Norwood Middle School: What do you love? Not love?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the posters that are telling parents to vote with their feet, I think it is obvious that people do. Enrollment is down from two years ago. There were several students who left between 6th and 7th grade. I sincerely hope you are not staff. The loss of 20- 30 full pay students is significant.

Every school sees several students leaving every year. What is your point? There are many happy parents in Norwood who have confidence in the school to educate their children well, and I count myself as one of them. However, if you cannot trust the school to deliver the goods (which sounds like you), then you need to seriously think about leaving, regardless of how it affects enrollment figures. Enrollment is not for you to worry about, but for the school administration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the posters that are telling parents to vote with their feet, I think it is obvious that people do. Enrollment is down from two years ago. There were several students who left between 6th and 7th grade. I sincerely hope you are not staff. The loss of 20- 30 full pay students is significant.

Every school sees several students leaving every year. What is your point? There are many happy parents in Norwood who have confidence in the school to educate their children well, and I count myself as one of them. However, if you cannot trust the school to deliver the goods (which sounds like you), then you need to seriously think about leaving, regardless of how it affects enrollment figures. Enrollment is not for you to worry about, but for the school administration.

My point, because you obviously did not get it, is that the loss in enrollment represents a million dollar shortfall. Shut up and stop telling people to go elsewhere. Your my way or the highway attitude hurts everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the posters that are telling parents to vote with their feet, I think it is obvious that people do. Enrollment is down from two years ago. There were several students who left between 6th and 7th grade. I sincerely hope you are not staff. The loss of 20- 30 full pay students is significant.

Every school sees several students leaving every year. What is your point? There are many happy parents in Norwood who have confidence in the school to educate their children well, and I count myself as one of them. However, if you cannot trust the school to deliver the goods (which sounds like you), then you need to seriously think about leaving, regardless of how it affects enrollment figures. Enrollment is not for you to worry about, but for the school administration.

My point, because you obviously did not get it, is that the loss in enrollment represents a million dollar shortfall. Shut up and stop telling people to go elsewhere. Your my way or the highway attitude hurts everyone.

agreed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you have to decide on a school for yourself. There are so many pros and cons of every school. None are Mecca. We are very happy at Norwood. We have two children there, and they are very happy, well-adjusted, and are learning a lot in an environment that encourages learning. I have kids that would probably be happy most places, however. So why Norwood? We love the differentiation at a young age, we love the arts and music programs, the facility is fantastic, the "feel" of the school is warm, the parents are people we like, they make an effort at diversity, they don't shy away from talking about character and values. It's a great fit for us, but of course it may not be for everybody.

We come from strong education backgrounds, and find the academics very good. Could there be improvements? Sure. But I am pretty certain I might feel that way anywhere.

PP, thanks for a thoughtful post. I agree with some of what you said, although except for K-2 music, the music program needs improvement. Yes, the kids have music class several times a week, but after 2nd grade the quality of teaching is not anything near what the K-2 music teacher brings to the program. We know a number of families whose kids have been turned off to the music program since 3rd grade. Re character and values, while the school may not shy away from talking about them, it shies away from doing anything about behavior that doesn't reflect the values being discussed (see other posts/threads re bullying).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you have to decide on a school for yourself. There are so many pros and cons of every school. None are Mecca. We are very happy at Norwood. We have two children there, and they are very happy, well-adjusted, and are learning a lot in an environment that encourages learning. I have kids that would probably be happy most places, however. So why Norwood? We love the differentiation at a young age, we love the arts and music programs, the facility is fantastic, the "feel" of the school is warm, the parents are people we like, they make an effort at diversity, they don't shy away from talking about character and values. It's a great fit for us, but of course it may not be for everybody.

We come from strong education backgrounds, and find the academics very good. Could there be improvements? Sure. But I am pretty certain I might feel that way anywhere.

