Dear GAA Families,

As we reach the end of this school year, I want to extend my gratitude for your dedication to your child’s educational journey. It has been a pleasure to support you and witness their growth and achievements.

This year we made significant progress in enhancing our academic programs by identifying academic needs to improve literacy and numeracy skills and introduce the AP curriculum to complement our existing American and IB offerings. We solidified the structure and goals of our SEN programs and developed our team of Inclusion Specialists. Our focus on wellness and student-centeredness was unwavering. We continued to support students social/emotional growth and offered a wide range of diverse athletic, artistic, and club activities. The musical performances and school musical theater productions, at all levels, were once again a highlight.

Moving forward, we will continue to refine our academic programs, emphasize student well-being, and foster a supportive and inclusive environment. My goal is that each student becomes a contributing member of our GAA community, both in and out of the classroom, and in doing so continues to develop their skills and confidence.

As we prepare for next year, I ask those who have not yet re-enrolled to do so as soon as possible. We are in the process of creating student schedules and class lists, and timely re-enrollment ensures a space and a smooth transition.

In this last edition of the GAAzette, I wish you all and enjoyable summer break with your family and friends. Stay active, engaged in learning, and focused on personal growth. Remember, we will be here throughout the summer if you need assistance as we prepare for SY 24-25.

Thank you, and once again, have a wonderful summer!

Warm regards,

Robert Rinaldo

May 30 - Grade 12 Graduation Ceremony Photos (only accessible through student's school gmail account)

June 10 - KG2 A & KG2 E Promotion Ceremony Photos

June 10 - KG2 A & E Promotion Ceremony Video

June 11 - KG2 B, C, D Promotion Ceremony Photos

June 11 - KG2 B, C, D Promotion Ceremony Video

June 12 - Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony Photos

June 12 - Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony Video

June 13 - Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony Photos

June 13 - Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony Video

Offices will remain open during Summer Break from Monday to Thursday between 08:00-14:00 and Fridays 08:00-13:00. 

Dear GAA Parents,

What a fantastic school year we experienced!

As the academic year draws closer, I want to reflect on our incredible journey. It has been a remarkable year filled with growth, accomplishments, and cherished memories.

First and foremost, I want to express my appreciation for your unwavering support and trust in our school. Your partnership has been instrumental in creating a nurturing and inspiring environment for our students. We have nurtured young minds, encouraged their curiosity, and watched them flourish into confident individuals.

This year has presented us with unique challenges, and I am immensely proud of how our school community rallied together. We adapted to new learning models, overcame obstacles, and demonstrated remarkable resilience. Our dedicated teachers and staff worked tirelessly to provide quality education, ensuring our students' academic progress remained uninterrupted.

Beyond academics, we also celebrated a wide range of achievements. Our students participated in various extracurricular activities, displaying their talents in sports, arts, music, and community service. Their commitment and passion have been truly inspiring, a testament to their well-rounded development.

Furthermore, our school community actively engaged in initiatives to foster a sense of empathy and social responsibility. Through fundraisers, outreach programs, and awareness campaigns, we instilled in our students the importance of making a positive difference in the world around them. Their acts of kindness and compassion will have a lasting impact on their lives and the lives of others.

As we bid farewell to the academic year, I want to express my deepest gratitude to our exceptional teaching staff. Their dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to each student's success are the foundation of our school's excellence. I am privileged to work alongside such talented educators who go above and beyond to ignite a love for learning in our students.

Finally, I want to acknowledge our graduating students and their families. This marks an important milestone in their lives, and I am confident they are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values to embrace their future endeavors. I wish them every success in their future academic pursuits and personal growth.

As we break for the summer, I encourage you to relax, rejuvenate, and create lasting memories with your loved ones. We eagerly anticipate welcoming you back for the next academic year, where new opportunities and exciting adventures await us all.

Once again, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your support, partnership, and commitment to our school's vision. Together, we have nurtured a vibrant community of learners, and I am honored to be part of this journey.

We wish you all a safe, joyous, and restful summer break.

Eid Mubarak!

Sincerely,

Deputy Head of School

Samah Awad

Dear GEMS American Academy Community,

As I reflect on the past nine years, my heart is filled with gratitude and joy. My journey at GEMS American Academy began as as a Physical Education teacher and then took several different avenues from Science teacher to Standards-Based Learning Instructional coach, and now, the K-12 Director of Curriculum and Instruction. The experiences, memories, opportunities for growth, and relationships forged here have profoundly shaped my professional life.

Our daughters have thrived within these walls, blossoming into confident, curious, and compassionate individuals. They have enjoyed every moment, from their first steps into the classroom to the friendships that will last a lifetime. The nurturing environment and the dedication of their teachers have played a pivotal role in their growth.

I must also acknowledge my wife, Kristine, who has been an integral part of this community. As the Librarian of the Year, her passion for literature and her commitment to fostering a love for reading have left an indelible mark on students, parents, and staff alike. Her creativity and enthusiasm have made the library a vibrant and inviting space for all.

As a family, we have cherished our time at GEMS American Academy. The camaraderie, the spirit of collaboration, and the unwavering support from the school community have made our journey here unforgettable. We have shared countless moments of joy, triumph, and learning together.

However, life is a series of chapters, and it is now time for us to embark on a new adventure. We are excited about the opportunities that await us in Singapore. We bid farewell to a community that has become our second family. We are filled with anticipation for the experiences and growth that lie ahead in this new chapter of our lives.

We leave with hearts full of gratitude and memories that will forever be cherished. Thank you for the unwavering support, the friendships, and the countless moments that have made our time here so special. GEMS American Academy will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Wishing everyone continued success, happiness, and growth.

Justin Kirby

K-12 Curriculum Director

As the 2023-2024 school year reaches to an end, we reflect on the achievements and community spirit we've fostered together. This year has been marked by events that brought our community closer and showcased our strong GAA spirit. We've also played a pivotal role in supporting various school events, thanks to the dedication and assistance of our volunteers.

A heartfelt "thank you" goes out to all volunteers who generously gave their time and effort throughout the year. Your support has been invaluable and has made everything possible.

We extend a special appreciation to the outgoing board members, particularly Flore and Kausar, who have served as co-chairs over the past two years. Their leadership and dedication have set a solid foundation for GAAPA.

We are excited to announce the new GAAPA team, led by Rihab and Bothayna, who are already hard at work preparing an exciting events calendar for the upcoming 2024-2025 year.

Stay tuned for more updates and have a wonderful summer break!

At GEMS Education, we see it as our duty to provide every child with the best education possible. Our parent community are our best advocates and the Ambassador Programme is our way of saying thanks for playing an active role in our success. Introduce a new family or friend to the GEMS community and earn back 4% of the referred child’s annual tuition fee in the form of GEMS Points which will be redeemable against school fees or transport fees.

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

Exciting News!

PARENT ID AND LANYARDS

Gentle reminder to wear your Parent IDs with yellow lanyards when entering school premises.

• If you have ordered new IDs and received confirmation that they are ready, please remember to collect from Main Reception.

• If you have not received your Parent ID yet, please email your photo to pre_gaa@gemsedu.com  as soon as possible.

• If you have received your Parent ID before August 1, please visit Main Reception to reprint the new scannable ID and replace your lanyard.

While on campus parents and guardians are to wear the new GAA yellow lanyard. If lanyard is not worn, we kindly request you to register as a guest before entering the campus. This is to ensure that every adult in school is identified clearly for the safety and security of everyone on campus. 

• June 24 - GAA Got Talent!

• June 28 - LAST DAY OF 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR

• August 26 - FIRST DAY OF 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR