بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu alaykum.

Please bring the following supplies for the new term:

1. Binder – Portfolio for the new term (some students had passed in one of their extra binders already)

2. Extra or new homework folders

3. Art class supplies (most of our students have everything, but some are still missing the following:

    a. Sketch pad

    b. Crayons or colored pencils

    c. Pencils

J.A.K.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

To be completed with Br. Yousef as soon as possible.
Beginning Monday, Br. Yousef will speak with each family to assure the following:

- Register students in the after-school program,
- The execution of your mandatory volunteer hours*,
- Winter Carnival activity follow-up, and
- Sign-up each family to come in for 1-hour to discuss the month’s theme of “Money-Wise” and Interpersonal Intelligence/People Smart (communication skills).

* You may opt to donate $10/hour in cash for any/all of your incomplete mandatory volunteer hours per family, and/or your inability to volunteer in the future. For example, if you can not volunteer during the full month of January, you may donate $80/month (4-weeks times 2-hours/week).

Feel free to reply and/or email Br. Yousef at byousef@skfacademy.org if you have answers to any of the issues listed above.

J.A.K.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatuallahi wa barakatu

Alhumdulilah, I’d like to introduce Brother Yousef, SKFA Program Coordinator.

His primary roles and duties are to:
- Assist and manage all aspects of after-school, evening, weekend programs & activities at SKFA, which includes but not limited to managing volunteers (i.e., PTO, Mandatory volunteer hours, Family Friday Activities–Parent Forums, Islamic movies, End-of-month theme events, etc.).
- As a certified teacher in secondary sciences, he will also be the Science & Social Studies Teacher for Level 3,
- Assist with curriculum assessments based on state and federal criteria for all Levels in the day program, and
- Assist in the enforcement of SKFA rules and regulations (e.g., transitioning to class in a timely fashion while abiding by the hallway rules, assuring a time-effective dismissal, after-school pick-up time penalities, etc.).

Please see Br. Yousef as my assistant manager and educator. Therefore, you can share any issues, problems or concerns to him in my absence, insha’Allah.

J.A.K.
Your Sister in Islam Ponn
Ponn M. Sabra, MPH
Head Administrator, Salma K Farid Academy

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu Alykum
Reminder: Level 3 students have Vacation Homework in all core subjects. Please help your child/ren prepare for the week’s new lessons, quizzes & tests and start the new term off right, insha’Allah.

1. Math: Chapter 2 worksheets must be completed for Mon., Quiz on Mon., and Test on Tues.

2. Language Arts: Lesson 3 worksheets are due Monday. Some students will not be able to complete 1-page because he/she needs to read the story on Monday. I marked and highlighted the top of the page for each of the students. Test on Wed.

3. Science: Vocabulary and handouts (handwritten worksheet by Br. Yousef) due Monday. Test on Thursday.

Websites to play with adaptation (the worksheet does not have to be completed, it’s for extra support):

http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/climate/adaptations/index.cfm

http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/science/files/adaptingtoourhabitat.pdf

4. Social Studies: Vocabulary and handouts (handwritten worksheet by Br. Yousef). due Monday. Test on Thursday.

Here are a few websites (geography games) we’re playing with at home:
http://www.unc.edu/~jmaxim/web_geography_for_kids.htm

http://www.pibmug.com/files/map_test.swf

http://www.surfnetkids.com/games/united_states_geography.htm

Have fun!
Wa salam,
Your sister in Islam Ponn

Ponn M. Sabra, MPH
Head Administrator, Salma K Farid Academy

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu,

Insha’Allah, this message finds your days refreshed and renewed after our blessed first days of Dhul-Hijjah and Eid al-Adha have passed us. May we continue to sacrifice each and every day for the sake and pleasure of Allah. To our Hajjis/Hajjas, may Allah accept your hajj and forgive all your sins. ~Ameen.

Alhumdulilah rabbil alameen, I have wonderful news to share:

1. Friday Family Fun Time

Our weekend started with our first public jumah prayer that was conducted while our classes were not in session. We had a nice attendance, including a guest outside from the SKFA families. Only with the grace and perfection of Allah, the most touching words were shared during Shaikh Safwat’s khutbah, masha’Allah.

One of the unique offerings at SKFA is the ability to maintain a tight jumaah schedule conducive to a typical employee’s lunch break. Additionally, with our khutbahs geared specifically to children and families, our khutbahs are understandable, practical, energizing and applicable to every day life.

I wept profusely [which is not hard to do ], but the children and attendees were equally as moved and deep in reflection. With simple lessons and invigorating messages, I pray that we fill our musalaa with all our local brothers and sisters during our weekly congregational prayer, yarRabb.

