Week of February 24th - March 1st
Announcements, Events and Extracurriculars
Spread Peace Challenge
We are very excited to start the Spread Peace Challenge. We want to fill the hallways with peace, love and respect for all. Instead of saying "hi" or "hello", students are encouraged to greet everyone with salaam. We're hoping to create a domino effect amongst all grade levels by showing their best akhlaq throughout the day by simple greetings of salaam. The class that participates the most will get a special treat.
Prophet Mohammad (S) said, "Afshoo 's-salaam baynakum," which translates to "Spread peace amongst you." To spread salaam is to mean well for your fellow friend or brother and sister in Islam and ultimately helps maintain ties.
:قال رسـول الله صـلّـى الله عـلـيـه و سـلّـم:أفشوا السلام، وأطعموا الطعام، وصلوا بالليل والناس نيام، تدخلوا الجنة بسلام
The Prophet (May His Peace and Blessings be on him) said: "Spread (greet with) the salaam, give food, and pray at night while people are asleep, then you will enter Paradise peacefully."(Tirmidhi)
May Allah guide us all to the straight path. Ameen.
Aqsa's 34th Gala!
The night consisted of many highlights including speeches from our respected community members such as Shaikh Kifah Mustapha, Founder Dr. Mahmoud Ismail, Alumna Ms. Zaina Zayyad and Principal Ms. Tammie Ismail.
We acknowledged our PCRF sponsored student, Elham Mansi, a high schooler, who came from Palestine to have surgery on her leg. Her wish was to be at an all-girls' Islamic School and Allah (SWT) facilitated that experience for her. We are happy to have Elham among our student body.
Guests at the event were entertained by Elementary students who performed Debka, an award-winning speech from Sondos Ellythy of the Speech Team, and an insightful description from Layla Shalabi, who spoke about Aqsa School's first Robotics Team and their Rookie Spirit Award.
The crowd was all cheers when Ms Huda Mohamed was named "Teacher of the Year" for her years of dedication and superb teaching as the Preschool teacher.
Throughout the evening guests were able to take advantage of some remarkable silent auction items, generously donated by members of the community and gift baskets created by our own Aqsa teachers and students. At the close of the program, silent auction winners were announced along with the special live auctioning of an all inclusive Umrah trip package and two roundtrip airline tickets to Florida. Also, in Aqsa tradition staying until the end pays off, with multiple raffle winners! Finally, the event ended with blessings with Dr. Ismail's well-known closing Duah and Isha prayer.
Allah says in Surah Baqarah Ayah 261:
مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنبُلَةٍ مِّائَةُ حَبَّةٍ وَاللَّهُ يُضَاعِفُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed which grows seven spikes, in each spike is a hundred grains. Allah multiplies His reward for whom He wills, for Allah is vast and knowing.
For everyone that donated we pray Allah will return the rewards tenfold or more. He, the Generous, has the power to multiply good deeds of His righteous servants up to seven hundred times or more.
A special thank you to some of the donors who gave us gift cards, products, and their time. They include:
1 Luxury Travel
Abaaya Addict
Al Bawaadi
Anonymous Addictionsss
Canvas by Monika
Ceramics by Lina Abdullah
Cleopatra Jewelery
Culvers
Days of Eid
Harlem Foods
Modern Wall Art
Nut House
Official Cuts
Paintings by Fareeda Alaidi and Zana
SheeGown
Yasini Jewelery
All the families who contributed to the lovely Gift Baskets!
Layla Shalabi
Presenting Awards
Dr. Zaina Zayyad
Please scroll down for more GALA pics!
Look out for next month...
- Teacher Appreciation Week
- Mother/Daughter Night
If you have any ideas or suggestions to submit for the newsletter shoot an email to fnawab@aqsa.edu. We'd love to hear your feedback.
Communication is Key
Email: info@aqsa.edu
Website: www.aqsa.edu
Location: 7361 West 92nd Street, Bridgeview, IL, USA
Phone: (708)598-2700
Sondos Ellythy
Teacher of the Year Award
4th grade Debka.
