JUNE 3 ISSUE (next issue June 24, 2021)

Message from Mr. Rinaldo,

Head of School

email: r.rinaldo_gaa@gemsedu.com

Dear GAA Families,

I hope that my message finds you and all your family members well.

After two weeks of distance learning, Sunday, June 6th is our expected return date to school. We look forward to on-campus learning and to celebrate this year’s student successes and accomplishments.

For the health and safety of all community members it is very important that you use your parental intuition and monitor any potential symptoms such as cough, headache, mild fever that may warrant your son or daughter to stay at home. It is best to take the safest course of action if there is any doubt on whether or not to attend school. As I write this, I also ask that you please stay alert for any last-minute announcements from the authorities that may be received and affect our reopening plan.

This week the Spring 21 Parent Survey was sent to all families. Your feedback is very valuable and will support us as we address four important intervention areas:

Well-being
Preparing for the future
Personalized learning
Student Voice

At GAA we have begun to take a new look at teaching and learning and are beginning to define with clarity the student outcomes we desire. These initiatives will allow us to develop, implement, and measure a problem based, design thinking, and entrepreneurial approach to teaching and learning. Your feedback is important as we continue to move away from traditional teaching and assessment methods and strive to connect learning to life.

I thank you for the continued support of your child and the parent/school partnership.

Best Regards,

Robert Rinaldo

Head of School

CLASS OF 2021 ACCEPTANCES

United States

Arizona State University
Baylor University
Biola University
Calhoun Community College
Cedarville University
Clemson University
Depaul University
Flagler College
Florida State University
Illinois State University
Indiana University Bloomington
Iowa State University
Jacksonville University
Louisville University
Louisiana State University
Lynn University
Miami University Oxford
Mississippi State University
New York Institute of Technology
Nova Southeastern University
Purdue University
Sierra Nevada University
Texas A & M University
Texas Tech University
University of Arizona
University of Buffalo
University of Houston
University of Idaho
University of Illinois Chicago
University of Indiana
University of Loyola Chicago
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
University of North Texas
University of Pittsburg
University of Southern Florida
University of Tampa
University of Texas Arlington
University of Texas Dallas
Virginia Tech University
Washington State University

Canada

Algonquin
Carleton University
Camsosun College
Dalhousie University
Humber College
McGill University
Ontario College of Arts Design
Ottawa University
University of Alberta
University of Toronto
University of Toronto Mississauga
University of Victoria
Western University

Mexico

Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education

Grenada

St George's University

United Kingdom

Abertay University
Brunel University
Cardiff university
Durham University
Edinburgh Napier University
Glasgow Caledonian University
Imperial College London
Kings College London
Leeds University
Liverpool John Moores University
Middlesex University
Queen Mary University
Royal Holloway University
University of Aberdeen
University of Aberystwyth
University of Bath
University of Birmingham
University of Bristol
University of Brunel
University of Central Lancashire
University of Chester
University of Edinburgh
University of Essex
University of Exeter
University of Glasgow
University of Greenwich
Uni of Hertfordshire
University of Hull
University of Kent
University of Leicester
University of Lincoln
University of Liverpool
University of Manchester
University of Plymouth
University of Reading
University of Roehampton
University of Salford
University of Southampton
University of Surrey
University of Sussex
University of Westminster

Ireland

Cork Institute of Technology Institute of Technology Sligo
Royal College Surgeons Ireland
University College Cork

Europe

Bahcesehir University, Turkey
Cardinal Herrera, Spain
Czech Technical University, Prague, CR
Debrecen University, Hungary
Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands
Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Palacky University, Czech Republic
Florence Design Academy Groningen University, Netherlands
Hanze University Groningen, Netherlands
Humanitas University Milan, Italy
NHL Steden University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands
Nicosia University, Cyprus
The Hague University, Netherlands
Third Faculty of Medicine Charles University, Czekh Republic
Universidad Europea Madrid, Spain Universidad Catolica San Vicente Martir Valencia, Spain
University of Groningen, Netherlands
University Twente, Netherlands
Virjie University Amsterdam, Netherlands
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Italy

Middle East

Abu Dhabi University
American University Cairo
American University Sharjah
Khalifa University
New York University Abu Dhabi
Sorbonne University Dubai
University of Balamand Dubai
Zayed Military College
Zayed University

Asia

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
International Christian University Japan
International Medical University Malaysia
University of Hong Kong
Waseda University Japan

Australia

Griffith University
University of Queensland

IMPORTANT! NEWS FROM ADEK

(Abu Dhabi Department for Education and Knowledge)

Dear Families,

We are required by ADEK to update Student and Parent Emirates IDs on ADEK student database (esis). As we are nearing end of school year, it is important that information on ADEK student database is up-to-date, as this may block the student transfers. Please bring your and your child(ren)'s ORIGINAL EMIRATES IDs to school to scan.

If you do not have a 96-hour valid PCR test or E sign on your Al Hosn App, a member of Admissions team will collect the IDs at the Main Gate 1 to scan and will return right away.

Alternatively you may send the IDs with your child.

Thank you.

Razan Maoued

Government Relations Executive

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT!

We are proud of Arim Lim, Grade 11 student, who participated to Mawhibaty Program for Talented Students in Visual and Performing Arts, an initiative by Abu Dhabi Department for Education and Knowledge. This program promotes and nurtures artistic innovation among young artists and performers across the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The year-round program which works with students in Grades 1-12, culminates in an annual exhibition that showcases artworks created during the programme and celebrates their accomplishments.

