State Approval “Virtually Assured” for Two New Norwood Schools as Building Commission Reviews Plans-October 6, 1966

State approval of two new schools proposed for Norwood is “virtually assured,” William Black of the state school building assistance commission announced yesterday.

The prediction came after Black reviewed preliminary architectural plans and recommended several minor modifications to the permanent building committee. Final approval of the plans will secure a 40 percent state reimbursement for construction costs.

Permanent Building Committee Chairman Justin H. Barton noted that the recommended adjustments can be made and forwarded for commission approval without requiring an additional meeting. The school proposals are expected to be brought before voters at the November town meeting.

Commission Recommendations for Elementary and Junior High Schools

Black’s recommendations focused on two major upcoming school projects designed by the Norwood architectural firm of Korslund, LeNormand and Quann:

• 16-Room Elementary School (Westover Parkway): Black recommended creating a private entrance for special education classrooms serving handicapped children, along with slightly enlarging the school library.
• 30-Room Junior High School: Recommendations for the junior high school involved repositioning the guidance area closer to the center of the building and adding a mechanical drawing room—a space that had been inadvertently omitted from the initial architectural drafts.

Furthermore, Black emphasized that state funding applies only to building sites under the direct control of the School Committee, independent of other municipal agencies. Because the junior high school site sits on 11 acres adjacent to the Father McAleer Playground, he advised that state site requirements be factored into future layout plans even though no construction is currently planned for the play area.

Responding to a state mandate requiring daily physical education classes, Black urged that all new construction sites secure ample land to accommodate expanded athletic and physical education facilities. He questioned whether the junior high school’s proposed 1,800-square-foot gymnasium area would prove sufficient, requesting detailed layouts be submitted for the record.

Skepticism Over “Component Construction”

Black expressed strong skepticism regarding “component construction”—a modular building method currently under contract consideration by the building committee.

“In the past, quickly erected, ‘flexible’ buildings have not done the job they were supposed to do,” Black cautioned. “The bidding company under consideration may be different, I don’t know, but few of these ventures have been very successful.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Philip Coakley echoed those sentiments, noting that flexible building systems featuring easily adaptable interior walls and lighting are well-suited for private industry, but arguing there is “little need for such radical flexibility in a school building.”

Henry O. Peabody School Practical Nursing Graduation

The Henry O. Peabody School recently held graduation exercises for its tenth practical nursing class, marking the first cohort to complete the new 12-month pilot program. Nineteen graduates received their pins and diplomas during the commencement ceremony.

The invocation was offered by Rev. Albert Abracinskas, pastor of St. George Church. Eleanor Murphy, R.N., director of the practical nursing program, introduced Peabody School Director Ruth M. Shea, who congratulated the class alongside faculty. Dr. Philip Coakley delivered the commencement address focusing on the ethical implications of the nursing profession, while School Committee Chairman William F. Egan presented the diplomas. Ruth Flood, R.N., and Mrs. Kodzis, R.N. pinned the graduates.

Special award recipients included:

• Mrs. Edna Rafuse: Recipient of the Norwood Women’s Community Committee Award for General Excellence, presented by Mrs. Ernest Paciorkowski.
• Miss Carol Brown: Recipient of the award for outstanding performance in the clinical area, presented by Miss Ruth Davis, vice-president of the practical nurses’ alumni association.
• Mrs. Marilyn Marks: Granted special faculty recognition for outstanding performance despite taking a leave of absence from a previous class.

Notably, 16 of the 19 graduates accepted employment positions at Norwood Hospital.

The complete roster of graduates includes: Mrs. Dorothy Arnold (Franklin), Miss Carol Brown (Dedham), Mrs. Joan D’Amadio (Brockton), Doris Driscoll (Norwood), Mrs. Patricia Fitzgerald (Norwood), Shirley Jewell (Norwood), Laura Johnson (Walpole), Linda Kashuck (Jamaica Plain), Miss Elizabeth Kazulis (Norwood), Sister Mary Zita Kilmonis (Norwood), Patricia Lebroquy (Randolph), Mrs. Marilyn Marks (Norwood), Susan Marsh (Dedham), Mrs. Mary Mellon (Norwood), Mrs. Edna Rafuse (Walpole), Mrs. Virginia Ripley (Norwood), Mary Stanley (North Attleboro), Verlyn Sweeney (Whitman), and Cheryl Whalley (Walpole).

