World Mental Health Day, Term 1 Progress Reports, Calendar Input, and More…
We are so grateful to our teachers for the wonderful work they are doing to support all our students. Our families have shared such positive feedback from Thursday's conferences. If you were not able to schedule a conference last week, please email your child's teacher to arrange a 5-minute conference during an upcoming planning period.
World Mental Health Day
Today is World Mental Health Day. Please remember to take time for your own mental wellness.
Mental health support is available for students and families through the DCPS School Mental Health team. DCPS mental resources are available HERE. Please contact Deal's School Behavioral Health Coordinator (SBHC), Christian Johnson (Christian.johnson@k12.dc.gov) if you have any questions or concerns.
Term 1 Progress Reports
Progress reports will be published in the Aspen Parent Portal on October 12 and mailed to families on October 14. Please visit ParentPortal.dcps.dc.gov to access the Aspen Parent Portal.
DCPS Calendars
DCPS strives to create a calendar that reflects the needs and preferences of DCPS families and staff whenever possible, maximizes learning time for students, and allocates time for our teachers to engage in professional learning and collaboration. In addition to those goals, DCPS adheres to requirements related to the DC Municipal Regulations as well as agreements with our labor partners. Please share your feedback on the proposed calendars for school year 2023-2026 through this SURVEY. The SY 22-23 Calendar is available now.
DCIAA Vaccination Requirement
There is no vaccine mandate for Fall sports (archery, cross country, football, soccer, and volleyball). Fall student-athletes and coaches may finish out the season under the existing student eligibility and coach certification rules.
Beginning on November 1, any student-athlete 12 and older or any coach participating on a winter team must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Unvaccinated individuals will not be allowed to participate in any team activities. If your child's 12th birthday is between September 20 and November 1, 2021, their vaccination requirement deadline is extended to December 13. For student-athletes who turn 12 years old after November 1, 2021, the deadline for vaccination is two months after their birthday.
Currently, only the two-dose Pfizer vaccine is approved for children ages 12-17, with a three-week window between doses. Please visit Get Vaccinated for information about vaccination sites, and visit DC My Immunization Record to download a copy of your child's vaccination card.
Outdoor Lunch
As a result of the indefatigable effort of our Deal staff, we have been able to ensure that our 1,400 students are able to have outdoor lunch (weather permitting). During lunch and recess, our students eat and play on the turf and the basketball court. Please encourage your student to continue to pick up their trash and follow the tips below.
Do not throw the tire waste at each other or into each other's lunches. The black tire crumbs contain chemicals that can accumulate in your body.
Do not eat food if tire waste is on it.
Wash hands before/after exposure to tire waste.
Bring towels/mats to sit on and shake them out before and after eating.
Shake out shoes, bags, and clothing before entering school and home.
Clean cuts and abrasions immediately to avoid infection.
Shower after arrival home.
Think Globally, Listen Compassionately, Act Inclusively
For her Bat Mitzvah project, 8th grade Sonia Skolnik has been working with an organization that is helping to spread awareness on the Uyghur Crisis in China. Sonia will share information about the Uyghur Crisis with our school community during Period 6 on Tuesday.
Indigenous Peoples' Day - No School for Students
Tomorrow, the United States will celebrate our first national Indigenous Peoples’ Day. In the spirit of learning, unlearning, and celebration feel free to check out these resources:
National Museum of the American Indian
Land Acknowledgement: Indigenous Tribes of Washington, DC
Wilma Mankiller Quarter | American Women Quarters
