News from our Secondary Principal, Craig Randall
Dear Parents,
One of my favorite websites is the Teaching as Leadership website: www.teachingasleadership.org. The website stems for the work that "Teach for America" has done sending students into poorer school districts all over the country. They have analyzed their teachers, paying particular attention to teachers who have helped their students to achieve at least a year and a half of growth during one school year. From this information they have created a rubric showing what evidence says is good teaching practice. One of my favorite parts of this rubric is relentlessness. Relentlessness is best defined to me as remaining determined.
Relentlessness is something we strive for in our work with helping your children progress and grow as students and as people. One of the areas that the administrative team demonstrates relentlessness is with our weekly grade checks. The grade checks work like this:
We have a report run of all students who have a D+ or lower on their grades. Then we have Ms. Brown tell us which room the students are in during one of their classes on Thursday. Armed with this information, Mr. Thorpe, Mr. Lea and myself divide and conquer; we briefly pull each of these students out of class to talk about their progress and what we can do to help them improve their achievement. Sometimes one meeting does the trick, sometimes we have multiple meetings, sometimes we involve students and sometime we start a referral process which leads to action plans to help students.
The big point is that we are committed and relentless in our efforts to help your children achieve their potential.
Sincerely,
Craig Randall
One of my favorite websites is the Teaching as Leadership website: www.teachingasleadership.org. The website stems for the work that "Teach for America" has done sending students into poorer school districts all over the country. They have analyzed their teachers, paying particular attention to teachers who have helped their students to achieve at least a year and a half of growth during one school year. From this information they have created a rubric showing what evidence says is good teaching practice. One of my favorite parts of this rubric is relentlessness. Relentlessness is best defined to me as remaining determined.
Relentlessness is something we strive for in our work with helping your children progress and grow as students and as people. One of the areas that the administrative team demonstrates relentlessness is with our weekly grade checks. The grade checks work like this:
We have a report run of all students who have a D+ or lower on their grades. Then we have Ms. Brown tell us which room the students are in during one of their classes on Thursday. Armed with this information, Mr. Thorpe, Mr. Lea and myself divide and conquer; we briefly pull each of these students out of class to talk about their progress and what we can do to help them improve their achievement. Sometimes one meeting does the trick, sometimes we have multiple meetings, sometimes we involve students and sometime we start a referral process which leads to action plans to help students.
The big point is that we are committed and relentless in our efforts to help your children achieve their potential.
Sincerely,
Craig Randall
Preliminary SAT (PSAT) /
National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test -Redesigned
All students in grade 11 are strongly encouraged to take the PSAT.
The PSAT is a practice test for the SAT college/university admission test and also serves as the qualifying test to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program (for US citizens and permanent residents).
This year, the PSAT that students will take is different from years past. It is the redesigned test to help better prepare students for the new SAT debuting in the spring. Students should expect changes in the format, length, scoring and content of test. For more details on specific changes in the both tests, please visit the College Board website at www.collegeboard.org
Also new is the testing day. This year, the Saturday test administration is not available. Therefore, our students will test during the school day on Wednesday, October 28, and between the hours of 7:45am to 11:20am.
In addition to the revised PSAT/NMSQT, the College Board is introducing versions of the PSAT targeted specifically for different grades. The new 10th grade test is called the PSAT 10. Students in grade 10 have the opportunity to take either the PSAT/NMSQT or the new test. The new PSAT 10 will be offered in the spring on either February 25 or March 3. Grade 11 students have priority to test in October, but there will be some spots available to grade 10 on a first come, first served basis.
PSAT Key Points:
Who: Grade 11 and some grade 10
When & Where: Wed., Oct 28, 7:45am – 11:20am; at school
Cost: 100 AED includes test fee and administrative costs. Monies can be given to Ms. Welch or paid directly to the School Cashier.
For more information on the PSAT please see the following PDFs
National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test -Redesigned
All students in grade 11 are strongly encouraged to take the PSAT.
The PSAT is a practice test for the SAT college/university admission test and also serves as the qualifying test to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program (for US citizens and permanent residents).
This year, the PSAT that students will take is different from years past. It is the redesigned test to help better prepare students for the new SAT debuting in the spring. Students should expect changes in the format, length, scoring and content of test. For more details on specific changes in the both tests, please visit the College Board website at www.collegeboard.org
Also new is the testing day. This year, the Saturday test administration is not available. Therefore, our students will test during the school day on Wednesday, October 28, and between the hours of 7:45am to 11:20am.
