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.
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Principal's Message...

There are several events on the Deal calendar that I look forward to with unmitigated delight. Among them is  International Niht, held this past Thursday in the Deal cafeteria. Among schools in the DC area, an International evening seems to be more the rule rather than the exception. Every year, this popular gathering sparks some reflection on the purpose, nature, and outcome of a shared dinner.

On its face, International Night is a PTA fundraiser, laying the financial groundwork for many of the good works that we focus on the rest of the year. But attendance last Thursday was too high for a standard fundraiser. The dinner is really more of a community event, an excuse to get together. It is clear to me after five years at Deal that this community likes to get together, genuinely enjoys seeing fellow parents and sharing time talking. The outdoor tables were packed, and the crowd sometimes seemed more focused on greeting than eating. Luckily, the weather was cool and dry.

The food was outstanding on Thursday. Most continents were represented, and the pride felt by the chefs was evident. What was heartening was the amount of effort put into making the dishes; the food was made to be shared and savored. Food is an unmistakable cultural marker that, when shared, ties us closer to together. I watched teachers, parents, and students moving from table to table to grab a bite here and a bite there. In the end, food was the frame for our conversation - we could focus on eating and allow the conversation to flow. In the midst of it all, the Nationals won the fourth game of the first playoff series and another moment was shared.

Did we learn more about international cuisine as a result of the evening or was there a different purpose at play here? The DC area is a hotbed for international food, with virtually any cuisine desired available somewhere within the Beltway. The goal of the night to me seems to have been less about sampling exotic foods and more about affirming that while we truly are different, we share some key features. We represent more than one culture; we have our unique backgrounds and experiences that define a part of our identity. And yet we seek new communities and cultural setting to draw us together where we are now. Thus, a student from Eaton or Shepherd becomes a Deal Viking and a new resident to DC integrates into a vibrant community.

Special thanks to co-chairs Elizabeth Anderson and Lisa Edwards for making this another smooth event and for the many chefs and volunteers. We have a great PTA here at Deal!

 

Principal Albright

 

NB: Don't forget Family Math Night, this Wednesday at 6:30. We always get a big crowd interested in having some fun with mathematics and games. Look below in "This Week" for more details. 

 

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          Week of 
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Bell Schedule

Monday - Bell I 
Tuesday -Bell I  
Wednesday - Bell I
Thursday Bell - Viking Time
Friday - No School for Students
(PD Day for Staff) 
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 

Upcoming Dates 


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 24-29
6th Grade Trips to National Mall

October 27
Saturday Detention, 9-12

October 30
Homeless Dance-a-thon

October 31
Buddy Day - Janney ES

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
Buddy Day - Eaton ES

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
Buddy Day - Lafayette ES

November 28
DC Trolley Tour 8th Grade

November 30
Deficiency to HR Teachers
  
Library News
 

The library will be closed after school on Thursday for the faculty meeting.

 

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. & A.N. Miller Realtor

*
Pete's New Haven Style Apizza

*
Second Wind CrossFit

*
edCount, LLC

 Math Medics

(More information at AliceDeal.org) 

Community Information

  (Items in this section are not sponsored by Deal)  

 

 

Volunteers Needed for the Janney 5k!

 

We need lots and LOTS of volunteers to support the Janney 5K and the Kids Fun Run on October 20th. This is a major event for Janney, and we'll need lot's of help to make it happen! If you can give an hour of your day to help out, please go to www.janney5k.com, click the button to volunteer, and then pick a time slot on Sign-Up Genius.   (It's a public sign-up, and you do not need a password.)  And you can even help if you're running... there are plenty of volunteer times for before and after the race, too!  If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]. Thanks!

 

If you are a student, we can verify your volunteer hours in order to use them towards any community service requirements you may have to complete

 

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.  

    

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.

 

 

Deal welcomes our Buddies from Murch Elementary School on Tuesday

 

The following schools are scheduled to visit from 8:50 to noon:

 

Murch

Tuesday, October 16

Janney

Wednesday, October 31

Bancroft

Wednesday, November 7

Eaton

Wednesday, November 14

Lafayette

Tuesday, November 27

Shepherd

Tuesday, December 11

 

Non-feeder school students and their families should feel free to attend one of the upcoming Deal Tours or visit the school at any time. 


