Upcoming Activities!

• The Counseling Department extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff, students, and volunteers who helped with the DC-BAS initiative. We hope to continue this successful partnership.
• Thank you to our wonderful security team!!!  Officers Campbell, Blunt, & Ward do an excellent job keeping us safe while still extending a warm welcome to all visitors!

Congratulations to the first 2 homerooms to turn in 100% of the PTA 1st day packets!!!

• The 8th grade pizza party goes to Ms. Sweeney's HR class!  The 7th grade pizza party goes to Mr. Kirschenbaum's HR class!  Nice work!  Mr. Geremia's HR also turned in 100% of their packets, winning the distinction of the 2nd best HR class in the 7th grade!
  
• We still need all HR students and teacher to push for 100% submission!
  

Schedule Changes & Book Exchanges

• HR teachers, please pass out the new schedules to students who will be recieving them.  The purple schedules  were placed in your mailboxes.  Please instruct students to follow their new schedule beginning today.
  
• Since some students' math classes will change this morning, the Book Room will be open the 1st 15-20 minutes of each period to accommodate book needs.  Please send only the students whose math class has changed to the Book Room with his/her "old" math book to exchange it for the "new" math book.

7th Grade Teams Visit Hemlock Overlook

• 7th grade students will participate in Deal's sixth-annual community-building trip to Hemlock Overlook this week.  Thanks to the generous members of the Deal PTA for sponsoring this fun-filled team-building adventure! 
  

Monday - Aztecs

Tuesday - Green Scholars

Wednesday - Olympians & Team United Nations         

Students must arrive at school by 8 am.  Students will return to Deal around 6 pm and parents should be ready to pick them up at that time.  Students are reminded to wear comfortable clothing and bring a bag lunch and couple of bottles of water.

8th Grade Olympians Travel to Newseum & MLK Jr. Memorial Library

• While the 7th grade Olympians travel to Hemlock Overlook on Wednesday, 8th Grade Olympians will get an introduction to the American History curriculum as well as a foundation in research skills by traveling to both the Newseum and the MLK Jr. Library.  Students will leave the building at 9:00 a.m. sharp and return by 3:15 for dismissal.  Students are reminded to bring round-trip Metro fare and a bag lunch.

Tardy Detention Begins Today!

• Students who arrive after 8:45 today will have detention after school from 3:20 - 4pm.  Parents will be notified of the detention by Ms. Edwards with a phone call or phone message.  Punctuality is important, we expect to see all students in class learning @ 8:45am!
  

Olympians Welcome Ms. Nemati

• Ms. Nemati, an intern from American University, will be joining Team Olympians beginning this week.  She will work primarily with students in their science classes, but is eager to learn from the entire Deal community.  Please make a point to introduce yourself to her.

Peer Mediator Meeting

• Eighth grade peer mediators will have their first lunch meeting of the year this Tuesday, during 5th Period in room 103.  During the meeting, you will plan out how you will lead others for this school year and use the skills you developed last year during training.  Peer Mediators should get their lunches from their lockers or from the cafeteria and go directly to the lunch meeting.  They will miss recess that day. 

The Human Rights Club

• Today's world is characterized by massive disrespect for the rights of human beings especially children and women. Unfortunately, many cases of abuse either go unnoticed or people are too shy to talk about them.  The Human Rights Club helps students gain an awareness of local and international human rights issues, tolerance, dealing with diversity, a peaceable school environment, etc.  If you believe you have a passion for human rights please join Mr. Ngwa for an information session this Tuesday at 3:15pm in Room N101.
  

Eighth Graders Study History at Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg

• Eighth grade students will receive letters and permission slips in US History classes this week for the October 17th class trip to Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg.  The cost of the trip is $70.00, a fee that includes all transportation, guided tours, and gratuities.  Parents are asked to return the signed permission slips along with full payment in a check or money order payable to Deal MS as soon as possible.  Students will complete assignments that reflect Deal's commitment to IB best practices in the four core disciplines of history, math, science, and language arts.

• The Department Chairpersons will meet at 3:30 pm this Thursday in Room N101.

DC STARS Training and Passwords

• Teachers should see Ms. Baxter during their planning period to receive DCSTARS training and passwords.

• Officers from last year's Student Government will meet this Tuesday in Room 207.  If you have any questions, please see Mr. Kirschenbaum in Room 207.

Student Government

• Are you interested in making a difference in your school community?  If so, think about representing your homeroom in this year's student government.  Elections will be held this week in your homeroom and our first meeting will be next Tuesday, September 16th in Room 207.  See Mr. Kirschenbaum if you have any questions.

Students with Severe Food Allergies and/ or Asthma

• If your child may need rescue medicines during an emergency at school, please inform the school nurse and the child's teachers of this possibility.  The school nurse can give you the proper forms to complete.  Also please be aware, that carrying an inhaler or Epi-Pen is not permissible unless your child's pediatrician has completed a form called "Authorization for Administration of Medication" for this school year. Visit the Health Room or call the school nurse at 202-282-0252 for more information. Be SAFE, Be Happy.

Morning and Afternoon Tutoring

• Ms. Stanley will be available from 7:00 - 8:30 am, Monday through Thursday, to assist students with writing, organization, and reading comprehension skills. 
   
  The sessions will run from 7:00 - 7:40 am and 7:45 - 8:30 am Monday through Thursday.  Students who come for the first session will be involved in reading comprehension and writing enhancement activities during the second session. 
   
  There will be an after-school session, from 3:30 - 4:15 pm, by invitation only, to assist students who have been unprepared in classes.  Parents will be called to advise them as the need arises.  Please contact Ms. Stanley if you are interested in getting reading support.
  

Cheerleading Tryouts

• Cheerleading tryouts will be held Monday through Thursday in the gym, from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Local WTU Elections on Thursday, September 11, 2008

• In order to make it official, the interim members of SCAC are holding an official election on Thursday, for all of the elected teacher positions at Deal. The following positions will be voted on:
  • School Chapter Advisory Committee (SCAC)
  • Local School Restructuring Team (LSRT)
  • WTU Representative
  • Personnel Committee Representatives

The elections will take place from 7:20 to 8 am and from 3:30 to 4 pm in the main lobby, and during periods 4 and 5 in the teachers' lounge.  The ballots will be counted as soon as possible thereafter.

You must be a current WTU member in order to vote for SCAC and WTU representative.  Any teacher may vote for LSRT and Personnel Committee.

 

We could still use some poll-watchers and ballot-counters, but you cannot be a candidate for any position if you take on this responsibility.  Please inform any of the SCAC members if you able to help.

• Capitol Letters Writing Center believes that every student can be a brilliant writer. They help new writers discover their voices through free writing workshops and one-on-one attention, in partnership with educators.
  
  It's easy to get involved. Join them for a volunteer orientation this Tuesday at 5pm. More details about the orientation and other events can be found on the website at www.capitolletters.org