Deerfield Fifth Graders Collect Items For Schools on Wheels MA

Deerfield Elementary’s fifth graders are currently collecting school supplies for Schools on Wheels Massachusetts (SoWMA) to help homeless fifth graders throughout the commonwealth. “The students were given three service projects which they could do, and they chose Schools on Wheels,” reports Deerfield’s moving-up Parent Committee member and co-chair of the service project, Treacy Kiley. Her youngest child is a fifth grader at Deerfield.

The service project has a list (see above) of items which may be dropped off at Deefield’s lobby, the Westwood Library Children’s Room, and the Islington Library’s temporary location at the Islington Community Center through March 20. Additionally, there is an Amazon Wish List that will deliver the necessary donations to Kiley’s residence. “That way, packages sitting outside Deerfield in inclement weather won't be an issue,” she notes.

Deerfield’s moving up class began incorporating a service project two years ago, when Kiley’s son, now a seventh grader, was a fifth grader. Kiley reports that their work with Hospitality Homes had “great team building and buy-in [from the fifth graders].” As such, it was added to Deerfield School’s fifth-grade moving-up ceremony. In 2020, Deerfield School’s graduates will have a scholarship for a Westwood High School graduating senior who attended Deerfield. Seniors interested in the scholarship’s essays will be reviewed by the fifth graders.


Kiley says that the parent committee sought a service experience for the fifth-grade students that was tangible and relatable to them—as the idea of going to school without a backpack is. “The kids take leadership,” she explains. “[Deerfield’s principal] Mr. Baumer spoke with the students last week, reminding them that they are leaders and role models for other students.” The fifth graders will be visiting other grades’ classrooms to tell them about the project.


Kiley reported that there was a family movie night at Deerfield School last Friday and there was an info box about the drive. Some students will also be educating people about the project at Deerfield’s STEAM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics] fair on March 11. Fifth graders are also being encouraged to hold “mini drives” in their neighborhoods with classmates who are their neighbors. The students also made the school bus donation box (pictured above) as well as posters and tri-fold pamphlets with the information.


A representative from SoWMA spoke with the students last week. The representative gave them talking points about homelessness in Massachusetts, including the fact that the average age of a homeless person is 8, and there are 24,777 homeless students enrolled in the commonwealth’s public schools.


“One person making the decision to do something to make a change; then they do it as a group; each individual makes a difference.” The SoWMA representative said.


On the short Wednesday on March 25, the students will assemble the backpacks. They are targeting fifth-grade students served by SoWMA, and as such each assembled backpack will contain a note from a student telling them what to expect in fifth grade. Kiley emphasizes that the service project is not required and students may opt to do or not do the project.

Once again, the drive will be through March 20, with collection centers at Deerfield’s lobby, the Westwood Library Children’s Room, and the Islington Library’s temporary location at the Islington Community Center. There is also an Amazon Wishlist if you wish to donate.