Category Archives: Parents new

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

 

ICEC Newsletter No.2021-2

ICEC Newsletter #2

Greetings,

The opening day of the 2021-2022 academic year was a success thanks to the collective efforts of parents, students, parent-volunteers, and ICEC staff. Classes began and ended on time and as planned. Staggered breaks allowed small groups of students to have their snacks and enjoy conversation with their classmates across the tables. Following the opening day’s successful schedule, we will implement the same schedule for the rest of the school year or for as long as reinforcing safety measures are needed. We will continue to be vigilant and inform you of any possible cases at school. We also urge you to inform us of any cases of Covid-19 in your children’s classes during the week.

Drop off and Pick up Area and Schedule

To ensure maximum safety and avoid overcrowding in the morning and at the end of the day the following schedule will be in place: 

  • Grades 1 through three will line up from 9:20 to 9:30 in the morning and be released at 12:20 PM. 
  • Grades 4 and higher will line up from 9:35 to 9:40 and be released at 12:30.

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. 

Continued assessment and placement

We will continue placement assessment to determine the best proficiency level placements for the students. We will discuss with you any possible changes.

 

،با درود

نخستین روز سال آموزشی ۲۰۲۱-۲۰۲۲ همان گونه که برنامه ریزی شده بود با همکاری شما خانواده های گرامی، فرزندانتان، خانواده های داوطلب، وهمکارانمان در مرکز با موفقیت برگزار شد. کلاس ها در زمان مشخص شده آغاز شدند و به پایان رسیدند. جداکردن کلاس ها در زنگ تفریح، به دانش آموزان امکان داد در فضای آرام با همکلاسی ها و دوستانشان گفت و گو کنند. با توجه به تجربه روز شنبه، این برنامه را تا پایان سال آموزشی و یا تا زمانی که از نظر ایمنی نیاز باشد، ادامه خواهیم داد. ما از هیچ کاری برای حفظ تندرستی دانش آموزان وکادر آموزشی فروگذار نخواهیم بود و شما را در جریان هر موردی که در زمان کلاس ها پیش آید خواهیم گذاشت. از شما نیز در خواست داریم در صورت آگاهی از موارد کوید در کلاس های فرزندانتان، در طول هفته، با ما در ارتباط باشید٠

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 کنند٠

کلاس های چهارم به بالا از ساعت ۹:۳۵۰ تا ۹:۴۰ در صف آماده رفتن به کلاس هایشان می شوند و ساعت ۱۲:۳۰ دقیقه مدرسه را ترک می کنند٠

دانش آموزانی که دیرتر از آغاز کلاس ها به مدرسه می آیند پس از فشار زنگ از در کافه تریا وارد می شوند٠

در پایان یاد آور می شویم که در چند هفته آغاز کلاس ها، دانش آموزان ارزیابی خواهند شد و چنانچه نیاز به جا به جایی آنها باشد با شما تماس گرفته می شود٠

با بهترین آرزوهای تندرستی

مرکز فرهنگی و آموزشی ایران

ICEC Newsletter No. 2021-1

Newsletter #1

Greetings,

First and foremost, we would like to welcome you and your children to the 2021-2022 academic year. We are excited to begin in-person instruction after more than one year of remote teaching and learning.

Considering the current conditions, to ensure safety of the students and staff, it is important that we all follow closely CDC and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) guidelines. As these guidelines evolve and change based on new scientific data, we will adjust our procedures accordingly.  

As part of these guidelines, families are strongly encouraged to monitor their children for symptoms of infectious illness regularly through home-based symptom screening to make sure that in case of illness children are kept at home. Also, anyone entering an MCPS facility inclusive of the parking areas is required to wear a face covering, regardless of vaccination status to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and Variants.

Drop off and Pick up Area and Schedule

Please drop off and pick up your children in front of the School Main Entrance. Upon their arrival students will be greeted by their teachers and volunteered and directed to line up in the designated areas that are marked to help keep them safely apart from one another.  In the event of inclement weather conditions, the same procedure will take place inside the building.

To ensure maximum safety and avoid overcrowding in the morning and at the end of the day the following schedule will be in place: 

  • Grades 1 through three will line up from 9:20 to 9:30 in the morning and be released at 12:20 PM. 
  • Grades 4 and higher will line up from 9:35 to 9:40 and be released at 12:30.
  • For the safety of students and staff there will NOT be parents’ gatherings inside the school unless scheduled and approved by ICEC. 

Parents will be welcomed to enter the building with a previously arranged appointment for further inquiries.

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. 

Continued assessment and placement

Considering the last two years’ unusual circumstances and their impact on education, we will continue to assess students’ language skills to determine the best possible placement for them. We will discuss with you if we determine that such change is to the best interest of your child/children.

You will be receiving a welcome message from your child/children’s instructor/s later this week.

