Head of School Letter from Raghad Atari
Assalamu Alaykum Dear New Horizon Teachers, Staff, Students, Parents, Alumni, and Community, It is with great humility and a strong sense of responsibility that I accept the role of Head of School at New Horizon Irvine. I would like to thank the Search Committee and our Board of Trustees for your trust, and our faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, and broader community for your support.
As I take on this new role, my promise is to carry this Amanah to the next level. In Islam, we are taught that leaders are “those who are true to their trusts and covenants” وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَـٰنَـٰتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَٰعُونَ (23:8). New Horizon’s success is built upon the contributions of this large community, and it is with all of you that I will be able to lead this school.
To our teachers, you are the pulse of our school, and it all starts with you. New Horizon is blessed to have such a group of dedicated and professional mentors. I recognize that professional development and growth are top of mind, and I am committed to working to provide the resources you need to flourish. Together, I know that we can serve this community and take this blue-ribbon school to new heights.
To our staff, you are the invisible warriors and unsung heroes. You have established an incredible foundation that, together, we will build upon. As you continue to help the school grow, we will evolve our processes, build our teams, and fortify that foundation.
To our Hawks, you are the purpose, the goal, and the reason for it all. New Horizon has been and will always be the place you learn, play, make memories, build life-long friendships, and prepare for the future. My duty to you is to ensure that you will achieve the highest level of excellence (Ihsan) in both academics and mannerism; you will grow up in a loving, nurturing, and rigorous home at New Horizon. Our purpose is to prepare you for success as proud American Muslim leaders.
To our parents, you have chosen to invest in New Horizon in so many ways and entrust us with your kids among many great school options around us. You are investing in the promise of a community, academic excellence, and an American Muslim identity for your children. While each family may prioritize these differently, I take seriously the responsibility to nurture all three. As a community, we are and will always be the village that will help raise our children. I will work to continue to strengthen our community connections through a dynamic campus life and by taking part in service opportunities that impact our school and the broader community. Academically, we will be relentless in developing our areas of growth and fostering our strengths through research, collaboration with other institutions, and utilization of relevant resources. As for our Islamic identity and education, my promise is that it will continue to evolve and grow in alignment with our mission.
To our alumni, you are our ambassadors to the world and the measure of our success as a school. My dream is that the school will one day be led and operated by its very own. You are the future parents and the New Horizon legacy. My commitment to you is this: New Horizon will not only be your Home, but also a community through which you can network, connect, and grow. Our door will always be open to you. Once a Hawk, always a Hawk To our founders and community, we would not be here without your support through the years. I am committed to honoring your contributions and legacy while continuing to grow our shared vision that New Horizon will continue to be the Model Independent Islamic SchoolNationally. I will make sure that our Community Center remains the hub and resource for this community and generations to come.
I step into this role following decades of visionary leadership by Dr. Dina Eletreby and look forward to building on this remarkable legacy. I want to also thank Mr. Adeel Ahmed who, over the past year, has carried the torch with great grace and resolve; I thank him personally for his support, inspiration, and selfless leadership.
Today, I am excited to start leading New Horizon School Irvine with a steady hand and an open heart. I will lead with empathy, insight, transparency, and intuition, guided by our mission and our strategic plans, ensuring that we continue to be a model of excellence across the nation and the pride of Islamic schools. When it comes to New Horizon’s potential, I know that the sky’s the limit!
Sincerely,
Raghad Atari