Category Archives: Alumni News

ICEC Newsletter No. 2021-3

Greatening,

As we enter week four of the new academic year, we need your continued support in reinforcing the measures that we had put in place at the start of the classes to ensure maximum safety of the students, parents and staff. As a reminder below are the highlights:

  • Grades one through three will continue to line up from 9:20 to 9:30 in the morning and be released at 12:20 PM.  Siblings who are in upper grades should remain in the car until lower grades students have entered the building.
  • Grades four and higher will line up from 9:35 to 9:40 and be released at 12:30.
  • There will NOT be parents’ gatherings inside the school unless scheduled and approved by ICEC.  We respectfully request that only parent-volunteers who help with the security, registration and library remain in the All-Purpose Room. Parents will be welcomed to enter the building with a previously arranged appointment for further inquiries.
  • All-Purpose Room Door remains locked throughout the classes.

If you arrive after the start of the classes, please ring the bell at the All-Purpose Room Entrance.. Volunteers will accompany your children to their classes. 

Virtual Back-To-School-Day

This year’s virtual Back-to-School Day will be held on Saturday, October 23rd, from 5:00 to 5:30 PM. During the session, teachers will introduce themselves, discuss class rules and the curriculum.

Placements and Classes

Considering new enrollments during the last three weeks, we have had to make some adjustments to class sizes. Currently there are two combination classes, i.e., 5th – 6th and 7th – 8th Grades.  Needless to say that the instructors will differentiate the instruction as much as possible to help all the students make the most of the instructional time.

New Staff Members:

Please welcome our new para-educator, Ms. Shabnam Noorbakhsh. She will be mainly assisting Second Grade and combination 5th-6th Grades classes.

Also, please welcome the following former students who upon completing 8th grade the last two years volunteered to join us this year as teacher assistants:

Arvin Adeli assisting Ms. Feryal Zolfaghary in Preparatory First Grade

Sarveen Talaminaei assisting Ms. Mahdieh Daneshian in First Grade

Denna Pourshoushtari assisting Ms. Elizeh Ghiasi in Second Grade

Aryan Abyaneh assisting Ms. Mitra Honarfar 5th/6th Grades

Shyna Kashi assisting Ms. Effat Fakharzadeh in gardes 7th/8th Grades

Best Wishes,

ICEC

 

با درود

در حالی که به پیشباز هفته چهارم سال آموزشی می رویم، ما همچنان به پشتیبانی  وهمکاری شما برای  پاسداری نکته های ایمنی که در آغاز کلاس ها به آگاهی شما رساندیم، نیاز داریم. در ادامه این برنامه یاد آور می شویم

         کلاس های اول تا سوم از ساعت ۹:۲۰ تا ۹:۳۰ در صف آماده رفتن به کلاس هایشان می شوند و ساعت ۱۲:۲۰ دقیقه مدرسه را  ترک می کنند. درخواست داریم خواهر و برا درهایی که در کلاس های بالاتر هستند، پس از رفتن کلاس های پایین تر  صف ببندند

         کلاس های چهارم به بالا از ساعت  ۹:۳۵ تا ۹:۴۰ در صف آماده رفتن به کلاس هایشان می شوند و ساعت ۱۲:۳۰ دقیقه مدرسه را ترک می کنند

         امسال  گرد هم آمدن خانواده های گرامی در سالن مدرسه امکان پذیر نیست.  درخواست داریم تنها خانواده های داوطلب که مسؤول ایمنی، نام نویسی و کتابخانه هستند در سالن مدرسه حضور داشته باشند.   در سالن  از آغاز تا پایان کلاس ها بسته خواهد بود .دانش آموز انی که دیرتر از آغاز کلاس ها به مدرسه می آیند و یا خانواده هایی که پیش از پایان کلاس ها دنبال فرزندانشان می آیند، پس از فشار زنگ در کافه تریا وارد  خواهند شد

روز بازگشت به مدرسه

روز بازگشت به مدرسه به صورت مجازی در روز شنبه، ۲۳ ماه اکتبر، از ساعت ۵ تا ۵:۳۰ پسا از نیم روز برگزار خواهد شد. در این نشست با آموزگاران فرزندانتان ، مقررات کلاس و برنامه آموزشی آشنا خواهید شد

