Weekly News & Learning

Assalamu Alaikum!

Dear NISL Families,

We’ve just completed our third full week of school and are looking forward to all the events and activities planned for September. You can view our monthly event calendars here!

Please remember that school will be closed on Monday, September 1st, in observance of Labor Day.

Picture Day

Our PTO has coordinated Picture Day for Friday, September 19th. We will follow the parent preferences indicated on enrollment documents regarding permission for taking and sharing student photos. If you are unsure or would like to confirm your child’s preferences, please call the main office to verify or update.

Dress-Down Days

The PTO will also be coordinating Dress-Down Days as a fundraiser to support PTO-sponsored programs and events. Dress-down days will take place on the last Monday of each month for $2 per student.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Our first Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, September 25th and Friday, September 26th. More details and sign-up links will be shared soon, in shaa Allah. Please mark your calendars!

Student Leadership & Honor Societies

We are excited to announce that our Student Council (STUCO) and our National Honor Societies, NHS (National Honor Society), NJHS (National Junior Honor Society), and NEHS (National Elementary Honor Society), will be starting their meetings soon.

STUCO (Student Council)
Open to students in grades 7–12, STUCO is part of the National Association of Student Councils (NASC). It gives students the opportunity to represent their peers, organize events, lead projects, and promote a positive school culture.

• High School STUCO Advisor: Aisha Taylor

• Middle School STUCO Advisor: Zainab Coleman

NHS (National Honor Society)
Open to grades 9–12, NHS recognizes students who excel in scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

• Advisor: Khalil Jourane

NJHS (National Junior Honor Society)
Open to grades 6–8, NJHS honors students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship.

• Advisor: Walaa Musleh

NEHS (National Elementary Honor Society)
Open to grades 4–5, NEHS helps students build strong foundations in responsibility, service, and leadership.

• Advisors: Desiree Wofford and Noor Hassouneh

Students who were inducted into these organizations last year will continue their membership this year. New members for NHS, NJHS, and NEHS will be considered after Quarter 1 grades are released, and elections for STUCO and NHS officer positions will take place later in the school year.

We wish you and your family a safe, restful, and blessed long weekend!

Sincerely,
Aisha Blagaia
Principal

Parents, get ready! Starting this September, the last Monday of every month is Dress Down Day at NISL!

It’s a fun way to reward our students and support our school — plus, one less uniform = one more day to catch up on laundry!

Just send $2 with your child in a labeled envelope or Ziploc bag marked “PTO Dress Down Day” each last Monday of the month.

First dress down day is Monday, September 22nd.

Let’s make it fun and purposeful - thank you for supporting NISL PTO!

Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said,

“Whoever does not thank people has not thanked Allah.”

Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4811

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ‏ لاَ يَشْكُرُ اللَّهَ مَنْ لاَ يَشْكُرُ النَّاسَ

4811 سنن أبي داود كتاب الأدب باب في شكر المعروف

• Sr. Bothaina for her efforts in helping me teach the third grade during her planning time! (Sr. Lobna)
• Sr. Zehra for being a valuable helper in my class!!! Thank you! (Ms. Kristen)
• Sr. Lobna for always being in my classroom in the morning while I'm navigating the traffic and my commute from PRP, that seems to just keep getting worse and worse! (Ms. Kristen)
• Ms. Kristen for diligence and consistency in implementing her classroom management plan and practicing routines and procedures with her students. You rock! (Sr. Zainab)
• Sr. Nouna for returning to campus with grace and quickly resuming her responsibilites! You gave me whiplash! (Sr. Zainab)

• Sept. 1: No School - Labor Day
• Sept. 24: No School - Staff professional development
• Sept. 25-26: No School - Parent Teacher Conferences
• Sept. 29 - Oct. 3: No School - Fall Break I

...inshaAllah

Reminders/Notes

• Please have your child at school by 8:00 a.m.

• Check and return your child’s folder on Friday.
• Send a labeled water bottle and a healthy snack each day.
• Keep a full change of clothes in your child’s backpack.
• Make sure your child is wearing the school uniform with closed-toe shoes.

🕗 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM

Social Studies – Chapter 1: How Do People Best Cooperate?

