Testing, Theater, September Events

Written By Carolyn Kouri

Principal's Message

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

The first week of school was filled with joy and wonder! I had a chance to engage in a conversation with students in Ms. Chay's ELA class on Friday. I asked them to reflect and be mindful of a Rose, Thorn, and Bud from their first week back at school. Unanimously, each student shared that being back at school with their friends and meeting their teachers was their rose. Many of their thorns included having to wake up early.

Although the beginning of this school year has provided us with new opportunities to stretch and GROW, the laughter and smiles of our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders serve as a reminder of how magical our work as educators can be.

Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Testing at DCPS

Please disregard any COVID-19 testing consent information/forms from DCPS and Deal prior to August 27. If you would like to opt-out your student from receiving a COVID-19 test at school, you must complete the Opt-Out Form and return the form to your child's first period teacher. Please do not email the form.

As part of our COVID Health and Safety Protocol, DCPS is conducting random COVID testing weekly at all schools. Deal is scheduled to hold our first COVID testing on Tuesday, September 7 at 9:50 am. All students are eligible to participate. Videos that explain the testing procedures are available in English and Spanish.

DCPS Calendar

The DCPS calendar for SY 21-22 is available here. The DCPS community includes followers of many faiths. Wherever possible, DCPS seeks to avoid scheduling any important events on the following days.

  • Muharram 8/10/21 - 9/7/21

  • Ashura 08/18/21 (begins sunset 8/17)

  • Rosh Hashanah 9/7/21 (begins sunset 9/6)

  • Yom Kippur 9/16/21 (begins sunset 9/15)

  • Sukkot 9/21/21- 9/27/21

  • Hannukah 11/29/21 - 12/6/21

  • Christmas 12/25/22

  • Ash Wednesday 3/2/22

  • Passover 4/15/22 - 4/22/22 (begins sunset 4/15)

  • Good Friday 4/15/2022

  • Easter 4/17/22

  • Ramadan 4/2/22 - 5/1/22 (begins sunset 4/2)

  • Eid al-Fitr 5/3/22 (begins sunset 5/2)

  • Eid al-Adha 7/10/22 (begins sunset 7/9)

Teachers will not schedule assessments or significant assignments on these dates.

Attendance Matters

Email dealattendance@k12.dc.gov for all attendance matters (absent, tardy, early dismissal, etc.) and cc your child's team. A note must be received within five (5) days after the first day of absence. Please include the following information:

  • Student's first and last name

  • Grade

  • Date(s) of Absence

  • Parent/Guardian Name

  • Parent/Guardian Telephone Name

Students should follow up with their teachers regarding missed instruction and assignments.

i-Ready and MAP Diagnostic Assessment

The i-Ready diagnostic assessment will take place over the next two weeks. The assessment will support our math teachers' instruction by providing formative data about what our students already know or need to learn. The i-Ready diagnostic assessment is adaptive so questions will be easy, challenging, and just right.

Please encourage your child to:

  • Bring headphones

  • Take their time and not rush

  • Read each question and answer choice carefully

  • Try their best, even if they get to a question they haven't learned YET

  • Show their work

  • Check answers before going to the next question

Please feel free to contact our Math Coaches if you have any questions.

Announcing Auditions for the Fall Play

Come one, come all, and audition for the 2021-22 Alice Deal Theater Fall production! Highlighting two one-act plays, our production will feature Stephen Gregg’s This is a Test and James Thurber’s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

Auditions

  • Tuesday, September 14 | 3:45 - 6:00 pm

  • Wednesday, September 15 | 3:45 - 6:00 pm

  • Thursday, September 16 | 3:45 - 6:00 pm

Students will need to wear masks and follow social distancing expectations.

Show Dates: November 18, 19, and 20 at 6:30 pm

Here is how it works:

  • Take a minute to review the Audition Packet which includes plot summaries, sides, and the rehearsal schedule. Read through the audition sides and pick a monologue that appeals to you to prepare.

  • Sign up here for an audition time slot that fits your schedule. All auditions will take place in the Alice Deal Auditorium. Please be in the auditorium no later than 3:45 pm. Be prepared to stay until 6:00 pm unless dismissed earlier by the director.

  • Make sure the rehearsal schedule works for you before auditioning. Although not every actor is called for every rehearsal you will be expected to attend every rehearsal for which you are called.

  • ALL 6th, 7th, and 8th graders are encouraged to try out. All students who attend the auditions will be cast in the show.

For additional information, please contact dealplayers@gmail.com.

Athletics @ Deal

If you haven't done so already, please submit your child's athletic participation documents via the DCPS Student-Athlete Participation Packet. Please keep in mind that there is approximately a one-week turnaround from submission to clearance. Please reach out to your child's coach if you are unsure if your child is cleared to participate. Coach contact information is as follows:

Remembering September 11

Our students are Too Young to Remember the events of September 11, 2021. For them, it is history, while for many of us it is a memory that may evoke a myriad of feelings. As a school system, we lost three students and three teachers who were heading to a National Geographic Conference in California. If possible, please join our school community in a collective moment of silence at 9:37 am on Saturday morning.

Representation Matters

September 15 through October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month. National Hispanic Heritage Month honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries. We welcome your ideas and suggestions for ways that our school community can honor National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Here We GROW!

ADCA Information

  • Volunteer Opportunity: The ADCA is in need of a 2nd Deal Gear Co-Chair. If you are interested in getting more involved in the ADCA and have a creative eye, please reach out to adcapresident@gmail.com to find out more! If you aren't able to join the board, please donate 5 hours this year for Deal: https://www.alicedealmiddleschool.org/volunteer.

