Embedded Files
Week Fourteen - November 30th 2021
From the Head of Primary
From the Head of Primary
Dear Primary School Parents,
As we move into the National Day holiday, I would like to express the gratitude I personally have to be living in the host country of the UAE for more reasons than I can count! As an IB school we are fortunate to be situated in the UAE that values tolerance and acceptance, the same values embedded in the IB mission statement. We congratulate all Emiratis and long standing residents on 50 years!
Following the National Day holiday, we enter the final week of term 1. It has been a successful start to the year. With all protocols firmly in place, we have been able to maintain the health and safety of our community. We thank all community members for their cooperation in following the necessary procedures.
We hope to see many of you at our after school event (Winterfest) on Monday December 6th from 3:30-6:30. Please remember that a parent must attend with a PYP child for supervision.
There will be no GIS-led ECA's next week. Some external providers will be still running. If ensure, please check communication from your specific ECA. The final day of term is Dec 9th and is a half day. The final newsletter for 2021 will be sent on this day as well.
Enjoy your long weekend. See you Sunday Dec 5th.
PYP Newsletter at a glance
PYP Newsletter at a glance
Holiday Parties
Winterfest details
Bookfair
Math parent ConnectEd recording
Peek into Learning: Art
National Day Highlights
ECA's
Class Pages /class announcements
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates
GIS Community Calendar - subscribe by clicking
December 1-2nd: School Holiday (no school)
December 6th: GIS Winter Festival 3:30 -6:30 pm
December 9th: Festive Dress Up (students can come to school in festive clothing)
December 9th: Last day of Term (12:00pm finish or 11:50 for PK-G1)
January 2nd: First day of school (Term 2)
January 13th: Arabic Language Day
Upcoming Reminders in Primary
Upcoming Reminders in Primary
Holiday Party Reminders
Holiday Party Reminders
As we end the first term and head into winter break, some classes are planning to celebrate!
Class parties can be organized by the room parent and homeroom teacher
Parents are not yet permitted on campus for more than 10 min (unless its a KHDA approved event)
The party can take place during an agreed upon time on Dec 9th
Any celebration food items must be store or restaurant bought and not homemade (this ensures DHA guidelines for food prep). Children with dietary restrictions should bring a treat fro home.
No gift exchanges on campus (parents may choose to arrange separate events outside school at parents discretion)
Don't miss this festive community event!
Don't miss this festive community event!
This event is optional for all students and parents, and we hope you will agree to join us! Come and go anytime to this outdoor event between 3:30 and 6:30pm. The event will include:
Games
Crafts
Open mic music performances
Food trucks/stalls
Sweet treats
Book sale
Holiday outdoor animated film (5:45 start)
*Bring cash/small bills * GIS proceeds will be donated to the Al Jalila Foundation
PYP students must be with a parent to attend this event.
Students will have regular dismissal (3:05/3:15) this day. Parents will be directed to winterfest entrance from gate 4 or 8. Bus students attending winterfest will require an email from a parent to STS and homeroom teacher. All other bus riders will be sent home on the bus as usual.
Certain external ECA's will still run Dec 5-8: relevant parents will be communicated with directly by the provider.
Certain external ECA's will still run Dec 5-8: relevant parents will be communicated with directly by the provider.
ConnectEd Wednesday 24th November
ConnectEd Wednesday 24th November
Math Investigations in the PYP
A Peek into Learning celebrating
A Peek into Learning celebrating
National Day!
National Day!
We had a fantastic day celebrating UAE National day by making authentic connections to our learning. The artwork the students produced is stunning and it was fascinating to hear students placing their learning in context.
In the early years, students developed their fine motor skills and applied their understanding of colour and shape to create different artwork. They used sand to create texture and the UAE colours to celebrate the country.
In upper primary, students researched various elements of the UAE, such as the architecture of buildings and local wildlife to inspire their creations. Grade 4 created a map of the UAE with different architecture and in groups researched then connected facts with the 6 goals outlined in Vision 2021.
Celebrating Men's Health
Celebrating Men's Health
UAE National Day: The 50th Jubilee
UAE National Day: The 50th Jubilee
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
Reminders/Quick Reference
Reminders/Quick Reference
Have you completed the Parent Winter Survey yet?
We want to hear from you!
If you have not yet completed the GEMS Parent survey, please do so. Your opinion is important to us. A follow email has been sent to parents today, so please check your inbox/Spam folder
Not your typical day?
Not your typical day?
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 more than 2 days and submit to homeroom teacher on the child's first day back at school after absence.
Absence for more than 3 days requires doctors clearance (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 48 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.
Overview of communication platforms (PYP)
Overview of communication platforms (PYP)
Key Contacts
Key Contacts
Page updated
Report abuse