Manara Academy congratulates Dr. Ali Shaqlaih, a valued member of our Board and Chair of the Academic Excellence Committee, on a distinguished achievement.
Dr. Shaqlaih has completed the Millennium Leadership Initiative (MLI), a national program led by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities in Washington, D.C. Designed to strengthen the American college presidency, MLI prepares leaders with the vision, strategic insight, and executive acumen needed to lead institutions with transformative impact.
Selected as one of only 26 academic leaders across the United States, Dr. Shaqlaih participated in a national cohort of executive-level higher education leaders. Through this intensive, year-long experience, he engaged in advanced leadership development, collaborated closely with senior higher education leaders, and gained direct insight into presidential leadership, governance, and executive decision-making at the highest levels.
An accomplished academic leader, mathematician, and educator, Dr. Shaqlaih is a tenured professor of mathematics and secondary education with a sustained record of excellence across K–20 education. His scholarly work spans mathematical modeling, educator preparation, and student success, reflecting a strong commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and the strengthening of educational systems.
We are honored to benefit from Dr. Shaqlaih’s leadership at Manara Academy. This achievement not only reflects his personal distinction but also reinforces our mission to cultivate excellence, inspire learners, and prepare future generations for success. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Ali Shaqlaih on this outstanding and well-deserved achievement.
Dr. Shaqlaih has completed the Millennium Leadership Initiative (MLI), a national program led by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities in Washington, D.C. Designed to strengthen the American college presidency, MLI prepares leaders with the vision, strategic insight, and executive acumen needed to lead institutions with transformative impact.
Selected as one of only 26 academic leaders across the United States, Dr. Shaqlaih participated in a national cohort of executive-level higher education leaders. Through this intensive, year-long experience, he engaged in advanced leadership development, collaborated closely with senior higher education leaders, and gained direct insight into presidential leadership, governance, and executive decision-making at the highest levels.
An accomplished academic leader, mathematician, and educator, Dr. Shaqlaih is a tenured professor of mathematics and secondary education with a sustained record of excellence across K–20 education. His scholarly work spans mathematical modeling, educator preparation, and student success, reflecting a strong commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and the strengthening of educational systems.
We are honored to benefit from Dr. Shaqlaih’s leadership at Manara Academy. This achievement not only reflects his personal distinction but also reinforces our mission to cultivate excellence, inspire learners, and prepare future generations for success. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Ali Shaqlaih on this outstanding and well-deserved achievement.
Foreign Language Newsletter!
We are excited to invite our Manara families to a special Black History Month Family Night this Friday!
Come celebrate the achievements, culture, and contributions of Black history while supporting our amazing students as they proudly showcase their projects, presentations, creativity, and learning.
This evening is a wonderful opportunity for families, students, and staff to come together, learn from one another, and celebrate the incredible work our students have prepared. Your presence will make this event even more meaningful for them!
📅 Friday, March 27th
⏰ 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Manara STEM Academy
Bring your family, celebrate with us, and enjoy an inspiring evening of learning and community!
Come celebrate the achievements, culture, and contributions of Black history while supporting our amazing students as they proudly showcase their projects, presentations, creativity, and learning.
This evening is a wonderful opportunity for families, students, and staff to come together, learn from one another, and celebrate the incredible work our students have prepared. Your presence will make this event even more meaningful for them!
📅 Friday, March 27th
⏰ 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Manara STEM Academy
Bring your family, celebrate with us, and enjoy an inspiring evening of learning and community!
STAAR Readiness at Manara Academy
At Manara Academy, our students have been working hard all year long! Through TEKS-aligned instruction, they have been deeply engaged in meaningful learning experiences that build strong academic foundations.
We are proud to share that this dedication is paying off—our students are showing steady growth and increased performance as reflected in both the Texas Formative Assessment Resource (TFAR) and STAAR Interim assessments.
As we head into Spring Break, we encourage students to keep their momentum going!
Students can continue practicing and strengthening their skills by logging into IXL for targeted readiness support. Just a little practice each day can make a big difference!
Let’s keep striving for excellence together—because at Manara, we believe in preparing every student for success. Check the School Events Calendar for your child's upcoming STAAR Test Dates in April.
💙💛 Best on the Test! 💛💙
#ManaraAcademy #STAARReady #BestOnTheTest #StudentSuccess #BlueSkiesBrightFutures
Arabic Spelling Bee!
Autism Awareness Day!
Manara Academy Summer Camp!
Run As One – Fight Hunger 5K | Community Event
Manara Academy is proud to host our Run As One – Fight Hunger 5K, bringing together families, friends, and community partners for a powerful cause.
This special event supports Irving Cares and Meals for Humanity, helping provide meals and essential resources to families in need. Every registration, every step, and every participant makes a difference.
Event Details:
📅 Saturday, April 18, 2026
📍 8201 Tristar Drive, Irving, TX 75063
🕗 8:00–9:00 AM – Line Up
🏁 9:00 AM – Race Start (Walk or Run)
Whether you are running for fitness, walking with family, or supporting the cause, this event is for everyone. Let’s come together as one community to fight hunger and show the strength of Manara Academy.
