News from Head of School - Kathy Miner
Dear Parents
What does an American Curriculum School Offer?
Re-enrollment will open at GEMS American Academy for the 2017-2018 school year within the next week.
Be sure to read the directions carefully and mind the deadline for re-enrollment in order to ensure a seat for your child/children for the coming school year. We anticipate that once we open up enrollment to new families, seats will fill quickly; we expect to have a waiting list in most grade levels.
American curriculum schools have become increasingly popular in the UAE in recent years and a desirable option for many local and expatriate families.
What does an American curriculum school offer that may not be found in other schools?
The American curricula offers a wide range of academic subjects along with a holistic approach to learning that also includes the arts, music, theater, physical education, extra-curricular activities, clubs, and sports. The American approach, however, offers more than a larger selection of course offerings and activities.
The American style of education can be described as a student-centered, inclusive and adaptive approach to learning, which means that instruction is closely matched to the specific learning needs of each child, ensuring greater opportunities for success. In addition, the American approach to curriculum and instruction celebrates and cultivates students’ ability to problem-solve, use their creativity and imagination while developing critical thinking skills. Our students also develop important social/emotional skills and confidence that is essential in personal development.
We only need to watch how our students have grown personally and academically this year to know the impact of an American style education.
Parent Information Sessions
Keeping our parents informed and connected and engaged in learning about pertinent educational and parenting topics is a top priority for GAA.
We have several interesting and engaging sessions planned for our parents in weeks ahead, such as High School Night and Parent Engagement Week. Be sure to take special note of the following sessions and mark your calendars:
Fostering Creativity at Home
Does your child love to write?
Would you like to see them take their creativity to the next level?
This session will focus on developing and encouraging children to be creative, thoughtful, and passionate writers.
Lauren Tickel
3:15- 3:45 Tuesday February 7th
Elementary- Grade 1-5
Room 49
Mindfulness as an effective Family Tool
Ever wonder what is Mindfulness and how it can help you and your family? This session will focus on how mindfulness can help us deal with stress and daily challenges and in affect help create positive relationships at home with our kids and teens.
Mindfulness by Anna Kaminski
Sunday February 5th at 6:00 – 7:00 pm and Wednesday February 8th at 1:30 – 2:30 pm (same session)
Parents of kids in all grades. Location to be announced.
More about this session:
My name is Anna Kaminski and I’m a parent at GAA. I’m also a mental health professional and a mindfulness teacher, who’s had the pleasure of working with some of our children at the school over the last year. Mindfulness is a science-based and secular practice, which involves purposely paying attention to the present moment. It has been found to have numerous benefits to people of all ages, for example improved ability to manage emotions, more control over own behavior, improved cognitive abilities like maintaining focused attention, to name a few. During the talk I will introduce mindfulness to you in a little more detail. We will however concentrate on how mindfulness tools can help with daily challenges, like stress or intense emotions. We will also touch on the ways of teaching mindfulness to our children. I look forward to seeing you there.
High School Night
On Feb. 6th our Secondary School Counselors and IB Diploma Coordinator will be hosting a “High School Night”, which will focus on our different diploma options, basic High School Graduation Requirements, and lightly touch on University Preparation. We invite you to join us from 5pm to 7pm in our Auditorium.
As we look ahead to enrollment for the 2017-2018 school year, we recognize that you may have friends who are interested in learning more about GAA and would consider enrolling their children next fall. You are welcome to bring a friend along to this session, just be sure to stop by the gate guard and pick up a guest pass and sign in.
Regards,
Kathryn Miner
Head of School and CEO
What does an American Curriculum School Offer?
Re-enrollment will open at GEMS American Academy for the 2017-2018 school year within the next week.
Be sure to read the directions carefully and mind the deadline for re-enrollment in order to ensure a seat for your child/children for the coming school year. We anticipate that once we open up enrollment to new families, seats will fill quickly; we expect to have a waiting list in most grade levels.
American curriculum schools have become increasingly popular in the UAE in recent years and a desirable option for many local and expatriate families.
What does an American curriculum school offer that may not be found in other schools?
The American curricula offers a wide range of academic subjects along with a holistic approach to learning that also includes the arts, music, theater, physical education, extra-curricular activities, clubs, and sports. The American approach, however, offers more than a larger selection of course offerings and activities.
The American style of education can be described as a student-centered, inclusive and adaptive approach to learning, which means that instruction is closely matched to the specific learning needs of each child, ensuring greater opportunities for success. In addition, the American approach to curriculum and instruction celebrates and cultivates students’ ability to problem-solve, use their creativity and imagination while developing critical thinking skills. Our students also develop important social/emotional skills and confidence that is essential in personal development.
We only need to watch how our students have grown personally and academically this year to know the impact of an American style education.
Parent Information Sessions
Keeping our parents informed and connected and engaged in learning about pertinent educational and parenting topics is a top priority for GAA.
We have several interesting and engaging sessions planned for our parents in weeks ahead, such as High School Night and Parent Engagement Week. Be sure to take special note of the following sessions and mark your calendars:
Fostering Creativity at Home
Does your child love to write?
Would you like to see them take their creativity to the next level?
This session will focus on developing and encouraging children to be creative, thoughtful, and passionate writers.
Lauren Tickel
3:15- 3:45 Tuesday February 7th
Elementary- Grade 1-5
Room 49
Mindfulness as an effective Family Tool
Ever wonder what is Mindfulness and how it can help you and your family? This session will focus on how mindfulness can help us deal with stress and daily challenges and in affect help create positive relationships at home with our kids and teens.
Mindfulness by Anna Kaminski
Sunday February 5th at 6:00 – 7:00 pm and Wednesday February 8th at 1:30 – 2:30 pm (same session)
Parents of kids in all grades. Location to be announced.
