As-Salaam Alaikum Madina Academy Parents,

We are thrilled to announce an exciting initiative for our students—The Principal's Winter Break Leaderboard Challenge on IXL! This friendly competition is designed to motivate students to sharpen their skills and enjoy learning during the Winter break.

IXL Challenge Details:

• Start Date: Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at 9:00 AM
• End Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 9:00 AM

Participation is entirely optional but encouraged. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to engage with educational content, challenge themselves, and have fun over the break.

Awards and Recognition:

• The top 3-scoring students from each grade will be awarded for their outstanding efforts.
• The class with the highest overall participation and performance will also be recognized with a special prize!

How to Participate:
Students can join the challenge by logging into their IXL accounts and working on the exercises. It’s that simple! The more they practice, the better their chances of standing out on the leaderboard.

We’re excited to see our students' enthusiasm and dedication to this challenge. Let’s make learning over the Winter break both fun and rewarding!

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement of your child's educational journey.

Warm regards

Dr. Ray Cooper

Principal

Students will follow clues on index cards to find the next clue hidden in different areas of the school, with each card leading them closer to the final prize.

Big shoutout to our first hunter and winner: Sameer Hasan 9th Grade

Rules:

1. Keep the Scavenger Hunt a secret unless someone already knows about it from reading the newsletter.

2. You can only search for clues during your free time, ideally during lunch.

3. No running in hallways or unsafe behavior while searching.

4. The first person to find the item will receive a prize!

5. One of the clues is located in a classroom in the middle/high school area

6. No fighting or snatching the item from someone who finds it first.

7. If you find a clue please DO NOT TAKE IT!!!

8. Only the first person to hand in the item will be eligible for the prize.

9. Email ayahk@madinaacademy.org or zainahk@madinaacademy.org for any questions or concerns!

First Clue:

"Water flows where people pass,

but your next clue is not at eye level, alas.

Look beneath where many stop to drink,

there’s something hidden just out of sight—don’t blink!"

Happy hunting, and good luck!

This month, let’s look at how Allah and the Prophet express the importance of not being wasteful:

وَكُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ وَلَا تُسْرِفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ ٣١

“Eat and drink, but do not waste. Surely He does not like the wasteful.” ‍(7:31)

It was narrated from 'Abdullah bin 'Amr that:

The Messenger of Allah passed by Sa'd when he was performing ablution, and he said: 'What is this extravagance?' He said: 'Can there be any extravagance in ablution?' He said: 'Yes, even if you are on the bank of a flowing river.'"

Both this ayah and hadith express the vitality of not wasting. There are many reasons that we should reduce wastefulness. Not wasting resources is essential for protecting our planet, a necessary principle taught in Islam. Every item we discard contributes to overflowing landfills, pollutes our environment, and depletes valuable natural resources. Islam encourages the protection of the Earth, reminding us that we must take care of Allah’s creations. By reducing waste, we conserve energy, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize the need for new materials, which helps preserve ecosystems. Embracing a mindful consumption mindset benefits the environment, aligning with the Islamic values of gratitude and responsibility. We should be grateful for what Allah has given us and not take advantage of his generosity to preserve our wonderful Earth for future generations.

Tips on how to reduce wastefulness:

• Don’t leave water running when you’re not using it

• Try to recycle more; most of the time plastic, paper, glass, and metal are recyclable.

• Don’t buy food/products that you won’t eat/use and will end up throwing away

• Reuse things like jars, bottles, boxes, or anything else

• Donate clothes or toys that you don’t use anymore

Together, let’s make our school and the community around us a cleaner place!

Math Night

Madina Academy PTS and Mathnasium collaborated together to host a Math Night at the school on November 22nd, 2024 to help create an experience for the kids where learning is more fun! A variety of entertaining and interactive games were set up for all ages, and many elementary and middle school students attended the event.

