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 just a few weeks to go in the school year, the pace picks up as the weather heats up. As seasoned Washingtonians know, these next few weeks can often be blisteringly hot (while they have been a lot colder recently); we'll do our best to keep everyone comfortable in the building. Please know that we continue to enforce the dress code for school-appropriate attire. We are well aware that American retail establishments have a broad definition of "appropriate," but the standard is pretty clear to students when they are asked - so keep supporting us in keeping the focus in the building on school, not style.
There are some amazing things happening this week at Deal: our entire 6th grade heads to the Newseum to take advantage of our proximity to this unique place; our entire 7th grade is traveling to Virginia for outdoor environmental work with Living Classrooms; and our music teachers are leading their ensembles to Hershey Park for the annual competition. Our classes continue to push on instruction, in recognition of the need to keep instruction going until the very last Friday (the 21st of June). There is still a lot of work ahead.
This Tuesday is a new first - a combination Ice Cream/Bingo/PTA speaker session. At least one of these three probably appeals to every family! This year's PTA continues to build its focus around creating a sense of community, and this is a great time to participate. At the recent PTA meeting, a very Deal-supportive budget was passed, one that will expand access to the types of activities and opportunities that your students crave. Come on Tuesday to show your support or just get to know a new family in the community.
One last note: in a big program such as ours, there are lots of ways that miscommunication can occur. At the root of Deal policies is an intent to be rational, student-focused, active, and all about learning. We work hard to provide as many venues as possible to inform families of what is happening, of changes in schedules, and of rules or procedures. Even though we have added some additional resources to our communications approach this year (Team weekly bulletins), there is still a chance that someone misses something. Please call or email if you need more information, or if you think you might have missed something. If we change a policy, we are going to tell you - it would be counter-productive to the successful implementation of any change. If you have a concern or commendation, just reach out - I want to know.
Have a great week.
Principal Albright
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Stay Informed!
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Week of
May 20, 2013
Bell Schedule
Monday - Bell I
Tuesday - Bell I
Wednesday - Bell I
Thursday Bell - Deal Gives Back
Friday - Bell I
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Register Now!
All students must be registered for the 2013-2014 school year by June 20
Current 6th and 7th graders should bring their completed enrollment papers and proof of residency to Deal. We have scheduled evening hours every Thursday until 7 pm for families who are not able to come to the school during day. 8th graders should take their enrollment papers and proof of residency to the high school that they will be attending.
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Upcoming Dates
May 21
GeoPlunge Spring Tournament
PTA Night - Speaker/Bingo/Ice Cream 6:30
May 23
Faculty Meeting 3:30 pm
May 25
Saturday Detention 9 - 12
May 27
Memorial Day
(No school for students or staff)
May 28
Team Leaders
Festival de Cine del Mundo
(all week)
May 31
Spring Dance/Party 3:30pm
June 1
Saturday Detention 9 - 12
Bikes for the World Collection
10 - 1pm
June 3
P-T Conference Day
Canceled - Regular School Day June 6
Deal Gives Back - Bell III
Faculty Meeting, 3:30 pm
Deal Embassy Fair
Team Mecca -
Civil Rights Field Trip
June 7
Deal Gives Back
June 10
Team LaPaz -
Civil Rights Field Trip
Deal Poetry Slam, 3:30 pm
June 11
Team Firenze -
Civil Rights Field Trip
June 12
Mecca Humanities
Portfolio Night
June 13
8th Grade
Kings Dominion Field Trip
6th and 7th Grade Talent Show
June 14
Deal Day
8th Grade Dance
June 18
8th Grade Promotion 10 am
7th Grade Kings Dominion Trip
6th Grade Cameron Run Trip
June 19
Faculty Meeting, 3:30 pm
Aftercare Ends
June 21
Last Day of School
(Students dismissed at 12:15)
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Message from the Nurse - Immunization Compliance
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Parents- We need your help! We have several students who are overdue for required immunizations. Please make appointments with your Doctor to have these immunizations done ASAP. Remember -those students overdue for HPV- need 3 doses or an opt out form may be completed in lieu of the vaccine. All immunization forms must be stamped, signed and dated to be accepted by the Immunization Registry. Let's make Deal 100% compliant! |
Library News
The library will be closed after school Thursday, May 23 for the faculty meeting.
All library books are due this Friday, May 24th.
Please return all Deal library books. If you have any questions about overdue or lost books, please see Ms. Redekopp or Mrs. Allen this week.
