Alice Deal Middle School

Think globally - Listen compassionately - Act inclusively  

 

The Weekly Bulletin 

deal modernized
 
Our school mission:
Alice Deal Middle School inspires excellence, curiosity, and compassion through intellectual and social engagement.
deal front        Ecology Field Trip

Principal's Message...

This week draws the curtains on a wonderful year for Alice Deal Middle School. Each year carries its own memories formed by the shared experience of students and staff. For some of us (new principals, new teachers, new students) everything at school felt brand-new. For veterans (returning staff, 7th and 8th graders), the year started with the basic question: will it be better than last year? For those leaving Deal (8th graders, staff), this year will be their most memorable because it will be their last one here. Just like our promoting 8th graders, however, this year will quickly descend into the past for those who remain. Our focus is on next year's experience. 

I have outlined in past weeks some initiatives that we have already begun for the coming school year - Period 8, Approaches to Learning. These are being joined by emphases on building continuity in the student experience 6 - 8, refining select curricular areas, and improving our service to students with disabilities. I am excited by these possibilities, especially in light of this last year's successes. Through a targeted effort, we worked to redefine classroom culture, increase student skills on analyzing texts, and further expand activities for students and families. As always, parents, community members, DCPS, and many, many volunteers worked with us to achieve these and other goals.

 

At the same time, there are still so many things to keep working on. The administrative team and many teachers will be working this summer to bring another great school opening and to lay the groundwork for our future 7th and 8th graders and our new incoming 6th graders. Look for our summer mailing right after the beginning of August, with lots of information and the summer newsletter. Of course, if you need something right away or someone on our staff can help, please give us a call or drop by.

This week is a busy one. 8th graders are using their last Deal Monday to prepare for promotion and to enjoy a performance from the Folger - right here on campus. After promotion on Tuesday morning (at 10am!), school will continue on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (half-day). Teachers have instructional activities planned up to the end - in spite of what some children might say who want their summer to start a little bit early.

There will be a final 2012-2013 weekly bulletin next week - but a shorter one. Our offices will remain open all summer - so continue to bring your registrations in and continue to check in if you have questions.

Principal Albright

PS. With 340 8th graders being promoted on Tuesday, parking will be very tight. Consider public transportation, of course, but if you are driving you will need to be give yourself enough time to park. It is clear that our "little" Deal auditorium will be insufficient for 400 students next year; it will be cozy this year so please bear with us!

Stay Informed!
Join Our Mailing List
          Week of 
June 17, 2013ringing
 
Bell Schedule

Monday - Bell I 
Tuesday - Promotion (8th), Kings Dominion (7th), Cameron Run (6th) 
Wednesday - Bell I 
Thursday - Bell I  
Friday - Half Day Bell 
(Students dismissed at 12:15)
 
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. 

Upcoming Dates 


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)

Get your 

2012 - 2013

Alice Deal MS Yearbook Now!!! 

 

The 2012-2013 yearbooks are in!  

Don't miss out on the opportunity to purchase this keepsake of your memories!

Please bring in cash or a money order in the amount of $35.00 made out to Alice Deal to Ms. Baxter in the Welcome Center  during your lunch period or after school. 

There are a limited number of yearbooks so don't miss out!



Library News
 

The library will be closed after school Tuesday-Thursday.


   All Deal library books are due for the end of year inventory.
 
  Please return all library books, and see Mrs. Allen or Ms. Redekopp if you have any questions.

  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
* 

Elements Fitness and Wellness Center


Discount Vacation Rentals for Deal Families


 Capitol Language Services 

  

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 [email protected].

Here is a link to the bus route schedule.
 
Student & parent information

 

New:  Summer Reading List

Summer is a great time to lay back with a good book - and we have summer reading assignments for your students! Please visit the Deal website for grade-level information, or pick up a copy in the Welcome Center.

 

New: Deal Garden 

The Deal Garden Club has planted lots of yummy vegetables and beautiful flowers this year. Now we are looking for families to volunteer a week out of their summer to come to Deal once a day to water and weed the garden during their designated week. If you are interested please email Ms. Popadich at [email protected].

 

DCPS Teacher of the Year Nominations

Has your child had an exceptional teacher this year?  If so, then nominate him or her for DCPS Teacher of the Year. Click the link below to show support for your child's teacher: 

Nominate a teacher for an award

 

Registration hours at Wilson for 8th graders

Wilson's office is open to complete residency verification Monday through Friday 9:00 until 3:00 and we have extended hours on Tuesdays until 6:30 in room 102.


Wilson Summer Running Training  

Coach Dunham and Wilson SHS invite rising 9th grade runners (girls) to a 2013-14 interest meeting as well as to invite all serious middle and long distance runners to our summer training program. Our interest meeting for girls will be held at 4pm Tuesday, June 11th in room 406. Coach Dunham will meet Deal students at the front gate at 3:55pm in case any students have trouble getting into the building.  Parents are welcomed! 

