Alice Deal Middle School Think globally - Listen compassionately - Act inclusively |
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The Weekly Bulletin
Our school mission:
Alice Deal Middle School inspires excellence, curiosity, and compassion through intellectual and social engagement.
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Interim Principal's Message...
In a happy coincidence, the Memorial Day weekend precedes our 3rd Deal Gives Back day. Memorial Day asks us to spend time remembering the sacrifices of those who gave their lives to the defense of the nation. While it also heralds the start of summer, here in Washington it has become something of a local holiday, the warm air punctuated by countless motorcycles in town for Rolling Thunder and the sense of pride of many of the area's residents who still serve. The desire to serve arises from many sources but, as with veterans, teachers, hospice volunteers, City Year students, and others, a commitment to continue serving must be nurtured. Students especially need to experience serving others; school is an important place for this to happen.
For our third annual Deal Gives Back, over 1,000 students will be serving their world, their city, and their community. On Wednesday, May 30, Deal Vikings will be scattering across Washington, sharing a bit of themselves. Here are synopses of the planned day:
Sixth grade
The 6th graders invite 7th & 8th graders and the entire Deal community to join them in their effort by: - donating travel size toiletries for Central Union Mission (toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, hand sanitizer, face wash, shavers, shaving gel, body wash, and lotion)
- donating school supplies for the Talia Girls Shelter (crayons, pencils, pens, notebooks, English reading books, English books for beginners, stationary for girls, and small watercolor or crayola paint)
- visiting http://www.razoo.com/story/Deal-Gives-Back-Day-Basketball-Tournament to donate to Peace Players International (http://www.peaceplayersintl.org/)
7th grade
The 7th graders will be cleaning up streambeds in the city, supporting library efforts, helping the Latin American Youth Center, visiting senior citizens, and other activities. This year's sites build on successes from last year, getting students out of the building and into the city.
8th grade
As in years past, the 8th grade concentrates on working with DCPS elementary schools. While the effort at each school looks a bit different, the power of 8th graders working with K-5th graders is undeniable. Schools being visited include: Turner at Green, Nalle, Smothers, Tubman, Hearst, Thomson, Shepherd, HD Cooke, Orr, Malcolm X, Maury, and Marie Reed.
Thanks go to all the homeroom teachers for galvanizing their students into action. This event culminates many of our community service activities in the true spirit of bring action to the lives of our students. And thanks to parents in the community for keeping conversations about service alive beyond Memorial Day - our children need to hear about our own commitments and values on a regular basis.
Enjoy the week!
Interim Principal Albright
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Stay Informed!
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Week of May 28, 2012 Bell Schedule
Monday - No School
(Memorial Day)
Tuesday - Bell III
Wednesday - Deal Gives Back
Thursday - Bell III
Friday - Bell I
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Upcoming Dates
May 29
Deal Gives Back Prep - Bell III
May 30
Deal Gives Back
May 31
Deal Gives Back Reflection - Bell III
June 1
LSAT, 7:30 am
8th Grade Locker Clean Out
Team Dubai Math Trip
June 2
Bikes for the World Bicycle Collection 10am-1pm
ELL Dept.
June 4
PIA - English
8th Grade Textbook Collection
June 5
PIA - Math
Faculty Meeting, 3:30 pm
Deal Guest Grilling at BD's Mongolian BBQ
June 6
7th Grade Textbook Collection
June 7
8th Grade Trip to Kings Dominion
June 8
8th Grade Dance
Deal Day
June 11
6th Grade Textbook Collection
The Amazing MogaRace
June 12
8th Grade Promotion
June 13
Faculty Meeting
June 14
Last Day of School
End of Fourth Advisory
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Get your
2011 - 2012
Alice Deal MS Yearbook Now!!!
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The 2011-2012 yearbooks will arrive soon! Don't miss out on the opportunity to purchase this keepsake of your memories!
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Please bring in cash or a money order in the amount of $35.00 made out to Alice Deal to Ms. Baxter in the Welcome Center during your lunch period or after school.
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There are a limited number of yearbooks so don't miss out!
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Wilson Senior High School Update for Rising 9th graders
Earlier this year, 8th grade students worked with their counselor to create a 4-year plan for high school on the Bridges' Individual Graduation Plan (IGP). Courses were selected for next year, as well as tentative course work for the entire four years of high school.
On May 18, 2012, students' course selections for 9th grade were automatically transferred electronically into the Wilson High School scheduling computer from the IGP.
Parents can expect to receive from Wilson High School (by the week of June 18th) an Option Verification Letter which will show the specific courses that their children are signed up to take in 9th grade, as well as directions and deadlines for what they should do if there are errors in their children's course selection.
If parents have any other questions, they can email Wilson High School Assistant Principal Ms. Mary Beth Waits at marybeth.waits@dc.gov.
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Math Assessment Exam for Incoming Students for
SY 2012-2013
Non-Feeder School Math Assessment for incoming 6th and 7th students will be June 15 at 10 am.
Rising 6th Grade News
Summer Bridge
Certain incoming 6th graders will be invited to participate in Deal's Summer Bridge. Summer Bridge is a three-week summer program that will provide math and reading support, as well as strategies for organization. Parents will be contacted by June 4 if their child should attend Summer Bridge. Summer Bridge will be held from
July 2 - July 20 (not July 4)
Mondays - Thursdays from
8:30 am - 12:00 noon.
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Library News
All library books are due back at this time in order to be inventoried.
Library Media Center Hours
Before School 8:00 a.m. - 8:40 am
After School 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 pm
Students must have parental 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.
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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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Community Information
(Items in this section are not sponsored by Deal)
Summer Creative Writing Workshops
Writopia Lab (www.WritopiaLab.org), a Tenleytown-based nonprofit organization, invites all aspiring Deal writers to join us for our creative writing workshops this summer, offered every week from June 11 - August 31. Our workshops are small (3-6 writers) and are led by published writers. This year, through Writopia Lab, 4 Deal writers had their play produced by professional actors Off-Broadway in New York, and 2 more will be celebrated at Carnegie Hall as National Medalists in the Scholastic Writing Awards. Join us! We welcome all writers, regardless of writing experience, and we operate on a sliding scale tuition system. Contact Kathy at Kathy@WritopiaLab.org
or 202-629-9510 for more information.
Lafayette Tennis Summer Camp
Full / Half Day Tennis Camp
Tennis Players Ages 6 -15
Lafayette Park, Chevy Chase, DC
(On M-4, E-1, E-2, E-6 Bus Lines)
Eight Weekly Sessions
First Session June 18 - 22
Special Alice Deal Teen Week is July 9 - 13
Last Session August 6 - 10
This is a small, friendly tennis camp that focuses on improving the skills of all players. The camp will be using the two upper tennis courts at the Lafayette Recreation Center at 33rd and Quesada Sts., NW. In addition to developing their tennis skills on the courts, kids can cool off in the refreshing Lafayette Water Daisy and with ice cold slushies from the delicious Broad Branch Market. We will also make frequent trips to the Wilson Aquatic Center on hot days. We will take advantage of kids' programs with The World Team Tennis Washington Kastles this July and at the new Citi Open Tennis Tournament July 28 - August 5. Camp goes 9-4. For families with working parents we offer optional Pre-Camp Care and Post-Camp Care.
A 10% discount is available on the second or third child in the same family signing up for the same camp session. Weekly fee for full day camp week is $300 and half day camp week is $200. Go to
www.LafayetteTennis.org
to get the registration form, space availability and additional information. Camp registration is through the Lafayette Tennis Association, a USTA Community Tennis Association.
Paul Rosenbaum
(Lafayette, Deal, Wilson Parent)
Camp Director
Lafayette Tennis Association
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Register Now for the
2012-2013 School Year
All students (even 8th graders) must register here at Deal by June 1 for the upcoming school year. We have scheduled evening hours every Thursday until 7 pm. Please remember to bring the required proof of residency when you come in. Student registration affects our budget for the upcoming school year, so please register your child by June 1.
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Student and parent information...
