News to Note

A very Happy (belated) Diwali to you 

&

Happy Halloween! 

I want to thank those of you who were able to make it to our fall parade and/or party this morning. We had a fun time guessing the body part of poor Mr. Brown's shriveled corpse ("Ewwww!"), dressing up like mummies, listening to spooky music, and eating delicious treats. I have many good pictures to share, so stay tuned as I'll be posting those soon. 

Here are a few things to note: 

• If you haven't already checked, please be sure to read our latest Assignment Sheet and News, which I posted on Friday. 

• Thursday, Nov. 10th, will be United Nations Day in the Elementary School.  The ES UN Day is an opportunity for us to celebrate our cultural diversity at DAA, something we are truly proud of! ES students may come dressed in their country’s traditional dress or the colors of their country's flag.  The morning will begin with a Parade of Nations (similar to the parade that starts the Olympic Games) around the track. All children from grades 3­-5 will be walking in the parade in groups with other children from their same country.  Parents are invited to join us on the main field between 8:05-8:30 am to watch the Parade of Nations. We ask that you please stand on the inside of the track to watch. Hope to see you all there cheering on the many United Nations of DAA! 

• From the Library: The fall Bookworm Book Fair will be held November 6-10th in the ES Conference Room. Parents are welcome to shop with their children before or after school, or during their child’s scheduled class visit.  Labeled envelopes will be sent home next week with students if parents would like to send money so their children can purchase books. The average cost of a book is 50 dirhams.   

          Here are the times it's open to everyone: 

• Sunday, Nov. 6 -- 11:00-3:30 pm
• Monday, Nov. 7 -- 7:30-3:30 pm
• Tuesday, Nov. 8 -- 7:30-2:00 pm
• Wednesday, Nov. 9 --7:30-3:30 pm 
• Thursday, November 10 -- 7:30-3:30 pm 

• Swimming starts this Wednesday! Here's what Mr. Luke wants you to know: 

• Students' need to bring a swimsuit (one piece), goggles, swim cap (mandatory), flip flops, and towel.

• If a student cannot participate for medical reasons then they need to bring in a doctor's note. Doctor's notes can only exempt a student if it's for one of the following: stitches, ear infections, fever, or broken bones. 

• It is recommended that students bring their swim equipment to school daily, even when they don't have PE, as this will minimize the chances of a student forgetting it on PE days. 

• Finally, students will be given one mulligan (or "free pass") if they forget their swim gear.  If they forget their swim gear twice in the ten day cycle, then they will go down one grade level. (Students will have to sit out and watch if they forget their swim gear.) 

Swimming has always been an enjoyable activity for Grade 3 and they always look forward to getting into the pool. Thanks for your support! 

• Coffee Morning!  Doaa, our class mom, would like to invite you to come to 3LN's first coffee morning! It will be next Thursday, November 3rd, after the morning drop-off (around 8:00-8:15), at the Starbucks in the Mall of the Emirates. (It's the Starbucks upstairs near Ski Dubai.) I hope you'll be able to join in the fun. I wish I could go!! 

Looking forward to a great month of November! 

Halloween Fun!

We enjoyed a "fang-tastic" parade and party today as the children were dressed in their costumes, excited to partake in the activities, and hungry for fun! 

The classroom mothers organized three thrilling games, which included guessing what food items were supposed to be the dead body parts of Mr. Brown, wrapping mummies, and dancing to Michael Jackson's Thriller (but stopping to make a scary face when the music stopped). Needless to say, the children shrieked, cringed, and laughed wildly! 

After the games, we ate the delicious (and creatively prepared) food, which parents sent in. (Thank you!! Everything was so great!) 

I hope you'll be amused by these fun memories and, thank you, again, for those of you who were able to make it to the party. It was so nice seeing you! 

PS. Grade 3 teachers all dressed in a Star Wars theme, which was something we decided over the summer. (This allowed teachers to purchase things at home or have the time to make their costume.) I was so impressed by how fantastic everyone looked. Check us out: 

Our fabulous EAs made very believable students!! 

Don't forget to click on the blue link above to view all of the pictures. :) 

Fall Parade and Halloween Party

DAA will be celebrating the fall season through the annual costume parade. Students are invited to come to school in costume (no scary costumes, masks, blood and gore, or weapons) and all will participate in a fall costume parade around the school track. 

Parents, Middle/High School staff and Grade 5 students are invited to line the track and clap for the great costumes. All PS and ES students will make one lap around the track (with their classes) and return to class. 

