#ThisIsCheltenham
Sunday, May 31, 2020
In this week's edition of #ThisIsCheltenham, virtual CHS Senior Awards Night on Monday, June 1, retiring Myers music teacher Susan Ohrt named finalist for the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra’s Ovation Award, CBK PBL Manual Cinema documentary features student voice, and notice of special board meeting on Tuesday, June 16.
"Need to Know Info" includes calendar reminders about the end of the school year, commencement filming schedule, summer school options, dual enrollment presentation, recreational facilities closure, grab-n-go meal bag distribution and coronavirus updates.
"Upcoming Meetings/Events" features information about upcoming virtual committee meetings, CHS Awards Night, virtual fifth grade orientation and flyers.
To update your contact information, visit www.cheltenham.org/updatemyinfo. For updates throughout the week, be sure to visit cheltenham.org or the Cheltenham School District Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages. If you know someone who would like to receive the weekly news share, direct them to the eNEWS icon at cheltenham.org to register.
Virtual CHS Senior Awards Night - Monday, June 1
Join CHS Principal Dr. Renato Lajara as he and his staff recognize the best of Cheltenham's best at the district's inaugural virtual senior awards night. With more than 150 awards, the event will be available on zoom at cheltenham.org/zoom, live streamed at cheltenham.org/stream and broadcast on Comcast Ch. 42 and Verizon Ch. 1960. Department chairs, school counselors, CSD Foundation members and student group sponsors will recognize and honor members of the Class of 2020 for their contributions to Cheltenham, thank them for their efforts big and small, and acknowledge their achievements in the classroom, on the stage, on the playing field, and in the community.
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Retiring Myers Music Teacher Susan Ohrt Named Finalists for the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra’s Ovation Award
Longtime Myers Elementary music teacher Susan Ohrt has been named one of 10 finalists from across the Delaware Valley for the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra’s (PYO) Ovation Award for inspiration and outstanding leadership in music education. The grand prize winner will be named on a virtual version of the PYO Gala on June 19. The winner will be presented with an award tribute, cash prize and other recognition. More>
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CBK PBL Manual Cinema Documentary Features Student Voice
As part of his Avalon Foundation Design Fellowship, CBK project based learning teacher Isaac Stanford created a student voice-focused video highlighting the three core practices (collaboration, student choice and community partnerships) of the class’ Manual Cinema project. In this project, students connected their previous assignment, the story map project, to creating cinematic shadow puppets. The goal was to create entertaining and informative movies to introduce their Cheltenham Elementary School “buddies” to the places they researched in the story map project. Both videos will be featured on High Tech High’s UnBoxed website as part of its effort to showcase project based learning in public school classrooms.
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Notice of Special Board Meeting - Tuesday, June 16
The Board of School Directors of the Cheltenham School District has scheduled a special board meeting to approve the final budget for the 2020-2021 school year on Tuesday, June 16 at 6:15 p.m. This meeting will occur immediately prior to the Educational Affairs Committee meeting.
The public is encouraged to join the meeting and ask questions through the Q&A interface at www.cheltenham.org/zoom. Meeting will also be available at Cheltenham.org/stream, Comcast Ch. 42 and Verizon Ch. 1960.
Calendar Reminders
Below are the final days of the 2019-2020 school year for students and teachers:
- K-11: Monday, June 15
- Teachers: Wednesday, June 17
For more events, visit the Cheltenham School District Calendar>
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Commencement Filming Schedule for June 3-5 and 8
The district will host the filming portion of graduation at the high school stadium on Wednesday-Friday June 3-5 and Monday, June 8. Students will have the opportunity to partake in some graduation traditions, such as the procession, picking up a diploma on the stage, and moving the tassel. Students must report at the time stated. There will be no exceptions. Administrators and staff (maintaining social distancing) will be available throughout the event to answer questions and provide assistance as needed. If you have any questions about the ceremony, please contact Michael DiPiero or Beth Fox.
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Panther Academy - Summer 2020
Summer School opportunities are available via online courses offered by the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit through the Montgomery Virtual Program (MVP). All registration and payment is through MVP. Credit recovery courses are $280 and accelerated learning courses are $399. If you are a student who is part of the free/reduced lunch program, you can register for subsidized cost through the district online payment center for $150 per course. Be sure to put the student name and course in the text box under the cost.
