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Color block logo of Deal Alice Deal Weekly Bulletin

October 8, 2007
 
"Think globally. Listen compassionately. Act Inclusively."
Thought for the Week:
"Someone said to me that a teacher is like a candle - both consume themselves to light the way for others." 
~ Leave it to Beaver
 
National History Day Workshop for parents, students, & teachers:  WEDNESDAY !


Learn about Deal's winning tradition with National History Day at a special workshop for parents and students at 7:00pm this Wednesday, October 10 in the cafeteria. 


The workshop will give students the opportunity to see examples of projects from last year's competition, including exhibit boards,  papers, and documentaries.


Bring your questions and leave with answers for topic suggestions,  tips for getting started,  and where to purchase construction materials.


This is a useful and logical way to begin the National History Day fair project for both students and parents!


See you on Wednesday!
Bell Schedule
Wednesday - Bell I
Thursday - Bell II
(Hispanic Heritage Month Assembly)
Friday - Bell I
 
Congratulations!

Announcing the
2007 - 2008
Alice Deal Cheerleaders
  2. Jewel Addison
  3. Jordin Allen
  4. Nneka Anosike
  5. Diamond Bailey
  6. Imani Bowman
  7. Kamari Bowman
  8. Kaylyn Brock
  9. Makeda Burton
  10. Zainya Carter
  11. Ryann Cooke
  12. Joy Gorham
  13. Latashia Graham
  14. Alexa Hailes
  15. Zoe Haynes
  16. Cara Hudson
  17. Tyler Jackson
  18. Blair James
  19. Cara Kilgore
  20. Antionette Lee
  21. Ciara Mackey
  22. Michelle Morales
  23. Dasia Murphy
  24. Kali Murphy
  25. Tiesha Nolan
  26. Melvina Petty
  27. Isis Pree
  28. O'liva Riley
  29. Antoneisha Robinson
  30. Mone' Singleton
  31. Bria Thomas
  32. katherine Truong
  33. Parris Washington
  34. Reema Webster
  35. Olivia Weisskoph
  36. Marissa Woodward
  37. Adia Xaba
PEACE MONTH
Updates
 

Peace Month


Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding. - Albert Einstein


Alice Deal MS Peer Mediators have begun meeting and are ready to assist other students in resolving their disputes. 


Mediation referrals can be picked up in the counselors' office - Room 110.  Peace Month Activities Classroom guidance workshops on peer mediation will be conducted in selected classes beginning this week.  Ms. McFarland will contact teachers regarding dates and times.


Thanks for doing your part for peace!
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Upcoming Activities

·         October 9th - Parent Teacher Conference Day -  No school for students

·         October 10th - National History Day Workshop 7pm

                       International Horse Show Performance for Deal Chorus

·      October 11th - Hispanic Heritage Assembly- Bell 2        

.       October 12th - Jamestown/ Williamsburg trip for all 8th graders

       Bodies Exhibit  trip for all 7th graders

·         October 18th - Faculty meeting 3:20pm

       International Night!  7pm

·         October 19th - Student portrait make up day

·         October 26th - End of 1st Advisory

.   October 26th - End of 1st advisory

    Halloween Party @ school 4:30 - 7pm

.   November 2nd-

    LSRT mtg 7:30am

    Record keeping day. Students dismissed @ 12:15

.   November 3rd - Politics & Prose Book Sale!

.   November 8th - Career Day.

.   November 12th - Veteran's Day Holiday.

.   November 13th - AMC-8 math test.

.    November 14th -

      Deal Open House #1

     Deal Night 6:30-8pm

.   November 15th - Faculty meeting

.   November 21st - Thanksgiving Assembly

.  November 22nd-23rd - Thanksgiving Holiday.

.  November 30th - Mid-Advisory progress reports sent home.

.  December 6th -

    Geography Bee competition.

    High School Fair 6:30pm

.  December 7th- Parent Teacher conference day.  No school for students.

.  December 11th - Deal Open House #2

.  December 13th - Winter Concert 7pm

.  December 14th - LSRT meeting @ 7:30am

.  December 20th - Faculty mtg

.  December 21st - Student Council Winter Assembly.

.  December 24th -  Winter Break begins

.  January 2nd - teachers return to school

.  January 7th - students return to school

Message from Principal Kim
photo of Principal Kim
I hope everyone enjoyed the Columbus Day weekend! 

This Tuesday, students are not in school again for Parent Teacher conferences. The school will be open from 12-7pm on Tuesday for this purpose.  Student brought home flyers about this on Friday. 

