MIDDLE SCHOOL

Dear DAA Middle School Families,

I would like to take a moment to thank each family for entrusting your children in our care.  As cases through the UAE rose, you depended on us to keep your children safe, first and foremost.  Our staff have been vigilant with our health and safety measures and will continue to do so.  I thank you for your support.

Today marks the end of the first semester.  As we reflect back, I hope that our staff and students will be able to see how their effort and resilience paid off both in and outside of the classroom.  It is a wonderful opportunity to take stock of the strengths and passions that helped keep us motivated and succeed.  It is also important that we revisit what goals we have for ourselves in the coming semester, and create benchmarks along the way to check our progress and celebrate our successes!

Finally, I’d like to highlight a great example of how we are using our iPads to enhance activities.  Last week, some of our Grade 7 art students created synergy between art and technology with their Pop Art creations through iPads, Pencils, and Keynote!

Upcoming Dates

• January 24 - February 18 - Winter MAP testing expected to begin

• January 28 - End of semester 1

• January 31 - Start of semester 2

• February 4 - Middle School Semester 1 Report cards Issued

• February 17 - Professional Learning Day (No school for students)

• February 18 - School Holiday (No school for students or staff)

• February 26 - March 5- Middle School Week Without Walls.

For all events, click here for the K-12 Academic Calendar.

Dear Parents and Students, 

We have the green light for co-curricular activities. So from the 7th of February, ASAs will be up and running! Please go through the Google Slides and decide what would suit you.

For any queries do not hesitate to contact me at s.murphy_daa@gemsedu.com.

Thank you.

Mr. Murphy.

MAP Testing in Middle School has gotten off to a great start with Grades 7&8 completing their Language tests. Initial scores look very promising with solid progress being attained by both Grade Levels. With Grade 6 returning to campus this week, they will join Grade 7 & 8 in taking their Math MAP tests throughout the week.  

Good luck to all students and be sure to get plenty of rest,  have a healthy breakfast, and come to school prepared to “show what you know”!

Also, please remember students will be completing all their MAP tests on their iPads, so please be sure that these are fully charged and brought to school each day.

Please note the Revised MAP testing schedule below:

Finally, please have a look at this article from NWEA for information about commonly asked questions: 

To raise my hand or to nod along: 11 questions about MAP Growth answered

As parents, your role in keeping our students safe is crucial. If your child is showing any COVID-19 symptoms at all, you must not send them to school. From January 31, students who are symptomatic would be marked as absent excused, and are not able to access online learning as we wish for your child to fully recover prior to returning to campus. If your child is COVID positive, or is a close contact, they will be able to access online learning.

Thank you for your patience while we waited for guidance from KHDA regarding activities and trip options for our Week Without Walls trips this year. Just yesterday morning we received the wonderful news from the KHDA that trips and activities can take place! 

Our payment portal has been reopened. Given the proximity of the trips, we request that payment is made by Thursday, February 3rd at the latest in order to secure our trip allocations. We appreciate your flexibility on this matter. 

Please follow the directions below in order to make your payments:

1. Go to https://www.gems.ae/

2. Click Parent Portal

3. Login using your username and password

4. Click the Activities Box (the green box)

5. You will see the activity for WWW (Please select student-assigned activity)

If your child has been selected for the ‘ES Volunteering’ or School Stay’ experience, you do not need to access the parent payment portal. 

If you need help with your username and password please contact receptionist_daa@gemsedu.com.

If you have any further questions please email s.velasquezbar_daa@gemsedu.com. 

During the months of February and March, high school administrators, counselors, and teachers will host several sessions to guide Grade 8 parents and students in selecting student’s courses for the 2022-2023 academic year. We invite Grade 8 parents and students to join our virtual Pathways Evening, where we will provide an overview of the programs and courses offered at Dubai American Academy High School.

Please join us via Zoom* from 6:00pm-7:00pm on Thursday, February 10th.

*Zoom details will be sent out prior to the evening.

We look forward to sharing information about the IB, AP, and US High School pathways available to Dubai American Academy high school students.

Kind Regards,

Ashley Szar, Director of High School Academic Pathways

Would you like to contact a middle school teacher or staff member?  Please see the list of email addresses here.

If you are still having technical troubles, please make sure to raise a ticket if the teacher is unable to help your child with a fix.  Send an email to studenthelpdesk@gemsdaa.net and they will help resolve the issue.