AHSS March 2024 Newsletter

AHSS Newsletter

Page 2 Young readers recieve awards.

From the Director’s Pen

Page 5 Shattered

Peace: student poetry

By: Ustaz Tarek, School Director

Dear Everyone,

We’ve now completed the first month of second semester. It has been a busy and positive month. Students seem happy to be back after their break and are working well in class.

I’m settling in to my new role while also continuing to do most of the things I have done for years. I make it a point to visit classes frequently and to stay in touch with our dear students in and

out of their classrooms. Let’s make it a semester to remember. Soon it will be the holy

month of Ramadan. I wish you a happy and safe time together with your families.

Student Headed To International Tennis Finals

AHSS 9th grade student Amir Jaber and the Jordan National Junior Tennis Team qualified for the Junior Davis Cup Finals for the Asian region after coming in second place for the Asia and Oceania qualifiers. The Davis Cup Qualifiers were held this past weekend in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The finals will be held in Kazakhstan in May. The Jordan team qualified for the final after its victory over the Singapore Junior National Team in the semi-finals of the qualifying rounds. Congratulations to Amir and the rest of the Jordan National Team.

Ustaz Tarek in his office on 15, February.

Amir Jaber (far right) and the Jordan National Junior Tennis Team.

9th-grader Amir Jaber and Jordan National Junior Tennis Team take second place in Asian Region

Young readers competition

AHSS students recognized for reading efforts

AHSS celebrated the winners of our young reader contest on Monday, 26 February.

1st place was Salim Wakileh who read 70 books in the first semester. 2nd place was Alia Hiasat who read 20. 3rd was Hind Al Omari who read 16. 4th was Amir Othman who read 12, and wasn’t at school for the ceremony,

but will still receive his award. 5th was Sanad Qunaibi who read 8 books. And 6th was Asad Amaira who read 6 books. Our youngest participants also received awards, second graders Hashem AlNatour and Zaid AlHamdan.

Congratulations to our young readers.

AHSS Graduate Honored at Queen Rania Outstanding UK Learner Awards

The British Council Jordan honored students including AHSS class of 2023 graduate Sama Hussein AlShammari at the Queen Rania Outstanding UK Learner Awards 2024 ceremony. Her aunt received the award on her behalf because Sama is in Canada continuing her education.

Sama received the Pearson/Edexcel June 2023

Queen Rania Award / Winner of The Highest Mark in the World in IAL Biology 600/600 A*.

Sama was among the 2600 learners from 700 schools from 82 countries globally who are eligible to receive the award out of thousands of candidates who sat a Pearson Edexcel exam in 2022/23.

Sama Hussein was honored at the Outstanding UK Learners awards on 15, February. Her aunt accepted the award on her behalf.

Student Photo Submissions

Students work in AHSS Greenhouse

12th grade students work in the AHSS Rooftop Greenhouse with Ms. Raghad and Mr. James in February. (Photos submitted by Badir Aldeen)

Sunrise over the school on 26, February. (Danielle Dasouki)

Having important, serious conversations

By Noor DIab

During recess time, Miss Nadia engages in meaningful conversations with ninth graders to shed light on the complexities of student life and any mental concerns they are facing. Simultaneously, addressing wider societal problems that are occurring in Gaza in order to spread awareness, advocate for a positive change, and for students’ opinions to be encouraged and heard.

Calendar: March 2024

Student writing spotlight

Shattered Peace

By: Noor Diab, 12B

In the land of Palestine where the sun shines bright there is a constant struggle a never-ending fight.

One that seems to have no end in sight, yet hope continues to push its way through to see the light.

For political gain, power, and control innocent lives are lost, their names forgotten, dehumanized to be called ‘human animals’ .

Streams of blood flowing in the streets no water, plants, or food available to eat. their desperate cries remain beneath the concrete.

But the world now sees the truth, the rotten corruption they seek to hide, the people stand side by side, raising their olive branch to the sky screaming their desire to no longer see the innocents die.

From people running to save their lives, to children’s screams and cries, from a land that was once peaceful and serene that is now stained with blood a heartbreaking scene.

From the fear gripping their hearts and frustration filling their souls, to the awful scene of people looking for a place to hide from all the chaos happening outside.

However, as the war rages on, and the days turn to years the people of Palestine continue to shed tears, but their faith remains unbreakable. Their courage unbeatable.

The people of Palestine stand strong, holding on their dear country forever long.

In the land of Palestine where the sun shines bright the people may be in war, but their spirit takes flight for they know that one day the war will be no more.

How To Get Along

I’m running away. I’m packing my things and there is no room for me to stay, after all that digging that fighting all that finding, a piece is still missing,

I thought I’m just going to avoid a wave, but I’m drowning in an ocean, and I’m full of emotion, but as much as I’d like to pop the balloon and let the flowers bloom I can’t get these eyes to tear up or that mind to process the information right away.

People are always one step ahead and I’m one step away, my memory is shattered, my brain is wired in a way that’s not going to give you a way, to walk in or get out it will not tell you if the path is on the left or the right and your stuck in my loop but you can still control my rules,

My brain doesn’t have a foundation or base and it can be changed within two years or two days, I feel lost but the path is all smoky and white I don’t know what’s wrong or right and I’m stuck in it with

By: Joud Maiteh, 9B

no way out, everything that is right feels wrong and I don’t have a way to get along, my throat is sore, my eyes are blurry and I’ll promise you I’m okay because I’m not the burden to carry.

I don’t feel heard or seen even though I grab the crowds eyes and make a scene, I’m realizing my worth but realizing how much I despise myself with it.

I should write my own destiny but fate is taking me with it. The world is a black hole and I’m ready to go and discover the space but I can’t stay in the same space suit forever and I want it to be over,

But there is white in the black and an armor to prevent you from getting attacked. So what am I missing, when did the light begin to burn and when did I start to run, how can I get along and feel like I belong.

Editor: Mr. Jeff Dahdah, jeff@ahss.edu.jo

Assistant Editor: Ms. Mirna Dahdah

- Noor Diab, Contributor

- Joud Maiteh, Contributor

- Badir Aldeen, Contributor

- Danielle Dasouki, Contributor

Shuhadaa Amman Street

Deir Ghbar, Al Diyar

P.O. Box: 6008

Amman 11118, JO

Tel: +962 6 5924 188

Fax: +962 6 5924 623

E-mail: ahss@ahss.edu.jo