KG & Elementary

KG SECTION FOUND IN DROP DOWN MENU

Message from our Elementary Principal,

Mr. Mike Hopaluk

Good Day GAA Community,

As you have recently heard, we start this last week of May with some unfortunate news that Grades 1 to 5 will be shifting to Distance Learning until they return to campus on Monday, May 31. We know you understand that we are following the strict guidelines of the Department of Health and ADEK.

Our continued message is that families take care in how they choose to socialize and take all precautions necessary to keep our community safe and healthy. Your attention to this is greatly appreciated.

This does not alter our plans to ensure a great end to a very interesting year of learning. Our teachers are experts in how to deliver a remote learning plan and we plan to continue with our written, taught and assessed curriculum in these grades.

I would like to share a few reminders so that you can best be prepared for the always exciting end of a school year:

June 10

As shared by our Head of School, Robert Rinaldo, we will have a half day of school, with a 12:00 pm dismissal.
We will have a half day school in-service activity to recognize the work our our outstanding teacher accomplishments.

Attendance

In school, or at home, your child’s attendance is important
Please support them in ensuring they are on time every day

Sincerely,

Mike Hopaluk

Elementary Principal

email: esprincipal_gaa@gemsedu.com

IMPORTANT! NEWS FROM ADEK

(Abu Dhabi Department for Education and Knowledge)

ADEK has requested our school to add students' GAA emails to the eSIS website (student information database). If parents object to adding their child’s email to eSIS, please inform our Government Relation Executive (GRE) Razan Maoued by May 26 at r.maoued_gaa@gemsedu.com

Message from our Elementary Vice-Principal, Mr. Joe Aldus

Support your child’s learning by giving Praise that Builds Self-Esteem

Self-esteem comes from working hard toward a goal and feeling good about it. When children see that their hard work is paying off, it helps them develop the ability to self-praise and this has a powerful impact on learning. What we say, and how we say it, can help children to recognize things that they should be proud of.

Here are some suggestions:

News from Grade 2E

Ms. Vincenza Canicatti

2E has been inquiring about patterns in nature and in the world. We explored the wonderful work of M.C. Escher a famous artist who used patterns and symmetry in his work. 2E created their own tessellations with patterns full of lines, shapes and movement using bright and vivid color schemes. We have been so excited to explore thus unit and learn about all the different ways we can find patterns all around us. We also really enjoyed using our creativity to emulate the work of M.C Escher.

News from Grade 3E

Ms. Krystle Winters

3A Stays “Connected”

Even though virtual, the 3A community stayed connected and engaged in fun and exciting activities that promoted social interactions. Scavenger Hunts, virtual picnics, wacky dress up days, bingo games and “Guess that Baby Picture” were just a few of the events that the 3A students participated in. Having themed days and ways for students to connect with each other made online learning more exciting and gave the students something to look forward to each week.

News from Lower Islamic Studies

Ms. Fareeha Saghir

يسعى قسم التّربية الإسلاميّة في المرحلة الابتدائيّة إلى ترسيخ القيم الإسلاميّة والهويّة الوطنيّة ضمن بيئة تُلهم الطّلاب وتُحفزهم على الابتكار والإبداع، ومن خلال ربط المواضيع بالحياة العمليّة واستخدام استراتيجيات حديثة في التّدريس والتّنويع في أساليب عرض الدّروس ولقد قام الطّلاب بعمل أنشطةٍ متنوعةٍ لاستقبال شهر رمضان الكريم وعيد الفطر، كما تمّ تكريم الطّلاب المتميزين في تلاوة القرآن الكريم خلال شهر رمضان.

الرّابط في الأسفل يحوي صورًا لبعض الأنشطة لتلاميذ الصّف الأول والثاني.

The Department of Islamic Education in the elementary stages seeks to consolidate Islamic values and national identity within an environment that inspires students and motivates them to be innovative and creative by linking topics with practical life and using modern strategies in teaching and diversifying the methods of presenting lessons.

Also, some of our students were honored in reciting the Holy Qur’an during the month of Ramadan.

The link below contains pictures of some activities for first and second graders.

Grade 1 and 2 Pictures

IMPORTANT:

COVID-19 PROCEDURES

What if my child feels unwell at school?

Non-COVID-related: If your child develops any symptoms during school hours:

The student will be flagged by the teacher and will be referred to the school clinic for triage. If child does not have fever or any other COVID-19 symptoms, Nurse will contact the parent to investigate any possible illness at home by family member. Depending on the condition of the child, parent may be asked to collect from school.
If student is sent home, parent must provide doctor's medical certificate for return to campus.

COVID-related: Your child will be considered as a suspected case of Covid-19, if displaying any signs and symptoms such as cough, fever or breathlessness and:

Child will be moved to Quarantine Room, where they will be monitored by a School Nurse.
Nurse will contact the parents immediately to retrieve the child from the school.
The school shall not administer any medicines to the child.
The school will inform the parents about the nearest hospital and COVID-19 testing center.
If the child tests positive for COVID-19, parents are mandated to inform the school so that they can take measures to secure the health of other students and staff who may have been exposed to the virus.
If child has siblings at GAA attending in-campus, they must be quarantined at home as well.
Student(s) will be able to return to school after 2 consecutive negative COVID tests and doctor's medical certificate.

COVID-19 Reporting Procedures at GAA

We remind parents of our safety protocols with regards to COVID-19:

What if my child or a household member tests positive?

Notify school immediately by calling GAA's COVID-19 Hotline at 052 1048099 to enable us to activate appropriate response. Or email: pre_gaa@gemsedu.com
Keep your child and other GAA siblings isolated at home for at least 10 days and follow the instructions of Health Authorities.
Distance Learning will be enabled for your child.
Child will be cleared to return to school once they have 2 consecutive negative test results, submitting doctor's note and results to the school nurse.

What's the Return to School protocol?

Positive case: They must show a Clearance Report from SEHA or their Health Care Provider confirming they are clear to return to school. This report shows the high-level history of the case including date confirmed positive, the 2 negative results and that the patient has completed the isolation period.

Contacts of the positive case: contacts must continue their 10 day home quarantine, even if they test negative, and are only allowed back in school after receiving 2 consecutive negative test results (approximately day 1 and day 8 testing).

We thank you for your continuous support.

May 27: Half-Day, school dismisses at 12pm. Dress Down Day with the donation of 5AED. Elementary Theme: Book Character Day.
May 27: Senior Graduation
June 10: Half-Day, school dismisses at 12pm
June 15-17: KG2 Promotions
June 17: Grade 5 and Grade 8 Promotions
June 30: Last day of school. Half-Day. School dismissed at 12.