Please don't forget to order your Pret-a-Portrait photos! Get a 25% discount on your purchase if you order by Tuesday, 14 June!

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MESSAGE FROM OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL

Raptor Report

June 11, 2022

FROM OUR Head of School

Hello Amazing GAAQ Raptors!

I will keep this message brief as it is an end of another long, busy and exciting week. I'm not sure how many other 1980's music fans are out there, but I've had "it's the final count down..." by the group Europe stuck in my head as it is indeed the final count down for our school year.

This Sunday marks the last week of school for the 2021 - 2022 school year. It has been another year full of change that has kept us on our toes, but at least most of those changes have recently been returns to "normalcy." I would like to take the opportunity to reiterate again that I am encouraging everyone to wear masks for the last week of school. Also, I'm asking parents to please not send children to school if they are sick. This will be the first "real" summer break for many of our families in nearly three years. Thus, I want to ensure that we all have safe, happy and healthy summer holidays! Next week will be my last Raptor Report newsletter for this year. Until then, have a great week and thank you once again for all of your support!

Have a great week ahead. Go Raptors!

Mark Lentz

The Head of School/CEO, GEMS American Academy Qatar

Country Lead, GEMS Education Qatar

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

The last day of school for this school year is Thursday, 16 June 2022.

MAJOR COVID ANNOUNCEMENT!

Wearing Masks Within the School

Dear GAAQ Parents:

Unfortunately, COVID cases are back on the rise again. We've had a few isolated cases this week, but I know several schools that have had large outbreaks of cases.

With the end of the year coming so quickly and with many of our staff and families traveling, I think it is now prudent that we tighten up our COVID protocols. With this in mind, I will be asking teachers to wear masks again, effective 7 June 2022. Based on local regulations, I will not require students to do so, but I'd ask you to strongly encourage your child to wear a mask at a school. Even more importantly, please do not send your children to school sick unless you have given them a rapid antigen test (RAT) and communicated this with their teachers. If we have students sneezing and coughing, I'll ask teachers to follow our previous COVID protocols and send these students to the nurses. The nurses will verify if they are sick. If a student is sick, then the nurses will ask you to come and pick up your child to have them COVID tested. So, please spare yourself and your child(ren) of this inconvenience and give them a rapid antigen test if they are sick before you send them to school.

The end is near. Let's get there safely and ensure that all of us are able to have a well-deserved summer break!

mr. mark's re-enrollment video

Is Re-Enrollment Really Important?

If you have not paid the re-enrollment deposit yet for the 2022 - 2023 school year, please read the email below:

<< Email from Head of School, Mr. Mark Lentz >>

I know you have already seen a lot of information about re-enrollment from our team. In addition, you may have even seen the link to the video I have made regarding the impact of re-enrollment to our school's plans. If you haven't seen this video yet, please click HERE to view it. Without accurate re-enrollment numbers, it is difficult to properly plan for the education of our students next year. Moreover, re-enrollment ensures that your child has a secured seat for next year. In previous years, GAAQ held waiting lists in most grade levels. This year, we are extremely close to waiting lists in several grades in Lower School and Upper School. As a result, it is more important than ever to secure your seat now for the next school year.

As you know, we have been accepting new students for several months, so if you haven't paid re-enrollment yet to guarantee your child's place for the 2022 - 2023 school year, then you have the option to either click HERE to (1) access the GEMS Parent Portal, (2) pay directly at our School Cashier OR (3) contact our Director of Admissions, Sima Hamadneh, to make your re-enrollment deposit via bank transfer. Please note that your re-enrollment deposit will be used for your child's Term 1 tuition fee payment for the 2022 - 2023 school year.

If you have any questions or concerns about re-enrollment, then I'd be happy to give you a call or meet with you personally. Also, you can email Ms. Sima at s.hamadneh_aaq@gemsedu.com or contact finance_aaq@gemsedu.com for any payment-related issues.

We want to ensure your child(ren) have an amazing year again. Please help us accomplish this by paying your re-enrollment deposit at your earliest convenience.

Kind Regards,

Mr. Mark Lentz

GEMS SPRING PARENT SURVEY - 2022

This week, the GEMS Spring Parent Survey has been emailed to all GEMS American Academy Qatar parents. Typically, the survey is sent to the PRIMARY parent email address on the student's account, so both mother and father should inform each other to complete the survey.

Below, you will find the Net Promoter Score (NPS) table that displays how your ratings are evaluated. In preparation for completing this survey, please review what each NPS score means and how it impacts our school's overall score. Please note that a survey score of 9 or a 10 is the only score that means that you are happy with our school.

Each year, we aim for the PROMOTER score (9 or 10) which means that our parents are happy with GAAQ! So, help us remain as one of the top parent satisfaction-rated schools in the GEMS Education network!

To see our social media post on the importance of the survey and what your survey score really means, please click HERE.

WEEKLY PARENT UPDATES

Lower School NEWS

Click below to receive updates about Lower School.

Upper School NEWS

Click below to receive updates about Upper School.

Earn back up to 100% of your child's annual tuition fee!

As a friendly reminder, please take advantage of our Refer-a-Friend Program.

How Does It Work? Introduce a new family or friend to the GEMS American Academy community and earn back a minimum of 4% and up to 100% of your child's annual tuition fee redeemable against school fees (if the referred student is successfully enrolled and starts in our school).

Once the referred student passes his/her assessment, please let the family know to write down your name on the registration form (at the question that asks "Who referred you to the school?").

There is no limit to the amount of students you can refer! This program has been a BIG success and we want to make sure all of our families know about the opportunity.

For more information, please contact registrar_aaq@gemsedu.com.

What's Happening Next Week at GAAQ?

Week of JUNE 12 - june 16, 2022

Sunday - June 12, 2022

Monday - June 13, 2022

Tuesday - June 14, 2022

Wednesday - June 15, 2022

Thursday - June 16, 2022

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! | ALL Students - Thursday, June 16 is the last day of school for the 2021 - 2022 school year!

NEWS & EVENTS

GAAQ's class of 2022 graduation ceremony

Watch the Recorded Video

Take a look at our full Class of 2022 graduation ceremony video held at the Radisson Blu Hotel Doha!

GAAQ's class of 2022 SENIOR TRIP VIDEO

Watch the Recorded Video

In celebration of the recent graduation of our Class of 2022 students, please take a look at a special video documenting their last trip together as classmates to the Iconic 2022 building and Qatar's new 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.

GAAQ's class of 2022 GRADUATION PHOTOS

And last but not least, click on the link below to view our entire collection of the Class of 2022 graduation ceremony photos!

GAAQ Graduation Photos

ADVANCING THE FUTURE LEGACY OF MS. TONDA

First and foremost, a HUGE thank you to our GAAQ community for showing your support and respect for Ms. Tonda’s life. We had a great turnout for her livestream memorial service via YouTube and Facebook. The comments from our community, as well as from her fellow family and friends, have demonstrated the universal, positive impact that Tonda had on the lives of many - in Qatar and abroad.

GAAQ still has a collection box at the front desk where parents, teachers and students can give gifts or donations to Tonda’s family. Soon, these items, along with her Qatar possessions, will be sent to her family back home in the United Sates.

Lastly, her family, organized by her loving son, Colby, has shared a GoFundMe link with our school to help prepare for Ms. Tonda's granddaughter’s high school and college tuition. Ms. Tonda was working here in Qatar to partly help her granddaughter, Carmen, pay for her school tuition, supplies and funds for college/university. If you are interested in advancing Tonda’s legacy through Carmen, please click on the link below to offer your generous support:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/carmens-high-school-tuition?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

Again, thank you for your support and understanding as GAAQ continues to grieve and heal during this difficult time.

SCHOOL MEMORIAL FOR MS. TONDA MONTGOMERY

Watch the Recorded Livestream

In case you have missed the livestream memorial for Ms. Tonda, please click the links below to watch the recording on either Facebook or YouTube.

- - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GEMSAmericanAcademy.Qatar/posts/3242043662738828

Thank you so much for kindness, patience and support as our community continues to recognize the life of Ms. Tonda!

GRade 7 students commemorating the life of ms. tonda

Rahma Qureshi

Grade 7

Samar Singh

Grade 7

GAAQ Middle School students Rahma Qureshi and Samar Singh have helped create a Google Slide presentation for people in our community to share stories or thoughts about Ms. Montgomery. Therefore, at their request, we are sharing this slide with our community to view and/or to write something about Ms. Tonda.

