Dear Wildcats Community,

It has been another vibrant and joyful period on campus, filled with learning, celebration, and achievement across all divisions.

This week, our students took to the stage in Finding Nemo, delivering a truly spectacular performance. The production showcased not only artistic talent, but also teamwork, confidence, and dedication. We are incredibly proud of our performers, staff, and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make this event such a memorable event for our community.

We also recently celebrated a wonderful International Day. Hosted by our outstanding GAAPA, the event went far beyond expectations. The cultural displays, food, performances, and spirit of togetherness beautifully reflected the diversity that makes our school special. Thank you to all parents and volunteers who contributed their time and passion.

Our student-athletes make us proud. Results at the Abu Dhabi Sports Championship:

• U17 Girls Football Team – 1st Place

• U19 Girls Football Team – 1st Place

• U15 Girls Football Team – 2nd Place

Congratulations to our players and coaches for their commitment and sportsmanship.

As we approach Ramadan, we will share official school timings once confirmed by ADEK. We will also communicate details about our annual Community Iftar closer to the date, and we look forward to gathering together during this special time.

Please also note that the mid-term break will take place next week from Wednesday through Friday. We hope families enjoy a restful and refreshing pause.

Our Elementary students had a delightful celebration of the 100th day of school, dressing as 100-year-olds and filling the campus with creativity and laughter.

Finally, our counselors have been actively meeting with students and parents to support course selection and planning for the upcoming academic year. We encourage all families to engage in these conversations to ensure each student’s pathway reflects their strengths and aspirations.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we continue to build a caring, thriving, and ambitious learning community.

Best Regards, 

Warmest Regards, 

Dr. Ethan Hildreth 

Dear GAA Families,

As we welcome the blessed month of Ramadan, we extend our warmest wishes to all our families. Ramadan is a sacred and meaningful time observed by Muslims around the world — including here in the United Arab Emirates — marked by reflection, gratitude, generosity, patience, and spiritual growth.

Ramadan is more than fasting; it is a month that strengthens character, deepens faith, and reinforces the values that shape who we are as individuals and as a community.

Through Ramadan, our students live the true spirit of our GEMS values: Care, One Team, Always Learning, and Excellence.

As part of our commitment to strengthening national identity and cultural appreciation, we are proud to launch a special Ramadan initiative that will continue every Friday after Ramadan. After daily reading time, students will listen to and recite a selected Ayah from the Holy Qur’an, guided by Mr. Ghofran. This initiative is designed to deepen students’ spiritual connection, strengthen their moral values and character, elevate reflection and understanding, and foster pride in our Islamic heritage while building a strong sense of unity and national identity. By embedding recitation and reflection into our daily routine, we nurture both academic growth and meaningful character development.

During Ramadan, we also ask for parents’ partnership in supporting their children’s well-being and success. Ensuring adequate rest, encouraging balanced nutrition during Suhoor and Iftar, reinforcing positive behaviour and respectful conduct, and maintaining consistent attendance and punctuality will help students remain focused, resilient, and engaged throughout this blessed month.

At our school, we see Ramadan as a powerful opportunity to connect spiritual growth with our Be a GEM expectations and values.

Ramadan and the Be a GEM Expectations

Ramadan beautifully aligns with our 7 Be a GEM expectations:

1-Be Present

Ramadan teaches commitment and discipline. We encourage students to maintain strong attendance and punctuality while managing their energy with balance and responsibility.

2-Be Ready to Learn

Fasting strengthens focus, self-regulation, and resilience. Students are encouraged to prepare for learning with a calm mindset and positive intention.

3-Be the Best You Can Be

Ramadan reminds us to strive for excellence not only academically, but morally and spiritually.

4-Be Kind

Kindness is at the heart of Ramadan. Acts of charity, empathy, and generosity reflect our GEMS value of Care.

5-Be Focused

Self-discipline during Ramadan reinforces the importance of perseverance and completing tasks with integrity.

