Re: Arabic classes
Wow! I've heard this from friends who are public school teachers as well! American parents are insane, they don't want to say anything to the kids, which is why the kids are spoiled and useless! Its been happening a while. The desi and other muslim parents who grew up here are raising their kids the same way, without any dicipline etc.
Good luck!
I was going to suggest getting some children's books in Arabic, i.e. books for children in the arab world. The kids might find them useful and relate to them a bit more than the quaida etc. I took 2 semesters of arabic and they started us off with a kids activity book it was pretty cool...I am sure the kids will pick up that way and it'll be more fun for them as well.