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...
This week marks the end of the 2013 calendar year, and the 33 percent mark of the school year. Everyone has been extremely busy here at Deal and all of you - students, teachers, staff, and families - deserve a refreshing and relaxing break.
But before you go, swing by the school at least one more time! Our music and art programs showcase student work at their first big concert of the year on Wednesday evening at 6:30. Our many ensembles will be performing for the Winter Concert in our beautiful auditorium. As families enter and exit, they will see the walls throughout the first floor decorated with student artwork from the first three months of the school year. We love the reality that every Deal student takes music and art throughout their time at Deal, and that many of those same students take their work to a higher level through ensemble performance and studio club.
The last three weeks of December have seen a great interdisciplinary effort on the part of the 6th grade homeroom teams - working together on an exploration of climate change from a variety of curricular perspectives. The work will be celebrated on Friday throughout the day. The 6th grade will also be sponsoring a star-gazing event on the evening of the 18th (right before the concert), so this is an additional reason to visit the building.
Our 7th grade teams are finishing up their studies of Gilgamesh and the Odyssey and preparing essays analyzing these two historic texts. This is challenging work. As an independent project, we believe our students are able to take on this level of analysis. The independent project allows our students to push themselves to an appropriate level of challenge; the effort these texts require makes it more meaningful.
The 8th grade will be in the midst of their Mock Congressional Hearing (We the People) throughout the early part of the week. Students will be demonstrating their knowledge of the Constitution through this oral presentation - and responding to tough questions from volunteer judges. This activity provides another way for students to put their learning into action, in a way that simulates how citizens actively campaign for change.
As promised, there is significant work to be completed over the next week. Also as promised, we have set deadlines for this work so that it can be completed and turned in before the Winter Break. I know the Deal teachers have worked hard to make this true; please support your children by making sure that they are here each day this week and that they are getting their work in before the break. I am often asked "What can we do to support our student's success?" and this is one of the best answers we have.
Finally, every student received an Edline printout at the mid-advisory break to take home and have signed by their parents or guardians. In keeping with our requirement to notify families when a child is struggling academically, we opted to notify every family of their child's progress and to return a signed form to the effect that they were notified. We believe that reviewing your child's work with them - not so much from a disciplinary perspective but more from a supportive one - will let them know that you are interested in exactly what they are doing and how they are doing on it. If you care, they will care. It really is that simple.
Thank you.
James Albright Principal
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Breaking Results from Weekend Debate Contest
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Yesterday, the Viking Debate Team participated in the 2nd Middle School Urban Debate League tournament of the year, with 250 students representing 81 teams from DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Our debaters captured 3rd place for overall excellence. The eight Deal teams (23 Deal students) won 60% of their 32 debate rounds. Every one of the 96 speeches delivered by the Deal team was vital to achieving this outstanding result.
The team of Claire Medina, Tim Berger, and Isaac Rosenblum-Sellers were undefeated and essentially tied for the lead with 12 other teams (placing 6th after a complex tie-breaking procedure).
The following teams finished 3-1 and placed in the top 25:
- Levi Berger, Nadav Oren, and Layla Behbehani (all 6th graders)
- Zara Hall/Josh Landweber / Gabi Aladjem (all 6th graders)
- Max Karp/Anaily Acosta/Aidan Ward (again, all 6th graders)
Their only defeat was by 8th grade teams who competed at last year's national speech and debate tournament. Other Vikings teams with wins included:
- Diego Pierce/Jamie Hedlund/Alex Togneri-Jones
- Jamie Steward-Aday/Alex Holmes/ James Rogan
- Aidan Jennings-Cashman/Zach Crouch/Daniella Kidder-Luciano
- Philip Hesse/Chris Bond
A special "thank you" to our debate parents, serving as judges, transportation specialists, counselors, and food and beverage managers throughout a very long day. The Viking debaters will host the next Middle School Urban Debate League on February 8, 2014.
