Message from the Executive Director
Hello Kindians,
This season marks a truly exciting and defining moment for our school community. With gratitude in our hearts and great anticipation for what lies ahead, we are entering a new chapter—one shaped by growth, vision, and a solid commitment to excellence in education. The momentum we are experiencing is a reflection of the strength of our community and our shared belief in creating an environment where students are inspired to learn, grow, and thrive. What’s unfolding is not simply about expansion, but about opportunity—opportunity to elevate learning, enrich student experiences, and build a future that reflects our highest aspirations.
This thoughtful expansion allows us to better serve both our younger learners and our upper-grade students. The new campus will feature:
- Expanded science labs (Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and General Science.
- A Maker's Space, Library, and Art Studio
- A gymnasium (near high school size)
- Multiple open areas for meetings, collaboration, and special events
Outdoors, students will enjoy:
- A soccer field and green spaces
- Tennis/Pickleball courts
- Basketball courts
As we move forward, we are reminded that meaningful growth is always a collective effort. Every milestone we reach is made possible through partnership, faith, and the generous support of those who believe in our mission. This spirit of unity will be at the heart of Kindi’s Benefit Iftar & Dinner, taking place on Sunday, March 1st—a special evening of connection, celebration, and purpose that brings our community together around a shared vision.
We warmly invite every family, alumnus, and friend of the school to participate, contribute, and help spread the excitement. Whether through attendance, generous giving, or heartfelt encouragement, your involvement truly makes a difference. Together, with unity, generosity, and purpose, we can transform this vision into a lasting reality and continue building something extraordinary for generations to come.
Warm regards,
Hatem Elagha
Executive Director
Kindi Academy
Social Counselor's Corner
Dear Kindi Community,
As we begin the month of January and welcome a new year, our focus turns to a powerful value that supports emotional well-being and positive growth: Gratitude.
Gratitude is more than saying “thank you.” It is the ability to notice the good around us, to appreciate the blessings we have, and to recognize the people and efforts that support us each day. Practicing gratitude helps students shift their focus from what is missing to what is present, encouraging a more positive and balanced mindset.
Throughout this month in our SEL lessons and counseling sessions, students will explore what gratitude looks like in everyday life. We will discuss how expressing appreciation, reflecting on positive moments, and recognizing acts of kindness can strengthen emotional resilience and improve relationships. Students will learn that gratitude is not dependent on circumstances; it is a skill and a mindset that can be practiced daily.
From a developmental perspective, gratitude plays an important role in emotional regulation and mental health. Children who practice gratitude tend to experience reduced stress, improved mood, and stronger connections with others. When students learn to acknowledge what they are thankful for, they develop empathy, patience, and a greater sense of contentment.
Weekly Gratitude Activities (for School & Home):
Week 1: Gratitude Reflection - Share one thing you are thankful for each day and why it matters to you.
Week 2: Gratitude in Action - Write or say a thank-you to someone who helps you at school or at home.
Week 3: Gratitude During Challenges - Identify one positive lesson or strength gained from a difficult situation.
Week 4: Gratitude Journal- Draw or write about three things that made you smile this week.
Families can support gratitude at home by modeling appreciation, acknowledging efforts, and creating small daily routines that encourage reflection. When children see gratitude practiced consistently, they learn to value both meaningful moments and everyday kindness.
As we move forward in the new year, we hope our students remember that gratitude helps us grow emotionally, strengthen relationships, and approach life with optimism and balance.
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” - Aesop
As we begin the month of January and welcome a new year, our focus turns to a powerful value that supports emotional well-being and positive growth: Gratitude.
Gratitude is more than saying “thank you.” It is the ability to notice the good around us, to appreciate the blessings we have, and to recognize the people and efforts that support us each day. Practicing gratitude helps students shift their focus from what is missing to what is present, encouraging a more positive and balanced mindset.
Throughout this month in our SEL lessons and counseling sessions, students will explore what gratitude looks like in everyday life. We will discuss how expressing appreciation, reflecting on positive moments, and recognizing acts of kindness can strengthen emotional resilience and improve relationships. Students will learn that gratitude is not dependent on circumstances; it is a skill and a mindset that can be practiced daily.
From a developmental perspective, gratitude plays an important role in emotional regulation and mental health. Children who practice gratitude tend to experience reduced stress, improved mood, and stronger connections with others. When students learn to acknowledge what they are thankful for, they develop empathy, patience, and a greater sense of contentment.
Weekly Gratitude Activities (for School & Home):
Week 1: Gratitude Reflection - Share one thing you are thankful for each day and why it matters to you.
Week 2: Gratitude in Action - Write or say a thank-you to someone who helps you at school or at home.
Week 3: Gratitude During Challenges - Identify one positive lesson or strength gained from a difficult situation.
Week 4: Gratitude Journal- Draw or write about three things that made you smile this week.
Families can support gratitude at home by modeling appreciation, acknowledging efforts, and creating small daily routines that encourage reflection. When children see gratitude practiced consistently, they learn to value both meaningful moments and everyday kindness.
As we move forward in the new year, we hope our students remember that gratitude helps us grow emotionally, strengthen relationships, and approach life with optimism and balance.
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” - Aesop
Message from the Curriculum Director
Greetings Eagles,
Happy New Year to all of you! I hope everyone had a great, relaxing winter break and that you’re ready to jump back into the swing of things at school!
In December, I completed teaching another quarter of Civics to one of our 7th grade classes. One lesson I quickly worked with the students on, besides the ins and outs of the way our government works, was on growth. By the end of the course, students take the U.S. Constitution Test and must get a passing grade to complete Middle School. Throughout the class, students monitored how they did from each test to the next, as the material obviously built upon each other. Hearing students say, “I improved on the next test by 15%” is something that every teacher dreams of hearing! Learning is a process and takes time to get the scores they’d like. Keeping a growth mindset and monitoring our growth and progress leads to much greater academic success.
Luckily, with the support of our hard-working and dedication from all of our teachers, success like this is always possible here at Kindi. We pride ourselves on maintaining low student to teacher ratios, so that teachers can truly teach every student in the room and maintain strong bonds and relationships with them as well. Before break, I was lucky to see some of our recent graduates from Kindi that stopped by to visit. Seeing our students going into top universities and being successful shows that what we’re doing at Kindi really works.
I am always grateful to our dedicated staff members here at Kindi. Their commitment to the school, strong passion for their subjects, and love of all our students inspires me continuously. Along with hard-working students, supportive parents and families, this gives us a special recipe for continued success and more growth in the future for all!
Wishing all the best to everyone in this New Year! May we see more successes and make more positive strides together in 2026!
Happy New Year to all of you! I hope everyone had a great, relaxing winter break and that you’re ready to jump back into the swing of things at school!
