NEWS FROM THE NEST March 2012

March events...

1 BOD Nominations Begins 1 IPTA Meeting 1-2 Book Fair Luau! 2 Tarbiyah Program 5 AYA vs. F.I.S.H Teal @ 5PM 8 K3-K4 SOTM Assembly 9 SOTM/Q, Honor Roll Assembly 11 Time Change: Spring Forward 12-16 NO SCHOOL: Spring Break 19 AYA vs. F.I.S.H. Black @

4:30PM 26 AYA vs. Clearwater @ 4:30PM 31 AYA vs. Solid Rock @5: 30PM 31 BOD Nominations Ends

Look inside...

Spirit Week 2

Fundraising Dinner 3 SOTM 4

Straight from the Students 5-6

Fun Page 7

Arabic Page 8

Newsletter Submission DEADLINE:

March 23, 2012 Please email submissions to

ayanewsletter@ayatampa.com

5905 E. 130

TH AVE. ●TAMPA, FLORIDA 33617

www.ayatampa.org ● (813) 987-9282

Dear Parents, Students, Staff & Community Members:

Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi barakatuh!

Masha’Allah, what a wonderful and exciting month it has been. With report cards, Spirit Week, the Fundraising Dinner, field trips galore, a circus themed bake sale, contests and fairs the month flew by without a dull moment.

I would like to sincerely thank everyone who helped make our Fundraising Dinner a wonderful success. From delightful student presentations to the great number attendees, it was an overall fun and enjoyable evening. We could not have accomplished so much without everyone’s dedication and support.

I would like to remind everyone who pledged to please contact Sr. Wafa at wfahda@ayatampa.com or (813)987-9282 ex. 203 and activate your hasanat now. If you did not get a chance to donate, you can still donate to any of the items that were not covered.

Project Cost Achieved Technology $60,000 $60,000

Safety $20,000 $20,000 Arabic Curriculum/Staff

Development $15,000 $6,000

Athletics Programs $25,000 $12,000 General Operating Fund $80,000 $47,600

TOTAL $200,000 $145,600

A Message from Br. Souheil…

CONGRATULATIONS to Sr. Vicky on her recent engagement. Even though we’re excited that she will embark on this new journey, we are sad to see her go. She taught us discipline, started the National Honors Society Chapter at AYA, and revved up the Student Council. Her bright smile cheered up our halls, and she always looked at the bright side of things. She’s tough, but sweet, and we wish her all the best. Come back and visit us soon, Sr. Vicky! –The AYA Newsletter Team

GOODBYE Sr. Vicky

NEWS FROM THE NEST | MARCH 2012 2

AYA SPIRIT WEEK

Earlier this month, students expressed their spirit for AYA during Spirit Week. We wore funny hats

and jeans, dressed up with our “twin” and WENT GREEN! My favorite part was when we stood in “AYA”

formation (minus the hot sun). We took a bunch of pictures of all the awesome, funny looking people.

The really cute thing was that the teachers and staff really showed their spirit, too! GO AYA EAGLES!

We look so fly! Double Trouble

Do we get volunteer hrs. for this?

Hey, where’s your broomstick?

NEWS FROM THE NEST | MARCH 2012 3

“Making a change” is a project started by the students in 3B in the third week of February. While doing an assignment in class, Sr. Christina noticed how well the class was discussing issues instead of arguing, and came up with the idea. When the students have suggestions or need to make decisions, such as seat order, they write the suggestions down on pieces of paper and stick them onto the bulletin board using push pins. Then monthly, usually on Fridays, they have discussions deciding certain matters. I hope the students of 3B have a better, more democratic classroom life with this intriguing project.

By Noor Elalami, 9th Gr. Making a Change

Congratulations Inductees!

You make AYA Shine!

AYA Fundraising Dinner

NEWS FROM THE NEST | MARCH 2012 4

K4A: Fajr Almari & Isra Merai K4B: Ayham Hadeed & Yasmeen Kazzoun

K5A: Nasser Almari K5B: Rawand Sulaiman

1A: Mohamad Soukieh & Mariam Mustafa 1B: Abdulla Ahmed & Baker Atiyeh

2A: Mahamed Abdel & Nour Sullaiman 2B: Alla Taha & Suhaib Fariz

3A: Lina Ibrahim & Adam Mansour 3B: Samya Soukieh & Yazen Alkhyyat 4A: Danya Yousef & Abdul-Hakim Zekri

4B: Dina Irshaid & Ayah Simrin

5: Zainab Jamal

SOTM Compiled by Suhaila Zeineding and Sofia Hammad

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF ANIMALS COULD TALK? (GIRLS) - Arz Soboh: The world would be weird and silly; they’d talk to

people and give them what they want, Wajd Binsalman: I’d talk to all the cats, Balqees Hamed: The animals will like us; and they would build their own cities to live in on their own, Asalla Alwawi: So cool, because I could talk to elephants, and I would ride on their backs and feed them peanuts, Haadiya Khan: Silly, but kinda scary – I wouldn't want to talk to them; just visit them at the zoo, Hana Alkhyyat: I would talk to horses and elephants and give them peanut tea, Brween El-Dahla: The world would be weird. The animals would talk to us, but they would be lazy, Rawand Sulaiman: So cool. I would talk to horses and ignore all of the other animals. Yasmina Belkherroubi: I would make cats and rabbits carrot cake and carrot pizza.

Students of the Month: January

AT WHAT AGE WOULD A PERSON BE CONSIDERED AN ADULT? (BOYS) - Yusuf Elmenayer: 20 years old, Zackaria Mekouar:

16 years old, Mustafa Elsayed: 18 years old, because that’s the time you’re supposed to be one, Rashid Shanvas: 20 years old, Tahamid Zaman: 80 years old, Awwab Azam: 20 years old, Nasser Almari: 45 years old, Ali Fetais: 102 years old, Waleed Yousef: 20 years old, Zackaria Motrib: 59 years old, Hamza Kamel: 24 years old, Muhammad Washah: 87 years old, Al-Harith Sullaiman: 18 years old, Samy Rifaie: 10,000 years old, Mohamed Amin: 54 years old, Butti Alremeithi: 1,500 years old!

KIDS CORNER with K5 BY: SARAH MARI AND NOOR ELALAMI

NEWS FROM THE NEST | MARCH 2012 5

BY SOFIA HAMMAD, 9th Grade

Dreams. They constantly change,

Flying free with an endless range. Though impossible to tell what comes next

The heart remains excited for the ongoing suspense. Because it is not physically seen, felt,

tasted, or heard To observe the souls delicate response to it

can be absurd Some would trade their lives for this imagination

But others are glad to vanish such frustration. For they can be good, bad, happy, or sad, It would be nice if control is what we had. So where do they come from? We may ask How can our bodies perform such a task?

Many say its comes from the heart, Others think it’s a form of art.

Our heads start spinning, like a ballet dancer, Especially when we find no answer.

All lift to do is sleep in a deep stream, Of thoughts and emotions found in a dream.

If you could move to Neverland so you could stay one age forever, what age would you choose?

Twenty-one, because I will be old enough to

do anything, but still young.

- Ahmed Said, 8th Gr.

What will you miss most about being a kid? Why?

What I will miss most about being a kid is having

freedom, because when you grow up you have to do

hard work and get a job. - Arian Rafhat, 6th Gr.

If you could grow up to be famous, what would you want to be famous for?

I would want to be famous for resolving the

Palestinian-Israeli conflict. - Fares Abdelmajid, 10th

Gr.

I would want to be famous for being the first

Muslim female actress in Hollywood! - Mariah Hamil,

9th Gr.

If you could travel back in time three years and visit your younger self, what advice would you give yourself?

Don't procrastinate! Wear a different outfit on picture

day in 2008. Pay attention in 8th Grade Science class

(it's affecting me now in Chemistry). Don’t waste my

money on an expensive calculator… I still haven’t

even been able to use it! - Aye Kyi, 10th Gr.

If you have a problem on a subject fix it quickly, ex:

math. Whenever you make a deal with someone in

higher authority than you, have them sign a piece of

paper or record them, because they always change

their minds. – Yasmeen Yousef, 12th Gr. HOME EC FINAL

By Serene Mostafa and Nadine Al-Ashkar

Unlike the traditional stuffing their heads with

studying, the home ec class stuffed their tummies

with food! For their semester final, each student had

to bring in a recipe and cook the dish. It was

enjoyable for them (and us!) to get together and

share each other’s food. There were many types of

dishes from mini strawberry cheesecakes to spicy

samosas. It was really delightful, as well as filling!

In-School Presentations: Dental Hygiene

By:

Jam

ilah

Fayi

z an

d S

afa

Gur

wala

African American Aviators

NEWS FROM THE NEST | MARCH 2012 6

Tampa Bay

The halls of Building A turned into a true

Rain

forest this month. Here is a snapshot of 3A’s Rainforest Play!

by Sarah Mari

A round of applause goes to this month’s contest winners! Go AYA! Box Tops winners: K4B, 2A, and 4B! The Recycling Bin Creation Competition participants and winners did a great job creating some totally green and 100% Eco-Wise recycling bins for this Eco Club sponsored activity. 1st Place went to Sr. Manal’s 1A RoboGreen. The “Invite Sr. Magda to your Class” contest was earned by Sr. June’s K5A class and Sr. Sameh’s 1B class. Both classes won story and snack time with Sr. Magda!

Dear Sr. Helpout, I tell my best friend everything: secrets, stories, and whatever is on my mind. She will not tell me anything, though. When I confronted her about it, she refused and even laughed in my face. My feelings are really hurt. What should I do? - Thank You, Secret Keeper

Dear Secret Keeper,

I have been in the same position myself, and don’t

worry, you’ll get over it. Just show her that she can

trust you. She may not want to tell you because

she’s not ready, but you shouldn’t pressure her.

