Al-Huda Center Weekend School (ACWS)
Student Handbook
Everything families need to know about our program, schedule, expectations, and policies.
Welcome
A Message to Our Families
Dear Parents and Community,
We welcome you to the Al-Huda Weekend School Program and look forward to an exciting year. We are confident this program will support tremendous growth and progress in your child’s Islamic education.
Good communication between parents and our teachers is essential. You should be informed about the curriculum and skills being taught so you can support our efforts, and we need to hear from you about how we can best meet your child’s needs.
Please look at your child’s work regularly. Talk about it, offer praise and encouragement, and give extra help whenever needed. Please assist your child with assigned homework, provide a quiet area to study, and ensure the work is returned on the next school day.
We also invite you to participate in our PTA meetings and activities, and to volunteer at the Weekend School and at Al-Huda Center. Please contact our teachers or the school office with any questions or concerns.
Working together as a team, we will continue to maintain a progressive learning environment and provide our children with a successful Islamic education. We appreciate your support and contributions.
Sister Habiba
Principal, Al-Huda Weekend School
Overview
About the Program
The Al-Huda Weekend School Program offers two areas of study.
Qur’an Reading & Memorization
This program gives students the ability to read the Qur’an and recite it properly, then learn how to memorize it effectively — in preparation to go on to a Hifz school.
Students gain confidence in reading and understanding the Qur’an, learn oft-repeated Qur’anic vocabulary, and familiarize themselves with the basic message of the text.
Islamic Studies & Tafseer
This program builds a strong foundational knowledge of Islamic Studies and Tafseer in a nurturing environment.
Coursework is based on the “Weekend Learning” textbook series and supplemental material, and includes the authentic Ahadith of the Prophet (SAW) as well as the daily adhkar and du’as narrated from the Sunnah.
Purpose
Mission & Vision
We aim to create a structured and nurturing environment for children to learn to read and memorize the Qur’an, gain a solid grounding in Islamic Studies, and master the basics of Tafseer.
The Weekend School program fosters both spiritual and academic development. It is designed to nurture an intrinsic motivation within each student to learn the fundamentals of their religion and to build a strong moral character.
Daily Rhythm
School Hours & Schedule
School runs 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Dhuhr prayer is mandatory for all students.
| Period | Time |
|---|---|
| Period 1 | 10:00 – 10:55 AM |
| Period 2 | 10:55 – 11:50 AM |
| Break | 11:50 AM – 12:20 PM |
| Period 3 | 12:20 – 1:15 PM |
| Wudu | 1:15 – 1:25 PM |
| Dhuhr Prayer / Talk from Imam | 1:30 PM |
Weather & Closures
Emergency Closing of School
If severe weather may affect a school day, please check in this order.
- Visit our website at alhudakc.org on the morning of the school day
- Call the school office at (816) 231-6876 after 6:30 AM for a recorded update
- Check with a friend or another family from the school
Getting To & From School
Attendance, Arrival & Dismissal
Students are expected to attend all assigned classes and to report on time.
Attendance & Arrival
- Students must arrive on time. Parents are encouraged to escort younger children to their classrooms
- Three tardies equal one absence
- Each semester, the class with the best attendance earns an ice cream party
Late Arrivals / Tardiness
- Students arriving after 10:30 AM must report to the office with a parent/guardian before going to class
- A note from the parent/guardian explaining the late arrival is required
- Parents of students with 2 or more tardies in a month will meet with the school administration to develop a plan for improvement
- Failure to correct excessive tardiness may result in the student not being admitted to class that day, and further disciplinary measures
Expectations
Discipline
Proper behavior should be practiced at all times. Our approach begins with advice and reminders.
To achieve our learning outcomes, we expect all students to be prepared to participate in every learning activity. Staff will first advise and remind students of their responsibilities and the school’s expectations. If this does not resolve the behavior, the following measures apply in order.