More about this session:
My name is Anna Kaminski and I’m a parent at GAA. I’m also a mental health professional and a mindfulness teacher, who’s had the pleasure of working with some of our children at the school over the last year. Mindfulness is a science-based and secular practice, which involves purposely paying attention to the present moment. It has been found to have numerous benefits to people of all ages, for example improved ability to manage emotions, more control over own behavior, improved cognitive abilities like maintaining focused attention, to name a few. During the talk I will introduce mindfulness to you in a little more detail. We will however concentrate on how mindfulness tools can help with daily challenges, like stress or intense emotions. We will also touch on the ways of teaching mindfulness to our children. I look forward to seeing you there.
High School Night
On Feb. 6th our Secondary School Counselors and IB Diploma Coordinator will be hosting a “High School Night”, which will focus on our different diploma options, basic High School Graduation Requirements, and lightly touch on University Preparation. We invite you to join us from 5pm to 7pm in our Auditorium.
As we look ahead to enrollment for the 2017-2018 school year, we recognize that you may have friends who are interested in learning more about GAA and would consider enrolling their children next fall. You are welcome to bring a friend along to this session, just be sure to stop by the gate guard and pick up a guest pass and sign in.
Regards,
Kathryn Miner
Head of School and CEO
Dear Parents,
As you may be aware, the school photography company, Stu Williamson, will be at GAA to take homeroom/Advisory class photographs from Sunday 5th February until Thursday 9th February. We would like to remind parents that students should be dressed in their formal school uniform, and to follow the school’s guidelines regarding acceptable hair, make-up and piercings. I have attached the schedule for the week which shows the day and timing for each Advisory class.
There will be an opportunity for sibling photographs, please see the attached flyer, to be taken on Tuesday 7th February, from 3.00 pm until 4.00 pm. If you would like to book for sibling photographs, please schedule an appointment with Stu Williamson direct on tel: 04-388-3382. Please remember to provide the full name of the students and their classes.
As you may be aware, the school photography company, Stu Williamson, will be at GAA to take homeroom/Advisory class photographs from Sunday 5th February until Thursday 9th February. We would like to remind parents that students should be dressed in their formal school uniform, and to follow the school’s guidelines regarding acceptable hair, make-up and piercings. I have attached the schedule for the week which shows the day and timing for each Advisory class.
There will be an opportunity for sibling photographs, please see the attached flyer, to be taken on Tuesday 7th February, from 3.00 pm until 4.00 pm. If you would like to book for sibling photographs, please schedule an appointment with Stu Williamson direct on tel: 04-388-3382. Please remember to provide the full name of the students and their classes.
February menu and Cashless system user guide ( Grade2-12)
Dear Parents, please click on the file below to download the Cafeteria menu for the month of February. Parents who have students in Grade 2-12 are encouraged to use the cashless system for lunch orders as this system has many benefits, including convenience, safety and a daily limit . Please click on the user guide below to help you get started.
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KG & Grade 1
Keita have launched a new Online System for ordering food. Please see the attached presentation detailing the food order process for KG1, KG2 and Grade 1 students. Hot meals are provided by Keita catering and delivered to the classroom. This is not mandatory and parents are welcome to send students with a packed lunch.
KG and Grade 1 students have lunch in their classroom and not in the cafeteria therefore the order process is different to that of students Grade 2-12, who purchase food in the cafeteria using the cashless system.
Kindly note the following:
- For students to be able to receive meals in their classroom, it is mandatory that parents register them on the online system, make the payment and select the order of the meals. This can only be done online.
- We suggest parents order a week in advance to avoid any disappointments and to ensure on time delivery to your child.Deadline for orders is 4pm the day prior.
- Any orders via email, telephone or at the cafeteria will unfortunately not be accepted.
-All current students registered and their credit balance will automatically be transferred to the new system.
If you have any questions on how to place the order or experience any difficulty with this system, please contact the Keita IT Department at [email protected] or at 056 939 4250. For general information, please contact their customer service at [email protected] or 800 – KEITA.
KG and Grade 1 students have lunch in their classroom and not in the cafeteria therefore the order process is different to that of students Grade 2-12, who purchase food in the cafeteria using the cashless system.
Kindly note the following:
- For students to be able to receive meals in their classroom, it is mandatory that parents register them on the online system, make the payment and select the order of the meals. This can only be done online.
- We suggest parents order a week in advance to avoid any disappointments and to ensure on time delivery to your child.Deadline for orders is 4pm the day prior.
- Any orders via email, telephone or at the cafeteria will unfortunately not be accepted.
-All current students registered and their credit balance will automatically be transferred to the new system.
If you have any questions on how to place the order or experience any difficulty with this system, please contact the Keita IT Department at [email protected] or at 056 939 4250. For general information, please contact their customer service at [email protected] or 800 – KEITA.
keita_-__online_system_with_menu_selection.pdf | |
File Size: | 1488 kb |
File Type: |
2017-2018 Calendar Dates
Below you will find dates for the holiday breaks for the 2017-2018 school year. ADEC have released a calendar that outlines all of the major holidays for the 2017-2018 school year.
As you begin to plan for the coming year, I’m sure you’ll want to know the dates of upcoming holiday breaks to assist you in your family and vacation planning.
As always, we recommend booking flexible tickets as we have learned that holiday dates can change.
Below you will find dates for the holiday breaks for the 2017-2018 school year. ADEC have released a calendar that outlines all of the major holidays for the 2017-2018 school year.
As you begin to plan for the coming year, I’m sure you’ll want to know the dates of upcoming holiday breaks to assist you in your family and vacation planning.
As always, we recommend booking flexible tickets as we have learned that holiday dates can change.
2017-2018_calendar_gaa_parents-_1[4][1].pdf | |
File Size: | 474 kb |
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