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... With Halloween decorations already covering the stores, the Nationals about to clinch the National League East, and the weather alternating between hot and cold, October is definitely here. I particularly love the changes the seasons bring as I was raised in places where you knew it was Fall only because the calendar said it was so. I much prefer the mid-Atlantic's approach to the weather (although I am a bit concerned about the Farmers Almanac's prediction for winter precipitation - get your shovels prepped!). Yesterday, I took the photo you see here. All Saturday, almost all of Deal's math teachers participated in a specialized IB training by a Middle Years Program expert - who is an expert in the new Math standards as well. From 9 until 4, tea chers engaged in a Deal-specific professional development that allowed them to ask questions about what works best at Deal, how we can use the IB MYP to further the goals of the Common Core, and how we can design challenging and exciting math courses for our students. During the session, I reflected on all of the professional development that has taken place over the first month at Deal. It is very important that teachers have the opportunity to grow in their practice will working. Over the last few years, Deal has increased dramatically the amount of professional development available on-site. Also, teachers like to learn from teachers (thus our IB math trainer has taught middle and high school, in public, public charter, and international schools - it makes a difference). Here are some of the topics we have covered recently: Having Difficult Conversations, Teaching Students to Preview, Teaching Special Education Students without a Co-teacher, Co-Teaching Basics, No Nonsense Nurturing, and Differentiation for New Teachers. These have been well-attended by a committed Deal staff. The schedule for the next few weeks includes Positive Narration Consequences, Building Relationships, SMART Board, Previewing Text, The Minds of Boys, and Teaching Boys. Sessions are typically held before school on Fridays or after school. As we talk about helping students become life-long learners, teachers are helping to set an example. I often receive comments from visitors as well as Deal family members that the school looks beautiful. Tuesday is Custodian Appreciation Day. The work of custodians is mostly observed in their absence, of course, so they infrequently receive the public's accolades. A beautiful school makes an important difference for your children; when they feel a sense of pride and ownership, they take care of the facility for others. Take a moment to thank a custodian if you see one around - Mr. Gibson, Mr. Myers, Ms. Brodie, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Muldrow, and Mr. Massey will surely appreciate it. Two final items to close out this long October kick-off. The first is a reminder or a note that Picture Day is NOT this Thursday the 4th; in order to accommodate a few more Deal Vikings, the picture company switched us to the 15th. Changes Coming in Lunch PolicyThe second deserves a close reading. There is a new DCPS policy in effect, starting this month. Students will not be allowed to run a deficit on their lunch accounts; unless they are registered to receive free or reduced price lunches, there will be no extra lunches. Any amounts that are in deficit will be charged to Deal: that's right, to our Deal budget. In order to avoid having Deal itself fund lunches for all students, each family needs to attend to the following notes: - Complete the FARM application as soon as possible. At the end of the week, each student was given a copy of the Free and Reduced Meals program form to take home. It is essential that ALL families fill this form out, either on paper or online - like right here at www.mealapps.dcps.dc.gov/eform. If you have filled it out on paper, please return it to Deal as soon as possible.
- If a family is eligible for the free or reduced lunch, then filling out this form will ensure that they receive this benefit. Otherwise, they will not be able to receive hot lunches. So, if you think this might be you, please fill it out.
- If a family knows that they are not going to be eligible, all that is needed is your name, child's name, a check in a check-off box on the form, and you are done.
- For the first month of the school year, many students have been using the hot food or salad lines without money in their accounts. What does this mean? If you have not put money into your child's account, they plug their Student ID in and the bill accrues. And starting soon, it will come due to Deal. There are a significant number of students who have been receiving meals who could pay for them. PLEASE take care of these accounts by using the cash kiosk in the cafeteria, giving a check to the cafeteria manager, or by going to mylunchmoney.com to pay online with credit or debit cards.
Breakfast remains free, but lunch doesn't. It is not my preference to deny students food - but we all need to do our part to make sure that the school lunch program works the way it is intended. I am holding off on shutting down the unpaid lunches for a couple of weeks, but this change is coming. There will be a table at International Night as well as a chance to clear accounts on Parent-Teacher Conference Day. Please help us take care of this. Principal Albright
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Stay Informed!
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Week of
October 1, 2012
Bell Schedule
Monday - Bell I
Tuesday -Bell I
Wednesday - Bell I
Thursday Bell - Pause
Friday - Bell I
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Find out about Deal by . . .
Deal Tours
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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Upcoming Dates
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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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 [email protected].
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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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Buddy Days at Deal are coming!
