February 2014 - Ottawa, CA Assalaamu alaikum dear fr iends

Read it online at ..

abischool.com

In the name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful

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Ahlul-Bayt Islamic School

Newsletter

In Few Lines ... Imam Hasan ibn Ali al-Askari, the son of the 10th Imam, was born in 232/845 and was poisoned in 260/872 through the insti-gation of the 'Abbasid caliph Mu'tamid.

The 11th Imam gained the Imamate, after the martyrdom of his noble father, through Divine Command and through the decree of the previous Imams. During the 7 years of his Imamate, due to untold restrictions placed upon him by the ruler, he lived in hid-ing and dissimulation (taqiyyah).

He did not have any social contact with even the common people among the Shia population. Only the elite of the Shia were able to see him. Even so, he spent most of his time in prison.

There was extreme repression at that time because the Shia population had reached a considerable level in both numbers and power. Everyone knew that the Shia believed in the Imamate and followed their imams, and the identity of the Shia Imams was also known. Therefore, the rulers kept the Imams under their closer supervision more than ever before. They tried every possi-ble means and through secret plans to remove and destroy them.

The caliphate knew that Shia elites believed that the 11th Imam, according to tradition as cited by him and his forefathers, would have a son who was the promised Mahdi. The coming of the Ma-hdi had been foretold in authenticated hadiths of the Prophet in both Sunni and Shia sources. This is why our 11th Imam, more than his fathers, was kept under close watch by the caliphate. The caliph of the time tried every possible means to put an end to the Imamate in Shi'ism, once and for all.

Therefore, as soon as the news of his illness reached Mu'tamid, he sent a physician and a few of his trusted agents and judges to the house of the Imam to observe his condition and the situation in his house at all times. After the death of the Imam, they had the house investigated and all female servants examined by the midwife. For two years, the secret agents of the caliph searched to the successor of the Imam until they lost all hope.

The 11th Imam was buried in his house in Samarra' next to his noble father.

Dates to Remember

3 High School Report Cards (Semester 1) go home

7 1st Term Report Cards go home

Prophet Mohammad’s Birthday School Assembly

(1:15-2:45). Parents are welcome at 1:00.

10 Birth of Imam Hassan al-Askari (AS)

14 2nd Parent-Teacher Interview (8:00-12:00)

No School for students

17 Family Day (No School)

18-21 Kindergarten registration

28 Registration for returning students

Imam Hassan Al-Askari (PBUH) Imam Hassan Al-Askari said to the followers of Imam Ali (PBUT)...

“The best people with Allah are the ones who know the rights of their brothers more than others and strive hard-est towards fulfilling their duties towards one another. And he who is humble toward his brothers, he will be among Seddiqin (the truthful), and will be considered as a true Shiite (follower) of Ali ibn Abi Talib (PBUH).”

Educating ourselves about the rights of other people helps cre-ate stronger and more immune bonds with one another. Self-awareness helps us distance ourselves from negligence and forgetfulness, based on the fact that the human society forms a single unit and owns a common human conscience.

Compassion to mankind is a feeling instilled in all humans. In fact, self-awareness reminds us of our real entity and prevents us from negligence. A self-aware person knows own position towards others in mutual and social relationships.

When we reach this level, our goals and dreams will be geared toward serving others and we will naturally share the pain of other humans. Our likes and dislikes will become more humane and we become advocates of whatever benefits humanity like science, culture, freedom, justice and love; likewise we become opponents to whatever threatens humans such as illiteracy, poverty, tyranny, illnesses and any type of racism.

Obviously, not all humans think this way. A Bedouin living in the wild is not motivated to use his conscience further beyond his daily needs. One who forgot the true value of being a human and became enchained with desires acts in similar manners.

Thus only those, whose desires reflect the desires of others, are the ones who excel humanity. Their natural values have grown to encompass others as well. But since faith is at the top of natural and original humane virtues, the Self-aware humans are in fact the true faithful individuals.

