For the first time in several years, DCPS did not lose its final Parent-Teacher Conference date to winter weather make-up days. We anticipate the usual large numbers tomorrow, especially with the end of the year looming. As a school we have been working hard to make sure your students are ending on a high note - and we need your support. There are still four weeks of school left - almost half of an advisory. Any conversations about student work should be focused on the fourth advisory as the new DCPS grading system views each advisory as a full 25 percent of a student's grade. We will have assignments all the way up to the end of the school year, so now is the time to get a read on what is coming up, where your student needs support, and how they can remain attentive going into these last weeks.

There are so many people - students and teachers - to celebrate as most of our school clubs and activities near their end for the year. If your child has been involved in a club or activity, note that most of these are labors of love from their teachers. I ask teachers to use a club or activity as a way to build a different type of community with students - students get to work with someone they may not know on something they both love. Teachers generally decide what they want to do as a club or activity and then carve time out of their personal schedules to make these happen. We have almost 70 different clubs or activities running during the year. It is likely that your child was involved in one or more of these. It would be wonderful for my teachers to hear from parents and students about the meaning and value they find in this shared time.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention a couple of specific commendations from the last week. Our annual 8th grade trip to Gettysburg - massive in undertaking - has led to recognition from the Civil War Trust for our entire 8th grade Individuals and Societies teacher team - Ms. Daniels, Ms. Huber, Ms. Simpson-Wayne, and Ms. Trenkle. This meaningful trip was initiated by former Deal teacher Cynthia Mostoller and has become a central part of our Civil War unit in May. (This year, like in years past, I received an email from one of the guides who works with our students commending them on their interest, attention, and deportment.) This trip involves the entire 8th grade team of teachers (and many others) and demonstrates a great commitment to their curriculum - and to the 8th grade. The second note is about our Ultimate Frisbee team and coaches. I joined them at the annual Spring Tournament, hosted here at Deal. Both Mr. Martini and Ms. Kouri (with the help of additional teachers each year) spearhead the ultimate team for a fall and spring season. When they started - many years ago - they couldn't find much competition, there was no league, and we were the only place that could reasonably host any events. At the tournament on Saturday, there were five teams + Deal, and some of these were from nascent leagues in Arlington and Montgomery. Our graduates who play on at Wilson are involved at the national level in ultimate and carry the banner forward. The steady commitment to the sport by our teachers has allowed it to grow in this area; their continual hosting of events like yesterday's tournament and Deal-O-Ween in October have provided a solid base for the growth. Again, these teachers do it out of love for the activity - and that shows through!

Keep in touch through these next four weeks - deadlines that might slide in earlier months are faced by the reality of the end of the year. Make sure your student knows what they need to know to finish strong.

NB. If you are the parent of a rising 6th grader, I can't recommend more highly signing up for Summer Bridge 2016 (information immediately below this note!) to get them ready for next year. There are still some spaces left. This is a worthwhile ($50?) investment to take off some of the edge of concern with the transition to middle school!