To either read or contribute to the presentation, please click the link below:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1tw0IFAxEPpODN11_zwTFkOiOStL1srH2tKZZnIzdBxU/edit?usp=sharing

QATAR CULTURE & IDENTITY ACCREDITATION FROM THE MOEHE

GAAQ is very happy to announce our recent Qatar Culture & Identity Accreditation from the Ministry of Education Higher Education (MOEHE)! This accreditation from Qatar’s government means that our school has underwent an extensive evaluation from the MOEHE which demonstrates GEMS American Academy’s support for Qatar heritage, Islamic culture and the reflection of these aspects within our American curriculum.

We are extremely delighted to have earned this recognition from the MOEHE.

We are now a NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY schooL!

PURCHASE YOUR PRÊT-A-PORTRAIT PHOTOS!

It's not too late to order your Prêt-a-Portrait photos!

Use your unique Sitting ID (listed on your viewing card) to take advantage of your 25% discounted price before the Early Bird Deadline of Tuesday, 14 June 2022.

If for any reason your viewing card is missing, please contact Prêt-a-Portrait directly via email at customerservice@pret-a-portrait.net or via phone at +44 1763 878 065 (UK Hours; 9 am - 5:30 pm, Monday - Friday).

JOB OPENINGS AT GAAQ

GEMS American Academy Qatar is HIRING NOW for the following positions!

Kindly, please share with any professionals in your network that would be interested in the following roles:

Arabic Teacher (Full-Time, temporary position covering for maternity leave)
English Teacher (Part-Time)
HR Officer
Science Teacher, Middle School
Guidance Counselor, Middle School
Guidance Counselor, High School

If you or someone you know has serious interest in one of these roles, please email headofschool_aaq@gemsedu.com as interviews will be scheduled as soon as possible.

GAAQ CoRPORATE DISCOUNTS

2022 - 2023 School Year

For the upcoming 2022 - 2023 academic year, we are happy to announce the continuation of our 10% tuition fee discount for GAAQ parents employed at the following companies:

Aljazeera Media Network
Hamad Medical Corporation
Mannai
Microsoft
Ministry of Public Health (MOPH)
Naufar
Ooredoo
Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC)
Qatar Airways and subsidiaries
Qatar Foundation
Sidra Medicine
Qatar Energy (formerly known as “Qatar Petroleum”) and the direct subsidiaries listed below:
- - Fahes
  - Gasal
  - Gasal Company (Q.S.C.)
  - Gulf Drilling
  - Gulf Helicopters Company
  - N-KOM (Nakilat Keppel Offshore Marine)
  - NAC (Nakilat Agency Company)
  - NDSQ (Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar)
  - NSW (Nakilat SvitzerWijsmuller)
  - Nakilat
  - North Oil
  - Oryx
  - Q Chem
  - Q Jet
  - QAFAC
  - QAFCO
  - QAPCO
  - Qatar Gas
  - Qatar Shell
  - QATAR STEEL
  - QATALUM
  - Woqod
  - Woqod International
  - Woqod Marine

This discount is available to existing GAAQ families and new GAAQ families that will start with us in the 2022 - 2023 school year. NEXT STEPS: If you qualify to get your 10% tuition fee discount for the next school year, please provide a letter from your Human Resources (HR) confirming your employment with one of the above companies. If your company is a subsidiary, your HR letter must state the name of the parent company. The letter should be dated no earlier than 16 August 2022.

ALSO, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR 4% DISCOUNT: ALL GAAQ Families have the ability to take advantage of our unlimited 4% tuition discount each time a GAAQ family successfully refers a student that enrolls at GEMS American Academy Qatar.

For example, if your family refers a student, the student passes the admissions assessment and then enrolls at GAAQ, then your student(s) is eligible to receive a 4% discount on his/her tuition as a “thank you” for your word-of-mouth advertisement. Tuition discounts from this program is UNLIMITED as you can refer as many students as you want to the school, so feel free to take advantage of this opportunity.

To REFER a family to GAAQ, please share the link below OR have them email our Parent Relations Executive, Mr. Justin Tyler, at j.tyler_aaq@gemsedu.com. He will answer any questions the family has and schedule a personalized tour of the school.

Link: https://www.gemsamericanacademy-qatar.com/en/Get-a-call-back

Thank you for your continued support and have an excellent weekend!

SUPPORT GRaDE 9 STUDENT GHALIA JUMA'S MUSICAL PERFORMANCE

11 - 13 June 2022

GAAQ Grade 9 student Ghalia Juma is performing in Qatar Foundation’s upcoming production, Showtime 2022.

