November 2007- BHA POST

Aziz’s Review Corner The Game Plan starring “The Rock” is a Disney film filled with cliches, plot holes, cheesy scenes.

Page 8

Be Healthy Active Be Healthy and Active – BHA for short is the slogan adopted by the nutrition team this year.

Page 2

Brighter Horizons Academy

Parents’ bad examples

Coach Amir

YOU’RE NOTHING BUT A FLYING MONKEY!

He was born on Thursday, July 6th, 1989, at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, TN at 5:54 P.M.

Inappropriate adult behavior has become more noticeable at the Academy this year.

Page 5 h

Page 7

Volume 5 Issue 1

October/November 2007

Garland, TX

75044

New uniform policy causes non-uniformity By: Zeena Alkurdi Editor-in-Chief Research by: Mona Shaito, Marium Eljaouhari, Summer Said, Sana Ali, Shabnam Alamin, Ayesha Ahmed, Aneesa Andha

The question is not whether there is a uniform policy, but rather which uniform is policy. With students wearing at least six different versions of “the uniform”, unorganized uniformity is the picture at the Academy.

During this year’s Parent Orientation parents voiced their dislike for the new uniform. Complaints included the “catholic” look, the cost, delay in shipment, inability to try it on, and not having been included in the decision process.

Discussions of an alternate uniform began last year in September. The Board of Directors formed a committee, comprised of Rebhi Awad of the Islamic Services Foundation, Adnan Omran, principal, Shahzad Nathani of the school board, and Stacey Ahmed, extracurricular coordinator, to oversee the process. The committee asked parents and students to design suggestions for an alternative uniform.

“It was our intent to provide an alternative, not a replacement,” Nathani said.

“The guidelines were that the uniforms should be Islamic, comfortable to wear during a typical day, readily available in the States, low maintenance, and cost effective. It should also be practical.”

The committee received over 25 suggestions, five of which were selected as final entries. The students were asked to vote on their favorite design.. Farida Jetpuri, parent, is upset that the parents were not more involved in the selection process.

“The uniform committee should have used a better voting system,” Jetpuri said. “A voting ballot should have been sent home to each family. The decision should have not been given to the children.”

However, Nathani said that the parents were asked for their opinions.

“We sent notes, put up signs, and posted memos through Edline,” Nathani said. “However, we only had about 20 parents show up for the viewing, and they all had very positive comments on the samples that were chosen.”

The selection process resulted in a new uniform dress code. For boys in 5th

See PARENTS page 3

The new uniform policy calls for high school boys to wear a Navy/white pin stripe oxford shirt, navy blue tie, and gray flannel slacks available through Schoolbelles (an online uniform company). However, the School Board of Directors conceded and stated that the new uniform policy was optional this year. Most students are wearing the “old” uniform, while a handful wear the new causing a look of non-uniformity.

Photo by N.M.S.

Parents refuse tuition increase By: Zeena Alkurdi Editor-in-Chief

Parents attend Parent Orientation days before school starts. During the question and answer session, many voiced their refusal to accept the tuition increase.

Photo by N.M.S.

In an effort to increase teachers’ salaries, the Board of Directors raised tuition fees 20.75 percent, or $1,000, per family this academic year.

One week before school began, at the annual Parent Orientation meeting; an informal petition with a list of names of disgruntled parents that disagreed with the increased tuition rate was presented to the Board of Directors.

“The purpose of the petition was to find a way to repair the damage done,” Said Said, concerned parent, said. “Many parents felt un-

informed and deceived, and we needed a chance to sit and discuss the decision.”

An emergency meeting with parents and board members was held two days before the start of school to further discuss the issue.

Some parents suggested no tuition increase, while others were willing to accept a minimal increase. The meeting resulted in an adjusted tuition rate. Parents were informed of the change on the second day of school, via mail. The revised tuition rate is now 10.4 percent more than last year’s tuition. This concession concerns board members.

“This tuition adjustment keeps our budget and deficit vulnerable to any enrollment changes,” Khodor Elnashar, chairman

of the board of directors, said. “Based on the enrollment today of 650 students, the projected deficit is about $38,000.”

Despite the Board’s efforts to make the tuition rate more feasible, a total of 19 families left BHA this year.

Elnashar said that it is hard to say how many left due to the tuition increase.

One parent, who requested to remain anonymous, withdrew his children due to the increase.

“BHA is in my heart, and I hope that one day we will be able to return,” he said.

The raised fees were not the only concerns raised

See SUMMER page 6

Bha Post

HARD NEWS

The

Page 2 October/November 2007

Be Healthy Active new school motto Nutrition Team revamps snack table and lunch menu choices By: Anam Bakali Editor-in-Chief

Be Healthy and Active – BHA for short is the slogan adopted by the nutrition team this year. While public schools started implementing nutrition guidelines set forth by the Texas Public School Nutrition Policy (TPSNP) since 2004, the Academy is just getting on the band wagon.

Two years ago, a group of parents voiced their concerns that milk was not being served with the school’s lunch. Subsequently, 2 % white milk was added to the lunch program while 1% chocolate milk was added to the Parent Teacher Organization’s (PTO) snack table. According to a story the BHA Post published at that time, the administration, parents and students welcomed the change.

Last year, these same parents became concerned about the excessive innutritious snacks being sold at the PTO snack table. Available at the snack table were all types of chips, donuts, brownies, snack cakes, ice cream, sugar and carbonated beverages, and candy bars.

At that time, “the PTO’s main priority was just to raise money,” Sana Sheikh, dentist and concerned parent, said. “Now their thinking has changed.”

Furthermore, stu-

dents and parents questioned whether all items on the snacks table met Islamic dietary guidelines. Afterwards, PTO President, Khalid Mustafa, called the Frito Lay manufacturer about questionable ingredients in their Hot Cheetos, the product was pulled off the table. This prompted nutrition team members Sheikh and Hanifa Hameed, dietitian and concerned parent, to get more involved in all aspects of nutrition at the academy.

They started working with Dr. Adnan Omran, principal, Mohammad Diwan, vice-principal, and Firdose Qureshi, lunch manager.

“We give them (our children) the best education, the best clothes, the best toys, so why not the best foods as well?” Sheikh said.

Today, the nutrition team is made up of five parents and their goal is to help students develop healthier eating habits.

“There are studies showing that if a person eats junk food as a child, they will eat junk food as an adult,” Sheikh said.

According to the TPSNP set by the Texas Department of Agriculture, an

elementary or high school campus may not serve, sell, or provide access for students to Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value (FMNV) and all other forms of candy at any time anywhere on school premises until the end of the last scheduled class. FMNV refers to four categories of foods and beverages: soda water, water ices, chewing gum, and certain candies.

“A lot of schools are changing to comply with these guidelines. By 2010, all public schools will be required to adopt this policy,” Sheikh said. “We want the school to meet the terms of this policy as well.”

Hameed explained that their main objective is to limit the amount of sugar and fat intake of the children.

“Foods high in fat and

sugar slow down performance, while foods that are balanced provide more optimal activity.

They have sugar and fat, but in limited quantities. This way, you get all the components you need,” Hameed said.

Changes to the snack table and lunch menu have drawn mixed reactions. Yasmine Itani [7] believes that the change is positive.

“The snack table is more nutritious, and I think that it is a good thing,” Itani said. “We can be healthier and live better lives.”

Khalid Bakri [7] disagrees.

“There is nothing good to buy anymore. Everything is healthy,” Bakri said.

Afreen Alamin, parent and volunteer believes that the changes are too extreme.

“Parents sometimes give their children reward

money. The children want to spend it at school getting snacks, but now there is not much on the snack table that the children want to buy,” Alamin, said.

Hameed believes that there is only so much that the school can do to influence healthy eating habits in students, but that it is the administration’s job to do as much as they can.

“Some parents do not mind their children eating junk food,” Hameed said. “Those parents can provide their children with whatever they want outside of school, but as long as they are in school, they will be given healthier alternatives.”

The Nutrition Team suggest that students make smarter snack choices when making purchases at the PTO snack table. Nutritionist Hameed explains that foods that have limited amounts of sugar and fat make students more attentive in school.

Journalism, yearbook place at SIPA West By:Zeena Alkurdi Editor-in-Chief

The newspaper and yearbook staff walked away, from this year’s Southern Interscholastic Press Association (SIPA) West Conference at McKinney High School on September 8th, with a combined total of eight awards. The conference consisted of a carry-in competition and workshops led by journalism teachers from all over Texas. This was the group’s first year to attend

and compete at the conference.

Newspaper advisor Natalia Marin-Suleiman believes that participating in the SIPA West Conference is a good start to the year.

“I thought that it would be a good opportunity for our young journalists to attend workshops,” Suleiman said. “It introduced them to important journalism concepts that they will use throughout the year.”

Yearbook advisor Stacey Ahmed agrees.

“I enjoyed having the workshops so early in the year,” Ahmed said. “The rookies got a chance to workshops with educators of high caliber, and the returning members got to brush up on their areas of interest.”

There were a total of 180 participants and 20 teachers from 19 different schools present, and 218 carry-in contest entries were submitted. As a 2A division school, BHA was the smallest school in attendance, competing against 5A

and 5AA divisions.

“It really showed the students what they are up against when they compete with bigger, better equipped schools,” Suleiman said.

Javariah Khan [senior] won four of the eight awards received. She is proud of how far the BHA Journalism Department has come. As she was walking from one workshop to another, Khan heard a student walking behind her reading the back of her friend’s BHA Journalism t-shirt.

“He said, ‘Brighter Horizons Academy…I knew it!’,” Khan said. “It is so great how people are starting to notice our presence, and I feel like this is our greatest accomplish-

ment.”

Mariam Saifullah [freshman] is a new member of the yearbook club. She enjoyed the conference, and said that she learned a lot from the workshops.

“The workshops really helped me learn better writing skills, and I hope to use them to make a better yearbook,” Saifullah said.

Suleiman and Ahmed look forward to attending the SIPA West conference again next year, and have high expectations for all.

“My hope is that the competition will stay local, and will be early enough for us to take advantage of next year,” Ahmed said.

