Issue # 14 - April 14, 2023
Dear GAA Community,
As we progress through the last term, of what has been a busy and exciting school year, we are excited to announce several events to celebrate our students and their achievements.
Firstly, we will hold our traditional GAA Senior Gratitude Walk Celebration on Tuesday, April 18th. Our graduating Seniors will share reflections on their GAA experience and recognize those that have provided support along the way. At the same time, it is an opportunity for the graduates to receive recognition from their fellow students and teachers for achieving this important milestone.
The Senior Gratitude and Walk Celebration leads us into the IB Exam period, scheduled to begin upon return from the EID holiday. We are also excited to announce the kick-off of our PYP Exhibit capstone project, which is a culminating event for our Primary Years Program students. This project allows our students to showcase their understanding of the PYP curriculum through a collaborative and creative presentation and demonstrate their critical thinking and reflective skills as they act in their community.
It is also time to start thinking about the next academic year. I’m pleased to announce that our re-enrollment period is now open, and we are inviting all current students to secure their spot for the upcoming year.
GAA is an exceptional place to learn and grow, and we are committed to providing a supportive and nurturing environment for your child. Enrolling now will allow us to make the necessary preparations to ensure our program offerings meet the unique needs and interests of all students.
If you have any questions or concerns about the re-enrollment process, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Thank you for your continued support.
Warm regards,
Robert Rinaldo
Head of School
تحيّة طيبة وبعد
يسرُّ مدرسة أكاديميّة جمس الأمريكيّة أن ترسل لكم مع قرب انقضاء شهر رمضان المبارك أطيب التّهاني والتبريكات، أعاده اللّه علينا وعلى الأمة جمعاء باليمن و الخير والبركات سائلين المولى عزّ وجلّ أن يتقبل منّا ومنكم صالح الأعمال، و يُعيننا جميعًا على قيام وصيام العشر الأواخر منه، ويعيده علينا وعليكم باليمن والخير والبركات
استمتعنا هذا الأسبوع بعودة طلابنا إلى الحرم المدرسي في الأيام الأخيرة المباركة من شهر رمضان، كما
تشرفنا بمشاركة أولياء الأمور الإفطار معًا كأسرة واحدة نتشارك العادات والتقاليد بشكل فعلي مع طلابنا. فقد كانت تجربة رائعة مميزة لما لها من أثر في بناء الهوية والتراث ومشاركة قيمنا بكل فخر مع العالم أجمع
نودع هذا الشّهر الفضيل الّذي يؤكد قوة العزيمة والإيمان وسماحة الدين الحنيف في الدّعوة إلى الله بالحكمة والموعظة الحسنة، وبإعلاء القيم السّاميّة والأخلاق الكريمة، وبإرساء مبادئ الأمن والأمان، ونتحضر لاستقبال عيد الفطر المبارك
يَسرُّ مدرسة أَكاديميّةِ جيمس الأمريكيّة أن تتقدم بأحر التّهاني والتبريكات بمناسبة احتفالنا بعيد الفطر المبارك الأسبوع المقبل أعاده الله علينا وعلى الأمة جمعاء بالخير والصّحة واليُمن والبركات
نرجو من أولياء الأمور عدم التّردد في التّواصل معنا في حال وجود أي سؤال أو استفسار.
كما نرجو من اللّه عزّ وجلّ أن يديم على جميع البلاد الأمن والأمان والخير والصّحة والعافية
وكل عام وأنتم بألف خير استقبالاً لعيد الفطر المبارك أعاده الله علينا وعلى الأمة الإسلامية بالخير واليمن والبركات
عيدكم مبارك
نائب مدير المدرسة
سماح عوض
With the approaching end of the blessed month of Ramadan, Gems American Academy School is pleased to send you our best wishes and blessings. May God bring it back to the whole nation and us in goodness and acceptance, asking the Lord Almighty to accept good deeds from you and us, and help us all to pray and fast the last ten days of it, and bring it back.
This week we also enjoyed our students return to the school campus in the last blessed days of Ramadan. We were honored to share iftar with our parents as one family. We actively share culture and traditions with our students. It was a wonderful and unique experience because of its impact on building identity and heritage and proudly sharing our values with the world.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need any further information.
On behalf of all staff at GAA, we would like to extend our greetings in celebration of Eid Al Fitr Al Mubarak to all of you.
Eid Mubarak!
Sincerely,
Samah Awad,
Assistant Principal to the Head of the School
Last month our own Mr. Jefferson Aranda, Secondary Band Director and IB Music Teacher, received the invitation to participate in the podcast Music Teachers In International Schools (MTIIS) with Chris Koelma! In this podcast, he shared his history of life and how music education influenced his career as an educator. Also, he shared my experience working as a Digital music teacher and how students really enjoy the class. In the end, he reflects on some strategies in music class and the important role of music in a multicultural class - for example our community in GAA where we can have a variety of nationalities and cultures in the same class.
This podcast has been very popular among international music teachers, having guests from all over the world and talking about a variety of topics related to music education. We are very proud and grateful that Mr. Aranda represented our GAA community and shared all the things that we are doing in Abu Dhabi.
Enjoy the full podcast interview below!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We would like to inform you of the upcoming GAAPA Annual General Meeting (AGM) which will be held on May 5th, 2023 at 8am at the Planetarium.
The agenda will be as follows:
Reports of activities
Account report
Election of the Executive Committee
Approval of the new bylaws.
As all parents and guardians are members of the school GAAPA, you are encouraged to attend and participate in the meeting, it is a perfect way of finding out what the board team have been up to and also what plans have been suggested for the coming year.
