The Secondary Division is off to a great start. The students are beginning to engage deeply with course material and dust off their approaches to learning skills in preparation of first assessments.

The faculty made a conscientious choice to spend the first few days connecting with students - something all educators, students (and parents) have been missing over the past two years. The content is now ramping up and I am beginning to hear that students have homework - time to either review material taught or prepare for new material coming soon. Homework in the secondary is often assigned so students can practice skills and cement their new learning. In this way, surface information becomes acquired and the pathways built in the brain.

Thank you for supporting your child’s learning at home by asking about the learning that is happening at school, providing a quiet but public place in your home for your child to work, and by having your child show you the Google Classroom for each class so that you are aware of assignments and upcoming assessments now and again.

On Thursday, September 15, the Secondary Division will host Back to School Night. This is an opportunity for you to visit each of your child’s teachers and learn what is in store for each course. While it is not a night for individual questions about your child’s experience, you will meet the adults guiding your child’s learning journey and can then follow up at a later time should questions arise.

The evening begins at 5:00 p.m. in the auditorium. On Wednesday September 14th you will receive a reminder and your child's individual schedule. Because you will be walking from class to class, just like your child does, I suggest that you wear comfortable shoes.

We look forward to seeing you on this important evening.

Enjoy the weekend,

Garth Wyncoll

Secondary Principal

Dear GAA High School Families,

Thank you for partnering with GAA. We have enjoyed seeing your scholars at school and meeting some of you at our parent meet and greet, hosted by GAAPA. This week, teachers have been discussing Approaches to Learning (ingredients to success), research skills, and beginning the curriculum for their individual classes. As we have visited classes, we have seen engaging lessons and students exhibiting IB Learner Profile characteristics like being knowledgeable, being open minded and being a thinker.

To continue to have a successful year, we ask that parents partner with us to support the following school Handbook components:

Uniform Expectations

Appropriate uniform worn to class (blue shirt with tie for ALL CLASSES), black shoes, appropriate slacks or skirt, and GAA sweater. Those students who are athletes, are allowed to wear their grey sweatshirt with their light blue collared shirt underneath and the appropriate uniform pants or skirt and black shoes. Please note that beginning this Monday, 12 September 2022, we will begin to support students in wearing the correct school uniform by identifying them and sending them to their correct Head of Grade for a blue pass. When students do not make appropriate choices the following consequences may occur:

• 1st incident is a warning to student and logged

• 2nd incident is call to parents and a request for a change of clothing

• 3rd incident will necessitate in the student going home for the day

Using Parent Cafe (Main Lobby)

Parents, please note that students are not allowed to order food from outside vendors or purchase food at our parent café (Slices) during the day. Students that have PE should have a water bottle so that they can stay hydrated during class. The PE teachers offer water breaks and time is taken away from instruction when they need to step away to fill water bottles.

Senior Notifications:

• Senior privileges have not been awarded yet. Students have been tasked by Ms. Lauren Massman, Head of Grade 12, to work with their counselors to complete their Unifrog accounts, request for Letters of Recommendation (s), and Brag Sheets. The deadline is for submission is 23 September 2022. 100% of the students must submit before sweatshirts and jackets will be distributed. Please note that in order for the Letters of Recommendation to attach to the system, they must complete the FERPA waiver.

• Until senior privileges are awarded, students are to wear the full uniform INCLUDING their ties. No exceptions.

Counselor notifications:

Additionally, two key deadlines shared from the counselors office are:

• October 12, PSAT test for 10th grade will be held

• October 15, for medical, veterinary, dentistry and Oxford and Cambridge applications (fee must be paid to meet the deadline) the buzzword is Wildcats2023

• There are no more course changes. Students can schedule a conference with their counselor to talk about university readiness and pathways to success

Important School Dates:

• September 15: Back to School Night, 5:00pm-7.40pm. Information from Mr. Garth Wyncoll has been shared.

• September 22-30: IB Welcome Back Exams. Information from Mr. John Thompson (IB Coordinator) has been sent to parents and students via Managebac and Bright Arrow

• September 26- October 7: MAP Testing

• September 29: IB DP1 and IB DP2 Parent information at 6:00 pm

Ms. Zahra Bhatty

HS VP Grades 9-10

Ms. Monica Martin

HS VP Grades 11-12

MATH CLUB

The GAA Math club is lead this year by three HS students, Deniz Cankardes, Tian Yiming and Jun-Kwon Lee. The club will be meeting once a week after school. The day has not been determined yet. Students interested in attending GAA Math club can communicate directly with one of the three club team leaders at:

• deniz.c1_gaa@gaa-ad.com

• yiming.t_gaa@gaa-ad.com

• junkwon.l_gaa@gaa-ad.com

CULTURE APPRECIATION CLUB

To join, please contact:

• Annika Adesokan annika.a_gaa@gaa-ad.com

• Erica Congo ericaisabel.r_gaa@gaa-ad.com

• September 15: Secondary (Grades 6-12) Back To School Night

• September 22-30: IB Welcome Back Exams

• September 26-29: Secondary (Grades 6-12) School Photoshoot by Stu Williamson Photography Studio

• October 12: PSAT test for 10th grade

• October 17-19: Half-Term Break (No School)

• September 26- October 7: MAP Testing

• September 29: IB DP1 and IB DP2 Parent information Session at 6:00 pm