They’re called the “Classics” for a reason

Latin is the “mother” of the 5 Romance languages, so anyone who studies it will more easily decipher the vocabulary and grammar patterns of those 5 languages.  I am disheartened to hear that any member of the Norwood School Committee would deny our students the opportunity to become such global leaders.  I understand that they need to settle on a budget, but this is far beyond making a small cut-they would be eradicating an entire program; an entire discipline that has been proven to benefit students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia and auditory processing.  The study of Latin is not simply the study of a language, it is an entire discipline.  Through the lens of Latin our students can better understand the vocabulary and grammar of English better than any of our English Language Arts classes can offer.  It enhances cognitive abilities such as problem solving and critical thinking.  A student of Latin understands the culture, literature and history of our Western civilization.  And, let’s be honest, colleges and universities view Latin favorably on a transcript as it displays a dedication that not many students still demonstrate today.

If anything, the Norwood School Committee should be finding ways to promote Latin-not eliminate it!  It is great that Norwood can soon say that it has a shiny, new middle school to accompany its shiny, new high school, but a school is only as good as the offerings and teachers it has to prepare its students for the world.  According to the Greek philosopher Socrates, a wise man is aware of the things that he does not know.  If you truly don’t know about the benefits of Latin, I urge you to do some research.  It would be a shame for you to pass this proposed budget out of ignorance.  I write all of this as a graduate of BLS, Master of Classical Philology, 23-year Latin teacher and Norwood taxpayer and mom who expects a superior education for my own children as well as my community.

Laura Jordan

Norwood

LWV to hold candidates forum

To the Editor:

The League of Women Voters of Norwood is holding our annual Candidates Forum for the candidates running in contested races in the Municipal Election.

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This year's forum will include candidates for Board of Selectmen only. While there is also a contested race for Board of Health, one candidate is unable to attend, therefore we will not conduct this portion of the program. Candidates for uncontested races have been invited to pre-record statements that will air after the live forum.

The forum will be conducted in the Norwood Community Media (NCM) studio and will air and stream live at 7:00 pm on Monday, March 24.

Questions to be asked of the candidates are encouraged from the public. Please email them to us at lwvnorwoodma@gmail.com. Questions must be submitted no later than Friday, 3/21.