeds. They practiced reading and understanding sentences and short texts about the importance of this blessed month.
The students were very engaged and enjoyed sharing their own family traditions during Ramadan. These discussions helped them practice speaking in Arabic while also learning from one another’s experiences.
Throughout our lessons, students practiced recognizing letters and sounds, forming simple sentences, and expanding their Arabic vocabulary through different class activities. They also worked on reading short passages and discussing the meanings of new words to strengthen their comprehension skills.
After returning from the break, our lessons focused on Eid. Students learned new vocabulary related to Eid and discussed why this day is special for Muslims. They also shared how they celebrate Eid with their families, including visiting relatives, wearing new clothes, and exchanging gifts.
Through reading, writing, interactive activities, and class discussions, students continued developing their ability to read, write, and express themselves in Arabic. It has been wonderful to see their effort and progress as they grow more confident using the Arabic language in class.
Islamic Studies- Ms Lina Eltibi
1st Grade: Prayer, Purity & the Prophet's ﷺ Way
In first grade, students are currently memorizing Surah Al-‘Aadiyat and are making good progress, Alhamdulillah. In Islamic Studies, they completed a lesson about fasting during the month of Ramadan, supported by engaging activities and discussions that helped students understand its importance. Students also learned about Eid and completed a fun activity related to the celebration. In Seerah, students learned about the Makkan period of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, gaining insight into the early life of the Prophet and the challenges he faced during that time.
2nd Grade: The Life of Rasulullah ﷺ
In second grade, students are memorizing Surah Al-‘Alaq and practicing their recitation individually in class. We completed our lesson about Ramadan along with interactive activities and discussions that helped deepen their understanding. Students also learned about Laylat Al-Qadr and why it is such a special night in Islam. In addition, we had a lesson and activity about Eid, where students learned about the joy and significance of this special celebration. In Seerah, students learned how Rasulullah ﷺ taught his family and friends, focusing on his kindness, character, and his beautiful way of teaching others.
3rd Grade: History & The Pillars of Islam
In third grade, students learned about the importance of fasting and how the blessed month of Ramadan helps Muslims grow spiritually and strengthen their relationship with Allah. They also learned about Laylat Al-Qadr and why it is such a special and significant night in Islam. Students focused on strengthening their Quran memorization and recitation, showing great effort and dedication in their learning, Alhamdulillah.
Spanish: Ms Maria Herrero
The 1st grade students began the month by playing the classic Bingo game before
Spring Break. After the break, they worked on the project based on the song “La araña
pequeñita” (The Itsy Bitsy Spider), learning and practicing high-frequency words such
as “hace calor” (it is hot), “hace frío” (it is cold), “puede” (can), “no puede” (cannot),
“no le gusta” (does not like), and “sube” (goes up). We practiced the song, read the
book, and watched the video, which they love. The project concluded with a mini book
that students took home, which includes a QR code linking to the YouTube video so
they can continue practicing at home.
The 2nd grade students began the unit Doctores y Pacientes (Doctors and Patients),
where we worked on vocabulary related to body parts. At the end of the project,
students participated in a speaking activity where some were doctors and others were
patients. The doctors asked questions such as “¿Te duele la cabeza?” (Does your head
hurt?) to find out which patient had a headache. It was a very fun and engaging activity.
The 3rd grade students worked with the story “Susanita tiene un ratón” (Susanita Has a
Mouse). This story is based on a very popular children’s song in Spanish-speaking
countries. The song includes a lot of high-frequency vocabulary such as “tiene” (has),
“come” (eats), “duerme” (sleeps), “sueña” (dreams), “juega” (plays), “le gusta” (likes),
“baila” (dances), “observa” (observes), and “canta” (sings). Students loved it, and now
we sing it every day. They will also take home the mini book with a QR code linking to
the YouTube video, which they really enjoy, so they can continue practicing at home.
Updates from 4th & 5th Grade
4th Grade Science-Ms. Taha
This month in our 4th Grade Science class, students explored the excited topic of energy! We learned about different types of energy and how they are used in our everyday lives.
They learned about:
Light energy- how we see objects and how light travels.
Sound energy- How sound are made and how they move through the air.
Heat energy- how heat is transferred and how it affects matter.
Kinetic energy and potential energy- The energy of motion and stored energy.
Students gains a better understanding of how energy works with the help of discussions and examples.
4th Grade English- Ms Sameena Ansari
The smart students are reading the books with interest and sharing their reflections confidently! Recently they have been working on their stories and explained their thoughts with vibrant ideas to show their creativity of imagination and the importance of readability. The adorable learners have been writing on interesting prompts to inspire each other and connect with the real life situations in which they are being taught to create amazing stories of their dreams! Activities like language games, sequencing the text, webbing to make characters shine, drawing conclusions, converting the words, analyzing the characters are being rejoiced by the learners! They loved watching the movie, “Chronicles of Narnia,” as they were able to understand the importance of creativity and the imagination that is so powerful and progressive! The students were eliciting answers while watching the film. Their responses were positive and perceptive.
