Graduation - Edition 9

News From The Nest:

5905 E. 130TH AVE. TAMPA, FLORIDA 33617

www.ayatampa.org ● (813) 987-9282

Summer Events Message from Br. Souheil...

August 14: CTP Re-testing for the students who did not pass August 16: Parents’ Meeting August 19: First Day of School for Students August 19-22: Half-Days (Dismissal at 12:45 PM) September 29 & 30: IB Verification Visit

May prayers in the holy month of Ramadan bring you more prosperity, faith, satisfaction, and divine love for Allah.

Ramadan

Kareem!

Look Inside

Community News…………………..2

Teacher Interviews…..…………….3

K5 Graduation…………….............4

5th Grade Graduation...……...….5

8th Grade Graduation…..............6

Senior Trip and Graduation………7

Thank You and Future Events…...8

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Dear AYA Community, Assalamu alaikum wa rahamtullah. Ramadan Kareem & Eid Mubarak! We have had quite a summer this year! We have been diligently preparing for our students to come back and find their beloved school ready to serve them in the best of manners. Many of our elementary students participated in the summer school/camp activities and enjoyed them thoroughly masha'Allah. We are certainly looking forward to an excellent beginning of the 2014-2015 school year. You will be happy to notice a brand new modular building next to Building D between the second and third week of August insha'Allah. This building will include 5 classrooms and an office and will serve both the Hifdh and IB programs insha'Allah. We are very excited and will, insha'Allah be prepared for the final IB Verification Visit that will be scheduled this coming fall. We look forward to seeing everyone energized and ready for another school year filled with great accomplishments insha'Allah. Br. Souheil

Wishing Everyone a Blessed & Joyous Eid! AYA hosted two community Iftars this Ramadan, one at Masjid Al-Qassam, and one at the Morris Bridge Masjid, Dar-us-Salam. We thank everyone who helped make both Iftars such a success!

Spring & Summer Community Graduates 2014

We would like to congratulate the following AYA Alumni & Staff (former) on their recent graduations:

Sr. Alicia Hawari Graduated from USF with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education

AYA Parent & Teacher (2004-13)

Tara Alzubaidi Graduated from USF with a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature AYA Alumnus Class of 2008

Noor Tamari Graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing AYA Alumnus Class of 2010

Omaya Zeineding Graduated from USF with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Marketing AYA Alumnus Class of 2008

Ayesha Nasr Graduated from LECOM with a Doctorate Degree in Pharmacy

AYA (IAF) Alumnus Class of 2002

Adeeb Saleh Graduated from LECOM with a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine AYA Teacher & Coach (2007-2014)

Congratulations!

We would also like to congratulate the following families on their children's/family-member's

graduations:

Br. Said & Sr. Asma Rum [AYA Parents]

Their daughter, Ruba, graduated from USF in May.

Sr. Remah Ahmad [AYA Islamic Studies Teacher]

Her daughter, Salam, graduated from USF in May with a Bachelor's Degree in Math Education.

Her other daughter, Islam, graduated from high school.

Sr. Maha Alrihawi [AYA Director of Early Childhood] & Br. Marwan Soukieh

Their son, Rudwan, graduated from King High School.

Sr. Shaheena Satter [AYA VPK Assistant]

Her son, Sabbir Mirza, graduated Valedictorian from Tampa Bay Technical High School.

Br. Majid Hawari [AYA Parent]

His niece, Lama Barakat, graduated from Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School.

Our sincerest congratulations to the students and to their families. May Allah continue to

give them and all of our children continued success in this life and the next.

The following AYA Families and Alumni welcomed new children into their families....

Wael Hijaz, (c/o 2008) , and his wife, Sarah Ashour, (c/o 2009) , welcomed their first child, Jalal Hijaz, July 9th. Br. Ahmad & Sr. Samah Fatayer

welcomed a baby girl, Maryam Fatayer, into their family July 11.

Maysa Hamad, a former AYA student, and her husband, also welcomed their first child, Adnan , July 9th.

Br. Jamal and Sr. Abir Alhasan, on the birth of their new baby girl, Inshirah. Their children, Mariam and Eyad, are students at AYA.

Br. Shadi and Sr. Samar Sarsour, on the birth of their new baby boy, Adam. Their daughter, Dalia, is a student at AYA.

Sr. Sassia Eldefrawy, on the birth of her grandson, Abdullah. Sr. Sassia is our K3 Assistant.

(Adapted by

Dr. Seuss’ Oh,

The Places

You’ll Go!)

Page 2 News from the Nest

Hashim & Areej Sullaiman on the birth of their son, Yousef, June 12th.

