Dear Parents/Guardian,

Thank you for your patience as we work through ADEK’s decision for all schools across Abu Dhabi to close effectively from Sunday 8th March through to Saturday 4th April, in a nationwide effort to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

This does not mean learning will stop. I am writing to inform you that Al Ain English Speaking School is well prepared and committed to continue to provide your child with a quality education relevant to their grade and curriculum. I want to reassure you that at AAESS we have been preparing for a continuity plan through distance learning from home for some time now, and we are ready to roll it out.

After speaking to the relevant authorities, we can confirm the following:

• Spring Break for students only, will begin on Sunday 8^th through to Saturday 21^st March.
• Distance learning will start on Sunday 22^nd March for a period of 2-weeks.

However, as we take the learning of our students very seriously, we will be offering distance learning opportunities from the 15th March.  We will offer all subjects bar Moral Studies, despite ADEK requirements being only to cover English, Maths, Science, Arabic & Islamic Studies.

While we understand that you have probably organised your Spring Break around the academic calendar, please understand that this is something that is out of our control, and is government mandated.

Effective from Sunday 15th  March, all students will be able to access the content provided by their class teacher. Every teacher will produce a weekly schedule per child via Google Classrooms for Key stage 2 to 5.  Key Stage 1 children will be provided with resource packs and instructions that will be available for parents to collect from Sunday 22nd.

Rest assured, students undergoing exams will be a top priority and we will continue to have all the necessary support available through the school.

A school-specific help desk has been set up for any assistance parents may need. This can be accessed via helpdesk@aaess.sch.ae.

It is important that common sense prevails. As a community it is critical that we listen to official advice and are aware that there is a lot of speculation on social media. All fact-checked information will be provided by the school.

It is essential that you follow precautionary measures laid out by the government to help mitigate the risk of the COVID-19 virus spreading. I would like to encourage you to listen to the travel advisories provided by your embassies. Please avoid travelling to high-risk countries over the Spring break. See updated list: https://www.mofaic.gov.ae/en/Warnings. If you do so, please provide the relevant information to the school and ensure your child does not come to school for the stipulated quarantine period of 2-weeks upon return.

I have attached a letter from Dr Lene, our school counsellor, with some help and advice should you require. The letter also contains Dr Lene’s contact details should you need her assistance during this period.

Finally, we understand that there will be some challenges and I want to assure you that the safety and well-being of our community is of paramount importance. Thank you for having trust in us.

We will update with further details about when the school will re-open as the information becomes available.

I thank you once again for your continued support & understanding in these unusual and challenging times.

Kind regards

Andrew Thomas B.Ed (Hons) M.Phil NPQH

Principal

Dr Lene – Parents Letter RE: COVID 19