❋ Flags, Food and other Festivities ❋

Our UN Day today was fantastic! Thank you, dear parents, for coming to join in the culture, bringing in delicious food from your home country and for making the parent engagement activity so meaningful for your sweetie. The children truly had a wonderful day. I even heard one of them say, "This is the best day of my life!" Needless to say, the day was a huge hit! 

Please avail yourself to these pictures capturing all the fun. Also included in this set of photos are two short video clips of our assembly. Be sure to view those as they capture the festive feel of this special day. 

And, just to recall some special numbers that we learned in our assembly: 

506 students

71 nations

1 DAA Community 

(ES Division, Grades 3-5) 

This is a great iMovie (made by Miss Amanda, 3AG), which beautifully captures all of our ES nations. It was so touching to see the children cheer for their country, or in many cases, their countries.  Their patriotism was truly profound. A few of us even got tears in our eyes...(sniff). 

A partial shot of the class on our way to the auditorium

 It was such a treat to gaze across the classroom and see so many parents so engaged with their child. 

Using prepared information, which was researched at home, students compared their home culture's past and present dress, homes and monuments, as well as other general information. They will use these same skills when we compare the UAE's past and present culture. 

**Track and Field Day Reminder (and update)**

Just a quick reminder that T-shirts will be available today and tomorrow in the ES Foyer. Also, please read here for all the details you need to know about our upcoming Track and Field Day. 

A "Sweet" Visit

The class was thoroughly delighted yesterday to meet Soyeong's parents, especially because they came bearing gifts! 

We all enjoyed eating a traditional Hotteok (호떡), which is a variety of a filled Korean pancake and a popular street food of South Korea. They can be sweet or savory, but in this case, they were sweet as they were filled with brown sugar. Mmmm...

The Hotteoks were still warm upon arrival and the class quickly gobbled them up, which gave clear evidence of true enjoyment. :) In fact, many children even asked to have seconds.

Soyeong's father shared a few words and then flew off to Africa for a meeting. We are really so grateful that he and his wife took the time to come visit us at school. (Thank you!!) Soyeong's wide smile truly said it all.  

                     

Good-bye San...(sniff, sniff)

Sadly, we had to let one of our 3LN family members go. San has been a lovely member of class with his sweet personality, incredible math skills and eagerness to learn. He was always so polite, respectful and fun-loving, as well as a very popular classmate.

He is leaving Dubai to journey to Korea (for a brief time), then onwards to his next home in chilly Canada where icy winds await him. Brrr! (We hope and pray that you will be able to acclimate to the weather very quickly, San and family!)

As a way to say farewell, many students in the class wrote heartfelt cards and letters, while some even gave small gifts. San was extremely touched by this genuine love and kindness, as was his mom, who became emotional as we all said good-bye.

Know, dear San and family, that you will be sorely missed by your friends at Dubai American Academy. While we know you will do very well wherever you go in the world, our class just won't be the same without you. It's very true that our loss is definitely Canada's great gain. 

Please stay in touch! All the best!! 

Love, 

Ms. Laura and your friends in 3LN 

ASA Sign-Up Info.

Good Afternoon Parents, 

Dubai American Academy's ES/PS After School Activities sign ups will be happening soon.  Here are the dates and times that you need to keep in mind: 

• External Sign-up in the Lobby of Elementary, Saturday, February 1 from 12 to 2

• External Sign-up in the ES Cafeteria, Sunday, February 2 from 7:45 to 9am

Internal Signup on gemsdaa.com will open Sunday, February 2 at 3:00 pm and close Thursday, February 6 at 3:00 pm. 

Additional information will be coming to you shortly. (Please be sure to click on the blue links to view the activities offered.) 

Thank you everyone for your assistance with the ASA program.

Happy Monday,

Annie

UN Day Parent Responsibilities...and Syrian Ice Cream!

This is just a quick reminder to start helping your child prepare your items for the parent engagement piece of our UN Day on Thursday. In case you missed it, please click here and click on "important info." 

If you cannot make it, it's no problem. I know there are various commitments beyond your control. If you could still send in these few items, however, it would be helpful as we will all be working on it in class on Thursday from 9-9:45 pm. Then, we'll enjoy the yummy, cultural food together for the last 15 minutes or so. (I'll be bringing some American chocolate chip cookies. Mmm...) 

Also, if you want to share any of your culture in class this week, you are most welcome. Today we enjoyed hearing all about Jordan and Syria from Lamia Bibi. The class was absolutely captivated as she shared an interesting powerpoint and her firsthand knowledge about her home. The class especially loved hearing about Syrian ice cream, specifically Bakdash, which can be found right in our own Dubai Mall. 

The name of the famous establishment is Bakdash. You may have even walked right past it many times, although you would've stopped if you heard this! And, if you're interested in knowing more, here is a great article recently featured in the National.

