News from Alice Deal

Alice Deal Middle School

Wednesday - Bell I
Thursday - Bell I
Friday - No School
(PD for Teachers)

Upcoming Dates

September 14
6th Grade
Hemlock Field Trip
(Team Rio)

September 15
6th Grade
Hemlock Trip
(Team Istanbul)

September 16
6th Grade
Hemlock Trip
(Team Manila)

Deficiency Notices Due to Homeroom Teachers

Science Project Part I Due

Faculty Meeting; 3:30 pm (auditorium)

September 17
PD Day for Teachers and Aides
(No School for Students)

September 20
6th Grade Teachers Meeting; 8:10 am

September 22
Deficiency Notices Due to Administrators

Department Chair Meeting

IB Curriculum Night; 6:30 pm

Soccer Game vs Barrie
@ Deal; Girls 3:30 pm
Boys 4:30 pm

September 23
First Advisory Midpoint

September 24
IB MYP Committee Meeting; 8:10 am

September 27 -

October 1

Spirit Week

September 29
WTU Chapter Mtg; 3:30 pm

September 30
Buddy Day

October 1
LSRT meeting; 7:30 am
Diversity/Peace Assembly (Bell T)

October 6
Department Chair Meeting;
3:30 pm

Family Math Night; 6:30pm

October 7
Buddy Day

Viking Time

New to Deal Meeting; 3:30 pm

International Night; 6 - 9 pm

October 8
8th Grade Humanities Trip to
Mount Vernon

October 11
Columbus Day
(school closed)

October 13
NHD Workshop; 7 pm

October 15
Portrait Day

Science Fair Project
Part 2 Due

October 18
Parent Conferences
(No School for Students)

October 20
LMC Book Groups

Department Chair Meeting;3:30 pm

October 21
Viking Time

Faculty Meeting

October 22
MYP Committee Meeting

October 28
End of 1st Advisory

Records Day
12:15 Dismissal for Students

Quick Links

Alice Deal MS

DCPS

Wilson SHS

Stay Informed!

Zeroes Are Not Permitted
(ZAP)
Starts on Monday, September 13th

ZAP will begin TODAY! This lunch-time support program provides students with a place to work on outstanding assignments or to get support for work that was just assigned.

Here's how it works:

Students come to the ZAP! room with their assignment and needed supplies. The ZAP! teacher gives each student a ZAP! pass and sends them to lunch. After the student has eaten, they present their ZAP! pass to be excused from the cafeteria and they return to the ZAP! room for the remainder of lunch. It is just that simple.

This year, 6th grade ZAP! will be held in Ms. Buerkle's room, E104, with Mr. Albright and Ms. Hernandez; 7th grade ZAP! in Ms. Wickersham's room, E200 with Dr. Shanklin and Ms. McFarland; and 8th grade ZAP! in Ms. Sweeney's room W305, with Dr. Shanklin and Ms. White

Library Media Center General Information

3:30 pm - 5 pm

*Students must have parent permission to stay after school

Thanks!

Alice Deal would like to thank Kimberly Cestari, of W.C. & AN Miller Realtors, for joining our growing list of Promotional Sponsors!!

Thank you for supporting us!

Alice Deal Promotional Sponsors

1. Steve Agostino of Taylor Agostino Group, Long and Foster Real Estate

2. Ethan and Chris Landis, of Landis Construction Corporation

3. Bertin Radifera, of Radifera Design Group, LLC

4. Kimberly Cestari, of W.C. & AN Miller Realtors

Interested in being a Deal Sponsor?

For more information about becoming a promotional sponsor, please contact Diana Rojas, nogroj@yahoo.com or Lisa Oakley, oakleyhome@rcn.com

Sally Foster Gift Wrap Fundraiser

It's that time of year again. The Sally Foster Gift Wrap fundraiser kicks off on September 20, but be on the look out this week for catalogues, which will be sent home with your child. Stock up on wrapping paper, hostess gifts and delicious chocolate treats. Encourage friends and family to do the same. 40% of these purchases will go to Deal. If you have questions, pleas contact Sara Durr (sarakufflerdurr@aol.com) or Kim Gross (kimgross@gwu.edu).

IB MYP at Deal

Our students are grappling with a wide number of unit questions this week across all grades and subjects, including: What does it mean to be successful (6th grade Humanities)? How does music communicate emotion (Music)? Is learning a second language a necessity or a luxury (Beginning Spanish)? How do I want the world to see me (7th grade English)? How do I meet my needs (7th grade Sciences)? How can we use language to describe perceptions (8th grade Visual Arts)?

