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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Principal's Message... The annual trek of 6th graders to Hemlock Overlook for a team-building ropes course day is halfway done, as two teams have gone and two are preparing to travel this week. The weather has been stunning - as it is this weekend - and we are excited for our Vikings to experience this memorable Deal tradition. A new Deal tradition began this past week. After a half-year of planning, we have our first sister school,
 | 8th grade Chinese class with visitors from Beijing
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Beijing Yu Cai. This K-12 school has one of the best reputations in all of China, and we kicked off our relationships with a visit to Deal by Principal Liu and a number of Yu Cai teachers. There was a formal signing ceremony, followed by classroom visits and a tour for the delegation. The Yu Cai teachers spent a great deal of time in the 8th grade Chinese class, as Deal students practiced their Chinese leaving the visitors impressed. In spring 2013 we hope to be able to return the visit when some of our 8th graders travel to China with EF Tours. We are quickly moving into "decision" season, both for prospective students who are looking at Deal for 2013-2014 as well as Deal 8th graders. I will began a series of visits to our feeder elementary schools (those that send most of their students to Deal) to provide some insights about their primary middle school option. These visits are great ways for the parents of 5th graders to learn what to expect at Deal. There will also be a number of Deal tours and Deal open houses; these give visitors a chance to see what Deal really looks like! Our commitment to our 8th graders continues this Fall. Deal will host a high school night on October 24. This night will bring students and staff from a number of DC high schools for Deal parents and students to meet. In this bulletin you will also find the schedules for a number of high school nights held at those schools. It is important for families to get ready for next year; there is a common application to complete, some schools may require teacher recommendations, and keeping up grades is essential. (Writing of grades) This week, teachers are completing their first round of deficiencies - progress reports for those students who are in danger of failing the first advisory. If your child receives a deficiency, please make sure there is a conversation around expectations and efforts. We are still very early in the school year; no student should feel that a poor start in one class is definitive. Our belief is that with this information both families and students can share critical information, information needed to improve learning. Take care - enjoy the weather this week. Principal Albright
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Stay Informed!
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Week of
September 24, 2012
Bell Schedule
Monday - Bell I
Tuesday -Bell I
Wednesday - Bell I
Thursday Bell - IB Activity
Friday - Bell I
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Upcoming Dates
September 24
Hemlock Trip - Team San Francisco
September 25
Team Leaders
September 27
Hemlock Trip - Team London Department Chairs Approaches to Learning Committee
October 2
Parent- Teacher Conference letter distributed
Custodian Appreciation Day
October 5 Deal Tour
October 4
New-to-Deal Meeting 8th Grade Parent Workshops, 6:30 pm
October 8
Columbus Day
No school for students or staff
October 9
Buddy Day - Hearst ES Team Leaders Deal Visits Eaton
October 10
Paced Interim Assessments
October 11
Paced Interim Assessments Dept. Chairs, 3:30 pm
PTA International Night 6:30
October 12
World Language Trip Meeting 6:30
October 13
Saturday Detention, 9-12
October 15
Picture Day
October 16
8th Grade Art History Trip Buddy Day - Murch ES
October 17 8th Grade Art History Trip
Family Math Night 6:30
October 18
Faculty Meeting, 3:30 pm
8th Grade Trip to Mount Vernon
October 19
Professional Development Day
(No school for students)
Detention 9-12
October 22
Parent-Teacher Conferences
(No school for students)
October 24
Literature to Film Festival
High School Night
October 27
Saturday Detention, 9-12
October 30 Homeless Dance-a-thon
October 31
Beginning French Trip to NGA
November 1 New to Deal meeting, 3:30
November 2 End of 1st Advisory Records Day (students dismissed at 12:15) Detention 12:15 - 3:15
November 6 Team Leaders
November 7 Math Dept Meeting, 3:30
November 8 Dep't Chairs, 3:30pm
November 9 Marks Due HR Attendance Lunch Rally
November 12 Veteran's Day (no school for students or staff)
November 13 Team Leaders Thanksgiving Food Drive Beginning
November 14 Eaton Buddy Day
November 15 Picture Day Make Up
November 16 Report Cards Issued 8th Grade Common Application Process Begins
November 17 Saturday Detention 9 - 12
November 21 Thanksgiving Assembly
November 22 - 23 Thanksgiving Break
November 27 DC Trolley Tour 8th Grade Lafayette Buddy Day
November 28 DC Trolley Tour 8th Grade
November 30 Deficiency to HR Teachers
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Deal Tours
Interested in learning more about our school? Please join us for a tour. All tours start at 9:30 and meet outside the Welcome Center. October 5 October 26 November 9 November 30 December 11
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Library News
Library Media Center Hours
Before School 8 - 8:40 am
After School 3:30 - 4:30 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).
