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.
Dear Deerfield Students, Staff, and Families,
For as long as I can remember, Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. I had the good fortune of growing-up in fairly close proximity to extended family on both my mother’s and father’s sides. As a result, Thanksgiving was usually marked by a large gathering of family members at our house or multiple Thanksgiving meals at a few different locations. As a child, both scenarios were desirable. Either I got to see my whole family without needing to go anywhere or I got to see my whole family and enjoy several delicious meals, as we were hosted by our extended family. Win-win!
As an adult, Thanksgiving continues to be my favorite holiday. This is due in large part to the fact that Thanksgiving offers me the opportunity to intentionally reflect on the past year, recognize positive aspects of my life, and give thanks for them. While this is a simple series of steps I try to follow regularly throughout the year, I appreciate having a date on the calendar each year that forces me to do so.
For obvious reasons, Thanksgiving feels different this year. The intensity of the summer and fall has caused Thanksgiving to sneak up on me, rather than serve as one of the school year landmarks it has in past years. Also, our family’s 2020 Thanksgiving dinner will consist of sitting down at our dining room table for a small meal with my wife, son, and a computer screen, so we can virtually be together with extended family members while we all eat in separate locations. I imagine many of our Deerfield community members have similar plans this year. Like with many things that have changed or been canceled over the past 8+ months, I anticipate feeling a little sad and disappointed to not have the full Thanksgiving experience I look forward to every year.
However, I still plan to go through the simple series of steps I do every year: reflect on the past year, recognize positive aspects of my life, and give thanks for them. And when I do, I will absolutely give thanks for the Deerfield community. I am thankful for our extraordinary teachers and staff members for their skillful and tireless efforts on behalf of our students. I am thankful for our parents and family members for their support, generosity, and partnership. I am thankful for our students for their kindness, perseverance, and endless enthusiasm.
Being a part of the Deerfield community is a constant reminder that I have so much for which to be thankful. I wish you all a healthy and happy Thanksgiving recess.
Sincerely,
Josh Baumer
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Joshua Baumer
Principal
Deerfield Elementary School
72 Deerfield Avenue
Westwood, MA 02090
781-326-7500 x8201
Fall is Here!
The Deerfield PTO would like to thank all our families, students and staff for a great start to this unique 2020-2021 school year! Thank you for all your help so far and to come. We look forward to helping to connect our community of both remote and in-person learners and creating events that allow us to "come together" in a fun and safe manner.
If you have not read through the 2020-2021 Deerfield PTO Welcome Packet please click here for a copy. This year, we will be saving some trees by posting it here and in the Digital Backpack section of our AtoZ Connect Online Portal.
Upcoming Events and Fundraisers
As always, check AtoZ Connect Sign-Ups for the most up to date information on volunteer opportunities. We look forward to a fun Fall!
- Deerfield vs. Hanlon Food Drive to benefit the Westwood Food Pantry. Students can bring donations to school or you can drop donations in the front foyer boxes. Now through November 20th.
- Deerfield's Online Holiday Gift Shop through Charleston Gift Wrap: Now through December 9th. Online gift wrap, housewares, gourmet food purchase program. Visit http://charlestonwrapstore.com/ to register (Organization ID: 19263) and shop!
- SCRIP Gift Card Sales: Online gift card purchase program, for one week only - November 20th through December 1st.
More Info about the Deerfield PTO
To learn more about your PTO, please visit the PTO section of the website, follow @DeerieldPTO on Instagram and join the Deerfield PTO Facebook Group (for members of the Deerfield Community only).
Contact Us
Email us at DeerfieldPTO@westwood.k12.ma.us.
