News from Head of School - Kathy Miner
We wish your family a joyful Eid Al Adha!
We have received an official announcement from the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) that private schools will take the full week for the Eid Al Adha Holiday. See the attached circular distributed to private schools.
Students will have a five-day holiday beginning on Sunday, September 11th through Thursday, September 15th. School will resume on Sunday, September 18.
For your convenience GAA Admin Department will be open on Wednesday, September 14th and Thursday the 15th for school business, such as Finance, Reception, and Admissions.
Safe travels for those planning to venture beyond Abu Dhabi.
Back-to-School Night
Please be sure to attend our Back-to-School Night events scheduled on:
- Elementary School, KG-G5: Monday, September 19th, from 5pm
- Secondary School, G6-G12: Wednesday, September 21st, from 5pm
Back-to-School Night is an opportunity for parents to meet teachers and to learn about classroom expectations and routines. In depth information about curriculum is difficult to cover in this meet and greet format, however, you’ll see evenings dedicated to in depth curriculum topics planned for later in the month.
Students do not participate in Back-to-School Night, this is a time for parents and teachers to meet and connect.
Thank you for your participation in the parent information sessions held this week. We received a significant amount of positive feedback about the school year thus far and would like to thank you for your partnership.
We agree with our parents there is definitely something special here at GEMS American Academy. Our students represent 93 nationalities and speak 40 different languages- we are definitely a vibrant and varied community!
We know that GAA provides a broad array of enriched opportunities and a fantastic facility. Our teachers are enthusiastic and caring professionals who are knowledgeable of successful practices in education. And, our supportive teaching assistants devote time and attention to each child.
The magic of our community can be found in the everyday interactions throughout the school- the warmth, the welcoming spirit and the relationships that are built and sustained throughout the year.
Visitors and families to our school immediately sense a Culture of Kindness, a signature of our school community that reflects our core values and philosophy of education.
We are all part of the something special at our school, the connections and relationships as we partner to support, care for and educate our children.
A few reminders for the week include:
- We ask you to present your GAA Parent ID Card or Emirates ID Card at the Guard Gate each and every time you enter our campus.
- Students will receive their GAA Student ID cards next week, which they can use to purchase lunch in the cafeteria using our online cashier system. Details on how to charge your child’s account was sent to all parents via email and can be found in last week's newsletter.
- Be sure to mark your calendars for our upcoming Parent Presentations, such as " What is IB'? and other important topics. See below for dates.
If you have a question or concern, please don’t hesitate to stop by or to give me a call or send me an email.
Kathryn Miner
Head of School and CEO
adec_email_-_eid_holiday.pdf | |
File Size: | 53 kb |
File Type: |
News from our Director of Arabic Studies, Samah Awad
Dear GAA Parents,
On behalf of the Arabic team at GAA, we are very happy to welcome you to the 2016-2017 school year! We are looking forward to a productive partnership with you to ensure our children can achieve their highest potential.
This year we will work to improve the Arabic language for our students by working on the skills and building bridges between the curriculum in the classroom and their social life which will motivate them to learn the Arabic language and use it in their day- to- day life.
Similarly, we will help students to make everyday connection in Islamic studies and UAE social studies.
The Arabic staff and I feel privileged to be a part of the GAA community, we thank you for your support and look forwarding to meet you at Back to School night.
Finally, if you have any questions regarding our Arabic curriculum or instruction please do not hesitate to contact me to arrange an appointment.
My email address: [email protected]
Sincerely,
Arabic Director
Samah Awad
On behalf of the Arabic team at GAA, we are very happy to welcome you to the 2016-2017 school year! We are looking forward to a productive partnership with you to ensure our children can achieve their highest potential.
This year we will work to improve the Arabic language for our students by working on the skills and building bridges between the curriculum in the classroom and their social life which will motivate them to learn the Arabic language and use it in their day- to- day life.
Similarly, we will help students to make everyday connection in Islamic studies and UAE social studies.
