6 minute read
Celebrating the Class of 2020
In a typical spring, the weeks leading up to Commencement are exciting ones at Norwood School. As eighth graders wrap up their academic classes and their Norwood journeys, they celebrate with a series of special events. Their spirited voices, blue and white outfits, and tugof-war prowess are on full display at Middle School Field Day. Their talent and creativity take center stage during the spring musical. They spend two days discovering and learning in New York City. They share thoughtful speeches and impressive performances at Class Day.
But this was no typical spring. With the pandemic keeping everyone at home, there was no Field Day, no stage performance, no trip to New York, no Class Day, no Commencement. Even so, there was no possible way we were going to let the Class of 2020 finish out their time at Norwood without the fanfare they deserved. Determined to make this time as special as it could be given the restraints, the middle school team put their heads together to come up with some alternative ways, both virtually and in person, to honor our eighth graders.
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Michele Claeys, associate head of school and head of middle school, worked with the middle school faculty to hold a Virtual Class Week during the last week of classes, with videos of speeches and performances shared with the community during morning chapel. Eighth graders rose to the occasion with some truly heartfelt speeches about their Norwood memories, experiences, teachers, and classmates. They also entertained with videos of vocal, instrumental, and dance performances.
The highlight, however, was the in-person graduation car parade held on June 2. After being separated for nearly three months, faculty and staff stood together, six-feet apart, along the campus roads to wave and cheer as eighth grade families drove by in their cars, many of which were decorated with balloons, banners, and colorful messages on windows. It was a graduation celebration like no other in Norwood’s 68-year history. “While we wish we could have been on stage together in the Rales Gym, sharing that moment with a room full of family and friends, the car parade was so heartwarming and special,” said Michele Claeys. “It’s something we, and I hope they, will remember forever.”
We look forward to honoring the Class of 2020 with the traditional Commencement event, live and in person, as soon as we can be together. Until then, we are remembering their smiling faces and their many contributions to the Norwood community, especially the fortitude, resilience, and positivity they showed during their last couple of months as Norwood students.
Thank you, Class of 2020, for displaying the very essence of “how you lead your life matters” in the face of this unprecedented and challenging time.
One of the most difficult and heartbreaking things about closing out the school year was not being able to properly honor our graduating eighth graders, and that they weren’t able to celebrate together.
They are a terrific group, so deserving of being celebrated in typical Norwood fashion. I can’t wait to see them again, in person, to honor their many achievements and to thank them for all they have contributed to Norwood.”
- MATTHEW GOULD, HEAD OF SCHOOL
Eighth Grade Awards
The Ronald B. Goyette Community Service Award
George Elias Cassidy Kaler Cailin McCoy Thomas Ogada
Faculty Prize for Leadership and School Spirit
Alexa Diaz Chris Evans Abby Greenberg Thomas Ogada
Head of School’s Prize for Academic Excellence
Ari Citrin Evelyn Cooper Chris Evans Navya Gupta Henry Hollander Cassidy Kaler Arielle Maged Layla Meisel Angelina Ramirez Harper Smith Gabrielle Winig
Athletes of the Year
Matthew Jones Lily Shur
Coaches’ Spirit Award
Jamie Miller Cassidy Kaler Alexa Diaz
Summit Spirit Award
Aiden Schoeb
Virtual Class Week Remarks: An unexpected ending...
“It’s not about the destination; it’s the journey. When I think about the unexpected way my years at Norwood are coming to a close that saying is the first thing that comes to my mind. Even though my grade will not get to experience the traditional end-of-eighthgrade activities—like the New York trip, the Sludge Project, our last Field Day, a traditional Class Day, and more—we have still had close to nine years of experiences at Norwood. Yes, it is sad that those end-of-year activities will not happen for us, but those would have been just a few days of our overall Norwood journey.” -CASSIDY
NAVYA
It is sad because I feel like my time at Norwood will never quite be complete. However, I’m glad to always have a door open to Norwood in my heart. Norwood is like a second home to me, and so many of my memories are in that building and with the Norwood community. Norwood has made me who I am.
BECCA
Since my first day, I have felt at home and have been surrounded by so many kind people. My teachers and friends have supported me through every assignment and project. We have accomplished so much together, and my amazing teachers have taught me a new love for learning. Norwood has encouraged me to learn things I never believed I could do.
ARI
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit all of us hard, especially the eighth graders. We’ve had to leave school with just a few days’ notice and move to distance learning from home. We are unable to see our friends or our teachers, and we are missing out on all of the fun eighth grade traditions. (I’m still a little annoyed about the New York trip being cancelled!) But Norwood has taught me that I can persevere and be resilient during this uncertain time. These lessons will travel with me into the future—to high school and beyond.
MATTHEW
It is disappointing that we have to leave Norwood this way...but even after I leave Norwood, I will have my head held high, keeping these memories at this place I once called my second home.
ABBY
Norwood has given me the skills I need to move on and the confidence to move on to high school. When things come my way, I know that I have the best nine years to reflect on that have gotten me ready to take on the rest of the world and what it has to offer.
IZZY
Over the years, Norwood has become much more than a school to me. It’s like a second home. Now when I think of the campus, I don’t only think of the many lessons I’ve learned but of the memories I have in each classroom and across the whole school.
View more Graduation Parade photos at:
norwoodschool.smugmug.com/ June-2020
Certainly, the highlight of the past three months was seeing your happy faces on Tuesday evening.
While we wish we did not have to maintain social distancing measures during the parade, please know that you are close to our hearts and we will always remember you—not because you are the graduating class ‘that got quarantined,’ but because of the amazing people you are. You have faced this extraordinary challenge with great strength, resilience, and optimism. Those qualities will take you far in life, and we can’t wait to hear about your future adventures.”