Student and parent information...   

 

New: World Language Trips Scholarships

During last Friday's parent meetings on the spring 2013 World Language trips (France, Costa Rica, and China), some exciting scholarship opportunities were announced. The collective efforts of the Deal PTA and the Deal World Language Department, in conjunction with funds provided by a new agreement with EF Tours (the trip provider) have been very successful.

 

We are pleased to announce that there will be ten (10) $1,500 scholarships for students whose families are identified as economically disadvantaged. These scholarships will be provided based on several criteria: financial need, academic and behavioral progress, and a student essay. World Language teachers will provide specific directions in the coming week for these scholarships.

 

Additionally, for families who do not legally meet the standard for economically disadvantaged but have significant financial hurdles, such as changes in employment status or unexpected medical bills, "gap" scholarships will be made available. These  scholarships will be made on a case-by-case basis by appeal to Principal Albright. Up to $500 is available to families in need through this approach until the total funding pool has been expended.  

 

These scholarships represent the commitment of many members of the community to support what continues to be an exciting opportunity for our students. Thank you!

 

Conflict Resolution Week

The third week in October is dedicated annually to the peaceful resolution of conflict. The Alice 

Deal peer mediators will announce National Conflict Resolution Day this Thursday, October 18.  Peer mediators will also present information on mediation at the faculty meeting after school.  The best way to prevent and resolve conflicts is to treat everyone with dignity and respect! 

 

On Friday, October 19, peer mediation training for new and returning peer mediators will begin at 8:45. The remaining training dates are October 22 from 8:45 - 3:15 and October 23 and 30 from 3:15 - 6:30. Those interested in being trained should get applications in to Ms. McFarland (C-116) on Monday as soon as possible. Trainees are reminded to bring their lunch on Friday.  Contact:  Ms. McFarland 202-939-2014 or Ms. Blakeway 202-445-9522.

 

New: PTA Politics and Prose Fundraiser

The Alice Deal PTA invites you to the annual Politics and Prose book sale Saturday, Nov. 3

and 4. Proceeds from the sale benefit our school library. The process is easy: shop for books for yourself, your family, and friends. At checkout, identify yourself as a Deal supporter and 20 percent of the sale's proceeds will be credited to Deal. With the holidays just a few weeks away, this is a great way to support your child's school, encourage reading, and patronize a local business, located at 5015 Connecticut Ave just blocks from Deal Middle School. We are looking for 28 volunteers to help run the sale. Please give us just 90 minutes of your time. Sign up for the day and time slot you wish using this link:  

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E4DA8A6238-alice

 

New: Eighth Grade Field Trip to Mount Vernon on October 24

The eighth grade class will travel to Mount Vernon next week to visit the estate of our nation's first president. The itinerary, bus lists, and other information will be distributed this week.

 

New: Author Jasper Ffordre is visiting Deal! 

Jasper Fforde, author of the Thursday Next Series, has just completed his first book for young adult readers and he is coming to Deal to talk to our students about it! The comical book, The Last Dragon Slayer, features a female protagonist and carries readers away to a world of pure fantasy. The event will take place on October 25 at 2:30 pm in the Deal Media Center. If you are interested in participating, please email Ms. Kinzer at [email protected] and indicate the name of your English teacher.

 

Deal Directory  

Check out your family entry for the Deal directory on your Edline pages. Email corrections to [email protected]  

 

New: Alice Deal Dance-A-Thon For The Homeless - Give Back to the Community

  • Date: Tuesday, October 30, 2012
  • Place: Alice Deal Middle School Gymnasium
  • Time: All Day
  • Invitees: Alice Deal Art, Music and Health & Physical Students
  • Ticket: Homeless Walkathon Form submitted to your Art, Music or Physical Education Teacher
  • DJ's: DJ Ortizzy & DJ Pump Fake (Downing)
  • Benefactors: Friendship Place Residents

Every year, Alice Deal students give back to the community as we participate in a walkathon for the homeless. This year, we're not just walking - we're dancing! All students of art, music and physical education, this is a reminder to submit your Homeless Walkathon form to your teacher. Please note, the elective teachers have offered incentive points for each form returned by the students. Thanks to the art teachers, music teachers and physical education teachers for their continued support each year. Let's make this the best year ever!

