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Hello Parents and GAA Community,
It seems like yesterday that I arrived at GAA feeling a little lonely and a lot overwhelmed. Now just 6 months later I feel very privileged to have met dedicated staff, parents and students here who have worked hard to move this school forward. This is an excellent school in many ways and I do feel confident that it will continue to grow and flourish. Next year we have 3 strong new leaders in Dr Kathy Miner, Tom Farquhar and Craig Randall. They will make an outstanding addition to our strong senior leadership team.
Our students numbers are good for the new academic year, but very manageable with maximum class sizes of 25. Schedules are complete with some tweaking to do over the summer; ordering is done and is being tracked; staffing is almost over; the onerous visa and ADEC approval process is well under way. Classes have been carefully planned and classrooms have been packed up and are reallocated. Next year we will still have the house system but homerooms in secondary will be organized by grade level. Parents are urged to come in to the school the week of August 24th for the Student Services Fair to arrange services such as bus, cafeteria meals, uniforms, sign up with GAAPA and pay school fees.
On August 28th an email will be sent to each home to advise which class your son or daughter will be joining for KG and Elementary and which homeroom class students will be in for Secondary. Please read below for more on the Student Services Fair and the first week of school procedures for students.
I take this opportunity to say thank you for your support this past term and I wish each of you a happy and relaxing summer with your family. Enjoy these special days with your children and be sure to find ways to keep them reading, writing, thinking and creating over the summer months.
I have now been asked by GEMS corporate and Dr Kathy Miner to return to GAA in the fall to assist in transitions as the school moves forward. So this is not the farewell note that I had intended to write. This will be a short term assignment but I am thrilled to return. I do look forward to seeing you in the new academic year!
Kindest regards
Barbara
It seems like yesterday that I arrived at GAA feeling a little lonely and a lot overwhelmed. Now just 6 months later I feel very privileged to have met dedicated staff, parents and students here who have worked hard to move this school forward. This is an excellent school in many ways and I do feel confident that it will continue to grow and flourish. Next year we have 3 strong new leaders in Dr Kathy Miner, Tom Farquhar and Craig Randall. They will make an outstanding addition to our strong senior leadership team.
Our students numbers are good for the new academic year, but very manageable with maximum class sizes of 25. Schedules are complete with some tweaking to do over the summer; ordering is done and is being tracked; staffing is almost over; the onerous visa and ADEC approval process is well under way. Classes have been carefully planned and classrooms have been packed up and are reallocated. Next year we will still have the house system but homerooms in secondary will be organized by grade level. Parents are urged to come in to the school the week of August 24th for the Student Services Fair to arrange services such as bus, cafeteria meals, uniforms, sign up with GAAPA and pay school fees.
On August 28th an email will be sent to each home to advise which class your son or daughter will be joining for KG and Elementary and which homeroom class students will be in for Secondary. Please read below for more on the Student Services Fair and the first week of school procedures for students.
I take this opportunity to say thank you for your support this past term and I wish each of you a happy and relaxing summer with your family. Enjoy these special days with your children and be sure to find ways to keep them reading, writing, thinking and creating over the summer months.
I have now been asked by GEMS corporate and Dr Kathy Miner to return to GAA in the fall to assist in transitions as the school moves forward. So this is not the farewell note that I had intended to write. This will be a short term assignment but I am thrilled to return. I do look forward to seeing you in the new academic year!
Kindest regards
Barbara
Student and Parent Orientation for the 2014/15 Academic Year
In order for us to make sure our current students settle into the new school year and to ensure we are welcoming new students to GAA, we have several events and orientation programs to ensure everyone has a smooth start to the 2014/15 academic year. During the summer, the school will be open from 8am - 1.30pm so please drop by should you have any questions or queries. You will be able to pay accounts during the summer either in person or online.
Student Services Fair
From Sunday 24th August to Thursday 28th August 9am - 1pm, we will be holding a Student Services Fair in the gymnasium. This is for all families - new and returning, to gather all the information they need regarding the school cafeteria system, school transportation, school uniforms and to pay accounts. Our Parents Association, GAAPA, will also have details and a sign up if you would like to get involved in the many events they host throughout the school year. If you are in Abu Dhabi during this week, we strongly recommended you come along if you require any further assistance or details about these services.