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Week of
December 16
Bell Schedule
Monday - Bell I
Wednesday - Bell I
Thursday - Thursday Bell
Viking Time
Friday - Bell III
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Upcoming Dates
December 17
Janney Buddy Day
December 18
Open House 9 - 1
Star-Gazing 6:00
Winter Concert /Art Show 6:30
December 19
Faculty Meeting, 3:30 pm
December 20
SCAC, 7:30 am
Holiday Assembly
December 23 - January 3
Winter Break
January 6
Professional Development Day
No school for students
January 7
Students return to school
January 9
New to Deal, 3:30 pm
January 10
LSAT, 7:30 pm
Visiting Deal, 9 - 10 am
January 11
Saturday Detention, 9 - noon
January 14 Team Leaders, 3:30
January 16
School-Wide Spelling Bee
Vocal Music Concert, 6:30 pm
January 17
SCAC, 7:30 am
January 18
Open House, 9 - 12 noon
January 20
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
No School
January 23
Faculty Meeting, 3:30 pm
January 24
Records Day
Half Day for Students
End of Second Advisory
January 25
Saturday Detention, 9 - 12 noon
January 27
Second Advisory 6th Grade Birthday Party
January 28
Principal's Coffee, 9 - 10 am
Team Leaders Meeting, 3:30 pm
January 31
Visiting Deal, 9 - 10 am
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Buddy Days are almost over!
Every year, Alice Deal 6th grade students and teachers host a day for each feeder school's 5th grade students and teachers to visit during the school day. This is our chance to proudly present our school to future middle school students and we make every effort to ensure our visiting buddies have a super positive experience.
Our last remaining Buddy Day will be with students from Janney elementary from 8:50 am to noon on December 17th.
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The Alice Deal PTA is Building Community
Shop online anytime at Politics and Prose and earn contributions to
benefit the school's library.
Search for books through the search bar at the top of the page, and 5%
of the proceeds from any purchases will go to fund the Deal library.
The library, our teachers, and Deal kids all benefit!
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Before School 8:00 - 8:40 am
After School 3:30 - 4:30 pm
Students must have parental permission to stay after school
The Alice Deal Media Center 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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Bus Information '13-'14
Metrobus Contacts for Schools
If an issue occurs with your designated school transit service, below are contacts at Metro who can help.
For emergency issues or time-sensitive questions (i.e., safety, late buses, missed stops, etc.), contact the Bus Operations Communication Center at (202) 962-1825.
For longer-term bus planning needs (i.e., requests for new transit services, ongoing crowding, etc.), contact Brooke Fossey at (202) 962-5203 or [email protected].
As always, please send an email about bus problems or concerns to [email protected]. Here is a link to the bus route schedule. |
Immunization News
Thanks to the parents who have been sending in immunization information. Please continue to send in documentation every time your student receives new immunizations. It is important to have all students immunized to prevent the spread of childhood diseases.
All 6th graders 11 years or older must have the following:
Tdap (tetanus, diptheria and pertussis)
Meningococcal (meningitis)
HPV (human papilloma virus)
For the HPV vaccine, three doses are required for females or you may complete an opt out form.
All immunization forms must be stamped, signed and dated before the Immunization Registry will accept them.
If there are any questions, please call Nurse Whitlock at (202) 939-2009.
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PTA Sponsors
The following are the Deal PTA 2013-2014 business sponsors.
The Broad Branch Market
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W.C. & A.N. Miller Realtor
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Pete's New Haven Style Apizza
* Discount Vacation Rentals for Deal Families
* Capitol Language Services
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Acacia Bistro
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The DCPS Attendance Protocol
***REMINDER****
ACCORDING TO THE DCPS ATTENDANCE POLICY, ONLY ABSENCES DUE TO THE FOLLOWING REASONS ARE EXCUSED:
ILLNESS
MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS
EMERGENCIES
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS
COURT SUMMONS
DEATHS IN THE FAMILY
HIGH SCHOOL VISIT
In order to be acknowledged as "excused", parents must provided a note (email or written) to Ms. Johnson, the attendance counselor, indicating the reason for the child's absence.
Ms. Johnson's email address is [email protected]. If you have any questions, please contact the Welcome Center and ask to speak to the Attendance Counselor, Ms. Johnson.