4th Grade English- Ms Nicole Wakefield
In English, our 4th graders are reading Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. This book is a young adult survival novel about 13-year-old Brian Robeson, who is stranded in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash. Armed only with a hatchet, Brian survives for 54 days, learning to build shelter, hunt, and make fire, while transforming from a helpless city boy into a resilient, nature-attuned survivor. We have been focusing on reading comprehension and book vocab. In addition, we have been working on units 13 through 15 of spelling and Sadlier Vocabulary.
4th Grade English- Ms Melissa Fasiczka
In 4th grade English, we have started reading Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan. The students also completed a creative writing assignment where they wrote about and designed their own unique toy. Finally, we are continuing with the Sadlier Vocabulary program and practicing text editing each week.
4th Grade Social Studies- Melissa Fasiczka
In World Regions, we have completed our study of Eastern Europe. We are now learning about Southwest Asia, aka the Middle East, as well as North Africa. Students will be reading in depth about Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.
4th grade Arabic- Ms Heiam Elkhatib
How fun for our 4th graders to learn body parts through fun activities, labeling exercises and
speaking practice to strengthen their confidence in using Arabic in complete sentences. We also
learn vocabulary related to the month of Ramadan to connect Arabic with Islamic values.
Quran:
Students are working on memorizing and understanding Surat Al-Fajr. They are learning the meanings of the verses and reflecting on the important lessons it teaches, such as the consequences of wrongdoing and the importance of being grateful and mindful of Allah.
Islamic Studies:
Students are learning about the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم (during
his time in Makkah. They explored the protection and support given to the Prophet by his uncle, Abu Talib, and how this support helped the message of Islam continue during difficult times. Students are also learning about the hardships and suffering faced by early Muslims in Makkah before the Hijrah. Through these lessons, they are developing a deeper understanding of patience, strength, and trust in Allah during times of difficulty.
4th Grade Spanish- María Herrero
The 4th grade students focused on learning Unit 3, which we have just completed. We
worked on the months of the year, the days of the week, the expressions “hoy” (today),
“mañana” (tomorrow), and “ayer” (yesterday), “esta semana” (this week) and “la
próxima semana” (next week), places in the city, and the verb “ir” (to go) in the present
tense: “yo voy” (I go), “tú vas” (you go), and “él/ella/usted va” (he/she/you formal
goes).
4th Grade Math- Ms Nicole Wakefield
In Math, our 4th graders have been working on strengthening our divisions skills in Chapter 12. Their focus has been on dividing by two digits. This includes working with division patterns, divisors that are multiples of ten, two-digit dividends, three-digit dividends, four-digit dividends, and zero in the quotient. Our next chapter will focus on Geometry
5th Grade English- Ms Sameena Ansari
The wonderful students have been reading and reflecting deeply on the impact of challenges in the lives of the characters! They have presented their thoughts and predicted their experiences to show their understanding of the situations presented in the book. The students are encouraged to take notes, infer, evaluate, and discuss on the topics relevant to the text and compare their experiences with the ones they have presented.
The students have also expressed their feelings about what they felt about the realities of life and how the book guided them towards the end that made them enlightened! Discussions and definitions were integrated to enhance their understanding to lead them toward a progressive approach. Writing to connect with audience and share their thoughts on the importance of the book read to relate with the literature, lifestyle, and culture mentioned in the story.
Creating sentences that are creative and engaging was the main goal so that they can write meaningfully and clearly. They had written important points on the reflection of the book and did an awesome job on making word webs! Silent reading by students gave them a chance to focus deeply and speak with confidence the choices of the characters and shed light on relevance of the text.
5th grade Language Arts Ms. Ashley
English students in Ms. Ashley’s class read the thrilling tale of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe from The Chronicles of Narnia. They identified elements of fiction specifically by utilizing socratic seminars and partner discussions. The culminating project showcased the enchanted setting of Narnia as seen in students’ imaginative paintings.
5th Grade English- Ms Nicole Wakefield
In 5th grade English, we have been reading A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. This book intertwines the true 1985 story of Salva Dut, a Sudanese "Lost Boy" fleeing civil war, with the fictional 2008 story of Nya, a young girl walking miles for water. Both face extreme survival struggles before their narratives converge, highlighting resilience and how clean water access brings hope and peace to their communities. We have been focusing on reading comprehension and book vocab. In addition, we have been working on units 13 through 15 of spelling and vocabulary.
5th Grade Math- Ms Nicole Wakefield
In Math, our 5th graders finished their chapter on probability. They now have moved on to working with units of measurement. This includes customary units, metric units, time, and temperature. Our next chapter will focus on Geometry.