کلاس ها

با توجه به اینکه در چند هفته گذشته دانش آموزان بیشتری،  بویژه  دانش آموزان پیشین، به ما پیوستند به منظور تعادل بیشتر شمار دانش آموزان هر کلاس ناچار به تغییراتی در ترکیب کلاس ها شدیم.  در حال حاضر دو کلاس مشترک پنجم -ششم، و هفتم -هشتم داریم

همکاران تازه

به خانم شبنم نوربخش همکار تازه مرکز  خوش آمد می گوییم. ایشان به خانم آموزگاران کلاس دوم و کلاس مشترک پنجم و ششم کمک خواهند کرد

ما همچنین به دانش آموزان پیشین مرکز که با به پایان رساندن کلاس هشتم در دو سال گذشته داوطلب کمک آموزگاری شده اند، خوش آمد می گوییم
آروین عادلی – کلاس خانم فریال ذوالفقارری – کلاس آمادگی

سروین طلامینایی- خانم مهدیه دانشیان – کلاس اول

دنا پورشوشتری – خانم  الیزه غیاثی – کلاس دوم

آرین ابیانه – خانم  میترا هنرفر – کلاس مشترک پنجم و ششم

شاینا کاشی – خانم عفت فخارزاده – کلاس مشترک هفتم و هشتم

,با بهترین آرزوها

مرکز فرهنگی و آموزشی ایران

 

2021-2022 Iran Arbabi Scholarship Awards

The Iran Arbabi Scholarship Program resumed its annual scholarship awards for the academic year 2021-2022 following a one-year interruption caused by the pandemic COVID-19. This year the Scholarship Program received more applications from qualified candidates. An independent Panel of Experts, appointed by the ICEC Board of Trustees, using specific criteria, evaluated the qualifications and merits of all applicants in August 2021. While very different views and ranking of applicants were expressed by Panel members, the combined evaluation ratings and academic GPA for the top three applicants were virtually identical. It is a great pleasure to announce that the Scholarship Committee has decided to award the top three applicants an adjusted amount of $1,500 each. The awardees whose names appear below have been so notified.

Mr. Sam Bashiri

Mr. Arman Charkhabi

Mr. Sam Rahbin

2021-2022 Academic Year Reopening

Dear Parents,

We hope this message finds you and your family well and in good health.
 
We are excited to inform you that this academic year we will be holding face-to-face classes at Ritchie Park Elementary School, in Rockville, MD. Within the next few days, we will send you detailed information regarding the registration. All relevant information will be posted on the ICEC website as well.
 
Meanwhile, we would like to take this opportunity to assure you that we take the safety of our students and staff seriously and will follow closely safety measures that are put in place by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), including wearing mask coverings inside the building and social distancing both inside and outside the classrooms. In addition, a classroom will be designated for the students who may develop symptoms of COVID-19 while waiting for the parents to pick them up. Furthermore, there will be staggered recess times to reduce potential contamination risks and exposure.  It should be added that all staff members have been vaccinated.
 

We very much look forward to welcoming you and your children to the new academic year.
 
Best wishes,

ICEC

2021-2022 Scholarship

Iran Cultural and Educational Center

Iran Arbabi Scholarship

The Iran Arbabi Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to students of Iranian descent entering or attending an accredited post-secondary institution. The scholarship is granted annually to at least one eligible applicant, selected based on the eligibility criteria listed below. An independent committee that consists of a panel of distinguished scholars and chaired by a member of the ICEC Board of Trustees screens applications in the summer. Members of the selection committee may also interview the finalists. The recipient (s) may use the scholarship to attend an accredited college across the United States. Scholarships are not limited to any specific field or career objective and may be used to pursue any academic discipline for undergraduate or graduate studies.

2021-2022 Scholarship

For the academic year 2021-2022, two separate scholarships will be awarded to applicants who meet the eligibility requirements and are selected by the Selection Committee. The second donation has been made possible by a donation from the National University of Iran Alumni Association.

