News from Head of School - Kathy Miner
Dear GAA Parents,
Investment & Tuition Fees for 2016-2017
The mission of GEMS American Academy is to provide the best education for every child suited to their needs and ambitions. Providing a personalized learning program requires increasing investment in high quality teachers, teaching resources and facilities. Our recent ADEC Inspection recognized the enormous progress that the school has made and as a result, we were awarded a rating of Very Good with some Outstanding Provision.
ADEC have recognized our progress and that tuition fees have not increased in last five years. Accordingly, they have approved a 5% increase in GEMS American Academy tuition fees. This increase will enable the school to continue our investment in a high quality, comprehensive educational program for our students, which means having current technology and equipment as well as the appropriate teaching aids and materials needed for a leading American/IB school.
Tuition Fees for the 2016-2017 School Year:
Should you have questions or concerns, please do let us know how we can assist you. We are happy to share information about payment plans and how to apply for a NBAD Credit Card discount, please see details below.
Best regards,
Kathryn Miner
Head of School and CEO
Investment & Tuition Fees for 2016-2017
The mission of GEMS American Academy is to provide the best education for every child suited to their needs and ambitions. Providing a personalized learning program requires increasing investment in high quality teachers, teaching resources and facilities. Our recent ADEC Inspection recognized the enormous progress that the school has made and as a result, we were awarded a rating of Very Good with some Outstanding Provision.
ADEC have recognized our progress and that tuition fees have not increased in last five years. Accordingly, they have approved a 5% increase in GEMS American Academy tuition fees. This increase will enable the school to continue our investment in a high quality, comprehensive educational program for our students, which means having current technology and equipment as well as the appropriate teaching aids and materials needed for a leading American/IB school.
Tuition Fees for the 2016-2017 School Year:
- KG1 & KG2- 50,300 AED
- G1- G12- 70,100 AED
Should you have questions or concerns, please do let us know how we can assist you. We are happy to share information about payment plans and how to apply for a NBAD Credit Card discount, please see details below.
Best regards,
Kathryn Miner
Head of School and CEO
Planning for Ramadan
Our teaching committee met to plan for the three weeks of Ramadan. Our goal was to provide a schedule that met the needs of our students during the shortened days. This schedule is the similar to what is provided during the monthly half-days so our students are used to it.
Furthermore, we are delighted to let you know that swimming will continue for KG until the end of the year. I would like to thank our swimming PE team for their support on this.
KG Week 1: We will follow the morning schedule for each class. (For example, if your child has swimming on Tuesday morning, they would swim on Tuesday of Week 1).
KG Week 2: We will follow the afternoon schedule for each class. (For example, if your child has swimming on Tuesday afternoon, they would swim on Tuesday of Week 2).
KG Week 3: In the fall, K1 – Grade 5 will be moving to a 40 minute schedule. Swimming will be 40 minutes. The regular schedule will be followed; however, with shorter lessons.
Our cafeteria will not be delivering meals to KG and Grade 1 during Ramadan. We would ask that you pack snacks for your child while they are at school.
The Grade1-Grade 5 Ramadan Schedule is available via the following link. If Ramadan begins on June 7th the schedule will be updated.
Secondary School will run a "skinny schedule" following the usual Sunday to Wednesday pattern. Each lesson will be 55min instead of the usual 80min. Thursdays will follow the same rotation as previous PD/half days.
School Hours During the Holy Month of Ramadan
ADEC will notify schools as to when the Holy Month of Ramadan will begin. Half-days will begin on either Sunday, June 5th or Monday, June 6th.
Hours for Students: 7:45am - 12pm
Hours for all GAA staff: 7:30am- 1:30pm
Bus service will continue as usual, with a 12:15 pm departure time from school. Teachers have engaging, project-based learning planned for their students, June 6th through June 23rd. Learning will continue at GAA during the Holy Month of Ramadan, we encourage our families and students to continue attending during Ramadan.
Food and drink
Food will not be served in the cafeteria during the Holy Month of Ramadan, and the consumption of food or drink in the classroom will be prohibited. Students in the KG program will continue their snack routines as usual in the classroom.
GAA supports whatever your family decision is regarding fasting. Non-fasting students may bring a snack and water bottle to school. There will be designated snack and water areas appropriate for each grade level; these snack and water areas will be located separate from the classrooms.
The parent café and cafeteria will be closed.
Students need to be mindful that eating and drinking in public is discouraged and I ask that this is confined to designated areas in the school, so as to avoid offense.
Access to Prayer
Muslim students will have access to the prayer room and fasting students will also have access to a quiet reading area of the library during break times.
Appropriate Dress
It is appropriate that students arrive to school during the Holy Month of Ramadan neat and tidy in appearance and follow the dress code expectations.
Recess and Activities
During the Holy Month of Ramadan, recess periods will be shortened and PE activities will be limited and low key, keeping in mind that students do not play outdoors in June due to the heat.
The final after school activities session will finish on Thursday, June 2nd. There will be no after school clubs, activities or sports during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Hours of Staff and Faculty
For parents seeking assistance from faculty or staff members, working hours for faculty and staff will be 7:30 am -1:30 pm. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Naseera Timm-Holland, our Parent Relations Executive @ [email protected]
Wishing all those celebrating a Ramadan Kareem!
Our teaching committee met to plan for the three weeks of Ramadan. Our goal was to provide a schedule that met the needs of our students during the shortened days. This schedule is the similar to what is provided during the monthly half-days so our students are used to it.
Furthermore, we are delighted to let you know that swimming will continue for KG until the end of the year. I would like to thank our swimming PE team for their support on this.
KG Week 1: We will follow the morning schedule for each class. (For example, if your child has swimming on Tuesday morning, they would swim on Tuesday of Week 1).
KG Week 2: We will follow the afternoon schedule for each class. (For example, if your child has swimming on Tuesday afternoon, they would swim on Tuesday of Week 2).
KG Week 3: In the fall, K1 – Grade 5 will be moving to a 40 minute schedule. Swimming will be 40 minutes. The regular schedule will be followed; however, with shorter lessons.
Our cafeteria will not be delivering meals to KG and Grade 1 during Ramadan. We would ask that you pack snacks for your child while they are at school.
The Grade1-Grade 5 Ramadan Schedule is available via the following link. If Ramadan begins on June 7th the schedule will be updated.
Secondary School will run a "skinny schedule" following the usual Sunday to Wednesday pattern. Each lesson will be 55min instead of the usual 80min. Thursdays will follow the same rotation as previous PD/half days.
School Hours During the Holy Month of Ramadan
ADEC will notify schools as to when the Holy Month of Ramadan will begin. Half-days will begin on either Sunday, June 5th or Monday, June 6th.
Hours for Students: 7:45am - 12pm
Hours for all GAA staff: 7:30am- 1:30pm
Bus service will continue as usual, with a 12:15 pm departure time from school. Teachers have engaging, project-based learning planned for their students, June 6th through June 23rd. Learning will continue at GAA during the Holy Month of Ramadan, we encourage our families and students to continue attending during Ramadan.
Food and drink
Food will not be served in the cafeteria during the Holy Month of Ramadan, and the consumption of food or drink in the classroom will be prohibited. Students in the KG program will continue their snack routines as usual in the classroom.
GAA supports whatever your family decision is regarding fasting. Non-fasting students may bring a snack and water bottle to school. There will be designated snack and water areas appropriate for each grade level; these snack and water areas will be located separate from the classrooms.
The parent café and cafeteria will be closed.
Students need to be mindful that eating and drinking in public is discouraged and I ask that this is confined to designated areas in the school, so as to avoid offense.
Access to Prayer
Muslim students will have access to the prayer room and fasting students will also have access to a quiet reading area of the library during break times.
Appropriate Dress
It is appropriate that students arrive to school during the Holy Month of Ramadan neat and tidy in appearance and follow the dress code expectations.
