Dear Parents,

As students progress to the next academic year and are promoted to the next year level it is normal that some of their classmates will change and so will their teachers. 

Class Placement

At ASPS, class placement is taken after careful consideration and with the best interest of the children in mind. As a general rule we try to keep children with their friends although there will be changes to all classes, to a certain degree. Such changes can have positive effects on the social dynamics of the classroom, fostering healthy interactions. This approach helps students become more independent, preparing them for various real-life situations.

Creating a Balanced Classroom

It is the responsibility of the school to ensure that classes are distributed appropriately and teachers are assigned according to their qualifications, experience and where they are needed. Please note that the process of balancing classrooms is complex and we have taken considerable effort to ensure academic and social balance in each class. Our class lists are structured to maintain equitable class sizes across all year levels.

We would like to stress that in the best interest of our staff and students, we will not be accommodating any requests for specific teachers. 

Our records show that we have a few students who are using Chromebooks that are outdated and no longer receive updates as their Last Auto Update date has passed. This means these devices no longer receive critical updates, which include the latest features and security enhancements.

What This Means

Chromebooks that are outdated and no longer supported by updates can pose security risks and may not function as effectively as newer models. It is very important that all students have access to fully operational devices to ensure they can participate in all academic activities seamlessly.

Next Steps- We Need to Plan Ahead!

Families of students using outdated Chromebooks will be individually notified via the school's PCode email (parent school email). This notification will provide specific details regarding the replacement process before the start of the 2024-2025 academic year.

Support and Assistance

We understand that transitioning to a new device may bring up questions or require assistance. Our IT support team is ready to help you through this process. If you need any support or have queries regarding the new Chromebook purchase, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at itsupport@alsalamschool.ae.

Recently we have had several conversations around internet safety and digital wellbeing with our students. Whilst social media websites and platforms are blocked on the school network and on the school issued devices, students engage with these platforms outside of school hours. In school, we have been working to build awareness among the students on how to respond to situations in which they might be cyberbullied or targeted online. 

We ask that parents remain vigilant at home to ensure the safety of their children. Having open conversations around internet safety, including disclosing information to strangers; setting boundaries and monitoring the activity on social media platforms are all advisable venues of action. 

This Khaleej Times article warns of large social media groups that children are being added to and the inappropriate content that they are being exposed to on these platforms. At school, we adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards cyberbullying: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/dubai-teen-added-to-whatsapp-group-with-inappropriate-content-bullies-mum-sounds-warning

Get Ready for a Spectacular Drama Production: Starring Our Very Own Talented Students!

🗓️ Save the Date: 2nd July 2024 at Children's City Theater, Creek Park. 

Stay tuned as we will be selling tickets soon! Don't miss this incredible event! 

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the much awaited CoderChamps competition which was held on 16th May 2024 at Al Salam Community School where students from both schools competed to win the ultimate title. 

We commend all our participants for their hard work, creativity, innovation and dedication. This year's competition was tough and we are proud of everyone who took part.

Congratulations to all the winners!

To celebrate the achievements of our talented coders, we are hosting an awarding ceremony on 1st July 2024. More details regarding the ceremony will be communicated very soon!

An initiative of English Department in Secondary School, our students, Haya Fathima (Year 9) and Areesha Soban (Year 8), participated in the Beaconhouse Talks, an Interschool Speech Competition conducted by Al Khaleej International School, Sharjah. Both students showcased exceptional public speaking skills, making them standout stars of the event. With 56 participants from 24 schools, Haya’s 3rd palce win is a testament to her passion and dedication. Her victory adds another proud achievement to our school's record!

Our students form Secondary School have been selected to participate in a prestigious project led by the Secretariat of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals. This exciting initiative, in collaboration with KHDA and the Dubai Municipality, provides our students with the opportunity to actively contribute to the "Sustainable Development Goals Agenda."

As part of this project, our students have received seedlings that they will nurture and grow, symbolizing their commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices. This hands-on experience not only enhances their understanding of sustainability but also empowers them to make a positive impact on our community and the planet.

We are proud of our students' dedication and enthusiasm for this meaningful cause and look forward to witnessing the growth of both their plants and their passion for a sustainable future.

The Year 9 Performing Arts students, part of the Communication and Language department, performed a moving skit on mental health during the morning assembly on Wednesday, 29th May. This performance was in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month and was a key part of their enrichment programme for the term. The skit provided a thought-provoking look at important mental health issues.