Three teachers will be available virtually from 8 a.m. to noon Mondays through Thursdays to support students with their course work. An online orientation is included with each course. The courses run June 22 through August 14. Course registration runs June 12 - 26. Courses start on June 22. Direct questions to vice principal Christine Zubairu or your guidance counselor.
Accelerated Learning Information> | Credit Recovery Information>
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Dual Enrollment Presentation
The CHS Counseling Department hosted a virtual dual enrollment information session this past week with higher education partners Arcadia University, Penn State Abington, Manor College, Montgomery County Community College, Gratz College, and Marshall University (online only). An option for qualified rising juniors and seniors, dual enrollment has many benefits, including savings on future college costs, a head start on experiencing college life, exploring college courses in areas of interest, and earning transferable credits. Courses are offered at a discounted rate. The following criteria have been established to qualify for dual enrollment: Minimum of a 3.0 unweighted GPA; PSAT or SAT score in Reading/Writing at 500 or above; 90 percent or better attendance, a high school counselor recommendation; and satisfactory progress toward fulfilling applicable graduation requirements as determined by CSD. View the presentation>
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CSD Nurses' "Healthy Thoughts" Newsletter
As we continue to navigate these uncertain and challenging times, our school nurses offer advice on ways to maintain your well being. Please take a moment to read the second edition of their newsletter that highlights mindfulness and features another artistic rendering from staff nurse Hope Monaghan. Read more>
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Recreational Facilities Closure
In an effort to keep our community healthy and prevent the spread of coronavirus, all CSD recreational facilities, including playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, open fields and tracks will be closed until further notice. Signs have been posted and caution tape and locks have been applied.
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Grab-n-Go Meal Bag Distribution
The Cheltenham School District is proud of its commitment to assisting its most in-need families and will continue its distribution of grab-n-go meal bags on Wednesday, June 3 from 10 a.m. - noon at the Administration Building (2000 Ashbourne Rd., Elkins Park). All grab-n-go meal bags contain enough food for several days. The district has partnered with its food services sub-contractor Chartwells to pack the bags (while maintaining proper social distance), and so far, almost 18,500 meals have been distributed. The district will continue this program through June 10. To those wishing to contribute gift cards to the effort, thank you in advance. Please connect with director of student services Dr. Cheryl Horsey. For families facing food insecurity, see the MontCo Anti-Hunger Network's list of food pantries>
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Coronavirus Updates
Families and staff interested in the latest school district updates regarding coronavirus should visit www.cheltenham.org/coronavirus. The page is updated on a regular basis with information from the continuity of education plan and grab-n-go meal bag distribution information to social-emotional health information and updates from the superintendent and office of education. Read more>
CHS Awards Night
Join us to recognize and celebrate the best of Cheltenham's best. More than 150 awards will be bestowed upon members of the Class of 2020. Join at www.cheltenham.org/zoom, stream at cheltenham.org/stream, and watch on Comcast Ch. 42 or Verizon 1960.
Monday, Jun 1, 2020, 07:00 PM
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Facilities and Finance Committee Meetings
The public is encouraged to join the meeting and ask questions through the Q&A interface at cheltenham.org/zoom. Meeting will also be available at Cheltenham.org/stream, Comcast Ch. 42 and Verizon Ch. 1960.
Tuesday, Jun 2, 2020, 07:00 PM
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Virtual 5th Grade Family Orientation
Wednesday, Jun 3, 2020, 07:00 PM
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Virtual 5th Grade Family Orientation
Families of rising fifth graders from Glenside and Wyncote Elementary are invited to participate in a virtual orientation with administration from the Elkins Park School.
Access the meeting at cheltenham.org/zoom.
Thursday, Jun 4, 2020, 07:00 PM
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Special Board Meeting
The Board of School Directors of the Cheltenham School District has scheduled a special board meeting to approve the final budget for the 2020-2021 school year on Tuesday, June 16 at 6:15 p.m. This meeting will occur immediately prior to the Educational Affairs Committee meeting.
The public is encouraged to join the meeting and ask questions through the Q&A interface at cheltenham.org/zoom. Meeting will also be available at Cheltenham.org/stream, Comcast Ch. 42 and Verizon Ch. 1960.
Tuesday, Jun 16, 2020, 06:15 PM
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Educational Affairs Committee
Strategic Plan Progress
The public is encouraged to join the meeting and ask questions through the Q&A interface at cheltenham.org/zoom. Meeting will also be available at Cheltenham.org/stream, Comcast Ch. 42 and Verizon Ch. 1960.