Register today and join us as we Run As One!
https://raceroster.com/events/2026/109623/manara-academy-and-valley-ranch-islamic-center-5k
We look forward to seeing you at the starting line!
Manara Academy is proud to host our Run As One – Fight Hunger 5K, bringing together families, friends, and community partners for a powerful cause.
This special event supports Irving Cares and Meals for Humanity, helping provide meals and essential resources to families in need. Every registration, every step, and every participant makes a difference.
Event Details:
📅 Saturday, April 18, 2026
📍 8201 Tristar Drive, Irving, TX 75063
🕗 8:00–9:00 AM – Line Up
🏁 9:00 AM – Race Start (Walk or Run)
Whether you are running for fitness, walking with family, or supporting the cause, this event is for everyone. Let’s come together as one community to fight hunger and show the strength of Manara Academy.
Register today and join us as we Run As One!
https://raceroster.com/events/2026/109623/manara-academy-and-valley-ranch-islamic-center-5k
We look forward to seeing you at the starting line!
Across our classrooms, our foreign language teachers are helping students express themselves in powerful, creative ways using color, design, and imagination to bring new languages and cultures to life. These student artworks reflect more than vocabulary; they show confidence, curiosity, and pride in learning something new.
We are so proud of our students for taking creative risks and of our foreign language teachers for fostering spaces where language, culture, and self-expression come together beautifully. When students create, they connect...and that’s where real learning happens.
#StudentCreativity #LanguageThroughArt #CulturalConnection #ProudToBeManara #LearningBeyondWords
We are so proud of our students for taking creative risks and of our foreign language teachers for fostering spaces where language, culture, and self-expression come together beautifully. When students create, they connect...and that’s where real learning happens.
#StudentCreativity #LanguageThroughArt #CulturalConnection #ProudToBeManara #LearningBeyondWords
Today, Manara's Board President, Dr. Ehap Sabri spent time with our students encouraging them to lace up, show up, and be part of something bigger than themselves. His message was simple and powerful: this race is about community.
The Manara 5K brings together students, families, staff, and neighbors to celebrate health, unity, and service. Even more meaningful—all race proceeds support Irving Cares and Meals for Humanity, helping ensure families in our community have access to food and critical resources.
Thank you to everyone who participates, volunteers, and cheers from the sidelines. When we run as one, we give together. You can register for the Run as One 5K which will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Join us!
#Manara5K #RunAsOne #CommunityInAction #ServiceWithPurpose #ManaraProud
The Manara 5K brings together students, families, staff, and neighbors to celebrate health, unity, and service. Even more meaningful—all race proceeds support Irving Cares and Meals for Humanity, helping ensure families in our community have access to food and critical resources.
Thank you to everyone who participates, volunteers, and cheers from the sidelines. When we run as one, we give together. You can register for the Run as One 5K which will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Join us!
#Manara5K #RunAsOne #CommunityInAction #ServiceWithPurpose #ManaraProud
Manara Academy High School Students participated in a presentation by the organization Helping Hands. Imam Yousef Bakeer and team presented stories from their work in Kenya which were impactful and meaningful to our students. Thank you Imam Bakeer and Helping Hands. Manara Leadership Academy Students were appreciative of you sharing your work and time with us.
ADSY Summer Camp
Hello Manara Families
The Counselor Corner Newsletter - January Edition is now ready!
We're excited to share this month's insights, updates, and resources with you. Please take a moment to review the latest edition. https://app.smore.com/n/6ek1hv
Thank you for your continued support.
Warm regards,
Ms. Anderson
District Counselor
randerson@manaraacademy.org
Students, Abdul-Barr Kameny and Yousef Masalha were recognized by the Manara Board of Directors and board chair Dr. Ehap Sabri for obtaining their CTE Industry Based Certifications at last night's board meeting. It was a pleasure to recognize our students accomplishments. Special thanks to Ms. Anderson for her work as District Guidance Counselor and Principal Masten. We wish to recognize these young mens' accomplishments and future goals as well as their parents who attended in support. Manara Academy provides outstanding secondary opportunities to our students and we can't wait to see what the future holds for these young men! Congratulations Abdul-Barr Kameny for your General Management IBC and Yousef Masalha for Cybersecurity Fundamentals IBC!
TELPAS
Manara Academy campuses will resume as normal tomorrow, Thursday, January 29. We look forward to welcoming everyone's safe return. Please continue to dress warmly, wear safe footwear, be extra cautious in areas where there may still be ice and allow for extra time for safe travel.
Manara Academy will be closed on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 due to continued unsafe travel conditions. Stay Safe. Stay Informed.
Manara Academy will be closed at all locations on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 due to continued unsafe travel conditions. Make up days will be on Thursday, April 2 and Friday, April 3, 2026. Stay Safe. Stay Informed.
Manara Academy School Closure Announcement: Manara Academy will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026 due to the weather conditions.
Manara Academy is closely monitoring conditions and will communicate any weather-related decisions impacting school as the weekend predictions for severe weather occur. Please make sure your contact information is up to date to receive alerts. Updates will be shared through our automated messaging system, district website, Manara app, school social media, and local news. Be prepared. Be safe.
