Week of:
January 2, 2012
Bell Schedule
Monday - Holiday
Tuesday - Bell I
Wednesday -Bell I Thursday - Thursday Bell (Pause) Friday - Bell I
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Interested in Deal?
Deal Open Houses
January 21: 9 - 12
Visiting Deal (10 am)
January 6, 27
February 10, 24
Or just get a pass and walk around Deal!
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Upcoming
Dates
January 3
School Resumes!
January 5
New to Deal, 3:30 pm
January 6
LSAT, 7:30 am
Deal Tour, 10 am
HS Common Application Due
January 10
Team Leaders (full)
January 11
Dep't Chairs, 3:30 pm
January 16
MLK Holiday (No School)
January 19
Faculty Meeting, 3:30 pm
January 20
End of Second Advisory
12:15 pm dismissal
January 23
MYP Masters
World Language Trip Meeting - 6:30
January 24
Team Leaders (part)
January 25
Dep't Chairs, 3:30 pm
January 27
Grades Due
Deal Tour, 10 am
February 3
PD Day for Staff
(No School for Students)
February 6
Parent Conference Day
(No School for Students)
February 8
Dep't Chairs, 3:30 pm
February 10
LSAT, 7:30 am
Deal Tour, 10 am
February 16
Faculty Meeting, 3:30 pm
February 17
Black History Month Activity
Deficiencies to HR Teachers
February 20
President's Day
(No School)
February 22
Dep't Chairs, 3:30 pm
February 23
Deficiencies to APs
February 24
Third Advisory Midpoint
Deal Tour 10 am
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Announcing the 2012 Alice Deal PTA Auction! Saturday, February 25, 2012
This year's theme is New York, New York, and just like the Sinatra song, you'll want to be a part of it! Here's how you can help right now:
- Volunteer to co-chair an auction category. We have a couple of categories left to fill and we need you! Whether you're an auction veteran or this is your first one, we want your skills and talents on our team.
- Offer to help solicit donations from restaurants in a local neighborhood.
- Purchase a gift card at a restaurant you frequent and donate it to the auction.
- Share any New York contacts you have with the auction co-chairs.
- Mark your calendar for February 25 and plan to attend.
Contact auction co-chairs Kim Bayliss (baylissdc@gmail.com) and Linda Geen (l.geen@verizon.net) to volunteer!
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Stay Informed!
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Library News
Deal Winter Break Reading Challenge is on!
Each homeroom is challenged to have every student read at least one book over break.
Every homeroom with 100% participation will celebrate with a Book Party in January.
The 6th, 7th, and 8th grade homerooms reading the most books also win CUPCAKES in the library.
Students: Help your classmates by recommending a great book you enjoyed!
The library will be closed at 3:15 pm on Wednesday for Winter Break.
Please return all overdue books by this time.
Happy reading!
Library Media Center Hours
Before School
8 am - 8:40 am
After School
3:30 pm - 5 pm
*Students must have parent permission to stay after school
The Alice Deal Library welcomes students for reading and homework after school! Students must have a permission form on file in the library to use the space after school. Students may pick up a form in the library, or may download it from the library website ( Library Pass). The library is open until 5pm, and can hold 35 students. |
Community Information (Items in this section are not endorsed by Deal) SquashEmpower Scholarship Program SquashEmpower was established in 2004 to help disadvantaged students reach their potential through the game of squash and academic tuition. SquashEmpower is offering scholarships to Deal students to help achieve their educational goals. Scholarships include learning to play squash and academic tutoring for those who otherwise could not afford to participate in this programming. We are based at Chevy Chase Athletic Club (opp Friendship Hts metro). This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to play squash which can help get them into college and also take advantage of academic tutoring. Please contact Connie Barnes for further details. |
Alice Deal's Promotional Sponsors for SY 2011-2012:
1. Steve Agostino of Taylor Agostino Group, Long and Foster Real Estate
2. Bertin Radifera, of Radifera Design Group, LLC
3. Kimberly Cestari, of W.C. & AN Miller Realtors
4. Broad Branch Market
5. Pete's New Haven Style Apizza
6. Eldad Moraru, Long and Foster Real Estate
Interested in being a Deal Sponsor for SY 2011-2012? Please contact Diana Rojas, nogroj@yahoo.com or Lisa Oakley, oakleyhome@rcn.com |
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The Weekly Bulletin
"Think globally. Listen compassionately. Act inclusively." |
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Our Mission:
Alice Deal Middle School inspires excellence, curiosity, and compassion through intellectual and social engagement. |
Thought for the Week Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true. - Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850 |
Interim Principal's Message...
