Dear GAA Families,

I hope this message finds you well and that you found last week’s Parent/Teacher Conferences beneficial. We understand the importance of sharing information to support your child’s learning and will continue to strive to improve our communication and collaboration with you. As educators we realize that each child is unique, with their own strengths and learning styles and it is our goal to create a learning environment that allows students to reach their own potential. Please do not hesitate throughout the remainder of the school year to reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns.

On a separate note, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our GAA Parent Association (GAAPA) for organizing the wonderful community International Food Festival. In the name of all GAA stakeholders, we appreciate the hard work and effort that went into making the event a success.

The different cuisines from around the world, cultural events, presentations, and positive energy from all participants was a pleasure to experience. It is events like these that make GEMS American Academy a special place. 

I would like to remind all members of our GAA community of the upcoming events:

• March 14-16: IB Art Exhibit

• March 15: IB Celebration Dinner for Senior IB students/parents

• March 20-21: Middle School Musical Production – The Little Mermaid

Finally, the Holy Month of Ramadan is expected to begin on Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 as per astronomical calculations of the moon cycle. Our school hours and routines during the Holy Month of Ramadan will be as follows:

Monday to Thursday: 

• Hours for students: 9:15 – 1:45pm 

Friday:

• Hours for students: 9:15 – 12:00pm 

As we approach the third term of the school year, I want to encourage you to continue to be an active part of our school community. Whether it’s volunteering with GAAPA, attending school events, or simply staying informed about what's happening at school, your involvement is always appreciated.

Together we can make our school a great place for our children to learn and grow.

Warm regards,

Robert Rinaldo

Head of School

Dear GAA Community,

As the IFF lead, I would like to take a moment and thank:

• The wonderful GAA parents who participated and made this 10th edition of IFF an epic event.

• All parents and staff who put time and effort to create amazing booths. The cultural decor and food that was on display were amazing, we are so grateful you showcased your wonderful countries with all of us. 

• All GAA Staff and Facilities for their support in order to have a smoothly-running event.

Below the link to folder with all the photos and amazing videos!

There is always room for improvement! Please let us know your thoughts by filling out this quick 5-min anonymous survey. Use the link below to access the survey bit.ly/IFF2023Survey 

Sincerely yours,

Flore Bachellerie

IFF Lead

GAAPA Co-Chair

Students of Determination Join Sports Day

Last month, GEMS American Academy opened its doors and welcomed an amazing group of students from the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Special Education (MbRC). These excited students of determination joined in with our Grade 1 students for an unforgettable Sports Day. This was a special occasion for us as we were able to help create an inclusive event that created an opportunity for the students of determination to take part in the fun activities that were prepared.

The students from MbRC were included in every aspect of the Sports Day and experienced the same level of enthusiasm and joy as the other students. They participated in activities such as a sack race, egg and spoon race, relay race, and a tug-of-war game, amongst others. Our guests also took part by wearing house colors of the teams they joined! GAA even provided house hats and wristbands for the MbRC students so they could feel even more like a Falcon, Scorpion, Fox, and Viper.

This Sports Day event was a great success and a wonderful opportunity for us to promote inclusion and acceptance of students of determination. We are so proud of our students and staff for making this event a success and for showing such kindness and respect for our guests. A very special shout out must go to our elementary PE department for all of their hard work and preparation. As someone who has run several sports days in my career, I know just how challenging it can be. Thanks again to the whole PE team!

We look forward to more opportunities to collaborate with, and support, the larger Abu Dhabi community.

Dear GAA Community,

On Tuesday, 7th of March our Wildcats competitive swimmers from Gr. 6-12 competed against Brighton College and The British International School of Abu Dhabi(BISAD) as part of ADISSA events.

Our swimmers were able to achieve over 60% new PB (personal best) times, and we have New School Swim Records for:

• Seth Bryant Aborot Junior Varsity 50m. Freestyle for 28.00sec.

• Riley Oben, Paige Oben, Janika Ramirez and Santiago De La Flor for Varsity Mix Medley Relay. 

Congratulations to all Our Swim Team for winning the 3rd place trophy:

• Noor AbdElHady,  Nihal Sakni, Sarah Vaillancourt, Tara Alameer, Tala Altrabulsi,  Norah Santana Riera, Hala Aldamasi, Victoria Luna Perez, Andrea Mahfouz, Chloe White, Jacqueline Johnson, Malak Nour, Hyeseon (Lucy) Seo, Mishka Ramirez, Manaka Yamakawa, Paige Oben, Yuseline Larrouilh, Siwon Lee, Janika Ramirez and Belicia Oleniuk. 

• Gustavo Tagliabue, Simeon Hristov, Hamdan Alobeidli, Cameron Pattison, Houssam Sakni, Hamza AbdElHady, Thaphoon Juemjarung, Mark Gavitt, Riley Oben, Platon Nikolaev and Santiago De La Flor.