In December, I completed teaching another quarter of Civics to one of our 7th grade classes. One lesson I quickly worked with the students on, besides the ins and outs of the way our government works, was on growth. By the end of the course, students take the U.S. Constitution Test and must get a passing grade to complete Middle School. Throughout the class, students monitored how they did from each test to the next, as the material obviously built upon each other. Hearing students say, “I improved on the next test by 15%” is something that every teacher dreams of hearing! Learning is a process and takes time to get the scores they’d like. Keeping a growth mindset and monitoring our growth and progress leads to much greater academic success.
Luckily, with the support of our hard-working and dedication from all of our teachers, success like this is always possible here at Kindi. We pride ourselves on maintaining low student to teacher ratios, so that teachers can truly teach every student in the room and maintain strong bonds and relationships with them as well. Before break, I was lucky to see some of our recent graduates from Kindi that stopped by to visit. Seeing our students going into top universities and being successful shows that what we’re doing at Kindi really works.
I am always grateful to our dedicated staff members here at Kindi. Their commitment to the school, strong passion for their subjects, and love of all our students inspires me continuously. Along with hard-working students, supportive parents and families, this gives us a special recipe for continued success and more growth in the future for all!
Wishing all the best to everyone in this New Year! May we see more successes and make more positive strides together in 2026!
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- Jude Sulaiman
G2- Safina Pardesi
G3- Amalia Sheikh
R4
G1- Leia Alnajar
G2- Zaina Kassas
G3- Hamza Ahmed & Safi Aleem
R7
G1 - Batool Surti
G2 - Sara Nathan
G3 - Yusuf Ali Murtaza
R8
G1 - Jasmine Qureshi/ Deen Rizwi
G2- Musab Shoaib
G3- Rodwan Rajjoub
4th Grade:
Luna Noureldin
Maliha Ahmed
Mira Elnajami
Kayla Matin
5th Grade:
Ibrahim Hajsaleh,
Emaan Yadullahi
Khalil Siddiqui
6th Grade:
Musa Ali
Zain Ahmed
Dima alkhdour
Ibrahim Masood
7th Grade:
Ziynatbegim Yuzbeava
Abdullah Hussain
Yasin Garcia
Hamnah Farooqui
Umar Afzaal
Mustafa Hussein
8th Grade:
Ibrahim Syed
Jumana Alzubaidi
Pareesa Baig
High School:
Sarah Fawsi
Sajid Mohsin
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:
Our November Eagles of the Month!
6-9:
R3
G1- Jude Sulaiman
G2- Safina Pardesi
G3- Amalia Sheikh
R4
G1- Leia Alnajar
G2- Zaina Kassas
G3- Hamza Ahmed & Safi Aleem
R7
G1 - Batool Surti
G2 - Sara Nathan
G3 - Yusuf Ali Murtaza
R8
G1 - Jasmine Qureshi/ Deen Rizwi
G2- Musab Shoaib
G3- Rodwan Rajjoub
4th Grade:
Luna Noureldin
Maliha Ahmed
Mira Elnajami
Kayla Matin
5th Grade:
Ibrahim Hajsaleh,
Emaan Yadullahi
Khalil Siddiqui
6th Grade:
Musa Ali
Zain Ahmed
Dima alkhdour
Ibrahim Masood
7th Grade:
Ziynatbegim Yuzbeava
Abdullah Hussain
Yasin Garcia
Hamnah Farooqui
Umar Afzaal
Mustafa Hussein
8th Grade:
Ibrahim Syed
Jumana Alzubaidi
Pareesa Baig
High School:
Sarah Fawsi
Sajid Mohsin
Amina Shejah
Thank you for being shining examples of what it means to be a true Eagle.
Keep soaring high! 🦅✨
News from our 3-6 Classrooms
Childhood is not a race to see how quickly a child can read, write, and
count. Childhood is a small window of time to learn and develop at the pace
which is right for each individual child. ~Maria Montessori
Happy New Year and welcome back! We hope everyone had a relaxing
winter break and enjoyed quality time with family.
Although December was a shorter month, we made the most of it with
plenty of learning and fun. In the classroom, teachers introduced various
winter-themed activities, including parts of a gingerbread man, a reindeer,
and a poinsettia. The children loved coloring, labeling, and creating their
own booklets to take home. Other engaging topics covered included
hibernation, migration, and adaptation, along with sorting activities featuring
hot/cold, day/night, nocturnal/diurnal picture cards.
One of the highlights of December was that we had two indoor field trips.
The first one was The Bubble show. The children loved to see all the
bubbles made. Some children got to go up and have a bubble made
around them. The second was the Prismatic Laser Show. The kids got to
sing along to some songs while images were projected on to a screen by
lasers. They enjoyed singing and dancing to some of their favorite songs.
We wrapped up the last day of school before winter break with pajama day,
a movie, and popcorn! The first half of school went by fast, but it has been
great so far! As we move into the second half of the year, we look forward
to continuing our journey of fun and discovery.
~ The 3-6 Montessori Program
Arabic & Islamic Studies-
Assalamu Alaikum dear parents,
As we concluded the first semester, our Pre-K and KG students proudly reached the Arabic letter ق. Each letter was introduced through meaningful vocabulary, hands-on activities, and fun, engaging lessons. InshAllah, we will continue learning one Arabic letter each week until all letters are completed.
As we begin the second semester, students will continue exploring the remaining Arabic letters through creative and interactive activities that support early language development.
In Qur’an, students have completed memorization of Surah Al-Ikhlaas and have begun learning Surah An-Naas, with a focus on proper pronunciation and age-appropriate understanding.
In Islamic Studies, students learned about the Adhan, including the story of Bilal (رضي الله عنه), as well as the importance of Salah and its five daily prayer times, helping build a strong foundation of Islamic values.
We are proud of our students progress and look forward to a semester filled with continued growth and joyful learning."
Spanish (Ms Maria Herrero)
During the month of December, students in the 3–6 program worked on the animal unit.
We introduced farm animals and played the Animal Yoga game. We also reviewed
vocabulary using the flyswatter game, practicing colors, weather, and animals.
In addition, we began introducing winter clothing vocabulary, which will be the unit we
work on during the month of January.
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
A very Happy New Year to our students and their families. We hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Winter Break.
We have entered the second half of the school year and it is going to be a very busy rest of the school year. We are very excited about the new lessons being presented to our students.
Our first year students are fully energized and ready to dive into all the curriculum areas. They will be learning about the parts of the speech, "Verb" and its function. Reading comprehension with research has been introduced and they will be practicing how to write the correct answers in detail. Students will be practicing their dynamic addition and subtraction with our special Stamp Game material. They are excited to make their Fraction posters. Early exposure to squaring and cubing with our Montessori Bead Chain Material will plant the seeds for future math concepts. Another sequential Montessori Bead Frame material will be introduced. They love to read and research about the lives of famous people's biographies.