In addition to the revised PSAT/NMSQT, the College Board is introducing versions of the PSAT targeted specifically for different grades. The new 10th grade test is called the PSAT 10. Students in grade 10 have the opportunity to take either the PSAT/NMSQT or the new test. The new PSAT 10 will be offered in the spring on either February 25 or March 3. Grade 11 students have priority to test in October, but there will be some spots available to grade 10 on a first come, first served basis.
PSAT Key Points:
Who: Grade 11 and some grade 10
When & Where: Wed., Oct 28, 7:45am – 11:20am; at school
Cost: 100 AED includes test fee and administrative costs. Monies can be given to Ms. Welch or paid directly to the School Cashier.
For more information on the PSAT please see the following PDFs
preliminary_sat.pdf | |
File Size: | 150 kb |
File Type: |
COLLEGES VISITING CAMPUS for Seniors & Juniors
OCTOBER
Oct. 1 @ 10:45am-11:30am - Boston University, USA
Oct.6 @ 9am-9:45am -Wheaton College, Quinnipiac University, USA
Oct. 11 @ 9am-9:45am – UCLA, University of California Berkeley, USA
Oct. 19 @ 9am-9:45am - University Visit- Liberal Arts Group College Fair: Johns Hopkins, U of Chicago, Colby College, USA
Oct. 21 @ 9am-9:45am – Liberal Arts Group: Washington & Jefferson College, Knox College, Dickinson College, Bryn Mawr College, Lawrence College, USA
Oct. 22 @ 9am-9:45am – University of California Davis, USA
Oct. 26 @ 9am-9:45am - University mini-fair: Syracuse University, Suffolk University, Rutgers University, USA
Oct. 29 @ 9am-9:45am - Lewis & Clark College, USA
GRADE LEVEL INFO
SENIOR Info (grade 12)
REMINDERS for parents: In follow-up to the Senior College Night, the Parent Senior Questionnaire will be sent via email and you are kindly asked to complete it.
REMINDERS for students:
1) Make an appointment with Ms. Welch for a fall update! The best way to schedule a meeting is to stop by the office or email.
2) Don't miss important ACT/SAT Registration deadlines! Students sign up on their own on the testing websites.
SAT Registration: sat.org/international
ACT Registration: www.actstudent.org
3) Sign up for College & University Visits
JUNIOR Info (grade 11)
Register for the PSAT and make your payment by Monday.
Sign-Up for College and University Visits
SOPHOMORE Info (grade 10)
Register for the PSAT and make your payment. Some students will have the opportunity to take the October test, but there will also be another spring test date.
FRESHMAN Info (grade 9)
Recognition of Outstanding Achievement
Commended Students in the
2016 National Merit® Scholarship Program
Two senior students, Shubhankar Das and Brandon Mok, have been named National Merit Commended students in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Competition. To earn this honor, these students scored in the top 5 percent of all students who took last year’s 2014 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) worldwide.
About 34,000 Commended Students in American and international schools throughout the world are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2016 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, “the young men and women being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for the National Merit Program. “We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”
We congratulate Shubo and Brandon on their achievement!
OCTOBER
Oct. 1 @ 10:45am-11:30am - Boston University, USA
Oct.6 @ 9am-9:45am -Wheaton College, Quinnipiac University, USA
Oct. 11 @ 9am-9:45am – UCLA, University of California Berkeley, USA
Oct. 19 @ 9am-9:45am - University Visit- Liberal Arts Group College Fair: Johns Hopkins, U of Chicago, Colby College, USA
Oct. 21 @ 9am-9:45am – Liberal Arts Group: Washington & Jefferson College, Knox College, Dickinson College, Bryn Mawr College, Lawrence College, USA
Oct. 22 @ 9am-9:45am – University of California Davis, USA
Oct. 26 @ 9am-9:45am - University mini-fair: Syracuse University, Suffolk University, Rutgers University, USA
Oct. 29 @ 9am-9:45am - Lewis & Clark College, USA
GRADE LEVEL INFO
SENIOR Info (grade 12)
REMINDERS for parents: In follow-up to the Senior College Night, the Parent Senior Questionnaire will be sent via email and you are kindly asked to complete it.
REMINDERS for students:
1) Make an appointment with Ms. Welch for a fall update! The best way to schedule a meeting is to stop by the office or email.
2) Don't miss important ACT/SAT Registration deadlines! Students sign up on their own on the testing websites.
SAT Registration: sat.org/international
ACT Registration: www.actstudent.org
3) Sign up for College & University Visits
JUNIOR Info (grade 11)
Register for the PSAT and make your payment by Monday.
Sign-Up for College and University Visits
SOPHOMORE Info (grade 10)
Register for the PSAT and make your payment. Some students will have the opportunity to take the October test, but there will also be another spring test date.
FRESHMAN Info (grade 9)
Recognition of Outstanding Achievement
Commended Students in the
2016 National Merit® Scholarship Program
Two senior students, Shubhankar Das and Brandon Mok, have been named National Merit Commended students in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Competition. To earn this honor, these students scored in the top 5 percent of all students who took last year’s 2014 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) worldwide.
About 34,000 Commended Students in American and international schools throughout the world are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2016 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, “the young men and women being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for the National Merit Program. “We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”
We congratulate Shubo and Brandon on their achievement!
From Our IBDP coordinator, Patrick Lyons
More than just exams
Last week, I posted the exam dates for students and staff for our first ever cohort of IB Diploma students. But while exams are a key component of the IB Dipoma, ther is a lot going on besides. No subject in the Diploma relies entirely on exams as all of them have an Internal Assessment (IA) component too.
These IAs must be completed, marked and submitted for moderation long before the exam and most will be heading to completion this Semester. Our Languages (English included) have certain written elements but also an ‘Oral Exam’ recorded in our sound studios. There are some exciting research projects in the Social Sciences and in the Experimental Sciences, hours of completed lab work are logged beside the Group 4 Project and one in depth formal experimental write-up. Maths students engage in explorations but it is the Arts where Internal Assessment comes into its own. Look out for DP Theatre productions and an Art show next semester.
Last week, I posted the exam dates for students and staff for our first ever cohort of IB Diploma students. But while exams are a key component of the IB Dipoma, ther is a lot going on besides. No subject in the Diploma relies entirely on exams as all of them have an Internal Assessment (IA) component too.
These IAs must be completed, marked and submitted for moderation long before the exam and most will be heading to completion this Semester. Our Languages (English included) have certain written elements but also an ‘Oral Exam’ recorded in our sound studios. There are some exciting research projects in the Social Sciences and in the Experimental Sciences, hours of completed lab work are logged beside the Group 4 Project and one in depth formal experimental write-up. Maths students engage in explorations but it is the Arts where Internal Assessment comes into its own. Look out for DP Theatre productions and an Art show next semester.
All students are different with different personalities and skill-sets. In the IB Diploma at GAA, we try to build a range of skills but recognize that an exam is not the only way to recognize students’ development and understanding. They are also the first chance students get to put ‘points on the board’. An IB Diploma has many aspects but the IA is a great opportunity for every student to do well.
Regards,
Paddy Lyons
IBDP Coordinator
Regards,
Paddy Lyons
IBDP Coordinator
Dear Parents,
We are excited to announce our third annual anti-bullying week, which will commence on October 11th. The week is geared towards acknowledging bullying as a global concern and supporting the cause to stop it at all levels across different locations.
During this week students will participate in a variety of activities that draw awareness to the issue. Additionally, students will revisit and learn ways that they can assist others and themselves if being bullied. More information will be released about this week closer to the start date. However, we are beginning to use advisory times this week to discuss bullying, it’s negative effects, and ways we can help stop it.
We will continue to use advisory times throughout the year to reinforce this pertinent topic, but also to reinforce core values such as empathy, courage and kindness.
Regards,
Kathleen Leishear
Secondary School Counselor
We are excited to announce our third annual anti-bullying week, which will commence on October 11th. The week is geared towards acknowledging bullying as a global concern and supporting the cause to stop it at all levels across different locations.
During this week students will participate in a variety of activities that draw awareness to the issue. Additionally, students will revisit and learn ways that they can assist others and themselves if being bullied. More information will be released about this week closer to the start date. However, we are beginning to use advisory times this week to discuss bullying, it’s negative effects, and ways we can help stop it.
We will continue to use advisory times throughout the year to reinforce this pertinent topic, but also to reinforce core values such as empathy, courage and kindness.
Regards,
Kathleen Leishear
Secondary School Counselor
From our Arts department
Grade 6 instrumental music students have been exploring percussion instruments and will continue a survey of all instrument families throughout their 9-week course. The grade 10 percussion class has been working on techniques and reading rhythms and pitches using snare drum and glockenspiel. Middle School Advanced Band has already progressed well toward preparing four pieces for the semester one concert. GAA’s first percussion ensemble is forming as an after school activity and will provide more opportunities for student performances/collaboration and possible CAS projects for IBDP students.
