August 1997 How is Sunrise?

By Dr. Kevin Freer, education advisor

Sunrise Academy offers the opportunity to provide an education for our children in an Islamic environment.  The academy is truly a diverse, multi-cultural setting.  Some students are from families who will return to their home countries.  Others are exclusively living their own culture as first generation Americans.  Many are striving to formulate a new Muslim identity here in the U.S.  Sunrise Academy, as a crucial center of activity for the Islamic community in Central Ohio, has worked hard to meet the educational needs of all the students during the past year.

The aim of Islam is to create a better human being.  In order to obtain this goal, we must be well educated.  Through Sunrise Academy, we have the opportunity to have an impact on future generations of Muslims.  We can shape our children’s ways of thinking and prepare them in Islamic Studies and their general education.

The essentials are now available.  We must not only reach for minimum standards – we must also excel in all that we do.  Sunrise Academy has the potential to become a model school for the entire community.

These are exciting times for Sunrise Academy.  Like any new group or organization, however, the parents, staff, and board members have experienced stages of development often referred to as “forming” and “storming”.  A tremendous amount of time and effort has been made by many dedicated (and patient) individuals during these initial stages.  We expect to be “norming” next year when additional policies, procedures, and staff are in place.

People often ask me, “But how did we do?”  I am happy to be able to say, “Very well, thank you! And we have much to do in the coming year.”  I also manage to ask, “Would you like to know how you can get involved?”

Much has been accomplished.  Let me focus on academics.  During the last quarter, we completed end of the year Competency Based Education inventories for grades k-3.  Standardized tests were administered to 3^rd graders. 

Overall, our students did fine – we are on track with the basics.  Cumulative folders have been completed for each student to track progress, record health and attendance, etc.  Reports have been sent to parents.  Quarterly evaluations of each student will be conducted next year.

There are several on-going issues that are both expected of any new organization as well as particular to Sunrise Academy.  Examples of the former include the continuous cooperation and relationship between the Board of Trustees and the school Board, funding, strategic planning, and a budget process based o a stable source of income and long-range goals.  An example of the latter is the unique language needs of our students.  Discussions of how much Arabic is to be taught will continue.  Several students require English-as-a-Second Language as well.   

The fact that we are experiencing rapid growth explains issues and opportunities we are facing: staffing, curriculum development, assessment strategies, possible expansion of the Pre-K program (through a Head Start grant) and library, computer room expansions.

How You can help

There are numerous volunteer opportunities at Sunrise, like the library, computer room, office, classrooms, special events and school projects.  The PTA needs your active support.  Whether you have a child at Sunrise or not, you are welcome to attend special events at the school. 

Looking to the future

The chartering process will continue.  The state’s requirements provide us with benchmarks to track our progress.  We are hopeful that grant submissions and other outside resources recently obtained will continue to bring new services and supplement our own resource development.  We have emphasized quality in all that we do – with that will come increased enrollment and organizational growth.  Sunrise Academy will continue to focus on the individual child throughout this process.

Register your children as early as possible so that we can make adequate plans for the coming school year.