Pizza, pizza!

As I'm sure many of you have heard, we will be enjoying a reward party tomorrow in 3LN. Each child will receive one slice of pizza as a supplement to his/her lunch. (Purchasing 2-3 slices for each child would, unfortunately, be too costly, so hopefully, this will still suffice as a satisfying reward.) The class seems very excited! 

Additionally, this is a reminder that the next Pizza Day is this Thursday, Jan. 30th. Forms should be going home either today or tomorrow, so please kindly return those ASAP.

Science Posters

So, let's talk science...

On this lovely Thursday afternoon, the students enjoyed putting the final touches on their posters (see photos below). They worked diligently for about an hour researching last bits of information, adding details to their writing and creating embellishments, like illustrations and borders. It was especially sweet to see the voluntary collaboration that occurred as some students were finished and offered to help others get a little more organized. 

Some students were unable to finish their work, so I sent their posters home. Please take some time this weekend to compare your child's work with this rubric, which is what I will be using to grade the posters on Sunday. 

Thanks so much for your support. I'm excited to see their final products on Sunday! 

Track and Field Day News

From the ES PE Department:

Dear Parents,

Track and Field Day for all Grade 3, 4 and 5 classes will be held on Thursday, February 6th, 8 am to 1 pm.The students have been working really hard to provide their best speed and power for this day!  You are welcome to come and cheer on your child and their team!  

 (updated info. as of Jan. 29): The day will be filled with a lot of activities, requiring many extra hands, to ensure safety for our children and success for the event.  For this reason, DAA has established a robust volunteer program, supported by volunteers from the DAA community, US Consulate Marine volunteers, and US Navy volunteers from Port Jebel Ali.  Please welcome all of our volunteers, as they are offering their time, to ensure our children have a GREAT time. 

Just a reminder there will be no hot lunch served on this day, so pack an extra energy supplying lunch for your child.  

Each homeroom has been assigned a color (ours is ORANGE), and we are asking that your child wear a T-shirt of that color, their PE shorts and proper running shoes on Feb. 6th. Colored T-shirts will be available for purchase next week after school in the ES lobby, on Wednesday, Jan 29.  It is not mandatory to buy one, but it will be a comfortable, dri-fit shirt for them to wear.  

Mark your calendars for these upcoming dates!

Thanks!

Allison Deakin
ES PE Teacher

*More Important UN Day Information*

Next Thursday, January 30th, we will be celebrating UN Day in the ES.  This is an opportunity for us to celebrate our cultural diversity at DAA, something of which we are truly proud!  

This year the format for United Nations day will be different than previous years. The morning will begin with a Parade of Nations (similar to the parade that starts the Olympic Games) around the track at approximately 8:15 am. All children grades 3–5 will be walking in the parade in groups with other children from their same country. (This country will be based on the information you provided the registrar when you came to the school.) 

Students may come dressed in the traditional dress or colors from their home country’s flag, as in the past or, the colors of the country they will be walking with (if they differ).  

Please come and find a spot around the track to cheer on the many United Nations of DAA. Following the parade, from 9-10 am, you will be invited to join your child back in his/her class to take part in a United Nation themed parent engagement activity.

Looking forward to a wonderful celebration!! 

UN Day News

Don't forget to bring your camera on Jan. 30th!

We are excited about our upcoming UN Day at DAA! Your participation is part of what makes this day so special, so please take a look at this important info and let me know if you have any questions. 

Our parade of nations around the track will commence at 8:15 am, then we will return to the classroom around 9 am. The classroom activities (with you, dear parents) will be for approximately one hour. Then, we will say good-bye to you and head to the auditorium (students only) at 10 am. 

Also, if any of you would like to share any interesting cultural items from your home country (stories, crafts, traditions, games,recipes, photographs, etc.), I would warmly welcome your participation! Kindly inform me via email and we will organize a time for you to come in on a different day during Parent Engagement Week (January 26-30). 

Looking forward to a fantastic week of great learning and connecting cross-culturally! 

With Gratitude...

I want to sincerely thank you, dear parents, for the lovely Christmas gift you gave me just before the holidays. 

L'Occitane products are an absolute luxury, which I typically don't purchase for myself, so these "guilt-free" goodies are especially appreciated. I have already started to enjoy many of the products included in the gift box and with such a generous supply, I'm thrilled that I don't have to be be frugal in my usage. :) 

I'm so grateful. Thank you. 

(Lean in and smell here.) 

~ Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo ~

We enjoyed an interesting and thrilling field trip to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo yesterday! The class was thoroughly engaged from start to finish, asked great questions and had wide eyes in wonder for many of the exhibits, especially the sharks, pirañas and those playful otters! 

One exciting part of the tour was going "behind the scenes" upstairs, where we could see where the "fish hospital" is located, as well as where the new fish become acclimated to their new surroundings. It was also pretty neat being on the top of that massive aquarium, looking down. 

