Embedded Files
Week Twenty Five - March 10th 2023
Kim Conlin
Head of Primary
Dear PYP Parents,
It was fun to see the creative ideas the students had for the celebration of World Math Day! As a PYP school we emphasize the importance of mathematical thinking in everyday life. A few more key aspects of our approach to mathematics are below:
Mathematics is a way of thinking and a language for making meaning
Students learn, learn about and learn through mathematics
Planning, teaching and assessing in mathematics reflects the IB learner profile
Students construct their understanding of mathematics through ever increasing levels of abstraction (constructing meaning, transferring meaning into symbols, applying with understanding)
Students pose problems, solve problems and understand new ideas through inquiry, reflection and collaboration
A wide range of resources, including manipulatives, supports the development of mathematical understanding
Thank-you to our assembly classes this week Grade 2D, KG2D, and Grade 4F. Assemblies are a great way to showcase the learning happening on a daily basis and also gives the opportunity for students to take risks and present in front of a large audience. Thank-you to all of our parents that attend assemblies.
We thank all of our PYP teachers that attended official IB-PYP workshops last weekend hosted at GIS. As a learning community, it is essential that our teachers are also lifelong learners and continue to develop their practice in line with the best international standards.
Please read below for an important upcoming community event. During the holy month of Ramadan, GIS/GISPA will be hosting a community Iftar on campus. Everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing you there.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Handbook highlight
Please be reminded of our policy to not bring valuables onto campus, as the school cannot take responsibility for misplaced or broken personal items. Recently items such as personal sport equipment, phones and pokemon cards have been brought into school. Please be reminded that these items are the personal liability of the student. Hair accessories should be simple and neutral in color. Jewellery other than ear studs and a watch is not permitted.
Newsletter at a Glance
Newsletter at a Glance
In this edition you will find:
Announcements / Reminders / Upcoming dates
World Math Day
Peek Into Learning: Learning in PreK
Primary Pages - link to Grade and Class pages
PYP reminders and resources
Absence Procedure
Whole School Calendar
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates
March 13-17 - Neurodiveristy Week
March 14-16 - School Musical
March 21 - PYP Exhibition
March 23 - Projected start of Ramadan
March 27- April 7 - Spring Break
Announcements and Reminders:
Announcements and Reminders:
World Math Day
World Math Day
We celebrated World Math Day across the school at GIS. Students participated in developmentally appropriate math challenges and were invited to dress up with number accessories or math themed outfits. Students in G1-12 were also invited to join into world wide competition on Mathletics to earn points as a school.
Peek Into Learning: Learning in Pre K
Peek Into Learning: Learning in Pre K
Our students in Pre K are well into the finding out stage of their inquiry into "The journey of food involves many people and places'. They have been looking at different type of food, where it comes from, how it gets from farms to our homes and different ways food can be prepared.
They have found out in many different ways including:
Role play (bakery, cafe, restaurant and supermarkets)
Reading stories
Preparing food - bread, soup, pancakes, milkshake, spaghetti, fruit skewers
Exploring the food in their lunch boxes
Designing carrying cases for eggs
Small world
Milking a 'cow'
They have developed many different skills:
Fine motor skills - cutting, mixing, pouring, using different tools
Mark making - writing orders, recipes, recording ideas
Counting - quantifying and counting objects, recognizing numbers
Measurement - weigh the different foods, measuring ingredients
to check your child's class page
to check your child's class page
Primary Class Pages
Primary Class Pages
Check out for weekly class updates
Information for new/starting families
Information for new/starting families
Overview of communication platforms (PYP)
Overview of communication platforms (PYP)
GIS Primary Handbook 2022_23.docx.pdfPrimary Handbook 2022-2023
Primary Handbook 2022-2023
Drop off and Pick up
Drop off and Pick up
Parents PK-G1 drop/pick up in classroom (through gate 4,6,8)
Grade 2-5 drop/pick up either gate 4 or gate 8
Late/Tardy: any student arriving after the national anthem must get a late slip at front reception/gate 4
My child will be absent
My child will be absent
Email your child's homeroom teacher before 8am so that he / she can mark their absence as excused.
Complete an absence form for an absence of more than 2 days and submit to PYP office or homeroom teacher on the child's first day back.
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)
Email the gis_primaryleaverequest@gemsedu.com and your child's homeroom teacher 24 hours in advance to ensure your child and their leave slip are prepared in advance.
At the time of collection, please come to the Primary Reception at Gate 4.
Keeping our community safe with Covid-19 Protocols: if your child is a close contact or receives a positive test result please inform: gis_medicalalert@gemsedu.com
Key Contacts
Key Contacts
Page updated
Report abuse