At GAA, we believe that learning is most powerful when students take an active role in their educational journey. That’s why we are excited to host Student-Involved Conferences on February 24 and 25—an opportunity for students to showcase their learning, reflect on their progress, and set goals for continued growth.

Unlike traditional parent-teacher conferences, where teachers and parents discuss a child’s progress, student-involved conferences place students at the center of the conversation. This approach encourages ownership, accountability, and leadership, reinforcing the idea that students are active participants in their education, not just passive recipients of information.

Why Involve Students in Conferences?

Student-led conferences provide numerous benefits that go beyond academics. They nurture important life skills such as self-reflection, communication, goal setting, and confidence—all of which are essential for success in school and beyond. Here are some of the key reasons why student participation in conferences is so valuable:

1. Encouraging Ownership of Learning - When students prepare for and lead discussions about their progress, they develop a deeper understanding of their own strengths, challenges, and learning goals. This process helps them take responsibility for their growth and become more invested in their success.

2. Developing Leadership and Communication Skills - Presenting their work to parents and teachers allows students to practice public speaking, critical thinking, and self-advocacy. Explaining their learning in their own words builds confidence and prepares them for future opportunities where they must express their thoughts and ideas.

3. Fostering Reflection and Growth Mindset - Reflection is a crucial part of learning. During the conference, students will review their achievements, discuss areas for improvement, and set goals for the remainder of the year. This reflective process promotes a growth mindset, encouraging students to see challenges as opportunities for development rather than obstacles.

4. Strengthening the Home-School Connection - When students actively engage in conferences, parents gain first-hand insight into what their child is learning, rather than just hearing about it from the teacher. This creates a more meaningful dialogue at home about school, reinforcing learning and fostering a collaborative partnership between parents, students, and teachers.

How Can Parents Support the Process?

Your involvement is key to making student-involved conferences a success! Here’s how you can support your child:

• Attend the conference together – Your presence sends a strong message that you value their learning.

• Encourage your child to take the lead – Ask questions like, What are you most proud of? What challenges have you faced? What goals do you want to achieve next?

• Celebrate growth and effort – Focus on progress and effort rather than just grades or test scores. Encourage a positive outlook on learning.

By participating in these conferences, students gain a sense of pride, confidence, and motivation to continue striving for success. We look forward to welcoming you and your child on February 24 and 25 as we celebrate learning, growth, and future aspirations together.

Leia Kraeuter

Elementary Principal

As a Vice Principal of GAA, I’ve had the privilege of seeing our school community grow and thrive in so many meaningful ways. But one event, in particular, stands out year after year as a shining example of what makes GAA such a special place—the International Food Festival. It’s not just a day filled with delicious food from around the world; it’s an opportunity to celebrate our diversity, learn from one another, and create lasting memories.

I still remember my first experience with the festival—walking into the field, I was immediately struck by the vibrant array of colors, aromas, and the sound of laughter echoing through the room. Each table was a window into a different world, with parents and students sharing their cultural heritage through dishes, stories, and traditions. Honestly, I can’t think of a better way to highlight the values we hold dear at GAA.

Celebrating Cultural Diversity at GAA

At GAA, we pride ourselves on the rich cultural diversity that defines our school community. We are a mosaic of different backgrounds, each bringing unique traditions, languages, and customs to our classrooms and hallways. The International Food Festival is our opportunity to celebrate that diversity in the most tangible and delightful way—through food.

Food has a magical ability to bridge gaps and connect people, and this event allows our students and families to explore the flavors, smells, and stories that make each culture unique. Whether it’s a savory dish from Africa, a sweet treat from South America, or a classic European recipe, each plate of food shared is a celebration of the diversity that makes GAA such a vibrant and dynamic place. It’s a living example of how our differences are not something to be feared, but something to be celebrated and enjoyed. I learned so much at our last IFF and I know that this year will be no different. 

Fostering Understanding and Respect

One of the most powerful aspects of the International Food Festival is how it fosters understanding and respect among our students. In our fast-paced, often polarized world, it’s easy for young people to form misconceptions about other cultures. The festival, however, provides a hands-on, interactive opportunity to learn in a way that no textbook or lesson could offer.

