A Final Farewell...

Dear Students, 

It is the eve before our last day of school, the final day of our year together, and how bittersweet it is. 

I find myself reflecting on our wonderful year together, our first days of school when we were all strangers, but trying our best to feel happy and comfortable in our new setting. I remember those days we spent enjoying circle time, passing Mr. Camel, and getting to know each other better. And, I recall all the many days since then and all the moments when we've cooperated, collaborated, laughed, shared and even cried as a class family. Yes, it is truly a family that we've become, one which has captured my heart. 

I always find it so difficult to say good-bye on the last day of school. How can all of our days together, 7+ hours/ day, 9+ months, just be over? We've truly deepened our relationships to such a level that it almost feels wrong to just leave them behind. But this is the nature of school and of life, in general, really. Everything is for a season, sometimes long and sometimes short, so we must treasure it while we have it. 

However, before we each shed too many tears, let's just remember that this is really not good-bye, but more like "see you later," as we will be right back at school before we know it! Summer always goes far too quickly and another year sneaks in like a sudden afternoon Florida thunderstorm. 

So, let's just celebrate the joys we've had, the discoveries we've made, the learning and progress we've gained and move forward with the confidence that we will always treasure this special third grade year. 

Please know that I love you each dearly and will always hold you close to my heart, even when I'm old and gray. Truly. You've all made such an impact on my heart and life that it would be impossible to forget even one of you. 

Lastly, I want to apologize because I did not have time to finish your gift, which is a DVD commemorating our year. In addition to being incredibly busy at school, I have also been spending time with Kenneth, of whom I'm sure you've all heard, as well as other various friends and members of my church family.  These days and evenings have been precious to me, but have taken much of my personal time. 

I will finish the DVD this summer and will have it ready for you in the fall. By then, I hope the memories will be even sweeter and more treasured. Thank you so much for your understanding. 

I hope that you will stay in touch this summer. I'm always happy to continue friendships (via parents) through Facebook, Instagram or by phone. (GEMS allows contact through parents; however, not through students.) 

Enjoy your summer! You've certainly earned a break!! Know that I'm very proud of you each!! 

With love and warm hugs, 

Ms. Laura 

PS. I will also be updating the blog with pictures from the last month as well, so you can download and/or share your favorites. I haven't forgotten, don't worry. :) 

♬ Mad about Mozart! ♬

The class and I learned more about Mozart this morning and found it so interesting. 

For those of you who would like to do further research, please find the website we used here. 

We also discussed what it means to be "gifted," as Mozart was, and what an IQ (Intelligence Quotient) is. The students are all now keen to learn their score! (Sorry about that.) I explained that only a trained doctor (psychologist) may administer a proper exam, but if they wanted to take one "for fun," they could do so online. I haven't researched the most reliable tests available online, but I'm sure there are some out there. 

They were also very interested to learn the scores of famous people throughout history and some who are well known in our day. 

Enjoy! 

★ Gems Students' Accolades ★

Did your child receive any outstanding award this school year, either in school (sports, academics, etc.) or in his/her personal life? 

If so, please send me an email by Thursday to inform me of the award title and organization as we will be reporting this information for our upcoming re-accreditation preliminary report. 

Thanks so much! 

End of After School Enrichment

FYI...

Next week will be the end of the after school enrichment sessions for Grades 3, 4 and 5 with Mr Harrison and Ms Charlene.

Last Week for "Drop (Off) Your Shorts!"

LAST WEEK TO PARTICIPATE! (June 8-12)

Drop (Off) Your Shorts!

Our ES Student Council has partnered with a local swim company, Coega, to help workers in Dubai by providing them with donated gently used or new swimsuits.  

They need your help by bringing gently used or new men's bathing suit shorts to school and dropping them in the designated COEGA Sun wear bins located in the ES foyer. Champion Cleaners will then have them professionally cleaned and prepared for the donation.

Coega started this exciting initiative several years ago in response to a law passed requiring all laborers to wear appropriate attire at Dubai beaches. So far, through this initiative, over 500 bathing suits have been given to local laborers!

Be sure to Drop (Off) Your Shorts by Thursday, June 12th!

End-of-the-Year Field Trip and other Important Dates

As we are nearing the end of our beloved Grade 3 year together, it's time for our last field trip! 

The Grade 3 Team agreed that Ice Skating at the Dubai Mall would be an amusing and active event, one which would certainly give us a few more lasting memories together. 

Here are the details for our class: 

  When: Sunday, June 8th from 9:15-1:00 (Skating will last 1 hour and 45 min.) 

  Where: The Dubai Mall Ice Rink

  How much: AED 50 each (includes lunch, which has yet to be determined)

*Who: 3LN and 3TD 

  What to wear: JEANS are acceptable in lieu of the uniform 
 Why: FUN! 

For those students who would like to rent a penguin, the price is AED 50, which is additional. They will receive AED 30 back after they return their penguin without damage. 

*Parents are welcome and encouraged to join us there to help skaters, organize children, take pictures and offer any support needed. The cost for parents is AED 27.50. We would love to have you join us for as long or as little time as you have to give. Please just let me know if you are available to help or plan on joining us there. 

Permission slips are being sent home with students today, so kindly complete those and return them to school by Thursday. 

We are looking forward to a FABULOUS time of frozen fun! 

And, here are some other important dates to note: 

• June 5: End-of-year math test and Sushi/Cookie/Dance (reward) Party 
• June 8th: Field trip to Dubai Ice Rink 
• June 12th: TWIN DAY and our end of year class party (1:15-2:30) 
• June 18th: LAST DAY of school (A truly bittersweet day...) 

BYOD!

Bring Your Own Device! 

On Monday (June 2), for our Social Studies lesson, your child is invited to bring his/her own device to school as the class will be divided into small groups and given the task of researching the leaders of each emirate, as well as other facts related to the UAE government. 

If you are uncomfortable sending a device in, no problem. We will also have our classroom computers available. 

It should be a good time of research, cooperative learning. 

Drop Your Shorts for Good!

Drop (Off) Your Shorts!:  Our ES Student Council is partnering with a local swim company, Coega, to help workers in Dubai by providing them with donated gently used or new swimsuits.  They need your help by bringing gently used or new men's bathing suit shorts to school and dropping them in the designated COEGA Sunwear bins located in the ES foyer. Champion Cleaners will then have them professionally cleaned and prepared for the donation.

Coega started this exciting initiative several years ago in response to a law passed requiring all laborers to wear appropriate attire at Dubai beaches. So far, over 500 bathing suits have been given to local laborers!