#ThisIsCheltenham
Friday, October 19
In this week's #ThisIsCheltenham news share, CSD launches a mobile app, CBK welcomes its new vice principal, seniors accepted at Delaware State as part of Instant Decision Days, CHS Black Scholars induct 53, CSD HR attends Annual National Black Male Educators Convening, mattress sale and trunk or treat at CHS, calendar reminders, calling all Cheltenham parents for athletics, Vaping toolkit for parents, tips for dealing with cyberbullying, upcoming meetings / events, school and community flyers and much, much more.
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 page. If you know someone who would like to receive the weekly news share, direct them to the eNEWS icon at cheltenham.org to register.
Cheltenham School District Launches Mobile Application
This week, the Cheltenham School District launched a branded mobile application by SchoolMessenger. The app is available for download to mobile devices in the App Store and Google Play.
A collaboration between CSD Communications and Technology, the app brings an "all-in-one" solution to district families and staff and features "push" notifications for weather- and emergency-related closings and delays. As with the district’s website, calendars will receive tremendous traffic, and in this app, users can subscribe to specific schools’ calendars, while also accessing the district and athletic calendars.
Through integration with the district's student information system, the app enables parents and guardians to check PowerSchool, add to lunch balances via SchoolCafe and make payments through Revtrak. The app features contact information for all of our schools, the most up-to-date district news, access to the safety portal and transportation information, means to reach school board members and schedules for upcoming board and committee meetings.
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Cheltenham Resident Byron Ryan Named Vice Principal at Cedarbrook Middle School
With more than a decade of experience as a school-level administrator in the School District of Philadelphia, Cheltenham resident Byron Ryan has been named the vice principal at Cheltenham School District’s Cedarbrook Middle School. His hiring was approved at the Tuesday, Oct. 9 legislative school board meeting. His first day on the job is Monday, Oct. 29. Recognized by his peers for his visionary leadership in designing and implementing programs to support students in daily attendance, positive behavior and academic achievement, Ryan has served as an assistant principal at the School District of Philadelphia’s Northeast High School since 2016. In that role, he was the administrator for more than 1,000 freshmen and operated the school’s ninth grade academy. Read more>
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Instant Decision Days - Delaware State University
Congratulations to seniors Audrey Whetts, Najeh Edens, Francisco Lopez, Dayel Pope, Jada Holland, Jayda Boler, Samerrah Waheed who accepted HBCU Delaware State's offers to become Hornets this fall at this week's Instant Decision Day. This coming week's visits include Holy Family University on Thursday, Oct. 25 at 10:30 a.m., and Gwynedd Mercy University on Oct. 26 at 9 a.m. Instant Decision Days afford qualified students the opportunity to meet one-on-one with admission counselors from participating colleges or universities. Following the interview, the admission counselors either offer admission to their institutions or provide tips to increase students’ chances in the regular decision application process. Students can register online> | More information and a list of participating institutions of higher education>
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CHS Black Scholars Program Inducts 53
The CHS Black Scholars doubled its membership, inducting 53 members on Wednesday in a ceremony at the Little Theatre to bring its membership to 106. Students qualify for Black Scholars with an unweighted 3.0 GPA and enrollment in at least one Honors or AP course. This induction class comprised 27 sophomores, 14 seniors and 11 juniors. Black Scholars participate in service and academic enrichment activities throughout the year and follow the following pledge: “As a member of the Black Scholars Program, I pledge to strive for academic excellence, conduct myself with dignity and respect others as if they were my brothers and sisters. I will commit myself to leading by example and to the best of my ability, serve as a leader and an inspiration to my peers.”
“We have in our presence Black Scholars of African American, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latinx and African descent who are making a difference and defying the stereotypes of black youth,” said faculty sponsor Melanie Jackson, Social Studies teacher and Freshman Transition coordinator. “These scholars are ascending to the highest levels of achievement in our school, state, country and world.”
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Human Resources Staff Attends Annual National Black Male Educators Convening
This past weekend, CSD Human Resources Director Adrienne Tolbert-Jackson (center), HR Specialist Kira Jones (right) and HR Coordinator Danita Wisher (left) attended the second annual National Black Male Educators Convening (NBMEC) in Philadelphia with the intention of learning how to attract highly effective Black male educators to the district. The district has entered into a partnership with this organization.
Black men comprise 2 percent of the teacher workforce in the United States. The NBMEC is committed to the development, advancement and retention of Black male educators in this nation's public schools, and looks to build a robust pipeline of highly effective Black male educators who see teaching as an opportunity for social impact to advance all students, especially Black boys and young men. According to the latest research, representation in the classroom matters to the trajectory and achievement of all students - including white students. NBMEC is starting this quest in Philadelphia, where it hopes to create more pathways into the education profession to meet the collective city-wide goal of adding 1,000 Black male educators to Philadelphia public schools by 2025.
