#ThisIsCheltenham
Friday, December 14
In this week's #ThisIsCheltenham news share, sophomore meets with former First Lady Michelle Obama, students and staff freezin' for a reason, Girls Hoops opens home season TONIGHT with Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer Fundraiser; November students of the month; wellbeing initiative brings Glenside’s Won Institute to CBK for acupuncture, Cheltenham Lady Panthers seek volunteers for sixth annual alumnae basketball game; In the News; Need to know info; Upcoming meetings / events; and much, much more.
Click for a downloadable version of this week's flyers>
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.
Sophomore Meets with Former First Lady Michelle Obama
Briaire Gant, a sophomore at Cheltenham High School, and other young women from beGirl.World (bGw) received a surprise visit from former First Lady Michelle Obama Thursday, Nov. 29 at Philadelphia’s African American Museum. Mrs. Obama was in the city promoting her book “Becoming.”
Mrs. Obama spoke with the 15- and 16-year-olds about their goals and what they aspire to be. The girls told Mrs. Obama about themselves and asked her questions. The former First Lady doled out some advice, including the importance of standing up for yourself. Each girl received a signed book and ticket to Mrs. Obama’s speaking engagement that evening at the Wells Fargo Center. Gant commented the experience was “definitely life changing." Read more>
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Freezin’ for a Reason
The Frozen Cheltenham Unified Panthers surpassed their $1,000 goal to raise more than $3,000 as part of the Friday, Dec. 7 Polar Bear Plunge at Souderton High School. Organized and supported by Special Olympics of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia, events such as this bring together students, teachers and administrators from throughout the Philadelphia area to celebrate inclusion and promote acceptance and respect, while raising funds for Special Olympics and Pennsylvania’s Interscholastic Unified Sports programs.
Cheltenham students, faculty and coaches joined their counterparts from Abington, Cheltenham, Haverford, North Penn, Souderton, Springfield and Unionville to brave the frigid air and plunge into two icy swimming pools at Souderton’s outdoor athletic facility.
For anyone interested in contributing to the cause, please click through to donate before Thursday, Dec. 20.
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Girls Hoops Opens Home Season Friday with Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer Fundraiser
The Lady Panthers open their home slate this Friday at 7 p.m. versus the Upper Moreland Bears, and both teams will be sporting yellow shoelaces as part of a fundraiser to support Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer. The team, which is looking to notch its first victory of the season, will also conduct a 50/50 raffle, a portion of which will go toward children with cancer and their families. The Lace Up program began in 2011 as a response to requests from youth soccer teams in New Jersey which wanted to show their commitment to the fight against pediatric cancer. Today, teams across the country representing every sport from youth to professional have “Laced Up.” Read more>
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November Students of the Month
Four students have been acknowledged as November Students of the Month for academic growth and academic excellence in world language. Congratulations to (left to right) junior Abdul Muhaimin-Solomon, who was nominated by Dana Brown for his academic growth; senior Ian Ogborn was nominated by Tom DiGiulio for academic excellence; junior Kolby Gaither, who was nominated by John Mohl for his academic excellence; and sophomore Shakira Norman, who was nominated by Amanda (Krebs) Frye for academic excellence. The students will receive recognition at a breakfast for all first and second marking period student of the month honorees. Read more>
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Wellbeing Initiative Brings Glenside’s Won Institute to CBK for Acupuncture
Through her wellbeing initiative, Cindy Goldberg has been hosting monthly stress-relieving events across the district. This month, Goldberg invited Glenside’s Won Institute to Cedarbrook for an all-day acupuncture event designed to enhance relaxation and reduce stress. Won’s Director of Clinical Education Doreen Lafferty brought a handful of colleagues to administer seated acupuncture designed for relaxation. Read more>
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Cheltenham Lady Panthers Seek Volunteers for Sixth Annual Alumnae Basketball Game
Cheltenham High School Lady Panthers alumnae are giving cancer the full court press. The sixth annual Lady Panthers Alumnae youth clinic and game on Saturday, Jan. 5 at Cheltenham High School aims to support those fighting cancer and raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society’s Coach vs. Cancer program. The Lady Panther Alumnae network is seeking game day volunteers for a host of duties. Volunteer Interest Form>
For those interested in attending the game or attending the clinic, see below:
- Cheltenham native and 2012 graduate Tom Kuchler was featured recently on the Catholic Philly website in advance of Conwell-Egan Catholic High School's winter concert. The school's third-year director of performing arts promises the program for the Thursday, Dec. 20 show at the Fairless Hills, Pa., school will be “very Christmas-heavy” with an emphasis on sacred music rather than generic holiday songs. Read more> | Hear the interview and enjoy performance clips>
- Cheltenham grad and South Jersey-based artist Michael Morgenstern was undeterred after losing his right arm to cancer. Read more>
CSD Supervisor of Instructional Technology and K12 Data Analysis Brandon Lutz identified five top trends in K-12 education in the latest edition of "Teaching and Learning." Read more>
Calendar Reminders
- Cedarbrook Middle School | Noon
- Elkins Park School | 1 p.m.