5th Grade Science- Ms Ella Abufeelat
Students wrapped up the unit by creating their own volcano models and simulating eruptions. It was hands-on, engaging, and a fantastic way to bring our learning to life. From understanding magma and lava to exploring different types of volcanoes, students truly “erupted” with knowledge!
Now, we are BLASTING OFF into our next adventure… our SPACE Unit! Get ready, because the sky is not the limit, it’s just the beginning!
In this new unit, students will explore:
- The solar system
- Planets and their unique features
- The sun, moon, and stars
- Space exploration and beyond
5th Grade Social Studies- Ms Melissa Fasiczka
In Ancient World History, we have just finished our discussion of the Roman Republic. Students also completed a writing project about what time period they would like to travel to if time travel were possible. They did an excellent job! Next, we are moving into the rise and fall of Julius Caesar and the transformation of Rome into an Empire.
5th Grade Ancient World History- Mr Daniel Aukst
We completed the last section of the Roman Republic. It included the three Punic Wars and the effects of the wars. We also covered important people such as Spartacus the Gracchi brothers, Julius Caesar, Octavian, Mark Anthony, and Cleopatra. We also covered the First and Second Triumvirates and the wars and results of both. Finally, students completed several worksheets to support what they learned in class and took a test on each section.
5th grade Arabic- Ms Heiam Elkhatib
Students are learning about Eid Al Fitr , where they are building vocabulary related to the celebration and understanding its meaning and traditions. They are practicing how to talk about Eid using simple and meaningful sentences. In addition, students are applying present tense verb pronouns and prepositions in their writing and speaking. They are working on forming complete sentences about Eid, describing what they do, where they go, and how they celebrate. This practice is helping students strengthen their grammar skills while using the language in a fun and meaningful context.
Quran:
Students are actively memorizing Surat An-Naba. They are also working on understanding the meanings of the verses and reflecting on the powerful lessons about the Day of Judgment and the signs of Allah’s greatness.
Islamic Studies:
Students are learning about Zakat, the fourth pillar of Islam. They are studying this topic in depth, including its importance, wisdom, and all of its rules. Students are learning when Zakat becomes obligatory, how it is calculated, and who is eligible to receive it. Additionally, they are learning the difference between Sadaqah and Zakat. This helps them understand the value of generosity, responsibility, and caring for those in need.
5th Grade Spanish- Ms Maria Herrero
The 5th grade students worked on Unit 9. They learned different adjectives such as “fantástica” (fantastic), “aburrida” (boring), “divertida” (fun), “fácil” (easy), “difícil” (difficult), “importante” (important), “interesante” (interesting), and “terrible” (terrible). They can use these adjectives to describe school classes in the first lesson of this unit. We also worked on gender and number agreement between nouns and adjectives. In addition, students completed a project about artists of Hispanic origin to practice the expressions “me gusta” (I like), “te gusta” (you like), “le gusta” (he/she likes), “me encanta” (I love), “te encanta” (you love), and “le encanta” (he/she loves), both in singular and plural forms. At the end of the unit, we worked on the conjugation of second and third conjugation verbs in the singular form. Students will take the unit test before Spring Break.
This month in our 4th Grade Science class, students explored the excited topic of energy! We learned about different types of energy and how they are used in our everyday lives.
They learned about:
Light energy- how we see objects and how light travels.
Sound energy- How sound are made and how they move through the air.
Heat energy- how heat is transferred and how it affects matter.
Kinetic energy and potential energy- The energy of motion and stored energy.
Students gains a better understanding of how energy works with the help of discussions and examples.
4th Grade English- Ms Sameena Ansari
The smart students are reading the books with interest and sharing their reflections confidently! Recently they have been working on their stories and explained their thoughts with vibrant ideas to show their creativity of imagination and the importance of readability. The adorable learners have been writing on interesting prompts to inspire each other and connect with the real life situations in which they are being taught to create amazing stories of their dreams! Activities like language games, sequencing the text, webbing to make characters shine, drawing conclusions, converting the words, analyzing the characters are being rejoiced by the learners! They loved watching the movie, “Chronicles of Narnia,” as they were able to understand the importance of creativity and the imagination that is so powerful and progressive! The students were eliciting answers while watching the film. Their responses were positive and perceptive.
4th Grade English- Ms Nicole Wakefield
In English, our 4th graders are reading Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. This book is a young adult survival novel about 13-year-old Brian Robeson, who is stranded in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash. Armed only with a hatchet, Brian survives for 54 days, learning to build shelter, hunt, and make fire, while transforming from a helpless city boy into a resilient, nature-attuned survivor. We have been focusing on reading comprehension and book vocab. In addition, we have been working on units 13 through 15 of spelling and Sadlier Vocabulary.
4th Grade English- Ms Melissa Fasiczka
In 4th grade English, we have started reading Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan. The students also completed a creative writing assignment where they wrote about and designed their own unique toy. Finally, we are continuing with the Sadlier Vocabulary program and practicing text editing each week.