Therefore, what really makes humans behave as a united group and makes them create moral and humane masterpieces is the communion in faith rather than the race or ethnicity.

What is ideal and truth at the same time, is the unity of the hu-mans who have become aware of the value of humanity and have possessed humane virtues. The Great Prophet of Islam

(PBUH&HP) said, “Faithful people are like different organs of the body; whenever an organ becomes ill, other organs show their sympathy towards it with fever and lack of sleep.”

There is no doubt that the people reached humanity loves all creatures. That is why Allah refers to Prophet Muhammad

(PBUH&HP) as mercy upon the two worlds. Such individuals show love and kindness even to their enemies.

When talking about his murderer Ibn Muljam, Imam Ali (PBUH), said, “I like him to live, and he likes me to die.”

Love and compassion only find true meaning when followed by faith and faithful individuals.

On Human Rights ...

February 2014 - Term 1 Report Cards We are at the mid-point of this school year, and Term 1 re-

port cards will be coming home with children in grades 1 to 8

on Friday, February 7 insha’Allah. They contain information

on your child's progress from the beginning of the year to the

end of January.

Here are some suggestions to help you read, understand and

celebrate your child's report card.

• Read the Learning Skills and Work Habits comments on

page 1 first. These skills hugely affect your child's success at

school! Acknowledge and celebrate your child's efforts and

improvements, and who they are as a person.

• Talk about the report card together and seek your child's

opinion about his or her accomplishments. Look at the

grades your child is getting in specific areas; this could sug-

gest some new areas of interest and talents of your child. Pay

special attention to the number of times your child has been

late or absent, remembering that five days equals a whole

week of school.

• Set goals with your child in areas that you both agree

would benefit from improvement. Look for key phrases like

"organizational skills", "focusing", or "prepared with materi-

als" to identify specific strengths or weaknesses that might

be affecting academic progress. Make a plan on how to meet

these goals, and share in the responsibility of helping to sup-

port your child achieve these next steps.

• Contact your child's teacher if you need clarification, want

more information or need ideas to support your child's learn-

ing.

Please complete and return the 'cut-off' sec-

tion to the school by Monday, February 10.

Remember that the Term 1 report card is a check-point -

halfway through the year. There are five more months of

work ahead and a lot can change during that time.

Hard work and persistence do pay off!

Parent-Teacher Interviews First term Parent-Teacher Interviews have been scheduled on

Friday, February 14 from 8:00am - 12:00 noon.

Teachers do not anticipate a need to meet with every child’s

parents and, if an Interview is required, you will receive a

notice of your scheduled time in your child’s Report Card.

Thank you again!Thank you again!Thank you again!Thank you again! ABIS thanks all who participated in the Scholastic Book Fair.

Mrs.Leila Beydoun who coordinated the Student Council who promoted, parents who sold, and parents & students who

bought from the fair - thank you all for a successful sale.

Proceeds from this fair allowed teachers to obtain ALL books on their classroom library wish lists, and many more books for their classroom libraries, as well as additional resources for our teachers.

The winners of the "Family Event draw" were Ali Ajaa Ali Ajaa Ali Ajaa Ali Ajaa (Gr.2) & Fatima Hussein ZeidanFatima Hussein ZeidanFatima Hussein ZeidanFatima Hussein Zeidan (Gr. 8) who took home $25 worth of books each. Their teachers, Miss Kaitlyn & Miss Wylie each received $25 in books for their classrooms.

Many thanks to the parent volunteers who dedicated their time and energy at the Scholastic Book Fair.

Special thanks to Mrs. Leila Beydoun, Mrs. Katia Faour, Mrs. Jou-mana Farhat, Mrs. Batoul Jomaa, Mrs. Haifa Matar, Mrs. Leena Ber-jawi, Mrs. Abir Issa, & Mrs. Zeina Osman.

Thank you all for a successful sale.

Hand washing Hand washing Hand washing Hand washing ---- A simple thing?A simple thing?A simple thing?A simple thing? Hand washing seems like such a simple thing yet it is proven to be the single most effective practice in preventing the spread of germs among children.