Multicultural Fair

On November 27th, 2024, Madina Academy’s annual multicultural fair took place. This brought a tapestry of different cultures, allowing students to learn more and experience countries from all around the world. Additionally, it allows students to embrace diversity, and build connections within its school community. A wide range of countries included:

Sudan

Mali

Turkey

Egypt

Pakistan

Spain

Canada

Students worked hard towards displaying different cultures in an entertaining and attention-grabbing way. Additionally, high school students were giving Ted Talks as a person (child, parent, hostage, etc.) during Sudan’s 2018 Revolution and 2023 Civil War crisis. Alhamdulillah, many students and parents enjoyed attending and learning more about Sudan’s current issues.

Teachers worked their hardest to make it a memorable event at Madina Academy, prior to Thanksgiving break. Happy Multicultural Fair!

UCMUN Trip:

Model United Nations (MUN) is a simulation activity where students act as delegates in the United Nations and other international organizations. In Model UN, students learn about the UN’s principles and how it functions, roleplay as delegates to the UN, simulate UN committees, debate on topics such as crime punishments, and work together to solve problems.

University of Connecticut Model United Nations (UCMUN)

The University of Connecticut Model United Nations is a student-run organization that aims to create awareness through their yearly conference. This year, the conference was held from November 8-10th. Every November, hundreds of highschool students gather at the UConn Storrs campus to participate in realistic committee simulations, engage in important debate, and create resolutions. For example, if a student was part of the SOCHUM committee (Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs), they had to debate and create resolutions on topics including “Prison Conditions and Criminalization of the Homeless”. This year, UCMUN 2024 became the 26th annual conference at the University of Connecticut’s Storrs Campus.

Alhamdulillah, Madina Academy’s Upper School has been participating in the UConns MUN for a while. This year, about 35 students from Madina Academy participated in UCMUN. Everytime the students had an enjoyable and educational experience. I, Zara Khan have personally been in UCMUN for 3 years and I enjoy each time making new friends in committees and debating about controversial topics. This year, Tasneem Zoghol--a senior student at Madina Academy--won an award for “Best Delegate” in her committee, Allahumabarik. Her committee this year was Commision on Status of Women (CSW) and the topic they debated on was Reproduction Rights and Femicide in Africa. InshaAllah next year's UCMUN goes well and we have some more winners from our school. A big shoutout to Mrs.Masuda for preparing the students for UCMUN and planning this 3-day-long trip!! I, along with other highschool students, would recommend you to join UCMUN next year!

Upper School is one of your life’s most exciting yet challenging times. It’s a chance to grow, learn, and prepare for the future while creating amazing memories. Here are some tips to help you succeed and make the most out of these years.

Staying Organized

Keeping up with homework, projects, and activities can feel overwhelming, but staying organized can make things easier. Use a planner or calendar to track your deadlines and make lists of what needs to be done each day. Starting assignments early will save you from stressful late nights!

Finding Balance

It’s important to manage your time between classwork, friends, and hobbies. Don’t overwork yourself—make sure you take breaks and enjoy little things, whether it's reading, spending time with family or friends, or just relaxing. Balance is key to staying happy and healthy.

Asking for Help

High school isn't always easy, and it's okay to need help sometimes. If you're stuck on a subject or struggling with something personal, reach out to your teachers, friends, or family. There's no shame in asking for help—it shows that you care about your future and knowledge. I have personally needed help in Highschool and I had my friends and family by my side the whole time.

Making the Most of It

High School is more about than just grades—It’s a time for you to discover your interests and passion since you might find an interest that can be your future career! These years are also for building friendships and making memories that you will treasure for life.

Enjoy these years, and remember that every challenge is a chance to grow. You’ve got this!

Not loving your grades this quarter? Don’t worry--there’s still plenty of time to turn things around and boost your GPA before the year ends. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get your grades back on track and work toward academic success.

1. Know your teachers.

Every teacher is different. They come from different backgrounds, teach in different ways, and grade using their own unique techniques. By now, three months into the school year, you should have a good sense of what each of your teachers expects and how their classes operate. In some subjects, you may need to put in more effort than others, so it’s essential to identify where your energy is best spent to avoid wasting time on less crucial tasks.

2. Know your strengths and weaknesses.

No one excels in every subject. You might be stronger in math than in English, or maybe science comes easier than history. Along with understanding the demands of your teachers, you should also recognize which subjects you find easier. By tackling the less challenging work first, you can save your time and mental energy for the subjects that require more effort.

