Annur Islamic School: Annur Islamic School: Parent Principal MeetingParent Principal Meeting

Dr. Walid Hawana, Ph.D.Dr. Walid Hawana, Ph.D.PrincipalPrincipal

annur_principal@yahoo.comannur_principal@yahoo.com

November 07, 2009November 07, 2009

AIS VisionAIS Vision AIS will be recognized as a top AIS will be recognized as a top

educational schooleducational school Graduates will have the academic Graduates will have the academic

grounding, confidence, & the skills to meet grounding, confidence, & the skills to meet life’s challengeslife’s challenges

AIS graduates will be ambitious & AIS graduates will be ambitious & influential enough to become productive influential enough to become productive citizens & leaders, demonstrating their citizens & leaders, demonstrating their Muslim-American identityMuslim-American identity

AIS Values & BeliefsAIS Values & Beliefs The Quran & Sunnah provide the best guidance The Quran & Sunnah provide the best guidance

for character building, & raising familyfor character building, & raising family Strong Islamic values & identity helps students Strong Islamic values & identity helps students

to be constructive citizens in the society to be constructive citizens in the society Religious tolerance leads to a safer society Religious tolerance leads to a safer society Cultural diversity increases students’ Cultural diversity increases students’

understanding & tolerance of othersunderstanding & tolerance of others Character development is an essential aspect of Character development is an essential aspect of

student development student development Each student is a valued individual with unique, Each student is a valued individual with unique,

spiritual, social, intellectual, & emotional needsspiritual, social, intellectual, & emotional needs

School – Parent CommunicationSchool – Parent Communication

Weekly & daily memosWeekly & daily memos NewslettersNewsletters Teacher websitesTeacher websites

Annual & weekly plansAnnual & weekly plans Homework assignmentsHomework assignments Additional resources information & Additional resources information &

linkslinks

Parent RightsParent Rights Parental involvement in school is a critical Parental involvement in school is a critical

element of AIS success:element of AIS success: AIS parental committees aim to improve AIS parental committees aim to improve

overall school performance with their overall school performance with their ideasideas

Teachers must communicate to parents Teachers must communicate to parents a child’s status in a clear formata child’s status in a clear format

Parents must know child’s academic Parents must know child’s academic progress & their questions answeredprogress & their questions answered

Parent RightsParent Rights To participate in school decision-To participate in school decision-

making: electing members to the School making: electing members to the School Board & having the right to review the Board & having the right to review the school financial & performance reportsschool financial & performance reports

To provide recommendations to the To provide recommendations to the school improvement team concerning a school improvement team concerning a school policy or procedureschool policy or procedure

Parent ResponsibilitiesParent Responsibilities Education succeeds best when parents, Education succeeds best when parents,

teachers & administrators work together. We teachers & administrators work together. We want parents to:want parents to: See that their children are well rested before See that their children are well rested before

coming to schoolcoming to school Show respect toward school administrators & Show respect toward school administrators &

teachersteachers Provide children with a nutritious breakfast & Provide children with a nutritious breakfast &

lunch lunch Encourage children to focus on education, Encourage children to focus on education,

reading, math, sciencereading, math, science

Parent ResponsibilitiesParent Responsibilities Stay informed of school activitiesStay informed of school activities Attend Parents’ Council meetingsAttend Parents’ Council meetings Become a school volunteerBecome a school volunteer Monitor your child’s progress weekly & review Monitor your child’s progress weekly & review

report cardsreport cards Abide by Islamic teachings in private & in Abide by Islamic teachings in private & in

public & be a role modelpublic & be a role model Insist on your kids not to talk back to youInsist on your kids not to talk back to you Do not yell & answer them only when they Do not yell & answer them only when they

speak in low voice speak in low voice Give them daily chores at homeGive them daily chores at home

Parent relations with teachersParent relations with teachers TeachersTeachers are helping your child emotionally are helping your child emotionally

& intellectually therefore:& intellectually therefore: Speak to them with respect & honor themSpeak to them with respect & honor them Praise them with kind wordsPraise them with kind words Thank them in private & in publicThank them in private & in public Don’t discredit them in front of your childDon’t discredit them in front of your child Always speak highly of them to your childAlways speak highly of them to your child Encourage your child to reward themEncourage your child to reward them Teach your child how to properly speak Teach your child how to properly speak

with teachers and obey themwith teachers and obey them Don’t believe your child & doubt teachersDon’t believe your child & doubt teachers

Parent relations with staffParent relations with staff School staff are your friends not rivalsSchool staff are your friends not rivals Please be patient! They are overworked Please be patient! They are overworked

& underpaid!& underpaid! Treat them with respect & be thankfulTreat them with respect & be thankful You are not their master; they are not your You are not their master; they are not your

slaves; slaves; ((they work for me they work for me !!)!!)

