Message from the Executive Director
Hello Kindians,
Witnessing the collective spirit of our students, staff, and families this semester has been truly inspiring. Your hard work and dedication have cultivated a nurturing environment where every member of our community can thrive.
As we conclude a successful first half of the year, I commend each of you. Our students' excellence—in academics, character, and community spirit—stands as a testament to the powerful partnership between our devoted staff and our engaged families.
We are poised for an exciting future!
We are actively expanding our Middle and High School programs to offer richer academic and extracurricular opportunities. We started implementing a pioneering planning tool for our Sixth to twelfth Graders, designed to help them navigate their journey toward becoming the leaders we know they can be.
The upcoming semester is packed with opportunities for growth and connection: from Bake Sales and Overnight Trips to our cherished Annual Dinner/Iftar and the return of famous clubs like STEAM and Robotics. High School students will continue their Model UN and Scholastic clubs and will try Mock Trial for the first time. Each event is a building block in our students' holistic development.
In January, we will also open admissions for the next school year, with updated criteria to preserve Kindi's unique and conducive learning environment.
Now, I hope you will all take the Winter Break to rest deeply and reconnect with loved ones. I will be joining some of our families on our first-ever Kindi Umra in cooperation with Qiam Institute. I am looking forward to an exciting and fulfilling experience.
Let us all return to the second half with fresh enthusiasm, ready to build on our successes and make the remainder of the year unforgettable.
Wishing you a peaceful and joyful break. My sincere thanks for all you do.
Warm regards,
Hatem Elagha
Executive Director
Kindi Academy Hello Kindians,
Witnessing the collective spirit of our students, staff, and families this semester has been truly inspiring. Your hard work and dedication have cultivated a nurturing environment where every member of our community can thrive.
As we conclude a successful first half of the year, I commend each of you. Our students' excellence—in academics, character, and community spirit—stands as a testament to the powerful partnership between our devoted staff and our engaged families.
We are poised for an exciting future!
We are actively expanding our Middle and High School programs to offer richer academic and extracurricular opportunities. We started implementing a pioneering planning tool for our Sixth to twelfth Graders, designed to help them navigate their journey toward becoming the leaders we know they can be.
The upcoming semester is packed with opportunities for growth and connection: from Bake Sales and Overnight Trips to our cherished Annual Dinner/Iftar and the return of famous clubs like STEAM and Robotics. High School students will continue their Model UN and Scholastic clubs and will try Mock Trial for the first time. Each event is a building block in our students' holistic development.
In January, we will also open admissions for the next school year, with updated criteria to preserve Kindi's unique and conducive learning environment.
Now, I hope you will all take the Winter Break to rest deeply and reconnect with loved ones. I will be joining some of our families on our first-ever Kindi Umra in cooperation with Qiam Institute. I am looking forward to an exciting and fulfilling experience.
Let us all return to the second half with fresh enthusiasm, ready to build on our successes and make the remainder of the year unforgettable.
Wishing you a peaceful and joyful break. My sincere thanks for all you do.
Warm regards,
Hatem Elagha
Executive Director
Kindi Academy
Witnessing the collective spirit of our students, staff, and families this semester has been truly inspiring. Your hard work and dedication have cultivated a nurturing environment where every member of our community can thrive.
As we conclude a successful first half of the year, I commend each of you. Our students' excellence—in academics, character, and community spirit—stands as a testament to the powerful partnership between our devoted staff and our engaged families.
We are poised for an exciting future!
We are actively expanding our Middle and High School programs to offer richer academic and extracurricular opportunities. We started implementing a pioneering planning tool for our Sixth to twelfth Graders, designed to help them navigate their journey toward becoming the leaders we know they can be.
The upcoming semester is packed with opportunities for growth and connection: from Bake Sales and Overnight Trips to our cherished Annual Dinner/Iftar and the return of famous clubs like STEAM and Robotics. High School students will continue their Model UN and Scholastic clubs and will try Mock Trial for the first time. Each event is a building block in our students' holistic development.
In January, we will also open admissions for the next school year, with updated criteria to preserve Kindi's unique and conducive learning environment.
Now, I hope you will all take the Winter Break to rest deeply and reconnect with loved ones. I will be joining some of our families on our first-ever Kindi Umra in cooperation with Qiam Institute. I am looking forward to an exciting and fulfilling experience.
Let us all return to the second half with fresh enthusiasm, ready to build on our successes and make the remainder of the year unforgettable.
Wishing you a peaceful and joyful break. My sincere thanks for all you do.
Warm regards,
Hatem Elagha
Executive Director
Kindi Academy Hello Kindians,
Witnessing the collective spirit of our students, staff, and families this semester has been truly inspiring. Your hard work and dedication have cultivated a nurturing environment where every member of our community can thrive.
As we conclude a successful first half of the year, I commend each of you. Our students' excellence—in academics, character, and community spirit—stands as a testament to the powerful partnership between our devoted staff and our engaged families.
We are poised for an exciting future!
We are actively expanding our Middle and High School programs to offer richer academic and extracurricular opportunities. We started implementing a pioneering planning tool for our Sixth to twelfth Graders, designed to help them navigate their journey toward becoming the leaders we know they can be.
The upcoming semester is packed with opportunities for growth and connection: from Bake Sales and Overnight Trips to our cherished Annual Dinner/Iftar and the return of famous clubs like STEAM and Robotics. High School students will continue their Model UN and Scholastic clubs and will try Mock Trial for the first time. Each event is a building block in our students' holistic development.
In January, we will also open admissions for the next school year, with updated criteria to preserve Kindi's unique and conducive learning environment.
Now, I hope you will all take the Winter Break to rest deeply and reconnect with loved ones. I will be joining some of our families on our first-ever Kindi Umra in cooperation with Qiam Institute. I am looking forward to an exciting and fulfilling experience.
Let us all return to the second half with fresh enthusiasm, ready to build on our successes and make the remainder of the year unforgettable.
Wishing you a peaceful and joyful break. My sincere thanks for all you do.
Warm regards,
Hatem Elagha
Executive Director
Kindi Academy
Message from the Curriculum Director
Greetings Kindi Family,
I hope you are all doing well and enjoyed the Fall Break! It feels like yesterday we were just beginning the school year, and now I look at my calendar, in shock to believe that there’s about two weeks left until Winter Break at the time of me writing this.
It was wonderful getting the chance to meet with many parents during Parent-Teacher Conferences. Getting the chance to meet with parents and discuss our student’s progress is always a highlight of the semester. Communication between parents and teachers is of great importance to ensuring our students are successful. Remember, you do not need to wait until conferences to meet with any of our staff or touch base with your child’s teacher about their progress. We’re always available via email to discuss or set up an appointment.
Students have been hard at work in the classrooms the past few weeks. I am constantly amazed by all the wonderful things happening in our classrooms. As I always say, the highlight of my day is being in the classroom. In the past few weeks, I’ve gotten to see many amazing things. The difference between Kindi and any other school is not just our strong curriculum geared towards High School and College Prep, but the hands-on experiences that students get in the classroom. Step into one of our Science Classes, and you’ll find one of our amazing teachers leading a lab experiment every week. In English, you’ll hear constant discussions revolving around the literature they are reading, and even wonderful projects based on their readings. Our Social Studies courses involve lots of discussions and projects, and even a Math recently built Scale Models after learning about that topic in class. Our Elective offerings are also amazing…6th graders in my Speech and Debate class are preparing their very own TED Talks as their final projects and Ms. Gazi’s wonderful Art classes are always putting their creative sides to work with wonderful masterpieces. Believe me, there’s always something exciting to see at Kindi.
As we head into the home stretch of the first semester, our Middle and High School Students are busy preparing for their Final Exams of the semester. Finals are an excellent opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge of what they’ve learned since the beginning of the school year. These can be tiring and stressful times for students as well, so I’ve prepared a list of tips to help ease the stress around Finals Time:
I always say that Kindi Academy has the greatest team in the world - dedicated and passionate educators that want our students to succeed, hard working students determined to learn and grow, and a strong community committed to the success of everyone involved. Add in the strongest academic offerings you can find, and you have a special recipe for success. There’s NO PLACE like Kindi Academy!
Thank you all for your continued support. As I always say, there is nothing a Kindi Eagle can’t do! Wishing you nothing but the best as we approach the new year.
It’s a GREAT DAY to be an Eagle!
Sevim Memisovski
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Kindi Academy
I hope you are all doing well and enjoyed the Fall Break! It feels like yesterday we were just beginning the school year, and now I look at my calendar, in shock to believe that there’s about two weeks left until Winter Break at the time of me writing this.
It was wonderful getting the chance to meet with many parents during Parent-Teacher Conferences. Getting the chance to meet with parents and discuss our student’s progress is always a highlight of the semester. Communication between parents and teachers is of great importance to ensuring our students are successful. Remember, you do not need to wait until conferences to meet with any of our staff or touch base with your child’s teacher about their progress. We’re always available via email to discuss or set up an appointment.