AWARDS BHA Post 2006-2007:

•Honorable Mention: Editorial Cartoon, awarded to Javariah Khan •Honorable Mention: Best Cover, awarded to Javariah Khan •Honorable Mention: NP Front Page, awarded to Anam Bakali Newspaper and yearbook staff attend Southern Interscholastic Press Association West Conference at McKinney High School. Attendees include: Top L to R: Javariah Khan, Anam Bakali, Zeena Alkurdi, Shabnam Alamin, Aysha Ahmed, Noor Alkurdi, Saman Najmi, Maryam Eljaouhari, Bakr Elnashar, Abdullah Zidan. Bottom L to R: Ayah Elnashar, Semira Abdulrazek, Mariam Saifullah, Samira Ateeq, Sana Ali, Aneesa Andha, Maryam Bakhrani, Mona Shaito, Summer Said, Amir Quereshi.

Photo by: N. M.S.

•First Runner-Up: NP Sports Page, awarded to Anam Bakali and Bakr Elnashar

•Honorable Mention: MG Best Spread, awarded to Anam Bakali •First Runner-Up: Strip Cartoon, awarded to Javariah Khan

Yearbook Kitab 2006-2007: •Honorable Mention: Open Spread, awarded to Anam Bakali, Tahuriah Khan, and Ali Qamar •First Runner-Up: Club Photo, awarded to Javariah Khan

Bha Post

The

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

October/November 2007 Page 3

Parents, students disagree with new uniform Continued from page 1

- 8th grade, the new dress code consists of a solid white short sleeve polo shirt with gray trousers. High school boys must wear a white/blue pin stripe oxford shirt, a solid navy traditional tie, and gray trousers.

“I like the new uniform better than the old one,” Haitham Ahmad [senior], said. “It’s comfortable and it just looks good.”

However, the new girls’ uniform, ranging in price from $56-$85, caused the most controversy. Girls in 5th-8th grade must wear an ankle length blue/gray plaid skirt, with solid gray or navy knee high socks underneath, and a solid light blue long sleeve oxford blouse. Many parents complained that the plaid skirt represents a Catholic-uniform, and should not be adopted in an Islamic School.

“The point of the uniform is to represent Islam, because it is an Islamic school,” Jetpuri said. “The scarf is not the only symbol of Islam. If so, we should just let our kids come to school in jeans everyday. Since our school is an Islamic school, our students should dress Islamically, not like students of a Catholic school.”

Mohammed Diwan, vice principal, disagrees.

“This is more of a

prep-school uniform, and “They have been very Ciara Asad [freshman] wears many prep-schools are Catho- patient and accommodating the new uniform . Less than 10 girls are wearing the shirt and lic,” Diwan said. “Plaid is just during our first year with skirt set! a pattern which is common in them,” Nathani said. “We are 30Photo by: Nabilah El-Heet. many private schools.” working with them to come up

Despite this disagree- with ideas to increase sales.” ment, many students, includ- While this year has 25 ing Ciara Asad [freshman], been nicknamed a “transilike the new uniform. tional year”, giving parents

“It makes us look pro- and students time to adjust 20 fessional and gives us more to the changes, the uniform of an institutional feel,” Asad committee looks to settle on said. “The old uniform (aba- one uniform policy next year.

15 ya) was way too informal and They are to meet and discuss relaxed.” this within the next couple of

The uniform commit- months.

10 tee is working with School- “The school should belles, a uniform company, have made it mandatory this who agrees to customize the year,” Asad said. “People put 5 girls skirts. time and effort into this and

“We got multiple or- now they aren’t following ders for the customized skirts through.”

0 in a lot of different sizes,” 5th Boys 5th Girls 6th Boys 6th Girls 7th Boys 7th Girls 8th Boys 8th Girls 9th Boys 9th Gir Todd Shulte, Schoolbelles rep- 30 resentative, said. “We had to Yes No cut each skirt one at a time.”

25

However, after realizing that most students were not wearing the new uniform this year, many parents re- 20 turned the uniforms. Shulte was not pleased with the amount of uniforms returned, 15 especially the girls’ skirts.

“The girls’ skirts are customized to order,” Shulte 10 said. “Although we have a great return policy, I do not have any other schools that 5 are willing to buy those uniforms. We have agreed to take them back, but it does affect 0 5th Boys 5th Girls 6th Boys 6th Girls 7th Boys 7th Girls 8th Boys 8th Girls 9th Boys 9th Girls 10th 10th 11th 11th us badly.”

Boys Girls Boys Girls

Nathani recognizes Students overwhelmingly do not prefer the new uniform. Students were polled and most feel that the new uniform, for both boys and girls, is too Yes No formal, uncomfortable and not “play-time” friendly. the company’s cooperation.

ECE receives inside, outside major renovations By: Aziz Hammoud Staff Writer

Three years of renovations and now what used to be a medical building is the Early Childhood and Elementary Campus (ECE).

This summer’s renovation entailed extensive indoor and outdoor plans; however, the weather hindered meeting the deadline of completion prior to the first day of school.

The renovations were necessary to meet classroom standards set by city ordinances. Although renovations began as soon as students were let out for summer break (the last week of May), the work was not completed until early September. School started on August 8th.

“The recent renovations entailed the repair of the ECE roof and replacement of air conditioning units and flooring in most classes and hallways,” Ibrahim Elhayek, executive director of ISF, said.

The roof and AC units were over 27 years old. Workers could not complete the flooring because of the summer rains.

