World Teacher Day: Celebrating Our Partners in Education

Dear Parents,

This week our GAAPA did an amazing job helping us to celebrate World Teacher Day, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation for the incredible teachers here at GAA and the parents and community that support them. This day serves as a reminder of the invaluable role that teachers play in shaping the future of our children. It also emphasizes the significance of a strong partnership between school and home. 

Teaching is more than just a profession; it is a passion and our call to action. Our teachers work tirelessly to create a nurturing and stimulating environment where your child can learn, grow, and explore their full potential. They not only impart academic knowledge but also instill values, empathy, and a love for lifelong learning.

The importance of a strong partnership between school and home cannot be overstated. Your involvement in your child's education is invaluable. When we work together, we create a support system that enhances your child's overall development. Effective communication and collaboration between teachers and parents allow us to better understand each child's unique needs and provide them with a tailored educational experience.

To foster this relationship, we encourage parents to actively engage with their child's education. Attend parent-teacher conferences, participate in school events, and join our parent-teacher association (GAAPA). Your input, questions, and insights are not only welcome but essential in creating a vibrant learning community.

As we look ahead to the future, it's crucial that we continue to nurture this partnership. Education is a joint effort between school and home, and when we work together, we create an environment where your child can flourish. Together, we can instill a lifelong love for learning and equip our students with the skills and values they need to succeed in an ever-evolving world.

On this World Teacher Day, let us celebrate and express our gratitude to our teachers for their unwavering dedication and hard work. They are not only educators but also mentors, role models, and champions for our children. Their impact extends far beyond the classroom, shaping the future leaders of tomorrow.

I want to thank each and every one of you for entrusting us with the education of your children. Together, we can continue to provide them with the best possible foundation for a bright and promising future. Happy World Teacher Day, and let us keep working hand in hand to nurture the growth and development of our beloved students.

Leia Kraeuter

Elementary Principal

Exhibition is Starting Soon!

Dear Grade 5 Parents,

I am excited to share with you information about the Primary Years Programme (PYP) Exhibition, an important event that happens in our school.

The PYP Exhibition is a culminating project that allows our grade 5 students to showcase their learning and understanding of the PYP curriculum. It is an opportunity for our students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, as well as their personal growth and development.

During the PYP Exhibition, our grade 5 students will be working collaboratively on a project that reflects their interests, talents and the concepts they have explored throughout the PYP programme. The project will involve research, investigation, and critical thinking, as well as the development of communication, collaboration, and time-management skills.

This year, Exhibition will begin after the fall break and the final exhibit and share will take place in April. The Exhibition unit will run in conjunction with other units simultaneously. 

As parents, you play a crucial role in supporting your child during the PYP Exhibition process. Here are some ways that you can help:

• Introduce your child to local and global news events to broaden their thinking before picking a topic. (For example, the earthquakes in Syria/Turkey, First Arab Astronaut to the space station, the UAE banning plastic shopping bags/single use plastic, etc). 

• Encourage your child to share about the process they are going through in the classroom and show you their exhibition journals. 

• Support your child with their research and investigation. Help them find reliable sources of information and encourage them to ask questions and explore different perspectives.

• Provide a space for your child to work on their project. Ensure that they have access to the necessary resources and materials.

• Encourage your child to practice their presentation skills. Help them rehearse their presentation and provide feedback on their communication skills.

• Attend the PYP Exhibition (April 30th) and show your support for your child and their classmates. This is a great opportunity to celebrate your child's achievements and to see the learning that has taken place throughout the PYP programme.

I hope that this information has been helpful in understanding the PYP Exhibition and how you can support your child during the process. I will be hosting in person meetings to discuss the PYP Exhibition on October 23rd at 8am and 2pm. Please join if you want more in depth knowledge of what the PYPx process will be like.  I look forward to seeing you at the Exhibition and celebrating the achievements of our grade 5 students.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Pulci

PYP Coordinator

Dear PreK-Grade 5 Parents,

Stu Schools (official school photography studio) are going to be visiting us again this year on October 9-13 to capture beautiful images of your children. Please see below schedule . If they are absent on that day, don’t worry as we can take them on one of the other days that the team are here.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

• Taking a photo is mandatory. We need a photo of every student for our database and other school-related events. 

• Please make sure not to schedule doctor’s appointments or other conflicting events that day. Please make sure your child arrives for school on time.

• Students must be in the proper school uniform. Both current NEW designs and last year designs are allowed for the photoshoot. Important: If your child has Physical Education classes on that day, please make sure to send official uniform as well to change into.

• Your child may bring a brush or comb to tidy their own hair, but we are unable to do this for them.

• Please note that the photographers may request different poses from your child, some smiling with teeth, some without, to offer a multitude of options to you, and if you child wears glasses, they may be asked to take them off for a photo. (This is purely for editing reasons if there is a glare from the glasses).

