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It is the mission of the Deerfield Community School to inspire each student to think, to learn, to achieve, to create and to care.
Vision
Our school provides a safe and caring community in which each child is seen as a unique individual.
Our curriculum goes beyond the standards through flexible instruction, which is engaging, challenging, fosters creativity and is relevant to students' lives.
Our students understand assessment as a means to gauge their learning. We use diverse assessment to drive our instruction and measure progress.
Our students meet the world with the skills needed to continue their success as learners and responsible community members.
The Deerfield School Board
Kevin Barry 463-7800, norsefarm@msn.com
Maryann Clark 463-7153, clark@nhinternet.com
Donald Gorman 463-7771, captdon10@yahoo.com
Peter Menard 463-7403, peter@paradeproperties.net
Debbie Kelley 463-9710, MrsKelley2u@hotmail.com
DEERFIELD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
At the Deerfield School Board meeting of May 2nd , the Board met with the Teachers and Para Educators and expressed their support to the dedicated DCS staff for their work. Apropos of Teacher Appreciation week, the Deerfield PTO painted the DCS staff room and has planned several other activities to show their appreciation for the staff at DCS.
The Board also listened to the staff concerns about the building’s heating system, and temperature extremes in some classrooms that could affect the learning environment for students. The lack of town-approved contracts came up, and ideas of how to mobilize support for future contract warrant articles was discussed, such as involving the PTO, FOCUS, blogs, use of Sakai, and so forth.
Principal Paul Yergeau said the next week DCS will be doing the NECAP science testing at the school. He also invited the Board to 8th grade graduation ceremonies, coming up June 15th , the last day of school.
The Board did its first reading of a new Truancy Policy, and Principal Yergeau will include a draft of the policy for parents to link to and look over in the Bridge. Parents are encouraged to give us their comments on this policy, and to come to the next School Board meeting to present their thoughts.
Mr. Fred McGarry presented information on Impact Fees in Deerfield and throughout the state, since the School District received unanticipated revenue funds from the Town Impact Fees; and the possibility of using these funds for upgrades to the School Heating system will be explored. Mr. McGarry and Board Chair Mr. Gorman reported in recent meetings concerning the modulars at DCS, and options for their continued use or replacement, including the effect on the school septic system. This is part of the Board’s continuing Long Range Planning.
The SAU Technology Plan was reviewed with the assistance of Mary Rubega, SAU Director of Information Technology, and Deb Boisvert, DCS Technology Coordinator, with Board concerns about performance metrics that can measure how well connectivity and speed concerns will be improved. With these performance metrics and data on improvement added, the Board approved the Plan. Mrs. Boisvert’s work on the Town Cable Committee will help with this also.
A meeting at DCS concerning the possible grant to help with paving at the school parking lots is coming up May 24th 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Next Scheduled Meeting: Wednesday, June 6th , 2012 – 6:00 P.M. Deerfield Community School. The next School Board meeting will also be noted on the website, and more information can be found on the School Board’s website. The School Board members are Donald Gorman, Kevin Barry, Maryann Clark, Peter Menard, and Debra Kelley. BY PETER MENARD
THANK YOU, PTO!
Thank you to the PTO and all volunteers for a wonderful Teacher Appreciation Week! The week started off with a surprise Teachers’ Lounge make-over, coffee cart and breakfast goodies, a new Keurig in the teacher’s lounge and ended with a fab- ulous luncheon for all staff members. We are fortunate to have a PTO and volunteers that go above and beyond for the DCS staff.
Created for Technology Class by Chance S
We are Currently Testing
The Deerfield Community School Board is currently reviewing the NH School Board Association’s Proposed Truancy Policy. We are looking forward to answering your questions and receiving your comments. Please e-mail your thoughts to Mr. Yergeau at pyergeau@sau53.org.
Deerfield School Board Meeting
At the Deerfield School Board meeting of April 4th , the Board expressed thanks to Gregg Williams for his ser- vice to the Board for the past term. At the same time the Board welcomed Deb Kelley to her new responsibil- ities as a board member, which she promptly assumed by taking on several roles for the upcoming school year.
The Board continued its review of a Social Media Policy appropriate for DCS, including such technologies as Facebook, Twitter, smart phones, and so on. While such technologies have present and future uses as teaching and communication tools, and Principal Yergeau said there are no problems known at this time, the Board feels an appropriate policy is important. Noting that other NH school systems have just issued their policies, and the variation between a strict policy in Manchester to a more open and transparent approach in Nashua, the impetus in Deerfield is to have a policy that possibly includes safeguards, proper educational uses, communication of sports and extra-curricular activities, and proper education for teacher and student users, both in educational settings and possibly personal uses.
Mrs. Harriet Cady received the School Board’’s approval for her to investigate a grant to help with paving at the school parking lots, with the possible involvement of the school science curriculum and science classes related to the Lamprey River watershed.
