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
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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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Norwood Superintendent Clarifies Textbook Home-Study Policy Following Balch School Parent Dispute-October 23, 1967
Addressing concerned parents at a special public hearing, Norwood Superintendent Dr. Philip O. Coakley clarified that teachers hold the final judgment on whether students can take textbooks home.
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Plenty on the Menu, But Students Still Love Pizza Best-October 10, 1967
During National School Lunch Week, Norwood cafeteria supervisor Mrs. Madlynne Connolly notes that while balanced hot lunches provide vital nutrition for 25 cents, pizza reigns supreme as the student favorite.
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Winslow School PTA President Criticizes “Cellar Classrooms”, Lack of Facilities-October 5, 1967
Winslow School PTA President Edmund G. Linehan criticizes cellar classrooms and missing gym facilities at a School Committee meeting addressing budget shortfalls and teacher talks.
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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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Andrew J. Ciarletta Jr. Appointed Principal of Winslow Elementary School-July 27, 1966
The Norwood School Committee appointed Andrew J. Ciarletta Jr. as principal of Winslow Elementary School, succeeding Alan R. Wonson.
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