ICNA AL-MARKAZ
Rising Stars
Islamic School
Rising Stars is “The Home of the Future Leaders”. Students are respectful, self-disciplined, productive citizens who think critically, make informed decisions and act ethically. We educate, empower, and encourage all students to become caring, contributing citizens who can succeed in an ever-changing world.
Rising Stars is committed to focusing on high expectations, individual academic success, strengthening the Muslim identity and creating a community of respect and responsibility. We recognize the differing circumstances and needs of our students and are dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes for all.
Our aim is to provide an inclusive educational environment, where students of diverse backgrounds feel safe and inspired to become life-long learners. Rising Stars nurtures academic excellence and strong Islamic values of character.
Rising Stars Islamic School
Accomplishments
Started with 60 Students - Currently 121 Students
Successfully adding Additional Grades
Serving Grades PreK-5
Pre-K for All - Funded by NYC Dept. of Education
Approval of BEDS
Providing Title 1 Services
School Safety Training
Providing Student Counseling
Smart Boards in Classrooms
Winner of Inter-Islamic School Spelling Bee Competition
Winner of National Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Contest
Winner of Inter-Islamic School Speech Competition
Rising StarsIslamic School
PRINCIPAL'S
MESSAGE
Assalaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu
“Learning for All…All for Learning”
I am honored and delighted to be the Principal of an outstanding organization like Rising Stars Islamic School. It is my pleasure to welcome you to Rising Stars Islamic School. Rising Stars has dedicated and talented teachers who are motivated to help every student succeed. One of my goals, as principal, is to support and promote the established foundation of collaboration between teachers, and further promote the highest degree of education for every child ensuring continued growth. In Shaa Allah, our teachers will continue to work together to develop the most effective teaching strategies to ensure students are truly grasping the main concepts of the New York State Common Core Curriculum in every classroom.
We are fortunate to have a strong community at Rising Stars. There are numerous ways for parents to stay involved with their child’s school from chaperoning trips, fundraisers, to food drives. Alhumdulillah, I am thrilled with the amount of support I have seen from our outstanding parents, students and the community. I firmly believe in open and meaningful dialogue between the school and home. We are a community school that provides a rigorous academic education through a standards-based approach while working to develop good character in our students. We have an open-door policy where parents and community members are welcome to visit, observe and offer suggestions. Working together we will raise the bar of expectation and challenge our students. Rising Stars is, has been and will continue to be an excellent educational organization, In Shaa Allah. The heart of any school begins and ends with the people who enter it every day, from the staff, to the students and finally, their families. As principal, I will continue to work to build a community where each and every one of those people, when asked where they work or attend school, will respond with a sense of intense pride in stating: Rising Stars Islamic School.
We hope this will be a successful and satisfying year for all. We welcome your participation and support during the school year. By working together, InshaAllah we will be able to reach our collective and individual goals. May Allah, our Lord and Creator, help us and provide great rewards for our children, both in this life and in the next… Aameen.
Sincerely,
Sr. Fauzia Khondker
RISING STARS ISLAMIC SCHOOL
MISSION
Education in Islam is an obligation on both males and females. Therefore, the establishment of a superior educational institution is obligatory on us as a Muslim community. The Rising Stars Islamic School has been established with the twin goals of fulfilling our Islamic obligations with regards to worldly knowledge, as well as to provide our younger generation with clear spiritual direction in life. In short, we believe in achieving the best in this life as well as the best in the Hereafter.
The Rising Stars Islamic School is a dynamic institution, which offers parents and students an Islamically oriented environment contained within the modern educational method. The school is free from nearly every potential danger inherent in the public education system. Within a dignified and supportive setting, the school promotes academic excellence, creative development, critical reasoning skills and the highest possible cognitive abilities. Students will learn to live Islam, as well as understand that they must neither reject this world nor prefer it over the Hereafter.
The school is blessed with a large masjid facility on premise which allows for the holding of regular Zuhr and Jumu’ah prayers. In addition, all Islamic holidays are observed, and special events in the history of Islam are highlighted and celebrated. Other features include region-wide speech competition, field trips, Eid activities, newsletter publications, and other memorable and exciting events.
