Administrative Updates
... from the Cheltenham School District (February 21, 2020)
OFFICE OF EDUCATION
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tamara Thomas Smith facilitated January's well-attended Curriculum Instruction Professional Development (CIPD) Committee. CIPD is a joint effort between teachers and administration to ensure curricular continuity across the school district in alignment with the strategic plan goals and professional development offerings. As a part of the agenda, a classroom environment checklist was revisited from the prior meeting. Specifically, the committee reviewed all suggestions made to enhance the document. Cheltenham Educators' Association (CEA) and administration members collaborated on the document in November with the idea of ensuring building-level administrators are more focused on their walkthroughs. The checklist includes the following:
Teacher’s name and subject area are clearly posted outside the classroom
Daily schedule is posted and visible
Clearly stated and measurable objectives are posted daily and aligned to Pennsylvania Core Standards (Students will be able to... or I can statements…)
Objectives will reflect AP Standards where applicable
Students work in small or cooperative groups or evidence that small group instruction or cooperative grouping takes place. Examples include but are not limited to:
Student groups posted, flexible seating charts posted, student conversations, teacher feedback, assignments, projects, classwork, lesson plans
Teachers are facilitating (mobile, meeting with groups)
Classroom and schoolwide norms are clearly posted
Classroom norms are not expected to be posted in shared classrooms at CHS
Classroom libraries and/or guided reading areas are evident
Anchor charts by subject area
Shared classrooms at CHS may be an exception
Updated student work posted (Reflecting the implementation of the curriculum) w/ rubrics and feedback
[Strategic Plan Pathway 1: Curriculum & Instruction] [Strategic Plan Pathway 2: Student Achievement] [Strategic Plan Pathway 3: Professional Development]
- The Homework Committee has met 15 times since the beginning of the 18-19 school year. At the most recent meeting on January 28, the group drafted a board policy administrative regulation (AR) that will inform a draft of a homework policy. The AR was presented at the February Educational Affairs meeting and will be forwarded to the policy committee for first read. [Strategic Plan Pathway 2: Student Achievement]
- Supervisor of STEM Dr. Brian Reilly and several teachers and administrators participated in two days of workshops focused on themes from “10 Mindframes for Visible Learning” by John Hattie and Klaus Zierer. The first day focused on “collective efficacy” and had participants explore how they think about their impact on student progress, and how their organization fosters a collaborative environment to promote and develop collective efficacy. The second day’s theme was “feedback,” during which participants asked the questions Where am I going? How am I going? and Where to next? [Strategic Plan Pathway 1: Curriculum & Instruction] [Strategic Plan Pathway 2: Student Achievement] [Strategic Plan Pathway 3: Professional Development]
- The Office of Education has scheduled presentations by the book companies Fountas & Pinnell, Journeys, My View, and Wonders to assist in the selection of an elementary reading series. The companies were contacted based on the recommendations from the Curriculum Instruction & Professional Development (CIPD) Committee. [Strategic Plan Pathway 1: Curriculum & Instruction] [Strategic Plan Pathway 2: Student Achievement]
- The high school hosted “Curriculum Night” Wednesday, Jan. 22, at which parents of incoming freshmen and rising sophomores and juniors had the opportunity to preview course offerings. View the course scheduling presentation> [Strategic Plan Pathway 2: Student Achievement]
STUDENT SERVICES
Certified School Nurses Kimball Dunlap (CHS) and Stephanie Irani (CBK) joined Director of Student Services Dr. Cheryl Horsey at the Bucks County Intermediate Unit-sponsored 4th annual Concussion Management Conference at the Centennial School District on Wednesday, Jan. 29. Featured speakers included Dr. Matthew Grady, M.D. (UPenn), Stephen A. Russo, Ph.D. (Rothman Orthopedics), DPTs Kim Wyand and Coady Knowles (NovaCare Rehabilitation), and Roni Robinson, CRNP (CHOP). Presentations highlighted how to re-integrate students into a learning environment after a concussion and how to establish a concussion management team in a school setting to assist with the implementation of return-to-learn protocols. [Strategic Plan Pathway 2: Student Achievement] [Strategic Plan Pathway 3: Professional Development] [Strategic Plan Pathway 4: Holistic Experiences]
- The District has partnered with Holy Family University again to provide nursing students the opportunity to complete their practicum experiences with the district's certified school nurses. The students will be completing a 12-week practicum during which they will assist our nurses in conducting mandated health screenings. Dr. Horsey met with the nursing students and their adviser recently. [Strategic Plan Pathway 4: Holistic Experiences] [Strategic Plan Pathway 5: Communications and Engagement]
STEM
The Cheltenham School District (CSD) has received a $35,000 PAsmart Targeted grant to expand K-8 computer science (CS) classes and teacher training. Cheltenham is one of 136 school districts, five career and technical centers, 15 charter and cyber charter schools and seven intermediate units to receive funding from the state. The grant will support K-8 growth in computer science, specifically to train teachers through a series of face-to-face and online workshops. Additionally, funds will be allocated to building the district’s inventory of computer science reference materials, physical computing devices, such as Ozobots, Spheros, Hummingbird Robotics, Micro:bit and iPads and MacBook computers necessary for program creation. The PAsmart grant will help fund the expansion of the school district's CS offerings to provide all K-8 students the opportunity to experience programmable robots, physical computing devices and coding of various devices in a collaborative environment through project-based learning and design thinking with computer science as the medium. With this change, Cheltenham has an opportunity to serve a significant group of students categorized as historically underrepresented within the CS environment. [Strategic Plan Pathway 1: Curriculum & Instruction]
STEM Supervisor Dr. Brian Reilly coordinated the receipt of and training for Elevate Science for grades 6 through 8. Each grade level will be participating in a pilot of at least one topic in Elevate. Elevate is available as a modular program that can be adapted to the current science program maintaining the domain model, but it also offers the opportunity to integrate across the three domains in each of the three grade levels. The Pennsylvania Department of Education is undergoing an examination of science, technology and engineering standards, and new standards are expected to be released as early as next spring. These standards are anticipated to resemble the current Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), to which Elevate Science is aligned. Science teachers in grades 6 through 8 engaged in an introductory training of the program. [Strategic Plan Pathway 1: Curriculum & Instruction] [Strategic Plan Pathway 3: Professional Development]
HUMAN RESOURCES
On Tuesday, Jan. 28, CSD Human Resources Director Adrienne Tolbert-Jackson attended the Forum on Recruitment and Retention for Educators of Color Workshop sponsored by the Delaware Valley Consortium for Excellence and Equality (DVCEE) at UPenn.
