Attn: Superintendent: Timothy Luff (781-762-6804 x5819)

Sent via email: tluff@norwood.k12.ma.us

To the Town of Norwood Public Schools Superintendent Timothy Luff, and related educational staff in copy:

We, the undersigned parents of the Callahan Elementary School, on behalf of our children that will be 4th graders in the 2026-2027 school year, are writing to strongly urge the Town of Norwood, Callahan district to prioritize a third 4th-grade teacher for the 2026-2027 school year. At present, the 2026-2027 4th grade class will only have two classrooms. There are currently three classes of third graders with 17 children in each class, totaling around 51 students. If the number of classes is reduced to two and the class size stays the same, that means nearly 25 children per class. With redistricting expected to reduce class sizes to approximately 19 students per class, challenges would still arise if enrollment exceeds 20 students per class with only one teacher assigned, particularly given the high needs of the current student population. A larger fourth grade class size will present many challenges for teachers to provide the level of attention and instruction to support our children effectively. Our children all deserve equal support to meet general education requirements, and reducing their access to educational support to this degree will have noticeable and measurable detrimental impacts.

The difference between two versus three 4th grade teachers will have an effect on how students are supported, academically and socially. A third teacher would allow for smaller class sizes and stronger support across the full range of academic abilities. This includes students requiring additional assistance as well as the advanced learners seeking enrichment. A third teacher provides a more equitable environment to allow students to reach their maximum potential, and does not unfairly provide  the 2026-2027 fourth grade class with a lower level of educational support in comparison to the current 2025-2026 students. 

If the reduction in 4th grade teaching positions is driven by budget constraints, we would have a strong ask for the number of paraprofessionals to be increased to adequately support larger class sizes and ensure students’ needs are effectively met.

This staffing reduction comes at a time of significant transition for the school with the introduction of a new principal and adding kindergarten next year. Therefore, our group of parents requests the following:

1. A timely response to this petition confirming receipt of these concerns.
2. A date and time that you are available to convene in-person or virtually if possible. A virtual conference in the evening would be most convenient for the majority of working parents. We request 30 minutes of your time to discuss these concerns in more detail.

Thank you for your time and consideration to evaluate the need for a third 4th-grade teacher for the 2026-2027 school year. We look forward to your reply and to a future conversation. 

CC: 

Callahan Elementary Principal and school committee: Dr. Grandt, JJ Muñoz, Sean Mannion, Kate Davey. School committee Judy Bromley, David Hiltz, and Joan Giblin

jmunoz@norwood.k12.ma.us

smannion@norwood.k12.ma.us

kdavey@norwood.k12.ma.us

judith.bromley@norwood.k12.ma.us

david.hiltz@norwood.k12.ma.us

jgiblin@norwood.k12.ma.us

Anne Marie Mazzola: amazzola@norwood.k12.ma.us

Teresa Stewart: tstewart@norwood.k12.ma.us

https://www.norwood.k12.ma.us/about/administration

Sincerely, the undersigned parents of incoming Callahan fourth grade students: