Dear GJS Families,

February has proved to be an outstanding month to be a member of our school community. Numerous events showcased the talents, passions, and learnings of our Global Jaya student body, engaged our parents and faculty, as well as allowed hundreds of interested and engaged visitors on our campus. This past month alone, GJS hosted or participated in the following events, activities, and conferences:

• Secondary Student Council HawksCup - Feb 5 - 8
• Secondary School Swim Carnival - February 6
• Year 1 Mini Zoo Exhibition - February 7
• Secondary Valentine’s Week - Feb 6 - 13
• PYP Exhibitions - Feb 11 & 12
• Year 5 Model United Nations - February 13
• Young Scientist / Engineer Competition - February 15
• Year 5 Parliament Visit - February 17
• Child Protection and IB Workshops Sessions for Parents - February 19
• Georgetown University Qatar Model United Nations - Feb 20 - 23
• Lab School Kebayoran MUN - Feb 28 - 29
• PYP Dunia Job-a-Like & Conference

We proudly offer dynamic and diverse academic and extra-curricular activities that fill our calendar on a month-on-month basis. Many of these engagements are above and beyond the typical day to day learning opportunities that are embedded within Global Jaya teaching and learning practice. We are appreciative of the achievements of our students and faculty as they have been confident in sharing their knowledge and abilities to community and non-community members alike.

Events, such as those listed above, can serve two further additional functions. One, they are a way in which our community comes together to recognise, support, cheer on the exceptional efforts taking place at GJS. Two, they serve as an outstanding form of advertising for our school. Those individuals who are unfamiliar with our school get to see first hand the outcomes of our academic and extra-curricular efforts. Awareness of who we are as a school, sharing the strengths of our programs, and finally seeing and understanding why they should have their children studying at Global Jaya School are critical aspects of engaging with any potential new community members.

Please read the rest of this month’s KONTAK to learn about what has been happening on and around the Global Jaya School campus this month. A special reminder as well, Please reserve March 14 on your calendar as this is the day of our Family Fun Day and Art Expo. Our Parents Association and the Arts Department have developed a fantastic day of performances, activities, and fun for all members of the family. Please see the detailed flyer for more information.

Since our last months' Kontak, we have maintained communication with our community about our efforts to maintain a safe and healthy campus for all community members. Our implementation of the thermal scanning and the re-routing of drop-off and pick-up traffic has normalised. We continue to experience peak traffic times between 7:00 am - 7:30 am for drop-off. We appreciate the feedback that has been provided to us by concerned and engaged community members. We have considered all constructive feedback as we continually seek to improve upon our plans and ensure timely communication to our community through Managebac and our WhatsApp groups.

The Leadership team has decided, after considering all currently known factors, not to change our current plan of action. As promised, if and when any updates to our procedures are made, we will communicate to parents through established channels of communication.

That stated as we will be departing campus in 3 weeks to enjoy our term break, we must stay aware and responsive to the developments that are happening within the region.

We each need to consider our travel plans over the term break. The situation outside of Indonesia is continually changing. At the moment, Indonesia has only banned travel to and from mainland China. Other countries may be added to that list if cases of COVID19 increase. We cannot control this, and the conditions at the start of the term break may not be the same as conditions by the end of the term break.

If you and your family are traveling to a country with confirmed COVID19 cases or through an airport, avoid touching shared surfaces and rubbing your eyes, nose, or face. Wash your hands thoroughly and often. Carry your sanitizer and use it often. If you are traveling to countries with rapidly increasing cases (S. Korea, Italy, Japan, etc.), be aware of changing travel alerts or bans and plan accordingly. We encourage all families to remain vigilant concerning health-related matters of themselves and their children. In all cases where there is even the slightest doubt, please consult your family doctor.

In the unlikely event, a student or even a member of their immediate family (sister, brother, mother or father, or any other live-in family member) is placed in quarantine, be it in Indonesia or abroad, please contact your divisional principal immediately. We will then be able to discuss the next steps with the family, which will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

It makes me proud to be the Head of a school where we celebrate, learn, and contribute to our community together. I look forward to seeing many of you on campus soon.

Cory J. Carson

Head of School