Embedded Files
September 23, 2021 Issue (next issue on October 7, 2021)
Dear GAA Families,
I want to congratulate and thank all community members for contributing to a successful start to the school year. After the first four weeks of school, we see once again an excitement on campus for learning, we see positive student/teacher interactions, we see friends reuniting and new friendships being made, and most importantly we see happy children.
I am proud of our amazing students and faculty and encourage us all to stay resilient and continue to support each other throughout the rest of the school year.
As we continue to follow all guidelines for ensuring a safe campus environment, I would like to remind all parents to please check your children every morning for COVID-19 related symptoms. In the best interest of the community, keep children home if they show any symptoms or if they are unwell.
This Sunday, September 26, we will be checking all students under age 12 at the entrance gate for new PCR test results. If you missed the September 19 or 21, in-school PCR test date, and your under 12 child’s result is older than 30 days, please make sure to have a new result ready by Sunday. ADEK in cooperation with Department of Health have arranged free PCR testing for students in all SEHA testing locations until September 28.
We have done our best to alleviate student drop-off and pick-up by opening once again the back parking lot. Please continue to follow directions of staff working the parking duty, follow the Abu Dhabi traffic guidelines, and exercise caution, safety and culture of kindness in the parking areas.
As always, continue to provide your feedback – we cannot improve, progress, or change without your input and support.
Thank you and continued success to all of our community for this new school year.
Warm Regards,
Robert Rinaldo
COMMUNITY WELL-BEING REMINDERS!
COMMUNITY WELL-BEING REMINDERS!
Regardless of the current pandemic situation, we call our families to follow the safety measures for the well-being of all our community members.
Regardless of the current pandemic situation, we call our families to follow the safety measures for the well-being of all our community members.
Below are some useful information.
Below are some useful information.
Daily Checklist before sending my child to school
Daily Checklist before sending my child to school
Check your child for any COVID related symptoms before leaving for school:
Fever (37.5 C or above)
Cough
Body aches
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Sore throat
Runny nose
Diarrhea
Nausea
Headache
Loss of smell or taste
Daily temperature and symptoms screening is recommended before leaving the house. Individuals who exhibit symptoms or who are feeling generally unwell are required to stay home from school and are urged to see a Doctor for assessment and possible COVID-19 testing if required.
what if my child is a close contact?
what if my child is a close contact?
In case a family or household member tests positive, your child may be identified as close contact by Authorities. In this case:
Notify your department secretary immediately to update your child's attendance.
KG & Elementary: elemsecretary_gaa@gemsedu.com
Middle and High School: secsecretary_gaa@gemsedu.com
Your child will need to be quarantined as per DOH guidelines.
Your child will be able to return to face-to-face learning after completion of quarantine and with 2 consecutive negative PCR results.
what if my child feels unwell at home?
what if my child feels unwell at home?
Notify your department secretary immediately to update your child's attendance.
KG & Elementary: elemsecretary_gaa@gemsedu.com
Middle and High School: secsecretary_gaa@gemsedu.com
You will receive an email from school with instructions. This email template is pre-drafted and approved by ADEK and DOH (Department of Health)
If your child shows symptoms but is not a contact of a positive case, you will be asked to take him/her to see a SEHA Primary Healthcare Clinic doctor for clinical evaluation. The doctor will instruct them on whether they need a COVID-19 test. If they get well (completely asymptomatic for at least 24 hours) and/or test negative for COVID-19, they can return to school with a negative test result and/or a visit discharge summary from the doctor confirming they are well and fit for school.
what if my child feels unwell at school?
what if my child feels unwell at school?
If your child shows any illness symptom, he/she will be sent/accompanied to School Nurse for clinical evaluation.
Nurse will contact the parent to investigate about the symptoms. If child exhibits any of the symptoms listed above, parent will be asked to collect the child from school.
Parents will receive an email from school with instructions. This email template is pre-drafted and approved by ADEK and DOH (Department of Health)
If your child shows symptoms but is not a contact of a positive case, you will be asked to take him/her to see a SEHA Primary Healthcare Clinic doctor for clinical evaluation. The doctor will instruct them on whether they need a COVID-19 test. If they get well (completely asymptomatic for at least 24 hours) and/or test negative for COVID-19, they can return to school with a negative test result and/or a visit discharge summary from the doctor confirming they are well and fit for school.
what if my child has chronic conditions (asthma, allergies, etc)
what if my child has chronic conditions (asthma, allergies, etc)
If your child has chronic conditions such as asthma and severe allergies and is displaying symptoms similar to Covid-19:
Get a physician's note describing the child's condition.