PP, thanks for a thoughtful post. I agree with some of what you said, although except for K-2 music, the music program needs improvement. Yes, the kids have music class several times a week, but after 2nd grade the quality of teaching is not anything near what the K-2 music teacher brings to the program. We know a number of families whose kids have been turned off to the music program since 3rd grade. Re character and values, while the school may not shy away from talking about them, it shies away from doing anything about behavior that doesn't reflect the values being discussed (see other posts/threads re bullying).

About the most competent teacher in K-2 is the music teacher, and maybe the art teachers, and I forgot, the PE teachers. Ahem. And that is what the school showcases, the parents assume that it must all carry over to the classrooms, that is, when the kids are in the classrooms and not trekking around the school with the disruptive transitions, which by the way are partly due to the famous ability grouping that is so important, only at this school, but not others. The school has good intentions, but...K,1,2,3 need lots of work, more in class time, fewer transitions, better teachers, perhaps fewer teachers...just wait till 7th or 8th?

[Anonymous]

I know you didn't like the suggestion of finding another school, but, you seem so disgruntled that don't know why you wouldn't have looked elsewhere instead of speading your distaste. Norwood is a community school and 75% of my friendships began during our Norwood community experience. You need to find another community/school where you and your child will be happy.

[Anonymous]

17:08.
The problem with an anonymous board is that one cannot distinguish one poster from another. I posted the 9:17 comment and not any of the "disgruntled posts." Do you know your attitude makes Norwood appear to be less welcoming than it is?

This is a thread started by someone who asked for the good and the bad. Sorry if comments that are critical are unacceptable in your book. I have not found Norwood parents or staff to be as one dimensional as you.

You need not read this thread if it bothers you.

Move along now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:17:08.
The problem with an anonymous board is that one cannot distinguish one poster from another. I posted the 9:17 comment and not any of the "disgruntled posts." Do you know your attitude makes Norwood appear to be less welcoming than it is?

This is a thread started by someone who asked for the good and the bad. Sorry if comments that are critical are unacceptable in your book. I have not found Norwood parents or staff to be as one dimensional as you.

You need not read this thread if it bothers you.

Move along now.

I agree with you, the closed minded attitudes mean that the school will stagnate.

[Anonymous]

PP, thanks for a thoughtful post. I agree with some of what you said, although except for K-2 music, the music program needs improvement. Yes, the kids have music class several times a week, but after 2nd grade the quality of teaching is not anything near what the K-2 music teacher brings to the program. We know a number of families whose kids have been turned off to the music program since 3rd grade. Re character and values, while the school may not shy away from talking about them, it shies away from doing anything about behavior that doesn't reflect the values being discussed (see other posts/threads re bullying).


Exactly right. There is one K-2 music teacher who is fantastic, but then it drops off. And I think the hesitation to do anything about behavior has to do with not losing tuition dollars. But the irony is that they are driving the best students out by not dealing with such issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you have to decide on a school for yourself. There are so many pros and cons of every school. None are Mecca. We are very happy at Norwood. We have two children there, and they are very happy, well-adjusted, and are learning a lot in an environment that encourages learning. I have kids that would probably be happy most places, however. So why Norwood? We love the differentiation at a young age, we love the arts and music programs, the facility is fantastic, the "feel" of the school is warm, the parents are people we like, they make an effort at diversity, they don't shy away from talking about character and values. It's a great fit for us, but of course it may not be for everybody.

We come from strong education backgrounds, and find the academics very good. Could there be improvements? Sure. But I am pretty certain I might feel that way anywhere.

PP, thanks for a thoughtful post. I agree with some of what you said, although except for K-2 music, the music program needs improvement. Yes, the kids have music class several times a week, but after 2nd grade the quality of teaching is not anything near what the K-2 music teacher brings to the program. We know a number of families whose kids have been turned off to the music program since 3rd grade. Re character and values, while the school may not shy away from talking about them, it shies away from doing anything about behavior that doesn't reflect the values being discussed (see other posts/threads re bullying).