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Fourth Annual CHS Mattress Fundraiser
CHS Choir, Band and Orchestra students are dreaming about their trip to New Orleans this spring! Rest easy and help these talented students make it to NOLA! Come by the fourth annual CHS mattress fundraiser "showroom" and check out great name brands at incredibly reduced prices. Pillows too! Discounts offered for CSD staff, military personnel (active and retired) and first responders. A percentage of proceeds from the sale of each mattress (or pillow) goes to CHS band, orchestra and choir students' travel costs. Click for more information>
Saturday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Cheltenham High School Gymnasium
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CHS Key Club Hosts Trunk or Treat
CSD elementary school students (and their families) are invited to dress in costume and participate in games, work on crafts and of course collect candy at the CHS Key Club's fourth annual Trunk or Treat event. The first floor of the high school will be transformed into a Halloween extravaganza with decorations from CandyLand to Superheroes for a safe and fun spooktacular. Game stations along the trick or treat route offer children the opportunity to earn tickets to trade for even more nut-free candy. The cafeteria is set up with a variety of craft areas. Trunk or Treat is headlined by the Key Club, a volunteer organization, as well as, teacher leaders Tabatha Gilbert and Ana Salazar-DiGiulio. Nearly 100 high schoolers, as individuals or members of various organizations, make the event possible. Click for more information>
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Cheltenham High School
Calendar Reminders
Tuesday, Nov. 6: Schools are closed for Election Day. Teachers will report for professional development.
Monthly early dismissals have been moved from the third Wednesday of the month to the second Wednesday of the month. The District has early dismissal on Wednesday, Nov. 14. 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.
Monday, Nov. 19: K-8 schools will dismiss early for parent-teacher conferences at the following times:
- Cedarbrook Middle School | Noon
- Elkins Park School | 1 p.m.
- K – 4 Schools | 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 20: K-8 schools are closed for parent-teacher conferences.
Wednesday, Nov. 21: All schools will be closed for parent-teacher conferences.
Thursday, Nov. 22: All schools will be closed for the Thanksgiving break
Friday, Nov. 23: All schools will be closed for the Thanksgiving break.
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Calling All Cheltenham Parents for Athletics
Whether you have an elementary, middle or high schooler or are an alumnus, if you have a passion for CSD athletics and facilities, mark your calendar for the inaugural meeting of the new parent/guardian group aiming to increase support of the Cheltenham School District’s athletic programs and students. The meeting's goals are to bring together people passionate about CSD sports, brainstorm ideas for supporting CSD athletics now and into the future and come away with concrete next steps. If you can't make the meeting and have suggestions or ideas, please email Terri Kelly, Brandi Millis or Carrie Peck.
Wednesday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m., CHS Room 143 (PBL space)
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Student Services Partners with CARing for Kids Foundation to Distribute Winter Coats
The CSD Office of Student Services has partnered with the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation to distribute up to 150 news coats, children’s small to adult large, to children in need. The effort is part of the eleventh annual Driving Away the Cold program, which involves approximately 180 local auto dealers teaming up for the greater good. All told, the foundation will give away a record 51,696 through this program. If you or someone you know are in need of a winter coat please contact Home and School Social Workers Jen Mosher (215-881-6331) or Jessica Keene (215-517-1344).
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Dangers of Vaping ToolKit for Parents and Educators
The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Office of Drug & Alcohol has developed a Vaping Toolkit to provide resources and information for parents, schools, educators, and health care providers. Learn how to speak to your teens and loved ones on vaping and the affects it may have on their health. View Vaping Toolkit>
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Help Kids Fight Cyberbullying and Other Mean Online Behavior
Most kids will encounter mean behavior at some point in their digital lives. For some kids, this experience is a blip that's easily forgotten, while for others it can have deep, long-lasting effects. For parents, the key is staying involved in kids' lives -- online and off -- so they can step in to help if necessary. With guidance from parents and educators, kids can learn how to dodge the drama and stand up for themselves and others. Check out these 6 tips>
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This Week's Athletic Slate
Tuesday, Oct. 23
Girls Varsity Field Hockey @ Northeast, 4 p.m. (Breast Cancer Awareness Night)
Friday, Oct. 26
Boys/Girls Cross Country @ District 1 Championships (Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA)
Football v. Wissahickon, 7 p.m.
Full fall sports schedules can be found at www.cheltenhampanthers.org.