IB Curriculum Night - Wednesday, September 22

Topics: IB Program Model, MYP Assessment Practices

The first of this year's four IB curriculum nights will be held at Deal from 6:30 until 8:00 pm on September 22. Through these evenings we hope to describe IB assessment, vertical planning, units, areas of interaction, and many other elements of the program. Different topics will be covered at each of the four nights.

IB MYP Committee meeting - 8:10 on Friday, September 24

Teachers who serve as "MYP masters" for their teams are to attend our first committee meeting on Friday, September 24 at 8:10am in the Library Media Center (tentative). Please note this on your calendars.

The Weekly Bulletin

"Think Globally. Listen Compassionately. Act Inclusively."

Our Mission:

Alice Deal Middle School inspires excellence, curiosity, and compassion through intellectual and social engagement.

Thought for the Week

" A book is like a garden carried in the pocket."
-Middle Eastern Proverb

Principal's Message...

Back-to-School Night was fantastic! Many parents shared their observation that the Deal energy is hard to beat! I agree!

This week, our 6th graders travel in teams to Hemlock Overlook to continue getting to know each other in a different setting. Students come to Deal from six designated feeder schools, as well as from DCPS, charter, and independent schools all across the city -- not to mention other areas of the country and also other countries entirely! The Hemlock experience provides an opportunity for students to get to know each other in a non-academic setting while working different muscles than during a regular school day. At Hemlock, the students work in groups of 10-12 to tackle all sorts of challenges. They may work to climb a wall, use planks to move the team across a distance, navigate a labyrinth while blindfolded, devise a plan to balance the whole group on a huge see-saw, or find a way to reach a rope in the middle of a mud pit beyond their reach so that they can swing across. This day-long exploration of teamwork is something that students will remember as they start their middle school journeys together. I wish each team lots of success and fun!

This leads me to remind each parent to join the Deal PTA. More than 50% of the cost for each student on the Hemlock Trip is provided by the Deal PTA. Our Hemlock team-building outing is a great example of how the PTA enriches the life experience our students. The PTA also provides financial support for many other community building activities throughout the year and provides supplemental educational materials as needed. But the reasons to join go beyond the finances. As many of you have commented, we have an excellent faculty that is dedicated to their craft and our students. Wouldn't it be fantastic to have a parent community that matches the teachers' enthusiasm and dedication, with 100% PTA involvement? Please do not let the dues keep you from joining -- pay what you can. I would welcome a $5 contribution so that we can reach our goal of 100% participation! This year, joining is easier than ever! Simply go to our website, www.alicedeal.org, click on the PTA box on the left, and then click the message that says "join online now!"

Finally, please be reminded that there is no school for students this Friday.

Principal Kim

This week at Deal...

6th Graders - HEMLOCK INFORMATION
Rio & Timbuktu - Tuesday
Istanbul - Wednesday
Manila - Thursday

Students must arrive to school by 8:00 am on their scheduled Hemlock day. Students should be prepared to spend the entire day outside, so please dress appropriately - no sandals, flip-flops, large earrings, or long necklaces. If you have an inhaler or other medication that needs to be taken during the day, please bring it on the trip and let your homeroom teacher know that you have it. Students must have a bag lunch with their name on it and a couple of bottles of water. There is no place for students to purchase food for lunch. Students will arrive back at Deal between 6:30 and 7:00 pm. Parents/Guardians, please be at Deal to receive them upon their arrival.

Band Rehearsals
Jazz/Concert Band: Monday and Wednesday 7:45 am
Beginning Band: Tuesday 7:45 am
Drumline: Wednesday 3:30 pm
Jazz Combo: Thursday 7:45 am

Anyone and everyone who is interested in band but has not signed up or attended a rehearsal will still have the opportunity to join this year! Please come to a rehearsal or speak to Mr. Phelps in the band room (CG20) before or after school this week. This week is the last week to sign-up to join the concert/jazz band, beginning band, or drumline programs at Deal.

Anyone interested in jazz combo our first meeting will be this week Thursday.

The Human Rights Club
Are you interested in fostering equal opportunities for everyone in our school and community? Are you interested in cultural diversity and peace initiatives at Deal? Have you been discriminated against or deprived of your basic rights? Consider the Human Rights Club as your Viking Time activity. Please contact Mr. Ngwa in room CG07 on Monday at 3:15 pm for an information session.

Gay Straight Alliance
Gay Straight Alliance will meet on Monday from 3:30-4:30 pm in Mr. Lotts room.

Geoplunge
Geoplunge will begin on Monday from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in Ms. Buerkle's room, E104. Geoplunge is a card-based United States geography game that is academically challenging and FUN! Last year Deal's teams placed in the DC Geoplunge competition. All grades are welcome and encouraged to come, although only 6th graders may compete.

