Dear GAA Community,

I hope that this message finds you well. This week we were happy to welcome back to school our Middle School and grade 9 students. Many expressed their happiness with the chance to see friends again and meet with teachers. As you know, a big part of our academic program includes the opportunity to work on collaboration skills and to develop positive student/teacher connections. Students learn from their peers and build on the experiences of others. We know that the social aspect of face-to-face learning enhances the overall learning experience and adds to student wellness. However, the challenges of the pandemic still exist. At the same time that we were welcoming back our Middle School students we saw several Elementary School classrooms make a short-term shift to distance learning to help prevent the spread of the virus. Taking this into consideration, I remind all parents to monitor daily the health condition of your student and that you do not send to school if there is any sign or symptom of sickness.

Once again next week, we will conduct PCR testing on campus. Staff and students age 12 and above will test on Tuesday, February 8th and students under 12 on February 9th. If you have not done so already, a consent form must be submitted by Monday, February 7th (please see link below):

IN-SCHOOL PCR TESTING CONSENT FORM LINK

On a very positive note, we have been selected as the only school in Abu Dhabi, by ADEK and the MoE, to pilot the new Irtiqaa Inspection framework. A team of evaluators from ADEK and MoE will conduct a visit next week, with the purpose of testing the new school inspection and evaluation framework and the tools and methodology related to it. We are happy to provide support and lend our feedback to the development of the new inspection tool.

To our entire GAA community, I thank you for your continued resilience, enthusiasm, and hope.

Continue to stay safe and healthy.

Warm regards,

Robert Rinaldo

Head of School

This is a gentle reminder for our Community to notify the school in case a student is tested positive. Please email pre_gaa@gemsedu.com to activate school COVID-19 reporting procedure in line with Department of Health and ADEK Guidelines.

If your child is unwell with symptoms to be able to attend online classes, please notify the divisional secretaries:

• KG & Elementary School: elemsecretary_gaa@gemsedu.com

• Middle and High School: secsecretary_gaa@gemsedu.com

More details on our COVID Management Protocols can be found in Health Clinic Section of the GAAzette.

As per updated requirements from ADEK, to enter school premises all visitors (including parents), aged 12 years and above, must present:

• Negative PCR test result not older than 96 hours

• Green Status Al Hosn is required for students, parents and visitors aged 16 years and above.

• February 7: Grades 6-12 Absentees and New Joiners official school photoshoot by Stu Williamson

• February 8: In-School PCR Testing for Grades 6-12

• February 9: In-School PCR Testing for KG-Grade 5

• February 14-16: MID-TERM BREAK: NO SCHOOL

• February 23: Virtual Junior Night at 5pm.

• February 25: High School Virtual Career Day