As the school year comes to an end, it is important for parents and educators to recognize that some students may experience a range of emotions. For many children, saying goodbye to their teacher or classmates can be bittersweet. They may feel sad about leaving behind familiar faces and routines while also looking forward to the freedom and fun of summer break.

To support students during this transition period, parents can encourage open communication with their child. It's essential to listen attentively when they express their feelings about ending the school year. Acknowledge any sadness they're experiencing while also reassuring them that it's normal and understandable.

Another way parents can support their children is by encouraging them to reflect on all they have accomplished throughout the academic year. Remind them of their successes, both big and small, such as improving grades or making new friends. We have enjoyed celebrating our learners this year at GAA and looking forward to seeing them in the new school year! 

Social emotional learning (SEL) is an essential aspect of a student's overall development. It helps them develop skills like self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship building, and responsible decision-making. During the summer break when students are away from school and their regular routine, it can be challenging for them to maintain these vital skills.

To support students' SEL over the summer break, there are several strategies that educators and parents can employ:

1. Encourage reflection: Reflection is an essential part of SEL as it helps students become more self-aware. Educators and parents can encourage children to reflect on their feelings and thoughts about different situations they encounter during the day or week.

2. Promote mindfulness: Mindfulness practices such as breathing exercises or meditation help students manage stress and anxiety while promoting calmness.

3. Foster positive relationships: Positive relationships with peers and adults are critical for developing social-emotional skills in children. Encourage your child to participate in activities where they can interact with others positively.

4. Engage in community service: Volunteering provides opportunities for children to learn empathy by helping others less fortunate than themselves.

5. Provide meaningful feedback: Feedback plays a crucial role in supporting student's growth during the summer months; it should be constructive yet supportive so that learners feel encouraged rather than discouraged when making mistakes.

6. Support independent problem-solving : Summer gives ample time for kids to engage themselves creatively . Parents must provide their wards free reigns within limits so that they can explore new avenues without fearing failure .

7. Create opportunities for peer interaction : Peer interactions play a vital role in shaping up one’s personality , creating opportunities where groups of children could come together under adult supervision would allow healthy conversations & exchanges amongst them .

In conclusion, support from both educators and parents is necessary if we want our young ones not only academically sound but socially aware too . By implementing these strategies throughout the summer months , we ensure that our children's social-emotional skills develop and grow over time.

For adults who want to provide additional support for students during this time, consider creating a memory book or scrapbook where each student adds photos, notes, artwork or other items that commemorate special moments from throughout the year. This will help kids remember fond memories from class even after they leave for summer break.

Supporting students at the end of a school year requires empathy and understanding towards how different individuals handle change differently. By acknowledging these emotions in your child/students' life cycle you are helping build emotional intelligence which helps in socializing later on in life; therefore ensuring better mental health outcomes long-term!

Leia Kraeuter

Elementary Principal

The Importance of Elementary School Attendance: Correlation between Student Academic and Social Success

As I come to the end of my first year as upper elementary VP at GAA I have taken notice of the significant number of student absences. Therefore, I thought it best to share some academic and social data regarding school attendance.

Elementary school serves as a crucial foundation for a child's education and development. During these formative years, regular attendance plays a vital role in shaping not only academic success but also social success.

Academic Success:

Consistent attendance in elementary school is directly linked to academic success. When students attend school regularly, they have the opportunity to fully engage in the learning process, participate in class discussions, and grasp key concepts presented by their teachers. Each day presents new lessons, knowledge, and skills that build upon previous learning experiences. Missing school, even for a single day, can result in students falling behind their peers, making it difficult for them to catch up.

Attendance in elementary school sets the stage for future academic endeavors. Students who develop a habit of regular attendance early on are more likely to continue this pattern throughout their educational journey. This commitment to attendance translates into improved academic performance and increased opportunities for future advancement.

Social Success:

Beyond academic achievements, elementary school attendance also contributes significantly to a student's social success. School is not only a place for learning but also a hub for social interactions, friendships, and personal growth. Regular attendance allows students to establish and maintain positive relationships with their peers and teachers, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion within the school community.

By attending school consistently, students have the opportunity to develop important social skills, such as communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution. They learn to work effectively in groups, respect diverse perspectives, and navigate social dynamics. These skills are crucial for their personal and professional lives, enabling them to form healthy relationships, contribute to team projects, and adapt to various social environments.

Furthermore, consistent attendance in elementary school promotes a sense of responsibility and accountability. Students learn the importance of punctuality, time management, and commitment to their obligations.

The Correlation:

The correlation between elementary school attendance, academic success, and social success is undeniable. When students attend school regularly, they are more likely to achieve higher grades, meet academic milestones, and experience a sense of accomplishment. This positive academic trajectory not only boosts their self-confidence but also opens doors to future educational opportunities.

