Last issue, the Norwood News began its annual school preview. This issue, we were able to speak with two more schools about their plans for this year and beyond.

John F. Kennedy High School

For the new school year, Kennedy High School is implementing technology into its academic programs, said Parent Coordinator Valli Massenburg. Web and graphic design as well as student filmmaking will be infused into the normal curriculum.

Another new addition to the campus is a medical clinic that offers free mental health exams for students who want to get checked out. It’s on campus, so students can easily walk in and complete a survey/questionnaire for a consultation, as long as they obtain parental consent first.

"Students don’t need to fear walking in, dealing with peer pressure, or avoiding getting checked out, because they are in denial," said Massenburg about the new clinic.

In sports news, Kennedy is full of school spirit for the football season, which is wrapping up soon. Kennedy trounced rival DeWitt Clinton last Friday and is 6-2 going into its regular season finale against Christopher Columbus High Friday night.

St. Brendan’s School

Principal Michele Pasquale is excited about St. Brendan parish’s 100th anniversary in 2008.

Numerous anniversary-related events are planned throughout the year, she said. Many of the activities are geared toward children and teens and will include teen retreats, an alumni volleyball game and a street fair in May.

Academically, the Norwood school on Perry Avenue is currently using Right Source, a reading program for grades 2 through 5 that provides an extra hour of English arts for students.

Pasquale said the school is intent on upgrading its technology. St. Brendan’s has applied for grant funding for a new science lab and wants to implement new Smart Boards – a teaching aid that is a cross between a dry erase board and a computer screen.

Also, the St. Brendan’s music/arts program recently added the violin to its list of offered instruments.

Although the student enrollment numbers at the predominately Hispanic school hasn’t changed over the year, they hired new staff over the summer, including a new gym instructor and an art teacher.