Looking forward to a very productive and safe academic year,

ICEC

 

خانواده های گرامی،

پیش از هرچیز سال آموزشی ۲۰۲۱-۲۰۲۲۲ را به شما و فرزندانتان خوش آمد می گوییم و بسیار خوشحالیم که پس از بیش از یک سال آموزش رودررو را آغاز می کنیم٠

با توجه به شرایط کنونی، برای حفظ ایمنی دانش آموزان و گروه آموزشی، بایستی رهنمودهای  بهداشتی  MCPSو  CDCرا دنبال کنیم. در پیروی از این رهنمودها ،ما از شما در خواست داریم چنانچه فرزندانتان احساس ناراحتی می کنند تا پایان کسالت از آوردنشان به مدرسه خودداری ورزید و ما را در جریان حالشان بگذارید. همچنین در بیرون و داخل  مدرسه دهان و بینی را کاملا بپوشانید. ورود به ساختمان بدون پوشش کامل ممنوع است٠

درخواست داریم فرزندانتان را جلوی در اصلی مدرسه پیاده کنید  و در پایان کلاس ها بردارید. دانش آموزان پس از ورود و پیش از رفتن به کلاس هایشان  در جاهای مشخص شده با فاصله صف می بندند. در صورت هوای نامناسب، این برنامه در داخل ساختمان انجام می گیرد. به منظور حفظ ایمنی دانش آموزان، گروه آموزشی و دیگر بزرگسالان، آغاز و پایان کلاس ها به شیوه زیر انجام می گیرد:

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 کنند٠

کلاس های چهارم به بالا از ساعت  ۹:۳۵۰ تا ۹:۴۰ در صف آماده رفتن به کلاس هایشان می شوند و ساعت ۱۲:۳۰ دقیقه مدرسه را ترک می کنند٠

با پوزش امسال جمع شدن خانواده ها در داخل مدرسه، مگر با قرار قبلی، امکان پذیر نیست٠

دانش آموزانی که دیرتر از آغاز کلاس ها به مدرسه می آیند پس از فشار زنگ  از در کافه تریا وارد می شوند٠

در پایان یاد آور می شویم که با توجه به شرایط استثنایی آموزش در دو سال گذشته، در چند هفته آغاز کلاس ها، دانش آموزان ارزیابی خواهند شد و چنانچه نیاز به جا به جایی آنها باشد با شما تماس گرفته می شود٠

در چند روز آینده، دانش آموزان از آموزگارانشان پیام خوش آمد دریافت خواهند کرد٠

با بهترین آرزوهای تندرستی و به امید سالی پر بار

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.

 

End of School Year 2019-2020

 

Dear Parents, 

We would like to sincerely thank all of you for your unwavering support, as we look back on the 2019-2020 academic year and its unique challenges. Your strong role in the education of your children allowed us to continue to stay connected with them and engage them in meaningful learning.  This support has its roots in our shared belief in the importance of preserving cultural heritage and passing it onto the next generation to equip them for the real world where cultural awareness is key to peace and prosperity.   

Transitioning from face-to-face to virtual instruction would not have been successful without your crucial support and the hard work of our dedicated instructional staff. Once it became evident that Maryland Schools would not open for the remainder of the academic year, the instructional staff, although with little or no experience in online language instruction, welcomed the challenge and worked tirelessly to provide their students with purposeful and engaging learning experiences. In this effort, they also identified and effectively used a variety of online authentic resources to enhance instruction. This resulted in students’ positive response to the new learning environment, as reflected by their perfect to near perfect attendance in most classes.  In light of this uplifting experience, we are convinced that regardless of what the Maryland School system may decide in the fall, our community will remain strong and continue to thrive.   

Looking forward, Iran Cultural and Educational Center (ICEC), the same as any other educational institution, will take advantage of the summer months to prepare for any possibility, i.e., face-to-face, online, or the combination of face-to-face and online instruction.  To this end, summer work will be a combination of teacher training, curriculum refinement, and sample learning plans development as listed below:

  • Review and revise the program of studies to make it more adaptable to online instruction;
  • Provide the instructional staff with ongoing professional development on learner-centered strategies;
  • Identify authentic resources to more effectively integrate culture, content, and language;
  •  Develop sample learning plans based on World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages.

Meanwhile, please do not hesitate to share with us your thoughts and suggestions. We value your input and look forward to it.  We will be in touch.  

Wishing you and your family a safe, healthy, and pleasant summer,

ICEC

Opening Status

Dear ICEC Family and Friends;

We at ICEC wish you warm regards and hope you are doing well.  As we find ourselves adapting to a new (but temporary) lifestyle, we hope that each and every one of you is taking the time to find comfort, joy and love with your family and friends, whether under your roof at home or remotely through technology.

As you may be aware, public schools, and the use of public-school facilities, in Montgomery County continue to be closed until at least April 24, 2020.  Consequently, ICEC must continue to suspend classes.  At this time, there is no fixed date as to when we may be able to resume classes.

We will provide regular updates as soon as we have more information.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions.

Please be well and be safe. 

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,