Students have been hard at work in the classrooms the past few weeks. I am constantly amazed by all the wonderful things happening in our classrooms. As I always say, the highlight of my day is being in the classroom. In the past few weeks, I’ve gotten to see many amazing things. The difference between Kindi and any other school is not just our strong curriculum geared towards High School and College Prep, but the hands-on experiences that students get in the classroom. Step into one of our Science Classes, and you’ll find one of our amazing teachers leading a lab experiment every week. In English, you’ll hear constant discussions revolving around the literature they are reading, and even wonderful projects based on their readings. Our Social Studies courses involve lots of discussions and projects, and even a Math recently built Scale Models after learning about that topic in class. Our Elective offerings are also amazing…6th graders in my Speech and Debate class are preparing their very own TED Talks as their final projects and Ms. Gazi’s wonderful Art classes are always putting their creative sides to work with wonderful masterpieces. Believe me, there’s always something exciting to see at Kindi.
As we head into the home stretch of the first semester, our Middle and High School Students are busy preparing for their Final Exams of the semester. Finals are an excellent opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge of what they’ve learned since the beginning of the school year. These can be tiring and stressful times for students as well, so I’ve prepared a list of tips to help ease the stress around Finals Time:
- Don’t save all your studying for the day before the exams! Study a little bit each day starting now. Pace yourself and the material to review.
- Create a study group with your peers. I saw this first-hand with my first class of AP US History students just a few years ago- they’d meet after school the week before each class exam to prepare. Let me tell you- these make a big difference!
- Don’t just use one item to study! It’s always a good idea to use your study guides, old tests/quizzes, and notes to prepare for your exams. Teachers spend a great deal of time providing feedback on your old tests/quizzes - definitely worth a look over once more before exams.
- Get a good night’s rest before your exams! I know the urge to stay up late studying may seem like it helps, but in reality, studies show that students who stay up later to study actually perform worse. Pace your studying over a few weeks before the exams.
- Ask for help if you need it! Your teachers are here for you and ready to help you with anything you need. Reach out to them with any questions you have.
I always say that Kindi Academy has the greatest team in the world - dedicated and passionate educators that want our students to succeed, hard working students determined to learn and grow, and a strong community committed to the success of everyone involved. Add in the strongest academic offerings you can find, and you have a special recipe for success. There’s NO PLACE like Kindi Academy!
Thank you all for your continued support. As I always say, there is nothing a Kindi Eagle can’t do! Wishing you nothing but the best as we approach the new year.
It’s a GREAT DAY to be an Eagle!
Sevim Memisovski
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Kindi Academy
Social Counselor's Corner
Dear Kindi Community,
As we begin the month of December, our focus turns to one of the most important values we want our students to carry with them throughout life: Integrity.
Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching. It’s choosing honesty, taking responsibility, and staying true to our values simply because it’s the right thing to do. It’s the quiet strength inside each child that helps them make choices they can feel good about.
This month in our SEL lessons and counseling sessions, students will learn that integrity isn’t just a one-time action, it’s a way of living. We’ll talk about what it looks like to take ownership of our choices, to admit mistakes with courage, to follow through on our word, and to stand up for what’s right even when it feels uncomfortable.
From a developmental perspective, integrity is deeply connected to confidence and emotional well-being. When students practice acting in line with their values, they feel more grounded and proud of who they are. Integrity also builds healthy relationships because it creates trust, fairness, and respect between classmates.
Families can support integrity at home by modeling it in daily life: keeping promises, being honest even when it’s hard, and acknowledging mistakes calmly and openly. When children see integrity practiced around them, they learn that doing the right thing matters more than taking the easy way out.
As we continue building on themes like kindness and honesty, I hope our students remember that integrity is the value that holds all others together. When they act with integrity, they become strong, dependable, and true to themselves, qualities that will guide them far beyond the classroom.
“Indeed, the most complete of believers in faith are those with the best character.” Prophet Muḥammad (peace be upon him)
As we begin the month of December, our focus turns to one of the most important values we want our students to carry with them throughout life: Integrity.
Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching. It’s choosing honesty, taking responsibility, and staying true to our values simply because it’s the right thing to do. It’s the quiet strength inside each child that helps them make choices they can feel good about.
This month in our SEL lessons and counseling sessions, students will learn that integrity isn’t just a one-time action, it’s a way of living. We’ll talk about what it looks like to take ownership of our choices, to admit mistakes with courage, to follow through on our word, and to stand up for what’s right even when it feels uncomfortable.
From a developmental perspective, integrity is deeply connected to confidence and emotional well-being. When students practice acting in line with their values, they feel more grounded and proud of who they are. Integrity also builds healthy relationships because it creates trust, fairness, and respect between classmates.
Families can support integrity at home by modeling it in daily life: keeping promises, being honest even when it’s hard, and acknowledging mistakes calmly and openly. When children see integrity practiced around them, they learn that doing the right thing matters more than taking the easy way out.
As we continue building on themes like kindness and honesty, I hope our students remember that integrity is the value that holds all others together. When they act with integrity, they become strong, dependable, and true to themselves, qualities that will guide them far beyond the classroom.
“Indeed, the most complete of believers in faith are those with the best character.” Prophet Muḥammad (peace be upon him)
Eagles of the Month
It’s time to celebrate our Eagles of the Month for November and this month’s theme is Honesty!
Please join me in congratulating:
Our November Eagles of the Month!
6-9:
R3
G1- Yusha Mohammed
G2- Zayna Alhussaini
G3- Noora Hussain
R4
G1- Aydin Chaudhary
G2- Asiya Iftekhar
G3- Maha Mohammed
R7
G1- Sulaiman Ansari
G2- Talia Shillo
G3-Yahya Elahi
R8
G1- Karam Alkaddour and Waseem Ashford
G2- Iman Malik
G3- Lilya Dweydari
4th Grade:
Yasin Akhtar
Idris Qadri, Yahya Baig, Evan Graciov, Mira Elnajami, Hanya Moiduddin
5th Grade:
Ayra Khan, Faisal Alhussaini, Asma Saeed, Ibrahim Hajsaleh, Yusuf Afzal, Maryam Umair
6th Grade:
Adam Watti, Layla Hammad, Zoya Issa, Raya Atarchi, Musa Ali
7th Grade:
Omer Nayeem, Ahmad Sulaiman, Ziyad Issa, Umar Afzal, Mustafa Hussain
8th Grade:
Jumana Alzubaidi, Pareesa Baig
High School:
Sireen Raja, Sarah Fawzi, Amina Shehaj, Taaha Kamran, Reem Adhami, Mariam Mitchel
Thank you for being shining examples of what it means to be a true Eagle.
Keep soaring high! 🦅✨
Please join me in congratulating:
Our November Eagles of the Month!
6-9:
R3
G1- Yusha Mohammed
G2- Zayna Alhussaini
G3- Noora Hussain
R4
G1- Aydin Chaudhary
G2- Asiya Iftekhar
G3- Maha Mohammed
R7
G1- Sulaiman Ansari
G2- Talia Shillo
G3-Yahya Elahi
R8
G1- Karam Alkaddour and Waseem Ashford
G2- Iman Malik
G3- Lilya Dweydari
4th Grade:
Yasin Akhtar
Idris Qadri, Yahya Baig, Evan Graciov, Mira Elnajami, Hanya Moiduddin
5th Grade:
Ayra Khan, Faisal Alhussaini, Asma Saeed, Ibrahim Hajsaleh, Yusuf Afzal, Maryam Umair
6th Grade:
Adam Watti, Layla Hammad, Zoya Issa, Raya Atarchi, Musa Ali
7th Grade:
Omer Nayeem, Ahmad Sulaiman, Ziyad Issa, Umar Afzal, Mustafa Hussain
8th Grade:
Jumana Alzubaidi, Pareesa Baig
High School:
Sireen Raja, Sarah Fawzi, Amina Shehaj, Taaha Kamran, Reem Adhami, Mariam Mitchel
Thank you for being shining examples of what it means to be a true Eagle.
Keep soaring high! 🦅✨
News from our 3-6 Classrooms
"Mistakes are proof that we are trying."~ Jennifer Lim
As the children work towards becoming more independent during this time of year,
we continue to set examples by demonstrating tasks for them. For instance, with
the arrival of cold weather, we showed the children how to properly hang up their
coats, pull out the sleeves, and put them on. By leading through example in the
classroom, the children continue to build their confidence and independence.
November flew by faster than anticipated, and we are quickly approaching the end
of 2025! We spent time discussing the parts of a turkey and learning about the
story of Thanksgiving. We also talked about the importance of helping those less
fortunate, which is one of the many reasons we contribute to our local food pantry
each year. A heartfelt thank you to all the families who donated food items to help
us put together Thanksgiving meal boxes for those in need. The children had a
great time decorating the boxes, which were later picked up by the Lisle Food
Pantry. As a school community, we donated 73 food boxes with turkeys, providing
a delicious Thanksgiving meal to many families!
