On Friday, November 22, 2024 I will hold a final conversation about phone use and the adolescent brain based on The Anxious Generation. We have met twice now to learn and hear from Jonathan Haidt and his research about phone use and the adolescent brain. In our first session, we learned about the devastating effects on teenage mental health that social media and pervasive access to it has caused since 2012. Anxiety and depression rates have increased for both boys and girls. Last Friday, we took a deeper dive into how these technologies have affected boys and girls in particular. Girls compare themselves to each other, their friends, their friends friends and a much wider circle via social media. Boys have retreated from traditional social outlets to gaming and other media distractions. Not to mention the 7-9 hours an adolescent spends on his/her phone daily.

On November 22, we will learn what we can do as parents and school administrators to have children return to a play-based childhood, and to positively set parameters on technology use for our children. 

Please share this invitation with your fellow GAA parents so we can build our common understandings and develop a shared commitment to a new phone policy at GAA.

Thank you, 

Garth Wyncoll

Secondary Principal

It was wonderful for parents to partner with teachers during Parent Teacher Conferences to hear how their scholars learn. This valuable information offers insight into the expectations of your child’s education and allows parents, students and teachers to work together on the common goal of academic excellence for students. 

Parents are able to use Google Classroom, Managebac (for IB scholars) and PowerSchool to help have rich discussions about learning and trouble shoot what students can continue to do well and what they have an opportunity to try again. Please avail of continued communication with teachers and support staff so that we can finish quarter 2 successfully. 

If your child says that they do not have homework, I encourage them to read for at least 30 minutes to an hour each day.  Increased literacy helps children to be more successful.  Ideally, reading should be done offline as we want to encourage less interface with technology.  Additionally, encourage your child to play – go outside, play a sport, or simply take a walk with you. According to Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation, The lack of play outside has been on the decrease since 1975. The decrease impacts well being, weight/health and mental acuity.  

Below are some highlights  of Senior Field trip to the College Fair.  Our students have plans to do great things and leave their mark on the world.  

Regards,

Monica Martin

HS Vice Principal (Grades 11-12)

Dear Families,

A full week back, and four more full weeks to go before our winter break. We have been very busy preparing for our upcoming ADEK inspection and now our next thing to plan is everyone's favorite, National Day! More information on how ADEK rates a school below.

We start our first round of field trips next week. Our goal is to have one educational trip and one fun trip. Grade 7 and 8 will go next week and grade 6 will be the following. 

Important Reminders:

• Next week is a white week- starts with A block.

• Grade 8 Vaccinations on November 12th.

• Grade 7 Field trip to Qasr Al Watn on Tuesday November 12th- see payment link below.

• Grade 8 Field trip to Qasr Al Watn on Wednesday November 13th. 

Have a great weekend!

Ms. Williams

Congratulations to Chaeyun Oh, Grade 9, and Sejun Oh, Grade 11 for participating and making GAA proud in the ‘Global Mental Math Olympiad 2024 (GMMO 2024) ‘, hosted by Live Math Competitions and League, which took place on Saturday, 26th October 2024 in Glendale International School, Oud Metha, Dubai, UAE.

Well Done!

University Fairs (held in Secondary Library)

• November 11: Medical Doorway

• November 13: Abu Dhabi University

• November 14: US Mini Fair (University of Oregon, UC Boulder, Loyola Chicago)

• November 15: US Air Force Visit

• November 19: AUS Visit

• November 20: Zayed University

ADEK Rize International Application Camp

Dear UAE National Seniors and Parents,

Please see the below message from ADEK Rize:

We are excited to offer 12th grade UAE nationals the opportunity to enroll in the Rize International Application Camp. This program, normally available only to Emiratis in the Rize UPCG Program, is now being extended to UAE nationals throughout the Emirate of Abu Dhabi!

The Rize International Application Camp is a developmental program that provides information and counselling for grade 12 Emiratis who want to position themselves for government scholarships to study at university abroad, particularly the Abu Dhabi Scholarship for Distinguished Students. While this is not a guaranteed award of a scholarship, it is a direct pipeline into ADS for qualified students.  

Program Benefits

• Expert, individualized counselling to select appropriate universities based on student profiles and majors of choice

• Country-specific information about requirements and timelines for international applications

• Direct coaching and feedback on personal statements and application packages to maximize admissions chances at selective universities

Program Eligibility

• Grade 12 UAE Nationals who wish to study internationally.