Here is the schedule of how grades levels will walk around the track: 

Grade 5's will go first through the front foyer and walk around the track. Then...

• 8:10 ~ KG1 (exit: foyer and they will walk on outside lane of track)   

• 8:15 ~ Grade 1 (exit: glass doors close to middle of track and they will walk on inside lane of track)

• 8:20 ~ KG2 (exit: foyer and they will walk on outside lane of track)

• 8:25 ~ Grade 2 (exit: glass doors close to middle of track and they will walk on inside lane of track) 

• 8:30 ~ Grade 4 (exit: foyer and they will walk on outside lane of track)

• 8: 35 ~ Grade 3 (exit: glass doors close to middle of track and they will walk on inside lane of track)

Grade 5 will remain on the far end of the track and clap for all the other classes.

Immediately following the parade, please join us for our class Halloween party. We should arrive back into our classroom around 8:50 and will promptly begin some fun activities, which have been organized by our class mothers. Then, we'll enjoy some yummy food, creepy music, and socializing. 

Looking forward to seeing you then!! (Don't forget your camera.) :) 

Halloween Fun!

We greatly enjoyed our Halloween celebration on Thursday and you, parents, were a  huge part of our fun. Thank you so much for taking the time to engage in the festivities, share the excitement with your sweetie and also contribute items for the party. 

This cutie made for a very believable Harry Potter! 

Her homemade cookies went even faster than these cute cupcakes! 

 A very special thank you to Iliana and Ruba as they organized all the details, right down to the delegation of food, classroom decorations (Anna, Fyras's Mom, as well) and the preparation of some really creepy games! 

Ewww! I read a creepy poem  and children felt the remains of the "corpse," predicting what real-life items we were using. 

Thank you to all of your terrific mothers who took the time to come to our party and join in the fun!! 

Abdalla and his "creepy" fingers...

Joy, Jason's mother, spent hours and hours carving out these incredible fruit Jack-O-Lanterns, which the children really enjoyed. Thank you for all of your extra efforts, Joy!! 

I hope you'll enjoy these pictures, which capture the fun. Please feel free to download and/or share your favorites. :)  (Once you open this link, just scroll down to see all of the Halloween pictures.) 

Lastly, we were VERY surprised to receive a party gift at the end of the day made by Iliana (Lucia's mom). THANK YOU for your midday efforts to get these done on the same day! We love this memory! 

Halloween Festivities

I know the classroom mothers have been in touch, but just a few last-minute reminders about tomorrow's Halloween celebrations: (I'm sorry this is a bit late. I was sick yesterday.) 

• We will have our Halloween Parade around the track around 8:35 am tomorrow, so if you are available to come, please have your cameras ready to snap photos of your sweetie. Our class will walk in a line with the rest of Grade 3. We will make one loop around the track, so there is plenty of time to get pictures. 

• After the parade, parents are invited to come to our class for our 3LN Halloween Party. It should take about an hour, so we will plan on going outside for recess at 9:30. By then, the children will be wired and ready to expend some energy! 

• During our party, we will do some short activities and enjoy some tasty treats, which the class mothers have organized. 

• As we have PE in the afternoon,  your child may remain in his/her costume as the PE teachers have adjusted their lessons in light of this special day.

• Keep in mind that dressing up is entirely optional.  If your child would prefer not to participate, that is no problem and he/she can remain in the regular DAA uniform (for PE). 

• The costume your child wears should not be overly scary (blood and gore, or weapons). 

We are looking forward to a fun day of festivities! A big thank you in advance to all of you who are bringing necessary items, food, and supplies. I'm so thankful! 

Halloween Pictures!

We greatly enjoyed our Halloween celebration on Thursday and you, parents, were a  huge part of our fun. Thank you so much for taking the time to engage in the festivities, share the excitement with your sweetie and also contribute items for the party. 

A very special thank you to Stephanie as she organized all the details, right down to the delegation of food, classroom decorations and the preparation of some really creepy games! 

I hope you'll enjoy these pictures, which capture the fun. Please feel free to download and/or share your favorites. :) 

Happy Halloween!

Everyone loves a little fun, so I hope you'll enjoy this selection of Halloween amusements: 

• 17 Frightful Facts 
• Pets in Costume 
• Really?! (more interesting facts) 
• The history of Halloween (short 2-minute movie)

Let there be pumpkins!