Cross Country Practice
Cross Country practice will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 3:30-5:00 pm

Journalism 101
There will be a meeting for all students interested in writing for the Northwest Current weekly paper on Monday at 3:30 pm in room C130 (Ms. Wylegala). We will meet for an hour to establish a schedule for reporters, review deadlines and to discuss how to write a great school dispatch! Please plan on attending this meeting if you'd like to join our team of intrepid reporters!

Team Manila Study Hall
Ms. Gill and Mr. Stewart will hold a study hour from 3:30-4:30 pm on Monday afternoons in room E100 beginning this week. This opportunity is in addition to scheduled extra help days. Study hour is open to all Team Manila students who want homework/study help or who simply want a quiet place to get work done.

Team Rio Study Hall
Team Rio study hall will be held Monday in E104 from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.

Afternoon Studio Club
We will meet Monday in room C224. Please bring your signed permission slip. All levels of artists are welcomed.

Technology Crew Now Forming
Are you interested in learning about sound, video and audio-visual equipment? Do you want to help do video productions and work behind the scene at assembles and school wide meetings? If you answered yes, come to a brief informational meeting on Monday at 3:30 pm in the gallery. Mr. Simmons especially encourages last year's AV-V crewmembers to attend.

Step Practice
Step practice will be held on Monday and Wednesday from 3:30 SHARP until 4:20 pm in room C222.

Girls' Soccer
There will be girls' soccer practice on Monday and Wednesday from 3:15 to 5:00 pm. Please report to Room CG07 at 3:15 to complete homework, and then we will proceed to the field at 3:45pm.

Attention Sixth Grade Students
This week continues our after-school group offering of Transitioning to Middle School. Please see Mrs. White in the counseling office if you are interested in attending. You may attend on Monday, Wednesday, or both days from 3:30 - 4:00 pm. During the 30 minute group you will learn how to navigate this new environment, how to manage your time, how to deal with stress and so much more. Come out and take some time to share with other classmates having similar experiences. Your voice is powerful! See Mrs. White today for a permission slip and for more information.

Choir Rehearsals
6th grade choir meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:45 - 8:35 am.
Concert Choir (for 7th and 8th graders) meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:45 - 8:35 am
GLEE! (the show choir) meets Wednesdays from 3:30 - 4:30 pm.

Spanish Brush Up Tutoring
Attention all beginning Spanish students: round 3 of Brush Up Tutoring will place again this Tuesday afternoon. We meet in room C315 at 3:15 pm. ¡Nos vemos!

Debate Club
The first Debate Club meeting of the school year will take place on Tuesday in room W305 at 3:30 pm. This will be a brief (15 min) meeting to distribute permission slips and schedules of the competitions. Hereafter, all practices will be on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30 pm. Students who are away at Hemlock should pick up a permission slip outside W305 and join us on September 21.

Ultimate Frisbee
Ultimate Frisbee is here! Join the fabulous Ultimate Vikings as we learn new skills and scrimmage every Tuesday from 3:30 - 4:30 pm. No previous experience necessary! Pick up your Ultimate Frisbee waivers from outside of Coach Wadsworth or Coach Kouri's classrooms. You must complete your waivers and turn them in to Ms. Wadsworth or Ms. Kouri in order to participate.

8th Grade Book Group
There will be an information meeting for all 8th graders -- girls and boys -- interested in joining Ms. Wylegala's afterschool book group on Wednesday 3:30 pm in room C130. 8th Grade Book Group is an opportunity to read fabulous novels, enjoy spirited discussion with your fellow readers and to enjoy some delicious treats! At this first meeting we will determine whether we will have a co-ed book group or separate boys' and girls' groups (which would meet on alternate Wednesdays). Research tells us that students who read a lot are more successful in school -- so please encourage your 8th grade student to join us!!

Robotics Club
The Deal Robotics Club will meet this Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:20 pm in room E301.

Flu Clinic
We are having a Flu Clinic here at Alice Deal on Thursday from 2:30 - 4:30 pm to administer flu vaccines. It is open to all who are interested. Vaccines for all ages will be available and families are welcome. For those who are under 18, you must have a signed parental consent. The cost is $24 standard Flu vaccine, $30 preservative-free vaccine, and $35 Flu mist. Please bring cash or a check made out to Capitol Travel Medicine. The H1N1 is included in all of the above formulations. Parents please specify which vaccine you would like administered to your child on the consent form. If you are interested please sign up by Wednesday with Nurse Pringle at 202-939-2009.

International Cooking Club Information Session
There will be an International Cooking Club information session on Thursday at 3:30 pm in room W105. If you are interested in joining our club, please plan to attend.

Everybody Reads Begins on Friday, September 24
Each Friday during breakfast, the entire Deal community will engage in silent reading. Every student who enters the cafeteria MUST have a book to read. Teachers and parents are invited to join us to model habits of good readers.

Student and Parent information..

Music
It's not too late to join choir! Mrs. Henderson is offering 3 different opportunities for those who love to sing. If your child wants to participate in choir, simply email Mrs. Henderson at dealmusicians@gmail.com to request the Participant Information form. Filling out this simple, online form signs your student up for choir!

No internet access? Just have your student pick up a copy of the form in the choir room during one of the rehearsals this week.

8th grade Visual Art Student
Please remember to bring in $10.00 for your Developmental Workbook. If your class is the first to turn in all their money, you will get a surprised!

The DC Urban Debate
The DC Urban Debate League is being restructured this fall and we need more adult support in the form of teachers and/or parents. Anyone who might be interested in assuming the role of League President or Tournament Director, please contact Ms. Sweeney dealmiddleschooldebate@gmail.com.

DCPL Card Drive and Raffle
Deal LMC is celebrating National Library Card Sign-up Month with a raffle. Students can enter by showing their library card to a librarian during Friday lunch periods throughout September. Five students will win gift cards at the end of the month. Need a library card? Pick up an application in the LMC.

Library Book Groups
Library Book Groups will meet on Wednesday, September 29 to discuss fantasy fiction. Students should eat their lunch first and then join us in the library to discuss the book.
6th grade - The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
7th grade - Spellfall by Katherine Roberts
8th grade - The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud

Immunization, Health, and Dental Records
Please bring in your updated immunization record, health, and dental forms to Nurse Pringle or make an appointment with your health care provider as soon as possible. ALL students attending DC Public Schools must be properly immunized. If you have any questions or concerns about your immunization compliance please contact Nurse Pringle at 202-939-2009. Thank you for your cooperation.

Eighth Graders Go to Mount Vernon on Friday, October 15
The entire eighth grade class and faculty will travel to Mount Vernon, Virginia on Friday, October 15. Information about the itinerary, assignments, and fees will be distributed through the US History and Geography classes next week. Mark your calendars and save the date!

September is National Library Card Sign-up Month!
Students are encouraged to pick up a DC Public Library card registration form at the Deal Library Media Center.

Instrument Checkout/ Audition
Are you interested in joining the band, but you don't have your own instrument? Come to the band room (CG20) anytime before or after school this week to check one out. See Mr. Phelps for additional information.

Athletic Department Fundraiser
Please purchase your ESPN The Magazine subscription and support our athletic program. The 2 year subscription is $40. The school keeps $30 and ESPN gets $10. Help our school and give the gift that keeps on giving the whole year round. Sign up with Coach Downing (202) 327-4875 cell or coachdowning@yahoo.com Make checks payable to: ALICE DEAL (MEMO Team ID# 87885)

Staff information. . .

Monthly Faculty Meeting
Our faculty meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 3:30 pm.

Viking Time Selections
Homeroom teachers will receive Viking Time information for their students on Tuesday. Students' Viking Time selections should be submitted to Ms. Neal by Monday, September 20.

Period by Period
All teachers are reminded that Period by Period attendance must be completed by 4 pm daily.

Progress Reports and Deficiency Notices
All teachers are asked to submit deficiency notices and progress reports (for students who are not on EdLine) to homeroom teachers by Thursday, September 16. Homeroom teachers are asked to submit sealed deficiency notices and progress reports to their grade-level administrators by September 22. Additionally, homeroom teachers should give a copy of all deficiency notices to the appropriate grade-level counselor.

Professional Development Day
Friday is a professional development day for teachers and aides. Our day will begin at 8 am. Students will not be in school.

6th Grade Meeting
All those who teach 6th graders are asked to meet next Monday at 8:10 in the auditorium.

Bulletin Announcements
Please email information for the bulletin to Ms. Baxter by 1:30 pm on Thursdays. The subject should be bulletin in your email.

Before & after school activities this week...