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PTA Sponsors
The following are the Deal PTA 2012-2013 business sponsors.
The Broad Branch Market
* Taylor Agostino Group
* Radifera Design Group
* W.C. & AN Miller Realtor
* Pete's New Haven Style Apizza
* Second Wind CrossFit
* edCount, LLC
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Community Information
(Items in this section are not sponsored by Deal)
Janney Elemntary School 5K
Now that the fall weather is here, it's time to get out your running shoes and enjoy a healthy activity for the whole family. Run-or walk-the Janney 5k on Saturday, October 20th, at 9 am. All proceeds from the event go to support Janney Elementary School, a D.C. public school and Deal feeder school. The 5k (3.1 mile) race is for runners/walkers of all abilities and there is a shorter Fun Run for younger kids. Please see www.janney5k.com for more information and to register now!
Information of interest to the Deal community may be emailed for consideration to roslyn.baxter@dc.gov.
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Lunch Applications
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Complete Lunch Form online at
Mealsapp.dcps.dc.gov
(All families regardless of eligibility must complete a lunch form.) This is important and helps determine some funding for the school.
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The Deal PTA's First Fundraiser
International Night
October 11, 6:30-8:00
Mark your calendars for the PTA's first fundraiser of the year! Volunteer to bring a dish, help decorate, sell tickets, set up, or clean up! Plan on bringing the whole family to celebrate the diversity of our community.
Tickets at the door: $5/plate; $1/drink; $1/dessert.
Send questions and volunteer offers to dealpta.internationalnight@gmail.com. Indicate how you want to help:
- Bring a dish for one of the tables--African, Middle Eastern, Caribbean/Latin American, American/Regional/Soul, European, Asian
- Drinks, or Desserts (indicate from which region your dessert comes);
- Help with Ticket Sales, Decorations/Set-up,
- Clean-up.
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Student and parent information... New: Another Door to Deal To accommodate our increased student population, we have opened a third entry door in the mornings. 6th graders should now enter at the west front entrance to the building - the entrance furthest to the left when you face Deal. 7th graders should enter through the main entrance to the building. 8th graders should continue to enter through the gym-side (east) entrance. Any arrivals in any grade level after 8:40am (but don't be tardy!) should come through the main entrance.
New: Youth Voices Poetry Celebration
Deal students are invited to Youth Voices, a poetry open mic celebration at Wilson High School, Saturday September 29th, 10am-noon. Students wishing to perform should see Ms. Redekopp in the library to register. The poem should be an original work, written by the performing poet that addresses a social or environmental issue (and is under 3 minutes). The event is part of 100 Thousand Poets and Musicians for Change and may be the largest poetry event in the history of the world (currently 700 events in 115 countries). Stanford University will chronicle and archive it for posterity. All are welcome to attend! Update: 8th Grade Parent Workshops/HS Night In order to support 8th grade academic goals and planning for high school while providing a reasonable schedule for burdened parents and children, Deal's proposed 8th grade nights have been changed. - October 4 - 8th grade parent workshops on our important National History Day project and on Writing in the 8th grade. Attendees will be able to go to both sessions.
- Deal's annual High School Night has been moved to Wednesday, October 24, at 6:30 pm.