The First Week of School
In order to provide both parents and students with a meaningful orientation to the 2014/15 school year, the first week of school and orientation program will be different for KG, Elementary and Secondary (Middle and High School) students.
KG
If your son or daughter is joining us for KG1 or KG2, in the first week of school we will be operating a staggered start to ensure students can become
accustomed to their new environment and classroom teacher. Here are the details of the staggered start:
• Group A Students: Sunday 31st August 9am -12pm,
Tuesday 2nd September 7.45am -12pm
Thursday 4th September 7.45am – 12pm
Group A parents are also invited to a coffee meet and greet in the cafeteria at 9am 31st August and a KG Orientation session in the Auditorium on Tuesday 2nd September at 8am
• Group B Students: Monday 1st September 9am -12pm
Wednesday 3rd September 7.45am – 12pm
Thursday 4th September 7.45am – 12pm
Group B parents are also invited to a coffee meet and greet in the cafeteria at 9am Monday 1st September and a KG Orientation session in the Auditorium on Wednesday 3rd September at 8am.
In August we will email you to let you know whether your son or daughter is in Group A or Group B. On 28th August we will also email you to let you know the name of your child's teacher, their schedule and homeroom. KG students will not be able to take the bus in their first week of school. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or queries.
Elementary School (Grade 1 – 5)
If your son or daughter will be joining or continuing in the Elementary School, the first day of school will be Sunday 31st August. To allow students to get to know their school teacher and settle back into the rhythm of school life, the first two days of school will be half days:
• Sunday 31st August all Elementary students to attend school from 7.45am until 12 noon
• Monday 1st September all Elementary Students to attend school from 7.45am until 12 noon
• All students will begin regular school hours - 7.45am until 2.45pm from Tuesday 2nd September.
On Sunday 31st August, whilst the students are in class there will be a coffee meet and greet for parents from 8am-9am in the cafeteria followed by an introduction to the Elementary program in the auditorium at 9am. There will also be a coffee meet and greet in the cafeteria on Monday 1st September at 8am until 9am for those who could not attend the day prior.
On Thursday 28th August we will be sending you an email detailing which class your son or daughter will be in, their schedule and a school map with the classroom labeled so you can find where you need to go on the first day of school. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or queries.
Secondary School (Grades 6-12)
The First Days of School for Secondary Students:
• For Students who are completely new to GAA, on Sunday 31st August we will hold a new secondary student orientation day. This will be a half day, beginning at 7.45am and finishing at 12pm. Upon arrival on Sunday 31st August, students should proceed straight to the auditorium
• Returning GAA Secondary Student’s first day of school will be Monday 1st September. This will also be a half day beginning at 7.45am and finishing at 12pm. Students should proceed straight to their homeroom when they arrive. This day will also be an orientation day where students will be receiving their individual schedules etc.
• Tuesday 2nd September will be Secondary students first academic day and will be Day 1 of their 8 Day Schedule. The regular school day begins at 7.45 and ends at 2.55pm
The First Days of School for Secondary Parents:
In order for parents to get oriented with secondary school we will be providing three opportunities for you to attend the Secondary Parent information session. We do hope you are able to attend one of the following sessions:
• Sunday 31st August - 6.30-7.30pm - Auditorium
• Monday 1st September – 11.00am-12pm - Auditorium
• Monday 1st September – 6.30-7.30pm – Auditorium
On 28th August we will email parents with the name the student’s “House” (Panther, Puma, Lion or Tiger) and their homeroom, along with a school map to help you find it. For returning students, your “House” will be the same as the last academic year.
Please feel free to contact [email protected] if you have any questions or queries regarding the first week of school for students.
In order for us to make sure our current students settle into the new school year and to ensure we are welcoming new students to GAA, we have several events and orientation programs to ensure everyone has a smooth start to the 2014/15 academic year. During the summer, the school will be open from 8am - 1.30pm so please drop by should you have any questions or queries. You will be able to pay accounts during the summer either in person or online.
