#ThisIsCheltenham
Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020
In this school year's inaugural edition of #ThisIsCheltenham, "top stories" takes a look back at the big stories from the summer; "Need to Know Info" includes calendar reminders, district’s “Road2Reopening” hub, student-board town halls, senior-only SAT, Lady Panther virtual 5K; and "Upcoming Meetings/Events" features board and committee meetings for September.
To update your contact information, visit 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.
Smiles All Around: First Day of School Photos
Welcome to the 2020-21 school year, one unlike any before. Amid all of the changes to the beginning of classes, one thing had to stay constant: first-day pictures. We asked and you answered, submitting more than 200 images. Thank you to everyone who submitted photographs of their children in their new outfits and fresh haircuts or set up at their workspace. Enjoy the slideshow below. Let's have a great year!
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Alyssa Michel ’20 Creates Community Food Network in Quest to Earn Girl Scouts’ Gold Award
Alyssa Michel ’20 has established the community food network A Second Hand to minimize food waste and promote sustainability and food security as she aims for the Girl Scout Gold Award, the organization’s highest award, which is given for making a lasting community impact. A Second Hand encourages individuals in the Cheltenham, Abington, Jenkintown, and Mt. Airy areas to donate items they no longer use, like food items in the back of the pantry or refrigerator; toys the children aren’t using any longer; or essentials like toothpaste and soap to the organization’s virtual food pantry and resource hub. Mask donations are also welcome. Families list their items via a Google form. Read more>
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Energy Drinks, SSRIs and Fruit Flies
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Senior Featured in “Reinvented Magazine” Spotlight
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Glenside Resident, Education Law Attorney/Advocate Jennifer Lowman Fills Vacant CSD Board Seat
Calendar Reminders
- No classes Monday, Sept. 7 in observance of Labor Day.
- No classes Monday, Sept. 28 for Yom Kippur.
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CSD Road2Reopening Hub
Check out the district’s “Road2Reopening” hub for FAQs, technology information (including new FAQs), and updates from the superintendent and state. Helpful technology resources and tutorials should be of particular interest to CSD families, as it contains a Family Ambassador Support Team (FAST) guidebook for getting started with Google apps, tutorial directory with links for app-specific tasks, guide for creating and using the Canvas parent/guardian portal, as well as other important CSD-specific technology support resources. More information will be added as it becomes available. For more, click through to cheltenham.org/Road2Reopening.
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Student-Board Town Halls
CHS student leadership has invited members of the board of school directors to participate in a series of town halls beginning on Saturday, Sept. 12 with the topic of racial equity.
School board liaisons worked in conjunction with the civics and community engagement committee to decide the themes. Meetings are open to all and available at cheltenham.org/zoom. Submit questions prior to each meeting at cheltenham.org/townhallcomments.
- September 12, noon - 2 p.m.: Racial Equity | Bringing to light concerns from student body about race and culture related issues
- November 11, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.: Equal Opportunities | How can the board bring opportunities through policy to the student body?
- January/February (Date TBD): School Safety | How can the board change (budget/policy) to aid in mental, physical, cultural and spiritual health and safety
- June 12, noon - 2 p.m.: School-Year Summary | How was school, what would you change, what did you like, progressivism for following years
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CHS to Offer Seniors-Only SAT September 23
Cheltenham High School is pleased to announce a seniors-only SAT on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at the high school. Gaining entry to the test requires two steps: Registration and payment. Seniors can register now, but payment must be submitted by Friday, Sept. 11. Direct questions to guidance secretary Charlene Gallagher.
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Lady Panthers Hoops Squad Launches Virtual 5K
After plans for an Elkins Park-based 5K this fall to support the CHS girls basketball team and American Cancer Society were shelved because of COVID-19, Lady Panther Coach Bo Bowman remained steadfast in wanting the event to move forward, and shifted gears. The CHS Lady Panthers will host their inaugural virtual 5K on Saturday, Oct. 10 with proceeds going to Black Lives Matter, Save the Children, OutRight Action and American Cancer Society. Upon registering, half of the $50 registration fee will be split among those charities, and a small portion will go to the girls basketball team as its only fundraiser this year. After registering, participants must complete a 5K (3.1 miles) or 10K (6.2 miles) at their convenience and submit their times via the race website. Register>
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August Policy Committee Meeting
The Policy Committee convened on Zoom on Wednesday, Aug. 26. At the meeting, the Equity Policy (No. 829) and nearly a dozen other policies were moved along for adoption at the Tuesday, Sept. 8 legislative board meeting. The Policy Committee meets again on Wednesday, Sept. 23. View presentation> | Read more>
Legislative Board Meeting
The community can join the meeting at cheltenham.org/zoom or view the meeting at cheltenham.org/stream, Comcast Ch. 42, or Verizon Ch. 1960.
Tuesday, Sep 8, 2020, 07:00 PM
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Student - Board Town Hall on Racial Equity
This town hall event will cover concerns from student body about race- and culture-related issues. Meetings are open to all and available at cheltenham.org/zoom. Submit questions prior to each meeting at cheltenham.org/townhallcomments.
Saturday, Sep 12, 2020, 12:00 PM
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Educational Affairs Committee
The public is encouraged to join the meeting and ask questions through the Q&A interface at cheltenham.org/zoom.