Our field trip to the DuPage Children’s Museum was a wonderful experience! The
children loved exploring the different areas of the museum. It’s safe to say
everyone had a blast exploring!
Before winter break, we will have two in-school field trips: The Bubble Show and
a Prismatic Magic assembly.
To kick off the winter season, teachers will introduce lessons on the parts of a
snowman, gingerbread man, poinsettia, and reindeer! We will also switch out many
of the practical life works and math counters to match the current season, keeping
the classroom fresh and engaging. The children have been working hard, and many
have mastered their letter sounds, begun blending, and are reading Bob Books and
Primary Phonics books with comprehension questions! In the last few months,
we’ve seen incredible growth, and we’re so proud of everyone’s hard work.
Although the last few months have been busy, they’ve been filled with fun and lots
of learning! We look forward to winter break, which will give us time to rest up
and get ready for more learning in the new year.
~ The 3-6 Montessori Program
Arabic & Islamic Studies:
Assalamu Alaikum dear parents,
This month, our little learners have been diving into our 3rd group of Arabic letters. We explored:
س • ش • ص • ض
…and soon we will complete this group with:
ق • ل • ن
Every class has been filled with giggles, songs, and hands-on learning!
Arabic Language Adventures
• New vocabulary each week
• Letter practice with harakāt (short vowels)
• A special song for every letter
• Learning a new class favorite: “My School” (مدرستي) — the students are so excited!
Numbers, Shapes & Colors
We continue mastering these through:
Coloring • Writing • Videos • Challenges
The children love identifying and naming their shapes and colors in Arabic!
We learned body parts in Arabic and practiced them with a fun stretching song that keeps us active!
Qur’an Time
We memorized Sūrat Ash-Sharḥ (سورة الشرح)
and learned its meaning.
The kids are doing wonderfully with their recitation!
Islamic Studies
Previously, we had a gentle introduction to the Five Pillars of Islam.
This month, we are beginning to explore each pillar in more detail.
The children are learning step-by-step, with stories, visuals, and simple activities that help the concepts come alive in an age-appropriate way.
With love,
Ms. Nareman & Team
Spanish (Ms Maria Herrero)
We have been working with the alphabet and the vowels, and we
read the book “El monstruo verde” (The Green Monster), which helped us practice
vocabulary for parts of the face. We also practiced numbers by playing a chick-counting
game.
Finally, the week before Thanksgiving, we spent two sessions working with a story
called “Pavo prepara su pastel favorito” (Turkey Makes His Favorite Pie). We learned
new kitchen vocabulary, danced the turkey song, and searched for the turkey around the
classroom while learning the high-frequency word “busca” (looks for).
As the children work towards becoming more independent during this time of year,
we continue to set examples by demonstrating tasks for them. For instance, with
the arrival of cold weather, we showed the children how to properly hang up their
coats, pull out the sleeves, and put them on. By leading through example in the
classroom, the children continue to build their confidence and independence.
November flew by faster than anticipated, and we are quickly approaching the end
of 2025! We spent time discussing the parts of a turkey and learning about the
story of Thanksgiving. We also talked about the importance of helping those less
fortunate, which is one of the many reasons we contribute to our local food pantry
each year. A heartfelt thank you to all the families who donated food items to help
us put together Thanksgiving meal boxes for those in need. The children had a
great time decorating the boxes, which were later picked up by the Lisle Food
Pantry. As a school community, we donated 73 food boxes with turkeys, providing
a delicious Thanksgiving meal to many families!
Our field trip to the DuPage Children’s Museum was a wonderful experience! The
children loved exploring the different areas of the museum. It’s safe to say
everyone had a blast exploring!
Before winter break, we will have two in-school field trips: The Bubble Show and
a Prismatic Magic assembly.
To kick off the winter season, teachers will introduce lessons on the parts of a
snowman, gingerbread man, poinsettia, and reindeer! We will also switch out many
of the practical life works and math counters to match the current season, keeping
the classroom fresh and engaging. The children have been working hard, and many
have mastered their letter sounds, begun blending, and are reading Bob Books and
Primary Phonics books with comprehension questions! In the last few months,
we’ve seen incredible growth, and we’re so proud of everyone’s hard work.
Although the last few months have been busy, they’ve been filled with fun and lots
of learning! We look forward to winter break, which will give us time to rest up
and get ready for more learning in the new year.
~ The 3-6 Montessori Program
Arabic & Islamic Studies:
Assalamu Alaikum dear parents,
This month, our little learners have been diving into our 3rd group of Arabic letters. We explored:
س • ش • ص • ض
…and soon we will complete this group with:
ق • ل • ن
Every class has been filled with giggles, songs, and hands-on learning!
Arabic Language Adventures
• New vocabulary each week
• Letter practice with harakāt (short vowels)
• A special song for every letter
• Learning a new class favorite: “My School” (مدرستي) — the students are so excited!
Numbers, Shapes & Colors
We continue mastering these through:
Coloring • Writing • Videos • Challenges
The children love identifying and naming their shapes and colors in Arabic!
We learned body parts in Arabic and practiced them with a fun stretching song that keeps us active!
Qur’an Time
We memorized Sūrat Ash-Sharḥ (سورة الشرح)
and learned its meaning.
The kids are doing wonderfully with their recitation!
Islamic Studies
Previously, we had a gentle introduction to the Five Pillars of Islam.
This month, we are beginning to explore each pillar in more detail.
The children are learning step-by-step, with stories, visuals, and simple activities that help the concepts come alive in an age-appropriate way.
With love,
Ms. Nareman & Team
Spanish (Ms Maria Herrero)
We have been working with the alphabet and the vowels, and we
read the book “El monstruo verde” (The Green Monster), which helped us practice
vocabulary for parts of the face. We also practiced numbers by playing a chick-counting
game.
Finally, the week before Thanksgiving, we spent two sessions working with a story
called “Pavo prepara su pastel favorito” (Turkey Makes His Favorite Pie). We learned
new kitchen vocabulary, danced the turkey song, and searched for the turkey around the
classroom while learning the high-frequency word “busca” (looks for).
Updates from Our 6-9 Classroom
"The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence".
Maria Montessori
Ms Mehreen Alvi
The depth of our students' engagement in all the activities of class is preparing them to accomplish new challenges.
Our First year students are reading and working on analyzing the elements of a story. Students are reading text and practicing identifying the setting, characters, plot, problem, and resolution of the story. They are also excited about proofreading exercises and learning to apply these new grammar and editing skills to their writings. Students will be introduced to reading the Biographies of famous people.
In math, addition and subtraction with carry over and borrow using the stamp game is providing students the opportunity to internalize these concepts. Identifying and adding coins exercises have been introduced. Skip counting with bead chains is an ongoing practice. Students are learning the foundations of rounding off the numbers to the nearest tens, moving onto the nearest hundreds.
In science, we have an ongoing study of vertebrates and fundamental needs of humans. Students are also enjoying learning about matter and the three states of matter with experiments and research work. This month we will demonstrate how liquid water is frozen to become a solid (ice) and when the water is heated up to boiling, we can see the steam (gas) rise!
Our Second year students have been challenged to apply new vocabulary into their own creative stories. Proofreading and word study exercises are an integral part of their language exercises. They have built a foundation for the elements of the story from their first year lessons and preparing them for future writers.
Ongoing practice of addition, subtraction, and multiplication problems further solidify their learned mathematical concepts. They are excited to learn 2 digit divisor and 4 digit dividend with the stamp game. New geometrical concepts are being introduced as well to lay the foundation for future mathematical concepts.
In science, students are researching matter and the states of matter. They are also working on the parts of invertebrates with the ongoing planet and Fundamental Needs of Humans' projects. They are also excited to work on the advanced landform projects.
Our Third year students will be presenting their Native American research and dioramas to the class. Ongoing reading and writing exercises are providing them the opportunity to apply correct usage of vocabulary, punctuation, and spellings. Reading and writing creative stories is an integral part of our learning. The mastery for the elements of the story is evidently reflected in the final year of 6-9 class. Students are applying their cursive writing skills beautifully throughout their work.
In math, students are practicing to calculate area, perimeter, measurement, and addition and subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators using the lowest common multiple (LCM). Geometry lessons are building their foundation for future work. Students have been introduced to the conversion of improper to mixed fractions and vice versa.
In science, children are demonstrating their skills in research work focused on matter and the states of matter.
Students are enjoying art work projects with their integrated learning.
All our students have extended their learning from their timelines to reading biographies and connecting with famous people is a treat to see!
Our students are enjoying the activities for acts of kindness which will serve them to be good people.
