February 2013 - American Youth Academy

NEWS FROM THE NEST
February 2013-Edition 6
News from the Nest
TH
5905 E. 130 AVE. ●TAMPA, FLORIDA 33617
www.ayatampa.org ● (813) 987-9282
Message from Sr. Magda…
Assalamu Alaikum Students, Parents and Community Members,
Masha'Allah, we had quite a busy month of February, and February
seemed to roll right into March. Between February 10 and February
23 alone, we had the Regional STEM Fair, the School-wide
Spelling Bees, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Spirit Week and our
Annual Fundraising Dinner. Also, four of our teachers attended
the three-day FCIS Academy for High Performing Teachers at
Corbett Preparatory School.
During that same 14-day period, we had the honor of welcoming Dr. Barbara Hodges to
AYA as our guest for a tour of the school and lunch. Dr. Hodges is the Executive
Director of the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS), AYA's main accrediting
organization.
As we look towards April, we are preparing to submit Part I of our IB Application. We
are also preparing for Parent Observation Week, the Arabic Spelling Bees, CTP's, AP
Exams, Islamic Day and Semester II Exams. Before you know it, Graduations will be
upon us.
May Allah bless and reward EVERYONE who helped make AYA's Fundraising Dinner
such a big success! Please make sure to print out and post the Newsletter Insert.
Support the businesses that helped make the dinner a success. Support them as they
support AYA!
Visit AYA. Learn more about AYA Enjoy all that AYA has to offer!
Wassalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
March Events
1 - Friday: CPR/First Aid Class (for registered
adult participants)
1 - Friday: Tarbiyah Program
2 - Saturday: Spring Carnival
2 - Saturday: AYA Open House
4 - Monday: 7th Gr. Fieldtrip to USF
5 - Tuesday: Tuition Due
6 - Wed: Dual enrollment Mtg. @ 2:00pm
7 - Thursday: IPTA Meeting @ 2:40pm
8 - Friday: Board Meeting @ 3pm
9 - Saturday: Scripps Regional Spelling Bee
11 - 15: NO SCHOOL/ Spring Break
20 - Wed: Meet the Admin @ 2:40pm
21 - Thurs: Pre-K SOTM Assembly
21 - Thurs: Arabic Spelling Bee
22 - Friday: SOTM Assembly
25 - 29: Parent Observation Week
28 - Thursday: 9th Gr. Fieldtrip
Look inside...
Spirit Week
Fundraising Dinner
Student of Month/Quarter
New Family Interview
Around AYA
2
3
4-5
7
8
Newsletter Submission
DEADLINE:
March 21, 2013
Salah Odeh, Musa Abdel, Al-Dana Fetais, Leya
Rum, Bissan Mustafa, Zena Omer, Sarah
Elbasheer, Bayane Elhayboubi, Tamara Irshaid,
Minahil Cheema, and Layal Barakat
Please email submissions to
ayanewsletter@ayatampa.com
Business Ads Welcome!
¼ Page Ad=$100 for 1 month
Full Page Ad=$500 for 2 months!
Community News
We would like to congratulate Sr.
Narjes Herbawi and her family on
the birth of her newest granddaughter,
Manal. Sr. Narjes is a member of the
cafeteria staff at AYA. Her sons,
Ahmed, Mutasem, and Khader, are
also students.
NEWS FROM THE NEST | FEBRUARY 2013
2
By: Layal Barakat, 6B
Many students can’t wait for
Spirit Week to come each year,
and boy, did it arrive with lots
of enthusiasm this time!
Students, teachers, and staff
came in with their craziest
hats, dressed in clothing of
their culture, and sported their
red, white and blue! It was funfilled, and the students loved it.
During Twin Day, the IPTA sold
Coldstone ice cream, too! The
student council did a wonderful job
organizing it. I wonder what they
will plan next year.
“We want to be
shark boy and lava
girl so we can work
together.
What would your
superhero
name be?
Adam Shada, K5A: Waad Ibrahim, K5B:
'Superman, because
'Tarania – I would
I would fly fast!'
have cool powers.'
