Community News (V16-I13)

Eid added to school holidays in New London

NEW LONDON,CT–New London Public Schools have added Muslim holidays to their calendar. The Board of Education had Jewish and other holidays already added to its list.

“We welcome the inclusion of Islamic holidays in the school calendar because it will serve to enhance the learning environment for Muslim students,” CAIR-CT Executive Director Mongi Dhaouadi, who is also a New London Public Schools parent, said in a statement.

Though school will still be held on those days, teachers are asked to be mindful of the religious holidays and to refrain from scheduling tests or major activities on these dates. Students who observe the religious holidays will be excused from classes.

Salman Khan to be honored with Heinz Award

Salman Khan, of Khan Academy fame, will be honored with a Heinz Award from the Heinz Family Foundation. The $1.25 million in prize money will be shared with four other winners.

Salman Khan was chosen for improving the human condition. The Khan Academy has revolutionized learning by producing videos and software to allow students to learn skills at their own pace.

The awards were established in 1993 by Teresa Heinz Kerry and the foundation as a way to honor the memory and spirit of her late husband, U.S. Sen. John Heinz III.

This year’s recipients, Mrs. Kerry said in a news release, “are willing to challenge the status quo, to be passionate in the pursuit of bettering the world we live in and to apply whatever strengths we have to the hard work of transformation.”

Mohammed Khan, others among  Science Fair awardees

Mohammed Khan of McNair Academic High School was among thirteen lucky students to be awarded with gold medals at the Jersey Journal’s 2014 Hudson County Science Fair.

The students were among 231 high school and elementary school students to participate in the 56th annual event, which was held Monday at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City.
Among the silver medal winners  are Samavia Khan, Tasfia Tasnim, Ali Hameed, and  Hajra Jamal.

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