Assalamu Alaikum RSA Family,
As we wrap up a vibrant and productive Fall season, it is a perfect moment to reflect on the many highlights that made this time of the year so special in our school community. From the excitement of welcoming new faces at the start of the school year to the joy of Fall festivals, academic achievements, and extracurricular milestones, the past months have been filled with growth, learning, and connection. In this newsletter, we will celebrate some of the standout moments and share updates as we look ahead to the rest of the school year.
Let’s take a stroll through the heartwarming stories and updates that showcase the spirit of RSA's school community!
| |
RSA High School Debate Shines in Season Opener | |
RSA Debate Team kicks off the Season at Dwight School in NYC on November 9th! Our talented debaters dove into thoughtful discussions, sharpening their public speaking, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. Whether they are debating current events, philosophy, or policy, these debaters are learning how to present ideas clearly and persuasively - skills that will benefit them for life! A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated high school debate coaches, Sr. Fadia Darwish and Sr. Samar Said, for their guidance, encouragement, and expertise that help our students succeed and grow! | |
Honor Society Fall Festival:
A Celebration of Creativity and Community!
| |
On November 22nd, RSA Honor Society hosted a vibrant Fall Festival for students in grades 1st through 8th, filled with artistic expression and seasonal fun! The event was a delightful celebration of autumn, where students engaged in various art-themed activities that ignited their creativity and fostered a sense of community.
From crafting colorful leaf collages to painting pumpkins, each activity allowed our young artists to explore their talents while embracing the beauty of the fall season. Students collaborated in groups, sharing ideas and techniques, which not only enhanced their artistic skills but also strengthened friendships.
Thank you to our dedicated Honor Society members and advisor, Sr. Tamam Musabeh, for organizing such a memorable event. We look forward to more opportunities for our students to shine and express themselves in the future!
| |
High School Students Shine in HCCC Leadership Summit & North Hudson STEM Science Fair | |
On November 18th, Our talented high school students participated in the HCCC Leadership Summit and the North Hudson STEM Science Fair, showcasing their incredible skills and creativity!
At the Leadership Summit, students learned valuable skills in teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. They had the chance to meet inspiring leaders and discuss ways to make a positive impact in their communities.
Meanwhile, the North Hudson STEM Science Fair was a fantastic opportunity for our young scientists to present their innovative projects.
We are so proud of our students for their outstanding participation and achievements! Keep up the great work, future leaders and scientists!
| |
RSA Little Stars Shine Bright: دال دراجة | |
In Sr. Nisreen Alabbasi's Arabic classes, our little stars in Preschool, TKG, and KG had a delightful outdoor activity riding their bikes to learn the letter د (دال دراجة). Combining fun and learning, this hands-on experience and outdoor activity brought the joy of language to life! Sr. Nisreen Alabbasi's classes are always buzzing with creativity and joy!
Great learning happens here every day!
| |
Exploring Their Futures: RSA High School Students Attend RSA's Fall College Fair! | |
On November 21st, our high school students had the incredible opportunity to attend RSA's Fall College Fair! High School Students were engaged in meaningful conversations with admissions representatives, explored various academic programs, and gathered valuable insights into the college application process. The event not only inspired our students to think critically about their future educational paths but also provided them with the resources they need to make informed decisions. | |
Reading Together, Spreading Kindness: School-Wide Reading Buddies! | |
The week of November 11th was RSA's Kindness Week, where a School-Wide Reading Buddies event took place! This heartwarming initiative brought together our high school and middle school students with our early childhood and elementary students for a day dedicated to reading and fostering connections.
Stories celebrating empathy, compassion, and understanding were read aloud, inspiring our younger learners while providing our older students the opportunity to model leadership and mentorship.
The Reading Buddies program is a cherished tradition at RSA, promoting literacy, community, and mutual respect among our students. Watching our students of all ages come together and engage with one another through the joy of reading is truly inspiring.
