Have a wonderful Holiday!

Have a wonderful Holiday!
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it and I hope that all have a Happy New Year!!
Travel safely, take time to enjoy family and friends and I look forward to seeing you in 2017.
If you are staying in Dubai there are many wonderful winter camps that kids can be involved in. I have mentioned some under the parenting tab. If you hear of any others, please do let me know so I can send that information to other parents as well.
I have also added the December issue of my newsletter. This one centers on the topic of giving back to others. Many of our children receive so much at this time of year, that I feel it is especially important to not lose sight of the joy that comes from giving to others as well. 
Be well...

Another parenting opportunity

Please see below for another limited time parenting opportunity in Dubai. Be sure to check the parenting tab for more events. It is updated every time I learn of a new opportunity.

Super Granny is back in town!

I am delighted to be back in Dubai just as we are about to wrap up 2016, and have a list of events already lined up - ALL FOR FREE! See below for more detail. I sincerely hope that you've had a great year and reaped some worthwhile rewards with your little ones.

Please note I am available for home visits, coffee consultations or even a Skype chat between 9 November and 15 December 2016, but my diary is filling up fast! Kindly contact Lyndall Jucker via email or phone her on 050 559 0664 with any queries you may have or to confirm your appointment before we welcome 2017! Please note you can book home visits in Abu Dhabi from 10-12 November.

You can also send Lyndall any other queries and even book one of our fun Healthy Lunchbox Cooking Demonstrations!

Thank you for a beautiful year with beautiful memories made! Here's to the next one!

Best wishes,
Andalene

Parenting Workshop

Don't forget to join us for a fantastic parenting workshop opportunity on Monday November 14th from 8-9:30am in the ES/PS Conference Room.

Topic: Raising Emotionally Intelligent Children part of the CONSCIOUS PARENT SEMINAR SERIES
Date and Time: Monday, November 14th 8am – 9.30am (Elementary School)
Presenter: Dr. Saliha Afridi, PsyD.
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST & MANAGING DIRECTOR of LightHouse Arabia


Dr. Saliha Afridi is one of the top parenting experts in the region and
has contributed to providing the most accessible and sensible parenting
advice for years. Her methods have supported many parents in improving
relationships and communication with their children.
Attendees will walk away with:
• Knowledge about the components that make up emotional intelligence.
• Insight into the role emotional intelligence plays in success.
• Practical tips for boosting your child’s and your own emotional intelligence.
lighthousearabia.

Thankful

Today I am thankful for weather that is finally cooling down. :o)
Be sure to check out the November issue of my newsletter with a lot of tips and hints to help develop a sense of gratitude in your children. I hope you find it useful.
Have a lovely day and a fantastic weekend!

Thank you

As we move towards Thanksgiving, I like to take a little time to think about all that I am grateful for. At times, we all get caught up in the hectic schedule (both social and work) that seems to be the hallmark of a Dubai Lifestyle. We work long hours and fill every free minute with one of the million and one things going on in this bustling place at any one time. We are able to keep ourselves forever busy. And while that may lead to incredibly enriching experiences, for both us and our children, we sometimes forget to pause and reflect on what we are doing and not just looking for the next thing to do. When we forget to pay attention, we forget to be grateful and thankful for all that we have. 

So whether you are American or not...why not take time to remind yourself of all that you are grateful for. Research has shown that grateful people are healthier and happier than those that are not. Why not start each day with a reminder of what you are thankful for. I leave you with this...one of my favorite clips on YouTube. I think we should all start our day reminding ourselves what we love and what we are grateful for. :o)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgw8OFVHzd4

Upcoming Parent Workshop

I hope you enjoyed all the UN Day festivities today. It's so nice to celebrate all the nationalities that make our school a truly international experience!

I would like to take a minute to ask you to mark your calendars for another event taking place in the primary School. 

On November 14th we will be hosting Dr. Saliha Afridi, clinical psychologist and the managing director of LightHouse Arabia. She will be presenting about Raising Emotionally Intelligent children. It is one of the presentations in her conscious parent seminar series.

Attendees will walk away with:

• Knowledge about the components that make up emotional intelligence.