Qatar Foundation Schools Productions presents SHOWTIME!, a fully-staged musical production that will feature live performances of the most well-loved songs from Broadway and the West End by students and staff from across QF schools, accompanied by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra.

Tickets are now on sales, so let’s show her our support! This is a free seating event, so first come is first served.

Please see below for event details as well as a link to purchase tickets:

Dates: Saturday, 11 June - Monday, 13 June 2022

Time: 2:30 pm and onwards

Location: Pre-University Education Theater (Qatar Foundation)

Cost: QAR 100 per ticket

Link to Purchase Tickets: https://q-tickets.com/Events/EventsDetails/9248/showtime-2022

Performance Dates and Times:

Saturday, 11 June: 2:30 pm + 7:00 pm

Sunday, 12 June: 7:00 pm

Monday, 13 June: 7:00 pm

2022 - 2023 School calendar

The wait is OVER!

Please click here to view our MOE-approved 2022 - 2023 school calendar!

qatar education voucher

الساده أولياء الأمور.................... المحترمين

تحيه طيبه وبعد،،،،

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

تهدى مدرسة جيمس الامريكية أطيب تحياتها لسيادتكم متمنين لطلابنا عام دراسى موفق وآمن أن شاء الله .

نتشرف بأحاطة سيادتكم علما بأن الطلاب القطريين الذين يلتحقون بمدرسه الخاصه المرخصه في قطر من صف ماقبل التمهيدي الى الصف الثاني عشرمؤهلون للحصول على قسيمه تعليميه من الحكومه.

تبلغ قيمة هذه القسيمه حاليا 28000 ريال قطري سنويا. يتم دفعها على قسطين-واحد لكل فصل دراسي.

يتم أستحقاق الدفعه الأولى عن طريق وزارة التعليم بعد شهر واحد من بداية العام الدراسي على ان يتم سداد الدفعه الثانيه و( الاخيره) في يناير فى حالة استمرار الطالب بالمدرسة.

لأستحقاق القسيمة ينبغى تقديم الاتى /

يجب ان يسجل الطالب بالمدرسة

يجب على كلا الوالدين تقديم شهادة من مكان العمل تفيد بعدم حصول أي من الوالدين على أي بدل تعليمي تحريرا فى اول سبتمبر2021 او اى تاريخ لاحق

يجب تقديم صورة من شهادة ميلاد الطالب

فى حالة أنطباق الشروط الموضحة عالية على سيادتكم برجاء تقديم المستندات المطلوبة سابقا أعتبارا من بداية سبتمبر 2021 وتسديد فروق المصروفات الدراسية بعد مراجعتها مع موظف الصندوق .

صندوق الدفع الخاص بنا مفتوح من الأحد إلى الخميس من 8 صباحا-02:00 مساء و من 02:45 مساء -03:30 مساء.

نشكرك على إلتزامكم المستمر و دعمكم لأكاديمية جيمس الأمريكيه قطر.

نحن نقدر ذلك!

ASA GAAQ Parents:

I trust that this email finds you and your family well.

As you know, Qatari students who attend a licensed PK – 12 private school in Qatar are eligible for an educational voucher from the government. The value of this voucher is currently QAR 28,000 per year. It is paid in two installments – one for each semester. The first payment is made one month into the start of the academic year by the Ministry of Education and the second (and final) payment is made in January if the student is still enrolled.

To receive this voucher, the student must be accepted by the school and both parents must provide a birth certificate and the letter, from their workplace, stating that none of the parents receive any educational allowance.

Thus, to be eligible for the voucher at GEMS American Academy, please provide a hardcopy, signed letter from your HR to our GRE, Ms. Hanaa (h.soliman_aaq@gemsedu.com). Please note that your letter from HR must be dated September 1 or any date afterwards. If you are eligible for this requirement, please submit as soon as possible with our cashier.

Our Cashier is open Sunday – Thursday, 8:00am – 2:00pm and from 2:45pm – 3:30pm.

As always, thank you for your continued commitment and support of GEMS American Academy Qatar. We appreciate it!

THIS WEEK AT GAAQ!

Photos and videos of our school in ACTION

Check out the fun happenings at GEMS American Academy Qatar.

COUNSELING & CHARACTER EDUCATION

ARABIC DEPARTMENT

GAAQ PARENT ASSOCIATION

SCHOOL NURSES / CLINIC

Athletics Department

Check out the wonderful world of GAAQ Athletics!

Performing Arts Department

Take a look at developments in our Performing Arts Department

GET CONNECTED WITH ALMA

What is ALMA?

