Thank you GAA for an incredible 6-year experience leading the growth of a developing school, known for its strong program and warm community spirit. Thank you for willingness to be a part of that journey!

From leading inspections, re-accreditations, weathering storm damage, and supporting staff through difficult times...ending the experience with a pandemic....I can say we’ve done it all together! I’m blessed to have worked with such a strong and capable team - SLT, Office Admin staff, support staff, incredible teachers and a group of tireless parent volunteers.

Thank you for your teamwork along the way and your belief in what we could build together, an amazing cultural experience and friendships and connection that will last for years to come.

Like our graduates, at some point, it’s time to move forward and begin new challenges and experiences. GAA is ready to move forward with a new Head of School to lead GAA into the next chapter.

You’ve come a long way, GAA!

I’ll remember my time fondly as I say farewell and thank you.

Kathryn Miner

Dear GAA Community,

It is with great honor and enthusiasm that I write to you as the next CEO/ Head of School of the GEMS American Academy effective August 2020. I feel privileged to be able to contribute to the GAA legacy and to advance the stated mission of, “developing global citizens who have the confidence to pursue their dreams and impact the world, in a caring international learning community offering a rigorous, relevant, and holistic education.” Having had success at leading a transformational school in Costa Rica, in which authentic, purposeful, and meaningful learning was a strategic goal, I was drawn to the GAA learning priorities of student-centered learning and innovation in a caring environment. From the moment I arrived on campus I was impressed with the sense of commitment to learning and excellence conveyed by each stakeholder group. Most impressive was the incredible kindness and talent displayed by the students.

As a believer in the benefits of a holistic education, I look forward to motivating students to take part and contribute to their school community. Throughout my career, I have encouraged student expression, self-discovery, and perseverance through participation in the arts. I have promoted balance and strongly encouraged student participation in sports, and have had the honor of witnessing character development; like winning with humility and losing with dignity, through athletic competition. I will do my best to allow for greater student opportunities, and encourage a sense of belonging through sharing and participating as members of the GAA community.

Over one hundred years ago, the educational philosopher John Dewey wrote, “The educational end and ultimate test of the value of what is learned is its use and application in carrying on and improving the life of all.” The GAA foundational documents align with this century old philosophy. Therefore, it is our responsibility to develop a spirit in students that encourages project development to improve humanity and to build structures that support personalized learning environments. In doing so, we will offer students the opportunity to have more ownership over the outcomes they are trying to achieve and identify and develop the necessary skills that will enable them to assimilate and adapt to change throughout their lives.

Achieving this ambitious mission will require an intentional effort of all members of the community. My initial work plans will be centered on building collaborative relationships, based on trust and open communication, while continuing to develop a schoolwide definition of what it means to be student-centered in our instruction and relationships.

My wife Patricia and I are extremely grateful for this wonderful opportunity and with each passing day are more excited to begin this next chapter in our lives. We look forward to living and working in a new region, learning about Emirati culture and heritage, and getting to meet all members of the GAA community.

Warm Regards,

Robert Rinaldo, Ed.S

Our 107 seniors represent GAA’s 6^th graduating class and headed to an impressive list of universities and colleges, and we present to you some of them. Not all students have made their decision, we will provide updates in the coming weeks as information is updated.

Our Admin Offices (Accounts, Admissions, Reception) will remain open during Summer Break from Sunday to Thursday between 08:00 am - 04:00 pm. Please email info_gaa@gemsedu.com prior to your visit with the details.

Safety precautions will be observed at all times, including:

• temperature check at the Security Gate

• masks and gloves to be worn at all times

• no students or children below 18 allowed in the building.

For meeting a member of Admissions Team for Transfer Certificates, report cards, re-enrollment, etc, please make sure to book an appointment by emailing:

• KG-Grade 5: h.barriga_gaa@gemsedu.com

• Grade 6-12: c.dumo_gaa@gemsedu.com

ADEK offices are still closed for on-site attestation, however they are providing online attestation services as follows:

To request for issuance and attestation of documents from eSIS, parents need to:

1. Create an account using your Emirates ID in UAE Pass Now: https://uaepassupgradewithsmartpass.government.ae/en/

2. Login to TAMM for Abu Dhabi Governmental Services https://www.tamm.abudhabi/en using your UAE Pass Now login details, and apply for a request through the website.

