TUTOR.COM is an award-wining online homework help and tutoring service. This is a service for students from K-12 and is available 24/7. It doesn't matter what subject you need help in because you will always get a "live" professional tutor who can help you .

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

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Message from Principal Kim

On Wednesday, we will gather as a school community for our annual Thanksgiving assembly sponsored by the student council.

Students are reminded to bring in a can or non-perishable items for donation. Your contribution will make a difference in the Thanksgiving experience of families across the DC area.

Parents, remember to log on to bookwormcentral.com to purchase your books and gifts this holiday season. The details on what to do is attached near the bottom of the bulletin this week. Please consider sending this information to your friends and family members as well. Raising funds has become more of a struggle all across the nation and your support will be welcomed at Deal.

I hope you all have a wonderfully warm Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends.

Principal Kim

This week at Deal. . .

National History Day Help Is Here for You!
All Deal students can take advantage of individualized assistance with NHD projects on Monday afternoons from 3:30 - 4:30 pm in room C308. Ms. Mostoller will provide examples of annotated bibliographies, show you documentaries from earlier years, and will demonstrate appropriate materials for successful exhibit boards. Be sure to inform your parents of your intention to stay.

Girls' Basketball Practice
Girls' basketball practice will be Monday and Tuesday from 3:30 - 4:45 pm this week. Please submit all paperwork to Coach Downing by 3:30 pm today. If you have questions, please email Coach Downing at coachdowning@yahoo.com.

Team Addis Ababa Study Hall
Team Addis Ababa Study Hall will take place on today from 3:30 to 4:30 in Room N103. If you have any questions please email Teamaddisababa@gmail.com

Team Nairobi Library Media Center Orientation
Mr. Hughes will bring all of his English classes to the Library Media Center for orientation today.

Girls' and Boys' Capital Cup Soccer Championship

The girls' and boys' soccer teams will play in the Capital Cup Championship at Wilson SHS on Tuesday. The girls' game will start at 4:00 pm closely followed by the boys' game at 5:00 pm. The entire Deal community is invited to come out and cheer both teams as they go for the gold.

National Geographic Bee
All Humanities teachers will be conducting their class competitions on Tuesday. A list of final winners must be submitted to Ms. Kinzer by COB on November 30.

The school-wide bee will take place on December 4 during periods 1 and 2. 6th grade teams will watch participants as they compete for Deal's title.

Classroom teachers will be given a list of participants by Wednesday, December 2 in order that they can be excused from their classes on Friday morning.

Special thanks to Mr. Simmons, Mr. Humes, Mr. Albright, Ms. Arnold, Ms. Wong, Ms. Buerkle, Mr. Kirschenbaum, Mr. Lotts, Ms. Wadsworth, Mr. Geremia, Ms. Mostoller, Ms. Bartels, Ms. Simpson-Wayne, Team Addis Ababa, Team San Francisco, and Team Beijing for their support of the bee.

Library Book Groups
Library Book Groups will meet on Tuesday to discuss Urban Fiction. Students should eat their lunch first and then join us in the library to discuss the book.
6th grade - Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson
7th grade - Money Hungry by Sharon Flake
8th grade - Somewhere in the Darkness by Walter Dean Meyers

The Meditation Club Begins on Tuesday
Students, are you feeling stressed out after a busy school day by all the work you have to do? Then come to the Meditation Club on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. You will learn to de-stress and unwind through meditation, Tai Ji, and other soothing activities. For more information, please see Ms. Wang in C206 after school today.

International Cooking Club
The International Cooking Club will not meet on Wednesday due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Group A will meet on December 9 and Group B will meet on December 16. We will be making Warm German Potato Salad.

Student & Parent information...

Embassy Student Essay and Video Contest Honors Korean War Veterans

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea is celebrating Veterans Day in the United States with an essay and user-created video contest open to all elementary, middle, high school and college students in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. during the month of November.

The contest challenges students to interview a Korean War veteran or the family of a missing soldier from the conflict and capture the spirit of their service in an essay or video report. Suggested themes include: expressions of gratitude to Korean war veterans; the Republic of Korea's continued remembrance of Korean War veterans and its gratitude to them; the Republic of Korea's development and growth after overcoming the hardships of the war; and the long lasting friendship between the Republic of Korea and the United States that the war forged.

