Counselor Corner

News from our Secondary Counselors

Yvette Cuenco

Middle School Counsellor

(grades 6-8)

Kimyanna Bradford

High School Counsellor

(student last names A-D)

Lynn Brown

High School Counsellor

(student last names E-Z)

Greetings from the GAA Counseling Team,

In an effort to stay connected during our distance learning time, we are offering virtual counseling sessions/parent meetings from 8:00-3:00 PM Sunday to Thursday. Please email your counselor to book an appointment. The meeting platform we use is Google Hangouts. Students will need to login using their GAA email address. For parents and students who request meetings - counselors will send a Hangouts invitation to join the meeting.

Ms. Bradford, HS Counselor (Last names A-D) - k.bradford_gaa@gemsedu.com
Ms. Brown, HS Counselor (Last names E-Z) - l.brown2_gaa@gemsedu.com
Ms. Cuenco, MS Counselor - y.cuenco_gaa@gemsedu.com

We look forward to working with you!

Message from High School Counsellor, Ms. Lynn Brown

Dear High School Students,

If someone asks you what you learned this year, you can say perseverance, self-awareness, inner strength, the importance of mental health, and the list goes on! You should be proud of yourselves and what you have accomplished. Whether you were in grade 9 and exploring what it means to be in high school, or an IB student finishing 12 years of education by driving through the GAA parking lot where your teachers smile and wave to you ‘while keeping a safe distance’. This is a year that will go down in the memory books.

Class of 2020: It was a pleasure getting to know you, and supporting you in your pursuit of your next steps towards adulthood. I wish you all the best!

Class of 2021: Congratulations new Senior class….the pressure is on! Your summer tasks are numerous regarding preparing for your college applications next year, so get on the College and Career Class pages and get a head start to make your senior year transition a smooth one.

Class of 2022: Grade 11 is a pivotal time in your high school career. Enjoy your summer and come back rejuvenated and ready to be the best YOU, you can be.

Class of 2023: I hope you enjoyed some new experiences as a high school student---you survived and are no longer the youngest class! Enjoy your summer!

Stay safe and see you in September,

Ms. Brown

Class of 2020 College Acceptances

Please help us celebrate acceptances to the following institutions:

United Kingdom

Cardiff Metropolitan University
Cardiff University
Keele University
Kingston University London
London College of Fashion
London Metropolitan University
London South Bank University
Middlesex University
Newcastle University
Nottingham Trent University
Regent’s University London
Royal Holloway University of London
SOAS University of London
The University of Law
University of Aberdeen
University of Bath
University of Birmingham
University of Brighton
University of Central Lancashire
University of Dundee
University of Exeter
University of Essex
University of Glasgow
University of Kent
University of Leeds
University of Lincoln
University of Liverpool
University of Nottingham
University of Reading
University of Saint Andrews
University of Salford Manchester
University of Sheffield
University of Southampton
University of Strathclyde
University of Surrey
University of Warwick
University of Westminster

Canada

Carleton University
Dalhousie University
Mount Allison University
Simon Fraser University
University of Alberta
University of Calgary
University of Guelph
University of Guelph Humber
University of Saskatchewan
University of Toronto
Vancouver Academy of Dramatic Arts
York University

Asia

Chinese University of Hong Kong
City University of Hong Kong
Singapore University of Social Sciences
Seoul National University
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Europe

Eindhoven University of Technology
Humanitas University, Italy
KU Leuven, Belgium
Maastricht University
Palacky University, Czech Republic
University of Navarra, Spain
Tilburg University, Netherlands
Universidad Europea, Spain
University of Groningen
University of Nicosia, Cyprus
University of Twente, Netherlands

United States

Arizona State University
California State Polytechnic- Pomona
Carthage College
Central Washington University
Daytona State University
Depaul University
Fordham University
George Mason University
Houston Baptist University
Illinois Institute of Technology
Indiana University Bloomington
Kalamazoo College
Lawrence University
Michigan State University
New York University
Pacific University Oregon
Pennsylvania State University
Princeton University
Purdue University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Sam Houston State University
Savannah College of Art & Design
Syracuse University
Temple University
Texas A & M
University of Alabama
University of Arizona
University of Buffalo
University of California Davis
University of California Riverside
University of Cincinnati
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Houston
University of La Verne
University of Maryland Baltimore County
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of New Mexico
University of Texas at San Antonio
University of Virginia
University of Washington Bothell
University of Washington Seattle
Virginia Polytechnic Institute
Washington State University
Western Michigan University

Middle East

American University of Beirut
American University Cairo
American University Dubai
American University of Sharjah
Canadian University Dubai
Dubai Institute of Design & Innovation
Emirates Aviation University
German International University Egypt
Heriot-Watt University Dubai
Higher Colleges of Technology Abu Dhabi
Khalifa University
Koc University, Turkey
Middlesex University Dubai
New York University Abu Dhabi
RCSI Bahrain
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
University of South Wales Dubai
Zayed University of Abu Dhabi

Middle School - Thanks for a great school year & Summer recommendations!

I've had a wonderful time getting to know the students and families of GAA this year. I am proud of the commitment and resilience our students have demonstrated through this long period of distance learning. Below are some resources that may be helpful to you over the summer and looking ahead for the fall semester. I wish everyone a restful, fun summer and I look forward to seeing you all in September!

Kind regards,

Yvette Cuenco - GAA Middle School Counselor

Smiling Mind - Mindfulness exercises currently in practice in our Resource classes. Helpful to all students and families.

Common Sense Media - Media and technology resource to help families support children in developing healthy media and tech habits

Louvre Abu Dhabi - The Louvre will re-open on 24-June with strict social distancing protocols in place. Check out their summer programming for fun workshops/actitivites for the whole family!

Apps that Encourage Outdoor Activities - list of apps compiled by Common Sense Media that encourage students to get outside

Message from

IB Department

The class of 2020 IB Scholars will mark as part of their academic journey being part of the historic decision to not offer World Exams. This is the first time since its 1968 inception that this decision has had to be made. Although not made hastily, the IB has moved forward with developing a process by which students will still be able to earn their Diploma or Certificate. Our scholars and instructors have met the news with resilience and a commitment to excel. The IB instructors and scholars have worked with renewed purpose to make sure that the data that is submitted for scoring as a means of awarding their IB Diploma/Certificates is polished and best reflects their abilities – all while working in a virtual classroom.

I have had the opportunity to participate in some of their classes and it has been such a joy to see them exhibiting many of the IB Learner Profiles – knowledgeable, inquirers, principled, open minded and caring. Students have been advised that their work will not go in vain, the IB will score their internal assessments in a holistic manner, and have all submissions scored by IB examiners versus applying moderation from the teachers. Additional historical data from previous scoring sessions, the school’s historical data, and predicted grades will also be taken in consideration in a desire to holistically support the work that our students have completed.

Pursuing an IB curriculum was never solely about preparing for the World Exams. The pedagogical foundation for our curriculum is predicated upon real world principles as aligned in each of the disciplines plus Core of the programme. Our IB scholars continue to embrace the challenge of garnering further education to support their future university endeavors. Teachers continue to engage their scholars and make connections to real world data in their disciplines. Moving forward virtual instruction will align with further preparing scholars to study at the university level.

IB faculty and the GEMS Administration salute our IB scholars on their continued academic commitment and successes.

Monica Martin

IBDP Coordinator

email: m.martin1_gaa@gemsedu.com

Coping w/ COVID-19: Useful Tips & Resources!

Your school counselors have put together the following resources for students and parents. The wakelet will be updated regularly with useful tips and resources so please bookmark it to check back often!

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