Integrating Islam videos

I saw these videos by the same people who make our discipline with dignity videos.

Spiritual Development Notes

Thursday November 21, 2013

Spiritual Development Notes

All praise is due to Allah. We praise Him seek His help, and ask for His forgiveness. We send blessings, and salaam to His Messenger Muhammad sallahu alayhi wa salaam (peace and blessings be upon him).

“Whomever engage on the path of seeking knowledge for the sake of Allah, Allah make for him the path to  Jannah (Paradise) easy,” summarized from the hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah (radiyAllahu anhu). However, along that path the Shaytan (Satan) will always attempt to hinder you to what is good.

To pick up from where we left off with our last session, it is important to have love, and mercy to those that we educate in order to achieve our goals. Along with those two elements, patience is just as important because it is impossible to teach children without it.

The Sheikh reiterates the importance of knowing, and understanding our responsibilities. He reminds us that our responsibility is an Amana (Trust) that we have signed up for when we decided to be a part of this institution, and it will be something that we will be ask about on the Day of Judgment by Allah.

He also advised that if we want to achieve our goal as educators, we have to fear Allah. We have to have Taqwa (the fear of Allah) in all that we do.  Here the Sheikh gave an example from one of the companions of the prophet Muhammad sallahu alayhi wa salaam (peace and blessing be upon him). Once Ali Radia-Allahu Anhu (May Allah be pleased with him) was asked by another companion “What is the meaning of Taqwa?” He replied, “ Taqwa is when you are walking on a path filled with thorns, and pricks and you walk carefully and gently avoiding being harmed, this is Taqwa.

So one has to be sincere in whatever they do, and do it for the sake of Allah. He said if sincerity is lacking, sooner or later this lack of sincerity will be apparent to oneself, and others.  The individual (i.e. the teacher) has to evaluate his or herself and his or her intentions when they are in their classes or wherever they maybe in the school. The Sheikh again emphasizes and advise that we fear Allah, and that we be sincere with this trust we have been given, because we are an institution, and teachers, families, parents, and individuals have given us their children and have put forth their trust and hope that we can produce future generations that are better than themselves. 

In conclusion, the Sheikh advise that we become people who are As-Siddiq ( truthful) because in truthfulness, Allah will be pleased with us, and if Allah is please with us, we will be successful. He mentioned that we should be careful of not telling the truth. Speak the truth even when joking, because this was the way of the Messenger of Allah sallahu alayhi wa salaam. Although this is a very common thing today where people tell lies to make others laugh or to be funny, do not make it a habit to lie with jokes to the children even when giving examples. Here he quoted a hadith where the Messenger of Allah sallahu alayhi wa salaam said that a person will lie and continue to lie until it is written for him in the heavens, and he is recognized as a liar by Allah. The Sheikh closed the speech by giving an example from the prophet Ibrahim, who was a very truthful person, so much so that Allah the All mighty considered him by himself a whole nation. 

Staff members were then permitted time to ask their questions.

JazakAllahu khayran Mr. Ndiaye for taking notes.

First SD meeting notes

Spiritual Development Notes

Asalaam alaykum Wa rahmatulah Wa barakatu. 

We would like to thank everyone who took the time to be present in our first session of SD.  The meeting was more of an introductory session, presenting the theme, and touching upon some of the basic principles and foundations of Islam and what we are going to be covering over the period of the school year.

We had the Imam of Jet D'Eau, Oustadz Ismael, to present the themes.

The Imam began by discussing the blessings, and benefits of a gathering or assembly in which its purpose is for the sake of Allah, in our case to seek knowledge and to better ourselves as individuals, teachers, and role models in this institution.

The Imam elaborated on some of the characteristics of the believer, and the importance of being truthful, and sincere in speech and in actions in all aspects of life in order to be successful. The Imam went further and touched upon the role of the Messenger of Allah sallahu alayhi wa salaam and his role as a teacher and as the last prophet of Allah to mankind.

In summary, The Imam wanted to emphasize importance of the etiquettes of seeking knowledge and how to seek it, and how to apply it in sha Allah in our institution.

For future classes, we want start with a book of Aqeedah (creed) chosen by the Imam himself, in sha Allah.

Hope to see you there next week, in sha Allah.

May Allah bless Mr.Ndiaye for taking notes.  Ameen ! 

Tentative Lower school assembly schedule

Assalaamu alaikum,

Date	Teacher
Dec 5th	Mme Diouf
Dec 12th	Mr.Diallo
Dec 19th	Mme ZamZam

January- June 2014

Date	Event
Jan 2nd	TBA- school day ?
Jan 9th	Olympiad practice
Jan 16th	Olympiad dress rehearsal
Jan 23rd	Showtime practice
Jan 30th	LS Assembly – Miss Ndour
Feb 6th	Showtime practice
Feb 13th	Showtime practice
Feb 20th	Showtime practice
Feb 27th	TBA-Midterm week
Mar 6th	Showtime practice
Mar 13th	Showtime practice
Mar 20th	Showtime dress rehearsal
Mar 27th	Spelling Bee
Apr 3rd	LS Assembly- Mme Dia
Apr 10th	Science Fair project presentations
Apr 24th	LS Assembly- Mme Diouf
May 8th	LS Assembly- Mr.Gueye
May 15th	LS Assembly- Mme Marie
May 22nd	LS Assembly- Mr. Ndiaye
June 5th	TBA- finals week
June 12th	LS Assembly- Mme Anta

Garden Party for new Families

Date :Saturday, November 9, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

AT PARC FORESTIER

ET ZOOLOGIQUE DE HANN

PTA

Garden Party

Come celebrate a meeting moment of discoveries and sharing.

The Parent Teacher Association is inviting

all the studednets and thier parents to its Garden Party

on Saturday, November 9, 2013 to welcome

the new comers.

Each family should bring a dish,

two drinks and water.

Program : visit of the zoo, the botanic garden, the

sacred woods, the art corner, walkaton, games

and exchanges...

Garden Party

De l’APE

Venez célébrer un moment de rencontre, de découverte

et de partage.

Le bureau des parents d’élèves vous invite

à sa fête du samedi 09 novembre 2013

pour souhaiter la bienvenue aux nouveaux

élèves et aux nouveaux parents.

Chaque famille doit apporter un plat, deux boissons et

de l’eau.

Au programme : visite du zoo, du jardin botanique,

du bois sacré, du coin des arts , randonnée

pédestre, jeux et échanges...

Flyer in French

Flyer in English

The parents are hosting this event and are asking our help.  

Contact ZamZam, Mme Anta or Mme Gaye for more information.

Grade scale

ASSALAAMU ALAIKUM

Achievement Ratings:
N  less than 69%	Not yet within expectations
A 70% - 79%	Approaching Expectations
M 80%- 89%	Fully meets Expectations
E 90%- 100%	Exceeding Expectations

Important school events

Assalaamu alaikum,

Important school events

IMPORTANT DATES

IMPORTANT DATES

Spelling Bee 2013

For this year's spelling bee there have been some changes.  Below is the same information that I sent in today's email.  

Spelling Bee Rules

      The competition is divided between grade levels.  Kindergarten, first and  2^nd grade comprises of the first level;   3^rd, 4^th and 5^th  grade comprises the second level’; sixth through eighth grade comprises of the 3^rd  level; and ninth grade through twelfth grade is the fourth and final level.  Therefore, we will have 4 winners, in sha Allah.

      Homeroom teachers (elementary school level) and language teachers of middle and high school levels will be responsible for the preliminary spelling bees.   The language teachers should hold spelling bees no later than Wednesday, October 23rd (one in French and the second in English).   There should be only 2 winners from each class:  one winner from the French spelling bee and another form the English spelling bee.  

Preliminary competitions:  The preliminary competitions will be held at the teachers’ discretion on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Final Competition:  The final competition for the 2 spelling bees for the lower school  will be held on Thursday, October 24^th  during the Lower school assembly hour (9:45- 11 AM).  The final competition for the 2 spelling bees for the upper school will be on Friday, October 25^th during the Deen Talks hour (8:15- 9:25).

1.     The top TWO spellers from each grade level will be eligible to participate at the FINALS. (This means only 2 students from each class.) 

2.     In competition, after the pronouncer gives the contestant a word the contestant MUST also pronounce the word before spelling it, after spelling it.

3.     The contestant may request the pronouncer to re-pronounce the word, define it, or use it in a sentence. The pronouncer shall grant the request until the judges agree that the word has been made reasonably clear to the contestant. JUDGES MAY DISQUALIFY ANY CONTESTANT WHO IGNORES A REQUEST TO START SPELLING.

4.     Having started to spell a word, a contestant may stop and start over, retracing the spelling from the beginning, but in the retracing there can be no change of letters and their sequence from those first pronounced. If letters and their sequences are changed in the respelling the speller will be disqualified.

5.     Upon missing the spelling of a word, the contestant immediately drops out of the contest. The next word on the pronouncer’s list is given to the next contestant.

6.     When the contestants are reduced to two, the elimination procedure changes. At that point, when one contestant misspells a word, the other contestant shall be given an opportunity to spell that same word. If the second contestant spells the word correctly, plus the next word on the pronouncer’s list, then she/he shall be declared the winner.

