Embedded Files
Week Thirty - May 17th, 2024
Dear Parents,
I hope this message finds you well. As we move through May, I wanted to share some updates and happenings in our school.
This week, our students have begun their end-of-year external assessments. These are essential in helping us understand each student's progress throughout the year and areas for growth as we prepare for the upcoming academic year. Alongside assessments, our teachers are working on creating class lists for next year, ensuring that each child is placed in an environment that best supports their learning and development.
Our Wellbeing Ambassadors held a discussion during their class meetings on the importance of principled behaviors in the hallways between classes. This initiative is part of our ongoing effort to foster a positive and respectful school culture, and it was wonderful to see our students actively engaging in this important conversation.
Preparations for Arts Week are well underway. We look forward to welcoming our community to a series of music and drama mini-concerts from May 27 to May 31. It promises to be a fantastic showcase of our students' creativity and hard work.
Next week’s parent ConnectEd session will focus on the benefits of being part of a multilingual environment. This session will provide insights into how a multilingual setting enhances cognitive development, cultural understanding, and academic achievement. We encourage parents to attend and learn more about the advantages your children gain from our diverse linguistic community.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. Together, we are making GIS a place where every student can thrive.
Kim Conlin
Head of Primary
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
May 22nd - Connect Ed - benefits of a multi-lingual environment
May 23rd - PYP Exhibition Grade 5; Grade 12 Senior Walk
May 27th - StuELT Movie Night (rescheduled)
May 27th - 31st - PYP Arts Week (poster below)
June 11th - Student Led Conference
June 19th - Eid Al Adha celebrations at school (TBC)
June 28th - Grade 5 Completion Ceremony
July 4th - Last day of school for students
July 5th - Optional Parent teacher conference (last day for teachers)
Announcements and Reminders:
Announcements and Reminders:
PYP Concerts and Plays
The PYP Arts department teachers and PYP students in the visual arts, music & drama, have been hard at work preparing for Arts Week which will be held May 27-31. The week will include drama plays, concerts and an art exhibition, among many other exciting student experiences!
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
Red day Sustainable Drive outcome
PYP student leaders are excited for your support! Both house captains and student council are encouraging others to donate gently-used board games and toys for red-day lunchtime fun. So far, we have made some good progress in receiving donations. But, we still need your help! Please search through your unused games and upcycle these items by sending them to GIS in the coming days. Red days are upon us and having something to stimulate and have fun during breaks would be incredible. Thank you for your ongoing support of PYP student leaders.
Peek into learning: Innovation in the curriculum
Peek into learning: Innovation in the curriculum
At GIS, we take pride in the innovative ways we approach our curriculum, aligning with the IB learning philosophy. A standout example is our Grade 3 unit with the Central Idea: "Geographical location influences lives and communities".
We began the unit by exploring various landforms and understanding how cities develop around them. The children drew connections to their hometowns, enriching their learning experience. Then, the unexpected happened—storms hit Dubai! When the children returned to school, they brought insightful observations about the impact on infrastructure, from abandoned cars on the roads to empty supermarket shelves.
Our inquiry-based approach allowed teachers to innovate and pivot the unit based on the children’s real-world observations. The students took charge, developing ideas and solutions to address Dubai's infrastructure challenges. They demonstrated incredible autonomy and creativity, crafting extensive and intricate solutions through collaborative and critical thinking.
This experience is a testament to the innovation and deep learning that IB education fosters, showcasing the remarkable potential of our students to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways.
Term 3 Connect Eds
The purpose of Connect Eds is to support our parent community with information related to social, emotional, and academic 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 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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