Remember that they interact with your Remember that they interact with your child daily! child daily! ((So… hint, hint !!)So… hint, hint !!)

To my teachers & staff…To my teachers & staff… If we plant If we plant honesty & sincerityhonesty & sincerity, we , we

will reap will reap trusttrust

If we plant If we plant goodness & flexibilitygoodness & flexibility, , we will reap we will reap friendsfriends

If we plant If we plant humility & hard workhumility & hard work, we , we will reap will reap greatnessgreatness

AssessmentsAssessments

Benchmarks will be established at first Benchmarks will be established at first quarter for all students (ITBS)quarter for all students (ITBS)

Arabic & Qur’an leveling is establishedArabic & Qur’an leveling is established One midterm and a comprehensive final One midterm and a comprehensive final

exam will be administered every quarter in exam will be administered every quarter in addition to a number quizzes.addition to a number quizzes.

Final week testing: (June 7Final week testing: (June 7thth, 2010), 2010)

DisciplineDiscipline To ensure a school-wide positive & safe To ensure a school-wide positive & safe

environment that is conducive to teaching environment that is conducive to teaching & learning & learning

Teachers are instructed to use positive Teachers are instructed to use positive behavior approachbehavior approach

Discipline incidents will be documented & Discipline incidents will be documented & saved in the student’s filesaved in the student’s file

* * See school rules in the HandbookSee school rules in the Handbook

AttendanceAttendance

School attendance is required, not optionalSchool attendance is required, not optional Being late to class is considered tardinessBeing late to class is considered tardiness Accumulated tardiness will be counted & Accumulated tardiness will be counted &

documenteddocumented Parents will receive a note by email / Parents will receive a note by email /

phone phone

* * See school rules in the HandbookSee school rules in the Handbook

UniformUniform

Students are required to wear their Students are required to wear their school uniform everyday.school uniform everyday.

Should always be clean, tidy, & Should always be clean, tidy, & ironedironed

Infractions will be reported to the Infractions will be reported to the school office & the parentsschool office & the parents

* * See school rules in the HandbookSee school rules in the Handbook

What are we looking What are we looking for? for?

Major ExpectationsMajor Expectations

2008-20092008-2009

Let’s form TeamsLet’s form Teams Language Arts TeamLanguage Arts Team Mathematics TeamMathematics Team Science TeamScience Team Social Studies TeamSocial Studies Team Qur’an, Arabic & Islamic Studies Qur’an, Arabic & Islamic Studies

TeamTeam Co-curricular Activities TeamCo-curricular Activities Team

OBJECTIVE # 1OBJECTIVE # 1 Develop reading/comprehension Develop reading/comprehension

skillsskills

What measurement we use to know What measurement we use to know where our students stand?where our students stand?

What is our target?What is our target? How each grade will approach it? How each grade will approach it? What indicators will be used to know if we What indicators will be used to know if we

reached our target?reached our target?

OBJECTIVE # 2OBJECTIVE # 2 Develop writing/creative writing Develop writing/creative writing

skillsskills

What measurement we use to know What measurement we use to know where our students stand?where our students stand?

What is our target?What is our target? How each grade will approach it?How each grade will approach it? What indicators will be used to know if we What indicators will be used to know if we

reached our target?reached our target?

OBJECTIVE # 3OBJECTIVE # 3 Using scientific inquiryUsing scientific inquiry

Where our students stand today?Where our students stand today? What is our target?What is our target? How each grade will approach it?How each grade will approach it? What indicators will be used to know What indicators will be used to know

if we reached our target?if we reached our target?

OBJECTIVE # 4OBJECTIVE # 4 Develop computation/problem Develop computation/problem

solving skillssolving skills

Where our students stand today?Where our students stand today? What is our target?What is our target? How each grade will approach it? How each grade will approach it? What indicators will be used to know What indicators will be used to know

if we reached our target?if we reached our target?

OBJECTIVE # 5OBJECTIVE # 5 Increase awareness of the worldIncrease awareness of the world

Where our students stand today?Where our students stand today? What is our target?What is our target? How each grade will approach it? How each grade will approach it? What indicators will be used to know What indicators will be used to know

if we reached our target?if we reached our target?

OBJECTIVE # 6OBJECTIVE # 6 Provide extra curricular activitiesProvide extra curricular activities

What present activities/clubs we have?What present activities/clubs we have? What possible extra curricular activities What possible extra curricular activities

we can provide?we can provide? What resources do we need?What resources do we need? Who will do what, how often?Who will do what, how often?

