Conference Day, CAPE Scores

Message from Principal Neal

At Deal, we are committed to providing a safe learning environment.  Recently, school administrators have noted an increase in physical and verbal altercations between students. When these incidents occurred, school staff, with the support of school security, quickly stepped in to separate and de-escalate the students. We have also connected with the families of the students involved to offer support and ensure the appropriate disciplinary response in accordance with Chapter 25 of the DC Municipal Regulations (DCMR).  

Our goal at Deal is to maintain a positive school environment and emphasize the importance of nonviolent conflict resolution. We also understand that external dynamics on social media and in our community can influence our school culture, but we are committed to keeping our students safe and supported. To that end, we are asking for collaboration from our families. Please encourage your student to speak up if they witness or experience anything unsettling – online or in person – before it escalates.  

I recognize that these incidents are concerning and may be distressing for students who witnessed or heard about them. I want to remind families that Deal has a dedicated wellness team comprising our school counselors, Ms. Morris, Ms. Lienemann, and Ms. Travers, social workers, Ms. Barr, Ms. O’Brien and Ms. Katz, and school psychologists, Mr. Bien-Aime and Ms. Gaitanis, who are available to support students. Additionally, our school climate team is also a resource for individual conversations to resolve conflicts before they escalate. Please reach out if we can connect your student with a trusted adult. 

The safety of our students is paramount. If you have any questions, please call the main office at (202) 939-2010  or  email me at diedre.neal@k12.dc.gov. 

Here We GROW!