News from our Head of School - Kathy Miner
Dear Parents,
This week we welcomed the four-member team from the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) in preparation for our re-accreditation visit scheduled for the Fall of 2018. The team definitely enjoyed their time here learning about our progress and programs, meeting GAAPA parents and spending time in classrooms.
The visit concluded yesterday with an afternoon workshop led by the visiting team with the Steering Committee that will lead our self study activities next year in preparation for the visit in 2018. Visiting Team members then held a short and general debriefing session and had the following comments about our school and about our instructional programs:
In about a month, we will receive a report from CIS/NEASC outlining formal commendations as well as recommendations for going forward. All schools receive recommendations as part of the continuous improvement process and we welcome feedback that will help us to grow and develop as a school on our journey to excellence.
Overall, we received very positive feedback and recognition for our hard work over the last three years. We expect that the report will also include recommendations that will help to push us to be stronger.
Knowing that we are aiming high in our desire to be a model school, our visitors pointed out that model schools take risks and experiment instructionally to push student thinking and engagement to even higher levels. We have done well thus far in our progress as a school but we have some distance to travel to reach our destination - a model school known for innovative teaching practice aimed at creating deep and rich learning experiences for all students, all of the time.
Thank you for all of your support as well as feedback as a parent community to continually push us to be better and to help tell the amazing story of GAA.
Reminder: School Hours During the Holy Month of Ramadan
ADEC will notify schools as to when the Holy Month of Ramadan will begin.
Bus service will continue as usual, with a 12:45 pm departure time from school. Teachers have engaging learning planned for their students. Learning will continue at GAA during the Holy Month of Ramadan, we encourage our families and students to continue attending during Ramadan.
Regards,
Kathy Miner
Head of School and CEO
This week we welcomed the four-member team from the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) in preparation for our re-accreditation visit scheduled for the Fall of 2018. The team definitely enjoyed their time here learning about our progress and programs, meeting GAAPA parents and spending time in classrooms.
The visit concluded yesterday with an afternoon workshop led by the visiting team with the Steering Committee that will lead our self study activities next year in preparation for the visit in 2018. Visiting Team members then held a short and general debriefing session and had the following comments about our school and about our instructional programs:
- The culture of kindness is evident across the school and very impactful, this came through in many interactions and examples throughout the visit. Even our guards reflect this culture and were recognized with the comment, “the culture of kindness starts at the curb” because they are so positive and focused on each and every student interaction.
- Faculty and staff are open and candid and our students are delightful.
- GAA is a healthy, functioning school with a cooperative spirit and open to feedback - all pulling in the same direction with coherence and organization.
- GAA has made significant growth in three years and comes across as a much more mature school than a typical 6-year old school.
- Our learning environments are inclusive and positive. In particular, our EA’s were recognized for their significant contribution to the learning environment, being valued and engaged.
- Visiting Team members observed many examples of deep and engaging learning across the school.
In about a month, we will receive a report from CIS/NEASC outlining formal commendations as well as recommendations for going forward. All schools receive recommendations as part of the continuous improvement process and we welcome feedback that will help us to grow and develop as a school on our journey to excellence.
Overall, we received very positive feedback and recognition for our hard work over the last three years. We expect that the report will also include recommendations that will help to push us to be stronger.
Knowing that we are aiming high in our desire to be a model school, our visitors pointed out that model schools take risks and experiment instructionally to push student thinking and engagement to even higher levels. We have done well thus far in our progress as a school but we have some distance to travel to reach our destination - a model school known for innovative teaching practice aimed at creating deep and rich learning experiences for all students, all of the time.
Thank you for all of your support as well as feedback as a parent community to continually push us to be better and to help tell the amazing story of GAA.
Reminder: School Hours During the Holy Month of Ramadan
ADEC will notify schools as to when the Holy Month of Ramadan will begin.
