Dear DAA Families,

Kindly note that Ramadan is expected to begin either on Wednesday, 18 February or Thursday, 19 February. Confirmation will only be received on Tuesday evening following the official moon sighting announcement by the Islamic authorities. Once the government formally announces the start date, we will update families via sms.
Our school hours and routines during the Holy Month of Ramadan will likely be as follows: Please be alert to modifications as official school hours are subject to KHDA confirmation.

For our Bus service, STS will communicate directly with parents regarding the change in pick-up and drop-off timings. 

Our educational program and instruction will remain unchanged during Ramadan. Teachers have engaging learning planned for their students. We encourage our families and students to continue attending during Ramadan. 

Unfortunately, we are not able to offer after-school daycare or supervision beyond the half-day school day. Labor Law limits the number of hours that employees can work during Ramadan. Please ensure that you have arranged for prompt drop-off and pick-up as our staff will not be here.

We encourage all DAA students and parents to be aware of the significance of this month and be appreciative and respectful of our host culture. 

Ramadan Kareem!

Dear DAA Parents and Community,

On Monday March 30th 2026 the High School Counseling Department will be hosting our 14th Annual Career Conference. This is a wonderful opportunity for sophomore (Grade 10) students to gain a broader understanding of potential career options for their future. This is a valuable opportunity for our students - it can lead to big career decisions, and really inspire them! 

We would like to invite you to join as a guest speaker! You are welcome to speak on your current career role or any prior career field that you may have been in. Guest speakers discuss topics such as their career path, how they arrived at their current role, details about what their professional field looks like and qualifications needed. If your career journey has not been linear, that is valuable information to present as well. 

If you are interested in participating as a Guest Speaker, please complete the Career Conference 2026 Speaker Volunteer Form by Feb 13th and we will contact you with further details. 

If you have any friends that you would recommend as a Guest Speaker, please share with them the Speaker Volunteer Form.

Warm regards, 

HS Counseling Team

Dear Parents,

We are thrilled to announce the Islamic Festival Competitions, organized by the K-12 Islamic Department at DAA in collaboration with other departments. This festival aims to showcase our students' talents and skills while fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Islamic culture and values.

The festival will feature various competitions, including Quran recitation, Hadith memorization, poetry, Athan performance, Nasheed, Islamic art, short films, and plays. Judges from different departments will evaluate the performances fairly and thoroughly.

We encourage all students to participate in at least one competition and take this opportunity to explore their interests and showcase their talents. The competitions will take place between April 27th and May 8th.

To register for the competition, please review the link below for detailed information, including rules and regulations, and complete the registration form by April 22, 2026.

Islamic Festival (2026)

We look forward to seeing the amazing talents and creativity of our students at this festival. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Islamic Department.

Warm regards,
DAA Islamic Department

أولياء أمور طلبتنا الأعزاء،

تحية طيبة وبعد،

يسر قسم التربية الإسلامية في أكاديمية دبي الأمريكية أن يعلن عن انطلاق المهرجان الإسلامي للمسابقات 2026 بالتعاون مع مختلف الأقسام. يهدف هذا المهرجان إلى عرض مواهب طلابنا ومهاراتهم مع تعزيز فهم أعمق وتقدير أكبر للثقافة والقيم الإسلامية.

يتضمن المهرجان مسابقات متنوعة، مثل: تلاوة القرآن، حفظ الحديث، الشعر، الآذان، النشيد، الفن الإسلامي، الأفلام القصيرة، والمسرحيات. ستضم لجنة التحكيم مدرّسين من مختلف الأقسام لضمان تقييم عادل وشامل لأداء الطلاب.

نشجع جميع الطلاب على المشاركة في واحدة على الأقل من المسابقات واستغلال هذه الفرصة لاكتشاف اهتماماتهم وإبراز مواهبهم. ستقام المسابقات في الفترة ما بين 27 إبريل و8 مايو.

للتسجيل في المسابقة، يرجى مراجعة الرابط أدناه للحصول على جميع التفاصيل، بما في ذلك القواعد والتوقعات، واستكمال استمارة التسجيل المرفقة بحلول 22 إبريل 2026.

Islamic Festival (2026)

نتطلع إلى رؤية مواهب طلابنا الرائعة وإبداعاتهم المميزة في هذا المهرجان. لأي استفسار، يُرجى التواصل مع قسم التربية الإسلامية.

،مع خالص الشكر

قسم التربية الإسلامية - أكاديمية دبي الأمريكية

This week, our Elementary students had the exciting opportunity to experience the art and discipline of fencing through a special demonstration delivered by Knightsbridge Fencing.

Led by expert coaches, students were introduced to the fundamentals of this dynamic Olympic sport, learning about stance, footwork, balance, and the importance of strategy and respect in competition. The session was both engaging and educational, giving our learners a firsthand look at how fencing develops agility, coordination, focus, and resilience.

Opportunities like this broaden our students’ exposure to diverse sports and inspire them to explore new passions with confidence.

We look forward to seeing where this spark of curiosity might lead next.

