Sunday October 24 - next checking of PCR test results for students below 12.

If you missed free in-school testing of October 14, please take your child to the designated testing location at Biogenix Lab in Masdar City (school code KS-9086). Students without recent PCR test results will not be able to enter the school premises.

Uploading PCR Results to Parent Portal

Parents are still required to upload PCR results in the GEMS Parent Portal before school gates open at 7:30 am on Sunday, October 24 for all students attending school on campus. See instructions here: UPLOADING RESULTS ON PORTAL

PCR Result Sources

Parents must upload screenshot of:

• Al Hosn green screen with new PCR results; or

• PCR report PDF in Al Hosn; or

• SMS results; or

• PCR lab report.

Print out of PCR results

To speed up the gate check of new PCR results, please send a print out of results to avoid using phones. It helps guards and staff quickly & easily read and check results.

What a wonderful start to the year we have had in the KG Library! First of all, students have been allowed to physically return to the Library for the first time in a year and a half, and they are now able to freely check out books to take home with them. It is so nice to see all of the smiles on their faces as they are selecting the “just right” books for them!

We started out the year in September with a dress-down day to promote a school-wide DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) time. It was exciting to see students reading good books while getting comfortable with their pajamas and stuffed animals!

In Library class for the past month, we have been learning about how to take care of our books, reviewing the parts of a book, and we are learning about how to find the “just right” book for us. We also celebrated some authors and illustrators that participated in the “Reading is Magic Festival” last week. The KG students listened to some books by the author, David Litchfield. They enjoyed hearing about bear’s love for music in the story, The Bear and the Piano. Everyone had an enjoyable time playing musical instruments to display their own excitement for music! Grade 1 students displayed their passion for illustrating after listening to some books written and illustrated by Rob Biddulph. Students enjoyed listening to Show and Tell and The Grizzly Who Lost His Grrr! Afterwards, they were taught how to draw some of the main characters from the illustrator himself!

Parents, please reach out to me if you would like to check out some books for your child to read. Send me an email with the list of titles, authors, and/or subjects. Go to the PYP Library webpage to search for the books you want. I will package them up for you for you to pick up from security: j.thompson_gaa@gemsedu.com

Dear GAA Families,

You are cordially invited to attend the Positive Parenting workshop, first of the Triple P events, organized by our Elementary Counsellors:

• Date: October 12th

• Time: 10am

• Location: Via ZOOM link

The following topics will be discussed:

• Children’s behavior

• Creating a safe, interesting home environment

• Having a positive learning environment

• Assertive discipline

To register your participation and to receive ZOOM link, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/dFwidMjg3U8CtTWX6

We look forward to seeing you all!

Melanie Moses – Grade 2-5 Guidance Counsellor

Alison Haswell – KG-Grade 1 Guidance Counsellor

Dear Parents,

Beginning next week, your child will have an opportunity to participate in a READMarathon. A READMarathon is a friendly reading challenge (see this site for more information: https://www.readwithmalcolm.com/readmarathon/). If your child chooses to participate, he/she will read for 26.2 days straight, building their reading stamina, developing his/her endurance and crossing the Finish Line by reading either 400 minutes (10K), 800 minutes (Half-Marathon) or 1600 reading minutes (Marathon). Talk to your child to see which reading goal they want to set for themselves throughout the 26.2 days. If your child isn't reading yet, you can read with/to them to meet the challenge goal. You can read books on EPIC (https://www.getepic.com/). Raz Kids (https://www.raz-plus.com/), books from home, library books, etc. throughout the 26.2 days.

The READMarathon 2021 starts on October 12 and ends on November 7.

If your child chooses to participate, please fill out this Google form (https://forms.gle/HEmDspcR192dfodLA). After you complete it, Mrs. Jennifer or Mrs. Kirby, the elementary librarians, will send home paper copies of a reading log, course map (to help you on your reading journey), and a suggested reading schedule with your child. Your child will turn in the reading log to Mrs. Jennifer or Mrs. Kirby on or before November 7.

By participating in this reading challenge, you will help your house team earn points! Be a risk-taker and sign up for the READMarathon today!

Kind regards,

Jennifer Thompson

KG/Grade 1 Librarian

• October 12: Triple P with Elementary Counsellors (Positive Parenting Workshop). Sign up here.

• October 12-November 7: READMarathon with PYP Library

• October 14: In-school free PCR testing for students in KG-Grade 5

• October 14: Elementary House Spirit Day (wear your House Colors)

• October 17-21: Mid-term Break

• October 24: School resumes, PCR checking

• October 28: Half-Day, school dismisses at 12. Elementary School dress down day theme: Crazy Day - get crazy with hair and mismatched clothing (in support of GAAPA with 5 AED donation)