InshaAllah, as each year passes, you will see a growth in the perks and special tools available to the students. Perhaps the greatest advantage for the students is the Islamic atmosphere: following the Sunnah of Rasoolullah (S) in the school, discipline in the class which allows children to learn, Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood to foster a sense of belonging, and more individualized attention from instructors. Collectively, these characteristics bless the students with greater opportunities to excel intellectually and spiritually.
The policies, rules and regulation summarized in this manual have been conceived so that the entire school community may live in harmony and safety and thereby take full advantage of the unique educational process of the Rising Stars Islamic School. May Allah (SWT) give us strength in carrying out these goals, and may He (SWT) help us preserve Islam among our children and the generations to come…Aameen.
Rising Stars Islamic School
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The Rising Stars Islamic School affirms that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad, peace be upon him, is His servant and messenger
We promote the proposition that Islam is the only way of life, established by Allah, which can bring success both in this life as well as in the hereafter.
We promote the appreciation of lifelong learning within an environment of excellence.
We recognize and value the individuality of every student, challenging each to his or her full potential.
We educate the whole child, helping him or her to acquire skills to ensure a lifelong physical, spiritual and mental well being.
As a family-oriented school, we believe that a partnership exists between the home and the school, which must be utilized to bring maximum benefit to the student.
We appreciate and seek to learn from our cultural differences in the context of our one, united Islamic community.
We seek out and nurture outstanding Muslim faculty and teachers who love young people, Islam, and teaching.
Our curriculum and instructional methods not only keep pace with, but also surpasses the most excellent programs available.
Individual attention and small class size is the key to bringing out the best potential of every student.
We are the role models for our students. We must practice first what we would teach to others.
RISING STARS ISLAMIC SCHOOL
FACULTY & STAFF
The Rising Stars Islamic School seeks out those teachers who have the best academic credentials and who also demonstrate conviction to follow the Islamic way of life. This is the minimum requirement in order to be a teacher in the Rising Stars Islamic School. We have an effective mix of instructors combining experience from public school, colleges, private schools and other relevant vocations.
The faculty and staff are committed to the educational growth of all our children. They are qualified in the fields of English, Math, Arabic, Science, Islam, Social Studies, and Literature. In addition, every one of our teachers has other knowledge that will be of future benefit to our children’s growth as Rising Stars Islamic School expands such as Spanish, Creative Writing, and etc. The Rising Stars Islamic School has indeed been fortunate to have a principal, faculty, staff and volunteers who are dedicated to the cause of Education and a strong Islamic community. May Allah (SWT) give us all the strength and ability to make our goals a reality…Aameen.
RISING STARS ISLAMIC SCHOOL
SCHOOL HOURS
The school day officially begins every morning with an assembly at 8:00 A.M. students should be on the school premises by 8:00 A.M. Students are dismissed daily at 3:00P.M. Parents who are transporting their children are urged to pick them up at dismissal time.
Rising Stars Islamic School
HEALTH &
MEDICATION
Immunizations: “No Shots, No School.” All students entering for the first time are required to have proof of immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, mumps, measles, and rubella. If a child is sick, please keep him/her at home. A Perfect Attendance award is not worth putting other children and staff members at risk for infection.
RISING STARS ISLAMIC SCHOOL
PROCEDURES FOR
STUDENT ENROLLMENT
Basic requirements for student enrollment:
Copy of Birth Certificate
Original
Health Card
Copy of Record Request for Transfer
(request should show enrollment date and parent/guardian signature if possible)
Copy of
The Utility Bill.
RISING STARS ISLAMIC SCHOOL
LUNCH
Students are required to bring lunch from home or are bought from school. They are discouraged from bringing lunches, which contain too many fatty, sweet foods and instead are requested to bring healthy, wholesome meals. Haraam foods, alcohol related products, etc. are strictly forbidden. Students are also expected to bring a healthy snack.
During the lunch break, students will report to their designated lunch areas. Their lunchroom supervisor will dismiss them when their eating area is clean and tidy.
