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:

I hope this beautiful October weekend found you outside at some point to enjoy Washington's always stunning fall weather. On Saturday, our inaugural 8th grade Family BBQ was a big hit - a nice turnout for an event organized just to get us all together to eat hot dogs! It was great to see almost the entire 8th grade team of teachers there, painting faces, serving food, playing games, and meeting families. Did I say painting faces? Yes, 8th graders still like to get their faces painted and, unsurprisingly, really like moon bounces! I hope we get to do this again - perhaps when the good weather returns in the spring.

If you scroll through the calendar, you are noticing family and student events (e.g., trips to adventure park) really getting underway. I have been concerned that the intense pressure on our 8th graders to perform - which they meet head-on - needs to be balanced by a sense that 8th grade isn't just about tough academics and heading towards high school. Our 8th graders have always done Deal proud when they leave us in June; I want them to know that we, too, will miss them. There is no better way than to share adventures with them throughout the year.

This week, we will have our well-attended High School Night at 6:30 on Thursday, October 23 - the 8th grader's first stop on the way to 9th grade. While our students may not always be aware of the great array of options they have, I am sure that most parents are. High School Night will bring our DCPS high schools to you - you will be able to meet Deal alumni and leaders from each school. (7th grade families are also invited!) Lower down in this bulletin, the "8th Grade Corner" regularly updates news and events for 8th graders - there are already a number of open houses listed. I believe that the combination of a great foundation at Deal and strong DCPS options means that your students are really going to get what they need.

On Tuesday night at 6:30 there will be a parent meeting designed primarily for 6th grade parents - explaining how the IB assessment process works, why we believe it is significantly more useful than what has gone before, and how it will be translated into DCPS grades. I hope you are planning to attend: we will, however, repeat this session as well as post much of the information on our revised IB webspace on the Deal website.

Finally, late on Saturday a group of 18 very tired (and quite polite) Colombian exchange students arrived for a two-week stay here in DC. Our sister school, Liceo Pino Verde in Pereira, Colombia, seems to be a great partner - well-organized, committed to an IB education, and full of cheerful students (and staff). Check out our Twitter feed these weeks to follow what they are doing. Students will be attending classes for several days and touring DC; in reality, they will learning what it means to be an American teenager (and that is a good thing!) 

Enjoy the week.

James Albright

PS - Our first ARTward Bound event of the year, the Dance Theater of Harlem, was a huge success. We purchased 25 tickets for our students (our plan is to provide tickets for many events for free to Deal students) and ended up with almost 60 students and family members at this memorable performance. Some students had never seen dance/ballet - but were really enthusiastic afterwards. Our Vikings were awesome audience members, and seemed to recognize how special the evening was. We know we gave very short notice for the event; we are going to try some different ways to fairly distribute tickets. Our goal is for your child to get to a great music, theater, or dance performance this year - so keep tuned!
Week of October 20
 Bell Schedule

Monday - Bell I
Tuesday - Bell I
 Wednesday - Bell I
Thursday - Thursday Bell 
Friday - Bell I 
Upcoming Dates
 
October 20
Team Seoul to Newseum

October 21
Team Shanghai to Newseum
Principal's Coffee 9am (New date!)
Parent Workshop on IB Assessment, 6:30 pm

October 22
Team Baku to Newseum

October 23
Team Istanbul to Newseum
High School Night, 6:30 pm

October 24
Buddy Day - Murch 

October 27
Team Addis Ababa on Culture Trip

October 28
Mix-It-Up Day
Team Dublin on Culture Trip

October 29
Team Marrakesh on Culture Trip

October 30
Team Tokyo on Culture Trip

October 31
End of Term
Students dismissed at 
12:15 pm 

November 1
Saturday Detention 9 am - noon

November 2
Deal-o-Ween Frisbee Tournament 10 - 2

November 3
Enrollment Audit
6th Grade Birthday Party 

November 4
Career Day
Team Leaders, 3:30

November 5
Deal Open House 9 - 12
ELL Parent Night, 6:30 pm

November 6
New to Deal, 3:30 pm
Deal @ Lafayette, 6:30 pm

November 7
LSAT, 7:30 am
Buddy Day - Lafayette
Visiting Deal, 10 am 

November 10
Parent-Teacher Conference Day
No school for students 

November 11
Veterans Day
No school for staff or students

November 12
Principal's Coffee, 9 am 
Deal @ Murch, 6:30 pm

November 13
Family Math Night, 6:30 am

November 14
Buddy Day - Eaton
World Language Trips 2015 Meeting, 6:30 

November 15
Saturday Detention 9am to noon

November 17
7th Grade Holocaust Museum Trip

November 18
7th Grade Holocaust Museum Trip
Deal @ Janney

November 19
Buddy Day - Bancroft
7th Grade Holocaust Museum Trip
International Night, 6:30 pm

November 20
Faculty Meeting, 3:30
Deal @ Eaton 

November 21
Visiting Deal, 10 am
7th Grade Holocaust Museum Trip
8th Grade Humanities Guapos Trip

November 25
Team Leaders, 3:30 pm

November 26
Thanksgiving Assembly

November 27 - 28
Thanksgiving Break
No school for staff and students
Tutoring at Deal...
 

Team Tutoring

Team teachers will be available after school on the following days:

 

6th Grade Teams

Seoul: Monday (C128)

Shanghai:Tuesday (W103)

Istanbul: Tuesday

Baku: Tuesday (E101)

 

7th Grade Teams

Buenos Aires: Wednesday 

Athens:Wednesday (E205)

Kyoto: Wednesday (W207)

Brussels: Wednesday

 

8th Grade Teams

Marrakesh: Tuesday

Dublin: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

Addis Ababa: Tuesday. Wednesday, and Friday

Tokyo: Wednesday

 

ELL Tutoring

ELL tutoring Mondays and Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in room C213. 


 

Spanish Humanities 

Spanish Humanities tutoring will be in room C212 every Wednesday from 3:30 - 4:30 pm.

 

Spanish Tutoring

Spanish tutoring will be every Wednesday from 3:30 - 4:30 pm in room CG07.

 

French Tutoring

French tutoring wil be held every Wednesday from 3:30pm- 4:30pm   Room C103.  

 

Chinese Tutoring 

Chinese tutoring will be held on Wednesdays from 3:15 - 4:30 pm.
 

Media Center News

Center Hours 

 

Before School 8:00 - 8:40 am

 After School  3:30 - 5:00 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). 
Buddy Days are Coming!

Every year, Alice Deal Middle 6th grade students and teachers host a day for each feeder schools' 5th grade students and teachers to visit during the school day. This is our chance to proudly present Deal to our future middle school students. We make every effort to ensure our visitors have a wonderful "Deal" experience.

The following schools will visit from 8:50 to noon.

Murch ES
Friday, October 24
Lafayette ES
  Friday, November 7
Eaton ES
Friday, November 14
Bancroft ES
Wednesday, November19
Shepherd ES
Wednesday, December 3
Janney ES
Tuesday, December 9


 

 

Bus Information 2014 - 2015

Here is a link to the bus route schedule.

 

If an issue occurs with your designated school transit service, below are contacts at Metro who can help.

 

Northern (D31, 33, and 34) (202) 962-5800

Superintendent Priscilla Alston: (202) 962-5808 (direct)

Assistant Superintendent Frank Machado: (202) 962-5809 (direct)

 

Western (Morning D32s, one of the afternoon D32s)

Superintendent Jackie Smith: (202) 379-8787; mobile: (202) 962-8785

Assistant Superintendent Amit Tonse: (202) 379-8787 mobile: (202) 570-6728


 

For longer-term bus planning needs (i.e., requests for new transit services, ongoing crowding, etc.), contact Kristine Marsh at (202) 962-6088 orkemarsh@wmata.com
 

As always, please send an email about bus problems or concerns to  james.albright@dc.gov.
 

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.

The DCPS Attendance Protocol 

 

 DCPS Attendance Protocol and Policy: Things to Remember

 

1. Students that miss two class periods will automatically be counted as being absent for the entire school day.

2. Students must submit a note from their parents to excused from being absent from school (please refer to the list of authorized excused absences)

 

Excused Absences According DCPS:

  • Death in the Family
  • Illness (doctor's note must be provided for absences that exceed 5 days)
  • Medical Appointment
  • Emergency
  • Religious Holiday
  • Court Summons
  • School Activities (DCPS sponsored sports events, academic activities etc.)
  • School Visit (tours, interviews, etc.)

If you have any questions or concerns more, please contact our Attendance Counselor:

 

Krystle Johnson

krystle.johnson@dc.gov

 

 


 International Baccalaureate


 

"Learning happens in the minds and souls, not in the databases of multiple-choice tests."

Ken Robinson

 

Quality assessment allows students to demonstrate content and skill mastery while reflecting upon the process of learning. Last week sixth grade students received their "Model of the Solar System Pamphlets" from science teachers and had the opportunity to review exemplars with the assessment criteria. Mrs. LoFaro noted that students left with a strong understanding of how they could improve the next time they were asked to complete a like assessment. When conversations like these surround assessment, students become empowered to take responsible action in their learning.

World Language Trips 2015 and UK Trip 2015 

 

France Trip for 8th graders:

Registration for the 2015 spring trip to France is open for current 8th graders. To learn more about the trip, please visit www.eftours.com and enter the tour number 1538201VB. If you have questions, please email Mr. Mbayu (frederick.mbayu@dc.gov), Mr. Ngwa (terence.ngwa@dc.gov), or Ms. Brown (evette.lang@dc.gov). Merci! 

 

Costa Rica Trip for 8th Graders:

Registration for the 2015 spring trip to Costa Rica is open for current 8th graders. To learn more about the trip, please visit www.eftours.com and enter the tour number 1610673CH. If you have questions, please email Ms. Cuffee (britney.cuffee@dc.gov) or Ms. Thompson (kathy.thompson@dc.gov). Vamos Nacionales! Gracias!  

 

China Trip for 8th graders

Registration for the 2015 spring trip to China is open for current 8th graders. To learn more about the trip, plesae visit www.eftours.com or speak with anyone who attended last year's trip. If you have questions, please email Mr. Zhi at yanming.zhi@dc.gov. 

 

The trip will visit Beijing, the capital of China; Xi'an, the historical city with terracotta warriors; Shanghai, the famous economic center; and Guilin, one of the most scenic places in the world. Go Nationals! 

     

United Kingdom Trip for Current 7th Graders Summer 2015:  

Registration for the 2015 summer trip to the United Kingdom is open for current 7th graders. To learn more about this trip, please visit www.eftours.com and enter the tour number1605005AT. If you have questions, please email Mr. Otterstatter (robert.otterstatter@dc.gov).

 

Deal PTA Update 

 

Politics & Prose Book Fair 11/1 and 11/2
Our great Politics and Prose Book Fair is coming up soon.  The Book Fair is on Saturday, November 1 (9a - 10p) and Sunday, November 2 (10a - 8p). Politics & Prose is located at 5015 Connecticut Avenue, NW.  To volunteer at the Book Fair, use this link to sign up to work a two-hour shift:
 
To shop at the Book Fair: The Deal PTA will receive 20% of the proceeds from sales made to Deal supporters on the two days of the Book Fair. This money will directly fund Deal's library collection. Visit Politics & Prose either day of the fair, stop by the Deal table on the lower level and get a coupon to present at check-out. It's that easy, so start your holiday shopping early and support our wonderful school!
 
Please call Camille Martone at 202.362.7555 or Jennie Bonney at 202.492.9141 with any questions.
 
 
 
 

Wednesday November 19th, 6:30-8:30 pm

Mark your calendars and check your recipe boxes as International Night is coming November 19th! You can sample delicious foods from around the globe with the rest of the Deal community and help support PTA International Trip scholarships. We need your help make it a success!

 

Sign up TODAY using the link below to bring a dish to share - your favorite dish from any region of the world, including family favorites from the USA.

SignUp   

 

OR you can volunteer to be a Table Chair and help coordinate and decorate the table for each region. We still need more chairs for Europe, Africa/Middle East, Latin America and the US Regional tables. For further details contact International Night Co-Chairs: Neha Shah shahn100@yahoo.com and Silvia Dinale pesce2000e1@yahoo.com.

 

At International Night foreign language groups will be showcasing their past trips and any donations you generously offer will go toward the PTA's international trip scholarships that fund students' travel to China, France and Latin America. Last year, thanks to the generosity of the Deal community, the PTA was able to help 15 students afford this life changing experience!    


Student & parent information

 

New: Spirit Week!  

Student Council is happy to announce that Spirit Week is this coming week!
  • Monday: Sports Fan Day - Wear a jersey, tee shirt or sweat shirt from your favorite sports team.
  • Tuesday: Twimitation - Either match with your twin or imitate a celebrity.
  • Wednesday: Breast Cancer Awareness Day -  wear pink.
  • Thursday: Clash of the Colors - Stay tuned!!
  • Friday: Deal Spirit Day - wear Deal shirts, sweatshirts, or burgundy & gold.

New: Socktober - Service as Action @ Deal

Over 600,000 people go to sleep each night without a home. As we head into winter, one act of kindness will make a tremendous impact: the gift of socks. We are collecting new socks, and new or gently-used jackets and blankets to be donated to those experiencing homelessness locally. Please donate in your homeroom.

 

New: 6th Grade Newseum Field Trips

6th graders are going to the Newseum this week!

  • Team Seoul & Team Timbuktu - Monday, October 20th
  • Team Shanghai - Tuesday, October 21st
  • Team Baku - Wednesday, October 22nd
  • Team Istanbul - Thursday, October 23rd

Your child should arrive by 8:15 am on the day of his/her trip, with the following items:

 

- SmarTrip or DC One Card with at least $5.00 loaded on (Keep in mind that a paper ticket will cost $2 extra!)

- A packed lunch

- Bottled water

- Comfortable walking shoes

- Clothing appropriate for the weather; we will eat lunch outside

- Pens/pencils

- Backpack (emptied of excess materials so that students can easily carry the items above)

 

Cell phones and any other electronic devices must be kept at home or in your child's school locker. Direct field trip questions to your child's ELA teacher.

 

New: Results from Holton-Arms Model UN Conference

Sixteen 7th and 8th graders from Deal participated in this conference on six different committees. The following accolades were earned:
- Middle School Security Council, Outstanding Delegate: Tim Berger
- Middle School Committee on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, Verbal Commendation: Zach Crouch
- Middle School Commission on the Status of Women, Honorable Mention: Claire Schmitt
- Middle School DISEC, Verbal Commendation: Levi Berger
This is a great result for our first big event of the year. Thanks to Ms. Trenkle for invigorating our current and future diplomats.

 

New: 8th Grade Appreciation

Thank you to all the students, families, and staff who made the 8th grade BBQ such a huge success! Be sure to check Twitter for some pictures of the fun. A special thank you goes out to the staff who joined for the fun and burger flipping: Ms. Hernandez, Mr. Turner, Mr. Otterstatter, Ms. Fuller, Ms. Turner, Ms. Randolph, Mr. Martis, Ms. Parish, Mr. Haller, Ms. Huber, Ms. Daniels, Ms. Kim, Ms. Lombardo, Ms. Kouri, Ms. Simpson (and family!), Ms. Hampton, Mr. Downing, Ms. Acharya, Ms. Wilson, Ms. Baker, Mr. Custer, Ms. Trenkle, Mr. Eckel, Mr. Jackubowski, Ms. Wellersdick, Ms. Reynolds, Ms. Hyatt, Ms. Henderson, and Ofcr. Oliver! Additional thanks to our PTA for helping fund our community-building events.

 

New: Parent Teacher Conferences

The first round of parent-teacher conferences will take place Monday, November 10th from noon - 7:00 pm. Conferences with team teachers are by appointment only; appointment set-up will take place online. The conference appointment page will open October 27th and can be found at http://ptcfast.com/schools/Alice_Deal_Middle_School. All non-team teachers (world language, PE, art, music, and resource) will be available for drop-in conferences. A detailed description of the online sign-up process will be posted on Edline and Deal's website.   

 

New: Peer Mediation Training Sessions Re-Scheduled

The final two training sessions for new Peer Mediators are re-scheduled to take place Wednesday, October 22nd and Thursday, October 23rd from 3:15 - 6:15 pm. Please contact Ms. White with any questions or concerns.

 

New: Deal Swim Team

To receive information about joining the Deal Swim Team, please email us at dealswimming@gmail.com so that we can add you to our email listserv.

 

New: Save the Date!!

Deal's first ever Deal Coffee House will take place Thursday, December 4th, 2014 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm in the gallery. Student and staff musicians, poets, and artists are invited. More details will come soon!

 

New: Model UN

The next Model UN meeting is Wednesday, October 29th from 3:30 - 4:30 pm in C308. Students who missed the last meeting should stop by Ms. Trenkle's room to select their topic and country, as well as to learn the task assignment for our next meeting.

 

New: Third Annual Scary Story Contest

It's that time again! Time to submit your submission to Mr. Helsabeck's third annual scary story contest! Prizes for this year's top three stories will be: 1st - $25 Politics and Prose gift certificate, 2nd - $15 Politics and Prose gift certificate, 3rd - $10 Politics and Prose gift certificate. You may email your submission to Mr. Helsabeck at mrhelsabeck@gmail.com or place it in his box. Short stories in the form of standard prose or graphics + prose are accepted. Submissions are due by Wednesday, October 29th. 

 

New: Deal Read Week is coming!

Get ready to celebrate reading during the final week in October (27th-31st)! Look for the schedule in next week's bulletin, but get ready for daily activities during lunch periods in the gallery, voting for the first ever Deal Book Awards, and the kickoff of the Literature-to-Film Festival.

 

New: Sailing Club

Ahoy! With heavy wind and storms canceling our last two trips, we hope to hold our last trip of the season this Wednesday. This trip will happen rain or shine so please dress accordingly. If you missed our fall trips, we hope you can join us in the spring!  

 

New: Deal-O-Ween Frisbee Tournament

Frisbee Players: Mark your calendars, our annual Deal-O-Ween frisbee tournament will take place on Sunday, November 2nd from 10:00 am - 1:30 pm on the turf fields. Permission slips will be distributed during practice on Tuesday, October 14th. See Coaches Reynolds, Martini, or Kouri with any questions.

  

Children's Grief Awareness Day

Paint the Town Blue!! Children's Grief Awareness Day is  November 20th. Join the nationwide cause to Wear Blue in honor of grieving children and teens in your community.


World Language trip scholarship information

Three separate groups of students will be traveling with teachers to Costa Rica, China, and France over Spring Break 2015. In 2014, almost 40 percent of Deal 8th graders made the journey with their peers. We are excited to be able to partner with EF Tours and our Deal families, and hope that as many students as possible can make the trip.

 

These tours, however, are expensive. The PTA has generously provided scholarship funding in the past - and continues to do so this year - to pay up to 50 percent of the cost for students in families of limited means. What does this mean? Any student who receives financial assistance through the Free and Reduced Meal (FRM) program, is in good academic standing in the language of study, and submits an application with essay, is eligible for a 50 percent scholarship. In the past two years, every student who met these criteria received support funding from the PTA (and additional support from the tour company and Deal). In addition, families that are not eligible because they do not receive FRM support can still apply for a reduced charge (up to $500), by applying directly to the school.

 

Students who are potentially eligible for the scholarship are currently being identified, and will receive a letter with further directions in the next two weeks. Families who have registered, or plan to register, and want to apply for the reduced charge, should reach out directly to Principal Albright (james.albright@dc.gov). If a family is intending to send their child but has not yet registered, now is the time to take care of that. Please contact the tour contact at Deal (listed in the box below to the left) for information on how to register. All scholarship and support funding will be applied before the trip departs.

 

Yearbook Photos 

Requesting photos of Deal events and students for yearbook! Email dealyearbook@gmail.com or come see Mr. Klauber in W207.

  

No supervision for early arrivals

Parents, please keep in mind that the staff does not arrive at Deal until 8:00 am. Therefore we can't be responsible for children who arrive to school before that time.


Follow us on Twitter
Do you want to know more about daily life at Deal? Follow us on Twitter @DealVikings.  Mr. Albright has generously offered to buy dinner for the millionth follower so act fast; with over 580 followers, we could have a winner any day! 
 

Deal Athletics ...

 

Fall sports offered are Cheer (Ms. Baxter), Volleyball (Ms. Spann), Cross Country (Mr. Helsabeck), and Football (Coach Downing). Soccer has been moved to spring for both boys and girls as it is now being offered by DCIAA as a complete sport.

 

Athletic forms need to be submitted before a student can try out for an interscholastic sport. The Consent Form, Emergency Treatment Form, and DC Physical Form, signed and stamped by the doctor, should be turned in to the coach of each sport. If the nurse has a copy of your child's physical, please obtain a copy and submit it to the respective coach. Forms can be found on the school website or at the following links: 

 

Emergency Treatment Form 

 

Consent to Participate Form

 

Universal Health Certificate Form

 

Football
Deal Football Schedule
10/22  Deal BYE
10/29  Football Playoffs 6pm @ T.B.A.
11/5   Semi-Finals        6pm @ T.B.A.
11/22  Football Championship 11am @ Eastern HS
 

Cheer

Cheer practice will be Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 - 5:30 pm.

 

Cross Country

This coming week will be the last week for the runners on Deal's Cross Country team. Our last invitational will be the makeup for the Landon meet on Monday. The DCIAA Championship is then on October 25th. Please reserve October 27th as the date of our end-of-season banquet. We will be going on one final run together, though our destination will be slightly different! But don't ask us where we'll be heading...it's a surprise!

 

Winter Sports

Basketball, Cheer, Indoor Track, and Swimming will all begin November 1st. Forms are being accepted now. 


This Week at Deal...

 

Monday: GeoPlunge is Cancelled

GeoPlunge will not meet this week during 6th grade recess. We will pick back up next week!

 

Monday: Spelling Bee Club

It's not too late to get in on practicing for the Deal Spelling Bee - or to just improve your spelling. Meet in E104 on Monday from 3:30 - 4:30 pm.

 

Monday: The After School Outdoor Basketball Club

The After School Outdoor Basketball Club will meet on Monday, October 20th at 3:30 p.m. behind the school on the court next to the "Cottage." In the event of rain, we will meet with Mr. Namian in Room W204.

 

Monday: Conditioning Club

Do you want to add some variety to your fitness? Join the conditioning club and get a chance to experience a variety of workouts ranging from circuits and conditioning to pilates and stretching. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a mat if you have one. We will meet on Mondays from 3:30 - 4:30 pm in E101.

 

Monday: Cooking Club

The next session will be with Group B on Monday, October 20th. We will meet in the Cafeteria (a change from our previous location) and the session will go from 3:30-5 pm.

 

Monday: Creative Writing Club

Alice Deal's Creative Writing Club is still accepting new Members. Our next meeting is Monday, October 20th at 3:30 pm in W307. We look forward to seeing you there as we work on stories and poems for our first contest entry.

 

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday: Jazz Band 

The music department is excited to announce the start of the Alice Deal Jazz Band! Working in conjunction with Wilson High School's music department, Jazz Band will be held during afterschool activities in CG20. The weekly rehearsal schedule will be announced at a later date.

Jazz Band auditions will take place this Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 3:30 pm in room CG20.

All students are welcome to audition for the following instruments:

Trumpet
Trombone
Saxophone (alto and tenor)
Guitar
Bass
Piano
Drum Set

If you are not currently in an ensemble at Deal, please see Mr. Lewis or Mrs. Myers for more information.

 

Tuesday: The Babysitter's Club

The Babysitter's Club will have their first official meeting this Tuesday, October 21st at 3:30 pm in room W100 with Ms. Azimi and Mrs. Quinn. Students will receive their log-in information and begin navigating the Red Cross website. Students should bring headphones so they are able to listen to the online presentations. Please be advised that only students who have turned in permission slips are allowed to participate. Ms. Azimi and Mrs. Quinn look forward to having everyone there!

 

Tuesday: Minecrafters

Calling all current Minecrafters at Alice Deal Middle School! The Minecraft Club is designed for students who enjoy all things Minecraft. It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or a Minecraft expert; we have a spot for you. If you're a builder, explorer, designer, survivor, or gladiator we have fun for everyone. We meet every Tuesday after school in rooms W207 for 6th graders and W201 for 7th and 8th graders. Come on down and enjoy playing with other passionate Minecrafters. Please contact either Mr. Donlon (Ian.Donlon@dc.gov) or Ms. Milikin (Patricia.Milikin@dc.gov) with any future questions. 

 

Wednesday: Art from the Heart

Interested in learning how to knit scarfs and sew clothing and dolls? Come join Ms. Kim in room C224 on Wednesdays from 3:30 - 4:30 pm. While learning a new skill, members will also give back to the community. During this advisory, students will knit scarfs for the homeless and create dolls for Childrens Hospital. Feel free to bring light snacks, yarn, or any kind of fabric!

 

Friday: Deal Gay/Straight Alliance 
On Friday, October 24th, the Deal GSA will host its first annual #LOVE Party to invite all allies for snacks, music, and socializing. The #LOVE party will be an opportunity for everyone at Deal who cares about creating a welcoming environment for all students, families, and faculty to congregate and get to know one another! Come join the fun!

Friday: Book Club

Book Club takes place in Ms. Culp's room (C128) on Fridays from 3:30 - 4:30 pm. Our first novel is Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. Join us!


 

Friday: 8th Grade Field Trip Club 

8th Grade Field Trip Club has its next outing on Friday, October 24 from 3:30 - 5:30 pm to the Signers of the Declaration Memorial. See Ms. Trenkle in C308 if you are interested in attending.

          8th Grade Corner


 
High School Night
Mark your calendar for our High School Night on October 23rd at 6:30 pm. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the transition to high school and learn about the options available to Deal students.  Click here for more information.

Team-building Trip to Harpers Ferry
All 8th grade teams will push their comfort-zone and build community on a trip to Harpers Ferry Adventure Center between October 27th - 30th. Students will experience a variety of exciting activities (zip-line, aerial course, and more!) while learning more about their peers. Permission slips went home last week for this exciting adventure. Please make sure you sign both the school and venue forms before returning the slip. Funding for this trip is being paid for by Deal!

8th Grade National History Day Parent Night
There will be an 8th grade parent night for National History Day on Thursday, October 23 at 6:00 pm, immediately preceding High School Night. Please plan to attend to learn about this mandatory 8th grade project. We will have students from previous years to answer questions about their experience, share some of the success points for the project, and have an opportunity to ask questions.

National History Day Workshops

8th Grade Students: National History Day workshops are offered at the National Archives throughout the Fall. These workshops focus on the process of the project, topic selection, and theme. The following workshops remain:

  • Documentary - Saturday, October 25th - 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
  • Website - Saturday, November 8th - 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
  • Performance - Saturday, November 15th - 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
  • Research at the National Archives - Saturday, December 6th 10:00 am - noon

Interested students must RSVP to Missy McNatt at missy.mcnatt@nara.gov by noon of the Friday before the workshop.Please contact your child's Humanities teacher if you have any questions.

 

Open Houses

Mckinley Technology
This year, McKinley Technology High School will host three open house events for prospective students and their families. During the open house, attendees will meet Principal Louise Jones, teachers, and current students to learn more about the STEM-based and experiential learning opportunities at the school. Tours of McKinley will also be available during the open house.

McKinley Tech Open Houses:
Saturday, November 8th, 10:00 am - 12:00 noon
Wednesday, December 10, 6:30 - 8:00pm
Saturday, January 24, 10:00 - 12:00 noon

Duke Ellington School of the Arts
As we are still settling into our temporary space, we will host a series of smaller Open Houses to expose students and families to the Ellington Experience:

Thursday, October 30th, 3:00 - 4:15 pm
Thursday, November 6th, 3:00 - 4:15P pm
Wednesday, November 12th, 3:00 - 4:15 pm
Tuesday, November 18th, 3:00 - 4:15 pm
Wednesday, December 3rd, 3:00 - 4:15 pm
Saturday, December 13th, 11:00 am - 12:15 pm
Thursday, January 8th, 3:00 - 4:15 pm
Thursday, January 29th, 3:00 - 4:15 pm

Duke Ellington School of the Arts has a four-part admission process: application, audition, academic assessment test, and family interview.

Application Timeline for Ellington
Dec. 15 - February 2: Complete the DCPS online application
Early February - Auditions
February and March - Academic assessment test and family interviews for students who pass their audition(s)
Late March - Admissions decisions announced

Staff information ...
 
Monday: 
ELA Unit Assessment Make-ups - Monday, October 20th
Any student who did not complete the ELA Unit Assessment should check in with their 1st period teacher on Monday and then report to the library to complete the assessment in periods 1 and 2.

Tuesday: Team Leaders 
Team leaders will meet at 3:30 pm.

Wednesday: 8th Grade Team Meeting 
All 8th grade teachers and those teachers chaperoning one of the trips to Harpers Ferry are asked to meet in room  C310 at 8:10 am. 
 
Wednesday: 7th Grade Team Meeting  
7th grade will meet October 22, 2014 in E205 at 8:10 am for their grade-level meeting. 
 
Friday: Friday PD 
Backwards Design: Planning Formative from Summative will meet in room C206.

New: Online Conference Appointment System 
Teams will receive log-in information for the online conference appointment system early this week. 
Schedule of Before School Activities

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


Monday


Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday
Symphonic Band - CG20String Orchestra - CG04Percussion Ensemble
CG20
String Orchestra
CG04
Peer Mediators
C115
Concert Choir
Auditorium
Symphonic Band - CG20Concert Choir
Auditorium 
Symphonic Band - CG20Concert Choir
Auditorium




Percussion Ensemble
CG20

 

Schedule of After School Clubs & Activities

(all clubs and activities end at 4:30 pm unless otherwise noted)


Monday



Tuesday

Wednesday

Friday
Yoga
C310
Au Cinema
N112
National Junior Honor Society
W304
Book Club
C128
Creative Writing W307
Dance & Choreography
Auditorium
French Tutoring
Cottage Comic Book 
N113
Open Art Studio
C217
Debate Team
W206
Music Workshop
CG04
East Asia Studies
C212
Science Tutoring
W301
Gay Straight Alliance
E305
Fencing
E106
Board Games
W106
Bocce Ball
E300
Ultimate Frisbee
C310
Robotics
E307 (to 5pm) 
Peer Mediators
C115
Conditioning Club
E101
Tennis Club
N115
Spanish Theatre
C217
Yo-Yo Club
Corner Nurse & Neal
BDOG
E100
Team Shanghai
Study Hall
DIY Club
E105
8th Gr Field Trip Club
C308
Girls on the Run
E206
Game Club
N116
Vinyl Club
C203
GSA
Intramural Volleyball
E305
Film Making 101
C203
6th Gr Comic Book
E103

Cooking Club
Group B
Cafeteria
Meditation Club
C213
A Cappella
CG21

Calligraphy Club
TBD
Cultural Discovery Club
Fantasy Football 
N103

Classic Card Games 
W205
Tm Baku Study Hall
E101
7th/8th Model UN
C308

Girl Up
E306
Learn to Swim Club
E201 (to 5:10pm)
Service Club
C203

Student Council 
E205
String Club 
CG04
Music Workshop 
CG20

African Drumming 
CG20
Science Olympiad
W201
Dance Club
Auditorium

6th Gr Soccer Club
W105 
Photography Club
E301
GSA
E305

Japanese Culture Club (Loc TBD)
Model Un
C308
History Film Club
W305

Chess Club
C315
Babysitter's Club
W100
Global Cardboard Challenge
Gallery

International Cinema
Club E101
Minecrafters 6th 
W207
The Sports Rap
W104

Socratic Club
E304
Minecrafters 7th 
W201
Art from the Heart
C224

A Cappella
CG21

Workout Warriors
W103

Scrabble Club
Cafeteria 

Model UN
C308

Scrapbooking & Collage
C104


Journalism
W207



After School Basketball Club
W204



Spelling Bee Club 
E104



 


Nature Lovers Club
W300


Socratic Club
E304



 


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

Study Buddies at Janney Elementary

Janney Elementary is looking for some positive role models who are interested in mentoring 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade students by playing math and reading games, helping with homework, and explaining and guiding students to understand basic math and reading challenges.

  

If you are interested in this service opportunity, please read over the attached information page, complete the application form, and return it to Janney (either in person or by scanning and sending it to Assistant Principal Linda Sell at linda.sell@dc.gov) no later than Wednesday, October 22.  You can also contact Ms. Sell  via email with any questions you may have.


Winners Lacross 2014 Fall Clinics

Register today for boys and girls fall lacrosse clinics at Alice Deal Middle School! Clinics started Sunday, September 28th and will take place on 9/28, 10/5, and 10/26 (with 11/2 as a make-up day for any weather cancellations). Clinics will take place from 3:30 - 5:00 pm and will focus on game fundamentals and skills development. 

 

For more information click here 

To Register for Fall Clinics click here 

  

Great News from Writopia

Writopia DC began five years ago with just a handful of writers. Now, along with Tenleytown, we run thriving workshops in Capitol Hill, Falls Church, and Rockville, too. With more and more writers joining us, we need bigger spaces!

 *   Beginning October 16th, our new Tenleytown location will be in the Wisconsin Building at 4000 Albemarle Street, Suite 308. We are so excited to show off the brand new renovation and decor. Stop by to see our new Tenleytown location on October 16th during our Open House from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. We will have festive fall treats, a tour, and a "pop-up" style reading.