School and Community Club Updates

Balch School Mother’s Tea

A welcome tea for mothers new to the Balch School was held in the school auditorium. Co-president Mrs. Joseph Shiel welcomed attendees, while Principal Mrs. Mildred Lane outlined the curriculum and student programs for the academic year. School nurse Mrs. Jaruk discussed student health protocols, and board members served a buffet while dressed in traditional Hawaiian attire.

Selected room mothers for the academic year include:

• Kindergarten: Mrs. Cornelius Buckley (Howard St.), Mrs. James Macari (Nahatan St.), Mrs. Thomas Shawohnessy (Lawrence Ave.), and Mrs. James Phelon (Prospect Ave.).
• First Grade: Mrs. Walter Harwood (Washington St.), Mrs. Joseph Waldron (Ellis Ave.), Mrs. Donald Johnson (Lincoln St.), and Mrs. Edward J. Jessick (Summit Ave.).
• Second Grade: Mrs. John Murphy (Vernon St.) and Mrs. Walter Anderson (Prospect Ave.).
• Third Grade: Mrs. John Malacaria (Granite St.) and Mrs. Joseph Flaherty (Washington St.).
• Fourth Grade: Mrs. Stephen Ferris (George St.) and Mrs. Ronald Marshalsea (Margaret St.).
• Fifth Grade: Mrs. Russell Babcock (Cottage St.) and Mrs. James Tommoney (Prospect St.).
• Sixth Grade: Mrs. Sam Arscott (Washington St.), Mrs. Warren Hodge (Day St.), Mrs. William Shields (Bullard St.), and Mrs. Edward Nash (Margaret St.).

Shattuck Elementary School Open House

The Shattuck Elementary School PTA hosted an open house and white elephant sale. Teachers welcomed parents into classrooms from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., followed by a general PTA meeting at 8:00 p.m. led by President Mrs. Benjamin Polivich. As part of the evening’s entertainment, six teachers—Miss Mary-Theresa Preskenis, Mrs. G. Douglas Adair, Mrs. Kennedy, Mrs. Joseph F. Tower Jr., Mrs. Robert Coskren, Mrs. John Grim, and Mrs. Carl Bennett—performed an authentic Hawaiian hula dance (“The Hukilau”) dressed in grass skirts and leis.

Norwood Mothers Club

Tickets for the Norwood Mothers Club fall fashion show scheduled for November 19 at Holiday Haven went on sale through Mrs. Paul Kennedy of 38 Juniper Drive. During the club’s opening meeting at Prescott School, ways and means chairman Mrs. Edwin Page outlined event plans, and library chairman Mrs. Robert Davis reviewed upcoming library initiatives. The meeting featured a cultural film on Hawaii arranged by Mrs. William Preskenis. Future meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of each month at Prescott School.

Redistricting Committee Adjustments

The Town Redistricting Committee approved structural changes affecting voting districts:

• District 4 to District 3: Residents living along Berwick Place (even numbers 6–132), Emerson Drive (9 to end), Longfellow Road (11 to end), Fisher Street (33 to end), Nichols Street (even numbers 302–358), Geraldine Drive (5 to end), Walpole Street (odd numbers 255–341), Jayberry Lane (8 to end), and Kathleen Lane (14 to end) will now vote in District 3. Voters in Districts 3, 4, and 5 must run for re-election during the January town election to continue serving.
• District 4 to District 5: Streets shifted include Bruce Road (odd numbers 9 to end), Cedar Lane (up to 16), Columbine Road (4 to end), Davis Avenue (12 to 56), Walpole Street (even numbers 298–484), and Woodbine Road (10 to end). Affected voters must cast ballots in their newly assigned district for the upcoming November 8 state election.

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