3. Manage your time wisely.

Now that you know what each task demands of you, it’s time to organize. Yes, it’s frustrating that after spending eight hours at school, we still have two more hours of homework waiting for us, but we can’t change that—only the teachers can. *hint hint* Some people like to get their homework out of the way immediately, while others prefer to relax first. I strongly recommend the former. Finishing your work early makes your downtime more enjoyable, as you’re not stressed about unfinished assignments. Plus, it creates a reward system where relaxation is a well-earned break. My college professor recently introduced us to a time-management system using four categories: urgent-important, not urgent-important, urgent-not important, and not urgent-not important. You should tackle tasks in this order: start with urgent and important tasks first, then move to urgent but less important, followed by important but not urgent ones, and finally leave the least important and non-urgent tasks for last. This will help you prioritize your work efficiently.

4. Be consistent.

When studying for an exam or memorizing material, don’t wait until the last minute to cram. Many students try to memorize their surah part right before it’s time to recite, but I’ve found it more effective to do a little bit each day. For example, I like to read and listen to my assigned section two or three times daily so that when it’s time to memorize it a few days before the test, it comes easily. The same approach applies to other exams. Creating flashcards a week before the exam and reviewing them daily will help the information sink in over time, making recall much easier during the test. This spaced repetition method strengthens memory retention, helping you remember more in the long term.

5. Know your purpose.

We often complain about spending time in school learning concepts we may never use in real life. And while that might be true, the act of learning still sharpens our brains. You might not ever need to prove a triangle is a triangle outside of math class, but learning how to create logical proofs can enhance your problem-solving skills or strengthen your arguments in the future. More importantly, the pursuit of knowledge is something Allah (SWT) encourages. As the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “Whoever takes a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise.” (Sahih Muslim) If we set our intention that we are spending these hours for Allah’s sake, we will be rewarded for every moment we spend learning.

Clubs aren’t particularly common at Madina Academy. Sure, we have student council, NHS, and history day, but these are largely academic extracurriculars. While they can be enjoyable at times, let’s be real--most members join primarily for the boost to their college applications (myself included). We also have the Outdoor Adventure Club for middle school and martial arts, and I truly commend Ms. Salwa and Br. Sufu for their dedication in keeping them going over the years. However, there’s a new club in town.

Recently, Sr. Kevser, our high school Islamic Studies teacher, introduced a crochet club for all students. The first meeting took place on November 7th, lasting for an hour after school. Only a handful of girls attended, but Sr. Kevser came well-prepared, bringing yarn and needles purchased with funds contributed by the students. It was very helpful, as she was able to individually work with each of us as we learned at our own paces. Unlike most of the other clubs I am involved in, this one didn’t revolve around academics and was refreshingly relaxing--a welcome change.

The club is set to meet once a month, so the commitment is easy to manage. I highly suggest any other students who are interested in learning a new and fun skill to talk to Sr. Kevser (or ‘Hocam’ as we call her) at siskevser@madinaacademy.org and join the club.

Every year, Madina Academy’s brightest debaters pack their placards and head to the UConn Model United Nations Conference (UCMUN)—a proving ground for diplomacy, negotiation, and a little bit of fun on the side. This year was no different, as students stepped into the roles of ambassadors, tackling global challenges with flair and finesse.

The Research Grind

Preparing for UCMUN is no small feat. Delegates dive into their countries’ stances on complex issues like climate change, femicide, and global trade. Ayah Kanaan (10th Grade) summed it up perfectly: “It’s all about knowing your country’s position—are they neutral? Do they support big decisions? And who are your allies?” Noor Hassan (9th Grade), another delegate, shared that while extensive research sounds daunting, the key is confidence: “Focus on the country’s stance. You don’t need to know everything, just enough to speak with authority.”

Heat in the Debate Room

From reparations to abortion rights, UCMUN’s debates were intense. Representing Kenya, Tasneem Zoghol (12th Grade) found herself in the middle of charged discussions, defending her country’s policies while advocating for diplomacy. Her advice? “Stay calm, respectful, and to the point. Maintain decorum—debate is about collaboration, not shouting matches.”

Laughs and Learning

Even in the heat of debate, UCMUN had its lighter moments. Noor recounted a neighbor blasting Spanish music on his AirPods during committee. “He was humming and even doing a little dance—it was hilarious,” she said. Ayah’s committee wasn’t far behind, creating the "Sigma Euro" to save Greece’s economy, only to spark chaos when the U.S. stock market crashed. “They were disbanded which created an entire uproar in our committee,” she added.

Delegates found humor in unexpected places, like a resolution ECOFIN passed, uniting 3 countries into one; “United Spinindia” (U.S., Spain, and India). Trivia n

Night brought more laughs. “I lost [the] Kahoot, but I haven’t laughed that hard in ages,” Noor said. Even the most serious debates were sprinkled with moments of levity that brought everyone closer together.

Beyond the Debates

Delegates didn’t just take away awards—they left with confidence, lifelong skills, and stronger friendships. "Would I recommend UCMUN," Ayah Kanaan ponders, "100%. It’s an incredible learning curve.” Noor Hassan agrees: “You’ll miss it the moment it’s over, but there’s always next year.”

Tasneem Zoghol — winning the Best Delegate award for her committee — has some advice to share:

“To remain respectful throughout the debate. It's really important that you understand the opposite perspective and carefully dissect it. The moment you verbally attack someone in committee you lose respect and your points will not be valid. You must maintain decorum and calmly rebuttal the arguments against you. You want to try to get the opposing perspective to reach some sort of agreement and you can only do so diplomatically. The art of debate is to always remain calm, respectful, and to the point. The loudest person in the room isn't always correct.”

From fiery debates to post-session Dunkin runs, UCMUN 2024 was a whirlwind of growth, laughs, and unforgettable memories. Madina Academy’s delegates are already gearing up for next year—because the world’s problems aren’t solving themselves.

Email salmam@madinaacademy.org or zainahk@madinaacademy.org with questions you have regarding just about ANYTHING! We will try our best to answer all of your questions in the newsletter.

Q: Even though it annoys me when my parents tell me I spend too much time on my phone, I know deep in me that they’re kinda right. How do I overcome this?

A: I diagnose you to be what some people call chronically online! Don’t worry, this affliction is very common throughout the United States, and treatment is available. Side effects may include boredom, FOMO, and even death!!!

All jokes aside, there are several steps you can take to getting off your phone and being more present in the real world. And while it might make you bored and anxious to be off your phone at first, it will get better and you will notice a change in the long term. However, it’ll definitely take a good amount of discipline to stick with these steps. To start, try setting specific "phone-free" times during the day. For example, designate at least an hour in the morning and an hour before bed to be completely offline. This will help your mind reset and prevent you from scrolling mindlessly. At first, you’ll probably feel like you’re missing out, but that’s just the withdrawal talking. Trust me, it’ll pass. You can try swapping screen time for activities that ground you in the real world. Read a book, take a walk, or start a hobby that doesn’t involve a screen—something that lets you connect with your surroundings and yourself.

Always remember, it's easy to slip back into old habits, but don't beat yourself up. It’s all about making consistent, small efforts to reestablish a healthier relationship with technology. It won’t be easy, but I promise it’ll be worth it in the end.

The thing she showed me had me shocked with tears in my eyes. It was a torn photograph that she had stuck back together. The photograph showed a young girl, whom I assumed was her, with two little boys sitting next to her from each side. Although that wasnt what shocked me. What shocked me the most was that they were tied up everywhere, with cuts all over their bodies. While I was distracted with the photograph, I didn't notice the loud aggressive knocks on the door. But before I opened the door, I had to ask the girl her name first, her name was Ruby, and it matched her face perfectly. She was so pretty and sweet, but I couldn't help but notice all the bruises and marks all over her body. She didn't deserve this. And that's why I decided I'm going to try and change how things work around here…

Email nooram@madinaacademy.org with the answers.

1. Which surah is known as the “Heart of the Quran”?

2. Who was the first woman to fight in battle for Islam?

3. In the Battle of Badr, which Sahaba's yellow turban did the angels copy?

Shout out to last month’s winner: Eshaal Kashif!