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
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Taylor Agostino Group
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Radifera Design Group
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W.C. & A.N. Miller Realtor
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Pete's New Haven Style Apizza
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Second Wind CrossFit
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edCount, LLC
Math Medics
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Elements Fitness and Wellness Center
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Discount Vacation Rentals for Deal Families
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Capitol Language Services
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Bus Information
 If your child travels on the 4 bus routes that WMATA makes available for Deal students, here are some important phone numbers for you.
If the D31 or D32 bus is late, misses a pick-up, or never shows up, please call the Western District Superintendent, Ms. Peggy Neils, at 202-962-5860 as soon as possible. Students who are passed should try to get the bus identification number. If your child rides the D33 or D34, the Northern Division contact is Sophia Coleman Hill, and she can be reached directly at 202-568-1446. As always, please send an email about a bus problem or concern to james.albright@dc.gov.Here is a link to the bus route schedule. |
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I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.... and BINGO! (plus, bonus speaker on setting limits with 'tweens)
It's fun for the whole family on Tuesday, May 21, at 6:30 pm.
Join us at that time for a FREE end-of-year Bingo Night and Ice Cream Social in the cafeteria. Come for the fun, win some prizes and socialize with friends over ice cream. It's an easy night out - bring the whole family!
While part of the family plays bingo in the cafeteria, parents can attend a free session on "Tips For Setting Logical Limits With 'Tweens and Young Teens" by Wendy Lubic, a certified Parent Educator at the Parent Encouragement Program, and a Professor of Graphic Design at American University.
Ms. Lubic will help parents identify the changes 'tweens and young teens are experiencing that make limit-setting a challenge for parents. She will also discuss how to set wise and carefully chosen limits that provide safety, order and understanding.
Ms. Lubic will be speaking at 6:30 p.m. in the library.
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Rising 6th Graders - Math Assessment Schedule
Deal Counselors will be visiting our feeder schools to give a math assessment to our rising 6th grade students. Here are the scheduled dates:
- Tuesday, May 21st: Murch
- Wednesday, May 22nd: Eaton
- Wednesday, May 29th: Janney
- Thursday, May 30th: Bancroft
- Monday, June 3rd: non-feeder schools 4 pm
- Friday, June 21: Make-up day 1:30 pm
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Student & parent information
New: Youth Poets Congratulations & Thanks
Mr. Hughes and Mr. Gueltig would like to give a public thanks to Charley Mestrich and Zach Crouch who entered the 14th Annual "Find Your Voice" Youth Poetry Contest. Because of Charley's outstanding poem honoring her grandfather with proper filial piety, and Zach's lyrical pondering on God's presence in the world, Team Alexandria's and Team London's English classes have received 15 new young adult books for the class library from Junior League of Washington.
New: 8th Grade Humanities Celebration
Eighth-grade families are invited to attend a special reception this Thursday to view evidence of our work this year with the National Portrait Gallery to celebrate the diversity of American culture and heritage. Students produced projects around the themes of Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage and of women's history and identity. They also took field trips to the museum to study art produced by Native Americans, African-Americans, and women in American history. The reception will be held from 5 - 6pm in the Deal Media Center and Gallery. Refreshments will be provided by the National Portrait Gallery. Please join us. New: Student Council T-Shirt Design Contest Join in the 2013 Alice Deal t-shirt design contest! All you have to do is create a design on 8.5" x 11" paper, and turn it in to Ms. Diaz by this Friday (May 24). The contest is is open to everyone! Good luck. New: 6th/7th Grade Talent Show Deal will be hosting a Talent Show this year on June 13th. The auditions will be held on May 28 at 3:30 in the Gallery.
Requirements: Participants must be in 6th or 7th grade; you can sing solo or in a band, dance, perform a magic trick, etc.; and you must come ready to perform. New: Deal's Final Chopped Competition Deal's Final Chopped Competition will take place on Saturday, June 8th from 10:30 - 12pm at Whole Foods (Tenleytown). Competing students are asked to arrive at 10 am. The following students will be competing: Team B 1. Leo Saunders 2. Lukas Leijon 3. Robert Graves 4. Yousef Yousef Team C 1. Ellika Edelman 2. Ilana Samuel 3. Mattie Melnyk 4. Zennon Melnyk Team E 1. Clara Edmonds 2. Matilda Jensen 3. Anna Joos New: Attention Tennis Club Members Tennis club is back! Ms. Ward expects to transition to sneakers on May 28, so we will meet the following day, Wednesday, May 29, right after school in Room E300. The club expects to meet every Wednesday thereafter until the end of school (June 5, June 12, and June 19). Bring your racquets, a can of balls, water bottle, sunscreen, and PLEASE dress for the weather! New: Wilson Academy Application - Extension Students interested in the Woodrow Wilson High School Academies can obtain an application from Ms. White. Ms. White will be collecting applications until the end of the school year and will transfer them to Wilson by the end of June.
New: Transcripts for 8th Grade Students If your child is attending any other high school besides Wilson next school year, please let Ms. White know as soon as possible so that transcripts are sent to the correct place. This would include private schools, public charter schools, schools which are out of state or specialized public high schools. Email camille.white@dc.gov or call 202-939-2012.
New: The DCPS Parent Handbook The DCPS Parent Handbook has been created to provide families with comprehensive, but not exhaustive, information about DCPS policies, practice, and protocols. The purpose of the document is to: - Highlight the resources, services, and supports parents need to understand and access to support their child's academic success and
- Allow parents, families, and community stakeholders who are interested in navigating the central office, the ability to do this with ease.
Please note, the DCPS Parent Handbook will not contain all DCPS policies and practices, and will be subject to change.
Calling All Library Books!
Please return overdue books to the Deal Library this week. All books will be due by May 24 so the library can be inventoried.
Bikes for the World Collection at Deal Sat., June 1, 2013
The ELL Department is sponsoring its 8th annual BIKES FOR THE WORLD bicycle collection on Saturday, June 1, from 10 am - 1 pm. This year our bicycles will go to The Wheels of Africa partner program in Kenya. If you would like to support this project, please volunteer on Saturday or donate that tax-deductible used bicycle and $10 to help defray the shipping costs. Sewing machines, usable bike parts, accessories and tools are also gratefully accepted. For more information please see or call Mark Winn-Ritzenberg at (202) 365-2926 or see Ms. Wang. Visit Bikes For The World at www.bikesfortheworld.org.
Colored Pencil Collection: Colores de la Montaña
Think about how many pencils you find, lose, buy, and lose again. We take them for granted. What if getting a pencil was a treat? Picture yourself in rural Colombia, where the threat of violence, limited technology, and the continuing civil war make getting even the most basic school resources a struggle. We, the seventh grade humanities class, watched the movie, "Los Colores de la Montaña," and feel that it is our duty to make a difference in the lives of children like Manuel, a character from the movie who is an amazing artist prevented from blooming because of a lack of everyday resources. This is where you come in. Please bring in packs of new colored pencils to your homeroom. They will be donated to the children in a small school of Colombia by Sra. Cadavid and Ms. Redekopp, who will be traveling there this summer. The homeroom that collects the most packs of colored pencils will receive a CUPCAKE PARTY! We may not be able to stop the war, but we can brighten a few children's days, and that makes a difference.
Festival de Cine del Mundo (World Cinema Festival)
The World Languages Department at Alice Deal presents the second annual World Cinema Festival with the support of the school's media center. The Festival will take place on May 28 - 31st. During the entire week, our students will enjoy excellent films shot and produced in Colombia, Spain, China, and France. The movies will be screened everyday starting at 3:30 PM at the library.
El Departamento de Lengua Extranjera de Alice Deal con el apoyo de la la biblioteca de la escuela presenta la segunda version del Festival de Cine del Mundo a realizarse entre el 28-31 de mayo. Durante toda la semana nuestros estudiantes disfrutarán de excelentes peliculas rodadas y producidas en Colombia, España, China y Francia. La presentación de las peliculas se hará todos los dias a partir de las 3:20 en la biblioteca.
Schedule of Films:
Tuesday, 28: Los Colores de la Montaña (The Colors of the Mountain), Colombia
Wednesday, 29: The King of Masks, China
Thursday, 30: El Viaje de Carol (Carol's Journey), Spain
Friday, 31: A French film to be announced!
We remind students that it is necessary to have permission from their parent(s) or guardian(s) in order to say at school after classes have ended.
Register for the 2014 Spring Break Trip to Costa Rica!!
All 7th grade Spanish students interested in traveling to Costa Rica during the 2014 Spring Break can register now by going to eftours.com and typing in tour #1365514. There you can find information about the tour and itinerary. Benefits of registering early include locking in prices at their current rate, setting up a payment plan that allows a longer payment period, and securing your students spot on the tour. Please contact Ms. Henderson at hendersonak@gmail.com if you have any questions/concerns.
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This Week at Deal...
Monday - Thursday: 6th Grade Field Trip
The 6th grade teams will visit the Newseum this week. Team Sydney will go on Monday, Team London on Tuesday, Team San Francisco on Wednesday and Team Santiago will go on Thursday. Students should bring a bag lunch and water.
