Norwood: What do you love? Not Love?

[Anonymous]

The celebration of Christmas is going to be made similar to the celebration of the other religious holidays - Diwali, Eid, Hannukah, Kwanza etc. There is no problem with celebrating Christmas (and religious songs will still be part of the celebration), but they are no longer going to give a greater weight to the celebration of Christmas than to the other religious holidays.

[Anonymous]

I'm still waiting to hear why anyone with a problem with the Lord's Prayer or Christmas pageants would knowingly send their child to Norwood. Is it your issue or Norwood's?

[Anonymous]

I was not happy with either one, but neither was a dealbreaker. The school had so many other strengths I was willing to accept some personal discomfort over the issue of religion. Having accepted the school for what it was, I did not push for the recent changes, but I am very glad that the administration and board have come to this decision.

[Anonymous]

I personally did not have a problem with it, but it was a bit confusing why more emphasis was placed on Christianity (Lord's Prayer and Christmas Pageant) versus the other religions when the school is in fact not a religious school. I think it is wonderful for the children to learn about the various religious traditions and cultures, but each equally.

[Anonymous]

Founded in 1952 by Frances B. Marsh, Norwood began as a parish primary school with forty students and four teachers operating in available space in St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bethesda, Maryland. During its first nineteen years, the School met in four different locations. Notwithstanding its small size and limited facilities, Norwood provided a superior education and a warm and stimulating school experience.

As a result of the vision, will, and generosity of a small group of parents and supporters, Norwood moved to its current hilltop location. The Steuart Building, named in honor of Norwood grandparent Esther T. Steuart, first opened its doors to students in January, 1972. The following year, the Board of Trustees decided to expand the School through the sixth grade. A capital fund drive was launched for the purpose of erecting a new building to accommodate the School’s upper three grades, a science laboratory, administrative offices, and a multi-purpose gymnasium.

The new building opened in 1975, dedicated to the inspiration and leadership of Norwood’s founder and her husband. The Marsh Building resulted from the enthusiasm and commitment that have typified the School family. In 1977, the School’s first sixth grade graduated, and Mrs. Marsh retired after twenty-five years of outstanding service.


I guess Norwood should eliminate Founders Day and the celebration of Mrs. Marsh, wouldn't want to confuse anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I fully agree with 11:44 and 17:07. The decision by the Board is right. Norwood is NOT a religious school, and the Lord's Prayer should not be recited on a daily basis. And I don't believe eliminating this tradition will affect the school negatively.

This said, this does not mean that we should not celebrate religions. We would have no problems with the school putting on pageants to celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukah, Deepavali or Wesak Day (for Buddhists). It is good for the kids to be exposed to various international faiths. We live in a global interconnected world.

BTW, are you telling these groups what you will tolerate and what they should want?

[Anonymous]

No, quite the opposite. Rather, that we should cultivate a better understanding of different religious cultures and faiths (those are just cited as the obvious examples) so that we raise children who are globally aware and culturally sensitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm still waiting to hear why anyone with a problem with the Lord's Prayer or Christmas pageants would knowingly send their child to Norwood. Is it your issue or Norwood's?

I completely echo 18:46's response to this. Actually, I was flabbergasted to find out my children were saying grace before meals, and equally flabbergasted at the religiousity I saw in our first pageant. However, my kids accepted it. So I never advocated for a change. But, as someone present when this whole divisive episode started, I was also flabbergasted and really saddened to see the very non-Christian behavior of some Christians who venomously attacked those who weren't thrilled with the Lord's Prayer, etc. I think that turned a number of people who had displayed tolerance toward the "Christian" before to the view that "I have no need to support them." It really did get pretty nasty 8-10 years ago. Personally, I feel it is up to families and churches to provide religious education, or you can send a child to an overtly religious school (there are lots in the area).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm still waiting to hear why anyone with a problem with the Lord's Prayer or Christmas pageants would knowingly send their child to Norwood. Is it your issue or Norwood's?

