Back to Articles Art & Culture Back to Sections Eid al-Fitr and Ramadan By Charis Hackman Volume 1 Issue 8 June 8, 2021 Image provided by Creative World UK The Culture Society talked about Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, two special holidays for those who follow the religion of Islam. These Holidays are observed through prayer and fasting. Ramadan Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar calendar, a lunar calendar consisting of 12 lunar months in a year of 354 or 355 days. The holiday is a commemoration of Muhammad's first revelation. Ramadan is also regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days. One of the main traditions during Ramadan is fasting or not eating, called swam in Arabic; basically Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink, or smoke during the day and can eat when it is dark out. But Muslims who are or seriously ill, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic, or menstruating don’t have to fast. The main point behind fasting is that Muslims practice discipline and self-control and is good practice for showing restraint for the rest of the year. On a usual day during Ramadan, families have to get up very early, before the sun comes up, and have a predawn meal called Sahūr . When the sun comes up, they do their morning prayers and the fast begins. Once the sun sets, family and friends gather for a meal called iftar , they then break their fast with water, milk and three dates, a type of sweet fruit and then eat dinner together. Charity or Zakāt  in Arabic, is also an important tradition, while people are fasting, they are encouraged to give as much as they can and a percentage of their income to the poor and do as many good deeds as possible. Eid al-Fitr Eid al-Fitr also called the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", or simply Eid, is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. Since, Islam is one of the largest religions in the world, each region has different ways to celebrate Eid. Eid al-Fitr lasts 3 days where people dress up, preform special prayers, greet each other with “Eid Mubarak,” meaning “Blessed Eid” and with formal embraces, visit family, friends, and family graves, and exchange gifts, like sweet foods, eidia  offerings in money bags, and games for children. Muslim families give donations to the poor, known as Zakat al-Fitr, or charity of fast-breaking in Arabic, normally with food like barley, rice, dates were given, instead of money. In countries where Muslims make up most of the population, the three-day Eid celebration is an official government and school holiday. “Some families even decorate their houses with lights, candles, and colored banners”. Muslims families also hold celebration with friends and family preparing and eating dinner with special dishes, desserts, and other foods together. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Chalk Pastel Peppers Back to Sections Chalk Pastel Peppers- Navjot Ghotra Navjot Ghotra November 6, 2023 Chalk Pastel Volume 4 Issue 1

Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Eisha Nasar - Memory Project By Eisha Nasar March 18, 2021 Volume 1 Issue 6

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections Are You Part of It? Noa Cordova Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by Clipart Library In school, we get graded on homework, projects, assignments, tests, quizzes, and another thing that you cannot turn in or put on paper: participation. So, what is participation? As I see it, participation is involvement or being a part of something whether it is a discussion, activity, or group. We are aware of the importance of participation in the classroom, partly because our teachers stress it every day, and Infinite Campus sends us notifications for our participation grades, but how are we of the importance of participation outside of the classroom? I would like to focus on the kind of participation we are not graded on or our involvement in the school community. Throughout September, we heard about the many extracurriculars that Valley Stream North offers at the club fair dedicated to displaying the activities of the different clubs to new students or others looking to get involved. The idea that we should attend school events, join clubs, or try out for sports has been discussed repeatedly, but for good reason. I think that we have become heavily focused on how extracurriculars look on paper for college applications and overlooked the reason it matters to colleges in the first place. I spoke with Mr. Brodsky, one of the guidance counselors here at Valley Stream North, about the importance of involvement in the school community, and he mentioned that, “not only will it enhance your college application, but it will also show the college that you are a well-rounded student and that you want to give back to the community.” A majority of the clubs here at VSN work for the betterment of the school community or society; however, are those clubs as popular as sports? At our grade level assembly, our assistant principal, Mr. Jara, asked us to stand to gauge the extracurriculars students were involved in. A majority of students participated in sports and other clubs, but several were only involved in sports. Of course, playing a sport is healthy, builds community, and demonstrates school spirit; however, I think participation outside of the classroom should go beyond athletics and include activities that directly work to benefit the school community because, as I discussed with Mr. Brodsky, it says a lot about a student when they dedicate time to serve the community and inspire others to do so as well. It is important that we all collectively understand the importance of joining clubs that work to serve the school community. The Alliance, BSU, Ecology Club, Key Club, SADD Club, STOP Club, and Wellness Center are examples of clubs that serve the school community. These clubs provide everyone with the opportunity to help support a cause that they are enthusiastic about, which matters to colleges because according to Mr. Brodsky, when colleges are working on admitting students, they want to know, “Will they enhance our community as they did in high school, or on a bigger scale?” These organizations are a space to participate in discussions, campaigns, fundraisers, decorating, and unique activities organized by these clubs which work to enhance the community. Participation in the school community is not limited to the few clubs or sports we choose to join; it includes supporting the clubs we are not a part of. Spirit days are popular amongst the clubs here at VSN and allow others to support the causes that other clubs advocate for. Spirit days are a simple way to uplift our school community or other communities by making the simple decision to wear a specific color, yet there seems to be a lack of participation. As a member of clubs like SADD, where we plan out spirit weeks to get others involved in our campaigns, I have noticed that several students do not participate in spirit days. Advertising does not seem to be the issue because flyers are displayed, morning announcements are made, and reminders are posted via teams. I understand that we cannot all participate in every spirit day because not everyone owns a pink shirt, cultural clothing, a lei, or has a favorite celebrity to dress up as, but we should try our best to participate in those that we can because supporting other clubs is a significant part of school participation. We can make a statement as a school community with a wardrobe choice and show our dedication to a particular cause. Some spirit weeks are just for enjoyment or school spirit, and participating in these days demonstrates your support for our school. Another more direct way to participate by supporting other clubs is by attending fundraisers or sales. Certainly, you do not have to buy at every fundraiser, and you should only spend money if your financial situation allows you to do so. As someone without a sweet tooth, it is understandable that not everyone would like to purchase a pie, cookie, or muffin, but clubs also sell practical items like pens, pins, water bottles, or bracelets. Recently, North's band held a fundraiser for the Daler community to help support them after the Farmingdale bus tragedy, an example of how participating in the school community can help another community. Students may not participate in fundraisers, spirit days, or clubs because they are unsure of how it helps or what it is for, so I would encourage everyone to ask. Ask advisors, teachers, and club members how you can get involved and participate in the many wonderful activities going on in the school community. Everyone has something to contribute, so ask questions and be part of it! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Heckscher Back to Sections Heckscher - Anonymous - 3 Entry 12 April 14, 2022 Acrylic Volume 2 Issue 6