Thank you to all the teachers and staff who made this event possible.
| |
Sweet Treats at RSA: PTO Brings the "Glazed & Confused"
Donuts Truck!
| |
A huge thank you to our amazing PTO for hosting the delicious "Glazed & Confused" Donuts Truck fundraiser! Your efforts brought joy to our school community while supporting important programs and initiatives. We appreciate everyone who participated and made this event a sweet success! | |
A Fun-Filled Fall Apple Picking Trip at Alstede Farm | |
Our school-wide apple picking trip to Alstede Farm in Chester was a delightful fall adventure for students of all ages! The day was packed with excitement as students enjoyed apple picking, interacted with friendly farm animals, and indulged in delicious glazed donuts and apple cider. A hayride through the scenic farm added an extra touch of fun and seasonal charm.
This memorable outing was not only an opportunity to explore the beauty of autumn but also a chance to build connections and create lasting memories for students, staff and parents. Thank you to all the staff and chaperones who helped make this day a wonderful experience for our students!
| |
Sneak Peek in RSA's Classrooms! | |
Sr. Asmaa's 9th Biology Class | |
In their STEM Biology Lab at Hudson Community College, 9th grade students conducted an engaging experiment to explore the process of diffusion. By using hands-on techniques and real-world applications, they observed how substances move across membranes. This interactive lab deepened their understanding of a fundamental biological concept and fostered their curiosity about the natural world. Great job, budding scientists! | |
Sr. Lujain's Students Building Clocks to Learn Numbers in Arabic! | |
3rd and 4th grade students participated in an exciting Arabic clock-building activity to practice numbers in Arabic! By constructing their own clocks, they combined hands-on creativity with Arabic language learning, reinforcing their understanding of Arabic numerals in a fun and memorable way. Great job, Arabic learners! | |
Sr. Mariam's 1st Graders Explore Math Fact Families! | |
Our 1st graders have been learning math fact families in a fun and interactive way! Using beans as counters, they explored addition and subtraction concepts, making math both engaging and hands-on. Way to go, budding mathematicians! | |
Sensory Fun with Alphabets & Numbers in Sr. Zahia's TKG Class! | |
Our TKG students have been busy using different sensory stations to practice their alphabets & numbers! This hands-on approach allows them to engage with learning in a playful and interactive way, helping to reinforce letter & number recognition and fine motor skills. Great work, future readers! | |
Sr. Salma's Preschoolers Explore Trees and Fall Colors | |
Our preschoolers had a wonderful time exploring the theme of trees through a creative and hands-on activity! Using droppers, they carefully applied vibrant fall colors to tree art, bringing their creations to life. This fun project not only celebrated the beauty of autumn but also helped develop their fine motor skills in an engaging and playful way. Great job, little artists! | |
In-School Spelling Bee Round
December 5th & 6th, 2024
| The 5 finalists from grades KG-8 will be competing in the second round of Spelling Bee. Parents are welcome to attend at 8:30 AM. | | |
Middle School Debate Tournament #1
December 7th, 2024
| Middle School Debaters Take the Stage: First Tournament of the Year! | | |
Annual Pre-K to 12th Quran Competition
December 12th, 2024
| From Preschool to 12th Grade: Showcasing Quranic Excellence! Our first Quran competition of the year highlights students' dedication and memorization achievements. | | |
High School Debate Tournament #2
December 14th, 2024
| Once again, RSA high school debaters will showcase their public speaking skills in the second tournament of the year! | | |
Annual Arabic World Language Day Celebration
December 18, 2024
| Celebrating Arabic Language and Culture: Annual World Language Day for Grades PreK-8. Parents are welcome to attend at 9:00 AM. | | |
Winter Break
Dec 23rd, 2024 - Jan 3rd, 2025
| School is out for Winter Break! Wishing everyone a warm and relaxing holiday. School will reopen on Monday, January 6th, 2025 | | |
NJIT Science Olympiad Tournament
January 8th, 2025
| RSA Middle School and High School Science Olympiad Teams gear up for the regional competition at NJIT! | | |
Championship Spelling Bee Round
January 9th, 2025
| This will be our final Spelling Bee round for the year. The finalist will be joining the Hudson County Scripps Spelling Bee Tournament on February 8th, 2025. | | |
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.
| |
Rising Star Academy
4613 Cottage Place
Union City, NJ 07087
Phone: 201-758-5590
Fax: 201-758-5590
| | | | | |