News From the Elementary Principal Ben Voborsky
Hello GAA Community,
It has been a great week for Parent Engagement. All GAA community members came back recharged from the UAE National Day break and it showed. Students were, as always, working hard but took time out to share their talents with their classmates on stage. GAA does have some talented students and it showed through their amazing performances during the talent shows. What a group of Risk Takers! Grade 1-5 classmates applauded and joined in with laughs, singing, and clapping throughout the shows.
Teachers spent time collaboratively planning with their colleagues on Monday and continuing to strengthen the connections in the upcoming unit of inquiry. They have also been pouring over data from the MAP Assessment results that have been printed and went home today. For more MAP information please visit the North Western Evaluation Agency parent tool kit at https://www.nwea.org/resources/parent-toolkit/.
NWEA trainers will be visiting GAA in January. GAA will host a regional NWEA MAP training and then GAA teachers and Leadership Team will spend time with trainers focused on GAA’s data and how to continue to support student growth.
I have had such positive feedback from parents and teachers regarding the engagement sessions. Sessions have been heavily attended and I want to thank all our parents who came out and our teachers who volunteered to share. From Characteristics of Successful Learners to Meet the Macs there was something for everyone. For me the highlight of Parental Engagement was formally inviting parents into our classrooms for the afternoon!
I hope everyone enjoyed this week at GAA and will be ready for more next week. Please remember December 18th is an early dismissal day.
Have an excellent weekend,
Ben Voborsky
Elementary Principal
It has been a great week for Parent Engagement. All GAA community members came back recharged from the UAE National Day break and it showed. Students were, as always, working hard but took time out to share their talents with their classmates on stage. GAA does have some talented students and it showed through their amazing performances during the talent shows. What a group of Risk Takers! Grade 1-5 classmates applauded and joined in with laughs, singing, and clapping throughout the shows.
Teachers spent time collaboratively planning with their colleagues on Monday and continuing to strengthen the connections in the upcoming unit of inquiry. They have also been pouring over data from the MAP Assessment results that have been printed and went home today. For more MAP information please visit the North Western Evaluation Agency parent tool kit at https://www.nwea.org/resources/parent-toolkit/.
NWEA trainers will be visiting GAA in January. GAA will host a regional NWEA MAP training and then GAA teachers and Leadership Team will spend time with trainers focused on GAA’s data and how to continue to support student growth.
I have had such positive feedback from parents and teachers regarding the engagement sessions. Sessions have been heavily attended and I want to thank all our parents who came out and our teachers who volunteered to share. From Characteristics of Successful Learners to Meet the Macs there was something for everyone. For me the highlight of Parental Engagement was formally inviting parents into our classrooms for the afternoon!
I hope everyone enjoyed this week at GAA and will be ready for more next week. Please remember December 18th is an early dismissal day.
Have an excellent weekend,
Ben Voborsky
Elementary Principal
Around Elementary School This Week..
Primary Years Program News
IB PYP Learner Profile Of the Month
What is an IB PYP School?
It is a school that, regardless of location, size or constitution, strives towards developing an internationally minded person.
What is an internally minded person?
It is a person who demonstrates the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.
The aim of the IB PYP is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.
IB PYP Learners strive to be inquirers, communicators, caring and more in their goal to become internationally minded.
In conjunction with our Culture of Kindness, we are keen for our students to develop the IB Learner Profile, inside and outside of the classroom. Therefore we would like to ask our parents to support our goal and encourage your child to develop these attributes. Every month, we will be posting ideas in the newsletter that you can share with your child to develop their IB Learner Profile. If you have questions about the IB Learner Profile, please do not hesitate to speak with your classroom teacher or the IB PYP Coordinator, Sofia Lyons.
What is an IB PYP School?
It is a school that, regardless of location, size or constitution, strives towards developing an internationally minded person.
What is an internally minded person?
It is a person who demonstrates the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.
The aim of the IB PYP is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.
IB PYP Learners strive to be inquirers, communicators, caring and more in their goal to become internationally minded.
In conjunction with our Culture of Kindness, we are keen for our students to develop the IB Learner Profile, inside and outside of the classroom. Therefore we would like to ask our parents to support our goal and encourage your child to develop these attributes. Every month, we will be posting ideas in the newsletter that you can share with your child to develop their IB Learner Profile. If you have questions about the IB Learner Profile, please do not hesitate to speak with your classroom teacher or the IB PYP Coordinator, Sofia Lyons.
