Dear GAA Families,

I hope this edition of the GAAzette finds you well. We are now fully underway in the second semester with much enthusiasm and excitement being exhibited on campus. We started the new year with several new families who have joined us from the UAE and various other countries around the world. We extend a warm GAA welcome to our new members and are happy to have you as part of our diverse community.

In the week ahead we look forward to the Elementary Musical, “Moana Jr.”, scheduled for January 25 and 26. Tickets are on sale now and we encourage you to join us to celebrate student talent and creativity.

Additionally, I would like to highlight the importance of the ongoing course selection meetings scheduled for secondary grade levels throughout the rest of the month. These sessions are meant to show the different pathways students can explore including International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), and American curriculum courses. Our offerings provide students with the opportunity to research and explore various subjects to help them to discover their interests. 

I encourage families to actively participate in these discussions to ensure that your child’s educational journey aligns with their interests and aspirations.

Thank you for your continued support and collaboration.

Warm Regards,

Robert Rinaldo

Reaccreditation and Educational Enhancement

Dear GAA Community,

We are thrilled to share some exciting developments at GEMS American Academy as we embark on a significant journey towards joint reaccreditation through CIS (Council of International Schools), NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges), and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Organization. This process is a testament to our commitment to providing the highest standards of education to our students and to our mission and vision.

As part of this, our community of parents, teachers, and students have helped us identify four key projects that are at the heart of our educational enhancement strategy. Here’s how each of these projects will contribute to enriching the teaching and learning experience at GEMS American Academy:

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Recognizing the importance of emotional intelligence in today's world, we are dedicated to integrating Social Emotional Learning into our curriculum. This approach will help students develop key skills such as empathy, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, SEL aims to enhance students' academic performance and prepare them for personal and professional success in a global society. This doesn’t stop at the students, either. We are focused on ensuring SEL support for our teaching staff and families, too.

Policies

To ensure the highest educational standards and a safe, inclusive learning environment, we are reviewing and updating our policies. This includes academic integrity, attendance, anti-bullying, and more. By clearly defining expectations and procedures, we aim to create a more structured and secure environment for our students, thereby enhancing their overall educational experience.

Project-Based Learning

In line with the latest educational trends, we are focusing on Project-Based Learning (PBL). This innovative approach encourages students to engage in real-world and meaningful projects, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. PBL also promotes collaboration and communication, preparing students for future academic and career challenges. We are piloting this in our Secondary school and will continue to evaluate the outcomes to refine our practices.

Transdisciplinary Learning

To bridge the gap between different subject areas, and strengthen conections between concepts, we are emphasizing Transdisciplinary Learning in our elementary school. This approach allows students to explore connections across various disciplines, promoting a more comprehensive understanding of concepts. By learning how different fields intersect, students can develop a more holistic view of the world and its complex problems.

These projects are not just about meeting the reaccreditation standards, they represent our ongoing commitment to educational excellence and our dedication to preparing our students for a successful future. We believe that by focusing on these areas, we will not only enhance our school’s academic profile but also ensure that our students are well-equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

We look forward to your continued support and engagement in this exciting phase of growth and development at GEMS American Academy.

Justin Kirby

K-12 Director of Curriculum and Instruction

GEMS CO-BRANDED CREDIT CARD

GEMS American Academy has partnered with First Abu Dhabi Bank to offer our parents discounted school fees*. 

• Apply for your GEMS card with FAB and avail amazing discount and instalment plan on your child's school fee

• Avail up to 4.25% discount on advanced payment on GEMS school fee

• Convert school fees into Easy Payment Plan for up to 12 months

• EPP 1st 3 months with zero charges no processing fee & no interest, 6 months 1% , 9 months 2% and 12 months 3% processing fee 

• Card is free for the 1st year 

Apply through our School Assigned Staff:

• Amjad Nazir

• Mobile: +971564010406

• Email: Amjad.nazir@bankfab.com

*Terms and conditions apply

Senior Swim meet at Amity International School, Abu Dhabi!

Dear GAA Community,

We would like to congratulate all swimmers for their performance at Amity school on Tuesday 16th of january. Our Secondary swimmers commitment and sportsmanship were evident throughout the event, and Coaches are truly proud of each one of them.

6 schools participated in this event with over 170 swimmers participating. This is the top League 1 from ADISSA schools and we managed to finish 3rd overall with many new PB(personal best) results for long course swimming.

We would like especially to thank our former swimmers Hussein Ayaad and Simeon Hristov for coming to support our team so we can have completed relays for their age groups. 

Thank you to GAA Lifeguard Mr. Mohammed Shafeeq for volunteering in this meet to be our team photographer.  

Congratulations to all Gr.6-11 Swimmers below for winning the 3rd place:

• Sarah Vaillancourt, Noor AbdElHady, Nihal Sakni, Ella Everitt, Tala Altrabulsi, Hala Aldamasi, Andrea Mahfouz, Malak Nour, Hyeseon (Lucy) Seo, Soyeon Lim, Mishka Ramirez, Manaka Yamakawa, Siwon Lee and Rana Takada.

• Gustavo Tagliabue, Luca Gallione, Simeon Hristov, Omar Alduaij, Seth Bryant Aborot, Karl Murr, Zaid Basbous, Gabriel Figueroa, Houssam Sakni, Hamza AbdElHady, Hussein Ayaad, Platon Nikolaev and Juliane Dizor.

Our next scheduled swim meet for the Secondary team will be  on Tuesday 6th of February @ GAA pool. 

Well done Swimmers, way to go 😉.