• Tuesday: What does cooperation mean? (pair activity building/working together).
  

• Wednesday: Roles and responsibilities (role-play classroom and community roles).
  

• Thursday: What makes a good citizen? (video + draw yourself as a good citizen).
  

• Friday: Leadership and cooperation (team game + class reflection).

Lesson 01:

• Skill: I will practice a variety of locomotor skills using the cues my teacher gives me in class.
• Cognitive: I will demonstrate at least 3 different pathways while I move throughout the activity area.
• Fitness: I will work to stay actively engaged during all of the scarf activities.
• Personal & Social Responsibility: I will demonstrate safe behaviors without being reminded by a teacher.

Lesson 02:

• Personal & Social Responsibility: I will demonstrate positive communication skills and strategies to help my team have a safe and enjoyable warm-up.
• Skill Development: Students will practice and improve fundamental movement skills (jumping, skipping, push-ups, sit-ups, balance, agility, etc.) through different circuit stations.
• Fitness Awareness: Students will identify how different exercises in the circuit benefit specific components of fitness (strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination, balance).

Art

Draw with A / Lady Bird drawing for kids

Objective: Students will learn to recognize the letter A and use it as the base shape to create a ladybird drawing. This integrates early literacy with art.

Materials: White paper, Pencils, Crayons/Markers

Technology

Unit 2:Basic Computer Skills

Lesson 4: Introduction to the Keyboard.

Discuss the importance of the Keyboard.Show a large keyboard layout and explain the different sections (letters, numbers, special keys).Keyboard Practice | Activity | Quiz

REMINDERS & NOTES

📚 English Language Arts & Reading

🕌 Islamic Studies

🌱Science

• Unit 1, Chapter 3: How can Spruce the Sea Turtle’s offspring survive where there are sharks?

• All About Plants

🌎Social Studies

Social-Emotional

Setting Goals

Lesson 01

• Skill: I will practice a variety of locomotor skills using the cues my teacher gives me in class.
• Cognitive: I will demonstrate at least 3 different pathways while I move throughout the activity area.
• Fitness: I will work to stay actively engaged during all of the scarf activities.
• Personal & Social Responsibility: I will demonstrate safe behaviors without being reminded by a teacher.

Lesson 02

• Personal & Social Responsibility: I will demonstrate positive communication skills and strategies to help my team have a safe and enjoyable warm-up.
• Skill Development: Students will practice and improve fundamental movement skills (jumping, skipping, push-ups, sit-ups, balance, agility, etc.) through different circuit stations.
• Fitness Awareness: Students will identify how different exercises in the circuit benefit specific components of fitness (strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination, balance).

REMINDERS & NOTES

Math

English Language Arts & Reading

Physical Education

Lesson 01:

• Skill: I will practice a variety of locomotor skills using the cues my teacher gives me in class.
• Cognitive: I will demonstrate at least 3 different pathways while I move throughout the activity area.
• Fitness: I will work to stay actively engaged during all of the scarf activities.
• Personal & Social Responsibility: I will demonstrate safe behaviors without being reminded by a teacher.

Lesson 02:

• Personal & Social Responsibility: I will demonstrate positive communication skills and strategies to help my team have a safe and enjoyable warm-up.
• Skill Development: Students will practice and improve fundamental movement skills (jumping, skipping, push-ups, sit-ups, balance, agility, etc.) through different circuit stations.
• Fitness Awareness: Students will identify how different exercises in the circuit benefit specific components of fitness (strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination, balance).

Health/SEL

The Power of My Choice/ Managing Me Is Called Self-Discipline

Lesson 302

• Awareness of Choice: Students will understand that they have the power to choose between positive and negative actions in different situations.
• Understanding Consequences: Students will recognize that positive choices lead to good feelings and healthy relationships, while negative choices can cause problems for themselves and others.
• Decision-Making Skills: Students will practice identifying situations where they can make positive choices, even when it’s difficult.