• Insight into the role emotional intelligence plays in success.

• Practical tips for boosting your child’s and your own emotional intelligence

Date: Monday, November 14th 

Time: 8am – 9.30am 

Location: PS/ES Conference Room

Dr. Saliha Afridi is one of the top parenting experts in the region and

has contributed to providing the most accessible and sensible parenting

advice for years. Her methods have supported many parents in improving

relationships and communication with their children.

We look forward to hosting her and hope you will join us!

It's October already!!

I can't believe that September has rolled by already! I wish that I could say it feels like Fall is creeping up on us in October...but this is Dubai...so no, it still feels like Summer in terms of weather. 
Despite the weather we will still celebrate all the pleasures and fun of this time of year! In the month of October we will celebrate Diwali, UN Day and our Fall Festivals. It should be an exciting time. If you go to the counseling newsletter tab you will notice the October installment of my newsletter. This issue is centered on the topic of appreciating diversity and teaching tolerance in honor of UN Day. I hope you enjoy it and find it useful.
You will also notice some new parenting and personal wellness events under those tabs. Please do let me know if you hear of good opportunities in either of those categories as I would love to share them with everybody else.
Have a restful weekend.

Update on counseling groups

Please be sure to turn in your groups counseling permission slips if you are planning on signing your child up. I am currently organizing the children into groups and they will begin shortly. Please go to the Counseling Groups tab at the top of this page for more information regarding the groups.

Welcome Back!

Another summer flew by and we are gearing up for the first day of school! I am excited to welcome back all our returning families and to meet all my new friends in KG1 and KG2. Please take a few minutes to look at all the tabs on my blog and be sure to subscribe on the right hand side as this will be our primary method of communication for the year.
I have also added the first issue of my monthly newsletter under the counseling newsletter tab. It is focused on separation anxiety and transitioning back to the school year as smoothly as possible. I hope you find it useful.
Take care and I hope that the next couple of weeks are filled with more excitement than stress and anxiety!

Summer camps

Hello,
It's that time of year again...it always seems like it's never going to get here and then it seems to come too fast. The end of the school year is always a little bit of a whirlwind...and even more so this year as we end on a shortened day schedule. But regardless of the fact that it gets a little crazy, it's important to take a minute and reflect on the year and allow your child to get a sense of closure. I have posted my June newsletter under the newsletter tab, and in it you will find articles and links for all things summer. I have included information about moving away, summer learning fun, saying goodbye to teachers and friends, transitioning to a new grade level, as well as preparing for the beginning of the school year next year.
And if you are staying in Dubai this summer you will appreciate the compilation of summer camps that are happening...both academic and social.
Take care and enjoy the last full week of school next week.

Latest newsletter posted

I hope you find the May issue of my newsletter, focused on the topic of anxiety in your child and how to help them, useful. Have a lovely weekend!

Please consider supporting this great initiative!

One of our HS students is spearheading a book drive to collect books to create a library in a school for underprivileged children.  Could you please add this message to your blogs on his behalf:

Do you have books you do not need anymore? Are you moving and want to pack less? Please bring your gently used books to the MS/HS or ES Reception Desks. As a Boy Scouts of America Eagle Project grade 10 student Mills Hoyt is collecting used books for a library he is creating for the Elite English School in Deira. The children attending this school are the children of laborers and they do not have a school library or the resources to create a library. Books from KG - First grade level are wanted the most but any books are acceptable! 

Book Week in the Primary School from May 8-12

We are super excited to be celebrating Book Week in the Primary School from May 8-12. Throughout the week each class will take part in different reading activities with a final character dress up day on Thursday the 12th. Grade levels will be celebrating their love of books and reading through guest readers, literacy quizzes, a book exchange, and optional at home reading activities. Some of the activities planned will need some help from home, others will simply take place in the classroom.  

Please take a look at the activities planned that students will need your help with. 

Bookworm: Your child may be bringing home yellow circles.  These circles are part of our growing bookworm.  When you finish a book during the week write the title and author of the book and sent it back to school.  We want to see how long we can grow our bookworm.  

