April 16, 2026 - Volume 5 | Issue 32 - Principals' Sahifa

Dear Lower Elementary School families,

As we come to the end of this week, we want to share how wonderful it has been to welcome many of our learners and families back to campus after an extended period of time away. Having children back in the building over the past few days has been uplifting for all of us. Their presence has brought renewed energy to our classrooms, our hallways, and our shared spaces. The building feels alive once again, and it has been a joy to see our learners return to the place where they learn, grow, and belong together.

This week has marked an important transition from a sustained period of online learning back to in-person teaching and learning. That shift has meant a great deal to us as a school community. While we are grateful for all that was made possible during remote learning, there is something special about having children back on campus, reconnecting with their teachers and classmates, and returning to their daily routines in person.

Throughout the week, our teachers, counselors, and learning assistants have thoughtfully drawn on practices, strategies, and care that help children feel welcome, supported, and at ease. A great deal of intention has gone into ensuring that our classrooms and campus spaces foster warmth, belonging, and, most importantly, a sense of safety. It has been heartening to see learners reconnect with their classroom communities, smiling, confident, and growing more comfortable as they settle back into the rhythms of school life.

We also know that this return has not happened in the same way for every family. Some of our families are still traveling and will be rejoining us on Sunday. We look forward to welcoming you back to campus. We also recognize that there are families who remain outside of the country and are not yet able to return. Please know that you continue to be very much in our thoughts. We hope that circumstances allow your return as soon as possible, and we look forward to reconnecting with you when that time comes.

Looking Ahead To Next Week

As we look ahead to next week, our focus will continue to be on re-establishing the rhythms, routines, and sense of connection that help our learners feel grounded and ready to learn. Each day, we will continue to support children as they settle back into their classroom communities and re-engage fully in the life of the school.

Asynchronous Learning Starting April 19

As we transition into next week, we recognize that while many learners have returned to campus, some remain outside of Qatar and are not yet able to join us in person. We remain committed to ensuring that our learners can access grade-level learning.

Beginning Sunday, April 19, weekly asynchronous learning will continue for learners outside of Qatar and will be shared each Sunday at 8:00 am. Please note that this learning will be different from the previous synchronous learning model and will not include live sessions or recorded lessons. 

Asynchronous learning will include core literacy and math experiences, social-emotional learning, specialist choice boards, world language,  and assessments. Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 families will receive weekly choice boards, while learners in Kindergarten to Grade 2 will access learning through our school platforms. 

Families planning to access this learning are asked to contact the Lower Elementary School office.

MOEHE Guideline Updates

We are very pleased to share another piece of positive news as we continue moving toward a greater sense of normalcy. The MOEHE has officially updated its guidance to allow for the immediate resumption of all on-campus outdoor activities.

This means that Physical Education classes, recess, and scheduled after-school activities may now resume. Our students have been overjoyed to be outdoors once again, and this has been a welcome and uplifting step for our school community.

LES Swimming Update

With the resumption of outdoor activities at ASD, Mr. Clayton’s Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2 Physical Education classes will begin their second aquatics unit on Monday, April 20. These lessons will take place on each class’s regularly scheduled PE day and will continue through May 6.

Aquatics remains an important part of the Physical Education curriculum in the Lower Elementary School. The aim of the program is to support learners in developing confidence, skills, knowledge, and understanding in the following areas:

• Water entry and exit, including jumping and diving

• Breath control and underwater skills

• Buoyancy, including floating

• Swimming

• Safety and survival

Additional information will be shared with families through Seesaw in the coming days.

AMA Rukn Al Qira’a Competition

The Arab Mothers Association (AMA) is proud to announce the winners of the annual Rukn Al Qira’a Competition, a storytelling initiative that showcases our students’ Arabic reading and expressive skills through creative video submissions.

AMA received a large number of impressive entries across all divisions, reflecting the students’ enthusiasm and talent.

Winners were awarded as follows:

        •       Lower Elementary: 1st place - 500 QAR, 2nd place - 250 QAR

        •       Upper Elementary: 1st place - 500 QAR, 2nd place - 250 QAR, 3rd place - 250 QAR

        •       Middle School: 1st place - 500 QAR, 2nd place - 250 QAR, 3rd place - 250 QAR

LES Winners:

1st Place Winner: Lana Y.

2nd Place Winner: Pearla A.K

AMA extends its sincere appreciation to our Arabic teachers and a big thank you to Dr. Mujahed Al Manasreh for his continuous support and collaboration, which played a key role in the success of this competition.

Thank you to all participants, and congratulations to our winners!

Thank you for your continued partnership, support, and trust during this important transition. It has been a pleasure to welcome so many of our learners back, and we look forward to the days ahead as our Lower Elementary School community continues to come back together.

Sincerely, 

Craig Campbell and Abby Kasky

LES Leadership Team

Sun, April 19

• LES Day A

Mon, April 20

• LES Day B

Tue, April 21

• LES Day C

• PACT DAY - Dismissal at 12:30 pm

Wed, April 22

• LES Day D

• Parents as Partners Coffee Morning: Promoting Community Connection & Resilience hosted by ASD Psychologists Tracy Murphy & Luis Ramos, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m., ES Cafeteria

• ES & MS Season 4 ASA Registration open in SchoolsBuddy

Thu, April 23

• LES Day E

• ES & MS Season 4 ASA Registration remains open in SchoolsBuddy

Reminders:

• Check out our Wellness Padlet — a curated collection of recommended resources to support the well-being of our community members.

• Please send vaccination record requests to the ASD Nurses.

• ES 2025-2026 Yearbook Pre-sales Don’t miss this opportunity! Price: QAR 100