Assalamu Alaikum RSA Family,

As the winter season wraps us in its chilly embrace, our school has been glowing with warmth, excitement, and creativity. From snow-inspired projects to school-wide celebrations and competitions, this past month has been filled with activities that spark joy and foster growth. In this newsletter, we are excited to share some of the special moments that have made this winter unforgettable, along with updates and upcoming events to keep you connected. Thank you for your continued support in making our school a vibrant and welcoming community!

🐝 RSA Spelling Stars Shine Bright! 🐝

On December 5th, our talented students from KG through 8th grade showcased their linguistic brilliance in the In-school Spelling Bee Round, impressing everyone as super spellers! 🌟 The finalists are gearing up to compete in the championship round on January 9th, with the winner set to represent RSA at the Hudson County Scripps Spelling Bee, on Saturday, February 8th. 📖✨

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated English Department teachers and supportive parents for nurturing our students' success. Let’s cheer on our spellers as they prepare for the next challenge! 🏆👏

RSA students from preschool to 8th grade mesmerized parents and audiences with their heartfelt performances, inspiring nasheeds, Arabic plays and powerful spoken word pieces in celebration of World Arabic Language Day. 🎶🎤

A big thank you to our incredible Arabic Department teachers and all the staff volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this event unforgettable. Your efforts brought the beauty and richness of the Arabic language to life. 🌟 Here's to celebrating culture, language, and community! 💙✨

📖 Annual Quran Competition: A Celebration of Faith and Excellence 📖

Students from preschool to 12th grade came together for the Annual Quran Competition, on December 12th, showcasing their remarkable Quran memorization and recitation skills with proper Tajweed. 🌟 Their dedication and effort truly embody the spirit of excellence and devotion.

A special thanks to our Quranic Studies Department teachers and the volunteer judges who devoted their time and expertise to make this event a success.

Stay tuned for the award ceremony date, set to take place in January! 🏆

May our students continue to grow in their love and understanding of the Quran.

Congratulations to the RSA High School Debate Team for their stellar performance at the HSPDP Tournament held at Hackley School in NY, on December 14th! 🎉 Our talented debaters brought home an impressive 3rd place win, showcasing their eloquence, critical thinking, and teamwork in every round. 🌟

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated RSA debate coaches and the amazing volunteers who supported our team throughout the day. Your guidance and encouragement made this achievement possible! 🙌 Here's to more success ahead this season! 🎤✨

The lower elementary halls are sparkling with creativity, learning, and school spirit this winter! 🌟 From snowflakes to cozy winter scenes, each bulletin board beautifully reflects our students’ imagination and their love for learning. 🎨❄️

A big shoutout to our talented students and dedicated teachers for making the season come alive with such inspiring displays. Your work brightens our school and warms our hearts! Stop by and admire their work—it’s sure to warm your heart this winter season. 👏

AP Psychology students delved into the complex and often dark history of intelligence testing through thought-provoking presentations. Their projects examined topics such as eugenics, Alfred Binet’s Mental Age Testing, the WWI Army Alpha and Beta Tests, the Eugenics Movement in the United States, and Nazi Eugenics, including child euthanasia in Germany.

Through critical analysis and in-depth research, students shed light on the ethical implications and historical lessons tied to these practices. 🌟 Kudos to our AP Psychology students for their exceptional work in exploring this challenging yet important subject! 👏

In Sr. Sumaiya's Language Arts class, 3rd grade students unleashed their imaginations, picturing themselves on snowy slopes and cozy winter days. Using their creative writing skills, they beautifully expressed what they do and feel during the winter season, from enjoying snowy adventures to cuddling up with a good book. 📚✨

Their stories captured the magic and warmth of winter—truly a testament to their creativity and growing writing talents! 🌟❄️ Great job, 3rd graders! 👏

In Sr. Wafa's Science class, 2nd graders got hands-on with a sweet experiment to learn about weathering and erosion! 🍪 Using cookies, straws, water, and toothpicks, they explored wind erosion by blowing air, simulated rain softening the “landscape,” and mimicked mechanical weathering by breaking cookies into smaller pieces.

This engaging activity brought science concepts to life, sparking curiosity and critical thinking in our young learners. 🌟 Great job, 2nd grade scientists—learning has never been this fun (or delicious)! 👏✨

Sr. Susan’s Literacy Class in KG is making learning fun and interactive! 🌟 Students reeled in sight words with a “fishing” activity 🎣, built sentences with Headband games, and practiced CVC words in a snowy-themed “Let It Snow” challenge. ❄️✨

These creative activities are helping our young learners build essential reading and writing skills while having a blast. Great job, KG stars! 🌟👏 Keep up the amazing work!

 In Sr. Salma’s Math class, preschoolers are mastering numbers 1-5 through engaging activities that practice one-to-one correspondence and introduce the concept of composing numbers. 🧮✨ Along the way, they’re also reinforcing their knowledge of colors, making learning both educational and vibrant! 🌟

Our young mathematicians are off to a great start—way to go, preschoolers!

The Mission of

Rising Star Academy

Rising Star Academy strives to develop an enriched learning community by providing an inclusive and secure environment. We aim to promote student well-being in order to build and maintain a generation of leaders through faith, academic excellence, leadership, and Islamic values.