The germs acquired through inadequate hand washing can cause illness such as colds, flu, pneumonia, diarrheas and vomiting. Germs are easily spread through coughing; sneezing, hand-to-hand contact and using shared objects. These germs accumulate on your hands as you perform daily activities and begin to spread through contact with your eyes, mouth, nose and to other surfaces.

Teaching children the importance of good hand washing can reduce or prevent their incidence of illness thereby increas-ing their opportunity for learning in a healthier environment.

� � � � Science Fair Science Fair Science Fair Science Fair ���� The school will be hosting a Science Fair on Friday, March 21st between 1:30 & 2:45.The school will be hosting a Science Fair on Friday, March 21st between 1:30 & 2:45.The school will be hosting a Science Fair on Friday, March 21st between 1:30 & 2:45.The school will be hosting a Science Fair on Friday, March 21st between 1:30 & 2:45.

� Students can enter projects in the categories of experiments or studies.

� Teachers make it mandatory to enter projects as part of their science programs.

Please watch for information from your child’s teacher.

There are some good books available through the library on doing science projects,

or go on line to the internet for ideas.

Projects will be judged and marked, and top entries will receive prizes.

Family Day in Ontario

Ahlul Bayt Islamic School will be observing Family Day on Monday, February 17, 2014, and our school

will be closed on this day.

We hope you enjoy this long week-end opportunity with your families!

Thank you Mrs. Fatima Zeitoun Mrs. Fatima Zeitoun Mrs. Fatima Zeitoun Mrs. Fatima Zeitoun for your generous & thoughtful donations of the carpets for grade 1 & grade 4 classrooms.

Thank you also for the lovely flowers, displayed at the school office, on the occasion of Prophet Mohammad’s birthday.

Your kindness, time and support are greatly appreciated.

Thank you goes to Mrs. AlaaMrs. AlaaMrs. AlaaMrs. Alaa, Ms. ZeinabMs. ZeinabMs. ZeinabMs. Zeinab, Mrs. TabithaMrs. TabithaMrs. TabithaMrs. Tabitha, Ms. KaitlynMs. KaitlynMs. KaitlynMs. Kaitlyn, Ms. Erika Ms. Erika Ms. Erika Ms. Erika & Ms. Carson Ms. Carson Ms. Carson Ms. Carson for preparing a fun, exciting, meaningful and enriching learning experience for your students during the reading week.

Everyone was appreciative and had a good time.

Thank you for all the planning, hard work, and time commitment put into this learning activity.

Special appreciation to MMMMssss.... KKKKaaaaiiiittttllllyyyynnnn for organizing & coordinating this learning event.

Students of the WeekStudents of the WeekStudents of the WeekStudents of the Week JK Jad Srour, Batoul Fawaz, Jad Srour

SK Mariam Atwi, Asiya Lila, Malak Kabbout

Gr. 1 Sarah Hreich, Nadine Nasrallah, Reema Hasak

Gr. 2 Zeinab Awada, Ali Ridha, Abdullah Meshaal

Gr. 3 Hadi Almisbaa, Heba Wahab, Rawan Kawtharani

Students of the MonthStudents of the MonthStudents of the MonthStudents of the Month Gr. 4 Batoul Hussein Gr. 5 Mohamad Ali El Hage Ali

Gr. 6 Maya Toufaely Gr. 7 Zahra Ajaa

Gr. 8 Hadi Al- Sayed Ali

February’s Character Trait isFebruary’s Character Trait isFebruary’s Character Trait isFebruary’s Character Trait is RespectRespectRespectRespect How to be respectful?How to be respectful?How to be respectful?How to be respectful? E Treat other people the way you want to be treated. E Be courteous and polite. E Listen to what other people have to say. E Do not bully or pick on others. E Do not judge people before you get to know them.

E Do not insult people, make fun of them, or call them names.

