News from Head of School - Kathy Miner
Dear GAA Parents,
We constantly revisit all safety procedures to ensure our staff and students are familiar with all processes. One of the procedures that GEMS American Academy will be practicing is a, lockdown drill. This is a standard practice across many schools both in the UAE and beyond.
The purpose of practicing such a drill is to help students and staff act quickly and automatically to the requirements of a lockdown drill.
A lockdown drill is slightly different to a fire drill, in that the children are kept inside the school and classrooms, when circumstances make it safer to remain secure in the classroom rather than leaving the building. Just as we prepare our children to properly respond to a fire drill, they also need to be aware of the proper response to a lockdown drill. These drills should be treated with the same level of importance as fire drills.
During a lockdown drill, classroom doors are secured and the children remain inside the room until instructed by the teacher to resume their activities. All exterior doors are locked and no one is permitted to enter or leave the building.
Please be assured that staff at our school will spend time discussing the importance of this procedure with students prior to running a drill. We will also take time after the drill to remind them that it was only a practice and there was no danger.
Global educational accrediting bodies advise that drills are held termly. Going forward, you and the children will always be notified in advance of a lockdown drill. The importance of the practice will be explained to the children and they will be given lots of opportunity to ask any questions they may have in advance.
The lockdown drill will take place on Tuesday, Jan 19th at 10:00 a.m.
Please take the time to speak with your son/daughter about this procedure and reinforce its importance, at the same reassuring your child that, like a fire drill, this is a practice that is designed to keep them safe.
**Please note that the school will be closed for a short time during this drill, including the main office, so that staff, children and any visitors can practice these safety procedures. Phones will not be answered during this time and this will take no more than 15 minutes of the school’s time.
Please contact Elementary Vice Principal Louise Dunn([email protected]), Secondary Vice Principal Peter Thorpe ([email protected]) or myself directly if you have any questions about lockdown drills. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Regards,
Kathy Miner
Head of School and CEO
We constantly revisit all safety procedures to ensure our staff and students are familiar with all processes. One of the procedures that GEMS American Academy will be practicing is a, lockdown drill. This is a standard practice across many schools both in the UAE and beyond.
The purpose of practicing such a drill is to help students and staff act quickly and automatically to the requirements of a lockdown drill.
A lockdown drill is slightly different to a fire drill, in that the children are kept inside the school and classrooms, when circumstances make it safer to remain secure in the classroom rather than leaving the building. Just as we prepare our children to properly respond to a fire drill, they also need to be aware of the proper response to a lockdown drill. These drills should be treated with the same level of importance as fire drills.
During a lockdown drill, classroom doors are secured and the children remain inside the room until instructed by the teacher to resume their activities. All exterior doors are locked and no one is permitted to enter or leave the building.
Please be assured that staff at our school will spend time discussing the importance of this procedure with students prior to running a drill. We will also take time after the drill to remind them that it was only a practice and there was no danger.
Global educational accrediting bodies advise that drills are held termly. Going forward, you and the children will always be notified in advance of a lockdown drill. The importance of the practice will be explained to the children and they will be given lots of opportunity to ask any questions they may have in advance.
The lockdown drill will take place on Tuesday, Jan 19th at 10:00 a.m.
Please take the time to speak with your son/daughter about this procedure and reinforce its importance, at the same reassuring your child that, like a fire drill, this is a practice that is designed to keep them safe.
**Please note that the school will be closed for a short time during this drill, including the main office, so that staff, children and any visitors can practice these safety procedures. Phones will not be answered during this time and this will take no more than 15 minutes of the school’s time.
Please contact Elementary Vice Principal Louise Dunn([email protected]), Secondary Vice Principal Peter Thorpe ([email protected]) or myself directly if you have any questions about lockdown drills. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Regards,
Kathy Miner
Head of School and CEO
Dress Code and Uniform policy
The aim of our uniform is for students to present a neat, work-like appearance at all times and to take pride in being members of GEMS American Academy. In accordance with ADEC policy, the school’s uniform is compulsory and should reflect the school’s commitment to honor UAE traditions, culture and religion.