7.     If one of the last two spellers misses and after correcting the error of the other’s word, misspells the new word submitted to her/him then the misspelled new word shall be referred to the first speller. If the first speller then succeeds in correcting the error and correctly spells the next word on the pronouncer’s list, then she/he shall be declared the winner.

8.     If both spellers misspell the same word, both shall continue in the contest, and the one who first misspells the word shall be given a new word to spell.

9.     The contest shall then continue for 25 rounds or until one of the 2 students is declared the winner.

10.  The decision of the judges is final on all questions.

11.  Homonyms will be accepted unless the speller asks for and receives a definition or use of the word in a sentence from the pronouncer or the judges.

Teachers,

The names of winning students must be submitted to Mrs. Gaye by 16:45 on Wednesday, October 23^rd 2013.   Insert into my inbox or send it to me by email.   If you risk missing the deadline, please have a student give the list of winners to me or Mme Balde.  Thank you.

Suggestions:   Lower school - All students can participate in the spelling bees at the class levels during language class times for lower school.  Choose a class period in which all of your students are together instead of separating students into ESL and/or FSL students.  Even better do not separate during language hours so that the other language teacher may assist with the class spelling bee. This permits all students who are interested in participating in the spelling bee in either language have the opportunity to do so.  Conduct the spelling bee in one language.   Record the winner.   Then, conduct the spelling bee in the second language.  Record your winner.  Be sure to send the results to Mrs. GAYE.

Dilemma:  Perhaps in your class the winner of the English and French spelling bee is the same person.  First ask the winner which language he or she prefers to spell in.  Then, submit the name of the second place winner in the other language spelling bee. 

Deen teachers please note:  The lower school will still have their Deen classes.  Kindergarten and first graders in the kindergarten class room.  Second, third, fourth, and fifth graders will be in the fifth grade classroom.

Judges: 

Thursday: ENGLISH:  Elijah Ismael ABDALLAH       FRENCH: Mr.Cheikh DIALLO

Friday:     ENGLISH:   Mme PENDAME                  FRENCH:  Mr. Babacar LO

Teachers who will pronounce words: 

Thursday:  ENGLISH:    Mr Alioune NDIAYE            FRENCH:  Mme DIA

Friday:      ENGLISH:    Miss Sara                           FRENCH:  Mlle DIOP

Teachers who will be on hand to help things run smoothly: 

Thursday:  all lower school homeroom teachers 

Friday:  all upper school homeroom teachers

Note:   Chez Alpha Books, a new English book store in Mammelles, has been invited to sell their books here on campus on Friday, October 25, 2013.  The time is still to be announced.  Each class will be assigned a time to be accompanied by teachers to view and possibly purchase books and other materials.  

Also, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students will be taking a short trip over to Chez Alpha Books, in sha Allah.

Big thanks to Mrs. ZamZam  for the planning of this week's events.

Lower School Assembly chart

Assalaamu alaikum,

Here is the Lower school assembly chart.

LOWER SCHOOL ASSEMBLY CHART

Monday, October 14th the Day of 'Arafah

FASTING THE DAY OF ’ARAFAH:

The ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah is the Day of ’Arafah, since it is on this Day the pilgrims gather at the mountain plain of ’Arafah, praying and supplicating to their Lord. In fact, one hadeeth says that ‘Hajj is Arafah’. This means Arafah is the sum and substance of Hajj. 

It is mustahabb (highly recommended) for those who are not pilgrims to fast on this day, since the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was asked about fasting on the day of ’Arafah, so he said,

“It expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year.” (Related by Muslim Hadith no. 1162)

Likewise, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said,

‘There is no day on which Allaah frees people from the Fire more so than on the day of ’Arafah. He comes close to those (people standing on ’Arafah), and then He revels before His Angels saying, ‘What are these people seeking.”(Related by Muslim, Hadith no. 1348)

Imam at-Tirmidhee – rahimahullaah – said, “The People of Knowledge consider it recommended to fast on the day of ’Arafah, except for those at ’Arafah.” (Tirmidhee: 3/377)

———————

Please note that everybody must know the day that coincides with the day of Arafah and fast according to the moon sighted in their own countries and not according to that of Saudi Arabia.

from a wonderful Qur'an blog ...  http://yassarnalquran.wordpress.com/ 

No school until the 21st of OCTOBER

School will be closed next week for students and teachers.  Classes will resume Monday the 21st of October, 2013, in sha Allah.  Enjoy your Eid  !

Open House

Please take note.  The Open House will only be from 10 am- until 12 pm, in sha Allah.

Schedule 2013

Schedule 2013

We talked so much about HIJAB during our PD

Assalaamou alaikum,

A good read

Another good read... 