Talia Hamil,
K4B:
‘Lava Girl’
Abdelrahman
Yasin, K4A:
‘Shark Boy’
Since she is made
out lava, I will have
to do everything in
the oceans!”
NEWS FROM THE NEST | FEBRUARY 2013
FUNDRAISING
3
By: Zena Omer, 6B
DINNER
The American Youth Academy holds a fundraising dinner event
each year to raise funds to help the school grow and continue to provide what is needed for the students. This
year our school had a very successful night, Alhumdulillah. The student presentations were delightful, the food
was delicious, and Shaikh Kifah Mustafa got the crowd excited to donate for Allah (SWT). Thank you to
everyone who made this event a true success and wonderful evening! If you are interested in donating to AYA,
please contact Sr. Wafa in the Business Office, 813-987-9282, ext. 203.
‫القائمين َعلَيها يَش ُك ُرو ُكم َعلى َدع ِم ُكم لها‬
‫سة آيَة َو‬
َ
َ ‫َمد َر‬
َ‫َو يَت‬
‫طلعون إلى َدع ِم ُكم ال ُمستَ ِم ّر في ال ُمستَقبَل‬
َ
NEWS FROM THE NEST | FEBRUARY 2013
4
By: Minahil Cheema,6B
NEWS FROM THE NEST | FEBRUARY 2013
5
By: Sarah Elbasheer, 7B
Students of the Month of January
K4A: Youssef Alhamzawi and Fares Samhouri
K4B: Nofan Ahmad and Radi Mohammad
K5A: Ahmad Talbi
K5B: Ewan Elbooz and Waad Ibrahim
Grade 1A: Muhammad Washah and Mohamed Amin
Grade 1B: Hamza Kamel and Al-harith Sullaiman
Grade 2A: Bnan Hamdan, Abdulla Ahmed, and Raghad Bayyari
Grade 2B: Othman Filali and Lara Twam
Grade 3A: Zainab Mohamed and Lydia Ben Bourennane
Grade 3B: Shuhd Ismail and Wasif Mahtab
Grade 4A: Dana Barakat
Grade 4B: Selma Bensaid and Azeeza Sarour
Grade 5A: Khawlah Altoubah and Rahma Elmekabbati
Grade 5B: Sofian Faria and Salam Twam
Students of Quarter II
Grade 6: Aya Bensaid, Leya
Rum, and Jihad Gomaa
Grade 7: Hussein Harake, Sarah
Elbasheer, and Esraa Nofal
Grade 8: Bayane Elhayboubi and
Yasmine Sekkat
Grade 9: Hamza Bouarfa
Grade 10: Yara Twam and
Sabrina Awshah
Grade 11: Shaden Yousef and
Sarah Elfaouatih
- Vaniza Atiq, Yasmina Belkherroubi, Aamna Cheema, Yusuf
Elmenayer, Mustafa Elsayed, Nevin Tanoukhi, Belal Mansour, Ridha Mohamed, Muhammad Maarij Mustafa,
Noel Tanoukhi, Samah Quneibi, Lana Shada, Abdul-Malik Zekri, Adam Mansour, Abdullah Omer, Saji Rum,
Rama Abdulmagid, Danya Awshah, Rita Benkirane, Dina Irshaid, Omar Omer, Salam Twam, Abdul Hakim
Zekri, Layal Barakat, Ayah Bensaid, Minahil Cheema, Akram Mohammad, Zena Omer, Leya Rum, Amine
Benkirane, Mariam Mekouar, Sabrina Awshah, Serene Mostafa, A’la Faria, Subrine Hijaz, Mizba Khan, Lama
Mattar, and Sarah Quneibi
- Awwab Azam, Aminah Khan, Zackaria Motrib, Jawad Alhadidi, Jamal
Khawaja, Waleed Yousef, Layalee Ahmad, Shireen Abdelhafes, Ahmad Dibo, Otman Filali, Abdullah Husain,
Moustafa Ismail, Su’ad Macedonio, Fatima Mohammad, Abeir Obeid, Mohamad Soukieh, Shahed-fatima
Aisheh, Suhaib Fariz, Zainab Mohamed, Nagam Saleh, Malik Shalabi, Banah Swar, Selma Bensaid, Muhammad
Falah, Hedaia Mohammad, Azeeza Sarour, Karimah Ahmad, Khawlah Altoubah, Danya Yousef, Sofia Mekouar,