• We may also serve recent high school graduates on a case-by-case basis.

• Upon enrolment, students’ academic profiles will be vetted to ensure that they meet certain requirements of the Abu Dhabi Scholarship for Distinguished Students linked here. 

• Our team will work on ensuring that their offers of admission are able to match the ADS approved university and approved majors list, and we can help prepare students for the scholarship application cycle .

Program Structure and Getting Started

• Students complete the linked questionnaire and parental consent form.

• Once registered, students receive a link to the Global University Admissions Basics, a short series of workshops, all -prerecorded. These provide key information that benefits any student who wishes to study internationally and qualify for scholarships.

• Once students have completed this series, they are eligible to book 1:1 advisory meetings with our team of global admissions experts in which they receive targeted advice and coaching on any aspects of the university application process.

• Additionally, we offer a series of presentations and Q and A sessions on specific destinations such as Australia, USA, Europe, and Asia. 

• Finally, students become part of our WhatsApp Community, where they receive important updates and can reach out to us for support at any time.

The Rize International Application Camp has a rolling registration process, but as you’d expect, it is in a student’s best interest to register ASAP. 

EMSAT Update

Dear High School Families and Students, 

Over the weekend, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) announced the immediate cancellation of the EMSAT exams. 

Currently, there has been no follow-up policy or further details provided by ADEK regarding what this means for students moving forward. We understand that this announcement has raised questions and concerns, and we want to assure you that we are actively monitoring for any updates or clarifications from ADEK. In lieu of EmSAT testing data, families should consider registering for other assessment options as stipulated in Decree 199 Revised such as the IELTS, TOEFL, SAT.

As soon as we receive more information, we will communicate it to you promptly. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any immediate questions, and we will do our best to support you with the information we have at this time. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we await further guidance.

أولياء الأمور وطلابنا الكرام،

تحيّة طيبة وبعد،

أعلنت وزارة التربية والتعليم في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة خلال عطلة نهاية الأسبوع الإلغاء الفوري لاختبارات الإمارات القياسية (إمسات).

لم نستلم حتى اللحظة أي تعليمات أو سياسة معتمدة من  قبل دائرة التعليم والمعرفة بشأن ما يعنيه هذا للطلاب في المستقبل.  نحن نتفهم بأنه سيتبع هذا الخبر  الكثير من التساؤلات والمخاوف، ونود التأكيد بأننا نتابع عن قرب أي مستجدات أو توضيحات من دائرة التعليم والمعرفة. 

يجب أن يضع الأهالي في عين الاعتبار خيارات أخرى للاختبارات بدلا من الإمسات، كما هو مذكور في المرسوم رقم ١٩٩ المعدل، مثل امتحانات الآيلتس، أو  التوفل أو السات.   

نؤكد التزامنا بتقديم كل المعلومات المطلوبة فور استلامنا لأي مرسوم أو تعميم، وسيتم التواصل معكم على الفور لمشاركتكم بكافة التفاصيل. 

يرجى عدم التردد في التواصل معنا عند  وجود أي سؤال أو استفسار، وسنعمل ما بوسعنا لدعمكم بالمعلومات المتوفرة لدينا في الوقت الحالي.

نتقدم لكم بجزيل الشكر لصبركم وتفهمكم، بينما ننتظر المزيد من الإرشادات من قبل دائرة التعليم والمعرفة.

غارث وينكول

مدير المرحلة الثانوية  

Grade 10 Survey - GAA Course Interests Form for SY25-26

GAA seeks your valuable input on the courses that you would like to see offered to our scholars for SY25-26.  

Statement of Understanding - by completing this survey of interest, I understand that I am expressing an interest in enrolling in the selected course(s), or that I have an interest to study this course in the future. This information will be taken into consideration as GAA develops its SY25-26 Program of Studies and ensuing schedule and is not a guarantee that all aforementioned courses will be offered. 

Your participation in this survey will help us make informed decisions about course offerings - further developing our pathways to graduation at GEMS American Academy.

• November 11-15 - Book Fair

• November 11-15 - Kindness Week

• November 13 - Dress Down Day (Wear Orange or Bright Colors)

• November 16 - Fall Festival

• November 27 - Grade 11 Official School Photoshoot(RESCHEDULED)

• November 28-29 - UAE National Day Celebration