Students will be enjoying their landform projects along with continent study. Parts of the Earth will be introduced in a fun way. They will be working on parts of reptiles to learn more about the zoology.
Our second grade students are very enthusiastic about their ongoing word study works. They are compelled to use their imagination for constructing creative sentences. Reading comprehension is an integral part to enhance their critical thinking skills. Understanding the parts of speech and ongoing grammar activities are building their knowledge for the future works. Students are taking pride in using the special Stamp Game material for working on 2 digit divisor with 4 digit dividend. Checkerboard multiplication is serving a solid foundation to move to abstraction and high order thinking. Elapsed time concept provides the students to practice their executive functioning skills. In Social Sciences, students are learning and creating their puzzle maps along with the botany projects. Planet research is the key element in exercising their research skills.
Our third graders are fully engaged in writing biographies. They are continuously improving their writing skills. Ongoing word study works are the feeders for enhancing their imagination and creative writings. Grammar works provide the platform for understanding the language mechanics. Students are taking charge of the complex long division problems with our Montessori Racks and Tubes material. They are working hard to achieve the goal to move from concrete to abstraction. Memorization of times tables is the key for solving complex problems. They have been introduced to the addition and subtraction of the mixed fractions abstractly. They took the challenge and demonstrated their full understanding. "Practice makes it perfect". Diving into the cell study, our students have been introduced to the animal cell. They will be working on the different parts of the cell and their function. Ongoing learning of puzzle maps of continents is serving the basis of physical geography.
We are very proud of our third grade students for presenting their beautiful Native American dioramas. We are impressed with their hard work. Well done!
Islamic Studies, Arabic, & Qur’an- Ms Lina Eltibi
Last month, students completed the lessons planned for the first semester and spent time reviewing and reinforcing key concepts in Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Quran. They did a wonderful job participating, staying engaged, and showing their learning progress. The final week was Winter Break, and we hope everyone enjoyed a restful and joyful break.
We are excited to begin the second semester with new and engaging lessons across all three subjects. Students will continue developing their language skills in Arabic, deepening their understanding of Islamic Studies, and strengthening their connection with the Quran through memorization and comprehension.
We are also looking forward to the Quran Competition in February, insha’Allah, and are excited to continue working closely with our students throughout the semester.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Spanish: Ms Maria Herrero
The 1st grade students began the month by creating a mini story about fall. After that,
we started working with the new story “Yo preparo chocolate caliente” (I make hot
chocolate), where students are learning high-frequency words such as “necesito” (I
need), “me gusta” (I like), “pongo” (I put), and “mezclo” (I mix), as well as vocabulary
related to the utensils needed to prepare hot chocolate. As part of this work, we
decorated the classroom with hot chocolate mugs to create a cozy winter atmosphere.
The 2nd grade students worked with the story “La noche de las velitas” (The Night of
the Little Candles). This story is about a Colombian tradition celebrated on December
7th, when families light small candles in the evening. Through this story, students
practiced family vocabulary, colors, and words such as Paz (Peace), Amor (Love), La
Tierra (The Earth), las flores (flowers), el arcoiris (rainbow), el cielo (sky), as well as
the high-frequency word “pone” (puts/places).
The 3rd grade students finished the story “La iguana quiere lechuga” (The Iguana Wants
Lettuce) with a role play and completed the mini books they took home. We also began
a new story called “Mi rutina con mi gata” (My routine with my cat). In this story,
students are learning Spanish reflexive verbs such as “bañarse” (to take a bath),
“cepillarse” (to brush), “vestirse” (to get dressed), and “levantarse” (to get up), as well
as “desayunar” (to have breakfast) and “ir a la escuela” (to go to school).
Lina Eltibi
Maria Montessori
Ms Mehreen Alvi
A very Happy New Year to our students and their families. We hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Winter Break.
We have entered the second half of the school year and it is going to be a very busy rest of the school year. We are very excited about the new lessons being presented to our students.
Our first year students are fully energized and ready to dive into all the curriculum areas. They will be learning about the parts of the speech, "Verb" and its function. Reading comprehension with research has been introduced and they will be practicing how to write the correct answers in detail. Students will be practicing their dynamic addition and subtraction with our special Stamp Game material. They are excited to make their Fraction posters. Early exposure to squaring and cubing with our Montessori Bead Chain Material will plant the seeds for future math concepts. Another sequential Montessori Bead Frame material will be introduced. They love to read and research about the lives of famous people's biographies.
Students will be enjoying their landform projects along with continent study. Parts of the Earth will be introduced in a fun way. They will be working on parts of reptiles to learn more about the zoology.
Our second grade students are very enthusiastic about their ongoing word study works. They are compelled to use their imagination for constructing creative sentences. Reading comprehension is an integral part to enhance their critical thinking skills. Understanding the parts of speech and ongoing grammar activities are building their knowledge for the future works. Students are taking pride in using the special Stamp Game material for working on 2 digit divisor with 4 digit dividend. Checkerboard multiplication is serving a solid foundation to move to abstraction and high order thinking. Elapsed time concept provides the students to practice their executive functioning skills. In Social Sciences, students are learning and creating their puzzle maps along with the botany projects. Planet research is the key element in exercising their research skills.
Our third graders are fully engaged in writing biographies. They are continuously improving their writing skills. Ongoing word study works are the feeders for enhancing their imagination and creative writings. Grammar works provide the platform for understanding the language mechanics. Students are taking charge of the complex long division problems with our Montessori Racks and Tubes material. They are working hard to achieve the goal to move from concrete to abstraction. Memorization of times tables is the key for solving complex problems. They have been introduced to the addition and subtraction of the mixed fractions abstractly. They took the challenge and demonstrated their full understanding. "Practice makes it perfect". Diving into the cell study, our students have been introduced to the animal cell. They will be working on the different parts of the cell and their function. Ongoing learning of puzzle maps of continents is serving the basis of physical geography.
We are very proud of our third grade students for presenting their beautiful Native American dioramas. We are impressed with their hard work. Well done!
Islamic Studies, Arabic, & Qur’an- Ms Lina Eltibi
Last month, students completed the lessons planned for the first semester and spent time reviewing and reinforcing key concepts in Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Quran. They did a wonderful job participating, staying engaged, and showing their learning progress. The final week was Winter Break, and we hope everyone enjoyed a restful and joyful break.
We are excited to begin the second semester with new and engaging lessons across all three subjects. Students will continue developing their language skills in Arabic, deepening their understanding of Islamic Studies, and strengthening their connection with the Quran through memorization and comprehension.