Lesson 303:

• Understanding Self-Discipline: Students will learn that self-discipline means making good choices, even when it’s hard, to reach goals and feel good about themselves.
• Awareness of Actions: Students will recognize examples of self-discipline (following rules, finishing tasks, using kind words, controlling impulses).
• Skill Practice: Students will practice strategies for self-discipline such as stopping to think before acting, setting small goals, and staying focused.

REMINDERS & NOTES

Spelling Words:

Focus: short e words, words with long e spelled ea, ie, e, and y, recognize the short i sound in:

List: been next left help please believe many very been seen she between three easy sea leave

ELA

Unit 1 Classic Tales

Lesson 10: The Further Adventures of Toad, Part I

• Identify the main idea in a Read-Aloud text.
• With assistance, complete a graphic organizer to prepare for writing an opinion paragraph.
• Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for their answers.

Lesson 11: The Further Adventures of Toad, Part II

• Use details of the story to describe Toad’s personality.
• With assistance, draft an opinion paragraph.
• Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for their answers.

Lesson 12: The Return of Toad, Part I

• Listen for examples of personification in a Read-Aloud text.
• With assistance, revise an opinion paragraph.
• Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for their answers.

FRIDAY:

SPELLING TEST, Grammar Lesson: Verbs and linking verbs

BOOK CLUB

Objective:Whole Class Reading The Chocolate Touch Chpts 5-8

Discuss the chapters read: main idea, characters, plot, setting etc.

MATH

Unit 1 Lesson 3 Subtracting 3 digit numbers

• Session 4 Connecting Place Value Strategies to an algorithm

Unit 1 Lesson 3 Review and Quiz on Wednesday

REVIEW UNIT 1 Lessons 1-3

Unit Test Friday

SCIENCE

Science Unit 1: Balancing Forces

• Lesson 5 Introduction to Magnets
• Lesson 6: Gravity is a force
• Lesson 7: Review and Complete Study Guide

UNIT 1 Test: Monday, September 8th

Physical Education

Lesson 01:

• Skill: I will practice a variety of locomotor skills using the cues my teacher gives me in class.
• Cognitive: I will demonstrate at least 3 different pathways while I move throughout the activity area.
• Fitness: I will work to stay actively engaged during all of the scarf activities.
• Personal & Social Responsibility: I will demonstrate safe behaviors without being reminded by a teacher.

Lesson 02:

• Skill: I will accurately pass the ball back to a partner.
• Cognitive: I will describe how hand position and force impacts the level of control.
• Fitness: I will actively engage and work to improve my striking and volleying skills.
• Personal & Social Responsibility: I will work cooperatively with my classmates

Health/ SEL

Responsibility for Your Own Actions

• Understanding Responsibility: Students will learn that being responsible means owning their choices and actions, whether positive or negative.
• Cause and Effect: Students will recognize that their actions have consequences for themselves and others.
• Self-Reflection: Students will practice thinking about how their actions affect feelings, learning, and relationships.
• Positive Action Connection: Students will understand that taking responsibility helps them feel good about themselves and

REMINDERS & NOTES

Language Arts Homework: Worksheets

• Assigned: Monday, September 1
• Due: Friday September 5

Your child will have a multiplication chart in the front of their binder for the whole year. Please remind them to use it and keep practicing their facts at home whenever possible.

English Language Arts

Math

Unit 1: Whole Numbers: Place Value, Comparison, Addition, and Subtraction

Lesson 2: Compare Whole Numbers

• Session 1: Explore

• Session 2: Develop

• Session 3: Refine

PE

Lesson 1

• Personal & Social Responsibility: I will demonstrate positive communication skills and strategies to help my team have a safe and enjoyable warm-up.
• Skill Development: Students will practice and improve fundamental movement skills (jumping, skipping, push-ups, sit-ups, balance, agility, etc.) through different circuit stations.
• Fitness Awareness: Students will identify how different exercises in the circuit benefit specific components of fitness (strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination, balance).

Lesson 2

• Skill: I will accurately pass the ball back to a partner.
• Cognitive: I will describe how hand position and force impacts the level of control.
• Fitness: I will actively engage and work to improve my striking and volleying skills.
• Personal & Social Responsibility: I will work cooperatively with my classmates.