6-Be Brave

Ramadan encourages reflection and self-improvement — being brave enough to grow, apologise, and make better choices.

7-Be an Ambassador

Students represent their families, school, and country through respectful behaviour, strong values, and positive contributions to the community.

Together, we can ensure that Ramadan becomes a month of growth — academically, spiritually, and socially.

Ramadan is a time to reset, reflect, and reconnect — with faith, family, and community.

Let us work together to ensure our students lead with compassion, act with integrity, and continue to sparkle through this blessed month.

Ramadan Kareem to all our families!

أولياء الأمور الكرام،

تحية طيبة وبعد،

نتقدم بأحر التهاني والتبريكات لجميع عائلاتنا بحلول شهر رمضان. يُعد رمضان وقتًا مقدسًا ومليئًا بالمعاني، يحييه المسلمون في جميع أنحاء العالم — بما في ذلك دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة — ويتميز بالتأمل، والامتنان، والكرم، والصبر، والنمو الروحي.

رمضان أكثر من كونه صيامًا؛ إنه شهر يعزز الأخلاق، ويعمّق الإيمان، يرسخ القيم التي تشكّل هويتنا كأفراد وكمجتمع.

 يعيش طلابنا الروح الحقيقية لقيم جيمس خلال شهر رمضان: الرعاية، العمل الجماعي، التعلم المستمر، والتميز.

 يسرنا إطلاق مبادرة رمضانية مميزة ستستمر كل يوم جمعة بعد رمضان كجزء من التزامنا بتعزيز الهوية الوطنية وتقدير الثقافة ، سيستمع الطلاب إلى آيات مختارة من القرآن الكريم بصوت الأستاذ غفران. تهدف هذه المبادرة إلى تعميق الصلة الروحية للطلاب، وتعزيز قيمهم الأخلاقية وأخلاقهم، والارتقاء بمستوى تأملهم و فهمهم، وتعزيز اعتزازهم بتراثنا الإسلامي، مع بناء شعور قوي بالوحدة والهوية الوطنية. كما نحرص على تعزيز النمو الأكاديمي وتطوير الشخصية بشكل هادف من خلال دمج التلاوة والتأمل في روتيننا اليومي.

كما نطلب من أولياء الأمور التعاون في دعم رفاهية أبنائهم ونجاحهم خلال شهر رمضان. إن ضمان حصولهم على قسط كافٍ من الراحة، وتشجيعهم على تناول غذاء متوازن خلال السحور والإفطار، وتعزيز السلوك الإيجابي و الآداب الحميدة، والالتزام بالحضور المنتظم والانضباط في المواعيد، سيساعد الطلاب على التركيز، والمثابرة، والمشاركة الفعّالة طوال هذا الشهر الفضيل.

نؤمن في أكاديمية جيمس الأمريكية  أن شهر رمضان فرصة قوية لربط النمو الروحي مع توقعات وقيم كن جوهرة.

رمضان وتوقعات كن جوهرة

يتوافق شهر رمضان بشكل رائع مع توقعاتنا من كن جوهرة:

 كن حاضرًا

يعلم شهر رمضان الالتزام والانضباط، كما نشجع الطلاب على الحفاظ على الحضور المنتظم والانضباط في المواعيد مع إدارة طاقتهم بشكل متوازن ومسؤول.

كن مستعدًا للتعلم

يعزز الصيام التركيز، وضبط النفس، والمرونة، و يُشجَّع الطلاب على الاستعداد للتعلم بعقلية هادئة ونية حسنة.

كن أفضل نسخة من نفسك

يذكرنا شهر رمضان بالسعي نحو التميز ليس فقط أكاديميًا، بل أخلاقيًا وروحيًا أيضًا.

كن لطيفًا 

اللطافة هي جوهر شهر رمضان، لأنها تعكس أعمال الخير، والتعاطف، والكرم قيمة الرعاية التي نؤمن بها في جيمس.

كن مركزًا

يعزز الانضباط الذاتي خلال شهر رمضان أهمية المثابرة وإنجاز المهام بنزاهة.