Welcome back! I trust the weather was warm wherever you went (and even if you stayed here). No snow in the forecast, so lots of recess time.
Finishing up the bulletin each week is a great opportunity for me to review what just happened and to think about what is coming up - I hope it does the same for you. Of course, last week I hope there was a lot of rest, relaxation, Twister, walking, playing with pets, and reading - lots of reading. Literacy is a big focus for us at Deal this year (and for the foreseeable future) and reading is the key - reading the newspaper, reading aloud to each other, reading fiction, reading non-fiction, reading blogs, reading poetry, reading street signs - it all counts.
On the horizon at Deal are some activities that say much about what type of school we aspire to be. At the very end of this bulletin, there is a plea from some of our 8th grade students to support their new and used book sale (reading again, of course!). This sale is an integral part of student-designed action arising out of their research into the child labor situation in Bolivia. This is a great example of embedding the content of a subject into an enthusiasm-generating topic. I am sure you will be impressed. Also note the spelling bee, MathCounts, the support for high school applications, and National History Day sessions. Deal is ready to roll.
The student work is matched in energy by several professional development initiatives that are unfolding at Deal as well. Teachers believe in learning - not jut for their students, but for themselves as well. Many of our teachers have pursued or are pursuing advanced degrees in their fields. This boundless energy also finds an outlet in school-based professional development. This year, we have added Friday sessions every week that address areas of interest or concern of teachers - this week we start a series on using SmartBoards and one on assessment differentiation. These sessions are designed and led by teachers - your children's teachers. We are lucky to have this enthusiasm in the building. On top of this, we will be starting some action research during the 3rd advisory - teacher-designed projects to evaluate effective teaching practices. We'll be talking more about this as we go forward, but I am so encouraged by the willingness to take on challenges.
I hope that you and your family have started the new year with great enthusiasm. It will carry us a long way.
Take care,
Interim Principal Albright
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This week at Deal...
Tuesday: 6th Grade Spelling Bee Club
We have a new meeting time--Tuesdays at recess! Make sure you get a pass to come to W104 at 11:10 am in order to practice. Also, if you didn't get the list of words to practice, come by W104 and pick one up.
Tuesday and Wednesday: Indoor Track Team
There will be Track Practice on Tuesday and Wednesday (1/3 and 1/4), from 3:30 - 5:00pm. All team members are expected to attend; please let one of the coaches know of any conflicts at least a day in advance. Bring your winter running gear, and be ready to work!
Wednesday: The After School Book Group Did you read a great book over the break? The After School Book group is looking forward to a new year and some great new novels! We will meet on Wednesday in C130 from 3:30 until 4:30 pm. This is a great time to join. Come share what you read over winter break and help us choose our next novel!
Thursday - Special Event:
Common Applications for 8th Graders
Do you have questions or need assistance in finalizing and submitting your DCPS Common High School Application? They're due this Friday! Amy Lerman, the expert on the DCPS High School Common Application, will be at Deal on Thursday from 2 - 5:30 PM in Room C104 to assist students and parents with the process and any questions or concerns. Please sign up with Ms. Hernandez: ana.hernandez@dc.gov.
Friday: Deal MathCounts Team to Compete at 3rd Annual Carderock Mathematics
The Deal MathCounts Team will compete on Friday, January 6, at the 3rd Annual Carderock Mathematics Contest at the Carderock Naval Surface Warfare Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Lunch and a tour will also be included. If you are mathematically inclined, check out the link below to the promotional video and try to solve the problem in it. Best of luck. Carderock Division Link.