Winning entries will be awarded a certificate and monetary prize at a ceremony at the Korean Embassy in December.

The contest encourages students to learn about the human side of this important chapter in American and Korean history, and was initiated by the Korean Embassy to help illustrate the deep gratitude owed to veterans of the Korean War.

The essay must be 700-800 words in length (3 to 4 double-spaced pages) and the video must be 3-5 minutes. Participants may choose to submit one essay, one video, or one of each for the contest.

Entries must be received by November 30 and must be submitted through the embassy's website at http://event.dynamic-korea.com.

Eighth Grade Tours of DC Next Week

All 8^th grade students in Teams La Paz, Cairo and Singapore will tour the nation's capital next week. Students will leave the building at 9:00 a.m. to visit the Capitol grounds, Lafayette Park, the Lincoln and FDR Memorials, and the National Archives and Records Administration. Students will return to school for 3:00 p.m. dismissal.

The schedule is:

La Paz: Tuesday, December 1

Cairo: Wednesday, December 2

Singapore: Thursday, December 3

Lists of participating students will be left in elective teachers' mailboxes by next Monday.

Breaking Barriers Essay Contest

April 15 marks the anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball in 1947. To celebrate Mr. Robinson's determination and successes, Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life was created. The program is a multi-curricular character educational program developed by Major League Baseball and Scholastic Inc. Every year the Breaking Barriers Essay Contest encourages students to write about the barriers and/or obstacles they have faced or are still facing in their lives. The Breaking Barriers Essay Contest is a chance for students in grades 4-8 to share their personal stories and show how they use Jackie Robinson's values to face their own barriers. The grand and first prize winners receive a variety of prizes including a laptop computer. All entries must be entered and postmarked by March 1, 2010. For more information about the Breaking Barriers Essay Contest please contact Mr. Assael at dealathens@gmail.com or come stop by his room, W204.

WE NEED YOUR USED TENNIS SHOES AND SOCCER CLEATS

As part of our community and global outreach, we are collecting used tennis shoes and cleats to help eradicate poverty and support rainforest preservation. In conjunction with the Perpetual Prosperity Pumps Foundation www.pppafrica.org, our students will be collecting used (not abused) shoes for this worthy cause. Please place shoe donations in the collection bins located in front of the welcome center and by the gymnasium. We look forward to your donations. If you have questions please contact the Physical Education Department at alicedeal.pe@gmail.com or Coach Downing at coachdowning@yahoo.com.

High School Recommendations Letters

Mr. Santiago has given all 8th grade students a pamphlet with information on the process for requesting high school recommendation letters from their teachers. The pamphlet also included interview techniques and a blank information form. Students requesting recommendation letters need to complete this form and give to teachers when requesting a recommendation.

High School Application Deadlines

8th grade students, should keep in mind that the deadlines for some of high school applications are approaching.

School Without Walls: December 4
Duke Ellington H.S.: December 18
McKinley H.S.: January 22
Banneker H.S.: January 29

Transcripts

The request for Transcripts should be given to Mr. Santiago for processing. He will usually process the request by the following day. Please keep in mind that you should make your requests with ample time for processing.

Comics as Literature with Mr. Lotts
Students who participate in Comics as Literature with Mr. Lotts should make sure you are working on your contributions to the first issue of the Deal Comic Book. The deadline for submissions to the first issue is November 30, so get to work on your writing and drawing. Contact Mr. Lotts if you need any help with ideas.

Spring Trip to Spain or France?
Parents who plan to send their children to the Madrid, Cordova and Sevilla trip and have not enrolled with EF Tours, please remember that deadline is soon approaching. Students who enroll now will have to pay the initial $95.00 enrollment fee, $450.00 thirty days after, and the remaining balance by December 7. Please contact EF Tours if you have any questions or concerns at Customer Service 1-800-665-5364 (www.eftours.com) or Mr. Santiago 202 939-2012. Our tour number is 924196.