New: Run, Vikings, Run!
On Friday, the girls track and field team won the city championships, and the boys won 2nd place. Congratulations to the team and Coaches Jenkins and Koenig! Team members should return their uniforms and warm-ups this week.
New: Congratulations Music Students
A wonderful Spring Concert concluded the performing part of the year for our many ensembles at Deal. Glee, 6th grade and Concert Choir, Jazz, Concert, and Symphonic Bands all played to a large crowd Thursday night. Special guests included Wilson performing ensembles, complete with former Deal students. The evening concluded with a delicious ice cream social from the PTA.
Mr. Washington, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. Pavy thank and congratulate all instrumental and vocal students who performed in this year's spring concert. These students worked hard all year, rehearsing daily before and after school. Their commitment, consistency, and hard work are qualities that will allow them to succeed not only as musicians, but also as students. The teachers hope that the students experienced the same joy in performing and displaying their talents that they did in directing. They wish the performers all the best in their future musical studies (especially those who will be back next year at Deal!).
New: Deal Writers Recognized for Excellence
Congratulations to Deal writers who participated in the 24th annual Celebration of Youth essay contest, sponsored by the Global Harmony Through Personal Excellence organization. The contest sponsors said that "essays submitted by Alice Deal students were engaging, well-written, and a notch above many of the essays submitted by other schools. Their technical writing skills, combined with their ability to express their thoughts and feelings, are impressive."
In the Grades 4 to 6 category, Akari Davidson won first place and Elena Remez placed as well. In the Grades 7 to 9 category, Xiu Qi Chen was first, David Caruth was ninth, Zahra Wardrick was tenth, and Caitie McDermott was honorable mention. Thirty-two students were honored on May 25 at the Sumner Museum on 17th Street. The winners read their essays; all received congratulatory remarks, an award certificate, and a cash prize. They and their families also enjoyed a reception thrown in their honor immediately following the ceremony. Congratulations to them and their teachers!
New: Team Mogadishu Israeli Embassy Field Trip
Shalom! On Wednesday, May 23, sixth grade Team Mogadishu students visited the Embassy of Israel as the culminating event of their year-long Embassy Adoption Program. A select group of students presented their projects on Israeli culture, food, sports, and wildlife that included videos, powerpoints presentations, podcasts, posters, brochures, and more! The MogaChorus kept the hope alive with a moving rendition of the Israeli national anthem (Hatikvah) and its English pop-rock version "The Hope" by Rick Recht!
New: LSAT Election Results
Congratulations to Rhonda Davis Smith and Bethany Nickerson, both of whom were elected to serve as parent representatives on the Deal LSAT. We appreciate their service!
New: Teachers and Geographic Students (TAGS) DC
On Friday, June 9, from 3:30 - 5:00 pm, 6th grade TAGS DC students will map the Tenleytown Cultural Heritage Trail sites using a GPS device. They will upload their data into ARCGis software to create a map of these important historic waypoints to share with the community.
New: Return Borrowed Books to Ms. Wylegala
It's time to return any books you have borrowed from Ms. Wylegala's shelves. If you've enjoyed a Bluford High title, a Diary of a Wimpy Kid story or a Rick Riordan adventure -- it's time to bring those books back to school! Please check at home and in your locker to see if you have any books with "WYLEGALA" written across the top or bottom of the book. Please return all books to room C130 or to Ms. Wylegala's mailbox in the Welcome Center.
Guest Grilling BD's Mongollian BBQ in Bethesda
On June 5, 2012, Team Deal will be raising money for Deal Gives Back by Guest Grilling at BD's Mongolian BBQ in Bethesda! The address is 7201 Wisconsin Ave and the event will be held from 5 - 9:30 pm. It will feature Mr. Otterstatter, Ms. Meserole, Mr. Martini, Mr. Assael, Ms. Woods, Ms. Gill, Ms. Ofodile and MANY more teachers behind the grill at Mongolian BBQ! Please stop in anytime between those hours, as a percentage of each order will go towards money for a DC charity initiative that will be decided on by our students. We would like to make an impressive donation and present this to the charity from our entire school so please put it on your calendar and come out and support! And besides, WHEN else will you get to enjoy the pleasure of having the ever-so-fantastic Ms. Law, Ms. Purcell or Ms. Philip grill your meal for you?! Join us!