We encourage each and every one of you to become a part of our team.
In doing so, you also help us but there are many more advantages:
By becoming a board member, you’ll be demonstrating to your child the importance you place on education.
By volunteering with your board, you gain valuable experiences and personal confidence. It’s an opportunity to put your skills and hobbies to good use, for a good cause.
GAAPA functions provide opportunities to meet other parents and teachers.
GAAPA is a forum for exchanging ideas, attending the Association meetings throughout the year to make suggestions, and provide your input.
The executive committee is composed of Elected positions (Chairperson, Vice-chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer) and appointed positions.
The following Elected positions are open to election for the coming year and you can also join us by applying for an appointed position.
Executive positions:
Treasurer
Secretary
* As per by Laws - for the sake of continuity, the Chairperson can extend their position to a second term. Both Flore and Kausar will be continuing as Co Chairs for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Appointed positions:
Parent ambassador
Volunteer coordinator
Purchasing coordinator
Teacher Liaison
Event leads
Anyone interested in becoming a board member are advised to submit their name before May 1st, 2023 by fill up the Google form http://bit.ly/3Zk7CiC
Look forward to seeing you all.
Flore and Kausar
GAAPA Co-Chairs
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Abu Dhabi Public Health Center will conduct a comprehensive screening program for school students in private schools under the supervision of the Department of Education and Knowledge in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The screening will be conducted for grade 1, grade 5 and grade 9 students. Comprehensive school screening includes the following elements: BMI, physical examination, vital signs, vision, hearing, dental health (both for female and male students), complete blood count (Grade 1 boys and girls & Grade 9 Girls) and scoliosis.
The screening will be conducted in Madinat Khalifa Healthcare Centre and transportation will be provided from the school . All healthcare services will be free for Thiqa holders. As for non-thiqa holder, SEHA have made a special offer of 200 AED. This examination is optional for non-thiqa holders.
Please indicate and sign the attached consent form for your son or daughter to participate in the screening and send it back either to GAA clinic or email: nurse_gaa@gemsedu.com on or before 19-April-2023.
Note: Information regarding the date for screening will be shared later.
Thank you.
GAA Nurses
April 18: Senior Walk
April 20-23: Expected Eid Break (IMPORTANT! SUBJECT TO ADEK CONFIRMATION)
April 28: Pizza and Popsicle Day by GAAPA and Booster Club
April 29: TEDxYouth @GAA
May 2: Grade 3 Art Festival @1:30pm Auditorium
May 5: GAAPA Annual General Meeting @8:00am Planetarium
May 10: Grade 2 Art Festival @1:30pm Auditorium
Head of School
Robert Rinaldo, email: hos_gaa@gemsedu.com
ADMISSIONS
Registrar: registrar_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 515
Admission Secretary (GR6-GR12): c.dumo_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 603
Admission Secretary (KG-GR5): h.barriga_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 604
FINANCE
Email: finance_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 102
CLINIC
Email: nurse_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 688
Parent Relations Executive
Fatma Chabanova: pre_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 502
Government Relations Executive (for ADEK issues)
Shahd Hamdan: s.hamdan_gaa@gemsedu.com ext. 505
SLICES CATERING
Email: slicesgaa@gmail.com, ext. 566
BBT BUS TRANSPORTATION
Rameez Rasheed, email: rameez.rasheed@sts-group.com, ext. 608
GAAPA (GAA Parent Association)
email: gaa.parentsteam@gmail.com
Booster Club
email: boosterclub.gaa@gmail.com
IT
Email: support_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 666
ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES
Email: athletic_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 627
Elementary Principal
Leia Kraeuter, email: esprincipal_gaa@gemsedu.com
Elementary Vice Principal (Gr. KG-2)
Lauren Sargent, email: eslgvprincipal_gaa@gemsedu.com
Elementary Vice Principal (Gr. 3-5)
Douglas Sherrill, email: esugvprincipal_gaa@gemsedu.com
Elementary Secretary
KG-Grade 1 Guidance Counsellor
Alison Haswell, email: a.haswell_gaa@gemsedu.com
Grades 2-5 Guidance Counsellor
Melanie Moses, email: m.moses_gaa@gemsedu.com
PYP Coordinator
Tiffany Pulci, email: t.pulci_gaa@gemsedu.com
Secondary Principal
Garth Wyncoll, email: ssprincipal_gaa@gemsedu.com
Middle School Vice Principal (Grades 6-8)
Alicia Bakey, email: msvprincipal_gaa@gemsedu.com
High School Vice Principal (Grades 9-10)
Zahra Bhatty, email: hsvprincipal_gaa@gemsedu.com
High School Vice Principal (Grades 11-12)
Monica Martin, email: m.martin1_gaa@gemsedu.com
Secondary Secretary:
Email: secsecretary_gaa@gemsedu.com
Middle School Counsellor (Grades 6-8)
Nora Eldrageely, email: n.eldrageely_gaa@gemsedu.com
High School Counsellors (by students' last names)
Catherine Sciolis (Ali-Alp, I-P), email: c.sciolis_gaa@gemsedu.com
Lia Noronha (Aaa-Alh, B-H), email: l.noronha_gaa@gemsedu.com
Pushpa Dasari (Alq-Azz, Q-Z), email:p.dasari_gaa@gemsedu.com
IBDP Coordinator:
John Thompson, email: j.thompson2_gaa@Gemsedu.com
Curriculum Coordinator:
David Dasari, email: d.dasari_gaa@gemsedu.com
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...
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