• After the shoot, your child will bring home a Password Card, which has a unique code for your child on it. The card contains instructions of how to access your child’s photos, if you wish to buy them. When creating an account, please be advised to only use one email address, and not to create multiple accounts. Once you have created an account and added your child’s unique code, you will not need the unique code again, as your child will be linked to your account.

• Please note that it can take 2-3 weeks from the end of photo week to have access to the photos as the team at Stu Schools need to work their magic to create the class photos.

If you have any concerns, or questions, please do not hesitate to contact Stu Schools on 04 388 3382, or email them on schools@stu.ae

Dear Parents,

Your child's well-being is of utmost importance to us, and we would greatly appreciate your input to help us better understand and support their social and emotional needs. To achieve this, we kindly request you to participate in our Social, Emotional, Well-being Survey.

Your valuable feedback will assist us in creating a more nurturing and responsive environment for all our students. The survey is short and should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. Please complete this anonymous survey by October 13th. 

Please click on the link below to access the survey:

[Survey Link]

Your responses will remain confidential, and the data collected will be used solely for the purpose of improving our school's support systems.

We deeply appreciate your cooperation and dedication to your child's well-being. Together, we can continue to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment.

Thank you for your participation.

Sincerely,

Melanie Moses

School Counselor

Confused about what Exhibition is? Want to find out how to support your child during Exhibition? Come to an informative parent session and Q&A to get some clarity.

• October 23rd at 8am 

• October 23rd at 2pm

Our amazing  friends in KG1C  have started on their first Unit of Inquiry called "Who We Are." They're tuning in to wonder all about themselves and how they use their body, minds and heart to feel and think.

KG1C are learning about making special friends, working collaboratively in their groups, learning how to use resources effectively in learning through play. They have confidently learned rules and routines and know how to work collaboratively in their continuous provisions.

We have been learning about the story: “Brown Bear, Brown Bear. “ Our students have learned to retell the story through puppet play. They even learned how to sing the song Brown Bear.

As they keep learning about "Who We Are," these kids are becoming more confident. They do fun things like playing games and telling stories to help them understand who they are and what's around them.

Every day, they're getting smarter and having a blast on their adventure. KG1C are not just learning about their bodies; they're also learning that it's great to be themselves!

Our journey of learning is always an exciting adventure in 3C! and our first unit on simple machines was no exception. As we discovered the world of levers, pulleys, inclined planes, and more, our young scholars embarked on a hands-on exploration that left them engaged and enthusiastic about the wonders of science and engineering. 

3C students were quick to grasp the fundamental concepts of simple machines and to culminate our unit and put our new knowledge into action, we embarked on a creative project by recreating a UAE desert environment, showing the ingenious use of simple machines that have been a part of the region's history and culture for centuries.

Our students formed teams and took on the challenge with enthusiasm. Each group was tasked with constructing a miniature UAE desert scene that incorporated a simple machine. The result was remarkable! 

One group recreated the Al falaj irrigation system using inclined planes to channel waterthrough the desert landscape. Another team designed a well using a pulley system that demonstrated how this simple machine has been important in accessing water from the depths of the earth.

Some other students demonstrated their understanding of wedges by making an axe, important for various tasks in a desert environment. They also incorporated a wheel and axle into a mini-wheelbarrow, highlighting the importance of this simple machine in transporting heavy loads in the harsh desert. 

3C teamwork was wonderful. They collaborated, problem-solved, and, most importantly, had fun while doing so! 

As their teacher, I was proud to witness my 3rd graders not only understand the principles of simple machines but also apply their knowledge in a creative way. They had learned about simple machines and developed an appreciation for their role in shaping the world around us.

5D were asked to make a video expressing how it feels in each of the zones and strategies to support our emotions. The students worked really hard on social, emotional learning and editing skills. Please take a moment to view their videos in below link.

Congratulations to Mr. Warwick’s 3rd grade class, Ms. Emer’s 4th grade class, and Ms. Roberta’s 5th grade class for receiving the Golden Recorder Award. These students have shown how to be respectful, focused, and creative. They have positive attitudes by trying their best and have been responsible with materials.

Students in 3rd grade are being introduced to some notes on the treble clef staff. 4th  grade students are reviewing how to read the treble clef staff and being introduced to notation on the bass clef. 5th grade students are reviewing how to read both treble and bass clef.

• October 9-13: Elementary School official student photoshoot (PreK-Grade 5)

• October 16-20: Mid-term Break, no school in session. Admin offices open 8:00am - 2:00pm

• October 23: PYP Exhibition Information Session for Grade 5 Parents: 8 am and 2 pm.

• October 27: Pizza and Popsicle Day by GAAPA and Booster Club - Dress Down Day theme for ELEMENTARY: Real Life Heroes!

• November 2: UAE Flag Day Celebration at school

• November 18: Fall Festival