School Committee Unanimously Approves Period of Silent Meditation Following State Legislative Act-October 25, 1973

School Committee Adopts Voluntary Silent Meditation Following New State Law

Meeting last night, the Norwood School Committee unanimously passed a motion introduced by member Francis X. Sheehan Jr. to establish a daily period of silent meditation before classes for teachers and students across Norwood public schools. The decision followed the enactment of a new state law allowing voluntary silent meditation in classrooms, which took effect on Tuesday.

Superintendent of Schools Philip O. Coakley recommended adoption of the measure, emphasizing its strictly voluntary nature. While committee member Henry W. Diggs expressed a lack of enthusiasm and member Patricia O. Prindle raised concerns about whether the practice might be “stigmatizing” to children unfamiliar with meditation, the board ultimately voted unanimously to approve the implementation.

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

Norwood Sets $38 Tax Rate on Court-Ordered 100% Property Valuation for 1972-August 16, 1972

Announcing a 1972 tax rate of $38 per $1,000 under a court-ordered 100 percent property valuation, Assessor Chairman James J. Drummey concluded a major reassessment by Cole, Layer and Trumble.
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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Junior High Alternate Estimates Sought-June 25, 1971

A sharp debate divides Town Manager Walter Blasenak and finance officials over mounting unappropriated architectural fees for Boston design firms.
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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.
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
Henry O. Peabody School of Practical Nursing Graduates 28 Students-October 13, 1969

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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.