KG & Elementary

KG SECTION FOUND IN DROP DOWN MENU

Message from our Elementary Principal,

Mike Hopaluk

Dear GAA Community,

Please view the video below to get information on:

Return to Campus
Parent-Teacher Conferences & Feedback (Please give your feedback here)

With thanks,

Mike Hopaluk

Elementary Principal

email: esprincipal_gaa@gemsedu.com

Message from our Elementary Vice-Principal,

Mr. John O'Neill

Dear GAA Parents,

I hope you are all doing well and had productive talks with your children’s teachers this week. These conferences are an important timer all of us to focus on what the children in our school community need. Some of these needs are a bit different because of our COVID restrictions but others are the same as ever. I know that in school, we use this time to focus on three key points that are important for home:

Balance: something that is very difficult for us all to do right now. The weather right now is perfect for going outside and being active; something that was difficult to do only a few weeks ago. In the elementary, we are working to give students opportunities to be active within our health and safety restrictions, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Routines: children do not always act like they want routine but research clearly shows that this helps children feel less stress and safe. Any routines that you can organize in the home will help your child feel more calm and ready for learning. We work hard to establish these early in the school year - though it has been more challenging this year.

Rest: Sleep and rest is vital for growing minds. It is important to point out that screen time is not rest - something that you may notice is true for yourself too. Establishing clear and consistent bed times sets your children up for successful learning the next day. Additionally, making sure to have screen-free breaks in the home will help children really calm themselves and use up their energy bu the end of a day. In the elementary school, teachers schedule brain and body breaks within their daily schedule to support your children in school.

We appreciate all of the tireless work parents at home have put into supporting their children. I have heard so many inspiring examples that parents have put in place at home to support their children in being balanced, following routines and having breaks. We will continue to do our part to support these efforts from school. It has been wonderful to have these conferences to share and discuss the support of your children together. I am looking forward to a school year filled with further opportunities to continue these conversations.

Sincerely,

John O’Neill

Upper Elementary Vice Principal

News from Grade 1B

Ms. Nailah Stamp

How long can you sit, think, or read without getting distracted, worrying, or thinking about what is around you? 1B students have shown that they have the strength to do what most of us adults still struggle with. I am proud to say 1B students have truly persevered, shown true grit, and a growth mindset. It is not easy, but they have not given up on it. They can now read for 12 whole minutes, maybe longer, without any distractions! They have learned what true STAMINA is! They are working on practicing many good reading habits! If you see a student from 1B, be sure to tell them…good job!

News from Grade 4D

Mr. Reihana Haronga

In Grade 4 we have continued to build our resilience to our new working environments. In 4D, we said good-bye to the distance learners and were joined by new students from other classes to make our numbers complete.

Despite these minor interruptions, 4D students demonstrated an ability to work well with others and at a social distance.

For Inquiry, we are focusing on ‘The Body Systems’ and how they work.

The 4th Grade students were treated to a ‘Organ Gallery Walk’ led by Ms Tiffany Pulci. The students were able to see, think and wonder about different organs and their functions. Students also experienced the skeletal, muscular and digestive systems via the Google expedition app. Using 3-D augmented reality in the classroom was a fun and active way to discover the bones, muscles and organs in a very different learning experience.

Here we have Leyan examining a brain and Saeed and Jasem interested in intestines.

In 4D we also dressed down… and pink for ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Day.’ The students were very supportive and kindly donated their funds to a very worthy cause.

News from Upper Elementary Arabic Department

At Gems American Academy , we believe that we can celebrate the national events wherever we are , at home or at school , virtually or physically .

In November 3rd , students celebrated virtually the UAE Flag Day by wearing the UAE clothes , UAE flag colors ,raising the flag and singing the National Anthem online .

Here are some pictures UAE Flag Day Celebration

نح ن في مدرس ة جيمس الأميركيّة ، ن ؤ م ن ب أ نّنا نَستطي ع أن نحتفلَ ب ا ل م ناسَ با ت الوَ طَ ن يّ ة

في أيّ مكا ن نوج د فيه ، في البي ت أو في المدرس ة ، حضوراً أو عن ب عد .

