By JOHN HOWELL

Last year, 173 people attended the Norwood School open house. This year, none of the school’s teachers were in attendance, but 437 people showed up.

The difference was that this year, the PTA’s ice cream social was combined with the open house.

That’s not to suggest teachers weren’t missed. Parents said so, and their absence was apparent as parents visited classrooms and looked to find their child’s desk and work pinned to the wall.

What happened Friday at Norwood School has been happening throughout Warwick schools. The contract with the Warwick Teachers Union expired on Aug. 31. Since then, teachers have adhered to the old contract, meaning they report to work and leave from work as specified and they aren’t doing any of the extras, such as open houses, that are not in the contract.

The last time teachers “worked to rule,” the school administration canceled open houses. Not this time.

The administration has sought to maintain a bond with the community. Open houses have been recast as picnics, cookouts, family nights, PTO meetings, book fairs, science fairs and ice cream socials. Parents have the chance to tour their child’s school, meet other parents and learn what’s happening in school from the principal and the PTA or PTO.

That’s what happened Friday at Norwood.

Principal John Gannon told parents how the School Committee is in the process of selecting a new superintendent (a vote is expected at tomorrow night’s meeting) and how the two finalists met and talked with all the system’s principals.

“You can’t go wrong,” he said. “Both candidates are excellent. I think we’re moving in the right direction.”

Gannon also talked about consolidation of secondary schools and how this is the last year for Vets High School and Aldrich and Gorton Junior High Schools. He said Norwood sixth-graders would be going to Vets, which will become a middle school, next year.

Gannon said it was “unfortunate” that teachers wouldn’t be in their classrooms. Nonetheless, he added, “I can assure they are going above and beyond.”

PTA president Stephanie Sheldon, whose husband is a Warwick teacher, said she “understands the situation.” She said teachers would have wanted to be at the open house, adding, “We have a lot of support from teachers here.”

Sheldon said a lot of parents have “stepped up” to assist with school activities. That was certainly the case Friday as parents scooped out ice cream, compliments of Newport Creamery, and guided parents through the school.

Parents also could sign up as PTA members and learn more about Volunteers of Warwick Schools (VOWS) from its executive director, Claire Flaherty. She had plenty of recruits.

“Combining the open houses with family events has made for a very engaging experience,” Lynn Dambruch, director of elementary schools, said Monday. She said children are excited to bring their parents into their classrooms and show off their work. Upcoming elementary school open houses are at Cedar Hill, Sherman, Warwick Neck, Wickes, Holliman, Hoxsie, Drum Rock and Scott schools.

Dambruch said some parents have expressed their disappointment that teachers aren’t present.

“They certainly are missed,” she said.

Dambruch thought once a contract is settled, there could be the opportunity for events where parents could visit classrooms with teachers in attendance.