We are also looking forward to the Quran Competition in February, insha’Allah, and are excited to continue working closely with our students throughout the semester.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Spanish: Ms Maria Herrero
The 1st grade students began the month by creating a mini story about fall. After that,
we started working with the new story “Yo preparo chocolate caliente” (I make hot
chocolate), where students are learning high-frequency words such as “necesito” (I
need), “me gusta” (I like), “pongo” (I put), and “mezclo” (I mix), as well as vocabulary
related to the utensils needed to prepare hot chocolate. As part of this work, we
decorated the classroom with hot chocolate mugs to create a cozy winter atmosphere.
The 2nd grade students worked with the story “La noche de las velitas” (The Night of
the Little Candles). This story is about a Colombian tradition celebrated on December
7th, when families light small candles in the evening. Through this story, students
practiced family vocabulary, colors, and words such as Paz (Peace), Amor (Love), La
Tierra (The Earth), las flores (flowers), el arcoiris (rainbow), el cielo (sky), as well as
the high-frequency word “pone” (puts/places).
The 3rd grade students finished the story “La iguana quiere lechuga” (The Iguana Wants
Lettuce) with a role play and completed the mini books they took home. We also began
a new story called “Mi rutina con mi gata” (My routine with my cat). In this story,
students are learning Spanish reflexive verbs such as “bañarse” (to take a bath),
“cepillarse” (to brush), “vestirse” (to get dressed), and “levantarse” (to get up), as well
as “desayunar” (to have breakfast) and “ir a la escuela” (to go to school).
Lina Eltibi
Updates from 4th & 5th Grade
4th Grade Science-Ms. Taha
What We’ve Learned last Month in our 4th grade science class.
Students explored the fascinating world of fossils. They learned how fossils are formed and what they tell us about plants and animals from long ago. To bring learning to life, students created their own fossil models in our science lab, and they did an amazing job applying what they learned through this fun activity.
In Earth’s Resources chapter we learned.
The students were able to create an artistic expression on Tuck Everlasting to express themselves gracefully. Their creativity was amazing as they imagined and beautified their ideas to highlight their artistic excellence! They had expanded the sentences to make the text detailed and deeply connected. Learners have learned to use gerunds and shared their examples with confidence.
They have written sentences using gerunds and shared their sentences with illustrations. The smart students have enjoyed the painting sessions and beautified their ideas gracefully. The activity on spelling practice was amazing as they were delighted while learning the words and the spellings!
4th Grade English- Ms Nicole Wakefield
In English, our 4th graders finished reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and watched the movie before we left for winter break. During break, students got to choose activities from a choice board to complete over the novel. Students showed wonderful creativity in all their projects! We are currently working on our writing skills and proper paper formatting. In addition, we will begin reading Tuck Everlasting as our next novel.
4th Grade English- Ms Melissa Fasiczka
In 4th grade English, we finished reading Wonder. The students really enjoyed the book overall. They completed “character body” projects to use their skills in character development and characterization, completing a life-size poster of a character from the novel. They turned out beautifully! We also viewed the movie and noted the differences between the two mediums - novel and film. Our next novel will be Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.
4th Grade Social Studies- Melissa Fasiczka
In 4th grade English, we finished reading Wonder. The students really enjoyed the book overall. They completed “character body” projects to use their skills in character development and characterization, completing a life-size poster of a character from the novel. They turned out beautifully! We also viewed the movie and noted the differences between the two mediums - novel and film. Our next novel will be Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.
4th grade Arabic- Ms Heiam Elkhatib
4th graders are working hard on learning pronouns and applying them correctly with
singular, dual, and plural nouns.
4th grade Islamic Study and Quran- Ms Heiam Elkhatib
Qur’an
Our wonderful 4th graders are continuing their memorization of Surat An-Nāzi‘āt and have
been learning, in detail, the story of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) as it relates to the surah.
Islamic Studies
In Islamic Studies, students are exploring the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his
family.
4th Grade Spanish- María Herrero
Students continued working on Unit 2 of the book. This is a long unit in
which students work with colors, animals, and shapes. From a grammar perspective,
students are learning how to use adjectives and how to make them agree in masculine,
feminine, singular, and plural forms. We only have the final lesson on indefinite articles
left, and students will be ready to take the unit test during the first weeks of January.
4th Grade Math- Ms Nicole Wakefield:
In math, our 4th graders are finishing up the chapter on division. They have shown great growth in understanding the proper steps and recalling their multiplication facts. Our next chapter will focus on measurement (units of length, customary units, metric units, temperature, and time). Students are excited to engage in many real life scenarios with this next chapter!
5th Grade English- Ms Sameena Ansari
The adorable students have been reading, “I Will Always Write Back,” with concentration and noted details to show their appreciation and understanding of the text. They have discussed, defined the words, answered the questions and illustrated their thoughts beautifully. They will share their perceptions in the classroom with clarity . The students have also learned how to write sentences on their own to express themselves clearly. Using tenses while reading the book was excellent as they expanded the short sentences and described their ideas fluently. The learners have been writing about poverty and how it affects the community in different areas of life. Their illustrations have been very interesting and convincing.
5th Grade English-Ms Kayla Beck
Students have wrapped up The Bridge Home and recently completed their choice board projects, where they demonstrated their understanding of the novel in creative and meaningful ways.
We are now beginning our next class novel, Hatchet. As we read, students will focus on key skills such as character development, survival themes, problem-solving, and how setting influences a story.
In writing, we are transitioning into a persuasive writing unit. Students will learn how authors and speakers persuade audiences by using ethos, logos, and pathos. They will analyze advertisements, commercials, and speeches to identify these techniques and understand how they are used effectively. This work will prepare students to write their own persuasive letters using strong evidence and clear reasoning.
5th grade Language Arts Ms. Ashley
Our hardworking and creative fifth grade students utilized their wits when finishing their Among the Hidden projects. Our students had various options to choose: option one: plan an escape route from your attic room to the door of the Sports Family’s house. Option two: write a letter to their cousin (as Luke) that: a. It is written in secret code that only you and your cousin can decipher. b. State a plan that you think will work to help free Luke. Include in this plan what you need your cousin to help you with. c. Prepare a code breaker that you will send in a different letter to your cousin. Option three: you are Mr. Garner. Every morning before you leave the house you “Luke Proof” it to make it seem like you don’t have a third child living in the house. As a result of their effort, fifth graders showcased their imaginative projects while presenting them to their classmates. Bravo!
5th Grade English- Ms Nicole Wakefield
we finished The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and watched the movie before we went on break. Over winter break, students got to read the first book on the The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew and focused on making connections between the first and second book. We are currently working on our writing skills and proper paper formatting. In addition, we will begin reading I Will Always Write Back as our next novel and focus on writing letters.