Personally, it was my first visit, so I particularly enjoyed it, as well, and asked my own questions! <//><

I hope you'll enjoy these photos. They really are worth a thousand words! 

 It was so effective to lay down for a more realistic vantage point of actually being under the water. 

Here we are watching some video footage of the otters actually doing some amazing tricks, even painting! 

Important Music News to Note

Dear DAA Parents and Students,

Music reading is part of the music curriculum in all grades and one of the most effective and fun ways of learning this is to play an instrument!  The recorder is a woodwind instrument ideal for students and will prepare them for music in middle school.  In grades 3-5, the recorder will be included in instruction.

Recorder instruction will begin January 22, 2014.  
If your child’s recorder is still at home, please have him/her bring it to school and keep it in the locker until then.  
All students are expected to have their recorders in class by January 22^nd. If a student doesn't have a recorder in class by February 2^nd, it will affect their participation grade.
Students are REQUIRED to have a recorder by February 2, 2014. 

We do ask all students to bring their own recorders to class as part of their normal school materials. New recorders are reasonably priced. You can get cheap ones for as little as 15 Dhm, but you can expect to pay about 25-45 Dhm for a quality one. In the past, the TRC has let students borrow recorders, but I do not recommend them as they have been played by various students for the past 3 years.  If you do need to borrow one of these, they are on a first-come-first-served basis because of their limited numbers. 

Good Brands: 

Yamaha
Aulos 
Harmony 
Angel

Where to buy: 

Times Square Mall, Music Chamber, off Sheikh Zayed Road (04-346-8046)

The Beach Center, The Music Room, off Jumeirah Road (04-344-8883)

Souk Madinat, Sadek Music Center, (04-368-6570)

Ibn Battuta Mall, Sing and Swing, (04-366-9385)

Dubai Mall, Sadek Music Center 
Mall of Emirates, Virgin Megastore

Arabian Ranches, Brooklyn Melodies, next to Burger King
The Meadows, Brooklyn Melodies

If you have any questions, please contact us at the school.

Thank you,

 Ms. Rich

A little can really go a long way...

Typhoon Haiyan, known as Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines, was an exceptionally powerful tropical cyclone that devastated portions of Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, in early November 2013. 

It is the deadliest Philippine  typhoon on record, killing at least 5,924 people in that country alone. There are many survivors who have been displaced and still need assistance.

UAE Red Crescent is working directly with the Red Cross to support relief efforts in the Philippines.  Our donation (100%) will reach the people who are in need. 

Please join us in raising funds for the people of the Philippines. Donations can be placed in our Red Crescent donation box in the lobby until Jan. 15th. (The deadline has been extended.) If each student gives just AED 10, then we will have nearly AED 250, which could go a long way. I would encourage you to speak to your child about using some of his/her own money to contribute to this very worthy cause. Thank you! 

New Year, New Units!

Be sure to check out the latest edition of the Assignment Sheet and News to see more info. about the units we are starting in Reading and Writing. We will begin Unit 6 (Geometry) in Math next Tuesday and will start a new unit in Social Studies in two weeks. I'm already looking forward to seeing your child's eyes brighten in excitement. :)

PS. So are you left-brained or right-brained? Take this fun, short test to find out. (I'm not sure how reliable it really is, but it's interesting nonetheless.) And, here is another, slightly more comprehensive one. 

Change of Prophet's Birthday Holiday

To help in your planning, please note that our holiday scheduled for next week has been changed. The new date, which was just announced, will be Sunday, January 12. 

*Welcome 2014*

And so, another new year is upon us. Amazing how the time flies, isn't it? It only seems like yesterday that we were celebrating the turn of the millennium in 2000 and that was thirteen years ago. Incredible. 

Well, in any case, I hope you each enjoyed a restful, happy and fun holiday with your family and friends. I was especially thankful to have my parents, Julie (sister), Peter (brother) and Melissa (sister-in-law) here with me for the last two and a half weeks. I gave them a grand whirlwind tour of Dubai, then we explored Jordan for three days, although it seemed more like a week as each day was packed full of activities. Every bit of it was just wonderful and such a blessing. 

As we get back into the swing of things this week, I wanted to reaffirm my commitment to love, teach, train and nurture your sweetie. I'm excited about the great learning that lies ahead and the start of a new trimester. I always love this very quiet, settled time of the year when the class family climate has been well established and things run especially smoothly without interruptions. It's often when some of the best learning gains occur, actually. 

Know that while I am sad to see my beloved family leave, I feel truly content to be able to see our classroom family bright and early tomorrow morning. {insert heart here} :) 

As I close this first greeting of the new year, I hope you'll enjoy this inspirational advice and a few family holiday photos. 

All the best to you each in 2014!