Norwood Delays School Opening Due To Polio-This Day In Norwood History-September 1, 1955

The opening of Norwood schools, originally scheduled for next Wednesday, has been postponed until Tuesday, September 13, it was announced officially at noon today by School Superintendent Lincoln D. Lynch.

The division of medical opinion regarding the advisability of opening schools on schedule because of the prevalence of polio, and the fact that the work on the senior high school building, which, is being completely repainted and redecorated, will not have been completed by next Wednesday, have combined to bring about the postponement.

The opening of St. Catherine’s Parochial School, which had also been scheduled for September 7. has likewise been postponed until September 13 in view of the opinion regarding polio. The Rev. Wil-Ham J. Maguire said this morning at St. Catherine’s Rectory that suitable announcement concerning the postponement would be made at all masses on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Town of Walpole has postponed the opening of school for one week on the recommendation of health authorities in that town. Schools there had been scheduled to open on September 7th but now will open on September 14th instead.

Notice of the postponement has been sent to all teachers of Walpole schools.

To date, that town has reported 20 cases of polio and within this number two deaths, one a 14-year-old girl and the other a 44-year-old woman.
Canton public schools will open on the regular scheduled date which is Thursday, September 8. This town has faired well during the polio season thus far having reported only six cases, four of which were classed as mild.

The town of Westwood reported today that they are opening their schools on Wednesday, September 7, but this date could change as the school committee is scheduled to meet later this week. Westwood has a reported 10 cases of polio thus far and whether the Westwood Health Department will recommend postponement of the schools opening date will not be known until the school committee meets.