At 8:10 a.m. in Room 9 of the Balch Elementary School, first-grade teacher Carol Wong taped a bright green and orange fluorescent drawing of a rocket to the blackboard bearing the words, “Ms. Wong, launch pad 9″—marking the first formal school memories for the incoming Class of 1999, the final class slated to graduate in the 20th century.
First-Day Perspectives Across the Grades
“I always get excited about the new students, about the new year,” remarked Wong, who was preparing her classroom for the third consecutive year with walls lined with alphabet posters, an apple display, and miniature tables and chairs. “They like to meet the new teacher. I like to let them know that school’s an exciting place.”
Outside in the schoolyard, students approached the new academic year with a mix of seasoned routine and youthful apprehension:
- The Phaneuf Siblings: Sixth-grader Scott Phaneuf took the opening day in stride, noting, “I like the first day because you don’t get homework.” His brother, fourth-grader Wayne, added, “I like getting out of school the best. But I’m not nervous.” Their sister, third-grader Michelle, was equally calm: “I’ve got the teacher my brother had last year. I’m not worried.” Meanwhile, a dozen mothers guided hesitant first-graders with quivering lower lips into the yard.
- Norwood High School Sophomores: Entering the senior high building for the first time, sophomore Debbie D’Encremont admitted, “I’m a little nervous, but I think it’s going to be fun. You look forward to the football games, seeing kids in our own school playing.” Classmate Debbie Haberlin focused on the academic reality: “As you get older, they expect more from you. At this point, I just want to find my way around.”
Faculty Reflections
Veteran educators at Norwood High balanced morning coffee with the perennial opening-day butterflies. Patricia Ingraham, an English teacher with nearly 20 years of experience, confessed, “I didn’t sleep well last night; I never do the night before the first day of school. It’s exciting; there are all new faces, a new start.” Fellow English teacher Walter Peterson shared that September remains his favorite month because “attendance is better, students are enthusiastic.”
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Bells Are Ringin’-July 3, 1970
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Permanent Building Committee Suspends Planning For Norwood High Addition-September 5, 1969
The building committee pauses planning for a $6.1 million Norwood High School addition pending further review, while addressing low-bidding rules for school furnishings.
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Almost 50% of Graduates Head To College-July 10, 1969
The Norwood High School guidance department released a significant report on July 10, 1969, detailing the educational future of the school’s 419 graduates. The data revealed that approximately 45 percent of the class planned to attend four-year colleges that fall, a figure the department noted was likely the highest percentage of four-year institution acceptances in…
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Special School Program Enters Fourth Year-June 24, 1969
Utilizing a low 5-1 student-to-teacher ratio, a staff of 36 professionals works to reinforce reading skills and improve academic performance for public and parochial school children.
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School District Prepares for New Academic Year with Orientation Institute and Registration Dates-August 14, 1968
Superintendent Dr. Philip O. Coakley announced student registration dates and school opening schedules as Norwood public schools welcome dozens of new educators for the 1968-1969 academic year.
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Alan R. Wonson Reappointed as Principal of Winslow Elementary School-August 31, 1967
Following an executive session, Committee Chairman Francis X. Sheehan Jr. announced that the Norwood School Committee has reappointed Alan R. Wonson of Westwood as principal of the Winslow Elementary School, effective immediately. Wonson, the former vice-principal at the Cleveland Elementary School, had previously been appointed by a unanimous committee vote earlier in the month; however,…
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School Committee Discloses Closed-Session Debate Over Elementary School Principalship Merger-August 25, 1967
School committee minutes revealed a shelved plan to merge Shattuck and Winslow schools
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School Committee Considers Sweeping Administrative Reorganization Plan-August 24, 1967
School Committee Chairman Francis X. Sheehan Jr. proposed a sweeping administrative reorganization creating an associate superintendent to streamline Norwood school management
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Schools Prepare for 5th Annual New Teacher Orientation-August 22, 1967
Superintendent Dr. Philip O. Coakley welcomed 58 incoming educators at the fifth annual teacher orientation institute at Prescott School, introducing new faculty across secondary and elementary schools.
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Norwood Teachers Association Submits $1,000 Pay Increase Proposal-August 18, 1966
The Norwood Teachers Association submitted a $1,000-plus pay raise proposal as the school committee signed its first collective bargaining agreement amid debate led by John J. Cavanaugh and William Egan.
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