Embedded Files
Week Twenty - February 9th, 2024
Kim Conlin
Head of Primary
Dear GIS Primary Families,
A big thank-you to Jason and our trip leaders for an amazing week without walls experience for our students in grade 3,4 and 5. During the week, students engaged in activities to foster independence, resilience, and teamwork through outdoor adventures. The Week Without Walls program is designed to broaden perspectives, build character, and cultivate essential life skills that extend far beyond academic achievement. It's a chance for them to learn, adapt, and thrive in diverse environments, preparing them to be global citizens in an ever-changing world.
A huge thank you to our Librarian (Louise) and all the teacher and parent volunteers for their fantastic support during World Read Aloud Day! This dedication to sharing the joy of reading with our students made the day truly special. Thank you for being such wonderful partners in your child's education!
Your child's semester report card is now available through GEMS Connect. First log into your parents account, and download the academic report. These reports will confirm the information given in the parent teacher conferences last week.
We are in the process of reviewing the digital resources used for learning in our school. We are seeking feedback from all stakeholders and would like to invite a group of parents to join a focus group to share their experiences. If you would like to register your interest to join this focus group, please fill in your contact details in this form.Click here
Next week is the midterm break and there is no school for students. School will resume on Monday Feb 19th.
Newsletter at a Glance
Newsletter at a Glance
In this edition you will find:
Announcements / Reminders / Upcoming dates
Peek Into Learning
PYP curriculum resources
Absence Procedure
Whole School Calendar
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates
February 12-16 - Midterm Break - no school
Feb 19th Schools Photos (make ups for those missing photos)
Week beginning Feb 19: Student Leadership Spirit Week: Mind, Body, Spirit, and Friendship.
Feb 22: Dress as friends or squads dress down day
Feb 23: International/Cultural dress down day
Feb 23: International Day (Evening event)
Mar 4-8: GIS Lit Fest
World Read Aloud Day
World Read Aloud Day
On Wednesday, we celebrated World Read Aloud Day across the primary school! We had teachers, leaders, and parents visiting fun and exciting places across the campus to listen to stories in many different languages.
Announcements and Reminders:
Announcements and Reminders:
SAVE THE DATES for our future Connect Eds
The purpose of the Connect Eds is to support our parent community with information related to social, emotional, and academics for their children.
We have a plethora of knowledge and expertise in our Primary School Team, and they will provide practical information and strategies.
The parent community is an integral part of GIS, and we feel it is essential to make them part of our learning community.
We hope to see many of you at the Connect Eds, and closer to the time, we will send you more information on the ConnectEds in our Newsletter for times, locations and the facilitators.
Peek into Learning: Connected
Peek into Learning: Connected
Over the next five weeks we'll be showcasing the five key Learning Principles at GIS. These principles guide us in recognizing and achieving high-quality learning experiences. They are: purposeful, engaging, connected, innovative, and ambitious learning.
In GIS, we celebrate children as the driving force of innovation. Through tinkering, exploring, and engaging in hands-on play and project based learning activities, our learners cultivate a sense of curiosity and creativity that fuels their learning journey. As they experiment with ideas, materials, and technologies, they not only develop critical problem-solving skills but also hone their ability to think outside the box. It’s not just the children who innovate; our teachers play a pivotal role in fostering innovation by constantly seeking new ways to enrich their teaching, learning from each other to formulate new ways to create best practice. Together, our students and educators form a dynamic community where innovation thrives, paving the way for endless possibilities in learning and growth.
Keep up to date with what is happening in your child's class!
Keep up to date with what is happening in your child's class!
Parents have all received a notification to sign up for the Toddle platform. This is an exciting enhancement to our parent communication, and this year you will receive weekly updates through the Toddle platform.
This IB affiliated platform will offer opportunities for parents to remain up to date with their child's academic progress.
The below class pages will host resources for parents and will no longer have weekly messages. All information will be sent through Toddle, so please inform your class teacher if you have any trouble registering.
Please remember that weekly updates will come to you through Toddle.
Please remember that weekly updates will come to you through Toddle.
Information for new/starting families
Information for new/starting families
Drop off and Pick up
Drop off and Pick up
Drop Off (7:50-8:10): Parents PK-G1 drop in classroom
Drop Off: (7:50-8:10) Grade 2-5 through gate 8 or gate 4
Late: any student arriving after the national anthem must get a late slip at front reception/gate 4.
----------------------------------------------------
Pick up (3:05 or 11:30 on Friday): PK-G1 pick up from classroom
Pick up (3:15 or 11:40 on Friday) Pick up through gate 8 or 4
*due to crowding at gate 4, we have allocated a safe space near the pirate ship for PYP students to wait for parents. During adverse weather or lengthy waits, students will be moved to the canteen. Follow up with with a parent or guardian will take place after 30 min. We appreciate parents effort to collect children in time.
My child will be absent
My child will be absent
Any absence (whether it is planned or unplanned ) must be communicated via email to the homeroom teacher and gis_primaryleaverequest@gemsedu.com by 8:00 AM. STS/bus users must also copy the STS manger on the email. vijesh.kumar@sts-group.com
A planned or extended absence beyond 2 days requires the completion of an absence request form.
Absence for more than 3 days requires prior approval if planned or a doctors clearance for illness related leave (in some cases a medical certificate is requested )
My child will leave during the school day (exceptional/unavoidable cases only)
My child will leave during the school day (exceptional/unavoidable cases only)
Parents are urged to schedule medical, dental and other appointments after school hours or during vacations.
A request must be submitted before a child can be released once in school for health and safety and reasons.
Filling in the form 24hrs in advance is expected where possible.
At the time of collection, please come to the Primary Reception at Gate 4.
Key Contacts
Key Contacts
GIS Primary Behavior Policy 2.pdfPage updated
Report abuse