 

If you are a parent of a cross country and/or middle/long distance boy you should reach Coach O'Steen at: [email protected]

 

Also, during the summer we will have a Summer Training Program (for middle, high school, and collegiate athletes of all abilities). If you are interested please email [email protected], Coach Beliveau at [email protected], or Coach O'Steen at the above email. Our starting date will be held Thursday, June 20th at 6pm on the track at Wilson.

 
Summer Reading Opportunity

SYNC YA is a program that gives away two complete audiobook downloads - a current Young Adult title paired thematically with a Classic or Required Summer Reading title - each week from May 30 - August 21, 2013. Check

http://www.audiobooksync.com/Note: all book selections may not be appropriate for all ages. (Ms. Redekopp especially recommends The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Letter from Birmingham Jail, Enchanted, and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.)

     

9th Grade Wilson Orientations

The schedule for Wilson orientation in August for rising 9th graders is as follows:

August 12: 8:30 - 2:30 - Orientation for students with last names A-D
August 13: 8:30 - 2:30 - Students E-K
August 14: 8:30 - 2:30 - Students L-R
August 15: 8:30 - 2:30 - Students S-Z
August 16: 8:30 - 2:30 - Make Up Session for all students
August 21: 7 pm - New Parent Orientation
Sept 12: 6 - 9 pm - Back to School Night.

  

Voyage Culturel et Linguistique en France 2014

Registration for the France trip (Spring 2014) is still open for current 7th graders taking French. The tour number is 1344248. To register, go to www.eftours.com and click on Have a tour number? Enter tour number "1344248."

If you have any questions, please contact Mr.Mbayu ([email protected]) or Mr. Ngwa ([email protected]). Merci!

  

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.
 
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 [email protected] or call 202-939-2012.

 


This Week at Deal...  

 

Monday:  6th Grade Birthday Celebration

The final 6th grade birthday celebration will be held today. Students will birthday invitations should come to the cafeteria at 3:00pm. 

 

Monday:  The Afterschool Outdoor Basketball Club

The Afterschool Outdoor Basketball Club will meet on Monday, June 17 at 3:30 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: Kings Dominion Trip (7th Grade)

All students going on the 7th grade Kings Dominion trip must arrive no later than 7:45am. Parents, please pick your children up no later than 8am. 

 

Tuesday: Trip to Cameron Run (6th Grade)
6th graders should report to school at the normal time. Students will report to homeroom and remain there until 10:00. Teams will begin to board the buses at 10:05.  Students will leave Cameron Run at 3:00. All staff members who are chaperoning the trip will meet at 8:10 on Monday morning in room C104.

 

Tuesday: 8th Grade Promotion

Congratulations to our Class of 2013! Promotion will begin promptly at 10am; parents should please be seated by 9:45. If you do not have a ticket, you will not be able to attend - we have a strict two-guest-per-8th-grader policy. Students should arrive by 8:45am.
 

 

Staff information ...  
Cameron Run chaperones meeting
All staff chaperoning the 6th grade trip will meet Monday morning at 8:10 in C104

Faculty Meeting 
Our last faculty meeting of the year will take place on Wednesday at 3:30pm in the cafeteria.

Summer Check-Out
Summer check-out forms were distributed at our previous staff meeting. Make sure that you are on top of your closing responsibilities! 

Community Information
(Items in this section are not sponsored by Deal)

 

 

Metro Sketchers Drawing Class 

 If your 11 to 15-year-old likes drawing, I have a few spots left for a four-day art camp this summer, July 8-11, from 9:30am-2:30pm. We meet in Tenleytown and take Metro to the National Gallery and the Phillips Collection, sketching city scenes, people, and art. We'll be visiting the special prints and drawings room at the National Gallery to see sketches by Picasso and Gauguin up close. I'm a Deal parent and artist, and have been teaching children at the National Gallery for several years. If you're interested, email [email protected] for more info.

 

Spain Students Need Host Families

Exchange students ages 14-17 from Spain will be visiting the Washington DC community and looking for good host families in August. The coordinator for this group is a teacher from Washington DC, Miluska Triveno (908)783-1809, [email protected]. Host Families come in all shapes and sizes: families with small children, young couples, single parents, families where both adults work. Your family will gain so much from the experience: Learning about different cultures first hand, enjoy the fun trips and activities, brush up on or learn another language, share your own culture, make the world a smaller place one friendship at a time. Students will have English classes in the morning and will be busy most days. They have half day activities after classes and full day trips once per week. Many activities are planned and host families are more than welcome to come on the trips. Some of the trips will include New York City, Philadelphia, Hershey Park and Baltimore's inner harbor. Your students will be busy during the week and free to spend time with your family on the weekends.

 

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 [email protected] 

 

 

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,
[email protected].  Visit the camp website at www.academyinternational.net. Tell your friends!