A Warm Welcome to All!

We begin the 2019-2020 school year with significant improvements to our school and outdoor sports facilities, new and updated teaching aids and materials as well as upgrades in technology and equipment. With these updates and improvements, we continue to deliver on the promise to offer an outstanding education to your child. We are committed to ensuring that each child at GAA is challenged, encouraged and supported to achieve academic success and to develop a strong sense of wellbeing.

Please read the newsletter for important dates and information to launch the new school year. In this newsletter you will find the information you will need to:

• Plan an efficient drop off and pick up of your child
• Obtain a Parent ID Badge
• Understand our gate security procedures
• Know where and when to buy school uniforms
• Know how to pay for lunch in the cafeteria
• Know who to contact for help with your questions

In the Kindergarten, Elementary and Secondary sections of this newsletter, you will find information to guide you and your child through the first days of school. Please take a few minutes to read the messages from Elementary School Principal, Michael Hopaluk and his team, and Secondary School Principal, Kain Klinkhammer, which include information important to a smooth and successful start to the school year.

Meet our New Teachers

Our newsletter this week also includes information about 50 new faculty members who arrived to GAA in August. We have some very strong teachers who will add to our already impressive faculty. We all know that exceptional teachers are the key to any successful school. 129 teachers are returning in the fall and all of our senior leaders are back and busy preparing for new school year.

2019-2020 School Calendar

The School Calendar can be found here (Link to the calendar).

Please note, first day of school will be Sunday, September 1 - this will be half school day for ALL students.

Enjoy the rest of your summer holiday with friends and family, we look forward to starting a new school year on Sunday, September 1!

With Thanks,

Kathryn Miner

Head of School and CEO

Dear all,

We have been informed that in the new Academic year, the School ID card will now also serve as the student canteen payment card (as well as bus card for students using school transportation), as the two systems have now been integrated/linked.

All returning and new students will be issued new School ID cards at the beginning of school year. Going forward all GEMS students are required to use their School ID card for Slices Canteen / Cafe Services to make payments.

Here are some clarifications:

Existing Students with Slices Cards:

• These are the students who already have slices cards.
• All these students are now required to use their School ID cards instead.
• Existing card balances on the Slices cards will automatically be transferred to the School ID card.

Existing Students without Slices Cards:

• These are the GEMS students who have School ID cards, but are not yet signed up with Slices. Old cards will be replaced with the new ones.
• They can register on pay@slices.ae and link their new School ID card to use Slices Canteen / Cafe services.

New GEMS Students (without School ID yet):

• These are new enrolments, who may not yet have School ID cards.
• Until they have received an School ID card, they can use Cash. Once they received, they can register and link the Student ID card to use Slices Canteen / Cafe services.

Benefits of using School ID Cards:

• By using the combined School/Bus/Slices card, students only carry one card.
• By using the combined School/Bus/Slices card, students do not have to wait for Slices card delivery, they can use Slices Services with their Bus/Slices card immediately after sign up.

Important Note:

• Once you click on the link it will automatically take you to the Slices Payment Portal.
• Sign up is compulsory for new students in order to use their School ID card, and they need to present their card to the cashier in order to make a purchase.
• In case of a lost card, students have to report to School.
• Under no circumstances will credit be given to staff or students.

Our Accounts office will be open on Saturday August 31st from 8:00am to 2:00pm for fee collection.

Due to the long Eid holidays we have extended the NBAD fee discount until 31^st August 2019.