
Superintendent of Schools Philip O. Coakley has officially announced that all Norwood public schools-covering grades 1 through 12, alongside special education classes-will open for the 1977–78 academic year on Wednesday, September 7.
Registration is open daily in each school building from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ahead of opening day, with classrooms prepped for an estimated 5,842 students.
District-Wide Bell Schedules and Opening Procedures
Administrators released comprehensive schedule guidelines across all grade levels to ensure a smooth transition:
- Senior High School: Warning bell rings at 7:45 a.m., first class begins at 7:50 a.m., and dismissal is at 2:28 p.m. (Henry O. Peabody School operates on a parallel schedule concluding dismissal at 2:24 p.m.).
- Junior High Schools (North and South): Opening bell rings at 7:45 a.m., tardy bell at 7:50 a.m., and dismissal at 2:20 p.m. On opening day, junior high students must report directly to their assigned homerooms. Additionally, a general meeting of the professional staff will take place Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in the Charles Sumner Bird Auditorium at Junior High School South, followed by a Norwood Teachers’ Association membership meeting.
- Elementary Schools: All elementary facilities open at 8:40 a.m., tardy bell rings at 8:50 a.m., and dismissal is at 2:55 p.m. Kindergarten sessions commence Monday, September 12 (morning sessions from 8:40 to 11:45 a.m.; afternoon sessions from 12:30 to 2:55 p.m.). Elementary teachers and specialists will hold orientation meetings Tuesday afternoon at the Cleveland School. Instrumental music and special services instructors report to the high school music room at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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School Board Reverses Vote, Keeps NorWest Woods Pupils at Oldham-August 29, 1972
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Norwood Jr. High Offered Land At $9,500 An Acre-September 30, 1971
The Norwood School Committee recommends the Endean area in Walpole as the site for a new junior high school, facing sharp questioning from town meeting members over rising costs and site shifts.

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Norwood High School Launches Innovative Open Campus Plan for Fall Term-September 8, 1971
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Schools Face Heating Oil Shortage for Upcoming Winter, While Band Camp and Library Art Programs Make Headlines-August 6, 1970
Superintendent Dr. Philip O. Coakley informed the Norwood School Committee that no companies submitted bids to supply 110,000 gallons of No. 5 heating oil for town schools due to quotas, shortages, and environmental regulations.

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