Plano | ExpatWoman.com
 

Plano

Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 July 2015 - 09:19
iPad mini 3 screen broken - anyone had theirs fixed? Where and approx. how much?
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 March 2015 - 19:21
We are a DESS family so my daughter has a place at DESC, which is also a fabulous school.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 March 2015 - 18:35
I really believe in choosing a school based on the child. If your child is highly motivated and naturally bright then DC will suit and they will enjoy it. If they need a kick up the butt to get homework done then this might not be the school for them, alternatively, if they've been heavily tutored you may need to continue that for a bit so they don't get their butts kicked!
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 March 2015 - 15:49
One child got in last year, other didn't get in this year. Didn't tutor either of them, and wasn't 100% sure DC would suit our daughter anyway, but figured she may as well try seeing as we already had one there. She has a great secondary school option as is, so we really had nothing to lose. My two are both bright but my daughter is not as self-motivated as her brother and DC is a bit 'sink or swim'. There isn't much communication from the school so if your kids aren't keeping up you may not hear about it until they're already behind. Kids really shouldn't be tutored for this school. My son is very strong in maths, my daughter is very strong in English. They were both level 5 in English and my son was level 6 in maths, daughter was level 5. Extra-curricular wise my son had some fairly impressive extra-curricular and school sports achievements, while my daughter doesn't stick with her extra-curricular long enough to show great development. They're different kids and she wasn't disappointed in the slightest at not having gotten in. edited by Plano on 08/03/2015 edited by Plano on 08/03/2015 <em>edited by Plano on 08/03/2015</em>
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 January 2015 - 12:03
FYI this would be to move school system within Dubai.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 October 2014 - 18:45
DESS all the way. The best British Curriculum primary school in Dubai, no doubt.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 May 2014 - 08:19
Yes, think that's where the idea here originally came from, as they've been around in Australia about 20 years. It's called the Entertainment book - Melbourne.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 March 2014 - 19:19
I will also add that DESS is a phenomenal school that is getting stronger each year so even if there were 20-25 kids accepted into DC then that wouldn't surprise me either.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 March 2014 - 16:05
I know several families decided not to take the DC spots and have chosen DESC. Others found the decision between DC and DESC incredibly difficult and, after much deliberation, put their acceptance forms for DC into the school on the final Thursday the decision had to be made. There were also DESS families who didn't think twice and happily chose DC over DESC; at least one family took the chance and didn't secure their DESC place in the hope they would get DC. I don't know what the final numbers were from DESS. I'm guessing around 12-15? I know the kids who were offered are real all-rounders. They're bright kids who are involved in school life and many are sporty and/or musical. However, this description can be applied to many of the kids at DESS and other schools around Dubai. edited by Plano on 17/03/2014 edited by Plano on 17/03/2014 edited by Plano on 17/03/2014 <em>edited by Plano on 17/03/2014</em>
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 March 2014 - 23:06
We went from Kings' to DESS and wish we had made the move sooner. DESS all the way!
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 March 2014 - 23:04
Don't know about the whole of year 6 but I know there were quite a few from DESS. There were 4 or 5 from my son's class and I think there are five classes in year 6. <em>edited by Plano on 15/03/2014</em>
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 February 2014 - 19:22
Not long now. Do they let your child know if they haven't been accepted?
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 February 2014 - 18:59
When does the school start contacting those who have been accepted?
