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Dear Parents,
From time to time, we receive regional security updates from foreign offices, embassies and the like. Yesterday the American Embassy issued a security message for US citizens for teachers at international schools in the Middle East. You can find the link at http://abudhabi.usembassy.gov/sm_102914.html. Although warnings like this have happened in the past, we understand that this may raise some questions and/or be a cause for concern within our community.
In response, we have sent a cautionary message to our faculty and staff containing specific information, provided by U.S. Embassy, listing ways to maintain a low-key profile while out and about in Abu Dhabi or the greater UAE area. We are providing cautionary information to all teachers and staff members, regardless of passport.
While the US. Embassy is unaware of any specific, credible threat against any American or other school or individual in the United Arab Emirates. Nonetheless, Embassy officials are working with local schools identified with the United States to review their security measures. Our GEMS Safety Director is in direct communication with the Regional Security Officer (RSO) at the U.S. Embassy. And, in turn, is communicating with GEMS schools. Please refer back to your relevant Embassy as they are monitoring the security situation very closely. The Embassy websites will be a good place to continue to receive updated information.
Student Safety: As part of our effort to continuously improve our procedures and practices throughout the school, we are reviewing our safety measures and procedures. Just as we are always improving our educational program, we are continuously seeking to develop and improve our safety measures.
You will be hearing more information from us about how we are limiting access to the building and improving identification procedures. We will be asking our parents to support us with some soon-to-be announced changes in use of exits and entrances and updates to our Identification badge system.
The safety of our students and staff is of utmost importance to us and GEMS continues to work with Embassies and the authorities closely. Please be assured that safety of our students, and the GAA community as a whole, is our priority. We will provide communication as needed to keep you informed.
Any suspicious or threatening activity should be reported using the established reporting protocols for GAA ,which entail contacting a senior member of the leadership team.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, our Manager of School Operations, Nikos Sprachis, or your child’s division principal.
Kathy Miner
From time to time, we receive regional security updates from foreign offices, embassies and the like. Yesterday the American Embassy issued a security message for US citizens for teachers at international schools in the Middle East. You can find the link at http://abudhabi.usembassy.gov/sm_102914.html. Although warnings like this have happened in the past, we understand that this may raise some questions and/or be a cause for concern within our community.
In response, we have sent a cautionary message to our faculty and staff containing specific information, provided by U.S. Embassy, listing ways to maintain a low-key profile while out and about in Abu Dhabi or the greater UAE area. We are providing cautionary information to all teachers and staff members, regardless of passport.
While the US. Embassy is unaware of any specific, credible threat against any American or other school or individual in the United Arab Emirates. Nonetheless, Embassy officials are working with local schools identified with the United States to review their security measures. Our GEMS Safety Director is in direct communication with the Regional Security Officer (RSO) at the U.S. Embassy. And, in turn, is communicating with GEMS schools. Please refer back to your relevant Embassy as they are monitoring the security situation very closely. The Embassy websites will be a good place to continue to receive updated information.
Student Safety: As part of our effort to continuously improve our procedures and practices throughout the school, we are reviewing our safety measures and procedures. Just as we are always improving our educational program, we are continuously seeking to develop and improve our safety measures.
You will be hearing more information from us about how we are limiting access to the building and improving identification procedures. We will be asking our parents to support us with some soon-to-be announced changes in use of exits and entrances and updates to our Identification badge system.
The safety of our students and staff is of utmost importance to us and GEMS continues to work with Embassies and the authorities closely. Please be assured that safety of our students, and the GAA community as a whole, is our priority. We will provide communication as needed to keep you informed.
Any suspicious or threatening activity should be reported using the established reporting protocols for GAA ,which entail contacting a senior member of the leadership team.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, our Manager of School Operations, Nikos Sprachis, or your child’s division principal.
Kathy Miner
Dear GAA Community,
I am leaving today and want to tell you what a pleasure it has been for me to work with you and your children.
Thank you for the many kindnesses you have shown to me in my time here;
In spite of some challenges we have had a very good start to this academic year and I foresee a superb year ahead for GAA. I am very proud of this school; the sense of community is very strong and our parent partnerships are positive and so critical to the success of the school.
In our academic staff I see such talent, energy and professionalism and I get excited at the outstanding teaching and learning evident in the classrooms, the halls and outside on the fields. Our students are a happy group of learners who take pride in their work and in their school. Over and over, I have heard about how kind and welcoming our children are and of how supportive they are of one another. Our GAA culture of kindness is a whole school thing and parents, you can pat yourselves on the back for helping to make that happen.
Thank you and farewell. I do hope to see you again.
Barbara
What's Happening at GAA Next Week?
I am leaving today and want to tell you what a pleasure it has been for me to work with you and your children.
Thank you for the many kindnesses you have shown to me in my time here;
In spite of some challenges we have had a very good start to this academic year and I foresee a superb year ahead for GAA. I am very proud of this school; the sense of community is very strong and our parent partnerships are positive and so critical to the success of the school.
In our academic staff I see such talent, energy and professionalism and I get excited at the outstanding teaching and learning evident in the classrooms, the halls and outside on the fields. Our students are a happy group of learners who take pride in their work and in their school. Over and over, I have heard about how kind and welcoming our children are and of how supportive they are of one another. Our GAA culture of kindness is a whole school thing and parents, you can pat yourselves on the back for helping to make that happen.
Thank you and farewell. I do hope to see you again.
Barbara
What's Happening at GAA Next Week?
GEMS American Academy Community News
Parent Coffee and Information Series
In order to connect with the parent community on various important topics, we are introducing a parent coffee and information series. Here are the dates and topics of sessions we will be hosting over the next two months:
- “In touch” with Dr. Miner, an informal share session – Thursday 13th November 2pm
- Presentation of School Improvement Goals – Thursday 20th November 2pm
In order to connect with the parent community on various important topics, we are introducing a parent coffee and information series. Here are the dates and topics of sessions we will be hosting over the next two months:
- “In touch” with Dr. Miner, an informal share session – Thursday 13th November 2pm
- Presentation of School Improvement Goals – Thursday 20th November 2pm