SEL, Balance, Virtual Back to School Night
Principal's Message
Good afternoon!
As our school community begins week four of SY 21-22, we will continue our efforts to build a school culture that is safe and welcoming for all students and families. Our students are re-learning strategies for interacting with their teachers and their peers. Whether we are addressing the Devious Licks trend or the predictable challenges of being a middle schooler, our entire school community is committed to supporting opportunities for social-emotional learning that will foster students' decision making and self-management skills. This week, our students will begin learning about how their brain impacts their decisions and learning. They will learn about the amygdala, hippocampus, and the prefrontal cortex.
Accessing Your Child's Schedule in Aspen
As you know, Back to School Night will be virtual this year. Although you will not need to figure out which classrooms to go to or tackle the Deal stairs and hallways, you will need to have access to your child's schedule. Here are a few ways you can find your student’s schedule:
Online via Aspen - log into Aspen. Click the “Family” top-tab and “Schedule” side-tab.
Printed Copy - many students have the printed schedule they received during the first week of school.
Your Child - ask your student to write out which teacher they have for each of the periods of the day.
Virtual Back to School Night
Our Virtual Back to School Night is scheduled for Thursday, September 23 from 5:45 pm until 8:00 pm. The evening will take place on Teams. During Back to School Night, families will be able to virtually follow their students' schedule, meet teachers, and get an overview of each course. Teachers will make slides available in their Weekly Newsletters.
5:45 - 6:00 | Opening Session
6:00 - 6:10 | First Period
6:15 - 6:25 | Second Period
6:30 - 6:40 | Third Period
6:45 - 6:55 | Fourth Period
7:00 - 7:10 | Fifth Period
7:15 - 7:25 | Period 6
7:30 - 7:40 | Seventh Period
7:45 - 7:55 | Eighth Period
Universal Screening - Targeted Support in Math
At Deal, we are using Universal Screening data to support our efforts to accelerate student learning after a year of virtual learning. We are using the beginning of year i-Ready data to determine which students have some learning gaps and would benefit from an additional math support class. This support class will enable students to gain the skills and confidence needed to be on track for high school math courses. The math support class is required for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who are below grade level in math. Additionally, these students will be invited to participate in our Saturday Acceleration Academy.
SAGE and Reading Inventory Assessments
Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth graders will participate in Beginning of the Year assessments in Social Studies and English this week. All Deal students should bring headphones to use during testing. Data from BOY will be used to help teachers target instruction. Students who are more than two grade levels below in reading will receive targeted support to accelerate their learning. Additionally, those students will be invited to participate in our Saturday Acceleration Academy.
Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Testing @ Deal Weekly
As part of our COVID Health and Safety Protocol, DCPS is conducting random COVID testing weekly at all schools. Information and data from the COVID-19 School-based Testing Program can be found here.
Deal students will participate in Asymptomatic COVID testing on Tuesday, September 21. All students are eligible to participate. Videos that explain the testing procedures are available in English and Spanish. Please return the School-based COVID-19 Testing Opt-Out Form to your child's first period teacher to opt-out of asymptomatic testing.
DCPS Immunization Requirement
In an effort to protect the health and wellness of all students, District of Columbia law requires that all students attending school in the District provide up-to-date immunization certification or proof of medical or religious exemption (DC Official Code § 38–501 et seq.)
Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15)
As we continue to honor and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, your are invited to check out Nuestra America: 30 Inspiring Latinas/Latinos Who Have Shaped the United States, a fully illustrated anthology from the Smithsonian Latino Center.
Here We GROW!
September IB Learner Profile Spotlight: Balanced
Students who are balanced understand the importance of balancing different aspects of their lives - intellectual, physical, and emotional - to achieve well-being for themselves and others. Students recognize their interdependence with other people and with the world in which they live. Congratulations to the following students for exemplifying this month's IB Learner Profile trait of Balanced.
Team Brisbane: Max Van Leeuwen, Margaret Evans
Team Douala: Emmanuel Ashby, Sahra Sevastopulo
Team Lima: Ben Wilding, London Dawson
Team Mumbai: Harper Barlow, Cassius Lloyd
Team Porto Alegre: Serena Frazier, Parker Wilson
Team Chan Chan: Catherine (Lilla) Speth, Brandon McIntyre
Team Coba: Avril Dawn Palancia, Lam Tong
Team Constantinople: Greisy Alvarez-Medrano, Lane Mahan
Team Jericho: Ethan Stites, Chloe Peterson
Team Meroë: Robin King, Shelbee Dorsey
Team Best: Freya Matza, Raeden Burnette-Leverette
Team Calgary: Caroline Downs, Jemima Ndjeulo-Mbiengom
Team Luxor: Pablo Marin-Hormigo, Hailee Edmonds-Hall
Team Quito: Alice Patterson, Cifani Dakka
Team Wagga Wagga: Roscoe Stutz, Hanaan Anderson
Team Newsletters
Inner Core Newsletters
Join the Alice Deal School and Family Directory
Every year the Alice Deal Community Association (ADCA) compiles a family directory that is available online, in print and as a mobile app on a secure database. Register at alicedealms.membershiptoolkit.com today!
Health and Safety Guidance
You can review all Back to School health and safety guidance here. This includes:
Universal Masking
Required Immunizations and the COVID-19 Vaccine
Testing
Physical Distancing
Lunchtime Guidance
Quarantine
Quarantine and Classroom Instruction
Quarantine Attendance Policy
Close Contact
Travel
Visitors
Enhanced Air Filtration and Cleaning
Immunizations
Children ages 3-18 years old attending school including those at private, parochial, and independent schools are eligible for free immunization appointments at pop up health clinics throughout the city from DC Public Schools and their partners at DC Health. Students are required to have their childhood immunizations up to date with forms submitted within 20 days of the start of school. Visit dcpsreopenstrong.com/vaccines.
Deal COVID-19 Vaccine Site (Mondays 4 - 7 pm)
Our vaccine partner, Giant Food, will offer the Pfizer vaccine for students 12+ in the Deal gymnasium by appointment only. Information is available at vaccinate.dc.gov or 1-855-363-0333.
Back to School Night (Virtual)
We will host a virtual Back to School Night on Thursday, September 23 at 6:00 pm. Additional information will be provided.
Breakfast and Lunch
All DCPS students will receive universal free meals for SY 21/22 including breakfast and lunch. Parents / guardians are also encouraged to complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Application for other eligible benefits.
https://dcps.dc.gov/page/meal-prices-and-payment
WMATA Bus Schedules
Route M4:
https://www.wmata.com/schedules/time
Routes D31, D32, D33, D34:
https://www.wmata.com/schedules/timetables/upload/D31,32,33,34_200823.pdf
Fall Extra-Curricular Activities
Coding Club
Welcome to Coding Club! You will have a chance to learn about innovative coding techniques (primarily Python) through the CodeHS application with the help of a professional coder! Please join us on Tuesdays in Room E201 from 3:40-4:40 pm beginning on September 28th and sign up through the link: Coding Club Sign Up
Deal Speech and Debate Team Tryouts
Are you looking to be a part of the very best that Deal has to offer? Do you like to read and research about current events? Are you good at developing arguments—both in writing and orally? Maybe you are looking for an after-school activity that meets both virtually and in-person? If you answered yes to more than one of these questions then the Deal speech and debate team may be just the place for you!
The team meets weekly from 3:45-5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays from the end of September until the end of April. Student members must be willing to participate in speech and debate tournaments one Saturday a month against other middle and high school debaters virtually and (pandemic relief allowing later in the spring) in-person at various schools throughout the metro area.
Tryouts for this year’s team will take place Wednesday, September 22, 2021 @3:45 pm via Zoom. Due to the academic rigor of the debate experience, limited coaching resources, and the popularity of the program, tryouts and participation are limited to 7th and 8th grade students only. This will be the only opportunity for tryouts this year with the total number of students accepted limited to 25.
The tryout experience consists of students providing a writing sample while on camera to a prompt arising from this year’s debate topic, “The United States federal government should substantially increase its protection of water resources in the United States.” For purposes of the tryout students do not need to do research ahead of time nor have any background in water resources. All students trying out must complete a quick application prior to Wednesday. Tryouts are expected to last anywhere from 45-90 minutes. Members of the team will be announced by e-mail on Monday, September 27, 2021.
In June the Deal Speech and Debate team was recognized at the national speech and debate championships as one of the top 5 teams in the United States. Read more about the experience here. Contact Tim Stroud (tim.stroud@k12.dc.gov) or Melanie Coleman-Jeffries (melanie.coleman@k12.dc.gov) for further information regarding the team.
Model UN
Interested in joining Deal’s Model UN Team? Just want to learn more? No experience is necessary! All are welcome (6th-8th graders, experienced, new, curious about global topics, and/or a natural negotiator and global delegate). Please complete the interest survey so we can add you to our TEAMS group (where information is posted). Our first meeting will be online (link will be posted in TEAMS by 9/19) on September 21 from 4:30 pm-5:15 pm. Have questions? Please reach out to Ms. Trenkle at amy.trenkle@k12.dc.gov.
Running Club
Welcome to Running Club! You will have a chance to run with a variety of runners: anyone from speed walkers to cross country runners are welcome. We will all train to run an optional 5K through the Fletcher's Cove Park Run program in Georgetown (free to all participants!). Please join us on Mondays from 3:40-4:40 pm in Room E201 with your running gear beginning on September 27th!
Ultimate Frisbee Club
The Ultimate Frisbee Club will practice this Wednesday from 3:30-4:30 pm. Players must meet in room E106 (Mr. Martini) immediately after school before heading out to the turf. All skill levels are welcome as #Ultimateisforeverybody! Be sure to wear comfortable athletic clothing and sneakers and bring an extra bottle of water! Students must turn in the Club Sports Forms (available here) to be able to play. Be sure to also to sign-up to receive club text message reminders by sending the message @dealulty to the number 81010.