"Always believe in yourself"
Arabic Class
In first-grade Arabic, our students are doing a phenomenal job learning the second group of letters. They are now able to recognize each letter in its different forms—at the beginning, middle, and end of a word—and write the shapes correctly in their notebooks. They are also beginning to build simple words using the letters they have learned, and their enthusiasm has been wonderful to see.
In second-grade Arabic, the students have mastered the concept of masculine and feminine forms. They are applying this skill confidently in class while forming complete sentences using new vocabulary and colors. They practiced changing sentences from masculine to feminine and vice versa, and they actively participated in reading and writing throughout the month.
In third-grade Arabic, students are doing an amazing job with the clothing unit. They learned the vocabulary for clothing items and practiced describing them while using the correct masculine and feminine forms. The students showed excellent understanding of sentence structure and participated with great energy during the activities.
Islamic Studies & Qur’an
In first-grade Islamic Studies, students learned about the marriage of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to Khadijah (رضي الله عنها), the beginning of Allah’s message, and how the Prophet (ﷺ) taught his people. In Qur’an class, the students completed Surah At-Tin and are now working on Surah Ad-Duha, focusing on memorization and understanding.
In second-grade Islamic Studies, students learned about the Arabian Peninsula and the Holy Scripture. In Qur’an class, they completed Surah Ash-Shams and began Surah Al-‘Alaq, practicing reading and understanding the meanings of the verses.
In third-grade Islamic Studies, students learned about the importance of Salah and its role in building a strong connection with Allah. They also studied the Hijrah—the migration from Mecca to Madinah—and discussed the many challenges Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his companion Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) faced during the journey. Students learned how they hid in the cave, how Allah protected them, and how the Hijrah marked a new beginning for the Muslim community. The students were very engaged and showed great interest in the lessons.
Spanish: Ms Maria Herrero
The 1st grade students finished the story “La ardilla Lola” (Lola the Squirrel), where we
worked on parts of the body and fall vocabulary. We also did a Thanksgiving activity in
which students created paper leaves and wrote about what they were thankful for,
practicing vocabulary such as family, food, school, home, God, and friends.
In addition, they worked with the story “Pavo prepara su pastel favorito” (Turkey
Makes His Favorite Pie), doing several activities to practice the high-frequency words
related to this story.
The 2nd grade students focused on the story “El cocodrilo va al bosque” (The Crocodile
Goes to the Forest), where they worked with vocabulary for animals from the forest and
the Amazon (cocodrilo – crocodile, mono – monkey, colibrí – hummingbird, iguana,
guacamaya – macaw, chigüiro – capybara, rana – frog). They also practiced the high-
frequency words “feliz” (happy), “triste” (sad), “va” (goes), “busca” (looks for),
“bienvenidos” (welcome), and “bosque” (forest).
The mini book for this story is “La iguana va al Amazonas” (The Iguana Goes to the
Amazon). It is the same story, but the characters and the setting change from the forest
to the Amazon. I hope you were able to watch my story video at home using the QR
code included in the mini book.
The 3rd grade students finished the project “La Mascota Perfecta” (The Perfect Pet) and
began the story “La iguana quiere lechuga” (The Iguana Wants Lettuce). In this story,
we worked with the animals iguana, bear, frog, and tiger, and the high-frequency words
“come” (eats), “va” (goes), “quiere” (wants), “llora” (cries), “tiene hambre” (is hungry),
“hay” (there is/are), and “dice” (says). We completed the different activities related to
the story and only need to finish the mini book, which students will take home at the
beginning of December.
Maria Montessori
Ms Mehreen Alvi
The depth of our students' engagement in all the activities of class is preparing them to accomplish new challenges.
Our First year students are reading and working on analyzing the elements of a story. Students are reading text and practicing identifying the setting, characters, plot, problem, and resolution of the story. They are also excited about proofreading exercises and learning to apply these new grammar and editing skills to their writings. Students will be introduced to reading the Biographies of famous people.
In math, addition and subtraction with carry over and borrow using the stamp game is providing students the opportunity to internalize these concepts. Identifying and adding coins exercises have been introduced. Skip counting with bead chains is an ongoing practice. Students are learning the foundations of rounding off the numbers to the nearest tens, moving onto the nearest hundreds.
In science, we have an ongoing study of vertebrates and fundamental needs of humans. Students are also enjoying learning about matter and the three states of matter with experiments and research work. This month we will demonstrate how liquid water is frozen to become a solid (ice) and when the water is heated up to boiling, we can see the steam (gas) rise!
Our Second year students have been challenged to apply new vocabulary into their own creative stories. Proofreading and word study exercises are an integral part of their language exercises. They have built a foundation for the elements of the story from their first year lessons and preparing them for future writers.
Ongoing practice of addition, subtraction, and multiplication problems further solidify their learned mathematical concepts. They are excited to learn 2 digit divisor and 4 digit dividend with the stamp game. New geometrical concepts are being introduced as well to lay the foundation for future mathematical concepts.
In science, students are researching matter and the states of matter. They are also working on the parts of invertebrates with the ongoing planet and Fundamental Needs of Humans' projects. They are also excited to work on the advanced landform projects.
Our Third year students will be presenting their Native American research and dioramas to the class. Ongoing reading and writing exercises are providing them the opportunity to apply correct usage of vocabulary, punctuation, and spellings. Reading and writing creative stories is an integral part of our learning. The mastery for the elements of the story is evidently reflected in the final year of 6-9 class. Students are applying their cursive writing skills beautifully throughout their work.
In math, students are practicing to calculate area, perimeter, measurement, and addition and subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators using the lowest common multiple (LCM). Geometry lessons are building their foundation for future work. Students have been introduced to the conversion of improper to mixed fractions and vice versa.
In science, children are demonstrating their skills in research work focused on matter and the states of matter.
Students are enjoying art work projects with their integrated learning.
All our students have extended their learning from their timelines to reading biographies and connecting with famous people is a treat to see!
Our students are enjoying the activities for acts of kindness which will serve them to be good people.
"Always believe in yourself"
Arabic Class
In first-grade Arabic, our students are doing a phenomenal job learning the second group of letters. They are now able to recognize each letter in its different forms—at the beginning, middle, and end of a word—and write the shapes correctly in their notebooks. They are also beginning to build simple words using the letters they have learned, and their enthusiasm has been wonderful to see.
In second-grade Arabic, the students have mastered the concept of masculine and feminine forms. They are applying this skill confidently in class while forming complete sentences using new vocabulary and colors. They practiced changing sentences from masculine to feminine and vice versa, and they actively participated in reading and writing throughout the month.
In third-grade Arabic, students are doing an amazing job with the clothing unit. They learned the vocabulary for clothing items and practiced describing them while using the correct masculine and feminine forms. The students showed excellent understanding of sentence structure and participated with great energy during the activities.
Islamic Studies & Qur’an
In first-grade Islamic Studies, students learned about the marriage of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to Khadijah (رضي الله عنها), the beginning of Allah’s message, and how the Prophet (ﷺ) taught his people. In Qur’an class, the students completed Surah At-Tin and are now working on Surah Ad-Duha, focusing on memorization and understanding.
In second-grade Islamic Studies, students learned about the Arabian Peninsula and the Holy Scripture. In Qur’an class, they completed Surah Ash-Shams and began Surah Al-‘Alaq, practicing reading and understanding the meanings of the verses.
In third-grade Islamic Studies, students learned about the importance of Salah and its role in building a strong connection with Allah. They also studied the Hijrah—the migration from Mecca to Madinah—and discussed the many challenges Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his companion Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) faced during the journey. Students learned how they hid in the cave, how Allah protected them, and how the Hijrah marked a new beginning for the Muslim community. The students were very engaged and showed great interest in the lessons.
Spanish: Ms Maria Herrero
The 1st grade students finished the story “La ardilla Lola” (Lola the Squirrel), where we
worked on parts of the body and fall vocabulary. We also did a Thanksgiving activity in
which students created paper leaves and wrote about what they were thankful for,
practicing vocabulary such as family, food, school, home, God, and friends.
In addition, they worked with the story “Pavo prepara su pastel favorito” (Turkey
Makes His Favorite Pie), doing several activities to practice the high-frequency words
related to this story.
The 2nd grade students focused on the story “El cocodrilo va al bosque” (The Crocodile
Goes to the Forest), where they worked with vocabulary for animals from the forest and
the Amazon (cocodrilo – crocodile, mono – monkey, colibrí – hummingbird, iguana,
guacamaya – macaw, chigüiro – capybara, rana – frog). They also practiced the high-
frequency words “feliz” (happy), “triste” (sad), “va” (goes), “busca” (looks for),
“bienvenidos” (welcome), and “bosque” (forest).
The mini book for this story is “La iguana va al Amazonas” (The Iguana Goes to the
Amazon). It is the same story, but the characters and the setting change from the forest
to the Amazon. I hope you were able to watch my story video at home using the QR
code included in the mini book.
The 3rd grade students finished the project “La Mascota Perfecta” (The Perfect Pet) and
began the story “La iguana quiere lechuga” (The Iguana Wants Lettuce). In this story,
we worked with the animals iguana, bear, frog, and tiger, and the high-frequency words
“come” (eats), “va” (goes), “quiere” (wants), “llora” (cries), “tiene hambre” (is hungry),
“hay” (there is/are), and “dice” (says). We completed the different activities related to
the story and only need to finish the mini book, which students will take home at the
beginning of December.
Updates from 4th & 5th Grade
4th Grade Science-Ms. Taha
In 4th grade Science, students explored how plants and animals survive and interact in their environments. They learned about different habitats and ecosystems, and discovered how special adaptations help living things meet their needs. Students also studied food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids to understand how energy moves through an ecosystem. We wrapped up the unit by learning how fossils are formed and what scientists can learn from them about plants, animals, and environments from long ago.
4th Grade English- Ms Sameena Ansari
The creative students have been working on a project to create a painting using art as a form to showcase their creativity! They have been reading a wonderful book, “Wonder,” and reflecting on the characters to describe their experiences. The smart learners participated in a series of discussions on the topic to explain the importance of perseverance in a competitive life. They have presented their perceptions on details beautifully! The illustrations are interesting and relatable.
4th Grade English- Ms Nicole Wakefield
Our 4th graders have been diving into Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone! We are focusing on building strong reading comprehension skills by discussing characters, making predictions, and exploring important events in the story. Students have also been practicing their writing skills by working with compound and complex sentences, as well as identifying different types of clauses. We’re excited to see them applying these skills both in their reading and in their own writing! Additionally we have been working on our spelling and vocabulary.
4th Grade English- Ms Melissa Fasiczka
The 4th graders are now reading Wonder by R.J. Palacio. We are studying characterization. This includes character traits, direct and indirect characterization, and round, flat, static and dynamic characters. We will finish the book before we leave for Winter Break. The culminating activity will be a project in which students will make a life sized “character body” using paper and their own notes.
4th Grade Social Studies- Melissa Fasiczka
In World Regions, we are wrapping up our unit on the United States. The students have been learning about the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and the three branches of government. We also covered the checks and balances system our government uses. The next unit will cover the country of Canada.
4th grade Arabic:
Our 4th graders are learning the names of the family members reading and writing meaningful
sentences, Also describing them along with details about their homes. To build our listening
skills and reinforce vocabulary in a fun way the students brought a photo of their family and
home to present to class.
4th grade Islamic Study and Quran:
Our 4th graders are learning: In Quran class,Alhamdulilah the students perfected Surat Abasa
with proper pronunciation and started learning Surat An-Naziat and the meanings of the ayas. In
Islamic studies class, our 4th graders explored beautiful and important lessons from the life of
our beloved Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم(, we learned about his wisdom, fairness by learning about the
famous story of rebuilding the Ka’bah and placing the black stone back, Also learning about the
bad manners of cheating, backbiting, and gossiping and why Islam teaches us to stay away
from these harmful behaviors, we learned from this lesson how to make our classroom a more
positive and respectful environment.
4th Grade Spanish- María Herrero
The 4th grade students began the month studying Colombia. We explored the culture of
this Spanish-speaking country and did an activity where students learned a traditional
Colombian dance, which they loved. After that, we focused on Unit 2, where we have
been working with basic shapes, colors, and animals. From a grammatical point of view,
we have been practicing word order with adjectives and agreement between nouns and
adjectives.
5th Grade English- Ms Sameena Ansari
The curious readers have been reading the book,” I will always write back,” and discussed the idea of sharing the blessings with others to show the significance of being generous! They are writing to express themselves and learn about different aspects of life. Presenting the concept of kindness was their top priority as they are continuing to grow and develop their language skills.
5th Grade English-Ms Kayla Beck
the 5th graders have been deeply engaged in reading The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman. Throughout the novel, we’ve been discussing important themes such as friendship, courage, and resilience, as well as analyzing character development and how setting influences the story. Students have also been practicing making inferences, identifying figurative language, and citing text evidence to support their thinking.
To help students connect more creatively with the book, they have been working on a choice board project. After every few chapters, students select one of three mini-projects—ranging from character journal entries to theme-focused art pieces or chapter summaries written from a different point of view.
We’ve also been moving through Units 6 and 7 in our language curriculum. Students have been completing vocabulary stories, practicing new words in context, and working through targeted grammar and vocabulary exercises to strengthen their reading and writing skills.
Our next class novel will be Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Students will explore themes of survival, perseverance, and problem-solving as they follow Brian’s journey in the wilderness. We will continue practicing key skills—such as analyzing character motivations, tracking plot development, and responding thoughtfully to text—while engaging in meaningful discussions and activities connected to the novel.
5th grade Language Arts Ms. Ashley
The fabulous fifth grade students have been utilizing their analytical skills while digesting, Among the Hidden, a dystopian novel about a boy named Luke who’s a forbidden child. Students have been captivated by the plot twists, Luke’s challenging decisions, and the unraveling of a government’s lies. We have been practicing reading skills such as: using context clues, evaluating character choice, and author’s purpose. Additionally, we have been honing our letter writing skills by choosing a friend as a recipient of a letter persuading them to join the circus using vocabulary words, strong verbs, and descriptive adjectives.
5th Grade English- Ms Nicole Wakefield
Our class has been diving into The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe with a strong focus on reading comprehension. Before beginning the novel, students explored the life of author C.S. Lewis and made thoughtful predictions about the story. Alongside our reading, we’ve also been strengthening our writing skills by practicing how to craft strong sentences and building our spelling and vocabulary. It’s been an exciting and engaging start to our unit, and students are already showing great progress!
5th Grade Science- Ms Ella Abulfeet
Our young geologists have officially wrapped up an amazing Rocks Unit, one jam-packed with hands-on learning, observations, and rock-solid science skills!
From glittering minerals to lava-formed igneous rocks and crumbly sedimentary layers, all the way to pressure-cooked metamorphic masterpieces, we’ve uncovered the entire story of Earth’s rocky past!
What We Explored
Minerals
5th Grade Social Studies- Ms Melissa Fasiczka
In Ancient World History, we have been covering Ancient India. This includes Hinduism, Buddhism, and the great empires of India. For our next project, students will make a day in the life video of a person during the period of the Indian empires.
5th Grade Ancient World History- Mr Daniel Aukst
We completed the three small units that included Canaan, India, and China. We went through the origin and early history of each civilization. We learned about each of their societies, economies, cultural influences, and religions. In China, we covered the three major philosophies that influenced their culture. Students completed several worksheets to support what they learned in class and took a test on each unit.
5th grade Arabic
Our 5th graders have successfully finished learning the Family unit, practiced reading, writing, and
speaking using complete sentences to describe their families, matching and labeling family vocabulary in singular, dual, and plural form.
5th grade Islamic studies and Quran
Our 5th graders have been busy learning and growing! In Quran class, we are about to be done with
memorizing and understanding Surat Al-Mutaffifin. In Islamic Studies class, we explored different ways to remember Allah in our daily lives, we learned about angels and their special missions, we also
discussed the divine books that Allah revealed to his Prophets.
5th Grade Spanish- Ms Maria Herrero
The 5th grade students began the month studying Mexico, where they learned about its
culture, traditions, and customs as part of our cultural journey through Spanish-speaking
countries.We also began Unit 8, which is dedicated to the study of time. In this unit,
students are learning vocabulary to talk about the weather, the parts of the day, and how to tell time in Spanish.
In 4th grade Science, students explored how plants and animals survive and interact in their environments. They learned about different habitats and ecosystems, and discovered how special adaptations help living things meet their needs. Students also studied food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids to understand how energy moves through an ecosystem. We wrapped up the unit by learning how fossils are formed and what scientists can learn from them about plants, animals, and environments from long ago.
4th Grade English- Ms Sameena Ansari
The creative students have been working on a project to create a painting using art as a form to showcase their creativity! They have been reading a wonderful book, “Wonder,” and reflecting on the characters to describe their experiences. The smart learners participated in a series of discussions on the topic to explain the importance of perseverance in a competitive life. They have presented their perceptions on details beautifully! The illustrations are interesting and relatable.
4th Grade English- Ms Nicole Wakefield
Our 4th graders have been diving into Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone! We are focusing on building strong reading comprehension skills by discussing characters, making predictions, and exploring important events in the story. Students have also been practicing their writing skills by working with compound and complex sentences, as well as identifying different types of clauses. We’re excited to see them applying these skills both in their reading and in their own writing! Additionally we have been working on our spelling and vocabulary.
4th Grade English- Ms Melissa Fasiczka
The 4th graders are now reading Wonder by R.J. Palacio. We are studying characterization. This includes character traits, direct and indirect characterization, and round, flat, static and dynamic characters. We will finish the book before we leave for Winter Break. The culminating activity will be a project in which students will make a life sized “character body” using paper and their own notes.
4th Grade Social Studies- Melissa Fasiczka
In World Regions, we are wrapping up our unit on the United States. The students have been learning about the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and the three branches of government. We also covered the checks and balances system our government uses. The next unit will cover the country of Canada.
4th grade Arabic:
Our 4th graders are learning the names of the family members reading and writing meaningful
sentences, Also describing them along with details about their homes. To build our listening
skills and reinforce vocabulary in a fun way the students brought a photo of their family and
home to present to class.
4th grade Islamic Study and Quran:
Our 4th graders are learning: In Quran class,Alhamdulilah the students perfected Surat Abasa
with proper pronunciation and started learning Surat An-Naziat and the meanings of the ayas. In
Islamic studies class, our 4th graders explored beautiful and important lessons from the life of
our beloved Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم(, we learned about his wisdom, fairness by learning about the
famous story of rebuilding the Ka’bah and placing the black stone back, Also learning about the
bad manners of cheating, backbiting, and gossiping and why Islam teaches us to stay away
from these harmful behaviors, we learned from this lesson how to make our classroom a more
positive and respectful environment.
4th Grade Spanish- María Herrero
The 4th grade students began the month studying Colombia. We explored the culture of
this Spanish-speaking country and did an activity where students learned a traditional
Colombian dance, which they loved. After that, we focused on Unit 2, where we have
been working with basic shapes, colors, and animals. From a grammatical point of view,
we have been practicing word order with adjectives and agreement between nouns and
adjectives.
5th Grade English- Ms Sameena Ansari
The curious readers have been reading the book,” I will always write back,” and discussed the idea of sharing the blessings with others to show the significance of being generous! They are writing to express themselves and learn about different aspects of life. Presenting the concept of kindness was their top priority as they are continuing to grow and develop their language skills.
5th Grade English-Ms Kayla Beck
the 5th graders have been deeply engaged in reading The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman. Throughout the novel, we’ve been discussing important themes such as friendship, courage, and resilience, as well as analyzing character development and how setting influences the story. Students have also been practicing making inferences, identifying figurative language, and citing text evidence to support their thinking.
To help students connect more creatively with the book, they have been working on a choice board project. After every few chapters, students select one of three mini-projects—ranging from character journal entries to theme-focused art pieces or chapter summaries written from a different point of view.
We’ve also been moving through Units 6 and 7 in our language curriculum. Students have been completing vocabulary stories, practicing new words in context, and working through targeted grammar and vocabulary exercises to strengthen their reading and writing skills.
Our next class novel will be Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Students will explore themes of survival, perseverance, and problem-solving as they follow Brian’s journey in the wilderness. We will continue practicing key skills—such as analyzing character motivations, tracking plot development, and responding thoughtfully to text—while engaging in meaningful discussions and activities connected to the novel.
5th grade Language Arts Ms. Ashley
The fabulous fifth grade students have been utilizing their analytical skills while digesting, Among the Hidden, a dystopian novel about a boy named Luke who’s a forbidden child. Students have been captivated by the plot twists, Luke’s challenging decisions, and the unraveling of a government’s lies. We have been practicing reading skills such as: using context clues, evaluating character choice, and author’s purpose. Additionally, we have been honing our letter writing skills by choosing a friend as a recipient of a letter persuading them to join the circus using vocabulary words, strong verbs, and descriptive adjectives.
5th Grade English- Ms Nicole Wakefield
Our class has been diving into The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe with a strong focus on reading comprehension. Before beginning the novel, students explored the life of author C.S. Lewis and made thoughtful predictions about the story. Alongside our reading, we’ve also been strengthening our writing skills by practicing how to craft strong sentences and building our spelling and vocabulary. It’s been an exciting and engaging start to our unit, and students are already showing great progress!
5th Grade Science- Ms Ella Abulfeet
Our young geologists have officially wrapped up an amazing Rocks Unit, one jam-packed with hands-on learning, observations, and rock-solid science skills!
From glittering minerals to lava-formed igneous rocks and crumbly sedimentary layers, all the way to pressure-cooked metamorphic masterpieces, we’ve uncovered the entire story of Earth’s rocky past!
What We Explored
Minerals
- Identified luster, color, hardness, and streak
- Learned that every rock is made of minerals, just like every cookie is made of ingredients!
- Discovered that they form from magma & lava
- Vocabulary rockstars: intrusive vs. extrusive!
- Students loved spotting crystals, bigger crystals = slower cooling!
- Formed by compaction, cementation & layers
- Noticed sediments like sand, shells & pebbles
- These rocks are basically Earth’s scrapbook pages
- Created through heat + pressure
- “Baked but not melted!” became our new class motto
- Saw how rocks get “makeovers” deep inside Earth
- Rocks are always changing!
- Any rock can become any other rock given time, heat, pressure, erosion & melting
- Students mastered the idea that rocks are recycled by nature, not thrown away
- Rock matching lab: “Name That Rock!”
- Crystal observation & hardness tests
5th Grade Social Studies- Ms Melissa Fasiczka
In Ancient World History, we have been covering Ancient India. This includes Hinduism, Buddhism, and the great empires of India. For our next project, students will make a day in the life video of a person during the period of the Indian empires.
5th Grade Ancient World History- Mr Daniel Aukst
We completed the three small units that included Canaan, India, and China. We went through the origin and early history of each civilization. We learned about each of their societies, economies, cultural influences, and religions. In China, we covered the three major philosophies that influenced their culture. Students completed several worksheets to support what they learned in class and took a test on each unit.
5th grade Arabic
Our 5th graders have successfully finished learning the Family unit, practiced reading, writing, and
speaking using complete sentences to describe their families, matching and labeling family vocabulary in singular, dual, and plural form.
5th grade Islamic studies and Quran
Our 5th graders have been busy learning and growing! In Quran class, we are about to be done with
memorizing and understanding Surat Al-Mutaffifin. In Islamic Studies class, we explored different ways to remember Allah in our daily lives, we learned about angels and their special missions, we also
discussed the divine books that Allah revealed to his Prophets.
5th Grade Spanish- Ms Maria Herrero
The 5th grade students began the month studying Mexico, where they learned about its
culture, traditions, and customs as part of our cultural journey through Spanish-speaking
countries.We also began Unit 8, which is dedicated to the study of time. In this unit,
students are learning vocabulary to talk about the weather, the parts of the day, and how to tell time in Spanish.
Updates From Middle School and HighSchool
6th Grade Science- Ms Maria Jameel
In 6th grade, students have been exploring the foundations of genetics and cell division. This month, we learned about meiosis and its role in producing reproductive cells. Students also studied the structure and function of DNA, gaining an understanding of how genetic information is stored and passed on. To reinforce these concepts, students created their own DNA double helix models, applying what they learned about nucleotide pairing and molecular structure. We also conducted a hands-on DNA extraction lab using strawberries, allowing students to see real DNA and connect classroom learning to real-world biological techniques.
6th grade Language Arts- Ms. Ashley
The sensational sixth grade students have been examining the elements of the beloved dystopian novel, The Maze Runner. Thomas, our main character, must decipher how to best make it out of the maze alive. They have been utilizing a plot diagram, identification of themes, studying the author's craft, point of view, and learning the traits of a dystopian novel. Sixth grade students will be well prepared for their final exam as a result of their daily studies within the classroom. Lastly, students practiced the six traits of writing in weekly reflections and short stories.
6th Grade Social Studies- Meghan Mullin
Students have been hard at work in Social Studies. They recently finished a Travel Brochure about any Latin American country. Students researched the culture, geography, and must see attractions. They were able to make a sample itinerary as well. Currently, we are studying Western and Eastern Europe's economy, culture, government, and geography. Students completed a map of Western Europe and had elevated discussions about their assigned readings. As finals approach us, we are reviewing each day in class. After the break, we will learn about Russia's history, culture, geography, and the Soviet Union.
6th Grade Group Spanish- Ms Alicia
During the month of November, our 6th students continued their Spanish journey with great enthusiasm. They learned vocabulary focused on adjectives to describe themselves and their friends. It was fun to see them forming sentences to describe each other, and they especially enjoyed using positive adjectives that made their classmates feel special. The students also completed a vocabulary quiz to reinforce their learning.
In grammar, the class worked on definite and indefinite articles as well as noun-adjective agreement, which helped them understand how to structure sentences correctly in Spanish. These lessons gave them the tools to express themselves more accurately and confidently.
In terms of culture, students explored Art in Texas and discussed how cultural traditions influence an artist’s work. They learned about cascarones, the colorful confetti-filled eggs, and their significance in celebrations.
Looking ahead to December, students are scheduled to complete their lesson exam and engage in a fun end-of-lesson activity: creating their own cascarones. This will allow them to apply what they’ve learned about culture in a creative and hands-on way.