The GAA uniform supplier is Threads. Parents are able to purchase the uniform directly from the school until a retail outlet becomes available. It is possible to order online from www.threadsme.com.
All uniform items, including bags, lunchboxes, water bottles and other personal belongings should be clearly labeled at all times. This will aid in the swift return of misplaced belongings.
Appearance
Hairstyles
Hairstyles should be neat, tidy and professional. The sensible use of hair accessories is acceptable to keep hair orderly and neat eg. Alice band, hairband, clips, slides, elastic bands etc. as long as they are plain white, dark blue or black.
Student’s hair must be of a natural color rather than bright, obvious or “unnatural”, and be neat and of a modest style. Hairstyling products (non colored gel, wax, mousse etc.) can be used to style hair in a neat and tidy manner, but not to create exaggerated hairstyles, for example, spikes. If a hairstyle contravenes these requirements the student will be requested to amend this with immediate effect and if this is not possible they will be required to remain at home until such time as their hair has returned to an acceptable condition.
GAA may not require uniforms while participating in after or out of school activities or on designated special dress days. However, students should be properly dressed in a manner that is not offensive to host country. The following rules will apply:
The aim of our uniform is for students to present a neat, work-like appearance at all times and to take pride in being members of GEMS American Academy. In accordance with ADEC policy, the school’s uniform is compulsory and should reflect the school’s commitment to honor UAE traditions, culture and religion.
The GAA uniform supplier is Threads. Parents are able to purchase the uniform directly from the school until a retail outlet becomes available. It is possible to order online from www.threadsme.com.
All uniform items, including bags, lunchboxes, water bottles and other personal belongings should be clearly labeled at all times. This will aid in the swift return of misplaced belongings.
Appearance
- Full and correct GAA uniform must be worn at all times. This includes travelling to and from the school.
- Full and correct GAA uniform must be worn during after school activities (ASA’s) and when embarking on school trips (unless otherwise instructed by a member of staff in writing).
- Ties should be tied in a small neat knot that covers the top button.
- GAA sweaters may not be tied around the waist at any time.
- Non-regulation outerwear may not be worn in school; it should be kept in lockers.
- Students may wear a watch.
- No excessive make-up or jewelry is allowed.
- Girls may wear one small stud or tiny hoop earring in each ear lobe and these
should be removed for PE and swimming. - Jewelry of religious significance is subject to written approval by the school (and
following a formal request from the parent). - Students should wear full school uniform to all Parent Teacher Consultations and
other formal school events. - Students may not wear school uniform when involved in social events unrelated to the school.
Hairstyles
Hairstyles should be neat, tidy and professional. The sensible use of hair accessories is acceptable to keep hair orderly and neat eg. Alice band, hairband, clips, slides, elastic bands etc. as long as they are plain white, dark blue or black.
Student’s hair must be of a natural color rather than bright, obvious or “unnatural”, and be neat and of a modest style. Hairstyling products (non colored gel, wax, mousse etc.) can be used to style hair in a neat and tidy manner, but not to create exaggerated hairstyles, for example, spikes. If a hairstyle contravenes these requirements the student will be requested to amend this with immediate effect and if this is not possible they will be required to remain at home until such time as their hair has returned to an acceptable condition.
GAA may not require uniforms while participating in after or out of school activities or on designated special dress days. However, students should be properly dressed in a manner that is not offensive to host country. The following rules will apply:
- No tight clothes
- No spaghetti strap shirts
- No exposed mid-riffs
- No offensive logos or expressions on clothing
- No skirts/ shorts above the knee
Dear all,
Welcome to 2016 and wish all of you a very Happy New Year. Please take the time to read this information carefully which also has information about expressing your interest for "Community Badminton" sessions at GAA. We hope that this email answers many of your questions. If not, feel free to contact me at any time.
These badminton sessions are open to anyone who is part of the GAA community. This includes, parents, staff and students. Unfortunately at this time we cannot include anyone else due to external factors out of our control.