Br. Khaled and Sr. Rama Alhamzawi on the birth of their baby boy, Omar. Their son, Youssef, is a student at AYA.

Kathim & Maysa Sullaiman on the birth of their son, Mohammed, June 2nd.

Rana Abu Khalil (c/o 2005) and Suhail Rifaie (c/o 2003) on the birth of their daughter Alena, July 14th.

Sarah, c/o 2002),Sr. Eman Mitwalli's daughter, and Ahmad Maaty, had a baby boy, Zayneddin, July 23rd.

Ahmad Maaty

Congratu-lations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!

Page 3

By: Ahmad Hack, 8A

We would also like to congratulate the following families on their children's/family-member's

graduations:

Br. Said & Sr. Asma Rum [AYA Parents]

Their daughter, Ruba, graduated from USF in May.

Sr. Remah Ahmad [AYA Islamic Studies Teacher]

Her daughter, Salam, graduated from USF in May with a Bachelor's Degree in Math Education.

Her other daughter, Islam, graduated from high school.

Sr. Maha Alrihawi [AYA Director of Early Childhood] & Br. Marwan Soukieh

Their son, Rudwan, graduated from King High School.

Sr. Shaheena Satter [AYA VPK Assistant]

Her son, Sabbir Mirza, graduated Valedictorian from Tampa Bay Technical High School.

Br. Majid Hawari [AYA Parent]

His niece, Lama Barakat, graduated from Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School.

Our sincerest congratulations to the students and to their families. May Allah continue to

give them and all of our children continued success in this life and the next.

Meet AYA s New

IB Coordinator

1. What is IB? Firstly, the International Baccalaureate is known all over the world, making the full scope of the program difficult to capture in few sentences. However, AYA has deciphered and articulated the main points of the IB program, and we intend to use this upcoming school year to begin the process of gradually introducing/integrating the main concepts throughout the school. In a nutshell, the IB program is philosophically a preparation for life in mind, body, and spirit developing key leadership attributes, aligned from our perspective with Islamic values, that is recognized as peace promoting and respecting the world's diversity. ..A perfect match for AYA! 2. What will you be doing as IB Coordinator?

My understanding is that essentially the coordination comes from keeping track of IB curriculum updates, workshops, timely submission of documents, monitoring student progress, and facilitating faculty best teaching practices grounded in the IB philosophy. There is so much more! But, one-step-at-a-time :) 3. What are you most excited about with regards to working at AYA? I am excited about the "newness" of certain elements, although AYA has been through a lot of development over the years - and we are determined for continued success. Elements such as this year's new faculty/staff/students, the IB program, new projects, and a genuine positive outlook for our future, make this an exciting place to work. 4. If you could describe yourself in one word what would it be? I am an "observer" by nature, but being "involved" makes all the difference:) Although, "optimistic" may be a good descriptor! 5. Which characteristic of an IB learner embodies you most, and why? If I understand this question correctly, the one IB attribute that I whole-heartedly connect with is "reflective". I am constructively self-critical, and there is always room for improvement.

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

Michael Matthew, Ed.D

My First-Year Teaching Experience

Many of my students may, or may not have known that this was my first year as an official teacher. Why would I withhold such information?! Students smell new teachers from a mile away, and if you give them that inch, they will surely take a mile! Needless to say, teaching middle school Language Arts and Newsletter has opened my eyes to the potential that the students at AYA have to succeed. I have seen some of the most creative writing from every single student, as well as some of the most creative concepts that the students apply to each and every newsletter. AYA has a lot of talent at this school, and it is important for the staff,

administration, students, parents, and supporters to be recognized for their hard work and dedication to education. Overall, I wouldn’t replace my first year of teaching at AYA for anything; every joke from an endearing student, smile from a generous staff member, and compliment from a grateful parent made my first year a phenomenal one!

You'll be on your way up! You'll be seeing great sights! You'll join the high fliers who soar to high heights

News from the Nest

News from the Nest

A look into Graduation! You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed. You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

