News From the Elementary Principal Ben Voborsky
Hello GAA Community,
It was great to welcome back all our GAA students and community members this week. From the variety of stories, we have such a well-traveled and well-experienced vibrant community. It is amazing that everyone said they returned rested! GAA is ready for a positive and exciting rest of the year.
Time really flies at GAA and today we held our Grade 2-5 Sports Awards Ceremony. It was awesome to see how many teams were fielded and how many students participated. This show of school spirit demonstrated our student’s happiness at school and the balanced lifestyle they lead. All students were able to participate and we really did have some risk-takers out there! A huge thank you to the students who participated, the parents who supported, and most importantly, the coaches. I look forward to seeing more Grade 4 and 5 students out for basketball.
To put the finishing touches on 2014, our teachers are busy winding up assessments and writing report cards. This year report cards will remain the same format as last year and once again be accessed through the OASIS system. The only difference this year is that we are “going green” and will not be printing the semester report cards. You will be able to access your child’s report card at home through the OASIS system then discuss it with them and set goals for the rest of the year. If you choose, you can print from OASIS. The final report card will also be available via OASIS as well as being sent home in hard copy.
GAA has already begun looking planning for the 2015 school year. The elementary teams are putting the finishing touches on our resources order to support the PYP Program of Inquiry and the timetable has been finalized.
Unfortunately, I will be missing the much talked about and soon to be hotly contested GAAPA Chili Cook Off. I am off on a recruiting trip to find more amazing educators to join GAA. From next week, I will be heading to international teacher recruitment fairs in London, Iowa, Boston, and Cambridge. The highlight of these events are when I hold the GEMS American Academy Presentation. Educators get to learn about life at GAA and in Abu Dhabi. Last year the room was packed and I expect the same level of excitement this year. It is an honor for me to share our amazing GAA community and everything special that we are doing here with the world.
Enjoy your weekend,
Ben Voborsky
Elementary Principal
It was great to welcome back all our GAA students and community members this week. From the variety of stories, we have such a well-traveled and well-experienced vibrant community. It is amazing that everyone said they returned rested! GAA is ready for a positive and exciting rest of the year.
Time really flies at GAA and today we held our Grade 2-5 Sports Awards Ceremony. It was awesome to see how many teams were fielded and how many students participated. This show of school spirit demonstrated our student’s happiness at school and the balanced lifestyle they lead. All students were able to participate and we really did have some risk-takers out there! A huge thank you to the students who participated, the parents who supported, and most importantly, the coaches. I look forward to seeing more Grade 4 and 5 students out for basketball.
To put the finishing touches on 2014, our teachers are busy winding up assessments and writing report cards. This year report cards will remain the same format as last year and once again be accessed through the OASIS system. The only difference this year is that we are “going green” and will not be printing the semester report cards. You will be able to access your child’s report card at home through the OASIS system then discuss it with them and set goals for the rest of the year. If you choose, you can print from OASIS. The final report card will also be available via OASIS as well as being sent home in hard copy.
GAA has already begun looking planning for the 2015 school year. The elementary teams are putting the finishing touches on our resources order to support the PYP Program of Inquiry and the timetable has been finalized.
Unfortunately, I will be missing the much talked about and soon to be hotly contested GAAPA Chili Cook Off. I am off on a recruiting trip to find more amazing educators to join GAA. From next week, I will be heading to international teacher recruitment fairs in London, Iowa, Boston, and Cambridge. The highlight of these events are when I hold the GEMS American Academy Presentation. Educators get to learn about life at GAA and in Abu Dhabi. Last year the room was packed and I expect the same level of excitement this year. It is an honor for me to share our amazing GAA community and everything special that we are doing here with the world.
Enjoy your weekend,
Ben Voborsky
Elementary Principal
Around Elementary School This Week..
We Are Monsters Cast List
Thank you to all students who came out to audition for the school musical "We Are Monsters". We had a lot of students try out and unfortunately were not able to cast everyone in the show. Both Ms. Caitlin and I were very impressed with the talent we have here at GAA and hope our students continue to participate in school productions in the future. Thank you again to everyone who participated and congratulations to our cast of "We Are Monsters". Performances of the show will take place on April 29th and 30th so keep on the look out for more information to come soon.
Click here for the cast list
Mr. Erik Smith
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.
The Learner Profile for the month of January is - COMMUNICATOR
Students will understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
Activities for Parents:
• Encourage your child to stay in touch with relatives and friends who live in other countries by writing letters, using the phone or sending an email.
• When working on homework, encourage your child to explain his/her answer to you orally or by drawing a picture.
• Work with your child to improve his/her listening skills. Being a good listener is an important part of communicating with others.
• Utilize school sponsored discussion boards and blogs to enhance written communication skills.
Students will understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
Activities for Parents:
• Encourage your child to stay in touch with relatives and friends who live in other countries by writing letters, using the phone or sending an email.
• When working on homework, encourage your child to explain his/her answer to you orally or by drawing a picture.
• Work with your child to improve his/her listening skills. Being a good listener is an important part of communicating with others.
• Utilize school sponsored discussion boards and blogs to enhance written communication skills.
Creative Writing in Grade 3E
3E has just finished writing their realistic fiction pieces. They were committed to working hard by drafting, revising, editing, re-writing, and reflecting. Once finished, they were excited to share their final stories with their parents!
Kindergarten Corner
In KG1 we have been very busy this week reconnecting with our friends and making new friends, new children have joined our classes this year and the children have been excited to show them how our classroom works and the daily routines and activities we do. They have settled back into school life very well and are showing their understanding of the alphabet, the number system and much more. Welcome back KG1!
Kindergarten Events
• January 28th community share kg1
• February 5th- sports day kg1/kg2
• February 25th – drama/music/art performance kg1/kg2
• January 28th community share kg1
• February 5th- sports day kg1/kg2
• February 25th – drama/music/art performance kg1/kg2