#ThisIsCheltenham
Friday, May 18
Welcome to the CSD weekly News Share — a District recap of the recent week's top stories, updates, initiatives and NEED TO KNOW INFORMATION. Do you know a community member who would like to receive this directly? Invite them to visit cheltenham.org and click on the eNEWS icon on the front page to register. #thisischeltenham
MakerDads at Cheltenham Elementary
This week, Cheltenham Elementary hosted nearly 300 school and community members for the STEAM-focused (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) “MakerDads” event. Students brought dads, grand dads and/or other male role model to school to get “hands on” with more than 20 STEAM stations designed to get kids making, tinkering, asking questions and making curricular connections alongside their parents. A few of the STEAM Stations set up across CES included virtual reality, drone flight school, tech autopsy, go-kart obstacle course, escape room, build a skyscraper with Keva planks, 3-D printing, virtual reality, smartphone challenge, home makerspace challenge and coding. The Tesla parked in front of the school provided a great backdrop for child-father selfies.
MakerDads is an innovative and community-based start-up launched in September by educators and Elkins Park residents Lauren and Joe Mazza, and the CES event was part of a two-day MakerDads In-Residence.
MakerMoms at Wyncote Elementary is May 24 from 6 - 8 p.m. (More on paseed.org.)
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Future Problem Solving Bowl
Future Problem Solvers (FPS) from across the district came together for the District Problem Solving Bowl on May 9 at Elkins Park School. FPS teams from Elkins Park, Myers, Wyncote and Glenside worked all year using creative thinking to grapple with various topics impacting the world. This year, the bowl topic was cloud storage. In the fourth grade competition, Wyncote Problem Solvers received top recognition with a clean sweep of the first-, second- and third-place ribbons for their work on the packet portion. Wyncote teams also received first place honors in a two-way tie for their skits! Glenside and Myers teams earned honorable mention for their skits. In the fifth grade competition, Roberta Jacoby’s teams earned top recognition as well. See more pictures>
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CHS Freshman Transition Program Students Earn $1000 in Global Citizenship Essay Contest
When San Diego State Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Aaron Bruce visited with Cheltenham High School Freshman Seminar students in February, he energized the students and captivated their interest in global citizenship. He challenged the students to compose essays exhibiting their knowledge and understanding of being a global citizen in the 21st century. The students embraced the challenge and submitted their essays to Dr. Bruce for his review. Dr. Bruce and Ms. Keziah La Torre, Freshman Transition Program Coordinator, are proud to announce the winners of the 2018 Global Citizenship Essay Contest.
The following male freshman transition students earned the top three places and prizes: 1. Justice Fairfax ($1,000); 2. Yaseer Jenkins ($200); 3. Keeon Heeley ($100).
The following female freshman transition students earned the top three places and prizes: 1. Leah Phally ($1,000); 2. Temitope Kuyinu ($200); 3. Destiny McGee ($100).
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Play Unified ... Live Unified
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Alumnus Mark Thompson Signs with NFL’s Baltimore Ravens as Undrafted Free Agent
A member of Cheltenham’s Class of 2013, Mark Thompson, a 6-1, 232 lbs. running back from the University of Florida Gators, has signed with the National Football League’s Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent. He will battle for a roster spot in an already crowded backfield with the two-time Super Bowl champions. Read more>
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CHS Alumna Wins Pac12 Hurdles Title
Class of 2017 alumna and one of the most celebrated track athletes in school history, Chanel Brissett, a freshman at the University of Southern California, continued her dominance on the oval, winning the women’s 100-meter hurdles at this past weekend’s Pac-12 Track and Field Championships. The communications major ran a personal best 12.75 to move from sixth to fourth on USC's all-time list in the event and propel her squad to its first conference title since 1996. Brissett started competing in hurdles during her junior season at Cheltenham, and her time of 12.95 tied the Pennsylvania high school girls record and ranks third on the all-time high school hurdler list.
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Ultimate Frisbee at CHS!