5th Grade Math- Ms Nicole Wakefield
In math, our 5th graders finished up the chapter on adding and subtracting fractions. We are, now, moving into multiplying and dividing fractions. We will split this into two "mini" lessons to better focus on both operations and the steps that come with each.
5th Grade Science- Ms Ella Abulfeet
We’ve had a wonderful and productive month in 5th Grade Earth & Space Science. Students have been actively engaged, curious, and excited as we continued learning about our dynamic planet.
This month, we officially completed our Rocks Unit. Students learned about minerals, the three types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic and how rocks change over time through the rock cycle. Through hands-on activities, class discussions, and note-taking, students demonstrated strong understanding and made great connections between concepts.
We have also begun our new unit on Plate Tectonics. Our very first lesson focused on drifting continents, where students learned that Earth’s continents were once connected and have slowly moved over time. We discussed Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift and examined the evidence that supports this idea, such as matching landforms, fossils, and climate clues. Students were fascinated to see how Earth’s surface has changed over millions of years.
In the coming weeks, we will continue exploring plate tectonics and how the movement of Earth’s plates causes earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain formation. This is an exciting unit that helps students understand why Earth looks the way it does today.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. I am so proud of the hard work our 5th graders have shown this month and look forward to more exciting learning ahead.
5th Grade Social Studies- Ms Melissa Fasiczka
In Ancient World History, we are finishing up our unit on Ancient China. The students have been learning not only about China’s history, but the religions that dominated in early history as well. Once that is completed, we will be starting the highly popular units of Ancient Greece and Rome.
5th Grade Ancient World History- Mr Daniel Aukst
We completed Ancient China. We covered the three major philosophies that influenced their culture.
We covered all major ancient dynasties which included the Shang, the Waring State Period, the Zhou,
the Qin, and the Han Dynasty. We worked on the dynastic cycle of the Mandate from Heaven and
covered the main impact of each dynasty. Students completed several worksheets to support what they learned in class and took a test on each unit. We ended the month with a project that required students to make a board game based on the major dynasties, people, and events of Ancient China. They all did great.
5th grade Arabic- Ms Heiam Elkhatib
5th graders began with a review of the dual and plural forms through a short unit on
geometric shapes and will soon move into the Body and Senses unit.
5th grade Islamic studies and Quran- Ms Heiam Elkhatib
Quran:
Our 5th graders are almost complete with memorizing Surat Al-Inshiqāq, showing great focus
and commitment, alhamdulillah.
Islamic Studies:
5th grade students are continuing their study of the Prophet’s ﷺ struggles and efforts
after the Hijrah, including the challenges faced in spreading Islam and standing firm
against opposition.
5th Grade Spanish- Ms Maria Herrero
The 5th grade students continued working on Unit 8. We focused heavily on learning
how to tell time in Spanish. In addition, we worked with interrogative adverbs, which
are essential for learning how to ask basic questions. We are very close to finishing the
unit and taking the corresponding test.
What We’ve Learned last Month in our 4th grade science class.
Students explored the fascinating world of fossils. They learned how fossils are formed and what they tell us about plants and animals from long ago. To bring learning to life, students created their own fossil models in our science lab, and they did an amazing job applying what they learned through this fun activity.
In Earth’s Resources chapter we learned.
- How minerals and rocks are classified
- Types of rocks
- How precious stones are formed and found in nature
- The processes of weathering and erosion, and how they change Earth’s surface over time.
The students were able to create an artistic expression on Tuck Everlasting to express themselves gracefully. Their creativity was amazing as they imagined and beautified their ideas to highlight their artistic excellence! They had expanded the sentences to make the text detailed and deeply connected. Learners have learned to use gerunds and shared their examples with confidence.
They have written sentences using gerunds and shared their sentences with illustrations. The smart students have enjoyed the painting sessions and beautified their ideas gracefully. The activity on spelling practice was amazing as they were delighted while learning the words and the spellings!
4th Grade English- Ms Nicole Wakefield
In English, our 4th graders finished reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and watched the movie before we left for winter break. During break, students got to choose activities from a choice board to complete over the novel. Students showed wonderful creativity in all their projects! We are currently working on our writing skills and proper paper formatting. In addition, we will begin reading Tuck Everlasting as our next novel.
4th Grade English- Ms Melissa Fasiczka
In 4th grade English, we finished reading Wonder. The students really enjoyed the book overall. They completed “character body” projects to use their skills in character development and characterization, completing a life-size poster of a character from the novel. They turned out beautifully! We also viewed the movie and noted the differences between the two mediums - novel and film. Our next novel will be Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.
4th Grade Social Studies- Melissa Fasiczka
In 4th grade English, we finished reading Wonder. The students really enjoyed the book overall. They completed “character body” projects to use their skills in character development and characterization, completing a life-size poster of a character from the novel. They turned out beautifully! We also viewed the movie and noted the differences between the two mediums - novel and film. Our next novel will be Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.
4th grade Arabic- Ms Heiam Elkhatib
4th graders are working hard on learning pronouns and applying them correctly with
singular, dual, and plural nouns.
4th grade Islamic Study and Quran- Ms Heiam Elkhatib
Qur’an
Our wonderful 4th graders are continuing their memorization of Surat An-Nāzi‘āt and have
been learning, in detail, the story of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) as it relates to the surah.
Islamic Studies
In Islamic Studies, students are exploring the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his
family.
4th Grade Spanish- María Herrero
Students continued working on Unit 2 of the book. This is a long unit in
which students work with colors, animals, and shapes. From a grammar perspective,
students are learning how to use adjectives and how to make them agree in masculine,
feminine, singular, and plural forms. We only have the final lesson on indefinite articles
left, and students will be ready to take the unit test during the first weeks of January.
4th Grade Math- Ms Nicole Wakefield:
In math, our 4th graders are finishing up the chapter on division. They have shown great growth in understanding the proper steps and recalling their multiplication facts. Our next chapter will focus on measurement (units of length, customary units, metric units, temperature, and time). Students are excited to engage in many real life scenarios with this next chapter!
5th Grade English- Ms Sameena Ansari
The adorable students have been reading, “I Will Always Write Back,” with concentration and noted details to show their appreciation and understanding of the text. They have discussed, defined the words, answered the questions and illustrated their thoughts beautifully. They will share their perceptions in the classroom with clarity . The students have also learned how to write sentences on their own to express themselves clearly. Using tenses while reading the book was excellent as they expanded the short sentences and described their ideas fluently. The learners have been writing about poverty and how it affects the community in different areas of life. Their illustrations have been very interesting and convincing.
5th Grade English-Ms Kayla Beck
Students have wrapped up The Bridge Home and recently completed their choice board projects, where they demonstrated their understanding of the novel in creative and meaningful ways.
We are now beginning our next class novel, Hatchet. As we read, students will focus on key skills such as character development, survival themes, problem-solving, and how setting influences a story.