5th grade Debka girls
Newsweek recognition
Ms. Mansi and Palestinian Children's Relief Fund and Aqsa School
Week of Feb 24th through March 1st
KEY :
ELEMENTARY (E)
JUNIOR HIGH (JH)
HIGH SCHOOL (HS)
Junior high and High School (JH/HS)
ALL (A)
MPR: Multipurpose Room (Aqsa School basement level)
OLP: Oak Lawn Pavilion
YBTC: You Be the Chemist
TBA: To be Announced
Monday, Feb 24th
- Scholastic Book Fair in the Front Lobby (A)
- CLUB PICTURES & SENIOR PICTURES (Life touch will be here all day taking photos) (A)
- You Be The Chemist (YBTC) during lunch in room 11 (JH)
- MOTHER'S CLUB LUNCH "Taste of Italy"
- 3:30 to 4:30 pm Culture Club in room 4 (3rd to 5th grade)
- 4 to 4:45 pm Debka in the MPR (JH)
Tuesday, Feb 25th
- Scholastic Book Fair in the Front Lobby (A)
- Departmental Meetings with Ms. Ismail
- ELA field trip to Writer’s Museum (9th grade)
- You Be The Chemist (YBTC) during lunch in room 11 (JH)
- 3:30 - 4:20 pm Elementary Girls on the Run 5K with Ms Rasheed in room 8 (3rd to 5th grade)
- Bidaya Arabic Club with Ms Hanan in KG room (1st to 2nd grade)
- 3:30 to 5 pm Debka practice in the MPR. (HS)
- 3:35-4:20 DETENTION in Room 2 (JH/HS)
- Scholastic Book Fair in the Front Lobby (A)
- Iced coffee bar during lunch in the MPR. (JH/HS)
- You Be The Chemist (YBTC) during lunch in room 11 (JH)
- 2pm 5th Grade Arabic Broadcast in the MPR (E)
- 3:30 4:15 pm Book Club with Ms Ibrahim in the 2nd grade classroom (1st and 2nd)
- 3:30 to 5 pm Debka practice in the MPR. (HS)
- 3:45 to 5:45 Umrah trip meeting with Sit Laila in room 13 (Seniors)
Thursday, Feb 27th
- Scholastic Book Fair in the Front Lobby (A)
- You Be The Chemist (YBTC) during lunch in room 9 (JH)
- 3:30 to 5 pm Debka practice in the MPR. (HS)
- 3:30-4:15 pm Music Club in room 14 (JH/HS)
- 3:35-4:20 DETENTION in Room 2 (JH/HS)
Friday, Feb 28th
- Scholastic Book Fair in the Front Lobby closes at 1:30 pm (A)
- You Be The Chemist (YBTC) during lunch in room 9 (JH)
- 11am to 3:30 pm MYLS Presentation hosted by CAIR along with Lunch and Khutbah in the MPR (HS)
- Elementary and Junior High - Lunch in the classrooms
Some items from our silent auction.
Home decor
Fareeda Alaidi's art piece
AQSA SCHOOL STAFF OFFICE HOURS
ELEMENTARY DEPARTMENT GRADES 3-5
Ms. Ahmad 3rd grade
Wednesday 3:30-4:15 pm
Room 3
Ms. Hasan 4th grade
Wednesday 3:30 -4:15 pm
Room 1
Ms. Pallanti 5th grade
Monday 3:30-4:15 pm
Room 4
Ms. Moussa Elem. Arabic & Religion
MATH AND SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Ms. Chaudhry
M-F lunch 11:49 to 12:19
or 3:30 to 4:30
Room 2
Ms. Krakra
Thursday 3:30 to 4:30
Room 12
Ms. Khalaf
M-F Lunch 11:49-12:19
room 12
Ms. Asma Mustafa
M-F Lunch 11:49-12:19
Room 2
Ms. Said
by appointment
MPR or Room 2
Ms. Yosef
M W F 3:30 - 4:20 pm
Room 10
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
Ms. Baylin
M T Thur lunch 11:49 am -12:19 pm
Room 9
Ms. Hartin
Wednesday lunch and 3:30 to 4:30
Room 14
Ms. Ibrahim
Lunch M-F Lunch
Room 9
Ms. Keilhack
Tuesdays lunch and 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Room 17
HISTORY DEPARTMENT
Ms. Ismail
By appointment
Room 2
Ms. Mersch
By appointment
Room 2
Ms. Danielson
W 3:45 - 4:30
Room 2
ELECTIVE DEPARTMENT
Ms. Marcelle
Monday 3:30 to 4:30
Room 16
Ms. Said
By appointment
MPR or Room 2
ARABIC AND RELIGION DEPARTMENT
Sit Zahia
Friday 3:30 to 4:20 pm
Room 15
Sit Laila
Friday 3:30 to 4:30
Room 13
Sit Hala
Thur 3:30 to 4:30