Complete High Risk Medical Condition Undertaking Form (click this link for the form)
Submit both Physician's Note and Undertaking Form to the School Nurse for records.
what if my child tests negative?
what if my child tests negative?
If your child tests negative, has clinically improved and is symptom-free for at least 24 hours, they can return to school with either a negative COVID-19 PCR result or a visit discharge summary from a doctor at a SEHA Primary
what if my child tests POSITIVE?
what if my child tests POSITIVE?
If your child tests positive:
Notify school immediately by calling GAA COVID Hotline: 052 104 8099.
Contact Tracing will be activated by School Staff
You will be contacted by DOH official regarding quarantine
Your child will be able to return to face-to-face learning after completion of quarantine and with 2 consecutive negative PCR test results.
If your child has siblings in the same school, please keep them at home and follow DOH guidelines for "close contact" quarantine.
Your child's siblings will be able to return to face-to-face learning after completion of quarantine and with 2 consecutive negative PCR test results.
IMPORTANT: Contacts of Close Contacts are not required to quarantine.
how is contact tracing of a positive case done?
how is contact tracing of a positive case done?
Contact tracing is activated at the school if the positive case attended school in the 2 days before the onset of symptoms, or 2 days before taking the test - if asymptomatic.
A contact is someone who has been within 2 meters of a positive case for 15 minutes or more starting 2 days before the onset of symptoms or the date they took the test – if the positive case is asymptomatic, even if both individuals were wearing masks.
what is the duration of a quarantine for close contact?
what is the duration of a quarantine for close contact?
Quarantine start date is from the last date of contact with a positive case.
Quarantine start date is from the last date of contact with a positive case.
If your child is vaccinated, quarantine is for 7 days from last day of contact with a positive case.
if your child is unvaccinated, quarantine is for 10 days from last day of contact with a positive case.
WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR CLASSROOM/DIVISION/SCHOOL CLOSURE?
WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR CLASSROOM/DIVISION/SCHOOL CLOSURE?
To minimize disruption and unnecessary shift to distance learning, ADEK has updated the requirements as follows:
2 cases in a class - shifting class to distance learning
8 cases in one division - shifting division to distance learning
more than 1 division affected - shifting whole school to distance learning.
For details on nature of distance learning, your divisional Principals will contact you.
For details on nature of distance learning, your divisional Principals will contact you.
how is school communicating a positive case to families?
how is school communicating a positive case to families?
If your child is identified as close contact:
If your child is identified as close contact:
You will receive a call from School Official and subsequent email communication with instructions to follow.
If your child is at school at the moment of discovery of positive case, he/she will be isolated in School Clinic and you will be asked to collect from school immediately
if your child is at home at the moment of discovery of positive case, you will be asked to keep them home for the duration of quarantine.
If your child is NOT a close contact, but a positive case is discovered in his/her classroom:
If your child is NOT a close contact, but a positive case is discovered in his/her classroom:
You will receive a courtesy email informing you about the case.
Your child does not need to quarantine or test. However, if you wish to test your child, please keep him/her at home until results are out.
information sources and RESPECT FOR PRIVACY
information sources and RESPECT FOR PRIVACY
Only trust information provided by school officials. Do not spread, circulate unverified information that may cause unnecessary distress to families.
If you personally know of someone who may have tested positive for COVID-19 or is a close contact of positive case, please protect their identity and personal information and only share it with school official via GAA COVID-19 Hotline: 052 104 8099.
traffic regulation updates
traffic regulation updates
Dear Parents,
We would like you to know that we are constantly monitoring drop-off and pick-up procedures. With your continuous feedback we are revising the procedures and will continue to do so until the solution is in place to ensure student safety. However, we cannot implement any of the solutions without parents/guardians cooperation. We appreciate you practicing student safety and GAA Culture of Kindness.
From our side we are in touch with relevant authorities to support our parking issues, especially with the recent landscaping changes on the side of the road (sandy area).
As After school activities (Athletics Program and internal ASAs) started, we hope to see a settling of the traffic conditions.
