News from Head of School - Kathy Miner
Dear Parents,
At 5:15 am this morning, I found myself mixing a huge amount of pancake batter to help my son with a class project today. The things we do for our children! My son’s project for his French class today, was to bring in a breakfast item, and of course, explain his food item in French. Pancakes didn’t sound too difficult until my son announced there were 15 students in the class! So, there we were early this morning, mixing batter and flipping pancakes. We all work so hard as parents to make every step along our children’s education worthwhile and successful. I’m sure there were other parents up this morning helping with the other breakfast items- cheers to all of you! With pancake mix slopped all over the kitchen floor, I left my teenagers in charge and left for work.
We enjoyed a fantastic Arts Week. A huge thank you to all of our parents who attended the performances. I certainly know that it takes a lot to pull together the costumes and to support our events from home- thank you.
In Touch Session with SLT: The last “In Touch” session with the Senior Leadership Team members last November was a big success. After the session, I made a commitment to schedule another similar event. Stay tuned for more information in the next newsletter about our “In Touch” session scheduled for Wednesday, March 11th.
The “In Touch” session is a Parent Coffee event in which parents can choose among a number of table discussion groups. Every 20 minutes, everyone rotates in order to move through to the table discussions of most interest. School leaders facilitate an engaging discussion and take notes on chart paper to document the feedback and suggestions.
For those parents who are working and not able to attend, I am happy to make late afternoon/early evening personal appointments or scheduled phone calls.
Upcoming Orientation and Transition Information
We are firming up plans to host several events in March designed to provide our parents with important information about the upcoming 2015-2016 school year.
Our Secondary School team - counselors, leaders and teachers - will lead a presentation on various aspects of the program and answer questions. Our Secondary School team has made a tremendous number of improvements this year that we are excited to share with our parents. Secondary School is such an important step in preparation for college and beyond , we welcome our parents to join us in the journey.
We are planning an incoming 6th grade orientation for the G5 parents of our rising 6th grade students, to include:
We are also planning a Secondary School afternoon and evening presentation, to include:
More Information, Tuition Fees for 2015-2016: There is a possibility that tuition fees may increase for the 2015-2016 school year. Schools may only raise tuition fees once every three years. GAA has not raised tuition fees in last four years, which is confirmed by our accountants and auditors. We are applying for a tuition fee increase to help offset increased costs for staffing, operational and facilities upkeep. Such fee increases are subject to ADEC approval.
Regardless of the percentage increase requested, ADEC determines the rate of increase. In the tuition fee increase application , schools must include all financial information, expenditures over the last three years as well as budget projections for the coming year. Schools must also provide certificates of compliance with various health & safety standards, licensing and other regulations. A significant amount of financial data are reviewed by ADEC as they determine whether or not a fee increase is appropriate. We basically open our books and ask for a review of financial data. The allowable rate increase is determined by ADEC after reviewing our financial data.
We are not able to anticipate the percentage increase that ADEC might approve. It is also possible that ADEC might not approve an increase at all. With that said, I feel that it is appropriate to notify our parents that a tuition fee increase is a possibility.
The due date for applying for a tuition fee increase with ADEC is March 4, 2015. I understand that ADEC typically notifies schools of their decision to approve fee increases in June or July.
We realize that this timeline does not allow our parents to make re-enrollment decisions knowing the total tuition fee, however, we will continue to communicate as more information is available.
Sports Field Safety: We are currently reviewing several options for ensuring greater safety near the field during baseball and softball season. Up for consideration is closing the back gate during practice hours to prevent students and parents from traveling along the field area during practice, thereby keeping those not playing out of harm’s way. The next practice is not until Monday, so we have some time to review our play schedule and plan.
Dr. Kathy Miner
Head of School and CEO
At 5:15 am this morning, I found myself mixing a huge amount of pancake batter to help my son with a class project today. The things we do for our children! My son’s project for his French class today, was to bring in a breakfast item, and of course, explain his food item in French. Pancakes didn’t sound too difficult until my son announced there were 15 students in the class! So, there we were early this morning, mixing batter and flipping pancakes. We all work so hard as parents to make every step along our children’s education worthwhile and successful. I’m sure there were other parents up this morning helping with the other breakfast items- cheers to all of you! With pancake mix slopped all over the kitchen floor, I left my teenagers in charge and left for work.
