
4 minute read
A Groundbreaking Moment in Norwood History
2021 FOUNDER’S DAY
Founder’s Day is always a special day at Norwood. Held annually in mid-May, it’s a day to pay tribute to Frances Marsh, who founded the School nearly 70 years ago with just four teachers and 40 students in the basement of St. John’s Episcopal Church in downtown Bethesda, and to reflect on the School’s rich history. It’s a day of celebration—especially in 2021 when the day was marked with a ceremonial groundbreaking of the Marriott Early Childhood Building, an exciting new learning space for grades PK-2, scheduled to open in the fall of 2022. >


-MATTHEW GOULD, HEAD OF SCHOOL
-MATTHEW GOULD, HEAD OF SCHOOL On the morning of May 13, 2021, special guests gathered in the Steuart Courtyard, while students, teachers, and parents tuned into the livestream from classrooms and home—representing, as Head of School Matthew Gould noted, the same kind of hybrid situation in which teachers and students had been engaged all year, with some students learning in the classroom and others at home. After speaking about Mrs. Marsh’s legacy, Matthew remarked, “The start of construction on this beautiful new building marks a milestone in the wonderful vision that Mrs. Marsh set forth.”
Board Chair Josh Spencer also addressed the community, beginning with an expression of gratitude for Norwood’s dedicated teachers, hard-working students, and committed parents for adapting, adjusting, and working harder in different ways amidst a challenging year. “It’s remarkable that we are here today, and it is due to so much love and attention to Norwood by its entire community,” he said.
“Over the past several years, the board of trustees has been working towards this day with plans for the groundbreaking on this beautiful new building,” Josh continued. “At the same time, we’ve worked to expand Norwood’s endowment to help ensure Norwood’s ability to fulfill its mission for many years into the future. This took an extensive fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $15 million. I’m proud to say with dedication from many volunteers and the generosity of hundreds of donors, both here and watching the livestream, that we recently met and even slightly exceeded our goal. For this you have my deepest thanks and the thanks of the entire board of trustees.”





Middle school strings, handbells, and choral students, who had not performed live together in more than a year, provided a medley of music at the beginning and end of the event, reminding the audience of the tremendous music program that has been a hallmark of the Norwood program since its founding.
While the groundbreaking wrapped up in the morning, the celebration continued throughout the day. In the Steuart Courtyard, students, teachers, and staff enjoyed signing a steel beam that will be part of the new building’s framework. Down near the playground, homerooms and advisories posed for photos, wearing Norwood hard hats, in front of a large bulldozer fresh off the construction site. Additionally, students had fun digging into a delicious, themed snack: dirt and worms!
Reflecting on the day, Matthew commented, “The groundbreaking was symbolic of our commitment to educational excellence for every child, especially during the foundational years of their school journey. It marked the beginning of an exciting new era for Norwood’s youngest students, and we can’t wait to open the doors of the Marriott Early Childhood Building next year.”
To Norwood! The Place Where You’ll Grow!
Matthew Gould loves an opportunity to share a children’s book, and on groundbreaking day, he read a special story written by Naomi Manzella, Norwood’s media resource specialist and lower school librarian, and illustrated by 16 lower school students. Written in the style of Dr. Seuss, the book traces the exciting new spaces and places in the new building, from the “sunshiny windows” to the “courtliest courtyard.” Every Norwood student, teacher, and staff member received a copy of the book to take home.
Excerpt from To Norwood! The Place Where You’ll Grow!
With music and art, oh, the places you’ll grow! Look to the classrooms, the growing with show Even the youngest students in PK and K With hearts full of pride smiling mouths say…
We’re learning! We’re happy! What hullabaloo!