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Tuesday: Bocce Ball Club
Bocce ball club will meet for the last time this year on May 29. We will celebrate with a championship tournament and celebration afterwards. It has been a great year, and we have some very skilled players!
Tuesday: Student Council
Meeting this Tuesday in preparation for Deal Day! All Student Council representatives are required to attend. Meeting will be from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in E205 (Ms. Wickersham's room).
Tuesday: Team La Paz Publishes a Book of Stories; Art Museum Reception
The Smithsonian Museum of American Art hosts La Paz families on Tuesday, May 29 at a special reception to celebrate our book. We worked with museum curators and art educators in January to study eight works of American art, and then we wrote stories and created illustrations inspired by one of those eight works. The museum reception begins at 6:30 pm, but families are invited to come to the museum early to see the artworks in the collection. Eight of our team's students will read their stories to the audience, and every student who contributed to the book will receive a copy to autograph and share. Congratulations to Ms. Gorbold, Ms. Bustos, Ms. Kouri, and Ms. Mostoller for organizing this annual project.
Wednesday: Deal Gives Back
Among the largest school community service events in the world! One thousand students will spread across Washington, DC to learn about our community and help others. Make sure your permission slip is in and get ready for an exciting and meaningful day!
Wednesday: Deal Boys Soccer vs The Diplomats
Game is on Wednesday from 4 - 5:30 pm at Deal. Questions? Contact Coach Mbayu.
Wednesday: Team Mogadishu
Team Mogadishu study hall will meet in Mr. Martini's room W100.
Wednesday: The After School Book Group
The After School Book group will NOT meet this Wednesday.
Thursday: DC Public Library Summer Reading Sign-Up at Deal
Summer Reading information and sign-up will be available at all lunch periods on May 31st. You will be able to register online, receive prizes, and be eligible to win an iPad, an eReader, and more! Students without a library card will be able to register and receive one on the spot.
Thursday: Holocaust Survivor Speaks to 7th Gr.
Building on their study of "The Devil's Arithmetic" and "Night," 7th graders will hear about the experiences of a Holocaust survivor during the afternoon activity period. Students should return to their homerooms after 7th period; they will be escorted to the auditorium by their teachers.
Saturday: Bikes For the World Collection at Deal
The ELL Department is sponsoring its 7th annual BIKES FOR THE WORLD bicycle collection on Saturday, June 2 from 10 am - 1 pm. This year, our bicycles will go to The Wheels of Africa partner program in Kenya. If you would like to support this project, please volunteer on Saturday or donate that tax-deductible used bicycle and $10 to help defray the shipping costs. Sewing machines, usable bike parts, accessories and tools are also gratefully accepted. For more information please see or call Mr. Winn-Ritzenberg at 202-363-6769 or see Ms Wang. Visit Bikes For The World at www.bikesfortheworld.org.
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8th Grade Students
Jump Start Your High School Career
To better prepare students to transition from 8th to 9th grade, DCPS will offer a five-week Summer Bridge program for eligible students. The goal of the HS Summer Bridge program is to provide academic enrichment in English and mathematics as well as an advisory program focusing on social-emotional support and high school success skills. Successful participants will receive 0.5 elective credits towards graduation.
The HS Summer Bridge program will be offered at two sites. Students in the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) can be placed at one of the Summer Bridge sites. SYEP applicants will not receive the 0.5 elective credit. Summer Bridge is June 25 - July 27, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m.- 2p.m. Both breakfast and lunch will be provided for attending students.
How to Enroll
Enrollment forms are available from Ms. Hernandez or Ms Coleman, and also available at DCPS Summer School. Fax all completed forms to Derek Brown at 202-535-2337. The program site for Deal students is at McKinley Technology High School, located at 151 T Street NE. The other Summer Bridge site is at H.D. Woodson High School, located at 540 55th NE.