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Student and parent information...
New: DC 1 Cards/Monthly Student Pass
Beginning January 1, Deal MS students can use their DC 1 Card as a monthly student metro pass. Directions on registering and applying for the monthly student pass are below. The Welcome Center and the DC 1 Card website (http://www.dconecard.dc.gov) also have information.
2. Apply for the Student Transit Subsidy Program
3. Receive and PRINT your Student Transit Subsidy Eligibility Letter
4. Take your Eligibility Letter and DC One Card to a Metro-operated Sales Office (Metro Center, Anacostia Station, 600 5th Street, NW and 4615 14th Street, NW) for activation.
6. Show your DC One Card and your DDOT-approved Student Transit Subsidy Eligibility Letter to the sales clerk at any Metro Sales Office window.
7. The sales clerk will verify that your DC One Card and your Eligibility Letter are valid.
8. Tell them what type of pass that you want to add to your card.
9. Make your payment to the sales clerk.
10. The sales clerk will add the pass to your card.
11. Receive your card with pass added from the sales clerk.
New: GirlUp Book Reading
Current members and new members of Deal's GirlUp Club will start our January reading discussion next Monday at 3:20 pm in E307 with Keeping Corner by Kashmira Sheth. All members are asked to bring their copies of the book with them to the meeting.
New: National History Day (NHD) Workshops
Students who are looking for some extra help with their NHD projects are invited to attend one of the following special workshops held after school from 3:30 - 4 pm in room E307. These sessions are designed to provide guidance for completing projects in specific categories.
Exhibits: Thursday, January 5
Documentaries and Performances: January 10
Websites and Research Papers: January 12
Process Papers and Annotated Bibliographies for all categories: January 17
New: 6th Grade Groups Recently, 6th grade students completed surveys indicating their interest in participating in before- and after-school discussion groups on a variety of issues they may face in middle school. Groups include the following: Girls in Real Life Situations, which will focus on self-esteem, relationships, jealousy, reputations, body image, and tough choices. Do The Right Thing, which will focus on controlling impulses, handling stress and other emotions, making positive choices, handling peer pressure and making good decisions. United Against Bullying, which will focus on discussing situations in which students are bullied and finding positive solutions to handling bullying. Students who signed up to participate should keep their eyes and ears open after the Winter Break for specific details on meeting times and places. Any student who did not sign up but would like to participate should see Ms. Banal or Ms. McFarland. New: 8th Graders - High School Applications Very important information for 8th grade parents and students interested in DCPS specialized high school programs: The deadline for DCPS application schools is January 6th. All Deal students interested in applying to Banneker, CHEC, Ellington, McKinley, Phelps, or SWW, be sure to complete and submit the application requirements for each. Go to http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/highschoolapp Additionally, DCPS has a "Guide to School Options 2012-2013" that may assist in making a decision about which high school to attend. The guide is available to download from the DCPS website at: http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/College+and+Careers/High+School+Planning#7 Remaining Open Houses for Specialized High Schools:
Woodrow Wilson High School www.wilsonhs.org
Jan 6 & 20, Feb 10, and March 16 from 9- 11 am
New: Wilson SHS Academy Information
All students who successfully complete the 8th grade at Deal are guaranteed places at Wilson, regardless of their home address. Feeder and in-boundary students do not need to apply to an Academy to enroll at Wilson. Some students may choose to apply in the 8th grade so that they can begin participating in Academy activities or begin a 4-year course of study as soon as they enter Wilson. However, this is optional. Students can join academies anytime before the 11th grade. There is no "right" time to join an academy. Students should reflect and decide with their families when they are ready to commit to an academy's elective courses and extracurricular activities. If you choose to apply to an academy as an incoming 9th grader, obtain an academy application from Ms. Hernandez or the Wilson website, www.wilson.org. Applications are due January 25, 2012. New: Spelling Bee Deal's annual Spelling Bee is coming soon. Look here for more details in the coming weeks. |
yssStaff information. . .
