September 9, 2021 Issue (next issue on September 23, 2021)

Message from HEAD OF SCHOOL,

MR. ROBERT RINALDO

email: r.rinaldo_gaa@gemsedu.com

Please view Mr. Rinaldo's 1st GAAzette message of 2021-2022 school year below.

You can find all the recent communication from Mr. Rinaldo in the Home Page of Welcome Pack

1st Gazette .mov

Welcome Message

from Chairman Sunny Varkey

Letter to Parents_August 25, 2021.pdf

Students Dismissal Update

In an effort to alleviate the afternoon pick-up traffic, beginning Sunday September 12, we will direct Secondary Students (Grades 6-12) to leave from back gates 4 (Bus) and 5 (Tennis Court)

Secondary students, who are car-riders, will exit through Gate 5, by the Tennis Courts (Gate 5 will remain closed during morning drop-off time)
Elementary students, who are not bus riders, will continue to be collected from the front of the school upon scanning of QR codes.
Elementary students, who have Secondary Siblings, may be collected by their Secondary Siblings from the front of the school upon scanning QR codes and allowed to leave from the back gate WITH THEIR SECONDARY SIBLING. Elementary students are not allowed to exit from back gates without an accompanying adult or secondary school sibling.
IMPORTANT: Secondary students are not allowed to collect their younger siblings directly from classrooms. Secondary students must scan QR codes outside the front of the school (see below map) for their siblings’ specific homeroom. Elementary students will be then sent to their respective pick-up areas.

We would also like to remind that back gate 4 (Bus gate) is open in the mornings during drop off. Please feel free to use it to avoid the traffic of the front gates. Gate 5 will remain closed during morning drop-off time.

Thank you for all your feedback and patience in the past two weeks while we were working on resolving drop off and pick-up routines.

Next Checking of PCR Test Results

The expected next sharing of negative tests for attending students aged 12 and above will be due on Sunday, September 12.
Students aged below 12 WILL NOT need to share a negative PCR test on Sunday, September 12. The expected next sharing of negative tests for students aged below 12 will be due on Sunday, September 26. Testing schedule will be shared with parents once received from ADEK. We are not informed yet whether students below 12 will be tested in school.

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, 12 September for all students ages 12+ 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 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.

PCR Testing Clarification

All students KG to Grade 12 returning to face-to-face learning, including Students of Determination, must show a negative COVID-19 test result valid for 96-hours prior to returning to school FOR THE FIRST TIME.

After the first entry to school and September 28 onwards:

Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Students below 12: TESTING EVERY 30 DAYS
Vaccinated Students above 12: TESTING EVERY 30 DAYS
Unvaccinated Students (including those with approved vaccination exemption) above 12: TESTING EVERY 7 DAYS

Please upload the results on parent portal http://oasis.gemseducation.com See instructions here: UPLOADING RESULTS ON PORTAL

THREADS Uniform Store Update

Uniform Update.PDF

We understand that there is a shortage of uniform pieces and sizes currently at Threads Store. If you were unable to purchase uniform on time, here are the possible options:

Visit GAAPA Used Uniform Facebook Page
If still not available, you may wear a plain button-down shirt and trousers/skirts in colors similar to GAA uniform (sample: navy trousers/skirt and a light blue shirt).

Please respect UAE and GAA dress code:

No tight clothes.
No spaghetti strap shirt
No exposed mid-riff.
Skirts must be below the knees.
No hoodies
No offensive logos or expressions on clothing.

The Secondary Administration may require a student to return home for the purpose of changing clothing. Our policy is: Wear clothing that is respectful to yourself and others.

Please note that the above non-uniform arrangement is temporary until proper uniform is purchased. According to the recent communication from Threads Managing Director, all styles will be in stock at the latest by September 20.

Reminders from Admin Offices

We would like to remind you to submit the following documents. If you have already done so, please disregard this request.

Emergency Contact Forms / Photography Authorization

If you haven’t already done so, please complete THIS FORM (please download and complete in MS Word) by providing both parents' contact information (with local UAE mobile numbers) and an alternative contact. Contact information (email and mobile number) is required in order to ensure that our communication reaches you. Also, please complete the consent section of the form for photograph authorization. Where there is no respond, consent will be implied.

Parent IDs (lanyards)

We are starting to issue physical Parent IDs. If you haven’t received your physical ID yet, please submit your most recent photo by email to pre_gaa@gemsedu.com. If you have already received a digital copy of the ID, we will issue a physical one and you may collect from Main Reception.

At GEMS American Academy, we issue parent ID cards to our parents only. No ID Cards are issued for guardians, domestic helpers, drivers or relatives.

The Parent ID includes photos of the parent. The Parent ID does not expire and is valid as long as the child attends GAA. You will be asked to return Parent IDs, should you withdraw from GAA.

Health Forms (NOT ADEK mandatory forms for face-to-face attendance)

This is a friendly reminder that all families, especially our new families, need to return the following forms to our Clinic:

HAAD Screening Consent Form
Emergency Care Information
Health Information (Pages 1 and 2)
Medication Authorization

Click HERE to download the forms.

Should you have any questions, please contact our Nurses at nurse_gaa@gemsedu.com.

2020-2021 Yearbooks

Dear GAA Families,

Have you ordered your yearbook and not collected yet? Please email gaa_reception@gemsedu.com to arrange for pick up.

If you have not ordered your copy yet, you can do so by paying AED 175 at school (cash, check or credit card).

September 12: KG1 and KG2 students return to school full time
September 14: KG & Elementary Back to School Night (virtual)
September 14: Middle School Tryouts (Volleyball and Swimming)
September 15: Secondary Back to School Night (virtual)
September 16: Middle School Tryouts (Volleyball and Swimming)
September 26-30: Stu Williamson Photoshoot for KG & Elementary
September 28: Curriculum Night
October 5: College Night
October 12: IB Night

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

THE GAA EVENTS CALENDAR

(please note, updated regularly)

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

21/22 PARENT CALENDAR

USEFUL APPS AND WEBSITES

Click here for Summary

Please make sure you have downloaded GEMS Connect parent portal app for your convenience:

Pay fees online
Track your child's bus transportation
School communication (emails, newsletter, etc)
Submit requests (re-enrollment, Transfer Certificates)
GEMS Ambassador program (refer a friend, get 4% discount on school fees)
and much more...

GEMS Alumni App

As the GEMS community, we understand that it is not just mere nostalgia that we associate our alma mater with, it is much beyond that. Our GEMS alumni across 80 countries are doing amazing things and we want to celebrate their successes every step of the way! Download and join the #GEMSAlumni App today by clicking on the links below:

Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details…

App Store : https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gems-alumni/id1496962338