School Enrollment Shows Drop of 382 from Last Year-September 6, 1979

Systemwide opening-day enrollment across Norwood Public Schools dropped by 382 students compared to total figures from last October, falling from 5,460 down to 5,078 pupils as classes commenced yesterday.

While secondary schools experienced a noticeable decline, elementary numbers slightly exceeded administrative projections. Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools Umberto V.C. Napoleone reported that elementary enrollment reached 2,172 students—surpassing projections by 17 pupils—while kindergarten classes climbed by nine students to 249. Superintendent of Schools Louis J. Taris noted that elementary headcounts are expected to stabilize when official tallies are certified by October 1.

Secondary Declines and High School Operational Changes

At the secondary level, enrollment dropped by 247 students compared to last October, falling from 3,153 to 2,906. Assistant Superintendent James R. Donovan anticipated picking up 50 to 70 additional students over the following week due to extended summer vacations, uncompleted seasonal jobs, and shifting enrollment decisions. Dr. Taris acknowledged that the district has lost a “fair amount” of students to Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical School and private institutions, prompting committee member William F. Pudsey to request an administrative review into why parents are withdrawing children from public schools.

Dr. Taris also outlined several major operational changes implemented at Norwood Senior High School to streamline daily routines:

• Open Campus Abolished: The open campus plan was scrapped, requiring all students to arrive at the start of the school day.
• Homeroom Shift: Homeroom was moved from third period to first period to ensure accurate attendance rosters are available by the first instructional period.
• Lunch Schedule Revised: The early 10:27 a.m. lunch period was eliminated, with the first of two new lunch periods starting at 11:16 a.m.—a change committee member Joan H. Cuff hoped would resolve prior student complaints regarding cafeteria shortages and running out of listed menu items.
• Smoking Regulations: Smoking is strictly restricted to designated areas during lunch periods and between classes.

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