About the most competent teacher in K-2 is the music teacher, and maybe the art teachers, and I forgot, the PE teachers. Ahem. And that is what the school showcases, the parents assume that it must all carry over to the classrooms, that is, when the kids are in the classrooms and not trekking around the school with the disruptive transitions, which by the way are partly due to the famous ability grouping that is so important, only at this school, but not others. The school has good intentions, but...K,1,2,3 need lots of work, more in class time, fewer transitions, better teachers, perhaps fewer teachers...just wait till 7th or 8th?

My child has thrived on the stimulation of transitioning between teachers and classrooms. We chose Norwood in part because at a different school, our older child was bored by being stuck in the same classroom with the same teacher with no ability grouping. If your child struggles with transitions, Norwood isn't a good place. I can't think why the above poster ever sent their child to Norwood in the first place if they didn't think they would do well with the transitions, but rather than try to change Norwood, why don't you move your child to another school that doesn't ability group?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you have to decide on a school for yourself. There are so many pros and cons of every school. None are Mecca. We are very happy at Norwood. We have two children there, and they are very happy, well-adjusted, and are learning a lot in an environment that encourages learning. I have kids that would probably be happy most places, however. So why Norwood? We love the differentiation at a young age, we love the arts and music programs, the facility is fantastic, the "feel" of the school is warm, the parents are people we like, they make an effort at diversity, they don't shy away from talking about character and values. It's a great fit for us, but of course it may not be for everybody.

We come from strong education backgrounds, and find the academics very good. Could there be improvements? Sure. But I am pretty certain I might feel that way anywhere.

PP, thanks for a thoughtful post. I agree with some of what you said, although except for K-2 music, the music program needs improvement. Yes, the kids have music class several times a week, but after 2nd grade the quality of teaching is not anything near what the K-2 music teacher brings to the program. We know a number of families whose kids have been turned off to the music program since 3rd grade. Re character and values, while the school may not shy away from talking about them, it shies away from doing anything about behavior that doesn't reflect the values being discussed (see other posts/threads re bullying).

About the most competent teacher in K-2 is the music teacher, and maybe the art teachers, and I forgot, the PE teachers. Ahem. And that is what the school showcases, the parents assume that it must all carry over to the classrooms, that is, when the kids are in the classrooms and not trekking around the school with the disruptive transitions, which by the way are partly due to the famous ability grouping that is so important, only at this school, but not others. The school has good intentions, but...K,1,2,3 need lots of work, more in class time, fewer transitions, better teachers, perhaps fewer teachers...just wait till 7th or 8th?

My child has thrived on the stimulation of transitioning between teachers and classrooms. We chose Norwood in part because at a different school, our older child was bored by being stuck in the same classroom with the same teacher with no ability grouping. If your child struggles with transitions, Norwood isn't a good place. I can't think why the above poster ever sent their child to Norwood in the first place if they didn't think they would do well with the transitions, but rather than try to change Norwood, why don't you move your child to another school that doesn't ability group?

Don't be silly, this is about Norwood, not switching. Keep the focus here.
If teacher quality is not an issue at the school then why did we get an email months age explaining the big tuition hike? They said that they will be channeling money into professional development because they know that their teachers were stale.

[Anonymous]

Now that's pathetic.

[Anonymous]

I do not understand how you arrived at the conclusion that teaching quality is bad because the school is spending money on professional development?!

Allow me to inform you that it is actually a GOOD thing for the school to be supporting professional development. Everybody needs training and refresher courses, even the good teachers. It is known as developing human capital, the single most important asset for many institutions, including schools.

As a parent I absolutely support Norwood in channeling money into professional development.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not understand how you arrived at the conclusion that teaching quality is bad because the school is spending money on professional development?!

Allow me to inform you that it is actually a GOOD thing for the school to be supporting professional development. Everybody needs training and refresher courses, even the good teachers. It is known as developing human capital, the single most important asset for many institutions, including schools.

As a parent I absolutely support Norwood in channeling money into professional development.

BUUUT, it has not been done before, soooo that means the right NOW we have some trouble.

[Anonymous]

Now you're being silly.