Arim's work "Dawn of Internet" was displayed at Manarat Al Saadiyat May 24-June 1 as part of this annual exhibition.

YEARBOOKS HAVE ARRIVED!

Dear GAA Families,

We are pleased to inform you that the 2020-2021 GAA Yearbooks have arrived.

To facilitate the collection, we have arranged to following distribution procedure for the yearbooks that have been paid for:

Distance Learners in KG, Elementary and Secondary (including Grade 12) will be able to collect yearbooks from Main Gate Security as of June 1 (any time between 08:00am-08:00pm)
Face-to-Face students in KG and Elementary schools will receive their copies in the classrooms as of June 2.
Face-to-Face students in Secondary school will be able to collect their yearbooks from Main Reception as of June 2 (any time between 07:30am - 04:00pm).

If you have not ordered your copy yet, you can do so through Parent Portal http://oasis.gemseducation.com Activities Section.

Alternatively, you can pay (AED 175) at school.

Do not hesitate to contact us at pre_gaa@gemsedu.com if you have any questions.

IMPORTANT:

COVID-19 PROCEDURES

Student COVID-19 Testing Schedule for students aged 12 and above:

(attending school in person)

June 12 and June 13
June 22 and June 23

Location: G42 Laboratory at Mafraq Hospital - Shakhbout City - Al Mafraq - https://goo.gl/maps/VqoLBirQAn43JCzP6

School Code: KS-9086

Timings: 08:00am - 10:00pm

Please upload the results through Parent Portal: http://oasis.gemseducation.com

How to upload covid test results on Mobile and Laptop.pdf

What if my child feels unwell at school?

Non-COVID-related: If your child develops any symptoms during school hours:

The student will be flagged by the teacher and will be referred to the school clinic for triage. If child does not have fever or any other COVID-19 symptoms, Nurse will contact the parent to investigate any possible illness at home by family member. Depending on the condition of the child, parent may be asked to collect from school.
If student is sent home, parent must provide doctor's medical certificate for return to campus.

COVID-related: Your child will be considered as a suspected case of Covid-19, if displaying any signs and symptoms such as cough, fever or breathlessness and:

Child will be moved to Quarantine Room, where they will be monitored by a School Nurse.
Nurse will contact the parents immediately to retrieve the child from the school.
The school shall not administer any medicines to the child.
The school will inform the parents about the nearest hospital and COVID-19 testing center.
If the child tests positive for COVID-19, parents are mandated to inform the school so that they can take measures to secure the health of other students and staff who may have been exposed to the virus.
If child has siblings at GAA attending in-campus, they must be quarantined at home as well.
Student(s) will be able to return to school after 2 consecutive negative COVID tests and doctor's medical certificate.

COVID-19 Reporting Procedures at GAA

We remind parents of our safety protocols with regards to COVID-19:

What if my child or a household member tests positive?

Notify school immediately by calling GAA's COVID-19 Hotline at 052 1048099 to enable us to activate appropriate response. Or email: pre_gaa@gemsedu.com
Keep your child and other GAA siblings isolated at home for at least 10 days and follow the instructions of Health Authorities.
Distance Learning will be enabled for your child.
Child will be cleared to return to school once they have 2 consecutive negative test results, submitting doctor's note and results to the school nurse.

What's the Return to School protocol?

Positive case: They must show a Clearance Report from SEHA or their Health Care Provider confirming they are clear to return to school. This report shows the high-level history of the case including date confirmed positive, the 2 negative results and that the patient has completed the isolation period.

Contacts of the positive case: contacts must continue their 10 day home quarantine, even if they test negative, and are only allowed back in school after receiving 2 consecutive negative test results (approximately day 1 and day 8 testing).

We thank you for your continuous support.

May 31-June 12: K-12 Online Book Fair
June 7: GAAPA Coffee Morning @ Circles Cafe, Gardens Plaza, 10:00am - 12:00pm. RSVP here
June 8: Elementary Dress Down Day in support of Khaled and Doyun PYPX project. 5AED donation will go towards their Rescue Stray Animal project.
June 10: Half-Day, school dismisses at 12pm. Elementary Dress Down Day theme BOOK CHARACTER. 5AED donation in support of GAAPA.
June 15-17: KG2 Promotions
June 17: Grade 8 Promotion
June 21: PYP Exhibition
June 24: Grade 5 Promotion
June 30: Last day of school. Half-Day. School dismissed at 12.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

THE GAA EVENTS CALENDAR

(please note, updated regularly)

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

20/21 PARENT CALENDAR

USEFUL APPS AND WEBSITES

Click here for Summary

Please make sure you have downloaded GEMS Connect parent portal app for your convenience:

Pay fees online
Track your child's bus transportation
School communication (emails, newsletter, etc)
Submit requests (re-enrollment, Transfer Certificates)
GEMS Ambassador program (refer a friend, get 4% discount on school fees)
and much more...

GEMS Alumni App

As the GEMS community, we understand that it is not just mere nostalgia that we associate our alma mater with, it is much beyond that. Our GEMS alumni across 80 countries are doing amazing things and we want to celebrate their successes every step of the way! Download and join the #GEMSAlumni App today by clicking on the links below:

Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details…

App Store : https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gems-alumni/id1496962338