Volume 5, Issue 3 Sept 20th 2012

The Academy promotes inquiring, knowledgeable, reflective, and caring learners who develop personal skills to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. Reflected in a variety of defined outcomes and assessments, our divisional I.B. programs support students to become compassionate, lifelong, and actively involved learners who recognize the differences among people and will contribute to a better future global society.

A Note from the Elementary Principal

Week 3 in the Elementary School has seen students and teachers settling into GREAT learning routines. My classroom visits this week have given me the opportunity to see some wonderful learning in action. I have observed first grade students making terrific maps of GEMS World Academy showing great creativity and critical thinking skills! I have observed fifth graders identifying secondary and tertiary colours in art and understanding how to name them appropriately. I have joined in fourth grade math games and discovered that I am not very good at basketball on the Promethean board! Our Grade 2-5 assembly this morning focused on the very important topic of LEARNING. We found out that the world record for balancing golf balls on top of each other is held by an American man, who can stack 9 golf balls on top of each other! The point was not really the balancing of golf balls (though that was fun!), but that to learn something requires a few key ingredients: to make a start, to practice, to enjoy what you are doing, to practice some more, to keep on trying even when you make mistakes, and finally, to practice even more. Many of our teachers shared great examples of themselves as lifelong learners.your childs homework this weekend is to read the newsletter or visit the GWA Weebly to find out all of the new things that their teachers have learned over the past year. Perhaps you could look at these together and share examples of members of your family who are learning new things. Remember that parents are warmly invited to attend our assemblies. PreK-Grade 1 Assembly is held each Wednesday 8.40 9.15 and Grade 2 -5 Assembly is held each Thursday 8.40 9.15. Come along and join in the learning celebrations. Sincerely, Megan Brazil

3 A Day
Yesterdays EC-Grade 1 Assembly was a fun filled event! This weeks 3-A-Day relates to the assembly. Talk: Discuss what happened on assembly during Stretching with Miss Anita. Can your child remember the names of the 3 stretches? (The Fast Lemon, The Scrambled Egg and the Stretching Strawberry) Share: Have your child teach you how to do these stretches. Enjoy doing them together. Encourage: Encourage your child to come up with some stretches of their own and come up with creative names for them.

Are you looking for a tutor for you child? We have tutors available to work with your children out of school hours. Contact Kevin Nelson, Elementary Counsellor for details. k.nelson_gwa@gemsedu.com

A Quick Glimpse at the Week Ahead!

Sunday, Sept 23 Monday, Sept 24 Tuesday, Sept 25 Wednesday, Sept 26 Thursday, Sept 27

Day 4 Internal ASAs

Day 5

Day 6

Day 1 Pre-k to Grade 1

Day 2 Grade 2-5

Start

Assembly 8.45am

Assembly 8.45am Dismissal at 1.30pm

To view the GWA cafeteria menu, please visit the GWA website at www.gemsworldacademy-dubai.com

Dear KG2 Parents,

GWAPA Coffee Morning

Monday October 1st 8.30 am in the Training Room

After a few crazy weeks of having the KG2 students eat in the cafeteria, we have decided to change the venue in order to make lunchtime more enjoyable for the children. Starting this coming Sunday, the KG2 students will be having lunch in their classrooms. The classrooms are equipped with furniture appropriate for their age, no transition time to and from the cafeteria means that they have more time to eat their food, and with a quieter eating atmosphere, the children will be able to build those social connections with others in the class. As the weather cools down, there is also a lovely outdoor eating area by the KG2 classrooms that the children will be able to use. We aim to provide the most developmentally appropriate program for the children in early childhood and lunchtime is no exception. Please note that due to the change of their eating area, we will not be able to microwave lunches for the children. We do not have microwaves available in the classrooms for safety reasons and adult supervision cannot be compromised by having an adult out of the room to warm lunches. If you would like your child to have something warm for lunch, please provide a thermos that will keep the food warm until lunchtime. Thank you for your support, Darlene Huson Early Childhood Coordinator

