Issue # 18 - June 21, 2024
The re-enrollment process for the upcoming school year is open and seats inside classrooms are closing. To ensure your child's placement and to guarantee their spot at our school, we encourage you to complete the re-enrollment process as soon as possible.
Re-enrollment is a critical step in planning for the new school year. By confirming your child's return, you help us:
Allocate appropriate resources and staff for each classroom.
Ensure a smooth transition for students and teachers.
Provide timely updates about school events and important dates.
We understand that re-enrollment season can be a busy time for families, and we appreciate your prompt attention to this important process. Should you have any questions or need assistance, our administrative staff is here to help.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We look forward to welcoming your child back for another exciting and productive school year!
Leia Kraeuter
Elementary Principal
Summer is a well-deserved break for our students and families, but engaging in educational activities is crucial to maintaining learning progress. Below are some ideas for literacy experiences that students can enjoy over the summer:
Encourage your children to dive into a variety of books this summer. Let them choose books that connect to their interests and passions. Your child can choose books to read themselves or opt for books to read with a friend or relative. If your child is bilingual or multilingual, you can look for titles in Arabic or your home language as well as English. Check out the suggestions here: https://www.startwithabook.org/
For those staying in Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Children's Library is an air-conditioned oasis with great books, art, and fun spaces to explore. Special summer programs and events are also available to keep children engaged. For those traveling, visit the local library! Many libraries have fun summer programs to encourage children to read.
Encourage your children to stay connected with friends, teachers, and family by writing postcards or emails. This helps them practice their writing skills and teaches them the value of maintaining personal connections. Sharing their summer adventures through writing can be a fun and meaningful activity.
Journaling is a wonderful way for children to reflect on their daily experiences, express their thoughts, and enhance their writing skills. It’s a great way for them to document their summer memories and practice writing regularly.
Lexia offers an interactive, personalized learning experience that helps students improve their reading skills. Students will continue to have access to Lexia over the summer through Classlink.
Unite for Literacy offers free digital picture books with narration in multiple languages. This resource is great for multilingual and bilingual students as they can enjoy listening to a book in English and their native language.
Students can review the phonics skills they learned this year by playing fun games like TicTacToe or Bingo with a friend or family member. The games can be played online or printed. You can select words from our phonics curriculum, UFLI Foundations:
KG2 - Lessons 1-68
Grade 1 - Lessons 35-98
Grade 2 and up - Lessons 35-125
By incorporating these activities into your summer plans, you can help ensure that your children have a fun, productive, and enriching break. Happy learning!
From April 22 to May 31, GAA students from KG2 to grade 5 participated in a Lexia competition. Lexia is a digital learning platform used in the primary grades to promote literacy. A winning class was selected in each grade based on which class had the most students meeting their Lexia usage goals. Additionally, individual students with the most minutes and the most completed units in each class were recognized. Congratulations to all the winners!
تأكيدًا على أهميّة اللغة العربيّة ودورها، عرض طلاب الصف الرابع مجموعة من المهارات التي تعلموها خلال السنة بلغة عربيّة صحيحة. هذا العرض يهدف إلى ترسيخ اللغة العربيّة وتعزيز دورها في الحياة اليوميّة للطلاب.
Emphasizing the importance of the Arabic language and its role, fourth-grade students showcased a range of skills they learned throughout the year in correct Arabic. This presentation aimed to reinforce the Arabic language and enhancing its role in the students' daily lives.
5F celebrated our promotion ceremony on June 12th, as it was a special occasion to celebrate the achievements and mark the beginning of a new chapter in our educational journey. We got to share the experience with families, teachers and peers. It was a bittersweet moment but we are all incredibly proud of each and every one of you for your hard work and dedication.
As you prepare for the summer break, 5F wanted to share some suggestions based on parent and student feedback from previous years.
Reading is not only a great way to relax but also an excellent way to improve your vocabulary, comprehension skills, and imagination. Here are a few book recommendations for you:
"Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling: Enter the magical world of Harry Potter and join him on his adventures at Hogwarts School of Wizardry.
"The Chronicles of Narnia" series by C.S. Lewis: Step into the wardrobe and explore the enchanting land of Narnia, where animals talk and mythical creatures roam.
"Wonder" by R.J. Palacio: Follow the inspiring story of Auggie, a boy with a facial difference, as he navigates the challenges of middle school and teaches us the power of kindness.
Mathematics is an essential skill that will continue to be important throughout your academic journey. Here are a few math activities you can enjoy during the summer:
Websites like MathPlayground.com and Coolmathgames.com offer a variety of interactive math games and puzzles.
