** HIT 'Refresh' if anything looks strange - updates are being done daily!** Al-Aqsa Islamic Academy Private education grades K thru 12 1501 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia,PA 19122 Phone: 215-765-6660 Fax: 215-765-6640 Dear Parents,     As-Salaam 'Alalikum! This booklet (referring to the Student Hand-book) is designed to introduce you to our fine school and familiarize you with the rules and regulations. The rules are like fences, they protect everyone. When everyone follows them our learning environment is relaxed, safe, and free from disturbance.     We want our children to become actively engaged in the learning process. Throughout the course of the year, you will see papers and projects of your child that show Al-Aqsa's attention to creativity and scholarship. These will be prominently displayed throughout the school. We hold extremely high standards of academic prowess and want our children to exhibit their success. If anything defines our students, it is that they are academically challenged to be their best, successful, and are good Muslim scholars. Our attention to the learning of Arabic and Islamic Studies, which includes Quranic recitation and learning the hadith, is exemplary. We strive to make sure our students are not bored but are engaged. We want our students to become excited about learning and creating.     You, the parent, are vital to the success of your child's education. We want your active participation in the Parents Teacher Association and encouragement of your child in doing his/her homework. We would also encourage you to monitor the time spent watching television. Research has shown that children who read a lot at home and do not watch a lot of television surpass those that watch hours and hours of television. If your home is education friendly, the reading habits of your child will be of paramount importance and television time seriously reduced! We also plan to introduce a Newsletter to better communicate with you. This will include children's work, helps for helping your child achieve, news about upcoming events, and messages from individual teachers.     Therefore, welcome to Al-Aqsa! We look forward to meeting your child and helping him/her become a good Muslim scholar. With your cooperation, and Allah's this will become a reality. Respectfully, Abdur Rahman, Principal   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Welcome to the PTA Parent Teacher Association THE PARENTS Association The Right Way to Pray by: Islamic Finder.com The Mayor of Philadelphia Visits Al-aqsa StudentsCLICK Classes begin at 8:30 a. m. Classes end at 3:30 p.m. Cafeteria opens at 8:00 a.m. PreK-K finish at 3:15 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////     The Year 1429 Hijrah 2008-2009 Al-Aqsa Islamic Academy School Year   ****************************************************************************************************************       Parents/Guardians – Do not remove your students early. By law your child must receive (182) one hundred and eighty-two schools days. Removing them early may be actionable and/or cause forfeit of the academic school year.        Also, final exams will be administered; if you remove your child prior to the final exams they will receive a ‘0’ as their grade. The final exam is valued at 20% of their total grade. Students may fail the course by missing the test. If you are planning to remove your child early tell us now! Do Not wait until the last minute, we will not pass your child if they have not EARNED the grade.   //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////     al-hamdu lillah "All praise is to You Allah.'' Allah is the glory and greatness that deserves all praise. "You are the One responsible for the appearance of all creations. Whatever appears, whatever disappears, whatever receives benefit or loss-all is Yours. I have surrendered everything into Your hands. I remain with hands outstretched, spread out, empty, and helpless. Whatever is happening and whatever is going to happen is all Yours." Lit.: All praise belongs to Allah! <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^     Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem School Closings and early dismissals September 29 thru October 5th -- Eid al Fitr   October 6th -- School resumes   October 13th -- School Closed (Columbus Day (national holiday))   November 6th -- *Early dismissal (12:30pm) *1st Report card conference November 27, & 28th.th -- *School Closed - st Thanks Giving - All Praise to Allah   December8th thru 10th -- School Closed (Fid al Adha)   December 25th thru January 2nd --School Closed (Winter Break)   January 5th -- Classes resume   January 19th -- School Closed (Civil Rights Day (national holiday))   January 29th -- *Early dismissal (12:30pm) *2nd Report card conference   February 16th -- School Closed (President’s Day (national holiday))   March 19th – Early dismissal (12:30pm) Staff development   March 26 -- *Early dismissal (12:30pm) *3rd Report card conference   May 25th -- School Closed (Memorial Day (national holiday))   June 8th thru 11th -- **Early dismissals each day at 12:30 FINAL EXAMS**   JUNE 12th – Last day of school – *Final Report cards distributed As-Salaam-Alaikum, Alhumdillah, Subhanallah!   