Monday - Thursday: 7th Grade Field Trip
This week, 7th grade students travel to Camp Fraser for an Ecology trip organized by Living Classrooms. Students will work through stations focused on forest and Chesapeake Bay watershed ecology. They will collect macroinvertebrate samples from water sources and classify the health of the water based on the quantity and quality of the organisms collected. Students need to report to school on-time with a packed lunch. Students will not be allowed to bring any electronic devices with them. Students need to wear closed-toe shoes that are able to get dirty. Team Alexandria goes on Monday. Team Rome travels on Tuesday. Team Sparta goes on Wednesday, and Team Mumbai travels on Thursday. Please contact your child's science teacher if you have any questions.
Monday: The Afterschool Outdoor Basketball Club
The Afterschool Outdoor Basketball Club will meet on Monday, May 20 at 3:30 pm behind the school on the court next to the "Cottage." In the event of rain, we will meet with Mr. Namian in Room W205.
Tuesday: DCPS Student Satisfaction Survey
During Tuesday's homeroom period (9:35 - 9:50) students will be responding to the DCPS Student Satisfaction Survey, given every two years as a way to gauge how students feel about their schools. This survey will not interfere with instruction.
Tuesday: GeoPlunge Challenge Tournament - Spring
On Tuesday, nine sixth grade students will be traveling to Farragut Square to compete in the Spring GeoPlunge Challenge Tournament! Our young geographers hope to repeat their success from the Fall tournament and bring home the championship trophy again. Students must arrive to Deal at 7:45 am with at least $6 loaded onto a metro card. A pizza lunch will be provided! Good luck to Shayna Brotzman, Meg Buzbee, Olivia Viorst, Ellika Edelman, Lizzie Brennan, Ethan Fingerhut, Jacques Nissen, Oscar Lee, and Zach Lordan!
Wednesdy: Embassy of Israel Field Trip
On Wednesday, all Team Santiago students will be hiking to the Embassy of Israel one mile away on International Drive. Students will be participating in workshops on Israeli dance, music, art, language, and culture. We will even enjoy a traditional Israeli meal for lunch. Select students have also been chosen to present their research projects on Israeli sports, food, music, and history. Team Santiago students should be sure to arrive to school on time along with a water bottle and comfortable shoes on Wednesday.
Friday: TAGS DC
Sixth- and seventh-grade TAGS students will meet in room C130 after school on Friday, May 24 to continue preparing for our final map presentation on Saturday, June 1.
Friday: Hershey Park Music Trip
Friday morning, Deal musicians will head off to Hershey Park, Pennsylvania where the choir and band ensembles will perform in a juried competition. After the performances, students will enjoy the rides at the park, and then return later that evening. For more information, please check with your child's music teacher (Mr. Washington, Mr. Pavy, or Mr. Lewis)
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Staff information ...
PLUs for No-Nonsense Nurturing
All staff should be able to login to PD Planner and print their PLU certificates for the online No-Nonsense Nurturer program. If you do not know how to login to PD Planner, please contact Ms. Peltason.
IMPACT: CSC and TAS
Reminder: CSC updates are due to grade-level administrators, and TAS assessments should be finalized in Gradequick, by May 24.
Thursday Bell: Deal Gives Back This Thursday is a time for homerooms and students to continue work on this year's Deal Gives Back (June 7, 2013).
Faculty Meeting: This Thursday at 3:30 in the cafeteria.
Professional Development: The new PD Book Club starts this Friday at 7:30 am in W101.