Thank you for your continued support in your child’s Spanish learning journey!
6th Grade Qur’an and Islamic Studies
Qur’an:
In Qur’an class, students revisited Ayahs 1–23 of Surah Al-Mulk, focusing on accurate
reading, tajweed application, and comprehension of general meanings. Vocabulary
instruction supported their ability to understand and recall key terms within the surah.
Structured reading practice and guided explanation helped reinforce retention and
fluency.
Islamic Studies:
Students were engaged in a chronological study of early Islamic history, deepening
their understanding of the social, cultural, and religious context preceding the advent of
Islam. Topics included Pre-Islamic Arabia, systems of lineage, clans, and tribes, and
the historical account of the Ransom of Abdullah ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib. Students also
examined the significance of the Year of the Elephant, followed by lessons on the
birth, early caretakers, and upbringing of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). We
concluded the unit with an overview of his life prior to the Divine Mission, highlighting
key character traits and societal roles.
7th Grade (A) Chemistry- Ms Ella Abulfeet
This month our 7th graders explored how atoms bond, why elements connect the way they do, and how compounds come to life through electron interactions. Their creativity and engagement have truly stood out!
Concepts Mastered
Students successfully completed:
- Ionic Bonds – transferring electrons between metals & nonmetals
- Covalent Bonds – sharing electrons between nonmetals
- Metallic Bonds – the “sea of electrons” model
- Stability & Valence Shells – why atoms bond
- Bonding Comparisons – ionic vs covalent vs metallic properties
- Finished creating their “Atoms’ Children Book”!
Students wrote and illustrated story-style books explaining bonding, valence electrons, and element behavior in creative narratives.
We observed excellent storytelling, scientific accuracy, and vibrant artwork! - Completed their bonding presentations and models!
Students performed projects comparing ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds using visuals, displays, and mini demonstrations showing:- electron transfer vs sharing
- conductivity and metallic luster
- how atoms behave differently across bond type
Moving Into Next MonthWe now transition to:
➡ Lewis Dot (Electron) Diagrams
- Modeling valence electrons around atoms
- Showing bonding connections visually
- Practicing single, double, and triple bonds
- Why metals conduct, bend, and shine
- Real-world uses: wiring, jewelry, electronics
The 7th graders have recently finished reading And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. Throughout the novel study, students practiced a variety of important skills, including analyzing plot structure, tracking character motives, identifying clues and red herrings, and making predictions based on text evidence. We also discussed themes such as justice, guilt, and moral decision-making, which led to some great classroom conversations.
In addition to our novel work, students have been strengthening their presentation and research skills. They have been learning how to gather reliable information, organize their ideas clearly, and present their findings confidently to an audience.
We are currently working through Vocabulary Unit 7, focusing on understanding word meanings, using new vocabulary in context, and applying these words in both writing and discussion.
Our next class novel will be The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. This powerful story will allow students to explore historical fiction, point of view, symbolism, and deeper themes such as courage, humanity, and the impact of words.
7th Grade Qur’an and Islamic Studies
Qur’an:
Our amazing 7th graders are working diligently on memorizing ayat from Surah
Qaf while reflecting on their meanings. Alhamdulillah, several students have already
completed memorizing the entire surah.
Islamic Studies:
Last month, the students revisited the Prophet’s early years in Madinah, focusing on the
formation of the Islamic state and the political landscape of the region. They explored:
The settlement in Madinah
The challenges faced by the Prophet (pbuh)
Key lessons from the Constitution of Madinah
This past month, students also learned about the first major battles in Islamic history,
gaining an understanding of divine permission to fight and the principles of justice in
warfare. Additionally, they learned about the Janazah (funeral) prayer, its significance, and the
proper steps involved.
7th Grade Groups A & B Spanish- Ms Alicia
We would like to start by sincerely thanking all of you who participated in our recent parent-teacher conferences. Your involvement and support make a significant difference in your child’s learning experience, and we truly appreciate the time you dedicated to staying engaged in their education. During the month of November, students in 7th Grade A and B continued working on Unit 3, Lesson 2, focusing on Grammar #2: Comparatives. It was enjoyable to see the students create comparative sentences, and there were plenty of laughs as some students playfully compared themselves to their classmates! After practicing, they completed their grammar quiz with great effort.
Following the grammar work, we conducted a comprehensive review of Unit 3, Lesson 2, covering vocabulary and both grammar concepts. Students then completed their lesson exam, demonstrating their understanding of the material.
To culminate the lesson, students began a project titled “My Family”, where they applied what they learned in a creative and meaningful way. They are currently working on their projects and will present them in December. We are excited to see their presentations and the personal touches they add to their work.
Thank you again for your continued support and engagement in your child’s learning journey. We look forward to an exciting month ahead!
7th Grade Arabic
Our enthusiastic 7th graders had a wonderful time exploring the topic of Feelings and Emotions.
They expressed their thoughts through short, creative skits — bringing joy, confidence, and
fluency into the classroom. Students practiced expressing emotions such as happiness, sadness,
excitement, and surprise in different real-life contexts.
They engaged in a variety of fun and meaningful activities, including singing a cheerful song
about feelings to help remember new vocabulary, reading a story about family to discuss how
characters expressed their emotions, and playing a lively classroom game centered around
identifying and describing feelings in Arabic.
Their next unit will focus on The Human Body, where students will explore how physical well-
being connects with emotions and needs. They will also continue building their grammar skills
by practicing verb conjugations in the present tense with different pronouns.
SEVENTH GRADE CREATIVE WRITING- Sameena Ansari
The inquisitive students have been working on their project on classic stories to highlight their creativity and the willingness to challenge their minds! They wrote engaging essays on classic stories and changed the endings that were phenomenal and artistic! The illustrations were connected with their stories and their presentations were eloquent.They are going to write expository essays on famous poets.
8th Grade English- Ms Kayla Beck
The 8th graders have been immersed in Sir Gawain and The Green Knight, exploring this classic work of medieval literature. Throughout the unit, students have practiced a variety of skills, including analyzing literary elements such as symbolism, theme, and character development, interpreting figurative language, and examining how structure and narrative voice shape the story. We have also discussed the values and culture of the time period, connecting the text to historical context.
In vocabulary, students have been working through Unit 8, practicing new words through stories, exercises, and application in their own writing. This helps strengthen both reading comprehension and written expression.
Next, students will be reading And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. This suspenseful mystery will allow students to further develop skills such as making inferences, analyzing plot twists, identifying character motives, and supporting their interpretations with evidence from the text.
8th Grade Qur’an and Islamic Studies
Qur’an: Our remarkable 8th graders are studying Surat Yā-Sīn, reflecting on the story of the
believer who risked his life to spread the message of truth. They also studied a related ḥadīth
narrated by Ibn Masʿūd (ra):
“Whoever advises something good will receive a reward similar to that of the doer, without
diminishing the doer’s reward.”
Islamic Studies: Students recently completed a course from Yaqeen Institute titled “How the
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) Rose Above Enmity and Insult.” Through this course, they learned
powerful lessons on managing anger, maintaining dignity in adversity, and prioritizing the
defense of Islam over personal pride.
They created thoughtful presentations on the Prophet’s noble responses to personal attacks and
his merciful treatment of prisoners of war. Many students expressed how deeply they were
moved by the Prophet’s compassion and his unparalleled example of humanity.
This month, in shā’ Allāh, we will begin exploring Islamic beliefs (‘Aqīdah) and the
foundations of faith.
8th Grade Modern World History- Mr Daniel Aukst
Students spent the month of November completing two large chapters of World History. The first
chapter included the First Industrial Revolution and Second Agricultural Revolution. We primarily
looked at Britain, then expanded to the rest of Europe. The second chapter included the Second
Industrial Revolution and had a heavy emphasis on America. Each topic included supporting work,
worksheets, and a test.
8th–10th Grade Arabic
Our journey through the Arabic language has become even more exciting! Students recently
completed a Travel and Airport unit, where they “traveled” through different airport stations
using Arabic for check-in, boarding, and customs.
They even created blueprints for a small domestic airport and set up a simulated airport
experience right in our classroom — a hands-on, interactive way to use their new vocabulary in
real-life scenarios!
8th Grade Physics- Ms Paul
Conceptual Physics (8th grade)
In November, we covered Newton’s Second and Third Laws of Motion.
For Newton’s Second Law, we practiced solving problems using the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration; examined resistance forces such as friction and air resistance; applied concepts of force and pressure; and analyzed falling objects, air resistance, and terminal velocity.
For Newton’s Third Law, we identified action–reaction force pairs, defined systems, and investigated the classic horse-and-cart problem.
Activity: Balloon Rockets.