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections April Showers Bring May Flowers By Manal Layachi Volume 1 Issue 8 June 8, 2021 Original artwork by Manal Layachi You may have heard the someone say, “April showers bring May flowers,” but what does it actually mean? The meaning of this phrase is very simple. It is a reminder that the most unpleasant events can bring about enjoyable results. In this case, the rain in April helps bring flowers in May. This phrase also teaches a lesson about patience. While waiting for the rain to stop is boring, being patient pays off because in return, flowers will bloom. Even though the rain might make you feel gloomy, when the sun comes out and it is May, flowers will start to bloom and that will change your mood from sad to happy. You might be wondering where this phrase originated. Thomas Tusser, a poet from England, wrote a similar line in a poem during the 1500s. The phrase that he wrote was “Sweet April showers do spring May Flowers.” In England during the month of April, there are huge weather swings with the jet stream going northward at the start of springtime. The month of April is typically the time when the final bit of snow turns to rain as temperatures climb. Increased rain shower activity sparks the beginning of flowers, trees, and plants that start blooming. April is a soggy month based on the position of the jet stream. Since that area has a cooler climate, the lower temperatures push back the appearance of flowers to late April and early May. So, the next time you hear the phrase “April showers bring May flowers”, remember what delightful and surprising things are brought during that time. Sources : www.army.mil and www.wearegreenbay.com and blogs.missouristate.edu BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Godwin By Kimberly Shrestha March 28, 2022 Mixed Media Volume 2 Issue 5

Back to Artwork Who Am I Back to Sections Anonymous - Who Am I? - 6 By Anonymous November 19, 2021 Volume 2 Issue 2

Back to Articles Art Back to Sections The Long Island Arts Alliance Scholar Artist: Alena Moreira By Sophia Rhall Volume 1 Issue 1 November 1, 2020 Original artwork by Alena Moreira The Long Island Arts Alliance, or LIAA, is an organization that supports nonprofit arts, as well as arts education across Long Island. The Scholar Artist award is a prestigious one given to the “best of the best” on Long Island each year. This year's Scholar Artist is our very own Alena Moreira! The Scholar Artist award is in collaboration with Newsday, and the New York County Bank Foundation, so the Valley Stream North community can watch our talented peer appear in Newsday to represent her gorgeous art and represent our community of artists here at our school. Alena is a senior at North High School who has been creating art since she was very young. Since her mom was a graphic designer, art was constantly surrounding her, fueling her passion for it. Alena began submitting to art exhibits in elementary school and moved on to competitions in her sophomore year. According to Alena, her favorite thing about art is that it can “mean different things to different people, but also art can realize the imaginary,” which is what Alena loves most about her creations. As a Visual Arts category applicant, Alena was required to put together her artistic “resume” and her artistic demonstration, a portfolio of ten of her works. She is conflicted about how she wants her art to manifest in her life but wants to help others with it rather than just display it. It’s very easy to tell that Alena will accomplish this and so much more, and we are all extremely excited to see it! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Pop Art Back to Sections Thalie Joseph - Pop Art By Thalie Joseph January 14, 2022 Acrylic Volume 2 Issue 3