Secondary

Message from Secondary School Principal,

Mr. Kain Klinkhammer

Dear GAA Parents and Students,

We are excited to have students back in the building! We have been long awaiting this opportunity, and now that it is here, I want us to take advantage of it. So, how do we do that?

Build relationships - We may be out of practice, but all of us feel a deeper appreciation for our peers and teachers. We can show that appreciation through kindness and patience, and by doing so, we make our learning experience more enjoyable.
Explore ideas - We have been working in isolation, and now that we are not, we can listen to people with whom we don’t normally communicate. Listening and examining ideas of others can help us develop our own thinking.
Set goals - Now that we are in the school building, how are you going to take advantage of this situation? Sit together as a family and discuss how best to use this opportunity. If you are having trouble coming up with ideas, I’m sure your teachers will have some suggestions.

I know many families have chosen to continue distance learning. We want families to make decisions that are best for them and their circumstances. However, if you are unsure, I encourage you to send your students to school. Face-to-face interactions are valuable, and students are still developing interpersonal skills. These experiences can improve social emotional health as well as learning.

The month of February is passing quickly. I encourage everyone to continue to work, and I want to remind you that Parent Conferences are on the 3rd and 4th of March. We look forward to seeing you then.

Sincerely,

Kain Klinkhammer

Secondary Principal

IMPORTANT: 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.

NEWS FROM SECONDARY MATHS

In the second half of February and in March, GAA Math Club members are participating in various international CEMS math competitions.

Keep your fingers crossed for our Mathleets! We will update on our results ASAP.

GAA High School Mathleets:

G9 – Christian Lee
G11 – Divyanshu Gupta, Htut Oo Wai Yan, Injoon Jun, Minskeok Oh
G12 – Aylen Rodriguez Feo, Lekh Bhatia

Frantisek Plasil

Mathematics teacher

NEWS FROM SECONDARY ARTS

The Secondary Arts Department wants to offer our sincerest words of congratulations and gratitude to our very own Ms. Lamitra Cotman, Mr. Christopher Hill, and to the wonderful Middle School Cast of the Wiz Jr.

Lamitra Cotman

Has shown herself to be quite the remarkable professional in this academic year for the superb way in which she has managed all that she does. (MS Distance Learning; facilitating a Secondary Division wide PLC; and producing and directing a full length Middle School production – Distance Learning Style). Doing all of this while nurturing and planning for the arrival of the beautiful Baby Jahara has been quite a task.!!! When Lamitra and Carlos learned that they were expecting; they had every reason to pull Lamitra away from directorial duties, but they held to their commitment, and did so with great style and professionalism.

Lamitra, you truly are an asset to the Secondary Arts team both as a Theatre instructor and a director. Congratulations to you for the wonderful work on the production of The Wiz; and to you and Carlos for your new addition to the family.

Christopher Hill

Many of you may not know this, but Chris Hill is not only a solid teacher, but also an amazing performer and director. Apart from his expertise in theatrical and musical performance, Chris brings a great deal of passion, inspiration, and wisdom to students when he is working with them. Chris has been a perfect support to Lamitra in his musical director in these past two years; and in so doing, he’s also been a wonderful a support to the Arts Department .

Chris, your contribution and efforts are not forgotten nor taken for granted. Most of all, we want to thank you for the incredible influence you are on our students. Though most often it may not seem so, you really do make a difference in their lives. Thank you and congratulations Chris for your amazing work.

As for our students; all we can just say is congratulations and well done!!!

We are so very impressed with their ability to maintain enthusiasm for a production that was so abruptly brought to a halt last spring. The fact that they maintained the interest, enthusiasm, and motivation to pull of the work Is commendable; especially when distance learning has been such a challenge for them. On the other hand, we would venture to say that perhaps it has been the production that has helped these young people to maintain motivation and enthusiasm for their learning. Either way, it’s all so great to see!

Congratulations All!

Sincerely,

Secondary Arts Team

SECONDARY VIRTUAL PRODUCTION

"THE WIZ, JR."

Here is the link to full video of the Virtual Production, in case you missed it.

final v2.mov

HIGH SCHOOL VIRTUAL CAREER DAY

Thursday March 25, 2021

08:00am – 12:00pm

Career Day is rapidly approaching and we need your experiences! Whether you are a nurse, artist, graphic designer, or business owner- we need you! We are looking for a variety of people interested in spending a few hours talking to our students about their career.

All sessions will take place on Zoom.