Every year the Alice Deal 6th grade students and teachers host a day for each of our feeder school 5th grade students and their teachers to visit for part of our school day. This is our chance to proudly present our school to future middle school students. We want to make every effort to have our visiting Buddies have a super positive experience.
The following schools are scheduled to visit from 8:50 to noon:
Hearst
Tuesday, October 9
Murch
Tuesday, October 16
Janney
Wednesday, October 31
Bancroft
Wednesday, November 7
Eaton
Wednesday, November 14
Lafayette
Tuesday, November 27
Shepherd
Tuesday, December 11
For non-feeder school students and their families feel free to attend one of the upcoming Deal Tours.
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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 [email protected]. 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: Sixth Grade Model UN Conference Calling all delegates! On Saturday, October 13, forty sixth graders will participate in Global Classrooms DC Fall Model UN Conference. Student pairs will represent various countries and draft resolutions on the topic of access to education. In order to prepare, participating students must meet during recess in Mr. Martini's room on Friday, October 5, and Friday, October 12. Delegates must also return their permission slip and $15 cash payment to their humanities teacher by Friday, October 5. Congratulations! Congratulations to our 6th graders for accumulating 100 incentive points for their cafeteria decorum. They will be rewarded with an ice cream party during lunch on Monday. New: Opportunity for Enrichment in S.T.E.M. The TransTech Plus Academy is an exciting enrichment program offering "Hands-On Creative Play with a Purpose." This program is for middle school students in DC. The program is located at Francis L. Cardozo Senior High School at Meyer EC, 2501 11th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001. The Open House dates are October 20, November 17, and December 1 from 9 am - 12. Interested parents and students should go to www.t2plus.org for more information regarding this great opportunity. New: Johns Hopkins CTY 2012 Global Talent Search Application/registration forms are available in the counselors office for all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who qualify to participate in the Johns Hopkins University Talent Search Program. To qualify, students must have scored "Advanced' in either Reading or Math on last year's DC CAS. Please pick up an application from your grade-level counselor if you would like to participate in the 2012-2013 Global Talent Search. New: Wilson/Deal Cross-Country Invitational - October 11, 2012 We are pleased to announce the return of the Wilson/Deal Cross-Country Invitational after a six-year absence. The meet will be held on the grounds of Soldiers Home (AFRH), 3700 North Capitol ST NW on October 11, 2012. Cross-country head coach Jenkins will be arranging participation for our students. We are very excited to have this tradition back on the calendar. Revised: Football Schedule 10/3/12 (Wednesday): Deal vs. Browne @ Springarn HS (2500 Benning Road NE). 10/11/12 (Thursday): Deal vs. Hardy @ Roosevelt HS (4301 13th St. NW) 10/18/12 (Thursday): Deal vs. Jefferson @ Coolidge HS 6315 5th St. NW) 10/25/12 (Thursday): Deal vs. Langley @ Wilson HS All games are scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. |
This week at Deal . . .
SPIRIT WEEK!
Let's all be CREATIVE AND HAVE FUN on:
Mustache Monday - Style your best mustache! (No draw-ins!)
International Tuesday - Wear your best international outfit!
Wacky Wednesday - Crazy hair, mismatched outfits, non-matching socks.
Sports Thursday - Support your favorite sports team!
Deal supports breast cancer awareness Friday - Wear a Deal shirt, school colors, or pink.
Monday: International Cooking Club
The International Cooking Club Group A will meet today at 3:30 in Room C216 (Teacher's Lounge). Students should be picked up at 5 pm so there is enough time to prepare and cook food. The following students are in Group A.
Clarke Paty Erica Serrano
Mattie Melnyk Tahaje Tomlinson
Isabella Jacobsen Ilana Samuel
Haines Corrigan Marjorie Albert
Meghan Dayton Lily Chanine
Lukas Leijon Cecelia Sneed
Mabel Malhotra Gabby Anifantis
Lena Kohls Marney Harris
Natalia Facchinato Leela Yadav
Camille Ortiz Ariana Daly
Britney Rivera-Martinez Athena Swiceder
Monday: The After School Outdoor Basketball Club
The After School Outdoor Basketball Club will meet Monday after school at 3:30 pm on the court behind the school next to the "Cottage." Dress appropriately. In the event of rain, we will meet with Mr. Namian in Room W205.
Monday: Photography Club
We will be meeting in Mr. Gueltig's room, E104, Monday at 3:30 until 4:30. Bring your camera and let's take some photos!
Tuesday: Custodian Appreciation Day
Deal's custodial team is one of the hardest-working teams in the building. We've designated October 2 as our day to appreciate Mr. Gibson, Ms. Brodie, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Massey, Mr. Muldrow, and Mr. Myers. Please share your gratitude with them today!