January’s Character Trait was January’s Character Trait was January’s Character Trait was January’s Character Trait was KindnessKindnessKindnessKindness Students demonstrating this character trait throughout the past month were granted character awards.

Congratulations to the recipients of this character award:

JK: Hussein Meshaal SK: Tala Al- Harhara

Gr.1: Reem Atwi Gr.2: Mohamad Zibara

Gr.3: Layla Elkchirid Gr.4: Sadek Fayad

Gr.5: Ali Abdul Amir Gr.6:Mariam Beydoun

Gr.7:Fatima Zeidan Gr.8: Mahdi Al-Hussein

Tuition Discount Referral Initiative Introduce new students and receive $125 for every referred student! Any family, with students in our school, can receive $125, in tuition fee discount, for every referred student, when they introduce a new family to our school.

This initiative is subject to the following conditions: - Referred family must be new to our school; returning families do not qualify. - Referred students must complete one full school year. - Referral fee is provided in the form of a tuition fee discount that is awarded at the end of the completed school year.

Please spread the good word about your school. www.abischool.com

Newborns to the CommunityNewborns to the CommunityNewborns to the CommunityNewborns to the Community Hreich Hreich Hreich Hreich family:

Baby girl: Zeinab

Siblings: Sara & Ali

Motlak Motlak Motlak Motlak family:

Baby girl: Mariam

Sibling: Zehra

Matar Matar Matar Matar family:

Baby boy: Abbas

Father: Mr. Hassan Matar

World Hijab DayWorld Hijab DayWorld Hijab DayWorld Hijab Day @ ABIS@ ABIS@ ABIS@ ABIS

Ahlul-Bayt Islamic School partici-pated in World Hijab Day through education and activities.

Female students in JK through grade 3 were invited to wear hijab on Fri-day, January 31st.

The purpose of this activity is to in-troduce girls below the age of takleef to hijab and have them try it for one day.

Almost all girls participated and some were very much excited about it, and few pictures were taken dur-ing the monthly school assembly.

ABIS @ Ashbaal AlMahdi’s Mawlid ExpositionABIS @ Ashbaal AlMahdi’s Mawlid ExpositionABIS @ Ashbaal AlMahdi’s Mawlid ExpositionABIS @ Ashbaal AlMahdi’s Mawlid Exposition

ABIS students visited the annual Mawlid Exposition ( ا���ّي ا�ّ�����) held by Ashbaal AlMahdi (���ض ا��

�� -أ���ل ا��� ي ) in Ottawa.

The expo showcases snapshots of key religious and historic events and scenes that took place during the lives of Prophet Mohammad and his Ahlul-Bayt (PPBUT).

These various snapshots come to life in the form of well-crafted life-size shapes and figures and bring out imagery of narrated historic events in children’s minds to realistic and inviting representations.

The expo is very successful in terms of exposure and visitor numbers, huge efforts and dedication put into it, and in delivering its message to all.

Students enjoyed the trip, appreciated the efforts be-hind it, and had fun, along with teachers, in dress-ups and tryout of various historic outfits.

The school thanks Ashbaal AlMahdi for the symbolic entry fee, and appreciates their efforts in partaking this effort on behalf of the community.

����� �� �� � �� � �������� Ahlul-Bayt Islamic School

Web www.abischool.com Phone (613) 526-0774 Address 200 Baribeau Street، Ottawa، Ontario K1L7R6

Email info@abischool.com Fax (613) 526-1941 Principal Mrs. Leila Rahal principal@abischool.com

���� FullFullFullFull----day JK & SK programs.day JK & SK programs.day JK & SK programs.day JK & SK programs. ���� Small class sizes for all grades.Small class sizes for all grades.Small class sizes for all grades.Small class sizes for all grades.

���� Individual attention for each child.Individual attention for each child.Individual attention for each child.Individual attention for each child. ���� Private school discipline and work ethics.Private school discipline and work ethics.Private school discipline and work ethics.Private school discipline and work ethics.

