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Week Fifteen - January 10th, 2024
10 January 2025
Courageous Cubs Coming Soon!
The PYP student council, with the input and support of students and teachers, are in the final phase of rolling out a new leadership system full of opportunities for students in Pre-K, KG 1, KG2 and grade 1. The new young student leadership system is called, "Courageous Cubs."
Students in all of the grade levels listed above will have opportunities to take on leadership roles within their classes throughout the year. Student council members will present the "why", "what" and "how" of each of the new classroom roles.
Early years classes will then delegate roles on a rotating basis. The roles selected by the students and staff are: Feeling Finder, Friend Searcher, Teacher Helper, Line Supervisor, Conflict Helper, Playground Safety Officer, Eco Crew, Respectful Radar, New-Student Buddy, Story-Time Leader, Lost Item Finder, and Compliment Captain.
We are excited to see our younger students enter into class and school leadership. These skills will help the students to grow in confidence, courage and leadership.
13 December 2024
First Lego League:
GIS offers a wide range of opportunities for students. We are fortunate to have a team of teachers that supports students in their coding and robotics ambitions.
Our innovation coaches led a group of students in the UAE First Lego League. This year's theme of "Submerged," had students ideating through ways to care for the world's oceans while designing transportation for sea exploration.
Students tracked their progress in a learning log and spent time reflecting on their journey to the FLL showcase. They created visual displays and used their presentation skills to demonstrate their learning to the judges.
They also spend a tremendous amount of time building their creations and coding them based on their planing. Between building and coding, students were able to put together models of what they had planned and imagined.
We look forward to involving more students in coding and robotics as a way to explore our world.
Congratulations to our PYP FLL team! Thanks for your hard work and participation.
29 November 2024
UAE National Day:
GIS has the great fortune to have grown up along with the UAE. Since its founding, the UAE has increasingly become a place near and dear to the hearts of many of us. We often share with our distant family and friends how safe and diverse the country is. With that, we wanted to provide some ways to enjoy the long weekend as a family since it offers the perfect opportunity to create cherished memories. Here are some simple and enjoyable ways to do so:
Explore the Outdoors: Plan a picnic, go hiking, or visit a local park for fresh air and fun.
Family Movie or Game Night: Watch a favorite film or enjoy board games together.
Cooking Together: Try making a special meal or baking treats as a family.
Visit Local Attractions: Museums, zoos, or historical sites can be both educational and entertaining.
Unplug and Relax: Dedicate time to talk, read, or just enjoy each other’s company away from screens.
Whatever you choose, we hope your long weekend is filled with joy, laughter, and connection!
Winterfest Coming Soon!
As we approach the winter holidays, our very own PYP Student Council are excited to share a fun and expressive week on December 9-13. PYP Winter Spirit Week has been thoughtfully created by our student leaders to help us uplift school spirit and to wrap-up the term on route to a well-deserved respite. These students have created themed days to celebrate winter culture and diversity.
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of that week, students, while required to wear uniforms, are able to wear accessories to celebrate the upcoming holiday. On Thursday, students can really express themselves in full winter-themed outfits. We kindly request that students adhere to GIS and UAE modesty guidelines and laws. Friday, although not a dress-down day, will see students taking action in growing friendships and understanding others.
22 November 2024
GIS Healthy Eating Week
Our very own grades 2-5 Wellbeing Ambassadors took to early years classrooms through the week, promoting healthy eating through action. Students in this leadership group brainstormed, created presentation materials, and presented their findings and strategies to young learners. They spent snack and lunch breaks celebrating healthy meal choices in the canteen and classes, promoting awareness of healthy eating. Ms. Keshia led a fun and educational campaign. These young leaders hope that through their research and action, they can make an impact on the ways PYP students look at what they eat and how they make sensible choices when it comes to food. We really are looking forward to what the PYP Wellbeing Ambassadors come up with next!
15 November 2024
GIS Healthy Eating Week
We are excited to announce that November 18-22 is GIS Healthy Eating Week. Students and their families will have opportunities to showcase and share their healthy eating habits at home and school. Our at-home challenge can be seen on the left and we strongly encourage families to get involed. Students will also have in-school opportunities to explore healthy eating habits and ways to ensure they are eating healthy and staying fit.
Inter-house Fun
Students have been enjoying the inter-house break time competitions for house points. The P.E. department and house captains are leading the way with exciting and healthy competitions that see students earning house points in competition and through showing they principled and caring actions in games.
8 November 2024
Minecraft Education Social & Emotional
Our Innovation Department is always looking for unique ways to engage students in learning and skills development. With that, they are currently piloting the Minecraft Social and Emotional Learning arm of Minecraft. These problem-solving games see students reflecting and gaining new insights into there social and emotional development. Whether it's empathy or understanding emotions, students have a wide range of agency in deciding how they can grow and develop. We hope to continue the learning journey with these students in order to later include more students as we see the benefits of incredible programs like this.
1 November 2024
Autumn Festival Costume Dress-Up
Student Council, with the support of House Captains, organized an incredible Autumn Festival dress-up, dance and carnival. During this event, all grade levels were able to visit our new indoor sports hall for a number of fun and creative activities. First, many students expressed themselves though a costume dress-up that certainly added energy to the school. Next, grade levels got into a large group dance that saw them moving and jumping with great excitement and enthusiasm. Finally, students in the upper primary were able to take part in fun carnival games with student showing how principled and caring they are.
