May 27, 2021
Dear Elementary Families,
It is hard to believe that we are going into June next week! We wanted to provide you with some key dates and information as we begin the last month of school.
MAP
Our MAP testing begins on Sunday, May 30 and runs until June 16.
Individual grade levels (Grades 1 to 5) will be running their assessments within our window of May 30 to June 16. Your classroom teacher will let you know the exact days. For consistent assessment conditions, all students who have been participating in on-site learning this term are expected to be in-class for their assessments.
Library Books
Our library book borrowing program will end on June 1st so that our library team can begin the library inventory process for the year. Please have your child’s library books returned to the school by June 14th. After that date all students with overdue books will be notified by email.
Thank you for all your support of your school library!
Grade 5 Completion Ceremony
Our Grade 5 completion ceremony will take place on June 21. At this time it will be a virtual event.
iPad Return
Each summer our IT team resets, cleans and updates our school iPads. This is a very important process to ensure a smooth transition for students’ use of devices in their new grade.
This year we will be collecting the iPads in classrooms on:
June 24 – KG1, KG2, Grade1, Grade 2
June 24 – Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5
If you are a remote learner, we will have an opportunity to return your student’s iPads at the end of the week as well. More information will come closer to the time.
If you are leaving for the summer early, please see “Absences” below.
Absences and Leaving Early for Holidays
Though it is June, we are still very much engaged in vigorous learning. With MAP, end of term assessments for report cards and other end of year routines, it is important that students remain consistent in their mode of learning (on-site or remote).
We understand that some people are exploring an early departure from the country with travel opening up. Our expectation is that students will be in attendance, in the mode chosen from the beginning of Term 3, until the end of the school year.
Should families choose to leave early to begin holidays prior to the end of the year, student iPads must be returned to the school prior to your departure. This includes students who will be returning to DAA as our IT department must complete their summer work as stated above. Please also contact the grade level administrator for approval.
Ms. Salameh – Grade 4 and 5
Ms. Bishara – Grade 2 and 3
Ms. Gandhi – KG1, KG2, Grade 1
We ask any families who are considering leaving early to wait until MAP is complete and reporting assessments have been finalized in order for your child to demonstrate their full year academic growth.
Thank you for adhering to your child’s current mode of learning as this aligns to our reporting of your child’s attendance to KHDA. Changes to remote learning will only be approved should it be related to testing positive for covid / being a first contact. The consistency of students remaining in their current mode is beneficial to high quality learning, peer consistency and teacher planning. That said, it has been a very unique school year and should you choose to leave the country prior to the end of June, your school iPad must be returned, please notify your classroom teacher, seek approval from the grade level administrator and enjoy your holidays.
Report Cards
As per our original academic calendar, student report cards will be sent to families on June 23.
Thank you for your attention to these matters. It has been an excellent year and we look forward to an incredible June.
Sincerely,
Craig Cantlie
Executive Principal, Elementary
Elementary Update from May 6, 2021
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Should your child(ren) need to be away from school due to illness or appointments, please contact our School Secretaries.
KG1 - Grade 2: Grace Ajib g.ajib_daa@gemsedu.com /04 704 9705
Grades 3-5: Jessica Oppermann j.oppermann_daa@gemsedu.com /04 704 9724
General Elementary Inquiries: elementary_daa@gemsedu.com
Craig Cantlie
Executive Principal of Elementary (K - Grade 5)c.cantlie_daa@gemsedu.comNathalie Salemeh
Elementary Principal, Grades 4 and 5n.salameh_daa@gemsedu.comNoha Bishara
Assistant Elementary Principal, Grades 2 and 3n.bishara_daa@gemsedu.comTooshna Gandhi
Assistant Elementary Principal, KG1, KG2 and Grade 1t.gandhi_daa@gemsedu.com