 

New: Teachers and Geographic Students (TAGS) DC

Sixth- and seventh-grade TAGS students will meet next Thursday (10/25) in Mr. Martini's room (C130) to plan this year's community action project. TAGS DC is a group of students and teachers who use GPS technology to solve community issues by making maps of our city. We meet once a month and are always looking for new members!

 

New: Team Santiago Field Trip

Team Santiago will be taking a field trip to the National Mall on Wednesday, October 24. Students will be using geographic clues and map skills to navigate the mall and complete a scavenger hunt! Students must submit permission slips and $5 payment to Mr. Martini this week. Don't forget to bring a bagged lunch and warm clothing. If you have any questions, please email [email protected] so we can be of assistance.

 

New: Sign up for the Fall Play Auditions 

Sign up for A Midsummer Night's Dream auditions this week in the cafeteria. Auditions will be held on Tuesday October 23; Wednesday, October 24; and Thursday, October 25. Callbacks will be held on Friday, October 26. All students who audition should be prepared to present a poem that is no more than 30 seconds long. Stay tuned for more information about stage crew and costume design. The performance will run December 6, 7, and 8.

 

New: GeoPlunge is Back!

Which state is the 23rd largest, nicknamed the "Yellowhammer State," and has a population of 4.7 million residents? You guessed it, Alabama! GeoPlunge is a fun and exciting geography-based card game played by students across the country. If you are a sixth grade student interested in training to compete at the DC GeoPlunge Tournament on January 9, please see Mr. Martini in room C130.

  

New:  Remaining Deal Football Games:

Thursday, October 18th @ 6:30pm Deal vs. Jefferson @ Coolidge HS  

Thursday, October 25th @ 6:30 pm Deal vs. Langley @ Wilson HS

 

New:  Basketball Tryouts

Boys and girls basketball tryouts will be starting soon. Please sign up for basketball tryouts during your lunch period. A sign up sheet will will be posted and announcements will be made. 

 

New:  Deal-Stoddert Boys Soccer Schedule

Date          Field   Start        End                  

10/20/12    Deal  01:00 PM    02:15 PM            

10/27/12    Jelleff  01:00 PM  02:15 PM      

11/03/12    Jelleff  01:00 PM   2:15 PM       

11/10/12    Deal  11:45 AM     01:00 PM      

 

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! 

 

This week at Deal . . .   

 

Monday:  The Afterschool Basketball Club

The Afterschool Basketball Club will resume Monday, October 15, at 3:30 pm behind the school on the court next to the "Cottage." Dress appropriately. In the event of rain, the club will meet in Mr. Namian's room, W205.

 

Monday: Attention African Drumming Club:

Mr. Assael needs to cancel African Drumming on Monday, October 15 due to a conflict. He apologizes for the lack of drumming recently.

 

Monday: Comic Book Creators Club Returns

Come work on an independent project or co-create with group mates in room C203.

 

Monday: Photography Club

We will meet on Monday in Mr. Gueltig's room from 3:30 - 4:30. Bring your cameras. Also, bring your permission slips so we can take our field trips to the mall, Georgetown, and museums.

 

Monday: Girl Up Meeting on Monday

Girl Up members are asked to bring copies of "The Queen of Water" to today's meeting for our first book discussion. We will also organize plans for the fall fundraiser and review three news articles about girls' lives in Pakistan, Niger, and the United States. New members are always welcome to join. We meet on Monday afternoons in E305 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

 

Monday: The International Cooking Club

The International Cooking Club Group B will meet today at 3:30 in Room C216 (The 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 B.

 

Zach Crouch                   Sydney Forman

Caleb Bush                     Ariana Wehoz

King Cambell                  John Pollack

Olivia Howard                 Zigmund Annaville

Myles Duncan                 Leah Pearcy

Cyrus McDowell              Avi Faber

Leo Saunders                 Ellika Edelman

Isabella Rhein                 Zenon Melynk

Sarah Desta                   Madeliene Yando

Vanessa Castillo             Kendra Brown

Emilia Menjersik             Alexandra Tomkin

 

Monday and Thursday: Volleyball Games

There are two volleyball games this week. The Lady Vikings play Oyster-Adams Monday at Lincoln MS at 4:30. This is going to be a match not to miss. The second game is home against Hardy on Thursday at 5:30 in the gym. Come out and support our ladies as they continue to defend their undefeated record!

