Each year, iCademy Middle East’s chapter of the National Honor Society completes a group service project. The project is designed and implemented completely by the students, with minimal help provided by the teachers and advisors. This year, the students decided on a letter-writing campaign designed to reach out to marginalized and underrepresented groups around the world. Please see below for a word from our National Honors Society students on how you can help!

Never has giving ever felt so good. Giving the gift of warmth and kindness, to be exact, to those in more unfortunate and ill-fated situations. We are privileged enough to enjoy a life filled with material gifts, the warmth and comfort of our families and friends, and to live healthy and sound lives. However, there are some who may not be blessed with such luxuries. For them, simple gestures such as a hand-written letter filled with hope, sincerity, and kindness may mean the world to such people.

People often complain that they might not have the time for volunteering, or engaging in acts of charity, given their hectic lives. For such, we offer an efficient and caring solution.

Letter-writing- National Honor Society

Imagine penning down a hand-written or virtually -written letter and sending it across the world to individuals in need. Imagine the happiness or the myriad of positive emotions they might experience. This is where we come in. We request each one of you to do the same so as to fill the hearts of such individuals all around the world with immense happiness. Do it for the unfortunate souls, who need not our pity, but our magnanimity in these testing times. Do it to feel good about spreading cheer and joy around the world. The best we can offer as humans is kindness without boundaries or limitations or without borders. Let’s do it right

Organizations that you could send letters to include:

• Letters Against Isolation
• Love for Our Elders
• Girls Love Mail
• Calvary Global Kids
• Letters of Love

To participate, go to this year’s official NHS Project Website on your laptop at: nhslettersofhope.editorx.io/my-site-1 and follow the sign for “Send a Letter” and follow the instructions.

Please make sure to go through the organization’s website and read the requirements for their letters.

We highly encourage all students and parents of all ages to participate in this project. There is no minimum amount of letters that you can send!

The NHS students also have an Instagram page where they will send out all the recent updates for this project with reminders and dates, so please check the Instagram page and show your support!

NHS Instagram: @lettersofhope.nhsproject

Thank you so much for contributing or showing your support! We hope to receive your letter soon.

Kind regards,

NHS Students

We get asked a lot of questions about iCademy and how we operate! Here are some of your most frequently asked questions and some information about how we meet the needs of our students and families around the world.

Are you accredited?

Yes! iCademy Middle East is accredited through NEASC, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, an accrediting body in the United States. We are also recognized by the KHDA in the UAE.

Can my child get into college/university with a diploma from iCademy Middle East?

Absolutely! iCademy’s graduates go on to universities around the world, including the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and the EU. Our school counselor can work with students on planning for university and submitting applications to help make the process as smooth as possible. It is important to note that each country, and indeed each individual university, can set its own requirements for university admission, including which classes and exams need to be taken at the high school level. Students should research the universities in which they are interested early on to ensure they enroll in the correct courses. Our Academic Advisors are always there to help

How tech-savvy do I need to be?

You do not need to be a tech genius to succeed at online schooling. If you can turn on a computer and browse the internet, you will be able to help your student complete their work online. Course teachers provide walk-through videos and instructions to help families navigate their way through their new learning platforms. Our new students and families become online schooling pros in no time!

Is there live/virtual instruction?

All core subjects offer live lessons (Class Connects) for students to attend and get direct instruction. Teachers also offer Live Help hours throughout the week where students can pop in and ask questions.

What do I need to provide to successfully do online learning at home?

Aside from a computer, students will just need a quiet place to work. Some courses, such as science, may require a few cheap materials to conduct experiments from home, however, course materials lists are provided at the beginning of each semester to ensure there is plenty of time to gather materials.

Will my student get the opportunity to socialize?

During a typical school year, iCademy has several social outings and events to bring our students from across the UAE together. These include Sports Day, educational field trips, and excursions throughout the year. With social distancing requirements in place, we do still offer opportunities for students to interact with one another outside of a virtual classroom setting. Online clubs are available for all grades, as well as teacher-moderated chat rooms where students can help each other with homework, ask about assignments, and socialize with classmates from around the world.

What options do you have to help students with special needs?

iCademy’s Virtual Learning Center (VLC) program provides more personalized instruction for students of all ages. Whether your student needs help organizing their schedule, managing their time, or targeted help in a specific subject, the VLC can provide the help they need to stay on track with their studies. For students with specialized learning disabilities or special needs, we encourage you to ask about our programs that are individually tailored to students’ educational and social development.

How many hours should my child spend on their work each day?

The amount of time spent on school work in a day will vary greatly depending on a student’s needs, ability, and grade level. However, most students find that they spend less time working when schooling virtually than when they attend school in person. Younger students may spend 20-30 minutes working per subject per day, whereas high school students may spend an hour or more in their more advanced courses.

How do I track my child’s progress?

Each student has an Academic Advisor whose job is to touch base with the family monthly to discuss grades and progress. Learning coaches can also check their student’s grades in the course itself at any time.

How involved will I be as the parent/learning coach?

iCademy views parents and learning coaches as partners in a student’s education. Therefore, communication between teachers, advisors, students, and parents is open and ongoing. Younger students will certainly need more help and direction from their at-home learning coach than older students. However, all learning coaches are expected to take an active role in their student’s learning.

We hope this post has answered some of your burning questions about life at iCademy Middle East and how we can make online schooling work for your family. Contact us today for more information!

 

Each year, our National Honors Society students complete a service project to help our wider community. For the past few years, we have coordinated a “Ramadan Box” project which aims to help workers/laborers in Dubai receive a little extra care during the holy month.

The National Honors Society is a US-based organization that recognizes high-achieving students and promotes acts of service. Our team of students meets monthly to plan projects, discuss issues, and find ways to help in their own communities. Since we are an international, online school with students living worldwide, we can have a truly global impact!

How You Can Help!

This year, due to COVID restrictions, the NHS service project looks a bit different. iCademy Middle East has partnered with the Beit Al Khair Society, which has graciously agreed to help safely distribute collections made under our name. Here is how you can help:

Items that can be donated:

• masks
• hand sanitizer
• soap
• razors
• toothbrushes/toothpaste
• reusable bags
• prayer beads
• thin prayer mats
• dates
• biscuits
• ramen
• canned foods
• small bottled water

These items can be dropped off at either the iCademy Middle East office in Dubai Knowledge Village, Block 12, or at any of the Beit Al Khair locations around the UAE. When dropping off items, don’t forget to mention iCademy NHS so we can keep track of donations! Please have items dropped off by May 8th. We are hoping to make this our most successful year of giving yet. Please join us!

Ramadan Mubarak!

With school closures happening all around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students and families everywhere are having to make some major adjustments. Students in Dubai, and the rest of the Middle East, have not been immune to the drastic measures and mass closings. Whether you are transitioning to learning at home, or you study with our online American curriculum School and things are running almost business as usual, we are all having to make some changes in our lives. And change is not easy!

COVID-19 has affected almost all parts of the world’s population. With words like “social-distancing,” “self-isolation,” and “quarantining” being thrown around, it’s no wonder that students are feeling more stress than usual right now. In order to cope in a healthy way, here are some things you can try!

1. Remember that it’s okay to feel anxious! There is so much uncertainty around the Coronavirus and when schools might reopen, and it may feel like no one has any good answers at the moment. Anxiety is a completely normal reaction to this. Instead of trying to distract yourself or pretend that everything is fine, allow yourself to feel anxious. There are many studies that show trying to constantly avoid feeling anxious often just makes you feel it more strongly later on, as it if is building up. Sometimes the more you try to fight it, the worse your anxiety can get! When you find anxiety starting to creep up, notice it, talk about it with someone if you can, and don’t judge yourself for feeling it!
2. Phone your friends and family. Having to spend time away from the people you love is definitely one of the most difficult aspects of dealing with this pandemic. Keeping up regular social contact is a great way to relieve stress and not feel so cooped up. Pick up the phone and actually speak to people, if you can. It will feel a little more real than just texting them. Chatting with the people that you are used to seeing regularly will help things to feel more normal. Even if your kids used to be in regular brick-and-mortar schools, you can still develop social skills in students during home schooling.
3. Stick to a routine. Just because you have an excuse to stay in your pajamas all day, doesn’t mean that you should. While nothing is exactly “normal” right now, try to come up with a routine that helps you create a sense of normalcy, at least for now. Make sure to wake up and sleep at a regular time, complete your work during normal hours, and put on some real clothes, even if you aren’t leaving the house.
4. Take care of yourself. Self-care is a proven strategy for reducing anxiety. You may be in a position where you are responsible for taking care of other people, family members, but that means it is even more important for you to take care of yourself! Listen to your body and mind, and give yourself the breaks you need. Find some quiet time to yourself when you can and do things that you find relaxing.
5. Get some fresh air! Social-distancing doesn’t mean you can’t go outside at all. If you have a garden or yard, this is a perfect time to put it to good use. If you are living in the Middle East, the amount of time you have left to enjoy the outdoors is dwindling so enjoy this while you can! If you are limited in the amount of outdoor space you have access to, open your windows and let the breeze in. You may still be able to go for a walk, as long as your are confident that you’ll be able to keep your distance. 
6. Reach out if you need help! Your teachers and counselors are going through the exact same thing so we understand the struggles.  If you are a student with iCademy Middle East, then you already have solid relationships with your advisors and teachers but it is especially important right now to maintain contact and ask for help if you need it.

I hope these things are helpful for you. Keep in touch with us, wash your hands, and stay healthy!

*iCademy Middle East is an American curriculum online school that provides a comprehensive education to students based in the UAE and around the world. We are NEASC and KHDA accredited and provide individualized learning and instruction from grades K through 12.

What a year 2020 has been, and it’s only March! A few weeks ago, many of us assumed that the novel Coronavirus was simply a passing illness that would barely affect us. However, with the uptick in cases, global school closures, and general panic, it is clear that this situation will change our lives for the foreseeable future. One of the main ways many families are having to adjust is having their children out of school.

During Coronavirus Pandemic, the school closures are, at the time of writing, implemented in over 80 countries, including the UAE. This means tens of millions of students are unable to access their learning. Many schools are attempting to provide lesson plans and move to online platforms to supplement during this time. However, this is a rushed process and not always comprehensive in the amount of actual learning it can provide. Teachers are doing their best but it is difficult when their school may not have a fully implemented online learning approach to build on.

An option that many families are now considering is switching to an established online school during this Coronavirus Pandemic, such as iCademy Middle East, which is one of the Best American Schools in Dubai. There are many benefits to this approach

Organized Curriculum

Online schools have pre-organized their curriculum, so it is easy for students to navigate their lessons, see what is ahead, and review any concepts with which they need extra help. Unlike traditional schools, online schools have their curriculum up-front and accessible to families who want to get a better handle on their students’ learning. For students switching mid-year, they are able to jump in right where they left off.

No Missed Standards

American online schools use the same curriculum and Common Core standards that their public school counterparts do. This means that your child will cover all the same content and topics online that they would in their traditional schooling environment. Families who try to tackle homeschooling on their own often have to do lots of research and planning to make sure their students don’t miss any crucial standards and end up with gaps in their learning.

Full Scope of Learning

Online schooling provides many different kinds of activities and is appropriate for students with a variety of learning styles and preferences. Just because the curriculum is found online, doesn’t mean students have to spend 8 hours a day staring at a screen! Online curriculums provide activities, worksheets, games, and outside assignments for students to complete. The flexibility offered with learning online means that students have plenty of chances to engage spontaneously with their environment (not as much, at the moment!), their family, and their passions.

Social Interaction Included

Many families worry that moving to homeschooling or an online school will have a negative impact on their students’ social lives. However, there are many ways to supplement this, even while “social distancing!” Online schools such as iCademy Middle East have class discussions, online meetings or Class Connect sessions, and even clubs that students can join. No matter if you live in Dubai, another Emirate, or elsewhere in the world, your student will still have access to a whole community of other students who are going through a shared experience. And that can make the whole situation a lot easier to handle!

While the Coronavirus is scary, it doesn’t have to shake up everything! If you feel like your current schooling situation is not enough to engage your student, consider switching to an online school.

*iCademy Middle East is an American curriculum online school that provides a comprehensive education to students based in the UAE and around the world. We are NEASC and KHDA accredited, and provide individualized learning and instruction from grades K through 12.