Ramadan - during school hours: School will dismiss at 2:30pm each school day until September 28th. School will be closed the 29th thru the 5th of October for Eid. School resumes on the 6th of October **********************************************************************************************************************     Class Room Maximum: 25 Students   Smaller classrooms means more attention for each student. Previous students: Welcome back, May Allah be pleased with you! New Students: Welcome, al-hamdu lillah, we can’t wait to see you!.. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Availability of Open Classes   Pre-K………. 2 openings 1st                  Full 2nd                 Full 3rd                 Full 4th                 Full 5th                 Full 6th                 Full 7th Full 8th Full 9th Full   10th thru 12th currently have openings                                    (first come first serve basis)   With Allah’s grace our school always fills-up, please do not wait until the last minute. Call 215-765-6660 between 9am and 12noon     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~------------------------------------------------------------ Click the “school supplies” above, you will find the basic supplies you need. Remember it is our job to teach, it is your job to learn. As each person begins to understand the true nature of education, you begin to understand the true value of knowledge. This is your time, you, the student; in our society you have very few duties other then to learn. Some may have chores and alike, but your primary duty is to learn the skills, conduct, & knowledge that will allow you to compete in the world market. We believe in Allah, yet we must live in the world. Food, shelter, and clothing all require money to acquire. No knowledge, no job, no job, no money, and no money you starve. You go to work, you get paid in cash, when you work at school you get paid in knowledge. The harder you work the more knowledge you get, the more knowledge you get the greater your opportunities become. All students have a job to do, learn; how much you get paid (learn) is based on how hard you work. We will teach each and every student with the same passion, faith, certitude and determination, inshallah, the rest is up to you, the student, and your parents. MAKE SURE YOU ARE PREPAIRED TO LEARN. Al-Aqsa Islamic Academy’s programs are designed to meet the academic needs of the average and above average student. The Academy does not have accommodations for below-average level students or those requiring behavioral counseling. Al-Aqsa Islamic Academy will accept and maintain students who are on or above-average grade level, and students who exhibit self-control. Al-Aqsa Islamic Academy will reject or dismiss any students who are below average and who exhibit poor self-control. All new and transferring students must meet the following conditions: 1. Have not been expelled from the school where he/she is transferring from due to bad behavior. 2. Must pass Al-Aqsa Islamic Academy’s placement test. 3. Fill out all registration papers. 4. Have an up to date immunization record. Please understand that Al-Aqsa Islamic Academy has the right at any time it deems necessary during the school year not to accept, or to dismiss any student who does not meet our requirements and abide with our regulations. (Al-Aqsa Academy reserves the right to update these policies at any time) TUITION PAYMENT POLICY and DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS Tuition payment is due on the first day of each month as agreed upon by the parents at the time of registration. A written notice will be mailed out if payment is not received by the fifth day of each month. A $25.00 late fee will be added and your child will not be allowed to attend classes until payment is received. If any student has not met his or her full financial obligations, the school reserves the right to withhold any of its services from the student until the obligations are met. These include, but are not limited to: report cards, test scores, transcripts, health records, registration, and any additional services. No refunds will be made for any who leaves the school any time of the month. (Al-Aqsa Academy reserves the right to update these policies at any time) * Our Tuition, starting at $3,000.00, goes well beyond affordable. It is down