The Arabic staff and I feel privileged to be a part of the GAA community, we thank you for your support and look forwarding to meet you at Back to School night.
Finally, if you have any questions regarding our Arabic curriculum or instruction please do not hesitate to contact me to arrange an appointment.
My email address: [email protected]
Sincerely,
Arabic Director
Samah Awad
أَولياءُ الأمُور الكِرام،
تحيّةٌ طيّبةٌ وبعد،،،
تتَصافح الأيدي وتتعانق القُلوب في ميادينِ العلّم والاجتهاد، آمالنا عريضة وطُموحنا كبيرٌ في دعمِ طلابنا خلال العام الدّراسيّ الجديد.
يَسرُّ قسم اللُّغة العربيّة في أَكاديميّةِ جيمس الأمريكيّة أن يتقدم بأحرالتّهاني والتبريكات بمناسبة عيد الأضحى المبارك أعاده الله علينا وعلى الأمة الإسلاميّة بالخير واليُمن والبركات ، كما يُشرفنا العمل معكم في دعمِ المسيرة التّعليميّة التَّعلُّميّة لما فيه مصلحة طُلابنا الأعزاء.
كِمِا يُشرِّفنا أن نعمل على تأمين أفضل الوسائل لتطبيق المناهج التّعليميّة للنّهوض باللّغة العربيّة من خلال صقل المهارات الأساسيّة وبناء جسور تواصل بين المناهج التّعليميّة والواقع الّذي نعيشه، بالإضافة إلى خَلق دافع وجداني لدى الطّلاب لحثهم على تعلُّم هذه اللّغة واستخدامها.
على أمل اللّقاء القريب إن شَاءَ اللّه للإجابة على كَافة الاستفسارات وتقديم الشّروحات اللّازمة لدعم العمليّة التّربويّة .
أَرجو عدم التّردد في التّواصل معي عبر البريد الإلكتروني التّالي:
[email protected]
مديرة قسم اللّغة العربيّة
سماح عوض
Technology at GAA
Parents may come to Room 117 for technology support, Sunday – Thursday from 7:30am – 3:30pm.
Technology at GAA
We have a responsibility to fully prepare our students for the realities of the university and professional worlds into which they will move after GAA. Technological fluency is as essential as literacy and numeracy, and will support creativity and inquiry-based learning, which are cornerstones of our educational philosophy.
Why is the inclusion of technology important in schools?
We value:
Google Apps for Education
The Google Apps bundle includes document processing, spreadsheets, calendars, mail and unlimited online storage space for documents. The advantages of Google Apps as a group of tools to create documents and to work collaboratively from multiple devices means that students can easily work from desktops, tablets or laptops at home or at school. The introduction of Google Mail means that we have a messaging system that integrates with other online services (Google Apps) which we can manage appropriately for school communications between teachers and students.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program
Students in Grade 5 have the opportunity to participate in an optional BYOD program. Students in Grade 6 to Grade 12 are required to bring a laptop to school daily. We do not require a specific laptop, nor will GAA sell or distribute laptops. The required equipment can be either Mac or PC; the option is entirely up to each family. Equipment will be registered for Internet access on our system. Students will be expected to follow a clearly articulated Acceptable Use Policy which is in our Student Handbooks.
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office is available for download for each Gems Student. Here are the directions to download Office.
Elementary School Technology
GEMS Oasis
This is used in Elementary for seeing report cards, paying tuition fees, updating contact information and re-enrollment. Gems Oasis can be accessed here.
Seesaw
This is an online digital portfolio that primarily serves as a learning portfolio for students. This program as acts as a vehicle for parents to see updates of the learning that is happening in the classroom for their individual student. Seesaw will also be used by teachers to communicate classroom and school informations with parents on a weekly basis. Seesaw can be accessed here.
Secondary School Technology
GEMS Oasis
This is used in Secondary for paying tuition fees, updating contact information and re-enrollment. Gems Oasis can be accessed here.
Plus Portals
This is an online space where students and parents can see schedules, grades, homework, assessment calendars and can communicate with teachers. This is the formal reporting program within our Secondary School. Plus Portals can be accessed here.
Haiku
This is our Learning Management System (LMS). This is where class resources are placed in an effort to add context to the learning. With the help of BYOD, this space allows the learning to be extended outside of the classroom. Students log in through their Google accounts. Parents are sent activation codes from the IT department. Haiku can be accessed here.
Managebac (Diploma Program Only)
Managebac is exclusively for Diploma Program students. This is where students and parents can see their grades, assessment calendar, CAS progress, Extended Essay Progress and communicate with teachers. Managebac can be accessed here.
Here is an overview of our major technology systems that parents will be using in Elementary and Secondary this year. We hope that this can give some clarity as to how these systems fit together. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected].
GAA Tech Team
We have a responsibility to fully prepare our students for the realities of the university and professional worlds into which they will move after GAA. Technological fluency is as essential as literacy and numeracy, and will support creativity and inquiry-based learning, which are cornerstones of our educational philosophy.
Why is the inclusion of technology important in schools?
We value:
- the development of 21st century learning skills, including experience consuming and producing multimodal content which will be mandatory for success in university study and workplaces of the future;
- increased student engagement;
- flexibility for teachers in addressing different learning styles, including interventions for students with special educational needs and English Language Learners , and extensions for those who benefit from additional challenge;
- provision of a greater range and variety of assessment strategies for teachers;
- promotion of inquiry and critical thinking skills.
Google Apps for Education
The Google Apps bundle includes document processing, spreadsheets, calendars, mail and unlimited online storage space for documents. The advantages of Google Apps as a group of tools to create documents and to work collaboratively from multiple devices means that students can easily work from desktops, tablets or laptops at home or at school. The introduction of Google Mail means that we have a messaging system that integrates with other online services (Google Apps) which we can manage appropriately for school communications between teachers and students.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program
Students in Grade 5 have the opportunity to participate in an optional BYOD program. Students in Grade 6 to Grade 12 are required to bring a laptop to school daily. We do not require a specific laptop, nor will GAA sell or distribute laptops. The required equipment can be either Mac or PC; the option is entirely up to each family. Equipment will be registered for Internet access on our system. Students will be expected to follow a clearly articulated Acceptable Use Policy which is in our Student Handbooks.
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office is available for download for each Gems Student. Here are the directions to download Office.
Elementary School Technology
GEMS Oasis
This is used in Elementary for seeing report cards, paying tuition fees, updating contact information and re-enrollment. Gems Oasis can be accessed here.
Seesaw
This is an online digital portfolio that primarily serves as a learning portfolio for students. This program as acts as a vehicle for parents to see updates of the learning that is happening in the classroom for their individual student. Seesaw will also be used by teachers to communicate classroom and school informations with parents on a weekly basis. Seesaw can be accessed here.
Secondary School Technology
GEMS Oasis
This is used in Secondary for paying tuition fees, updating contact information and re-enrollment. Gems Oasis can be accessed here.
Plus Portals
This is an online space where students and parents can see schedules, grades, homework, assessment calendars and can communicate with teachers. This is the formal reporting program within our Secondary School. Plus Portals can be accessed here.
Haiku
This is our Learning Management System (LMS). This is where class resources are placed in an effort to add context to the learning. With the help of BYOD, this space allows the learning to be extended outside of the classroom. Students log in through their Google accounts. Parents are sent activation codes from the IT department. Haiku can be accessed here.
Managebac (Diploma Program Only)
Managebac is exclusively for Diploma Program students. This is where students and parents can see their grades, assessment calendar, CAS progress, Extended Essay Progress and communicate with teachers. Managebac can be accessed here.
Here is an overview of our major technology systems that parents will be using in Elementary and Secondary this year. We hope that this can give some clarity as to how these systems fit together. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected].
GAA Tech Team
Uniform Update!