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Student & parent information
New: RHoK (Random Hacks of Kindness) and the Deal App Update
Thank you to the students, parents, community members, and hackers who took part in Deal's first ever Hackathon with Random Hacks of Kindness. Student-led teams worked over the snowy weekend to build two Deal apps. Our first app is website-based and available here. Look out next week for the second app, which will be available on iTunes!
The Arts@Deal
New: Shakespeare Festival auditions continue
Auditions for our Shakespeare Festival have been extended one more day - this Monday after school in the auditorium. Please contact Jill Roos at [email protected] if you have any questions.
New: Winter Concert Rehearsal
Tech rehearsal for the Winter Concert will be Wednesday, December 18th from 8:00 - 10:00 am. All students in any band, orchestra, or choral group should report to the auditorium with instruments and music. Please look for a list of students via email. The Winter Concert will be Wednesday December 18th at 6:30 pm. Students who do not stay at school must report back to Deal by 5:30 pm dressed and ready to perform.
New: Winter Concert Wednesday @ 6:30 pm
The music department cordially invites you to our winter concert on Wednesday, December 18th at 6:30 pm. The concert will feature chamber and vocal groups, a variety of bands and a full orchestra.
Come and enjoy an evening of great music and impressive student performers!
New: Come Celebrate Our Student Artists!
On the evening of December 18th, in conjunction with the Music Department's Winter Concert at 6:30 pm, all students who have had art class in the first two advisories will have work on display! Please join us to hear some great music and see some great art!
WHO: Deal musicians and artists!
WHAT: Winter concert and art show!
WHEN: Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 6:30 pm
WHERE: Deal Auditorium and surrounding hallways
WHY: To celebrate our students!
"Letters About Literature" Writing Contest
Are you a voracious reader and writer? If so, the "Letters About Literature" contest is perfect for you! The theme is to write a personal letter to an author whose work (either fiction or nonfiction) has changed your view of the world or yourself. See Ms. Clements in CG10 for more information, or email her at
[email protected].
New: All 7th Grade Math Classes
The 7th grade math department has made some changes to the First In Math independent project assignment! Some of the previous requirements were taking an extraordinarily long time and we wanted to make this assignment less of a stressor and more of a way to keep up with your skills.
The following is what is now required as of 12/11/13 for the 01/17/14 due date:
Skill Sets 1, 2, 3
Just the Facts
- Whole Numbers (+, -, x, divide)
- Integers (+, -, x, divide)
- Must score >85% on the post test - You should have a silver or gold star
Equal Pay, Equal Length, Making Change
- Round 1 ONLY
- There are 15 games with 6 levels for each round.
- Equal Pay - Dollars Only
- Equal Length - Metric and Customary
New: School Newspaper
Visit our school newspaper at http://alicedealvq.org
Career Awareness Poster Contest Winner
Congratulations to 7th grader Eliyah Lister for her excellent illustration of the Career Awareness Month theme of "Choosing to Make a Difference." She is the 2013 Deal poster contest winner. Her poster, entitled "Be All You Can Be", will be on display in the hall beside the counseling department offices.
Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI)
The new DCPS report card provides information on your student's reading level using data from the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI). The SRI is a computerized, multiple-choice exam that was created by Scholastic to identify a student's reading comprehension level. The test utilizes adaptive technology, where the exam changes based on the student's answers. The target reading comprehension levels for each grade are as follows:
6th Grade - 800-1050
7th Grade - 850-1150
8th Grade - 900-1200
Generally, Deal students take the SRI twice during the school year: at the beginning and end of the year. Students in reading support classes take the SRI five times a year: at the beginning of the year and at the end of every advisory. If you have questions regarding your student's SRI score, please reach out to your student's English teacher.
Project Display Boards
Project display boards are on sale for 8th grade Science Fair or National History Day (NHD). Boards cost $6.00. Purchases may be made with Ms. Hampton in W301 or Mr. Jakubowski in E301.
