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 (Brief) Message...

I hope everyone enjoyed a peaceful Spring Break. We leap right back into the fray tomorrow morning and don't stop until late June, so I hope you are well rested! As I am still recuperating from a delightful trip to Central America with some wonderful 8th graders, I'll keep it brief this evening:

1) School starts at 8:45, kids. Be there early, and be there every day.
2) There is a lot of work to do before the summer. The entire 4th advisory, for example.
3) The dress code is always in effect.

Parents: rising 6th, 7th, and 8th grade parents should be registering their children at Deal as soon as possible. We will have late Thursday registration sessions until 7:00pm every week. It is very important to register as early as possible. I will go into more detail in a later posting, but don't be the last one, please!

James Albright
Week of  
April 21
 Bell Schedule
Monday - No School
Tuesday - Bell I 
      Wednesday - Bell I
Thursday - Viking Time
Friday - Bell I

Register Now!

 

All students must be registered for the 2014-2015 school year by June 20th.

 

Current 5th, 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  



April 22
Principal's Coffee, 9 - 10 am

April 24
Faculty meeting, 3:30 pm

April 25
SCAC meeting, 7:30 am

April 26
Saturday Detention, 9 - noon
Musical Rehearsal, 9 to 4 pm

April 27
Musical Rehearsal,  9 - noon

April 29
Grade Level Chair, 3:30 p.m
IB Assessment Workshop (staff)
Model UN Conference.

May 1 
8th Grade Group Picture

May 2
No School for Students
PD day for Staff 

May 3
Musical Rehearsal, 9 - 4 pm
Feeder School Math Test 
6th Grade Awards Ceremony

May 4
Musical Rehearsal, 9  4 pm

May 6
Feeder School Math Test

May 8
Feeder School Math Test
Spring Musical, 7:30 pm

May 9
Spring Musical, 7:30 pm 

May 10 
Saturday Detention, 9 - Noon
Mulch Sale
Spring Musical, 2 pm

May 13
Feeder School Math Test
Team Leaders, 3:30 pm

May 14
ELA 7 Utopia Night, 5:30 pm

May 15
Feeder School Math Test
Spring Concert, 6:30 pm

May 16
SCAC, 7:30 am 

May 17
Mulch Sale 
Hands on DC

May 21
PTA Meeting, 6:30 pm

May 22
Feeder School Math Test
Faculty Meeting

May 23
Music in The Parks Festival
Hershey Park 

May 24 
Saturday Detention 9 - noon
Fun run 8 - 9:30 am

May 26
No School For Students
Memorial Day

May 27
Feeder Math Test
Team Leaders, 3:30 pm
7th Grade Science Field Trip

May 28 
7th Grade Science Field Trip
8th Grade Civil Right Trip

May 29
Battle of the Bands
7th Grade Science Field Trip
8th Grad Civil Rights Trip

May 30
7th Grade Science Field Trip
8th Grade Civil Rights Trip 

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!     

Media Center News
 

The library will be closed Thursday, April 24th for the faculty meeting.

 

Center Hours 

 

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). 
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.

PTA Sponsors
The following are the Deal PTA 2013-2014 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 


Discount Vacation Rentals for Deal Families


 Capitol Language Services  

*

Acacia Bistro 

  

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. 

PTA News

 

Our 8th grade students are being promoted in June and so are the Parents!
 
We Need Your HELP!

 COME OUT TO THE DEAL PTA VOLUNTEER FAIR 
 
Find out about the numerous 2014 - 2015 Executive Board and LSAT Roles just waiting for you!

When:  Wednesday, April 30, 2014
              7:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.
  
Where:  District 2 Bar and Grille
              Located just a few blocks away at
               3238 Wisconsin Ave NW 

Please RSVP by Thursday, April 24, 2014

Be Part of What Makes Deal Successful!

Your Support Means a Great Deal!

Cathy House and Addy Schmitt
Co- PTA Presidents

Student & parent information

 

New: Period 8 Classes Start This Week

Most fourth advisory Period 8 classes begin this week. Families of registered students should have received detailed information via email. Students will receive additional reminders in homeroom and over the PA system.