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 January 2014 - 10:33
Great, thanks for that! Any recommendations on best part of restaurant to sit? <em>edited by Plano on 11/01/2014</em>
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 January 2014 - 09:44
What did you think of Spectrum on One Thursday night Dupper? <em>edited by Plano on 07/01/2014</em>
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 October 2013 - 12:41
Congrats on your decision. I popped my son's application into DESC today (DESS kids get flow through rights but we need to confirm we want them by the end of Oct). Anyway, reception was busy with children doing tours and assessments and there were a lot of Kings' kids in uniform.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 October 2013 - 10:46
From what they've told me the academics are great and the homework is less project-based. It drove me mad at Kings' how much "parent engagement" there was with the projects. There's guiding your child and then there's flat-out doing the project for them. They learn nothing from the latter. My kids aren't super-sporty. They're in some teams, and not others, but what I love is that there's a real school spirit at DESS that I found lacking at Kings'. The kids feel like they are part of something and, even if they weren't involved in the last major swim meet or athletics tournament, they take great pride in their attachment to DESS and their fellow students doing well for the school.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 22:31
I believe that on occasion she may also be working with the DESS choir.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 22:24
Yes, both are happy with their decision, however, one of them has moved more for strategic reasons. She wasn't unhappy with Kings' but wanted an alternative secondary option to Kings'. <em>edited by Plano on 21/10/2013</em>
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 21:33
I know at least four families who made the move from Kings' to JAPS and they love it. I know at least three families (myself included) who have moved from Kings' to DESS. I also know a lot of current year 6 families at Kings' who are forking out a small fortune on tutoring their kids for the entrance exams at DC, DESC and JC.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 11:43
At DESS they shuffle the kids between year 2 & 3. From year 3 they stay with the same group but are streamed for maths & Arabic so they also get to know other kids in the year group. Mine started in years 4 and 5 - they both made friends very quickly. Once you're at DESS you can still try for DC but there's not the same crazy pressure to get in when you have a great school like DESC available to you. I have friends at Kings' who would love to have your dilemma. edited by Plano on 21/10/2013 <em>edited by Plano on 21/10/2013</em>
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 10:28
It takes 25-30 minutes between Kings' & Silicon Oasis...I did it for five years :) DESC to Umm Suqiem is more or less the same run. edited by Plano on 21/10/2013 <em>edited by Plano on 21/10/2013</em>
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 October 2013 - 03:55
I moved both my kids from Kings' to DESS last year and we haven't looked back. Both were happy and settled at Kings' and we had been there five years but we didn't feel the school was headed in the right direction. The fees were outrageous and what was being added to the new campus wasn't worthy of the increase. In fact, the things they needed such as DT room and art room weren't even in the plan - but a canteen was? The school went from feeling like a non-profit community school to a for profit corporate one pretty much as soon as the new head got there (it has always been for profit - just didn't always feel like it). My kids settled so well into DESS. It may be an old campus but they do so much with what they have. The classrooms are large and welcoming, the kids do science, DT and art, the sport is fabulous! I actually felt guilty that my kids hadn't done as much sport at school as other DESS kids - Kings' really lacked that. The academics are just as good at DESS. There's less project stuff (Kings' was so competitive with that - never seen such amazing woodwork, sewing & IT skills from 9 year olds ;)) I think there's less homework at DESS just because they cover more in class, which the kids and I love. Good luck with your decision. Kids are very resilient & adaptable. Our's went on the tour before we got places & we explained to them how we were thinking about moving them. By involving them in the process & being positive about it we found the transition easy. The bonus to all this is that we don't have the stress of getting the kids into an established secondary school and DESS/DESC are both getting to the point where they can start to be more selective if they want to be. edited by Plano on 21/10/2013 edited by Plano on 21/10/2013 <em>edited by Plano on 21/10/2013</em>
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 July 2013 - 16:38
Thank-you Oopsiedaisy! Are we fined if we don't cancel by the 24th? Can I do it, or does the sponsor (husband) have to do it? Is it a straight cancellation, or is there a transfer process when another sponsor/employer is already arranged? I haven't had to do this before so sorry for all the questions.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 January 2013 - 12:26
[i'>I completely agree with The Russian. That is madness. First of all, antibiotics can take days to work, so switching from one to the next every day or so is ridiculous and potentially harmful. Second of all, if it is a virus, antibiotics won't work at all and shouldn't be prescribed. People randomly taking antibiotics - as if it was an aspirin - is one of the causes of the growth of resistant super-bugs. I think you should change doctors and not go back to that one. [/i'> Antibiotics are losing their effectiveness because of people not using them correctly. They should not be used for viruses. Nor should they be self-prescribed. This doctor is very irresponsible.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 January 2013 - 12:11
@sweetsugar123 I would suggest driving down to Washington DC (3-4hours) and staying there for a few days. There's a great trolley tour you can do around the city that stops at all the main attractions plus great museums for the kids that are free. If you want a beach stop then go via Rehoboth Beach and spend a few nights there. They have a lovely boardwalk and at dusk you can see the dolphins swimming offshore. A bonus is that Delaware State has no sales tax and great outlet mall shopping! We did it a few years ago and loved every minute. We also started our journey in New York. @Jamhind To avoid hot and humid then I'd suggest Seattle for a few days and a cruise to Alaska. Chicago definitely gets hot and humid in Summer - we lived there a while. From Dubai the flight times to most destinations in the USA are about the same as the flights tend to route up over the North Pole. Choose a destination where you don't need to connect to limit the travel time. <em>edited by Plano on 14/01/2013</em>
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 October 2012 - 11:25
I did the drive between Silicon Oasis to school in Umm Suqiem for five years. We moved the kids to DESS this term and the lifestyle change is amazing! We love the school and the drive is so easy. Having said that, if JAPS is the only non-profit school you can get your kids into then it may be worth it just for that. Good luck!