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Mental Health Matters:
10 Tips for Preventing Eating Disorders in Children
In the United States, it is estimated that between 5-10 million females and 1 million males are struggling with eating disorders, body dissatisfaction, and maladaptive eating attitudes and behaviors. Often, eating disorders and related behaviors are an outward sign of a deeper issue that an individual may be struggling to cope with. For many, restrictive dieting, excessive exercise, binge-eating, and purging behaviors may be a response to emotional pain, low self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy, troubled relationships, or to attain an unrealistic physical ideal perpetuated by media, culture, or peer comparison. Ultimately, these behaviors can be life-threatening and seriously damaging to an individual's physical and mental health. The following strategies are useful for parents to help prevent eating disorders in children:
1. Make an effort to model positive, healthy attitudes and behaviors.
2. Learn about and discuss with your child the potential dangers of dieting, the value of moderate exercise for health, and the importance of eating nutritionally-balanced, regularly consumed meals.
3. Unless your child has a specific medical condition, avoid communicating about food in an overly restrictive or punitive way.
4. Be mindful of your communication about food, exercise and your body. Avoid making self-deprecating statements that convey insecurity or poor self-image such as, "I'll be happier once I lose 20 pounds," "I look too heavy in my swimsuit to go swimming," or "I'll get fat if I eat that"
5. Be mindful of not commenting on others' appearance in a negative way. Practice taking people seriously for what they say, feel, and do, rather than just how they look.
6. Do what you can to promote your child's self-esteem and self-acceptance. Help your child to identify their strengths that are unrelated to physical appearance. Celebrate who they are!
7. Encourage your child to appreciate their body for what it can do, not just for what it looks like (e.g, running, dancing, cooking, playing, dreaming, laughing, breathing, etc.)
8. Help your child become aware of ways that the media distorts the diversity of body types and implies that being thin means beauty, perfection, power, or popularity.
9. Pay attention to your child's behavior. If they appear overly sad, anxious, withdrawn, lonely, or upset, or if you notice a significant change in health, weight or eating patterns, there may be a deeper issue that they need help dealing with. Consult your child's doctor in order to determine what next steps may need to be taken.
10. Visit www.nationaleatingdisorders.org or call 1-800-931-2237 for more information and resources in your area.
This information is adapted from www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
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Staff information. . .
Deal Gives Back Week
On Tuesday, please use your Bell III time (at the end of the day) to make sure that your students have what they need for their Deal Gives Back activity on Wednesday. On Wednesday, if you are leaving the campus plan to exit as close to 9:00am as possible. Buses for select 8th and 7th grade classes are expected to be at Deal by 9. If your class is taking the Metro (bus or rail) head out as soon as you can. Please be prepared to be flexible and patient. Check in regularly with your grade-level Assistant Principal, especially with any unanticipated needs or last-minute concerns. The goal is for students to recognize the value in their ability to serve others - so let's keep them focused on that. On Thursday, we will reflect on the activity during our final Bell III.
Summer Bridge Teacher's Meeting - May 29
All teachers who are interested in working with Deal's Summer Bridge Program will meet briefly in the conference room at 3:20 pm on Tuesday, May 29.
Dates for the final Paced Interim Assessments (PIA)
The correct dates for the final PIA are Monday and Tuesday, June 4 and 5. PIAs will be given in English classes (June 4) and math classes (June 5) to minimize school wide interruption to instruction. Data from this PIA will be used to convey information to next year's teachers (for individual children) and help plan for changes to the final English and math units for SY 2012-13.
Our First 6th-8th Grade Class is Moving On!
During the promotion rehearsal on Monday, June 11, there will be an opportunity for 6th and 7th grade teachers to bid farewell to the 8th graders. We will be in the auditorium during 3rd and 4th periods. Please consider coming to wish them well, or, with other teachers at your grade level, plan some reflective remarks (yes, they are much taller than when you taught them!).
Teacher's Sick Leave Buy-Back Plan
"Teachers who have perfect attendance (no absences and no use of sick leave during a given school year) shall have the right to return to DCPS all of the sick leave they accrued during the year."