كن شجاعًا

يشجع شهر رمضان على التأمل وتطوير الذات — التحلي بالشجاعة الكافية للنمو، والاعتذار، واتخاذ قرارات أفضل.

كن سفيرًا

يمثل الطلاب عائلاتهم ومدرستهم وبلدهم من خلال السلوك المحترم، والقيم القوية، والمساهمات الإيجابية في المجتمع.

معًا، يمكننا أن نجعل شهر رمضان شهرًا للنمو — أكاديميًا، وروحيًا، واجتماعيًا.

رمضان هو وقت لإعادة الضبط، والتأمل، وإعادة التواصل — مع الإيمان، والعائلة، والمجتمع.

فلنعمل معًا لضمان أن يقود طلابنا بقلوب مليئة بالرحمة، و يتصرفوا بنزاهة، و يستمروا في التألق خلال هذا الشهر المبارك.

رمضان كريم لجميع عائلاتنا!

Dear Parents and Caregivers, 

We would like to share an important safety reminder, particularly for families with children in Kindergarten and the early primary years. 

Small coin and button batteries are commonly found in household items such as toys, remote controls, car keys, musical greeting cards, and watches. If swallowed, these batteries can cause severe internal injury very quickly and require urgent medical attention. 

What happens if a button battery is swallowed?

• When a button battery comes into contact with saliva, it can create an electrical current that produces a strong alkaline chemical. This can cause serious chemical burns inside the body, particularly to the esophagus.

• Severe damage can occur in as little as two hours, even if the battery appears used or no longer working. 

Button battery ingestion is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. Potential harm may include: 

• Severe internal chemical burns

• Damage or perforation of the esophagus

• Internal bleeding or infection

• Long-term difficulties with swallowing or breathing

• Life-threatening injuries or death if not treated promptly

How you can help keep children safe:

• Regularly check that battery compartments in household items are secure and cannot be easily opened by a child.

• Store spare and used batteries out of sight and reach of children.

• Dispose of used batteries safely and promptly.

• Please do not send toys to school for gifts, goody bags, or “show and tell” if they contain coin or button batteries. 

If you think a child may have swallowed a battery: 

• Seek emergency medical care immediately.

• Do not give food or drink, and do not induce vomiting. 

Although such incidents are rare, awareness and quick action are extremely important. Thank you for your continued support in helping us keep our community safe. 

Kind regards, 

GAA Safeguarding Team 

Dear Parents and Students,

I hope this message finds you well. As we have been working to launch the 2025–26 International Trips Program in partnership with Lushscapes, they have been very supportive in adjusting logistics and accommodating the school community’s needs. To better support the upcoming June trips, Lushscapes has extended the deadline for confirmation until February 27.

In addition to adjusting the dates for the end-of-year trips, we will be expanding eligibility to include additional grades across all four offerings for June.

Please see the updated information below:

• 🇯🇵Japan | Grades 9-10-11 | 26 June – 3 July 2026 - Register Here – Japan 

• 🇮🇹Italy | Grades 9-10-11 | 26 June – 3 July 2026 - Register Here – Italy 

• 🇪🇸Spain | Grades 9-10-11 | 26 June – 2 July 2026 - Register Here – Spain 

• 🇫🇷Paris | Grades 9-10-11 | 26 June – 2 July 2026 - Register Here – Paris

Registration and First Payment Extended Until February 27 

• Right-click may be necessary to open the links.

• Payment information will be sent directly to parents who register through the links.

• If you have already processed payment for any of the trips and would like to change to another destination, please let us know so we can support you with the confirmation and transfer of payment between trips.

If you have any questions, please let us know. We can also connect you with Lushscapes for any specific clarifications if needed.

Kind regards,

Rodrigo De Marco

Director of Athletics and Activities

email: r.demarco_gaa@gemsedu.com 

Secondary Students Participate in COP30 Model UN Event

On Saturday, nine students from Grades 7, 10, and 11 represented our school at a Model UN–style COP30 event hosted by GEMS Founders School Al Barsha. Students engaged in dynamic committee sessions focused on Climate Education, Biodiversity, Agriculture, and Global Climate Governance, demonstrating thoughtful debate, collaboration, and global awareness.

