The Jar of Blessings & a Spiritual Cup

AFA Connects | March 28, 2025

Dates to Remember

Mar. 31 - Apr. 1 - Eid Holiday (School Holiday)

Apr. 2 - Pizza Day Resumes

Apr. 3 - Field Trip (Grade 8)

Apr. 8 - Field Trip (Preschool & Grade 5)

Apr. 14-18 - Spring Break (No School)

Apr. 23 - Market Day - Grade 1 (volunteer sign-up)

Apr. 23 - Field Trip (Grade 7)

Apr. 25 - Art Night!

Apr. 25 - Embry Rucker Meals (Grade 5)

Apr. 30 - Spring Picture Day

May 2 - Field Day (volunteer sign-up to be shared)

May 4 - Spring Board Townhall (Mandatory)

AY 24/25 Calendar

PTO Corner

Join the PTO Whatsapp Group here!

Watch this space for volunteer opportunities and PTO-sponsored events:

View Volunteer Opportunities here

Log Volunteer Hours here

RSVP Here

Volunteer for Art Night Here

Eid Khutba with

Utstadh Ismail!

We are happy to share that our Head of School, Ustadh Ismail, will be delivering the Eid Khutba for ADAMS Ashburn on March 30, 2025 at 9:45AM, in shaa Allah. We look forward to his message and this continued connection to the community as we carry the lessons of Ramadan forward throughout the year.

Students, families, and community members are welcome to attend and celebrate Eid together.

Musalla Moments

Muezzin for the Week:

Thank you Humza from grade 5 for making a beautiful adhan this week.

Monday Quran Recitation

Muqri‘a Tessneem from 6th grade recited verses from the beginning of Sūrat al-Baqara. Ustadh Ismail mentioned how Surat al-Baqara talks about the Quran as a guidance for the people of taqwa. Since fasting in Ramadan helps us increase our taqwa, we will naturally emphasize the role of the Quran in our lives. While many people think about finishing the Quran in Ramadan, we should think of our engagement with the Quran as a beginning to something that will last long after Ramadan is over.

Tuesday Teacher Telling

Ustadha Mariam shared various scenes towards the end of the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. She read from The Simple Seerah by Sh. Asim Khan and his recounting of the final moments of the Messenger. The story emphasized the role of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in our lives and that we should strive to have a deep connection with him. Allah was always his priority and he left a legacy of people who are always striving to do better and please their nurturer, Allah (s).

Wednesday Wonders

We were joined by Br. Mustafa, principal of Pinnacle Academy. As a reminder to students, Ustadh Ismail discussed how Ramadan is a means of “filling our [spiritual] cup,” when we feel like we’re emptying our bodies of food and drink. The Prophet ﷺ was the most generous in Ramadan, because he would be filled with the Quran in the nights of Ramadan. Many Muslims over the centuries would use Ramadan as a time to take on tremendous tasks. One such instance was the Malê Slave Revolt in Bahia, Brazil in 1835. Muslims who were enslaved chose the month of Ramadan to stand for justice and fight for their freedom. Even though we might think we feel weak and unable to do something as physically taxing as fighting, the Muslims of Brazil knew that Ramadan would fill their cups in a way that it could not be filled otherwise. We should try our best in these last nights of Ramadan to “fill our cups” and we may experience openings we never could have imagined.

Thursday Throwback

Ustadha Roua told a story of the companion Khubayb ibn Adiyy, radi Allahu ‘anhu. After the battle of Badr, Khubayb was taken captive and brought to Makkah. Eventually, the Quraysh decided they were going to execute Khubayb. Before they were going to kill him, he asked to pray two short rak’at. Afterwards, he turned to the leaders of Quraysh and openly made du‘a that Allah stop their injustice. He also said: “O Allah, I do not have anyone to convey my salaam to Your Messenger, so convey my salaam to him.” As he was killed by Quraysh, Angel Jibril went to the Prophet Muhammad in Madina and conveyed Khubayb’s salaam to him. This story shows us the deep love the companions had for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, as well as their unwavering courage to stand up for the truth!

Jumu'ah Khutba - No School

Click here to see the AFA Musalla Manners reminders

Highlights from this week in school!

Students continue to explore new concepts this year. Make sure to ask your AFAer what they learned today!

Take a peek at what we did this week...

