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Thursday, May 4, 2017
Thoughts From the Head of School
Connecting students through travel
Those of you who attended the "GWA Connect" summit held in early March will remember the robust conversation with my fellow heads of school and other GEMS colleagues about providing opportunities for students from all of the World Academies to learn and work together.
We are pleased to announce the next step in that work of connecting our global community.
In November 2017, our seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders will have the opportunity to join GWA students from Dubai, Singapore, Etoy and Abu Dhabi in the GWA Dubai Week Without Walls travel experience.
The Week Without Walls program is designed to provide students in grades 7 through 9 a wide view and appreciation for community, while encouraging understanding of culture and environment. These “discovery programs” include a variety of activities that combine meaningful service projects with adventure components designed to develop leadership and teamwork skills. Our students may participate with their GWA counterparts from around the world in a travel experience that takes place November 17-25, 2017.
The GWA Week Without Walls program is provided in partnership with Camps International and will include three different trips: Kenya, Borneo and Nepal.
The cost to students for this optional program will be $1,800 to $2,200 (not inclusive of airfare). Below you will find links to documents that provide in-depth information for each program.
Next week, parents of rising seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders will receive a link to the sign-up page, which is the first step to register for the program. Documents and 30 percent of the trip fee will be due between May 22-26, with the balance due September 24-29.
GWA Dubai is making it possible for up to 10 students from each of the other academies to participate in each trip, so we expect to have ample room for our students who choose to take advantage of this exciting opportunity. In the months ahead, we look forward to sharing additional GWA Connect opportunities for students of all ages.
Click the following links for more information about each trip:
Unrelated but important note: Thank you to the fabulous GEMS Parent Teacher Organization for organizing an amazing "Night to Shine" gala for the GEMS community. The evening was absolutely stunning, and it was wonderful to see our parents, faculty and staff enjoying each other's company in the lovely setting. We also enjoyed welcoming our new head of school, Andrew Sherman, to our community. I know he was thrilled to see the ways in which our school's core values were represented through the support of the non-profits selected by each grade level. (See a video about this aspect of the evening here.) Thank you to everyone who had a part in planning and executing this beautiful event.
— Kim Wargo
LOWER SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS
Getting closer to animals Our preschool students have been learning all about habitats and animals, so they went on a Field Study to PetSmart to learn more about pets and their living environments. Students learned that some pets can be adopted into your family like dogs, cats and bunnies, and that some pets require special homes with tanks or terrariums, like fish or lizards. The Field Study gave our young learners a chance to experience some hands-on (literally, in some cases) interaction with animals. (Facebook galleryhere.)
MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS
Fashion Show shows off students' creativity Our Middle School students brought a transdisciplinary twist to the runway when they modeled garments they had designed and created to reflect aspects of their classroom inquiries. The sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders worked for weeks on their garments, which they based on inquiries in the humanities, science or technology, depending on grade level. On April 28, the students showed off their work in a gym packed with parents and fellow students. The garments included a skirt made from silver compact discs, dresses that lit up and clothes that recalled the apparel of ancient Egypt. The fashion show is a great example of the transdisciplinary approach at GEMS, where we weave academic disciplines together into relevant and engaging inquiries. (Facebook gallery here.)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Personnel change — Math specialist As the year draws to a close, we wanted to make you aware of one personnel change that has recently taken place. Mr. Robert Wood, math specialist, informed us many months ago that he would be relocating this summer to the West Coast. Family circumstances required him to move up his departure date to the end of April. We are pleased that Mr. Panagiotis Koutsouris, one of our assistant teachers, has stepped in to work with our students in Mr. Wood's place for the remaining weeks of the year. Mr. Koutsouris has advanced degrees in the sciences and is a skilled teacher at the elementary level here and at the university level locally. We are fortunate to have him share his passion for mathematics with our students in this role.
Bring a friend to evening reception Parents are invited to bring a friend to a small, casual reception at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, in our dining hall. The friends who attend will be able to talk to GEMS teachers and administrators and learn about our school's mission and approach. The evening will include wine, light refreshments and lively conversation! If you'd like to attend (with a friend!), RSVP here.
Spring Visual and Performing Arts Dates - Mark your calendar! The Visual and Performing Arts Departments at GEMS World Academy Chicago will be hosting a series of programs in May and June 2017 that give students the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents. Please save the date for these exciting events!
Download the official calendar for the 2017-2018 school year The calendar for the 2017-2018 school year has been finalized and is available for download here. The calendar shows each month of the school year, identifies holidays and calls out important events.
Reminder: GEMS summer camp GEMS will host a six-week summer camp from June 19-July 28; it will include sports, world language activities, science and Field Studies. For schedule and full pricing information, please go here.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Please link your smartphones to our publicGEMS calendarto stay informed about the most recent updates.Here are some important upcoming dates:
May 25: Yellow Submarine Concert for Preschool-Jr. Kindergarten from 8:30 - 9 a.m.
May 26: Yellow Submarine Concert for Kindergarten - First Grade from 8:30 - 9 a.m.
June 1-2: Middle School One Act Nights from 4 - 5:30 p.m.
June 8: Fifth Grade PYP Exhibition in Lobby at 9 a.m.
June 9: PTO Carnival Celebration (save the date!) and Grades 2-5 Optional Talent Show from 4 - 6 p.m.
June 12: Full School Farewell Assembly from 2 - 3 p.m.
June 13:
Fifth Grade Culminating Assembly at 9 a.m. in Gym
Eighth Grade Culminating Assembly in Afternoon - Save the Date!
June 15: Last day of school (Full Day)
THE GEMS MISSION
To inspire inquiring, knowledgeable, reflective and intercultural learners to become morally responsible leaders with the skills and attributes necessary to create a more connected and prosperous world.
We are pleased to announce the next step in that work of connecting our global community.
