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November 11, 2021 Issue (next issue on November 25, 2021)
Dear GAA Families,
Please watch below video with my message.
Warm Regards,
Robert Rinaldo
Newsletter.mov
Dear GAA Parents,
We salute our beloved country as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Union that marked the beginning of a blessed march towards progress and development, celebrating the nation’s Golden Jubilee.
On this day, we remember the founders of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, his companion the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum and their brothers the rulers, who all met on 2nd December 1971, armed with their deep belief in their country and with a deep interest in the people, eventually led to the birth of the United Arab Emirates and the onset of the country’s renaissance.
On the 29th November 2021 GAA will celebrate an extraordinary UAE National Day Assembly to commemorate this special occasion, and then each grade level will have an assigned time to enjoy a unique heritage fair at the school field. With the Covid restrictions and following the guidelines from ADEK and National Crisis & Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA), GAA celebrations for this year will be restricted (or exclusive) to GAA students, teachers, and staff only.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you want to share or contribute to our celebration to help our kids enjoy this special occasion.
Happy National Day!
Director of Arabic Studies KG-G12
Samah Awad
NEXT PCR CHECKING AND
NEXT PCR CHECKING AND
PCR Testing reminders
PCR Testing reminders
This Sunday November 14th we will be checking new PCR test results for all students KG-Grade 12.
This Sunday November 14th we will be checking new PCR test results for all students KG-Grade 12.
For smooth entry to school, please make sure your child has a printout of the test result (SMS message or Al Hosn screenshot) to show at the Entrance Gates.
If you missed free in-school testing of November 8th or 9th, please take your child to our designated testing center at Biogenix Lab Masdar City for free testing (school code KS-9086).
Students aged below 12 and vaccinated students of all ages, must have PCR test result not older than 30 days.
Unvaccinated students aged 12 and above, attending school in person, must have PCR test result not older than 7 days.
All students KG to Grade 12 returning to face-to-face learning, including Students of Determination, must show a negative COVID-19 test result valid for 96-hours prior to returning to school FOR THE FIRST TIME or returning from an international travel.
All students KG to Grade 12 returning to face-to-face learning, including Students of Determination, must show a negative COVID-19 test result valid for 96-hours prior to returning to school FOR THE FIRST TIME or returning from an international travel.
After the first entry to school and September 28 onwards:
Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Students below 12: TESTING EVERY 30 DAYS
Vaccinated Students above 12: TESTING EVERY 30 DAYS
Unvaccinated Students (including those with approved vaccination exemption) above 12: TESTING EVERY 7 DAYS
Any student aged 6 and above, returning from an international travel, must submit a negative PCR test not older than 96 hours (Source: ADEK Parent's Guide for Returning to School) and completed Student Travel Declaration Form. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FORM.
GAA Designated Testing Center: Biogenix Lab, Masdar City. School Code: KS-9086
Please upload the results on parent portal http://oasis.gemseducation.com See instructions here: UPLOADING RESULTS ON PORTAL
Abu Dhabi Department for Education and Knowledge have launched annual Abu Dhabi Parents Survey, which is a 15-minute survey that will provide valuable insights of the parents’ engagement level and their perceptions of education. The results will help ADEK identify parents’ core challenges to support them in addressing them.
Parents that participate will get the chance to win valuable prizes such as fully paid tuition for Academic Year 2022/23, hotel staycations, tourism vouchers among other prizes.
Below are the survey invitation links:
English: https://bit.ly/3BSwzWI
Arabic: https://bit.ly/3H4boou
The survey will close on 22 November 2021.
NEWS FROM ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT
NEWS FROM ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT
November 9, 2021 - End of Season 1 Internal Swim Meet
November 9, 2021 - End of Season 1 Internal Swim Meet
On Tuesday 9th of November our Middle School, Junior Varsity and Varsity Wildcats Swimmers participated in end of Season 1 Internal Swim Meet.
For most of our swimmers, this was their first swim event and we are proud of their results:
1ST PLACE - Team of “The Great White Sharks” with Captains, Dana AL Hammadi and Hamza Abdelhady, 249 points.
2ND PLACE - “The MVP’S “ with Team Captain Ahmed Al Qubaisi, 231 points.
3RD PLACE - the “Blue Knights” team with Captain Paige Oben, 188 points.
Congratulation to all swimmers, strong finish for our Season 1!
Here is the list with all Swimmers:
little wildcats swimming team tryouts
little wildcats swimming team tryouts
Little Wildcats Swim Teams Tryouts 2021-2022..pdfSEASON 2 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL tryouts
SEASON 2 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL tryouts
Basketball - Soccer - Tennis - Cross Country
Basketball - Soccer - Tennis - Cross Country
All players meet in the Gym/Field ready to participate.
A registration link will be sent to all secondary students via their student GMAIL accounts.
Season 2 MS & HS Tryouts 2021-22.pdf
Due to low turnout, No Excuse November event of November 13th at The Room has been cancelled.
Due to low turnout, No Excuse November event of November 13th at The Room has been cancelled.
Student Well-being - Student Voice - Preparing Students - Personalized Learning
Student Well-being - Student Voice - Preparing Students - Personalized Learning
Meet Samia Idaghdour, Class of 2022: She is working on her Extended Essay for Biology, investigating the effect of an extreme marine environment on the genetic diversity of local fish species - this is her passion and her choice.
At GAA, we develop student agency, voice, and choice as a part of our curriculum. When students have a voice in their learning they are simply more interested and more motivated. This leads to greater success. We want all students to take responsibility for their own learning and be able to demonstrate their knowledge in ways that are unique to their strengths.
Student Voice #1.mp4
DISTANCE LEARNERS OFFICIAL SCHOOL PHOTOSHOOT
DISTANCE LEARNERS OFFICIAL SCHOOL PHOTOSHOOT
Dear Parents,
We are pleased to inform you that Stu WIlliamson photographers will at GAA on Saturday November 27 and January 15 to take school photos of our Full Distance Learner students, following COVID-19 safety rules.
This will be appointment-based to avoid crowding for the safety of our students: please click on this link to book your slot for one of the above mentioned dates: DL photoshoot booking link.
NOTE: These sessions are reserved to our Full Distance Learners. If your child, who is physically attending school, missed the school photoshoot of September and October, we will have an ABSENTEE/NEW JOINER PHOTOSHOOT on February 6 & 7. Please do not use the above link.
Stu WIlliamson will also be offering Sibling Photoshoot on another date, which will be communicated to families.
fab gems titanium card discount on school fees
fab gems titanium card discount on school fees
COMMUNITY WELL-BEING REMINDERS!
COMMUNITY WELL-BEING REMINDERS!
Regardless of the current pandemic situation, we call our families to follow the safety measures for the well-being of all our community members.
Regardless of the current pandemic situation, we call our families to follow the safety measures for the well-being of all our community members.
Below are some useful information.
Below are some useful information.
Daily Checklist before sending my child to school
Daily Checklist before sending my child to school
Check your child for any COVID related symptoms before leaving for school:
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.
what if my child is a close contact?
what if my child is a close contact?
In case a family or household member tests positive, your child may be identified as close contact by Authorities. In this case:
Notify your department secretary immediately to update your child's attendance.
KG & Elementary: elemsecretary_gaa@gemsedu.com
Middle and High School: secsecretary_gaa@gemsedu.com
Your child will need to be quarantined as per DOH guidelines.
Your child will be able to return to face-to-face learning after completion of quarantine and with 2 consecutive negative PCR results.
what if my child feels unwell at home?
what if my child feels unwell at home?
Notify your department secretary immediately to update your child's attendance.
KG & Elementary: elemsecretary_gaa@gemsedu.com
Middle and High School: secsecretary_gaa@gemsedu.com
You will receive an email from school with instructions. This email template is pre-drafted and approved by ADEK and DOH (Department of Health)
If your child shows symptoms but is not a contact of a positive case, you will be asked to take him/her to see a SEHA Primary Healthcare Clinic doctor for clinical evaluation. The doctor will instruct them on whether they need a COVID-19 test. If they get well (completely asymptomatic for at least 24 hours) and/or test negative for COVID-19, they can return to school with a negative test result and/or a visit discharge summary from the doctor confirming they are well and fit for school.
what if my child feels unwell at school?
what if my child feels unwell at school?