4th Grade Social Studies- Melissa Fasiczka
In World Regions, we have completed our study of Eastern Europe. We are now learning about Southwest Asia, aka the Middle East, as well as North Africa. Students will be reading in depth about Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.
4th grade Arabic- Ms Heiam Elkhatib
How fun for our 4th graders to learn body parts through fun activities, labeling exercises and
speaking practice to strengthen their confidence in using Arabic in complete sentences. We also
learn vocabulary related to the month of Ramadan to connect Arabic with Islamic values.
Quran:
Students are working on memorizing and understanding Surat Al-Fajr. They are learning the meanings of the verses and reflecting on the important lessons it teaches, such as the consequences of wrongdoing and the importance of being grateful and mindful of Allah.
Islamic Studies:
Students are learning about the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم (during
his time in Makkah. They explored the protection and support given to the Prophet by his uncle, Abu Talib, and how this support helped the message of Islam continue during difficult times. Students are also learning about the hardships and suffering faced by early Muslims in Makkah before the Hijrah. Through these lessons, they are developing a deeper understanding of patience, strength, and trust in Allah during times of difficulty.
4th Grade Spanish- María Herrero
The 4th grade students focused on learning Unit 3, which we have just completed. We
worked on the months of the year, the days of the week, the expressions “hoy” (today),
“mañana” (tomorrow), and “ayer” (yesterday), “esta semana” (this week) and “la
próxima semana” (next week), places in the city, and the verb “ir” (to go) in the present
tense: “yo voy” (I go), “tú vas” (you go), and “él/ella/usted va” (he/she/you formal
goes).
4th Grade Math- Ms Nicole Wakefield
In Math, our 4th graders have been working on strengthening our divisions skills in Chapter 12. Their focus has been on dividing by two digits. This includes working with division patterns, divisors that are multiples of ten, two-digit dividends, three-digit dividends, four-digit dividends, and zero in the quotient. Our next chapter will focus on Geometry
5th Grade English- Ms Sameena Ansari
The wonderful students have been reading and reflecting deeply on the impact of challenges in the lives of the characters! They have presented their thoughts and predicted their experiences to show their understanding of the situations presented in the book. The students are encouraged to take notes, infer, evaluate, and discuss on the topics relevant to the text and compare their experiences with the ones they have presented.
The students have also expressed their feelings about what they felt about the realities of life and how the book guided them towards the end that made them enlightened! Discussions and definitions were integrated to enhance their understanding to lead them toward a progressive approach. Writing to connect with audience and share their thoughts on the importance of the book read to relate with the literature, lifestyle, and culture mentioned in the story.
Creating sentences that are creative and engaging was the main goal so that they can write meaningfully and clearly. They had written important points on the reflection of the book and did an awesome job on making word webs! Silent reading by students gave them a chance to focus deeply and speak with confidence the choices of the characters and shed light on relevance of the text.
5th grade Language Arts Ms. Ashley
English students in Ms. Ashley’s class read the thrilling tale of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe from The Chronicles of Narnia. They identified elements of fiction specifically by utilizing socratic seminars and partner discussions. The culminating project showcased the enchanted setting of Narnia as seen in students’ imaginative paintings.
5th Grade English- Ms Nicole Wakefield
In 5th grade English, we have been reading A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. This book intertwines the true 1985 story of Salva Dut, a Sudanese "Lost Boy" fleeing civil war, with the fictional 2008 story of Nya, a young girl walking miles for water. Both face extreme survival struggles before their narratives converge, highlighting resilience and how clean water access brings hope and peace to their communities. We have been focusing on reading comprehension and book vocab. In addition, we have been working on units 13 through 15 of spelling and vocabulary.
5th Grade Math- Ms Nicole Wakefield
In Math, our 5th graders finished their chapter on probability. They now have moved on to working with units of measurement. This includes customary units, metric units, time, and temperature. Our next chapter will focus on Geometry.
5th Grade Science- Ms Ella Abufeelat
Students wrapped up the unit by creating their own volcano models and simulating eruptions. It was hands-on, engaging, and a fantastic way to bring our learning to life. From understanding magma and lava to exploring different types of volcanoes, students truly “erupted” with knowledge!
Now, we are BLASTING OFF into our next adventure… our SPACE Unit! Get ready, because the sky is not the limit, it’s just the beginning!
In this new unit, students will explore:
- The solar system
- Planets and their unique features
- The sun, moon, and stars
- Space exploration and beyond
5th Grade Social Studies- Ms Melissa Fasiczka
In Ancient World History, we have just finished our discussion of the Roman Republic. Students also completed a writing project about what time period they would like to travel to if time travel were possible. They did an excellent job! Next, we are moving into the rise and fall of Julius Caesar and the transformation of Rome into an Empire.