If at all possible, I encourage parents and students to come to conferences together.  Middle school students should be included in setting academic and social goals with both parents and teachers. 

See you soon!

Principal Kim
Alice Deal Middle School

Weekly Bulletin

 

 

 Thank You

  • The administration and mathematics department would like to thank all of the students, family members and staff members who attended Mathematics Family Night.  We really appreciate your participation and your support. 

Special thanks to Ms. Childs, Ms. Sweeney, Mr. Brandenburg, Mr. Mungai, Ms. Abbas, Ms. Ma, Mrs. Washington, Mrs. Wang, Mr. Winn, Mr. Mbayu, and Mr. Ngwa for your engaging activities. 

We would like to thank Ms. Childs for organizing the event and the math count club for their work.  We would also like to thank Mrs. Suarez, Mr. Klein, Ms. Mostoller, Mrs. Spann-Goode and Ms. Simpson-Wayne for allowing us to use your classrooms.

 
Buddy Day Visit
  • Deal was really welcoming with Janney buddies last week!  Thanks for being such great ambassadors!  On Thursday, October 11, 2007, 55 students from Murch E.S. will be visiting us.  As usual we expect everyone in the building to welcome our guests so that they will have a super fantastic experience!

Eighth Graders Go to Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg on Friday

  • The Deal Administration will meet with all eighth graders on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. in the auditorium to discuss Friday's itinerary,  behavior expectancies, and the academic purpose of Friday's trip to Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg.

Students, teachers and parent chaperones should plan to arrive at Deal by 6:00 a.m. with snacks for the bus,  a healthy packed lunch,  and plenty of bottled water and other beverages.  Students are encouraged to bring cameras, but IPods,  MP3 players, and other electronic devices should be left at home.

 

Eighth graders who are not traveling with the class will report to school at 8:35 a.m. for a regular school day.

7th Graders Travel to Bodies - The Exhibition
  • Seventh grade students will travel to Rosslyn, VA to visit Bodies-The Exhibition on Friday, October 12, 2007.  All permission slips and payments must be submitted to science teachers by Wednesday, October 10, 2007.  Staff members should refer to the memo placed in their mailboxes for information regarding times and chaperones.

Seventh Grade Homerooms

  • Before the seventh graders leave for the Bodies- Exhibit on Friday, October 12, 2007 they will report to Period 1 for Agenda Checks.
  • At 9:00 a.m. seventh graders will clean out their lockers.  Teachers will also make sure books are covered.
  • Upon announcement around 9:45 a.m., seventh grade students will report to the auditorium for a brief introduction to the Bodies Exhibit.  The administration will also review expectation for the trip. 

Student Council Halloween Party Tickets Go on Sale Next Week

  • Make your plans now for the annual Student Council Halloween party on Friday, October 26th. Pre-sale tickets will be sold next Wednesday and Thursday for a special price of $3.00. Wait until the week of the party and the price goes up to $4.00.

 

Chorus to Perform at the Verizon Center
  • The concert choir is scheduled to perform on Wednesday October 10, 2007 for the Washington International Horseshow, which is held at the Verizon Center.  They have been working hard to prepare for a performance so early in the school year.  All members are reminded to meet at the VIP entrance on F street by 6:00 p.m. that evening.  Please be prompt. 
!Hola!
  • Join us for a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.  There will be an assembly on Thursday, October 11, 2007 during a Bell 2.  Hispanic culture is alive and well at Deal and we are excited about sharing its vibrancy.

After the assembly students will return to classes while parents and students in Ms. Bright and Ms. Kelly's classes attend a reception on the lawn.  Teachers will be provided a list of these students. 

International Night student search.
  • Students do you have a talent that would be applauded around the world?  If you do, consider sharing that talent with the Deal family on International Night on Thursday, October 18, 2007.  For details see Ms. Suarez. 
International Night
  • Get ready to celebrate our unique diversity at Deal's annual international night next week on Thursday October 18th!
  • Food from 6-8pm
  • Entertainment by Deal Students 8-9pm

    Dinner: 3$  for students, $6 for adults, drinks and desserts sold separately $1
dentification Badges
  • Identification badges will be process starting Wednesday.  Students will be called down by classes.

Teachers interested in ID Cards should contact Mr. Dacoba or Simmons to find out about available periods/times. 

