Norwood High School Refines Open Campus Program in Second Year of Operation-October 2, 1972

“Generally, the program this year is running much more smoothly than last year,” administrative assistant for student affairs George Usevich said of Norwood High School’s open campus system as it enters its second year.

To an outside observer, the school of 1,724 students appears to be operating efficiently, with pupils busily moving between classes or congregating on the front steps. However, whether the term “open” accurately applies to the campus is increasingly debatable as administrators tighten regulations and structure.

Tightened Rules and Corridor Restrictions

Last year’s open campus plan—an extended-day arrangement designed to maximize facility use by adding two daily periods and granting students greater responsibility for their personal and educational development—encountered growing pains, particularly regarding hallway congestion.

To combat this, the school administration compiled some 65 improvement proposals over the summer, several of which have already been implemented:

• Corridor Bans: Main corridors are now strictly off-limits to students except for a five-minute window at the beginning and end of each class period. Teachers are assigned specific corridor duty to challenge lingering students. The rule is partially lifted only during inclement weather. Usevich noted that this policy has successfully resulted in “less commotion, less distraction to teachers.”
• Sophomore Restrictions: Sophomores have been virtually eliminated from open campus privileges by having their classes scheduled exclusively during periods three through nine, though they may attend morning school activities. A special orientation day was held for sophomores this year, featuring addresses by faculty, student council members, and guidance officers, alongside a detailed review of the mandatory student-parent open campus contracts.
• Discipline and Attendance: While disciplinary restriction times have been reduced in some cases, a strict new attendance policy denies course credit to any student missing 25 percent of class meetings unless absences are explicitly substantiated by a doctor. The policy has created a heavy record-keeping load currently under review by assistant principals.

Student reaction to the tightened controls is mixed. While some appreciate the order, a senior remarked, “The kids think it’s stupid,” while a junior added, “I kind of resent it because I don’t really need to be controlled like that. But I guess it is easier on the teachers.”

Parking remains an ongoing headache, with student parking restricted to an inadequate area near the tennis courts. Nonetheless, Usevich expressed sympathy for student drivers: “With 1,724 kids, an element in the school population definitely needs cars, for work, to get home, to do errands.”

Expanded Seminars, Film Programs, and Community Involvement

Despite increased regulation, the academic and enrichment programs have expanded significantly:

• Seminars Replacing Minicourses: Last year’s minicourses have returned under the new name “seminars,” running continuously during periods three through eight. Offerings include an accounting seminar featuring Gus Sacre of Bird and Son, a stock market investing seminar paired with economics, a law enforcement seminar linked with law and sociology, and an auto mechanics course in conjunction with industrial arts.
• Cultural and Contemporary Programs: A packed schedule of enrichment events includes a visit from a United Farm Workers speaker and the screening of “Decision at Delano”, musical performances by the Navy and Army bands, and informational visits from all military branches on Armed Forces Day. Film programs shown in the auditorium feature sports, travel, and animal shorts—though a classic Charlie Chaplin movie proved to be the most popular drawing card.
• Student Council Reform: Student council elections have been modified so that all delegates are elected at large, with any interested student permitted to place their name in nomination—a change Usevich said has fostered a more committed council membership.

As part of the state Department of Education’s annual evaluation mandate, the school has formed 12 committees to review various aspects of the program. The first Open Campus Evaluation Day is scheduled for October 20 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the high school, with history teacher Theodore A. Curtin serving as evaluation day chairman.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger