Happy Spring Break!!

As we are just hours away from our spring break holiday, I want to take this moment to wish you all a very happy, safe, fun, and refreshing break. The students have worked very hard since January 2 , so I want to commend them. Well done!! 

Also, trimester 3 ASAs will begin on April 9th, as soon as we return from break. 

Have a wonderful rest and we'll see you April 9! 

External After School Activities

Dear Parents and Students, 

Trimester 3 External ASA sign-ups will be this weekend Saturday, March 18th from 11am - 1pm in the PS/ES lobby and Sunday, March 19th from 7:30am - 9am in the PS/ES cafeteria. The providing programs will be at the sign up session to provide you with information about their program and answer any questions you may have.

Please use the following website to view the offerings for Trimester 3. 

PS/ES After School Activities Website

Please note that Trimester 3 ASAs will only run for 7 weeks. These will begin on Sunday, April 9th and will end Thursday, May 25th.

Thank you for supporting our ASA Program. 

If you have any questions, please contact Beth Swartz (External ASA Coordinator): e.swartz_daa@gemsedu.com

More about Maker Day...

We are very excited about Maker Day on March 21st! This will be a great opportunity for students to collaborate, design, and tinker to create Scribble Machines!

This Maker Day won't require many materials. The school will provide the motors, batteries, tape, rubber bands, cups. markers, erasers, and large pieces of paper.

Scribble Machines need a "base." Cups work really well, but some students may also choose to use something else. Plastic water bottles, yogurt cups, soda cans, fruit containers (like the ones strawberries come in) are also great to use. Instead of having students bring in several materials from home, I will be encouraging them to check their snacks or lunches for great resources.  

To prepare for this, I will be showing the class this example. We will also have 3 students from the Maker ASA to serve as "Scribble Machine Ambassadors." 

Scribbling Machines are fun and exciting. (I may even want to try creating one myself!)  This will be a great opportunity to let the students "struggle" a bit to work it out and I will also be stressing the importance of planning, testing, designing, failing, and reflecting. :) 

We are excited to see what the students will create!! 

Swimming Starts Monday!

Dear Parents, 

This Monday, swimming will start again. 

Please have your child come prepared with a swim cap, swimsuit (one piece), goggles, towel, and flip flops. As a reminder, if your child cannot participate due to medical reasons, a doctor's note should be provided to me. 

Thank you, 

Mr. Luke 

Maker Day is coming!

Dear Parents,

On Tuesday, March 21st, ES students will be participating in their second Maker Day this year. This Maker Day is inspired by the Scribble Machine. A Scribble Machine is a contraption that uses a simple motor to a trace its path. It only uses a few materials and demonstrates erratic motion and has the potential to create interesting designs.

All materials will be provided by the school, including the small motor and batteries. Additionally, teachers and students will also look at how to positively collaborate. This includes creating a plan to build the machine and how to work positively with others. We can’t wait to see the creative, out of the box, innovative thinking as students attempt to construct a Scribble Machine!

DAAPA News

Family Festival~ Friday, March 17 from 4-8 pm

Have you heard that DAAPA is hosting their annual big event?

What is the Spring Family Festival?  t’s an evening of fun and entertainment for the whole family.  It is also our major fund raiser of the year which allows us to do all the wonderful things sponsored by the Parent Association throughout the year.

There will be entertainment including Dubai Drums, professional Flamenco and Hip Hop dance groups. There will also be special performances by DAA students and families sharing their talents and culture.

As always, the games are sure to please with inflatable slides, human foosball, the wipeout, an obstacle course, a maze and more!  This year, we have even added a DUNK tank where you may get a chance to dunk a favorite teacher or even a principal!

Food can be purchased from a variety of food trucks and restaurants and includes a whole range of cuisines from around the globe!

It’s sure to be a great time, so get your tickets before they run out.  Entrance is only AED 15.

Tickets will be available on Sunday and Tuesday at drop-off and pick-up!

Can’t wait to see you there!

DAAPA

__________________________________________

FOOD AND NUTRITION PARENT COFFEE

DAAPA will be hosting a Parent Coffee Morning on Tuesday, March 14 in the PSES Conference Room from 8:00-9:00 am.  The topic is Food and Nutrition with Guest Speaker, Hala Barghout.

HOW WILL YOU BENEFIT? 

• Better eating habits and healthier lifestyles for the entire family. 
• A more active lifestyle for lifelong benefits. 
• More confidence and higher self-esteem. 
• Ideas for healthier lunch boxes and daily meals.

Hala Barghout earned her B.Sc. in Nutrition and Dietetics from the American University of Beirut in 2005. She is a Dubai based registered clinical dietitian who has been educating people about health and nutrition for almost 11 years; working towards reaching them through health centers, beauty centers, universities, corporations, and fitness centers. She has also given lectures to kids and teenagers at gyms and various private schools in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi.  Hala founded a healthy food company called Colour My Plate which aims to educate on healthy eating and provide healthy meals nationwide. She plans to continue to increase health awareness across the community and educate people on eating right, reading food labels and how to go on healthy grocery shopping tours.

Save the date!

Hello 3rd Grade Parents of 3LN, 

We are pleased to invite you to your child's music curriculum showcase on Tuesday, May 23rd from 10:24-11:11AM. 

The showcase will be held in the music room #259 in the ES building. 

Please remind your child to come to school that day in concert attire: A nice dress, button up shirt and tie with nice pants and dress shoes. We look forward to seeing you there!

Thanks,

Miss Wyse

Trimester 3 After School Activities

Dear Parents and Students,

Trimester 3 Online Internal ASA sign-ups will be open on Wednesday, March 8th from 7am and will be closed on Thursday, March 9th at 5pm. Please use the following website to view the offerings for Trimester 3 and for Internal ASA online registration.

PS/ES After School Activities Website

For answers to frequently asked questions, please view the Internal ASA Q&A document.

External ASA sign-ups will be available on Saturday, March 18th from 11am - 1pm in the PS/ES lobby and Sunday, March 19th from 7:30am - 9am in the PS/ES cafeteria.

Additional information about External ASA program dates, times, costs, and contacts will be sent out electronically next week. All providing groups will be at the sign up session to provide you with information about their program.

Trimester 3 Important Dates:

• Internal Online Sign-ups: Wednesday, March 8th (from 7 am) to Thursday, March 9th (until 5pm)
• External Sign-ups: Saturday, March 18th from 11am - 1pm in the PS/ES lobby and Sunday, March 19th from 7:30am - 9am in the PS/ES cafeteria
• Start Date: Sunday, April 9th (immediately after Spring break)
• End Date: Thursday, May 25th
• Please note: Trimester 3 ASAs will only run for 7 weeks. The sessions for the week of Sunday, May 21st - Thursday, May 25th will be 1 hour long.

Thank you for supporting our ASA Program.

For any questions, please contact the ASA Coordinators:

Mandy Gintaut (PS Internal ASA Coordinator) amanda.gintaut@gemsdaa.net

Laura Sarmiento (ES Internal ASA Coordinator) laura.sarmiento@gemsdaa.net

Beth Swartz (External ASA Coordinator) e.swartz_daa@gemsedu.com

World Book Day Recap

Well, that was fun. :) Yes, today was World Book Day, as well as the culmination of our Reading Week in the ES.  We celebrated by dressing up as some of our favorite book characters, reading outside inside in the fresh breeze, and by having lots of good chats about our favorite books.

Here are some amusing pictures for you to enjoy: (see all photos by clicking here) 

**The Grade 3 Rockstars**

I dressed up as Ladybug Girl. Very proud of my wings, that I made at the last minute last night!