 

Haven't signed up yet?  You can still register for Map Making, Storytelling in Video Games, The Civil Rights Movement, and Philosophy. For more detailed information or the link to register for classes, please visit: https://sites.google.com/a/dc.gov/period-8-catalogue/

Learn more by watching the Period 8 promotional video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JhUQ8vH37o  

http://mybigcampus.dcps.dc.gov/library/420968 (within DCPS network)

Questions about Period 8?  Email [email protected]

 

New: National Speech and Debate Honor Society

Please insure that you have turned in to Mr. Stroud all supplemental point recording forms by May 10, 2014. New inductees will be notified via a formal invitation to the induction ceremony distributed by May 25, 2014. See Mr. Stroud or Ms. Darkjian for additional information.

 

New: Middle School Novice Speech and Debate Tournament

Have something to say?  Are you an actor or actress that love the spotlight? Want to try speech or debate without dealing with all the pressure? Great! Deal will be hosting a small novice speech and debate tournament on May 23, 2014. Events will include duo acting, storytelling, current event talk, impromptu, 2-person fairy tale debate, and TEDtalk! If you are interested in attending, please see Mr. Stroud or attend a short informational meeting after school on Thursday.

 

New: Comics Advisory Group
Do you think the library needs new comics to update the collection? If you are interested in participating in an online club where we discuss selection criteria for the Deal Library, contact Ms. Redekopp. You can have a voice in choosing the next round of comics for your fellow students!
 
New: Poetry Celebration
Join poetry lovers for a celebration in the library after school of May 1. April is Poetry Month, so our celebration will feature any Deal student who would like to perform a poem (original or by another author, memorized or read). Magnetic poetry will also be available for the kinesthetic poets among us!

7th grade First In Math Update
Seventh grade students' First In Math independent project will be a little different for the 4th advisory. Each student will be responsible for earning an extra 1,000 stickers from 3rd advisory. Each child will need to check on their beginning sticker amount to calculate what they will need to get 100 percent of the grade. Students can earn these points through any of the games, skills sets, bonus rounds, etc.  This will be due May 30th. There is no extension for this project so make sure your student gets off to a strong start now!

Example:

Joe Student's end of 3rd advisory sticker counts was 3,589. To earn the top score, Joe would need to have 4,589 stickers by May 30th. 

 

Scholastic Reading Clubs
Books and ebooks are available online for students at a discounted rate. Go online, register, and order today! Ms. Kinzer will process your order and have books delivered to your child at school. To order:

1. Register at scholastic.com/readingclub
<http://scholastic.com/readingclub>
2. Enter the Class Activation Code: LWMM6
3. Choose from thousands of print titles, value packs, and Storia eBooks

Orders should be placed no later than Friday, May 2nd. If you have any additional questions, please contact Ms. Kinzer at [email protected].

 

Shop at AmazonSmile

Shop at AmazonSmile now through 3/31/14 and Amazon will donate an extra $5 to the Alice Deal PTA. Click on this link to get started: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-6042415.

 

Sailing Club at Deal

Keep an eye on the horizon for Deal's first sailing club! Starting after spring break, Deal will partner with local nonprofit, DC Sail, to bring the excitement of the seven seas to a classroom near you. After learning some safety and skills, active club members will have opportunities to get out on the water in the spring! No experience is necessary and all land-lubbers are welcome. Please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected] with any questions.

Are you so excited you can't wait to get started? Check out dcsail.org for more information on classes and affordable summer camp opportunities.
  

Yearbook/Newspaper pictures are requested!

Please email any pictures for the yearbook and/or the newspaper to Mr. Klauber at  [email protected] 

  

New Issue of School Newspaper

Be sure to check out The Vikings Quarterly for Deal news, human interest pieces, reviews, and more! You can find us at: http://alicedealvq.org

  
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! (We are up to and over 280 followers - remember that Mr. Albright has promised to cook dinner for the lucky millionth follower!) 

Spring Sports
 
Please click on the following Athletics Calendar Link for any changes to the sports schedule.   
 
Track - Coach Turner, Coach Downing & Coach Helsabeck
Outdoor track practice will be on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:30 - 4:45 pm. 