The Jar of Blessings: A Ramadan Art Tradition

Throughout Ramadan, Ms. Nadia continues a beloved tradition of the “Jar of Blessings.” This month-long activity invites all students to contribute by writing down things they are grateful for and placing them in the Jar of Blessings!

From heartfelt messages about family and friends to appreciation for everyday blessings, the jar fills up as the month progresses—serving as a visual reminder of gratitude, kindness, and reflection. It’s a wonderful way for our school community to come together and celebrate the spirit of Ramadan. Students get to find out the Top 10 things AFAers are grateful for when we return from the Eid holiday, in shaa Allah.

Explore 8th Graders Get Creative with Rube Goldberg Machines

Our 8th graders had a blast recently building their own Rube Goldberg machines as part of their Simple Machines unit. Using everyday items like recycled materials, ramps, and textbook, they created all kinds of contraptions to perform simple tasks in the most complicated ways possible.

From popping balloons to pouring water, their machines were as imaginative as they were clever. The project was a fun way to explore concepts like levers, pulleys, and inclined planes while also flexing their creativity and problem-solving skills.

1st Grade Explores Natural Resources

Our 1st graders are on their unit about natural resources and having so much fun along the way! As part of their learning, they brought in their own natural resources from home to share with the class—everything from rocks and leaves to flowers and shells.

Through exploring and discussing their collections, students are learning to identify resources that come from the earth, how we use them in our daily lives, and how to appreciate Allah’s beautiful creation. It’s a wonderful way to connect science with gratitude and wonder!

How Much Fresh Water is on the Planet: A 5th Grade Science Lab

Our 5th graders recently combined their science and math skills in a meaningful lesson about Earth’s water distribution. As part of their ongoing math unit on calculating volume, students measured and poured different amounts of water into containers to represent saltwater and freshwater. This lab helped them visualize the imbalance between the two and reinforced their understanding of volume.

They then created pie charts to represent how much freshwater is available on Earth, tying this lesson to the Quran’s mention of the two types of water Allah created. In Surah Al-Furqan (25:53), Allah says, "Allah is the One who has created the two seas, one sweet and fresh, the other salty and bitter, and He has placed a barrier between them, preventing them from mixing." This connection deepened their appreciation of how Allah has perfectly balanced the water on Earth, encouraging both scientific exploration and gratitude for this precious resource.

It was a powerful way to integrate math, science, and faith, giving students a deeper understanding of the natural world and the importance of preserving water.

AFA Hoodie Day!

We had AFA Hoodie Day this week, where everyone was invited to wear their favorite hoodie to school! Whether it was an AFA hoodie or a cozy one from home, students, teachers, and staff all joined in the fun, bringing school spirit and warmth to the day.

It was a wonderful way to promote unity and comfort, and a chance for everyone to show off their personal style. The smiles were contagious, and the school was filled with a sense of togetherness and pride!

We’re already looking forward to the next Hoodie Day!

AFA Spelling Bee Champion Shines at Regional Competition

We are so proud to announce that our school’s Spelling Bee winner, Humza R. (Grade 5), recently competed at the Regional Spelling Bee and placed 5th—MashaAllah! The competition included approximately 90 students from across Fairfax County, ranging from elementary through 8th grade.

Our champion’s dedication, hard work, and confidence truly shined throughout the competition. Representing Al Faith Academy with excellence, he demonstrated impressive spelling skills and poise under pressure.

Congratulations to Humza for this outstanding achievement!

The entire Al Faith community is so proud of you!

General Reminders

Volunteer Hours Policy

At Al Faith Academy, family involvement is an essential part of our school community. To foster engagement and support our programs, each family is required to complete 10 volunteer hours per school year (5 hours for single-parent households). These hours can be fulfilled in the following ways:

In-Class Help – Assisting teachers with classroom activities and projects.
Field Trips – Chaperoning and supporting students during school outings.
Market Day Contributions – Donating approved items to be sold or used during Market Days.
PTO & School Events – Volunteering at Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) events and school-wide programs.
School Assistance – Supporting school needs such as serving on board committees, assisting with facility repairs, helping with furniture moves, and other operational tasks.

If there is any uncertainty about what qualifies as volunteer hours, please contact the school administration at info@alfatih.org for clarification before logging your hours. We appreciate your dedication to making Al Faith Academy a thriving learning environment and thank you for your continued support!