We hope to enjoy your company both nights! Included elsewhere in this bulletin is information on specialized high school open houses. New: 2013 World Language Trip to China! For our second year, this spring break will see Deal 8th grade students visiting China. This trip is the extension of our classroom teaching and offers a great opportunity to our future global citizens to put what they have learned into practice. Besides the language learning, they also will personally put their hands on the bricks of the Great Wall, personally step on the floors of the Forbidden City and personally evaluate the real Terracotta Warriors. We will visit Beijing, Xi'An, and Yangshuo, then come back home via Shanghai. The tour is operated by EF Educational Tours. You can learn more online and register for the tour by going to eftours.com. If you know you are going, it is always better to register earlier than do it at the last minute. The trip cost covers round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, all ground transportation, breakfast and dinner daily, a full-time local Tour Director, guided sightseeing tours of all the major sites and much more. We always say "once-in-a-life-time" - this is the best place to use this phrase!
Peer Mediation at Deal Peer Mediation is a process of conflict resolution in which trained student (or adult) mediators assist disputants to discuss and resolve their conflict. Mediation is available at Deal for student (and adult) disputes on a referral basis. If teachers or students are having a conflict or want to let someone know about a potential conflict situation, they can refer the situation to Ms. McFarland, the Peer Mediation coordinator. Mediation referral forms can be picked up in the counseling suite and can be left with a counselor or in Ms. McFarland's mail box in in the Welcome Center. Patriot's Pen Essay Contest The Veterans of Foreign Wars & Ladies Auxiliary are offering a $5,000 scholarship to the winner of the Patriot's Pen Essay Contest. This contest is open to all students in grades 6, 7, and 8. This year's theme is "What I Would Tell America's Founding Fathers". Interested students should see Ms. White to pick up the contest pamphlet. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Volunteering in the community is a demonstration of good citizenship and can earn you $1,000 from Prudential. To apply for this award simply go online to http://spirit.prudential.com or www.nassp.org/spirit. If you need a paper application you may call (877) 525-8491. Fall Lacrosse Sign up for Fall Lacrosse clinics now. Please reserve your spot at www.winnerslacrosse.org. Please contact coachdowning@yahoo.com with any questions. DC Scores Developmental Soccer (Co-ed) This is a new program for Deal this year. It includes two days of soccer practice and one day of soccer competition against other DC Scores teams. There is an educational component with the program. Please have your son or daughter sign up for DC Scores developmental soccer with Mr. Buda any day after school (N101).
Updated Information for 2013 Spanish World Language Trip to Costa Rica!
This year during Spring Break our 8th grade Spanish students will be given the opportunity to travel with the school to Costa Rica. The trip's purpose is twofold: we intend to increase our student's global awareness while providing them with an immersion setting in order to improve their language learning. Global awareness and second language acquisition are now more essential than ever for our children, and the best way to accomplish both is by traveling abroad. Experiencing new cultures not only opens students' eyes to the world, it also prepares them for the future.
The tour is operated by EF Educational Tours. You can learn more online and register for the tour by going to eftours.com and entering the tour #1187626. There are a limited number of spots available and the tour is sure to fill up quickly, so please register or contact Ms. Henderson (hendersonak@gmail.com) if you are interested. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we truly love!
2013 World Language Trip to France!
This year during Spring Break our 8th grade French students will be given the opportunity to go on a "French promenade" through France. This trip extends the immersion style teaching in French language classes and provides an opportunity for our learners to hone their linguistic proficiency and cultural competence.
The trip cost covers round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, all ground transportation, breakfast and dinner daily, a full-time local Tour Director, guided sightseeing tours of all the major sites, the chance to earn high school, and much more. The only things that are not included are lunches and beverages, tips for the guides, and spending money for free time activities and souvenirs.
If you enroll with the $95 you lock in the lowest program and monthly payment. If you have any other questions, please let Mr. Mbayu know (dealfrenchclass@gmail.com) or reach out to EF customer service at 1-800-665-5364 and reference tour # 1187927.
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This week at Deal . . .
Monday: International Cooking Club (Group C)
The International Cooking Club (Group C) will meet today at 3:30 in Room C216 ( Teacher's Lounge). Students should be picked up at 5 pm so they have enough time to prepare and cook food. The following students are in Group C.
