MIDDLE SCHOOL
May 19, 2021
Dear DAA Middle School Families,
Grade 8 Completion Ceremony
With the end of the school year in sight, we wanted to follow up with our tradition of the Grade 8 Completion Ceremony. We are working hard to ensure that our students are recognized for a job well done!
We have been working with high school on a proposal with multiple options for graduation ceremonies. The proposal is now with KHDA and we are hopeful that one of our options will be approved. As soon as we have more information, we will share it with our Grade 8 families.
Week Without Walls
As you know, our Week Without Walls had to be changed due to COVID restrictions. While we cannot travel, we wanted to continue with fun opportunities for students to build relationships and camaraderie with each other. We will be holding safe, in-house events put on by our staff members during our last week of school.
So be ready the week of June 27 for some fun! It will be a great ending to the school year!
Yearbook Update
Work on the Middle School Yearbook is now in full flow and includes contributions from all of our students, teachers and staff. It will celebrate the wonderful maturity and spirit shown by our community in finding the positives in what has been a very unique year. Each Homeroom has designed their own entry and they feature some fantastically creative ideas: photos, funny memories, baby photos, memorable quotes, messages from their homeroom teachers and even links to their very own Homeroom dance! It will be available as a free downloadable pdf before the end of the year. More information will be coming out in the coming weeks.
Parent Survey May 30
We value your feedback as parents and partners in your child’s educational journey. Our second parent survey will be sent out at the end of the month, and we would love to hear your feedback! We appreciate all the information you can provide and take it into account as we make decisions in middle school. We have worked diligently this year to enact yours and your children’s feedback through creating more student choice and voice in learning, focusing on wellbeing during this turbulent time, and preparing our students for their immediate and distant future. Once again we ask for your input when this survey is sent out later this month. Thank you for being partners in our progress.
Upcoming Dates:
June 6 - 9 MAP testing from 7:30-10:30
Modified afternoon schedule for the duration of MAP testing
Grade 8 Completion Ceremony - TBD
I hope you all stay well,
Learning Highlights
Grade 8 Social Studies
Our youth have been empowered to critically reflect on the current context and to be solution fluent as they approach the future. We wanted to share some of our bright ideas, in hopes of making an impact. Grade 8 social studies students recently reflected on the following question: “If you were a member of the Federal National Council, what would be an action you would take to ensure social equality and cohesion for any group within the UAE?” Read some of their uplifting responses below.
Counselors Corner
key contacts
MS General Email:
Middleschool_daa@gemsedu.comSecretary:
Sarah Hole s.hole_daa@gemsedu.com / 04 704 9722Middle School Attendance:
msattendance_daa@gemsedu.com / 04 704 9728Middle School Counselors
Grade 6 - Mrs. Mira Nasr - m.nasr_daa@gemsedu.comGrade 7 - Mrs. Pushpa Dasari - p.dasari_daa@gemsedu.comGrade 8 - Mrs. Christina DeMers - c.demers_daa@gemsedu.com