Please take a moment to update your contact details on the GLG so that we are able to reach you in case of emergency. Login and update your details or contact the school if you do not yet have GLG login details.
Outstanding Documents Any outstanding documents, including residency visas, transfer certificates and medical forms, must be submitted as soon as possible so that students can be legally registered with the KHDA/Ministry of Education. Until all documents are submitted for a child, GWA cannot distribute quarterly progress reports as the student is not yet officially recognized by the Ministry. Please help us to register your child today!
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As part of their Peace Begins with Us unit, Grade 2 had a very special visitor to speak to them on Thursday. The central idea for this unit is: Relationships and interactions within communities can create conflict or peace. Mr Chris Parker has worked with the United Nations and came to share with Grade 2 how his job can help to create peace. This links with our line of inquiry: Different forms of conflict resolution. Grade 2 students took part in a drama that showed how the United Nations soldiers help to stop conflict and then help to create peace. We acted as the United Nations and voted to make decisions. We learnt how to solve problems peacefully and we also learnt what the colours and symbols on the UN flag mean! It was an awesome visit, and we want to say a HUGE thank you again to Mr Parker! Remember World Peace Day is on the 21st September! What peaceful actions can you take?

For todays Grade 2-5 Assembly on Learning, many teachers shared recent learning experiences with the students. Find out what your teachers have enjoyed learning during this past year and enjoy the photos they have shared.
Mrs Brazil learned some new meditations and some healthy smoothie

recipes.
Miss Clark learned how to teach students who are learning to speak

English!
Mr Franklin learned a lot about Maths Whizz from Mr Potts! Ms Karim started to learn Spanish! Mr Clark learned that you should always make time to have FUN! Miss Bea has learned how to be Sebastians Mum Mr Gerber has learned how to kite surf Miss Kendra learned to have courage and be a risk taker to enjoy a new adventurous

activity and see the rain forest from a different perspective!

Mr Anderson learned how to glissade (descending a steep snowfield by sliding on your

butt and using an ice axe as a brake).

Miss Johnston learned that there is a tree named after her country's leader. It's name is

Mr. President. It is one of the biggest trees in the world. It is a giant sequoia from California. The trunk would take up your entire classroom and part of the hallway too!
Miss Leiske learned how Humpback Whales feed in Alaska and it made her realize how

much she loves nature in cooler weather.

Miss Wilcox learned how to paddle board Mr Hamilton learned how to Free Dive and hold his breath for 4 minutes 46 seconds. Miss Scott learned how to helm a sailboat. Miss Tschiffley learned how to become a skydiving instructor. Mr Linen learned a lot about new programs and applications like Outlook and learned a new

marinade for grilled chicken.

Miss Courtney learned how to think in kilometers and kilograms instead of miles and pounds.

Dear Parents, We always like to encourage children to read at home and help to foster a love of reading. Sent home with your child today, is the new Scholastic International Schools Book Club catalogue to browse through. This is a fabulous opportunity to get some wonderful books to start off the new school year. The Scholastic International School Book Club is a great way for you and your child to choose books together. The leaflets feature a wide range of books for all tastes and abilities, so theres something to suit everyone. You will also notice that every book is discounted, so you can take advantage of great savings. There is never any obligation to order, but if youd like to purchase anything, there is an easy way for you to order. Weve set up an online school group order so that you can visit, add books to our basket and benefit from FREE shipping to the school. You will be able to pay securely online by credit card, and the books will arrive at school for me to distribute. How to order online: Visit http://world.clubs-school.scholastic.co.uk/gems-world-1 Explore the website or click on Quick Shop to order books using the item numbers from the catalogue When checking out, you will need to give your email address, your childs full name and class. If you would like to purchase any books from the Book Club catalogue, please complete your online order by Thursday, September 27th, 2012. We hope that you enjoy browsing through the leaflet. It is a great way to encourage your child to widen their reading experience and stock up on great books for back to school reading!

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GEMS Music Academy

GEMS Music Academy Timetable is now available. Please check your e-mail beginning today and over the weekend. Lesson begins on Sunday, 23rd September. For more queries please e-mail GWA Music Secretary j.rovera1_gwa@gemsedu.com

GWA PYP Weebly

We have put together this GWA PYP Weebly so that students, parents and teachers have a centralised space for online resources feel free to use it with your children at home!

Important Upcoming Dates

October 1st GWAPA Coffee Morning 8.30 am October 14October 18 CIS Accreditation Visit October 25November 1 School closed for Eid al Adha Sunday 4 November School closed for Staff Professional Development Thursday 15 November School closed for Islamic New Year Sunday 2 December School closed for UAE National Day Islamic Holidays are subject to change