In writing, we are transitioning into a persuasive writing unit. Students will learn how authors and speakers persuade audiences by using ethos, logos, and pathos. They will analyze advertisements, commercials, and speeches to identify these techniques and understand how they are used effectively. This work will prepare students to write their own persuasive letters using strong evidence and clear reasoning.
5th grade Language Arts Ms. Ashley
Our hardworking and creative fifth grade students utilized their wits when finishing their Among the Hidden projects. Our students had various options to choose: option one: plan an escape route from your attic room to the door of the Sports Family’s house. Option two: write a letter to their cousin (as Luke) that: a. It is written in secret code that only you and your cousin can decipher. b. State a plan that you think will work to help free Luke. Include in this plan what you need your cousin to help you with. c. Prepare a code breaker that you will send in a different letter to your cousin. Option three: you are Mr. Garner. Every morning before you leave the house you “Luke Proof” it to make it seem like you don’t have a third child living in the house. As a result of their effort, fifth graders showcased their imaginative projects while presenting them to their classmates. Bravo!
5th Grade English- Ms Nicole Wakefield
we finished The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and watched the movie before we went on break. Over winter break, students got to read the first book on the The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew and focused on making connections between the first and second book. We are currently working on our writing skills and proper paper formatting. In addition, we will begin reading I Will Always Write Back as our next novel and focus on writing letters.
5th Grade Math- Ms Nicole Wakefield
In math, our 5th graders finished up the chapter on adding and subtracting fractions. We are, now, moving into multiplying and dividing fractions. We will split this into two "mini" lessons to better focus on both operations and the steps that come with each.
5th Grade Science- Ms Ella Abulfeet
We’ve had a wonderful and productive month in 5th Grade Earth & Space Science. Students have been actively engaged, curious, and excited as we continued learning about our dynamic planet.
This month, we officially completed our Rocks Unit. Students learned about minerals, the three types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic and how rocks change over time through the rock cycle. Through hands-on activities, class discussions, and note-taking, students demonstrated strong understanding and made great connections between concepts.
We have also begun our new unit on Plate Tectonics. Our very first lesson focused on drifting continents, where students learned that Earth’s continents were once connected and have slowly moved over time. We discussed Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift and examined the evidence that supports this idea, such as matching landforms, fossils, and climate clues. Students were fascinated to see how Earth’s surface has changed over millions of years.
In the coming weeks, we will continue exploring plate tectonics and how the movement of Earth’s plates causes earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain formation. This is an exciting unit that helps students understand why Earth looks the way it does today.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. I am so proud of the hard work our 5th graders have shown this month and look forward to more exciting learning ahead.
5th Grade Social Studies- Ms Melissa Fasiczka
In Ancient World History, we are finishing up our unit on Ancient China. The students have been learning not only about China’s history, but the religions that dominated in early history as well. Once that is completed, we will be starting the highly popular units of Ancient Greece and Rome.
5th Grade Ancient World History- Mr Daniel Aukst
We completed Ancient China. We covered the three major philosophies that influenced their culture.
We covered all major ancient dynasties which included the Shang, the Waring State Period, the Zhou,
the Qin, and the Han Dynasty. We worked on the dynastic cycle of the Mandate from Heaven and
covered the main impact of each dynasty. Students completed several worksheets to support what they learned in class and took a test on each unit. We ended the month with a project that required students to make a board game based on the major dynasties, people, and events of Ancient China. They all did great.
5th grade Arabic- Ms Heiam Elkhatib
5th graders began with a review of the dual and plural forms through a short unit on
geometric shapes and will soon move into the Body and Senses unit.
5th grade Islamic studies and Quran- Ms Heiam Elkhatib
Quran:
Our 5th graders are almost complete with memorizing Surat Al-Inshiqāq, showing great focus
and commitment, alhamdulillah.
Islamic Studies:
5th grade students are continuing their study of the Prophet’s ﷺ struggles and efforts
after the Hijrah, including the challenges faced in spreading Islam and standing firm
against opposition.
5th Grade Spanish- Ms Maria Herrero
The 5th grade students continued working on Unit 8. We focused heavily on learning
how to tell time in Spanish. In addition, we worked with interrogative adverbs, which
are essential for learning how to ask basic questions. We are very close to finishing the
unit and taking the corresponding test.
Updates From Middle School and HighSchool
6th Grade Science- Ms Maria Jameel
This month, 6th graders focused on the basics of heredity and traits. Students learned how characteristics are passed from parents to offspring and how genes influence traits.
Topics Covered:
- Heredity and inherited traits
- Dominant and recessive traits
- Punnett squares and monohybrid crosses
- Key genetics vocabulary, including heterozygous and homozygous
Students participated in a fun and engaging lab where they used parental alleles to “create” a bug, determining its traits based on genetic combinations. This activity helped reinforce how traits are inherited in a visual and creative way.
6th grade Language Arts- Ms. Ashley
Our sixth grade students were captivated by the dystopian thriller, The Maze Runner, and as a classroom we capitalized upon their interest by identifying key themes throughout the novel such as:perseverance, looking out for your friends, teamwork, problem solving, and courage to name a few. Students were able to identify how each character demonstrated one of the main themes using textual evidence in their essays. Additionally, our enthusiastic sixth graders crafted an essay in which they compared and contrasted the elements of a dystopian novel and film while comparing The Maze Runner movie to the novel. Well done, sixth graders!
6th Grade Social Studies- Meghan Mullin
Students have been hard at work in Social Studies! Before the winter break, we completed our study on Western and Eastern Europe's economy, culture, government, and geography. The 6th grade class also had finals for the first time. Their studying and hard work in preparing was evident. As we begin the year, students will learn about Russia's history, culture, geography, and the Soviet Union.
6th Grade Group Spanish- Ms Alicia
During December, students continued and completed Unit 1, Lesson 2 titled “Mis amigos y yo.” In this lesson, students learned how to:
- Describe themselves and others
- Identify people and things
After completing the unit, students participated in a unit review to prepare for their final exam. During this review, they practiced how to:
- Talk about activities
- Say where they are from
- Express what they like and do not like to do
Looking ahead to January, students will begin Unit 2: Mexico, with the theme “Vamos a la escuela.” We are excited to start this new unit and continue building their Spanish skills.
Thank you for your continued support. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
6th Grade Qur’an and Islamic Studies-Ms Hayat Al-Quttub
Qur’an:
Students will begin Surah As-Sajdah, focusing on proper recitation with tajwīd, understanding
the general meanings of the āyāt, and discussing key themes and lessons.
Islamic Studies:
Students will study the First Revelation and the Early Call to Islam, learning how revelation
began, the message of Islam, and the early challenges faced by the Prophet ﷺ. They will also be
introduced to Hadith studies, including what Hadith is, how Hadith was compiled, and basic
types of Hadith.