Special thank you to Mr. Rinaldo, Coach Jackie Wyncoll, Coach Nadia Chambers, all volunteers, team parents, our Lifeguards, GAA support team and Ms. Maha Younes, our Booster Club President, for making this special event successful for our school.  

Well done Swimmers, way to go 😉.

Ms. Iliana Jaltova

Acquatics Director

Dear GAA Families,

If you missed any of the parent information sessions, offered in February and March, please see below links to view the recordings and presentations:

• Feb 1: Learn About High School at GAA for Grade 8 Students and Parents - For questions, please email HS Counselors (see contacts here)

• Feb 2: Career and university preparation session for Grade 11 parents

• Feb 8: Learn About Middle School at GAA (For Grade 5 Parents) - For questions, please email MS Counselor Ms. Nora Eldrageely at n.eldrageely_gaa@gemsedu.com 

• Feb 15: Learn about IB Diploma and GAA Diploma Pathways for Grade 10 Students and Parents - For questions, please email IB Coordinator Mr. John Thompson at j.thompson_gaa@gemsedu.com 

• Feb 22: Course Sign-ups for Grades 10 (for Grade 9 Parents)

• Feb 23: Parent Information Session on Artificial Intelligence and Education by Dr. Nancy Gleason of NYUAD:

  • Artificial Intelligence and Education - Part 1

  • Artificial Intelligence and Education - Part 2

  • Artificial Intelligence and Education - Part 3

  • Artificial Intelligence and Education - Part 4

• Feb 28: Course Sign Ups for Grades 7-8 (For Grades 6-7 Parents) - For questions, please email MS Counselor Ms. Nora Eldrageely at n.eldrageely_gaa@gemsedu.com 

• Mar 6-7: Parent Information Session on “Towards a healthier future – healthier food offerings for GAA students”. Here is the link to Abu Dhabi Guideline for Food Canteens in Educational Institutions.

• Mar 8: Parenting Webinar by Lighthouse Arabia "Parenting Children in the I-Generation with Dr. Daniela Salazar" 

Dear Parents, 

ESM would like to thank those parents who have already registered your children for the spring camp operating at GEMS American Academy Khalifa City.

All of our activities will be taking place indoors over the break and we are happy to inform you that aqua fun will be offered again at camp from March 27th – 7th April 2023 for children aged 4 – 12 years old. 

Please note that places are very limited, ESM will not allow walk in this spring camp – pre-registration is essential. 

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. 

Campers will take part in 4 different age-appropriate activities daily which will include the following: (some activities are venue specific depending on facilities and the number of children registered) - Football, Dodgeball, Badminton, Aqua Fun, Basketball, Martial Arts, Rounders, Fun & Games, Arts & crafts, Obstacle Courses, Mini Tennis and Musical Games.  

Below is the draft for the activities for week 1, please note that these activities may change without prior notice due to facility availability and the number of children who are registered.

REGISTRATION

• Registration and payment for the Spring Camp MUST be done online – no walk ins will be accepted. 

• All new parents will need to create an 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 20% off weekly bookings by using the discount code SPGEMS20 (discounts applicable for single transaction only and valid till the 14th of March 2023 only) AED720/week after discount.

• There will be an additional 10% siblings discount (brothers and sisters only) on weekly bookings for the second and third child. (AED630/week after discount for the 2nd and 3rd child after using discount code and siblings discount)

• Weekly and siblings discount is not valid for daily bookings and there is no discount on STS bus fees.

BUS SERVICE

• Please note that there is a BUS SERVICE available for this camp from STS but it would be for venue specific camps and the closest venue to where you live – please make sure you look at the covered areas below.

• We require the bus bookings to be done before every Tuesday afternoon 2pm for the following weeks bookings.

• Bus fees are AED250/child/week to the same pick up and drop off area.

Holiday Camp Options: 

• SCHOOL NAME: GEMS American Academy Khalifa City

• AREA THAT CAN BE COVERED: Al Reef Villas, Al Zeina, Raha Beach, Al Raha Gardens

 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

• March 13-17: High School (Grade 9-12) Spirit Week

• March 13-17: Whole School Book Week

• March 14: Book Character Day (Grades 6-12)

• March 14: IB Art Exhibition Opening

• March 15: IB Dinner for IB Scholars @ GAA

• March 17: Book Character Day (Grades PreK-Grade 5)

• March 17: Book into Movies at the GAA Planetarium from 12:30 to 3:00

• March 20: PYP Exhibition Parent Info sessions at 8 am and 2 pm in GAA Planetarium

• March 27 - April 7: SPRING BREAK (No School in session. Admin offices will remain open 9:00am - 2:00pm)

• April 10: Term 3 Starts