If your child shows any illness symptom, he/she will be sent/accompanied to School Nurse for clinical evaluation.
Nurse will contact the parent to investigate about the symptoms. If child exhibits any of the symptoms listed above, parent will be asked to collect the child from school.
Parents will receive an email from school with instructions. This email template is pre-drafted and approved by ADEK and DOH (Department of Health)
If your child shows symptoms but is not a contact of a positive case, you will be asked to take him/her to see a SEHA Primary Healthcare Clinic doctor for clinical evaluation. The doctor will instruct them on whether they need a COVID-19 test. If they get well (completely asymptomatic for at least 24 hours) and/or test negative for COVID-19, they can return to school with a negative test result and/or a visit discharge summary from the doctor confirming they are well and fit for school.
what if my child has chronic conditions (asthma, allergies, etc)
what if my child has chronic conditions (asthma, allergies, etc)
If your child has chronic conditions such as asthma and severe allergies and is displaying symptoms similar to Covid-19:
Get a physician's note describing the child's condition.
Complete High Risk Medical Condition Undertaking Form (click this link for the form)
Submit both Physician's Note and Undertaking Form to the School Nurse for records.
what if my child tests negative?
what if my child tests negative?
If your child tests negative, has clinically improved and is symptom-free for at least 24 hours, they can return to school with either a negative COVID-19 PCR result or a visit discharge summary from a doctor at a SEHA Primary
what if my child tests POSITIVE?
what if my child tests POSITIVE?
If your child tests positive:
Notify school immediately by calling GAA COVID Hotline: 052 104 8099.
Contact Tracing will be activated by School Staff
You will be contacted by DOH official regarding quarantine
Your child will be able to return to face-to-face learning after completion of quarantine and with 2 consecutive negative PCR test results.
If your child has siblings in the same school, please keep them at home and follow DOH guidelines for "close contact" quarantine.
Your child's siblings will be able to return to face-to-face learning after completion of quarantine and with 2 consecutive negative PCR test results.
IMPORTANT: Contacts of Close Contacts are not required to quarantine.
how is contact tracing of a positive case done?
how is contact tracing of a positive case done?
Contact tracing is activated at the school if the positive case attended school in the 2 days before the onset of symptoms, or 2 days before taking the test - if asymptomatic.
A contact is someone who has been within 2 meters of a positive case for 15 minutes or more starting 2 days before the onset of symptoms or the date they took the test – if the positive case is asymptomatic, even if both individuals were wearing masks.
what is the duration of a quarantine for close contact?
what is the duration of a quarantine for close contact?
Quarantine start date is from the last date of contact with a positive case.
Quarantine start date is from the last date of contact with a positive case.
If your child is vaccinated, quarantine is for 7 days from last day of contact with a positive case.
if your child is unvaccinated, quarantine is for 10 days from last day of contact with a positive case.
WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR CLASSROOM/DIVISION/SCHOOL CLOSURE?
WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR CLASSROOM/DIVISION/SCHOOL CLOSURE?
To minimize disruption and unnecessary shift to distance learning, ADEK has updated the requirements as follows:
2 cases in a class - shifting class to distance learning
8 cases in one division - shifting division to distance learning
more than 1 division affected - shifting whole school to distance learning.
For details on nature of distance learning, your divisional Principals will contact you.
For details on nature of distance learning, your divisional Principals will contact you.
how is school communicating a positive case to families?
how is school communicating a positive case to families?
If your child is identified as close contact:
If your child is identified as close contact:
You will receive a call from School Official and subsequent email communication with instructions to follow.
If your child is at school at the moment of discovery of positive case, he/she will be isolated in School Clinic and you will be asked to collect from school immediately
if your child is at home at the moment of discovery of positive case, you will be asked to keep them home for the duration of quarantine.
