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Al-Bashaer Saturday School 
Institution name: Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center
Address: 100 Malcom X Blvd.
Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120
Telephone: (617) 427-2636
Extension:
Fax: 617249035
Web address: http://isbcc.org/albashaer/
 
Name: Hanan Khashaba
Title: Principal
Address: 100 Malcom X Blvd.
Roxbury Crossing,  MA  02120
Email: hanan614@yahoo.com
Telephone: (617) 427-2636
Extension:
Fax:
Purposes and goals of the program:
This Saturday school offers classes for K-8th grade heritage speakers that focus on Arabic, Islamic studies, and Quaran studies.  Children with all levels of Arabic proficiency are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Program origin:
The Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center (ISBCC) is an expansion of the Islamic Society of Boston (ISB).  In November 2002, the ISB broke ground in Roxbury at an onsite ceremony attended by government leaders such as U.S. Representative Michael E. Capuano, and religious leaders such as Bishop Filipe Teixeira of the Catholic Church of the Americas, and Imam Talal Eid, then representing the Islamic Center of New England in Sharon, Massachusetts.

The Al-Bashaer Saturday School was established in 1998.
Program funding:
 
Languages/dialects taught:
  • Arabic
    •
    Program type:  Community-Based
    Average enrollment:
    Total contact hours per week: 4
    Times per week classes meet: 1
    When meetings take place:
    Saturdays 10am-2pm
    Where meetings take place:
    Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center
    Parents' or guardians' expectations of the program:
    Parents' or guardians' involvement in the program:
    Parents' workshops are occasionally held outside of the classroom.
    Instructors' expectations of the program:
    Number of instructors in the program
    Full-time instructors:
    Part-time instructors:
    Volunteer instructors:
    Languages in which instructors are proficient:
    English, Arabic
    Educational backgrounds and credentials of instructors
    (e.g., diploma, bachelor's, master's, doctorate, certificate):
    Professional development opportunities instructors have:
    Professional development opportunities instructors need:
    Students' expectations of the program:
    The Saturday school is open to students ages 5-15
    Student background
    First-generation immigrants:
    Second-generation immigrants:
    Third-generation immigrants:
    Children of interethnic marriages:
    Children of interethnic adoption:
    Indigenous students:
    Others:
    Students' countries of origin:
    How the program identifies heritage language speakers:
    Children who attend the school have a religious motive to study the Arabic language.
    Average enrollment:
    Approximate percentage of students who complete the program:
    Approximate percentage of students who continue to study the heritage language after completing the program:
    Possible reasons that students continue to study the heritage language after completing the program:
    Religious reasons/ Quaran scripture reading
    Total contact hours per week: 4
    Times per week: 1
    Student grouping (e.g., proficiency level, grade, age):
    Age
    Language skills taught in the program (e.g., reading, writing, speaking, and listening):
    Arabic, Islamic studies, and Quaran studies
    Aspects of culture included in the program (e.g., history, literature, traditions):
    Islamic identity and scripture reading
    Other content taught in the program:
    Arabic spelling bees, parents’ workshops, young girls Friday halaqa, and field trips to locations around Greater Boston.
    Instructional methodologies used in the program:
    Levels of language proficiency reached by the end of the program (e.g., ACTFL proficiency levels, language tasks able to perform):
    Textbooks:
    Manuals and workbooks:
    Self-designed materials:
    Films, videos, and DVDs:
    Music:
    Technology:
    Standardized tests used:
    Other assessments used:
    Connections with local schools or other organizations:
    The Islamic Society of Boston (ISB)
    Credit received from formal education system:
    Types of support received (e.g., financial, time from parents or volunteers):
    Volunteers assist the school and other facets of the Cultural Center by working at registration tables, helping with moving and cleaning, fundraising, and distributing posters.
    Additional support desired:
    Challenges faced by the program:
     
    Comments: