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... A three-day break in the middle of the advisory is always welcome, especially since everyone has worked so hard for the year to start out right. Most of our routines are in place, with school expectations set and students working hard to meet them. There are many things happening at Deal this month, of course, and I urge you to review the news below. I am very excited about the visit of Mr. Ernest Green to our 7th grade - this is a once-in-a-lifetime event that gives great meaning to what our students are studying right now. An additional activity which has me energized is the addition of a Fall Play to our schedule. My hope is that this becomes a tradition at Deal. We have always had a tremendous musical, supported by the PTA, but the auditorium has been silent for too much of the 1st semester. Shakespeare seems like a good bet here, especially in a city that definitely likes the bard. Finally, in this abbreviated (for me) weekly bulletin, I am repeating the notice of changes in our lunch policy. Please read this carefully, as there is something for every Deal family in this notice. Thank you, and enjoy the rest of your Columbus Day holiday. 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 8, 2012
Bell Schedule
Monday - Columbus Day
(No school)
Tuesday -Bell I
Wednesday - Bell T
Thursday Bell - Bell T
Friday - Bell I
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Find out about Deal with...
Deal Tours
Please join us for a tour. All tours start at 9:30 and meet outside the Welcome Center.
October 26 November 9 November 30 December 11
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Upcoming Dates
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
LSAT Meeting 7:30am World Language Trip Meeting 6:30pm
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
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 8th Grade Trip to Mount Vernon
October 27
Saturday Detention, 9-12
October 30 Homeless Dance-a-thon
October 31 Janney Buddy Day
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 LSAT, 7:30am Deal Tour, 9:30am Grades Due HR Attendance Lunch Rally
November 12 Veteran's Day (no school for students or staff)
November 13 Open House 9 - 12 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. & A.N. Miller Realtor
* Pete's New Haven Style Apizza
* Second Wind CrossFit
* edCount, LLC
Math Medics
(More information at AliceDeal.org)
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Community Information
(Items in this section are not sponsored by Deal)
First Touch Soccer
First Touch Soccer is conducting 2012 Winter Indoor Soccer clinics for boys and girls ages 7 and older. Four clinics will be conducted on Sundays and four on early weekday evenings at an Upper NW DC school. The sessions will begin the week of December 2 and go through early March. Each session is designed to improve your technical skills and then apply them in game conditions. Come play the "beautiful game" with us. We teach "total futbol." Your skills and tactical understanding of the game will definitely improve. Come have fun with coaches who understand the game. For registration and further information, visit www.FirstTouchSoccer.org.
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: Deal Directory The new Deal Directory is almost ready! Please review your family entry on Edline to make sure that your information is correct. Email corrections to: dealdirectory updates@ gmail.com.
New: Paced Interim Assessments (PIAs)
This year, DCPS is continuing to administer a set of district-wide, paced interim assessments (PIAs). Assessments are important tools that help teachers determine what students know and what skills they have yet to master. In DCPS, the PIAs are aligned with our standards as an instructional tool so that teachers can identify your child's strengths and developmental needs throughout the year. The test dates for this school year are:
- Wednesday, October 10 - Thursday, October 11
- Tuesday, December 4 - Wednesday, December 5
- Tuesday, February 5 - Wednesday, February 6
- Wednesday, March 27 - Thursday, March 28
- Wednesday, June 5 - Thursday, June 6
As on any other day, please make sure that your child gets enough rest and sleep, comes to school on time, eats breakfast, and is focused on doing their best. By ensuring that your child participates in these assessments, you are directly supporting his or her education.
We strongly encourage you to talk with your child's teacher about their overall achievement, including his or her performance on these assessments. By attending parent-teacher conferences, you can review the results together as they become available to gain a better understanding of your child's academic growth. If you have specific questions about these assessments that you would like answered by the Central Office, you are welcome to contact the assessment team at [email protected].
New: Peer Mediation Program - a Peacemaking Opportunity
Do you know a student who might be interested in being trained to be a peer mediator at Deal this year? If so, ask them to pick up a training application from the bookcase outside the counselors' offices and return it to Ms. McFarland (C116) by Friday, October 12. We are looking for trainees from all three grades. The application needs signatures from a teacher or counselor and a parent or guardian.