To create this powerful performance, the students followed a three-step process. First, they researched thoroughly around the school to gather important information. Then, they used this knowledge to write a skit aimed at raising awareness about mental health. After the performance, they held a Q&A session to encourage discussion and deeper understanding among their classmates. This structured approach helped them effectively engage the audience and deliver a meaningful message during the assembly.

Their efforts were commendable, as they successfully communicated a message of awareness and understanding that resonated with their peers.

Last week on 23rd May, the GAB: Governing Advisory Board, met for a full meeting. 

The main agenda was to look together at the many activities that the three Focus groups have been working on over the past couple of months, hand in hand with school.  

The Reading focus group were proud to present GAB and School achievements towards our Reading Goal for the year.  Here’s one of the wins! 

From 31% to 60% of children read at their level for 1 hour a week by April 2024

The Learning Skills Group also had wins!

The GAB and School members have been working to improve in these two areas 

• Student engagement in, and responsibility of their own learning 

• Critical thinking, problem-solving, innovation, research and independent learning skills

School assessments have shown that students  have significantly improved  in both areas, over the past two terms.  

Watch this space for GAB Parents who are sharing new ways this term to help our children with becoming independent learners.

The Wellbeing Group has excelled as well!

• More than 50 parents attended  for the Workshop on fostering our children’s independence 

• Students have taken ownership of their own wellbeing through student led initiatives such as Mental Health Awareness Week.

• Student Wellbeing Magazine - First issue published end of 2nd Term

And we are working on developing a full Wellbeing Curriculum across the school, which is one of the improvement areas noted by KHDA  in their Inspection.

GAB and School have been leading on the above projects. But ALL parents, including you, and students have worked hard to achieve these results which we expect to add to before the end of the term. 

Our next GAB meeting will be at the end of term, when we look forward to showcasing our full year achievements and successes to the Al Salam Executive Committee. 

Follow @ASPSGAB on Instagram

If you are not following the GAB on Instagram, make sure you do! Their page features a podcast focused on student wellbeing and learning, along with book recommendations, parent tips, collaborations with ASPS teachers and leaders, and more. Don't miss out on their valuable insights and resources!

The external benchmark assessments (GL Progress Tests) and internal end of year exams will start from Thursday 6th June 2024. 

Please note that we will follow the regular school day schedule during examination weeks. Kindly ensure that your children arrive at school promptly and are collected at the end of the school day.

End of Year Attainment Grades and Parent Teacher Meetings-

The attainment grades for the internal assessments will be shared with parents via the end of year report cards on Friday 5th July. This will be followed by an online Parent-Teacher Meeting on Monday 8th July.

We would like to remind parents that if a student has any signs of sickness such as coughing, fever or anything that could be considered to be contagious then they should not be sent to school for their assessments. 

Should your child become ill in the assessment period, please note of the following:

• Parents/legal guardians will be asked to submit a medical report from the doctor, which recommends the leave is needed. Once received we can look into authorising the absence. Students who are absent without a medical note will be given a zero in their examination. 

  • The medical report submitted should be current dated and issued by a medical practitioner from within the country and be provided to the school in a timely manner.

• If a student arrives at school and is found to be exhibiting any such symptoms, the student will be sent home without completing their assessments.

• Students who have arrived at school and have been sent home by the School Clinic will be classed as a medical absence for the day and the student will be given their overall grade based upon their formative assessments. 

• Please note that examinations will not be administered in the clinic and we are unable to reschedule assessments.

Dubai has recently faced unusual weather patterns, including heavy rains leading to frequent floods. In response, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has issued guidelines to help residents maintain their health during these adverse conditions. These guidelines emphasise the importance of adapting to seasonal weather changes and provide practical tips to stay safe and healthy before, during and after such events.

For more detailed information, read through the guidelines available in English and Arabic.

School breaks are mandated and approved by the KHDA for private schools in Dubai and these dates are not proposed by the school but are set according to the KHDA guidelines. We strongly advise parents to schedule vacations or travel plans during the designated school holidays to ensure compliance with attendance requirements. 

Term Dates for AY 2024-2025

Preferred Payment Option: Zenda App

Our preferred and recommended payment option is the Zenda App. This secure platform provides a convenient way for our parents and guardians to make school payments (this includes school fees!)

Payment through Zenda App:

Download the Zenda app today from app.zenda.com/getstarted 

To sign up, please use the school code: alsalam and your email or mobile number registered with the school.

For Support:

If you have any questions or do not remember your sign up details, you can reach out to the Zenda team on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/12515511110