Madina Academy

12/14- Professional Development -Early Dismissal for all students at 12:30 pm

12/22- Last day for Winter Break- Dismissal for all students at 12:30 pm

12/25-1/1/24- Winter Break

1/2/24- School resumes at Madina Academy

1/15/24- MLK Day (No School)

1/18/24- Professional Development (No School)

2/15/24- Professional Development -Early Dismissal for all students at 12:30 pm

2/19-2/23- President Day & February Break

The annual Madina Academy Multicultural Fair

took place on the 22nd of November. This event

allowed the community at Madina Academy to

experience, learn about, and celebrate the

cultures of many different countries around the

world. Students created displays and projects for

their country. This year, an array of countries

were featured including:

United States (Native American)

South Africa

South Korea

Italy

Australia

Portugal

Saudi Arabia

Palestine

The entire Madina Academy community can

definitely agree that the art and research put into

the Multicultural Fair were both jaw dropping!

I'm glad to say that parents, students, and staff

were all amazed by all the hard work and display

of these countries. We thank our teachers for

organizing the projects that were displayed, and

the students for putting so much time and focus

into completing them. It was a very memorable

day!

This past week, the 9th and 10th graders worked hard learning about apartheid in South Africa for the Multicultural Fair. Apartheid was a system of legislation that upheld segregation

against non-white citizens of South Africa. To better understand the topic, they read a section of Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane; an autobiography of a black youth's coming of age during the apartheid. Then, they started working on their projects. 10th grade was assigned to create TED Talks about the South Africa Apartheid, either as a professional on the topic or as a person who experienced the apartheid firsthand. On Multicultural Fair day, 4 students presented their speeches: Hamza Al-Saleh, Zainah Khaliq, Fatima Khan, and Salma Tuffaha. The TED Talks lasted about 5 minutes each and were well- spoken about the topic.

9th grade's assignment was to create a piece of art representing a scene from Kaffir Boy. They

worked hard, and the little details they added portrayed symbols of all the hardship the colored

people in South Africa faced.

Thanks to Ms. Salwa's constant involvement and planning of trips, Madina Academy's

juniors and seniors were able to spend a fun day together in New York City! Their day started

early at the New Haven Union Station, where they then boarded the train. After spending

three hours slowly waking up on the train, students were able to stretch their legs as they

explored the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The main exhibit the students observed was the Art

of the Islamic World, where they were able to take a look at the architecture and design of

different Muslim empires during different periods of time. Next, the students had a delicious lunch from the Halal food carts outside the Museum. After that, they went and took a stroll around Central Park--some students and a chaperone even got lost! They then went to Rockefeller Center, a large complex consisting of 19 commercial buildings between 48th Street and 51st Street. After a scrumptious dinner and a long day, the juniors and seniors boarded the train home...

Junior and senior students in New York.

Madina Academy held its annual Open House on October 26th. The Open House was a preeminent success. Parents were able to find out what their children would learn throughout this year. They were able to talk to teachers and get an idea of what would be going on in the classroom and how they could stay involved. It’s essential that parents are a part of the classroom. The presence of all the parents and students reaffirmed the sense of community - an important aspect of Madina Academy.

Suspensions just aren't cutting it when it comes to discipline. “It does not teach the student a lesson and oftentimes students take it as a vacation from school. They also miss work when they are away from school which will cause them to fall behind from their peers. This is NOT the point of a suspension. There are many other ways to discipline students such as lunch and after school detentions or taking away privileges like recess instead of watching small issues build up and then giving a suspension.” (Ayoub Elamrani, highschool freshman). At Madina Academy, suspensions happen a lot, and some students get suspended over and over. Clearly, it's not really fixing things. We need smarter ways to handle this. While I agree with Ayoub, in-school suspensions may also be a good move. It's like a suspension but without falling behind. Plus, it doesn't look as bad on a student’s permanent record. So why not have in-school suspension or detention as a second or third chance instead of always sending kids home? Another interesting alternative could be a restorative approach. Instead of punishing, it's about fixing the problem. Like, if there's a fight, the students involved sit and talk, sort things out, and make things right. It’s time for Madina Academy to shift to more constructive disciplinary approaches.

What attracted you to come to Madina Academy

and start teaching?

“So back when I was at college at UCONN, I met a couple of Madina Academy alumni. A few of my

friends and acquaintances had gone to Madina Academy, and they told me good things about the

school, that they had a great educational experience and that they felt well prepared for college. ... All the students really are focused on a successful future so I was attracted to meet at Madina Academy ... I think I have really found a peaceful educational working environment here. The best part would be that unlike public school. There's also religious education too, so it's so nice that among math, science, reading and writing that they're also learning learning Islam at such a young age.” How would you describe this school? What information would you share with people who haven't been to Madina Academy? “So for people who haven't been to this school before and for parents thinking to put their kids here I’d really promote Madina Academy as a place for quality education that is better than the local public schools and I feel that here is a good place for students to get religious education at the elementary school. They can learn an accurate version of Islam where they can get the correct information. It's really a good environment for Muslim students to be near each other and and be able to discuss Islam with each other at a young age.”

How would you rate your first UCMUN?

“My first UCMUN was really fun and it was a good first experience experience that helped me get ready for UCMUN this year. For the first UCMUN, I did do my research, but I didn't know exactly what I was getting into so it was kind of like a practice for me so I could do better this time around. I also had a really fun time just hanging out with the other people from Madina Academy that were also doing UCMUN.” Would you recommend students to join UCMUN? If yes, why? “Yes, I would recommend students to join UCMUN. It's not only good for putting on your application, but it also gives students a lot of experience. It helps their research skills, their public speaking, teamwork, and collaboration. It's also just a really fun but also educational experience.”

Has Madina Academy proved that it is a worthy

school to be in based on your learning experience

and Islamic environment?

“Madina Academy has definitely proved to be a worthy school in the Islamic environment. I've never been to public school personally but I think it is much better. It gives you Muslim friends and puts your kid into a muslim environment so they don't learn any of that bad stuff...they're kind of

protected in a way. For it to be a worthy school based on learning experience, it...kinda depends on

the teachers. There are some teachers who are really experienced and good at teaching. I have learned a lot from them. But there are also teachers who - maybe it's just me that doesn't understand their teaching - ... or maybe they just don't teach ... in an interactive way.”

Sixth and Seventh grade wrote poems related to South Africa as an integration of disciplines for the Multicultural Fair

Fourth grade completed a unit on Expository/Informational writing. They chose an animal to research. They learned how to organize an informational writing to include a hook, introduction, 3 points to "teach", and a conclusion.

Then they shared and taught the class on the smart board sitting at the teacher's desk.

Students work on projects and perform lab experiments

Question: With everything going on in Palestine right

now, I feel really hopeless. It feels like there is

nothing I can do to help, and it’s making me

really anxious. What can I do to help Palestine,

despite my lack of power?

Answer: As the Muslim ummah, our hearts bleed for our brothers and sisters in Palestine. We see the atrocities committed oceans away, and we swell with anger at the injustice they are facing. We feel angry, upset, and anxious, as we do in any emergency, but unlike the issues we deal with in

our daily lives, we also feel useless. We are not soldiers who can fight for Palestine, nor are we

government officials who can attempt to solve this issue first hand. So, the question is: as average

citizens, what can we do to help Palestine? Of course, there are the physical actions we can engage in. We can spread awareness on social media and make sure that people do not forget what is happening, and do not get caught up in their own lives and ignore the people suffering. We can attend protests and contact our local government officials to spur them into action, calling for ceasefire and humanitarian aid. We can boycott brands that directly fund Israel and allow for the continuation of the genocide of the Palestinians, and donate money to organizations that aid the Palestinians. While these actions may seem small and insignificant, if everyone commits to them, our voices will be heard. What’s important is that we do not give up, no matter how long our deeds take to come into fruition. However, the best thing we can do is to raise our hands and talk to Allah (SWT). The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “No precaution can protect against the decree of Allah. Dua is beneficial with regard to what has been decreed and what has not been decreed. The dua meets the calamity that has been decreed and wrestles with it, until the Day of Resurrection.” This hadith teaches us that there is nothing we can do to prevent what Allah has willed except dua. Of course, this does not mean that we shouldn’t do anything besides make dua -- our boycotts, protests, donations, and voices do make a difference, but they shouldn’t be what we depend on. Many people underestimate the power of dua, but it is truly the only thing that can change destiny. We do not know how long this conflict will last, andwe mustn’t give up all the while. All we know is that those Palestinians killed in this conflict are now resting at last in Paradise, and Allah Almighty knows best.

Lyra had moved so many times in her life that staying in one place for too long was what made her

uncomfortable. She’d know it was time to leave when she noticed that the small, insignificant details of her current place became something she associated with “home”. She couldn’t live somewhere she knew like the back of her hand. It made her feel complacent. Settling was not for her, although it once had been. She didn’t have time to feel jealous of that girl, though. They were worlds apart, and Lyra didn’t have the luxury of wishing for something she couldn’t have. She had to always be two -- even three -- steps ahead, and she could never rest. Not as long as that man was after her.

She did miss her parents, at times. They did everything for her. It wasn’t their fault she got caught up in something bigger than herself. She missed that girl from the playground, so many years ago, who asked if she could sit on the swing next to her. Lyra never knew why she asked. It’s not like Lyra needed a second swing. Looking back on that time was like looking into a moving river -- all she saw looking back was a distorted figure who only vaguely resembled her.

Lyra was the person you didn’t want to be friends with. Her face never showed any signs of invitation, which worked in her favor. People never wanted to stick their hands in a viper’s nest, and the less people asked about her, the less she had to reveal. At this particular moment, she found herself without a place to stay. Her funds were running low, and she wouldn’t secure more until she heard back from the Boss. Her methods of making money were not always very

legal, but they did the job, and ethics were not her top priority. She found herself in this unfortunate situation, but tried to look on the bright side. That man could not find her here -- here being an overgrown forest in the middle of nowhere.