 

Monday and Thursday: The Viking Soccer Team

The Viking Soccer team trains on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:00. Our games are scheduled for Saturdays. Questions or concerns? Contact coach Mbayu ([email protected]).

 

Monday and Thursday: Spanish Tutoring 

Spanish Tutoring for Spanish I and Humanities levels I, II, and III, is offered by Mrs. Cadavid every Monday and Thursday at 8:10 am in room C314. 

 

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday:  Cross Country

This is a busy week for our Deal Cross-Country team. On Tuesday, part of the team will travel to Landon for the Landon Invitational. On Wednesday, another group will compete in the Barrie School Invitational. The entire team will conclude this week with the DCIAA Developmental Meet on Saturday. That met will be held at Ft. Dupont Park in Northeast DC.....GO VIKINGS!

 

Wednesday: The "Parlons Francais" Club

The "Parlons Fran�ais" Club meets in room C308 every Wednesday 3:30-4:30. Venez parler avec nous! 

 

Wednesday:  Spelling Bee

The Spelling Bee Club will meet Wednesday during 6th and 7th grade ZAP in E104.   

 

Wednesday: Family Math Night (6:30 - 8:00) 

Family Math Night provides an opportunity for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders and their families to celebrate to joy and beauty of mathematics.  Activities will include:  strategies for solving the Rubik's Cube, logic puzzles, Mr. and Mrs. Pi Head, Challenge 24, math jeopardy, math basketball, and much more.  And of course students will have an opportunity to participate in the Guess the M&Ms Challenge. 

 


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 are expected. 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 these upcoming Open Houses:

Duke Ellington School of the Arts
  • October 24 & December 4 @ 3 p.m. www.ellingtonschool.org/admissions/visitations.html 
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  
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!

 

Congratulations to the following 6th, 7th and 8th grade homerooms for on-time arrival of 95% or above! Let us strive to learn the "Viking Way": at school, on time, everyday!

 
                         6th Grade            7th Grade                8th Grade

                                                   Diaz                        Eckel

                         Clements             Giron                      Mungai

                         Jackson               Helsabeck               Otterstatter

                         Law                    Hughes                    Simpson

                         Pough                 Kirschenbaum          Wang

                                                   Zanelli                    Klauber               

                                                   Lerum                  

                                                   Milikin                

                                                   Parish                 

                                                   Rhoads               

                                                   Wickersham      

                                                   Woods                 

Staff information... 

 

Faculty Meeting and PD Day

Reminder: we have a faculty meeting on Thursday in the auditorium. On Friday, English, Math, and Special Education teachers will work at Deal throughout the day. Other departments may have out-of-building PD sessions run by DCPS in the morning. All teachers will meet at 1pm in the cafeteria for work on difficult conversations, No-Nonsense Nurturing, and our IB priorities.

 

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!

 


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- Canceled this week

Girls on Track - Rm E103

Afterschool Outdoor Hoop club - Rm W205

Ultimate Frisbee club - Rm C130

Volleyball game vs Oyster-Adams at Lincoln MS - 4:30 pm 

Cross Country practice to 5 pm  

International Cooking club Group B 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  

Afterschool Basketball club - W205

Vikings Soccer to 5 pm 

Football practice to 5:45 pm   

 

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 

Fantasy Football club - Rm C212

Reader's Theater - Rm E205

Cheerleading practice to 5pm 

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

Cross Country Landon Invitational

 

 

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

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

Football practice to 5:45 pm   

Cross Country Barrie Invitational  

Parlons Fran�ais Club, to 4:30 - C308 

 

 

 

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

 

Volleyball game vs Hardy @ Deal  - 5:30 pm  

 

Football game vs. Jefferson @ Coolidge H.S. - 6:30 pm 

 

 

No After School Activities 

Faculty Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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