Kindness Matters: Cultivating a Culture of Inclusivity and Respect

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we venture further into the academic year, it is crucial to underscore the significance of Kindness and the profound impact it has on our school community. Here at GAA, we believe in fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect, where every student is valued, celebrated, and encouraged to embrace their unique abilities. Kindness is not merely a word; it is a fundamental principle that we embed into every aspect of our educational journey.

A Culture of Kindness:

At the heart of our educational philosophy is the cultivation of a culture of kindness. This culture permeates our classrooms, corridors, and playgrounds, influencing the way students interact with one another, their teachers, and the broader community. It is imperative that our students recognize the power of their words and actions, understanding that small acts of kindness can leave an indelible mark on someone's day. Encouraging empathy, compassion, and understanding is the cornerstone of nurturing well-rounded individuals who contribute positively to society.

Equality for All Learners:

Diversity is our strength, and it is crucial that we celebrate the unique attributes that each student brings to our school. Our commitment to equality for all learners rests on the principle that every child deserves an equal opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in a supportive environment. We strive to create a safe space where differences are not just accepted but embraced, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment among our students. By embracing diversity, we prepare our students to become compassionate global citizens who appreciate the richness of the world around them.

Positive Parent Messages:

Parents play a pivotal role in shaping their children's mindset, particularly when it comes to their attitudes toward school. Emphasizing the value of education and instilling a positive outlook about school fosters a kind and enthusiastic approach to learning. When parents communicate the importance of kindness and empathy in their interactions with others, they model these behaviors for their children, reinforcing the lessons we impart at school. Your encouragement and support are invaluable in nurturing a generation of compassionate and thoughtful individuals.

I urge you to join us in fostering a community where Kindness Matters, and where every student feels valued, respected, and supported. Let us continue to work hand in hand to instill the values of inclusivity, equality, and empathy in our young learners, shaping them into the leaders of tomorrow.

With warm regards,

Leia Kraeuter

Elementary Principal

During term 1, many 3rd-5th grade students signed up to participate in the Kindness Club after school. Throughout the term, the students came up with many ideas of ways that they could show kindness to those in our school community. They demonstrated this strong culture of kindness at GAA by bringing special kindness cards and treats to all 3rd-5th grade students and teachers, by assisting the cleaners in their duties after school, by making “kindness carts” with treats and flowers to give out to staff members. Finally, during their last session, they threw a party for the cleaning staff and security guards to say “thank you” for all of their hard work. 

In addition to all of these kind acts, the students practiced the Dance for Kindness each week. Well done to all of the Kindness Ambassadors at GAA! They really showed our school community that “No Act of Kindness, No Matter How Small, Is Ever Wasted” (Aesop). 

We are excited to share with you some important updates regarding our literacy instruction at GAA in grades KG2 to Grade 3. This year, we have adopted a new curriculum, UFLI Foundations to support our learners as they develop foundational literacy skills in English. Our goal is for all students to build strong foundational skills in reading and writing to prepare them for a lifelong love of reading. Our teachers have participated in professional learning so that they are knowledgeable about the most recent research in literacy instruction and are able to implement effective instruction using the UFLI curriculum. We are already seeing exciting growth in our young readers and writers. 

Here are some of the key features of the new curriculum: 

• Explicit Instruction: Phonics rules and patterns are introduced in a clear and direct way. The teacher models and provides guided and independent practice opportunities with feedback.  

• Practice, Practice, Practice: Students have plentiful opportunities to practice newly taught skills. Each week, students have numerous opportunities to read and spell words and sentences and to practice applying their skills while reading decodable texts. 

• Systematic Instruction: The curriculum uses a carefully designed scope and sequence, with each lesson building on prior lessons with gradually increasing difficulty. 

• Ongoing Assessment: Students are assessed each week and teachers use the assessments to plan additional supports. The teacher can determine which concepts and skills the students understand and what skills require more practice. 

Many of the UFLI materials are available for free online in the UFLI Toolbox. Kindergarten students are working on the Alphabet Lessons (1-34). 1st grade began the year with the Alphabet Review Lessons (35-41) and are now learning about Digraphs (42-53). 2nd and 3rd grade have reviewed lessons 35-62 and are now working on the Reading Longer Words lessons (63-68). Here are some ideas for how you can support your child at home: 

• Listen to your child read the decodable passages. If they are not yet able to read a passage independently, you can read it together.

• Encourage your child to notice words in other books or in the world around them that match the patterns they are learning in class.

• Play the Roll and Read game. 

• Spell and read words on the Home Practice Sheet. 

Here is a video made by Ms. Anisa in Grade 2 showing how to do some of the activities at home. 

