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With thanks,

Mike Hopaluk

Elementary Principal

email: esprincipal_gaa@gemsedu.com

Dear Parents,

Our children have been at school for 7 weeks already. This time seems to have flown past for me but, at the same time, so much has happened. It is hard to believe that much time has already passed in our children’s school year.

Talking to your children about school can be challenging. Many of us, myself included, know the frustration of one word answers from our kids when we ask about school. For me, the shocking moment has always been when my child can not remember a thing to tell me about their school day.

It is important to try to keep this communication habit going in the home. Some children do not want to share because they feel that school life is private and separate from home life. It is important to know that your interest in your child’s school life boosts their mental health, happiness and well being. Most importantly, regular communication about school helps you see problems that may be bothering your child before they become too big. You can use this time to coach your child through their challenges and to provide you a chance to teach your child about your family values connected to friendships, conflict resolution, problem solving, teamwork, respect for others and, most importantly, respect for yourself.

We can keep this communication flowing by asking specific, simple questions about parts of the day, like:

• What was fun?
• Who did you play/hang out with at recess?
• What happened today that you liked the best?
• What lessons did you have today?
• What projects are you working on at the moment?

Your children’s school year goes by so quickly. I wish you the best of luck in sharing these experiences as they rapidly unfold this school year.

If you’d like, you can find more related ideas and information on this from the Australian Parenting Website: https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/school-learning/school-homework-tips/talking-about-school

Have a good week,

John O’Neill

Grade 3, 4 & 5 Vice Principal

email: esugvprincipal_gaa@Gemsedu.com

Our first graders have been busy establishing a concise instructional pathway in phonics. Our reading, writing and phonics programs provides instruction that is realistic and is able to create life connections. To help us engage our students and to create a joyous community of learners our class mascot, Rasheed, came to our classrooms in a secret box. Mr. Mike, surprised us each class and delivered Rasheed to us. Rasheed is now an important part of our classrooms helping us to read and write. Not only is he helping us to read and write, but he is also our new friend!”

What’s happening in 3C?

Unit of Inquiry: Egg-spirement

Over the past few weeks, we have been learning all about how: Taking ownership of learning empowers us. Students have inquired into the top 4 brain rules and learned what they can do to have a healthy brain as well as how to take care of their minds. Students also completed a learning style test to see how they learn best.

This week, we went over the scientific method and completed an egg-spirement. We immersed boiled eggs into various liquids (orange juice, coca-cola, grape juice and water). Students formulated a hypothesis on what would happen to the eggs.

Over the next few days, we made observations about what we noticed happening to the egg. At the end of the week, we took out the eggs and opened them up to see how the “enamel” and inside had been affected.

The students submitted their results and reflected on various topics such as;

• how does this relate to our health?
• how does this relate to our brain rules?
• what changes might you make to your life after this experiment?

In Performing Arts we are having loads of fun with our learning! 2^nd grade students are working on reading and improvising rhythms using nursery rhymes. 3^rd grade students are preparing for the Arts Festival. They have a wonderful program set to the book, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. If you want to see our third graders in action, their festival will be on November 21^st. 4^th grade students are dancing! They are learning about American Folk Dance and sharing folk dances from their own cultures! 5^th grade students are working on monologues! We have had lots of discussion about monologues and what they are. Students are creating their own, using personal stories. They are working on expression through acting! 5^th grade students are also working on their proficiency performances (keyboard). Students are reading notation, rhythm, meter and are able to read the treble and bass clef! As you can see, we are working extremely hard in Performing Arts!

Our After School Activity, Dance For Kindness, has been busy! We are a group of students committed to spreading kindness. In late September, we hosted a bake sale with all proceeds and donations going to UAE Red Crescent; we raised over 900 dirhams in 30 minutes!

Our next highly anticipated bake sale will be on Wednesday, October 23, from 2:45 to 3:30 pm. Make sure to stop by our table in the GAA Lobby to purchase a sweet! The most exciting news will be what we have been practicing for every Thursday; on World Kindness Day, November 10, our ASA will participate in a worldwide event called Dance For Kindness, a Global Kindness Flashmob. At approximately 2:40 pm on November 10, you may notice a flood of orange shirts in the lobby. Be prepared to be amazed as the music starts and our dancers take over GAA’s lobby. We hope to see you there!

Hello Families,

Drawings by Me is coming to our school! Currently, your son or daughter (grades 1-5) is creating an art piece in their art class for drawings by me. Drawings by me is a company that transforms your child’s art piece into a keepsake. Your son or daughter will be getting a blue envelope with an order form and their artwork they created in class next week!

Simply fill out the order form envelope and return it to the box at the main reception with your payment. Make sure everything is filled out appropriately before you turn it in.

If you would like another piece of artwork other than the one they create in art, just replace their artwork with the new piece and send it in. Make sure it is on an A4 white piece of paper using the landscape orientation, with your child’s details on the back.

Kind regards,

Elementary Visual Art Department

We would like to remind all cast members that rehearsals are every Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3:00pm to 4:30pm in Room 165.

Kind regards,

Ms. Caitlin and Ms. Pugh

Dear GAA Parents,

Did you know know that you can become our Library member and borrow up to 5 books per visit in PYP library and 10 in Secondary? Parents may keep the borrowed book/s for two weeks and renew as needed.

Check out PYP Website and be amazed by number and variety of books that we offer for you and your family!

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE GAA EVENTS CALENDAR

(please note, updated regularly)

• October 20 - 23 - Little Thinker Book Fair
• October 22 - Meet our Elementary Counsellors for Triple P session
• October 24 - No school day per the GAA calendar approved by ADEK. This three-day weekend is timed with a number of schools in the Abu Dhabi area that take a week-long break. Our Admin offices (including Finance and Admissions) will remain open usual office hours 08:00-16:00.
• October 31 - Half Day/Dress Down Day for KG and Elementary