K5A - Class of 2014

Nofan Ahmad Hamzeh Hamed Ammar Shihadeh

Hammad Ahmed Talia Hamil Saarah Siddiqa

Youssef Alhamzawi Ayub Ibrahim Sidrah Sidddiqui

Ali Alremeithi Tasneem Kayed Anisah Taha

Rufaydah Altoubah Taqwa Mashali Rita Tazi

Malak Ellababidy Ibrahim Mohammad Obada Washah

Adam Faria Sameh Quneibi Abdelrahman Yasin

Shahad Fatayer Leila Samhan Raed Zieneldien

K5B - Class of 2014

Hoda Abou Elnadar Rayan Filali Aryam Safieh

Hadi Alhadidi Lujayn Hamdan Fares Samhouri

Eyad Al-Hasan Shahd Ibrahim Jenna Sarsour

Nasser Al-Nashir Awad Khan Hiyah Shihadeh

Tejon Camarabent Radi Mohammad Hamzah Taha

Ghazel Faroun Aqib Nasir

K5A and K5B Graduation

Page 4

5th grade

Graduates

Firas Abdelhafes

Yazen Alkhyyat

Abdallah Bayarri

Zakareya Elsayed

Muhammad Falah

Bilal Gomaa

Laith Hamil

Hasan Harake

Khader Herbawi

Muhammed Khaled

Malek Khawaja

Adam Mansour

Abdullah Omer

Nader Sarsour

Noah Shehata

Kowsae Sullaiman

Nehal Ali

Mona Almomani

Alina Atiq

Sabrina Atiq

Dana Barakat

Selma Bensaid

Shaam Daaboul

Noor Elfaouatih

Hager Kamel

Hedaia Mohammad

Janna Rahim

Jasmin Sabir

Azeeza Sarour

Samya Soukieh

Meryam Tazi

Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. there are games to be won.

Page 5 News from the Nest

News from the Nest Page 6

8th

grade

Lina Abo Koura Sarim Akram Shaahid Khan

Mariam Alasfour Ahmad Ali Yoonus Khan

Menatallah Daashoush Amine Benkirane Amin Nasr

Sarah Elbasheer Zaid Chefchaouni Arian Rafhat

Ala El-Dahla Omar Elmekabbati Anas Rahim

Aya Mari Osama Gurwala Usama Ravat

Bissan Mustafa Sheik Ahmad Hack Adham Sulliaman

Esraa Nofal Hussein Harake Taha Taha

Suhad Rifaie Yousef Ismail Khaled Yousef

Ghadh Soukieh Areeb Khan Tarek Zieneldien

Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's

a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.

Grads

Page 7 News from the Nest

By: Rahma Elmekebbati, 6A, Jasmine Abdel, 6A, Aliya Hack, 6A

Student work

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

Senior Graduation

Nadine Alashker

Serene Mostafa

Isra Aisheh

Jasmine Albadawi

Nadine Albadawi

Sally Ashour

Sarah Elfaouatih

Juwairiah Mohammad

Dania Rum

Mohammed Alasfour

Omar Altoubah

Emre Arslan

Obaidah Fariz

Hamad Fetais

Faris Hawari

Musa Khaled

Sami Mari

Osamah Nofal

Ahmad Qasem

Nael Rifaie

Wael Rifaie

By: Amin Nasr, 8B and Adham Sulliaman, 8B

You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So...get on your way!

What to Look

Forward to in

2014-2015,

insha' Allah.....

Thank You Very Much! Merci Beaucoup! Muchas Gracias! شكرية! شكراً جزياًل!

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad SAWS said:

"Whoever does not give thanks to the people does not give thanks to Allah."

We thank all of the individuals and businesses that have supported AYA this year by:

Sponsoring AYA's Staff Breakfasts and Lunches Sponsoring AYA's Students' Tuition Balances

Sponsoring our IB & Hifdh Programs Donating to AYA's General Operating Fund

Donating their time & effort volunteering at AYA events

We thank Allah for blessing AYA with such a caring and involved community , and we ask that Allah SWT reward all of our parents, staff-members, students, alumni and community-members greatly in

this life and the next for their generous support. It is with Allah's support and yours that we are able to grow and excel each year!

Congratulations to Our

High-Achieving High School

Students!

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our High School students on their outstanding

accomplishments this year. Masha'Allah, many of our students did very well on both their SATs and their AP

Exams this year, and they all deserve to be congratulated. The students below are receiving special recognition for

their outstanding achievements.

AP Scholar with Honor: Sabrina Awshah Perfect Scores in Calculus AB: Sabrina Awshah & Amer Abdelaziz SAT Scores of 1350 or Higher: Emre Arslan, Serene Mostafa & Abraham Irshaid Perfect Score on SAT Writing: Juwairiah Mohammad Valedictorians, Class of 2014: Nadine Al-Ashker & Serene Mostafa National Achievement Scholarship Recipient: Serene Mostafa (Also an AP scholar with a perfect score in AP Calculus AB last year as a Junior)

Over 500 Students Hifdh Program IB Authorization New Classrooms Amazing Academic & Extra-Curricular Programs