OBJECTIVE # 7OBJECTIVE # 7 Building student’s characterBuilding student’s character

What is our target?What is our target? How each grade will approach it?How each grade will approach it? What indicators will be used to know What indicators will be used to know

if we reached our target?if we reached our target? What is the role of the Arabic & What is the role of the Arabic &

Islamic Studies teachers?Islamic Studies teachers?

OBJECTIVE # 8OBJECTIVE # 8 Positive behavior modificationPositive behavior modification

Behavior issues in/out of classroom.Behavior issues in/out of classroom. What is our target?What is our target? How each grade will approach it?How each grade will approach it? What indicators will be used to know if What indicators will be used to know if

we reached our target?we reached our target? What is the role of the Arabic & What is the role of the Arabic &

Islamic Studies teachers?Islamic Studies teachers?

Tying up with next year 09-10Tying up with next year 09-10

Develop reading/comprehension skillsDevelop reading/comprehension skills In school assessmentsIn school assessments Read-at-home & use public librariesRead-at-home & use public libraries

Develop creative writing skillsDevelop creative writing skills Individual student writing portfoliosIndividual student writing portfolios More frequent writing assignment & formal More frequent writing assignment & formal

assessmentsassessments Take part in writing competitions & eventsTake part in writing competitions & events

Tying up with next year 09-10Tying up with next year 09-10

Improve critical thinking & analytical skillsImprove critical thinking & analytical skills Improve math & science activitiesImprove math & science activities

Develop computation/problem solving skillsDevelop computation/problem solving skills Math calculations/mechanics & solving Math calculations/mechanics & solving

problemsproblems

Put more emphasis on Qur’an, Arabic, & Islamic Put more emphasis on Qur’an, Arabic, & Islamic StudiesStudies

Building student characterBuilding student character

Tying up with next year 09-10Tying up with next year 09-10

Increase awareness of the world around usIncrease awareness of the world around us Incorporate into social studies program & Incorporate into social studies program &

school eventsschool events Know places around the world (sense of Know places around the world (sense of

location)location) Current events (what’s happening around Current events (what’s happening around

the world)the world) Provide more extracurricular activitiesProvide more extracurricular activities

Co-Curricular ActivitiesCo-Curricular Activities Spelling Bee Spelling Bee Geography BeeGeography Bee Creative WritingCreative Writing NewsletterNewsletter Science & Engineering DayScience & Engineering Day Sports DaySports Day History DayHistory Day Arabic ClubArabic Club Qur’an CompetitionQur’an Competition Islamic Studies CompetitionIslamic Studies Competition Field TripsField Trips

School’s Immediate Needs School’s Immediate Needs (NOW)(NOW) Expansion (more classrooms) Expansion (more classrooms)

2 LCD projectors2 LCD projectors 5 Laptop computers5 Laptop computers 10 Desktop computers (computer lab)10 Desktop computers (computer lab) 1 room for the science lab1 room for the science lab 10 Sturdy (wood or metal) library shelves10 Sturdy (wood or metal) library shelves More parents substituting for teachersMore parents substituting for teachers More parents volunteering in committeesMore parents volunteering in committees More meeting with the principal for More meeting with the principal for

school improvement or new ideas.school improvement or new ideas.

Looking ahead!Looking ahead! For the high school to be completed in four For the high school to be completed in four

years, we need to add: years, we need to add: Four to eight rooms moreFour to eight rooms more A school library A school library (with books!!!)(with books!!!) A physical science labA physical science lab A biology labA biology lab A chemistry labA chemistry lab A computer labA computer lab A gymnasium A gymnasium (ICCD)(ICCD) An art & craft centerAn art & craft center

AIS was built by parents, for AIS was built by parents, for students, and is managed by students, and is managed by

teachers & parents.teachers & parents.

AIS parents are the biggest source AIS parents are the biggest source of its strength.of its strength.

If we don’t volunteer to improve our If we don’t volunteer to improve our school, then who will?school, then who will?

Just as the Prophet Just as the Prophet (pbuh)(pbuh) gathered the gathered the Ummah after the Hijra, and Ummah after the Hijra, and

TOGETHER, built the first Masjid…TOGETHER, built the first Masjid…

One by One One by One & &

Brick by BrickBrick by Brick

AIS Information Technology

AIS Parent Teacher Org (PTO)

Community Outreach & PR

AIS Science & Engineering Club

Grants & Resources

AIS Sports Day AIS Spring Carnival AIS Yearbook

Parent Networking

AIS NewsletterAIS Library

AIS Cleanup &Beautification

ICCD Board of Trustees

AIS School Board

Principal

School Improvement Team

Staff

PTO

Parent Committees

SB Committees

How Do AIS Parent Committees Operate

• They plan & work independently

• They coordinate & schedule their events & activities with SB

• Committees are responsible for their own resources

• Committee goals & activities must be aligned with AIS goals

• SB support the work of all committees, but not manage them

What are we going to accomplish today?•Appoint a committee chair•Avoid group think & encourage diversity of ideas

•No more than 3 projects per committee•For each project, develop an action plan - What will be accomplished? - Why? Who? When? How? - Committee meeting times - Leader presents a written summary

School Grounds – Master PlanSchool Grounds – Master Plan

10, 000 Sq ftGymClass RoomsCafé/Lib Building

here?

All Parking here?

Work with Architect to develop Master Plan (5-8 yr plan) Figure out what can be done in Phase I How do we connect the buildings? How do we make play area better? What can be done for Route 5 frontage?

UNITS 667422/23

HVAC

HVAC

Hitch End

UNITS: 038946/038957

Hitch End

HVAC

HVAC

CORRIDOR TOSCHOOL

NEW PARTITIONS

NEW PARTITIONS

56'

56'

60'30'30'

8'56'

3 Classrooms

Canteen Admin Office

Science Computer/Lab

Gym

Accreditation Standards Accreditation Standards for Quality Schoolsfor Quality Schools

1) Beliefs & Mission 1) Beliefs & Mission The school communicates a vision, The school communicates a vision,

statement of beliefs, & mission that statement of beliefs, & mission that provide a focus for improving the provide a focus for improving the performance of both the students & the performance of both the students & the school. school.

2) Governance and Leadership 2) Governance and Leadership The school & governing board promote the The school & governing board promote the

capacity of stakeholders to improve capacity of stakeholders to improve student learning by providing appropriate student learning by providing appropriate

leadership, governance, & organization.leadership, governance, & organization. 3) Curriculum 3) Curriculum The school offers a research-based The school offers a research-based

curriculum that supports best practices & curriculum that supports best practices & clearly defines expectations for student clearly defines expectations for student learning. learning.

4) Instruction 4) Instruction The school employs instructional The school employs instructional

strategies & provides services that strategies & provides services that facilitate the learning for all students. facilitate the learning for all students.

5) Assessment & Evaluation 5) Assessment & Evaluation The school uses a comprehensive The school uses a comprehensive

assessment system to monitor and assessment system to monitor and evaluate student learning & to improve evaluate student learning & to improve curriculum & instruction. curriculum & instruction.

6) Resources 6) Resources The school has sufficient human, financial, The school has sufficient human, financial,

physical, & material resources to support physical, & material resources to support its vision, mission, & goals. its vision, mission, & goals.

7) Support Services for Student Learning 7) Support Services for Student Learning The school has a comprehensive program The school has a comprehensive program

of guidance & other services that supports of guidance & other services that supports the development & well being of all the development & well being of all

students. students.

8) Stakeholder Communications & 8) Stakeholder Communications & Relationships Relationships The school fosters effective The school fosters effective

communications & relationships with & communications & relationships with & among its stakeholders.among its stakeholders.

9) Citizenship 9) Citizenship The school helps students develop civic, The school helps students develop civic,

social, & personal responsibility. social, & personal responsibility.

10) Continuous Process of School 10) Continuous Process of School Improvement Improvement The school establishes, implements, & The school establishes, implements, & monitors a continuous process of monitors a continuous process of improvement that focuses on student improvement that focuses on student performance. performance.

Basic library requirementsBasic library requirements Elementary, Middle, & Secondary Elementary, Middle, & Secondary

Schools with enrollment in excess of Schools with enrollment in excess of 500 students must provide at least 500 students must provide at least 5,000 usable volumes (ratio 1:10).5,000 usable volumes (ratio 1:10).

Books available in electronic format Books available in electronic format

may be counted for up to 25% of the may be counted for up to 25% of the number of books required for the number of books required for the school.school.

U.S. accrediting agenciesU.S. accrediting agencies1) Southern Association of Colleges and 1) Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)Schools (SACS)2) Middle States Association of Colleges and 2) Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS)Schools (MSACS)3) New England Association of Schools and3) New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC)Colleges, Inc. (NEASC)4) North Central Association of Colleges and 4) North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)Schools (NCACS)5) Northwest Association of Accredited 5) Northwest Association of Accredited

Schools Schools (NAAS)(NAAS)6) Western Association6) Western Association (WA)(WA)