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 June 2012 - 09:58
I would NOT recommend Andrew Landin. Feel free to PM me if you need further details.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 May 2012 - 19:42
Centre for Musical Arts, Gold & Diamond Park does one.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 May 2012 - 16:39
It's at Wafi. Anyone with experience of this place? How are the teachers and the teaching? Looking for piano, flute or trumpet. <em>edited by Plano on 17/05/2012</em>
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 May 2012 - 14:49
I thought this was how it worked too. Don't you need prerequisite subjects for University entrance? For example, if you don't do math or science to 'A' level standard then you may as well forget about going into engineering or medicine? Correct me if I'm wrong. I'm sure you could do bridging subjects at a later date but wouldn't it be nice to have the opportunity available as a school leaver? From my understanding the US curriculum doesn't force you to take a set path from age 16.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 April 2012 - 13:07
These are the school sizes that I'm aware of... DESS - 24 GEMS Wellington Academy - 27
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 April 2012 - 20:50
Just curious, how does school here compare to school's in VA? @Babysoosoo We've always thought if we left here we'd move to VA so would love to know what you think having seen both systems.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 April 2012 - 09:12
I'm fully expecting our school to up their fees. Huge expansion plus outstanding results so far. Apparently if they are currently investing in infrastructure they can increase more than the maximumu. Will be interesting.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 December 2011 - 19:45
Any idea how the Fairmont, Intercon or Meydan are? We live in Silicon Oasis so trying to think of what's nearby.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 December 2011 - 17:29
So, who can recommend the best hotel to order cooked turkey and trimmings? Cooked ham and trimmings? Any to avoid? Do they really give you enough food per serve? Also, where in Dubai has the best mince pies? I bought a box of Spinney's sugar dusted ones and love them! I also got a box of Walker's luxury mince pies and they're DISGUSTING!
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 23:06
We started at 6. DD loves it. @MIRDIFMUMMY - you're in a great location for Julia. She teaches on the synthetic rink at Arabian Centre, Mirdif. <em>edited by Plano on 08/09/2011</em>
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 17:25
I bought some 8 years old boys a Decathlon gift certificate. It went down really well with the boys and the parents.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 15:51
That would be great! Definitely not hijacking the thread - the more the merrier!
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 June 2011 - 13:44
I got a great one from the party store in the Beach centre on Beach Rd - where Zaks is.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 June 2011 - 08:26
Go on Amazon and get the Malem alarm. It attaches to pj's and works really well. If you have an aramex account you can have it forwarded straight to your doorstep and because it's light it won't cost so much.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 June 2011 - 08:22
I'm starting to think not all these places offer a "deal". I think some aren't getting the business because they suck! While I've had some great experiences, namely Royal wedding brunch at Meydan and fish & chips meal at Rock and Sole Plaice, I've also had a pretty average mani/pedi in a grotty salon in Al Barsha. When there was an overnight stay at some unknown hotel recently after I checked reviews on one of my fave websites I decided even at the deal price it wasn't quite worth it! I think we all have to tread carefully with these "deal" sites.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 April 2011 - 08:04
Anyone thinking about Meydan on Friday should take a look at cobone.com
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 April 2011 - 08:02
@DubaiCat - I don't think it was a Vicar and Tart's party, but it got shut down at the same time as The Lodge for throwing a NYE party over Ramadan. I'm pretty sure it was December '97.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 April 2011 - 12:39
Now we're doing Meydan - seems a little more kid friendly.
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 April 2011 - 12:27
Thanks for the great responses. Not sure about Neos but the British buffet has been confirmed so that will add to the theme. Quite a few places are doing their usual international buffet and just televising the event during the brunch. Any idea about Meydan? Will the buffet be "British"?
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 16:16
Poorly written - absolutely. More to the point..which school? For poor grammar and alcohol!! Hints please...starts with?
Plano
48
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 March 2011 - 21:29
Some of my faves.. 30Rock Dexter Weeds Parks and Recreation Entourage True Blood The Shield If you like The Office and 30Rock you will love Parks and Recreation - although not sure how familiar you are with Mid West USA? Shouldn't really matter though. <em>edited by Plano on 20/03/2011</em>
 
 
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