When students gather around a dish they’ve never tried before, they are not just experiencing a new flavor—they are learning about the people, history, and values behind it. This firsthand interaction helps to break down stereotypes and build empathy. I’ve watched as children excitedly share the foods they love with their classmates, asking questions about the ingredients and the stories behind them. In those moments, they are developing a deeper understanding of the world, learning that while we may come from different places, we all have much more in common than we often realize.

Promoting Global Citizenship

At GAA, we strive to nurture global citizens—young people who are not only aware of the world around them but also actively engaged in making it a better, more inclusive place. The International Food Festival plays an integral role in this mission. It encourages our students to think beyond their immediate surroundings and consider what it means to be part of a global community.

Through the festival, students gain a broader perspective on the world, learning that there are many different ways of living, eating, and celebrating. This exposure helps them understand that every culture has something valuable to contribute. As they grow older, these lessons will stay with them, shaping their views on the importance of diversity, tolerance, and respect. The festival is a powerful reminder that the world is vast and full of possibility, and we all have a role to play in making it a more harmonious and understanding place.

Enhancing Community and Family Connections

One of the most heartwarming aspects of the International Food Festival is how it brings families together. It’s not just an event for students—it’s a celebration for the entire GAA community. Parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends all come together to share their culinary traditions, forging connections that go beyond the classroom.

I’ve seen firsthand how these connections can transform our school. Parents who might not have had the chance to speak with one another during the school day suddenly find themselves sharing stories and recipes. Families from different backgrounds bond over a shared love of food, strengthening the sense of community that makes GAA so special. For our students, these connections are invaluable—they see their parents involved and engaged, reinforcing the importance of being an active part of the school community.

Strengthening School Spirit

Perhaps one of the most profound impacts of the International Food Festival is the way it strengthens our school spirit. There’s something uniquely powerful about coming together to celebrate who we are, where we come from, and what makes us special. The event allows everyone—students, parents, teachers, and staff—to work together, share their cultures, and support one another.

On the day of the festival, there is an undeniable sense of pride and excitement that fills the air. You can feel the energy in the room as families eagerly present their dishes, students share stories with their peers, and teachers join in the celebration. It’s a beautiful reminder that we are all part of something bigger than ourselves—a school community that values inclusivity, respect, and unity.

This shared experience not only creates lasting memories but also reinforces the core values that define GAA. It reminds us all of the power of diversity, the importance of understanding, and the strength that comes from working together.

As we approach this year’s International Food Festival, I encourage each and every one of you to participate, whether by volunteering your time with your country or simply attending to enjoy the festivities. This event is a powerful expression of what makes our school so unique—a celebration of our differences, a commitment to understanding one another, and a dedication to building a stronger, more connected community.

At GAA, we know that the best way to prepare our students for the future is to equip them with the values of empathy, respect, and global citizenship. The International Food Festival plays a vital role in helping us achieve that goal, and I am so proud to be part of a school that recognizes the importance of fostering these qualities in our children.

Jameela and I look forward to seeing you at the festival and sharing in the joy of celebrating our diverse and wonderful school community.

Lauren Sargent Al-Khalifah

PreK-Grade 1 Vice Principal

Dear Parents,

We are excited to share that our school will be celebrating Haqq Al-Laylah (Girgaan) on Friday, February 14, as part of our commitment to honoring the rich cultural heritage of the UAE. This cherished tradition is a time for children to come together, share sweets, and embrace the values of generosity, community, and joy.

Haqq Al-Laylah is a special occasion observed midway through Sha’ban, the month before Ramadan. It is a time-honored tradition where children dress in colorful attire, sing traditional songs, and receive sweets and treats from family and neighbors. This celebration is deeply rooted in the UAE’s identity, fostering a sense of belonging and cultural appreciation among young learners.

While our school maintains a healthy eating policy, we are making an exception for this special occasion to respect and celebrate this meaningful tradition. Students are welcome to bring small, pre-packaged treats to share with their classmates as part of the festivities. We will send home treats that are collected throughout the day. We encourage moderation of sweets and ask that you do not send donuts but rather focus on tradition and non-food items if possible. We are looking forward to honoring the tradition and culture of the UAE. Students will learn more from their Arabic and Islamic teachers in the coming days. 

