School Opening Delayed for High School Students-August 27, 1985

State officials yesterday granted Norwood school authorities permission to delay the start of classes for high school and vocational students by three days, moving their opening date to September 9. Superintendent James R. Savage requested the postponement to provide teachers and administrators adequate time to prepare the recently closed Junior High North, which will temporarily house 950 high school students while a $5 million renovation of the senior high school is underway.

Savage noted that the extra time is necessary for teachers to familiarize themselves with the building, sort instructional materials, and allow custodians to clean facilities and inspect machinery. Junior High North had been closed over a year prior due to declining enrollment. Meanwhile, elementary and junior high classes remain scheduled to begin on September 4, with kindergarten classes commencing on September 9.

Renovation Timeline and Vocational Relocation

While school officials initially hoped to return students to the main high school following Christmas vacation, Savage acknowledged that construction delays might push that timeline back. Project contractor Anchor Construction officials indicated that portions of the renovation may not wrap up until sometime in October at the earliest.

The Henry O. Peabody School—a vocational and technical high school connected to the main building and included in the renovation project—will also begin classes on September 9 at the Willet School, serving its 203 enrolled students. According to Peabody School Director William P. Maher, administrative letters will notify students that parts of the vocational facility may become ready between September 16 and 23, with students temporarily distributed among Willet School, Norwood Junior High in South Norwood, and Junior High North.

Budgetary Impact

School Business Administrator Stephen R. Hemman estimated that the temporary four-month relocation to Junior High North will cost the town roughly $80,000, though he cautioned that the final price tag remains fluid. While a portion of the expenses will be drawn from the school department’s $13.7 million budget, remaining costs will require funding through a special town meeting or emergency fund transfers.

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

Norwood Public School Students Score Strongly on State Basic-Skills Exams-September 2, 1982

Students across Norwood public schools have demonstrated exceptional academic performance, scoring remarkably well on state-mandated basic-skills tests for the second consecutive year. Released recently following examinations administered last spring, the district data reveals that only a very small handful of students across grades three, five, and eight failed to achieve minimum passing standards in reading,…
School Long-Range Planning Panel to Deliver Progress Report-August 24, 1982

Facing declining enrollments, Norwood’s school planning panel will deliver a progress report in October and final recommendations on grade configurations and potential school closures in January.
Norwood School Committee to Ask Teachers to Renegotiate Contracts-August 20, 1982

Citing finance commission opposition and Proposition 2 1/2 limits, the school committee will ask teachers to renegotiate 8 percent pay raises or face town meeting review on September 20.
Norwood School Committee Narrows Superintendent Search to Three Finalists, Including Junior High North Principal James R. Savage-August 11, 1982

Junior High North Principal James R. Savage was named one of three finalists for Norwood superintendent of schools, alongside Arlington assistant superintendent William J. Birmingham and Rhode Island administrator Nora M. Walker.
Peabody School Graduates Told Of Obligation To Support Education-June 25, 1982

School officials emphasize community obligations and moral commitments to public education during exercises at Junior High School South.
Norwood High School Senior Edward J. Skricki Named Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist; Three Peers Commended-October 13, 1981

Norwood High senior Edward J. Skricki achieves National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist standing, joined by commended classmates Judith Martowska, Susan O’Brien, and Joseph Petrie Jr.
Superintendent Taris Seeks to Curb Rising Costs of After-Hours School Building Use-September 4, 1981

Superintendent of Schools Louis J. Taris is pushing to rein in the surging volume of outside organizations utilizing school facilities during evening and weekend hours, citing mounting financial burdens on the school department. Dr. Taris informed the school committee that dozens of local organizations currently utilize school buildings after hours, frequently without paying any rental…
Norwood School Committee Votes Eliminate Youth Hangout-July 31, 1981

Following rampant vandalism, late-night drinking, and brush fires near Callahan Elementary School, the Norwood School Committee voted to fund a $6,000 clearing project to eliminate a notorious youth hangout.
School Committee Awards New Transportation Contracts-July 16, 1981

After a difficult budget cycle in 1980, the committee avoided controversy by budgeting accurately and selecting trusted local transportation providers.
Winslow School eyed for elderly housing-September 3, 1980

Following the closure of school administrative offices at the Winslow School, the Norwood Housing Authority is actively setting its sights on converting the historic four-acre property at the corner of Chapel Street and Winslow Avenue into much-needed housing for the elderly. During a unanimous vote last night, the housing authority agreed to submit a formal…