5th Grade Ancient World History- Mr Daniel Aukst
We completed the last section of the Roman Republic. It included the three Punic Wars and the effects of the wars. We also covered important people such as Spartacus the Gracchi brothers, Julius Caesar, Octavian, Mark Anthony, and Cleopatra. We also covered the First and Second Triumvirates and the wars and results of both. Finally, students completed several worksheets to support what they learned in class and took a test on each section.
5th grade Arabic- Ms Heiam Elkhatib
Students are learning about Eid Al Fitr , where they are building vocabulary related to the celebration and understanding its meaning and traditions. They are practicing how to talk about Eid using simple and meaningful sentences. In addition, students are applying present tense verb pronouns and prepositions in their writing and speaking. They are working on forming complete sentences about Eid, describing what they do, where they go, and how they celebrate. This practice is helping students strengthen their grammar skills while using the language in a fun and meaningful context.
Quran:
Students are actively memorizing Surat An-Naba. They are also working on understanding the meanings of the verses and reflecting on the powerful lessons about the Day of Judgment and the signs of Allah’s greatness.
Islamic Studies:
Students are learning about Zakat, the fourth pillar of Islam. They are studying this topic in depth, including its importance, wisdom, and all of its rules. Students are learning when Zakat becomes obligatory, how it is calculated, and who is eligible to receive it. Additionally, they are learning the difference between Sadaqah and Zakat. This helps them understand the value of generosity, responsibility, and caring for those in need.
5th Grade Spanish- Ms Maria Herrero
The 5th grade students worked on Unit 9. They learned different adjectives such as “fantástica” (fantastic), “aburrida” (boring), “divertida” (fun), “fácil” (easy), “difícil” (difficult), “importante” (important), “interesante” (interesting), and “terrible” (terrible). They can use these adjectives to describe school classes in the first lesson of this unit. We also worked on gender and number agreement between nouns and adjectives. In addition, students completed a project about artists of Hispanic origin to practice the expressions “me gusta” (I like), “te gusta” (you like), “le gusta” (he/she likes), “me encanta” (I love), “te encanta” (you love), and “le encanta” (he/she loves), both in singular and plural forms. At the end of the unit, we worked on the conjugation of second and third conjugation verbs in the singular form. Students will take the unit test before Spring Break.
Updates From Middle School and High School
6th Grade Science- Ms Maria Jameel
Our 6th graders explored the circulatory and respiratory systems, gaining a deeper understanding of how the body transports essential substances and maintains balance. We studied the cardiovascular system, including the structure and function of the heart, and how blood circulates throughout the body. Students also learned about the lymphatic system and its role in immunity and fluid balance, as well as the respiratory system and how oxygen enters the body and is delivered to cells. Through these lessons, students built a strong foundation in how these systems work together to keep us alive and healthy.
6th grade Language Arts- Ms. Ashley
Ms. Ashley’s sixth grade English students read the memoir, Of Beetles and Angels, a remarkable tale about a boy’s journey from a refugee camp to Harvard. While reading, students were inspired by Mawi’s unshakable determination to succeed in America, despite encountering racial prejudice, language barriers, cultural differences, and financial disadvantages. The themes include: sticking together as a family, the importance of education, and being willing to start over in a new country. Finally, students created as their final project a board game in which Mawi and his family members overcome obstacles to make it to America.
6th Grade Social Studies- Meghan Mullin
Students have been hard at work in Social Studies! Students studied how colonialism affects the people of a country, its physical geography, and its long lasting impact today. In our current unit, students are learning about East and Central Africa's geography and history. Soon they will examine Nelson Madela's contribution to the end of apartheid. Next, we will study how South Sudan became a country and finish the Sub-Saharan Unit with the geography, current events, and culture of South Africa.
6th Grade Group Spanish- Ms Alicia
During the month of March, our 6th grade students in Groups A and B made great progress in
Spanish class. After returning from the break, we continued working on Unit 2, Lesson 2: “En
la escuela” from the Avancemos 1 textbook. Academically, students began building their vocabulary related to classroom objects, places in the school, and descriptive adjectives. They have been practicing how to identify and describe different areas and items within a school setting, which is helping them develop both their speaking and writing skills.
On the cultural side, students explored and discussed different school systems in
Spanish-speaking countries. This allowed them to make meaningful comparisons and gain a
broader understanding of how education varies around the world.
7th Grade (A) Chemistry- Ms Ella Abufeelat
We are excited to share that we have officially completed our Chemical Reactions Unit! Throughout this unit, students explored how substances change and interact through chemical reactions. We learned how to identify different types of reactions, recognize signs of a chemical change, and understand how atoms rearrange to form new substances.
Students practiced:
Identifying reactants and products
Recognizing evidence of chemical reactions (color change, gas production, temperature change
Balancing simple chemical equations
Classifying reaction types such as synthesis, decomposition, and single replacement
We wrapped up the unit with engaging activities and practice that helped students strengthen their understanding and confidence. Now, we are moving forward into our next exciting topic… more chemistry adventures ahead!
