Health

Health Seminar I is a ninth-grade course designed to support students’ understanding of drugs, alcohol, mental health, and healthy relationships. The class examines depression, anxiety, and eating disorders in-depth, as well as the difference between mental health and mental illness. Students discuss the effects of nutrition, social media, and substance abuse on mental wellness and learn about resources available to them both at Deerfield and beyond.  Students learn about elements of both healthy and abusive relationships and are introduced to topics related to sexual health.  
 
Health Seminar II is a tenth-grade course seeking to support ongoing student awareness of issues related to mental health, healthy relationships, and addiction.  Building off foundational concepts delivered in the ninth grade, course instructors guide student discussion around components of abusive relationships, the opioid crisis, and the consequences of alcohol abuse.  This course considers national trends of depression and anxiety and includes ACT, a formalized suicide prevention training. Students are also introduced to sexual health resources available to them on and off Deerfield’s campus.  
  1. HEA100

    Health Seminar I

  2. HEA200

    Health Seminar II

Faculty and Staff

  1. Brian Barbato

    Health Teacher, 11th Grade Class Dean
  2. Heather Brown

    Health Teacher, 9th Grade Class Dean
  3. Allison DiNardo

    Associate Director of Admission, Health Issues Teacher

Frequently Asked Questions

Health and wellness classes must be taken by all students for a term in both 9th and 10th grade. In ninth grade, students learn about themselves (identity, values, priorities) as well as how to sustain healthy habits of self-care (stress management, nutrition, fitness, mindfulness, etc.). In tenth grade, greater attention is placed on such topics as mental health, relationships, sex, and sexuality.

CPR instruction is offered throughout the school year, but is most often taken in the Spring in conjunction with our Lifeguarding course. Contact our Aquatics Director, Jason Cook, for more info.

Contact the Health Education Department

Jen Daily
jdaily@deerfield.edu
413-774-1600

DS Chen Center
Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm

7 Boyden Lane, PO Box 55
Deerfield, MA 01342