Wednesday: TFN!
The third meeting of TFN (Type Faster Now) will be held this coming Wednesday after school from 3:30 - 4:15pm. We will be meeting in Mr. Helsabeck's classroom, W204. Participants have been tracking their progress and can already see improvement. Come join us!
Wednesday: Santiago Study Hall
"Chile'n your way to success" - Santiago Study Hall meets every Wednesday after school in Mr. Martini's room (C130). This is a great opportunity to ask questions, catch up on homework, and get help from your core subject teachers!
Wednesday: Spelling Bee
Any student interested in practicing for the Deal Spelling Bee please stop by for a short interest meeting on Wednesday, October 3, in Mr. Gueltig's room (E104). Last year we had three of our own make it to the City Championships! Come see if you have what it takes! This interest meeting will last from 3:30-4:00.
Thursday: Cross-Country Meet
On Thursday, the Deal Cross-Country team will travel to Colmar Manor Park to compete in the Lafayette Invitational Meet. The team will leave from Deal at 2:00pm; the meet starts at 3:30pm. Teachers, please excuse team members upon announcement. Go Vikings!
Thursday: Young Men & Women In Training (MWIT)
MWIT is now in FULL swing! Our next meeting will be Thursday, in room E206 from 3:30pm until 4:30pm. We will continue to develop our essays for the writing competition - "What I Would Tell America's Founding Fathers." All interested members should attend. MWIT is a club that works collaboratively with students to engage in an ongoing transition to young adulthood. The process focuses on social networking etiquette, academic skills, and personal development to create a foundation for persistence towards excellence. (Open to all 7th and 8th graders).
Thursday: 8th Grade Parent Workshops
For the first time at Deal, we are creating a special academic workshop night for Deal 8th graders and their families. Parents and students are invited to workshops on National History Day and 8th Grade Writer's Workshop. Parents will meet with the 8th grade Humanities teachers, take a guided tour through the National History Day website, and meet with students whose projects went to national competition last year. This 45-minute nuts-and-bolts presentation will be offered twice so that participants can also attend the Writer's Workshop. In the Writer's Workshop, we will discuss what the 8th grade writing model is and what will be expected of our 8th grade writers. We will provide you a list of helpful resources for when your child is having difficulties. The program begins at 6:30 and will end at 8:15 p.m.
Thursday: Team London Study Hall
Team London Study Hall will be this Thursday, from 3:30 - 4:30 in E104. We will see you there!
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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
Wilson High School - www.wilsonhs.org
- October 26 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am
- November 16 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am
- January 11@ 9:00 am - 11:00 am
- February 1 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am
- February 22 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am
- March 15 @ 9:00 am - 11:00
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ATTENDANCE AT DEAL
Every day, strive to learn the Viking Way!
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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Martini
Philip
Wang
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Assael
Kirschenbaum
Klauber
Lerum
Parish
Rhoads
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Eckel
Mostoller
'Zand
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Attendance at Deal
Every day, strive to learn the Viking Way!
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 7th Grade 8th Grade
Martini Assael Eckel
Philip Kirschenbaum Mostoller
Wang Klauber 'Zand
Lerum
Parish
Rhoads
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Staff information...
New Supply Room Day!
Since so many teachers are involved in after-school activities on Monday, the new day and time for having the Supply Room open will be Wednesday from 3:30 - 4:00 pm. Hopefully this change will allow more teachers to get the supplies they need for their classes. As always, please let an administrator know if there is an immediate need that can't wait.
Smartboards and Projectors
Please turn off all Smartboards and projectors when they are not in use. Most do not shut down automatically, and the bulbs are extremely expensive. Make sure that your Smartboard and/or projector is shut down at the end of the day, during planning periods, and during lunch. Thank you!
Wednesday: All 6th grade teachers (core and non-core) will meet at 8:10 in Ms. Wisniewski's room.
Thursday: New-to-Deal
Teachers and staff who are new to Deal this year will meet at 3:30 in Mr. Helsabeck's room, W204.
Friday PD: Paced Interim Assessment (PIA) Training
All staff will attend a training for PIA administration led by our counselors. Friday, 8:10, auditorium.
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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 A to 5 pm - Rm C216
6th grade Concert Band, 7th & 8th Symphonic Band and Jazz band meeting - Auditorium
Tennis club - Rm E300
Photography Club - Rm E104
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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
Girls on Track - Rm E103
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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. Browne @
Springarn 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
Type Faster Now to 4:15 - Rm 204
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
Santiago study Hall - C130
Spelling Bee interest meeting to 4 pm
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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
M.I.T. to 4:30 - RM E206
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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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