You should try to calmly tell her about how you

feel. If you really need to get things out, try telling

someone who trusts you just as much as you trust

them, or writing in a diary. - Sincerely, Sr. Helpout FUN

FIELDT

RIPS around

The K3 “Muffins

with Mothers”

Celebration

was Marvelous!

NEWS FROM THE NEST | MARCH 2012 7

Take two apples from three apples and what do you have? ANSWER: 2 Apples

What did one eye say to the other eye? "Between you and me, something smells."

Why was the math book so unhappy? Because it was full of problems!

What goes up but never comes down? Your age!

Celebrating African American

History Month By Nadine Al-Ashker and Serene Mostafa

ACROSS

1. "I'm for truth, no matter who

tells it. I'm for justice, no matter

who it’s for or against."

2. First African American

President

4. Underground Railroad

5. "I have a dream."

7. Famous Jazz player

8. Secretary of state 2001-2005

9. Creator of 'Fat Albert'

DOWN

1. "Fly like a butterfly, sting like a

bee."

2. Famous T.V. personality

3. Author of 'I Know Why the

Caged Bird Sings'

6. Refused to sit in the back of the

bus.

Can you guess who is who? Here is a hint: we deliver the news to

you! Email your answers to: ayanewsletter@ayatampa.com

We would like to congratulate all who represented AYA at the

Regional Science Fair. Great Job students and teachers!!

Jokes and Riddles

Submitted by: Abdelelah M

ostafa, AYA Parent

1

2 3

5 4 6

7 8 9

Last Month’s Answers: Br. Souheil and Br. Mahmoud G.

NEWS FROM THE NEST | MARCH 2012 8

وقفة مع الشيخ اإلمام "محمد عبده"

بعدما تعاملت مع األمريكين وغيرهم من الغربيين وجدت

حين قال أن مقولة الشيخ "محمد عبده" عندما عاد من أوروبا

عن الغرب: "وجدت مسلمين ولم أجد إسالما، وفي الشرق مسلمين"، وذلك بسبب ما كان عليه وجدت إسالما ولم أجد

فيه فأخذوا مبادئ اإلسالم تقان للعمل وإخالصالغرب من إ

لقد .إحسان العمل بينما أهمل المسلمون ذلك التي تحث على

رأيت في هذه المقولة شيء من عدم االنصاف لكل من االسالم

والمسلمين. فحقيقة األمر أن هؤالء القوم من غير المسلمين

م. علموا ماهية مقومات النجاح والتقدم فطبقوها في دنياه

وألنها حياة واحدة ودنيا واحدة فمقومات النجاح والتقدم أيضا

واحدة وبالتالي نادى بها ديننا الحنيف وطبقها رسولنا الكريم

محمد صلى هللا عليه وسلم ومن بعده الصحابة والتابعين

فنجحوا وتقدموا وبنوا أعظم إمبراطورية امتدت لمئات السنين.

لكن لألسف الشديد أضعناها بتركنا للدين و لهثنا خلف كل ما

دونه فتأخرنا و تخلفنا. لكن أخذ الغرب مبادئ نجاحنا والتي

هي اسالمنا فنجحوا ولم يسلموا .

لذا فهؤالء الغربيون لن يُجازوا على عدٍل أقاموه في الدنيا

إعتبارهم أو على أموال أنفقوها في مساعدة اليتامى ألنها في

من مقومات التقدم ولقد تقدموا فعالً فحصلوا على ما رغبوا فيه

في الدنيا ولم يقوموا به أبداً إبتغاًء لمرضات هللا. أما المسلمين

في بالدنا فيمكنهم بإيمانهم القوي -االخيار منهم والصالحين-

-باهلل ورغبتهم الَحقَّة و األكيدة في اإلرتقاء بأمة سيدنا محمد

بأن تكون منهم نية صالحة في التغيير -هللا عليه وسلم صلى

الحقيقي, وهي نية يصدقها العمل الجاد حتى لولم تظهر النتائج

المثمرة في الوقت الحالي فسوف يؤجرون خيراً في الآلخرة

ويدخلون الجنة برضا هللا ورحمته .

ا كم انت كريم يا ارحم الراحمين !! تدخل جنتك أناس آمنو

بك وتمنوا أن يصلحوا الكون ويعمروه ولكن لضيق ذات اليد

لم يستطيعوا. ولم تجازي اناس أخرون لم يؤمنوا بك وعملوا

ألنفسهم ودنياهم ما يتوج حياتهم بالنجاح والتقدم وتقدموا بالفعل

لكن عملهم هباء. فما ظلمتهم في الدنيا ولسوف يستحقون

حكمك في الآلخرة.

بنية سليمة واعقدوا العزم على العمل من فابدأوا اخواني

أجلها فتؤجروا خيراً حتى لو تاخر الحلم قليال....

محمود منصور

Collected by Serene Mostafa

If the entire world is a stage, where is the audience sitting?

If you put a chameleon in a mirrored box what color would it change to?

Things to Ponder