7th Grade ELA - Ms Meghan Mullin
We have been busy in ELA! Students finished reading Bomb: The Race to Build-and-Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon and completed a research paper about a topic that interested them in the book. They learned how to complete an annotated bibliography and found their own sources. In terms of skills, students learned how to find inferences and use evidence to support them, for example. In addition, we started reading and analyzing a new novel: We Beat the Streets. Next, we will continue working on skills, vocabulary, and writing.
7th Grade United States History- Mr Aukst
We began the month learning about the Roaring 20s. We then moved into the Great Depression. We covered the causes and timeline of the depression. We also covered the trickle-down effect and the political and social reaction to it. Major topics were the stock market crash, the Dust Bowl, and how a slowdown in the economy impacts all business and individuals. We concluded the month covering the FDR’s New Deal and the programs that were enacted under FDR. Each section included supporting work, worksheets, and a test.
7th Grade Groups A & B Spanish- Ms Alicia
During the month of March, our 7th grade students (Groups A and B) made excellent academic
progress in Spanish class. We successfully completed Unit 4, Lesson 1, where students worked
on an exciting project: designing an outfit for the celebration of Eid. Through this project,
students had the opportunity to apply and reinforce their knowledge of vocabulary and grammar,
including clothing, colors, seasons, and stem-changing verbs. They demonstrated creativity
while also strengthening their language skills.
After completing the project, we began Unit 4, Lesson 2 from the Avancemos 1 textbook, titled
“¿Qué hacemos esta noche?” (What do we do tonight?). Students started this new lesson by
building essential vocabulary related to places in town, means of transportation, and ordering a
meal. We will continue developing these topics in the coming weeks, focusing on
communication and real-life applications.
7th Grade Arabic- Ms. Hayat Al-Quttub
Alhamdulillah, our 7th-grade students have been working hard and showing great
progress in their Arabic studies. Students are learning the lesson of Eid, where they are expanding their vocabulary and deepening their understanding of how to describe celebrations in Arabic. As part of this unit, students are applying both present and past tense verbs in their speaking and writing. They are also practicing prepositions and prepositions of place to form clear and meaningful sentences about Eid. Students are describing what they did during Eid, what they usually do, and where different activities take place. This integrated practice is helping students strengthen their grammar skills while expressing their ideas more confidently in Arabic.
8th Grade Modern World History- Mr Daniel Aukst
We began the month concluding WWII. We focused on the war in the Pacific and concluded with V-J Day. After that, we began the Cold War era. We covered major policy, people, events, and wars. This included the Iron Curtain, the Berlin Airlift, the Truman Doctrine, the war in Vietnam and Korea, the Marshall Plan, Sputnik and the space race, NATO and the Warsaw Pact, the Bay of Pigs, the Chinese Civil War, the Berlin Wall, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Each topic included supporting work, primary source worksheets, and a test.
8th Grade Physics- Ms Paul
During the month of March, students explored the unit on Waves. They learned about the different parts of a wave, including wavelength, amplitude, and crest and trough. Students also solved numerical problems involving frequency, time period, and wave velocity.
Activity:
To strengthen their understanding, we conducted a hands-on demonstration using a slinky to observe and differentiate between longitudinal and transverse waves.
Currently, we are working on Electromagnetic Waves, where students are learning about the different types of waves in the electromagnetic spectrum and their real-life applications.
Middle School & High School Islamic Studies Highlights Our middle schoolers delved deeply into Ramadan's spiritual, emotional, and practical dimensions. Their lessons included:
- The importance of sincerity in worship
- Understanding what breaks the fast and proper etiquette
- Learning the difference between Qadā’, Fidyah, and Kaffārah to better grasp their responsibilities when making up missed fasts
- Exploring the spirit of charity during Ramadan as modeled by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)
- Understanding the virtue of Laylat al-Qadr and how to make the most of this powerful night through prayer, reflection, and supplication
- Gaining practical knowledge about Zakat al-Fitr, its significance, and how it purifies one’s fast
This learning helped students connect deeply with the values of Ramadan and
integrate them into their daily lives
8th Grade English- Dr Mark
Having finished Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations during the month of March, Dr. Jones’s eighth-grade students are turning their scholarly attention to a topic perfectly suited for April: baseball! During the next few weeks, we’ll be reading some of the great literary essays about the sport, including A. Bartlett Giamati’s “The Green Fields of the Mind” and Stephen J. Gould’s “The Creation Myths of Cooperstown”; and Gay Talese’s “The Silent Season of a Hero.” Alongside these nonfiction masterpieces they are studying Douglass Wallop’s The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant, which tells the story of Joe Boyd, a die- hard Washington Senators fan who would just about sell his soul for his team to win this year. If that happens to strike you as a Faustian bargain—it is! And Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus is the next great literary work we’ll be
studying.