New-to-Deal Meeting New-to-Deal teachers will meet on Thursday after school in Dr. Pough's room, W103. Please bring your copy of "Leading and Managing a Differentiated Classroom," and review Chapter 6 in advance.
New: PD: SmartBoard Skills The first in a series! Ms. Meserole will build your skills in great interactive features, including Magic Pen, Shape Pen, Balloon Pop, Vortex, Dice, Image Choose, Number/Word/Group Generator, and Venn Diagrams. You do not need to attend the entire series to attend a single workshop. Friday at 8:10 am in Rm W305.
New: PD: Designing and Differentiating Tests Ms. Wisniewski and Mr. Lotts will discuss assessment design and differentiation principles, show examples, and offer feedback if you bring a test-in-progress. Friday at 8:10 am in Rm W206.
New: Teacher-Based Action Research Committee.
Are you interested in improving your teacher practice, experimenting with different learning techniques in your classroom, or examining how you can reach struggling learners better? Teachers will design their research plan with fellow teachers, conduct their action-based research during third advisory, and then share their findings with other teachers. We will be announcing If you are interested in action-based research at Deal led by teachers, please watch this space for the announcement of an upcoming information session.
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WELCOME BACK DEAL VIKINGS!
The end of winter means the second advisory is drawing to a close. Students please remember that finishing strong requires your commitment to school everyday. On-time arrival and regular attendance help us to achieve more in school and life. Good habits today foster good futures tomorrow.
As a reminder, the tardy and daily attendance protocol are enclosed below. On-time arrival and regular attendance are critical to your success. Parents, please reiterate our shared expectation with your child today! Let us strive to learn the "Viking Way": at school, on time, everyday!
Tardy Protocol
* Medical appointments and illness are the only reasons for which late arrival will be excused.*
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Days 1-3 of unexcused tardiness
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Student loses recess privileges for each tardy for a total of three
Parent/guardian will be notified by student
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Days 4-5 of unexcused tardiness
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Parent/guardian will be contacted
Student will be placed on an attendance contract
Student will serve Saturday Detention for each subsequent tardy for a total of two
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Days 6-7 of unexcused tardiness
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Parent/guardian conference will be held
Attendance contract will be revised
Student will serve in-school suspension for each tardy for a total of two
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Days 8 and more of unexcused tardiness
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Students will serve out of school suspension, the number of days will be determined by administration
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Daily Attendance Protocol
* Absences can only be excused with a note from the parent which should be turned in to the Welcome Center the day your child returns.*
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Days 1-3 of unexcused absence
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Parent will be notified via phone call and a letter will be sent home on the 3rd day of unexcused absence
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Day 5 of unexcused absences
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Parent/guardian conference will be held
Student will be placed on an attendance contract for the remainder of the advisory
If the parent does not attend conference, a home visit will be conducted
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Days 6 - 10 of unexcused absences
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Parent/guardian will be notified via phone of each additional absence
Attendance contract will be revised
Attendance Specialist for DC Public Schools will be contacted
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Days 25 of unexcused absences
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Parent/guardian will be notified via phone of each additional absence
Child and Family Services will be contacted
Suspected Educational Neglect will be filed with DC Superior Court
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To the Alice Deal Community
In response to viewing the movie "The Devil's Miner," a documentary about the child labor conditions in Cerro Rico, Bolivia, the Spanish Humanities eighth grade class at Alice Deal is undertaking a project we have called "Pasamos la Voz" (Spread the Word). The class has split into three groups of six to eight students. Each group is working on a different assignment to spread awareness about child labor, specifically in Bolivia.
The first group is making a website with facts and statistics about child
workers in Latin America. The second group is spreading the news through writing by creating a newspaper containing editorials, articles, and letters to the community. The third groups has been assigned to produce a short documentary to outline what we have learned this unit about the young miners of Bolivia and to raise awareness about the World Day Against Child Labor.