Did you know Cheltenham High School has had an ultimate frisbee team for almost two decades? Named the “Spirit Animals,” as a reference to Ultimate’s “Spirit of the Game,” which states fair play is expected and a win-at-all-costs attitude is to be avoided, are 9-6 this season. The Spirit Animals coach, CHS Librarian Tom Cook, has partnered with Philadelphia’s entry in the American Ultimate Disc League, the Phoenix, to offer supporters the opportunity to learn more about ultimate by purchasing discounted tickets to the Phoenix game versus the cross-state rival Pittsburgh Thunderbirds on June 9 at 6:30 p.m. A.A. Garthwaite Stadium in Conshohocken. Check out highlights from the team’s victory over the Montreal Royal.
Purchase your ticket online, but be sure to use the code “CHSU” at checkout because half of each ticket sale goes to support next season’s CHS Ultimate team. Children 10 and under are free with a paid ticket holder.
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Teachers and Staff De-Stress During Mindful May
Teachers and staff participated in a Mindful Walking workshop on Monday, May 14 at Abington’s Baederwood Park as part of Mindful May’s staff well-being workshop series. CHS teacher Katie Starke and Cedarbrook teacher Karen Shaffran facilitated Thervanda walking, yoga walking and meditative walking through natural trails and a bird sanctuary. Participants enjoyed the opportunity to de-stress outside in a beautiful setting.
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Glenside, CHS Students Collaborate on Mindfulness Documentary
Glenside third graders and CHS seniors collaborated to create a Mindfulness Documentary just in time for Mindful May. After the students in Mrs. Floyd's third grade class graduated from six weeks of Mindfulness training with their coach Cindy Goldberg, they wanted to share their perspective on how mindfulness was making a difference in their lives. The 9-year-old students wrote scripts, rehearsed and drew diagrams about what they knew. They then took a short trip to the CHS media studio where seniors, under the direction of Media teacher Craig Carracappa, directed, filmed and edited their performances into a 4:05 documentary.
Wyncote Post Office Renamed for Cheltenham Alumnus Peter Taub
In December of 2015, six American soldiers died in Afghanistan when a suicide bomber on a motorcycle attacked a patrol near Bagram Airfield. One of these soldiers was Air Force Staff Sgt. Peter Taub, a 30-year-old Jewish native of Wyncote. He left behind a 3-year-old daughter, Penelope, and a pregnant wife, Christina, who later gave birth to his second child, Petra. He was assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and was out gathering information to make the area safe for other service members to come on and off the base when he was killed. Read more from the Jewish Exponent>
Kindergarten Registration Continues through May 24
Kindergarten registration runs through Thursday, May 24 and you can register your child from 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Administration Building (2000 Ashbourne Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027). There are no appointments on Friday, May 18 or Tuesday, May 15 due to staff professional development. Prior to making an appointment, complete and submit an online application. You must be a Cheltenham Township resident to register. To make your readiness screening appointment, please contact Ms. Kate Shevlin at 215-881-6322 or Ms. Dominique Peters at 215-881-6330. After May 24, 2018, kindergarten registration will be done during the summer registration session, which will include all new K-12 students. Those dates and times will be posted when available.
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Netflix Series “13 Reasons Why” Returns: Resources for Parents/Guardians
Last year, Netflix premiered the series “13 Reasons Why,” which strived to create an awareness and dialogue regarding the epidemic of suicide. The series captured the attention of youth across the globe and created countless discussions among teens and between teens and their families. Season 2 of “13 Reasons Why” was released today, Friday, May 18 and may bring about a resurgence of interest in watching Season 1. News reports indicate Season 2 will not directly show any depictions of suicide. Though suicide is part of the backstory, the topic of sexual assault will be included in this year’s series. It is important for parents/guardians to have conversations with their children about these critical issues. Below, please find links for resources to assist with your conversations. Please know the district’s school counselors, social workers, nurses and psychologists are available to speak with you and/or children about these important issues.
Resources for parents/guardians
- Common Sense Media offers reviews and discussions content of a variety of media types to help parents/guardians determine appropriateness for their children
Hotlines and crisis supports
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255.
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention contains a link for a suicide discussion guide based on the first season of “13 Reasons Why.”
- The Trevor Project offers suicide support specifically for LGBTQ youth.
- Depression: National Institute for Mental Health
- Anxiety: Anxiety and Depression Association of America
- Substance Abuse – Drugs: National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens
- Bullying: StopBullying.gov
- Sexual Assault: RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) offers free 24/7 online chat and a telephone hotline.