This is a great opportunity for students to contribute to the school community by helping others resolve problems that cause conflicts in relationships with peers and adults. If students have already been trained, they also need to apply and attend all or part of the mediation training.Special training for mediating disputes at the middle school level will be provided. Information about training dates is included with the application.Ms. McFarland and Ms. Blakeway will coordinate the program. Adults (teachers and parents) who would like to work with the mediation program this year should contact Ms. McFarland at 202-939-2014.
This is the training schedule:
Friday, October 19 8:45 am - 3:15 pm (teacher in-service day)
Monday, October 22 8:45 am - 3:15 pm (parent conference day)
Tuesday, October 23 3:15 pm - 6:30 pm (after school)
Tuesday, October 30 3:15 pm - 6:30 pm (after school)
New: Youth Voices Poets
Ms. Redekopp and Mrs. Allen salute 7th grade poets, including Sophia Diggs-Galligan, for performing original work at the Youth Voices Poetry Celebration at Wilson High School last Saturday. Congratulations!
New: 8th Grade Art Field Trips
8th grade Visual Arts students will be visiting the National Gallery of Art on two separate dates: Tuesday, October 16th and Wednesday, October 17th. Please be sure to have your permission slips in and check in with your art teacher about the Metro transportation cost.
New: Deal-O-Ween 2.0 Ultimate Frisbee Tournament
The Ultimate Frisbee Cub will be hosting their second annual Halloween-themed tournament at Deal on Sunday, October 28th from 10 am - 1 pm. Players should see their coaches about permission slips and tournament fees. Costumes are MANDATORY and players will be competing in a variety of challenges for fabulous prizes! Fans and spectators are welcome to dress up too and join in on the sideline fun!
New: Deal Theatre Presents William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Auditions will be held on Tuesday October 23, Wednesday October 24, and Thursday October 25. Callbacks will be held on Friday October 26. Sign up for your audition day in the Cafeteria during lunch. Please be prepared to present a poem that is no more than 30-seconds long. Please stay tuned for more information about stage crew and costume design. The performance will run December 6, 7, and 8.
New: Young Men & Women In Training
M.I.T. is now in FULL swing! Our next meeting will be October 18, 2012, 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).
New: The Afterschool Outdoor Basketball Club
The Outdoor Basketball club will resume with Mr. Namian on Monday, Oct. 15.
New: From the Music Department...
Music ensembles are off to a great start, and we have tons of students who are filling the rooms and hallways with wonderful music. It's not too late to join! If you are interested, please stop by the music rooms and talk to Mr. Lewis, Mr. Pavy or Mr. Washington to learn more about our programs or to get registered. Also, students who have been attending rehearsals and have not registered need to do so as soon as possible.
Our ensembles are:
- 6th Grade Band
- String Ensemble
- 7th & 8th Grade Band
- Jazz Band
- Concert Choir
- Young Men's Choir
You can also go online to the music department website to learn about the ensembles or register, and to find the complete rehearsal schedule.
https://sites.google.com/site/dealmusicdepartment/
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.
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.
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This week at Deal . . .
Paced Interim Assessments (PIA) This Week
All Deal students will take the PIA on Wednesday (Reading) and Math (Thursday). The make- up day will be Thursday during lunch for each grade level. Students must bring two #2 pencils. Students should get plenty of rest, eat a good breakfast, and come to school on time prepared to do your best. We will be on a Bell T schedule.
Tuesday: 7th Grade Assembly
The seventh grade English Department is very excited to announce the visit of Ernest Green, one of the original Little Rock Nine. Mr. Green and eight other students were the first African Americans to integrate a public school in the United States. Students have been reading Warriors Don't Cry, the autobiographical account of Melba Patillo Beal, another one of the Little Rock Nine. Additionally, some students participated in the viewing of The Ernest Green Story, a movie made about his experiences in Central High. The assembly will be first period on Tuesday. Seventh-grade students will report to homerooms and then be brought (leaving homerooms at 8:55, arriving by 9) to the auditorium.
Tuesday: Golf Club
The Golf Club will meet on Tuesday from 3:30 - 4:30 in Mrs. Quinn's room, Room 128, then head outside for practice. Please bring a wedge or a 9-iron and a few balls to share with the group. Students may keep their equipment in Mrs. Quinn's room if they would like. If you have any questions please email Mrs. Quinn at [email protected].
