message from sr. farhat…… - american youth academy 2016... · (2nd place), and yasmine...
TRANSCRIPT
NEWS FROM THE NEST March 2016-Edition 4
April Events 1- AYA Community Dinner
7-IPTA
14- PK4 Student of the Month
15-KG-5th
Student of the Month
6th
-12th
Student of the Quarter
5th Grade Bake Sale
20-Meet the Administration
22-No School for Students
Staff Workday
Look inside...
Artist Highlight 2
Yobi Fundraiser 2
Spelling Bee 3
NHS 3
Spring Break 4
Career Day 5
Moral of the Month 6
Best Friends 7
Art Club 8
AYA Siblings 8
Student of the Quarter 9
IXL Success 10
Poetry Corner 11
AYA VIP 11
Field Trip Fun 12
Spirit Week 13
Science Fair 14
Fun Corner 14
5905 E. 130
TH AVE. ●TAMPA, FLORIDA 33617
www.ayatampa.org ● (813) 987-9282
After spending the last few month speaking with the staff, parents,
students, and community members of AYA, I have come to realize that no matter
what our shortcomings are as a school, as a leadership, as individuals; we can
overcome the obstacles, as long as we work collectively as one Ummah, for the
common purpose. The AYA school community has a strong sense of brotherhood
and sisterhood towards one another, and I pray that Allah (SWT) continues to
strengthen those bonds.
Education is a partnership between the school and the home; each playing
a supportive role for the other. All children are more successful when we work as a
team to achieve academic goals, meet emotional and social needs, provide spiritual
guidance, and instill Islamic values. As the Head of School for AYA, my intent is
to work with you to strengthen the institution that will reflect a unique
collaboration between the parents, the AYA administration, and the school staff, to
continue to provide our students opportunities for success.
To that end, I would like to invite you to AYA’s Community Dinner,
where we can come together to recognize the dedicated efforts of all who continue
to be a part of AYA’s future. The event is scheduled for Friday, April 1st 2016
from 6:30 pm, at the Embassy Suites. All AYA families are encouraged to attend
and take an active role in the future of their children’s education. The goal for the
evening is to provide you with a brief glimpse into the future of AYA, as well as to
share the efforts of our teachers and students through their performances. While the
adults are busy enjoying the event, children between the ages of 2 to 8 years will be
taken care of by the AYA staff with entertainment, games, activities and food. Tickets can be purchased through the business office.
Together, with the blessings of Allah (SWT), we will strive to provide the
best for the students of AYA. I look forward to meeting all of you.
Sincerely,
Farhat Siddiqui, M.Ed.
Head of School
Suhayla, Fatima, and Basmala recite the “Farewell Speech,” the Prophet’s last speech.
Br. Adulmajid, Br. Mamdouh, & Br. Hasan listen as Mustafa Elsayed recites from Surat Al-Baqarah.
Muzdalifah awaits the hujjaj. Hujjaj rest in Mina. AYA Seniors made this wonderful plane to fly the hujjaj to Mecca.
Message from Sr. Farhat……
Assalamu Alaikum AYA parents and supporters,
Welcome to the New Newsletter Staff
Firas Abdelhafes Kamar Abuosba Baraa Ahmad Nehal Ali
Lamees Almomani Sara Alsharif Omar Awad Sarah Ayyad
Dana Barakat Shaam Daaboul Aisha Dahduh Rahma Elmekabbati
Heba Hamed Ayat Hasan Hager Kamel Kamilah Kermalli
Nour Malone Rejam Mustafa Hiba Othma Janna Rahim
Leeyana Saed Sondus Saed
Each year, the Tampa Museum of Art holds an exhibit of student artwork called "Young at
Art.” It allows area art teachers to select one piece of art from K-8th grade students to
represent their school. This is the second year that AYA has participated. Our 2016 entry was
Halah Idahmed's "Under the Sea” piece. The watercolor painting used a wax resist technique.
The exhibit opened on Jan 10th and was on display at the museum for a month. There was also
a reception and presentation of certificates for the honorees.
“Cubism Rooster” “Under the Sea” Halah Idahmed, 2A
Yobi Fundraiser
MashAllah, the AYA fundraising event at
Yobi was a great success! Many AYA staff,
parents and students came out to show their
support. They enjoyed amazing frozen
yogurt and helped out their school!
Page & image created by Ayat Hasan
Image created by Ayat Hasan
Family, fun, & frozen yogurt!
Sr. Bothayna, Sr. Shabeah, & Sr. Nijma show their support!
AYA School Spelling Bee by Shaam Daaboul & Hager Kamel
1st and 2
nd grade winners: Shahd Ibrahim & Dalia Sarsour (1
st
place), Leila Samhan (2nd
place) and Magdi Sarour (3rd
place)
3rd
-5th
grade winners: Vaniza Atiq (1st place), Jenan Al-Saeed
(2nd
place), and Yasmine Belkherroubi & Iyad Khaled (3rd
place)
6th
-8th
grade winners: Sidra Chowdhury (1st place), Danya
Awshah (2nd
place) and Kamilah Kermalli (3rd
place)
Congratulations to all the students who won the AYA Spelling Bee!!
By Baraa Ahmad & Rahma Elmekabbati
National Honor Society is an organization designed to honor high school students who excel in the areas of
scholarship, leadership, service, and character. AYA’s NHS is led by Sr. Heba Atiyeh, who serves as the
organization school advisor. Congratulations to this year’s inductees!
Ahmad Abdulmagid Shehed Almomani Mohammed Al-ogaidi Rahaf Alsouqi
Layal Barakat Raneem Birjas Menatallah Daashoush Sumeyye Erdem
Dana Fetais Jihad Gomaa Nadene Hijaz Zainab Jamal
Shaahid Khan Lucille Malone Samarah Mohammad Bissan Mustafa
Ahmed Nofal Zena Omer Leya Rum Razan Saad
Ronza Saad Leali Shalabi Adham Sulliaman Naida Sulieman
Danya Toubeh Tarek Zieneldien
Spring Break Fun by Kamar Abuosba & Rejam Mustafa
What are you planning to do during What are you planning to do during
AZEEZA SAROUR CELINE OMRAN
What are you planning to do during What are you planning to do during
spring break? I’m going to Chicago. spring break? I’m going to California.
How do you expect it to be? Phenomenal! How do you expect it to be? Amazing!
AMJUD HAMDEN ADAM SHADA
What are you planning to do during What are you planning to do during
spring break? I’m going on a cruise with my family. spring break? I’m going to have a sleepover.
How do you expect it to be? Really fun! How do you expect it to be? Exciting!
SADEEL HIJAZ HUSSEIN HARAKE
What are you planning to do during What are you planning to do during
spring break? I’m going to Cancun, Mexico. spring break? To Lebanon.
How do you expect it to be? Exciting! How do you expect it to be? Really fun!
By: Lamees Almomani, Sara Alsharif, and Kamilah Kermalli
This past month, our first graders learned about different occupations and participated in AYA’s annual Career Day event. They dressed up and made presentations about their future professions.
No need to worry about our health when we have all of these dedicated medical professionals available to help!
Our cities will be safe and sound with these civil service workers serving on our behalf!
Be sure to watch the AYA halls for these future teachers!
These future photographers, artists, fashion designers, and chefs will enrich our lives!
It is very important for us to remember that Allah is the one who has made our hearts and He
is aware of what lies within. Keeping this in mind will remind us that while we can lie to
ourselves, we cannot lie to Allah [swt]. Lying is among the acts not only considered wrong by
all faiths, but also by all of mankind. Interestingly, no one likes to be lied to, yet we all still
lie. Without being truthful to oneself, one cannot find or receive the truth.
The path to Allah is through knowing yourself; you want others to be honest to you
because that helps you know the truth and this is what should motivate you to be honest with
yourself--to know the truth.
Many times, people will do something unlawful, even when they are well aware that it
is haram. So why do they do this? The answer is that they avoid confronting themselves, and
merely continue to commit the deed. While remembering that Allah knows what is in your
hearts, ask yourself, “Am I lying to myself about these excuses?” We know that for us to solve
any problem, we must face it. This is also the case with our wrong doings.
