Week Nine - November 3rd, 2023

Primary School

Whole School Newsletter

Secondary Newsletter

Kim Conlin

Head of Primary

Good afternoon parents,

I hope you had a great week! We had another busy week of learning at school!

Today we celebrated UAE Flag Day where we learned about the history of the UAE flag and the significance of the colors within. Did you know that Green refers to goodness and agriculture, abundant throughout the country? White refers to peace. Black refers to courage and power. Red refers to power and sovereignty.

We have been celebrating the Dubai 30x30 Fitness Challenge this week at school with a daily WakeUp ShakeUp hosted by our PE team each morning. Students and teachers alike have enjoyed getting their bodies moving first thing in the morning. Starting this next week, we have a challenge for our families at home!! We encourage you to send a short 5-10-second video clip of your family being active at home or in a favorite location in Dubai! The PE team has sent more details on Toddle.

Next week we have a whole-school connectEd about Inclusion at GIS, hosted by Hannah Kelly, our Head of Inclusion and the Primary and Secondary SENCos, Niamh O'Donnell and Analisa Adams. Please join us on Wednesday November 8th from 830-930 to learn more about the inclusive ethos at GIS and how you can contribute.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Newsletter at a Glance

In this edition you will find:

- - Announcements / Reminders / Upcoming dates
  - Inclusion ConnectEd
  - Peek Into Learning Innovation Hub
  - PYP curriculum resources
  - Absence Procedure
  - Whole School Calendar

Upcoming Dates

GIS Community Calendar - subscribe by clicking

Nov 3rd - UAE Flag Day
Nov 8th Inclusion ConnectEd
Nov 20 - 24 PYP Sports Week
Nov 27 - UAE National Day Celebration at GIS
Nov 27-Dec 1st School Photos
Nov 29 - Arabic Language Day
Dec 1 - No School (UAE National Day holiday)

Announcements and Reminders:

Connect Ed - SAVE THE DATES

Please Save the Dates for the upcoming Connect Eds.

The purpose of the Connect Eds is to support our parent community with 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.

Peek into Learning: Innovation Hub

We're excited to let you know that our Innovation Lab is now open to all students, and it's quickly become a centerpiece for hands-on learning and discovery. This week, the KG1 students have been exploring the lab with all their senses. They've been honing their observation skills by noting equipment in the lab, identifying varying sounds, and associating smells with their sources, integrating their learning with hands-on experiences.

Our Grade 4 learners have tackled the foundations of coding and robotics, utilizing Lego Spike kits to construct and program their own robots. This has not just been about building and coding; it's been about learning to think systematically, to experiment, and to persist through challenges.

Through these lab experiences, students are not only applying what they've learned in the classroom but also developing their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. With the innovation lab now in full operation and under the guidance of our dedicated innovation coaches—Mr. Javier, Mr. Elvin, and Mrs. Rupali —we look forward to the creative projects and ideas that will emerge from our PYP students.

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.

Toddle Parent Information

Please remember that weekly updates will come to you through Toddle.

Information for new/starting families

Click here

Overview of communication platforms (PYP)

Click here

Curriculum Overview Site

Click here

Previous Parent Connect Eds

Click Here

Drop off and Pick up

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

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)

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.

Early Leave Request Form