August 18th, 2023
Welcome from our sUPERINTENDENT, dR. ETHAN HILDRETh
Welcome, Our Wonderful DAA Community!
I hope you have enjoyed a spectacular time with family, friends and favorite places over summer. Ready for a wonderful year ahead, we look forward with excitement to our new year working with our students and our DAA school community. We are blessed everyday to make a difference in the lives of each child in our care.
This is an early message with helpful initial information, to be followed next week with our formal welcome to the 2023-24 school year. You will find within this preliminary edition of SPOTS useful updates from Divisions and general school operations.
Much great work has been underway throughout the summer! In addition to student successes, we stride forward with improvements to our facility that support our learning mission. Among other upgrades, you will see progress in the following areas that I introduced in June. The construction is simply evidence of enhancements and our progress:
Additional learning spaces that will variously support student creativity, professional development, colleague wellness, and team collaboration.
An expansion of seating and climate-controlled space in our canteen, as well as a hot kitchen to provide even better meal service for students and staff.
Three completely renovated playgrounds that create contoured hills, running water in creeks and fountains, more vegetation for improved natural feel, and delightful activities for children.
An elementary school Maker Space to complement the Center of Excellence for AI and Robotics, providing yet more support for innovation and creativity.
A visionary WISE Center for Wellbeing that will support student learning with an indoor amphitheater, dynamic learning spaces, meeting spaces and wellness rooms, self-contained with a café and comfort rooms.
This and much more move our fabulous DAA far ahead with improvements that make a difference. Even so, let’s keep uppermost in mind that the most powerful action we can take is to establish high quality relationships among members of our community. This reality is research-proven through Harvard’s study on health and happiness, as well as by other reputable bodies. This reality is vital to our school success, so together let’s embody and live each day our DAA Culture of Kindness, caring for our students and for one another across the community as we model respect, joy, and optimism!
Thank you for your dedication to our students and to our school community. I am beyond proud to work arm-in-arm with our Leopard Pride in our Dubai American Academy Culture of Kindness!
All the best and see you soon!
Ethan
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division updates
KEY INFORMATION
Key dates
August 25: New student Orientation G1 to G12
New DAA families are invited to campus to welcome you into our school community, meet your divisional teams and be provided with essential information ahead of the school year. The agenda and grade specific timings for orientation can be found in the 23/24 Welcome Packet.
August 28: First day of school (G1 to12)
August 28: New student Orientation for K1 and K2
New DAA families are invited to campus to welcome you into our school community, meet your elementary teams and be provided with essential information ahead of the school year. The agenda and timing can be found in the 23/24 Welcome Packet.
August 29: First day of school for K1 and K2 students
TUITION PAYMENT
Please kindly note that payment of tuition fees are due on or before August 28th 2023.
Tuition fee invoices have been emailed to your registered primary email ID with us. Please contact finance_daa@gemsedu.com if you have not received the invoice.
We are pleased to inform you that our Accounts office on campus is open Monday to Thursday 8am – 4pm, Fridays 8am – 1pm and for your convenience they will be open on Saturday August 19th and Saturday August 26th 8am - 2pm for the easy payment of your child's fees for the new term. Alternatively, you can pay online through the GEMS Connect website either online https://oasis.gemseducation.com/, on the GEMS Connect App.
You can use your GEMS FAB card to save 4.25% on school fees. More information can be found on our website https://www.gemsaa-dubai.com/Admissions/Tuition-Fees.
slices lunch service
We are committed to ensuring that healthy and tasty meals are offered to our students on campus, and are proud to partner with Slices, our school food provider. A cashless system is implemented in our multiple dining spaces for Grades 3 to 12. Slices also offers the delivery of meals to lower elementary classrooms, pre-ordered by parents.
Find more information about Slices and how to order/pay here: https://www.gemsaa-dubai.com/For-Parents/Slices-Catering
Transport
At DAA we operate a School Bus Program with STS, who have a long track record of safe transportation of students.
Traffic surrounding the school in Al Barsha 1 during drop-off and pick up times can be intense and time-consuming. We would highly recommend utilizing the school bus to significantly reduce the congestion in the area and make your child's daily commute safe and convenient. The school bus is suitable for all ages, and includes classroom drop off and collection by designated staff for lower Elementary.
You can sign up for the school bus via GEMS Connect STS - School Bus Registration Link.
For any queries or assistance on the bus service, please contact Kelvin sde-daa@sts-group.com / 04 704 9755 or visit our STS representatives on campus in the main atrium.
For parents opting to drive, parking outside of the school building is regulated by RTA and requires payment on a daily or annual permit basis to avoid fines (Zone C). We would strongly advise for you to consider the school bus as the most efficient transport for school and avoid risk of fines.
UNIFORM
A kind reminder that students are expected to arrive at school in full uniform.
Uniforms can be purchased from Threads retail store in Times Square Centre or ordered online. For your convenience, Threads will be hosting a pop-up shop on DAA campus from August 21st to August 27th.
For in store and DAA pop-up visits, pre-booking is mandatory via the portal on the website www.threadsme.com/.
Our uniform guide can be found on the website HERE: School Uniform Guide
Contact Information for Threads: 04 396 4837 or support@threadsme.com
SUMMER IN REVIEW
DAA Listens
At DAA we are committed to communicating effectively with our families. We believe that open communication between home and school is a vital component of our student’s success.
We are excited to launch a new communication channel within our school community, called DAA Listens. By scanning this QR code you will be able to share your compliments, comments or concerns directly with our Superintendent Dr Hildreth. There are 6 mailboxes located around the school, where students and parents can drop a postcard.. Either method will ensure that Dr. Hildreth will receive the communication and that a member of staff will be back in touch with you quickly.
Your voice is highly valued and we look forward to listening to your feedback as we collectively seek to enhance every student’s experience at our school.
PARENT CALENDAR
Parents & Students Cybersecurity Guide
Parents & Students Cybersecurity Guide.pdfother information
KEY CONTACTS
ADMINISTRATIONADMISSIONS - Registrar_daa@gemsedu.com 04 704 9707
DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONSGabrielle Keane g.keane_daa@gemsedu.com / 04 704 9706
FINANCEfinance_daa@gemsedu.com 04 704 9740 / 04 704 9744
HEALTHhealthoffice_daa@Gemsedu.com / 04 704 9761
GOVERNMENT RELATIONSSoheir Mohamed S.MOHAMED_DAA@gemsedu.com
SLICES CATERINGMs. Shevine daa@slices.ae / 054 792 7509https://pay.slices.ae/support/ticket/submit
STS BUS SERVICEKelvin Sicat sde-daa@sts-group.com / 04 704 9755
ITdaait@gemsedu.com047049793