Dear GAA Community,

I hope that you and your family members are all healthy and well. As we enter the last quarter of the school year, I want to thank you for your continued commitment to the learning and growth of your student(s). The GAA faculty and staff remain committed to our stated mission and principles of teaching and learning, with the goal of providing authentic inquiry-based education that prepares students to address challenges and positively impact their communities.

I want to remind all parents that in the coming weeks we will send to you our second semester Parent Survey. Your feedback and perspective will help us strengthen existing programs and identify areas for improvement. We value your input and suggestions as we strive to continuously enhance the education and learning experience for our GAA students. I ask that all community members please respond.

The re-enrollment period will come to an end on May 1st. Thank you to all that have re-enrolled. For those that may have questions regarding the re-enrolment process, please do not hesitate to contact me or the school admissions or finance office. As a reminder, re-enrolment fees can be paid using the Parent Portal, GEMS Connect, bank transfer or in-school.

Lastly, as we continue in the Holy month of Ramadan, I want to announce the 100M Meals campaign launched by the UAE. The campaign aims to provide 100 million meals for disadvantaged individuals and families in 20 countries during the holy month of Ramadan. Details on how the GEMS GAA community can contribute can be found in this edition of the GAAzette.

As always If you have any feedback or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me or the GAA Team as we will always listen and respond.

Take care and stay safe!

Kind Regards,

Robert Rinaldo

Dear GAA Community,

With the beginning of Ramadan ‘Month of Giving’ underway, GAA is extending its support to the 100 Million Meals campaign launched by the UAE government. As a school we strongly believe in this important humanitarian cause, and we would like to encourage you to contribute in whatever way you can. Every AED 1 donated will feed one person and ensure they do not go hungry.

100 Million Meals embodies the UAE’s commitment to its core values of giving, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan – a time of goodness, righteousness and charity. As you know, the UAE plays a significant humanitarian role globally, and the vision and directives of the country’s leadership have paved the way for effective and sustainable implementation of philanthropy.

The campaign provides food aid to the most vulnerable populations in 20 countries across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, with a goal of providing basic food items that are sufficient to prepare up to 100 million meals. Donations will help those in most need in countries including Sudan, Lebanon, Jordan, Pakistan, Angola, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Tanzania, Senegal, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Palestine.

Donations can be made in the following ways:

• School campaign

Our school has created an online donation campaign via the ‘YallaGive’ platform. Simply visit the following link to make your donation: https://yallagive.com/en/campaign/GEMS-American-Academy-Abu-Dhabi-fundraising-for-100-Million-Meals-Campaign-67651

• Publicly-announced channels

1. Online via www.100millionmeals.ae, available to those residing both within and outside the UAE

2. Direct bank transfer to the campaign’s account with Dubai Islamic Bank (IBAN: AE080240001520977815201)

3. Via SMS by sending “Meal” to the correct numbers listed on the du and Etisalat websites

4. Through the call centre – large monetary donations can be made by contacting the campaign team toll-free on 800 4999

We invite all our families to contribute to this worthy campaign, which has the power to make a real difference and change people’s lives for the better. The campaign is already underway and will continue until the end of Ramadan, so we encourage you to act without delay. Your support will, as always, be greatly appreciated, and even the smallest amount matters. Together, we can achieve great things.

Finally, we would like to share a few words from Sara Al Nuaimi, Director of Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, who says: “I highly urge everyone to take part in the initiative, whether they are in the private or public sector; corporate or individuals. Ramadan is the time of the year that we feel the suffering of other people and help them, even in the smallest amount we can."

“Within few hours’ flight from the UAE, there are 52 million people who are hungry. In the world, every 10 seconds, a child dies because of hunger. We here in the UAE, are blessed and privileged. It’s time to give a hand to people in need outside the country through this campaign.”

Thank you and Ramadan Kareem!

Kudos to Francois and Alexander Hentschel, who did not just chill during Spring Break, but participated to the Al Raha Beach Water Channel and Promenade Cleaning. They were inspired by David Attenborough’s documentary “A life on our planet” and felt they had to become part of the solution.

Please share your children's achievements with us, so we can celebrate them together! Email to pre_gaa@gemsedu.com

Dear GAA Parents,

We are pleased to inform you that the registration for the 2021/22 school year is open with limited seats available. This registration is ONLY for NEW students who would like to join GAA for the next academic year.

To register your child/children who are not currently attending GAA in the 2021/22 school year please click on this link http://www.gemsaa-abudhabi.com/admissions/enroll-online

Please complete the online registration at your earliest convenience and ensure to complete the “Sibling information”. Priority placement will be given to siblings of students already at GAA.

Please spread the word to your families, friends and community! Do not forget to use GEMS Ambassador Program: Introduce a new family or friend to the GEMS community and earn back 4% of the referred child’s annual tuition fee in the form of GEMS Points which will be redeemable against school fees or transport fees. Please click here for more information.

Re-enrollment

Re-enrollment of our current students will close on May 1st. Please note that your child’s re-enrolment is not fully complete until payment of the re-enrolment deposit has been made. This can be done by logging into the GEMS Connect app or visiting the school cashier in person.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact any member of the admissions team.

• May 1 and May 2

• May 11 and May 12

• May 22 and May 23

• June 1 and June 2

• 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

Dear Parents,

Term 3 tuition fee invoice is now available. Payment can be made online through Parent Portal or in-school. Please note cash counters will be open Sunday through Thursday between 9 AM – 3 PM (Ramadan Timings)

• May 1: Re-enrollment fee deadline

• May 12-14: Eid Al Fitr (subject to confirmation by UAE Authorities)

• May 27: Half-Day, school dismisses at 12pm

• May 27: Senior Graduation

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