Updates from the Athletic Department:
Greetings families! Thanks to all of the students who participated in tryouts over the past two weeks! We had a huge turnout and are glad to see how excited everyone is to return to sports! Those student-athletes who were selected for teams have been notified. If you have any questions about tryouts, cuts, or final rosters please reach out to that team's respective coach.
If you haven't done so already, please complete and submit all athletic eligibility documents to SEAMLESS DOCS. Please also be aware of the expiration date of your child's Universal Health Certificate and submit an updated copy before that date to prevent a lapse in eligibility. Please review and review with your child the DCIAA Return to Play mask mandate as outlined below:
Outdoors:
Face coverings must be worn at all times unless the student-athlete is engaged in physical activity during workouts, practices or competitions.
Coaches, athletic trainers, officials, spectators, athletic personnel and all staff must wear face coverings at all times outdoors.
Cloth face coverings are acceptable.
Face coverings should not be shared.
Plastic shields covering the entire face will not be allowed during athletic participation due to the risk of unintended injury to the person wearing the shield or others.
Indoors:
For indoor sports, face coverings must be worn at all times, except as noted below: Cheerleading – when actively engaged in stunting/tumbling.
Coaches, athletic trainers, officials, spectators, athletic personnel and all staff must wear face coverings at all times outdoors.
Cloth face coverings are acceptable.
Face coverings must not be shared.
Plastic shields covering the entire face will not be allowed during athletic participation due to the risk of unintended injury to the person wearing the shield or others.
Students may remove themselves from practice and/or competition, if needed, to remove masks and rest. Breaks will be scheduled during athletic activity to provide rest. Coaches should schedule breaks during athletic activity to allow for student-athletes to rest, hydrate, and remove masks while social distancing.
Please see the practice/game schedule for the upcoming week below:
Archery:
Wednesday, 9/22: practice, 7:30 am to 8:30 pm
*Thursday, 9/23: match, Deal vs. Johnson @ Johnson, 4 pm (1400 Bruce Pl SE, 20020)
Girls Soccer:
Tuesday, 9/21: practice, 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
*Thursday, 9/23: game, Deal vs. Eliot Hine @ Deal, 4 pm
Boys Soccer:
Tuesday, 9/21: practice, 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
*Thursday, 9/23: game: Deal vs. Hardy @ Deal, 5 pm
Cross Country:
Monday, 9/20: practice, 3:30 pm to 5:15 pm
*Wednesday, 9/22: meet: @ Colmar Park, 12 pm to 6 pm (3510 37th Ave. Colmar Manor, MD 20722)
Friday, 9/24: practice, 3:30 pm to 5:15 pm
Volleyball:
*Monday, 9/20: game, Deal vs. McKinley @ McKinley, 5:30 pm (151 T. St. NE, 20002) *regular practice @ Deal, at 3:30 pm if this game is canceled
Tuesday, 9/21, practice, 3:30 pm to 5 pm
*Wednesday, 9/22: game, Deal vs. Leckie @ Deal, 5:30 pm
Football:
Practices TBA
*(Tentative) Wednesday, 9/22: game, Deal vs. Jefferson @ Wilson, 6 pm to 8 pm (3950 Chesapeake St. NW, 20016)
Cheer:
Tuesday, 9/21: practice, 3:30 pm to 6 pm
Thursday, 9/23: practice, 3:30 pm to 6 pm
The Alice Deal Athletic Calendar will be updated weekly with the most accurate schedule information. Please see coach contact information below:
General sports/athletics inquiries: deal.athletics@k12.dc.gov
Boys Cross Country - Ryan Deak, ryan.deak@k12.dc.gov
Girls Cross Country - Allison Beckley, allison.beckley@k12.dc.gov
Boys Soccer - Frederick Mbayu, frederick.mbayu@k12.dc.gov
Girls Soccer - Kwabena Osei, kwabena.osei@k12.dc.gov
Volleyball - Darieal Wimbley, darieal.wimbley@k12.dc.gov
Football - Michael Oliver, michael.oliver3@k12.dc.gov
Archery - Staci Pugh, staci.pugh@k12.dc.gov
Cheerleading - Lalani Stevens, lalanistevens21@gmail.com
Adapted Bowling - Eian Jackson - eian.jackson@k12.dc.gov
Community Announcements:
EXPERT HIGH SCHOOL ADMISSIONS PREPARATION AVAILABLE
Chevy Chase Prep proudly coaches students through successful high school transitions all year around. We specialize in SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, TOEFL, and in-house test preparation, and in guidance on all facets of high school admissions. Local references attest to students' performance on standardized tests, and to our overall expertise. We're lifelong Deal neighbors and 100 percent woman-owned. Please visit us on the web at chevychaseprep.com; email us at chevychaseprep@gmail.com.
Maggie Ronkin, Founding Owner, Chevy Chase Prep