A vision that I shared with our Founders, has come to fruition with the blessing of Shaikh Safwat’s ability to move outside the typical scholarly, long, dry khutbahs that are creating a disconnect, boredom, and fear in our children which is unfortunately causing them to turn away from our masajids all over the country.

Yar Rabb, may we all work together to invigorate all Muslim children through our active attendance and participation of jumaah prayer and khutbah. May we help them to love and look forward to attending jumaah, and share the responsibility of discussing the khutbah openly so all families apply the lessons learned. May we help our children to desire the joy, pleasures, and good deeds of attending jumaah for themselves, and not because we, as parents/adults demand their attendance. May we lead by example; while at the same time, follow their lead as they innocently and willingly listen to the khutbah for spiritual fulfillment and peace. ~Ameen.

2. SKFA Hajj Re-enactment

Positioned to be a passionate and unique educational experience for all attendees of all ages, our students succeeded in sharing this emotional, spiritual event to everyone present–even our non-Muslim guests, alhumdulilah!

The New Haven Register staff reporter Jim Shelton and photographer Mara Lavitt arrived early and stayed well past the end of the event to interview students, parents and respected guests. They captured our event so vividly and poignantly, that the newspaper and I are eager to stay in touch to share other unique events in the near future. Subhanallah, Jim truly enjoyed himself, and shared his thanks for our warm hospitality.

For the full article, click here ==>
http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2008/12/14/news/ctmecca.txt

While the pictures and colored headline in the paper-version is much better, you can enjoy a few of our pictures posted on our blog by clicking here ==>
http://blog.skfacademy.org/2008/12/14/hajj-re-enactment-photos/

We will continue to share pictures, and add video-clips, as soon as we can get them up, insha’Allah.

3. Sunday’s Eid Festival

Alhumdulilah rabbil alameen, this was the first Muslim event that we (SKFA) hosted for any outside Muslim organizations (West Haven Islamic Center & Masjid al-Islam, 2 local masajids).

Subhanallah, with approximately 480 attendees, we had very little damage to our facilities, and no injuries to any of our guests. Therefore, as the Head Administrator, this event was a huge success!

Only smiles, laughter, nasheeds, games, halal food, Islamic movies, dars, and goodie bags (strategically passed out only when the children were departing) filled our unique Islamic learning center, alhumdulilah

With only 1 minor complaint that was fixed on the spot, and the alteration of eating plans (because we had doubled the number of anticipated guests), I am happy to report that we are ready to host more Islamic events of this nature on a more regular basis. So, if you’re interested in partnering with SKFA, please schedule an appointment with me today.

We even began preparations for our Islamic Winter Carnival for January! So, please consider volunteering. If you’re interested, please contact the Administration office as soon as possible.

4. Last Enrollment opportunity for 2008-2009, Year-One at SKFA

If you are interested in applying your children ages 3-10 year for our debut year, we are actively accepting applications and hosting Family Interviews until Dec. 29, 2008 for enrollment of our Winter Trimester beginning, Monday, January 5, 2008.
Registration, book, supplies: $600
Tuition: 6-month’s tuition only.
Applications available for download, click here ==> http://skfacademy.org/forms.aspx

We will NOT have any more enrollment for this year. Beginning February 1st, we will begin to accept applications for the 2009-2010 academic year, insha’Allah.

5. After-school program Arabic as a Second Language & Qur’an Reading/Recitation classes - Now accepting applications

Ages 3 - 19 years of age. Please contact the Main Office at 203-230-1965 or email mail@skfacademy.org for registration appointment today!
Rates:
- $75/Arabic as a Second Language per child per month (M-TH, 45-minutes per day)
- $75/Qur’an Reading & Recitation per child per month (M-TH, 45 minutes per day)
- Additional sports, activities, rates and classes to be announced soon, insha’Allah.
Please help spread the word!

Jazaka Allahu Khayrun for your continued support & du’a.

May Allah SWT keep our travels safe as the snow continues to shower us. ~Ameen.

Wa salam,
Your sister in Islam Ponn
Ponn M. Sabra, MPH
Head Administrator, Salma K Farid Academy

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Level 3 Test Reminders:

1. Math: All time-tables must be memorized 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, & 9 for Monday’s exam. 3-6 were tested on T-TH, 7 for Fri, 8-9 for the weekend. Retention of all tables is expected, and will be tested (written).