Ahmad Abdulmagid, Samarah Mohammad, Ahmed Nofal, Osama Gurwala, Khaled Yousef, Iman Ahmad,
Bayane Elhayboubi, Dina Awshah, Hamza Bouarfa, Sarah Gomaa, Lara Mattar, Lana Sarsour, Elnaz
Taherkalateh, Rola Ashour, Hasna Elhayboubi, Safa Gurwala, Diana Mustafa, Yara Twam, Nadine Al-Ashker,
Omar Altoubah, Faris Hawari, Dania Rum, Shaden Yousef, and Al-Anoud Fetais
- Mohamed Amin, Balqees Hamed, Muhammad Washah, Malek Abdelaziz, Haneen
Abunnur, Sabreen Ahmed, Seham Ali, Bara’a Alrousan, Baker Atiyeh, Raghad Bayyari, Seham Elbooz, Yazen
El-shaafi, Malik Falah, Bnan Hamdan, Saajid Khan, Saleem Sekkat, Raghad Swar, Lara Twam, Seif
Abduljaber, Lydia Ben Bourennane, Farah Ghanem, Abrar Hamdan, Sadeel Hijaz, Shuhd Ismail, Wasif Mahtab,
Bilal Qasem, Yosef Safiah, Nour Sullaiman, Amina Ahmed, Yazen Alkhyyat, Dana Barakat, Jasmin Sabir,
Nader Sarsour, Samya Soukieh, Meryam Tazi, Hasan Benbourenane, Rahma Elmekabbati, Sofian Faria, Aliya
Hack, Iness Morabi, Eman Mustafa, Omar Obeid, Leeyana Saed, Suhaib El-dahla, Jihad Gomaa, Hanan
Hasan, Menatallah Daashoush, Sarah Elbasheer, Esraa Nofal, Taha Taha, Fatima Bouarfa, Samirah Khan,
Nawal Khawaja, Ahmad Museitef, Shihab Mustafa, Sewar Quneibi, Abraham Irshaid, Samer Sarsour, Emre
Arslan, Sarah Elfaouatih, and Musa Khaled
NEWS FROM THE NEST | FEBRUARY 2013
6
By: Bissan Mustafa, 7B and Leya Rum, 6B
Interview with the Khan Family
By: Bissan Mustafa, 7B
I had the chance to meet and talk with a new AYA family.
Well, actually, the Khan family went to AYA years ago, but
moved to Orlando. I wanted to find out what brought them
back to the Bay Area and what has changed since they left.
(With SR.RAFEENA) How do you feel about coming back to
AYA? I am excited about our family’s return to AYA, the
school my children call home. What are the changes you saw
at AYA when I came back? I saw a lot more resources to help
the students, more administrative personnel, school policies
being implemented, and the discipline of the students has
improved tremendously. What have you and your family
been up to since you left AYA? Enjoying our new baby
Aminah, spending quality time with close relatives, and
partaking in community activities associated with the JAMA
masjid and the Muslims’ Academy of Greater Orlando. Sr.
Rafeena added that, “while I truly miss the families I’ve come
to know in Orlando, I welcome the opportunity to meet new
families here and build new relationships with them.”
(With AMINAH 1B) What’s your favorite part of your brand
new school AYA? Going to art class because we can color and
paint. Who’s your best friend at AYA? AMINAH 1B: Balqees
Hamed
(With SAAJID KHAN 2B) Who is your favorite teacher at AYA
and why? Sr. Alicia, because she is fun. Do you like Tampa
better than Orlando and why? Yes, because it has a better
school.
(WITH SHAAHID KHAN 7B) Who is your favorite teacher at
AYA? Br. Reza, because he is cool.
(WITH SAMIRAH KHAN 9A) Is it your first time at AYA? No.
Did AYA change since you came here? Yes, it improved a lot.
Interview with
Saja Rum
By: Leya Rum, 6B
How long did you go to AYA? I started AYA in 2006
and graduated in 2009.
What did you like most about AYA? The familiar
Islamic environment. Everyone is always looking out
to help you along the way to the right path and I’m
thankful for that.
What are you doing now? I’m currently enrolled in
a Master’s program for Physician Assistant Studies
and want to pursue a career as a certified physician
assistant.
How has AYA and Islam helped you on this
journey? AYA played a vital role in providing a
good foundation academically and religiously. I am a
21 year old master’s student, the youngest in my class
with one of the highest academic profiles. But with
that, I face challenges every day that I overcome with
ease, because of my Islamic background.
A Lesson from a K3 Student by Sr. Huda Taji
In our K3 Arabic class, the theme for the month was, The
Food We Eat. One day, we were learning that water in
Arabic is “ ‫ “ َما ٌء‬. I brought a water bottle to class, and
asked the students, “What is this?” “‫“ َه َذا ماء‬
Then I asked “Where did the water come from?” Allah
(SWT) gives us rain “ ٌ‫ ” َم َطر‬.
To illustrate the rain for them, I poured a little bit in my
hand and started splashing the students from above as if it
is rain, saying “ ٌ‫… ” َم َطرٌ “ ” َم َطر‬All the kids were excited and
asked for more, except one; he was not happy.
Haroon said: “But we should not waste water.”
“You are absolutely right Haroon, we should not waste
water.” With the screams of the students for more rain, I
closed the cap and did not dare to splash them again.
‫ شاباش‬Haroon! ‫ شاباش‬his family who taught him well!
Abdullah bin 'Umar (r) narrated that the
Prophet (S) passed by Sa'ad (r) when he was performing
wudu. He (S) said: What wastage is this? Sa'ad said: Is
there wastage in wudu also? The Holy Prophet (S) said:
Yes, even if you are at a flowing river.
NEWS FROM THE NEST | FEBRUARY 2013
7
By Bayane Elhayboubi, 8A
AYA was abuzz all month with Sr. Magda
and her big book of words! AYA students
spelled their hearts out and everyone did
well! Congratulations to the winners!
Middle School Winners:
1st Place: Layal Barakat
2nd Place: Al-Dana Fetais
3rd Place: Esraa Nofal
th
3 - 5th Grade Winners:
1st Place: Rita Benkirane
nd
2 Place: Khawlah Altoubah
rd
3 Place: Hasan Benbourenane,
Danya Awshah, and Amina Ahmed
1st - 2nd Grade Winners:
st
1 Place: Muhammad Maarij Mustafa
2nd Place: Yazen El-shaafi
rd
3 Place: Aamna Cheema and
Layal Barakat will be representing AYA in the SCRIPPS Regional Spelling Bee!
Nevin Tanoukhi
Best of Luck, Layal!!
Best of Luck Layal!
The Annual Stem Fair took place in the Tampa Bay Convention
Center. AYA sent six students to the Annual Stem Fair, two from 3rd,
two from 4th and two from 5th to compete with over 1400 students
from all over Hillsborough County. AYA students won awards of
merit, had a wonderful learning experience and lots of fun.
NEWS FROM THE NEST | FEBRUARY 2013
8
th
100 Day of
Shapes
By Musa Abdel, 6A and Salah Odeh, 7A
School
How long was the whole project? During only Math
class, it took two days to put the shapes down, and three
days to measure. Do you think it was beneficial to your
class? Yes, it got them out of their seats, it was fun and
hands on. ~Sr. Christine
To wear the scarf is her duty,
But a veil for her face does not obscure
her true beauty.
The pleasure of others is not her gain,
but rather she strives for the mercy her lord
may sustain.
Neither scorned nor degraded nor oppressed,
But like a valiant knight of honor she braves
life’s quest.
