Week Thirty One - May 25th, 2024
Dear Parents,
This week and next, our final Room Parent meetings are taking place, in which I receive feedback from each room representative and in some cases brainstorm solutions to issues. It was requested that the newsletter stay short with bullet points, so please find this improved version below:
PYP Exhibition Success:
This past Thursday, we had a fantastic PYP Exhibition!
The PYP Exhibition is a significant event where students showcase their knowledge and skills, marking the completion of the Primary Years Programme (PYP).
PYP Completion and Grade 12 Graduation:
Next month, students grade 5 will participate in a special ceremony and party to celebrate their accomplishments in the PYP.
Yesterday our school held its final graduation for grade 12, a pivotal moment in each child's life.
On Thursday, graduates enjoyed a Grad Walk through the school, with PYP students cheering them on.Many of these students have come through the PYP, and our teachers are so proud to see their future aspirations.
Arts Week Celebration:
Next week is a big week for the PYP as we celebrate Arts Week. We look forward to seeing parents on campus to celebrate the creativity and learning within the arts.
Please note the date and time of your child's performances below. Siblings are not permitted to attend student concerts during the day, and we want to avoid early pick-up for siblings, which is disruptive to their learning.
Health and Safety:
Please remember to send hats and water bottles to school with your child each day. Thank-you for your donations of games for days when it is too hot for students to have breaks outside.
As per DHA, Oral and dental screenings for grade 1 and grade 4 will take place on May 29th.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community!
Kim Conlin
Head of Primary
Student Spotlight
This month (May 5th), the UAE Judo Kids competition took place in the Zayed Sport Complex in Fujeirah. Over 200 children from various emirates competed in this competition. The student of GIS 2D grade, Suleyman Sadikhov, participated in the competition for children under 10 years old and won a medal. It was his first competition at this level. Congratulations Suleyman!
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
May 27th - StuELT Movie Night G2 and above (rescheduled)
May 28th - ConnectEd - Art Therapy
May 27th - 31st - PYP Arts Week (poster and info below)
June 11th - Student Led Conference (poster below)
June 19th - Eid Al Adha celebrations at school (TBC)
June 20th - Student leadership workshop and celebration
June 24th - PYP Sports Awards
June 28th - Grade 5 Completion Ceremony (only G5)
July 4th - Last day of school for students
July 5th - Optional Parent teacher conference (last day for teachers)
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!
For Information of all the sessions we have to support Grade 5 through transition
Attention all Artists!
The Aladdin Musical team is excited to announce the Aladdin Poster Design Competition!
We are looking for a talented designer across Grade 1-3 to create the official Aladdin Poster! This poster will act as an advertisement for the final show which will be staged on June 13th & 14th, so we are looking for something original and eye-catching!
Entry requirements:
Information: Posters can be hand crafted or digital.; Poster size should be A3.; Poster needs to include: “Aladdin the Musical” as a title, a captivating image design & date, time, and location (June 13th & 14th, at 7:00pm in the MPH).
Students will be highlighetd as the artist and have their work used for advertisement around the school | A framed original copy will be given to them with a commendation from Mr. Simon.
Deadline: Monday June 3rd
Submission: Hand to Ms. Andrea O’Malley or Panayota Alexopoulos
Student Life
Well-being Ambassadors
In the month of May we launched a new initiative at our school called the 'Wellbeing Ambassadors'. This month we will be focussing on many aspects of well-being: self-regulation and co-regulation in corridors/stairwells during transitions; self-esteem workshops and stories; building relationships with self and others and unpacking the concept of resilience. There are two well-being ambassadors that weer nominated in Grades 2-5 per class. The reason they were nominated was because they show the following competencies: Kind and caring | 2. Positive |3. Approachable | 4. Supportive | 5. Flexible | 6. Inclusive (tries to include everyone) | 7. Patient | 8.Collaborative. We are looking forward to working with the Conselors and Ms Aamna on this project.
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.
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 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.
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 )
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.