Alexis Anderson
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Matilda Jensen
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Anna Joos
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Naejia Piper
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Calia Christie
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Nastia Webber
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Claire Contreras
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Perri Hollar
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Clara Edmonds
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Shakaliah Smalls
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Elena Bagnoli
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Shrabonti Turna
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Ella Buring
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Sofia Geislinger
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Fiona Martone
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Sophia Pouros
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Jisca Adigo
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Surina Goel
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Lalita Kohls
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Youssef Youssef
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Lindsay Harper
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Zarina Carpenter
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Monday: Girl Up Meets Today in E305 Join us for the weekly meeting of Girl Up this afternoon in E305.We will elect officers,make plans for our fall fundraiser,and select the first book for our Girl Up book club. All are welcome! Tuesday: Girls' Running Club starts Tuesday! If you are interested in fun and fitness, stretching and striding, this club is for you. Each week we will take a jog around the Deal campus, discuss the role of fitness in our lives, and work to build healthy habits. You do not need to be a fast or experienced runner to participate. All girls are welcome! Meet in Ms. Dillon's room, E304, on Tuesday at 3:30. All you need are your running shoes and a smile. Wednesday: Calling all students! Come join StudentCam! StudentCam is C-SPAN's annual national video documentary competition that encourages students to think seriously about issues that affect our communities and our nation. This year students are asked to create a short (5-8 minute) video documentary on a topic related to the competition theme "Message to the President: What's the most important issue the president should consider in 2013?" Please join us on Wednesdays at 3:30 in room W304. We will discuss the program, watch previous entries, and discuss how we will create our own documentaries based around this year's theme. Wednesday: Team Alexandria Library Time Team Alexandria will host Library time in E200 on Wednesday afternoon. Students are encouraged to come get help from all of their team teachers. Thursday: Deal Football vs. Eliot-Hine MS at Eastern High School - 6:30pm. |
Attention 8th Grade Students
Specialized High School Open House Dates Coming Up
Duke Ellington School of the Arts
- October 24 & December 4 @ 3 p.m. www.ellingtonschool.org/admissions/visitations.html
McKinley Technology High School
- October 13 @ 10 a.m. - www.mckinleytech.org
Benjamin Banneker High School
- November 3 @ 8 a.m. - www.benjaminbanneker.org
School Without Walls High School
- November 13 @ 10 a.m. & 6 p.m. - www.swwhs.org
Phelps Architecture, Construction & Engineering School
- September 26 @ 6 p.m. - www.phelpsacehs.com
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Attendance at Deal
THE VIKING ATTENDANCE RAFFLE IS COMING YOUR WAY!
Students and parents, this is a reminder that the Viking Attendance Raffle is coming to a lunchroom near you! At the end of the advisory, we will begin a quarterly raffle to reward students for great attendance. Students with regular on-time arrival and 0 unexcused absences will be entered in a raffle to receive prizes such as Movie Tickets, Ice Cream Certificates and more! 3 students will be chosen from each grade at the end of the month.
As we get into the thrust of the school year, it is important we continue to strive for excellence. On-time arrival and regular attendance help us to achieve more in school and life. Congratulations to the following 6th, 7th and 8th grade homerooms for on-time arrival of 95% or above!
On-time arrival and regular attendance are critical to student success. Please reiterate our shared expectation with your child today! Let us strive to learn the "Viking Way": at school, on time, everyday!
6th Grade
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7th Grade
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8th Grade
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Burnham
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D'Antonio
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Eckel
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Jackson
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Helsabeck
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McDowell
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Hughes
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Kirschenbaum
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Milikin
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Parish
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Rhoads
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Woods
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Staff information...
Viking Time Selection
Thank you to all of our teachers for assisting students with selecting their Viking Time activities for the year. All Homeroom Selection sheets should be turned in to Ms. Baxter by the end of homeroom on Monday, September 24.
Hospitality
Right now we are at about 40 percent with faculty membership who have joined Deal's Hospitality. Dues are $35.00 annually and can be paid in cash or check payable to Deal. Rufus McDowell, Clydie Spann, Diane McFarland, Yvette Simpson-Wayne and Cynthia Mostoller are all happy to accept your dues. Please, if your budget allows, join Hospitality. We want to be able to celebrate happy events and offer support when life deals us a blow.
Monday: MYP Masters
IB MYP Masters will meet with Ms. Stallworth at 8:10am on Monday in the conference room.
Monday/Wednesday: Deficiency Notices
Please have all deficiency progress reports turned in to each student's home room teacher by Monday, September 24. Teams should complete the deficiency process by Wednesday, September 26.