Health/SEL

Lesson 302: Choosing Positive Actions

• Awareness of Choice:Students will understand that every day they have the power to choose between positive and negative actions.
• Understanding Consequences:
• Students will recognize that positive actions bring good feelings and outcomes, while negative actions can cause problems for themselves and others.
• Decision-Making Skills: Students will practice identifying positive choices in different classroom, playground, and home scenarios.

Lesson 303: Self-Discipline and How to Do It

• Understanding Self-Discipline: Students will learn that self-discipline means controlling their actions, thoughts, and feelings to make positive choices.
• Recognizing Benefits: Students will understand that self-discipline helps them reach goals, follow rules, and feel good about themselves.
• Learning Strategies: Students will practice ways to use self-discipline, such as stopping to think before acting, using positive self-talk, and staying focused on tasks.

REMINDERS & NOTES

English Language Arts

PE

Lesson 01

• Personal & Social Responsibility: I will demonstrate positive communication skills and strategies to help my team have a safe and enjoyable warm-up.
• Skill Development: Students will practice and improve fundamental movement skills (jumping, skipping, push-ups, sit-ups, balance, agility, etc.) through different circuit stations.
• Fitness Awareness: Students will identify how different exercises in the circuit benefit specific components of fitness (strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination, balance).

Lesson 02

• Skill: I will accurately pass the ball back to a partner.
• Cognitive: I will describe how hand position and force impacts the level of control.
• Fitness: I will actively engage and work to improve my striking and volleying skills.
• Personal & Social Responsibility: I will work cooperatively with my classmates.

Health/ PE:

Managing Ourselves with Positive Actions

• Introduction to Unit 3: Students will be introduced to the idea of managing themselves using social and emotional positive actions.
• Understanding Resources: Students will learn about the eight gifts/resources everyone has: time, energy, possessions, money, talents, thoughts, actions, and feelings.
• Awareness of Value: Students will recognize that these resources are valuable and can be managed in positive or negative ways.
• Connection to Self-Management: Students will explore how making positive choices in how they use their resources helps them feel good about themselves.
• Application: Students will identify and share real-life examples of how they can use their resources wisely in school, at home, and with friends.

Unit 2: Typing Assignment

Practice typing to improve accuracy and speed.

REMINDERS & NOTES

.

Health/SEL

• Personal & Social Responsibility: I will demonstrate positive communication skills and strategies to help my team have a safe and enjoyable warm-up.
• Skill Development: Students will practice and improve fundamental movement skills (jumping, skipping, push-ups, sit-ups, balance, agility, etc.) through different circuit stations.
• Fitness Awareness: Students will identify how different exercises in the circuit benefit specific components of fitness (strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination, balance).

REMINDERS & NOTES

All Social Studies and Arabic homework, quizzes, and tests will be posted in Google Classroom for students’ reminders and reference.

Health/SEL

• Personal & Social Responsibility: I will demonstrate positive communication skills and strategies to help my team have a safe and enjoyable warm-up.
• Skill Development: Students will practice and improve fundamental movement skills (jumping, skipping, push-ups, sit-ups, balance, agility, etc.) through different circuit stations.
• Fitness Awareness: Students will identify how different exercises in the circuit benefit specific components of fitness (strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination, balance).

Technology

Lesson 3: Introducing the Internet Computer Networks

• What is the Internet ?

• Video

• Computer Network ?

• Video

REMINDERS & NOTES

All Social Studies and Arabic homework, quizzes, and tests will be posted in Google Classroom for students’ reminders and reference.

Health/SEL

• Personal & Social Responsibility: I will demonstrate positive communication skills and strategies to help my team have a safe and enjoyable warm-up.
• Skill Development: Students will practice and improve fundamental movement skills (jumping, skipping, push-ups, sit-ups, balance, agility, etc.) through different circuit stations.
• Fitness Awareness: Students will identify how different exercises in the circuit benefit specific components of fitness (strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination, balance).

Technology

Lesson 3: Build a website with Google Sites

• What is the Google Sites web building platform?

• How difficult is Google Sites to use?

• What kind of websites can you make with Google Sites?

• Websites that you manage yourself without the need for a web developer?