ALMA is a secure, easy-to-use online system that brings important school information and tools together in one place.

What is ALMA used for?
- - ALMA offers a parent and student portal to help families stay informed and on track with student learning and activities including attendance history, grades/report cards, administrator notes and scheduled classes.

Why is ALMA important?
- - ALMA is the main source of communication with our parents and students in UPPER SCHOOL. In addition, an activated ALMA account is vital for BOTH LOWER SCHOOL AND UPPER SCHOOL parents to access their child’s account.
Where Is This Used?
- - ALMA is used in both Lower and Upper schools.

It is essential for ALL PARENTS to log-in to ALMA to follow along with your child's academic and student progress. Please watch the videos below to understand how to create and/or log-in to your ALMA account.

ALMA ACCOUNT

FOR ALL PARENTS

Parents typically receive an ALMA email from school during the first week of school. This video will show you how to create your ALMA account.

ALMA LOGIN

FOR ALL PARENTS

Parents will receive an ALMA email to create an account. After your account is created, this video will show you how to login to your new ALMA account.

For any inquiries about logging into ALMA, obtaining your login username or resetting your ALMA password, please email Ms. Maureen or Ms. Shobana at:

d.lastimosa_aaq@gemsedu.com

s.sivalingam_aaq@gemsedu.com

Logging into gems parent portal

Did you know that you can use GEMS Parent Portal to make re-enrollment payments? Please click below to find the step-by-step payment method.

Click Here

RESET YOUR GEMS PARENT PORTAL PASSWORD

Don't know your Parent Portal password? If you know your Username, follow the steps below to recover your password, log into Parent Portal and pay.

Click Here

HISTORICAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

APPLY FoR THE MOEHE Education Voucher!

Recent Letter to Qatari Families

As a reminder, GAAQ is under MOEHE approval for the education voucher. If your family submitted for the voucher last year, you must renew and submit again this year to get the voucher for the 2021 – 2022 school year. If you are interested or have any additional questions, please contact h.soliman_aaq@gemsedu.com or call 4032 9079 for more information.

للتذكير

GAAQ حيث ان مدرسة جيمس الامريكية تطبق نظام القسائم الدراسية للطلاب القطريين من وزارة التربية والتعليم العالي

إذا قدمت عائلتك للحصول على القسيمة في العام الماضي ، فيجب عليك التجديد وتقديم المستندات مرة أخرى هذا العام للحصول على قسيمة العام الدراسي الحالى 2021/2022

أذا كان لديك اى أستفسارات برجاء الاتصال 40329079

h.soliman_aaq@gemsedu.com

TERM 3 PAYMENTS DUE!

To make your Term 3 payment for the 2021 - 2022 school year, please pay with the following options:

Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday, cash counter will be open from 7:45 am – 1:00 pm and 2:45 pm – 3:30 pm due to school entry restrictions.

· Payment Options:

o At School: Pay directly at our cash counter. Social distancing will be maintained. Cash or credit cards are accepted. Checks are drawn in favor of “GEMS AMERICAN ACADEMY” and given to the school cashier.

o Credit Card Remotely: Online payment via https://oasis.gemseducation.com or GEMS Connect (app)

o Bank Transfer (Bank charges to be borne by remitter):

§ Account Name: GEMS AMERICAN ACADEMY

§ Bank Name: DOHA BANK

§ Bank Address: Mian Branch, Grand Hamad Avenue, PB# 3818, Doha, Qatar

§ Account Number: 202/344540/1/10/0

§ Swift Code: DOHBQAQA

§ IBAN: QA35DOHB020203445400010010000 (in case of direct bank transfer, please communicate to us by email - finance_aaq@gemsedu.com - the full name and student ID to keep the student ledger reconciled and updated)

o Due to COVID-19 concerns, non-enrolled students are not allowed on campus.

Please email finance_aaq@gemsedu.com if you have any additional questions about school/fee payments.

EARN BACK UP TO 100% of YOUR CHILD'S ANNUAL TUITION FEE!

As a friendly reminder, please take advantage of our Refer-a-Friend Program.

Once the referred student passes his/her assessment, please let the family know to write down your name on the registration form (at the question that asks "Who referred you to the school?").

There is no limit to the amount of students you can refer! This program has been a BIG success and we want to make sure all of our families know about the opportunity.

For more information, please contact registrar_aaq@gemsedu.com.