School Enrollment Drop Projected-August 27, 1977

As Norwood public schools prepare to open on September 7, school officials project a total enrollment of 5,852 students-representing a decrease of 319 students compared to the 6,171 enrolled on opening day the previous year.

School Committee Chairman Richard Kief noted that this projected drop is “reasonably consistent” with estimates presented during the June 23 town meeting. Although official projections for individual grades will not be released until the following week, Kief confirmed that because the decline was anticipated and factored into teacher contracts, the district will not implement staff cuts for the school year. This follows a vote by the school committee last May to eliminate 22 teaching positions from a staff of approximately 470 in anticipation of shrinking class sizes.

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

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.
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.
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.
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.