“Tile was changed throughout the ECE campus, with the exception of the library and three classrooms.

The tile in those rooms may be changed during winter or spring break,” Elhayek said.

Painters recoated classroom walls with an oil-based paint shortly before school started.

“The walls were dirty because of how much kids write on them, but the new oilbased paint makes the walls easy to clean,” Elhayek said.

Prior to the renovations, the ECE roof leaked during rainy weather. Classrooms often flooded.

“It was embarrassing when parents saw the trash cans we placed under leaks to collect rain water during pickup time,” Fauzia Sayed, ECE administrator, said.

In past years, students and teachers routinely complained about classroom temperature.

“Every three classes had a single thermostat, so it was always a hassle running between rooms to make sure it wasn’t too cold or hot,” Sayed said. “But now a single switchboard controls and regulates the temperature in each class.”

Now students complain to their teachers about freezing class temperatures.

“Although our teacher told us to bring sweaters to class, the boys have been staying warm by putting their hands up their shirts,” Hamza Al-Kadri [4A] said.

Students have not only felt how cold their classes are,

but have also seen it.

“In my Cocoa Krispies cereal box I found a SpongeBob SquarePants pencil top with light blue hair that goes navy when placed in a refrigerator or freezer,” Iman Zidan [4B] said. “I left it overnight in my class and I was shocked to find it with navy hair the next day!”

Upon their return to work this August, teachers had to search for classroom belongings before arranging their rooms.

“The painters took out all the teachers’ stuff and scattered it across the campus- the library, cafeteria, hallways, etc.

Angry teachers searched and argued over desks, chairs, and tables,” Suraya Ally, 4th grade teacher, said. “It was a comedy.”

During Teacher Meet & Great (two days before school started) and the first week of school, teachers, students and parents suffered from the 100 degree heat and the stench of tar. The administration addressed and resolved the air conditioning issue; however the stench was a problem that eventually resolved itself.

“The AC shut down automatically during the first week of school, so I had to bring a fan to my class while Dr. Adnan [school principal] and Daoud [school engineer]

For three years renovations have taken place every summer. The building, which once was a medical plaza, is now a full-time elementary campus.

Photo by N.M.S.

frantically tried to get the AC repaired,” Ally said.

Work on the roof not only left the ECE campus tarstenched, but it also temporarily delayed after-school activities and tutoring.

“The roof renovations forced the administration to resort to indoor dismissal which canceled any after-school tutoring,” Teresa Nikravan, 4th grade teacher and department head, said.

Although, renovation kinks have been worked out

teachers unanimously agree that the renovations should have included the addition of more bathrooms designated “teacher only”. Currently, there is one male bathroom enjoyed by two male staff members, and one female bathroom for 30 female staff members.

“Every house usually has two to three bathrooms for every five people, so there should be more than just one bathroom for all the ladies at ECE,” Ally said.

Page 4 October/November 2007

Bha Post

The

Op-Ed

Out with the new, In with the new, in with the old out with the old By: Javariah Khan Staff Writer

By: Ahmed Alahmady Staff Writer

A new year at BHA usually doesn’t mean a lot of new things.

This year is quite different, however. New teachers, students, classes, graduation plans and uniforms. Yes, I said new uniforms? That means no more community-clichéd khaki pants sagging way below the painfully boring navy polo shirt! Yeah, so a new uniform was made part of the school’s policy uniform code for the 07-08 school year. One that I believe forces an organized, fit look, contrary to the many loose, varietystricken “uniforms” most students have had to wear in the past and, unfortunately, are currently wear-

ing. It’s a disappointing fact that at the recent Parent Orientation, some parents rejected the idea of obligating the new uniform. Further, there are those that are even against the idea of a uniform! The excuses are lame such as ‘I don’t want to pay for extra clothes’ or ‘We don’t like the look of it’. Frankly, I do not think these excuses justify the Academy’s Board of Directors making the new uniform optional for this year.

The fact is, school uniforms provide lots more advantages, which are proven with studies, than disadvantages, which are based on individual opinions and emotions.

It is fact that educators find that uniforms increase school spirit and help form an optimistic, cohesive image with both students and the community. It is fact that appropriate clothing creates a smaller amount of distractions and results in a more orderly classroom. There have been many studies comparing students with uniforms and students without uniforms. A study by Hoffler --Riddick and Lassiter (results released in 1996) shows school benefits which include a dramatic decrease in discipline infractions, improved attendance, and an improvement in the overall instructional environment.

According to Southeastern Louisiana University study, uniforms also increase school security and cooperation levels among the students.

Moreover, as Muslims we should seek organized cooperation, unity in faith, and uniformity in practices. Currently, there are at least six or seven so-called “uniform styles” at the Main Campus. Unorganized uniformity– shows weakness and lack of pride. I for one will continue to wear the new required uniform and suggest other students to follow suit.

NO, I DON’T

Do you think that the new uniform looks like a Catholic school uniform?

“I do not really think that it looks like a Catholic uniform. It looks like any private school uniform. We look more disciplined and formal. It is suitable for a college prep school.”

Suhail Varwani

Sophomore

“I don’t think it looks like a Catholic uniform. Their skirts are shorter than ours. But I do not think that it is for our school. The old uniform is more comfortable and easier to change into and out of for P.E. “

Zubeda Varwani

7th grade

“There are similarities and differences in the uniforms. However, the modifications meet Islamic standards. Students still stand out in the new uniform, but not odd.”