6th Grade Arabic- Ms Hayat Al Quttub
Students completed the unit on shopping and clothing, focusing on:
- Strengthening reading, writing, and comprehension
- Expanding vocabulary
- Improving basic sentence structure
- Instruction will continue to support steady progress and build confidence.
As we wrap up this month in 7th Grade Chemistry, I want to thank you for your continued support at home. The students have worked very hard and made great progress! This month, students completed our chemistry unit and demonstrated their understanding through class activities, labs, reviews, and assessments. We ended the month by taking our final exam, where students showcased all they’ve learned. They should be very proud of their effort and growth throughout the unit!
Final ExamOur 7th graders recently took their final exam, covering key concepts we studied this quarter. Students were encouraged to use their notes and review materials to prepare, and many showed strong focus and determination.
Looking AheadWhen we return, we will begin our next chemistry unit, building on foundational concepts and continuing hands-on learning, discussions, and interactive activities.
Thank you again for your partnership and support. I’m so proud of all the hard work our 7th graders have put in this month and look forward to an exciting next unit!
7th Grade English- Ms Kayla Beck
Students have finished reading And Then There Were None and are now beginning our next novel, The Book Thief. Throughout this unit, students will explore themes such as the impact of war, the power of words, perspective, and resilience during World War II.
As part of this unit, students will be assigned partners and take on the role of discussion leaders. Each pair will analyze a World War II–era poem and lead a class discussion on their assigned day, helping students practice close reading, speaking, and listening skills.
In addition, we will review research skills with a focus on using credible sources. This will transition into a persuasive writing unit where students will analyze speeches, advertisements, commercials, and short texts to understand how authors and speakers persuade audiences. Students will then apply these strategies in their own persuasive writing.
7th Grade ELA - Ms Meghan Mullin
We have been busy in ELA! Before the winter break, we finished our persuasive essay on Chasing Lincoln's Killer. Students also completed a project on direct characterization. Students were able to choose a character and make a "Help Wanted" sign based on their characterization. We also prepared for the final, which students did great on! As we begin the year, students will read and analyze a science fiction novel: A Wrinkle in Time. We will also practice using theme. In addition, students will learn how to become discussion leaders. They will be assigned a chapter in the novel and communicate with students the critical information.
7th Grade Qur’an and Islamic Studies- Ms Hayat Al Quttub
Qur’an:
Our incredible seventh graders are memorizing verses from Surah Qāf and reflecting on their
meanings, while being encouraged to apply these lessons to their daily lives.
Islamic Studies:
Students will explore the Battle of Uhud, focusing on the challenges faced by the Muslim army.
They will demonstrate their learning through creative projects such as presentations,
reenactments, or Rap Nasheed—combining rhythm, poetry, and Islamic themes in an engaging
way.
7th Grade Groups A & B Spanish- Ms Alicia
During this month, our main focus was on the project “Mi Familia.” This activity gave students the opportunity to introduce their immediate family and talk about them in Spanish. They described family members, shared likes and dislikes, talked about jobs, and included other personal details. Through this project, students were able to practice their Spanish in a real and meaningful way.
The presentations were truly spectacular! Students were very excited to listen to each other’s family descriptions, and the activity created a fun and engaging learning environment. It was wonderful to see their confidence and creativity while using Spanish.
After completing this project, we moved on to reviewing Unit 3, Lesson 1. During this review, students practiced:
- Talking about food and drinks
- Asking questions
- Saying which foods they like and do not like
Looking ahead to January, students will begin Unit 4: Espana, with the theme “Vamos de compras.” We are excited to start this new unit and continue building their Spanish skills.
Thank you for your continued support. It is always a pleasure to see your children grow and enjoy learning Spanish.
7th Grade Arabic- Ms Hayat Al-Quttub
Students performed very well on their first-term exams, proving that hard work leads to success.
This semester, students will study personal hygiene and health through a story about friendship
and cleanliness, using interactive and engaging activities to expand vocabulary and grammar
skills.
SEVENTH GRADE CREATIVE WRITING- Sameena Ansari
The wonderful students have written expository essays with artistic illustrations and presented them in the learning zone with great zeal! They are presenting their ideas boldly and with passion . The creative writing class has ended as it was a nine- week course but the sparkling light is lit in each student that will take them to a different level. The students were able to create unique ideas and shared their experiences beautifully.Their ideas were inspiring and illuminating, as the learning zone gave them an enlightening experience to prepare, present, and prioritize their work. As planned, they were encouraged to write with enthusiasm and that was reflecting in their work.The creative minds have created imaginative and factual stories with brilliant characters, thrilling events, and incredible endings!
8th Grade English- Ms Kayla Beck
Students have been reading And Then There Were None and have been learning to analyze character development, motives, and how authors build suspense. Students have an upcoming project in which they will be placed into small groups and tasked with defending a character using direct quotes, character motives, and evidence from the text.
In addition, we will be reviewing important research skills, including how to locate credible sources. This will lead into our persuasive writing unit, where students will analyze speeches, advertisements, commercials, and short texts to understand how authors and speakers persuade their audiences. Students will then apply these strategies in their own persuasive writing.
8th Grade Qur’an and Islamic Studies
Qur’an:
Students will continue studying Surah Yasin (ayat 41–54), emphasizing tajwid, recitation,
understanding meanings, and reflecting on key themes.
Islamic Studies:
Students will learn about the life of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr As-Siddiq رضي الله عنه after the passing of
the Prophet ﷺ, his leadership as the first Khalifah, and his major achievements in strengthening
the Islamic state.
8th Grade Modern World History- Mr Daniel Aukst
Students spent the month completing a large chapter on Imperialism. It included the causes and effects of Imperialism. After covering those in detail, we studied the impact of Imperialism on the continent of Africa, the Scramble for Africa. We briefly covered how Imperialism impacts Africa today. After that, we covered Imperialism, and its aftermath, in India. Finally, we covered Imperialism in Asia and China. Each topic included supporting work, primary source worksheets, and a test. Students also complete a small project on political cartoons.
8thth Grade Arabic - Ms Hayat Al-Quttub
Students practiced reading maps and giving directions and are now focusing on describing
people and learning essential descriptive vocabulary.
8th Grade English- Dr Mark
This winter, Dr. Jones’s 8th Grade English students will explore the gritty Victorian environs of
Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations. One of Dickens’s most exquisite novels–and also an
exemplary model of a coming-of-age narrative, Great Expectations offers an opportunity to
think about class relations in nineteenth-century London and what it might mean to behave
genuinely as a gentleman or lady. We’ll watch Dickens’s story challenge some ways of thinking
about such matters as societal values and charity.
