Norwood: What do you love? Not Love?

[Anonymous]

yesterday's 15:58 was replying to me (the pp, @ 9:08), I think. You assume I am against the decision. I was TOTALLY for it, from since the whole fracas arose in about 2004. But I can distinguish between process and outcome (maybe you can't? assume that complaints about process are covers for not liking the outcome?). The point is that the process was not open, despite emails sent about it, there is not an openness to opinion of all, and the fight got very nasty, in part, about process. It was a flawed process. But you didn't really choose to be a part of it ....

[Anonymous]

Is the school is planning any meetings for current families to specifically discuss the implementation of the policy changes?

[Anonymous]

I'm a Norwood parent with two children there and one Norwood graduate.

Regarding bullying: Based on our experience on both sides of the issue, Norwood does have pretty much a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to bullying, except that admins have been open to discussing issues and tailoring outcomes instead of reacting in a knee-jerk way to every complaint. It's difficult to parse out the truth when it comes to complaints from children, some parents are hyper-reactive, and some children have real issues both being bullied and bullying others, but we think Norwood has done a pretty good job of dealing with these issues. I have no reason to believe that Norwood treats generous donors differently.

Regarding the strategic plan: Our opinion is that the plan and changes to the schools culture have been discussed ad nauseum, primarily because some Christian parents can't deal with the fact that Norwood is a secular school and they scream and holler about every perceived diminution of the school's Christian-esque attributes. It also seems like there are a lot of non-Christian parents who make a lot of noise about the more Christian-esque attributes. We're atheists and, frankly, we find the whole discussion annoying. Norwood focuses on teaching "values", which we applaud. Things like the Lord's Prayer - hey, have you ever been to chapel at Norwood? Yes, they say the Lord's Prayer now, but if you look you'll see the kids don't say it and most of them just tune out during that part of chapel. It will not be missed when cut out of the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Perhaps if some eager beaver hadn't posted on DCUM before the official announcement, I would have more faith in the transparency of this decision.

Small correction: I think I was the first person to post the information about the change in policy; I did so after the official announcement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Norwood parent with two children there and one Norwood graduate.

Regarding bullying: Based on our experience on both sides of the issue, Norwood does have pretty much a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to bullying, except that admins have been open to discussing issues and tailoring outcomes instead of reacting in a knee-jerk way to every complaint. It's difficult to parse out the truth when it comes to complaints from children, some parents are hyper-reactive, and some children have real issues both being bullied and bullying others, but we think Norwood has done a pretty good job of dealing with these issues. I have no reason to believe that Norwood treats generous donors differently.

Regarding the strategic plan: Our opinion is that the plan and changes to the schools culture have been discussed ad nauseum, primarily because some Christian parents can't deal with the fact that Norwood is a secular school and they scream and holler about every perceived diminution of the school's Christian-esque attributes. It also seems like there are a lot of non-Christian parents who make a lot of noise about the more Christian-esque attributes. We're atheists and, frankly, we find the whole discussion annoying. Norwood focuses on teaching "values", which we applaud. Things like the Lord's Prayer - hey, have you ever been to chapel at Norwood? Yes, they say the Lord's Prayer now, but if you look you'll see the kids don't say it and most of them just tune out during that part of chapel. It will not be missed when cut out of the program.

For the most part, the very generous donors don't have the crazy bully kids. That said, the school does not have a zero toleranc eattitude, otherwise some kids would have been expelled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Norwood parent with two children there and one Norwood graduate.

Regarding bullying: Based on our experience on both sides of the issue, Norwood does have pretty much a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to bullying, except that admins have been open to discussing issues and tailoring outcomes instead of reacting in a knee-jerk way to every complaint. It's difficult to parse out the truth when it comes to complaints from children, some parents are hyper-reactive, and some children have real issues both being bullied and bullying others, but we think Norwood has done a pretty good job of dealing with these issues. I have no reason to believe that Norwood treats generous donors differently.

Regarding the strategic plan: Our opinion is that the plan and changes to the schools culture have been discussed ad nauseum, primarily because some Christian parents can't deal with the fact that Norwood is a secular school and they scream and holler about every perceived diminution of the school's Christian-esque attributes. It also seems like there are a lot of non-Christian parents who make a lot of noise about the more Christian-esque attributes. We're atheists and, frankly, we find the whole discussion annoying. Norwood focuses on teaching "values", which we applaud. Things like the Lord's Prayer - hey, have you ever been to chapel at Norwood? Yes, they say the Lord's Prayer now, but if you look you'll see the kids don't say it and most of them just tune out during that part of chapel. It will not be missed when cut out of the program.

Ugh , how would you know? You're an atheist, you don't believe, good for you but you have no right to assume this is not meaningful for the believers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Norwood parent with two children there and one Norwood graduate.

Regarding bullying: Based on our experience on both sides of the issue, Norwood does have pretty much a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to bullying, except that admins have been open to discussing issues and tailoring outcomes instead of reacting in a knee-jerk way to every complaint. It's difficult to parse out the truth when it comes to complaints from children, some parents are hyper-reactive, and some children have real issues both being bullied and bullying others, but we think Norwood has done a pretty good job of dealing with these issues. I have no reason to believe that Norwood treats generous donors differently.