• Transfer Certificates: will be available to request by end of July.

• G1-12 Report Cards: available on the system, as of today.

• G1-11 Report Cards: will be available by 10-July.

Our Government Relations Executive is also available to assist parents set up the attestation request using following steps:

• Parents need to send us their Emirates ID, Parents mobile number, and their emails

• Once we are done, they will receive a message on their mobile number, to fill in their bank details and pay online.

• After that they should receive a document for the attested document.

Equivalency

G12 students can apply for equivalency electronically via MoE website. Students can follow the steps in the following link: https://www.moe.gov.ae/ar/eservices/servicecard/pages/certequivalent.aspx

If you wish to order your copy, please visit GEMS Parent Portal (or GEMS Connect app) and pay through Activities tab: Cost of 1 book: AED 175. You can also pay by credit card at Accounts office.

Previous years copies are also available at the cost of AED 75.

You can collect your copy Sunday through Thursday from 8 am to 4 pm. Please note that no children below 18 are allowed in the building.

Dear GAA Parents,

During these unprecedented times, where your home has become a classroom, playground and so much more, we have been busy preparing for the day that we welcome you back to school. While that day may seem far away, and as our teachers continue to deliver the highest quality remote learning provision, our Health and Safety experts are putting in place the support structure to enable us to return safely in September 2020.

With this in mind, and as we start allocating classes and preparing student timetables for next year, it is important we have a clear indication of which students are intending to return in September 2020.

While we fully understand that there is uncertainty about the year ahead, we would like to know of your intentions for the next academic year. Please be assured, in case your circumstances change and you leave the UAE, the re-registration deposit will be fully refunded. Alternatively, should you remain in the UAE and transfer to another GEMS school, the re-registration deposit will be transferred as well.

If you are unable to indicate your child’s re-enrolment and make payment before 30 June, we will assume that you will not be with us next year and will therefore offer the place to another child. After this date, a Transfer Certificate will automatically be initiated for your child.

If you have any questions, wish to discuss your individual circumstances or find out about the flexible payment options available, please do not hesitate to contact our Parent Relations Executive at pre_gaa@gemsedu.com and Registrar at registrar_gaa@gemsedu.com. A meeting with the School Principal can also be arranged if preferred.

We look forward to welcoming you back in September when our schools reopen.

In line with the Ministry of Education announcement that the new school year will begin on August 30, 2020, ADEK has begun working with the schools to consider possible reopening scenarios.

The below letters request your participation in the survey, developed to gain a deeper understanding of our families' needs. Please complete it by June 27, 2020.

The ADNOC CSR team is excited to announce free summer STEM @ HOME challenges and camps for youth ages 7-18.

• ADNOC STEM @ HOME Weekly Challenges (ongoing): Join our Facebook group, English WhatsApp Group or Arabic WhatsApp Group to receive our weekly challenges now.

• ADNOC STEM @ HOME Digital Oil Rig Challenge in Minecraft (launching end of June) and Summer Camps (12 July - 20 August): Register here.

All of our science, technology, engineering and math challenges and camps come with easy-to-use guides and can be completed using resources readily available at home.

• Use of Bank Points to pay school fees (For Emirates NBD, Citibank & ADCB customers).

• Over 60+ new offers on the app allowing parents to save from the comfort of their home

• Apple E-shop, with a curated list of Apple products & accessories for students. Offers great discounts and 8 GEMS Points for every AED 100 spent

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE GAA EVENTS CALENDAR

(please note, updated regularly)

Key Features

Active Kids allows your child to…

• View Videos: Weekly instructional content on physical activities for children by a team of experts

• Earn Points: Gain points when students record completed activities and upload related evidence

• Conduct Activities: Explore yoga, Zumba and other interesting activities that can be easily completed

• Compete with peers: Compare activities and points earned against peers through an intuitive leaderboard

How to access Active Kids?

Students in Grade 2 and above can access Active Kids <www.activekids.phoenixclassroom.com> using their existing credentials that they use to access Microsoft Teams / MyLearning / Phoenix Classroom etc.

Support

The application is intuitive with minimal external support required. If you face any difficulties logging in, please reach out to school ICT @ support@gaa-ad.freshdesk.com

To share feedback on the application, please write to activekids@gemseducation.com

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy!