MIDDLE SCHOOL

November 5, 2020

Dear DAA Middle School Families,

What great learning we’ve had over the past couple weeks! One of the focuses in middle school this year is challenge. For us, challenge doesn’t simply mean making a task or activity harder. It means taking an activity and making it a more enriching and meaningful experience for students by causing them to think more deeply. Teachers have spent time during professional development analyzing their lessons to ensure they are challenging and connect with their students.

As we begin the second half of this semester, I would like to remind you that your child’s progress can be accessed in a couple different ways. Student work is given through Google Classroom. Through the parent view in Google Classroom, parents can keep track of their child’s assignments monthly, weekly, or even daily. In order to see progress on standards that are assessed that will be on the report card, you will log in to PowerSchool’s Parent Portal. As always, our teachers are happy to help you with any questions you may have.

Later this month we will be hosting Parent/Teacher conferences on November 18-19. These will be virtual meetings through Zoom. By the middle of next week, we will be sending a sign-up link to parents. Parents will be able to sign up to speak with their child(ren)’s teachers. We look forward to discussing your child’s progress with you!

What's Happening at DAA

Upcoming Dates

Week of November 8 - MAP Testing (in English classes)
Week of November 8 - Prizes revealed next week for Color House points winners!
November 18-19 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 26 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Day

MAP Testing

Students have been MAP testing for the past couple of weeks.

They have already completed Science, Math & Language Usage.

They will be starting Reading on Tuesday in English classes.

Makeup exams will take place the week of the 22nd.

Remote Learners

We would love to have more students in school! If you are considering your child returning to the blended model, please inform Dr Reynolds (j.reynolds_daa@gemsedu.com) or Mrs Moffat Baxter (m.moffat1_daa@gemsedu.com) as well as our attendance secretary Mrs. Lomas (msattendance_daa@gemsedu.com).

Lunchtime Activities

It has been great to see students getting involved in activities during lunch. We have different options available for different grade levels so we can safely have some extracurricular fun! If your child didn’t sign up yet, there is still time! Simply have them check their grade level bulletin in Google Classroom to sign up.

Our staff has also volunteered to take students outside for various activities in support of the 30x30 Dubai Fitness Challenge this month! With the weather changing, it has been great to get out and enjoy the sunshine. We invite our online students to do the same during lunch at home!