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

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