BHA Weekly Update
10/21/2023
Assalamu Alaikum Dear Parents and Students:
We hope this message finds you well. As of yesterday, the first quarter has come to a close. We are excited to announce that the second quarter will begin next Monday, insha'Allah.
The first quarter represented a period of significant growth, learning, and achievement for our students. We are immensely proud of their dedication and hard work in their studies. We are excited to continue this journey as we enter the second quarter next Monday, insha'Allah.
Thank you for your continued support.
Jazakum Allahu Khairan.
Mr. Muhammad and Ms. Najwan
BHA Heads of School
School Heightened Security Update
We wanted to update you on our school wide security measures. We take the safety of your children very seriously.
At our Clairemont campus, our BHA Administration met with ICSD, Officer Homayoun and the new police lieutenant of our district to express our security concerns and discuss prioritizing our community's safety during a time of uncertainty. They have been very helpful and have been keeping a police car present at Jummah, as well as routine checks throughout the day.
Alhamdulillah, at our Allied Gardens campus, our security guard has been checking in with all parents before they enter the main gate. Additionally, our on-campus monitors regularly patrol around the school's fence.
Insha'Allah, we will continue to keep the outside and inner gates closed. The inner gate will be closing promptly at 8:15 AM, and will remain closed until 2:55 PM. This will help ensure the safety of students from cars entering during PE classes. Starting next Monday, any car arriving before 2:55 PM will be asked to park on the street. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.
Monitoring Volunteers
We are grateful for all the parents who have offered to help during this time. We invite 4-5 parents to volunteer at both campuses during drop-off and pick-up times to add an extra layer of security. Additionally, any parents available throughout the day at either campus would be of great help.
If you can volunteer, please click on the button below to fill out the form.
Together, we can keep our school safe and thriving. Thank you for being a part of our BHA community.
Building Inside for Building Outside
Join us for this session exploring how our efforts to look within can help us better engage with ourselves and the challenges in the world around us.
6th-10th Character Development & Leadership Program Update
Masha'Allah, the 7th-grade class has led a very informative and well-organized assembly about the history of Palestine. We are incredibly proud of the hard work and effort put forth by both the students and their dedicated mentors.
Additionally, our 7th graders and their mentors, Ms. Nivine and Ms. Elham, organized a bake sale to support the victims in Palestine. The students created beautiful bracelets using the colors of the Palestinian flag to sell in their fundraiser, with the aim of maximizing the proceeds for this noble cause. Masha'Allah, their hard work and dedication showed as they successfully raised approximately $1,400. This amount will be transferred to Muslim Relief to be sent as aid to the people in Palestine. May Allah bless all those who contributed to this cause, and may it bring relief and comfort to those in need.
Insha'Allah, we're excited to share that our awesome 6th-grade class is up next! Stay tuned for updates about their upcoming project. The creativity and enthusiasm displayed by our students are truly inspiring, and we can't wait to see the incredible work they will bring to our community.
Let's continue to support and recognize the accomplishments of our students. Great things are happening at Bright Horizon Academy.
Engaging Young Voices
As part of our commitment at BHA to empower the voices of our young community members, students from 8th to 12th grade engaged in activities introduced by Ms. Zuhal that familiarized them with the fundamentals of social activism. They learned how to reach out to government representatives and effectively communicate their concerns.
Putting theory into practice, our students took action. They contacted local representatives, the Vice President, and the President to express their concerns about U.S. support for Palestine. Through written forms and phone calls, they made their voices heard.
We're proud of our students' active involvement and their dedication to advocating for positive change in the world.
CC Campus: Read-a-Loud and Book Fair
We are only days away from our Crescent Moon Book Fair that will be held at the Clairemont Campus multipurpose room from Monday through Thursday next week (10/23-10/26). Please check out the wonderful assortment of books and games offered, which are all catered to a Muslim audience. It is imperative that our young scholars read narratives that reflect our Muslim identity and belief system, so our children can navigate the intertwining of cultures in a holistic and positive way.
BHA students and parents will be able to get priority selection on Monday and Tuesday before it opens up to the community at large, so please make sure to stop by early insha'Allah. All proceeds from the event will be given in charity (80% to Palestinian Relief Efforts, 20% to BHA). For those who would like to order from the website directly, please use the promo code BRIGHTHORIZON and you will receive free shipping.
Below is the link to a mini catalog that highlights some of the books that will be offered. Please take a look at the books for your own family, or browse some options that could be donated to your child's classroom library.