We look forward to celebrating Haqq Al-Laylah with our students and embracing the spirit of generosity and community that it represents. Thank you for your support in helping our children connect with the rich cultural traditions of the UAE.

This month, our KG2D learners have been diving into the world of stories! We are exploring the elements of a story—characters, setting, and plot—while discovering different ways to tell and share stories. Through read-alouds, discussions, and creative storytelling activities, our young learners are developing a deeper understanding of how stories work and why they are important.

In Math, we are measuring up! Students are learning about measurement using non-standard units like cubes, pencils, and even their own hands. They are having fun estimating, comparing, and measuring the length of objects—and even each other! This hands-on approach helps them build a strong foundation for understanding measurement concepts in an engaging and meaningful way.

We are so proud of how curious and eager our KG2D students are as they explore new ideas every day! Stay tuned for more exciting learning adventures ahead.

This week has been filled with excitement and positive energy at our school. We had our school sports and students were actively engaged and had so much fun.

We are continuously learning to incorporate our Learner Profiles together with our Approaches To Learning in all our lessons. 

In our lessons it was so wonderful to see how our learning and engagement was exciting to all students in the New Science Unit: All about Plants and Animals. Our class enjoyed planting their own seeds, watching them grow, learning needs of plants for survival, learning about animal young and adults and how animals and plants resemble their parents.

Ms Sharon gave our class incentives for bringing in healthy foods on a daily basis, by rewarding the students with critter coins. Our new Benchmark Reading program and Math Reveal enables students to reach high levels of thinking ,reasoning and problem solving. You can view our students engaging in all activities in class on Seesaw. 

Let’s keep the momentum going as we embrace fitness and wellness in our school community. Here’s to exciting days to come!

Learning Focus

This week, Grade 5A has been diving deep into the fascinating concept of Earth's Spheres and their interactions. Our formative assessment in Week 20, encouraged students to create awareness about an action that could save our planet, showcasing their creativity through various technology platforms enabling 5A to express their ideas innovatively.

In literacy, we are exploring Unit 8: Water—Fact and Fiction. 5A are learning about the importance of water, its properties, and its role in our lives, while also distinguishing between factual information and its role and interaction within Earth’s Spheres.

In math, we are uncovering strategies for adding unlike fractions. Students are engaging in hands-on activities to understand how to find common denominators, simplify their answers, and transfer this information in understanding how to conserve water. 

To conclude the week, 5A participated in the Elementary Annual Sports Day, where students showcased their physical agility through various activities. Additionally, we celebrated World Read Aloud Day with a special reading session led by Mr. Rinaldo during the PBIS assembly on Tuesday, promoting literacy and a love for reading.

Achievements

We are thrilled to announce that Grade 5A has won the Soccer League Championship! This incredible achievement was celebrated with a trophy presentation and a fun popcorn party, highlighting our classes 5 A values- Achievers, Awesome, Accepting, Able, and Active.

Over the past few weeks in our kindergarten library lessons, we've had so much fun exploring a variety of themes and activities! We kicked things off in January by completing our Winter Reading Challenge winners, with students proudly sharing their reading accomplishments.  We learned about Chinese (Lunar) New Year, reading stories, and creating colorful crafts around the occasion. We also took a dive into the world of the Caldecott Medal, learning about the prestigious award for children's book illustrations. The timeless story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar was a hit, with different translations of the story sparking conversation. Additionally, we explored different adaptations of classic fairy tales like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, comparing the unique twists in each version. It’s been an exciting few weeks full of reading, crafting, and discovering!

• February 10-12 - Half-Term Break (NO SCHOOL)

• February 15 - International Food Festival

• February 17-21 - Absentee and New Joiner Official School Photoshoot

• February 17-21 - Book Fair

• February 19-20 & 22 - High School Musical Production of Little Shop of Horrors

• February 24-25 - Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences (no classes in session)

• March 1 - expected start of Holy Month of Ramadan