8th Grade English- Dr Mark
8th Grade students are in the midst of a unit on African fiction, culminating in a
close study of Chinua Achebe’s masterful novel Things Fall Apart. The book has really seemed
to strike a chord with students, and I was pleased on many days to have a vigorous class
discussion underway before even beginning class. During the last days of the semester, we
will be broadening our attention to consider some ways in which this mid twentieth-century
African classic may still speak to us today.
8th GradeSpanish- Maria Mendez
Hello! And thank you to all those parents who attended Parent-teachers conferences. In our
class students have learned how to conjugate different verbs in the present tense, they learned
about the verb Saber/Conocer (to know), and when to use each one of them. They have also
been learning parts of the body, how to express when something hurts and also about past
tense of regular verbs ending in -ar. Finals are coming soon, so we will be reviewing all the
contents for our test. A study guide has been posted in Google classroom.
Spanish 1.
Hello! Students have been able to learn new vocabulary in Unit 2, Lesson 2 and are able to
establish small conversations or create short paragraphs expressing ideas about things they like
to eat, drink or they have to do. They also learned vocabulary about school items. When
watching telehistorias”, they are able to distinguish and write words they understand in the
dialogues of the videos. During the week of December 8th, we will be reviewing contents for the
final test and the study guide will be posted in google classroom.
Spanish 2.
In Unit 3, Lesson 1, students learned new vocabulary related to places to go shopping and what
items you can find in each store, also they can express if clothes fit well or not. They have also
learned about present progressive the present tense of regular “yo” verbs, and they learn about
the culture of Puerto Rico. We will be reviewing the contents for the finals next week and also
they will have presentations about different topics of the island. They will get a study guide to
strengthen their knowledge for our final test.
Spanish 3
During this time, students have been learning about volunteer activities, creating posters, talking
in class and expressing their opinions about different topics. They learned different pronouns
with commands and how to say negative commands. We watched a movie and after that
students talked about it and answered questions. During the week of December 8th to 12th, we
will be reviewing the contents for the final test.
Spanish 4
In Unit 2, Lesson 1 & 2, students have reviewed sports and things they like. They also reviewed
reflexive pronouns, and the preterite and imperfect, then, they used them to talk about sports
and pastimes. They learned about verbs with change in the meaning in the preterit, using
different verbs or expressions to express the meaning. They are able to show their favorite
sports. Next week, we will be getting ready for finals, reviewing our study guide.
9th Grade English Honors- Dr Mark Jones
Students are currently in the midst of an extensive study of postmemory, a
concept described by Marianne Hirsh as “the relationship of children of survivors of cultural or
collective trauma to the experiences of their parents, experiences that they ‘remember’ only as
the stories and images with which they grew up, but that are so powerful, so monumental, as
to constitute memories in their own right.” Between now and the conclusion of the semester,
the students will be writing their own “postmemorial” narratives. Initial ideas are very promising
indeed.
9th Grade AP World History- Mr Daniel Aukst
AP World History covered six chapters in November. They included The Rise of Russia, The Muslim
Empires, Asian Transitions in an Age of Global Change, The Emergence of Industrial Society in the West 1750-1900, Industrialization and Imperialism: The Making of the European Global Order, The
Consolidation of Latin America, 1810-1920. We looked at the changes and the global impact. The major areas covered were Europe, East Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Students also took a test on each chapter and completed key terms and short answer questions. In addition, they had several DBQs and LEQs.
Honors Chemistry- Amy Kaczor
November was a busy month in Honors Chemistry! The 10th graders started the month by completing Chapter 8 - Chemical Composition in which they learned about converting between different units of quantities, such as grams, moles, atoms, and molecules. They used these calculations to determine formulas of compounds when given mass of each element or percent composition by mass, which introduced students to empirical and molecular formulas.
Next, we began Chapter 9 which is all about stoichiometry. Students combined all their previous knowledge of chemical nomenclature, writing and balancing chemical equations, and unit conversions to convert between amounts of different substances in the context of a chemical reaction. They completed a lab in which they calculated a predicted amount of product formed from a chemical reaction. The students were then able to weigh the solid they collected and calculate a percent yield for their experiment.
10th & 11th Grade Qur’an and Islamic Studies
Qur’an: Mā shā’ Allāh, our students have been reflecting on the test of wealth through the story
of the owners of the two gardens from Surat al-Kahf. As they connect these lessons to their
daily lives, students are expanding their understanding of key Arabic vocabulary and the deeper
meanings of the Qur’anic verses.
Islamic Studies: Last month, students explored the Fiqh of voluntary Sunnah prayers and
the rules of Imāmah (leading prayer) in Islam. Additionally, they discussed everyday Islamic
manners and character, emphasizing kindness, integrity, and positive relationships within the
community.
High School World Religions- Melissa Fasiczka
In World Religions, the class has recently completed a project in which they made their own business plan while following Jain principles. They did an excellent job! We have been discussing Sikhism and the students will be working on a project where they dive deeper into the lives and backgrounds of one of the ten Gurus of the religion. Next, we will be focusing on Confucianism.
Intro to Psychology-High School- Meghan Mullin
During this month, we finished our study on sensation and perception. Students discovered how humans perceive and interpret information. Then we jumped to our study on development through all ages. We analyzed the different models researchers created about development and if it is continuous or in strict stages. They also demonstrated their knowledge about Erik Erikson's stages by assigning a song to each stage. Currently, students are designing a baby book analyzing and displaying their own development. After break, students will discover how they learn.
AP U.S. History- High School- Meghan Mullin
Students have been hard at work in Social Studies. During the month of November, students analyzed the events that led up to the Civil War and sectional conflict. They also studied the significance of famous Civil War battles, and evaluated the effects of the period afterwards: Reconstruction. In terms of skills, students are learning how to think of history as being continuous. Similar to math, everything builds on each other and can lead to a chain reaction of events. Currently, students are analyzing the effects of industrialization and urbanization through primary sources and writing. Students debated if famous historical figures such as Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefellar had more of a positive or negative effect on society. Coming up, we will be reviewing for finals, and then start imperialism after the break.
High School Arabic
Across our three high school Arabic levels, students are truly soaring in their language journey
Introductory Level: Students have successfully completed the basics of reading and are now building confidence in simple conversation and comprehension.
Intermediate Level: After finishing a unit on Education Stages, students began learning about Soccer — the world’s favorite sport — exploring related vocabulary and cultural expressions.
Advanced Level: This month, students practiced writing a professional CV in Arabic.
They are now engaged in a thought-provoking unit titled Dream Country, exploring the values, goals, and dreams that shape their aspirations. The unit will conclude with a creative essay competition where students describe their “Dream Country” in an expressive, narrative format.
We look forward to an inspiring journey ahead with our talented and motivated students --enjoying every step as they continue to grow in confidence, creativity, and love for the Arabic language.
AP English Language and Composition- Dr Mark
students are currently in the midst of an extensive study of postmemory, a
concept described by Marianne Hirsh as “the relationship of children of survivors of cultural or
collective trauma to the experiences of their parents, experiences that they ‘remember’ only as
the stories and images with which they grew up, but that are so powerful, so monumental, as
to constitute memories in their own right.” Between now and the conclusion of the semester,
the students will be writing their own “postmemorial” narratives. Initial ideas are very promising
indeed.
HS Computer Science Discoveries
This month, we are wrapping up our unit on JavaScript programming using Game Lab. The students have been building on what they have previously learned to create more and more complex programs. The semester concludes with the students using what they have learned in this unit to create their own game as a final project. I look forward to seeing their creations!
Updates from Gym
Dear Kindi Families,
As we enter the winter season, our PE classes continue to focus on keeping students active, healthy, and engaged. Even with colder weather, we are committed to ensuring that every student stays moving and learns the importance of physical fitness.
This Month in PE
Pickleball Unit
Students learned the fundamentals of pickleball, including:
Students will continue developing core basketball fundamentals, including:
To stay active during colder months, students will participate in:
Throughout December, we are emphasizing:
Stay Active,
Coach Ishtaiah
As we enter the winter season, our PE classes continue to focus on keeping students active, healthy, and engaged. Even with colder weather, we are committed to ensuring that every student stays moving and learns the importance of physical fitness.
This Month in PE
Pickleball Unit
Students learned the fundamentals of pickleball, including:
- Forehand and backhand shots
- Serving technique
- Court positioning
- Basic rules and scoring
Students also participated in mini-games to build confidence and develop strategy.
Students will continue developing core basketball fundamentals, including:
- Dribbling with control
- Proper shooting form
- Passing (bounce, chest, overhead)
- Defensive footwork
- Gameplay decision-making through small-sided scrimmages
To stay active during colder months, students will participate in:
- Circuit training
- Agility ladder drills
- Core strengthening
- Flexibility and stretching routines
Throughout December, we are emphasizing:
- Encouraging teammates
- Playing fair
- Respecting opponents and officials
- Maintaining a positive attitude
Stay Active,
Coach Ishtaiah