Dear Parents,

I hope that you are well.

Although this week has been an unusual way to start the spring term, I must commend your children and our staff for adapting so quickly to distance learning, along with the new working week. I have seen and heard some excellent things happening in lessons and hope you will view the primary and secondary sections of the newsletter for more details.

I would also like to assure you all that I am very much a proponent of face-to-face learning. Families with us last year will remember that GIS was one of the first schools to have almost 100% of students come into school regularly. This was based on the trust our families have in the processes at GIS, and in particular our assurances around health and safety. As soon as I can again reassure you on this front (for example, when we have a suitable complement of cleaning staff back in the school), I shall do so.

I would like to provide a few more details on the current situation and why GIS, along with many other schools, requested distance learning for the start of the term. As you are aware, KHDA decided to offer face-to-face learning for all schools in Dubai, a decision which we supported wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, through the break, the number of those affected with the new Omicron variant grew rapidly. GEMS group had asked all staff (not only those who had travelled), to undergo a PCR test within 48 hours of re-entry to the school. This includes all our contracted staff (cleaners, security, drivers). It ensured a rigorous approach, and with the timing of the growth of cases, led to the distance learning request. We did not feel comfortable opening the school, and our thoughts focused on the health and safety of our community.

I would have preferred to inform you sooner. As a parent myself, I appreciate early communications and I hope you know that we at GIS wish to communicate promptly and effectively to you. However, we were waiting for the PCR results throughout the 48-hour period, which led to a later than desired communication to you. As we saw the number of cases mounting, it became clear that we could not offer a healthy environment in the school campus.

With regard to the situation for next week. We supplied our figures of staff and student absences (students whom we know to be either positive cases or close contacts) to the authorities. We have been waiting for KHDA to respond and advise; we have now received that response and our school has been granted a continuation of distance learning from Monday 10^th – Friday 14^th January, for the rationale given above. We shall resume face-to-face learning on Monday 17^th January.

I have given you absolutely as much notice as possible and I hope that this helps your planning as families. I fully understand the demands on families and I thank you for your forbearance and also your own flexibility. As mentioned previously, if you have any queries, comments, suggestions or questions on the distance learning provision, please communicate with your child’s homeroom teacher or the Primary or Secondary School Office.

May I wish you a good weekend and look forward to seeing you when we can.

Kind regards,