Band & Choir Students
It is imperative that you check with your director, Mr. Frye or Mr. Jackson to assure that your name is on the official Music Department roll and spelled correctly.

Department of Music Listserv
The Music Department uses a listserv in order to communicate information to its students and parents. All students involved with the Department of Music should sign up to be a member of this listserv. To become a member send an email mail to roger.jackson@dc.gov.

Staff information. . .
Virtual Book Fair
Teachers the virtual book fair is up and running.
Please post your wish list on the Bookworm Central Site as soon possible.

Notes for Student Absences
Teachers this is just a reminder that all notes for student absences and early dismissals should be brought to the main office. Students cannot be excused for tardies or absences without a note. If you have any notes from students from earlier in the year, please bring them to Ms. Mills in the Welcome Center.

Grade-level Team Meetings

Grade-level administrators will meet with teachers on Wednesday, December 2 to discuss high frequency standards/interdisciplinary lesson plans. All teachers are encouraged to use the Resource Guide and DC-BAS data to reteach and differentiate lessons.

Online Book Fair

Parents, please take advantage of the Deal PTA's online book fair and fundraiser, November 18 - January 1. The book fair is a great way to do some affordable holiday shopping, keep your kids reading, and help expand the Deal library.

Bookworm Central offers an amazing variety of fiction, reference and audio books, graphic novels and games for kids of all ages. You can explore the site and make your purchases online.

All you need to do is:

1. Go to http://www.bookwormcentral.com
2. Click on Organizational Code and write in Alice
3. Explore and purchase!

If you have a problem with the site, please contact Bookworm Central. You can also contact Anne Pasmanick at apasmanick@verizon.net or (202)236-7971.

Message from School Nurse

As you know the flu season is upon us. I want to take this opportunity to continue encouraging your children to perform frequent hand washing. As well as reinforce using a disposable tissue when they are coughing or sneezing or if unavailable use the inside of their sleeve. These simple everyday health habits help to keep the spread of the flu virus to a minimum.

We strongly encourage parents and guardians to follow the Center for Disease Control and Department of Health guidelines and keep your child home if they have flu like symptoms, such as feeling tired , headache, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and a elevated temperature of 100 degrees or higher and contact your healthcare provider. Before children can return to school they have to be fever free for at least 24 hours without taking fever reducing medication.

The Department of Health also encourages high priority groups like children and pregnant women to get their H1N1 vaccines. There are several free H1N1 clinics around the city. The locations and dates are on the DCPS website.

We will have a seasonal Flu Clinic at Deal on Tuesday from 2:30 - 4:30 PM in the Gallery. Teachers, parents, and students accompanied by their parents can get a seasonal flu vaccine for $24.00. Notices will be up around the school. We thank all parents and guardians for your cooperation in these efforts.

Nurse Pringle

Before & after school activities this week...

Monday AM

Concert Choir practice, 7:45 am - RM CG17

Spanish tutoring, 8:10 am - RM C310

Beginning Band, 7:45 am - CG01

Monday PM

A Little Extra Time, 3:15 - 3:30 pm - cafeteria

Girls' Soccer practice, 3:30 - 5 pm,

Scrabble Club 3:30 - 4:30 pm, cafeteria

Team Addis Ababa Study Hall, 3:30 - 4:30 pm, C104

GeoPlunge, 3:25 - 4:30 pm - cafeteria

Debate Team, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - RM E304

Run for Fun Club, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - RM W101

National History Day Help, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - RM C308

Team Nairobi Tutoring, 3:30 - 4:30 pm, RM E207

Ms. Hampton's Science Help, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - W301

Cafe con Leche Club, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - RM CG06
Tutoring with Ms. Popadich, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - RM E105

Cheerleading practice, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm, cafeteria

After School tutoring with Ms. Brown & Ms. Bruce, 3:30 to 4:30 pm

Deal Dance Team, 3:30 - 4:30 pm, Gallery

Indoor Track practice, 3:30 - 5 pm - Gym

Girls' Basketball practice, 3:30 - 4:45 pm - gym
Mathcounts, 3:30 - 4:40 pm - RM E103
Boys' Basketball practice, 3:30 - 5:00 pm -gym

