Dear GAA Families,

Ramadan Kareem! I am amazed that we have already reached this point in our school year. Though we are moving closer to the end of the year and things slow down for the holy month of Ramadan, we still have many goals that we will work toward in order to achieve a strong finish to an exceptional school year.

With shorter school hours, our focus always narrows on maximising our time in school for learning and growth. At home, when possible, please take time with your children to read together, in English or your home language. Our children are always encouraged to make use of our online tools to foster individual learning and growth. If you would like your child to focus on reading or Math skills at home, please speak to your classroom teacher to make the best use of the tools and resources available in your child’s classroom that you can make use of at home.

This is a special time of year that seems even better because of the further easing of COVID restrictions. I have much optimism for an end to the school year that will more like 2018 than recent years. Please speak to your children and encourage them to do their best. We all will enjoy seeing the rewards of this effort by the end of this school year.

Sincerely,

John O’Neill

Upper Elementary Vice Principal

Grade 5 Launches PYP Exhibition

Grade 5 students started this week with a conference designed to expose them to relevant global and local issues and opportunities, as well as skills they may need during the exhibition time. The day started with two keynote speakers, Ella Clements from Simply Bottles to discuss the recycling of plastic water bottles and spinning the product into polyester thread to make clothes.

Our second speaker, Dr. Oudi Abuchackra, spoke about his passion for writing children’s books on health and wellness topics and how he faced a lot of self-doubt along the way.

Following the keynotes, students broke into small sessions on topics that they chose. Overall, it was a successful and thought-provoking day.

Ramadan Kareem from 5E!

Since we have returned from Spring Break, we have begun the exciting journey of PYP Exhibition. To start off this journey, all of Grade 5 participated in a Provocation Day. In the morning students were introduced to two guest speakers to talk about important issues concerning plastic bottles, recycling, and developing the self-confidence to pursue your dreams. After the keynote address, students were off to 5 different sessions throughout the day to learn and explore a wide variety of personal passions, topics, and interests. It was an exciting day and a great way to jump start Exhibition 2022. For the next 9 weeks students will continue their PXPX Journey with the help of their teachers, mentors, and families in their selected topics. At the end of June students will share their learning by presenting what they have been working on for these 9 weeks. We are really looking forward to seeing what they come up with!

اللغة العربيّة لتلاميذ الصّف الأوّل والثّاني :

يحرص قسم اللّغة العربية في المرحلة الابتدائية على توفير تعليمًا ذا جودة عالية للطّلبة، بالإضافة إلى رفع مستوى الطّلبة وتطوير مهاراتهم اللّغوية وتهيئتهم للتّفاعل مع متطلبات العصر الحـديث بكل ثقة وتفـاؤل.

خلال الشّهر الماضي تمّ التّركيز على دعم مهارة القراءة عند التّلاميذ من خلال القيام بأنشطة مختلفة خلال شهر القراءة وتشجيع التّلاميذ على قراءة وتحليل أكبر عددٍ من القصص، وعلى ابتكار قصص من تأليفهم وعرضها أمام رفاقهم.

الرّابط في الأسفل يحوي صورًا لبعض الأنشطة لتلاميذ الصّف الأول والثاني.

Arabic for grade one and grade 2 students :

The Department of Arabic Language at the Elementary school is dedicated to provide high-quality education to students, additionally to raise the level of students, developing their language skills, and preparing them to interact with the requirements of the modern age with confidence and optimism.

Our focus was during the past month on supporting students' reading skills by doing various activities during the month of reading and encouraging students to read and explore the largest number of stories, and to create stories of their own and present them to their friends.

The link below contains pictures of some of the activities from first and second graders.

• April 25: Information Session about "Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting Program" @10:30am, ONLINE

• April 26: Author Visit for Grades 1-2, Julia Johnson.

• April 28-29: All School PCR Testing At GAA.

• May 2-4: Eid Al Fitr (Ramadan Holiday) - subject to changes

• June 30: Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony

• July 1: Last Day of School