The IB Learner Profile describes ten characteristic approaches or ways of being that define the "student." Here are some suggestions about how the profile can be used as more than just a work of the school but of our shared community.

• Communicators: Work with your child to know what is going on in her school and friend life. Share with Deal what you know that will help us both help her succeed.
• Risk-takers: Encourage your child to try something different - regularly. Getting out of his most comfortable places helps him grow. Risks can be found in the classroom, the lunchroom, walking on the way home; help him take appropriate risks.
• Balanced: Keep your eye on how your child looks at her life. Are friends all important? Schoolwork or activities overwhelming? How can she balance her interests so she can enjoy all that she is doing?
• Open-Minded: Help your child see the world from different perspectives, different lives. How would his actions and choices change from a better understanding of these perspectives? Knowing this, how can his actions and choices change in his own life?
• Principled: Share your principles with your child as a guide to helping her sort out her own. What do you believe, and how does that affect your life? Children struggle with connecting values with actions; you are your child's best guide.
• Inquirers: Ask your child questions about her life, and listen closely. Find ways to help explore her innate curiosity about the world through responding fully to her questions.
• Thinkers: Challenge your child to explain his thinking with logic. Ask him about assumptions he makes, about his basis for a decision, or whether the opposite is true.
• Knowledgeable: Validate your child's knowledge in whatever she is expert. Enable her to pursue that understanding, regardless of topic.
• Reflective: Discuss daily events and ask your child to reflect on his role, his experience, or what he might do differently (or again). Talk about something in the recent past and see if he has changed his mind - and why or why not.
• Caring: Talk about caring as an action that brings a feeling to life. Ask your child how he was caring to a friend, a family member, or someone he doesn't know. Check in with him regularly to keep this an important part of how he interacts with others.

There remain just two weeks until we part (temporarily) with your children for the Winter Break. As a school, we will not be giving assignments over the break for our students - teachers and students all need a chance to reconnect with family and friends without homework hanging over their heads. In order to do this it is critical that your children complete all assignments due before they leave the building on the 19th. This means that missing work, unfinished assignments, or reading expectations need to be completed over the next two weeks. Student assignments are intended to connect with the daily learning; turning in something weeks later is both frustrating for the teachers as it is ineffective for learning. Let's all work together to make sure that on January 5th we rejoin the Deal school community with an eagerness for new work!

A special shout-out to the Art and Music Departments (Ms. Lombardo, Ms. Kouri, Ms. Kim, Ms. Myers, Ms. Suslov, and Mr. Lewis) at Deal for hosting our first-ever Deal Coffee House last Thursday. The gallery was filled with families and students watching their friends perform in a true coffee-house atmosphere. Students were able to show their many talents, including dance, singing, comedy stand-up, musical performances, among others. Artwork was available for sale; all proceeds are going to help support an art department in a DCPS school purchase needed art supplies. Special recognition goes out for the rap stylings of our own Mr. Schick!

• Donate tickets to sporting events, theater, and concerts!
• Consider donating a getaway. Everyone needs a vacation!
• Are you famous our know someone who is? Autographed items are a hit!
• Throw a party! Gather some friends and host a fun event!
• Can you cook? Donate a dessert a month or host a meal for donors!

Finally, as you shop for the holidays or visit your favorite restaurant, ask store owners if they would consider donating a gift certificate. It's that easy!

 

Donate now or direct donors to our website here: Alice Deal Auction