Basic Requirements

Applicants should meet the following requirements to be considered for the Iran Arbabi Scholarship. They must:

  1. Be of Iranian descent;
  2. Lawfully reside in the Maryland, Virginia, or the District of Columbia, United Sates;
  3. Submit verification of participation in activities that promote Persian culture and heritage to include, but not limited to attendance at a Farsi language school, participation in Persian art or cultural group (music, dance, theater, etc.), volunteer activities for a Persian community-based charity, active participation in a Persian student association, etc.
  4. Attend, or be accepted for attendance, at an accredited American college or university in a full-time undergraduate or graduate degree program in Maryland, Virginia or District of Columbia.
  5. If attending, or accepted for attendance, an undergraduate program:
  6. a) Possess a high school diploma, or the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma,
  7. b) Have good academic standing (GPA of 3.0 or higher)
  8. If attending a graduate program: a) Possess proof of successful completion of undergraduate studies, i.e., Bachelor degree `

All participants need to:

  1. Complete and submit a Scholarship Application Form;
  2. Two letters of recommendation; at least one letter should be from an instructor/professor or other high school/college professional;
  3. An official transcript with the college seal on it;
  4. Two one-page essays each on:
    1. What are your dreams and aspirations?
    2. How has your cultural heritage formed the person you are, and in what way will this serve you as an asset to promote Persian language and culture in the future?

 

Important Application Dates

 

May 15, 2021 – ICEC starts accepting applications for the 2021-2022 academic year.

The Application Form will be available for download from the ICEC website at: http://iraneducationalcenter.org/scholarship-application/

June 30, 2021 (Extended to July 30, 2021)– Final postmarked deadline in order to be considered for the 2021-2022 Scholarship Program.  Application materials must be mailed in one packet to:

 

Iran Abrabi Scholarship Program

Iran Cultural and Educational Center

14644 Pinto Lane, Rockville, MD 20850-3536

 

 Transcripts and letters of recommendation should not be sent separately. Incomplete, e-mailed, or faxed applications will not be considered.

 

August 15, 2021: Winners of the scholarship will be notified, and names will be posted on the ICEC web site.

 

 Scholarship Conditions

 

The Iran Arbabi Scholarships may be used to supplement existing benefits from the student’s college or university, or from other foundations or organizations. Recipients may use the scholarship to cover the costs of tuition, fees, room, and board. Funds will be paid to selected candidates upon receiving transcripts and proof of course registration and enrollment. Financial need may be taken into consideration in awarding a scholarship. If the Scholarship Committee determines that financial need will be taken into consideration, the applicant may be required to provide financial information at a later time.

A recipient’s scholarship can be revoked if the student:

  • fails to graduate from high school;
  • fails to enroll in an institution of higher education in the year for which the scholarship was awarded;
  • fails to comply with the rules, regulations or conditions of the institution the student attends; or
  • receives the scholarship through error or contrary to law.

Retroactive payment of the scholarship is not permitted.

 

Nowruz Event Cancellation

Cancellation of ICEC Nowruz Program, March 7th, 2020

 
The impact of the coronavirus outbreak worldwide and especially in Iran is evident.

It’s difficult to predict the wider impact the coronavirus will have in the weeks to come. Nonetheless, we must take into consideration the recommendations of the WHO (World Health Organization) and CDC (U.S. Center for Disease Control).  In addition, we consider the recommendations of these organizations in light of the likelihood that members of our community may have recently traveled to places of higher risk for the virus.

Consequently, it is with great regret and the utmost regard for safety of our Children and community members, that ICEC has an obligation to cancel the upcoming Nowruz Program scheduled for March 7, 2020. 

We wish to thank all Organizers, Parents, extracurricular activities leaders, 
Volunteers, Teachers, Students, and Vendors for their outstanding efforts and collaboration in preparation of our Nowruz Program.

Happy and healthy Nowruz to all,

Nowruz Meeting and Volunteers Sign Up

Nowruz Committee of Iran Cultural and Educational Center (ICEC) would like to invite you to attend the first ICEC Nowruz Committee meeting in 2020 on Saturday January 11, 2020  from 9:45 AM to 11:00 AM.

