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Deerfield Families FYI February 11, 2022

CALENDAR | BULLETIN | DAINFO | ATHLETICS | PARENTS | DPN

Dear Deerfield Families:

As you have probably already heard from your children, on Wednesday evening we were pleased to share with students and employees good news regarding our community health, and some decisions that were made based on that new information.

In the seven days leading up to Long Winter Weekend, we averaged four positive test results each day. Of the 324 pre-arrival tests administered among students on Monday, February 7, nine were positive, and those students remained off campus. On Tuesday, February 8, 315 students and 311 employees were tested; all were negative. Since the uptick on January 25 and 26, our testing numbers have dropped and stabilized. Perhaps even more important, our campus has experienced minimal illness with Covid. Symptoms, (among those who have had symptoms), have been moderate or mild.

In the local area, Covid cases have dropped precipitously. New cases in Franklin County have gone from a recent daily high of 584 cases on January 18 to 16 cases on February 8—a 97 percent drop in daily new cases. The State of Massachusetts, too, has seen a vertiginous decline, with the count of daily new cases approaching what was observed during the Fall Term.

This information was shared with our health advisors, and we communicated with them at length. Based on those discussions, we decided to move to voluntary masking—with one important exception—for all community members yesterday, February 10.

The exception to voluntary masking is at athletic events: For the time being, all spectators—both internal and external—will be required to mask during their time in the Athletics Complex. And all visitors to campus, regardless of their vaccination status, will be required to mask when indoors.

Of course we will continue to support those who wish to keep their masks on. Asymptomatic testing will also continue to be offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays for those who might benefit from additional reassurance. Any student experiencing symptoms should go to the Health Center.

Yesterday students gathered for Advisory Lunch, and today they enjoyed a normal sit-down lunch. Sunday dinner will be a walk-through to allow people to watch the Super Bowl, and we will resume a normal meal schedule starting Monday, with sit-down lunches on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, and sit-down dinner on Sunday for the duration of the Winter Term.

Thank you to our students, employees, and families as we have navigated this time within the pandemic. Your trust, support, and goodwill are deeply appreciated.

Advisor Comments are Up!

This week your child’s advisor posted their Winter Advisor Comment in DAinfo under the “Advisor Reports” tab. The comment is addressed to your child, and is intended to reflect on their goals and the progress they have made towards meeting those goals. We recommend talking with your child about their Advisor Comment when you have an opportunity.

Please direct any questions to the Student Life Office.

Dr. Anne Bruder Named Dean of Academic Affairs

Head of School John Austin is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Anne Bruder as Deerfield’s new Dean of Academic Affairs. Dr. Bruder will lead the Academic Affairs Office as Dr. Ivory Hills assumes the role of Dean of Faculty. Both will officially take up their new roles on July 1.

“Dr. Bruder brings exceptional administrative experience, a record of accomplishment and innovation, and a deep commitment to the liberal arts,” Dr. Austin said after announcing her appointment at a recent all-employee meeting. “I am incredibly excited about the leadership, vision, and spirit of collaboration she will bring to Deerfield.”

With over two decades of experience in secondary and higher education, Dr. Bruder comes to Deerfield from Berea College in Kentucky, where she currently serves as professor and chair of the English Department. Dr. Bruder designed and leads the Berea Bridge program for first-year students, the Berea Bridge Faculty Development Series, coordinates College Writing, and co-coordinated and designed Berea’s Writing Institute for Faculty. In addition, she is co-coordinator of Berea’s Students as Partners Pedagogical Initiative.

Dr. Hills commented, "In every interaction with Dr. Bruder, I’ve found her to be energetic, engaging, and thoughtful. Her whole approach puts students first; additionally, she understands the dynamics around teaching and how to guide and inspire teachers to enthusiastically refine their craft. While she believes in the value of our broad-based liberal arts approach, she seems to be attentive to the world-at-large and I’m confident she will keep our curriculum fresh and relevant. Ultimately, the Academy, and our students, will benefit from her joining our team!”

