

Madina Academy
December 2023
Madina Academy Newsletter Team:
Our School Newsletter is a student created, student led endeavor.
Zainah Khaliq: Chief Editor
Fatima Khan: Upper School News
Ayoub Elamrani: Madina Events
Minal Khan: Opinion Piece
Faqiha Faheem: School Interviews
9th Grade
Fatima Vahora: School Interviews
Ayah Kanaan: Entertainment Page
9th grade
Mariam Haroun
9th Grade
Malak Khedr: Islamic Question
9th Grade
Important Calendar Changes:
Presidents Day and February Break Adjustments:
The previously scheduled Presidents Day holiday will only be observed on February 19th and 20th. Madina Academy will resume school on February 21st, 2024.
Ramadan and Eid Accommodations:
Recognizing the significance of Ramadan and Eid, we have extended April 3rd to April 12th during this period. Madina Academy will resume school on Monday, April 15th, 2024.
We understand that changes to the school calendar can impact family schedules, and we appreciate your understanding and flexibility. Our decision to modify the calendar is rooted in our commitment to our heritage and the diverse needs of our Madina Academy community.
School Wide Cultural Clothes Day!
By: Ayoub Elamrani
Due to good behavior during dismissal, the principal decided to reward Madina Academy students with a free themed dress-down day on the 22nd of December. Students dressed up in clothes from a variety of different cultures. It was a great way to send students off to the winter break. Keep up the good behavior during dismissal for much fun rewards!
9th Grade’s Trip to Rhode Island
By: Zainah Khaliq & Ayah Kanaan
On December 19th, our 9th Grade went on a field trip to Newport, Rhode Island. They visited different mansions, including the Breakers, Rosecliff, and Marble Mansion. As a part of their U.S. History class with Ms. Salwa, they were given a worksheet that resembled a scavenger hunt for them to complete along the way. After touring the mansions and taking group pictures in the gorgeous gardens, the class went out to eat dinner together. Finally, on their long ride back to Madina Academy, they ended their day with ice cream.
Opinions Section
The Need for a Gym
By Minal Khan 9th Grade
Having a gym at school is a necessity, so why doesn’t Madina Academy have one? A gym is beyond having a place to play sports; it’s a hub for students' physical and mental well-being. During Physical Education, Madina Academy students have to go outside in harsh weather conditions due to the school's lack of space. Moreover, we only have a small amount of supplies available for both Physical Education and Recess. To top it off, these supplies are of low quality and always falling apart. Fundraising from PTS or the student council could help us with supplies, but what are some things we can do to acquire a fine space we can call a gym? Nothing is impossible, and we have proved it many times. With a gymnasium, students can play all types of sports and games while staying in a safe environment meant for physical education. Not only that but having a gymnasium can be a means to bring more students to the school. Having a gym isn’t a luxury; it is an investment for students' health and development.
Cell Phones Need to be Banned
By Minal Khan 9th grade
Cell phones are a huge distraction in class. Although students get bored in class, they often develop addictions to their phones. Once they open their phones they get distracted by all their notifications from social media, games, and messages. Cellular devices in classrooms create major distractions, impact learning, cause issues with students' well-being and invade privacy, making it crucial to limit the use of phones for a healthy learning environment. Phones should not be allowed out when class is in session as it is a disruption.
Phones are super distracting in class for many reasons. First off, they are like having an entertainment center in your hands, with games, social media, and a bunch of apps you can access with just a tap. When we are supposed to be focused on class, students get distracted and get carried away on their phones. A study by The University of Texas at Austin found that participants who were the most dependent on their smartphones performed worse than their less dependent peers. “It’s not that participants were distracted because they were getting notifications on their phones,” said Ward. “The mere presence of their smartphone was enough to reduce their cognitive capacity”(Ward, 2017).
Not only do cell phones distract you but it is proven in many studies such as Beland and Murphy’s study done in 2016 that phones in class can affect your grades. The study reported that when cell phones aren’t allowed in classrooms standardized test scores go up approximately 6% on average and more than 14% for students who are lower achieving. The constant distractions from your phone divert your attention from learning, making it harder to gain information or concentrate.
A study conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 56% of teens feel anxious or upset if they don’t have their phones with them. This is known as fear of missing out(FOMO). Relying heavily on phones and the anxiety about not participating in ongoing events can detrimentally affect a student’s academic achievements and overall wellness. Phones also invade privacy. Students can easily invade other people's privacy by taking photos or videos without consent. Sometimes these photos or videos can be shared on social media, causing embarrassment or distress for the students involved.
Now parents and students might be wondering, what if a child needs it in emergencies? For example, when a student is in a violent situation or in the event of an accident they might need their phone as a lifeline. Teachers should almost always be present in classrooms to help or call for emergencies. Of course, there may be times when phones can be used, such as in emergencies in hallways and on campus. Phones can be allowed in hallways as long as students aren’t letting it make them late to class or misuse their phones.
In conclusion, cell phones might seem like a convenient tool for entertainment and staying online, but their presence in classrooms poses large challenges. The distractions they offer easily drift our focus from learning. Many studies show the negative effects of phones on academic performance. Moreover, the anxiety caused by the fear of missing out and invasion of privacy through photos or videos taken without permission adds more complications to their presence in schools. Limiting phone use during class hours isn’t just about avoiding distractions; it's about creating an environment where learning can flourish without disruptions.
Madina Academy Upper School News
A Child Life Specialist Visits the Upper School!
The Upper School Coordinator often invites professionals from diverse fields to introduce careers that students might not encounter in their day-to-day lives. These visits serve as a window into the real world, providing students with a broader range of potential career paths.
On December 19, Colleen Brown, a Child Life Specialist at CT Children’s Hospital visited Madina Academy to discuss her career with grades 10-12. According to Cleveland Clinic, “A child life specialist is a healthcare provider who works with your child during medical challenges or hospitalization to ensure their life remains as normal as possible.”
Colleen's presentation shone a light on a career that many students might not have considered or even known about. With a fun and engaging demeanor, she unveiled her profession—an advocate and supporter for children navigating through medical challenges. Colleen shared both the heartwarming stories of resilience and the heartbreaking tales of struggle faced by her young patients. Students had the chance to ask questions and received lengthy answers, considering if they wanted to pursue this career in their future.
Free College Courses at SCSU:
Madina Academy has just signed an agreement with Southern Connecticut State University for partnership. This is a program that will allow our students to take two courses, absolutely FREE of charge. This will include online and summer sessions. Our upcoming juniors and seniors will be eligible for this program, beginning summer 2024. I highly encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity. Please take note that this program is different from the "High School Partnership Program" offered at community colleges. The HSPP also allows access to tuition -free courses, but only towards the end of the enrollment period, when most classes are filled. The aim from the college perspective is to prioritize the fee paying students, resulting, however, fewer choices and classes to select from for non paying students.
In comparison, at SCSU our students will be able to sign up for classes as soon as the registration period opens up, ensuring the courses transfer and fulfill required credits towards their degrees.
College and Career Readiness:
Madina will be hosting a series of speakers from UConn Allied Health through the end of the year. Guest speakers will come in from the fields of pharmacy, physician's assistant, dental hygienist, emergency medical services, and other health careers that aren't as well known. They will present and answer students' questions about college and career paths related to each field. Our first guest speakers will be coming to Madina on Tuesday, December 19th at 11:30pm. They will be talking about careers in Nutrition. Students, have your questions ready! This week we have the Windsor Councilwoman: Ojala Naeem visiting us! High schoolers, have your questions ready!
Digital PSATs
Early in the month of October, Eleventh Graders took the digital version of the 'Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Tests (PSATs). This is the first time our school has generated these tests digitally. Previously, all the PSATs were paper/pencil based. The new tests are much shorter, more flexible, and students receive their scores much faster. The format is also adaptive, which means the kind of questions students will encounter are unique to each student's performance level. If you are a parent of an eleventh grader, be sure to view their PSAT scores on Collegeboard. In school, students have two periods a week to continue practicing test questions in preparation of the actual SATs. This year Tenth Graders will be taking the online test in the spring, along with, for the first time, the Ninth Graders.
What is Patience?