Book Exchange:  Each grade level will have their own book exchange.  Have a look at your book collection at home and decide which books you would like someone else to enjoy.  The books need to be appropriate for the same grade level your child is in as well as in good condition. If you child brings in one book he/she will get to choose one book, if he/she brings in two he/she will choose two.  Books may be brought in all week.  The picking of 'new' books will take place on Thursday.  

Family Fun Literacy Activities:  Try a different reading activity this week.  Follow this link and it will take you to some reading ideas that may be done at home. Activities

Character Dress Up:  On Thursday come to school as your favorite book character!

Thank you for you support throughout the week!

Follow all the fun on the Primary School Library Blog. 

Newsletter and fun things happening

Congratulations on finishing our first week back from Spring Break. It's always difficult to get back into the routine...it always amazes me at how easy it is to fall out of routine and how difficult it is to get back to it.

We do have a lot of fun family events that will be taking place in the next few weeks that I hope you join us for and please do take a minute to look at this month's issue of my counseling newsletter as well as any parenting or personal wellness events noted on their respective tabs.

Take care and have a lovely weekend!

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT - "Minions" - Thursday, 14th April, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. - ES Pitch: 

1. Don't miss a hilarious movie that's fun for all family members! Grab your picnic blankets and chairs and come enjoy popcorn, pizza, and more goodies to keep you munching all evening. Admission is free and popcorn is complimentary. Just don't forget to RSVP to stayintouchwithdaaes@gmail.com so we prep the right amount of food. Also we will need 2-3 volunteers to help sell the food. If you can help, please let us know.

BINGO NIGHT - Thursday, 28th April - 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. - ES Pitch:
There will be many prizes for the winners including tickets for a family of 4 to Wild Wadi as the big prize and Borders and Virgin vouchers. Children will get 1 free pizza portion/slice together with their free pack of Bingo tickets to play. All students must be accompanied by an adult who will be responsible for them throughout the event. Bingo Cards will be handed out only to students accompanied by an adult. It promises to be a very fun filled family night!
Please RSVP to stayintouchwithdaaes@gmail.com as we need to plan ahead on how many Pizzas to order (free for students).  Also, we will need 3-4 volunteers please to help write winner names and distribute pizza.

Welcome back!

I hope you had a lovely two weeks and are rested and relaxed!

March Newsletter and more...

Hello,
Please be sure to check the March issue of my newsletter. This one is focused on stranger safety, which is a hot topic for all of us with children. I have included resources about what to say to and teach your children as well as information regarding what I teach them in our stranger safety unit in class.
And just a reminder...I regularly update the personal wellness and parenting events tabs to reflect opportunities here in Dubai. If you hear of something please do let me know, I would be more than happy to include that information.
Have a lovely day! and hope to see you next week at the Go Fish concert. The kids have been working so hard and are so excited! (see below for the concert schedule)

parent presentation

Just a reminder to join us for our parent presentation on Monday, January 25th from 8:10-9:30 in the ES/PS conference room. Ms. Belen Settembri will be discussing Third Culture Kids and how to support them in their emotional growth as they grow up far from extended family and community support.

Parent Presentation and January Newsletter

Hello!
I hope everyone is back safe and sound from their travels by now and have settled into the routine again.
Two quick notes:

1. Please Join us on January 25th from 8:10-9:30 in the ES/PS conference room for a parent workshop led by Ms. Belen Settembri. She will be discussing Third Culture Kids and how to support them in their emotional growth as they grow up far from extended family and community support.

“Because true belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance.” 

“Connection is why we're here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives".

― Brené Brown, Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

 In the expat life we live, belonging and connection get new dimensions. In this workshop, we will start to explore what we can do as parents to support our children to embrace the advantages of being Third Culture Kids and still be able to connect to the power of their own emotions and vulnerability.

Belen Settembri has two kids at DAA and works as Executive Leadership Coach. She believes in Leaders that are real and can express their vulnerability with confidence and without shame.

2. Please find under the Newsletter tab the latest issue of my monthly counseling newsletter. This month it is focused on appreciating diversity in honor of our UN Day celebrations coming up in early February.

Have a lovely day!