Additionally, regular attendance provides students with the opportunity to build strong relationships with their teachers. Teachers play a crucial role in students' lives, providing guidance, support, and mentorship. By attending school consistently, students have increased access to this invaluable source of knowledge and encouragement, which further enhances their academic and social growth.

It is essential for parents, educators, and communities to recognize the significance of elementary school attendance and actively promote its importance. By fostering a culture of attendance, we create an environment where students feel valued, supported, and motivated to show up to school each day. Implementing strategies such as rewards for good attendance, open communication with parents about the impact of absences, and providing resources to overcome barriers to attendance can make a substantial difference in improving attendance rates and subsequently student success.

In conclusion, attending elementary school regularly has a direct correlation with both academic success and social success. By ensuring consistent attendance, we empower students to reach their full potential, laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning, growth, and achievements. Let us prioritize attendance and create an environment where every child has the opportunity to thrive academically and socially.

Douglas Sherrill

Elementary VP (Grades 3-5)

KG1D has been busy exploring the unit of How the World Works by completing a series of mini projects in their respective classes using various materials. Children have been sketching and building famous UAE structures from cardboard boxes. We explored floating and sinking by making paper boats and taking them to the water table to test out the children’s hypothesis. It’s so great to see the children letting their imaginations run wild and really get in tune with their creative sides during this unit.

We have been busy in KG2D preparing for our upcoming Promotion Ceremony – the students have been practicing so hard on the stage in and in our classroom. We are so excited 🎓

This week we also had a special author visit – the wonderful Ebtisam and her fruit loving sloth Citrus joined us here at GAA to tell us all about Citrus’ story from the rainforest. We had so much fun!

The KG department went on our final field trip of the year to little world – the students became scientists, coders & joined in on an under the sea adventure 🌊

The year has flown by & we will be so sad to say our goodbyes as we send our wonderful students on to Grade 1.

Grade 1A students began a new writing workshop unit on realistic fiction. Ms. Nailah (1A teacher) along with Mrs. Jacqueline (grade 1 inclusion coach) have been implementing lessons using collaborative teaching. For this writing unit students came up with a character that they will write about. They designed their own character puppet and imagined some realistic adventures that the character would experience. They even got to take their character puppet home for the weekend to experience more places and adventures. We can’t wait to read the stories that the students in 1A will publish! We are writers! 

We ended this unit of inquiry with a field trip to the National Center of Meteorology, where students met with meteorologists and learned from them how they track and monitor weather conditions across the UAE and the world. Furthermore, students learned about cloud seeding, which is a weather modification technique that involves dispersing salt flares into the clouds, which would then mix with the cloud particles to enhance precipitation. We concluded our field trip with a movie about supervolcanoes. Our 3D IB thinkers thoroughly enjoyed this unit of inquiry as they were exposed to more science-related topics. 

What an exciting time in Grade 5E. We are in the midst of the PYPx (an exciting and enriching opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge, skills, and understanding of the different units of inquiry that has been explored throughout their Primary Years with relevance to taking action that aligns with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) both within our locality and globally.

PYPx at GAA spans over an 8-week journey. Currently, we are in week 5 in the Sorting out phase of the Kat Murdoch cycle, where students typically begin to narrow down their focus and delve deeper into their area, review research, and interpret data from surveys and interviews. The use of technology enhances and supports the development of 21st-century skills, which are essential for success in today's rapidly changing world.

It's a time when students start to organize their thoughts and develop an action plan for their PYPx project in line with the SDG goals.

Throughout this process, collaboration is seen as a interaction between homeroom teachers, peers, mentor teachers, grade 11 student support and parents in which teamwork and the use of the Approaches To Learning (ATL’s) come into play as students seek feedback from each other, support each other and deal with issues with tact, diplomacy and empathy. 

Students are beginning to embrace the diversity of interests and perspectives within the class, which contributes to a richer and more comprehensive PYPx experience.

PYPx takes place on the 13 June 2023, and we can’t wait to share our journey with the GAA community.

Swimming in KG

We are back in the Swimming pool for PE in KG!! We are learning how to enter and exit the pool safely. We are developing our water confidence by learning how to blow bubbles in the water. We are also exploring how we can float on our backs and on our front. We love to finish our lessons by playing a treasure hunt. Here we are looking for treasure on the pool floor and building our confidence too by putting our heads under water. 

Congratulations to all Junior Wildcats Swimmers (Gr.1-5) for successfully completing the swim year.

Way to go Wildcats!

Please check out the recent Update by our Student Leadership comprised of 4th and 5th graders. 

• May 29 - June 2: Teacher Appreciation Week by GAA Parent Association

• June 13-14: KG2 Promotion Ceremonies

• June 13: PYP Exhibition by Grade 5 @4:30pm

• June 15: Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony @1pm

• June 26: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL