Aqsa School

Dear Aqsa Families,

Assalamu Alaikum! I pray this newsletter reaches your family in the best of health and highest iman. Insha’Allah all our students and families had a wonderful summer. The administration and I have been very hard at work all summer preparing curriculum, teacher trainings and adding technology to make the year ahead as successful as possible. We can not wait to have your beautiful faces and bright minds fill our halls again! And you will notice all the changes to the halls and building: new tiles, stair treads, base boards, paint. A fresh building for a fresh new year Inshallah!

RESOURCES ONLINE: As you get ready for the first day of school, we encourage you to visit the Aqsa School webpage for more resources and information,

www.aqsa.edu

You can find the following: https://aqsa.edu/forms/

1. FORMS: Immunization, physical, dental and/or vision forms

2. SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS: School Supplies lists: all school supply lists for elementary and department supply lists for JH and HS.

3. SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS: You can find the summer Advanced Placement and all JH and HS Reading requirements for grades 6-12. Elementary Summer Enrichment packets were sent in portfolios.

REGISTRATION: If you have not done so already, please be sure to come in and register your child. Some classes are filled and no longer accepting students. Hurry in, our summer hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10am-2pm.

Be sure to note all the upcoming events this month! More information available below in this newsletter

*Junior High and High School New student Orientation: August 19, 2024

* Elementary Student MEET AND GREET: August 20, 2024

* The First Day of School: August 22, 2024

Inshallah the year ahead is filled with immense blessings! We cannot wait to see you all very soon Inshallah!

Peace Be Upon All the Aqsa Families,

Ms. Tammie Ismail

Principal

Aqsa School

F. Nawab: join my 2024-2025 Aqsa School class on Remind! https://www.remind.com/join/e46a83?utm_medium=android

Are you entering Junior High for the first time OR are you new to Aqsa Schools Junior High (grades 6, 7 or 8)?

Are you entering High School for the first time OR are you new to Aqsa School's High School (grades 9,10,11 or 12)?

If you answered yes to these questions than you MUST attend the Aqsa School Orientation on Monday, August 19th!

WHO: This orientation is REQUIRED for all PARENTS/ guardians and STUDENTS who are new to Aqsa Junior High or High School or a student in 6th or 9th grade.

WHEN: Monday, August 19, 2024

TIME:

Junior High Orientation for ALL 6th graders and New 6,7 or 8th graders will begin 12 pm and conclude by 1:30pm

High School Orientation for ALL 9th graders and NEW 10,11 or 12th graders will begin at 2pm and conclude by 3:30pm

It is very important to attend the orientation in order to go over all expectations and rules of junior high or high school.

Families of Elementary Students- Please join us on Tuesday, August 20th for the back to school Meet 'N Greet! This is an opportunity for you and your child to meet your homeroom teacher, visit the classroom and drop off supplies. Additionally, enjoy some Popcorn with the Principal, take photos at our back to school photo booth and connect with other students.

The Meet and Greet is a drop off program anytime from 4 to 7 pm. We look forward to seeing you then!

AUGUST 22nd is the first day of school! We cannot wait to see you soon!

The first day of school is always a special time: meeting new teachers, making new friends and seizing new opportunities to learn. Here are some details to make note of as you prepare for the day!

TIME: 8:20am to 12pm . The school day will start at 8:20am and the first day will be a half day concluding at 12 pm for all elementary, junior high and high school students.

Elementary students

• Elementary students may come to school out of uniform.
• They should pack a lunch and snack.
• If you did not come to the Meet N Greet to drop off your supplies please send them with your child on the first day. Parents will be asked to come through the front door to drop off supplies.

Junior High and High School students

• Junior High and High School students will come to school wearing their uniform.
• If they don't have their skirts in yet please have them wear a long skirt or black abaya.
• They will be given a light snack.
• Bring in locker set up items you have
• NO NEED to bring supplies until the 2nd day of school.

ARRIVAL/ DEPARTURE:

Please be patient with the flow of traffic at pick up and drop off in the first few weeks as we get oriented with our new families as well as share space with the neighborhood schools and masjid. We will try our best to make the process as seamless as possible but we also ask for your cooperation and patience.

Elementary West Side Drive Through: Families with children in the elementary levels will be assigned numbers to display in their cars. As the car comes through our West side drive up, we will call the number and have your child come out accordingly. For the safety of everyone please do not come to the door to pick up your child.

Junior High and High School East Side Lot: Junior High and High School students are dismissed from the East side door. You may park in the lot and have students walk out to you.

Late Arrival: If you are late, past 8:20 am, you will need to park in the front lot and walk your child into school through the front doors.

Friday August 23rd : Friday will be a full day, from 8:20 am to 3:30pm. Please pack full lunches and snacks, along with a reusable water bottle. Hot lunch will not begin until the following week of August 26th. A lunch menu will be sent home with more details.

https://www.schoolbelles.com/CGI-BIN/LANSAWEB?PROCFUN+WORDPR01+WEBFUNC+M37+funcparms+rdmlend(A0010):Y

Address: 10139 S Harlem Ave

Chicago Ridge, IL 60415 (just a few minutes away from Aqsa School)

708-929-4695

When searching or ordering online enter the Aqsa School code: S0963

BOYS: Navy Blue slacks and Green Polo

GIRLS (1st to 4th grade): Jumper and Green Polo

GIRLS (5th to 12th grade): Plaid Skirt and Green Polo

or Abaya for girls from Diana's Fashions

Address: 10730 S Harlem Ave, Worth, IL 60482

Phone: (708) 923-0717

Physical Education Uniform: Gray t-shirt ( must be long sleeves for grades 6-12) and navy blue jogging pants

Many additional pieces exist as accessories or alternative choices such as sweatshirts, fleece zip ups and more.

GENTLY USED UNIFORMS: The Aqsa School Mother's Club has a limited supply of gently used uniform pieces for purchase at the school during the orientation and meet and greet days.

Free Educational Websites to Get our Brains back into Learning Mode:

Summer is a great time to explore nature and the outdoors, even relax and rejuvenate. While everyone deserves a break, too much time away from learning can lead to learning loss, often called the summer slide. In the few weeks left before school begins take some time to read a book, do some math drills or a science experiment. High School students have summer reading assignments for English and AP courses to begin. Elementary students have enrichment and practice workbooks that were sent in their portfolios at the end of the year. And prek to 5th students don't forget the library Barnes and Noble reading challenge.

Additionally, there are also online sites for learning that you may want to try. Here are three apps that make screen time a learning time:

1. CodeMonkey: a game-based education program that teaches children to code. It comes with a membership fee, but there's a free 14-day trial that doesn't require a credit card.
2. BrainPop: Online learning across subject areas for children in kindergarten through middle school and ELL learning for all age groups. Free.
3. Khan Academy: Online learning in math, science, and literacy for all age groups. Standards-aligned. Free.
4. Scholastic Learn at Home: Interactive learning journeys for all ages.

All high school seniors, even before school begins, a very important date is now upon us: the opening of the Common Application site! https://www.commonapp.org/

Please be sure to start your Common App account and put me as your high school counselor so that I may assist you as you add in your college choices. Ms. Nadia Ismail, nismail@aqsa.edu. All this information and more has been shared on Google Classroom and in our senior chat!

Email: info@aqsa.edu
Website: www.aqsa.edu
Location: 7361 West 92nd Street, Bridgeview, IL, USA
Phone: (708) 598 -2700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AqsaSchool/