  • 2021-22 Donation Drive: Last week we kicked off the 2021-22 Donation Drive. The annual Donation Drive is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we rely on the generosity of the Deal community to meet our goal of $115,000. This year, more than ever, the ADCA needs you to help us ensure a smooth transition back to the building and a successful and safe year for everyone. Join us in making the 2021-22 school year a great success!

  • Commemorative Brick Update: Thank you to everyone who purchased a commemorative brick in honor of Deal’s 90th anniversary. The 185 bricks have been placed at the front entrance to the school. Stop by to find your brick!

  • 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 from last week's bulletin 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

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 https://vaccinate.dc.gov or 1-855-363-0333.

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. https://dcpsreopenstrong.com/vaccines/

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/timetables/upload/M4_210606.pdf

Routes D31, D32, D33, D34: https://www.wmata.com/schedules/timetables/upload/D31,32,33,34_200823.pdf

Fall Extra-Curricular Activities

Ultimate Frisbee Club Interest Meeting

All students interested in joining the Ultimate Frisbee Club are asked to attend an interest meeting on Wednesday, September 8 immediately after school in room E106 (Mr. Martini). All skill levels are welcome! #Ultimateisforeverybody!

Practices will be held every Wednesday after school from 3:30 - 4:30 pm. Students must submit all pages of the Club Sports Forms to be able to play which are available for download at http://bit.ly/dealulty (printed copies will also be available at the interest meeting). Be sure to also sign-up to receive club text message reminders by sending the message @dealulty to the number 81010.

Updates from the Athletic Department:

Thanks to everyone who signed up to try out to participate in fall sports. We have had an above-average interest in athletics this school year so we also appreciate your patience while we sort through registrations and logistics and hash out the final details. Registration for fall sports is now closed, with the exception of cross country which can facilitate a larger roster. Tryouts / practices will begin next week; details are below:

Archery:

  • Wednesday, Sept. 8th - 7 am, 4 pm, and 5:30 pm

  • Thursday, Sept. 9th - 7 am, 4 pm, and 5:30 pm

  • *Each try-out session will facilitate 20 participants. Please have students meet in the gym at the designated time, which will be provided by Coach Pugh during the mandatory parent meeting.

Volleyball:

  • Try-outs Tuesday, September 7th, 3:30 to 5 pm

  • Try-outs Friday, September 10th, 3:30 to 5 pm

  • Parent meeting, TBA

  • *designated tryout time will be provided by Coach Wimbley

Boys & Girls Soccer:

  • Try-outs Wednesday, September 8th, 4 to 5:30 pm

  • Try-outs Friday, September 10th, 4 to 5:30 pm

  • Try-outs Tuesday, September 14th, 4 to 5:30 pm

  • Parent meeting, TBA

Boys & Girls XC:

  • Monday, September 6th (virtual parent meeting)

  • Practices will start September 13th and will be Monday, Wednesday, Friday, from 3:45 to 5:30 pm. The final day to register for cross country will be Wednesday, September 15th.

Football: Practice/conditioning will be held Monday-Friday from 3:30 to 6 pm.

Cheer: Tryouts will be from Monday, September 13th through Thursday, September 16th, from 3:45 to 5 pm, in the gym. Bring your required DCIAA forms, black shorts, white shirt, yoga/exercise mat, water bottle, and a mask. Contact Coach Lalani Stevens for more information.

Adapted Bowling: TBA

If you haven't done so already, please submit your child's athletic participation documents via SEAMLESS DOCS. Please keep in mind that there is approximately a 1-week turnaround from submittal to clearance so get those forms in ASAP to avoid a lapse in eligibility. Please reach out to your child's coach if you are unsure if your child is cleared to participate. Coach contact information is as follows:

As always, feel free to reach out to your child's coach or to me, Coach Downing directly at deal.athletics@k12.dc.gov with any questions or concerns.

Community Announcements:

BOY SCOUT TROOP 90 WELCOMES ALICE DEAL STUDENTS!

All boys eleven or older are invited to join Boy Scout Troop 90 at Blessed Sacrament School. We are pleased to resume in-person Troop meetings Wednesday nights 7:30 – 8:30 pm following CDC safety guidelines and protocols. Our first meeting of year is Wednesday night September 8th at 7:30 pm at 3630 Quesada Street NW. Please come and check it out. No obligation! Troop 90 also holds monthly campouts, hikes, and other outdoor activities. Scouting gives young people the opportunity to explore a world beyond the boundaries of everyday life. You get to try new things, develop friendships, provide service to others, build self confidence, and develop leadership skills. And have fun while doing it! Troop 90 scouts just finished canoeing in the Boundary Waters, MN for Northern Tier High Adventure! Other activities include learning first aid, emergency preparedness, wilderness survival and other merit badges, rock climbing at Seneca Rocks, fishing in the Chesapeake Bay, camping in Antietam National Battlefield, backpacking in Philmont Scout Reservation, New Mexico, ski/snowboard trips at Wisp, scuba diving in St. Croix Seabase, and doing many community service projects. We have scouts from Alice Deal and other schools throughout the area. No scouting experience necessary. Questions? Please contact Scoutmaster Keith Morrison at (202) 236-1624 or kmorrison@vsadc.com. You can also see our website at troop90dc.org which was created and is updated by the scouts.

Carolyn Kouri
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