#ThisIsCheltenham
Sunday, May 24, 2020
In this week's edition of #ThisIsCheltenham, senior Andrew Moreland wins Suburban One League Scholarship, elementary reading series options, equity policy first read at the 5/27 Policy Committee meeting, CHS Cyber Security squad completes first national competition, CHS alums band together to secure 1M face masks for PA's healthcare workers, Class of 2020 “We ❤️ Our Seniors” sign pick up, and cap and gown distribution
"Need to Know Info" includes calendar reminders about the end of the school year, CSD coronavirus update from superintendent Dr. Marseille, 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, and virtual fifth grade orientation.
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.
Senior Andrew Moreland Wins Suburban One League Scholarship
CHS three-sport student-athlete Andrew Moreland has been selected to receive one of a handful of Suburban One League scholarships worth $500. Moreland will enroll in the Northeastern University Honors program in Boston this fall to study bioengineering. As a senior, Moreland captained the soccer team, set a school scoring record as a kicker for the football team and was a member of the swimming and diving team, all while maintaining a 4.5+ GPA and participating in numerous community- and school-based activities.
“I feel like I epitomize the term ‘student athlete,’” Moreland said. “I have always challenged myself in school and sports. My activities and the relationships I have built with my coaches and teammates have prepared me for college and life beyond extremely well.” More>
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Elementary Reading Series Options
On Tuesday, May 19, the Office of Education presented options for a new elementary reading series to replace Storytown as the district's primary English language arts resource. The district purchased Storytown in 2009, and it has been discontinued in print and electronic versions. E-resources are critical for fall 2020 and beyond.
A committee of teachers and administrators has narrowed the field to four finalists: Fountas and Pinnell Classroom, intoReading, myView Literacy, and Wonders. All elementary teachers and administrators have received a survey on the finalists' resources to share their feedback with the committee. A final decision on the Reading Program will be determined no later than June 1, 2020.
Click through to review the options and be sure to send your feedback to readingseriescomments@cheltenham.org.
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Equity Policy First Read - 5/27 Policy Committee Meeting
The board of school directors, administration, staff, and community lent their voices in developing the equity statement, which will be revisited as a first read policy (see draft policy) at the next virtual Policy Committee meeting Wednesday, May 27 at 8 a.m. The community is encouraged to attend and participate in the meeting via the Q&A interface at cheltenham.org/zoom. The meeting will be streamed on cheltenham.org/stream and broadcast on Comcast Ch. 42 and Verizon Ch. 1960. Please email your final thoughts and recommendation to communications@cheltenham.org by Tuesday, May 26.
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CHS Cyber Security Squad Completes First National Competition
The Cheltenham High School Cyber Security team of freshmen Ella Homa and Maddie Messa, and juniors Lisa Lam and Rachel Hanes placed 103rd out of 276 teams from across the country in this week’s Girls Go Cyberstart team National competition. The girls finished fourth in Pennsylvania, barely missing out on third place. The students completed 43 percent of the tasks and scored 1,450 points while competing in the 48-hour competition from their homes on virtual machines.
“This was our first year of competition and all four women are new to cybersecurity competitions,” said team advisor Sarah Putterman, who has been advocating for an expansion of the school’s computer science courses to include cyber security and game design, which will happen this fall. “Making the national level of competition was a fantastic way to end the season. We look forward to coming out strong next year with active participation in multiple Capture the Flag competitions as early as September. While not ideal, distance learning has opened multiple avenues to improve computer science education for Cheltenham.” Read more>
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CHS Alums Band Together to Secure 1M Face Masks for PA's Healthcare Workers
Matt Petrillo of CBS Philadelphia reported on CHS alumni Dr. Jonathan Gusdorff ‘89 and Reuben Katz ‘90, who worked together to secure 1M face masks for Pennsylvania’s hard working healthcare workers. “I always wanted to be in medicine, to touch as many lives as I could in a positive way,” said Dr. Gusdorff. Fellow Panther Reuben Katz, who now a smart-fabric company called Sensory Data Corporation, added, “I’ve done things on large scales before. This is amazing, this is an amazing opportunity.”
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Class of 2020 “We ❤️ Our Seniors” Sign Pick Up
On Thursday and Friday, May 28 and 29 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the CHS flagpole, members of the CSD administration will be handing out Class of 2020 “We ❤️ Our Seniors” signs and stakes to community members who want to join us in supporting and celebrating the Class of 2020. Limited quantities available. First come, first served.
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Cap and Gown Distribution
On May 28 and May 29 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the CHS student parking lot, seniors can pick up their caps and gowns. This process will be conducted in a drive-through pick up/drop off manner. Tables will be set up and spaced apart for this purpose. Students MUST remain in their vehicles and wear masks. Prepay for the $22 cap and gown before May 28 on the CSD Payment Center. Students can also pay in person, but only with money orders payable to "Cheltenham School District." Cash or checks will not be accepted. If you have any questions, please contact Diana Jordan.
Calendar Reminders
Below are the final days of the 2019-2020 school year for students and teachers:
- 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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CSD Coronavirus Update from Superintendent Dr. Marseille 5-22-2020
Dear Cheltenham Families and Staff,
I hope this communication finds you doing well and staying safe. It’s difficult to grasp that we are winding down this most “surreal” school year. While not without its challenges, distance learning has revealed a strong collective resolve, a bottomless well of grace, and a commitment to educating our youth among our families.
With June approaching, celebrations aren’t far behind. Though unlike any end-of-year anyone has witnessed, this spring, we will stand for our elementary school fourth-graders heading to Elkins Park; EP sixth graders moving to Cedarbrook; CBK eighth graders being promoted to the high school, and CHS seniors poised to begin their next adventure. We will adjust and adapt and I can’t wait to celebrate them all - just in new ways.
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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, May 27 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 17,000 meals have been distributed. The district will continue this program for four more weeks, ending on 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>
Virtual Policy Committee Meeting
The May Policy Committee meeting will be virtual. Join the meeting and pose 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.
Agenda
Equity (Read the draft policy)
Wednesday, May 27, 2020, 08:00 AM
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Communications Committee Meeting
The May Communications Committee meeting will be virtual. Join the meeting and pose 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.
Agenda
TBD
Thursday, May 28, 2020, 07:00 PM
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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 in at www.cheltenham.org/zoom and watch on Comcast Ch. 42 or Verizon 1960.
Monday, Jun 1, 2020, 07:00 PM
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Virtual 5th Grade Parent Orientation
Access the meeting at cheltenham.org/zoom.
Wednesday, Jun 3, 2020, 07:00 PM
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Virtrual 5th Grade Parent Orientation
Parents 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.