Greetings GAA Community,

I hope everyone enjoyed this week getting back into routines and are keeping families safe.

We only have five weeks left of this school year and they will be a busy five weeks. Teachers are working hard to ensure that your children finish the year strong and are best prepared for the next school year. All teachers will be focused on completing the planned curriculum, conducting end-of-year assessments, and continuing their teaching focused on the social/emotional needs of the children.

Health Reminder

While there is a definite lighting up on Covid restrictions in Abu Dhabi, we have had some positive cases in the community, so please check your child for any COVID related symptoms before leaving for school and keep him/her at home resting if they demonstrate:

• Fever (37.5 C or above)

• Cough

• Body aches

• Fatigue

• Shortness of breath

• Sore throat

• Runny nose

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Headache

• Loss of smell or taste

Daily temperature and symptoms screening is recommended before leaving the house. Individuals who exhibit symptoms or who are feeling generally unwell are required to stay home from school and are urged to see a doctor for assessment and possible COVID-19 testing if required.

Sincerely,

Mike Hopaluk

Elementary Principal

At GAA we promote the concept of growth mindset with all of our learners. The term "growth mindset" describes the underlying beliefs people have about learning and intelligence.

According to author Carol Dweck, students with a growth mindset believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through hard work, persistence and dedication – they feel encouraged to take risks and not cower away from failure, but instead see it as necessary to success.

On the other hand, students with a fixed mindset believe qualities like intelligence or talent are unchangeable traits and are likely to avoid developing them. They shy away from challenges to ultimately avoid failure. Having a growth mindset is essential to lifelong success, and it is something that students can develop with practice.

How to help your child develop a Growth Mindset:

It is important for children to know that setbacks and learning opportunities can actually provide a way forward.

• Tell your child that it is okay when something isn’t working.

• Encourage self-advocacy, giving things a try and asking for help.

• Children also need to know that the people around them believe that they can find ways to fix mistakes and improve their performance. It is natural to want to say something like “Don’t worry about it. Maybe Art just isn’t your subject.” However, that reaction can promote a fixed mindset. It teaches that Art is something you are either good at or not. Instead, learning should be viewed as something we can always improve in.

• Have a reflective conversation about next steps, what went well and what they could try differently next time.

Developing a flexible growth mindset is an ongoing process and we must continue to work on it. Getting feedback from others, learning from mistakes and finding new ways to approach tasks can be challenging, but it is a highly valuable way to help children learn that their abilities can always be developed.

Joe Aldus

Lower Elementary Vice Principal

Good afternoon Grade 5 Students and Parents,

My name is Mr. MacDonald and I am the Secondary Vice Principal for Middle School.

Please watch below Grade 6 transition video which will explain some of the more important differences between Middle School and Elementary to look forward to next year. I will also explain some of the expectations and who is here to help you when you need support along the way.

Looking forward to welcoming you into Grade 6 and Middle School!

Scott Macdonald

Middle School (Grades 6-8) Vice Principal

This week has been a very exciting week for 2E! We got to go on our first field trip of the year. We travelled to the ADNEC Centre for the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. We had the privilege of listening to Ebtisam Al Beiti, author of; Citrus the Smoothie Sloth. The students really enjoyed listening to the author and had the opportunity of purchasing a signed copy after the reading.

We then explored the book fair and enjoyed learning about space and creating our own rocket ships.

Grade 2 went on their first field trip this week. They were beyond excited!

We went to visit the International Book Fair at ADNEC, to listen to Emirati author Ahmed Al Shoaibi read his new book ‘Secrets of the Mangroves’. Grade 2 were such a gracious audience. They told him he was an “amazing author”, he “read the story very well” and they “loved his book”.

The students also asked well thought-out questions like ‘how long did does it take to write a new story?” and “who works in a team to publish a book?”. They were very intrigued in the author to publish process. Author Ahmed was an advocate for reading every day and he let Anna win a book!

Another year is almost over! But memories will remain forever! Get your copy of 2021-2022 Yearbook from Main Reception.

• If you have pre-paid earlier this year, please show proof of payment to collect your copy.

• If you wish to buy now, please pay AED 175 at Accounts Office room 9 and collect your copy from Main Reception.

• June 1-4: GAAPA Board 2022-2023 Online Elections

• June 2: The Grand Mosque Walk for All GAA Community

• June 27-28: PYP Exhibition

• June 30: Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony

• July 1: Last Day of School & Final Reports Come Out!