Student leaders will continue to organize amazing events through the year, showing the many skills and attitudes contained within the Primary Years Program. Thank you to all of our student leaders and to all the parents that support these student initiatives.
18 October 2024
30x30 Dubai Fitness Challenge is a month-long celebration of fitness and wellness, challenging families to complete 30 minutes of exercise daily for 30 days (30X30).
Here at GIS, we will take part through our house-captain led inter-house competitions as well as a whole PYP workout! Each week a community challenge to help keep families active with student leaders taking the helm.
To learn more about this city-wide initiative and get your families involved, please with the DFC 30x30 website. We look forward to seeing families active and healthy together.
18 October 2024
First Student Leaders:
Students leaders got right into the action in their first meetings: House Captains, Student Council and Eco Warriors all began work on their initial brainstorming and projects. Wellbeing Ambassadors will soon be joining in with their own ideas.
House captains began with essential agreements and work on Sports Week, Dubai 30x30 and Interhouse competitions to be hosted during break times.
Student Council begin their planning for the Creepy Crawly Costume Carnival. They are eager to bring back this event that was put on hold last year. Eco Warriors got involved by starting to create eco-friendly decorations.
By the looks of it, the year will packed with amazing, exciting and inspiring student-led initiatives.
4 October 2024
Students leaders took part in their very first leadership workshop and opportunity this year. Students met together with their teams for the first time and the week saw them taking part in team building activities run by local hero and P.E. teacher, Ryan Flaherty. Leaders problem-solved their way through multiple challenges as they made new friends and built team dynamics.
To complete our two-part leadership workshop, student leaders dug deep into the school's mission and vision, plotting their group path for the school year. Students analyzed previous events in order to enhance or create new initiatives that would support the GIS community with the context of their own group mission and vision.
27 September 2024
Our march to the PYP student leadership selection has come to a conclusion with student leaders in grades 2-5 being chosen for this academic year. We are excited to share that over 150 students applied for one of four leadership groups:
Grade Five House Captains
Grades 2-5 Eco Warriors
Grades 2-5 Wellness Ambassadors
Grades 2-5 Student Council
Students that were selected will begin next week with team building activities as well as a student leadership workshop to begin planning initiatives for this year.
Student agency plays a big role in deciding what initiatives students will take on as well as new projects not done before. We are incredibly excited to see what these students dream up as they unpack GIS' mission and vision and draw a path through the year.
Congratulations to all who applied. The courage shown was unforgettable!
13 September 2024
Student Leadership:
Student Leadership:
Values, Purpose, Fullfilment & True Self
Values, Purpose, Fullfilment & True Self
This week has been incredibly reflective for our perspective student leaders in grades 4-5. Ms. Aamna discussed the concept of IKIGAI with students through a video in which she outlined how this concept relates to selecting a student leadership path. The paths here at GIS for young leaders are diverse, so making sure to follow the best path leads through IKIGAI reflection levered through classroom meetings.
By Friday of this week, students in grades 4-5 will have submitted their interest in a specific leadership path. Grades 2-3 will begin their journey early the next week as they too enter into the process.
Finally, our Eco Warrior teacher team has already begun with an initiative that our new student leaders will jump in on: Plant a Legacy. Much more to come on this but the PYP is excited to be working with secondary students towards leaving an eco legacy...
6 September 2024
Our year has truly started off on the right foot. The Primary Leadership Team along with PYP support specialists hosted a grades 4-5 assembly in which they welcomed students to a new school year! School leaders presented school policies and procedures as well as how students can contribute to the school’s mission and vision.
Our year has truly started off on the right foot. The Primary Leadership Team along with PYP support specialists hosted a grades 4-5 assembly in which they welcomed students to a new school year! School leaders presented school policies and procedures as well as how students can contribute to the school’s mission and vision.
Students were then taken through an empowering activity in which they explored their creativity through ideating and brainstorming. Students from upper primary were left with a challenge to develop 100 ideas from one item. Let’s see if they can reach their goal!
Students were then taken through an empowering activity in which they explored their creativity through ideating and brainstorming. Students from upper primary were left with a challenge to develop 100 ideas from one item. Let’s see if they can reach their goal!
Finally, the house champions cup was presented to our winners and reigning champions from last year, The Red Raptors. Along with the presentation of the trophy, students were on the edge of their seats as they were introduced to the new student leadership structure for this year which includes the addition of grade-two students as well as new leadership opportunities.
Finally, the house champions cup was presented to our winners and reigning champions from last year, The Red Raptors. Along with the presentation of the trophy, students were on the edge of their seats as they were introduced to the new student leadership structure for this year which includes the addition of grade-two students as well as new leadership opportunities.
We look forward to exploring the opportunities for school leadership and how each person can lead a positive change at any time and from any place.
We look forward to exploring the opportunities for school leadership and how each person can lead a positive change at any time and from any place.
Mrs. Aamna engaging students in grades 4-5 in the school's mission and vision.
Student in grades 4-5, and later 2-4, will explore what it means to be a leader in their daily class meetings.
30th August 2024
Leadership opportunities across the PYP.
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