8th Grade Spanish- Maria Mendez
Students completed Unit 7, Lesson 1. In this lesson they worked with Telehistorias,
listening exercises and a reading comprehension about computers and basic terms. They also
learned about affirmative and negative words. During the week of April 6 to 10th we will learn
about verbs Trabajar and Funcionar and review Unit 7, lesson 1, and there will be a test on
Friday on Unit 7, Lesson 1. We will start next week Unit 7.2 and will learn to express where they
went, how it was and what they did.
Spanish 1:
Students have learned about the region of Andalucía and how Arab culture influenced Spain
during the time of Al-Ándalus, while using basic Spanish. Students have been learning about
stem-changing verbs (o– ue & e – ie). We have practiced speaking exercises by giving excuses
for different situations. They also learned about the menu items and what they would like to
order from it. We will be working on reading and practicing vocabulary.
Spanish 2:
For the beginning of the 4th Quarter, students completed Unit 4, lesson 1 with a test and they
started lesson 2, to learn the preterite form of verbs ending in car, gar, zar and more verbs with
irregular preterite stems, they wrote about an imaginary excursion adding as many details as
possible. We will have a reading about the Zapotecas and a review of the lesson before having
a test of Unit 4, Lesson 2, where they have been learning about modern and ancient Mexico.
Spanish 3:
Students in Spanish 3 did presentations to talk about their professional future, talking for at least
4 minutes and using the subjunctive with ojala and verbs of hope and influence. They also
worked on readings about literature, baseball in the Caribbean and they wrote about a famous
baseball player. They finished Unit 4, Lesson 1 with a test. In lesson 2, they will learn about the
subjunctive with doubt, describe people and things and express positive and negative emotions.
We will also start another book called: Que dijiste? From author Adriana Ramirez.
Spanish 4:
Students did presentations about their professional future, they talked for at least 4 minutes.
They also worked on a Vision Board, showing all they want to achieve in their life. In Unit 4,
Lesson 2 Students in this class have learned the perfect preterite of the subjunctive, with
readings with questions and exercises. They will continue learning about education and
finances, express attitudes about college and financial goals using the present perfect
subjunctive and reviewing direct and indirect object pronouns.
9th Grade Biology - Ms. Jameel
Our 9th graders wrapped up their unit on viruses, where they examined viral classification, structure, and methods of reproduction. Students developed a clear understanding of how viruses differ from living organisms and how they infect host cells.
We then transitioned into studying the domains Archaea and Bacteria, focusing on their characteristics, classification, and major phyla. To bring this topic to life, students conducted a hands-on lab where they collected samples from various surfaces around the school to investigate microbial presence. This activity sparked great discussions about contamination, hygiene, and the unseen world of microorganisms in our daily environment.
9th Grade English - Dr. Jones
Ninth grade Honors English students have recently begun studying Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms, a novel which (as suggested by its ambiguous title) is equally about love and war, two topics that we will continue to explore in The Odyssey later this quarter. At present, we are looking closely at Hemingway’s masterful prose style, which underlies his “iceberg theory” of
fiction. Students are also working closely with matters of style in their own writing: most recently, each student has crafted an original ghazal (a poetic form that find its roots in medieval Persia) to be shared and savored during class.
10th Grade Honors Chemistry- Amy Kaczor
The 10th graders also completed a lab based on the ideal gas law. The students performed a chemical reaction between alka seltzer tablets and water inside of a sealed balloon to produce carbon dioxide gas. Students then used their knowledge of the ideal gas law and Dalton's law of partial pressures to calculate the number of moles and the number of grams of carbon dioxide gas in the balloon.
Our next chapter is all about acids and bases. We will discuss properties of acids and bases, review the acid naming rules, and perform calculations involving pH and pOH. I'm looking forward to a great quarter 4 in Honors Chemistry!
High School Reflections - Islamic Studies- Ms. Hayat Al-Quttub
Our high school students engaged in critical reflection and thoughtful
discussions throughout the month. Highlights included:
- A deeper understanding of the spiritual relevance of Ramadan, not just for Muslims but for humanity as a whole
- Exploration of historical events drawing connections between early Islamic history and the modern challenges facing Muslim communities
- Discussion around the concept of personal choice and how individual decisions influence both religious and worldly affairs
- Completion of a comprehensive timeline of Islamic History, from the Rashidun
- Caliphate through to the modern Muslim world, offering perspective on the growth, trials, and resilience of the Ummah
High School World Religions- Melissa Fasiczka
In World Religions, we are currently studying the religious beliefs and rich mythology of Ancient Greece and Rome. Historical context plays a big role in these religions, so we are spending time reviewing this as well. When the unit is finished, students will complete a culminating essay comparing the two civilizations.
Highschool Arabic Highlights
This past month, our Arabic classrooms have been a hive of activity as we
balanced rigorous language study with a deep dive into the beauty of Islamic
history and tradition.
- Ramadan and Eid: A Cultural Immersion
Our students not only just learned about Ramadan; they experienced it through a
Middle Eastern lens. We conducted an extensive study of the diverse traditions
that make this month so special.
- Regional Flavors: We explored how customs vary from the Levant to North Africa, comparing the unique taste; of Eid in different homes.
- Language Mastery: To ensure our students can express these beautiful traditions accurately, we intensified our focus on Arabic grammar. Students worked hard to bridge the gap between cultural knowledge and linguistic precision, learning how to describe their experiences with more complex sentence structures.
Advance Study Arabic
Our Advanced Arabic group embarked on a fascinating journey through Islamic
Architecture. This unit allowed students to see how our faith has historically
shaped the physical world through art and engineering.
- Innovation and Design: Students studied the specific skills and themes—such as intricate geometry, calligraphy, and light—that Muslim architects introduced to the world.
- Beyond the Mosque: While we looked closely at the spiritual design of Mosques, our exploration didn't stop there. We analyzed the strategic design of forts, the elegance of palaces, and the functional beauty of historical schools (Madrasas).
High School Physics- Ms Paul
In HS Physics, students explored the unit on Fluids. They learned about static pressure and buoyancy, and how fluids behave under different conditions. In fluid dynamics, we derived Bernoulli’s equation using the principle of conservation of energy and applied it to solve a variety of real-life problems.
Activity:
Students conducted an experiment using the PhET Lab to measure volume and density based on Archimedes’ Principle, helping them connect theoretical concepts with hands-on learning.
HS Computer Science Discoveries - Mr. Wright
Before break, we wrapped up our unit on Physical Computing, which culminated in the students creating a driving game controlled using the gyroscope on their Circuit Playground Express boards.
We have now moved on to our unit on Artificial Intelligence. The students are currently learning about different types of machine learning, specifically supervised and unsupervised algorithms. The unit will end with the students creating their own AI models using code.org's AI Lab.
After we wrap up our unit on AI, we will conclude the year with a unit on creating 3d models using Tinkercad.
9th Grade AP World History- Mr Daniel Aukst
AP World History finished the course and has been reviewing for the AP exam with a focus on MCQ, SAQ, LEQ. And DBQ’s. Each assignment has a knowledge base learning component to it. Students not taking the exam have been working on a large documentary project on one of the main topics we covered this year.
AP English Language and Composition- Dr Mark
In preparation for the upcoming AP Exam, the 11th grade English students have been practicing different rhetorical modes, writing one or two short essays each week. Meanwhile, we are continuing our study of Joe Sacco’s graphic novel Palestine and have found that the work exemplifies some of the critical concepts—national imagining, autoethnography, transculturation—that we have encountered in Mary Louise Pratt’s important essay “Arts of the Contact Zone.” The students continue to exhibit creativity, stylistic versatility, and critical thinking in all of their writing.
Honors American Literature- Dr Mark
In Honors American Literature, the sophomores have begun Mark Twain’s masterpiece, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Like Ellison’s Invisible Man, which the students read last month, Huckleberry Finn is an American Bildungsroman, or coming-of-age narrative. While hilariously funny at times, the novel is also profoundly serious in its engagement of issues including racism, social hypocrisy, and personal responsibility. As controversial today as it was in the year of its publication (though for strikingly different reasons), it is a true American classic.
AP U.S. History- Ms Meghan Mullin
Students are becoming masters of history! They recently studied the 1950s, 60s, and 70s and saw the impact of the Cold War on the U.S. Then students completed a decades-project highlighting the important events that occurred during the 80's, 90's, and 2000's. We finished the AP curriculum and will now begin reviewing for the AP U.S. History test.
Intro to Psychology- Ms Mullin
Students have been working hard! After Spring Break, we studied motivation and emotion. For example, students learned how people are intrinsically and extrinsically motivated. In addition, they learned the importance of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. In their recent project, students created a cartoon demonstrating what they learned about motivation and emotion. Currently, we are studying the power of positivity psychology and stress on the body. Next, we will study the psychology of personality.
Updates from Gym
Eid Mubarak!
As the weather begins to warm up, we’re excited to take more of our activities outdoors and keep students active, engaged, and having fun!
Quran Reflection:
“And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you should count the favor of Allah, you could not enumerate them.” (14:34)
Let’s make the most of the beautiful weather and continue building healthy habits!
As the weather begins to warm up, we’re excited to take more of our activities outdoors and keep students active, engaged, and having fun!
- Kickball: A student favorite! We’ll focus on teamwork, strategy, and sportsmanship.
- Outdoor Activities: Weather permitting, classes will include fitness circuits, relays, and group games outside.
- Teamwork & communication
- Staying active daily
- Positive sportsmanship
- Students should wear proper gym shoes on PE days
- Bring a water bottle if possible
- Dress appropriately for outdoor activities
Quran Reflection:
“And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you should count the favor of Allah, you could not enumerate them.” (14:34)
Let’s make the most of the beautiful weather and continue building healthy habits!