Greetings GAA Community,

It is hard to believe that we are already a third of the way through June. This is a busy time every school year, and this year is no exception. With only three weeks left in the school year, there is still a lot to be accomplished in all our classes.

Finishing the Year

Teachers in Kindergarten to Grade 5 are extremely busy with end-of-year assessments (MAPS, Reading Running Records, and other internal unit projects) that will help them inform grading and comments for the end-of-year report card.

Please be reminded that it is extremely important for your child to arrive at school, on time, every day (even on half-day Fridays) as we continue to learn and assess until the end of the school year.

Jewels of Kindness

I would also like to invite parents one last time to help us recognize the kind acts your children are engaged with outside of school. If you would like to share with us how your child has been kind, please complete the following form so we can pass on our Jewels of Kindness recognitions.

Kindness at Home Form

Parent Workshop

Please see the below brochure outlining a great opportunity for parents to better understand Child Safety and Injury Protection. It will be held at GAA on June 20th. This is a great opportunity to continue our parenting skills and awareness.

Curiosity with Care

Transitions

Finally, as an International School educator for 20 years, I know that this time can be very challenging for some children and families as they might be transitioning to new schools and/or countries, or having some very close friends doing so. It is normal for anxieties to run high and emotions to be overwhelming. Please pay special attention to your child’s and your wellbeing during this time. If you feel your child does need support to work through their feelings, we have amazing support in our counseling team and teachers- do not hesitate to contact us if you feel any extra support is needed.

Sincerely,

Mike Hopaluk

Elementary Principal

Dear Parents,

I hope you are well and as excited as I am to have the students in school again next week. This year has been a continual challenge but it seems that we are moving more into ‘normal’ school and away from strict COVID protocols. Despite this, we are in our final month and are determined to end it as strongly as we can.

As the school year draws to a close, you may be wondering how to celebrate this school year with your children. While parties and large gatherings were common ways to celebrate the end of the school year, you may not want to do these so close to your children’s summer break. It may be difficult to come up with ideas to mark this milestone, even though you wish to do so.

I would like to take this time to thank you all for the wonderful years that I and my family have enjoyed as part of the GAA community. We will be moving to Canada.

Sincerely,

John O’Neill

Upper Elementary Vice Principal

Grade 1 was able to attend our first field trip to KidZania at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi.

On this field trip, our students explored different places in a community and take on a variety of roles in the community. For example, they role played working as a firefighter, flying a plane, learning how a bank works, and taking care of infants in a hospital nursery.

One of our units this year has the central idea that Communities provide interconnected services to meet people’s needs. The KidZania experience provided a hands-on opportunity for our students to explore the key concepts of the unit. ,This field trip will helped our students see the importance of working together with others to solve problems. This experience brought to life in an engaging way the topics that we have studied, read about, and written about in this unit.

Another year is almost over! But memories will remain forever! Get your copy of 2021-2022 Yearbook from Main Reception.

• If you have pre-paid earlier this year, please show proof of payment to collect your copy.

• If you wish to buy now, please pay AED 175 at Accounts Office room 9 and collect your copy from Main Reception.

• Previous year yearbooks are also available at discounted price. Please check with Accounts office.

• June 20: Child Safety and Injury Prevention awareness lecture by SSMC and Mayo Clinic @GAA Auditorium, 08:30am

• June 27-28: PYP Exhibition

• June 30: Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony @11:00AM

• July 1: Last Day of School & Final Reports Come Out!