Embedded Files
Week Twenty Six - April 19th, 2024
Kim Conlin
Head of Primary
Student Spotlight:
Mila Rubeiz from Grade 3D attended an International Dance Competition at Euro Disney in Paris. She was part of a group dance from Step-Up Academy who won multiple medals of 1st and 2nd place! Congrats to Mila and her team!
Dear GIS Primary Families,
We hope you and your family are safe and well after the recent storm and its aftermath. As we navigate through these challenging times together, we wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude for your ongoing partnership. The resilience and adaptability you have shown in transitioning to remote learning during such trying circumstances have been remarkable.
As we transition from distance learning to regular school days, we want to assure you that we are committed to supporting your child every step of the way. We understand this may be a challenging time for some families, and we are here to provide the necessary support and guidance to help them adjust. Please reach out to your child's homeroom teacher if we/they can do anything specifically to support your child or your family.
Next week, we will have Sustainability Week across the school, where students will participate in various engagements to support their understanding of sustainability. We will create a whole school mural using bottle caps, which will be a collaboration of students in PreK - G2. Some students in G3-5 will participate in a fashion show called 'Threads of Change' where they will create fashion pieces out of recycled items. They will then showcase the final pieces in a special assembly and fashion show. Both initiatives are in collaboration with the secondary student leadership team. Another aspect of sustainability week is a "Red Day Upcycling" drive, where the primary student council is collecting games and puzzles to distribute to classes for some extra fun when the weather gets too hot to play outside. More details are below in the Upcycle advertisement.
Term 3 ECA sign-ups went out on Tuesday, April 16th. If you need any assistance in signing up, please contact j.carpenter_gis@gemsedu.com. ECAs will start on Monday 22 April.
Wishing you a safe and dry weekend ahead.
Kind Regards,
Kimberly Conlin
Newsletter at a Glance
Newsletter at a Glance
In this edition you will find:
Announcements / Reminders / Upcoming dates
Peek Into Learning
Student Life Updates
Student Spotlight
PYP curriculum resources
Absence Procedure
Whole School Calendar
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates
April 22nd: First day of ECA
April 22nd: Earth Day and launch of Sustainable Week
April 22nd-26th: Sustainable week
April 24th: Connect (ONLY G5 parents): Transition from PYP to MYP - Well-being
May 4th - GISPA Spring Carnival
Announcements and Reminders:
Announcements and Reminders:
Grade 5 to 6 Transition
Grade 5 to 6 Transition
For Information of all the sessions we have to support Grade 5 through transition
Student Life
Student Life
Online Learning
During this online learning week it has been a learning journey. It was quite a challenge for some of us considering that the Gr5 are preparing for their exhibition. It was good that we all already have experience of online learning from COVID times, so it was not too strange for us to do it.
We like it as it gives us an opportunity to see and speak with our classmates and had our teachers supporting us. However we do look forward to getting back to school as we have a lot of work to do with our exhibition projects. Here are some pictures of some online learning and meetings that took place.
By Amna and Emma (student council)
Peek into learning: The Storm
Peek into learning: The Storm
Welcome back to our learning community! We hope everyone had a refreshing spring break. It was quite a return, with just one day back on campus before the largest storm to hit Dubai in 75 years swept through our city. Despite these challenges, our dedicated teachers ensured a seamless transition to online learning, showcasing their commitment and resilience.
Our younger students explored choice grids that allowed them to express their creativity and ingenuity through a variety of hands-on activities. These projects not only kept them engaged but also honed their self-management and thinking skills, key skills of the IB's Approaches to Learning (ATLs). Upper primary students struck a balance between rigorous tasks and creative assignments, further developing their research and communication skills amidst the shift.
This week, despite the disruptions, we've seen impressive work from all students, who have shown great perseverance. Highlights include exploring landforms through storybooks, applying measurements in real-world scenarios, crafting persuasive writings addressed to Mr. Simon, and artistically expressing the power of water.
We hope everyone stays safe, and we look forward to welcoming you back on campus on Monday. The adaptability our learning community has shown is truly inspiring, reinforcing the strength of our school. Thank you to all our students, teachers, parents, and support staff for their incredible support through these times.
Term 3 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.
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.
Class information and schedules
Class information and schedules
Information for new/starting families
Information for new/starting families
Drop off and Pick up
Drop off and Pick up
(please note that times differ during the holy month of Ramadan)
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.
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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
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