We are proud of their commitment to addressing real-world environmental challenges and representing our school with confidence and professionalism.

Students who participated:

• Mohamed Alsaadi

• Fares Dhaher

• Emna Mahjoub

• Tania Zafarani Santosa

• Imani Nyachiwowa

• Numidia Itibrout

• Vaniya Shahid

• May Myat Zeyar

A special thank you to Ms. Mays for chaperoning and supporting the students throughout the day.

Our 12th Annual International Food Festival was a wonderful celebration of the diversity and spirit of the GAA community. On January 31, our soccer field came alive with culture, color, and connection as families gathered to share traditions, stories, and incredible cuisine from around the world.

With over 85 nationalities represented at GAA and 32 countries participating this year, the evening was a powerful reminder of what makes our school so special. We are deeply grateful to GAAPA and the many parent volunteers whose dedication and enthusiasm made this event such a success.

We invite you to enjoy the photo highlights from this memorable evening!

Booster Club Highlights: Two Weeks of Teamwork and Success

Over the past two weeks, our Booster Club has proudly supported several initiatives that truly reflect the spirit of collaboration and dedication within our school community.

One of our standout achievements was the launch of the NESAC travel kit. Seeing our athletes and coaches wear it with pride was incredibly rewarding. This project was a true team effort, and we extend our sincere thanks to Ms. Claire, Coach Iliana and her team, and Miss Wissam for bringing her sewing machine to the Booster Club and adding her special finishing touches to the sweaters. A special thank you also goes to Andrea Mahfouz (G11) for her creative work in designing the sweaters.

We would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation to our seniors for their active involvement in recent events. From supporting sales during Pizza and Popsicles Day to celebrating Counselor’s International Day by preparing thoughtful gifts, snacks, and coffee for our counselors, their enthusiasm and initiative have been truly inspiring. It has been a pleasure working alongside such motivated and caring students.

We look forward to many more moments of teamwork and school spirit in the weeks ahead.

Dear Parents,

We would like to share an update regarding the Family First Carnival, originally planned for Friday, 13 February.

Please note that the carnival will no longer take place. We are excited to invite you to the GAA Community Ramadan Iftar on March 5th! This special gathering will provide a wonderful opportunity for families, students, and staff to connect, enjoy a meal together, and celebrate the spirit of our school community.

Thank you for being such an important part of our school family.

Lamia Ghouli

Family First Champion

Canteen Payments via Student ID Cards

To support our No Mobile Phone policy and make canteen payments quicker, we kindly ask parents to top up their child’s Student ID card through the GEMS Connect Parent Portal.

Students can then use their ID cards to pay at the canteen. This also ensures that students wear their ID daily, which is mandatory.

For step-by-step instructions on how to top up your child’s ID card, please check out below video.

Thank you for your support and cooperation.

Dear Parents,

We hope you and your family are keeping well.

As we look ahead to Term 2, Slices will continue to provide nutritious, balanced and freshly prepared meals for students throughout the school day.

Parents are kindly requested to ensure a meal subscription is in place for Term 2 to avoid any disruption to your child’s meal service from the first day of term.

How to subscribe:

• Please login into the GEMS Connect App and select a suitable meal plan (Daily, Weekly or Annual) at your earliest convenience.

• Menus for Term 2 can also be found on the  GEMS Connect App.

If you have any questions or require assistance, our team will be happy to support you.

Thank you for your continued trust in Slices. We look forward to serving your children wholesome meals in Term 2.

Warm regards,

Slices School Dining Team

🌟 Get Ready for the Most Epic Half Term Camp Ever! ❄️🎉

Searching for the perfect way to keep your kids active, inspired, and full of joy this December? 

🎈 ESM Holiday Camp at GEMS American Academy Khalifa City is back — and it’s THE ultimate destination for children aged 3.5 to 12 years!