These are the faces of patience. Even though life is hard, we can find a moment in just being silly, companionship with a friend, giving or receiving a good word, or even just continuing with our daily tasks. The most important aspect of being patient is remembering those who are in a more dire situation than us, to pray for them, and to be grateful for what we do have. Alhumdullilah, for Paradise awaits those who are patient.
Winter Break by Mariam Haroun
The much awaited winter break finally came! It was time to sit back, relax, and be with our loved ones. We all worked very hard this year, and everyone deserves this small break from school. Many made plans to travel, some wanted to simply unwind at home, and others looked forward to going out with their friends.
Despite the fact that many students complain that time goes by quickly this time of year, and that we should have more time off, everyone—students, faculty, and family—looks forward to an incredible Winter Break week filled with activities that they won't be able to accomplish during the rest of the year. So, make the most of it and don't waste any time that could be spent with family and friends (and not in school).
Advice Column by Salma Mahmoud
Q: How do I deal with feeling left out?
A: This time of adolescence is the time when we are discovering who we are and what kind of people we want to be friends with. Unfortunately, finding those people is a trial and error endeavor, which means there will be periods when we are floating between groups. It is normal to want to fit in and have a friend group to call your own. However, it is important to recognize that the correct people will enter your life eventually -- it may not be now, and in the meantime, it is necessary not to force yourself to hang out with people who aren’t good for you.
It is also crucial that you realize that being left out is not usually your fault. As I mentioned previously, this time of our lives is that of change and development, and it can cause people to adopt a mean streak. This is typically recognizable, but many choose to ignore it for fear of being the receiving end of that meanness. Being a teenager is one of the hardest times purely because it is the time we spend piecing ourselves together. Throughout all of this, you will feel left out -- it is inevitable. The most important thing is that you do not sacrifice your morals or who you are to fit in. Recognize that those leaving you out are most likely not those who will stay by your side till the end, and therefore there is no merit in joining their group.
Being lonely is something everyone experiences, but that doesn’t make it any easier. Instead of joining groups that don’t value you for who you are, learn to enjoy your own company and be your truest self. Explore your hobbies and interests, and the right people will enter your life when the time comes.
For questions you may have and want advice on, email salmam@madinaacademy.org
Chemical Reactions in the 10th Grade Chemistry Lab
Interview Questions by Faqiha Faheem & Fatima Vahora
Zoha Awais, 8th Grade
What did you think of the Multicultural Fair?
“It was fun because I got to experience different cultures and traditions and research.”
2. Ever since you came into Madina Academy, in what ways do you think it has influenced your life?
“It was good as an Islamic aspect cause I got to learn more about the Quran and Tajweed and like it's a really small school much smaller than public school so like yeah it's a completely different experience.”
3. Would you recommend this school to students who have never been here?
“I’d say it's a good experience to try and like. Like it's good in the Islamic aspect you don't really fall behind too many classes like if you don't like it just don't go the next year.”
Abdelrahman Eltanbedawi, 6th Grade
What did you think of the Multicultural Fair?
“I thought the Multicultural Fair was like a time to bring my parents in to see how hard I worked during the school year to make my work for the multicultural fair. It really made me happy because they got to see the work that I did.”
2. Ever since you came into Madina Academy, in what ways do you think it has influenced your life?
“When I first came to Madina Academy, it already felt really good to be here because I was in an Islamic environment. I wasn't around anybody from public school where they would act not really Islamically appropriate … They didn’t really say the best words and the teachers here are better because the teachers there had their opinions that did not match ours. You know more people and it feels better to socialize with others than at public school.”
3. Would you recommend this school to students who have never been here?
“I would recommend this school to somebody who’s a Muslim or has an interest in Islam because it has a very good Islamic environment. It also teaches things like Islamic studies … teaches about the history of Islam and the prophets and … memorizing the quran … and memorizing your tajweed. There's nothing bad here, it's all very gentle.”
Entertainment Page: Islamic Trivia, Word Search, Riddles & More!! By Ayah Kanaan
Let us see who can finish both of these in less than 5 minutes!
Let’s see who can solve these riddles:
I have keys but open no locks. I have space but no room. You can enter, but you can't go inside. What am I?
The more you feed it, the more it grows. But when you drink, it dies. What is it?
I fly without wings. I cry without eyes. Wherever I go, darkness follows me. What am I?
What has a heart that doesn't beat?
Forward I am heavy, but backward I am not. What am I?
I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?
Answers to last month’s riddles:
A coffin.
December 31st; Today is January 1st.
He was bald.
A secret.
Second place.
A garbage truck.
They are a grandfather, a father, and a son.
Did you know?
Oxford University is older than the Aztec civilization.
The Eiffel Towers height changes depending on the temperature.
Cows have been found to form close friendships and tend to become stressed when they are separated from their best buddies.
Botanically speaking, bananas are berries, but strawberries are not.
The tongue of a blue whale can weigh as much as an elephant.
Islamic Trivia Time!
What is the name of the Islamic declaration of faith?
Which night during Ramadan is considered the “Night of Power”?
In addition to Ramadan, Muslims fast on specific days in another month. Which month is it?
What is the name (or names) of the angel(s) who record the deeds of humans?
What is the title given to Islamic scholars who specialize in the interpretation of the Quran and Hadith?
Answers to last month’s Islamic Trivia:
114
Surat at-Tawbah
Hafizul Quran
Muharram
Submission
Ummah
Short Story By: Salma Mahmoud
Looming Encounters
Juniper had experienced many frightful things throughout her short lifetime. There was that time when she was thirteen that she had gotten into a car accident with her family. She could still remember the moment she realized that that might be her last car ride, her last time seeing her family, her last time breathing air. She had braced herself for death. There was another time when there had been a school shooter when she was in highschool. Huddling close to her classmates as they sat in shock, she had regretted every minute she spent fighting with her mom and siblings. She couldn’t even remember what they had fought about. It all seemed so trivial in hindsight.
This, however, was definitely at the top of the list. She was cornered. Trapped. She was at a standstill with her opponent. Her heart beat faster as she weighed her options. She couldn’t run -- the terrifying creature was blocking the door. Her eyes darted to the window. She was only on the second floor. She estimated it was a fifteen foot drop. If it came down to it, she’d take her chances and jump.
She should’ve known coming to Australia would be a bad idea. The creatures that lived here were scarier than the criminals who had arrived years prior to inhabit the country. She just didn’t think she’d encounter one during the week she was here. But lo and behold, Juniper was standing face to face with the biggest spider she had ever seen in her life. She estimated it to be the size of a soccer ball. How it got in her room, she had no idea, but now wasn’t the time to question it. She didn’t even have her phone to call for help or look up what to do.
Juniper was left with one option -- kill it, or die trying. She reached for the nearest weapon she could find: a pink steel water bottle that she took with her everywhere. She fought the urge to close her eyes as she chucked the bottle at the enormous arachnid. While she didn’t want to see it splat, she had to ensure she didn’t miss it. She muttered a quick, “One… two… three!” before she launched the bottle like a missile. It crashed into the spider, causing it to scurry up the wall for refuge. Juniper stifled a scream as she realized it was now right above her head.
However, she rejoiced as she realized it was no longer in front of the door. She had a clear shot at the exit, as long as she didn’t startle the monster hanging above her. She took a deep breath and began inching her way to the door as inconspicuously as she could. The tension was killing her -- one wrong move, and the spider could attack. She reasoned with herself that she wasn’t overreacting. Who knew if the spider was venomous or not? Anything was possible here in Australia. Finally, when she was a few feet away from the door, she abandoned all caution and made a run for it, slamming the door to trap the creature in there until she could figure out what to do with it.
Later, she googled what type of spider it was, detailing its color, size, and pattern. When she found the correct spider, she was relieved to read: “Although it is colossal in size, this arachnid is perfectly harmless toward humans. It is only fatal if ingested by its predators.” A part
of her, however, was frustrated that she had expended so much fear and energy over something that would not harm her after all.
Islamic Question
Find and submit the answer to zainahk@madinaacademy.org. First to submit the correct answer will get a prize (candy or chocolate).
Last Month’s Answer: (Congratulations Juman Tuffaha!!)
Salman Farsi