Dear GAA Families,

Welcome back to the second semester at GEMS American Academy! We hope your break was restful and joyful with family and friends. As we begin the new term, I invite everyone to take advantage of the opportunities for our students. Let’s continue to encourage and support a love of learning and help students develop their interests and find their passions. Our 2nd sports season is already underway, and soon we will announce sign-up for the next session of after-school activities. 

There are a couple of upcoming activities that will showcase the talent of our students. 

• The first is the GAA TEDx event scheduled for January 20th. The event is organized entirely by students allowing for the opportunity to develop and share their ideas with each other and our community. 

• At the end of the month January 25th and 26th we are looking forward to the Elementary School Musical theater production of Moana. Please come and support our students. 

As we move into the 2nd semester let’s continue to foster a supportive community, work diligently, and make the most of the rest of the school year. Together, we will create memorable experiences and ensure a successful academic journey for our students.

Warm Regards,

Robert Rinaldo

Dear GAA Parents,

I trust this message finds you well and filled with the same enthusiasm that permeated the halls of our school during this first week after the New Year. As we reflect on the past few days, I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your continued support and the positive energy you have infused into our school community.

The excitement of a fresh start and the promise of new opportunities were palpable throughout the week. Our students returned with renewed purpose, ready to tackle challenges, learn, and grow. Your involvement, encouragement, and commitment to your child's education were pivotal in making this week successful.

It is heartening to witness the strong partnership between our dedicated educators and the families of our students. We form a united front, working towards providing a nurturing and enriching learning environment. Your active engagement, whether attending parent-teacher meetings, supporting school events, or simply being present in your child's educational journey, contributes significantly to their overall success.

As we move forward into the rest of the academic year, let us carry forward the positive momentum built during this first week. Please encourage your children to maintain the same dedication, curiosity, and resilience they displayed in the initial days. Celebrate their achievements, both big and small, and reassure them that the learning journey is as important as the destination.

Remember that open communication between home and school is critical in our collective efforts to support the students. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions, concerns, or suggestions. We are here to work collaboratively with you to ensure the best possible educational experience for your child.

Thank you again for entrusting us with the privilege of shaping your child's future. Together, we will continue to foster an environment where every student can thrive and reach their full potential.

I wish you and your family a year filled with joy, learning, and remarkable achievements.

Warm regards,

Samah Awad

Deputy Head of School

Navigating the Path to Success After Winter Break

Dear GEMS American Academy Community,

Welcome back! I hope you’ve had a rejuvenating winter break filled with joy and relaxation. As we dive into 2024, it's time to rekindle the spirit of structured learning and set the stage for success. Many of us make new year resolutions so the start of a new year is an excellent opportunity to reinforce positive habits, and this article is dedicated to helping our students return with a renewed focus on two specific approaches to learning; self-management and organization.

✅Self-Management: A Personal Journey to Success

Goal Setting

Encourage your child to set realistic and achievable goals for the semester. These goals could be academic, personal, or extracurricular. Having a clear vision of what they want to accomplish helps students stay motivated and focused.

Time Management

Teach the importance of effective time management. Help your child create a schedule that includes dedicated study time, breaks, and extracurricular activities. Balancing responsibilities fosters a sense of accomplishment and reduces stress.

Reflect and Adapt

Encourage self-reflection. Ask your child to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses from the previous year. What worked well? What could be improved? Learning from past experiences empowers students to adapt and refine their strategies for success.

✅Organization: The Key to a Smooth Academic Journey

Planner Utilization

Emphasize the importance of using planners. A well-maintained planner helps students keep track of assignments, deadlines, and important events. Encourage them to review and update it regularly to stay organized.

Tidy Workspace

A clean and organized study space promotes concentration and productivity. Help your child declutter their study area, ensuring all necessary materials are within reach. This simple step can make a significant difference in focus and efficiency.

✅School Support: Partnering for Success

Teacher Collaboration

Encourage open communication between your child and their teachers. Teachers are here to help guide and support the learning process. Regular communication ensures that everyone is on the same page, and potential challenges can be addressed promptly. As a parent, please ensure that you are reaching out directly to your child’s teacher should you have questions or concerns.

As we embark on this new semester, let's work together to cultivate a culture of self-management and organization at GEMS American Academy. By instilling these crucial skills, we empower our students to navigate their academic journey with confidence, resilience, and a love for learning.

Wishing everyone a successful and fulfilling year ahead!

Justin Kirby

K-12 Director of Curriculum and Instruction

GAA Wildcats did not waste Winter Break! Kudos to these some awesome students:

LOST AND FOUND

Please visit our Lost and Found sections from Monday through Thursday between 7:30AM to 4:30PM and Fridays 7:30 - 12:00 (except on public holidays) to retrieve your child's lost items:

• On the way to Clinic: all clothing items, lunch bags, books, folders, water bottles, etc

• Main reception: all valuables, such as, phones, headphones, airpods, ipads, jewellry, wallets, etc.

Any unclaimed items will be donated to charity.

Please label all clothing items of your child.

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 13, 20, 27: Grade 12 Cap and Gown Photoshoot

• January 15-26: Healthy Lifestyle Initiative by Manchester City for Grade 1-5 students

• January 17: Student/Parent Course Info Meetings, for rising Grade 11: 1:35pm and 6:30pm

• January 18: Student/Parent Course Info Meetings, for rising Grade 7: 8:00am

• January 19: Parent Coffee Morning for Grade 6 and 10 parents about 2024-2025 courses: 7:45am @GAAPA Room

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

• 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."

• 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.