If your writer has a busy schedule during the week, we now have a wider selection of weekend workshop times to better accommodate our families:

 *   Tenleytown, Saturdays at 10:30am and at 12:30pm.
 *   Tenleytown, Sundays at 10:30am.
 *   Capitol Hill, Saturdays at 10:30am.

Writopia Lab is a 501 (c)3 not-for-profit organization that fosters joy, literacy, and critical thinking in children and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing. Each of our workshops has a maximum of six students and is led by a published author or produced playwright who has been extensively trained in our time-tested methodology.  

  

M.O.M.I.E's TLC Presents: The Great Persons Ball

Washington, DC- Mentors of Minorities in Education's Total Learning Cis-tem (a.k.a. M.O.M.I.E's TLC) is a DC-based non-profit with the mission of "nurturing the genius" of children through a transformative learning experience. M.O.M.I.E's offers year-round programs that address the tremendous and critical need for high-quality, holistic educational services for low to moderate income children and youth. M.O.M.I.E's teaches an award-winning curriculum, The Great Persons Series, as a means to ground our children in their culture, celebrate their stories, and meaningfully connect them with the world in which they live.

 

The Great Persons Ball is family-friendly event invites you to dress up as your favorite Great Person, past or present, and celebrate history as a unique alternative to the traditional Halloween trick-or-treating. The Ball will include a night of pizza, dancing, and fun!

 

All proceeds will go directly towards supporting M.O.M.I.E's unique education programs. The Ball is currently sponsored by Custom Fuel Pizza and American University. If you would like to participate as a sponsor please contact Jess at jess.momiestlc@gmail.com for more information.

 

WHO: M.O.M.I.E's TLC youths, clients, supporters, funders

          Local community members and families

 

WHAT: The Great Persons Ball

 

WHEN: Saturday, October 25th from 6:00 - 9:00 pm

 

WHERE: Custom Fuel Pizza

             2301 Georgia Avenue NW Washington, DC

 

TICKETS:

In advance: $15 per adult; $5 per child (ages 3-12); $25 per family of 3+; $10 per student; purchase online at https://thegreatpersonsball.splashthat.com/#tickets.

At the door: $20 per adult; $10 per child, ages 3-12; $30 per family of +3; $15 per student

 

For more information about the event and our organization please visit: www.momiestlc.org.


Player Progression Academy

PPA (Player Progression Academy) Is offering a FREE speed and agility soccer clinic to Deal students on Fridays (starting this Friday) from 5:30 - 6:30pm. To register go to: http://www.playerprogressionacademy.com/#!academy-fall/cg98and enter the coupon code "DEAL MS" (cap sensitive). The schedule can be found here: http://www.playerprogressionacademy.com/#!academy-calendar/c1t0r Hope to see you on the field on Friday!

 

Middle School Frisbee League Announcement
The Washington Area Frisbee Club is hosting a Middle School League this fall. The league is co-ed and is open to boys and girls, ages 10 - 13, from DC metro area. Cost is $30 per player which gets you a disc, a shirt, and 4 weeks of ultimate! Sign up as an individual; baggage is limited to pairs. Please note that a parent is needed to sign up. Registration closes on Monday, September 29, 2014. For more information about the league, contact the league commissioners at middle-school-league@lists.wafc.org.

 

Deal Squash Team!

Squash is one of most popular and successful sports at DC and south MD area schools. Not only is squash great for cardio fitness (rated by Forbes magazine as the BEST cardio workout you can do in the US) and a great cross trainer, but because it is played at over 100 top colleges and so few juniors play; squash can help get your child into an excellent college. DEAL squash club trains at Chevy Chase Athletic Club , Friendship Hts (across from the metro). Beginners are most welcome.

 

Training is held 4 times per week and your child may do 1 or more days per week - most do 2 or 3 however Wed 4pm is now full (we also offer small group sessions on Saturday)

http://www.aussienicksquash.com/aussienicksquash/juniors/clinics/2014/MS_app.htm 

 

Registration is open, please contact me if you have any questions. Scholarships are available for FARM students  - contact me for details.

 

FREE TRIAL SESSION - like to try squash? join us on Sat Sept 13 at 1pm for a free trial session - this session is free but registration is essential.

 

Middle School Self Defense Class
Grand Master Kim of the National Defense University is offering a self-defense class geared specifically for sixth and seventh grade students. The class will stimulate simple, real life situations and teach self defense techniques for children. Students will gain confidence, learn respect and discipline in a safe environment.

The class will be held at a martial arts studio just across Fort Reno Park from Deal Middle School. Classes will be held Tuesday and Thursday from 4-5 pm for ten weeks starting September 23rd. The price of the class is extremely affordable.

For more information and to reserve a spot email deal.self.defense.class@gmail.com