Dear GAA Community,

Please view the video below to get information on:

• Re-enrollment

• Communication Survey

• “The Big One- Oh!”

• READING!!!

• Celebrating the IB Learner Profile

• Weekend Obstacle Course

• Spirit Days

• Jewels of Kindness

Mike Hopaluk

Elementary Principal

email: esprincipal_gaa@gemsedu.com

10 Questions to Ask Children About Their Day at School

It is very common for parents to find that their children are reluctant to speak in detail about their experiences of their day at school. As children develop it is important for them to maintain a certain sense of individual ownership of their time at school. The trick is to ask about things that are specific, but still open-ended. Move beyond questions that can be answered with, "fine" and "nothing", by asking your children to describe her world. It's also great to start the conversation by sharing an anecdote from your own day. Instead of simply asking ‘how was school today?’ it can help students to engage in conversation by asking some more specific, thought provoking questions such as the ones below;

1. Tell me about the best part of your day.

2. What was the hardest/easiest thing you had to do today?

3. Did anything funny happen today?

4. Tell me about something you read/watched/talked about in class today.

5. Who did you play with today? What did you play?

6. Tell me about something interesting your teacher did/said today.

7. What is different from last week to this week, what might you do next week?

8. What rules are different at school than our rules at home? Do you think they're fair?

9. Is there anything you would have done differently today?

10. Can you show me something you learned (or did) today?

Joe Aldus

Lower Elementary Vice Principal

We are having lots of fun learning and exploring in grade 1C! We started inquiring into our new Unit of Inquiry: How We Organize Ourselves. In this unit, we are learning all about communities. We began by creating maps to show our understanding of people and places in our community. The students have been busy since then inquiring into why we live in communities and the various important roles and jobs that are needed in a community. We soon will start to learn how the members of communities all depend on each other. Take a look to see the students aspire to be in the future in their community!

Grades 3-5 students have been enjoying the change of scenery by getting out of their classrooms and participating in various activities both outdoors and indoors during PE. The students have been focusing on skill development in a variety of activities that incorporate a racquet or ball. This year, our focus in PE has been to get up and move! It is always the highlight of their day to step away from their desk and move a bit more freely in open spaces.

Amna Shaheen Al Nuaimi is a second grade student at GEMS American Academy School Abu Dhabi.

Her giving is broad and her distinction is wonderful. She transcends her constant ambition and rises to glory with her perseverance and diligence. Amna Shaheen was distinguished in the Arabic language, where she participated in several competitions, including the Arab Reading Challenge competition, where she reached the final stages. She also excelled in her participation, Challenge GEMS - read – in - Arabic, where she completed all the challenges and received many certificates of appreciation.

Amna Shaheen won first place at the level of the students of the second grade in reading one hundred and forty stories in Arabic from the Asafeer platform.

Amna's creative writing has always been distinguished by her interesting themes and the coherence of her beautiful vocabulary.

We wish you more excellence and lasting excellence.

This year’s PYP Exhibition is kicking off next week with a bang! To provoke students’ curiosities and passions, and to inspire learning, we have several international experts as guest speakers lined up that will share their experiences with us live on Zoom, and through video recordings throughout the week. We are so looking forward to having this unique opportunity to connect with passionate people who have created positive change in the world!

This has been an impactful learning experience for us all! Here are some key word reflections shared by the Grade 5 MUN Club Members after the Conference:

• “Professional”

• “Presenting”

• “Fun”

• “Less Nervous”

• “Surprised ourselves”

• “Confident”

• “Ready, prepared, knowledgeable”

• “Collaboration”

• “Proud”

• “Cooperation”

• “Perspectives”

Thank you for the opportunity to learn alongside you, grade 5’s!

Mrs. Elissa and Ms. Heather

Hello Wildcats!

Would you like to participate and get challenged in Abu Dhabi’s No:1 outdoor fitness park? Mr. Rashleigh and Ms. Iliana would like to invite you to compete with your classmates on an exciting obstacle course at OCR Park on Hudayriat Island.

Date/Time:

• Thursday, 25th of March; Gr.9-10 from 4:00-6:00 p.m and Gr.11-12 with Faculty from 6:00-8:00 p.m

• Friday, 26th March students aged 5-10 from 10:00am to 12:00pm.

• Friday, 26th March Middle School students Gr.6-8 from 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Please make sure you come on time for your session.

Location:

• Hudayriat Island. Check the location map, attached on the flyer.

Cost for the event:

• 100aed. per person. Last day for online payment is on Monday 22nd of March.

Awards:

• Top 5 students from each HS/MS division will receive Wildcats spirit gift.

Waiver:

• A signed waiver must be submitted prior to entry.

What do you need to Do to participate?

• fill in the registration form, attached on the flyer. In the notes section add your grade level and date of birth.

• sign and submit the waiver form.

• pay online the 100dhs participation fees not later than Monday 22nd of March.

All students are advised to wear comfortable clothing, follow social distancing guidelines and bring water.

Food and beverages will be available on site for purchase.

Everything you need to know about this great sporting opportunity is through this link.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Iliana Jaltova @ i.jaltova_gaa@gemsedu.com or Mr. David Rashleigh @ d.rashleigh_gaa@gemsedu.com

We look forward to seeing you there.

Let’s Go Wildcats!

Please click below link for presentation by our SST about Dyslexia (Part 3).

• March 25 - Spirit Week Dress Down Day. Half-day: school dismisses at 12:00.

• March 25 - Elementary Zoomsical "The Big One-Oh" @6:00pm Youtube

• March 28 - April 13 - Spring Break

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE GAA EVENTS CALENDAR

(please note, updated regularly)

HSBC and Nextgen are looking for an idea or initiative that will help to solve some of our largest problems and help with the build back in a world impacted by COVID-19.

• This is open to all UAE residents aged 10-14 years of age.

• Students need to register on the Nextgen10 website by 28 March.

• Once students register they will be able to complete the following:

• Get the parent consent signature.

• Fill in the template for their idea.

• Upload a 60 second video outlining their idea.

• Wait to see if they made it into the top 50 semi-finalists.

Students can email l.thatcher_gaa@gemsedu.com if they have any questions about the initiative.

Here is the video explaining the process.