🌟 Winter Holidays Just Got a Whole Lot More Fun! ❄️🎉

Looking for the ultimate way to keep your kids active, happy, and smiling all December long?

🎈 Join the ESM Holiday Camp at GEMS Dubai American Academy – the place to be for children aged 3.5 to 12 years this festive season!
🗓 8th December – 2nd January 2026

💥 What’s in store:
✅ Action-packed activities every day
✅ Safe, structured & full of excitement
✅ New friendships, big smiles, and lasting memories

🎁 Don’t miss our Super Early Bird Offer!
👉 Just AED 630 per week per child (offer ends 13th Nov 2025)
🎪 Bonus fun: Bouncy Castles (venue specific!)

⚡️ Spaces are limited – book now before it’s too late!

🔗 Click Here to REGISTER

School transport at DAA is managed by School Transport Services (STS), a safe and reliable journeys for our students. 

Traffic surrounding the school in Al Barsha 1 during drop-off and pick up times can be intense and time-consuming. Utilizing the school bus can significantly reduce the congestion in the area and make your child's daily commute safe and convenient. 

The School Bus Program is suitable for all ages, with classroom drop off and collection included for lower elementary.

BUS AVAILABILITY

Click HERE to view the 2025-2026 areas and transport fees covered by STS as guidance. If you do not see your area, please email our STS representative Vilina who will see how we may accommodate you. 

REGISTER FOR THE BUS:

To submit a Request for Bus Service for your child, please click on the link below:

https://school.gemseducation.com/GEMSConnectappTransportReRegister.html

Please log in to GEMS Connect and click on the Bus Transport icon, then select Transport Info and click the Register button to submit your request for bus transportation.

Alternatively, you can contact our STS Representative sde-daa@sts-group.com / 04 704 9755 to express your interest in registering your child for the school bus. 

You can also visit our STS representatives on campus in the main atrium for any questions or to discuss available options.

Download main meal menu here

Download Elementary Hot & Cold classroom delivery guide

 Slices Cashless System 

Slices are delighted to have integrated the slices cashless system in the GEMS Parent Portal. The system is designed for ease of use and to host all the relevant data in one space to make life easier for the parents and student community.

1. Parents can top up and view consumption through GEMS Parent Portal https://connect.gemseducation.com/

2. All student data is held in this portal without the need to create a secondary account
3. All existing student account balances will be transferred to the Parent Portal (Existing student balances will be transferred as opening balance to the new Parent Portal)

4. Catering Payment is accessed from the 'fees' drop-down option
5. Parents can top up via credit or debit card through the system and balances will be immediately available for student spend

6. Parents can also use the cash top up facility in the schools, and this will be reflected in the parent portal catering balance

7. Parents can also check recent catering balance top up history from the fees drop down options
8. Transaction history will also be updated to allow parents to review their children daily spend

 Dear Parents,

Greetings from the School Clinic!

We would like to share some important information to help you and your child have a safe and healthy school year. Please take a moment to review the following guidelines and procedures.

School Health Forms

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) School Health Form is an official health document required for all students attending schools in Dubai. It is designed to provide the school with essential information about your child’s medical history, current health status, any specific health needs and includes parental consent necessary for medical care and first aid. This form must be submitted on an annual basis.

Please be reminded that, for health and safety reasons, students who do not have their completed health forms on file will not be permitted to participate in After School Activities (ASAs), school trips or sporting activities until the required forms have been submitted.

We kindly request you to complete and return the forms at your earliest convenience to ensure your child’s uninterrupted participation in all activities. If you have not already done so, please fill out the SCHOOL HEALTH FORM and submit to the school clinic.

Clinic locations

●       ES & HS school clinic is located on the ground floor by the pool of the main building.

●       MS school clinic is on the ground floor to the left of the main reception of the Middle School building.

Clinic hours

●       7:15 am-3:30 pm, Monday to Thursday

●       7:15 am to 12:30 pm on Friday. 

For appointments

●       Kindly send an email to healthoffice_daa@gemsedu.com or call 04-7049761.

●       Vaccination record and medication drop off time:

▪        Monday to Thursday:

Morning: 7:30am – 8:30am   Afternoon: 2:00pm – 3:00pm

▪        Friday:

▪        Morning: 7:30am – 8:30am   Afternoon: 11:30am – 12:30p 

Clinic Services

●       First aid and emergency care during school hours

●       Management of chronic conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes, etc.)

●       Vaccination Campaigns (Grade 1 – 11)

●       Routine Medical Screenings (KG1, Grade 1, 4, 7, 10 and all New Students)

●       Referrals to specialists as and when needed

●       Health promotion and awareness campaigns

●       Annual Height and Weight Measurement (BMI)

School Clinic Visit

To ensure the health and safety of students and staff and for the prevention of over-crowding in the school clinic the following measures below are observed.

●       The school clinic implements a “one student per healthcare worker” ratio for treatment (excluding emergencies).

●       The clinic practices a strict NO CLINIC PASS NO VISIT rule. Students need to secure a clinic pass either from the division secretary (for MS & HS) or the homeroom teacher (for ES).  Students without a clinic pass are not entertained unless it is an emergency. 