8th GradeSpanish- Maria Mendez
8th Grade: During the last two weeks of December, we reviewed the contents for the finals. This
first week of school, we will continue with Unit 6, Lesson 2, to learn the preterite of regular -ar
verbs, then use these verbs to say what people did. They will practice by using the verbs to say
what they did during their winter break and talk about staying healthy. We will continue to watch
“telehistorias” and talk about what students understand and also listen and speak exercises.
Spanish 1. During the last two weeks of December, we reviewed the contents for the finals. In January, we will continue Unit 3, Lesson 1, learning about Puerto Rico and its culture. We will
learn about gustar (like) with nouns, then, students will practice using this verb to express what
foods they like and don't like. Besides that, they will also learn the present tense of -er and -ir
verbs and use them to talk about school activities and what they and others eat and drink. They
will also review the verb Estar (to be).
Spanish 2. We have been learning about Puerto Rico and before the winter break, students did
amazing presentations to talk about culture, food and history of the island. We reviewed the
contents before the final test. In January, students will work on Unit 3, Lesson 1 and we will
continue learning about Puerto Rico and about the Present Tense of Irregular YO verbs and use
them to talk about what you do in contrast to what others do. We will also learn about pronouns
after prepositions and practice speaking and listening exercises.
Spanish 3. In December, students presented Posters and did presentations to talk about
volunteering activities, using affirmative and negative commands. In January, we will start Unit
3, Lesson 1, and we will learn about Central American countries. We will discuss the impact of
technology, express environmental concerns and make predictions and discuss causes and
effects using future tense and prepositions such as Por and Para. We will review ustedes
commands, ir a + infinitive and media vocabulary, besides we will learn how to prepare some
traditional food in class.
Spanish 4. Happy New Year! It is exciting to come back and start working in our Spanish
classes again this year. During the two weeks of class in December we reviewed the contents
for the final test. In January we will start 3rd Quarter and also Unit 3, Lesson 1, to talk about the
adventure of traveling and places where we will go on vacations. Students will talk about
vacations, they will describe results and states and talk about past events using past participles
and present perfect and past perfect. They will also review preterite and imperfect.
9th Grade AP World History- Mr Daniel Aukst
AP World History covered four chapters in December. They included The Emergence of Industrial
Society, 1750-1914, Industrialization and Imperialism: The Making of the European Global Order, The
Consolidation of Latin America, 1830-1920, and The Ottoman Empire, the Islamic Heartlands and Qing
China. 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, short answer questions, and a DBQ.
9th Grade Honors Biology - Ms Maria Lorena Jameel
In 9th grade Biology, students built a strong foundation in genetics, expanding on concepts they will continue to use throughout the course.
Topics Covered:
- Fundamentals of genetic
- Punnett squares
- Monohybrid and dihybrid crosses
- Predicting genetic outcomes and probabilities
Students completed a genetics lab where they also “created” a bug by analyzing parental alleles and determining offspring traits. This lab emphasized the complexity of inheritance when multiple traits are involved.
10th Grade Honors Chemistry- Amy Kaczor
December was a busy month in Honors Chemistry! We discussed Chapter 15, which was all about solutions. Students learned about the definitions of solute, solvent, and solution as well as types of solutions, such as concentrated vs. dilute and unsaturated vs. saturated vs. supersaturated. Students took a look at calculations involving solutions as well, such as molarity and mass percent. We finished this chapter by practicing calculations involving dilutions. After wrapping up solutions, students spent a week reviewing for the final exam. I am looking forward to a successful second semester in Honors Chemistry!
9th-11th Grade Qur’an and Islamic Studies
Qur’an:
Students explored the story of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) in Surat Al-Kahf, reflecting on
lessons about knowledge and applying them to real-life situations. They also worked on
understanding commonly used Qur’anic Arabic words to strengthen comprehension.
Islamic Studies:
With the start of the new year, students began learning about the value of chastity and how to
incorporate it into daily life as a foundation for moral character and personal growth.
High School World Religions- Melissa Fasiczka
In World Religions, we have completed our study of Confucianism. The students did a great job with their posters after viewing the “Mulan” film and incorporating their knowledge of the main tenets and relationships of the religion. We are now starting our next unit on Taoism.
High School Arabic- Ms Hayat Al-Quttub
- Advanced Group: Students will explore the topic of social media influencers and their impact on our lives.
- Introductory Group: Students will focus on strengthening reading, writing, comprehension, and sentence structure while expanding vocabulary and building confidence in Arabic.
The AP English students return from winter break having read Teaching a Stone to Talk by
Annie Dillard, one of the most elegant collections of creative nonfiction of all time. There is
much to learn from Dillard–both of living and of style–and we will seek to follow her models as
we continue to work on writing in the coming weeks. This month, we begin studying
Shakespeare’s great tragedy, Hamlet. I can think of no more fitting Shakespearean play for
upper-level English students than this one, partly because it prominently features a character
who uses his literary and rhetorical training to make sense of the kind of story he finds himself
in and what his role should be.
AP U.S. History- Ms Meghan Mullin
Students have been hard at work in Social Studies! During the month of December, students analyzed the effects of industrialization and urbanization through primary sources and writing. They also studied the Gilded Age and the effects of open land diminishing as more people moved west. In addition, students did an excellent job in creating political cartoons on the Gilded Age. Students also worked hard on preparing for the final. As the year begins, we will be studying imperialism in the late 1800s and early 1900s and yellow journalism.
HS Computer Science Discoveries
Intro to Psychology- Ms Mullin
During the month of December, we finished our study on development. Students learned about physical, social, and moral development in childhood and adulthood. They then had the opportunity to design a baby book analyzing and describing their own development. They did an excellent job! In addition, they worked hard and did great on finals. As the year begins, we will study how individuals learn and language development.
Updates from Gym
Welcome back and happy 2026! We’re excited to start the new year by keeping students active while building skills, confidence, and teamwork.
What We’re Learning in PE
During January, students will focus on:
Students will learn how to:
Hockey-Inspired Fitness Challenge
Coach Ishtaiah
What We’re Learning in PE
During January, students will focus on:
- Fitness & Conditioning – cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility
- Hockey Unit (Floor/Indoor Hockey.
- Stick handling and puck control
- Passing and shooting techniques
- Offensive and defensive positioning
- Teamwork, communication, and safety
Students will learn how to:
- Set personal fitness goals
- Track improvement throughout the month
- Stay active even during cold winter months
- Encourage students to stay moving at home with stretching, bodyweight exercises, or family walks.
- Athletic shoes are required for safety
- Dress appropriately for movement
- Positive effort and participation are expected daily.
Hockey-Inspired Fitness Challenge
- Wall sits and push-ups
- Squats & lunges for leg strength
- Core exercises for balance and stability.
Coach Ishtaiah