Some of the excuses that we might come up with when doing something we know we
are not supposed to be doing include: “I do not have the ability to stop doing it,” or “I cannot
see why I should stop.” These two excuses are very weak. Allah will not require us to do
something we cannot handle. Hence, He says in the Holy Quran, “We do not impose on any
soul a duty except to the extent of its ability” (7:42). Since that is the case, who are we to
argue Allah’s laws? We might not see or understand it but we know that our knowledge is
nothing compared to that of the One who has created us. It is important to understand our
religion and not just follow blindly. However, when we don’t fully understand the reason why
something is haram, we should trust Allah’s knowledge about what is good for us.
For instance, when a woman refuses to wear hijab, she knows inside her the
importance of wearing hijab; yet, she does not wear it because she does not want to cover her
beauty. It would not be easy for her to admit this, so she might make an excuse like, “I don’t
understand why we should wear hijab” or “It is hard to wear it in this community and in this
area.” Unfortunately, for many this is the case because they lack the ability to be honest with
their own selves. Even if you can lie to yourself about this, Allah knows what is in your heart.
Imam Ali [as] has said, a person is in loss if his day is the same as the day before. We
should think how we can improve ourselves so that tomorrow we are better than today. In
order for this to happen, the first thing we need is to be honest with ourselves.
Moral of the Month by Nour Malone & Hiba Othman
Honesty is the Best Policy
by Br. Mamdouh Elsayed
AYA Honesty
On the way into school,
Sabrina Atiq (7B) happened
to spot a $20 bill on the
sidewalk. She immediately
turned it into the office.
After Salatu Thuhr, Adam
Faia (2A) was picking up
his prayer mat, when he
found a big lollipop. He
took it to his teacher and
said, “I found this on the
carpet.”
Masha’Allah Sabrina &
Adam! May Allah reward
you the best for your
honesty. Ameen.
AYA Best Friends by Rahma Elmekabbati & Baraa Ahmad
hfgf
Where did you first meet?
We first met in the forest.
What do you have in
common?
We both like pets, dancing,
Starbucks, and social media.
What is something
you bond over?
In 6th
grade,
Lina came to
class late on
the first day of
school with a
giraffe bag.
The best day
was when we
went to
Howl-o-
scream.
What is your
most
memorable
experience
together?
What’s
your
favorite
place to
hang out?
Our favorite
place to hang
out is the mall.
What differences do
you have?
Rahma eats healthy,
and Baraa likes
unhealthy food.
What goals do you have
in common?
Go to South Korea
together, go to USF, go
see a BTS concert,
become doctors, and
work together.
What’s your
funniest
memory
together?
Lina Abo Koura & Menatallah
Daashoush, 10A
Sarah Ayyad & Layla Ali, 8A
Ahlam Namrouti & Aya Mehmli, 8A Rahma Elmekabbati, 8B & Baraa Ahmad, 8A
Nehal Ali & Janna Rahim, 7A
Rayan Kaloti,
Bekzod Azadov, &
Hasan Shalabi, 3A
We bond over
soccer.
Laith Alsouqi and Rafi Ali, 10A
The AYA High School Art Club students wanted to create something special for the younger students that
would be both playful and inspiring. The butterfly is a symbol of change and growth, which perfectly
represents the educational experience. We were all so excited to see how the children would react to standing
in front of the mural and "wearing" the wings, and it has been such a pleasure to see and share in their joy.
--Sr. Ameena Khan
Making a Masterpiece by Nour Malone & Hiba Othman
AYA Siblings by Nehal Ali, Dana Barakat, & Janna Rahim
LAITH ALSOUQI:
What do you like most
about each other?
We are united.
What do you like to do
together?
We play video games.
What is your favorite
memory together?
Road Trip to New Jersey
OSAYD ALSOUQI:
What do you like most
about each other?
We are united.
What do you like to do
together?
We play video games.
What is your favorite
memory together?
Road Trip to New Jersey.
RAHAF ALSOUQI:
What do you like most
about each other?
We are chill.
What do you like to do
together?
I enjoy eating together.
What is your favorite
memory together?
Road Trip to New Jersey.
SUHAIB ALSOUQI:
What do you like most
about each other?
They are related to me.
What do you like to do
together?
Play outside together.
What is your favorite
memory together?
Trip to Disney World.
OMAYR ALSOUQI:
What do you like most
about each other?
We stick together.
What do you like to do
together?
We like to talk together.
What is your favorite
memory together?
Road Trip to New Jersey.
Q2
Q1
6A Nour Malone, Jana Kaloti,
& Omar Shahwan
8B Danya Yousef &
Rahma Elmekabbati
8A Ahmad Ali &
Omar Awad
7B Abdrahman
Idahmed
7A Fatmeh Ali, Kamar
Abuosba, & Malek Khawaja
7B Azeeza
Sarour
6B Leena Elbasheer
& Kamilah Kermalli
11A Fatima Bouarfa 10B Esraa Nofal &
Tarek Zieneldien
10A Ghada Soukieh
& Sennad Ahmad
9B Layal Barakat &
Danyah Toubeh
12A Mohammad Ahmad 11B Lucille Malone
8A Ahmad Ali 7B Samya Soukieh &
Hedaia Mohammad
7A Mona Almomani
& Rejam Mustafa
6A Lydia Ben Bourennane
6B Lana Shada
11A Fatima Bouarfa
11B Iman Ahmad
12A Ahmad Museitef
12B Subhi Quneibi
10B Sarah Elbasheer
& Osama Gurwala
10A Taha Taha
9A Lobna Kamel
9B Rahaf Alsouqi
9A Shehed
Almomani
Student Of The Quarter
In other IXL news, both Br. Jeff (4th grade) and Br. Mohammad (2nd Grade) won
an award. They were among the top 100 teachers to give IXL. Congratulations!!!
Daughter to Mother by Iman Ahmad
AYA V.I.P.
This month’s AYA V.I.P. is Sr. Sarita. She served as our school counselor for the
last three years and recently had to make a difficult decision to leave AYA. She will
be greatly missed and we wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors!
What was the most important aspect of your job?
The most important aspect of my job was helping students.
What compelled you to work at AYA?
AYA’s Islamic environment compelled me to work here. Islam is very important to me.
by Aisha Dahduh & Heba Hamed
My mother is very beautiful to me
She reminds me of an ancient tree
Her roots never-ending dig deep into the earth
Her branches shelter and have so much worth
Her branches are big strong and supportive
Above and under they are very active
Where animals and children play underneath her shade
Her branches intertwined together like braids
Her shade is cool; her sap is thick
Her leaves colorful, bright, and rich
She might be ancient but still blossoming
My mother is brilliant, vibrant and loving
She supports me and shows how much she cares
Nobody loves me more than my mother I swear
And the hollow inside her trunk
She fills hers with so much love
Seasons do pass and loved ones do leave
Winter comes and blows a frosty breeze
Her branches bend as her leaves are torn away
But there she is ever-blooming as she stays
And when the snow thaws life returns
Spring appears bringing newborns
Her trunk is thick her roots are deep
My mother is very beautiful to me
But no matter how strong, you do have your weaknesses
Which for her is illness and sickness
What will I do then if she isn't there?
From experience it is a living nightmare
But no matter what I promise my mother will be with
me in my heart forever
Because she is deserved to be known and remembered
My mother is very important to me.
1st Grade Field Trip to Lowry Park Zoo by Heba Hamed and Aisha Dahduh
Student Reflection by Dalia Sarsour from Sr. Samah’s 1B Class
My class and I went to a field trip to Lowry Park Zoo at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday. It was a
cloudy rainy day. I was hoping to ride in Safanah’s mom’s car, which I did. That made me
happy! When we arrived at the zoo, we lined up in a line. At that point, I was so excited to
see animals and ride on all the rides. First, we saw animals like parrots, elephants, and
monkeys. The parrots have really colorful feathers and the monkeys were very loud. Next, I
saw more animals like manatees, flamingos, which are pink (my favorite color) because they
eat lots of shrimp. I also saw bald eagles. Bald eagles eat mostly fish and have white heads.
Finally, we sat somewhere to eat. Thank God because I was starving. After we ate, we went
on the carousel, but my favorite ride was the Banana Flyer. I had a very good time at the zoo
with my class. I learned a lot about animals on my trip. My favorite animal of all is the
rhino. It’s strong and cute just like me!
Wildlife Adventures!
Color/Twin Day
Sports Day
Character/Superhero Day
Patriotic Day
Cultural Day
Cute but
deadly
~
asmine Benbourenane