🗓 18th – 20th February 2026

💥 What’s waiting for your child:

✅ A fresh lineup of thrilling activities every single day

✅ A safe, energetic, and adventure-packed environment

✅ New friends, big laughs, and unforgettable holiday memories

👉 Only AED357 per week per child (3 days only) +10% sibling discount

⚡️ Spots are disappearing fast — secure your child’s place today!

🔗 CLICK HERE to REGISTER

ESM is delighted to share three new after school programs that launched this school session in January. These offerings include Dance, Gymnastics and Badminton all of which provide students a wonderful opportunity to stay active, develop new skills, and enjoy enriching experiences beyond the classroom.

1. Dance – Move Dance Sport Academy

Move Dane Sport Academy, one of Europe's most prominent dance academy brings students the chance to explore rhythm, movement, and creativity through inspiring dance sessions. This program encourages self-expression, builds confidence, and promotes physical fitness in a fun and supportive environment.

Learn more at www.movedsa.com and watch the introduction video here.

2. Gymnastics – Absolute Gymnastics

Our Gymnastics ASA is delivered by Absolute Gymnastics, focuses on strength, flexibility, and coordination. Students signed up for these sessions will learn fundamental gymnastics skills while developing discipline, resilience, teamwork and experiencing the fun side of the activity.

3. Badminton – Shuttlezone

In deliverance with Shuttlezone, students will be introduced to the fast-paced and exciting sport of badminton. The program looks to enhances agility, focus, and sportsmanship, while providing a fun way to stay active and competitive. 

These activities are open on esm.ae for booking. All activities take place directly after school with Monday - Thursday running from 3:15-4:15pm and Friday taking place 12:15-13:15pm. 

We look forward to welcoming your child to these enriching programs. Wishing you all the best winter break!

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

• Please check out Important Reminders and Procedures Page for policies, handbooks, and much more..

USEFUL LINKS:

• Frequently Asked Questions - covering key topics such as lunch routines, assessment practices, attendance expectations, curriculum support, academic competitions, communication channels, traffic flow, and student entry/exit procedures. This resource is designed to keep you informed and supported as partners in our school community.

• Welcome Pack: your go-to guide for starting the school year at GAA. It includes essential information on school timings, calendar updates, supplies, health forms, uniforms, cafeteria details, and admissions requirements. Families are encouraged to bookmark the link, as it will be regularly updated.

• GEMS Connect Parent Portal: Access student information, view attendance and assessment reports, pay tuition fees, register for bus, and much more...

• GAA Policies and Key Documents

• ADEK Policies - You can access all the authoritative ADEK policies guiding our educational system - including attendance rules, student administration, behavior standards, and more - by visiting the ADEK official policies page. This is your go-to resource for understanding the rules, regulations, and standards that drive schooling across Abu Dhabi, and that GAA aligns with.

• GAA Senior Leadership Bios - Learn more about the GAA Senior Leadership Team - their backgrounds, experience, and areas of responsibility - by visiting our Leadership Bios page. This resource introduces the Superintendent, Executive Team, and Divisional Principals who guide teaching, learning, and operations at GAA.

• Parent/Student Handbooks - The School Handbooks provide parents and students with essential information about expectations, routines, policies, and resources for each school division. They serve as a practical guide to help families navigate daily life at GAA.

• Mental Health Guides for Parents: In cooperation with Ministry of Education, ADEK and Department for Health, Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority has developed a practical guide, with tips and resources about supporting your child's mental health: ENGLISH, ARABIC

• February 16 - Grades 6-7 (Rising Grade 7-8) Student & Parent Info Session @2PM

• February 17 - Grade 8 (Rising Grade 9) Student & Parent Info Session @10AM

• February 17 - Grade 9 (Rising Grade 10) Student & Parent Info Session @2PM

• February 18-20 - Mid-Term Break (no school in session)

• March 5 - Community Iftar

• March 16-29 - Spring Break