RISING STARS ISLAMIC SCHOOL
CHANGE IN
STUDENT INFORMATION
RISING STARS ISLAMIC SCHOOL
INCLEMENT WEATHER
When severe weather creates hazardous conditions, the regular school schedule may be suspended to ensure students’ safety. It is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to monitor news reports via television and radio stations. If public schools in the same area are closed, generally we are closed too. There will always be somebody in the office to answer the phone calls during the school hours.
Rising Stars Islamic School
THINGS YOU CAN DO TO
HELP YOUR CHILD LEARN
Start each day right a calm beginning at home helps children focus in school.
Encourage your child to have a good breakfast. Make certain that your child sleeps enough each night. (9-10 hours of sleep is recommended for children in 3rd grade or below, and 8-9 hours of sleep for children in 4 grades and above.)
Praise your child each day for something he/she has done. Have a special place to put schoolwork or things brought home.
Laugh and talk with your child about school experiences and listen to what is said about your child's school day experiences.
If the child is ill, home is the best place otherwise, your child needs to be at school every school day.
Keep the lines of communication open between yourself and your child's teacher. Inform the teacher of any family situation which could influence your child's behavior. Also, if he/she is reluctant to go to school, let the teacher know so that together we can find the reason.
Regularly take your child to the library and encourage reading for pleasure.
Stress organization of school notebooks, materials, etc.
Provide pencils, glue, scissors, paper, and all other required school supplies for your child to use.
Review the skills taught at school during child’s free time at home.
RISING STARS ISLAMIC SCHOOL
FIRE DRILLS
Every precaution is taken to ensure the safety of all children in case of an emergency. Periodic fire drills are executed so that students learn proper safety procedures and adhere to all safety guidelines.
RISING STARS ISLAMIC SCHOOL
comprehensive
curriculum includes
Students are required to study the following subjects, in the context of the guidelines provided by the Education Department of the State of New York – Common Core Curriculum:
- Study of the Qur’an
- Arabic Language and Islamic Studies
- NYS Board of Education Common Core Curriculum
including Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies - Cognitive Development
- Healthy Competitions
- Trips and Outdoor Activities
- Arts and Crafts
RISING STARS ISLAMIC SCHOOL
HOMEWORK
Homework is assigned daily in class. Parents are urged to establish study hours at home during the week. Homework and various other assignments are given for several reasons: to review and clarify concepts, to apply those concepts, to reinforce the material presented in class, and to further enhance critical thinking skills.
Homework and assignment policies are as follows:
Students are expected to complete assigned work by the established due dates provided by the teachers.
Late homework must be accompanied by a legitimate excuse. Without such an excuse, the assignment grade will be lowered as a penalty.
Students who do not hand in assignment on time will receive no credit for that assignment.
Students who fail to hand in three or more assignments within a marking period risk a failing grade for that subject. Students will have the week in which they return to school after an absence to turn in any missing assignments.
All graded homework assignments returned to students must be kept until the end of the marking period. They must be available on demand by the teacher.
RISING STARS ISLAMIC SCHOOL
TESTS &
EXAMINATIONS
RISING STARS ISLAMIC SCHOOL
PARENT-TEACHER
CONFERENCES
Regular conferences are held during the school year. A teacher may contact parents through other means such as sending notes home, phone calls, special conferences, etc.
We welcome your requests for conferences. It is very important that you know what is going on with your child at school. Please schedule all conferences by calling the office. At this time, the secretary will assist you in arranging a conference with your child’s teacher. Parents are not allowed to approach teachers during school hours without prior appointment; in such a case, teachers have the right to refuse the meeting.
Rising Stars Islamic School
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY
Honesty and integrity in academic matters is essential in order to ensure that knowledge is transmitted effectively. More importantly, Islam places the utmost importance upon being truthful in all aspects of life: social, business affairs, familial as well as academic.