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
Parents with students BOTH in Elementary and Secondary - Please use Front Gates – Secondary students with elementary siblings may exit from front gate (coming down from Staircase 4 through Student Cafeteria) and be collected from front gate parking area. We request that parents follow this recommendation to collect both children in front gates and NOT DRIVE TO THE BACK GATE TO COLLECT SECONDARY STUDENT AFTER PICKING UP ELEMENTARY CHILD. This will only aggravate the traffic blockage.
Parents with students ONLY in Secondary - Please use Back Gates
DO'S
DO'S
Be attentive and follow the guidance of our staff members! You will see them directing traffic and ensuring the safety of our students.
Instruct your drivers to follow the pickup/dropoff guidelines and instructions of our staff members.
Park in designated parking spaces.
Please continue forward in the pick-up lane if the car in front of you has picked up his/her child and is exiting. Do not stop midway – continue forward to allow cars lining behind you to enter parking.
Keep the sidewalks and crosswalks clear.
DON'TS
DON'TS
Do not double park.
Do not exit your car if waiting in pick up lane.
Do not park on the sidewalks (red-bricked areas near back gates) – this is in violation of UAE Traffic Rules.
PARKING ENTRY/EXIT PROCEDURE
PARKING ENTRY/EXIT PROCEDURE
We have assigned 2 entry points and 1 exit point in the back parking area (see attached map). NO EXIT IS ALLOWED THROUGH DESIGNATED ENTRY POINTS.
To enter the back parking area, please use one of the entry points indicated in the map. The 1st entry point is near tennis courts (in front of SmileRite), the 2nd entry point is through Bus parking. If the 1st entry is full, please continue forward on the main street towards the 2nd entry (through the Bus Parking).
Please continue forward in the pick-up lane if the car in front of you has picked up his/her child and is exiting. Do not stop midway – continue forward to allow cars lining behind you to enter parking.
Exit from center (EXIT ONLY POINT) as indicated in the map. Please use common courtesy and Culture of Kindness when exiting from parking and follow our staff members’ directions.
Students exiting from the back gates will be waiting in the designated waiting areas to be picked up. Please make sure you discuss the pick up timing with your child before school.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
If you arrive early to park in designated areas within school parking, please be mindful that you may find it difficult to exit immediately after pick up, as transiting cars may be blocking your way. We recommend to arrive during dismissal time. Alternatively, please park in designated parking areas in public roads (for example, after Beverly Cakes pastry shop, on Al Mutaabid Street, or Al Waqaa street).
Carpool when possible
Consider using school bus service
Weather permitting, consider using bikes or walk, if living near school.
We hope that as a Community we can work together for the safety and wellbeing of our students.
Thank you for your continued patience, flexibility and feedback.
Robert Rinaldo
Head of School
أولياء الأمور الكرام،
نود مشاركتكم بأننا نراقب باستمرار إجراءات الوصول والمغادرة من المدرسة، ومن خلال مشاركتنا كافة الملاحظات سنستمر بمراجعة الإجراءات للوصول إلى الحل الأمثل الّذي يضمن سلامة الطّلاب، ولكننا لا نستطيع تطبيق هذه الحلول بدون تعاون أولياء الأمور معنا. نشكر لكم تعاونكم والتعامل بلطف من أجل سلامة طلابنا.
من جهتنا فنحن نتواصل مع الجهات المختصة لتقديم الدّعم في مشكلة المواقف وخصوصًا مع وجود أعمال الحفريات والتغييرات على جانب الطريق الرملية.
تحديثات هامة:
يرجى استخدام البوابة الرئيسية من قبل أولياء الأمور الذين لديهم أبناء في المرحلتين الابتدائية والثانوية، كما يمكن لطلاب المرحلة الثّانوية الّذين لديهم أخوة في المرحلة الابتدائية استخدام البوابة الأمامية عند الانصراف(باستخدام السلالم رقم ٤ خروجا من الكافتيريا نحو البوابة الرئيسية للانصراف مع ذويهم. كما نرجو من أولياء الأمور الالتزام بهذه التّوصيات باصطحاب أولادهم من البوابة الرئيسية وعدم القيادة نحو البوابة الخلفية لاصطحاب طلاب المرحلة الثانوية ، وذلك تجنبًا لتفاقم عرقلة حركة المرور.
يرجى استخدام البوابات الخلفية من قبل أولياء أمور طلاب الثّانوية الذين ليس لديهم أخوة في المرحلة الابتدائية.