Lacrosse - Coach Downing
http://www.winnerslacrosse.org
Girls practices will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Boys will practice on Mondays and Fridays. Contact Coach Downing with questions ([email protected])

Softball - Coach Spann

Softball practices will be: 

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 3:30 - 5:00 pm 
   
Girls Soccer - Coach Ngwa

[email protected] or [email protected].

 

Baseball - Coach Monaco & Coach Downing

The Deal baseball teams will practice Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week.  

 

DC Scores Boys and Girls Soccer

Practice this week on Monday and Wednesday from 3:30 - 4:30 pm with games on Friday. Be on the field by 3:30 ready to play!

 

Spring Sports Coaches

Ultimate Frisbee - Ms. Kouri & Mr. Martini

Girls Soccer - Mr. Ngwa, Ms. Rosenthal 

Outdoor Track - Mr. Turner, Mr. Downing, & Mr. Helsabeck 

Lacrosse - Mr. Downing

Softball - Ms. Spann

Baseball - Mr. Monaco

 

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 procedures.


 The Wizard of OZ!
PERFORMANCE DATES
 May 8th, 9th and 10th

Please check email from Ms. Roos for this week's rehearsal schedule. Note that there are rehearsals on Saturday and Sunday as well this week (and next week).



Questions or Concerns? Email Director Jill Roos [email protected]

This Week at Deal...

  

Tuesday: Debate

Debaters will meet this Tuesday for practice rounds. Please make sure that if you are debating in May that you also check the debate site on Edmodo.

 

Wednesday: Team Santiago Study Hall

Mr. Martini, Ms. Nakamura, and Ms. Jackson will be available to provide academic support to all Team Santiago students every Wednesday from 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm in Room C130. Please feel free to come for help or simply for a quiet place to work.

 

 

Eighth Grade Corner

 

 

8th grade students planning to attend Wilson High school please click on the following link for 


High School Common Application Schedule: 

 

May 1st: Deadline to claim your seat by turning in your enrollment forms.            

 

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.


Staff information ...  

 

Faculty Meeting - Thursday, June 24 at 3:30 pm 

 

Change in District PD Schedule

Please note that May's District Professional Development Day has been moved from May 9th. The May PD will now be held on May 2nd.  

 

SCAC Meeting - Friday, June 25 at 7:30 am 

 

(all activities begin at 7:45 am unless otherwise stated)
 


Monday   
 

Tuesday

Wednesday 
Thursday
Friday 
 

 

   

 All School Chorus

  
Percussion Ensemble
 
String Chamber Ensemble  
Percussion Ensemble  
String Chamber Ensemble 
Jazz Band 
 
Symphonic Band 
Jazz Band 
Symphonic Band 
Peer Mediators Meeting 8:00 am  
RM C116 
 
6th Grade Concert Band 
 
6th Grade Concert Band 
 
    
(all activities begin at 3:30 pm unless otherwise stated)

Monday




Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday
 

Friday
 
Music Workshop
 Chinese
Tutoring
 Alexandria Library E205
Art from the Heart 
C205 
Robotics/Investment 
Team
E207
 Cheerleading practice - gym
GeoPlunge
E105
New to Deal Transition Workshop
Chinese tutoring
Cheerleading practice - gym
Cooking Club Group B CG03
Swim Team Practice to 5:30 pm

Team Santiago study hall C130

Team London study hall

E104

The Big Deal Acappella 
Choir
Robotics/
Investment Team 
E207
Photography Club
W204
Music Workshop
Field Hockey practice
Student Council meeting
GSA club
N116 or
W305
Team Babylon tutoring 
W207
TAGS DC
C130

Literary Magazine club CG07 
History club
W304
Vinyl club
C203
Speech Club
W206

Board Games
W106
Debate Team
W206
  Art From the Heart C205
French tutoring
N111

Chess Club
Cafeteria
Jiu Jitsu
Outside gym

Model Un
W304 

Scrabble club
Cafeteria
Science Olympiad Team W200

Meditation Club C213

 


Team Rio study hall

 Digital Recording Club



Yoga club RM E101

Team Mumbai tutoring


Knitting Club
W103
After School String workshop
 

Illustrator's Club C224
DIY club 
E105



Chinese tutoring
The Big Deal Acappella Choir 


GirlUp!
E305
Let's Get It Together
C113


Artist Journaling
C217
Outdoor Basketball Club 
Cottage 



African Drumming CG21









 



Please click the following link for the: 

  


Community Information
(Items in this section are not sponsored by Deal)
  
Mark your calendars for Wilson ArtsFest  2014!  

