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Dear Parents,
At GAA, we are developing a comprehensive school wide approach to growing and fostering a Culture of Kindness throughout the school by setting specific goals for this school year and beyond; goals which will guide our efforts to develop a strong social-emotional curriculum. Through a strong social-emotional curriculum combined with a variety of programs throughout the school, we are teaching our students to be respectful, to be responsible and to be a learner at GAA.
This week students in Grades 1-12 participated in assemblies focused on teaching the concept of multiculturalism and how our students, with their actions, words and attitudes, can plant the seeds of peace by celebrating their cultural differences. With 83 nationalities in our school, our students have much to learn from each other. Across the school this week, students learned that by being understanding, non-judgmental, respectful and open-minded, they can be instrumental in cultivating peace within a community.
Teachers and counselors, with the support of our GAAPA members, are launching an Anti-bullying week on Sunday. You’ll see more information in our next newsletter about events and activities happening throughout the week. Thank you to GAAPA, for helping to make this upcoming week memorable for our students.
Warm Regards
Kathy Miner
Head of School
At GAA, we are developing a comprehensive school wide approach to growing and fostering a Culture of Kindness throughout the school by setting specific goals for this school year and beyond; goals which will guide our efforts to develop a strong social-emotional curriculum. Through a strong social-emotional curriculum combined with a variety of programs throughout the school, we are teaching our students to be respectful, to be responsible and to be a learner at GAA.
This week students in Grades 1-12 participated in assemblies focused on teaching the concept of multiculturalism and how our students, with their actions, words and attitudes, can plant the seeds of peace by celebrating their cultural differences. With 83 nationalities in our school, our students have much to learn from each other. Across the school this week, students learned that by being understanding, non-judgmental, respectful and open-minded, they can be instrumental in cultivating peace within a community.
Teachers and counselors, with the support of our GAAPA members, are launching an Anti-bullying week on Sunday. You’ll see more information in our next newsletter about events and activities happening throughout the week. Thank you to GAAPA, for helping to make this upcoming week memorable for our students.
Warm Regards
Kathy Miner
Head of School
What's Happening at GAA Next Week?
GEMS American Academy Community News
School Transport Safety
Bright Bus Transport is the school transport provider for GEMS. They have a number of procedures and features in place to ensure out students arrive to school safely.
A feature on their buses that makes them unique is the no child left behind button at the back of the bus. When a bus driver turns the engine off, an alarm will sound after 30 seconds. The button to turn off this alarm is situated behind the last back seat on the bus. The driver therefore has to walk to the back of the bus to press this button when he finishes his journey, checking each seat as he goes. Each bus driver and bus conductor receives 80 hours of training and this is one of the aspects they focus on.
We also have a lady bus conductor who counts the children on and off the bus, and teachers take school attendance before 8am. If a student is not at school, we send parents an SMS to tell them their child is absent and to phone to give us a reason why. This would be the final safety net.
We have given each KG bus student a pamphlet to take home this week explaining what features BBT school buses include to keep our children safe. For those of you who would like to read the pamphlet too, click here for an electronic copy.
Bright Bus Transport is the school transport provider for GEMS. They have a number of procedures and features in place to ensure out students arrive to school safely.
A feature on their buses that makes them unique is the no child left behind button at the back of the bus. When a bus driver turns the engine off, an alarm will sound after 30 seconds. The button to turn off this alarm is situated behind the last back seat on the bus. The driver therefore has to walk to the back of the bus to press this button when he finishes his journey, checking each seat as he goes. Each bus driver and bus conductor receives 80 hours of training and this is one of the aspects they focus on.
We also have a lady bus conductor who counts the children on and off the bus, and teachers take school attendance before 8am. If a student is not at school, we send parents an SMS to tell them their child is absent and to phone to give us a reason why. This would be the final safety net.
We have given each KG bus student a pamphlet to take home this week explaining what features BBT school buses include to keep our children safe. For those of you who would like to read the pamphlet too, click here for an electronic copy.
Did you know - October is bullying prevention month
Every October, schools across the world join together to focus on bullying prevention. At GAA our goal is to foster a culture of kindness where students feel safe and happy in their learning environment. We are committed to this cause. and we are joining other schools in working to prevent bullying.
Over the coming weeks classrooms across GAA will be taking a closer look at how we can respect one another, be kind and stand up against behavior which may make another student feel uncomfortable. Next week we have a number of activities aimed to increase awareness and appreciate diversity including, poster competitions, in class activities and the pinky pledge organized by GAAPA.
Josh Doubleday has also organized for some familiar sounding special guests to speak with some of elementary students about the important of being kind to one another! We cant wait to welcome the Kris Fade, Big Rossi and the Virgin radio team to GAA on Tuesday!
Next week, ask your child at home what they could do to help spread kindness amongst the community.
Every October, schools across the world join together to focus on bullying prevention. At GAA our goal is to foster a culture of kindness where students feel safe and happy in their learning environment. We are committed to this cause. and we are joining other schools in working to prevent bullying.
Over the coming weeks classrooms across GAA will be taking a closer look at how we can respect one another, be kind and stand up against behavior which may make another student feel uncomfortable. Next week we have a number of activities aimed to increase awareness and appreciate diversity including, poster competitions, in class activities and the pinky pledge organized by GAAPA.
Josh Doubleday has also organized for some familiar sounding special guests to speak with some of elementary students about the important of being kind to one another! We cant wait to welcome the Kris Fade, Big Rossi and the Virgin radio team to GAA on Tuesday!
Next week, ask your child at home what they could do to help spread kindness amongst the community.