Recess and Activities
During the Holy Month of Ramadan, recess periods will be shortened and PE activities will be limited and low key, keeping in mind that students do not play outdoors in June due to the heat.
The final after school activities session will finish on Thursday, June 2nd. There will be no after school clubs, activities or sports during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Hours of Staff and Faculty
For parents seeking assistance from faculty or staff members, working hours for faculty and staff will be 7:30 am -1:30 pm. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Naseera Timm-Holland, our Parent Relations Executive @ [email protected]
Wishing all those celebrating a Ramadan Kareem!
News about the NBAD Credit card
GEMS is happy to offer parents a discount on tuition by using the NBAD GEMS Co-Branded credit Card.
Kindly be reminded that the discount is available to parents who make an advance payment on tuition fees through NBAD GEMS Co-Branded credit Card. GEMS is happy to announce that the Deadline for the discount on tuition fees for the 2016/2017 academic year by using the NBAD GEMS Co-Branded credit Card is extended to July 20th.
GEMS is happy to offer parents a discount on tuition by using the NBAD GEMS Co-Branded credit Card.
Kindly be reminded that the discount is available to parents who make an advance payment on tuition fees through NBAD GEMS Co-Branded credit Card. GEMS is happy to announce that the Deadline for the discount on tuition fees for the 2016/2017 academic year by using the NBAD GEMS Co-Branded credit Card is extended to July 20th.
Support Staff Luncheon
Thank you to our amazing GAAPA moms for once again going above and beyond to spoil our support staff. The food was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
And a special thank you to our KG students who entertained us all with a wonderful performance.
To our all our lovely staff, we appreciate all that you do. Thank you!
And a special thank you to our KG students who entertained us all with a wonderful performance.
To our all our lovely staff, we appreciate all that you do. Thank you!
We are pleased to open an exclusive offer for the top selected schools.
This offer is for 3 months: June July and August. It is called Student Summer Pass.
It is a pass that allows the students and children of staff to have an unlimited access to FERRARI WORLD ABUDHABI during the 3 months for only 299 AED (knowing that one single entrance for one day to FERRARI is at 260 AED). The students can get it themselves directly at FERRARI WORLD upon showing a document that proves that they study at GEMS Schools.
It is an exclusive offer that We are only opening for selected partners. Here are the terms and conditions:
This offer is for 3 months: June July and August. It is called Student Summer Pass.
It is a pass that allows the students and children of staff to have an unlimited access to FERRARI WORLD ABUDHABI during the 3 months for only 299 AED (knowing that one single entrance for one day to FERRARI is at 260 AED). The students can get it themselves directly at FERRARI WORLD upon showing a document that proves that they study at GEMS Schools.
It is an exclusive offer that We are only opening for selected partners. Here are the terms and conditions:
- Sign up now for unlimited summer access (bronze category) to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi – only AED 299!
- Ask your parent or guardian to register and pay at the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (FWAD) guest services desk. Bring along two passport photos and official government photo ID. Show your school ID, if available.
- Eligibility: You must attend in UAE qualify for this offer. You must be aged 18 or under.
- Membership runs from 1 June - 31 August 2016 (membership will expire on 31 August 2016, regardless of joining date)
- Please note: if you are 12 or below, you need to be accompanied by an adult at FWAD. However, that adult can benefit from special rate of AED 195 for one day bronze entry!
- Student summer pass terms and conditions apply
- Park general rules and regulations apply
Dear Valued Parent: Abu Dhabi Education Council cordially invites you to participate in the annual parent satisfaction survey 2016. Please use computer to access it at:
Arabic: : http://bit.ly/survey-adec-1
English: : http://bit.ly/survey-adec-2
School’s Username: 37343
School’s Password: 1774
Thank you to all our parents who have completed the survey. We value your feedback.
Arabic: : http://bit.ly/survey-adec-1
English: : http://bit.ly/survey-adec-2
School’s Username: 37343
School’s Password: 1774
Thank you to all our parents who have completed the survey. We value your feedback.