Message from the Principal…

 

At this Thanksgiving season it is particularly appropriate to consider our “riches”.  My Thanksgiving list is filled with grateful appreciation for what goes on at the Deerfield School.  As a community we are fortunate to benefit from a group of educators who care about children and are passionate about excellence in teaching.  The adults who work at Deerfield demonstrate, on a regular basis, that they pride themselves on doing their best even as they continue learning about improving their expertise.  They devote time before, during and after school to refining instruction, meeting together to focus on the children they teach.  I am thankful for the privilege of leading in this environment.

            I am thankful for our students:  their interest in learning is the fuel that drives the Deerfield bus!  The children’s enthusiasm is palpable when their accomplishments are recognized.  They put our Core Values into action through their desire to do their best, increase their independence and create new and lasting friendships. 

            I am thankful for you:  our parent community.  By providing encouragement and support for your children, you work in tandem with teachers to promote academic, social and emotional growth.

            I am also thankful that I live in a country that values freedom and affords us a voice in decision-making.  When we commemorate the first Thanksgiving next week we can acknowledge the pilgrims who surmounted great obstacles to settle here as well as those who helped them learn to survive in a new land.

            My thanks to everyone, and best wishes for a warm and fun-filled holiday.

 

 

 

 

 

When school is closed for students on Monday, November 27^th the teachers will be working.  The day is set aside for professional development and each teacher has selected an area of focus that will provide new insights into their work with students.  The early release Wednesdays from December through March are also devoted to professional development topics ranging from learning about new technology to understanding cognition and how it impacts teaching and learning.  Watch for updates in future editions of Leaps and Bounds.

 

Parents please note: ipods and other valuable personal items do not belong at school.  Please remind children to keep them safely at home. 

 

As the literacy specialist at Deerfield, I have the wonderful opportunity to work with all grade levels.  Going in and out of the classrooms and working with the children is one of my favorite jobs.  One important aspect of my role is working in kindergarten classes.  Their reading community is already alive and buzzing!  When I went into KG and KH I was greeted by many new faces.  The children were eagerly looking, waiting and wondering (a great reading strategy  J ) what was going to happen next.  We started off by talking about what a community is and how we will begin our time together.  The magic word “readers” was introduced.  As I said the word “readers”, all sat up straight with hands in lap waiting for what was next.  In the first few weeks we will be looking at how readers make connections: between a book (text) and themselves. We will also talk about how readers ask questions.  The kindergartners will learn how to turn and talk, sitting knee to knee and eye to eye.  We will talk about how important it is to show a person that you are listening to him/her.  Our reading community will continue to grow each week as we read, question and wonder about new books.  Be on the look out for your Kindergartner trying to stump you with a new reading strategy and/or reading word that they learned during our time together.  I look forward to spending time with all the kindergarteners along with my other friends in grades one through five.

Student Council Update

Submitted by Dominic Giugliano, Gavin Loughnane, and Miss Chen

 ~ Thank you for participating in the UNICEF collection on Halloween.

     Deerfield kids raised $714.05 – the most we’ve ever raised!

 ~ Thank you to all who brought in their extra Halloween candy for the Dove Shelter.

     Special thanks to Mrs. Giugliano who delivered the candy! 

 ~ Our first spirit day, “Twin Day,” will be next Wednesday, November 22nd.

     Find a friend or two and dress alike in everyday school clothes.   

 ~ We will be having our first movie night @ 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 8th, movie to be announced.

     Snacks and raffle tickets will be sold.  K-2 students need to be accompanied by an adult.

 

 

PTO NEWS…

The Holiday Gift Fair will be held on Wednesday, December 13th.  Many VOLUNTEERS are needed to make this event successful.  Please be on the lookout for a volunteer sheet coming home in your child's backpack within the next several weeks.  Also, we are in need of gift wrap and gift tags.  Should anyone have any that they would like to donate please drop it off in the school office.

  

The WESC committee currently needs a Deerfield Auction Representative.  WESC is made possible by the efforts of many, as each school maintains a team of volunteers.  Auction representatives help to coordinate the solicitation of auction items through an organized team of volunteers.  Please consider joining the WESC team!  For more information, please contact Molly Polansky 781-407-0960 or email DeerfieldPTO@aol.com for more information.

