News from our Elementary Principal, Ben Voborsky
Hello GAA Community,
It has been another eventful week at GAA! KG2 celebrated their promotion to Grade 1 with a special ceremony and a music video gift from their teachers ( https://drive.google.com/a/gaa-ad.com/file/d/0BykrPvEUV20bbGgxWm1zS2xpRFU/view?usp=sharing). I spoke briefly highlighting how, although a ceremony like this is a milestone, the journey is definitely the most important part!
Grade 5 continued the celebration with their student led ceremony and some fantastic reflection on their school year. I was honored to be the only non-student speaker to address this inaugural Grade 5 Primary Years Programme Exhibition Class. I know our International Baccalaureate students will go into Middle School and continue to be inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective. These are characteristics they have demonstrated and I challenged them "to continue to develop as internationally minded people, who recognise their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, to help create a better and more peaceful world”. Best of luck next year Grade 5!!!
This week our upper elementary families receive a letter regarding the successful Grade 5 pilot BYOD program and how this will expand next year. If you have any questions there will be a session next Thursday at 2pm in room 156. You can also visit http://bit.ly/BYOD_ES_QandA for more information and frequently asked questions.
Please remember as we are approaching the end of the year, all activities have concluded and there will no longer be a late bus. I would like to congratulate Chris Mott on the organisation of another successful year of After School Activities. With the conclusion of all activities, all students should depart by 3:15 and by 12:15 during GAA’s Ramadan schedule. The temperature has really been heating up and we are continuously experience “black flag” days which indicates that all outdoor activity cease. If a black flag is on the field is still on the field after school, please be aware the playgrounds, courts, and field are closed for your safety.
The end of a positive school year is rapidly approaching. Let’s continue to enjoy the rest of it!
Have a great weekend,
Ben Voborsky
Elementary Principal
It has been another eventful week at GAA! KG2 celebrated their promotion to Grade 1 with a special ceremony and a music video gift from their teachers ( https://drive.google.com/a/gaa-ad.com/file/d/0BykrPvEUV20bbGgxWm1zS2xpRFU/view?usp=sharing). I spoke briefly highlighting how, although a ceremony like this is a milestone, the journey is definitely the most important part!
Grade 5 continued the celebration with their student led ceremony and some fantastic reflection on their school year. I was honored to be the only non-student speaker to address this inaugural Grade 5 Primary Years Programme Exhibition Class. I know our International Baccalaureate students will go into Middle School and continue to be inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective. These are characteristics they have demonstrated and I challenged them "to continue to develop as internationally minded people, who recognise their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, to help create a better and more peaceful world”. Best of luck next year Grade 5!!!
This week our upper elementary families receive a letter regarding the successful Grade 5 pilot BYOD program and how this will expand next year. If you have any questions there will be a session next Thursday at 2pm in room 156. You can also visit http://bit.ly/BYOD_ES_QandA for more information and frequently asked questions.
Please remember as we are approaching the end of the year, all activities have concluded and there will no longer be a late bus. I would like to congratulate Chris Mott on the organisation of another successful year of After School Activities. With the conclusion of all activities, all students should depart by 3:15 and by 12:15 during GAA’s Ramadan schedule. The temperature has really been heating up and we are continuously experience “black flag” days which indicates that all outdoor activity cease. If a black flag is on the field is still on the field after school, please be aware the playgrounds, courts, and field are closed for your safety.
The end of a positive school year is rapidly approaching. Let’s continue to enjoy the rest of it!
Have a great weekend,
Ben Voborsky
Elementary Principal
Elementary News
An Invitation to Grade 3 and Grade 4 Parents!
Parents of students in Grade 3 and Grade 4 are invited to attend an in-class Dance and Drama performance. Students will share some of the material that they worked on during Semester 2. Their performance will be followed by an activity for courageous audience members. Please see the schedule below and, if you are able, come to room 104 (the dance studio). Doors open 10 minutes after the start of the period. Please send an email to Ms. Kalokoh if you have any questions or concerns: [email protected].
Costume:
Top and bottom of the same color (graphics, logos, and jeans are acceptable)
Parents of students in Grade 3 and Grade 4 are invited to attend an in-class Dance and Drama performance. Students will share some of the material that they worked on during Semester 2. Their performance will be followed by an activity for courageous audience members. Please see the schedule below and, if you are able, come to room 104 (the dance studio). Doors open 10 minutes after the start of the period. Please send an email to Ms. Kalokoh if you have any questions or concerns: [email protected].
Costume:
Top and bottom of the same color (graphics, logos, and jeans are acceptable)
Kindergarten Corner
Only 10 days till the beginning of summer and you know what that means…
Summer holidays are not far behind. As you and your children fly off to home countries, other countries to explore or staying here to enjoy time with family I would like to encourage you to keep up doing art activities with your children. Continuing on with these activities can benefit your children in so many ways. It strengthens their fine motor skills, continues their work on focusing, allows students to express themselves, remember events and have fun!
Some things you can do:
Summer holidays are not far behind. As you and your children fly off to home countries, other countries to explore or staying here to enjoy time with family I would like to encourage you to keep up doing art activities with your children. Continuing on with these activities can benefit your children in so many ways. It strengthens their fine motor skills, continues their work on focusing, allows students to express themselves, remember events and have fun!
Some things you can do:
- cutting (have students cut out shapes in newspapers or magazine)
- drawing (focusing on including as many details as possible)
- coloring (focusing on using lots of colors and staying in the line)
- we have also been working on weaving which students can carry on doing.
- students can create a picture journal of their vacation.
- clay and playdough (strengthens the muscles in their hands)
KG1
KG 1 E recently celebrated Games Day at school. The children were very excited to bring in games from home and had fun playing with them and their classmates. The students have become very good at taking turns, sharing and being cooperative learners. ☺ Well done !
KG 1 E recently celebrated Games Day at school. The children were very excited to bring in games from home and had fun playing with them and their classmates. The students have become very good at taking turns, sharing and being cooperative learners. ☺ Well done !
The students of KG1F had a very busy, fun week at school. As part of our unit of inquiry,”Sharing the Planet' they decided to reuse plastic bottles to create some beautiful shopping baskets for their moms and dads.
KG2
KG2J and KG2I visiting the 5th Grade Exhibition
KG2J and KG2I visiting the 5th Grade Exhibition
Reminders...
*During the Holy month of Ramadan we will not be celebrating any birthdays in the classroom. If you wish to celebrate your child’s birthday, please communicate with your classroom teacher to arrange a day before June 18th.
*For safety and security reasons children are not allowed in the classrooms after school. We appreciate parents assistance with this and thank you for your continuous help and support.