Grounds for Detention
- Not following the teacher’s instructions
- Minor disruptive behavior in class
- Failure to complete homework on time
- Minor infringement on other students’ rights in class
- Coming to class without required books and supplies
Grounds for Suspension
- Excessive rudeness toward teachers, students, staff, or volunteers
- Foul or vulgar language — we have zero tolerance for swearing and cursing
- Fighting or name-calling
- Excessive disruptive behavior (3 or more times in a given week)
- Continued failure to complete homework on time
- Failure to follow the instructions of school administration
- Excessive violations of school rules, including the dress code
Grounds for Expulsion
- Repeated violations of the grounds for suspension listed above
- Expulsion is determined in consultation with the Al-Huda Center Executive Board
Learning at Home
Homework
Homework is a vital part of the learning process. It provides essential practice in needed skills, enriches and extends the school experience, and promotes growth and responsibility.
In addition to classroom assignments, all students are required to complete homework and return it to their classroom teacher. Assignments are communicated to students and parents ahead of the due date. Students who do not complete homework may be required to stay and complete it before leaving.
Working Together
Responsibilities
The success of our children depends on our effort as partners.
Student Responsibilities
- Come to class on time
- Come prepared with textbooks, notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, and anything else the teacher requests
- Be respectful to teachers, volunteers, other students, and school property
- Complete assigned homework
- Participate in class
Parents’ Responsibilities
- Bring your child to class on time — late arrival causes your child to miss valuable teaching and disrupts the class
- Purchase the assigned textbooks and workbooks by the first day of school (available in the school bookstore)
- Check for homework assignments and help your child complete them
- Check your child’s backpack for notes from the school and respond as needed
- Stay in contact with your child’s teacher and request a conference when necessary
- Review the previous week’s material and prepare for the upcoming lesson
- Visit alhudakc.org for school updates and announcements
- Pay tuition on time
Progress
Reporting Student Progress
Students receive two report cards, one for each semester.
Grades are calculated from classwork, homework, tests, quizzes, projects, and presentations. Report cards are signed by the school administration and given to students by their teachers to take home. It is the parents’ responsibility to notify the school office if a report card does not arrive.
| Grade | Score |
|---|---|
| A | 90–100% (pass) |
| B | 80–89% (pass) |
| C | 70–79% (pass) |
| D | 60–69% (pass) |
| E | 50–59% (not pass) |
| F | Below 50% (not pass) |
What to Wear
Dress Code
Students are required to wear modest, gender-appropriate Islamic clothing.
The following are not permitted:
- Clothing, jewelry, or accessories displaying obscene, profane, derogatory, violent, or gang-related messages, designs, or pictures
- Items promoting alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or any illegal activity
- Items depicting sexually suggestive messages
- Clothing that is transparent, or that exposes the midriff, navel, or cleavage
- Pants, skirts, or shorts that sag below the waistline or must be held in place by hand
- Underwear worn as an outer garment, or clothing that exposes underwear (including tights, leotards, biker shorts, swimwear, and pajamas)
- Tank tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, tube tops, strapless dresses, or garments with slits, rips, or holes
- Accessories that could pose a danger or be used as a weapon (including multi-finger rings, hanging chains, picks, and hair sticks)
- Head coverings such as bandanas, baseball caps, and masks during class
- Clothing that is too tight or inappropriate in length, as determined by school staff
Devices
Electronic Devices & Cellphones
Cellphones are not to be visible during school hours. Devices found in violation will be confiscated and returned to a parent, and cannot be picked up for 24 hours.
When collecting a confiscated item, the parent/guardian signs a confiscation form acknowledging that a second offense means the device is kept until the end of the semester, and a third offense means it is kept until the last day of the school year. Please contact the school office to schedule a pickup time.
Celebrating Our Students
Graduation & Awards Ceremony
Held at the end of each school year.
All KG students advancing to 1st grade receive certificates. For all other grades, certificates are awarded to three students in each class, selected by the teacher, in the following categories:
- Best attendance
- Best academic performance
- Most improved
Get in Touch
School Concerns & Contact
Questions and concerns should be directed to your child’s teacher or to the school office.
Principal: Sister Habiba — (816) 231-3790
School Office: (816) 231-6876
Email: alhuda@alhudakc.org
Address: Al-Huda Center Weekend School, 141 Van Brunt Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64123