“Yes, I do think that it looks like a Catholic school uniform. All Catholic schools wear dress shirts and formal clothes like our new uniform. I wouldn’t wear it because it is extremely uncomfortable and hard to play in.”

Loretta Bergeron Ibrahim Jameeluddin

Teacher

Freshman

YES, I DO

anam asks :

Stepping into the GISD Special Events Center on Saturday, August 11th, a wave of misunderstanding and frustration hits me.

The uniform table is the birthplace.

Parents circle the stand, eyeing the displays with expressions of contempt and voicing their opinions with no restraint. Their words convey that the new uniforms exceed their budgets. They are not made for wear-and-tear. If a student were to mistakenly rip his/her uniform, he/she would be running around in those same items of clothing until the new ones came in. Furthermore, the girl’s new uniform includes a plaid pleated skirt, which is very difficult to walk around in.

The old uniform, on the other hand, is easily attainable for the majority of students in our school, meaning it is also easily replaceable. It has been in use for many years prior to the new one, so students and parents both have become accustomed to them.

Uniform restrictions, set formerly, enable students to express their individuality without straying from the initial idea the school still holds. For instance, I can wear a navy or black abaya of my choice. This would allow me to express my individuality through the design of the abaya, but it stays true to the school’s vision through the color.

I wear jeans outside of

BHA, but I believe the abaya is both more modest and conservative, and its flowy nature makes it easier to move in. Due to the requirement of pants underneath abayas and the fact that the abaya is one piece, girls will be able to move around freely without worrying about their legs, backs, etc. becoming exposed.

As a student of an Islamic school, I feel that the abaya instills an image of Islam in our heads.

It puts us in an Islamic mindset, which is why parents send their children to Islamic Schools in the first place. In addition, a glance down any BHA hallway would make it evident that students prefer the old uniform. The number of students sporting the new uniform is minimal in comparison to those wearing the old one, so let’s end this unorganized uniformity. Why fix what wasn’t broken to begin with?

Bha Post

The

Editorial

October/November 2007 Page 5

Parents behave inappropriately Editor-In-Chief Zeena Alkurdi Anam Bakali

Staff Writers

Ahmed Alahmady Aziz Hammoud Javariah Khan Naveen Syed

Critic / Review Writer Aziz Hammoud

Head Photographer Bakr Elnashar

Staff Photographers Ayesha Ahmed Noor Al-Ani Amir Qureshi Abdullah Zidan

Sports Writer Noor Alkurdi

Online Producer Naveen Syed

Cartoonists

Shabnam Alamin Javariah Khan

Graphics Design & Layout Anam Bakali Naveen Syed Zeena Alkurdi

Advisors

Inappropriate adult behavior has become more noticeable at the Academy this year.

Parents engaged in shouting matches during Parent Orientation and during an emergency board of directors’ meeting. The use of force by parents on staff members and physical and verbal confrontations between parents on school property have raised concerns about this offensive behavior.

The use of foul language and negative hand gestures during drop-off and pick-up time have recently become evident.

This behavior

is repulsive and unacceptable.

In Islam, one of the duties of parents is to raise their children in an Islamic environment and to teach them the appropriate way to behave. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) once said, “A fathers’ teaching his child good manners is better than giving a bushel of grain [in charity].” As for raising one’s voice Lukman, the Wise Man’ advises his son in the Holy Quran to lower his voice; “Indeed the ugliest of all voices is the loud voice of asses.” (Lukman:19)

The ill behavior of parents leads to

the spoiling of younger generations. English philosopher John Locke once said that parents wonder why the streams are bitter, when they themselves have poisoned the fountain. Furthermore, according to Alison Gopnik, Psychology Professor at the Institute of Cognitive Science at Oxford University, children begin imitating their parents as soon as they are born. The influence of parents is especially high during a child’s first eight years.

Stacy Beller Stryer, M.D. with Revolution Health Group says that it is important for parents to keep their

cool when dealing with stressful situations. If parents lose control and yell, their children will learn to deal with disagreements the same way.

Although some parents may say that children learn more negative behavior form television, the Internet, and their peers, studies show that the number one source of a child’s influence comes from their very own parents.

We suggest that parents reflect upon themselves, and ask if the way that they behave is the way that they would like their children to behave, as well.

THE APPLE DOES NOT FALL FAR FROM THE TREE!

Natalia Suleiman Maria A. Zidan

Proofreader

Teresa Nikravan

Staff in Training Samira Abdulrazek Usman Asad Samira Ateeq Maryam Eljaohari Aya Elnashar Sarah Gamal Summer Said

The BHA Post is published by the Journalism Dept. of Brighter Horizons Academy, 3145 Medical Plaza Dr., Garland, TX 75044. The BHA Post is a member of the Interscholastic League Press Conference and a recipient of the 2007 Award of Excellence in overall ILPC newspaper competition, and Star nominee.

Letters to the Editor All of our readers are encouraged to participate in this forum by submitting letters to the editor for publication. Letters can be mailed or E-mailed to bhajournalism@sbcglobal. net. Letters must include the signature and telephone number of the writer. We reserve the right to edit letters for length and grammar.