ما علي فعله
كن منتبهًا واتبع تعليمات موظفينا، فسوف تراهم يوجهون حركة السّير للتّأكد من سلامة الطّلبة.
قم بإرشاد السّائق بالتعليمات التي عليه اتباعها أثناء توصيل وانصراف الأولاد .
الوقوف في أماكن وقوف السيارات المخصصة لذلك فقط.
استمر إلى الأمام ولا تتوقف في منتصف الطّريق بانتظار وصول ابنك/ ابنتك وخصوصًا عند انطلاق السيارة الّتي أمامك.
حافظ على الأرصفة والممرات خالية من أي ازدحام.
ما علي تجنبه
لا تقف بشكل مزدوج بجانب أي سيارة أخرى فهذا يؤدي إلى إغلاق الطريق.
لا تترك سيارتك أثناء الانتظار.
لا توقف سيارتك على الأرصفة فهذا انتهاكًا لقواعد المرور وقانون السير في دولة الإمارات العربيّة المتحدة.
إجراءات المواقف أثناء الوصول والانصراف
قمنا بتعيين نقطتي دخول ونقطة خروج واحدة في منطقة المواقف الخلفية( يرجى الاطلاع على الخريطة المرفقة). ولا يسمح بأي خروج من خلال نقاط الدخول.
يرجى استخدام إحدى نقاط الدخول المشار إليها في الخريطة عند الدخول لنقطة المواقف الخلفية. تقع نقطة الدخول الأولى بجانب ملعب التنس مقابل عيادة الأسنان، أما النقطة الثّانية فهي من خلال موقف حافلات المدرسة. وإذا كان المدخل الأول مزدحم يرجى الاستمرار إلى الأمام باتجاه المدخل الثّاني.
يرجى الاستمرار بالسير نحو الأمام عند انتظارك لخروج ابنك/ ابنتك ولا تقف في منتصف الطريق للانتظار.
يرجى استخدام نقطة الخروج فقط كمخرج كما هو موضح في الخريطة المرفقة، كما نؤكد على ضرورة التّعامل بلطف واتباع إرشادات موظفينا.
سينتظر الطّلاب في الأماكن المخصصة للانتظار ، كما يرجى التّأكد من مناقشة وقت وصول الأهل مع الأبناء قبل الذّهاب إلى المدرسة.
التّوصيات:
يرجى الأخذ بعين الاعتبار بأنه في حال وصولك مبكرًا للوقوف في المواقف المخصصة قد تجد صعوبة في الخروج فورًا بسبب وجود الكثير من السيارات، فلذلك نوصي بأهمية الوصول على الوقت، أو استخدام المواقف المخصصة في الجانب الآخر من الطريق .
التفكير باستخدام حافلات المدرسة.
استخدام الدّراجات الهوائية أو المشي في أوقات لاحقة من السنة إذا كنت تسكن قرب المدرسة.
نأمل أن نعمل سويًا كمجتمع مدرسي واحد من أجل الحفاظ على سلامة وأمن طلابنا.
نشكر لكم سعة صدوركم ومرونتكم ودعمكم الدّائم
السيد روبرت رونالدو
مدير المرسة
Next Checking of PCR Test Results
Next Checking of PCR Test Results
Sunday September 26 - next checking of PCR test results for students below 12 years.
Sunday September 26 - next checking of PCR test results for students below 12 years.
If you missed free in-school testing of September 19 or 21, please take your child to the designated testing location at Biogenix Lab in Masdar City (school code KS-9086). Students without recent PCR test results will not be able to enter the school premises. Please make sure your child has been tested on or after September 19th.
We are waiting for more instructions from ADEK regarding testing frequency, schedule, cost for upcoming month.
Parents are still required to upload PCR results in the GEMS Parent Portal before school gates open at 7:30 am on Sunday, 26 September for all students aged below 12 attending school on campus. See instructions here: UPLOADING RESULTS ON PORTAL
PCR Result Sources
PCR Result Sources
Parents must upload screenshot of:
Al Hosn green screen with new PCR results; or
PCR report PDF in Al Hosn; or
SMS results; or
PCR lab report.
Print out PCR results
Print out PCR results
To speed up the gate check of new PCR results, please send a print out of results to avoid using phones. It helps guards and staff quickly & easily read and check results.