Cooking and baking-Involve yourself in the kitchen and practice measuring ingredients, calculating cooking times, and understanding fractions. Plus, you get to enjoy delicious treats afterward!
Writing is a great way to express your thoughts, ideas, and creativity. Keeping a journal of your summer experiences, documenting the exciting activities you engage in and the places you visit.
We wish you all the best as you transition to a new chapter. Enjoy your summer, have fun, and come back refreshed and ready for an amazing year ahead!
REMINDERS:
Have you paid for your 2022-2023 yearbook and not collected? - Please get your copy from Main Reception.
Would you like to purchase past years' copies? - Still available at discounted price. Please visit Accounts office.
Dear Parents,
ESM would like to thank those of you who have already registered your children for the summer with us.
Before you know it, the ESM Summer Camps will start at GEMS American Academy – Khalifa City from the 1st July – 9th August 2024 for children aged 4 – 12 years old.
Your children will have a chance to kick back, learn something new and have some fun, while being active indoors taking part in our multi activity camp.
As parents you will have peace of mind that your child is well looked after and enjoying the camp experience.
Please note that the camp activities may change without prior notice and that groups can only take part in 5 different activities each day following the camp managers scheduled draft. You can request the daily group schedules from the camp manager via WhatsApp from the Monday onwards.
Activity schedule:
Monday - Dodgeball, Volleyball, Kids Choice, Gymnastics, Football
Tuesday - Fitness Fun, Karate, Basketball, Arts & Crafts, Volleyball
Wednesday - Fun & Games, Football, Dodgeball, Kids Choice, Gymnastics
Thursday - Relay Races, Basketball, Karate, Arts & Crafts, Kids Choice
Friday - Fitness Fun, Gymnastics, Football, Obstacle Course, Racket Sports
To view our Terms & Conditions please CLICK HERE
REGISTRATION
Registration and payment for the Summer Camp is now open and MUST be done online – no walk ins will be accepted.
All new parents are required to create a new account with us if you haven’t done so already.
Places are limited, to avoid disappointment, CLICK HERE to register.
TIMINGS
Drop off from 8.15 – 8.45am
Activities start from 9.00 – 1.30pm
Pick up from 1.30 – 1.45pm
DISCOUNT
Please do note that only online registrations and payments make you eligible for the weekly discounted rate, there are no discounts on daily bookings.
Register for a full week and receive 15% off (AED595 after discount) weekly bookings.
There will be an additional 10% (AED525 after discount) siblings discount (brothers and sisters only) on weekly bookings for the second, third and fourth child.
Weekly and siblings discount is not valid for daily bookings.
If you have any questions, please do connect with us and we’ll help you as soon as possible, for more information please email us on holidaycamp@esm.ae
Looking forward to seeing all our young campers soon.
ESM Holiday Camp Team
June 28 - LAST DAY OF 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR
August 26 - FIRST DAY OF 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR
Head of School
Robert Rinaldo, email: hos_gaa@gemsedu.com
ADMISSIONS
Registrar: registrar_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 515
Admission Secretary (GR6-GR12): c.dumo_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 603
Admission Secretary (KG-GR5): s.ramakrishnan_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 604
FINANCE
Email: finance_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 102
CLINIC
Email: nurse_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 688
Parent Relations Executive
Fatma Chabanova: pre_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 502
Government Relations Executive (for ADEK issues)
Shahd Hamdan: s.hamdan_gaa@gemsedu.com ext. 505
SLICES CATERING
Email: slicesgaa@gmail.com, ext. 566
BBT BUS TRANSPORTATION
Rameez Rasheed, email: rameez.rasheed@sts-group.com, ext. 608
GAAPA (GAA Parent Association)
email: gaa.parentsteam@gmail.com
Booster Club
email: boosterclub.gaa@gmail.com
IT
Email: support_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 666
ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES
Email: c.davies_gaa@gemsedu.com, ext. 627
Elementary Principal
Leia Kraeuter, email: l.kraeuter_gaa@gemsedu.com
Elementary Vice Principal (Gr. KG-2)
Lauren Sargent, email: l.sargent_gaa@gemsedu.com
Elementary Vice Principal (Gr. 3-5)
Douglas Sherrill, email: d.sherrill_gaa@gemsedu.com
Elementary Secretary
KG-Grade 1 Guidance Counsellor
Alison Haswell, email: a.haswell_gaa@gemsedu.com
Grades 2-5 Guidance Counsellor
Melanie Moses, email: m.moses_gaa@gemsedu.com
PYP Coordinator
Tiffany Pulci, email: t.pulci_gaa@gemsedu.com