"A teacher may elect to return . . . one half (1/2) of the sick leave days accrued but not taken during the current year at the current daily rate of pay. Un-purchased sick leave shall be credited each year to the teacher's sick leave balance and shall not be subject to the Sick Leave Buy-Back Plan."
If you meet one of the criteria for the Sick Leave Buy-Back Plan and are interested in this plan, please see Ms. Streeter for an application.
Classroom Sets - Books
Teachers, please e-mail Ms. Streeter to let her know when you are ready to have your classroom sets of books (novels, dictionaries, textbooks) picked up. She will then let you know what day and time she will collect them.
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Before and Afterschool Activities
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Monday
No School for Students
Memorial Day
Chinese tutoring
8:00 - 8:40 - N103
6th Gd. Choir 7:45
Concert Band 7:45
Symphonic Band 7:45
Monday PM
Aftercare to 6 - Cafeteria
Drama Club to 4:15 - N103
International Cooking Club Group B-C216
Deal Garden ClubAfrican Drumming Club to 4:30 - E204
Gay- Straight Alliance to 4:30 - W206
Girl Up to 4:30 - E307
Scrabble Club - E100
Step Team practice - Gallery
Do the Right Thing to 4:30 - C116
Homework Help to 4:30 pm - C213
Alexandria Library to 4:30 - W207
Ultimate Frisbee club until 4:30 pm.
Northwest Current meeting - C130
Boys Lacrosse -
6 - 7:30
Outdoor Girls' Up meeting
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Tuesday AM
Chinese tutoring 8:00 - 8:40 - N103
Concert Choir 7:45
Jazz Band 7:45
Woodwind Ensemble 7:45
Tuesday PM
Aftercare to 6 - Cafeteria
GAGA (Girls/Guys Against Gossip Alliance)
- Counselor Suite
Student Council meeting - E205
GLEE to 4:30
Pep Band to 4:30
Debate Team to 4:30 - E104
Math Rappers- W305
Team Dubai Math Help & Retakes -W305
Beading Club
Boys and Girls'
Homework Help to 4:30 pm - C213
United Against Bullies - N103
Ultimate Frisbee until 4:30
Girls Lacrosse -
6 - 7:30
TOPS tutoring - C308
Team Seoul Study Hall to 4:30 -W103
Bocce Ball to 4:15 pm
Outdoor
Garden Club -Courtyard
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Wednesday AM
Concert Band 7:45
Symphonic Band 7:45
6th Gr. Choir 7:45
Wednesday PM
Aftercare to 6 - Cafeteria
The Viking Journal - C104
MathCounts to 4:30
Digital Recording club to 4:30
Girl Talk - C217
Team Dubai Math Help & Retakes - W305
Yoga Club - W305
The Poets' Society to 4:30 pm - C314
Invisible Children's Club to 4:15 - W306
Girls in Real Life Situations to 4:15 - Ms. White's office
MogaMinds-W101
Guided practice for music students to 4:30 pm
Boys Lacrosse -
6 - 7:30
Team Mogadishu Study Hall to 4:30 - W100
Spartan Barracks to 4:30 - W205
Outdoor
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Thursday AM
Jazz Band 7:45
Woodwind Ensemble 7:45
Concert Choir 7:45
Chinese tutoring 8:00 - 8:40 - N103
Thursday PM
Aftercare to 6 - Cafeteria
Girls Lacrosse -
International Soccer Fan Club to 4:30 - CG07
Dance Club to 4:30 - E206
Roman Holiday to 4:30 - E204
Team Sparta Tutoring to 4:30 - W205
Step Team - Gallery
Team Geneva Math Tutoring to 4:15 - E304
Team Seoul Study Hall to 4:30 - W105
DCTAGS to 4:30 pm
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Friday AM
Chinese tutoring 8:00 - 8:40 N103
Friday PM
Aftercare to 6 - Cafeteria
Deal Yearbook Team - E304 to 4:30
Volleyball Conditioning to 5:15 pm
DCTAGS to 4:30 pm
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