right cheap, an incredible bargain if fact. Episcopal Academy (on City Line Ave.) is $18 thousand a year. Haverford School for Boys is $23 thousand dollars a year. The required deposit to enroll your child in these standard priced schools is 5k. We on the other hand give discounts for parents with more then one child in our school. We even set-up payment programs. And, every year a small number of children are given scholarships to attend the full year free. We may not have the most beautiful building but we do have Allah, we may not have a basketball team but we do teach Islamic studies and Arabic reading & writing. Our teachers will speak about Allah everyday. We join in unity to prey everyday, and we will, inshallah, prepare your children to compete in this vast world equally with any child from any school in the world! May Allah bless you for your righteous decision to send your children to Al-Aqsa Islamic Academy. There are four (4) grading periods throughout the school year for grades one and up. Pre-K and Kindergarten have two (2) grading periods. Report cards may be signed and returned to school; parents will keep the final report card at the end of the school year. There will be many updates between marking periods so that each parent will know of their child's progress. Final Exam: are not to exceed more than 30% of the total grade. Grading System A+    96% -100%    4.0 GPA A      90% - 95%    3.5 GPA B+    85% - 89%    3.0 GPA B      80% - 84%    2.5 GPA C+    75% - 79%    2.0 GPA C      70% - 74%    1.5 GPA (Your expected Minimum effort!) D- D D+    65% - 69%    1.0 GPA F      0% - 64%    0.0 GPA Promotion Policy #1   D- (65%) minimum in all subjects = Promotion to next grade #2   Below 65% in any subject = Fail / Retention Uniform codes are strictly enforced. It was with the highest and loftiest of goals in mind (and heart) that these dress uniforms were selected. The Principal, Chukri Khorchid and a committee of teachers, male and female, spent weeks in deliberation choosing each aspect of the dress code. All considerations were made, affordability, style, ease of washing and up-keep. As is normal in living a life on this planet, some will be happy and pleased, some will only find fault, and some won’t care one way or the other. Please understand however you feel, it is with the best of intentions along with substantial research in, why uniforms are better in the school environment, that these uniforms were chosen. Bismillah - In the name of Allah, As-Salaam-Alaikum UNIFORMS Include: Girls & Boys - Navy Pocket Cardican w/ logo, Navy Zipper Hoodie w/logo. BOYS ONLY: S/s & L/s white button-down Oxford w/logo Sweater (Cardican) w/logo and/or Navy Hoodie (zipper) w/logo Pants: Heather Gray, Pleated Twill, Elastic Wast Slack Belt: *Required* Black leather Socks: Black SHOE: Black Skechers(Raiders) or Willits Ivy League BOYS GYM - Shirt = L/s Navy Crew w/logo Pant = Navy Fleece Pant w/logo (photo comming) Sneaker = Solid White *Gym only GIRLS ONLY Over-Garments, Khimar, Hajab all purchased at Al-Aqsa Book Store The following items from Cramers Kids Uniforms: Shoe - Black Semester Sweater (Cardican) with embroidered logo and/or Navy Hoodie (zipper) w/logo Gymwear L/s Navy crew w/logo Navy Fleese Pant w/logo Sneaker - solid white *Gym only   Note of understanding: There is a saying. "the only good exercise is the one you do!" Likewise:, "The only good rule is the one implemented for the betterment of life, and is enforced.” Purchase From: CREMERS KIDS UNIFORMS 4533 FRANKFORD AVE. PHILADELPHIA, PA 19124 215-743-0750 Hours MONDAY - SATURDAY 10:00 - 6:00 SUNDAY CLOSED Extended hours during August through the first week of September MONDAY-SATURDAY 9:30 AM -6:00 PM SUNDAY 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM DIRECTIONS: On Frankford Avenue at Orthodox Street. One block South of Margaret-Orthodox El Stop. From I-95 use the Bridge Street Exit. From Roosevelt Blvd use the Oxford Circle Exit. (See Map) Map of 4533 Frankford Ave Philadelphia, PA 19124-3638 CENTERCITY: THE GALLERY II AT MARKET EAST 3RD LEVEL, 1001 MARKET ST. PHILADELPHIA, PA 19107-3096 Hours MONDAY- TUESDAY - THURSDAY - SATURDAY 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM WEDNESDAY - FRIDAY 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM SUNDAY 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM 215-238-1400 DIRECTIONS: At the Gallery II Mall on Market Street at 10th Street. The store is located on the 3rd level. This Location is easily accessible to all public transportation. (See Map) Map of 1001 Market St Philadelphia, PA 19107-3008 Internet: CramersUniforms.com COUPON $5.00 off Shoes - buying more then one pair? Buy them at different times with a coupon each time. > Click the coupon > Print as many as you like. ... but, You can only use one Per purchase.

Basic Rules of Conduct

Attendance: We consider punctuality an Islamic value and a very important part of our Islamic Education. Therefore, we will not tolerate tardiness and absences unless there is an acceptable reason (e.g. illness, death, and court.) In such cases a note stating the reason and date (s) of the absence or lateness must accompany the child upon his/her return to school. If the child is absent for three continuous days, he/she must submit a note from a physician. Fifteen lateness’s will be considered equal to one day of absence. Also we would like to inform you that attendance would be considered in evaluating your child for awards and certificates In other words, attendance would affect your child’s grades positively or negatively. Students who miss 25 days or more of school for any reason have missed a major amount of schoolwork and instruction. In such a case, the school may have a special concern about the student’s academic progress and his/her readiness for the next grade. Any student who arrives after 8:30 a.m. will be marked late and will need a slip to be admitted in his/her classroom. Please arrange doctor and dentist appointments either after school or on weekends to minimize time out of school as much as possible. Please let the teacher know about the appointment so he/she can prepare your child’s homework in advance. Very Important Rules: Please help us by not allowing your child (ren) to bring to school any of the following things: NO - Gum NO – radios, iPods and alike! NO - Expensive equipment such as Game Boy, Video Games or Walkman radios NO - Expensive jewelry NO - Toys that would cause obvious distractions such as toy gun, water guns and so on. NO - Dangerous things such as real guns, knives, matches, lighters, razor blades and so on NO - Birthday Parties in the school NO cell phones. They will be removed from your child! Dress Code Uniform Islamic Dress code is very simple. Dress must be clean and cover the body. It should be loose, not transparent, nor tight. However, for unity all students are expected to follow the dress code throughout the year. A school Uniform has been designed, and can now be purchased. Details above. GYM UNIFORM Gym uniforms must be worn on the day scheduled for GYM. If a child is not in his/her uniform he/she will not be allowed to participate in GYM class. Girls in fifth grade and up may wear the GYM uniform under their school uniform They can choose to change into their gym clothes prior to class (changing back after class). Taking excessive time changing will not be permitted. As this will become disruptive to other 'on-time' students and teachers. Play Ground Rules Walk when entering or leaving the building. Once you leave the building, you must stay outside the building till your teacher brings you back to the class. Students are not permitted to leave the fenced area for any reason without permission. No rough playing such as kicking, hitting, pushing or playing karate. Keep your school clean. Do not litter. Throwing rocks, sticks, snowballs, dirt-bombs can only lead to trouble. Injuries are prevented through good responsible behavior. Only throw things to have a catch The school will supply basketballs, footballs, and kick-balls, your child should not bring their own to school. When using climbing toys and slides you must SIT ONLY and face forwards. NO sliding on your belly, backwards or running up the slides. NO climbing over the tops of the climbing toys. Share all toys and equipments and be fair. When you are called, you must stop playing and quickly get into line. If you borrowed a toy you are responsible for returning it. Not the person you gave it to. Walk quietly back to your classroom under the direction of the teacher in charge. LUNCH, SNACK and CAFETERIA RULES A hot lunch will be provided by the government to each qualifying student. Forms will be distributed in the first few days of school. Until you hear from the school, provide a nutritious lunch for your child. Also children in pre-K through 4th grade need to have nutritious snack provided. The child’s name should be written on lunch box or bag. Candy, high sugar foods and breakable bottles are not allowed or microwaveable foods. Children are not allowed to go out for lunch nor have it delivered except by a family member. Cafeteria and Lunch Rules Students must remain seated when eating lunch, and remain so until called on or excused for recess or free time. Students are to clean up their places and push-in the chairs when leaving the table. Do not throw out unfinished food; pack it up and take it home. This is wasteful extravagance. When dismissed for recess students should move in a quiet and orderly manner under the direction of the person in charge. Student Health Please KEEP your child at HOME if he/she is sick. This way you will ensure your child early recovery and prevent other children from getting sick also. Guidelines: Children with fever, headache, or sore throat should not be brought to school Children with green or yellow mucus discharging from their nose should not be brought to school. Children with nausea, stomach aches, diarrhea, or unusual fatigue should not be brought to school. Children with rashes should not be brought to school. We urge all parents to review the vaccination status of their children with particular attention to the measles vaccine. The teachers will do their best to help monitor these guidelines so that the children are not put at any undue risk of exposure to contagious disease. If a child becomes ill while in school, we will call the parents to take the child home. We do this when a child has a fever, has vomited or when there are other symptoms that a teacher in consultation with the office staff feels it is inappropriate for the student to continue school activities. Please make sure that the Medical and the Emergency forms are filled out. Be sure to list specific allergies or other significant health conditions. It is important to keep the school informed of any changes in emergency phone numbers. In the event of an accident, we will attempt to reach the parents, meanwhile administering first aid. If the parents cannot be reached or anyone listed on the Emergency list, the child will be taken to the local hospital. MEDICATION POLICY Medication should be given at home whenever possible, and on a schedule outside of school hours. Never send any medication to school with your child. For further arrangement see the Principal.