Mr. Jared Robertson
Things are busy and exciting in GAA’s Choir Department! In addition to singing some incredibly challenging music in class, all high school students are working hard to prepare their audition material for the World Honor Choir – and will be heading into the recording studio soon! Voices, the all-new High School girls’ choir is sounding amazing, and excited to be working on a new jazz chart that they will be singing with the GAA Big Band. The middle school groups have grown leaps and bounds from last year, and cannot wait to show off some of their talent, (and new salsa moves) at the December concert! The final round of auditions for after school choirs finished last week – and after over 150 students auditioned, the top students have been chosen for the 3 new after school choirs; Wildcat Chorus, GAA Show Choir, and GAA Singers. Choir students are also getting excited about their trip to London over Spring Break. Students will be doing workshops at top recording studios and with West End performers, visiting the music departments at Oxford and the Royal Academy of Music, getting to see some amazing shows and all the wonderful sights of London!
Ms. Whitney Meininger
First year IB students have made a great start in Visual Arts! They have so far been exploring drawing techniques working from found objects. Moving out of their comfort zone, students are working fast and slow and both large and small in a range of media, broadening their understanding of what a drawing can be… with some impressive results.
Second year IB students are now looking ahead to their exhibition in March. With much of last year spent on learning techniques, working in their journals and on the comparative study, it’s time to step up a gear and start working big!
It’s all go in Middle school also with Grade 7 students having fun learning about traditional animation techniques from Muybridge to Miyazaki. They have then started creating their own traditional animation cel paintings based on their own designs. These are almost complete and will be on display around school soon.
Mr. Andrew Hull
GAA’s first IB Diploma Music course is here. Students took to the stage in a ‘simulated’ professional performance setting at the end of September. This followed weeks of preparation supported by research into musical communication and the role that the Arts play within our lives.
In addition to our extra-curricular GAA Big Band, the music department is delighted to announce the arrival of the High School Jazz Program. Those students who chose to take this option are now one month into the program and making some truly fantastic music already. The students are currently exploring the music of legendary pianists Herbie Hancock and Joe Zawinal.
Mr Dave Holland
Hello, if we haven’t yet met, my name is Ms. McGregor and I teach drama 7th, 8th, Advanced Acting One(10th) and Dance for Musical Theatre. The 2015-2016 school year has taken off quickly and my drama students are in the trenches, gearing up for their first projects/performances of the year. We have been focused on the Broadway musical, strongly incorporating the elements of character analysis. In addition, we have been working on vital theatrical skills through the practice of various theatre games. It’s been a joy getting to know your students and each other and we’re truly excited about what this year will bring. There is most certainly much potential and talent and we are looking forward to bringing that to all of you as the year progresses. In November, we will present our annual drama showcase and in March we will present a production of YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN. I invite you to keep a close eye on the Haiku pages as all that is happening in class and beyond can be found there. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact me via my school email. Here’s to looking forward to an exciting year!
8th Grade and Advanced Acting One(10th): Gearing up to perform the Witch’s Rap from the musical INTO THE WOODS, yes, it was a Broadway musical before it was a movie.
7th Grade: Ready to perform original scenes in which they have incorporated tongue twisters.
Dance for Musical Theatre: Have spent some time researching Broadway choreographer great, Bob Fosse and are well on their way learning and perfecting his original choreography to STEAM HEAT, from the Broadway musical Pajama Game.
Ms. Yvette Mcgregor
Mr. Jared Robertson
Things are busy and exciting in GAA’s Choir Department! In addition to singing some incredibly challenging music in class, all high school students are working hard to prepare their audition material for the World Honor Choir – and will be heading into the recording studio soon! Voices, the all-new High School girls’ choir is sounding amazing, and excited to be working on a new jazz chart that they will be singing with the GAA Big Band. The middle school groups have grown leaps and bounds from last year, and cannot wait to show off some of their talent, (and new salsa moves) at the December concert! The final round of auditions for after school choirs finished last week – and after over 150 students auditioned, the top students have been chosen for the 3 new after school choirs; Wildcat Chorus, GAA Show Choir, and GAA Singers. Choir students are also getting excited about their trip to London over Spring Break. Students will be doing workshops at top recording studios and with West End performers, visiting the music departments at Oxford and the Royal Academy of Music, getting to see some amazing shows and all the wonderful sights of London!
