Dear Parents, 

September 21st around the world is recognized as International Peace Day. This day is not just a date on the calendar; it's a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to foster peace and harmony in our world. We took time yesterday to engage in activities that promote peace and align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

International Peace Day, observed annually on September 21st, is a day when people all over the world come together to reflect on the importance of peace, unity, and understanding among nations and individuals. It's a day that encourages us to envision a world free from conflict and filled with opportunities for growth and development. We believe that teaching our young learners about peace and kindness from an early age is a core value and one we share at GAA. 

We encourage you to engage in conversations with your children about the importance of peace, empathy, and global citizenship. Ask them about what they have learned and experienced at school, and encourage them to share their thoughts and ideas.

We believe that nurturing a generation of peace-loving and socially responsible individuals is vital for a brighter future. Together, as a school community and with your support at home, we can empower our children to become change-makers who work towards a world filled with peace, justice, and equality.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education and for joining us in celebrating International Peace Day and the UN SDGs. Let us work hand in hand to inspire our children to be the peacemakers of tomorrow. https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace

Leia Kraeuter

Elementary Principal

The Importance of Elementary School Relationships between Parents and the Teacher

When parents have concerns about their child's care and education, it's essential to address them effectively. This week we discuss common parental concerns and I provide tips on how to communicate with teachers without becoming overly emotional. Open and respectful communication between parents and teachers can lead to positive outcomes for the child's well-being and development.

The Example:

Parent's Concern: A parent is concerned because her daughter has recently started to resist going to school. Her daughter used to calmly say goodbye, but now she cries and protests. The teacher reassures the parent that the child is just going through a phase and is a bit "sensitive." The parent is becoming increasingly anxious, fearing that there might be something happening at school that she's not aware of.

A Common Theme:

Parents have valid concerns but often struggle to address them with teachers without becoming emotional. They may experience anger, guilt, embarrassment, and confusion about how to approach the situation. However, failing to communicate can lead to more significant concerns and negative emotions.

Before the Meeting:

• Reflect on your desired outcome and why it's essential for your child.

• Arrange a face-to-face meeting or a phone call to discuss your concerns, avoiding email for sensitive matters.

• Write down your thoughts and ideas to help you articulate your concerns clearly.

During the Conversation:

• Use "I statements" to express your feelings and ideas.

• Listen attentively to the teacher's response.

• Clarify any questions or uncertainties.

• Collaborate with the teacher to find solutions that work for both parties.

• Agree on a plan and schedule a follow-up meeting if necessary.

Outcomes for the example scenario:

In this case, the parents contacted the school and scheduled a meeting with the teacher. During the meeting, the parent expressed her confusion about the term "sensitive." The teacher clarified and shared her knowledge about the child’s separation anxiety. They decided to continue checking in weekly to monitor the child’s progress, providing the parent with peace of mind.

Quality elementary schools prioritize collaboration between families and teachers, recognizing the significance of parents in children's development. Clear communication is a key component of making a successful relationship. While most situations proceed smoothly, addressing concerns may require extra effort. Parents have the right and responsibility to voice their concerns, ultimately benefiting their child's education and well-being through effective communication with teachers. Working together, we can build the support every child needs to have a successful school year.

Douglas Sherrill

Elementary VP (Grades 3-5)

We are looking forward to your participation at Parent-Teacher Conferences on

Wednesday 27th September & Thursday 28th September

 IMPORTANT: There will be no school for students on these days

During this meeting you will discuss your child’s progress and look at some key learning goals for the rest of this school year.

Teachers will be available for meetings between the following times: 

• Wednesday 27th September – 10:00am – to 6:00pm (in person or online)

• Thursday 28th September – 7:30am to 3:30pm (in person or online)

How to Book Your Conference

Below are the links to book your conference times:

• Homeroom Teachers: https://www.schoolbookings.net/code/xwtyw 

• Specialist Teachers: https://www.schoolbookings.net/code/q7dbz  

Before booking, please be aware of your child’s homeroom section and teacher. You will need to select the correct teacher when signing up.  You will be able to book with your child’s homeroom teacher for 20 minutes and specialist teachers for 10 minutes.

The booking system will close on Tuesday 26th September at 12:00 noon.

Guidelines for Zoom conference: 

• You will need to have Zoom installed on your device for the online meetings.  Please ensure that your camera is on for the entirety of the conference.

Guidelines for In Person conference: 

• Please make sure that you arrive on time for your meeting with the teachers as they will have multiple meetings booked.  

Our awesome KG1B friends have started on their first Unit of Inquiry called "Who We Are." They're tuning in to figure out things about themselves, like their bodies and what they like or don't like.

First, they're inquiring about their bodies – from their fingers to their toes. We asked one of our friends in class if we could trace her for our body map so we can all label the body parts.

KG1B are also getting better at expressing what they like and don't like. They're drawing and talking about their favorite toys and foods. And guess what? Sometimes, they find out their friends like the same things. That's when they become even better friends.

But it's not just about what makes each of them special. They're learning that everyone is different, and that's amazing. Some have curly hair, some have straight hair, and some have different-colored eyes. They're discovering that being different is awesome!

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. KG1B are not just learning about their bodies; they're also learning that it's great to be themselves!

It’s been an amazing first four weeks in 3F. We have a good mix of returning students, and students brand new to the GAA community. The members of our class are represented by 10 different nationalities. 

While we’ve been settling back into school life and getting to know each other, the highlight of our learning has been the Unit of Inquiry, where we’ve been investigating simple machines, including levers, pulleys, wheels and axles, inclined planes, screws and wedges. We’ve specifically been looking into how these simple machines help us reduce the amount of force needed to move a load from one point to another. 

This week we’re putting the final touches on our student-designed and built catapults, displaying the use of levers in our catapult challenge. Next up will be our pulley challenge, where we will design and build machines using pulleys to rescue Rapunzel from her tower!

• September 27-28: Parent-Teacher Conferences (no classes in session)

• September 29: Religious Holiday: Prophet Mohamad's (P.B.U.H) Birthday 

• October 2: Standards Based Grading at GAA by Justin Kirby, Curriculum Director @ 9:00AM MPR 2nd floor

• 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 27: Pizza and Popsicle Day by GAAPA and Booster Club.