���� Arabic Language taught by native speakers.Arabic Language taught by native speakers.Arabic Language taught by native speakers.Arabic Language taught by native speakers. ���� French as a 2French as a 2French as a 2French as a 2ndndndnd language starting from JK.language starting from JK.language starting from JK.language starting from JK.

���� Weekly group prayer (salaat Jamaah).Weekly group prayer (salaat Jamaah).Weekly group prayer (salaat Jamaah).Weekly group prayer (salaat Jamaah). ���� Enrichment & remediation as field trips.Enrichment & remediation as field trips.Enrichment & remediation as field trips.Enrichment & remediation as field trips.

���� Continuous monitoring of student progress.Continuous monitoring of student progress.Continuous monitoring of student progress.Continuous monitoring of student progress. ���� A variety of activities & learning experiences.A variety of activities & learning experiences.A variety of activities & learning experiences.A variety of activities & learning experiences.

���� Innovative holistic education programs.Innovative holistic education programs.Innovative holistic education programs.Innovative holistic education programs. ���� QualifiedQualifiedQualifiedQualified, dedicateddedicateddedicateddedicated, & caring teachers.& caring teachers.& caring teachers.& caring teachers.

���� High academic performance standards.High academic performance standards.High academic performance standards.High academic performance standards. ���� Ontario Ministry of Education inspected school.Ontario Ministry of Education inspected school.Ontario Ministry of Education inspected school.Ontario Ministry of Education inspected school.

���� Ongoing academic monitoring and assessment via ministry and other standardized exams.Ongoing academic monitoring and assessment via ministry and other standardized exams.Ongoing academic monitoring and assessment via ministry and other standardized exams.Ongoing academic monitoring and assessment via ministry and other standardized exams.

���� Ontario academic curriculum that starts at JK, covers Junior high school, and into high school.Ontario academic curriculum that starts at JK, covers Junior high school, and into high school.Ontario academic curriculum that starts at JK, covers Junior high school, and into high school.Ontario academic curriculum that starts at JK, covers Junior high school, and into high school.

���� Islamic environment promoting good morals & behavior.Islamic environment promoting good morals & behavior.Islamic environment promoting good morals & behavior.Islamic environment promoting good morals & behavior.

���� Islamic Studies including Quran & Fiqh (Jurisprudence).Islamic Studies including Quran & Fiqh (Jurisprudence).Islamic Studies including Quran & Fiqh (Jurisprudence).Islamic Studies including Quran & Fiqh (Jurisprudence).

Please check our website, or call us, for more information.

We are happy to provide a guided tour of our school.

Call us for an appointment.

2014 2014 2014 2014 ---- 2015 Kindergarten Registration2015 Kindergarten Registration2015 Kindergarten Registration2015 Kindergarten Registration Kindergarten Registration has been scheduled for the week of February 18 - 21, but more specifically Wednes-day, February 19th starting at 9:30 until 12:00 and 1:30 until 2:45, for our school.

• Students eligible for the JK program must be 4 years of age on or before December 31, 2014 (born in 2010)

• Students eligible for the SK program must be 5 years of age on or before December 31, 2014 (born in 2009)

When you come into the school you will be given registration forms to fill out in front of the office, or at home and return to the office.

Parents need to bring the child’s Immunization Form and provide proof of birth date for their child.

Acceptable documents are (A copy will be kept in the student’s Ontario Student Record (OSR) file.):

• Birth certificate • Birth registration form • Citizenship certificate • Passport

Please call Mrs. Aseel at (613) 526-0774 for any questions or concerns.

ReReReRe----Registration for the 2014Registration for the 2014Registration for the 2014Registration for the 2014----2015 Year2015 Year2015 Year2015 Year Re-Registration forms will be sent home in February.

Each year, in February, schools begin budget and staffing preparations for the upcoming school year.

Re-Registration of existing students is part of this process.

Before admitting new students, all existing students are given priority to re-register.

The deadline for re-registration is February 28, 2014.