Coach Nadia Chambers & Coach Iliana Jaltova

We are pleased to announce that we will be offering a fantastic educational opportunity for 14-18 year old students (Grades 8-12) during the Spring Break, provided by the University of Cambridge Judge Business School (CJBS).

The CJBS Personal Development Programme will be delivered in person at GEMS Cambridge International School Abu Dhabi from Monday to Friday, 1-5 April. This Programme has been hosted several times by GEMS schools in Dubai and Qatar, but this will be the first time that CJBS has held a Programme in Abu Dhabi.

Please read the brochure for more information. To express interest, parents are invited to complete the short form by Monday 5th February. Places are limited and will be offered on a first-come first-served basis according to the receipt of full payment. The first 5 places will be discounted by 20%.

https://forms.gle/xECMPXTT8QXx99TLA 

Since 2017, CJBS has been giving pre-university students around the world a head start in developing the skills that are essential to leading successful academic, professional and personal lives. These Programmes are in no way limited to those interested in business-related degrees or careers. The Key Skills that students develop through their participation are integral to achieving their goals, whether they are aspiring to careers in law, medicine, finance, or anything else.

Students who complete the Personal Development Programme in Spring will also receive priority access to the CJBS Summer Programme, which is held in Cambridge each year.

Contact: Email Danny Kerrigan, CJBS Youth Programmes Director, with any queries (danny@cjbsyouthprogrammes.co.uk) 

SCHOOL TRAFFIC COURTESY

DO'S

• Please be mindful of UAE Traffic Laws (UAE Government Website and LIST OF TRAFFIC OFFENCES AND VIOLATIONS)

• Please exercise Culture of Kindness towards your Community members.

• Be attentive and follow the guidance of our staff members! You will see them directing traffic and ensuring the safety of our students.

• Instruct your drivers to follow the pickup/dropoff guidelines and instructions of our staff members.

• Park in designated parking spaces.

• Please continue forward in the pick-up lane if the car in front of you has picked up his/her child and is exiting. Do not stop midway – continue forward to allow cars lining behind you to enter parking.

• Keep the sidewalks and crosswalks clear.

DON'TS

• Do not double park.

• Do not exit your car if waiting in pick up lane.

• Do not park on the sidewalks (red-bricked areas near back gates) – this is in violation of UAE Traffic Rules.

• Do not drop off or pick up students from the Main Road. For the safety of your children and to avoid traffic congestion, PLEASE DROP OFF AND PICK UP FROM DESIGNATED SCHOOL GATES.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• If you arrive early to park in designated areas within school parking, please be mindful that you may find it difficult to exit immediately after pick up, as transiting cars may be blocking your way. We recommend to arrive during dismissal time. Alternatively, please park in designated parking areas in public roads (for example, after Beverly Cakes pastry shop, on Al Mutaabid Street, or Al Waqaa street).

• Carpool when possible

• Consider using school bus service

• Weather permitting, consider using bikes or walk, if living near school. 

PARKING ENTRY/EXIT PROCEDURE

• We have assigned 2 entry points and 1 exit point in the back parking area (see attached map). NO EXIT IS ALLOWED THROUGH DESIGNATED ENTRY POINTS.

• To enter the back parking area, please use one of the entry points indicated in the map. The 1st entry point is near tennis courts (in front of SmileRite), the 2nd entry point is through Bus parking. If the 1st entry is full, please continue forward on the main street towards the 2nd entry (through the Bus Parking). 

• Please continue forward in the pick-up lane if the car in front of you has picked up his/her child and is exiting. Do not stop midway – continue forward to allow cars lining behind you to enter parking.

• Exit from center (EXIT ONLY POINT) as indicated in the map. Please use common courtesy and Culture of Kindness when exiting from parking and follow our staff members’ directions.

• Students exiting from the back gates will be waiting in the designated waiting areas to be picked up. Please make sure you discuss the pick up timing with your child before school.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• If you arrive early to park in designated areas within school parking, please be mindful that you may find it difficult to exit immediately after pick up, as transiting cars may be blocking your way. We recommend to arrive during dismissal time. Alternatively, please park in designated parking areas in public roads (for example, after Beverly Cakes pastry shop, on Al Mutaabid Street, or Al Waqaa street).

• Carpool when possible

• Consider using school bus service

• Weather permitting, consider using bikes or walk, if living near school. 

• January 24: Student/Parent Course Info Meetings, for rising Grade 12: 2:00pm and 6:30pm

• January 24: Student/Parent Course Info Meetings, for rising Grade 8: 8:00am

• January 22-25: GAAPA Used Book Fair 3:00pm @Main Lobby

• January 25-26: Elementary Theater Production "Disney's Moana Jr." Tickets sold in Main Lobby during dismissal

• January 26: Parent Coffee Morning for Grade 7 and 11 parents about 2024-2025 courses: 7:45am @GAAPA Room

• January 26: Pizza and Popsicle Day by GAAPA and Booster Club. Dress Down Day for All grades. Them "Support a Cause or Passion"

• January 31: Student/Parent Course Info Meetings, for rising Grade 10: 1:35pm and 6:30pm

• February 2: Parent Coffee Morning for Grade 9 parents about 2024-2025 courses: 7:45am @GAAPA Room 

• February 3: TEDxYouth "Breaking Borders - Redefining Life" @1:00pm (tickets sold in Snack Shack)

• February 7: Student/Parent Course Info Meetings, for rising Grade 9: 08:00am and 6:30pm 

• February 9: Parent Coffee Morning for Grade 8 parents about 2024-2025 courses: 7:45am @GAAPA Room