IB Learner Profile for the month of December is PRINCIPLED
Students act with integrity and honesty and a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.
Activities for Parents:
• Involve your child in deciding on the rules for a game or activity and then ensure that they stick to the ones that have been decided upon.
• Encourage your child to play games that involve teams. Discuss with your child the qualities of a team player. What sort of person would they want on their team?
• When your child wins a game insist that he or she is a well-mannered winner. They might want to thank their opponent or shake hands with them if that is appropriate.
• When playing a game, don’t change the rules or let your child win. Being a gracious loser is just as important as being a good winner.
Students act with integrity and honesty and a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.
Activities for Parents:
• Involve your child in deciding on the rules for a game or activity and then ensure that they stick to the ones that have been decided upon.
• Encourage your child to play games that involve teams. Discuss with your child the qualities of a team player. What sort of person would they want on their team?
• When your child wins a game insist that he or she is a well-mannered winner. They might want to thank their opponent or shake hands with them if that is appropriate.
• When playing a game, don’t change the rules or let your child win. Being a gracious loser is just as important as being a good winner.
Understanding MAP Results - Parent Engagement Week Seminar
For those who attended Parent Engagement Week seminar this week, we hope you found the information useful. We appreciate that not all of those who would have liked to attend were able to do so. Dr. Tim Fryer, who presented the seminar "Understanding MAP Results" has shared his power point so you may read through the information at your leisure. Please click here for the power point presentation.
For those who attended Parent Engagement Week seminar this week, we hope you found the information useful. We appreciate that not all of those who would have liked to attend were able to do so. Dr. Tim Fryer, who presented the seminar "Understanding MAP Results" has shared his power point so you may read through the information at your leisure. Please click here for the power point presentation.
Grade 3, 4 and 5 Classroom Performance Schedule
Drama performances have begun. Thank you to all parents who have already attended. Please refer to the schedule below and come to room 104, the dance studio, at the start of your child’s class if you would like to attend. Classes travel together to their assigned performance room. 3F is not performing
Sunday December 14, 2014
8:35-9:15am 3A Goldilocks
10:30-11:10am - 5B Peter & the Wolf
Monday December 15, 2014
10:30-11:10am - 3C Goldilocks
12:00-12:40pm - 5F Peter & the Wolf
12:45-13:25pm - 5D Peter & the Wolf
2:15-2:55pm - 4F Cat’s Party
Tuesday December 16, 2014
8:35-9:15am - 4B Cat’s Party
Wednesday December 17, 2014
8:35-9:15am - 3B Goldilocks
Suggested Costumes
Costumes are not necessary, your child may wear the uniform. Students may come to school in their costume and wear it all day on their performance date. All students know the character they’re playing.
Grade 3 Costumes-Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Goldilocks: Bring a blanket of any size (if a blanket cannot be brought, it is fine, it is not necessary), wear a dress and shoes and bring a hairclip (if it’s not possible, one will be provided)
Narrator 1 and 2: Dress formally, no jeans. They may wear the school uniform.
Papa Bear: Buttoned down shirt or dress shirt, ex. Polo shirt/uniform shirt, tie (any tie is fine, including the uniform tie), slacks (do not wear jeans)
Mama Bear: Wear a dress and shoes
Baby Bear: T-shirt and pants (Can wear jeans or shorts)
Grade 4 Costume: Cat’s Party
Any clothes. Try to wear the following color scheme. If student does not have clothes of these colors, it is fine: wear anything!
Cat: Orange
Bear: Brown
Turtle: Green
Rabbit: White
Squirrel: Gray
Moose: Brown
Grade 5 Costume: Peter and the Wolf
Wear clothes that are appropriate for the character. Below are suggestions.
Uncle Jim: Dress shirt and slacks, wear a tie and shoes
Aunt Angie: Wear a dress
Narrator 1 and 2: Dress formally, no jeans. Girls may wear dresses.
Peter: Solid color t-shirt and pants/shorts. Jeans are okay.
Villagers: Jeans are okay, dresses if female. If a student wants to, he or she may be a villager who dresses with shirt and tie. It is their choice.
