Dear Parents,

I am delighted to share with you an exciting and momentous event that will be taking place right here in the UAE – Dubai will be hosting COP28, the 28th Conference of the Parties, a global gathering dedicated to addressing the critical issue of climate change.

At GAA, we believe in nurturing not only the academic excellence of our learners but also their character and sense of responsibility. This conviction is rooted in the understanding that education is not confined to the walls of our classrooms but extends to the broader world and the challenges it faces. It is with this ethos in mind that I write to you today to emphasize the importance of instilling in our children the values of sustainability and environmental stewardship.

COP28 represents a unique opportunity for our learners to witness firsthand the global efforts to combat climate change. This conference brings together leaders, scientists, and advocates from across the world to discuss, negotiate, and implement strategies aimed at mitigating the impact of climate change. 

As parents, we play a crucial role in shaping the perspectives and values our children carry with them into adulthood. Our responsibility extends beyond ensuring they excel academically; we must equip them with the awareness and commitment to contribute positively to the world around them. Teaching our children about the significance of sustainability is not just about instilling a sense of responsibility but also empowering them to be proactive global citizens.

Here are a few key points to consider when discussing the importance of sustainability with your child. Our Primary Years Programme at GAA focus on being a Global Learner and we feel lucky to live and learn in a place so committed to these Global Learner values. 

Understanding the Global Impact:

COP28 provides a unique lens through which our learners can comprehend the interconnectedness of nations and the shared responsibility we all bear in protecting our planet. By discussing the conference with your child, you can highlight the collaborative efforts of countries worldwide and the impact of their decisions on the environment.

Fostering a Sense of Responsibility:

Engage your child in conversations about their role in preserving the environment. Encourage them to think about small actions they can take, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and making eco-friendly choices. Instilling a sense of responsibility from a young age will lay the foundation for a lifetime of environmentally conscious decisions.

Connecting Classroom Learning to Real-World Issues:

Use COP28 as an opportunity to connect what your child learns in the classroom to real-world issues. Discuss the concepts of climate change, sustainability, and conservation, reinforcing the idea that what they learn has a direct bearing on the world they live in.

Empowering Young Advocates:

Encourage your child to express their thoughts and ideas on environmental issues. Whether through art, writing, or discussions, fostering a sense of advocacy will empower them to make a difference. Consider engaging in small, family-led projects that promote sustainability, allowing your child to actively participate in caring for the environment.

Creating Lasting Habits:

Sustainability is not just a lesson; it's a way of life. Help your child develop habits that contribute to a greener future. Whether it's through responsible consumption, waste reduction, or supporting eco-friendly initiatives, these habits will become a natural part of their daily lives.

As we witness COP28 unfold in our country this week ahead, let us seize this opportunity to reinforce the importance of sustainability in the minds and hearts of our children. Together, as a community committed to nurturing responsible global citizens, we can inspire the next generation to be stewards of our precious planet.

With warm regards,

Leia Kraeuter

Elementary Principal

Home Support for English Language Learners

Encourage your child to:

1. Read in English for half an hour every day. If you don’t have any books at home, they can use the website www.getepic.com or borrow from the school’s library

2. Start a journal: writing one page every day, describing what they did, what they have enjoyed the most, etc.

3. Download Duolingo and practice daily. It is a free, fun app! https://www.duolingo.com/ 

4. Watch movies in English and select English subtitles too.

5. Speak as much English as possible: with friends, at the mall, in the neighborhood, etc.

6. Learn a new word everyday and write it in their journal.

7. Create their own dictionary of keywords for each subject.

8. Have labels around the house with the English vocabulary.

9. Learn the lyrics of English songs and have fun singing them!

10. Use google translator or a dictionary: these are super useful tools.

11. Use Khan Academy to develop Math skills www.khanacademy.com

12. Go online and use some of these websites:

• Vocabulary: https://freerice.com/categories/english-vocabulary 

• Books: https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/featured/new/book?BookId=86 

• Math: https://www.prodigygame.com/dashboard/#welcome 

• Math: https://www.mathplayground.com/ 

• Educational Games: https://www.abcya.com/ 

• Educational Games: https://www.abcmouse.com/ 

And continue to learn your first language! Developing one’s mother tongue is fundamental to the growth of English skills.