Many of our students are unaware of the career opportunities available to them and this is a fantastic way to provide them with first hand knowledge of potential career paths.

If you are not interested but know someone who is, please give them (or us) the necessary contact information.

Fill in this Google Form or email: l.massman_gaa@gemsedu.com

Please respond by Sunday March 7, 2021.

AUDMUN - February 4-6

Last February 4-6, 15 high school students from GAA participatED in the 6th edition of AUDMUN, an event hosted by the American University of Dubai February 4th-6th! We are pleased to announce that GAA MUN team received an award for Best Medium Delegation.

Alex Bejjani from Grade 11 won Honorable Mention in his committee, Arab League. This was his first time participating in an MUN conference and we wish him best of luck in his future endeavors!

STEPZSC with Wildcats!

February 22, 5:30 pm

StepZSC flyer.pdf

INTERNATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION

Dear GAA Families,

Just a friendly reminder to submit a short 5-10 second video where your child or whole family is greeting in your mother tongue, dressed in national costume or colors of your country flag.

Please email your contributions to pre_gaa@gemsedu.com by February 22, 2021

Students will have the opportunity to dress in their country colors or national costumes on following Dress Down Days:

February 24 and 25: KG and Secondary Students
February 25: Elementary Students

Also, if you would like to share a recipe of your national food, please email it to pre_gaa@gemsedu.com by March 1, 2021.

Thank you!

GAA Parent Association

YEARBOOK 2020-2021

ORDER FORM 2020-21.pdf

We can all agree that this year is very unique and our lives are very different than before.

The 2020/2021 yearbook will have a very personal feel to it and will capture the craziness of this school year.

Due to safety restrictions and considering that number of our students are still on full distance learning, we will not have Stu Williamson take student formal photos at school this year. In case things change, we may schedule the photoshoot for March 2021.

This is where we need our Parents and Students' help:

For KG/Elementary, we ask that parents send a recent picture of their child doing anything they like, eating, playing, exercising... clear face and good lighting.
For MS/HS, we ask that students send us a selfie, that can be funny but appropriate.

Homeroom and advisory teachers will reach out to their students/parents shortly with details. We hope to get the photos before the Winter Break.

Let's make a delicious lemonade out of the lemons, so generously given by 2020!

If you didn't get your copy of Yearbook 2019-2020, it is still available. Contact Ms. Fatma, Parent Relations Executive, at pre_gaa@gemsedu.com for payment details.

SECONDARY LIBRARY

Welcome to GAA Secondary Library website! Your access to the library collection, research databases, learning resources and more!

SECONDARY LIBRARY WEBSITE

Innovation competition alert! 💡⁣

⁣In partnership with Makerspace Al Zeina, we present to our young innovators the “Make your idea towards sustainability” Competition, where your only requirement is to have an innovative idea that serves the community.⁣

This competition aims to give our children a creative platform to encourage them to innovate and discover their talents. It provides them a space that ensures their optimal development and directs their energies towards actions that benefit society.⁣

It's an excellent opportunity for our talented students to think and innovate solutions addressing the importance of achieving sustainability to preserve the environment and enhance our community’s capabilities to face environmental challenges.⁣

Make sure to submit your idea before 25th February 2021. Register now via MAKTABA website, or visit http://bit.ly/TowardsSustainability_EN

MAKE YOUR IDEA.pdf

These are all fanarts of books made by our own students from GAA for the Reading Ambassador Club's Challenge! Take a look at all of their efforts!

https://sites.google.com/gaa-ad.com/readingambassadors-bookfanartc/home

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

GEMS_Alumni_Flyer_Jan2021[2].pdf

In celebration of Innovation Month, the ADNOC CSR team is hosting a series of free workshops, events and competitions for youth, teachers, families and schools:

Event: ADNOC Energy for Life Competition for Schools

Date: February 24, 4-5pm

Description:

Join the launch of the ADNOC Energy for Life Competition for Schools. Book ADNOC Virtual Energy Center Tours for your students and learn how to participate in the ADNOC Energy for Life Competition. Five winning schools will receive a fully equipped VR studio for their school.

Event: Launch of ADNOC STEM Learning Portal

Date: February 28, 4-5pm

Description:

Join us for a launch of the ADNOC STEM Learning Portal. This portal will allow students to register, access learning content, challenges and competitions. Additionally, they will be able to track their progress, earn points and get certificates. Join us for an exclusive tour of this new portal!

All of the programs are free, online and accessible for teachers, parents and youth ages 7 to 18 years old.