SPOTS

MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO/SUPERINTENDENT, DR. ETHAN HILDRETH

Greetings DAA Leopard Pride!

We have the distinction of living in historic times as weather threats this week again required a shift to remote learning. Thank you for your fortitude and grace as we made the most of teaching and learning from home. Your support and encouragement helped our students succeed in challenging circumstances. Special thanks go to students and teachers who managed IB assessments under extraordinary circumstances. Well done all. Now, looking forward to our return to campus on Monday!

Challenging times prove character. It is a testament to DAA to see our community rise to the occasion, shoring up those who might be unnerved, anxious, or negatively impacted by recent events. Thanks go to our many pillars of strength who hold up others and help our community thrive. Every difficult situation calls for kindness. In all things strive to be kind. A kind word goes further than you know for a student, a colleague, a parent, or a stranger. Let’s strive to be that person, the one who lifts others up.

As we look to next week, please keep in mind that it is Teacher Appreciation Week. Now is a good time to lift our teachers up. Great thanks go to our amazing teachers who work indefatigably to guide our students to learn and to thrive. Please join me in sharing deep gratitude for all that our teachers and team members accomplish each day.

In our newsletter this week, you can join Middle School Principal Dr Reynolds as he takes us on a virtual tour of the new school block. Construction advances as planned, on-track for Middle School grades 6 thru 8 to enjoy this beautiful new facility with all it has to offer from the start of the new school year. This addition benefits all Divisions as the High School moves into a second floor and the Elementary School gains additional instructional space as well. In short, all students and staff gain additional elbow room in our premium plus school that is second to none.

As I shared earlier this week, KHDA has published official 2024 school ratings. Commendation goes to our whole school community for the great heights achieved in performance and outcomes. We continue to celebrate the exceptional education that our students enjoy at our Outstanding Dubai American Academy. Thank you for all you do for our students and the DAA community. Well done everyone. 

The DAA joy of learning is demonstrated in so many ways. Our KG students, for example, enjoyed a field trip to Jam Jar studios this week, scores of parents joined elementary to experience our Applied Science classes, and students this weekend take part in the Green Power challenge where they test out the electric vehicle they built. These dynamic timely examples are simply a small sample of the many exciting learning events for our students. 

Education enriches the present and paves the path to the future. I know this as an educator, and I know this as a parent. I get to celebrate both roles this spring, congratulating our DAA graduates as Superintendent and celebrating my eldest daughter becoming Dr Hildreth. All graduates have in common that their journey is lined by the many supporters who have encouraged them to success, including parents, teachers, friends, family, and mentors. To everyone who helps learners reach their goals, a heartfelt thank you from DAA.

Wishing you the very best today and every day.

Kindest regards,

Ethan