Tuesday: The Mural/Public Art Club
The Mural/Public Art Club will meet for the first time Tuesday at 3:30 in room C224. In this club students will work with national recognized street artists to design and create exciting murals in the Alice Deal building. Students will work with the street art techniques of stencils, wheat-pasting, painting, 3-D lettering, spray paint techniques and multi-media collage. Please come ready to have fun and create positive beautiful lasting art work in your school!
Tuesday: Bocce Club
We will have Bocce on Tuesday (3:30p.m. in the front lawn)! All are welcomed to play this simple, yet challenging lawn game! Fingers crossed for good weather--see you out there!
Tuesday and Thursday: Swimming Club
Swimming club with meet in W200 on Tuesday and Thursday. Contact Ms. Rhoads at [email protected] to find out which day your child should go. Students will be back at Deal by 5:15.
Wednesday: Volleyball
It's game time! Wednesday is the volleyball team's first game of the season. Come out and support the Lady Vikings as they take on Hardy at 5:30 in the gym. Be sure to wear Deal colors and cheer the ladies on in the stands.
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!
Thursday: Football Game Location Has Been Changed
Hardy vs. DEAL 6:30pm @ Wilson HS
Friday: LSAT Agenda for October LSAT Meeting
Friday, October 12, 2012, 7:30 am 1. Principal's Update 2. Update on Renovation of the Reno School/Addition 3. Update on Scheduling Community Forums -standardized testing and Common Core -Reno School 4. Student Surveys
Friday: Spelling Bee Practice
Spelling Bee Practice will be held during recess on Friday for 6th and 7th graders in Mr. Gueltig's room, E104. Please study your grade-level list given at last week's interest meeting.
Saturday: 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 October 12. Delegates must also return their permission slip and $15 cash payment to their humanities teacher ASAP.
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Congratulations to the September
Students of the Month
Every month Team teachers will select 2 students that exemplify an IB learner profile. The profile characteristic for September is CARING.
A caring individual shows empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and to the environment.
Grade 6
Team Sydney Amontae Silver Paloma DiBella
Team Santiago Olivia Personeni Nathan Barnes
Team San Francisco Michelle Hellman Simon Rosenthal
Team London Zach Crouch Edmee Edem Brown-Egue
Grade 7
Team Sparta Connor Yu Nas Fair
Team Alexandria Jaba Iqbal Axel Salamanca
Team Rome Martin Haggray Anna Wilson
Team Mumbai Jya Ledbetter Alexander "Sacha" Petricic-Tinto
Grade 8
Team Mecca Mickey Cervino Moriah Williams
Team Firenze Jorge Garcia Sophie Gagnairo
Team La Paz Krista Ross Mathew Botsford
Team Timbuktu Kevin Cornejo
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Attention 8th Grade Students
Don't Miss Family High School Night @ Deal
Wednesday, October 24th 6:30-8:00
Come out and hear brief presentations and talk to school representatives, current students and parents who will share their perspective on each school. This event is a great complement to attending the individual high school Open House. You might be impressed by a school that wasn't on your radar. Walls, McKinley, Ellington, Banneker, Phelps and Wilson High Schools should be in attendance. 7th & 8th grade students and parents are encouraged to come out for this informative evening.
Specialized High School application process opens on November 16! Don't miss the opportunity to visit their upcoming Open Houses.
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!
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
Jackson Assael Dillon
Purcell Kirschenbaum Eckel
Klauber Wang
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Staff information...
WTU Meeting
WTU Meeting will be held this Thursday, October 11th at 3:30 in W206 (Mr. Lotts). SCAC will meet with the administration on Tuesday, October 16th.
Friday PD: Previewing Text and SMARTboards
Two for the price of...free! Sessions will be held on previewing text, in room E304, and on SMARTboard usage (strugglers very welcome), in room W206.
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!
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Before and After School Activities
Monday AM
Columbus Day
No School
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 French club to 4:30 - CG07
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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
Golf club to 4:30 pm - E105
Mural/Public Art club
Swimming club to 5:15 pm
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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
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 game Vs Hardy @ Deal
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
Swimming club to 5:15 pm
Football game vs. Hardy @
Wilson 6:30 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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