Sprinkler Installation Nears Completion to Ensure On-Time School Opening-August 27, 1976

Project Manager Robert Devoe of Boston’s ABC Sprinkler Co. stated that work will be 98 percent complete by Friday and announced he will personally oversee a second shift of workers starting Monday. The reassurance came after Assistant Superintendent James R. Donovan voiced concerns to the school committee on Wednesday night that installation delays might postpone the start of the academic year. Devoe noted that the cafeteria remains the only major area pending completion, after which the system will undergo rigorous pressure testing.

Engineering Friction and Gym Renovations

Committee members and contractors expressed frustration with Francis J. Thompson of HPR Services of New Hampshire, the engineer responsible for calculating the placement of over 800 sprinkler heads. Vice-Chairman Philip C. Swain reported that a minor calculation error by Thompson stalled necessary project approval from the Insurance Service Office (ISO). Committee members noted they had spent three weeks unsuccessfully trying to get Thompson to meet with the ISO, prompting a phone call and message left at his home during the meeting.

In other facility updates, Vincent Carlson—project manager for Korslund, LeNormand & Quann Inc. supervising high school renovations—reported that gym floor sanding is over 50 percent complete and expected to finish by Wednesday, allowing the application of the first of four finish coats and subsequent court line painting. While the gym floor will not be fully ready by the exact opening day of school, the building’s fire alarm system is scheduled for testing today. Carlson added that a temporary indicator panel has been installed at the insistence of the fire department until the permanent factory unit arrives, which will eventually tie in the completed sprinkler system.

Student Registration and Daily School Schedules

The school department announced registration and schedule guidelines for the upcoming 1976–77 academic year:

• New Student Registration: Open for students entering the Norwood school system for the first time at all school administrative offices, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Parents must provide birth and immunization certificates.
• School Opening & Screening: All public schools open on September 8. Kindergarten screening runs from September 8 to 14, with kindergarten classes commencing September 15.
• Daily Time Schedules:
  • High School & Henry O. Peabody School: 7:45 a.m. to approximately 2:30 p.m.
  • North & South Junior High Schools: 7:45 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.
  • Elementary Schools: 8:40 a.m. to 2:55 p.m.
  • Kindergarten: Morning session from 8:40 to 11:15 a.m.; afternoon session from 12:30 to 2:55 p.m.
• Bus Transportation Eligibility (Minimum Distance Requirements): High school, 2 miles; junior high schools, 1.5 miles; elementary schools, 1.25 miles; kindergarten through grade 3, 1 mile.

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