- Hours for Students: 8:15am - 12:30pm
- Hours for all GAA staff: 8am- 2pm
Bus service will continue as usual, with a 12:45 pm departure time from school. Teachers have engaging learning planned for their students. Learning will continue at GAA during the Holy Month of Ramadan, we encourage our families and students to continue attending during Ramadan.
Regards,
Kathy Miner
Head of School and CEO
Dear GAA parents,
Our GAA students with the Arabic team are celebrating Arabic Week starting from May 7, 2017 until May 11, 2017. They have planned a lot of activities, which are designed to consolidate and promote the concept of reading as a life by raising awareness of its importance among our students.
We are looking forward to seeing our staff, students and parents celebrating with us this important week.
Parents will have the opportunity to come and visit the Arabic Book fair from May 7 until May 10, 2017, from 8:00 am until 3:30 pm.
We are looking forward to seeing you all!
Thank you in advance for your kind help.
GAA Arabic Department
Our GAA students with the Arabic team are celebrating Arabic Week starting from May 7, 2017 until May 11, 2017. They have planned a lot of activities, which are designed to consolidate and promote the concept of reading as a life by raising awareness of its importance among our students.
We are looking forward to seeing our staff, students and parents celebrating with us this important week.
Parents will have the opportunity to come and visit the Arabic Book fair from May 7 until May 10, 2017, from 8:00 am until 3:30 pm.
We are looking forward to seeing you all!
Thank you in advance for your kind help.
GAA Arabic Department
NBAD GEMS Co-Brand discount 2017/2018
NBAD discount(maximum discount) is available for Academic Year ’17-18 tuition fee only if parents pay on or before 10th June ’17.
Pay tuition fee by NBAD GEMS Co-Brand credit card & convert the school fee paid into 0% interest Easy Payment Plan(EPP) for up to 12 months.
Please contact Mr. Rao (+971 56 669 2729) & Mr. Jayachandran ( +971 56 687 9496) for NBAD GEMS Co-Brand card queries.
https://www.nbad.com/en-ae/personal-banking/cards/credit-cards/gems-titanium.html
Pay tuition fee by NBAD GEMS Co-Brand credit card & convert the school fee paid into 0% interest Easy Payment Plan(EPP) for up to 12 months.
Please contact Mr. Rao (+971 56 669 2729) & Mr. Jayachandran ( +971 56 687 9496) for NBAD GEMS Co-Brand card queries.
https://www.nbad.com/en-ae/personal-banking/cards/credit-cards/gems-titanium.html
GEMS Parent Survey will go LIVE today.
All parents will receive an email direct to their Inbox today.
This Survey will also be accessible on MyLearning from tomorrow afternoon.
During the year any items of value that are found in and around the school are brought to the main reception. If they are not collected they are stored away safely. We would like to ask that if you have lost anything of value e.g, cell phone, watch or wallet to please visit the main reception and we can have a look in the lost and found. As you can see by the below pictures we have many items that have not been claimed.
ADEC Annual Survey
ADEC have announced that their annual Parent Survey for 2017 will be launched on Sunday April 16, 2017 until June 15, 2017.
Parents can access the surveys via the below link and access information, based on the language preference, grade level and curriculum:
Parents can access the surveys via the below link and access information, based on the language preference, grade level and curriculum:
Parents Survey (KG1 to 12 American Diploma only)
This is our main account (9086) Links: Arabic: http://bit.ly/adec-pr-1 English: http://bit.ly/adec-pr-2 Access Info: eSIS ID: 9086 Password: 427042 |
Parents Survey (G11 and 12 IBDP Students only)
This is our IBDP account (8086) Links: Arabic: http://bit.ly/adec-pr-1 English: http://bit.ly/adec-pr-2 Access Info: eSIS ID: 8086 Password: 428558 |
Approved 2017-2018 Calendar
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-_updated_-april_2017.pdf | |
File Size: | 346 kb |
File Type: |
May 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 May. 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: |