في ال ثّالث من نوفمبر ، ا ح تفلَ تَلاميذ المرحل ة الابتدائيّ ة عن ب ع د ب يَ و م ا لع لَ م

الإماراتي من خ لا ل ا ر ت دا ئ ه م للزّ يّ الإماراتي، أو أزياء بألوا ن عَلَ م الإمارا ت ،

حا م لين الع لَم وَ م ن ش دين ال نّشيد ا لوَ طني " عيشي بلادي " .

UAE Flag Day Celebration Photos and Videos

Dear Parents,

Please click on the image for updates about PYP Library Services. Important information about taking books home is included.

Kind Regards,

Your PYP Librarians

YEARBOOK 2020-2021

ORDER FORM 2020-21.pdf

We can all agree that this year is very unique and our lives are very different than before.

The 2020/2021 yearbook will have a very personal feel to it and will capture the craziness of this school year.

Due to safety restrictions and considering that number of our students are still on full distance learning, we will not have Stu Williamson take student formal photos at school this year. In case things change, we may schedule the photoshoot for March 2021.

This is where we need our Parents and Students' help:

For KG/Elementary, we ask that parents send a recent picture of their child doing anything they like, eating, playing, exercising... clear face and good lighting.
For MS/HS, we ask that students send us a selfie, that can be funny but appropriate.

Homeroom and advisory teachers will reach out to their students/parents shortly with details. We hope to get the photos before the Winter Break.

Let's make a delicious lemonade out of the lemons, so generously given by 2020!

If you didn't get your copy of Yearbook 2019-2020, it is still available. Contact Ms. Fatma, Parent Relations Executive, at pre_gaa@gemsedu.com for payment details.

November 6-7: GEMS E-Sports FIFA 2020 Tournament (click for more info)
November 8-9: World Kindness Day Celebration: Wear Orange!
November 10-11: Elementary Wildcats Day: Wear Blue and White!
November 12: No School Day (Half Term as per revised calendar)

PBIS_spirit day.mp4

For the past two years, the upper elementary students have participated in Dance for Kindness. This has been a wonderful event to promote a kindness culture at our school that coincides with World Kindness Day. This event will take place on Sunday, November 8 (A day students), and Monday, November 9 (B day students).

This year, students are participating in 4 different ways. First, students can wear orange on these days to support World Kindness Day. Second, nine elementary classes are participating in the Dance for Kindness event: KG2G, 1B, 1C, 1E, 3A, 3B, 3D, 3F, & 5DL .

Third, students and teachers can participate in a virtual kindness event by listening to motivational kindness speakers and watching kindness performances from all over the world throughout the day on Sunday, November 8.

Fourth, students have had opportunities to participate in various kindness challenges. You may see some of the videos and photos on Facebook, Twitter, or in the GAAzette!

Kindness Challenge #1 – Record a short video message (10-60 seconds) sharing something positive and inspiring you’ve learned in the 2020 year.
Kindness Challenge #2 – Who is your Life Vest? Create a short video. Who has been a life vest in your life and why?
Kindness Challenge #3 – Participating in the Dance for Kindness event
Kindness Challenge #4 – World Kindness Shout-Out! Create a kindness sign to share a message of positivity with the world. Take a picture of yourself or your students with your sign(s).
Kindness Challenge #5 – Words of Kindness! Use your words to inspire or uplift. Create a short rap or poem adding in ideas of kindness, compassion, and/or empathy.
Kindness Challenge #6 – The Art of Kindness! Take a picture or create a drawing, painting, or art project that lets us know what kindness means to you.
Kindness Challenge #7 – Masked in Kindness! Bring some inspiration and kindness to your everyday face mask.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE GAA EVENTS CALENDAR

(please note, updated regularly)

EXCITING AFTER-SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES

VIRTUAL ACADEMY GUIDE

2020-2021 Term 1

ESM and DELTA is offering a range of online Sport and Enrichment activities for TERM 1. You can contact academies directly using the information in this brochure.

For general information referring all ESM Academies, please contact: