February Newsletter Madina Monthly

Week at a Glance

Day Date Event / Reminder

Looking Ahead: Key Dates for March - May

• March 6 – Last Day of Blessed Pantry Food Drive
• March 11-20 – Eid-ul-Fitr Holiday and Spring Break
• March 27 – School Eid-ul-Fitr Celebration (Half Day) | Performing Arts Showcase
• April 6 – 3rd Quarter ends (Grades 6-12), Report cards sent home on April 8
• April 6 – Building Together: Conversations with the Principal (11am-12pm)
• April 7 – Guys Night
• April 17 – Math Night/Middle School Field Trip Fundraiser
• April 20 – Building Together: Conversations with the Principal (11am-12pm)
• April 23 – Staff Professional Development (Half Day)
• April 23 & 24 – Parent Teacher Conferences
• April 25 – Madina Academy Open House/ Community Info Session
• May 4 – Building Together: Conversations with the Principal (11am-12pm)
• May 4-8 – Teacher Appreciation Week
• May 18 – Building Together: Conversations with the Principal (11am-12pm)
• May 25-28 – Memorial Day & Eid-ul-Adha Holiday
• May 29 – Field Day & School Eid-ul-Adha Celebration

The first meeting will be this coming Monday, Mar 2. Parents are invited to attend in person or join virtually. Each session will be an open space for discussion and collaboration. Meetings will be held on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM insha' Allah. Parents can attend online by joining this virtual attendance link.

There’s been a lot happening this month and Inshallah this continues!!

We were honored to host Imam Mohammad, who visited our middle and high school students twice. He answered their questions with meaningful advice, valuable knowledge, and important reminders and lessons that everyone was able to relate to. His talks and the kindness he showed left a positive impact on all the students that were able to benefit from him.

Next we had our annual Muslimah night that was hosted by the 11th grade students, and they really outdid themselves. The theme was Candy Land, and the decorations were colorful and creative and fit the vibe 100%. The food was delicious and the activities were fun and interactive. I’m sure all the girls who attended left happy and with a lot of memories.

Lastly, we had our spirit week which was fun and the students dressed up really nicely. Monday everyone showed up in cozy and warm pajamas which was a really nice way to start the week. On Tuesday, each class matched, wearing the same color, enjoying the school spirit. Wednesday was historical figure day where everyone tried their best to dress up as important figures in history. Throwback Thursday made everyone go decades back and see how the culture was before. On the last day we had a fancy Friday where everyone dressed up in their prettiest and

fanciest clothes. making it look and feel like it was Eid (which is coming very soon!!!).

The classes are also doing a decorating competition for Ramadan, where each class decorates a class. The winner will get a very nice prize, according to Dr. Salami :)

Stay tuned for the Ramadan newsletter and how the decoration competition goes!

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌۭ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُوَ شَرٌّۭ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ٢١٦

“Fighting has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.” [2:216]

As us Muslims continue to grow through our school years, and eventually step into the real world, we will be tested with unexpected changes. Islam teaches us that every change that we go through, is backed up with Allah’s wisdom, we may not notice right away. When we trust Allah (SWT), and show gratefulness to Him, we will always have the strength to adapt through. Instead of resisting the change, and giving up on your potential, think of it as an opportunity to grow and learn. With faith, change can turn us into newer versions of ourselves.

Madina Academy students shared their perspectives on current challenges in the school and Muslim community. Their responses cover behavior, academic pressure, and classroom lifestyle.

One of the biggest problems in our Muslim community is the amount of backbiting and gossip that happens. It takes place between students, and it also happens with some adults. Islam teaches us not to speak badly about our fellow brothers and sisters. Allah compares backbiting to eating the flesh of one’s own brother. This shows how serious this sin is.

Even with this reminder, many people still treat gossip as something small. In reality, it is very heavy on the scale of deeds, and it harms our community in many ways. It has become something that many people do, but it is still wrong.

Backbiting damages our relationships with our friends and families. It can break trust and create division. Many people gossip about someone’s mistakes. Every person makes mistakes and can learn from them, but the problem is that people repeat these mistakes to others and spread them around. As Muslims, we are taught not to do this. We should protect each other’s honor, not expose faults.

Backbiting is one of the heaviest sins of the tongue. If we want a better and stronger community, we need to think about the effect of our words. We should avoid conversations that hurt others and try our best to build a community that supports and respects everyone.

In my opinion, I do not think the school sees how difficult the dual enrollment program can be for many students. Most of our required classes are taken at the college, and the schedule does not give students enough time. When I took the placement tests, I did not score high enough, so I could not take many of the classes I needed to graduate. Because of that, it has been stressful trying to make up these classes.

It feels like the school relies too heavily on the dual enrollment program and expects students to qualify for the classes right away. The reality is that some of us do not. Not everyone starts at the same level, and when the school assumes that all students will be ready, it creates pressure and makes the process even harder. Students need more understanding and support, not expectations that ignore these challenges.

Teaching styles: different or dumb? While it is completely understandable that different teachers will have different teaching styles, at what point do they become useless or, dare I say, dumb? Every teacher walks into a classroom with their own way of doing things. Some prefer strict, silence, and structure. Others allow discussion and debate. Some teach straight from the textbook, while others barely open it. Difference itself is not the issue. Effectiveness is. A teaching style should help students understand the information, which then shows up in their assessments. If students are unprepared for assessments, or are trying to teach themselves, then we have to question whether the method is actually working. Discipline is important. High standards are important. But if a classroom becomes a place where students feel as if they aren’t learning anything, or as if they are trying to teach themselves the material, something is off.

Based on what was just mentioned, teachers may often need to look at not only their students but at their assessments. As a famous quote says, “A student is only as good as his master.” When the class average is anything below an 80, one would need to reflect not only on their students but on themselves and on if their teaching style is effective. Teachers need to remember that they are the ones responsible for shaping the future generation, and they need to act accordingly, not

only based on themselves but also based on their students, because everyone learns differently and they should adapt to that. So in conclusion, are teaching styles different or dumb? The answer is neither. They are simply ways to teach. What makes a teaching style valuable is not how strict, or how laid back it is, but whether it truly helps students learn. And vice versa.

What do you see when you look around you? Or when you scroll through social media? You see countless videos and people doing the same thing and wearing the same clothes. In an age where trends and AI consume our daily lives, our thoughts and ideas slowly wear out, and originality becomes harder to come by. This makes it harder to express ourselves authentically, especially when conformity surrounds us. We end up comparing ourselves to other fake lives, essentially living in a never-ending chase to perfection. But where do the lines between simply following a fun trend and blending into societal norms end? Slowly, these demands to conform ourselves will drain our creativity and what makes us unique, leaving no room for simply being ourselves without others dictating what that should look like. When all the content you’re consuming is screaming at you to dress and act a certain way, it's hard not to listen, even if it's subconsciously. But would you have picked up that hobby if you didn’t see her doing it? Or would you have seen it as weird and awkward? Humans were made to be different, not to live as replicas of each other. So instead of consuming content telling us what to be like, we should ask ourselves who we truly are without the eyes of others.

Ever since I started my environmental science class this semester, I’ve been thinking a lot about the planet. And honestly? It can feel overwhelming. We learn about climate change, pollution, and rising temperatures, and it makes you feel like everything is already messed up. So the question becomes: what can I do? I’m just one person.

First, you have to stop thinking the environment means you have to be perfect. You don't have to live off-grid suddenly, never use plastic again, or judge everyone around you. That mindset just makes people give up before they even try. Small things actually matter. Like using a reusable water bottle, not wasting food, turning off lights, and recycling correctly. I know these sound basic, but if the whole school did them consistently, then it would all add up.

Also don't let environmental awareness stress you out. Yes, the problems are very much real, but stressing all the time won't fix them. On the other hand, what helps more is staying informed and making small but consistent changes. Even sharing some of that information with classmates, family, and friends to bring awareness to more people. And here is the biggest advice I can give: caring is not embarrassing. Some people act like trying is “extra” or “doing too much.” It's not. Wanting clean air, water, and a future that isn't falling apart is normal.

When you see someone doing something wrong, the way you react depends on the situation and your ability to help them. If they are doing something that is clearly harmful/dangerous, you should try your best to stop them. On the authority of Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say, “Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith” (Sahih Muslim). Sometimes a person doesn't know that what they are doing is wrong, so in this scenario you can teach them respectfully in order to prevent it from happening again. For example, if you find your friend eating at a restaurant that doesn't serve halal food, don't be quick to judge them. Maybe they didn't know it wasn't halal. Instead, talk to them about it and educate them calmly. This is the right way to advise someone in the appropriate setting. But what if you can't stop them nor teach them? In this case, making dua and praying for that person is the most powerful thing you can do. Dua can go a long way, so ask Allah to guide them towards the straight path. In short, the best approach is a mix: stop harm if you can, teach if possible, and always pray for them.

During Ramadan we should try to let go of our bad habits such as listening to music, endless scrolling, and bad actions. However, that can be difficult because we don’t know what else to do, and our focus tends to gravitate towards food. Instead of completely cutting off these habits, replace them with something better. Listen to the Quran instead of music, and find a sheikh whose reading resonates with you. Instead of scrolling, try reading the Quran with its translation, so you can understand the story and it is more entertaining. If you find yourself too distracted, find an activity to do. You could do a craft, clean your room, read, write, or draw. Although it is best to use your time for ibadah, doing something productive is much better than being on devices. Another important thing is doing and saying good. Don’t insult or fight others, don’t get caught up doing bad deeds, make sure to pray all your prayers, listen/read Quran, and make thikr/ duaa (especially before you break your fast). Remember that Ramadan isn’t just about fasting; it is also about remembering Allah and worshipping him.

1. Open the PikMyKid app
2. Select your child's name from your "Children" tab
3. Choose the date when you want the change to start and select the "Change Pickup" on the box below
4. Select your desired pickup option from the menu (you can use "Repeat This Pickup?" to assign for recurring events- e.g. daily, weekly, monthly)
5. Select your "Pickup Mode".
• If you are picking up your child at the Pre-K building with their Pre-K sibling, select "Pre-K Sibling Pickup"
• If your child will be staying after school, select "After School" then the applicable program (e.g. Ms. Meena, Martial Arts/Archery, Tutoring, Staff Kids)
• Everyone else should select "Car Line" as their Pickup Mode
6. A "Who will pick up?" menu appears and you should select the "Someone Else" option. Add the authorized person’s information
7. Select the "Confirm Change" option

Only individuals listed in the app will be permitted to pick up your child. Keeping this information updated helps ensure a smooth and secure dismissal process.

• Website: www.madinaacademy.org
  
• Instagram: @madinaacademyct
• Contact Us: (860) 219 0569