Tuesday AM
6th Grade Chorus, 7:45 am - RM CG17
Jazz/Concert Band, 7:45 am - RM CG01

Tuesday PM

A Little Extra Time, 3:15 - 3:30 pm - cafeteria

Drumline practice, 3:30-4:30 pm - RM CG01

Science Tutoring, 3:20-4:15 pm - RM C315

Afternoon Studio Club, 3:30-4:30 pm - RM C224
Rugby, 3:30-5 pm - RM C104
Team Nairobi Tutoring, 3:30 - 4:30 - RM E201
Team Athens Tutoring/Homework Help, 3:30-4:30 pm - Team Athens Hallway
Gardening, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - RM C309
Video-Audio Visual Club, 3:30 pm - gallery

The Ultimate Frisbee Club, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - RM C205

Boys' Soccer practice, 3:30 - 5 pm

Tutoring with Ms. Popadich, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - RM E105
Math tutoring with Ms. Hutter, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - RM E307

After School tutoring with Ms. Brown & Ms. Bruce, 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Future Educator's Club, 3:30 - 4:30 pm, RM W304
Knitting Club, 3:30-4:30 pm, RM E306

Team Rome Tutoring/Homework Help, 3:30 - 4:30 pm E204

Indoor Track Practice, 3:30-5 pm - Gym

Team Singapore and La Paz Science Fair Workshop, 3:30 - 4:30 pm, E301

Organization Help, 3:30 - 4:30 pm, RM W106
Girls' Basketball practice, 3:30 - 4:45 pm - gym
Meditation Club, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - C206
Boys Basketball practice 3:30 - 5:00 pm - gym

Wednesday AM

Concert Choir practice, 7:45 am - RM CG17

Jazz Combo 7:45 am - RM CG01

Spanish tutoring, 8:10 am - RM C310

Wednesday PM

A Little Extra Time, 3:15 - 3:30 pm - cafeteria

Group B of the International Cooking club, 3:30 - 4:30 pm, faculty lounge

Deal Dance Team, 3:30 - 4: 30 pm

Show Choir 3:30 - 4:30 pm
Student Council, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - RM E205
Ms. Washington's Homework Help, 3:30 - 4:30 pm RM C212
Team San Francisco After-School Academic Assistance, 3:30 - 4:30 pm-RM W101
Team Beijing Tutoring, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - RM E105
Cross Country practice, 3:30 - 5 pm
Science Tutoring, 3:30 - 5 pm - RM E307
Improv Club, 3:30 - 5 pm - RM E307
Alice Deal Science Olympiad Team, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - RM E101
Golf Club, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - RM W304
Girl's Basketball Try-outs, 3:30 - 4:45 pm
Robotics Club, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - RM E301
Boys Basketball practice, 3:30 - 5:00 pm - gym

Thursday and Friday

No School - Holiday

As always, students should have parent permission to stay after school for any activity!

Food for thought...

Robert Marzano on Interactive Whiteboards

In this Educational Leadership article, Robert Marzano reports on a recent study involving 85 teachers and 170 classrooms using interactive whiteboards. He found that, on average, using this technology was associated with a 16 percentile point gain in achievement. What worked best:

- Using "clickers" to check for understanding and follow up (a 25-point gain in achievement).

- Presenting information - video clips, Google Earth, graphs, and charts (a 26-point gain).

- Reinforcing correct answers with virtual applause or presenting information in an unusual context (31-point gain).

But whiteboards are not a magic bullet. In 23 percent of classrooms, teachers got better results without them. What explains this?

- Using clickers but not following up. "In many classrooms," he says, "teachers simply noted how many students obtained the correct answer instead of probing into why one answer was more appropriate than another."

- Poor presentation of content - Ineffective teachers zoomed through material so quickly that students didn't have time to process it.

- Too many visuals - This prevented students learning the most important content.

- Misusing features - Some teachers didn't use the gimmicks to clarify the content.

"Teaching with Interactive Whiteboards" by Robert Marzano in Educational Leadership, November 2009 (Vol. 67, #3, p. 80-82); this article can be purchased at http://www.ascd.org.