Home Learning Video

If you have any questions about the new curriculum or need support with materials for at-home learning, you can email me at s.frumkin1_gaa@gemsedu.com.

Grade 1 students had the pleasure of meeting a GAA Parent who is a trauma surgeon at SSCC hospital. Dr. DeSoucy visited 1A last week and talked about his job and how important it is to be healthy and balanced. 

Dear Elementary School Parents,

We are excited to announce the upcoming tryouts for our competitive elementary school swim teams from Gr.1 to Gr.5. This opportunity is open to swimmers who are eager to embrace the world of competitive swimming, improve their skills, and represent our school in swim meets against other schools in Abu Dhabi.

The tryouts will be during the week of 13th-16th of November after school from 3:05-4:15 pm. 

Please note that this is a competitive swim team tryout and not a learn-to-swim program. Participants are expected to meet specific skill and endurance requirements. Swimmers will be evaluated based on their age, skill level, and endurance. The coaches will make selections at their discretion if there are more candidates than available spaces.

Here are the entrance expectations for each age group:

Grades 1 & 2;

• Child's Age: As of September 1, 2023 (Under 8).

• Skill Requirements: Two Competitive Strokes - Freestyle, Backstroke, or Breaststroke.

• Endurance Requirements: Complete four laps (100 meters) continuously swim.

• Start/Dive: Not required

Grades 3 & 4;

• Child's Age: As of September 1, 2023 (Under 10).

• Skill Requirements: Three Competitive Strokes- Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, or Butterfly.

• Endurance Requirements: Swim 300 meters continuously

• Start/Dive: Required

Grades 4 & 5; 

• Child's Age: As of September 1, 2023 (Under 12).

• Skill Requirements: Four Competitive Strokes - Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly.

• Endurance Requirements: Swim 400 meters continuously

• Start/Dive: Required

• Tumble Turns: Required

Swimmers in the Under 12 age group will be timed on 50 meters for Freestyle and Backstroke, and 25 meters for the other required strokes.

We encourage all students who meet the age and skill requirements to participate in the tryouts. This is a fantastic opportunity to challenge yourself. Please come prepared for the tryouts with swim attire, goggles, and a positive attitude. 

Parents, your support in helping your child prepare for the tryouts is greatly appreciated. If you think your child can meet the requirements, please use this LINK to sign-up for the tryouts.

Should you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. We look forward to seeing your child at the tryouts and to potentially welcoming them to our Junior Swim Teams!

Let's make a splash together and embrace the exciting world of competitive swimming!

GAA Aquatics Director,

Ms.Iliana Jaltova

email: i.jaltova_gaa@gemsedu.com 

GAA Dubai Fitness Challenge Continues!

30 minutes of exercise for 30 days started with our very own LIVE workout on 1st November.

Next weekly live session out on the field from 8.00-8.30am will take place on Thursday November 16.

It will be running through November with a final LIVE workout on Thursday 30th November.

As we near the end of our ten-week "Who We Are" unit, we take a moment to reflect on the things we've learned, the friends we've made, and the self-portraits we've created. Throughout this unit, we've had many opportunities to discover more about ourselves and what makes us unique. We've also had fun participating in activities that celebrate our U.A.E. identities, such as singing the national anthem at the Flag Day celebrations. Additionally, we've learned how important it is to keep our bodies healthy by taking part in swimming lessons with Miss Ruth and completing 30 minutes of 30 different fitness activities as part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.

As we move on to our next unit, "How We Express Ourselves," we're excited to explore the ways we can communicate with others effectively and support our mental health and overall well-being through self-expression.

Grade 1 C students have been learning lots of new things since our return from mid-term break.

On our first week back, the students were introduced  to the new Unit of Inquiry ‘Who We Are’ 

In this, we are learning about the importance of living a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Students have been encouraged to bring healthy foods in their lunchboxes and engage in lots of fitness activities at school and at home.  With the kicking off of the Dubai Fitness Challenge last week , our students sure are getting in a variety of exercises and loving it! 

The school also celebrated National Flag Day on the 3rd Nov. 

The students dressed in the UAE National colors and sang the UAE National Anthem – Ishy Bilady - with great pride and respect as the national flag was raised. Well done to all involved. 

Grade 2A Unit of Inquiry Study – Sharing the Planet

Our second unit of inquiry, Sharing the Planet, is fully underway in Grade 2A. In this unit, students are stepping into the roles of principled scientists as they inquire into living things and their different habitats, plant needs and the relationship between plants and animals. This inquiry-based learning is developing the students’ knowledge so they can be well informed to answer the big question of our unit, ‘What must be done to make a natural butterfly habitat?’