Lyra figured that she could use her knowledge of camping she’d learned with her parents so many years ago to rough it out until she could get back up on her feet. Five years of being on the run had taught her to be more resourceful than most people her age (and even older). If she played her cards right, she could find shelter and enough food to last her tonight. But she’d have to work quickly. She had about four hours until sundown, and then she’d have to worry about wild animals.

She began making her way deeper into the woods, and the light began to lessen from the trees. She kept her eyes out for anything edible, but she could only find a scarce patch of puny mushrooms. She plucked them and sighed before continuing her search for materials. She began to tire about an hour before sunset, and resigned herself to the idea of a night spent resting against a tree. As she made her way through the undergrowth, she tripped on what seemed to be a root. She crashed onto the ground, hissing as she looked at her scraped knees and palms. She looked back to see the culprit of her fall, and stopped when she saw it was indeed not a root that had caused her downfall. It was part of a train track, covered by what looked like years worth of growth. Curiosity filled Lyra as she wondered what on what on earth a train track was doing in the middle of a large forest. Typically, they would have cleared out this forest to make space for the train, which meant these tracks were here a very long time ago. Overtaken by wonder, Lyra began to follow the abandoned track. She marched forward with determination, even as one hour turned into two.

The train tracks seemed to be leading nowhere. Tired and thirsty, she began to slow down. As the adrenaline of her discovery faded, sheer exhaustion settled deep in her bones. Her vision swam and her legs felt as though they would give out at any second. In her feverish state, she noticed a boxy shape in a clearing up ahead. She forced herself to stumble towards it. She didn’t know what she hoped to find, but anything was welcome at this point. As she neared the figure, she discovered it was a train -- a train covered with years worth of growth. It was an eerie sight, humanity’s harsh mechanics overpowered by nature’s soft hands. She walked along the length of the train,

which seemed to stretch as far as she could see. She ran her fingers across the vines and moss, in awe of the sight. She stopped in her tracks, however, when she came across a section of the train that was completely bare. The door, having been cleared of any vegetation, was open. The only explanation for this was human involvement. This both scared and intrigued Lyra. Who, besides her,

had traveled so deep into these woods, and what were they looking for? Who were they? Typically, Lyra would know better than to go poking where she clearly didn’t belong, but this time, she had no other option. She needed at least a safe place to spend the night. She could worry about food and water tomorrow, but it was rapidly becoming dark, and refuge was a priority. She tentatively stepped into the train car, and stopped to scan her surroundings. This car was very dimly lit, if even lit at all. She could barely see in front of her. She noticed, however, a brightness coming from the car connected to the one she was in. She shivered, not from the cold, but from anticipation. How could there be light in an abandoned train car? If she had any doubts about someone else being there, they were completely gone now. Before she could change her mind, she

started walking towards the light. As Lyra got closer to the light, her hopes began to grow. Whoever lives here must have food and water. They would be much more experienced than she is at surviving in this forest. She reached her arm out to open the door connecting the two carts, when a hand from behind her clasped over her mouth to stifle her scream. A

second hand held her hands together at her back. The strength of the attacker surprised her, as she flailed as hard as she could with no success. In this abandoned train in the middle of the forest, Lyra cursed herself for lowering her guard. Five years on the run, five years of adapting to danger, of sleeping with one eye open, and this was how she would meet her

demise. To a faceless stranger in a rotting train, where no one would hear her scream even if she could. The mix of fear, hunger, and helplessness washed over her, and she weakly fought against unconsciousness before falling limp in her attackers arms.

Find and submit the answer to zainahk@madinaacademy.org. First to submit the correct answer will get a prize (candy or chocolate).

Which Sahaba did Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم (help to become free from being a slave by planting 300+

date palm trees?

Last Month’s Answer: (We did not receive an answer within the timeframe)

Hanafi - Imam Abu Hanifa

Shafi - Imam Shafi

Maliki - Imam Malik

Hanbali - Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal

Here's a fun Word Search and Picture Hunt to get

you in the competitive spirit! Let's see who can

finish these in less than 5 minutes!

The person who makes it has no need of it; the

person who buys it has no use for it. The person

who uses it cannot see it nor feel it. What is it?

The day before yesterday I was 21, and next year I

will be 24. When is my birthday?

A man who was outside in the rain without an

umbrella or a hat did not get a single hair on his

head wet. Why?

If you’ve got me, you want to share me; if you

share me you haven't kept me, What am I?

If you’re running in a race and you pass the

person in second place, what place are you in

now?

What has four wheels and flies?

Two fathers and two sons are in a car, yet there

are only three people in the car. How?

A deck of cards

Silence

Impossible. Roosters can’t lay eggs!

A map

Yarn

A fence

Humans can’t walk in a straight line without

looking at something

Rats will laugh out loud if you tickle them

Australia is wider than the moon

Sixty percent of the human brain is made of fat

Scotland chose a unicorn as their national animal

How many surahs are in the Quran?

What surah does not begin with “Bismillah”?

What do you call a person who fully

memorized the Quran?

What is the first month of the Islamic

calendar?

What is the literal meaning of ‘Islam’?

What do Muslims call the community of

believers?

1. Lunar

2. 50,000 years

3. Tayammum

4. The believers

5. Surat al-Hajj

6. 30 juz’

7. gates

8.Salah