Greetings GAA Community,

I hope everyone is healthy out there as we move into yet another phase of the pandemic story here in Abu Dhabi. As you have heard by now, students in KG to Grade 5 are being welcomed back to campus this coming Monday, January 24. While the last few weeks have been full of meaningful learning from home, we are very excited to have the children back with us on campus. We hope you share this sentiment.

We are dedicated to continuing our excellent record of following Health and Safety guidelines provided by the Department of Health, ADEK, and GEMS. Our staff remains vigilant in ensuring students understand the importance of social distancing and routines like frequently washing one’s hands with soap and water. Please be assured that we are caring for your children just as you do when they are with you and your family.

I sent an email the other day and hope that everyone had a chance to read it. Here are the highlights:

• Please help us by having a printed copy of their valid 96 hours test results for entrance to the school. Emails to teachers will not be accepted.

• Please have students at school in time to hear the National Anthem in their classroom by 7:45 to avoid ‘late status’

• If you cannot send your child to school next week, please complete this form so we can better understand your needs and support you: Distance Learning Application

Please complete this by Sunday evening as the form will close then.

As some children will not be able to return yet, some asynchronous learning engagements will be posted on SeeSaw and a daily live check-in as our teachers are working full time with classes all day that are mostly full of students. Please be on the lookout for further updates and communication from your child’s teachers.

We have a number of wonderful opportunities for children planned- Sports Day, Elementary Musical, and of course the Grade 5 PYP Exhibition. We are optimistic that we will be able to finish the school year on campus and be able to celebrate the GAA community’s resilience in person.

As always, thank you for your support during both ‘normal’ and challenging times.

Sincerely,

Mike Hopaluk

Elementary Principal

Hello GAA Community,

After a long three weeks of distance learning, we are so excited to return to in person lessons. Grade 1 is starting a new Unit of Inquiry with the central idea: Making informed choices leads to a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

As part of this unit, students will inquire into how to make healthy choices and will research into healthy sleep, hygiene, exercise, food and mindfulness. The grade 1 teachers are hoping to have some experts come and speak to the students. They are looking for dentists, doctors, yoga/meditation instructors, sleep scientists or dietitians to speak either in person or over zoom to the students about their area of expertise. If you are in a related career and would like to be an expert for grade 1, please email me at t.pulci_gaa@gemsedu.com

Thanks for your help!

• January 24: KG-Grade 5 and Grades 10-12 Physical Return To School

• January 31: All grades return to face-to-face learning

• February 4: Elementary School Report cards sent by email.

• February 7-8: Absentees and New Joiners official school photoshoot by Stu Williamson