To deepen their understanding, the boys and girls embarked on an adventure around the school to observe and pictorially record the variety in plants that can be found in our community and subsequently label their different parts. Students have also been working collaboratively to conduct experiments in the classroom to test if plants need sunlight and water to grow. They formed a hypothesis at the outset of the investigations and are continuously monitoring and recording the results to draw conclusions. 

The students are really enjoying these hands-on activities, with their learning extending further into other curricular areas as they gather information from non-fiction books during reading and library time to inform their own work as authors of reports during writing lessons. The students are developing their self-management, research and thinking skills during their exploration of the unit and are growing as learners every single day!

Flag Day Celebrations

We recently marked Flag Day in our school, a day dedicated to fostering patriotism and respect for our national flag. 4D students actively participated in Flag Day educational activities where they learned about the history and significance of the UAE Flag. Grade 4 and 5 participated in a quiz with students earning rewards for their knowledge of the UAE.

Dubai Fitness Challenge

Health and well-being are essential, and we believe in promoting a balanced, active lifestyle among our students. To show this KG – Grade 5 have been participating in the Dubai fitness challenge. Every week the students take part in a series of fun and engaging physical activities that not only promote physical fitness but also show students how they can have fun while doing it. It is wonderful to see the students enthusiastically embracing a healthy lifestyle.

Unit of Inquiry

This year we have started a brand-new science unit in Grade 4, students have been delving into the fascinating world of ENERGY. This unit focuses on understanding the various forms of energy, how energy is transferred and transformed, and its importance in our daily lives. The students have been actively engaged in hands-on experiments related to energy. During this unit students had the opportunity to explore the different forms that energy takes. They conducted experiments in groups and as you can see the students were engaged, actively learning, developing their critical thinking, and problem-solving skills - and having fun at the same time!

During Grade 5 field trip to Circuit X Students had an incredible time facing their fears and challenging themselves with high ropes, zip line, rock wall climbing and bungy drop. They spent time team building and learning to lead and collaborate. A fantastic day was had by all.

In preparing for the PYP Exhibition, Grade 5 students had the opportunity to hear from Noor, former PYP student, current Grade, who shared her advice and tips to help them prepare for PYPx. 

Her most important tips were “don’t work with your friends, and chose a topic you are really interested in.” Thank you Noor, grade 5 really enjoyed the opportunity to ask you questions and hear your perspective. 

As we kick off our new Unity of Inquiry: How the World Works, with the central idea that Matter can be changed and used for a variety of purposes, Ms. Roberta's Grade 5A students engaged in hands-on exploration. They observed various materials and described their properties as they moved through different stations.

يَحرصُ قِسمُ اللّغة العَربية في المَرحَلة الابتدائية على تَوفيرِ تَعليمًا ذا جودة عالية للطّلبةِ، حَيثُ تَم التّركيز على مَهارة القِراءة عِند التّلاميذ من خِلال القِيام بِأنشطَة مُختَلِفَةٍ، إضافةً إلى القيام بأنشِطَة مُتَنوعَةٍ مِن شَأنها رَفع مُستَوى الطّلبة وتَطويرِ مَهاراتِهم اللغوية وتَهيئتهم للتّفاعل مَع مُتطلبات العَصر الحـَديث بِكلّ ثِقَةٍ وتَفـاؤُل.

الرّابط في الأسفل يحوي صورًا لبعض الأنشطة لتلاميذ الصّف الثالث و الرابع و الخامس.

The Arabic Department in the elementary school is keen about providing high-quality education for students. The focus is on developing the reading skills through various and diverse activities that are designed to elevate students' levels, enhance their language skills, and prepare them to confidently interact with the requirements of the modern era. 

The link below contains images of some activities for third, fourth, and fifth-grade students.

Chevron Readers’ Cup – hosted by the Emirates Literature Foundation

Students on our teams read 3 chapter books selected by the Emirates Literature Foundation.  On October 30th, 4 teams representing our elementary and secondary divisions participated in the Chevron Readers’ Cup.  They were up against teams from schools across the Middle East region!

Our teams had a strong comprehension for the books in the challenge, and did amazingly on the quizzes.  We expect to find out the top teams that will move on to the final round in a few weeks.

• November 13: World Kindness Day

• November 16: Dubai Fitness Challenge

• November 22: Real Hero Day (dress down)

• November 20-24: Little Thinker Book Fair

• November 24: Pizza and Popsicle Day by GAAPA and Booster Club

• November 29: UAE National Day Celebration at school

• December 1: Commemoration Day and National Day Public Holiday (NO SCHOOL)

• December 18-January 1: WINTER BREAK (NO SCHOOL)