Metro/MetroTrain Behavior Concerns

  • Now that students have had time to adapt to the Metro Chartered Bus/Metro Train the Administration will address behavior concerns.   The Administration will now begin to suspend students who violate the warnings of the following infractions:

1.  Pulling down and destroying property on bus/train

 
2.  Throwing objects out of a window-causing harm to a person or property
 
3.  Seat Hopping/Train Hopping
 
4.  Profanity use while talking loud
 
5.  Horse Play
 
6.  Fighting
 
7.  Not following a directive of an adult (driver)
 
8.  Trashing the bus/train
 
The Suspensions will become effective October 10, 2007 through June 12, 2008
Student Discipline Warning
  • Although most of the Deal students are doing a fantastic job, a few students continue to make more choices again and again.  This is yet another warning that the Administration will implement a one or two day suspension for students not in compliance of the following infractions:

1.  Habitually wearing inapporpriate clothing - boys wearing pants hanging below the waist with or without a belt displaying undergarments, girls wearing shirts that expose cleavage.

2. Habitual Tardiness -arrival to school or classes late 2 or more times.
 
3.  Hall Sweeps (2 or more times)
 
4.  Using lockers without a pass (2 times)
 
5.  Using restroom without a pass (2 times)
 
6.  Traveling to water fountain without a pass (2 times)
 
7.  Tackling or "table topping" a student at any time
 
9.  Gum and Profanity (directly or indirectly)
 
  • Parents will be notified and a conference will be scheduled.
  • Any of the repeated infractions will result in tougher consequences.

The Student Discipline Transition becomes effective Oct, 10, 2007 through June 2008

Please help us maintain a positive learning environment!

 
Homeless Walk-A-Thon
  • All Art-Music- and PE classes will participate in the homeless Walk-A-Thon on Monday, October 22, 2007 all day.  All classes and teachers are welcomed. 
  • All students will attend a Homeless Walk-A-Thon orientation on Monday, October 15, 2007 permission letters will be distributed by Art-Music-PE teachers.  Students must submit forms to the assigned teacher by October 18, 2007. 
Department of Music Web group
  • The Department of Music has begun a web group in order to keep parents, administration, teachers, and friends of Deal current with what is going on with the Department.  Please feel free to join, just let Mr. Jackson know who you are in the comments section.  So far it has turned out to be a huge asset to the Music Department.  The address is .
Deal Volleyball Team Opener
  • The Girls Volleyball Teal will play their season opener on Wednesday.  The game will be played at Jefferson at 4:30 p.m.  Our opponent is Merritt Educational Center.  Go Vikings!
Deal Cross Country Teams
  • The Deal Cross Country Teams will travel to Fort DuPont Park on Saturday, October 13, 2007 to participate in the DCIAA Cross Country Invitational.  The bus will leave from Deal early Saturday morning.  Any questions see Mr. Geremia.  Go Vikings!

Calling All Youth!

  • City Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray will hold a special hearing for DC's youth on Saturday, October 13th at 10:00 a.m. at the John A. Wilson Building, 5th Floor Chamber.  If you have a concern,  an issue,  or an idea to share with Councilman Gray,  you can call Aretha Latta at 724-8196 or email her at to sign up.

Halloween Party Fun

  • Organizations interested in sponsoring a booth or activity at this year's Student Council Halloween party on October 26th are requested to put your intent into writing and submit your plans to Ms. Simpson-Wayne or Ms. Mostoller ASAP.  Clubs and teams can provide lots of party extras to add to the music and refreshments in the gym.  Think about games,  contests,  or services students would enjoy doing.  Get into the spirit of the Halloween season and help make this party a howling success!

STUDENTS FOR DC VOTE

  • Are you tired of hearing about DC residents being denied a vote on national issues such as:  education, health care, taxes, etc?  Then go to the Students for DC Web site @www.devote.org to learn more about this organization and how you can get involved and become an ambassador for DC voting rights.

Other Web sites to keep you updated are:

www.myspace.com/studentsfordcvote

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?glk=2205207160

Junk-Free Schools Video Contest
  • The Center for Science in the Public Interest is hosting the first-ever Junk-Free Schools Video Contest.  We need the help of young filmmakers to make the case for getting junk-food out of schools as part of a nationwide campaign to bring healthier foods to schools.  The Grand Prize winner will receive a $100.00 gift certificate for iTunes and the video will be showcased on our school foods website.  Deadline November 1, 2007
 


Before & After School Activities This Week

Wednesday - AM

  • Full Concert Choir @ 7:45 a.m. RM 115
  • Concert Band 7:45 a.m.

