Dear GAA Families,

I hope this message finds you all well as we settle into the New Year and second semester.

I want to share several announcements of coming events and provide updates on other school-wide topics of community importance.

• During the week of February 6-9, 2023, we will have on campus two representatives from our school accrediting agencies - The Council of International School (CIS) and The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The representatives will be conducting a pre-accreditation site visit as we begin preparations for next year’s February 25-28, 2024 CIS/NEASC/IB Accreditation Evaluation. Their agenda will include classroom visits and meetings with faculty members from each school division, the administration team, GEMS Corporate members, student leaders, and parents. 

Accreditation is a process by which schools are evaluated on a set of standards to ensure that we are providing the best possible education for our students. The pre-visit is an opportunity to showcase the excellent work that is happening in our classrooms, as well as to receive feedback on areas where we can improve leading up to February 2024.

• A second major announcement is the decision to modify the school uniform beginning next school year. We will move from the traditional shirt and tie to a polo shirt design. We believe that this change will create a more cohesive and unified look for our students, and will also be more comfortable for them to wear on a daily basis. From student feedback, this will improve the overall satisfaction with the uniform. Also, we will have different color schemes to differentiate our Elementary, Middle, and High School students. We know that uniforms can be a contentious issue, but we believe this change will have a positive impact on our school community. Families will have the option to use the old style for one year as we transition to the new uniform over the course of the 2023-24 school year.

• In addition to the pre-accreditation visit and uniform message, I am excited to announce two upcoming arts and athletic events. The two main events scheduled for the end of this month and early next month include the Elementary Musical Production of Aladdin Junior. Performance dates are Thursday, January 26 and Friday, January 27, at 6:30 pm in the GAA Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now in the Elementary School Office for DHS. 20. A second major event to be hosted by GAA is the Near East School Activities Conference (NESAC) Junior Varsity Boys and Girls Soccer tournament. Tournament dates are February 2-4, with games to be played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium and on our GAA field. The game schedule will be shared soon.

• Lastly, please take note of an important end of year school calendar change. We have received word that the Arafat and EID Al Adha Holidays have been confirmed for June 27-29, 2023. Due to this announcement, our last day of school has been moved from June 30 to June 26, 2023.  

I am grateful for the partnership that we continue to form with our parent community. Your involvement and engagement play a crucial role in forming a positive and successful learning environment. Thank you for your continued support. 

Regards,

Robert Rinaldo

Head of School

Dear GAA Families, 

We will hold a Lockdown Drill for the school at 09:30 am on Thursday morning, January 26th.

• What is a lockdown drill?  A Lockdown is a safety procedure that many schools in the UAE and beyond practice routinely. We practice this drill once per year, as a routine. 

• Why have this drill?  It’s a good idea to prepare a school to handle different situations.

Just like a fire drill, the adults in the building learn how to organize students and teach everyone how to be quiet and out of sight. 

We calmly and routinely conduct this drill to practice being quiet and out of sight.

The drill should take about 5 minutes.

Check out what GAA Wildcats have been up to outside school and join us in congratulating them!

• Nabil El Tawil Tennis achievements

• Hind and Mahra Aljneibi Tawajod Run

• Rama Hashem Amazing Art

• GAA Operation Smile Donation - GAA Operation Smile Team raised 1025AED at the Fall Festival for Operation Smile, this will cover the cost of one operation and a little extra. Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/operationsmile_gaa/ 

• January 23-27: Middle School Spirit Week

• January 25: International Food Festival Planning meeting @1:00, GAA Planetarium

• January 26: Parent Information Session - Reports at a Glance (Grades 6-12) @10:00, GAA Planetarium

• January 26-27: Aladdin Elementary Musical at GAA Auditorium @6-8pm

• January 27: Elementary Dress Down Day

• January 27: GAAPA Used Uniform Sale

• January 27: Pizza Day by GAAPA

• February 1: Learn About High School at GAA @1:30 Auditorium (For Grade 8 Students and Parents)

• February 2: Career and University Preparation Session @2:00pm Auditorium (for Grade 11 parents)

• February 1-5: NESAC Championship @GAA

• February 4-5: ADEK Cup

• February 8: Learn About Middle School at GAA @8:00 Auditorium (For Grade 5 Parents)

• February 8-9: GAA High School Musical @6:00pm Auditorium

• February 8-9: Stu Williamson Official School Photoshoot (for new joiners and students who missed previous photoshoots)

• February 8-10: Elementary Sports Days

• February 8-12: NESAC Championship in Qatar

• February 13-14: Mid-term break (no school)

• February 15: Learn About IB Diploma and GAA Diploma Pathways @1:30 Gym (for Grade 10 Students and Parents)

• February 22: Course Sign-ups for Grades 7-8 @8:00 Auditorium (Grades 6-7 Parents)

• February 22: Course Sign-ups for Grade 10 @2:00 Auditorium (Grade 9 Parents)

• February 25: International Food Festival