Thank You,
Ms. Baindu D. Kalokoh
Drama performances have begun. Thank you to all parents who have already attended. Please refer to the schedule below and come to room 104, the dance studio, at the start of your child’s class if you would like to attend. Classes travel together to their assigned performance room. 3F is not performing
Sunday December 14, 2014
8:35-9:15am 3A Goldilocks
10:30-11:10am - 5B Peter & the Wolf
Monday December 15, 2014
10:30-11:10am - 3C Goldilocks
12:00-12:40pm - 5F Peter & the Wolf
12:45-13:25pm - 5D Peter & the Wolf
2:15-2:55pm - 4F Cat’s Party
Tuesday December 16, 2014
8:35-9:15am - 4B Cat’s Party
Wednesday December 17, 2014
8:35-9:15am - 3B Goldilocks
Suggested Costumes
Costumes are not necessary, your child may wear the uniform. Students may come to school in their costume and wear it all day on their performance date. All students know the character they’re playing.
Grade 3 Costumes-Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Goldilocks: Bring a blanket of any size (if a blanket cannot be brought, it is fine, it is not necessary), wear a dress and shoes and bring a hairclip (if it’s not possible, one will be provided)
Narrator 1 and 2: Dress formally, no jeans. They may wear the school uniform.
Papa Bear: Buttoned down shirt or dress shirt, ex. Polo shirt/uniform shirt, tie (any tie is fine, including the uniform tie), slacks (do not wear jeans)
Mama Bear: Wear a dress and shoes
Baby Bear: T-shirt and pants (Can wear jeans or shorts)
Grade 4 Costume: Cat’s Party
Any clothes. Try to wear the following color scheme. If student does not have clothes of these colors, it is fine: wear anything!
Cat: Orange
Bear: Brown
Turtle: Green
Rabbit: White
Squirrel: Gray
Moose: Brown
Grade 5 Costume: Peter and the Wolf
Wear clothes that are appropriate for the character. Below are suggestions.
Uncle Jim: Dress shirt and slacks, wear a tie and shoes
Aunt Angie: Wear a dress
Narrator 1 and 2: Dress formally, no jeans. Girls may wear dresses.
Peter: Solid color t-shirt and pants/shorts. Jeans are okay.
Villagers: Jeans are okay, dresses if female. If a student wants to, he or she may be a villager who dresses with shirt and tie. It is their choice.
Thank You,
Ms. Baindu D. Kalokoh
Wildcats Journalism Club
With the help of Miss Fabiana, students participating in the "Wild Cats" Journalism Club afterschool activity have produced their very first newsletter!
Well done! Please click here to read their first issue
With the help of Miss Fabiana, students participating in the "Wild Cats" Journalism Club afterschool activity have produced their very first newsletter!
Well done! Please click here to read their first issue
Kindergarten Corner
Settling in to KG; The role of Learning Support in KG By Meredith Bruce, MEd
Transition from summer rules to school rules can be a special challenge to our youngest additions to GAA. New school and a new situation can create stress. As a KG specialist, our team has worked through the first few months of Fall at making each child feel valued, safe, and welcomed. We also work to calm, comfort, and apply strategies that support quick transitions back to the classroom while promoting independence and self-management of feelings. It is December, the halls are quiet, and our youngest students are busily engaged in learning. Our KG Specialist is helping teachers complete reading level assessments and helping support literacy and numeracy development in classrooms before the end of Term. Many of our GAA families are making holiday plans. And our Learning Support Team will be here to welcome all of GAAs youngest students back to school after Winter break with calm and cheer. Happy Holidays!
Transition from summer rules to school rules can be a special challenge to our youngest additions to GAA. New school and a new situation can create stress. As a KG specialist, our team has worked through the first few months of Fall at making each child feel valued, safe, and welcomed. We also work to calm, comfort, and apply strategies that support quick transitions back to the classroom while promoting independence and self-management of feelings. It is December, the halls are quiet, and our youngest students are busily engaged in learning. Our KG Specialist is helping teachers complete reading level assessments and helping support literacy and numeracy development in classrooms before the end of Term. Many of our GAA families are making holiday plans. And our Learning Support Team will be here to welcome all of GAAs youngest students back to school after Winter break with calm and cheer. Happy Holidays!