#ThisIsCheltenham
Sunday, May 3, 2020
In this week's edition of #ThisIsCheltenham, CHS community comes together to surprise the Class of 2020, CBK's Gabriela Fernandez takes second in Cancer Support Community essay contest, National Decision Day 2020, Glenside Poets mark “Poem in Your Pocket” Day, and silver anniversary employees celebrated. "Need to Know Info" includes calendar updates about the final days of the 19-20 school year, a Google Meet guide for K-8 students and families, National Honor Society 2020 application process, April 28 legislative board meeting video, board committee summaries, this week's update from Superintendent Dr. Wagner Marseille and numerous other coronavirus-related reminders.
"Upcoming Meetings/Events" features information about the next round of virtual committee meetings, and virtual career fair and meeting of the Special Education Alliance of Cheltenham.
CHS Community Comes Together to Surprise the Class of 2020
Decked in blue and gold and driving bedazzled cars, several dozen Cheltenham High School teachers, students, parents, administrators and board members delivered congratulatory lawn signs to the homes of the more than 300 graduates in the CHS Class of 2020 on Saturday, May 2. Volunteers received signs, stakes and maps and dispersed from the high school against the backdrop of a recording of the high school band and the flashing lights and blaring horns of an Ogontz Fire Company truck. Seniors and their families had been alerted to the delivery and were encouraged to be ready to come outside. They didn't know what - exactly - was in store. CHS Principal Dr. Renato Lajara and members of his administrative team, Superintendent Dr. Wagner Marseille, Board President Julie Haywood and other board members and several popular teachers were among those delivering the signs. Thank you to everyone who helped make this special moment possible.
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CBK's Gabriela Fernandez Takes Second in Cancer Support Community Essay Contest
Cedarbrook eighth grader Gabriela Fernandez was named the runner up in the middle school category of the Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia’s (CSCGP) eighth annual Ben Strauss Essay contest. Teens from across Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Philadelphia and Delaware counties were invited to write an essay about their experience with cancer in their lives. Fernandez penned the essay “True Beauty,” about the strength her mother illustrated in her ultimately victorious battle against cancer. Read more>
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National Decision Day 2020
Whether the members of the Class of 2020 are attending college, joining the workforce, learning a trade, taking a gap year or serving our country, the Cheltenham School District celebrated them all on National Decision Day, Friday, May 1. Excited to see what’s next! Thank you to all who submitted photos.
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Glenside Poets Mark “Poem in Your Pocket” Day
In celebration of “Poem in your Pocket Day,” the Glenside Poets submitted videos via Flipgrid of themselves reading poems, some of them their own creation, to create a "Mix Tape." “Poem in Your Pocket Day” takes place every year during National Poetry Month, and began in New York City in April 2002. In 2008, the Academy of American Poets took the initiative to all 50 United States, encouraging individuals around the country to participate. View the Mix Tape>
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Silver Anniversary Employees Celebrated
Congratulations and thank you to Cheltenham School District teachers and staff celebrating their 25th year with the district. The following were recognized at the Tuesday, April 28 legislative board meeting:
- CHS Lead Custodian Nana Amoh
- CBK Maintenance Mechanic Jim Carlin
- EP Physical Education Teacher Doug Johnson
- CBK Challenge Teacher Beth Kenna
- CBK English Teacher Amie Raynor
- CBK Math Teacher Tim Strosser
Calendar Reminders
During the board's legislative meeting on Tuesday, April 28, the following "final" end of the school year dates were approved:
- Seniors: Wednesday, May 27
- K-11: Monday, June 15
- Teachers: Wednesday, June 17
For more events, visit the Cheltenham School District Calendar>
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Google Meet Guide for K-8 Students and Families
As the district rolls out its synchronous check-ins, please see this step-by-step guide for K-8 students and families about using Google Meet, the district's platform for live video conferencing between teachers and students. View the guide>
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National Honor Society 2020 Application Process
Applications for the National Honor Society are due Monday, Nov. 2. To qualify, students must have an unweighted GPA of at least 3.4. Induction will take place in mid-November. The following are required by the time you apply:
- A minimum of 20 service hours
- Signatures from coaches, club and volunteer sponsors
- One character form completed by a CHS staff member
- A character letter from an adult who is not a CHS employee
- A minimum of 20 hours in at least one CHS or community club, activity or sport
Service hours can include activities such as making masks, online tutoring, helping neighbors with their lawns, cleaning up litter at a local park, or going to the supermarket for elderly neighbors. The application is available on the NHS website. If you have any questions about the process, contact NHS faculty advisor Holly Gloeckler.
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April Legislative Board Meeting
The April legislative meeting of the Cheltenham School District Board of School Directors convened in a Zoom seminar room on Tuesday, April 28. Highlights included recognition for 25-year employees, reappointment of the assistant superintendent, and announcement of the final student and teacher days of the 2019-20 academic year. View the meeting>
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Stay Informed: April Educational Affairs Committee Meeting
The Educational Affairs Committee convened in a Zoom seminar room on Tuesday, April 21 with board members, administrators and community members in attendance. The Office of Education provided an overview of special education, including information about Child Find with a six-year overview, continuum of services and supports provided for the students. The Educational Affairs Committee will meet next on Tuesday, May 19. Read more> | View the presentation>
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Stay Informed: April Communications Committee Meeting
Communications Committee Meeting - April 23, 2020
With board vice president Joel Fishbein presiding, the Communications Committee convened in a Zoom seminar room on Thursday, April 23. The agenda included communications analytics and coronavirus communications. The next Communications Committee meeting will be virtual and held on Thursday, May 28. Read more> | View the presentation>
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CSD Coronavirus Update from Superintendent Dr. Wagner Marseille
Dear Cheltenham Families and Staff,
I hope this email finds you doing well and staying safe. As I write to you today on May Day, a long-recognized indicator of warmer weather, I am struck by the adage “Hope springs eternal.” As we all navigate these uncharted waters during these surreal days, I know there are better, brighter days ahead for the entire community. For now though, we need to remain patient and stay vigilant in our social distancing measures. Perhaps see how you can utilize this time to help another person, accomplish a goal you once thought was too far out of reach or build a deeper connection with your children.
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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, May 6 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 12,000 meals have been distributed. 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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Technology Updates
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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>
Virtual Facilities and Finance Committee Meetings
The monthly facilities and finance committee meetings will be virtual. Join the meeting at www.cheltenham.org/zoom. Meeting will also be available at Cheltenham.org/stream, Comcast Ch. 42 and Verizon Ch. 1960.
Tuesday, May 5, 2020, 07:00 PM
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Montgomery County Recruitment Outreach (MCRO) Virtual Education Career Fair
Thursday, May 7, 2020, 12:00 PM
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Special Education Alliance of Cheltenham (SEAC) Virtual Meeting
Agenda:
- Elect officers for 2020-21 school year
- Vote on bylaws
Getting involved with SEAC provides the opportunity to meet and connect with other parents of children who receive, or may be in need of, special education services. Whether you are new to the special education arena, or a seasoned veteran, all parents and caregivers are welcome! Join us as we learn from each other, help plan events that educate others, and work together to advocate for our children. For more information and a full calendar of SEAC meetings and events, visit our Facebook page.