On May 22, 2010 the Mohammed Schools of Atlanta will host its Eighth AnnualMoonlight Ball 2010 in a National Educational Conference Weekend to celebrate thirty years of Islamic Independent Education! Our theme this year, “Sacrifice, Success, and Sustainability” captures the spirit of our past and present, and focuses on the vision for the future of Mohammed Schools. We are seeking your Sponsorship to support our Vision for success which is a critical part of the educational experience at Mohammed Schools.

“Sacrifice”- Thirty years ago, in 1980, a young community of African American Muslims banded together to continue the legacy of independent education established by Sister Clara Mohammed and her husband The Honorable Elijah Mohammed. This was a legacy steeped in honor, accountability, and perfection. With very little means, and many committed souls, a building was purchased, teachers were hired, tuition was scraped up by struggling parents, students were enrolled and the doors were opened to Clara Mohammed Elementary School.

“Success”- In 1988, six students who started in the Pre-K class in 1980, forged into new territory as Clara Mohammed School extended its grasp to High School. By adding on a single grade with the same students each year, the community was soon able to see its dream come into fruition by graduating its very first High School class in 1992. Through sacrifice, commitment, and service, we have graduated 18 Senior Classes, and have become the only African American, independent, fully accredited Islamic elementary, middle, and high school in the United States. Even more importantly, the Alumni numbers into the hundreds and have made significant marks in numerous fields of endeavors, including returning to work at Mohammed Schools.

“Sustainability”- Our ability to maintain the success we’ve achieved lies in the hands of our families, community, and supporters. Sponsorships are absolutely critical to our mission. As the US economy suffered some unfortunate losses during the global economic crisis, so did Mohammed Schools. But just as the US economy begins to re-establish itself as a financial leader, Mohammed Schools will re-establish itself as the leading force of Islamic education in the country. In a world of technology advancements and creative ingenuity, Mohammed Schools will not only prepare our students to compete in the global community, but we intend to remain at the forefront by producing Highly Educated Leaders and Noble Citizens of the World.

Thank you for your contribution to Mohammed Schools. Your tax-deductible gift will enable the school to continue its work of providing a world class education to all children.

Respectfully,
Crystal Shahid
Co-Chair, Mohammed Schools Moonlight Ball 2010
“The Power of Thirty!”

– Students can be signed out on Fridays no later than 12:30pm, and
do not have to return back from Jumah.

– On-going “Bullying” workshops are held at Mohammed Schools
and are conducted by Bayyinah Shaheed every Tuesday.

– We were blessed with a grant from Dr.Naim Ali, Al-Hamdulillah, for Life Skills and Abstinence Workshops every Friday from 2:30-3:30p. Please feel free to join us in our gender-orientated workshops. Send inquiries to aisha.squire@mohammedschools.org

“Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition.”
Sura 39, Ayat 09

“Ayats for Family Discussion”

With Allah’s Name, Most Gracious,Most Merciful

1.When comes the Help of God and Victory,
2.And thou dost see The People enter God’s Religion in crowds,
3.Celebrate the Praises of thy Lord, and pray for His Forgiveness:
For He is Oft-Returning (In Grace and Mercy).

Suratun Nasr
Sura 110
(A Meccan Sura)

February 2010

“An Overview of the SACS Review!”

Dear Parents,

Before you know it, we will be hosting our five year Quality Assurance Review (QAR) from Advance-Ed, our accrediting agency. We have submitted our Standards Assessment Report (SAR) and we are very pleased with our results. On Wednesday, February 3, 2010, we will have a Pre-Visit with our chairperson for the QAR visiting team, Ms.Pat Summers. During this meeting we will discuss the logistics for the upcoming visit such as hotel accommodations, transportation, and meal arrangements, as well as the schedule of activities for the 2 days.

During the visit, the team will interview the Director/Principal, the school leadership team, teachers, students, parents, Consultative Board members, and members of the community. The team will also examine artifacts and practices that provide evidence of the seven standards:
1.) Vision and Purpose
2.) Governance and Leadership
3.) Teaching and Learning,
4.) Documenting and Using Results,
5.) Resource and Support Systems,
6.) Stakeholder Communications and Relationships, and
7.) Commitment to Continuous Improvement.

These are the standards that accredited schools are expected to meet, and, In-sha-Allah, our school is in compliance with these standards.

Parents are needed on the logistics committee to help ensure that the visiting team is treated to the highest quality of hospitality. If you are interested in serving on the committee, please call Sis. Edwina at (404)378-1042. If you are willing to be interviewed by the team, please let Sis. Edwina know as well. Those being interviewed will meet with the leadership team and will receive a list of topics the team will discuss.

On another note, we are enlisting the support of all our families for our “Day of Majesty” fundraiser. It is a critical part of fulfilling the financial obligations of the school! We are gearing up for a wonderful weekend during Moonlight Ball, but before we can move forward on that, we MUST fulfill our obligations towards the Day of Majesty. We are asking that each students 3K-8th grade raise AT LEAST $150 towards this fundraiser. Each High School student, we are asking that they bring in $30 for the month of February. Those $30 represent 30 years of uninterrupted Islamic Independent Education! It is a mighty accomplishment to celebrate, and we know that you feel the same. For all families that do not feel compelled to participate in the “Day of Majesty”, please remember your obligation through your Fundraising Contract-that all students are obligated to participate at the $150 level.

Thank you for all that you do on behalf of the Mohammed Schools! May Allah continue to bless us with 30+ more years of Islamic Independent Education!

As-Salaam Alaikum

Safiyyah Shahid

DONATE BEFORE DECEMBER 31st, 2009!

The Mohammed Schools of Atlanta is in the business of instilling excellence in education, and your gift to The Mohammed Schools’ Year-End Annual Fund Campaign allow us to continue to make this happen.

Your Annual Fund gift helps enhance the quality that is Mohammed Schools of Atlanta: academic excellence through Islamic education, innovative teaching through continuing education for staff, school and facility upgrades, and technology advancements in every aspect of the school.

If you want to be a part of building the dreams of today’s students while ensuring them one of the finest educations available, then make your gift to the Mohammed Schools’ Year-End Annual Fund. You may choose to designate your gift to a specific purpose, and we will honor your request. Unrestricted gifts, however, give Mohammed Schools the maximum flexibility to respond to changing student, facility and overall school needs.

Please make your gift today! The Mohammed Schools of Atlanta’s fiscal year ends on June 30th, but these operating gifts are all the more important now as we adjust to challenges resulting from the economic downturn, and prepare for the 2nd Semester opening on January 4, 2010.


The Mohammed Schools of Atlanta is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization; all gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Thank you for including Mohammed Schools among your philanthropic priorities.



Sincerely,
Mohammed Schools Finance Office

For more information, or to make a payment directly to the Finance Office, please contact:
Zahporrah Shamsid-Deen at 404-378-4219 ext. 103
 zahporrah.shamsiddeen@mohammedschools.org

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Wednesday, December 2nd! Parents should always take advantage of the opportunity to meet with their student’s teachers. It only takes a few minutes, but what you walk away with can carry you and your student through the next grading period. For tips on how to prepare for a Parent/Teacher Conference, click here. http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-prepare-for-parent-teacher-conferences_67966.bc

The Soccer Banquet is right around the corner!! Attention all Soccer Fams!!! What an amazing Fall Soccer Season we had!!! And can we get a BIG “Hooray!” for Bro. Harold,our head of the Soccer Department!! He just worked overtime for the Parents, the players, and the whole soccer program!! Speaking of the Soccer Program, please be in attendance at the Soccer Awards Banquet on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 4 o’clock in the Gym!! Be there to experience the Season all over again, and join us as we pay tribute to Booker T. Rashad, one of our strongest supporters and long-time friend of Mohammed Schools!!!

Bake Sale II begins on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, and will last through the 16th. All orders will be available for pickup on Monday, the 21st and Tuesday, the 22nd. Get your Bake on!!!

Final Exams are December 21-24th!! Ask your student’s teacher at the Parent/Teacher Conference how to get prepared for Final Exams!

The Islamic Studies Department would like to thank Bro. Jesse Ahmed and Alumni Shakoor Rasheed for helping our middle school students with their Adhan calling classes! We would also like to thank Sis. Shamsid-Deen for the donation of the beautiful Qur’ans to the Islamic Studies department. Please be mindful that every Friday is “Father’s Day Friday”! That means that we encourage all community brothers, fathers, uncles, and alumni to come to the school and participate in “Brother-to-Brother”, assist the classes with the walks to Jumah, and assist in after-school duty with the entire student body.

• Each family is responsible for buying or selling 5 Eid Breakfast Tickets. Tickets MUST be picked up from the Fundraising Office by Friday, September 4th!
• Buy your student’s Math Book from the front office.
• Become a member of IPTSCA!

Reminder: School begins promptly at 8:00am
Elementary Dismissal- 3:30pm
High School Dismissal- 3:45pm
(Students must be picked up by 4:00pm daily!!!)***

PLEASE NOTE:
***URGENT*** We are soliciting Parent feedback regarding School opening for the last Eid day. Please send a note to the office, advise your homeroom teacher, or send an email to info@mohammedschools.org to let us know what you think! Thanks!

Student Physicals With fall just around the corner, Take Care Health Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walgreens (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG) and the largest and most comprehensive provider of convenient care clinics and worksite health and wellness centers in the country, is now offering camp and sports physicals at Take Care Clinics, located at select Walgreens drugstores throughout the nation. The physicals are administered by nationally certified Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants and are available for only $30 through September.

Math Books, Math Books, Math Books!! Many students still do not have their math books. They have been ordered and are at the school in the front office for payment and pick-up. If you haven’t paid for your student’s math book, please do so as soon as possible in the front office of the school.

This is a first come, first served offer of also receiving the workbook FREE!

K- $24
1ST & 2ND – $52
3RD -6TH – $57.50
7TH & 8TH – $51
(Advanced 7th & 8th – $54)

*Required Student Planners are also for sale in the front office
3rd – 4th Grades- $4
5th – 8th Grades- $5