If your child is NOT a close contact, but a positive case is discovered in his/her classroom:
If your child is NOT a close contact, but a positive case is discovered in his/her classroom:
You will receive a courtesy email informing you about the case.
Your child does not need to quarantine or test. However, if you wish to test your child, please keep him/her at home until results are out.
information sources and RESPECT FOR PRIVACY
information sources and RESPECT FOR PRIVACY
Only trust information provided by school officials. Do not spread, circulate unverified information that may cause unnecessary distress to families.
If you personally know of someone who may have tested positive for COVID-19 or is a close contact of positive case, please protect their identity and personal information and only share it with school official via GAA COVID-19 Hotline: 052 104 8099.
2020-2021 Yearbooks
2020-2021 Yearbooks
Dear GAA Families,
Have you ordered your yearbook and not collected yet? Please email pre_gaa@gemsedu.com to arrange for pick up.
If you have not ordered your copy yet, you can do so by paying AED 175 at school (cash, check or credit card).
EXCITING AFTER-SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES
EXCITING AFTER-SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES
ABU DHABI SAILING ACADEMY
ABU DHABI SAILING ACADEMY
Beginners Course
Beginners Course
Saturday, November 13, 2021, 7:30h to 12:00h
Intermediate course:
Intermediate course:
Saturday, November 13, 2021, 13:30h to 18:00h
ADSA is organizing courses on weekdays after 3 pm and weekends. Please contact for more information.
Contact Team ADSA:
Contact Team ADSA:
Hristo Hristov, General Manager / Principal
Mobile: 050 614 1689
Abu Dhabi Sailing Academy, operated by Fairwind Sailing Sports Club
Mobile: 0504047688
November 14: Dance for Kindness for Elementary: Wear Orange Color!
November 14-18: Kindness Challenge Week
November 16-17: Secondary Spring Production Auditions, 3:30-5:00pm.
November 16-17: MS/HS Season 2 Sports Tryouts. Schedule Here
November 21-24: Little Wildcats Swimming Team Tryouts. Schedule Here
November 24: Powderpuff - Seniors vs Juniors
November 25: Half-Day, school dismisses at 12.
November 27: Distance Learner School Photoshoot
November 29: UAE National Day Celebrations (students only). Dress Down Day with UAE National Dress or UAE Flag Colors.
SAVINGS ON APPLE PRODUCTS
SAVINGS ON APPLE PRODUCTS
FOR GAA FAMILIES
FOR GAA FAMILIES
Our preferred Apple provider, JTRS (Just The Right Solutions), has created an e-store from which you can purchase a number of Apple products below retail costs. JTRS Education is offering discounts on MacBook Pros, MacBook Airs and iPads, as well as add-ons, cases and extended warranties.
Below, you will find a document on how to locate and sign-up for the e-store to see the discounted products and make a purchase. Once purchased, JTRS Education will be in communication with you about when they will be delivered to the school. Once they have been delivered to GAA, you may pick your devices up from the ICT office here at the school.
GAA Estore Flyer.pdfGAA Estore PurchaseGuide.pdfUSEFUL APPS AND WEBSITES
USEFUL APPS AND WEBSITES
Please make sure you have downloaded GEMS Connect parent portal app for your convenience:
Pay fees online
Track your child's bus transportation
School communication (emails, newsletter, etc)
Submit requests (re-enrollment, Transfer Certificates)
GEMS Ambassador program (refer a friend, get 4% discount on school fees)
and much more...
GEMS Alumni App
GEMS Alumni App
As the GEMS community, we understand that it is not just mere nostalgia that we associate our alma mater with, it is much beyond that. Our GEMS alumni across 80 countries are doing amazing things and we want to celebrate their successes every step of the way! Download and join the #GEMSAlumni App today by clicking on the links below:
Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details…
App Store : https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gems-alumni/id1496962338
IT DEPARTMENT:
IT DEPARTMENT:
By Email:
By Email:
Online:
Online:
Please click on the link below and select the option to “Open Microsoft Teams.”
Please click on the link below and select the option to “Open Microsoft Teams.”
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO STAY UP-TO-DATE
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO STAY UP-TO-DATE
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