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Week Thirty Six - June 16th, 2023
Kim Conlin
Head of Primary
Dear PYP Parents,
It's hard to image we're so close to the end of the academic year. Next week the focus is on both reflection of a busy and successful year as well as preparation for the new year. Students will learn about some of the exciting things in store for the next grade during their "step up" day. End of year class parties will take place on Friday June 23rd. Grade 5 students will celebrate the completion of PYP and will be introduced to the MYP by the secondary leadership team. Thank-you to all the grade 5 parents who attended the MYP information session last Wednesday.
Your child in PYP will take part in a fun water event during our "Splish Splash Week". Please remember to read grade pages for important reminders.
Finally, end of year reports will be released to parents Friday June 23rd and can be accessed through the GEMS portal or GEMS Connect. Details can be found in next week's newsletter.
Have a wonderful weekend!
PYP Leadership Updates
Assisstant Head of Primary
Assisstant Head of Primary
Aamna Thomas
Welcome to the team!
Welcome to the team!
This year we led an extensive global recruitment search for an Assistant Head of Primary to begin the 2023/24 academic year. Rounds of interviews and narrowing down to short lists from a large candidate pool has led to the successful appointment of Ms. Aamna Thomas.
Ms. Aamna has been an educator for 13 years and is the current Head of Primary at an IB world school in Europe. She is an accomplished and driven educational leader with passion for the IB curriculum. Ms. Aamna has also taken on roles as IB and CIS evaluators across various international schools.
Ms Aamna is known to create a cohesive and engaging environment conducive to learning. She is adept at establishing authentic parent and staff relationships, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
Ms. Aamna is originally from the UK, currently working in Amsterdam. She has ties to the UAE and is familiar with the region with annual visits. She will be relocating to Dubai with her husband and two children in August.
Thank-you to Raquel Nahas
Thank-you to Raquel Nahas
Ms. Raquel will be leaving her role GIS at the end of this academic year to pursue new opportunities in her career. Ms. Raquel joined GIS in 2017 and has been instrumental in the success of the school. We thank her for her role in the development of the Primary programme and structures. She has developed strong and trusting relationships with students, parents, and colleagues, and she will remain as part of the GIS community as a parent. We wish Ms. Raquel much success in her future and hope she knows that she is always welcome!
Newsletter at a Glance
Newsletter at a Glance
In this edition you will find:
Announcements / Reminders / Upcoming dates
Peek Into Learning
Primary Pages - link to Grade and Class pages
PYP reminders and resources
Absence Procedure
Whole School Calendar
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates
June 16- Last day of ECAS
June 19-22- Splish Splash Week
June 20 - PYP Sports Awards
June 23 - G5 PYP Completion Ceremony
June 23- Class parties
June 26 - Last Day of School - 12:00pm dismissal
Announcements and Reminders:
Announcements and Reminders:
Transitions
Transitions
Transitions are an important topic at this time of year. Along with saying farewell to friends moving away, all students also prepare to say goodbye to a class, teacher, grade level and prepare for the next. Change is something we become accustomed to, especially in international communities and leads to flexibility, adaptability, and advanced social skills.
We help students prepare for tranistions in a number of ways:
“Step Up” meetings Before the end of this academic year, the grade leader from each year level holds an information session for the classes that will be moving into the grade. The session will give them a sneak peek into the units that will be taught and some of the aspects that make the grade special.
Tour of learning spaces: Current Homeroom teachers will take students on a tour of learning areas. In some cases, the changes will be minimal and in some cases there will be new routes from the canteen, new toilets, new play areas etc.
Class list creation: Teachers spend time in teams to discuss student groupings for next year for newly enrolled and re-enrolled. The following are taken into consideration:
Student learning needs (academic) and learning dispositions (behavioral)
Language and cultural diversity (including ELL needs)
Gender diversity
Level of support (Students of determination, Highly capable, Language needs)
Familiar peers/classmates that work well together
Supporting students with transitions- video shared in class
Supporting your child with transitions- Tips from our Counselors
Peek Into Learning ...
Peek Into Learning ...
Empowering Parents through PYP ConnectEd Education
Empowering Parents through PYP ConnectEd Education
We are thrilled to announce our first Introduction to PYP ConnectEd session in Russian, underscoring our commitment to an inclusive and globally connected community. As an international school, we recognize the significance of ensuring that all families are well-informed about the program their children are enrolled in and what it means to be a part of the Primary Years Programme (PYP).
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our two presenters, Alina (ELL teacher) and Anastassia (music teacher), whose dedication and expertise made this session possible. Their efforts in delivering the session in Russian provided valuable support and engagement for our Russian-speaking families, fostering a deeper understanding of the PYP and strengthening our sense of community.
We believe that by facilitating opportunities like these, we foster a collaborative environment where families and educators work hand in hand to provide the best educational experience for our students. We look forward to continuing our efforts in promoting cross-cultural understanding and engagement within our international community.
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.
Key Contacts
Key Contacts
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