Community Evening In The Planetarium
Greetings GAA Parents,
It was great to see everyone at last month’s planetarium evenings. Both nights were fully booked up! To help accommodate more people, this month I will be holding 4 shows. The dates of the shows will be:
Sunday, October 19th 6pm
Monday, October 20th 6pm
Tuesday, October 21th 6pm
Wednesday, October 22nd 6pm
All 4 shows will feature a short discussion about the October night sky, followed by our new full-dome movie “Dream to Fly”. The shows will start at 6:00PM and I expect them to end around ~7:15PM. For more information about this show, please see the poster below.
To reserve your spot, you will need to send an RSVP email to the planetarium director, Mr. James Walker. The email address is: [email protected] Please use the subject line: October Planetarium Evening. Please note which evening you would like to attend, Sunday the 19th, Monday the 20th, Tuesday the 21st, or Wednesday the 22th. Also, please tell me how many people you will be bringing to the show. Whole families are welcome, but space is limited so reserve your spots early.
Thank you,
James Walker
Greetings GAA Parents,
It was great to see everyone at last month’s planetarium evenings. Both nights were fully booked up! To help accommodate more people, this month I will be holding 4 shows. The dates of the shows will be:
Sunday, October 19th 6pm
Monday, October 20th 6pm
Tuesday, October 21th 6pm
Wednesday, October 22nd 6pm
All 4 shows will feature a short discussion about the October night sky, followed by our new full-dome movie “Dream to Fly”. The shows will start at 6:00PM and I expect them to end around ~7:15PM. For more information about this show, please see the poster below.
To reserve your spot, you will need to send an RSVP email to the planetarium director, Mr. James Walker. The email address is: [email protected] Please use the subject line: October Planetarium Evening. Please note which evening you would like to attend, Sunday the 19th, Monday the 20th, Tuesday the 21st, or Wednesday the 22th. Also, please tell me how many people you will be bringing to the show. Whole families are welcome, but space is limited so reserve your spots early.
Thank you,
James Walker
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:
• Support reading at home "Words their way" parent presentation for Grades 1-5 - Monday 13th October 8am planetarium
• Support reading at home "Words their way" parent presentation for Grades 1-5 - Monday 13th 5.30pm room 149
• MAP Testing Information – Thursday 16th October 2pm
• BYOD Program Information Session (Bring Your Own Device-technology) - Thursday 23rd October 2pm
• PYP Program & Elementary Curriculum Presentation – 9th, 23rd and 30th October after the community share
• “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:
• Support reading at home "Words their way" parent presentation for Grades 1-5 - Monday 13th October 8am planetarium
• Support reading at home "Words their way" parent presentation for Grades 1-5 - Monday 13th 5.30pm room 149
• MAP Testing Information – Thursday 16th October 2pm
• BYOD Program Information Session (Bring Your Own Device-technology) - Thursday 23rd October 2pm
• PYP Program & Elementary Curriculum Presentation – 9th, 23rd and 30th October after the community share
• “In touch” with Dr. Miner, an informal share session – Thursday 13th November 2pm
• Presentation of School Improvement Goals – Thursday 20th November 2pm
News From The Library
GAA Library is thrilled to announce the arrival of Chris Bradford on Sunday, October 19. Chris is an author of the series Young Samurai and his new series: Bodyguard. Read more about Chris at his website http://www.chrisbradford.co.uk/
The GAA Library would like to recognize Saadeddin Saadeddin grade 4E for donating two books to the library, exemplifying the caring trait of the IB learner profile.
Finally, the library collection is exponentially growing and needs help with filling demand of students requesting book written in Italian and Korean. If you have any international books you can donate contact Head Librarian Scott Moat at [email protected]
GAA Library is thrilled to announce the arrival of Chris Bradford on Sunday, October 19. Chris is an author of the series Young Samurai and his new series: Bodyguard. Read more about Chris at his website http://www.chrisbradford.co.uk/
The GAA Library would like to recognize Saadeddin Saadeddin grade 4E for donating two books to the library, exemplifying the caring trait of the IB learner profile.
Finally, the library collection is exponentially growing and needs help with filling demand of students requesting book written in Italian and Korean. If you have any international books you can donate contact Head Librarian Scott Moat at [email protected]
News From The Cafeteria
If you would like your child to eat our catered school lunch, it is very important that you purchase the lunches online. Many students continue to pay in cash for their lunches, this increases the amount of time students spend in line queuing and also makes it difficult for Accuro our lunch provider to accurately provide the correct amount of food in the cafeteria each day.
Parents can pay online using their GEMS Learning Gateway username and password which was sent to parents on the 2nd September. If you do not know your username and password please email [email protected] To help you pay online, we have produced a step by step guide. Please click here to access this guide
If you would like your child to eat our catered school lunch, it is very important that you purchase the lunches online. Many students continue to pay in cash for their lunches, this increases the amount of time students spend in line queuing and also makes it difficult for Accuro our lunch provider to accurately provide the correct amount of food in the cafeteria each day.
Parents can pay online using their GEMS Learning Gateway username and password which was sent to parents on the 2nd September. If you do not know your username and password please email [email protected] To help you pay online, we have produced a step by step guide. Please click here to access this guide
The Box Appeal
Thank you so much to all those families who participated in the box appeal this year. We are delighted to announce that GAA filled 330 boxes to give to those in need. A special thank you goes to Helen Bruce and Grade 2B who have spent many hours coordinating the appeal.
Thank you so much to all those families who participated in the box appeal this year. We are delighted to announce that GAA filled 330 boxes to give to those in need. A special thank you goes to Helen Bruce and Grade 2B who have spent many hours coordinating the appeal.
Please click on the links at the top of the page to read our KG & Elementary News, Secondary News and Updates