Dear Pillars Preparatory Academy Families,

As-salamu ‘alaikum!  I hope that this email finds you in the best of health and faith as we approach the first week of the 2021-2022 academic year! 

Our staff  just completed their first week back to school and this included participation in a two-day workshop on nurturing a positive school climate and incorporating Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) across our subjects of study.  In addition, our staff received training whereby they became certified in CPR, alhamdulilah!

A wealth of knowledge was shared this week and our staff set goals for good habits and manners that they will focus on teaching the students this year, in-sha’ Allah.  The Social-Emotional Learning training reminded us that while we, as a school, are responsible for teaching the traditional subjects of English, Math, Islamic Studies, Qur’an, Science, Arabic, etc., we are also responsible for developing each student’s Emotional Intelligence (EI).  Emotional Intelligence is the capacity to recognize and understand the emotions of oneself and others and to use that information to make responsible decisions.  The development of EI is more commonly known as “Tarbiyya” within Islamic context.

Alhamdulilah, our training has been rejuvenating and it is just one of the ways that we have prepared for a successful school year, in-sha’ Allah! 

As you know, the first day of school for students is Thursday, September 9th, in-sha’ Allah.  The Pillars staff has been busy getting ready and they are excited to work with your children!  

As we start off the new school year, please note the following:

1. Families are invited to drop off school supplies (those requested by the school) for their children on Tuesday, September 7th between 10 am and 2 pm, in-sha’ Allah.  Drop-off of supplies is not required at this time, but it is being permitted so that students do not have to be overburdened with carrying a lot of supplies into school on the first day of school.  Please remember to clearly label all supplies with your child’s first and last name and grade and to have a separate package of supplies for each child should you have multiple children attending Pillars.
2. The school doors open for students at 7:55 am each day. Students being dropped off in the morning are to remain in their cars until their temperatures are taken.  Once students are cleared (temperatures below 100.4 degrees), they will be asked to exit their cars to enter the school building.  Students will proceed directly to class where they will begin their day with the morning assembly that includes Qur’anic recitation and morning adhkar. Students will be marked tardy beginning at 8:10 am. Given that tardiness tends to negatively impact students’ academic performance and future academic and professional habits, families are strongly encouraged to bring their children to school on time.
3. For students being dropped off between 7:55 and 8:10 am, parents are to drive up behind the school building from Lincoln Street. Staff members will be waiting to take student temperatures,  help students out of cars as needed, dispense hand sanitizer, and direct/assist students into the school building and to class.
4. Should a student need to be dropped off after 8:10 am, families are requested to park their cars in proper parking spots (not in front of the school building!) and escort their children to the front door of the school building.  Please note that we are not allowing school visitors for everyone’s safety.
5. The school day ends at 3:20 pm. We kindly request families to arrive at the school between 3:20 and 3:30 pm to pick up their children promptly at the dismissal time (not too early as to cause a traffic backup onto Lincoln Street and not later than 3:30 pm out of respect for our staff).
6. Mark your calendars for Back to School Night on Thursday, September 23rd, in-sha’ Allah. At this time, we are planning for a Zoom Back to School Night.  We will share information with families as we get closer to the event.
7. As a final reminder, the number one priority for the school in this age of pandemic is to preserve student, staff, family and community well-being.  Please be proactive in monitoring your child’s health, maintain clear communication with the school regarding health issues, abide by face covering guidelines and remember to keep your children home should they become ill.

We hope that you had an enjoyable summer with your children and are now ready to embark on a productive year, working as partners with the school for the success of our students.  We pray for a healthy, blessed and successful school year for our entire community! Ameen!

Have a great long weekend was-salamu ‘alaikum!