Wednesday - PM

  • MathCounts RM 216
  • Volleyball Game Deal VS Merritt  @ Jefferson 4:30 p.m.
  • Cross Country Practice in RM B101

Thursday - AM

  • Concert Choir @ 7:45 a.m. RM 115
  • Jazz @ 7:45 a.m.

Thursday - PM

  • Cheerleading Practice
  • Volleyball Practice

Friday - AM

  • Full Concert Choir @ 7:45 a.m. RM 115

Friday - PM

  • Volleyball Practice

As always, students should only be at school with parent permission!

Food for Thought.... try these out!

Strategies for Improving Middle-School Classroom Discussions

            In this Middle School Journal article, University of North Carolina professors Bruce Taylor and Karen Wood suggest ways to foster greater student engagement in middle-school discussions:

            · Fishbowl discussions - This approach can be used to model small-group discussions, to engage students in talking about challenging topics (e.g., the Holocaust or global warming), or to give students greater autonomy running discussions themselves. The classroom is arranged with 3-5 chairs in an inner circle and the remainder of the chairs in an outer circle. The teacher chooses a few students to sit in the middle seats and the rest of the class sits around the outside. Responding to question cards provided by the teacher or generated by classmates, the inner-circle students begin to discuss a text, poem, or article that all students have read. Only they are allowed to speak; if students in the outer circle want to say something, they need to get up and tap one of the inner-circle students on the shoulder and trade places with him or her. If some students in the outer circle are too quick to tap in, the teacher can set a time limit between taps. If some students in the outer circle are not tapping in, the teacher can change the rules so inner-circle students can tap students in the outer circle to get them involved. A variation on this format is for the inner circle to discuss a topic or text with students in the outer circle remaining silent and taking notes, then giving their critique of the discussion.

            · Ticket to talk - At the end of a science, social studies, language arts, health, or family/consumer class, students are asked to write anonymous comments or questions on slips of paper and hand them in as they leave (an exit slip). Alternatively, the teacher might ask students to write their questions for homework and treat them as admission slips for the next class. The teacher can then use the student-generated questions to check on their level of understanding, to spark whole-class or small-group discussions, or as writing prompts. Taylor and Wood say that student-generated questions foster much great engagement by classmates.

            · Discussion webs - This technique can help get shy students involved in a discussion and help explore the different sides of a controversial topic, and can also get the teacher off center stage. Students take a topic and answer a series of yes/no questions using a web format. For example, students who have just finished reading Bridge to Terabithia answer the question, "Should Jess have gone back to Terabithia after the accident?" Yes reasons might include: He wanted to say goodbye to Leslie; he needed to face his fear; he was there to save May Belle; he saw a sign (a bird) and it made him feel better. No reasons might include: It could have been dangerous; it wasn't the same without Leslie; he should have gone back when he found out May Belle followed him. Conclusion from this web: Yes; even though it was dangerous, going back to Terabithia helped Jess.

            · Say something - This protocol helps students understand and monitor their understanding of a challenging text. Students pair up and take turns reading aloud from a narrative or expository text and then "say something" about what they have just read (five options include making a prediction, asking a question, clarifying something that was misunderstood, making a comment, or making a connection). Partners take turns reading and responding until the passage is finished. If a student can't respond, it's time to go back and re-read the passage. Say something helps students learn how to "have a conversation with the text" and develop a metacognitive vocabulary for that conversation.

            · Question-answer relationships (QAR) - This is a strategy to get students thinking about the kind of information they need to answer a question. There are three basic types of comprehension questions:

-          Right there - The information is right in the text;

-          Think and search - Students must combine their prior knowledge with information from the text and make an inference;

-          In my head - Students must answer from their own knowledge and interpretation.

Questions can be generated by the teacher or by students; it's helpful for the teacher to model the process once and for students to read the questions before reading the text. Taylor and Wood say that QAR helps foster a metacognitive conversation among students about what questions demand of them and makes them more aware of the level and kind of comprehension they're using in different contexts. It can also serve as test preparation.

 

"Fostering Engaging and Active Discussions in Middle-School Classrooms" by Bruce Taylor and Karen Wood in Middle School Journal, September 2007 (Vol. 39, #1, p. 54-59), no e-link available; Taylor can be reached at and Wood at .
 © Copyright 2007 Kim Marshall 

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Alice Deal Middle School | 3815 Fort Drive, NW | Washington | DC | 20016