Mr. Fred McGarry presented information to the Board about the septic system situation around and concern- ing the modular classrooms at DCS. This information will help the Board in its on-going long range planning. Town officials Mark Tibbetts and Rick Pelletier are also being consulted about the future of the modulars.
Principal Paul Yergeau invited the Board and the public to the 6th , 7th , and 8th grade Science Fair the next day. He also reported that the students did read over 9,000 books for the ‘‘Read Across America’’ Reading Challenge, and as a result the staff put on a karaoke show for the students. Rumor has it that “American Idol” is not interested in the DCS staff after their presentation.
Principal Yergeau also reported on the 2011 “No Child Left Behind” results for DCS. Despite overall great scores and Adequate Yearly Progress for every other Group category other than the Educational Disability Group, under the NCLB program Deerfield Community School is a School in Need of Restructuring. The Board is concerned about this, and will be preparing materials for parents and community members to clarify this situation and to outline what needs to be done.
Asst. Vice Principal Andrew Chouinard presented the latest enrollment figures for DCS, namely 492 students currently enrolled from PreK up to 8th grade. Thinking about how enrollment will influence future staff- ing patterns, the Board also considered the non-passage of the proposed Teacher and ParaEducators con- tracts on staff. Next Scheduled Meeting: Wednesday, June 6th, 2012 –– 6:00 P.M. Deerfield Community School.
The next School Board meeting will also be noted on the website, and more information can be found on the School Board’’s website at sau53.org/deboard. The School Board members are Donald Gorman, Kevin Barry, Mar- yann Clark, Peter Menard, and Debra Kelley.
DEERFIELD COMMUNITY SCHOOL 2011-12
Honor Roll-3rd Quarter
8th Grade-Highest Honors Allyson McCarron, Callie Brochu, Bryce Currier, Calgary MacKenzie, Isabelle Koch, Jamie Nelson, Lacey Isabelle, Peyton Osgood, Alex Ulin, Brooke Laskowsky, Jack Hicks, Jack Reid, Tanner Rollins, Tyler Corriveau, William Clark, Sean Fallon
7th Grade-Highest Honors Emily Waterhouse, Hunter Cini, Philip McPherson, Tyler Reese, Bradley Heckman, Margaret Prentice, Jessica Nelson, Brad Hicks, Eva Liptak, Nathalie Cumming, Owen Kurtiak
6th Grade-Highest Honors Leah Prentice, Matthew Cafasso, Matthew O'Brien, Tejun Celestin, Abigail Isidorio
8th Grade-High Honors Alec Graykin, Claire Neily, Katherine Prentice, Samantha Lazott, Samara Rouse
7th Grade- High Honors Ryan Barnard, Conor Kilgore, Cooper Anibal, Kaidyn Ash, Katelyn Comire, Rose Robert, Liam Riley, Madison Goedecke , Rebekah Charpentier, William Girard, Brian DeFranzo, Timothy Nelson, Yelena Beausoleil
6th Grade High Honors Colin Brinson, Molly Lawrence, Rachel Shepard, Nathanael Hillyer, Evan Tanguay
8th Grade-Honors Ashley Poole, Katie Lafond, Justin Therrien, Tyler Poole , Fallyn Boisvert
7th Grade-Honors Alyssa Pappalardo, Emery Travers
6th Grade-Honors Alyssa Ferrarone, Ashley Lewis, Brett Richards, Casandra Berry, Michael Morissette, Tanner Spinney, Gabrielle Toscano, Gillian McCarron, Jack Diaz, Justin O'Donnell, Kaytlin Dionne, Samantha Gallo, Walter Kalisz III, Wyatt Yeaton, Gabriel Shampy, Madison Crawford, Patrick Hall, Sierra Baker, Thomas Helm
- IGPS & Radar Detectors Calculators
Deerfield School Board News
The Deerfield School Board would like to congratulate both Maryann Clark and Debra Kelley for their elections to the School Board, and to give a heart-felt thanks to Jim Deely and Tim Godbois for their candidacy and interest they expressed in the board. All the candidates spoke well at the Candidates Night put on by the PTO, which also deserves thanks for their hosting of the gathering to educate Deerfield voters as to their choices in the election.
The fact that the voters rejected the proposed 2012-2013 school district budget and authorized $25,000 of potential surplus for the Facilities Repair and Improvement reserve fund will guide the school board in the upcoming year. Rejection of the proposed budget could compromise the district’s ability to provide some basic education services but will not eliminate any new initiatives, as there were none in the proposed budget. The non-passage of the warrant articles for the proposed budget and both the Teachers and Para Educators’ contracts is sobering and disappointing. The Board and the Teachers and Para Educators will bring proposals forward the next budget season.
At the Deerfield School Board meeting of March 7th, the Board expressed thanks to Gregg Williams for his service to the Board for the past term. He has worked on several important issues on behalf of the board, including talks with Concord High School and with the contract negotiations.
Principal Paul Yergeau highlighted that DCS is in the midst of its ‘Read Across America’ Reading Challenge, in which the student body is striving to read at least 9,000 books. Also, Kindergarten registration is proceeding, and at the moment it looks like similar numbers of students registering for Kindergarten as did last year, about 45. The School Board is in the process of developing a policy on Social Me- dia, such as Facebook, Twitter, etc., and under what circumstances it would be appropriate for the school and personnel to use social media for communication purposes.
The Board also received a proposal for the donation of a scoreboard at the school field, which was approved. As part of the on-going curriculum review process, Physical Education teachers Deb Campelia and Jasmine Yelle presented the new Physical Education curriculum to the Board. The Board is reviewing it for ap- proval in an upcoming meeting. Next Scheduled Meeting: Wednesday, April 4th, 2012 - 6:00 P.M. Deerfield Community School. The next School Board meeting will also be noted on the website, and more information can be found on the School Board’s website at sau53.org/deboard. The School Board members will be Donald Gorman, Kevin Barry, Maryann Clark, Peter Menard, and Debra Kelley.
by Peter Menard
Congratulations to Mrs. O’Donnell
Congratulations to Mrs. O’Donnell on her acceptance for the Teacher At Sea Program (part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Mrs. O’Donnell will be on a research vessel out of Woods Hole, MA for two weeks in May, taking part in a right whale survey. Details to come about Mrs. O’Donnell’s blog.
Challenging 8th grade Students to Graduate with Distinction
Student created gif -Jake S. DCS is piloting a new opportunity for 8th grade students aimed at those students who want to independently challenge themselves to work in-depth in a specific area of study. With successful completion of the challenge or challenges, students will graduate in June with Distinction in that particular area of study.
Initially, this program will be offered in Science and Technology. Mrs. O’Donnell is offering Science with Distinction to those students who complete additional projects, above and beyond standard course requirement in 8th grade science classes for each unit studied through the end of the year.
Mrs. Boisvert is offering Distinction in Technology to those students who score 19 or above on their Digital Portfolio or to those students who implement an independent project in technology that enhances the school environment. There will also be Gift Cards awarded to the three students who have created the best Show Case Digital Portfolio.
If this proves to be a successful program, we hope to expand it to other areas of study and grade levels. This is part of a larger effort as DCS differentiates instruction in classrooms and to formalize an academic enrichment program for all students. We will have more details about this and other enrichment opportunities over the course of the year.
Nurses’ Notes
It has come to our attention that a few families are being treated for head lice in their homes. We ask that all students attending DCS and their family members take precautions and mon tor their children for possible infestation. The most effective way to prevent the spread of head lice is to continually monitor for infestation. The chemicals that are used for treatment can be caustic if used frequently and also causes the lice to become immune if used continually.
If your child does become infected with head lice, please inform the health office at DCS as we are trying to monitor the situation. We would be willing to complete a quick check if you have concerns about your child, but according to the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) protocols, we do not do school wide checks. The State of NH Department of Health and Human Sevices, CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics no longer recommend mass screenings for lice, nor is it recommended to exclude children identified with lice from school.
Information may be found at www.cdc.gov or calling the NH Dept. of Health and Human Ser vices at 1-800-852-3345 ext. 4496.
8th Grade Parent letter regarding the alternative high school process.
Student Handbook
Don’t forget to review the revised Student Handbook with your student. Please sign and return this signature sheet.
Morning Drop Off
There has been a significant increase in the number of parents dropping off and picking up their students at DCS. At the school, we do our best to make the process of dropping off and picking up students as safe and efficient as possible. Adults are on duty to direct traffic in the morning from 7:47-8am...SCHOOL STARTS AT 8am. In the last couple of weeks, more and more students are being dropped off right at 8am or after. Students must be in their classes by 8am or they will be marked as tardy. Please help by bringing your students to school earlier so they have time to walk up to their classrooms. If you arrive at 8am and there is not an adult out directing traffic, please bring your child around to the front of the school to the main office to check in.Thank you, Mr. Chouinard
DCS Dress Code Policy
Please remind your child(ren):
- Sleeveless shirts are acceptable
- Footwear and accessories must not have ornamentation that will damage furniture or floors, or will create an unsafe situation.
- Hats and sunglasses are not worn in the building.
When a student’s appearance is deemed unsafe, disruptive or offensive, the student will be required to return home and correct the problem if the situation cannot be rectified at school. Should you have further questions, please refer to the Deerfield Community School Student Handbook, dress code on page 12.
Newly revised Bullying Policy
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Page last updated: May 11, 2012
Deerfield Community School
66 North Road Deerfield NH 03037
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