We enjoyed a fantastic Arts Week. A huge thank you to all of our parents who attended the performances. I certainly know that it takes a lot to pull together the costumes and to support our events from home- thank you.
In Touch Session with SLT: The last “In Touch” session with the Senior Leadership Team members last November was a big success. After the session, I made a commitment to schedule another similar event. Stay tuned for more information in the next newsletter about our “In Touch” session scheduled for Wednesday, March 11th.
The “In Touch” session is a Parent Coffee event in which parents can choose among a number of table discussion groups. Every 20 minutes, everyone rotates in order to move through to the table discussions of most interest. School leaders facilitate an engaging discussion and take notes on chart paper to document the feedback and suggestions.
For those parents who are working and not able to attend, I am happy to make late afternoon/early evening personal appointments or scheduled phone calls.
Upcoming Orientation and Transition Information
We are firming up plans to host several events in March designed to provide our parents with important information about the upcoming 2015-2016 school year.
Our Secondary School team - counselors, leaders and teachers - will lead a presentation on various aspects of the program and answer questions. Our Secondary School team has made a tremendous number of improvements this year that we are excited to share with our parents. Secondary School is such an important step in preparation for college and beyond , we welcome our parents to join us in the journey.
We are planning an incoming 6th grade orientation for the G5 parents of our rising 6th grade students, to include:
- Grade 6 curriculum, program and advisory
- Support and communication for this age group
- The social-emotional development of middle school students
- How the year will begin
- Bring Your Own Device- BYOD and digital citizenship
- Other topics important for this age group
We are also planning a Secondary School afternoon and evening presentation, to include:
More Information, Tuition Fees for 2015-2016: There is a possibility that tuition fees may increase for the 2015-2016 school year. Schools may only raise tuition fees once every three years. GAA has not raised tuition fees in last four years, which is confirmed by our accountants and auditors. We are applying for a tuition fee increase to help offset increased costs for staffing, operational and facilities upkeep. Such fee increases are subject to ADEC approval.
Regardless of the percentage increase requested, ADEC determines the rate of increase. In the tuition fee increase application , schools must include all financial information, expenditures over the last three years as well as budget projections for the coming year. Schools must also provide certificates of compliance with various health & safety standards, licensing and other regulations. A significant amount of financial data are reviewed by ADEC as they determine whether or not a fee increase is appropriate. We basically open our books and ask for a review of financial data. The allowable rate increase is determined by ADEC after reviewing our financial data.
We are not able to anticipate the percentage increase that ADEC might approve. It is also possible that ADEC might not approve an increase at all. With that said, I feel that it is appropriate to notify our parents that a tuition fee increase is a possibility.
The due date for applying for a tuition fee increase with ADEC is March 4, 2015. I understand that ADEC typically notifies schools of their decision to approve fee increases in June or July.
We realize that this timeline does not allow our parents to make re-enrollment decisions knowing the total tuition fee, however, we will continue to communicate as more information is available.
Sports Field Safety: We are currently reviewing several options for ensuring greater safety near the field during baseball and softball season. Up for consideration is closing the back gate during practice hours to prevent students and parents from traveling along the field area during practice, thereby keeping those not playing out of harm’s way. The next practice is not until Monday, so we have some time to review our play schedule and plan.
Dr. Kathy Miner
Head of School and CEO
GAA Community News
February and March GAA Community Evenings in the Planetarium
Greetings GAA Parents,
I will be hosting several community evenings in the planetarium next week and into March. From my previous experience hosting these evenings, Mondays and Tuesdays seem to be the most popular. The dates will be as follows:
Monday, February 23 Tuesday, February 24 Monday, March 2 Tuesday, March 3
All 4 shows will feature a short discussion about the current night’s sky, followed by our full-dome movie “Experience the Aurora”. The shows will start at 6:00PM and I expect them to end around 7:15PM. For more information about this show, please see the poster below.