Link to Crescent Moon Website: crescentmoonstore.com/
Promo Code: BRIGHTHORIZON
In addition to the Book Fair, each CC class will have a scheduled Read Aloud with Mrs. Yasmeen Hantuli before they can browse the books. You are welcome to join during your child's scheduled Read Aloud insha'Allah. Below is the schedule by grade.
Tuesday (Oct. 24th):
TK/KG 11am-11:45am
1st Grade 1:30pm-2:15pm
Wednesday (Oct. 25th):
2nd Grade 12:30pm-1:15pm
3rd Grade 1:30pm-2:15pm
Books may be purchased during Read Aloud times, and also from 2:30pm-3:30pm during dismissal on Monday through Thursday insha'Allah. Lastly, on Wednesday (Oct. 25th) the PTO will host an Islamic Heritage Night with a focus on the Palestinian Narrative after school from 3:30pm-4:30pm. All community members are invited so feel free to invite friends and family insha'Allah. If you would like to volunteer for this event, please reach out to Mrs. Aalaae Ahmed at aalaae@gmail.com.
We hope to see you all next week, and please make an effort to support our ummah abroad in any way you can insha'Allah.
Upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences - November 1st and 2nd
Mark your calendars! Parent-Teacher Conferences for both BHA campuses are right around the corner on November 1st and 2nd. These conferences are a fantastic opportunity to connect with your child's teachers and gain insights into their academic journey.
Please note that on these conference days, students will be dismissed at 12:15 pm.
We will, Insha'Allah, be sending you an email with a link to sign up and schedule an appointment with your child's teachers soon. Keep an eye on your inbox for this email.
Our Islamic Heritage: Palestine- CC Campus
During the “Our Islamic Heritage: Palestine” event, children will explore the land of Palestine with all their senses. They will learn about Palestinian foods and have the chance to taste them. They'll also engage with the Wild Jasmine that grows there, identifying its unique scent. Additionally, they will study its physical location and the geography of the Masjid Al-Aqsa compound. Understanding the value of praying at Al-Aqsa, they will practice their Athan.
Towards the end, Sr. Halima and Sr. Noor will deliver a presentation, emphasizing our Islamic duty to stand for justice and, therefore, against injustices in Palestine and around the world. Children will then have the opportunity to write cards of solidarity to the children of Palestine.
When: Wednesday, October 25, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM.
The Horizons Cafe - AG Campus
Come and visit the Horizons Cafe and treat yourself to some fantastic items. Your purchases will play an important role in supporting the Student Council's upcoming events like Sports Day and Career Day, making them even more thrilling and memorable. It's a win-win situation, where you get to enjoy great treats while backing our student leaders in their mission to create unforgettable experiences for the whole school!
Upcoming Field trips:
3rd Grade: On November 8th, we will be visiting the Cabrillo National Monument.
2nd Grade: Tuesday, the 24th, trip to Old Town.
1st Grade: On November 9th, we'll explore the wonders of the Natural History Museum.
8th Grade: Get ready for an exciting visit to the planetarium on November 15th.
Time to Sign Up for AP Exams:
Dear AP Students,
It's that time of year when you can sign up for your AP exams. Be sure to reserve your spot and secure your opportunity to excel in these important assessments.
AP exams offered this year:
- AP US Government
- AP Computer Science A
- AP Psychology
- AP Calculus AB
- AP English Language and Composition
- AP Computer Science Principles
- AP Biology
- AP Physics 1
Deadline to return this form: November 3
Deadline to pay exam cost: November 10
Don't miss out – your academic success awaits!
To sign up, simply click on the button below:
Exciting News: SCOIR for 8th-12th Grade Students
We are thrilled to introduce SCOIR, our new college and career planning platform, for students in grades 8 through 12. In addition, we are pleased to announce that our 8th-grade students have been granted access to SCOIR due to their enrollment in high school math and Arabic accredited courses this year.
All students from 8th-12th grade should have received an invitation email to activate their SCOIR accounts. This platform offers valuable tools for college planning and career exploration. We encourage all students to get started.
SCOIR provides resources for:
- College exploration.
- Activities, awards, and volunteering hours log.
- Efficient application management.
- Resume and portfolio building.
- Access to school advisors.
- Data and insights for informed decisions.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates on SCOIR and our commitment to student success.
Staying Home When Not Feeling Well
To ensure the well-being of our school community, please keep your child at home if they show flu-like symptoms. If a student has had a fever, we kindly ask that they wait for 24 hours after the fever has gone away without using fever-reducing medication before returning to school.
Your cooperation in following this guideline helps us maintain a healthy and safe environment for everyone. We appreciate your understanding and support.