Disclaimer The views and opinions of the journalism students do not necessarily reflect or represent the views of the Academy’s Administration.

The BHA Post is a platform by which the student body’s voice may be represented within the highest journalistic and Islamic ethical standards.

WHY YOU UGLY, STICKY BOOGERS! YOU’RE NOTHING BUT A FLYING MONKEY!

The Journalism Department gives a heartfelt

THANK YOU

to our supporters. Your financial support has made it possible for us to attend TAJE Fall Fiesta Live competition in San Antonio.

Donut Sales Nacho Sale Date Sale Eid Grams We look forward to seeing you at our Fall Fest th on Sunday, November 18 , 11-5 pm.

Page 6 October/November 2007

Bha Post

The

HARD NEWS

Juniors take core college courses at BHA By: Naveen Syed Writer

This summer marked yet another change in the Dual-Credit college program.

Instead of the students going to Richland College to take college courses, college professors and teachers are teaching classes at the Academy.

This change has affected first semester juniors. Although, they are allowed to take an additional course at Richland, 90 percent of their core classes are at the Academy.

It began this summer, when juniors were required to take Speech 1301 and History 1301 on BHA premises. Now, they are taking three required core courses on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. They get a 45 minute break but are not allowed to leave the campus.

“It’s ok, right now. I like how we start later than regular students so we can get more sleep,” Haneen Abu Afeefeh [junior] said. “I don’t

like staying until 4:00 PM and how they don’t let us leave (the premises) during our breaks.”

Initially, students did not have to wear the school uniform.

Eventually after a few weeks of school, the administration required that all students wear it.

This change in policy occurred because some girls made inappropriate dress choices. Tahuriah Khan, junior, believes that this is unfair.

“I don’t like it at all, because the whole point of being in the Richland Dual Credit program is to get the full college experience. We are supposed to experience diversity, and that is not possible with this schedule,” Khan said.

Samia Khan, college counselor, sees this change in policy as a positive one. It minimizes exposure to an environment that high school students are too young for.

“One of the main reasons for the Dual Credit program is to attain college credit hours while still in high

Juniors now take the majority of their college courses on BHA premises. Professor Lynn Ball teaches English 1301 twice a week.

Photo by: Anam Bakali

school,” Khan said. “When we found out that the Dual Credit program can be taught on the premises, we took that opportunity.”

The Dual Credit program will continue to be held at BHA, for the present and

future juniors. However, there will be times when students will have to take courses at Richland campus.

“Since BHA is not equipped with the suitable software and lab facilities, juniors will eventually be al-

lowed to take some classes such as computer science at Richland,” Khan said. “The program is a positive beginning to our academic progression and our mission towards excellence while pleasing Allah (SWT).”

Shazhad Nathani, board member and Head of Academics, said that this late notification was due to a delay in budget and completion of the lengthy process that any changes in tuition require.

“I regret the inconvenience that this has caused parents,” Nathani said. “It was a mistake, and it shouldn’t have happened.”

According to Nathani, the tuition is supposed to go up every three years. However, since the 2001-2002 school year, the tuition has increased by a total of 60.90 percent at an average of slightly over 10 percent annually. Due to salary adjustments and the school deficit, it had to be increased once again this year.

“Since we became accredited, our teachers are required to be certified gradu-

ates in the field of study that they teach,” Nathani said.

“These certified teachers have the option of teaching in a public school district or at BHA. We increased the teachers’ salary this year to get close to matching the salaries offered at public schools.”

To improve the quality of education, the Board has decided to have self-contained classroom teachers which resulted in the addition of four more teachers and five teacher aids. Also, since February, BHA offers health insurance as a part of the benefits package to its staff.

“We are working hard to attract and retain good quality teachers,” Elnashar said.

Nathani said that parents need to understand that the tuition is one of the few sources of funding that the

school receives.

“Since we are a private school, we do not get funds from the government,” Nathani said. “Our two main sources of funding are donations and tuition. This puts parents in a peculiar situation.”

Said sees the tuition increase two ways.

“As a parent, I agree with the tuition increase and I think that it was necessary,” Said said. “However, as a leader, I am upset that more was not done to involve parents earlier in the process.

They should have left room for compromise from the beginning.”

As for future changes, Said said that the board should take different steps when making big decisions, such as tuition increases.

“There must be guidelines to follow,” Said said.

“You can’t just flip a coin and say that the tuition will be ‘x’ amount. We need to follow a logical process and assess both pros and cons.”

The Board looks to inform parents of changes much sooner.

“Moving forward, we will inform the parents of tuition increases no later than the beginning of early re-enrollment (March),” Elnashar said.

In addition, the Board is looking for alternate methods that do not include raising tuition rates. They are currently looking to hire a full-time fundraiser.

“We want to go beyond our Muslim community and out to a global level,” Nathani said. “There are many opportunities that large businesses offer to private schools, and we need to become more involved, so that we may take advantage of such opportunities.”

Summer mailer arrives late for budget adjustments Continued from page 1

regarding tuition. Parents were informed of the higher fees via the annual summer mailer, two weeks before the beginning of the school year.

Kathleen Dempsey, former parent, admits that the tuition increase was the main reason for withdrawing her son Aaron Lubke, this year.