To reserve your spot, you will need to send an RSVP email to the planetarium director, Mr. James Walker. The email address is: [email protected] Please note which evening you would like to attend, Monday, February 23rd, Tuesday, February 24th, Monday, March 2nd, or Tuesday, March 3rd. Also, please tell me how many people you will be bringing to the show. Whole families are welcome, but space is limited so reserve your spots early.
Also, if Mondays or Tuesdays are not good for you, please let me know what day you are available and I will try to include that in the next round of shows.
Thank you,
James Walker
GAA Booster Club
Announcing an available position, Procurement Assistant, in the GAA Administration Office.
We are looking for someone with strong IT skills who is highly organized and able to work effectively with suppliers placing and tracking our supply orders. This role needs someone with a strong personality who can demand quality products from suppliers along with a commitment to deliver those supplies and resources on time, and the organisational skills to manage the distribution of those resources. If you know of someone perfect for this role, please encourage him or her to apply by sending their CV and letter of interest to Olga Carillo, at [email protected].
Would you like to train to be a teacher with the largest private K-12 education operator globally and world leading Educational Universities?
Applications are now open for September 2015! Please click this link to access further information about our International Post Graduate Teacher Training Qualification (iPGCE), to complete the application form and to register for our open day on Saturday 28th February 2015, 10:00am, at GEMS Wellington International School, Dubai (map can be found here).
For further information please contact [email protected]
Applications are now open for September 2015! Please click this link to access further information about our International Post Graduate Teacher Training Qualification (iPGCE), to complete the application form and to register for our open day on Saturday 28th February 2015, 10:00am, at GEMS Wellington International School, Dubai (map can be found here).
For further information please contact [email protected]
We're running a Scholastic ISBC to earn free books for our school. We'll be sending the Book Club leaflets home so that you and your child can choose from the latest exciting selection of books. Please place your order online at http://world-schools.scholastic.co.uk/gems-american-acad-abu-dhabi by March 12th, 2015.
Book Week is happening March 1 to March 5!
Book Week is happening March 1 to March 5!
News about the NBAD GEMS Credit card
The NBAD GEMS co-branded credit card has changed the discount rate from 9% to 7% with effect from 20th March 2015, when using the card to pay your school tuition fees in advance. All other benefits will remain the same. For details on the benefits call 800 2211 or visit www.gemseducation.com/gems-titanium-card.
The NBAD GEMS co-branded credit card has changed the discount rate from 9% to 7% with effect from 20th March 2015, when using the card to pay your school tuition fees in advance. All other benefits will remain the same. For details on the benefits call 800 2211 or visit www.gemseducation.com/gems-titanium-card.
Swim caps are still available for sale at 15dhs each. Please contact Iliana the swim coach or any GAAPA member.
Thank you to all the sponsors of the International Food Festival!
Japan would like to thank MIKADO Cafe. It is the newest Japanese restaurant here in Abu Dhabi located in Khalidiya near Corniche. They serve various traditional Japanese cuisin and the bakery section is waiting for you daily fresh deliciouse Breads and Sweets. If you doubt "Bread? not rice? in Japanese restaurant?" Just try one. It is totally a part of Japanese food culture indeed.
Australia would like to thank Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) for their continued support, without them the Australian tent wouldn't have our fantastic BBQ.
Also Garlo Pies and Tom & Surge Dubai.
South Africa would like to thank SA Way Trade, Steers, Springbok Butchery, Spice Mecca, Vito Ottomano photography and South African Embassy
Jordan and Palestine would like to thank Ka'ekology.
Australia would like to thank Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) for their continued support, without them the Australian tent wouldn't have our fantastic BBQ.
Also Garlo Pies and Tom & Surge Dubai.
South Africa would like to thank SA Way Trade, Steers, Springbok Butchery, Spice Mecca, Vito Ottomano photography and South African Embassy
Jordan and Palestine would like to thank Ka'ekology.