Ms. Whitney Meininger
First year IB students have made a great start in Visual Arts! They have so far been exploring drawing techniques working from found objects. Moving out of their comfort zone, students are working fast and slow and both large and small in a range of media, broadening their understanding of what a drawing can be… with some impressive results.
Second year IB students are now looking ahead to their exhibition in March. With much of last year spent on learning techniques, working in their journals and on the comparative study, it’s time to step up a gear and start working big!
It’s all go in Middle school also with Grade 7 students having fun learning about traditional animation techniques from Muybridge to Miyazaki. They have then started creating their own traditional animation cel paintings based on their own designs. These are almost complete and will be on display around school soon.
Mr. Andrew Hull
GAA’s first IB Diploma Music course is here. Students took to the stage in a ‘simulated’ professional performance setting at the end of September. This followed weeks of preparation supported by research into musical communication and the role that the Arts play within our lives.
In addition to our extra-curricular GAA Big Band, the music department is delighted to announce the arrival of the High School Jazz Program. Those students who chose to take this option are now one month into the program and making some truly fantastic music already. The students are currently exploring the music of legendary pianists Herbie Hancock and Joe Zawinal.
Mr Dave Holland
Hello, if we haven’t yet met, my name is Ms. McGregor and I teach drama 7th, 8th, Advanced Acting One(10th) and Dance for Musical Theatre. The 2015-2016 school year has taken off quickly and my drama students are in the trenches, gearing up for their first projects/performances of the year. We have been focused on the Broadway musical, strongly incorporating the elements of character analysis. In addition, we have been working on vital theatrical skills through the practice of various theatre games. It’s been a joy getting to know your students and each other and we’re truly excited about what this year will bring. There is most certainly much potential and talent and we are looking forward to bringing that to all of you as the year progresses. In November, we will present our annual drama showcase and in March we will present a production of YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN. I invite you to keep a close eye on the Haiku pages as all that is happening in class and beyond can be found there. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact me via my school email. Here’s to looking forward to an exciting year!
8th Grade and Advanced Acting One(10th): Gearing up to perform the Witch’s Rap from the musical INTO THE WOODS, yes, it was a Broadway musical before it was a movie.
7th Grade: Ready to perform original scenes in which they have incorporated tongue twisters.
Dance for Musical Theatre: Have spent some time researching Broadway choreographer great, Bob Fosse and are well on their way learning and perfecting his original choreography to STEAM HEAT, from the Broadway musical Pajama Game.
Ms. Yvette Mcgregor
From our Math department
Dear Parents,
GAA has enrolled in the Annual Mathematics Contests by American Scholastic Mathematics Association (ASMA). This will give our students the opportunity to compete internationally with other high ability students across the world.
There are two divisions:
1) Junior and Intermediate Division(Grades 7 to 9)
2) Senior Division (Grades 9 to 12)
Each contest examination set consists of seven questions. Students will have have exactly thirty-five (35) minutes to do the contest examination. Calculators may be used but not shared by students. Each math teacher has a set of old contests if students would like to see the layout of the contest before participating on the 8th.
Dates:
Contest #1 - October 8, 2015
Contest #2 - November 12, 2015
Contest #3 - December 10, 2015
Contest #4 - January 14, 2016
Contest #5 - February 11, 2016
Contest #6 - March 10, 2016
All contests will be held in Ms. Ruderman’s room (238) and start at 3:10 PM. If you have any questions please email [email protected]
Joanna Ruderman
Secondary Mathematics Coordinator
GAA has enrolled in the Annual Mathematics Contests by American Scholastic Mathematics Association (ASMA). This will give our students the opportunity to compete internationally with other high ability students across the world.
There are two divisions:
1) Junior and Intermediate Division(Grades 7 to 9)
2) Senior Division (Grades 9 to 12)
Each contest examination set consists of seven questions. Students will have have exactly thirty-five (35) minutes to do the contest examination. Calculators may be used but not shared by students. Each math teacher has a set of old contests if students would like to see the layout of the contest before participating on the 8th.
Dates:
Contest #1 - October 8, 2015
Contest #2 - November 12, 2015
Contest #3 - December 10, 2015
Contest #4 - January 14, 2016
Contest #5 - February 11, 2016
Contest #6 - March 10, 2016
All contests will be held in Ms. Ruderman’s room (238) and start at 3:10 PM. If you have any questions please email [email protected]
Joanna Ruderman
Secondary Mathematics Coordinator
Here is our Community and Secondary School Calendar - Scroll through the months to see what's planned for this year at GAA
Please make sure you check this calendar regularly for updates and new events