Thursday: IB Activity
An IB activity on open-mindedness will be distributed to teachers for use during Thursday's activity period.
Thursday: Department Chairs
We will have a department chairs meeting this Thursday in the conference room at 3:30.
Thursday: Approaches to Learning Committee
As Mr. Rodberg discussed at last week's faculty meeting, this is the start of something big. Be there from the beginning in room C217 (Ms. Kinzer).
Friday PD: Teaching Students with IEPs
Two workshops for two situations: Mr. Kirschenbaum will lead a session on teaching special education students without a special education co-teacher, in room N113. Science, Humanities, and Inner Core teachers, this one's for you! For teachers who co-teach (special education and English/Math), a special session in room E100.
Friday: 6th Grade Team Meetings
The following 6th grade team will meet in the auditorium during homeroom on Friday.
Sept. 28 - Team London
Homeroom teachers are asked to escort students to the auditorium by 9:35. Students should bring their materials with them.
Saturday PD - IB Math Consultant Dave Weber - 9 am - 4 pm
Math teachers will be joined by MYP Math leader Dave Weber to develop a deeper understanding of the expectations for MYP Math and the connections to the Math Common Core.
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Before and After School Activities
Monday AM
Young Men's Choir - 7:45 am - Rm CG04
Monday PM
Girl Up Rm E305
Newspaper club Rm N116
Deal Garden club - Garden
Student Council meeting Rm E205
Viking Quarterly Rm W103
African Drumming club
Girls on Track - Rm E103
Afterschool Outdoor Hoop club - Rm W205
Ultimate Frisbee club - Rm C130
Volleyball practice to 5:00 pm
Cross Country practice to 5 pm
Football practice to 5:45 pm
International Cooking club Group C to 5 pm - Rm C216
6th grade Concert Band, 7th & 8th Symphonic Band and Jazz band meeting - Auditorium
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Tuesday Am
Chinese tutoring 8 - 8:30am - Rm N111
8th String Ensemble - Auditorium
Jazz Band 7:45 am - Rm CG20
Concert Choir 7:45 am - Rm CG04
Tuesday PM
Football practice to 5:45 pm
Cross Country practice to 5 pm
Fantasy Football club - Rm C212
Reader's Theater - Rm E205
Cheerleading practice to 5 pm
Ultimate Frisbee club - Rm C130
Conflict Resolution and Peer Mediation - Ms. McFarland's office
Bocce club - Front lawn
Music workshop
Girls' Running - RM E304
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Wednesday AM
Painting for Your Soul club 7:45 am - C224
6th Grade Concert Band - 7:45 am
Advanced Concert Band - 7:45 am
Young Men's Choir - 7:45 am
Wednesday PM
Football game Vs Eliot-Hines@ Eastern - 6:30 pm
Spartan Barracks
Deal Student Librarian
- Library
Team Mumbai Rm N113
Fencing
club to 5:00 pm - Rm W207
Alexandria Library Rm E200
Roman Holiday - Rm E204
After School Sports Rap - Rm W104
Team Santiago study hall - Rm C130
Debate Team - Rm W100
Volleyball practice to 5:00 pm
Tennis club - Rm E300
Typing club - Computer lab
New Student Transitions workshop 7th & 8th
Ms. White's Office
Roman Holiday - E204
Deal Scientists club - Rm E101
C-Span - Rm W304
Team Alexandria - Rm E200
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Thursday AM
Chinese tutoring 8 - 8:30 am - Rm N111
Spanish tutoring 8:10 am - RM C314
String Chamber Ensemble - 7:45 am
Jazz Band - 7:45 am
Concert Choir - 7:45 am
Thursday PM
Cheerleading practice to 5 pm
MWIT club - Rm E206
Team London Rm E104
Mathletes Rm E106
Cross Country practice to 5 pm
Soccer - Final Tryouts - 3:30 - 5:30 pm
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Friday AM
Chinese tutoring 8 - 8:30 am - Rm N111
7th & 8th Grade Peer Mediators meeting at 8 am - Rm C116
6th Grade Concert Band - 7:45 am
Advanced Concert Band - 7:45 am
Friday PM
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