Regarding the strategic plan: Our opinion is that the plan and changes to the schools culture have been discussed ad nauseum, primarily because some Christian parents can't deal with the fact that Norwood is a secular school and they scream and holler about every perceived diminution of the school's Christian-esque attributes. It also seems like there are a lot of non-Christian parents who make a lot of noise about the more Christian-esque attributes. We're atheists and, frankly, we find the whole discussion annoying. Norwood focuses on teaching "values", which we applaud. Things like the Lord's Prayer - hey, have you ever been to chapel at Norwood? Yes, they say the Lord's Prayer now, but if you look you'll see the kids don't say it and most of them just tune out during that part of chapel. It will not be missed when cut out of the program.

Ugh , how would you know? You're an atheist, you don't believe, good for you but you have no right to assume this is not meaningful for the believers.

It's only meaningful to the parents who are indoctrinating their children.

[Anonymous]

10:41 I am curious why would you choose a school that recites The Lord's Prayer everyday in chapel? Doesn't seem like it would be a good fit.

[Anonymous]

I would think that atheists would send their children elsewhere. When a school tells you that they have "daily chapel", it's clear that there will be some type of religious instruction. Only an idiot would be resentful.

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Norwood parent with two children there and one Norwood graduate.

Regarding bullying: Based on our experience on both sides of the issue, Norwood does have pretty much a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to bullying, except that admins have been open to discussing issues and tailoring outcomes instead of reacting in a knee-jerk way to every complaint. It's difficult to parse out the truth when it comes to complaints from children, some parents are hyper-reactive, and some children have real issues both being bullied and bullying others, but we think Norwood has done a pretty good job of dealing with these issues. I have no reason to believe that Norwood treats generous donors differently.

Regarding the strategic plan: Our opinion is that the plan and changes to the schools culture have been discussed ad nauseum, primarily because some Christian parents can't deal with the fact that Norwood is a secular school and they scream and holler about every perceived diminution of the school's Christian-esque attributes. It also seems like there are a lot of non-Christian parents who make a lot of noise about the more Christian-esque attributes. We're atheists and, frankly, we find the whole discussion annoying. Norwood focuses on teaching "values", which we applaud. Things like the Lord's Prayer - hey, have you ever been to chapel at Norwood? Yes, they say the Lord's Prayer now, but if you look you'll see the kids don't say it and most of them just tune out during that part of chapel. It will not be missed when cut out of the program.

[Anonymous]

Atheists usually don't care how many gods you are praying to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would think that atheists would send their children elsewhere. When a school tells you that they have "daily chapel", it's clear that there will be some type of religious instruction. Only an idiot would be resentful.

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Norwood parent with two children there and one Norwood graduate.

Regarding bullying: Based on our experience on both sides of the issue, Norwood does have pretty much a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to bullying, except that admins have been open to discussing issues and tailoring outcomes instead of reacting in a knee-jerk way to every complaint. It's difficult to parse out the truth when it comes to complaints from children, some parents are hyper-reactive, and some children have real issues both being bullied and bullying others, but we think Norwood has done a pretty good job of dealing with these issues. I have no reason to believe that Norwood treats generous donors differently.

Regarding the strategic plan: Our opinion is that the plan and changes to the schools culture have been discussed ad nauseum, primarily because some Christian parents can't deal with the fact that Norwood is a secular school and they scream and holler about every perceived diminution of the school's Christian-esque attributes. It also seems like there are a lot of non-Christian parents who make a lot of noise about the more Christian-esque attributes. We're atheists and, frankly, we find the whole discussion annoying. Norwood focuses on teaching "values", which we applaud. Things like the Lord's Prayer - hey, have you ever been to chapel at Norwood? Yes, they say the Lord's Prayer now, but if you look you'll see the kids don't say it and most of them just tune out during that part of chapel. It will not be missed when cut out of the program.

I didn't say I was resentful - I find the Lord's Prayer recitation charming in an old-fashioned sort of way and, honestly, I think it has no impact on the students at all - in one ear and out the other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Atheists usually don't care how many gods you are praying to.

We're all atheists - you don't believe in Thor, Wutan, Zeus or Apollo, do you? I just believe in one less god than you.

[Anonymous]

No zero tolerance at Norwood for bullying, at least in the past. This topic has been gone over again and again here, and people have different perspectives, but if some have experienced other than zero-tolerance, as our family has, then there is no effective zero-tolerance policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No zero tolerance at Norwood for bullying, at least in the past. This topic has been gone over again and again here, and people have different perspectives, but if some have experienced other than zero-tolerance, as our family has, then there is no effective zero-tolerance policy.

Well said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:10:41 I am curious why would you choose a school that recites The Lord's Prayer everyday in chapel? Doesn't seem like it would be a good fit.

See page 10 of the thread for coverage of this issue.