By doing this project we are improving our communication skills by getting all three groups interacting with our community and one another in order to produce a cohesive effort to educate the public. As part of our research, we interviewed various members of the our community, including our peers at Deal,
students at Murch Elementary School, personalities such as Roberto Brodsky (famous and award winning script writer), the Chamber of Comerce at Pereira, Colombia's Dr. Eric Duport, Dr. Oliver Kaplan, a post-doctoral researcher at Princeton University, Micheal Kott from the Center for Civil Society and Governance, people who work with children laborers in Bolivia, and the public at large. Our goal is to help the child miners of Bolivia, and to work within our community to spread awareness about the problem. The students in our class are developing communication skills not only to educate the public, but also to inspire a sense of unity by working towards a common goal.
Our group, the fourth group, is doing a used and new book fair to donate school uniforms and supplies to kids in Bolivia. All of the money will be donated to a foundation called CARE which is working with this vulnerable community in Bolivia. The homeroom that donates the most books will receive a prize. For each book bought and each book donated you will receive a raffle ticket to compete for a prize. Please cooperate with our book collection process. Please inform your students about our book fair collection starting on January 3. The collection will end on the 13th of January. Remember, every book counts.
Sincerely,
Max Schamis and Eric Viera
Book Fair Coordinators
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Before School Activities
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Monday AM
No School
(Holiday)
Chinese tutoring 7:45 - N103
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Tuesday AM
Chinese tutoring7:45 - N103
Concert Choir 7:45
Jazz Band 7:45
Woodwind Ensemble 7:45
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Wednesday AM
Chinese tutoring7:45 - N103
Concert Choir 7:45
Jazz Band 7:45
Woodwind Ensemble 7:45
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Thursday AM
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Friday AM
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After School Activities
(All after school activities will begin promptly at 3:30 pm)
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Monday PM
No School
(Holiday)
Explorer Time to 6 - Cafeteria
Drama Club to 4:15 - N103
Mogadishu Math Academy to 4:30 - E106
International Cooking Club Group B - C216
Deal Garden Club - Garden
African Drumming Club to 4:30 - E204
Gay- Straight Alliance meeting to 4:30 - W206
Girl Up to 4:30 - E307
Scrabble Club - E100
Northwest Current Journalists - C130
Digital Photography club to 4:15 - W104
Step Team practice - Gallery
Do the Right Thing to 4:30 - C116
Homework Help to 4:30 pm - C213
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Tuesday PM
Explorer Time to 6 - Cafeteria
GAGA (Girls/Guys Against Gossip Alliance) until
Garden Club - Courtyard
Cheerleading practice to 5 - Gym
Student Council meeting - E205
Student Council officer meeting -E205
GLEE to 4:30
Pep Band to 4:30
Team Seoul Study Hall to 4:30 -W103
Debate Team to 4:30 - E104
Math Rappers - W305
Team Dubai Math Help & Retakes -W305
Bocce Ball - E106
Beading Club
Boys and Girls' Basketball practice to 5:15
Homework Help to 4:30 pm - C213
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Wednesday PM
Explorer Time to 6 - Cafeteria
The Viking Journal - C104
MathCounts to 4:30
Citizen Volunteers club to 4:30 - N101
Digital Recording club to 4:30
Team Mogadishu Study Hall to 4:30 - W100
Girl Talk - C217 Team Dubai Math Help & Retakes - W305
Yoga Club - W305
The Poets' Society to 4:30 pm - C314
Alice Deal Invisible Children's Club to 4:15 - W306
Girls in Real Life Situations to 4:15 - Ms. White's office
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Thursday PM
Explorer Time to 6 - Cafeteria
Team Seoul Study Hall to 4:30 - W105
International Soccer Fan Club to 4:30 - CG07
Dance Club to 4:30 - E206
Alexandria Scholars Listen Up to 4:30 - W207
Roman Holiday to 4:30 - E204
Spartan Barracks to 4:30 - W205
Cheerleading Practice to 5
Team Sparta Tutoring to 4:30 - W205
Step Team - Gallery
Deal Spelling Bee to 4:30 pm - W104
Team Geneva Math Tutoring to 4:15 - E304
Boys and Girls' Basketball practice to 5:15
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Friday PM
Explorer Time
to 6 - Cafeteria
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