Student Services Fair
From Sunday 24th August to Thursday 28th August 9am - 1pm, we will be holding a Student Services Fair in the gymnasium. This is for all families - new and returning, to gather all the information they need regarding the school cafeteria system, school transportation, school uniforms and to pay accounts. Our Parents Association, GAAPA, will also have details and a sign up if you would like to get involved in the many events they host throughout the school year. If you are in Abu Dhabi during this week, we strongly recommended you come along if you require any further assistance or details about these services.
The First Week of School
In order to provide both parents and students with a meaningful orientation to the 2014/15 school year, the first week of school and orientation program will be different for KG, Elementary and Secondary (Middle and High School) students.
KG
If your son or daughter is joining us for KG1 or KG2, in the first week of school we will be operating a staggered start to ensure students can become
accustomed to their new environment and classroom teacher. Here are the details of the staggered start:
• Group A Students: Sunday 31st August 9am -12pm,
Tuesday 2nd September 7.45am -12pm
Thursday 4th September 7.45am – 12pm
Group A parents are also invited to a coffee meet and greet in the cafeteria at 9am 31st August and a KG Orientation session in the Auditorium on Tuesday 2nd September at 8am
• Group B Students: Monday 1st September 9am -12pm
Wednesday 3rd September 7.45am – 12pm
Thursday 4th September 7.45am – 12pm
Group B parents are also invited to a coffee meet and greet in the cafeteria at 9am Monday 1st September and a KG Orientation session in the Auditorium on Wednesday 3rd September at 8am.
In August we will email you to let you know whether your son or daughter is in Group A or Group B. On 28th August we will also email you to let you know the name of your child's teacher, their schedule and homeroom. KG students will not be able to take the bus in their first week of school. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or queries.
Elementary School (Grade 1 – 5)
If your son or daughter will be joining or continuing in the Elementary School, the first day of school will be Sunday 31st August. To allow students to get to know their school teacher and settle back into the rhythm of school life, the first two days of school will be half days:
• Sunday 31st August all Elementary students to attend school from 7.45am until 12 noon
• Monday 1st September all Elementary Students to attend school from 7.45am until 12 noon
• All students will begin regular school hours - 7.45am until 2.45pm from Tuesday 2nd September.
On Sunday 31st August, whilst the students are in class there will be a coffee meet and greet for parents from 8am-9am in the cafeteria followed by an introduction to the Elementary program in the auditorium at 9am. There will also be a coffee meet and greet in the cafeteria on Monday 1st September at 8am until 9am for those who could not attend the day prior.
On Thursday 28th August we will be sending you an email detailing which class your son or daughter will be in, their schedule and a school map with the classroom labeled so you can find where you need to go on the first day of school. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or queries.
Secondary School (Grades 6-12)
The First Days of School for Secondary Students:
• For Students who are completely new to GAA, on Sunday 31st August we will hold a new secondary student orientation day. This will be a half day, beginning at 7.45am and finishing at 12pm. Upon arrival on Sunday 31st August, students should proceed straight to the auditorium
• Returning GAA Secondary Student’s first day of school will be Monday 1st September. This will also be a half day beginning at 7.45am and finishing at 12pm. Students should proceed straight to their homeroom when they arrive. This day will also be an orientation day where students will be receiving their individual schedules etc.
• Tuesday 2nd September will be Secondary students first academic day and will be Day 1 of their 8 Day Schedule. The regular school day begins at 7.45 and ends at 2.55pm
The First Days of School for Secondary Parents:
In order for parents to get oriented with secondary school we will be providing three opportunities for you to attend the Secondary Parent information session. We do hope you are able to attend one of the following sessions:
• Sunday 31st August - 6.30-7.30pm - Auditorium
• Monday 1st September – 11.00am-12pm - Auditorium
• Monday 1st September – 6.30-7.30pm – Auditorium
On 28th August we will email parents with the name the student’s “House” (Panther, Puma, Lion or Tiger) and their homeroom, along with a school map to help you find it. For returning students, your “House” will be the same as the last academic year.
Please feel free to contact [email protected] if you have any questions or queries regarding the first week of school for students.