Monday AM
Jazz/Concert Band, 7:45 am - RM CG20
Journalism 101, 7:45 am - RM C130
Team Manila study hall, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
Team Rio study hall, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - RM E104
Afternoon Studio Club, 3:30 pm - RM C224
Technology Crew informational session, 3:30 pm - Gallery
Step practice, 3:30 - 4:20 pm - RM C222
6th Grade Chorus, 7:45 am - RM CG04

Monday PM
The Human Rights Club information session, 3:15 pm - RM CG07
Cross Country practice, 3:30 - 5 pm,

Tuesday AM
Concert Choir, 7:45 am - RM CG04
Beginning Band, &;45 am - RM CG20

Tuesday PM
Real World, Real Relationships, Real Solutions, 3:30-4:30 pm - counselor's office
Team Bablyon study hall, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - RM W201
Boys' Soccer try-outs, 3:30 - 5 pm
Cross Country practice, 3:30 - 5 pm
Spanish Brush Up tutoring, 3:15 pm - RM C315
Debate Club meeting, 3:30 pm - RM W305
Ultimate Frisbee Club, 3:30 - 4:30 pm

Wednesday AM
6th Grade Chorus, 7:45 am - RM CG04
Jazz/Concert Band, 7:45 am - RM CG20

Wednesday PM
Girls' Soccer practice, 3:30-5 pm - RM CG07
Real World, Real Relationships, Real Solutions, 3:30-4:30 pm - counselor's office
Middle Eastern Club, 3:30-4:30 pm - RM E307
Volleyball practice, 3:30-5 pm - gymnasium
Glee cub, 3:30 - 4:30 pm, CG04
Robotics Club, 3:30 - 4:20 pm - RM E301
Team Istanbul Academic Assistance, 3:15 - 4:30 pm - RM W101
Student Council, 3:30 - 4 pm - RM E205
Mathcounts, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - RM E103
Step practice, 3:30 - 4:20 pm - RM C222
Fencing Club, 3:20 - 5 pm, W207
Drumline, 3:30 pm - RM CG20
8th Grade Book Group, 3:30 pm - RM C130
International Cooking Club, 3:30 pm - W105

Thursday AM
Concert Choir, 7:45 am - RM CG04
Jazz Combo, 7:45 am - CG20

Thursday PM
Explorer Time only (Faculty Meeting)

Friday AM & PM
No school for students

Food for thought...

Carol Dweck on Fostering a "Growth" Mindset

In this thoughtful Educational Leadership article, Stanford professor Carol Dweck says, "Teachers who strive to design challenging, meaningful learning tasks may find that their students respond differently depending on the students' assumptions about intelligence. Students with a growth mindset may tackle such work with excitement, whereas students with a fixed mindset may feel threatened by learning tasks that require them to stretch and take risks." To foster a growth-mindset classroom culture:
            · Don't praise ability - Praise students' effort, the strategies they used, the choices they made, their persistence.
            · Downplay speed - "Teachers should also emphasize that fast learning is not always the deepest and best learning," says Dweck, "and that students who take longer sometimes understand things at a deeper level."
            · Teach the growth mindset - Dweck and her colleagues have developed a curriculum: http://www.brainology.us. Students might share an area in which they used to be inept and are now proficient. "Such discussions encourage students not to be ashamed to struggle with something before they are good at it," she says.
            · Have students set goals - For example, a student who can't understand absolute values might commit to watching a YouTube video on solving linear absolute value equations and teach the process to classmates.
            · Make students advocates - Students might write a letter to a struggling student explaining the growth mindset, urging the student to avoid labeling, and suggesting strategies.
            All this transmits crucial information to students, says Dweck, and communicates "that their role is not to judge who is smart and who is not, but to collaborate with students to make everyone smarter." Dweck has three additional recommendations:
            · Make every child stretch. Don't let some students coast to success, says Dweck. "This experience can create the fixed mindset belief that you are smart only if you can succeed without effort." Also, present challenging tasks as fun and exciting. When a student succeeds, say, "Great! You tried different ways, you followed the clues, and you found a strategy that worked. You're just like Sherlock Holmes, the great detective. Are you ready to try another one?"
            · Chart progress toward mastery. Give a pre-test at the beginning of a unit. When students do much better on the post-test, they have a clear sense of how, with application, they can become smarter.
            · Grade for growth. In one Chicago high school, unsuccessful students are graded Not Yet and aren't ashamed because they know they're expected to master the material next time, or the next. "The word 'yet' is valuable and should be used in every classroom," says Dweck. "Whenever students say they don't like a certain subject, the teacher should say, 'yet.' This simple habit conveys that ability and motivation are fluid."

"Even Geniuses Work Hard" by Carol Dweck in Educational Leadership, September 2010 (Vol. 68, #1, p. 16-20)
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept10/vol68/num01/Even-Geniuses-Work-Hard.aspx
Dweck can be reached at dweck@stanford.edu. Her best-selling book on this topic is Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (Random House, 2006). For previous summaries of her articles, see Marshall Memos 144, 152, 188, 206, and 319.