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Monday AM
8:00am/Rm N111
Spanish tutoring with Ms. Cadavid
8:10 am/RM C314
Spanish tutoring with Ms. Jackson
8:10am/Rm C212
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Tuesday AM
String Ensemble
Auditorium
Jazz Band
7:45 am/Rm CG20
Concert Choir
7:45 am/Rm CG04
Spanish tutoring with Ms. Jackson - RM C212
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Wednesday AM
Concert Band (6)
7:45 am
Advanced
Concert Band
7:45 am
Young Men's
Choir
7:45 am
Spanish tutoring with Ms. Jackson
8:10am/Rm C212
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Thursday AM
Auditorium
Jazz Band
7:45 am/Rm CG20
Concert Choir
7:45 am/Rm CG04
Chinese tutoring
8:00am/Rm N111
Spanish tutoring with Ms. Cadavid
8:10 am/RM C314
Spanish tutoring with Ms. Jackson - RM C212
French tutoring
8:10 am/Mr. Ngwa
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Friday AM
Peer Mediators
8:00/Rm C116
Concert Band (6)
7:45 am
Advanced
Concert Band
7:45 am
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Monday PM
(All at 3:30
unless otherwise noted)
Girl Up
Rm E305
Newspaper
Rm N116
Student Council
Rm E205
Viking Quarterly
Rm W103
African
Drumming
French Club
Rm CG07
GeoPlunge
Rm C130
Board Games
Rm W106
Deal Relief
Council
Rm E104
Comic Book
Creators
Rm C203
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Tuesday PM
Reader's Theater
Rm E205
Conflict
Resolution& Peer Mediation
McFarland's office
Bocce Club
Front lawn
Music workshop
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Wednesday PM
Student Librarian
Library
Roman Holiday
Rm E204
After School
Sports Rap
Rm W104
Team Santiago
Study Hall
Rm C130
Debate Team
Rm W100
New Student
Workshop
Ms. White's office
Roman Holiday
E204
Deal Scientists
Rm E101
Team Alexandria
Rm E200
Santiago Study
Hall
Rm C130
Parlons Français
Club
Rm C308
Literature-to-
Film Festival
Library
Discovery Club
Rm E101
Salva Las Focas/Save the Seals
Rm C314
Creative Writing
Rm C305
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Thursday PM
unless otherwise noted)
No activities this week - faculty meeting
Team London
Rm E104
Mathletes
Rm E106
TAGS
Rm C130
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Friday PM
8th Grade Model UN
Rm W304
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Tennis Club
Rm E300
Vikings Soccer
Ultimate Frisbee
Girls on Track
Rm E103
After School
Outdoor Hoop
Rm W205
Tennis Club
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Football
Conditioning
Weight Area
Ultimate Frisbee
Rm C130
Girls' Running
Rm E304
Girls on Track
Rm E103
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Community Information
(Items in this section are not sponsored by Deal)
Summer Community Service and Leadership Opportunity
Spark the Wave is an organization where youth leadership is fostered. Their mission is to empower, train, and mentor the next generation of leaders who will impact the world through a lifelong commitment to community service. A 6-day overnight camp "Wave Week 2013" is being held at Villanova University in Villanova, PA from July 14-19. 40 hours of Community service can be earned during this week. Those interested must be at least 13 years old. Please see Ms. White for contact information and a flyer.
AFS Intercultural Programs
Each year, AFS Intercultural Programs welcomes more than 2,300 international high school students to the US. These are outstanding young people who were selected in their home countries to study in US high schools and are eager to experience what it's like to live in America. Sharing daily life with a teenager from another country and culture is a rich and rewarding experience and is a wonderful way for you and your family to bring more understanding into the world. Local AFS Volunteers will support you and your hosted student throughout your experience to help you both receive the most from your time together. You provide a bed and meals for your student, but most importantly, you should be eager and excited to share your life and activities while providing the same kind of care, support, and comfort as you would to your own child or family members. AFS welcomes all kinds of families. Host an AFS Exchange Student and build bridges of intercultural understanding. It's a gift you'll give and receive. Most families have no idea how much they'll gain until they say yes! School Without Walls hosts more students than any other school in the region. Be a part of the excitement. Start the process at www.afsusa.org/hostfamily, or call Chana Hays 202 265 8744 or email fhays1835@aol.com
Wilson Field Hockey Camp *** New Dates! *** and Pre-Season Meeting
Wilson High School will be hosting a 5-day camp, Academy International, from July 29 - August 2. Middle schoolers are welcome. The energetic and knowledgeable coaches come from England, Spain, Holland and elsewhere. One or two families may have the opportunity to host the coaches. The camp will be 3 hours a day, from 4 - 7 pm, on the turf field in the Wilson stadium. The price is $215 per player. If you are interested, please email Sarah Whitener, head coach of the Wilson Field Hockey Team,
Also, rising 9th graders interested in playing field hockey at Wilson are invited to attend a pre-season meeting next Tuesday, May 21, from 6-7 pm, in the Wilson cafeteria. Parents, please come with your players if possible.
Play travel soccer with CapitalFC CapitalFC is holding tryouts for the Fall 2013/Spring 2014 season on May 19 for new teams (U9 boys and girls and U12 girls) and June 1 for existing teams (U10-U15 boys). Please sign up online at www.CapitalFC.org. CapitalFC is a travel only soccer club that fields teams from U9 through U15. CapitalFC teams play in area travel leagues including NCSL and ODSL. All of our team coaches are professionally licensed with personal, professional, and travel team experience; please visit their bios on our website. CapitalFC teams practice on lighted turf fields in the Capitol Hill area, accessible from Metro and I-395/695.
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