Dr. Bruder is a graduate of Middlebury College, where she earned a BA in Religion, and of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she received her PhD in English. Dr. Bruder said that she already feels energized by Deerfield, noting that the Academy appears to be “a place of extraordinary possibility, where experiential learning, empathetic teaching, pedagogical innovation, and the joys of hard work abound.”

Welcome, Dr. Bruder!

Carnegie Hall Concert

In Pictures

Over Long Winter Weekend, students in the Advanced Chamber Music class and the Advanced Vocal Ensemble traveled to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall alongside alumni performers and composers. The sold-out performance was enjoyed by all!

Congratulations!

Jackson Collins '23 Accepted Into MMEA All-State Music Festival

Jackson Collins '23 (pictured second from the right) has been accepted into the very competitive Massachusetts Music Educators Association All-State Music Festival on French Horn. Jackson won the seat of first horn and first chair in the band, and will perform in a concert at Symphony Hall in Boston on March 5.

Congratulations, Jackson!

Host a Deerfield International Student Over Spring Break

A big thank you to our Deerfield families who hosted a number of our international students over Long Winter Weekend. Students felt welcomed by your warmth and hospitality, and felt "at home" while away from home.

Now, we invite all families to host an international student who may be unable to return home during Spring Break. If you are interested, please reach out directly to our International Student Director Lina Samawi by Tuesday, February 15.

Thank you!

Travel Update from the CSGC

Over Long Winter Weekend, the CSGC (Center for Service and Global Citizenship) sponsored a trip to Washington, DC, with 24 Deerfield students. Please enjoy their reflections on the trip on our Notes From the Field Blog:

June Travel

We are on track to embark on three trips during March Break, and we are currently finalizing our slate of offerings for travel in June. June trip information will be shared early next month, and applications will be due just after the March Break. As the public health landscape remains dynamic around the world, we are designing a set of opportunities that will be robust and resilient, and are eager to dust off our passports as we relaunch international travel with students!

(Student Photos)

Attention Senior Parents!

Yearbook "Tribute Pages"Due March 15

Greetings from the Pioneer Valley and the Pocumtuck team. We invite you to create a yearbook ad for your senior! Ads are an opportunity for family members to congratulate graduating seniors.

Should you choose to submit an ad for a member of the Class of 2022, please plan to have it submitted and paid for by March 15. Thank you!

Reminder:

Calling All Volunteers:

First Link Needs You!

Want to make an impact in the DA community? Please sign up to be a First Link volunteer, even if you were a volunteer last year! All you need is a phone and email to welcome new families to Deerfield. The connections and sage advice you offer make all the difference as new families navigate the “Deerfield Experience,” which you can read more about here. An email with more details will follow after you sign up. Thank you!

Reminder:

Share The News!

Applications for the Summer '22 Experimentory are Open!

The Experimentory is a fantastic opportunity for students currently in sixth, seventh, or eighth grade to "sample Deerfield," and we absolutely can’t wait to welcome students back in person and on campus for Summer 2022! The deadline for priority applications is February 15!

This innovative program allows students to delve into project-based, creative learning that focuses on collaboration, communication, fostering creativity, and building character.

The Experimentory also strives to provide middle school students with a sample of the Deerfield Experience. Most Experimentory teachers and senior staff are Academy faculty, and many of the classroom and dorm assistants are recent Deerfield graduates. The Experimentory is a great way to try boarding school life: spread the word and encourage the middle schoolers you know to apply today!

Weekend Calendar

Check out upcoming student activities and events!

Campus Stores

Send Your Student a Valentine!

Want to send your student a little love for Valentine’s Day? We have a limited selection of Richardson’s candy and a few special cards and gifts that may be ordered in addition to our regular merchandise.

We’ll send your student an email notification to pick up a special gift in Hitchcock House, and you can include a note or card with your order. Details available at the link below.

Follow us on Insta!

Go Big Green!