How remarkable and astonishing it is that the way Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala created  Islam, every detail in it has deeply rooted meanings, values, and effects. So much so, in fact, that each letter found in the Quran is a carefully placed treasure. If anything in it was even slightly altered, misplaced, or mispronounced, this completely changes the original meanings it was intended to have. The hasaanat, moreover, for pronouncing each letter are also mighty because they are multiplied by ten.

Overall, nothing in Islam, even washing in between the toes during wudu, is insignificant. Some matters are simply more important than others, but everything revealed to us by our Lord is noteworthy. Subhan Allah.

In addition to this, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala specifically chose for this blessed religion to be conveyed in Arabic because of the incredible richness the language carries, which is parallel to no other language. For instance, much can be expressed in the ancient Arabic language by a few words, but the quality of rhetoric never wanes. Arabic words have multiple meanings, they can quickly stir vehement emotions, draw vivid pictures for us to clearly visualize, and be strung together flawlessly like the beads of a necklace to create eloquent verses, all by the power and grace of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. Not to mention, each word in the Quran has been preserved for over 1400 years, and yet, everything in it is just as applicable today as it was in the past and will be in the future. After all, the religion of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala is meant for all of humankind, for all times.

With these things in mind, it would be committing a severe injustice to appreciate the letters, words, verses, rulings, and all the other blessings of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala only at face value. Doing so would be more ignorant than appreciating the human body by what only the naked eye can see, when there are a myriad of miraculous functions, designs, networks, and complexities found only inside the body. Similarly, beneath the surface of every letter, word, verse, and ruling in the Quran, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala has placed infinite priceless jewels waiting to be discovered. To unbury them, we are commanded to seek ilm (knowledge) and ponder over the creation of the heavens and the earth and all that is in between.

It comes as no surprise, then, that the commandment of hijab is meant to teach us a lot more than willingly throwing sheets over our bodies in front of non-mahram men – just like salah is supposed to teach us far more than the physical actions of salah, we should learn humility and elimination of racism from it too, for example – if we grasp the spirit of it.

In addition to dressing modestly outdoors, hijab is also meant to teach women to fully honor the bodies they have been blessed with by embracing hayaa at all times, in front of every type of person, in all different situations.

Therefore, before anyone of us hijabis dares to point a finger criticizing the sister that doesn’t wear hijab properly, be it because of tight clothes, ostentation, glamorous abayas, hair showing, or whatever else the reason may be, let us thoroughly examine ourselves first. Have we seriously, truly, allowed hijab to teach us all it is meant to teach? Do we express genuine modesty not only outdoors, but in the presence of our fellow Muslimahs, siblings, parents, and husbands as well?

Islam does not define hayaa as embarrassment or humiliation a woman (or man) feels about herself. Rather, it perceives it as the care and concern she has about persevering her modesty at all times through dressing appropriately in front of all people.

Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, I honestly cannot thank my Lord enough that hijab has actually taught me this. I have learned that hayaa is more close and beloved to me than my very own garments themselves. Although, of course, there is always room for improvement, I have certainly come a long way.

Even in front of people allowed to see me unveiled, I do not have the heart to wear immodest clothes. I can never wear pants that have some awkward saying displayed grossly on the rear end to emphasize the hips, or shirts that do similar to emphasize the chest, or low cut tops, excessively tight clothes, and the list goes on and on.

Finish the article :  http://www.igotitcovered.org/2010/01/01/hijab-is-removable-hayaa-is-not/

List of Students Separated by Sex

We are planning a reading event for students after the Eid break.  I would appreciate if all of you could send me a list of your students separated by sex.  Send it by email or print a copy.  Be sure to place a copy of it on the wall of your classrooms as well.  

BaarakAllahu feekum :)

Bank Hours

The hours for the bank in Mermoz 

Monday: 13:45 - 16:30

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 8:15 - 12:45; 14:00 - 16:30

Friday: 8:15 - 13:00; 14:30 - 16:30

Saturday: 9:00 - 12:45

Monday's PD will begin at 8:30 AM inshaAllah and end at 4:00 PM inshaAllah. 

Please be on time.

Breakfast will be offered between 7:30-8:20.

First 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah (The month of Eid- Al- 'Adha)

Assalaamu alaikum

First 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah

Read about the virtue of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, the month of Eid-Al-Adha, Tabaski, Arafaat

You may read one of the 2 documents below, French and English available. 

FRENCH:

http://d1.islamhouse.com/data/fr/ih_articles/single/fr_Take_ten_of_Dhul_Hijjah.pdf 

 ENGLISH:

http://d1.islamhouse.com/data/en/ih_books/single/en_Ten_Days_of_Dhul_Hijjah.pdf

http://yassarnalquran.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/ten_days_of_dhul_hijjah.pdf

Rulings of the sacrafice

The sacrifice story in the Coran

Things to do the Day of Arafah