Our Core Values
The Deerfield community is one that truly cares about all students, families, and staff members. We strive to align our actions and behaviors with the following core values: Cooperation, Academic Excellence, Acceptance, Respect, Responsibility, and Effort. Forming the acronym CARE, our core values help us create an environment in which all students can learn and grow.
Joshua C. Baumer, Principal
Dear Deerfield Families and Staff,
For this week’s Principal’s Message, I am sharing the description of an upcoming workshop that is being offered by Deerfield’s School Nurse, Mrs. DeAngelis, and Deerfield’s School Psychologist, Mrs. McDonald.
I hope you can join us in the Deerfield gymnasium on Tuesday, December 11th from 7:00pm - 8:00pm.
Thank you,
Josh
Raising Resilient Children
Let’s face it, stress is hard! It can overwhelm your thoughts, slow your processing ability, and produce uncomfortable somatic and psychological symptoms. Unfortunately, living a completely stress-free life is probably not possible for any of us. All children and families experience stress over the course of their lives. Handling stress is an important life skill for all people, especially children.
Resilience is one measure of how well a person manages stress. Resilience is the process of being able to adapt, cope or bounce back in the face of adversity, challenge or stress. Being resilient does not eliminate stress or mean we don’t experience challenge or adversity. As teachers and caregivers, our first inclination might be to shield children from the distress of stress. However, in order to foster and build resilience, children need to learn to navigate situations and feelings associated with adversity, challenge or stress. If we want our children to experience the world as fully as possible - with some of its pain and all of its joy - they need resilience.
Like many other skills, resilience can be developed. Please join us to explore the world of empowering children to be resilient. This workshop will be held in the Deerfield gymnasium on Tuesday, December 11th from 7:00pm - 8:00pm. All Deerfield parents, guardians, and staff members are welcome.
If there are specific questions you want included in our discussion, please submit them in advance by clicking on the following link: Parent Questions for Presentation: Raising Resilient Children
Joshua Baumer
Principal
Deerfield Elementary School
72 Deerfield Avenue
Westwood, MA 02090
781-326-7500 x8201
jbaumer@westwood.k12.ma.us
We would like to officially welcome you to the 2018-19 School Year!
During the last week of August, your Deerfield PTO Welcome Packets are mailed home.
The Welcome Packet includes lots of useful info about your PTO including:
- Your PTO Mission Statement
- A listing of your PTO Board Members and Parent Reps
- Meeting Dates
- Tentative Calendar of PTO Events
- A breakdown of PTO Per Pupil Spending & Funding Sources
- A Financial Snapshot of the 2016-17 School Year
- Your PTO Membership Form (Due September 15th)
To access an electronic version of these documents, click HERE.
We are looking forward to another wonderful school year together!
Our first meeting of the school year is scheduled for Tuesday, November 13th at 7:00 pm. Please join us in the Deerfield Gym for this meeting. All are welcome.
Hope to see you there!
The Board of Directors provides the leadership and management to ensure that the PTO consistently achieves its goals and that it remains financially solvent. The Board of Directors is comprised of parent volunteers in the following positions:
- 2 Co-Chairs (First and Second-Year Chair)
- 1 Treasurer (plus an Treasurer-in-Training as necessary)
- 2 Secretaries (Communications & Recording)
- 2 Volunteer Coordinators (Lead & Assistant)
Members of the Board of Directors serve a two-year term with the terms of volunteers in each function overlapping by 1 year. For example, in any given year, the board will have one Chair in the second year of his/her tenure and another in his/her first year. Terms run July 1-June 30.
For a full description of the Executive Board including specific job descriptions, please click here. If you have more questions feel free to reach out to a current member of the board. We hope that many members of the Deerfield community will consider being part of this rewarding experience.
To learn more about your PTO, please visit our Welcome Packet and the PTO section of the website which includes information about how to Get Involved, Keep In Touch, and Support Your PTO.
Email us at DeerfieldPTO@westwood.k12.ma.us.