Presenters included Dr. Mark Teoh (Teach Plus), whose research has been focused on the retention of novice teachers in school districts, looking at how pre-service training, career stage, and geography impact their career decisions; Ms. Tanisha Davis (New Jersey Department of Education) shared how her office leads policy development to ensure that every student, school and district has access to well-trained, effective educators that meet the particular needs of their local communities; Dr. Anthony Stevenson (Radnor Township School District) and his team shared their work with the Educators of Color Meet Up and Networking Project at Villanova University, which creates space for people of color and allies to come together to address, voice and elevate the leadership to influence the historically marginalized groups in suburban public schools in the Philadelphia region. The project's goal is to develop a safe space where educators can share ideas and resources.
Other highlights included:
- Mentor/Mentee Program: The Villanova EOC mentor/mentee program matches peers who can connect periodically to offer informal conversations and professional/personal support.
Affinity Group Program: This group will be an informal supportive space for educators of color to build community and strengthen their self-advocacy tools and anti-racist pedagogy.
VU Bridge Project-Recruitment, Retention and Supporting EOC: The goal of the Bridge project is to work with school districts to identify qualified educators of color to become candidates for teaching and administration positions.
The workshop was a great opportunity to share recruitment and retention strategies and practices with human resource directors and administrators from other school districts. Attendees had several informative discussions on topics including creating welcoming spaces where teachers of colors can be their authentic selves. Dr. Marseille is hoping to have more CSD teachers and administrators participate in the Villanova Educators of Color Meet Up and Networking Project. [Strategic Plan Pathway 3: Professional Development]
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Scheduled for Monday, March 23, the United Parent Group's "Why Choose Cheltenham" project is taking shape. Families are encouraged to attend to experience student performances and showcases; learn about CSD's diverse and rich academic and extracurricular programs; and hear from current and former students. Administrators, teachers and students will be on hand from all schools. This event is for parents and students of all ages, and especially for those who are looking to enter CSD schools or transition to new ones within the district. School PTOs, Cheltenham African American Alliance (CAAA), Special Education Alliance of Cheltenham (SEAC) and Eastern Center for Arts and Technology will be in attendance as well. [Strategic Plan Pathway 5: Communications and Engagement]
- Text invitations were sent to every number in the PowerSchool database on Monday, Jan. 20, and the district has been promoting enrollment in the news share and on social media. As of Tuesday, Feb. 18, the district has received 2,701 opt-ins compared to just 56 opt-outs. The platform will be used for district communications for the time being, but plans include rolling it out for principals to use with staff. Director of Communications Kevin Kaufman and Tech Director Chris Barone will institutionalize processes and procedures for staff utilization of this technology. To enroll, send "Y" or "Yes" too 67587. Those who enroll can opt-out at any time. [Strategic Plan Pathway 5: Communications and Engagement]
POLICY ADOPTIONS
At the December and January legislative board meeting, the CSD Board of School Directors adopted the following:
- Policy 110 Instructional Supplies (1998) | Administrative Regulation
- Policy 116 Tutorial Instruction (1989)
- Policy 124 Alternative Instruction Opportunities (Previously “Summer School” (1989))
- Policy 201 Admission of Beginners | Administrative Regulation
- Policy 208 Withdrawal from School (1998) | Administrative Regulation
- Policy 238 Child Custody (1991)
- Policy 255 No Child Left Behind Compliance (Repealed)
- Policy 320 Freedom of Expression (Changed from “Freedom of Speech”)
- Policy 321 Political Activities (New)
- Policy 614 Payroll Authorization (1998)
- Policy 904 Public Attendance in School Facilities (1997)
BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Educational Affairs Committee met on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Summary> | Presentation>
- Policy Committee convened on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Summary> | Presentation>
- Communications Committee met on Thursday, Dec. 19. Summary> | Presentation>
- Facilities Committee convened Tuesday, Dec. 3. Summary> | Presentation>
- Financial Affairs Committee convened Tuesday, Dec. 3. Summary> | Presentation>
January
- Educational Affairs Committee met on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Summary> | Presentation>
- Policy Committee convened on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Summary> | Presentation>
- Communications Committee met on Thursday, Jan. 23. Summary> | Presentation>
- Facilities Committee convened Tuesday, Jan. 7. Summary> | Presentation>
- Financial Affairs Committee convened Tuesday, Jan. 7. Summary> | Presentation>
UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE BOARD MEETINGS
- The Board of School Directors of Cheltenham School District generally holds its legislative meetings on the second Tuesday of the month (except for July) at the District Administration Building (2000 Ashbourne Rd., Elkins Park) at 7 p.m. Viewers can "tune in" at cheltenham.org/stream. An archive of past streamed board meetings is available online. The remainder of this year's schedule is below:
March 10, 2020 | April 14, 2020 | May 12, 2020 | June 9, 2020