“When I received the letter, it was too late to make any adjustments with our finances,” Dempsey said. “Tuition increases should be announced when re-enrollment begins.”

Iman Manoun, parent, is also upset that families were notified of the tuition change so close to the beginning of the school year. She said that the Board should have informed the parents much sooner, so

that they could have sought alternatives.

“Parents would have had ample time to make arrangements to enroll their children into different schools; they would have been forewarned,” Manoun said. “If families knew of the increase ahead of time, they could have spent less over the summer to leave room for tuition. I know that my family would have done that.”

When Dempsey received the news of the lowered tuition rate, it was too late.

“I had already bought school clothes and supplies for public school,” Dempsey said. “Knowing that the tuition rate was going to be lowered would have influenced our decision to not withdraw.

Communication is key for anyone to be successful.”

Percentage of Tuition Increase Per Academic Year Percentage of Tuition Increase Per Academic Year

25% 25%

20.75% 20.75%

20% 20%

15.20%

14.50%

15.20%

15%

14.50%

15%

10.80%

10% 10%

10.80%

10%

10.40% 10.40%

10%

5% 5%

0 0%

0

01-'02 02-'03 03-'04 04-'05 05-'06 Proposed '06-07 06-'07 0% The proposed tuition increase of 20.75% is now settled at 10.40% after school board members listened to parents’ feedback who felt that the increase was too steep for their budgets. Over 01-'02 02-'03 03-'04 04-'05 05-'06 Proposed '06-07 06-'07 the past six years the tuition has increased a total of 60.90% at an average of approximately 10% a year.

The

Bha Post

October/November 2007 Page 7

SPORTS

Kahlil Said kicks it up a notch

Only 12, he plays with the big boys Under-16 Division By: Noor Alkurdi Sports Writer

There is a new soccer team at the Academy; the BHA Stars Under-16. The players are young, mostly 13 and 14 years old. But there is one who is only 12.

Kahlil Said [7] is a member of this team who currently has a record of 2-1-2, and is averaging three goals per game.

Said, right mid-fielder realizes that he is playing above his age level.

“They have a size advantage over me. I get roughed up more often,” Said said. “In the first game I have to admit I was a little frightened, but after that game, my fear went away.”

While size, speed and strength are obstacles that Kahlil is facing playing in an older league, Ahmed Zidan, former coach, feels Kahlil will face a transition period and be just fine.

“I am very confident that he will be able to adapt quickly and play at a

very competitive level. The fact that they are older can be very intimidating. However, age does not necessarily translate into skill,” Zidan said. “He was one of the best players I have ever coached. He has a good first touch and is able to effectively incorporate the rest of his teammates into a high level of play.”

Present team coach, Amir Qureshi [senior], has three players playing in the right mid-field position.

“I think all three are

equally good players. However, in order to be fair to all the players, they must be given equal playing time”, Qureshi said. “Kahlil plays hard and puts in all his effort.”

While playing with the BHA Stars Under-12, Said played the entire game.

He is now getting 35 minutes of playing time.

“Coach doesn’t play me a lot, because he thinks I am going to get hurt. If I was playing on a younger team, I would have bet-

Kahlil “Lilo” Said [7] plays midfielder for the Stars Under-16. Past Coach, Ahmed Zidan, recalls Said as one of the best players he coached. “He has a good first touch and is able to effectively incorporate the rest of his teammates into a high level of play.”

Photo by Noor Alani

ter opportunities, because I would get more playing time,” Said said.

Former team manager, Maria A. Zidan, feels that Kahlil has the skills to “pull his weight on the team”.

“He will realize that size and speed are not always the most essential skills in soccer,” Maria A. Zidan said. “Kahlil plays smart. Once he has figured out a team, he will know what decisions to make for the benefit of the team.”

Bilal Okkeh [junior], who plays above his own age; first with the Under-16 and currently with the Under-19 BHA Stars, has a few words of advice.

“Don’t listen to negative criticism, practice a lot, focus on the game, and never give up. You will eventually prove skeptics wrong.

Just like I did,” Okkeh said.

The season is filled with new experiences for Said. Nonetheless he is having fun with his teammates.

“One game, I got knocked down and I felt like ‘Wow! This guy is bigger than me!’, but in the end, I was the one able to get off the ground and play ,and this big guy was dizzy,” Said said. “This makes it fun for me.”

This coach means business By: Noor Alkurdi Sports Writer

He was born on Thursday, July 6th, 1989, at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, TN at 5:54 P.M. His mother recalls becoming a “soccer mom” when he was only four years of age. Now, he is in high school and attends Richland College. At 18, he is both a licensed soccer referee and soccer coach. Recently, he was promoted to Division 1 refereeing; one level beneath the professionals.

He is Amir Qureshi [senior] and has earned more than 20 trophies and 40 ribbons in the sport.

“The one trophy that I am proudest of is the one I received while playing with the Under-16 BHA Stars,” Qureshi said. “We won first place in our division, and I only got scored on four times during the entire season.”

He began refereeing at age 11, as a sideline ref.

“I used to spend so much time on the field waiting for my brother’s games to end,” Qureshi said. “And, it was a paying job.”

Qureshi is currently the head coach of the Under-16 BHA Stars.