Winter Solstice Star Gazing
Come join the 6th grade science department for a Winter Solstice Star Gazing event on the fields at Deal on Wednesday, December 18th from 6:00 - 6:30pm. Please bring a telescope if you have one and dress for the weather. If you are an expert or know an expert on astronomy that would be interested in contributing to the event please contact Ms. LoFaro. Note: This event is weather dependent.
Parents Group: Parenting Children w ADHD.
Parents, are you looking for support and strategies for managing your child who lives with ADHD? The next parent support/psychoeducation group is on Monday, December 16th at 6:00 - 7:30 pm. Please contact [email protected] for more information or just arrive that evening ready to share and learn.
Follow @DealVikings on Twitter!
Be sure to follow, mention, and retweet Alice Deal's new Twitter account for updates and pictures from the daily happenings at Deal. If you already follow us, you know that we have been posting pictures and narratives that show what is happening during each of our Deal days. Don't miss out!
World Language Trips
The world language trip deadlines for the 2014 trips are next week week. At this point, we have at least 58 students traveling to Costa Rica, 66 traveling to France, and 31 to China (not including parents and chaperones). If you are the parent of a 7th grader, now is the time to start planning for the 2015 trip; registration information will soon be posted.
France - Spring Break 2014
Please go to www.eftours.com and enroll with tour number: 1344248K. Questions/Comments? Feel free to contact M. Mbayu at [email protected]
Costa Rica - Spring Break 2014
Please go to www.eftours.com and enroll with tour #1365514. Questions/Comments? Feel free to contact Ms. Henderson at [email protected].
China - Spring Break 2014
Please go to www.eftours.com and enroll with tour #1362243VB. Questions/Comments? Feel free to contact Mr. Yanming Zhi at [email protected].
Trip Scholarships - 2014
Individual scholarships have been awarded - more information will be shared in the next bulletin. Families seeking additional support will be contacted this week.
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Winter Sports Practice/Games Schedule
Team
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W
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Th
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Cheer
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3:30 - 5
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X
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X
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X
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3:30 - 5
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6th Boys Basket
| 3:30 - 5
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3:30 - 5
| 3:30 - 5 |
Deal 6th vs LaSalle
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Walker Jones
3:30 | X
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6th Girls Basket
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3:30 - 5
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X
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3:30 - 5
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X
| 7/8 Boys Basket
| 5 - 6:30
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Deal vs
Stuart Hobson
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Stuart Hobson
4:45
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5 - 6:30
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5 - 6:30
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X
| 7/8 Girls Basket
| 5 - 6:15
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Deal vs
Stuart Hobson
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Stuart Hobson
3:30
| 5 - 6:15
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5 - 6:15
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Indoor Track
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3:30 - 4:30
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X
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3:30 - 4:30
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3:30 - 4:30
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X
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Student athletes with later start times for practice are required to be in study hall until practice starts. With permission, students may work with other teachers as needed. Students must be under adult supervision at all times.
Please ensure that your athlete has sufficient food for snacks or meals; individual teams may make arrangements for their students. Students are not allowed to leave school to travel for food in the neighborhood, nor are they allowed to ask others to do so.
Please speak with your child's coach if you have questions about any of these items.
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This Week at Deal...
Please note: not all club meetings are included in this section; please check the full schedule at the bottom of this bulletin.
Monday: The Outdoor Basketball Club
The Afterschool Outdoor Basketball Club will meet on Monday, December 16th at 3:30 pm behind the school on the court next to the "cottage". Dress for cold weather. In the event of rain, we will meet with Mr. Namian in Room E-204.
Monday: New Audition for Shakespeare Festival
To provide an additional day for students interested in auditioning, we have added an audition session for this Monday at 3:30 in the auditorium
Tuesday: Bridge Club
Come learn how to play the challenging and rewarding game of bridge! No prior experience required, just a willingness to learn. You can have a snack, talk to friends, and play cards in room E100 Tuesdays 3:30 - 4:30 pm.
Tuesday: 7/8 girls and boys basketball games
Both Vikings squads travel to Stuart-Hobson for afternoon games; first game starts at 3:30pm.
Wednesday: Deal Open House
Our second Open House of the year will run from 9 until 1pm. Tours will be given by our Student Council leaders.
Wednesday: Team Santiago Study Hall
Ms. Brittingham, Mr. Martini, Ms. Nakamura, and Ms. Jackson are available to provide academic support to all Team Santiago students every Wednesday from 3:30 - 4:30 pm in Room C130. Please feel free to come for help or simply for a quiet place to work.
Wednesday: Solstice Star Gazing
Outside event from 6 - 6:30pm. Be sure to dress for the weather!
Thursday: December Viking Time
On Thursday, we will have our Thursday Bell with our last Viking Time of 2013.
Thursday: 6th grade boys basketball game
The Vikings take on LaSalle at Walker-Jones. Game time is at 3:30pm.
Friday: 6th Grade Interdisciplinary Unit
The 6th grade teams will celebrate a successful conclusion to their interdisciplinary unit about climate change throughout the day on Friday, December 20.
Friday: Holiday Assembly
The Holiday Assembly will be a musical performance for our students and staff. We will follow a Bell III schedule, so the performance will begin around 2:30.
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Staff information ...
Monday: PTA Breakfast
The PTA will provide a delicious, hot breakfast for our staff from 7:30 - 8:30 am!
Wednesday: Rehearsal for Winter Concert in am
Students performing in the evening's Winter Concert will be called to rehearsal in the morning.
Wednesday: 8th Grade Level Meeting
8th Grade teachers will have a meeting on Wednesday, December 18, at 8:10am in E300.
Thursday: Faculty Meeting
The faculty meeting will take place in the cafeteria at 3:30 pm.
Friday: SCAC Meeting at 7:30 am
New: iPad Update
We are preparing to update our iPad management system. If you've previously used a particular iPad app in your classroom and you would like to that app to potentially continue to be available, please complete this three question form: http://tinyurl.com/DealiPadApps
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Eighth Grade Corner
Specialized High School Open House Dates
High School application deadlines are fast approaching beginning in early December! Don't miss the opportunity to visit their upcoming Open Houses.
Duke Ellington School of the Arts www.ellingtonschool.org/admissions/open-houses/
- Dec. 20th & Jan. 17th, 11 - 2 pm
Wilson High School www.wilsonhs.org
- Jan. 10th, Feb. 7th, and March 14, 2014, 9 - 11
McKinley Technology High School www.mckinleytech.org
- Wednesday, December 18th, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
- Saturday, January 11th, 10 - 12 pm
High School Common Application
This year there will be a common application and lottery system for all public schools of choice, including charters, DCPS out-of-boundary, and DCPS specialized high schools. The initiative is entitled MySchoolDC, for more information email www.MySchoolDC.org. The timeline for completing the application process is as follows:
December 16th: Application becomes available online at www.MyschoolDC.org
February 3rd: Application deadline for all DCPS and most DC charter high schools
March 31st: Results released.
May 1st: Deadline to claim your seat by turning in your enrollment forms.
The DCPS Specialized/City-Wide High Schools are:
- Benjamin Banneker High School
- McKinley Technology High School
- Columbia Heights Education Campus (Bell)
- Phelps Architecture, Construction, and Engineering High School
- Duke Ellington School of the Arts
- School Without Walls
Requesting Recommendations for Private Schools
1. Who to ask? Start by thinking of which teachers can attest to your strengths and positive attributes. Some schools require specific subject teachers to write the recommendation so be aware of this before you ask.
2. Gather the recommendation forms and fill out all pertinent information. Prepare an addressed and stamped envelope for each school from which you are requesting a recommendation. All recommendations will be placed in the mail by the individual teacher or by your counselor.
3. Take the recommendation form with the envelope to the person from whom you need the request. Ask the person if they would be willing to write a recommendation for you. Remind them of the date by when it needs to be completed and mailed in. Please give the teacher two weeks to complete your recommendation. Ms. McFarland has copies of "Letter of Recommendation Request Forms" and "Student Profile Sheets" that are helpful for this process.
