Good afternoon MS Parents,

I hope everyone is healthy and safe as we navigate once again through the impact of Covid on our community. As you have seen online and from Mr. Rinaldo’s email, ADEK has communicated that Middle School will continue for one more week of Distance Learning (January 24th – 28th) returning to school physically on January 31st (you can read the full letter of Mr. Rinaldo in Whole School News Section of the GAAzette).

We have had a very successful return to school since the winter break, and as expected we have had families with some technical issues (Zoom Login, Google Login) and we believe all cases have been dealt with and solved. For our new families, if you have not been added to Google Classroom or are not receiving emails, please contact your child’s teacher directly and let them know. If you have any concerns with logins, sites, platforms, camera, please contact our IT Team at GAA Support support_gaa@Gemsedu.com or you may also connect to the IT Support team over MS Teams for remote assistance. They are available online between 7:30 AM- 4 PM. To join the online support, you can click on the link below and select the option to “Open Microsoft Teams.”

Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

As we progress forward for one more week of Distance Learning, our Secondary Secretary will continue to inform parents via email when their child is absent. Please note as shared in our Secondary Distance Learning Handbook, cameras and microphones are expected to be on for a student to be marked PRESENT. If a camera is off, and a student is called on and doesn’t respond, the teacher will mark the student ABSENT, and move them to the waiting room. The teacher will contact the student and parent after doing this.

If a student is late and joins class after the attendance has been taken they will be marked ABSENT. Once the class has begun however, the teacher will not stop the lesson to note who has signed on. When they have a break, the teacher can update the attendance to LATE and email home about arriving late for class. If a student is 20 minutes or more late, they will be marked as ABSENT, not LATE.

If you wish for your child to continue with Distance Learning after January 31st when we return physically to school, please click on the link HERE and you will be contacted by our secondary admin team to confirm. This form will be open from January 21st and will close at midnight on January 31st as per ADEK.

As we prepare to return to school on the 31st, please be aware that students who do not follow Covid Safety Protocols will be sent home for the safety of the community. We take student and staff safety very seriously and this not only impacts students and the staff of GAA, but you as family members.

We thank you for your flexibility and support during these challenging times.

Scott Macdonald

MS Vice Principal

Dear GAA High School Families,

We are excited to welcome students in grades 10-12 back to campus on Monday, January 24th. In anticipation of our return, please review this message in its entirety.

• Indicate your intention to continue distance learning in the DISTANCE LEARNING SURVEY.

• DP 2 students are encouraged to attend school on campus to receive intentional support in preparation for science labs, math IAs, February mocks and World Exams.

• All High school students must display GREEN STATUS on the Al Hosn app. This will allow staff to confirm that students have obtained a negative PCR and have been vaccinated. If a student does not have a phone to display the app, please provide a printout of the Green Pass status on the Al Hosn app along with 96 hour test validity. Upload your results here.

Student Expectations

All students who attend class on campus must sign and abide by the Student Code of Conduct. Failure to abide by these guidelines may result in removing students from in-person attendance. Please email the signed copy to Secondary Secretary at secsecretary_gaa@gemsedu.com

• Student Code of Conduct in English

• Student Code of Conduct in Arabic

Google Classrooms

If you have not already done so, please accept the invitation to Google Classroom from each teacher, in order to receive weekly updates. If you have accepted the invitation and you are not receiving updates, please contact your child’s teacher directly.

Upcoming Important Dates

• January 26- UCAS deadline for seniors applying to UK universities.

• January 31- end of semester 1. Report cards go home.

• Virtual Counselor Coffee- has been rescheduled for February 3rd.

• February 16- Virtual Junior Night at 5pm.

Best,

Ms. Lumpkins

Due to Distance Learning during the month of January, GAA High School Career Day has been rescheduled to Friday February 25th from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM at GEMS American Academy in Khalifa City A.

GAA students are very interested in learning about potential careers and job paths for their futures. We would like to invite you to be a speaker at our event.

As a speaker you would:

• Host one to three 30 minute Sessions that focus on your career journey and specific education required for your career. Sessions will be held through zoom.

• Interact with 15-20 high school students at a time

• Lead informative and engaging discussion in regards to your professional career path

• Ask and answer questions

If you are interested in being a presenter, but are unable to make it on that day, we would appreciate pre-recorded videos, too.

To show your interest, please fill out this Google Form by Wednesday February 9th.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, please feel free to reach out to l.massman_gaa@gemsedu.com with any questions or concerns.

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

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

• January 31: Secondary School Report cards sent by email.

• February 3: Secondary Virtual Counselor Coffee at 10am.

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

• February 16: Virtual Junior Night at 5pm.