The Deerfield Parents Network (DPN) is an organization aimed at building partnerships among Deerfield parents, and between parents and the Academy.

Schools such as Deerfield no longer serve “in the place of parents,” but rather “along side of parents.” The goal of our Parents Network is to improve the Deerfield Experience for all students and their families through several initiatives. As a Deerfield parent, you are already part of the DPN. If you would like to help with any of the initiatives described here, or with new projects as they develop, please email the Deerfield Parents Network.

The DPN’s signature program is the First Link, which organizes contacts between current Deerfield parents and the families of newly-enrolled students each spring. Experienced parents offer words of welcome and share their knowledge of the workings of the school. The First Link program also encourages and helps organize gatherings of current and incoming families as one step to ease the transition to campus life.

The DPN provides parent-to-parent content for the school’s bi-weekly “Families FYI” e-newsletters throughout the year. 

These newsletters are a great vehicle for sharing information and inviting informed parent involvement in the life of the Deerfield community. They are also the Academy’s primary means of sharing official “news and notices” with parents. Past DPN articles have included parent perspectives on the DA experience, tips for dealing with common challenges, and information that helps parents understand the array of supportive services at the Academy. Parent suggestions on topics of interest and parent perspective pieces are welcomed; please contact DPN Vice President for Communications Ana Centola P’21 with your suggestions.

The Parents Network also coordinates with student initiatives to serve the needs of the surrounding community and has sponsored campus beautification projects, with the help of parent volunteers, during Family Weekends. The DPN Steering Committee also holds annual meetings during Family Weekends, usually early on Saturday mornings; all current parents and guardians are welcome. If you would like to get involved in any of our programs, just ask! We welcome your participation. Go Big Green!

2020-2021 Deerfield Parents Network Leaders

Executive Committee:

President:

  • Elizabeth Darling, Greenwich, CT (George ’22)

VPs Campus Events:

  • Tricia Stenger, Lafayette, CA (Kate ’22 and Lauren ’22)
  • Libellule Sarachek, New York, NY (Achille ’21)

VPs Communications:

  • Ana Centola, New York, NY (Alexander ’21)
  • Carlos Fierro, New York, NY (Matthew ’22, Stella ’23)

VPs First Link:

  • Vanessa Lewis, Bedford, NY (Charlie ’21)
  • Stephanie Grosse, San Francisco, CA (William ’21, Alexander ’22)

VP Inclusion:

  • Judith McKie, Brooklyn, NY (Hannah ’22)

VPs Nominating:

  • Brook Spatër, Topsfield, MA (Whitney ’21, Tom ’23)
  • Oscar Anderson ’88, New York, NY (Ismay ’21)

Steering Committee:

  • Liz Anderson ’94, Greenwich, CT (Greer ’22 and Stone ’23)
  • Rachel Baker, New Canaan, CT (Daly ’21, Maeve ’23)
  • Elizabeth Brenan, Chestnut Hill, MA (Annabelle ’23)
  • Kristen Brown, Dayton, OH (Joe ’23)
  • Terry Darling ’87, Greenwich, CT (George ’22)
  • Stephanie Gallo, Modesto, CA (Amelia ’23)
  • Lourdes Fanjul, Palm Beach, FL (Peps ’20)
  • Stephen Harrick ’89, Menlo Park, CA (Thomas ’23)
  • Thomas Kainamura, Rocky Hill, CT (Max ’22)
  • Stefanie Grosse, San Francisco, CA (William ’22 and Alexander ’22)
  • Lisa Kittredge, Amherst, MA (Kylie ’22) 
  • Colby McClure, Blufton, SC (Sloan ’23)
  • Laura Patton, Houston, TX (John ’23)
  • Jennifer Roche, South Deerfield, MA (Maggie ’19 and Hannah ’21)
  • Fabiola Rolfe, Greenwich, CT (Isabella ’21, Alexander ’24)
  • Vaness Willett, New York, NY (Jack ’23)
  • Tara Wuchenich, Santa Monica, CA (Max ’21)
  • Pat Moriarty, Deerfield, MA (Morgan ’22) – Faculty Rep

Trustee Liaison:

Diana Newton,Dallas, TX (Will ’22, Thayer ‘24)

Liaison & Advisors to the DPN

Contact the Director of Parent Engagement

Julia Flannery, P’21
jflannery@deerfield.edu
413-774-1593