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Club Cub Event at Baseball’s Annual Marathon Game Postponed
Kindergarten through fourth grade students are invited to Cheltenham’s Cub Club event at the CHS Baseball team’s annual charity Marathon Game, which has been rescheduled for June 3 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the High School. While the varsity and junior varsity squads play their 100-inning game, Cub Club members will have a meet and greet with the CHS baseball players and coaches, as well as have the opportunity to run the bases in between games. For more information about Cub Club, contact Terri Kelly or Brandi Millis.
Register online for the Cub Club event>
The family-friendly marathon game includes music, featuring CHS graduate DJ Dee-Square, bounce house and ballpark concessions. All proceeds support the CHS baseball program. Make a contribution>
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Keystone Testing Schedule
With Keystone Testing approaching rapidly, we wanted to share the testing schedule. May 17-18 and 21-24 are designated as Keystone Testing days. On the first four days, school will operate on a 3-hour delay schedule. On their respective testing days, students will report to school at the regular arrival time (7:27 a.m.). The chart below identifies days your student will be testing and what time to report to school on days they are not testing.
Make Up Testing
If a student is scheduled to take a Keystone Exam and is absent on that testing day, he/she will make up the missed exam on one of the following days: May 18, 21, 22, 23, 24 or 25. Please direct any questions to District Assessment Coordinator Dr. Ray Realdine at 215-881-6335.
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Mindful May Opportunities for Support
Mindful May is underway for Cheltenham School District staff and students. Staff members who practice Mindfulness each day get to enter their Mindful May Calendar into a building drawing for a lovely mindfulness basket. Each basket contains gift cards from local businesses along with a few mindful treats. Business supporting Mindful May include Massage Envy, Marco Polo, Mr. P’s Pizza, Pizza Box, Dovetail Artisans, Amma Yanni Yoga, Flow Bath and Kitchen Design, Abington Club, JTown Hot Yoga, Berta Sawyer, Sparkle Nail Salon and Curds 'n Whey. If you are a business owner who would like to support the district's mindfulness work, it's not too late. Contact Cindy Goldberg for more information. To learn more about CSD's Mindfulness initiative, visit www.cheltenham.org/mindfulness.
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It's Official: Final Student Day June 20
Under the authority of Section 1504 of the "Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949," the Department of Education has approved the District’s petition to increase its 2017-2018 Act 80 days by two, meaning the final student day will remain as scheduled on June 20, 2018.
See below for a rundown of important end-of-school dates:
June 14: High School Commencement
June 19: K-4 4th Grade Move up Day
June 20: Last student day, Elkins Park Move Up Assembly, CBK 8th Grade Promotion
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Start of School Year Reminder
Please note, Cheltenham School District kicks off its 2018-19 school year before Labor Day. First day of classes is Monday, Aug. 27, 2018. View Calendar>.
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Foundation Offers Innovation Grants for Cheltenham Teachers and Staff
Cheltenham teachers and staff are encouraged to submit applications for Cheltenham School District Foundation’s innovation grants by the Tuesday, June 12 deadline. This year, the Foundation looks to disperse more than $23,000 to make innovative and creative instructional programs designed to enhance and enrich the educational experiences of the students and staff in the Cheltenham community come to life. The multi-faceted Foundation grants initiative provides diverse program support, integrating and supplementing CSD’s regular instructional programs. Many of these programs provide unique approaches to learning, some are offered outside of school hours and are separate from the curriculum and academic program. Apply now>
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Sports Physicals for 2018-2019
Athletics physicals for the 2018-2019 school year should be completed on or after June 1, 2018, and will be effective, regardless of when performed through May 31, 2019. Students must submit their physical forms as soon as possible after May 31, preferable by August 1 if they want to participate in any fall sports. On the day the physical is completed, ask the physician to stamp Section 6 of the PIAA physical form. We will only accept the completed PIAA physical forms for participation in after-school athletic programs. Download physical form>
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Vaccination Clinic for Rising 7th and 12th Graders
The Office of Student Services has arranged through Detweiler Family Medicine and Associates of Lansdale to conduct a free vaccine clinic at Cheltenham High School for rising seventh and 12th graders on Monday, June 4 from 3 to 6 p.m. for students who may still be in need of particular vaccinations. Register your child online> | Read more>