The Aqsa School Weekly Newsletter
Ms. Ismail's Updates for the Week of April 6-12
SO PROUD OF OUR AQSA FAMILY
E-Learning at Aqsa School is a HUGE SUCCESS ALHAMDULLAH!
I pray this newsletter reaches you while you are in the best of health and strongest faith. I am so very proud of every member of the AQSA FAMILY! As a team we are making continuity of learning a reality. The teachers are working tirelessly to provide the best learning opportunities for our students, delivering live instruction and consistent feedback. The administration is working day and night to comply with the ever changing educational announcements and providing the needed resources for our staff, students and school community. Our board is working to secure additional supports for our students and school to keep our learning efforts moving forward smoothly. The students are doing a phenomenal job adjusting to the new E-learning formats and keeping up with the new expectations. And the families are doing a wonderful job supporting their children and communicating and exchanging information with our teachers.
TOGETHER WE HAVE NAVIGATED THIS DIFFICULTY WITH GREAT SUCCESS, MASHALLAH!
Inshallah, we keep up the great work!
May Allah Reward Everyone ! Jazakum Allahu Kharun!
A special message from our Principal, Ms. Tammie Ismail
Stay-at-Home order and E-Learning in effect until April 30, 2020
Assalamu ALaikum Aqsa Families,
As you are likely aware, our Governor J.B. Pritzker extended the Stay-at-Home order until the end of April. We are blessed that Illinois governmental officials are doing all they can to keep us safe during this pandemic. We will continue to focus on continuity of learning for as long as is needed to keep our families safe at home. We will be monitoring the coronavirus situation carefully and following all guidelines set by our District and and State Health Department. Please follow all guidelines for safety and we ask Allah (SWT) to shield us from illness and harm.
Please don't hesitate to be in touch with questions or concerns,
Ms. Tammie Ismail
Facts about Coronavirus
WE NEED TO STAY IN CONTACT WITH YOU MORE THAN EVER
Methods of Communication: Are you signed up for them all?
ONE CALL: Automatic voice messages are sent regularly through ONE CALL NOW. If you do NOT get calls, please contact us at info@aqsa.edu and share your home/cell phone number.
REMIND: The REMIND app allows us to send you text message reminders. This is a crucial way to communicate quickly. www.remind.com
WHAT'S APP: A text messaging and video and photo sharing app used by our elementary teachers and Arabic and Religion department. www.whatsapp.com
COMMUNICATION for STUDENTS INCLUDES:
Google Classroom: Students in grades 3-12 should be signed into their google classroom account daily for updates, assignments and more.
LIVE Classes: Google Meet, Zoom and other platforms
If you are having difficulty with any of the communication platforms listed or need technological assistance, please contact Ms. Fatima Nawab, the administrative assistant to Ms. Ismail at fnawab@aqsa.edu.
Ms Layla Khair
As a reminder, parents and students are always welcome to reach out to Ms. Layla Khayr, our school social worker. Ms. Layla can be reached at lkhayr@aqsa.edu. Any student can request a meeting with Ms. Layla by emailing her.
Additionally, the following resources and recommendations have been sent to Junior High and High School students. However, all families can benefit from these resources:
If you are feeling stressed, anxious, or worried, I have provided a list of calming strategies as well as a list of resources from the Calm app below:
· Write down things you are grateful for
· Taking deep breaths (breathing in like you are smelling a rose and breathe out like you are blowing out a candle)
· Exercise regularly
· Keep a stress ball with you
· Adjust your sleep schedule to make sure you are getting the appropriate amount of sleep- lack of sleep can make stress worse
· Listen to Quran
· Set realistic expectations for yourself
· Take a break from what you are doing
· Write in a journal
· Talk to someone you trust
· Write down your successes
· Limit or eliminate caffeine which can elevate stress levels
· Take a walk outside
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Exercise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq0TQODveJo&feature=youtu.be
When you’re feeling anxious, pause and settle your mind by naming:
5 things you can see
4 things you can hear
3 things you can touch
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste
Relaxing Breath
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNXKjGFUlMs&feature=youtu.be
Inhale slowly through the nose to the count of three. Place your attention on the expansion of your chest and the sound of your breath.
Pause at the top of your inhale for another two seconds. Rather than holding your breath think of it as resting your breath. (The idea of holding often causes us to tense up, and we want to try to relax before the exhale).
Now slowly exhale and let go of all of the air in your lungs for a count of six, keeping your jaw relaxed.
Keep going for a few more rounds.
Tips:
Experiment with different counts that feels nourishing for you. Go down by a count of 1 in each part if you’re feeling any stress or strain.
If it feels easy, you can try increasing each section by a count of one.
Bring a hint of a smile to your lips helps to relax your jaw.
Try Calm’s Breathe Bubble.
Additional resources for parents:
Resources for supporting kids:
https://childmind.org/article/supporting-kids-during-the-covid-19-crisis/
https://ymca360.org/on-demand#/category/85/videos/87
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFwmIrgSGb4&list=PLzgKUx4Khe2-xnLXwohM_p-O1xUa885vY&index=2&t=0s
Resources for supporting teens:
https://childmind.org/article/supporting-teenagers-and-young-adults-during-the-coronavirus-crisis/
Other Resources:
https://childmind.org/article/how-mindfulness-can-help-during-covid-19/
ISBE's Mental Health Resources
E-Learning Schedules
Each grade level has an E-learning method and schedule
The specific schedules have been shared and are posted in their Google Classroom pages for grade 3-12. They will also be available on the Aqsa School Webpage www.aqsa.edu
1st Grade: Whats App teacher video recordings and assignments daily
2nd Grade: Live teaching Daily 10 to 11am.
3rd Grade-4th Grade: Live Teaching Daily at 11am
5th Grade: Live Teaching Daily at 9:45am
6th-12th grade: Live Teaching Daily from 8:30am to 3:00pm daily.
Mondays and Thursdays: 50 min periods: Periods 1, 2,3,and 4 meet, plus a designated AP meeting time
Tuesday and Fridays: 50 min periods: Periods 6,7,8 and Additional Period, plus a designated AP meeting time
Wednesdays: 30 minute periods: All periods meet, plus a HOMEROOM CHECK IN period
OFFICE HOURS: Everyday from 2-3pm
Free Educational Websites for Home
Sometimes screen time is a necessity if we have children at home and work we need to do. Here are three apps that make screen time a learning time:
- CodeMonkey: a game-based education program that teaches children to code. It comes with a membership fee, but there's a free 14-day trial that doesn't require a credit card.
- BrainPop: Online learning across subject areas for children in kindergarten through middle school and ELL learning for all age groups. Free.
- Khan Academy: Online learning in math, science, and literacy for all age groups. Standards-aligned. Free.
- BrainPop: Fun, interactive educational activities for all ages and all subject areas
- Scholastic Learn at Home: Interactive learning journeys for all ages.
Mystery Doug Livestream Tuesday, April 7th 2020 at 12 pm CST
Aqsa School
Email: info@aqsa.edu
Website: www.aqsa.edu
Location: 7361 West 92nd Street, Bridgeview, IL, USA
Phone: (708) 598-2700