On July 10, 1972, the town of Norwood continued its efforts to engage families in the educational process through Project Aspire, a federally funded summer remedial program.
Running from July 5 through August 15, the program provided intensive instruction in mathematics and reading to 160 elementary students and 30 preschoolers across four target schools: the Balch, Callahan, Shattuck, and Oldham schools. The program was designed to provide a positive social experience geared toward building student self-esteem.
⠀
Central to this initiative was the newly formed Parental Advisory Council (PAC), a group mandated by the federal government to ensure that parents could influence decisions directly affecting the program. The council consisted of eight members representing the target schools and St. Catherine of Siena School. The appointed members included Mrs. Dorothy McCarthy, Mrs. Charlene Green, Mrs. Joan Filipowicz, Mrs. Dorothy Whitney, Mrs. Joan Downey, Mrs. Mary Phillips, Mrs. Pat LeBlanc, and the chairman, Mrs. Vera Gately.
⠀
Although the council was in the early stages of “learning the ropes,” members expressed a strong desire to be an informed and active body rather than a mere figurehead group. Program director Raymond Fleck confirmed that the council was intended to be advisory, designed to assist in program development and foster open communication between school personnel and the home. According to the state Title I handbook, such involvement was deemed essential to improve the relevance of school efforts and to foster a collaborative environment that ultimately benefits the children. Guidance services were made available to staff, parents, and students, while the program’s supportive staff included speech teachers, librarians, and various arts specialists.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More…
-
Bells Are Ringin’-July 3, 1970
The Norwood School Committee overhauled its student transportation system and faced an $8,000 wave of structural school vandalism in July 1970
-
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.
-
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…
-
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.
-
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.
-
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,…
-
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
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.