KG1 have had an exciting week so far. We got to dress up as real-life superheroes. We all came dressed up in a variety of outfits, including, doctors, nurses, police, firefighters and many more. 

We took part in the fire drill and we were lucky to have a special visit from the local fire department. The children were excited to see the fire trucks and the firefighters in their uniforms. We were treated to an assembly about fire safety and the firefighters were able to explain to us what they do.

This week we had book fair and each class had the opportunity to visit the book fair and purchase some books that they found of interest.

We have had a very busy week in grade 1. We have been continuing to dive deep into our unit of Inquiry – Who We Are and have been unpacking our central idea that Making Informed Choices Leads to a Balanced and Healthy Lifestyle. We started our week with an assembly from Ms. Alison talking about mindfulness and ways to keep our mind healthy – the students in particular loved Ms Alison’s bubbles as they tried to calm their minds and bodies. 

We also recalled our prior knowledge and previous unit on Community Helpers to talk about ways the community helpers can help us to stay healthy. On Wednesday the students dressed up as helpers with our class doctors, nurses, dentists etc. informing the class how to keep safe. We got to see some safety in action with a Civil Defence fire drill visit and presentation too. Our grade one students did a great job and know how to be healthy and safe. 

On Thursday, we talked about things we are thankful for – the students listed their families, friends, safety – the Civil Defense, the UAE and health as things they were thankful for. We have such wonderful students in 1E that we are thankful for. 

Finally, we finished the week with our Dubai Fitness Challenge. This week was our turn to get on stage and the grade 1’s did a great job showing everyone how to Climb the Rope and stay physically fit. 

Grade 3D has been learning all about multiplication and division in our current unit of math. We created fact family towns to help us conceptualize the subject in a creative and fun way. The students really enjoyed combining their love of math and art together to produce these towns.

Fourth graders are reflecting on the importance of the value of honesty

طلاب الصف الرابع يؤكدون على أهمية قيمة الصدق

Grade 5 students started learning about the ancient civilization (Majan and Delmoun). They recognized Sarouq Al Hadid the archeological site in the desert of Dubai, visited it virtually and discovered that the Expo 2020’s logo was inspired from a gold ring found there. Currently, students are studying about the culture in UAE.

تلاميذ الصف الخامس بدأوا منذ بداية العام الدراسي بالتعرّف على الحضارات القديمة ( ماجان ودلمون ) وعلى الموقع الأثري ساروق الحديد . قام التلاميذ بجولة افتراضيّة في متحف ساروق الحديد واطّلعوا على محتوياته وخاصة القطعة الذهبية الدائرية التي اتّخذت شعاراً لإكسبو ٢٠٢٠. حاليّاً يتعلمّ التلاميذ عن تراث الإمارات . 

Grade 4 students are learning about the different landforms in UAE (mountains, plains, desert and islands) and how do we benefit from each place. Students specified each landform on the UAE map. 

في الصف الرابع ، يتعلّم التلاميذ عن الأشكال المختلفة للأرض في دولة الإمارات ( جبال ، سهول ، جزر وصحراء وكيفية الاستفادة من كل مكان . 

In grade 3, students learned about the characteristics of the planets and the rotation of the earth around itself and around the sun and the effects of this rotation. They also learned about the  problems of water shortage in the UAE. 

Students in all grades celebrated UAE Flag Day in November 3rd, and they are preparing to celebrate UAE National Day in November 29th.

تلاميذ الصف الثالث تعرّفوا على المجموعة الشمسيّة واطّلعوا على خصائص المجموعة الشمسيّة كما تعلّموا عن مشكلة نقص الماء في الإمارات  وحاولوا إيجاد حلول لهذه المشكلة . 

التلاميذ في كل المراحل الدراسيّة  احتفلوا بـ" يوم العَلَم " في الثالث من نوفمبر بالقيام بعدّة أنشطة صفّْية ومسابقات وهم يتحضّرون للاحتفال باليوم الوطني يوم الأربعاء الواقع في التاسع والعشرين من نوفمبر .

• November 29: UAE National Day Celebration at school

• November 30: Last day to donate for Tarahum for Ghaza campaign

• December 1: ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING - no in-person school.

• December 4: National Day Public Holiday (NO SCHOOL)

• December 6, 7, 9: Musical "Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella: Youth Edition"

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