Faith is her shield, while the hijab keeps her
heart strong and cleanA muslimah girl; the queen of her deen.
Student Art
by Sarah Mari, 10B
The fifth graders looked like they were having a blast
measuring and putting shapes on the ground. Everyone
wondered what they were up to, so I decided to ask them
myself. I also wanted to ask the teacher to get the
complete details! This is how it went:
Khaled Yousef, 7B-Science
Wearing the hijab
By Layal Barakat
What are the shapes on the ground for? To find the
area and perimeter. ~ Omar Omer
What was the most challenging part? Finding the area
of the compound figures. ~ Danya Awshah
What was the most fun part? Measuring. ~ Dina Irshaid
Do you think this project has helped you? Yes, because
it was on the floor, not a notebook. ~ Salam Twam
School is Cool by Malik Falah, 2A
I go to a school that is pretty cool
and different from the rest.
When it comes to Islam there is no competition,
AYA is the best.
We laugh and we play,
Assalamu Alaikum is what we say,
When we greet our teachers and
parents each day.
School may not always be so fun
But with AYA we have won!
Interview with 5B:
By Sofia Mekouar, 5A
NEWS FROM THE NEST | FEBRUARY 2013
INSERT
We would like to thank the following people & businesses for making this dinner a success:
Sr. Elaheh Taherkalateh & Bloomingdays
Br. Tarek Elsayed of Tarek's Café
Flower Shop
13301 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612
11618 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33612
(813) 974-5920
(813) 971-5947
www.tarekscafe.com
www.bloomingdays.com
Name
Al-Aqsa Grocery
Apna Bazaar
Colonial Grocers
Express Beverages
Golden Bakery
Greenland Grill
Habiba Grocery
Address
10805 N. 56th St., Temple
Terrace, FL 33617
2353 E. Fowler Ave.
Tampa, FL 33612
4001 E Lake Ave.
Tampa, FL 33610
1102 N 28th St.
Tampa, FL 33605
12822 N. 56th St.
Temple Terrace, FL 33617
10817 N. 56th St.
Temple Terrace, FL 33617
14611 Livingston Ave.
Lutz, FL 33559
Br. Hamid Moharreri
Morae's Grill
Petra
Pita’s Republic by ElKasri
Pita’s Republic by Filali
Sahara
Samara Grocery
Taj Mahal
Tazza Café
Zeko’s
Web-Site
(813) 987-2039
(813) 903-1774
(813) 621-8880
www.colonialgrocers.com
(813) 247-6737
(813) 988-5856
Golden Bakery On Facebook
(813) 984-7300
Greenlandrestaurant.com
(813) 978-0000
(727) 687-0719
1441 E Fletcher Avenue # 123
Tampa, FL 33612
4812 E Busch Blvd,
Tampa, FL 33617
5105 E Fowler, Ave.
Tampa FL 33617
6431 County Line Rd.,
Tampa, FL 33647
4914 E Busch Blvd
Tampa, FL 33617
12846 N 56th St, Temple
Terrace, FL 33617
Sr. Samira Elsayed
Silver Spoons
Telephone #
Sr. Farah Naz & Occasions by Bali
(813) 454-6299
www.occasionsbybali.com
(813) 977-6018
(813) 984-9800
(813) 661-9299
www.pitas-republic.com
(813) 994-8355
www.pitas-republic.com
(813) 989-3612
(813) 989-2132
Al Salam Arabic Supermarket on
Facebook
(813) 310-3162
955 East Brandon Blvd
Brandon, FL, 33511
4936 E Busch Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33617
5001 E Fowler Ave.
Tampa, FL 33617
3609 E. Busch Blvd. Tampa, FL
33617
(813) 681-3626
www.silverspoonfl.com
(813) 987-9755
www.tajmahal-grocery.com
(813) 980-6666
www.tazzacafetampa.com
(813) 985-9356
http://www.zekosgrill.com/menu
AYA Teachers, Staff & Administrators
AYA Parents & Board Members
AYA High School Volunteers
AYA Alumni
Jazakumullahu khairan for your Support!