Wilson High School would like to invite all Deal Middle School families to its ArtsFest Open House on Thursday, May 22nd from 4 to 8pmAdmission is free! The Open House will feature visual art exhibits, as well as dance, musical and dramatic performances that showcase the talents of Wilson students and the excellent arts programming at Wilson High School.  In addition, the whole family can participate in interactive art projects and games, shop at the student marketplace and sample delicious selections from our food vendors (no need to race home for dinner).  Look for more details in the coming weeks, or e-mail[email protected]
 with questions.

Summer Program

Middle School Girls at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - July 2014 

 

NASA is sponsoring a summer program for middle school girls, July 14-18, 2014, at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).  SISTER (Summer Institute in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Research) will introduce the students to non-traditional career roles for women and increase their awareness of the educational preparation and job opportunities.  The objectives will be met by exposing them to "hands-on" activities, bonding and interaction with current students and professionals in these roles, and fostering a learning environment with scientific and mathematic enrichment.

Visit the website http://education.gsfc.nasa.gov/sister/index.html for more information and contact resources.

Additional program information includes: 

The SISTER program is designed to increase awareness of and provide an opportunity for female middle school students to be exposed to and explore nontraditional career fields with GSFC women engineers, mathematicians, scientists, technicians and researchers. The objectives of the program include introducing young women to a technical working environment; acquainting students with GSFC missions; providing an awareness of educational programs and internships available during high school, undergraduate and graduate study; providing observations and experiences with real hands-on projects researched and developed by women at GSFC. The SISTER program components include such activities as women scientist, engineers, technicians, researchers, and mathematicians as mentors; women speakers in various fields at GSFC; women entrepreneur role models; multicultural experiences; a tour of facilities; building and launching rockets; hands-on science experiments; and written communication experiences; and interpersonal and human relations skills building.

 

 

Spring Tennis for Alice Deal Students at Lafayette

Tennis is a great sport you can play all your life with friends and family.  If you want to learn how to play tennis or develop you tennis game with your friends at Deal, we have classes for teens at 5:30 on Monday through Thursday starting March 16 right.  Check it out at www.LafayetteTennis.org .  Classes are for beginners and advanced players.  If you have questions you can call or text Paul Rosenbaum at 202 441-0925 or email to[email protected]


Asian American Lead Program is Recruiting

The program offers bi-weekly sessions during the school year, Monday through Saturday, and the summer months, Monday through Friday. The program is designed to provide comprehensive programming for our youth. Youth are incorporated into the program's design and decision-making, ensuring that they are empowered and invested in their program. Programming covers academic needs, leadership and team skill building, positive social engagement and healthy active lifestyles. Programming sessions include Youth Council, SAT prep, College prep, ESL, tutoring, peer process discussion groups, enrichment workshops (i.e., yoga, dance, cooking), and gender specific groups. 

Right now, our recruitment is targeted specifically to Vietnamese American students.
Any  student who you think would benefit from this program, please refer  to: 
-- 
My Nguyen
DC Program Coordinator 
AALEAD

2100 New Hampshire Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20009
P: 202-884-0322 ext. 110 | E: [email protected] 
CFC# 88412 / United Way# 9613
http://www.aalead.org/

  

 Squash Team  

 

Would you like to try the new cool sport in town? Dealsquash team is open for spring registrations!

Where - Chevy Chase Athletic Club, Barlow Building, Friendship Hts (opp Wholefoods)
Equipment - loaner equipment provided, need to wear non marking shoes.
Activities - we will have training days and play other MS teams in a friendly competitive league and work on fitness.

Financial assistance available

Contact Connie Barnes directly at [email protected] with any questions.

 www.aussienicksquash.com 

www.chevychaseathleticclub.com 

 
Bancroft Elementary School 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. 
Interested students may contact Devon Bartlett at [email protected] 
or 202-288-0009.