- K – 4 Schools | 1 p.m.
- Cheltenham High School | 1:55 p.m.
Schools and district offices are closed Monday - Wednesday, Dec. 24-26
District offices are open Thursday and Friday, Dec. 27-28.
Schools and district offices are closed Monday, Dec. 31 and Tuesday, Jan. 1.
Schools reopen on Wednesday, Jan. 2.
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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, Jan. 9. 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.
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Athletics Schedule (12/14-20/18)
Friday, Dec. 14
Co-Ed Swimming v. Quakertown, 3:30 p.m.
Girls Indoor Track @ Lehigh University Meet, 6:30 p.m.
Boys Basketball @ Upper Moreland, 7 p.m.
Girls Varsity Basketball v. Upper Moreland, 7 p.m. (Lace Up Game for pediatric cancer)
Saturday, Dec. 15
Boys Indoor Track @ Lehigh University Meet, 8:30 a.m.
Boys Basketball @ Pennsbury (SOL Challenge), 12:45 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 17
Girls Basketball v. Academy Park, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 18
Girls Basketball @ Upper Dublin, 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball v. Upper Dublin, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 19
Wrestling v. Abington, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 20
Varsity Swimming @ Lower Moreland, 3:30 p.m.
For more full schedules, visit Cheltenhampanthers.org.
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Stay Informed: November Communications Committee Meeting
The Communications Committee met on Thursday, Nov. 29. The #SeniorsOfCheltenham photo shoot at the Elkins Estate, website ADA compliance, mobile app downloads and next steps and branding survey logistics were discussed. The next meeting is Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, at 7 p.m. at the administration building (2000 Ashbourne Rd., Elkins Park) and is open to all Cheltenham township residents. View the presentation>
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Stay Informed: November Financial Affairs Committee Meeting
The Financial Affairs Committee met on Tuesday, Dec. 4. Agenda items included a 2017-2018 financial overview, fund balance update, breakfast pilot program update and 2018-2019 YTD budget performance. the next meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, at 7 p.m. at the administration building (2000 Ashbourne Rd., Elkins Park) and is open to all Cheltenham township residents.
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Check out These Cheltenham Township Winter Rec Programs
Educational Affairs Committee Meeting
Tuesday, Dec 18, 2018, 06:30 PM
2000 Ashbourne Road, Elkins Park, PA
Policy Committee Meeting
Wednesday, Dec 19, 2018, 08:00 AM
2000 Ashbourne Road, Elkins Park, PA
Facilities/Financial Affairs Committee Meeting
Tuesday, Jan 8, 2019, 07:00 PM
2000 Ashbourne Road, Elkins Park, PA
Homework Committee Meeting
Monday, Jan 14, 2019, 10:00 AM
2000 Ashbourne Road, Elkins Park, PA
UPG General Meeting
Monday, Jan 14, 2019, 07:00 PM
2000 Ashbourne Road, Elkins Park, PA
Regular Legislative Board Meeting
Tuesday, Jan 15, 2019, 07:00 PM
2000 Ashbourne Road, Elkins Park, PA
Educational Affairs Committee Meeting
Tuesday, Jan 22, 2019, 06:30 PM
2000 Ashbourne Road, Elkins Park, PA
Policy Committee Meeting
Wednesday, Jan 23, 2019, 08:00 AM
2000 Ashbourne Road, Elkins Park, PA
Communications Committee Meeting
Thursday, Jan 24, 2019, 07:00 PM
2000 Ashbourne Road, Elkins Park, PA
Homework Committee Meeting
Please RSVP to Maureen Jennis