●       Basic first aid kits are provided in every classroom. Minor injuries such as superficial scratches, grazes and cuts will be treated in class.

Infection Control Policy

To maintain a safe school environment:

●       Students with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, or contagious conditions (such as chickenpox, conjunctivitis, or flu-like symptoms) must remain at home until fully recovered.

●       Students with fever or with suspected communicable illness will not be allowed to go home by bus and must be collected by a parent/guardian.

●       Parents must notify the school clinic immediately if their child has been diagnosed with a communicable illness, maintaining strict confidentiality.

●       An Exposure Hazard Letter will be sent to parents of the child’s homeroom class in the event of a confirmed communicable illness.

●       Students may only return to school after completing the recommended isolation period, being symptom-free for a period of 24 hours without the use of symptom-reducing medication, and presenting a medical clearance certificate, if applicable.

●       Final clearance for return must be granted by the school clinic upon return to school.

●       Students with a body temperature of 37.5°C (99.5°F) or above will not be allowed in school.

Head Lice Policy

Live Lice

●       If live lice are found, parents will be notified and asked to collect the student from the school clinic. If any siblings are present, they will undergo a check as well.

●       Parents will be advised to commence treatment immediately.

●       An Exposure Hazard Letter will be shared with the homeroom parents by the homeroom teacher. The confidentiality of the student will be maintained at all times. Parents are kindly requested not to share this information on WhatsApp groups.

Nits

●       If nits are found but no live lice are present, parents will be informed.

●       The student may remain in school and be collected at regular dismissal time.

●       Parents will be advised on appropriate follow-up care.

Return to School

●       Students may return to school once treatment has commenced.

●       Upon return, the student must report to the school clinic for a quick check and obtain clearance before proceeding to class.

Head Lice Check

●       The school clinic will conduct a full-class head lice check if two or more confirmed cases of live lice are identified in the same homeroom class.

Medication Administration During School Hours

In compliance with Dubai Health Authority (DHA) regulations and to ensure the safe administration of any prescribed medication during school hours, we kindly request the following:

●       A Medical Report from your child’s treating doctor explaining the condition and the need for medication.

●       A Doctor’s Prescription that clearly states the student’s name, medication name, dose, timing and duration.

●       Medication in Its Original Packaging with the pharmacy label intact (no loose tablets or repackaged medicines will be accepted).

●       DHA Medication Consent Form, to be completed and signed by you.
This form is available at the school clinic and can also be emailed to you upon request.

Routine Medical Screening

In accordance with DHA School Health Guidelines, routine medical screenings will be conducted for specific grade levels during the year. Parents will be notified prior to the schedule.

●       Only students with parental consent provided on the health form submitted will participate in these screenings.

●       These screenings are non-invasive and include vision screening, dental checks, scoliosis assessment, and Body Mass Index (BMI) measurement.

●       You will be notified of the results either by email or a phone call from the school clinic.

Vaccination

The clinic coordinates with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to provide the recommended school immunizations. Details will be shared with parents before each scheduled vaccination campaign.

Parental consent is required prior to vaccination, along with submission of the original vaccination card or an officially translated vaccine record in English. Kindly note that the original vaccine card is mandatory to proceed with any vaccinations taken at the school clinic.

Lost/Unavailable Original Vaccine Card

As per Dubai Health Authority (DHA) guidelines, the original vaccination card is required for your child to receive any school-based vaccinations.

We understand that sometimes the original card may not be immediately available. If you only have a copy or digital record of your child’s vaccinations, you may still proceed by following these steps:

·       Bring your vaccination copy to your child’s pediatrician and ask them to transcribe the details onto an official vaccination card, following this the pediatrician must then sign and stamp it.

·       Once the new card is completed and signed, please submit it to the school clinic so we can proceed with your child’s scheduled vaccinations.

If you need any assistance or have questions about this process, our school medical team is happy to support you every step of the way.

Elevator Pass

Students requiring elevator access due to injury or illness must obtain a medical certificate from their treating physician.

●       Parents must email the school clinic staff along with the medical certificate, with the Division Attendance Secretary on copy, to request an elevator access card.

●       A consent form will be sent by the Division Attendance Secretary, which parents must sign and return before the student can receive the elevator pass.

●       The elevator access card can be collected from the Operations Office (Mr. Anish Thomas).

●       Once the agreed period expires, the card will automatically deactivate.

●       At the end of the usage period, the card must be returned to the Attendance Secretary for High School and Middle School students, and to the homeroom teacher for Elementary School students.

●       Lost elevator access cards will incur a replacement fee,  payable at the Accounts Office.

Gate Access & Parking

For matters related to parent gate access or parking permits, kindly contact the Operations Team directly @ s.murray_daa@gemsedu.com.

We appreciate your support and cooperation in following these procedures. Together, we can ensure the health and well-being of all our students.

Wishing you and your family a healthy and successful school year!

Warm regards,

DAA Medical Team