Students are allowed to wear the previous GAA uniform throughout 2016-2017 school year, basically until they grow out of the clothes. Because the new uniform is similar to the previous one, students shouldn’t feel that they stand out or look different than their peers.
Threads are also committed to improving the actual shopping experience for uniforms and wish to avoid at all times the potential issues of long queues, harried customers, and / or lack of stock. To ensure this quality of service, Threads uniforms can be purchased in the following convenient places:
We are aware that some parents have not been able to get sizes and as a result students are not in full uniform. We are working with Threads to get this sorted ASAP. If you have placed an order and have still not received anything please contact our PRE Naseera at [email protected] who will be happy to follow up with Threads directly on your behalf. Please provide the order/purchase number in your email.
Threads are also committed to improving the actual shopping experience for uniforms and wish to avoid at all times the potential issues of long queues, harried customers, and / or lack of stock. To ensure this quality of service, Threads uniforms can be purchased in the following convenient places:
- Threads outlet: The new Threads retail outlet has officially opened in Dalma Mall. The store is open 7 days a week.
- Ordering Online: Order from the comfort of your own home. Delivery will be made within one week of the order, subject to availability. Delivery is made by Aramex.
- Purchasing at GAA: The uniform shop at GAA is still open but please note that there is limited stock and parents are encouraged to visit the store at Dalma Mall to avoid disappointment. Operating Hours as of September 18th will be 8:30am-11am.
We are aware that some parents have not been able to get sizes and as a result students are not in full uniform. We are working with Threads to get this sorted ASAP. If you have placed an order and have still not received anything please contact our PRE Naseera at [email protected] who will be happy to follow up with Threads directly on your behalf. Please provide the order/purchase number in your email.
Dismissal Procedures (KG1,KG2 and Elementary)
KG1, KG2 and Elementary
The GAA school day finishes at 2:45 for KG1 and KG2 and 2:55pm for Grades 1-5. While students should not expect to be dismissed before this time, it is vital for the smooth running of the bus service and the After School Activities Program that teachers do not keep their classes late and students are responsible for their actions to ensure arrival on time for the bus service. Once dismissed from class, students will be handed into the care of a parent or guardian or will follow the bus collection procedure which is detailed below. Parents are kindly requested to wait until the classroom teacher has completed her dismissal procedure before entering the corridors and/or the classroom.
The class EA (Educational Assistant) will escort those students who use the bus service to the bus waiting area. There will be a collection point for each bus: clearly visible bus number signs are posted in the area. The EA will hand students over to the respective conductors in turn. Once students have been handed over to the care of the conductors, they will sit quietly until all students have arrived. When it is confirmed that all students are present, the conductors will escort the students to their buses and make sure they are safely buckled before the buses move.
In Grade 3 and up, where Teaching Assistants work with more than one class, the EA will escort those classes for which he/she is responsible to the bus waiting area.
ELEMENTARY COMMUNITY HANDBOOK
The GAA school day finishes at 2:45 for KG1 and KG2 and 2:55pm for Grades 1-5. While students should not expect to be dismissed before this time, it is vital for the smooth running of the bus service and the After School Activities Program that teachers do not keep their classes late and students are responsible for their actions to ensure arrival on time for the bus service. Once dismissed from class, students will be handed into the care of a parent or guardian or will follow the bus collection procedure which is detailed below. Parents are kindly requested to wait until the classroom teacher has completed her dismissal procedure before entering the corridors and/or the classroom.
The class EA (Educational Assistant) will escort those students who use the bus service to the bus waiting area. There will be a collection point for each bus: clearly visible bus number signs are posted in the area. The EA will hand students over to the respective conductors in turn. Once students have been handed over to the care of the conductors, they will sit quietly until all students have arrived. When it is confirmed that all students are present, the conductors will escort the students to their buses and make sure they are safely buckled before the buses move.
In Grade 3 and up, where Teaching Assistants work with more than one class, the EA will escort those classes for which he/she is responsible to the bus waiting area.
ELEMENTARY COMMUNITY HANDBOOK