I completely echo 18:46's response to this. Actually, I was flabbergasted to find out my children were saying grace before meals, and equally flabbergasted at the religiousity I saw in our first pageant. However, my kids accepted it. So I never advocated for a change. But, as someone present when this whole divisive episode started, I was also flabbergasted and really saddened to see the very non-Christian behavior of some Christians who venomously attacked those who weren't thrilled with the Lord's Prayer, etc. I think that turned a number of people who had displayed tolerance toward the "Christian" before to the view that "I have no need to support them." It really did get pretty nasty 8-10 years ago. Personally, I feel it is up to families and churches to provide religious education, or you can send a child to an overtly religious school (there are lots in the area).

What is wrong with a school being a little religious. I liked Norwood because it was a little religious, not too much. I wanted my kids to have some exposure to religion. Seems like these schools will attract non-Christians, so they are at risk for the same thing happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm still waiting to hear why anyone with a problem with the Lord's Prayer or Christmas pageants would knowingly send their child to Norwood. Is it your issue or Norwood's?

I completely echo 18:46's response to this. Actually, I was flabbergasted to find out my children were saying grace before meals, and equally flabbergasted at the religiousity I saw in our first pageant. However, my kids accepted it. So I never advocated for a change. But, as someone present when this whole divisive episode started, I was also flabbergasted and really saddened to see the very non-Christian behavior of some Christians who venomously attacked those who weren't thrilled with the Lord's Prayer, etc. I think that turned a number of people who had displayed tolerance toward the "Christian" before to the view that "I have no need to support them." It really did get pretty nasty 8-10 years ago. Personally, I feel it is up to families and churches to provide religious education, or you can send a child to an overtly religious school (there are lots in the area).

And there are plenty of non religious schools in the area. You knew what you were getting into. Norwood should have stayed true to it's foundation. It's a moot point however since the decision has been made. As a Christian I am saddened because I couldn' t imagine going to a Catholic, Jewish, Muslim or any other type of school and asking it to change because I am a certain type of Christian. It's a private school and was under no obligation to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a private school and was under no obligation to do so.

It had no constitutional obligation, but the board clearly felt that it had an obligation to the school's community and mission. As its letter states, "No child should be made to feel inferior, or left out, or a guest within his or her own school."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And there are plenty of non religious schools in the area. You knew what you were getting into. Norwood should have stayed true to it's foundation. It's a moot point however since the decision has been made. As a Christian I am saddened because I couldn' t imagine going to a Catholic, Jewish, Muslim or any other type of school and asking it to change because I am a certain type of Christian. It's a private school and was under no obligation to do so.

Except, Norwood is not an Episcopal school, nor any type of Christian school. It has not been such for over 30 years. Your analogy is false.

[Anonymous]

Our family is not Christian (and obviously so), so naturally, many of the families against the Lord's Prayer assumed that we would want to see it eliminated, but we actually were OK with it. My kids never felt like "guests". So I hope that people don't make generalizations about who wanted the change.
To me, the issues wrt bullying mattered a whole lot more. I am waiting for an e-mail from the head that says that kids will be suspended (!) if they put their hands on another child, regardless of how many millions or billions his dad has.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our family is not Christian (and obviously so), so naturally, many of the families against the Lord's Prayer assumed that we would want to see it eliminated, but we actually were OK with it. My kids never felt like "guests". So I hope that people don't make generalizations about who wanted the change.
To me, the issues wrt bullying mattered a whole lot more. I am waiting for an e-mail from the head that says that kids will be suspended (!) if they put their hands on another child, regardless of how many millions or billions his dad has.

Dream on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And there are plenty of non religious schools in the area. You knew what you were getting into. Norwood should have stayed true to it's foundation. It's a moot point however since the decision has been made. As a Christian I am saddened because I couldn' t imagine going to a Catholic, Jewish, Muslim or any other type of school and asking it to change because I am a certain type of Christian. It's a private school and was under no obligation to do so.

Except, Norwood is not an Episcopal school, nor any type of Christian school. It has not been such for over 30 years. Your analogy is false.

Your point makes no sense. Norwood didn't wake up 5 yrs ago and say hey let's start saying the Lord's Prayer. It started off that way, to get rid of of it and still keep chapel makes the school seem even more confused.