 

 

Soon your child will be bringing home their FREE Display My Art personalized Magnet.  An order form will accompany the magnet, presenting an opportunity to order a variety of items displaying your child's personal artwork.  The PTO receives 30% of all proceeds which will help to support the many PTO funded items, such as field trip buses, library books, cultural enrichment programs, and technology expenses, such as new classroom computers are just to name a few!

The deadline for all order forms to be returned to school is November 28^th.  Any questions, please feel free to email DeerfieldPTO@aol.com, or call Brenda Wight @ 781-329-4914.

 

The next PTO meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 28th @ 7:15pm.  The meeting will focus on Safety within our school, a recent Site Council meeting topic. The PTO Board welcomes your input for future PTO spotlight topics, and will present an opportunity to share ideas at this scheduled meeting.  If you are unable to attend, and would like to share your thoughts for future meetings, please feel free to contact Brenda Wight 781-329-4914 or by emailing DeerfieldPTO@aol.com.

 

Did you miss the deadline to order Sally Foster items?  Would you like to order additional items?  The Deerfield PTO will still earn 50% of your order if you place an order online.  Just log onto the Sally Foster website at www.SallyFoster.com, and place your order using our school code #0066824.  Be sure to enter our school code to support the Deerfield PTO!

    

            ~ Donate all used ink and toner cartridges - we receive $3. for each one!

~ Collect and have your child bring in:  Box Tops for Education Box Tops

 

 

COMMUNITY NEWS…

 

 

The Westwood Young Women’s Club will hold it’s annual Winterfest fundraiser on Saturday, December 2nd, 2006 from 8:30-11:00a.m. at the Westwood High School, 200 Nahatan Street, Westwood. This Annual family event features entertainment, a raffle and silent auction, kids crafts, and an assortment of games. There will also be story time with a Westwood librarian and pictures will be taken with Santa Claus by Images4kids.  The always favorite “Pocket Lady” will make an appearance.  Miss Janet’s Dancers will be there as well.  Come have breakfast with the family and get a great start on the holiday season!  Admission is free.  Activities and food can be purchased for a nominal fee.  The event is wheelchair and stroller accessible.  Winterfest is an official Toys for Tots collection site.  All proceeds from Winterfest are donated to local charitable and educational organizations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Westwood Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion, disability, nation origin or sexual origin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Westwood Parents,

 

It is hard to believe it is that time of year again, when we are forced to pay closer attention to the weather forecast.  One of the most difficult challenges I have as a Superintendent is deciding whether or not to cancel or delay school due to inclement weather.  Like weather forecasting, the school-closing decision process is not a perfect science.  However, I believe it is important for students and parents to understand how it works.  I hope this FAQ document answers your questions. 

 

As always, feel free to call my office at 781-326-7500 x1340 with further questions or concerns.  Thank you.

                               

As Superintendent, I am responsible for the final decision.   If the roads are judged to be unsafe for bus travel or for walkers, I will make the decision to cancel school or call for a delayed opening.  Notice of a delay or cancellation will be posted in the following places:

 

 

I must make the decision to open or close by 5:45 a.m. or earlier. If I wait any longer, parents have little time to make arrangements for childcare, and some of our staff may have already left for work.

 

Information on road conditions, amount of snow accumulated, duration of precipitation, building, parking lot and sidewalk conditions, temperature and wind chill, and most importantly, weather forecasts.

Although the final decision rests with me, I consult with many people before and during snowstorms.  I communicate frequently with the Westwood DPW, and in particular, the Highway Superintendent, to get updates on road conditions.   I may also consult with the Westwood Police and Westwood Fire, as well as Superintendents in neighboring communities.  When possible, I also drive the roads myself.

The Town DPW subscribes to a meteorological service, to which I have access.  However, I, like you, rely heavily on local news broadcasts.  As you know from personal experience, weather forecasts, especially in New England, are not 100% accurate.  Having said that, I must rely on the best and most current forecast to aid me in the decision-making process.

Rather than close school for a whole day due to short-term weather situations, there may be days when the beginning of school will be delayed one hour, ninety minutes, or two hours. When the opening of school is delayed, the radio and TV stations above will be notified and told, for example, “Delayed opening – One Hour, Westwood.”

During delayed openings, school will simply start later by the length of the delay.  Bus pickup, therefore, will also occur later. For example, if your child is normally picked up at 8:35 a.m., during a one hour delayed opening he/she will be picked up at 9:35 a.m.  On these days, lunch will be available and student dismissals will be at the regularly scheduled times.