2. Islamic Studies End-of-term Exam Make-Up (scheduled for Fri.): Visual, written, verbal exam on all the following subjects:

Visual/Verbal (positions, their names, and explanations are expected for full credit):
- Wuduu (worth 33 points)
- Salat (worth 67 points)

Written:
- 5 Pillars of Islam
- Salat, their names, number of ruk’a, when and where to pray
- Hajj - all stages in order
- What breaks wuduu?

Verbal:
Du’a:
- Greetings
- Sneezing
- After we say the Prophet Muhammad’s name (peace & blessing be upon him)
- Before we eat
- Before we sleep
- Entering the bathroom
- Exiting the bathroom
- When we get up from a meeting/lecture/school
- Hardship du’a

- Ayat Al-Kursi
- Surah Al-Fatiha
- Tashahud

* Knowing full meanings of all actions, translation/tafsir is grade/age-appropriate

Miscellaneous:
- Khutbahs regarding ettiquette of salat, masjid, Eid, fasting, Day of Arafat, sacrifice & leadership/role modeling. All topics stressed during Morning Motivations.
- Nasheeds in English, Arabic, Meanings, Translation.

For Level 3, two great online programs to help them study for Math & Islamic Studies include:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/numbers/wholenumbers/multiplication/timestables/game.shtml

http://english.islamway.com/sindex.php?section=prayer

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu alaykum.

Insha’Allah, everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather. Alhumdulilah, the extra day provides time for families to reflect, and comfortably prepare our Level 3 children for their end-of-term exams in the most stress-free, motivating atmosphere.

Reminders:

Our Fall Term Progress Report Cards will be given only to a student’s parent(s) or his/her designee, during individual teacher-administration-parent conferences on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 between 9 am - 3:30pm.

Homeroom teachers will meet with parents to discuss each child’s reports in 15-minute increments. Parents may book appointments with the following teachers on a first-come first-serve basis, in which Homeroom Teachers take precedence:
- Head Administrator
- Arabic as a Second Language
- Qur’an
- Special Teachers (request necessary)

Progress Report Cards will NOT be given to the children. Book all appointments through Main Office. If children attend, parents are fully responsible for them at all times.

J.A.K

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

 As-salamu alaykum.
Khir, insha’Allah. Please note that we are CLOSED today. I’ve been trying to log into Ch. 3 this morning, but our “Closing” has yet to be noted.

All closing & delay annoncements will be posted on WFSB Ch. 3 inshaa’Allah.
Wa salam,
Your sister in Islam Ponn

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

New Items

a. After School Program

Will start Monday the 22nd for Academy children only. It will open to the public officially on January 5, 2008. For the children in our day program, the non-academic classes are free (for now) but, there will be a fee for the Qur’an and ASL classes. Register at the Main Office.

b. Tuition Payment

Starting this month, the tuition payments will be due quarterly, if you can. Monthly payments are acceptable until the end of the academic year, but must be put into writing to Administration by Monday, December 22, 2008. Those who can pay quarterly, would be greatly appreciated..

c. New Year Break

The Academy will be opened during the New Year break with daily classes as usual. For students who are absent, all the work is expected to be completed. PTO poll taking place at present.

d. SKF Academy PTO Officers:

Jazakom Allah Khayran, the volunteer leaders are:

President – Gamila Hamed

Vice-President – Yasmin Qureshi

Treasurer- Lisa Bajwa

Secretary – Aasiya Abdush-Shakur

e. Academic calendar:

Last Day of The Academic Year moved to June 19, 2009

f. Friday Family Fun Night

Beginning January, our full schedule of Friday Family Fun Nights and Themes will officially begin.

REMINDERS:

First Annual Winter Carnival

The academy will be hosting our First Annual Winter Carnival. It will be held on January 24, 2008. Time to be announced. It will serve as mini-fundraiser and project for Interpersonal Intelligence/Money-Wise Month. Each family will be responsible for the preparation and operation at least one activity.

Family Volunteer Hours

Family volunteer hours must be completed. For hours owed, please check the lobby bulletin board. Hours may be made up during January’s Carnival, but regular hours offered during the After-School Program is preferred.

January Theme

January’s Theme is “Money Wise.” Both parents from each family must sign up for one-hour during Jan. 5 and Jan 29 to speak to the students about their careers and household financial responsibilities.

Storm/Weather Closing or Delay,

Please watch, or register for email and/or call phone alert at: www.wfsb.com for “Salma K Farid Academy-Hamden” for delays or closings. Any closing or delay will be reported by 6:30am.

Mubarak! Congratulations!

All students named below are acknowledged publicly after Jumu’ah

Your support and attendance are encouraged:

Mu’athen: None

J.A.K