PCR Testing Clarification
PCR Testing Clarification
All students KG to Grade 12 returning to face-to-face learning, including Students of Determination, must show a negative COVID-19 test result valid for 96-hours prior to returning to school FOR THE FIRST TIME.
All students KG to Grade 12 returning to face-to-face learning, including Students of Determination, must show a negative COVID-19 test result valid for 96-hours prior to returning to school FOR THE FIRST TIME.
After the first entry to school and September 28 onwards:
Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Students below 12: TESTING EVERY 30 DAYS
Vaccinated Students above 12: TESTING EVERY 30 DAYS
Unvaccinated Students (including those with approved vaccination exemption) above 12: TESTING EVERY 7 DAYS
Please upload the results on parent portal http://oasis.gemseducation.com See instructions here: UPLOADING RESULTS ON PORTAL
Reminders from Admin Offices
Reminders from Admin Offices
We would like to remind you to submit the following documents. If you have already done so, please disregard this request.
Emergency Contact Forms / Photography Authorization
Emergency Contact Forms / Photography Authorization
If you haven’t already done so, please complete THIS FORM (please download and complete in MS Word) by providing both parents' contact information (with local UAE mobile numbers) and an alternative contact. Contact information (email and mobile number) is required in order to ensure that our communication reaches you. Also, please complete the consent section of the form for photograph authorization. Where there is no respond, consent will be implied.
Parent IDs (lanyards)
Parent IDs (lanyards)
We are starting to issue physical Parent IDs. If you haven’t received your physical ID yet, please submit your most recent photo by email to pre_gaa@gemsedu.com. If you have already received a digital copy of the ID, we will issue a physical one and you may collect from Main Reception.
At GEMS American Academy, we issue parent ID cards to our parents only. No ID Cards are issued for guardians, domestic helpers, drivers or relatives.
The Parent ID includes photos of the parent. The Parent ID does not expire and is valid as long as the child attends GAA. You will be asked to return Parent IDs, should you withdraw from GAA.
Health Forms (NOT ADEK mandatory forms for face-to-face attendance)
Health Forms (NOT ADEK mandatory forms for face-to-face attendance)
This is a friendly reminder that all families, especially our new families, need to return the following forms to our Clinic:
HAAD Screening Consent Form
Emergency Care Information
Health Information (Pages 1 and 2)
Medication Authorization
Click HERE to download the forms.
Should you have any questions, please contact our Nurses at nurse_gaa@gemsedu.com.
2020-2021 Yearbooks
2020-2021 Yearbooks
Dear GAA Families,
Have you ordered your yearbook and not collected yet? Please email gaa_reception@gemsedu.com to arrange for pick up.
If you have not ordered your copy yet, you can do so by paying AED 175 at school (cash, check or credit card).
EXCITING AFTER-SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES
EXCITING AFTER-SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES
ABU DHABI SAILING ACADEMY
ABU DHABI SAILING ACADEMY
Abu Dhabi Sailing Academy is organizing Beginners and Intermediate courses for this coming weekend:
Beginners:
Beginners:
Friday, September 24th, 2021 and Saturday, September 25th, 2021
7:30h to 12:00h
It is a two-day course.
ADSA is also organizing courses on weekdays after 3 pm. Please contact for more information.
Contact Team ADSA:
Contact Team ADSA:
Hristo Hristov, General Manager / Principal
Mobile: 050 614 1689
Abu Dhabi Sailing Academy, operated by Fairwind Sailing Sports Club
Mobile: 0504047688
September 26-30: Stu Williamson Photoshoot for KG & Elementary
September 27: Meet KG-Grade 5 Leadership at 4:30 pm UAE time. Zoom Link: https://gemseducation.zoom.us/j/86718240632
September 28: Curriculum Night at 5 pm UAE time (for both MS and HS) Zoom Meeting Link: https://gemseducation.zoom.us/j/85873742382
October 5: College Night
October 12: IB Night
USEFUL APPS AND WEBSITES
USEFUL APPS AND WEBSITES
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
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
IT DEPARTMENT:
IT DEPARTMENT:
By Email:
By Email:
Online:
Online:
Please click on the link below and select the option to “Open Microsoft Teams.”
Please click on the link below and select the option to “Open Microsoft Teams.”
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO STAY UP-TO-DATE
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO STAY UP-TO-DATE
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