“As a coach, Amir has a very positive attitude. He was very responsible and organized when it came to

the registration of the team,” Julie ElHeet, team mother, said. “He takes care of all of the team’s business.”

Saud Qureshi [freshman], Amir Qureshi’s brother, wanted to play soccer, but no one was available to coach his team. Amir decided to volunteer and coach them, and his brother is thankful.

“It’s good that he is volunteering. If he wasn’t our coach, we wouldn’t have a team,” Saud Qureshi said.

On game day, he, like many other coaches, has certain rituals he goes through.

When he wakes up, “I immediately start thinking about the game, strategize, contemplate plays, and walk through player adjustments,” Qureshi said.

Even in class, he thinks about the game.

“I start thinking that I want my team to play their best. I want them to win,” Qureshi said.

The worst time, for a coach, is the five minutes before the start of a game.

“I am praying that everyone shows up. I just want the game to start and end,” Qureshi said. “Afterwards, I start thinking about the next game.”

He has less than eight months to graduate from high school and he already has a game plan for his future.

“I want to major in either business or finance. I would like to start working in a big corporation and eventually open my own business and branch out from there,” Qureshi said.

Photo by Noor Alani Graphic by Anam Bakali

Page 8 October/November 2007

Bha Post

The

Entertainment

ne

z Azi

’s R

r

Mr. Bean’s Holiday manages chuckles r o eview C

Rating:

Mr. Bean’s Holiday, a 90 minute G-rated movie, can be summed up as follows: Mr. Bean wins a ticket to visit southern France and reunites a child with his Russian film director father after a trainstation confusion separates them.

Rowan Atkinson plays Mr. Bean, a refined idiot who goose-steps across the French countryside armed with a one word, French vocabulary, “Oui”. Atkinson, a physical comedian, entertains his audience with awkward, dramatic body movements, reactions, gestures, etc. Mr. Bean’s trademark facial gestures, from his thick-eye browed,

wide-eyed, elastic, Richard Nixon-like face, make up for his lack of dialogue.

Overall, Mr. Bean’s Holiday surpassed its predecessor, Bean, which debuted a decade ago. The majority of scenes were not laugh-outof-your-seat funny, but they managed to score unanimous chuckles throughout the audience. I was almost in stitches when Mr. Bean mischievously smuggled his lunch of oysters and prawns into a lady’s purse. Don’t be fooled, children and adults can enjoy this movie alike; it’s an ideal family movie with clean, light-hearted humor.

Although Mr. Bean’s

Entertaining, ideal family movie

Holiday was adequately paced and enter taining, some scenes were tedious and drawno u t .

Such scenes include M r .

Bean’s pursuit of a chicken with a ticket stuck to its foot and his encounter with the fellow riding the motor-powered bicycle (no, it’s not a motorcycle). Furthermore, Mr. Bean’s Holiday overplays certain gags; for example, Mr. Bean, in his typical childlike foolishness, ignorantly mistakes the Spanish word “Gracias” for the French word “Merci” throughout the movie.

Despite being one of those comedians who people

either find totally hilarious or outright stupid, Atkinson belongs to an endangered species: the physical comedian. He has announced that Mr. Bean’s Holiday will probably be the last appearance of Mr. Bean, so catch this buffoon in action before it’s too late.

Disney film: The Game Plan reeks of predictability

Plot packed with cliches, plot holes, extra cheesy scenes Rating:

The Game Plan, Disney’s most recent coughed-up-hairball of a family comedy, is rated PG and lasts for a grueling 110 minutes. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson plays Boston Rebels’ star quarterback, Joe Kingman, whose world gets rocked when eight-year old Peyton Kelly (Madison Pettis) shows up on his doorstep claiming to be his daughter.

The Game Plan reeks of predictability; it follows a very formulaic Disney plot packed with clichés, plot holes, and an extra cheesy ending. The muscle head and cute kid combination seems anything but fresh. Perhaps The Game Plan would feel

more at home in the Disney Channel rather than in Hollywood.

Despite the fact that most comedies last 90 minutes at most, The Game Plan insists on exploring new waters; with great disappointment.

The additional 20 minutes were unnecessary and an unfunny filler. There was no need for dual allergy scenes; the first one was funny, but the second old. I wasn’t looking forward to the game plan as much as the game over.

In spite of The Game Plan’s shor tcomings, it managed to

top the box office. Why? At the time of its release, it was the only PG-rated movie in a selection of predominately R-rated movies and hence the only movie appealing and appropriate for a family. It’s definitely not because of Johnson, who can’t act his way out of a paper bag.

A l though the mov-

ie didn’t appeal to me as a senior (I was ashamed to walk out of the theater), I couldn’t help but notice how much the children, who were laughing at every other scene, loved it.

In fact, during the ballet

performance in the movie, a trio of little girls sitting in the very front got up and started dancing along to the music. It goes to show that even the cheesy movies can be heartwarming and lovable.

Surprisingly, The Game Plan offers much in terms of education. It teaches the proper pronunciation of Chanel (the perfume) and prescribes some interesting ways of using a BeDazzler.

On a more serious note, it stresses how parenting and sacrifices go handin-hand, even for big shot quarterbacks with supermodel girlfriends and multimillion dollar endorsements.