Meeting agenda:
    1- Nowruz activities update by various groups.
    2- Volunteer tasks/assignments
    3- Class Liaison update
    4- PDT, YIM and YIP update
    5- Other tasks
    6- Q/A
     

Nowruz Volunteers:

Please use the following link to volunteer for different tasks.  Your participation and support of Nowruz Committee will be critical to make this celebration another successful event.

Please notice that some of the tasks are required to be performed prior to and some of them are for after the event on March 7th. 

Nowruz Volunteers sign up Link 

If you have any question please send an email to : 

Nowruz coordinator :  Nowruz@iraneducationalcenter.org

or

CSA President:  CSA@iraneducationalcenter.org 

 

 

Donations

Dear Friends of Iran Cultural and Educational Center,

In the spirit of this giving season, if you plan to donate to some cause, you may wish to consider donations that benefit a Persian cultural or educational activity. There are a number of such organizations that are active and registered as non-profit organization in the Washington Metropolitan area.

As you are aware, one such organization is the Iran Cultural and Educational Center (ICEC), registered as a non-profit organization in the State of Maryland. ICEC is non-commercial, non-partisan and non-sectarian and with no political or religious affiliation to any group, party or government.  Since its inception in 1990, ICEC’s sole mission has been “to create a nurturing environment that strengthens the sense of connection, pride and appreciation of Iranian culture, heritage and history.”

ICEC is a registered member of the United Way of the National Capital Area (UWNCA) and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). If you wish to make a contribution to ICEC through United Way campaigns, please visit https://unitedwaynca.org/nonprofit-partner-search  and enter designation number 8643 for ICEC as a non-profit partner. To contribute to ICEC through CFCNCA, please enter designation number 24136 on your CFCNCA form. All contributions to ICEC, according to Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code are tax deductible (consult your tax advisor).

ICEC Board of Trustees, Officers and Teachers

2019-2020 Scholarship Recipients

Iran Arbabi Scholarship Awardees

For 2019-2020 Academic Year

Iran Cultural and Educational Center (ICEC) is pleased to announce that, with a donation received from National University of Iran Alumni, it was able to increase the number of Iran Arbabi Scholarship recipients for the 2019-20 academic year.

A panel of independent experts, appointed by the ICEC Board of Trustees, reviewed all applications and supporting documents and recommended 3 applicants who received the highest scores to receive scholarship. The following three top applicants are awarded an adjusted amount of  $1,500, each:

 

Miss Tara Manzari

Miss Mana Mostofi-Tehrani

Miss Elica Semnani

 

ICEC would like to congratulate the awardees and wish them a very successful academic year.

ICEC Alumni-Yosmin Badie

Yosi Badie graduated cum laude from The University of Maryland with a major in Economics and Government & Politics, and a minor in Mathematics. As a daughter of Iranian immigrants, she served as the President of the Iranian Students’ Foundation, where she focused on building community amongst fellow Iranian-American students and connecting to the greater Iranian community.
Upon graduation, Yosi worked as a business development associate at Bloomberg. With the refugee crisis reaching its peak during this time, she decided to leave the corporate world to actively support communities fleeing their homes in search of safety. She moved to Thessaloniki, Greece to volunteer for Emergency Response Centre International, a Greek NGO.
There, she managed Elpida Refugee Camp, working alongside Syrian and Iraqi residents to improve the conditions of the camp and to transform it into a dignified community space.
After 7 months in Greece, Yosi returned stateside to run the Washington D.C. branch of The Petey Greene Program, where she supported the academic achievement of incarcerated people in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia by bringing university students to tutor GED students inside prisons and jails. Yosi worked to expand access to education on the inside and worked
alongside those incarcerated to establish the program at the Washington, D.C. Jail.
Yosi will be starting law school in the Fall at NYU as a Root-Tilden-Kern public interest scholar. At NYU, Yosi hopes to expand her capacity to not only mitigate the experience of oppression faced by refugees, immigrants, incarcerated individuals, and other marginalized communities, but to also leverage her education to dismantle these systems of oppression.