Dear GAA Wildcats,

As we reach mid-May, I want to take a moment to extend my heartfelt thanks for the incredible support and spirit that continues to make GAA such a special place. What an amazing school and wonderful week to celebrate our teachers!

A special thank you to our amazing Booster Club for hosting a thoughtful and generous thank-you lunch in honor of our Athletics and Arts programs. Your dedication and partnership enrich the experience of our students and staff alike.

Deep gratitude goes to GAAPA and all our parents who have gone above and beyond this week to show appreciation to our faculty and staff. Your kindness, gestures, and words of encouragement have truly made a difference and reflect beautifully on our strong and caring community.

Next week, we look forward to celebrating International Day of Families on May 15 with a community picnic on campus. This special event, organized in collaboration with GAAPA, is a joyful reminder of our Family First Initiative—a cornerstone of our GAA values.

Also on May 15, we will gather for the JV and Varsity Athletics Banquet to honor our outstanding student-athletes in Grades 9–12. Thank you to our Booster Club and Athletics Department for coming together to recognize the hard work and achievements of our teams. Students, in all endeavors, you are GAA Wildcat ambassadors, and I thank you for being role models and positive examples.

Don't miss the upcoming Elementary Musical Production of The Jungle Book on May 21 and 22. Our young performers have been working hard, and it promises to be a delightful celebration of talent and creativity.

Meanwhile, MAP testing continues for Grades 1–10, and our seniors are in the midst of their final exams. We send our encouragement and best wishes to the Class of 2025—you’ve got this!

While the end of the year draws closer, we still have cherished GAA traditions ahead. Mark your calendars for TEDx Youth on June 19, another highlight that showcases the voice, passion, and potential of our students.

Thank you, parents, for being an essential part of this vibrant, caring community. Let’s continue to press on—together!

Kindest regards,

Dr. Ethan Hildreth

GAA Shines at the 12th National Math Competition

On April 26, 2025, four of our talented students represented GAA at the 12th National Math Competition hosted by Abu Dhabi University’s Al Ain Campus. Competing against 225 teams from across the UAE, our team delivered an outstanding performance, proudly finishing among the top 15 teams.

Although they did not take home the top prize, their achievement speaks volumes about their teamwork, determination, and love for mathematics. The experience was not only a test of knowledge but also a powerful example of how growth, resilience, and collaboration are just as important as the final result.

A huge congratulations to our participants:

• Daniel Beifus

• Siyoung Park

• Sejun Oh

• Yerin Cho

You represented GAA with passion and perseverance, and we are incredibly proud of you. We look forward to seeing where your curiosity and commitment will take you next!

Celebrating Neurodiversity:

Autism Awareness week focused on and inclusion, understanding, and acceptance for Neurodiversity. Through engaging activities and thoughtful discussions, we were proud to highlight the importance of embracing neurodiversity in our community.

The spirit of empathy and awareness shown by GAA’s students and staff reflects our commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment. 

Parent Inclusion Info Session:

Thank you to the large group of parents who attended the info session on GAA Inclusion and some changes for next year. Please see the link below for the recording if you were unable to attend. As always, my door is open if you would like to discuss in person.

Link to recording of the session:  Recap: Parent info session regarding ADEK inclusion policy 25-26, 7 May

Your Voice, Our Wellbeing – Parent Feedback

We are excited to share that our school has begun working towards the Optimus Education Wellbeing Award for Schools (WAS)—an  Internationally recognised framework that supports schools in creating a whole-school culture of emotional wellbeing and mental health.

The purpose of the award is to help us develop and embed a long-term, sustainable wellbeing programme that positively impacts every member of our community—students, parents, and staff. As part of this journey, we are already taking steps to improve how wellbeing is promoted, supported, and celebrated across the school.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more information about the initiatives and changes being developed. Importantly, we want to shape this programme with your input, ensuring it reflects the values, needs, and voices of our community.

We look forward to working together on this exciting initiative. Your ideas and feedback are warmly welcome HERE—together, we can make wellbeing a shared priority at GAA.

Child Safeguarding Information Session

At GEMS American Academy, the safety and wellbeing of every child is our highest priority. We are committed to building a community where all students feel protected, supported, and empowered to thrive. This session will provide parents and caregivers with essential information about our child safeguarding practices, how we respond to concerns, and the role families play in keeping children safe.

Join us to learn more about how we work together to ensure a secure and nurturing environment for all our students. Your participation reinforces the strong partnership between school and home in protecting every child’s right to safety and dignity.

📅 Wednesday, May 14th

🕒 9am to 10am

📍 Online (Microsoft Teams)

Please sign up below to confirm your attendance.

SIGN UP LINK

Dear Grade 1-5 Parents,

Thank you to everyone who supported Kids Muscle Fitness during our first session at GEMS American Academy! We were thrilled to have 9 amazing superstars join us, and they absolutely rocked all five sessions! Your support has been incredible, and we are excited to announce that Kids Muscle Fitness will be returning for Session 4 ASA’s. We can’t wait to welcome familiar faces and new friends!

We are also thrilled to share that we are expanding!

Starting this session, Kids Muscle Fitness will now offer an exciting new program:

🎉 Kids Muscle Zumba

Led by the energetic and talented Ms. Lamia Ghouli, a certified Zumba instructor with years of experience working with children of all ages. Your kids will love dancing, moving, and getting fit while having loads of fun!

Program Details:

• Kids Muscle Fitness: Thursdays | 3:15–4:15 PM | AED 80

• Kids Muscle Zumba: Tuesdays | 3:15–4:15 PM | AED 80

🌟 Spots are limited for each class, so we encourage you to sign up early to secure your child’s place! Sign up at https://esm.ae/login Join the Kids Muscle Fitness Family and give your child the opportunity to stay active, build confidence, and most importantly, have fun!

We look forward to seeing your kids in class and continuing to grow strong together!

Warm regards,

The Kids Muscle Fitness Team

• May 1-June 11 - MAP Testing

• May 14 - Child Safeguarding Session @9am (online)

• May 15 - International Day of Families breakfast

• May 15 - Athletics Banquet (Grade 6-12)

• May 21-22 - Jungle Book Elementary Musical Production

• May 26 - PYP Exhibition

• May 27 - Senior Walk

• May 29 - Senior Graduation