Plagiarism is not only immoral, it is illegal. When a student cheats or copies the hard work of others, he not only prevents himself from gaining the benefit of education, but he/she also steals the rights of others who went through the work and studied hard for the recognition. It is unfair and wrong for a person to gain awards and high grades if he/she truly did not earn them. Hence, violations of basic honesty with regards to homework, class work, tests, exams, etc. may result in failing or even expulsion.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
POLICY IS AS FOLLOWS
- All students will receive a copy of this manual and the issue of academic integrity will be discussed in class so that every child will know the consequences and dangers of dishonesty.
- Each teacher carries out his or her daily class business with justice and fairness and makes the students aware of his or her expectations concerning homework, tests, etc.
- If any student is caught copying the work of another, then both the one who cheated, as well as the one who let them cheat, will receive a “no credit” mark for that particular assignment. This will count as missing homework that cannot be made up.
- If the problem persists, then the appropriate steps will be taken, including: 1) Conference with the student over the issue,2) Conference with the parents, and 3) Expulsion.
STUDENT PERMANENT RECORD
Rising Stars Islamic School maintains a permanent file for every student in which grades, awards, special notes as well as any infractions are recorded. The purpose of this is to be able to be fair and just when evaluating their performance needs, and for sending of transcripts to other educational institutions upon request. This information is not available to the general public and can only be released to other schools upon formal request. The principal handles all matters in connection with student records.
RISING STARS ISLAMIC SCHOOL
DISCIPLINARY PROCESS
The procedure for determining consequences after infractions have occurred includes:
- Parents are contacted.
- Parent/Teacher conference is called.
- Parent/Teacher/Principal conference is held.
- Student receives detention, suspension, or expulsion.
When the teacher dismisses the students to make wudu for their Salaah, the following rules must be strictly followed: Students will make their wudu as quickly as possible and then return to their classroom. The teacher will take the students to the Masjid where they will perform their Salaah. After the Salaah is finished they will return to their classroom.
School attendance is the cornerstone to receiving the maximum benefits from any educational atmosphere. When the child is absent, they lose valuable instruction time; they fall behind their peers and may suffer from anxiety and frustration at having to catch-up. Therefore, students and parents are urged to make every effort to ensure regular, punctual attendance.
The school year consists of 180 days. Official school hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is mandatory for all enrolled students to attend in all aspects of the assigned curriculum. No students will be allowed to leave school grounds during official school hours unless the parent or legal guardian has made a proper request in the office. Parents are required to pick up their children at exact dismissal time. The specific policies for students’ absences are outlined below.
It is incumbent on the parent or guardian to notify the school if a student will be absent. Long-term absence of fifteen days or more may result in failure for the term. Parents must see the principal before making decisions for a long-term absence of their child/children. Students who are absent for more than one month will NOT be allowed to take New York State Exams.
RISING STARS ISLAMIC SCHOOL
DRESS CODE &
REGULATIONS
We expect our students to dress modestly and follow uniform policy. Any child in defiance of this policy will be sent home and repeat offenders may suffer grade point average loss.
DRESS REGULATIONS: GIRLS
DRESS REGULATIONS: GIRLS
All boys are required to wear gray pants/slacks, a light blue shirt, a gray vest or sweater in winter, socks and black shoes (no laces).
RISING STARS ISLAMIC SCHOOL
SPECIAL NEEDS &
COUNSELING
Rising Stars Islamic School currently has no specific arrangements for teaching students with special education requirements or students with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Limited tutoring is available for students who have fallen behind in certain subjects. Counseling needs are handled on an ad-hoc basis involving students, parents and the office. However, the Rising Stars Islamic School has no specific arrangements at this time nor does it take any responsibility in this regard.
RISING STARS ISLAMIC SCHOOL
PARENTS' INVOLVEMENT
Parental participation is critical to the academic success of the student. Therefore, all parents are urged to become part of the Rising Stars Islamic School’s learning and teaching community by donating their time, energy, and expertise.
RISING STARS ISLAMIC SCHOOL
FUNDRAISING
Operating a school requires a great deal of money. Parents are strongly encouraged to participate in all fundraising activities of the school. They should actively seek to include their relatives, friends, and other members of the community as well. Our goal is to produce leaders for this nation who can take the responsibility of bringing Islam to the masses.