Online expression of Interest
Community Game - expression of interest
I would like to have an idea of the number of players coming next week. So if you can have the form filled and submitted by Saturday evening it would help me organize the logistics.
Organizer
· Abhishek Singh
Times
· Monday: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
· Wednesday: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Notes
Please bring your own Badminton Racquets for the game as we do not provide racquets for the players. For students who plan on joining the team I would recommend getting a good quality racquet that you can get used to before the season starts. If you have any questions regarding quality of the racquets then check with me.
Shoes – Non-marking rubber sole shoes.
If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me
Abhishek Singh ([email protected])
See you on Monday 18th or Wednesday 20th of January for a fun-filled game of Badminton.
Welcome to 2016 and wish all of you a very Happy New Year. Please take the time to read this information carefully which also has information about expressing your interest for "Community Badminton" sessions at GAA. We hope that this email answers many of your questions. If not, feel free to contact me at any time.
These badminton sessions are open to anyone who is part of the GAA community. This includes, parents, staff and students. Unfortunately at this time we cannot include anyone else due to external factors out of our control.
Online expression of Interest
Community Game - expression of interest
I would like to have an idea of the number of players coming next week. So if you can have the form filled and submitted by Saturday evening it would help me organize the logistics.
Organizer
· Abhishek Singh
Times
· Monday: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
· Wednesday: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Notes
Please bring your own Badminton Racquets for the game as we do not provide racquets for the players. For students who plan on joining the team I would recommend getting a good quality racquet that you can get used to before the season starts. If you have any questions regarding quality of the racquets then check with me.
Shoes – Non-marking rubber sole shoes.
If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me
Abhishek Singh ([email protected])
See you on Monday 18th or Wednesday 20th of January for a fun-filled game of Badminton.
GEMS Education has announced it will be hosting the second GEMS Triathlon Challenge this month.
The family friendly triathlon will take place on 30th January 2016 and is designed for all, regardless of activity level, encouraging everyone to participate.
The Triathlon Challenge encourages physical activity and movement amongst students, parents, teachers and educational staff across the UAE. Studies have shown that nearly 78 per cent of UAE children lack the physical exercise that can protect them from cardiovascular disease.* By organising activities like the Triathlon Challenge, we are emphasising the importance of a healthy lifestyle for the UAE’s youth.
The Triathlon Challenge has been designed to mimic an actual triathlon but with different activity level requirements based on varied age groups. Participating adults will swim for 425m, cycle for 16km and run for 6km, whereas children aged five to nine year olds will swim for 75m, cycle for 4km and run for 2km.
Registration for the GEMS Triathlon Challenge opens on 20th December 2015 and closes on 24th January 2016. Fees start from AED 135 for individual participants or AED 405 for a team of three.
For more information or to register, please visit https://www.hopasports.com/event/gems-tri#
* http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/health/inactive-children-in-uae-face-heart-disease-risk-1.700424
The family friendly triathlon will take place on 30th January 2016 and is designed for all, regardless of activity level, encouraging everyone to participate.
The Triathlon Challenge encourages physical activity and movement amongst students, parents, teachers and educational staff across the UAE. Studies have shown that nearly 78 per cent of UAE children lack the physical exercise that can protect them from cardiovascular disease.* By organising activities like the Triathlon Challenge, we are emphasising the importance of a healthy lifestyle for the UAE’s youth.
The Triathlon Challenge has been designed to mimic an actual triathlon but with different activity level requirements based on varied age groups. Participating adults will swim for 425m, cycle for 16km and run for 6km, whereas children aged five to nine year olds will swim for 75m, cycle for 4km and run for 2km.
Registration for the GEMS Triathlon Challenge opens on 20th December 2015 and closes on 24th January 2016. Fees start from AED 135 for individual participants or AED 405 for a team of three.
For more information or to register, please visit https://www.hopasports.com/event/gems-tri#
* http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/health/inactive-children-in-uae-face-heart-disease-risk-1.700424