#ThisIsCheltenham
Sunday, Jan. 19
In this week's edition of #ThisIsCheltenham, Dr. Lajara appointed CHS Principal, CBK PBL7 engages in movie-making process, Cheltenham leads the charge in creating countywide cultural proficiency / equity HS student ambassadors program and District issues equity statement. "Need to Know Info" features calendar reminders, district rolls out texting service, committee report, high school athletics schedule, upcoming meetings and events and this week's flyers.
Dr. Renato Lajara Appointed CHS Principal
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CBK PBL7 Engages in Moviemaking Process with Manual Cinema
Just two weeks in to the Manual Cinema Project and CBK PBL7 students are learning about narrative archetypes, have synthesized their StoryMap knowledge, analyzed Pixar short films to learn about plot diagramming, began script writing and were introduced to storyboarding. Manual Cinema is an Emmy Award-winning performance collective, design studio and film / video production company founded in 2010, which combines handmade shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques and innovative sound and music to create immersive stories for stage and screen.
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Cheltenham Leads the Charge in Creating Countywide Cultural Proficiency / Equity HS Student Ambassadors Program
With Superintendent Dr. Wagner Marseille leading the charge, Cheltenham is one of the founding members of the Montgomery County Cultural Proficiency / Equity Student Ambassador program for high school students. North Penn, Norristown and Upper Dublin are also among the founding members. The program’s goals include developing a cultural proficiency/equity student leadership council; building capacity to engage and serve as allies for their peers and others, creating a space for student voice on social justice issues, developing strategies to self-advocate; establishing peer leadership opportunities; and developing student diversity trainers. These students will serve as cultural proficiency ambassadors for their communities and beyond. Read more>
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District Issues Equity Statement
The district has undertaken the challenge of eradicating the systemic inequities existing in our school district with regards to the disparity among and between students of particular demographic groups as it relates to student achievement outcomes. The board of school directors, administration and the community members lent their voices in developing the equity statement that will be the catalyst for the development of an equity policy prior to the end of the 2020 school year. The district is proud to have partnered with the University of Pennsylvania’s Coalition for Educational Equity and Pennsylvania School Boards Association in support this equity journey. Read more>
Calendar Reminders
Monthly early dismissals are generally the second Wednesday of the month. In February, the District has early dismissal on Wednesday, Feb. 12. Schools will dismiss at the following times:
- Cheltenham High School | 1:30 p.m.
- Cedarbrook Middle School | 2:10 p.m.
- Elkins Park School | 2:40 p.m.
- K – 4 Schools | 2:45 p.m.
Schools and offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 20 in observance of the Martin Luther King Day. The high school is hosting "Day On" activities from 9 a.m. - noon.
For more events, visit the Cheltenham School District Calendar>
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Cheltenham School District Rolls out Texting Service
Cheltenham School District families can now utilize their mobile phone’s text messaging (SMS) feature to receive district news and events, school closings updates and safety alerts. Families will receive a text message on Monday, Jan. 20 inviting them to opt into the service. Families who do not receive an invitation text can still opt-in by texting “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. Subscribers can opt out of these messages at any time by replying to a message with “Stop.”
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Stay Informed: Finance Committee Meeting
The Financial Affairs committee met Tuesday, Jan. 7 with school board director Dan Schultz presiding. Superintendent Dr. Wagner Marseille opened the meeting with a presentation about proposed cost reductions in climate and culture, student services and transportation for the 2020-21 budget. Business manager Cara Michaels followed with the presentation of two agenda items: 2019-20 budget status and 2020-21 preliminary budget. CSD has collected $96,941,487 or 79.27 percent of its revenue and has spent/encumbered $54,795,618 or 44.81 percent of its expenditures. The 2020-21 preliminary budget was approved at the Tuesday, Jan. 14 Legislative Board meeting with revenues at $121,417,116 and expenditures at $124,648,091, leaving a gap of $3,230,975. The preliminary budget process enables CSD to apply for referendum exceptions, which can be used to raise taxes above the Act 1 Index. The final budget will be adopted in June. The next Financial Affairs meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 4. View presentation>
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High School Athletic Schedule
Tuesday, Jan. 21
Boys & Girls Swimming v. Upper Moreland, 3:30 p.m.
Boys BB v. Upper Dublin, 7 p.m.
Girls BB @ Upper Dublin, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 22
Wrestling v. Hatboro-Horsham, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 23
Boys & Girls Swimming @ Upper Dublin, 3:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 24
Girls Track @ DVGTCA Meet No. 5, Lehigh Univ., 6:30 p.m.
Girls BB @ Plymouth Whitemarsh, 7 p.m.
Boys BB v. Plymouth Whitemarsh, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 25
SOL Wrestling Championships
Boys Track @ Ocean Breeze Inv., Staten Island, N.Y., 9 a.m.
Sunday, Jan. 26
Girls Track @ Ocean Breeze Inv., Staten Island, N.Y., 9 a.m.
Educational Affairs Meeting
Agenda
Homework Committee
This meeting is open to all Cheltenham residents and taxpayers.