Alice Deal Middle School

Think globally - Listen compassionately - Act inclusively  

 

The Weekly Bulletin 

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Our school mission:
Alice Deal Middle School inspires excellence, curiosity, and compassion through intellectual and social engagement.
deal front     Learner Profile Activity

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, teachers 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 Policy
The 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:
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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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October 1, 2012ringing
 
Bell Schedule

Monday - Bell I
Tuesday -Bell I
Wednesday - Bell I 
Thursday Bell - Pause   
Friday - Bell I 
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

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
  
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). 
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

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].  

 

 
Lunch Application

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.

 

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.

 

 

 

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. 


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!


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 

         

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

Philip

Wang

Assael

Kirschenbaum

Klauber

Lerum

Parish

Rhoads

Eckel

Mostoller

'Zand



Visual Arts Around Town

 

Looking for something to do after school or over the weekend? Check out some art!

 

Albus Cavus Workshops

http://albuscav.us/classrooms/?page_id=529

Art/Media House (courses...Free)

http://www.artmediahouse.org/youth-programs/

Hirshhorn

http://www.hirshhorn.si.edu/collection/home/#collection=home

Opening October: Ai Wei Wei http://www.hirshhorn.si.edu/collection/home/#collection=ai-weiwei-according-to-what

until November:  Antonio Rivaldi Installation.....will definitely engage!

http://www.hirshhorn.si.edu/collection/home/#collection=directions-antonio-rovaldi

***For your Middle Schoolers: Hirshhorn's ArtLab...open digital media studio for MS and HS students

http://artlabplus.si.edu/

Phillips Collection

http://www.phillipscollection.org/exhibitions/2012-11-03-intersections-xavier-veilhan.aspx

Kreeger Museum

http://www.kreegermuseum.org/exhibitions/event/Dan-Steinhilber-Marlin-Underground-2012-09-11

Katzen Center

http://www.american.edu/cas/katzen/news/detail.cfm?newsID=E8F03968-E4AA-BCC4-E5DBB088C3AEEE98

The American Art Museum

Until Sept. 30 : The Art of Video Games:  http://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/archive/2012/games/

Opening Dec 13:  http://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/archive/2012/paik/

Museum of African Art

http://africa.si.edu/exhibits/cosmos/index.html

Sitar Arts Center (courses)

http://www.sitarartscenter.org/

 

         

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           

 

 
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.


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 

 

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

 

 

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 

 

 

 

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

 

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