If you need a transcript to send to a private school, please provide Ms. McFarland an addressed and stamped envelope to use to mail your transcript.
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(all activities begin at 7:45 am unless otherwise stated)
Monday
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Thursday
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All School Chorus
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Deal Madrigal
Chorale
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All School Chorus
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All School Chorus
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Percussion Ensemble
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String Chamber Ensemble
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Percussion Ensemble
| String Chamber Ensemble | Jazz Band | |
Symphonic Band
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Jazz Band
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Symphonic Band
| Peer Mediators Meeting 8:00 am RM C116 | | 6th Grade Concert Band | | 6th Grade Concert Band | |
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(all activities begin at 3:30 pm unless otherwise stated)
Monday
| Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday
| Friday
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Outdoor Basketball
Outside Court
| Chinese Tutoring
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Space Time E100
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Art from the Heart
C205
| Girls in Real Life Situations (G.I.R.Ls.) | Cheerleading practice - gym
| GeoPlunge E105
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New to Deal Transition Workshop
| Chinese tutoring |
Cheerleading practice - gym
| Cooking Club Group A CG03
| Swim Team Practice to 5:30 pm
| Team Santiago study hall C130 |
Team London study hall
E104
| 6th Grade Transitions Workshop | Robotics/ Investment Team E207
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Photography Club
W204
| Music Workshop
| Field Hockey practice | Robotics/Investment Team E207 |
Computer Programming
E206
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GSA club
N116 or
W305
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Team Babylon tutoring
W207
| TAGS DC C130 | The Big Deal Acappella Choir |
Literary Magazine club CG07
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History club
W304
| Vinyl club C203
| Speech Club W206 |
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Board Games
W106
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Debate Team
W206
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Art From the Heart C205
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French tutoring
N111
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| Chess Club Cafeteria
| Jiu Jitsu Outside gym | Alexandria Library E205
| Model Un W304 |
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Science Olympiad Team W200
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| Team Rio study hall
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Digital Recording Club
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| Team Mumbai tutoring |
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| After School String workshop |
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| Illustrator's Club C224
| DIY club E105
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Chinese tutoring
| The Big Deal Acappella Choir | |
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| GirlUp! E305
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| Artist Journaling C217
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| African Drumming CG21
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| Student Council meeting
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| Music Workshop
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Please click the following link for the:
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Community Information
(Items in this section are not sponsored by Deal)
DC Youth Orchestra
Join the DC Youth Orchestra Program for music classes and ensemble rehearsals this Spring at Eastern High School on Capitol Hill. Most classes and rehearsals are on Saturdays, but some beginning classes are offered on Tuesday evenings. Students at all levels and from the entire DC/MD/VA area are welcome. Students who already play an instrument need to schedule an audition to determine the appropriate class and ensemble. The Spring semester begins on January 25 (the Youth Orchestra and Junior Orchestra begin January 18). The last day to register is January 18. For more information and to register go to www.dcyop.org
Advanced students may schedule an audition for the DCYOP's top orchestra - the Youth Orchestra - for January 11. The YO will be traveling to Bogot�, Columbia in late June to a side-by-side residency and concert tour with the Orquestra Metropolitana Batuta, part of the second-largest youth orchestra system in the world. The 120-piece American-Colombian youth orchestra will perform three concerts, including a finale concert in Bogot�'s 1700-seat concert hall. All members of the Youth Orchestra, including those who audition in January, are invited to participate.
Great community service activity still looking for students!
Janney Elementary school is STILL looking for Honor Roll students from 7th and 8th grade who are interested in working with Janney students to provide homework help and support basic math and English language skills as part of a supervised after school activity, "Study Buddies." This requires a regular commitment on Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays, 3:40 - 4:40 pm from November - January, and would count towards community service.
Contact Pippa Trench at [email protected] if you need more information.
Bancroft Elementary School is Starting a Chess Program.
Bancroft is looking for middle school chess players to help 3rd-5th grade beginners. The program meets every Tuesday from 4:30 - 6:00 pm at Bancroft Elementary.
or 202-288-0009.
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