Cheltenham SD Weekly News Share
Friday, May 15
REMINDER: MAY 19TH NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS!
CEDARBROOK MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATE: USE OF MODULARS
In an effort to use space wisely, the District considered utilizing its modular structure, which will be vacant in September, to house two 8th grade student teams. Careful examination revealed potential issues with busing, bell schedules, parking and physical education space. Because of such issues, it has been decided that the mods are not a viable option. The district is committed to supporting necessary staffing and facility enhancements at its existing three middle school sites and is committed to providing excellent programming for all Cedarbrook students.
STRATEGIC PLAN STEERING PANEL APPLICATION FORM
A Strategic Plan Process Design Team, comprised of five community members and three school district administrators, has worked collectively since December, 2014 to create a strategic plan process for Cheltenham School District. Their process suggestions were formally presented to the School Board at the March and April Educational Affairs Committee meetings.
On May 12, 2015 the Board of School Directors approved the contracting of a Strategic Plan Facilitator and the formation of a Strategic Plan Steering Panel. An RFP for a professional strategic plan process facilitator is currently posted on the District's website. The Strategic Plan Steering Panel will be drawn from stakeholders in our District (teachers, parents, community members, students, and business leaders, among others). It is estimated that the Steering Panel will meet twice monthly for a year and that there will be work required outside of meetings. In addition, the Steering Panel will assist with the facilitation of Strategic Plan work sessions that will be open to the entire school district community.
Those individuals interested and willing to serve as a permanent member of the Strategic Plan Steering Panel should complete the following application and return it to Dwight Nolt, Director of Education via mail or hand delivery to the Administration Building at 2000 Ashbourne Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 or email (dnolt@cheltenham.org) by 5:00 P.M. on June 12, 2015.
A Steering Panel Selection Committee will review all application materials and identify a diverse mix of 20 participants based on demographics and roles in our Cheltenham community. Applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled between June 12th and June 24th. A final decision on Steering Panel members will be made by June 24th. All information provided in the application will be kept confidential.
SCHOOL DISTRICT PERSONNEL UPDATE
Director of Special Education: On Tuesday, May 12 the Board of School Directors approved Dr. Beverly Gallagher as the Director of Special Education and Specialized Services. This decision was the culmination of a rigorous and comprehensive selection process. Eleven candidates were interviewed by a team of central office and building administrators in first round interviews held on February 11th and March 23rd. Of that group, four were invited back for second round interviews, held on April 8th. That interview team consisted of a representative group of administrators, teachers and parents. Due diligence and reference checks confirm that Dr. Gallagher is an excellent choice. Please see below for Dr. Gallagher's professional bio.
7-12 Athletic and Activities Director
Two rounds of competitive interviews have yielded a candidate for this position. The selected candidate will now attend a one-on-one interview with Dr. Kiefer and then move forward for an expected Board nomination in June.
Cedarbrook Middle School Principal
The Director of Human Resources and Acting Cedarbrook Principal have completed a paper-screening review of applicants. An additional screening panel, comprised of Cedarbrook staff members, two administrators and two teachers are now completing a second screening process to determine who should be invited for face-to-face interviews. Round 1 interviews are tentatively scheduled for May 26th and May 27th.
Elkins Park School Principal
The posting of this position is now closed. The District is currently in the first round of paper screening those applications sent in for consideration.
MEET THE NEW DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
Dr. Beverly Gallagher joins the Cheltenham School District as the new Director of Special Education and Specialized Services. Dr. Gallagher was unanimously approved by the Board of School Directors at the May 12 Legislative Board meeting. She comes to Cheltenham from the Muhlenberg School District, where she was the Director of Special Education. Dr. Gallagher has more than twenty-eight years of leadership experience in education and served as Director of Education in school districts throughout Western Pennsylvania over the last 9 years. She received her Bachelors of Science in elementary education and special education from East Stroudsburg University and a Masters of Education in special education from Shippensburg University. Dr. Gallagher holds a certification as a Supervisor in Special Education, a Principal Certification (K-12), a Superintendent Letter of Eligibility and a Doctorate of Education from Drexel University.
CURRICULUM OPEN HOUSE - K-6 MATH PROGRAM SELECTION, MAY 21
During this event, guests will be able to see sample materials from two math programs which are being considered for adoption in grades K-6 for the 2015-2016 school year. For a quick overview, you may visit the program websites: enVision math 2.0 and Eureka Math .
District personnel and publisher representatives will also be on hand throughout the day to share information about the process and answer questions.
Gerald Aungst, supervisor of gifted and elementary math for the district, will give a formal presentation on the selection and pilot process at 11:00 a.m. The same presentation will then be repeated at 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. No registration is necessary. These presentations are open to all who wish to attend.
In the meantime, if you have questions or would like further information about the Open House, please contact Mr. Aungst at gaungst@cheltenham.org or 215-881-6327. You can also follow the Office of Education Curriculum for Excellence blog at http://curriculum.cheltenham.org.
CHELTENHAM HIGH SCHOOL MOCK DUI, MAY 26
Cheltenham High School will once again partner with Cheltenham Township police, fire and emergency response officials and representatives from Abington Hospital and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office to deliver an important message about the dangers of driving under the influence. An annual event, the 12th grade mock DUI drill precedes the senior prom. Nationally, proms have seen tragic DUI outcomes. To send a strong message, SADD, Students Against Destructive Decisions, established a practice that sees U.S. high schools playing out DUI scenarios for educational purposes. The Cheltenham High School DUI scenario is scheduled to occur on Tuesday, May 26 at the front entrance of Cheltenham High School. Utilizing two crashed cars and student actors, the mock DUI depicts point of impact, emergency rescue and fatalities. With police, fire and emergency responder representatives on site, 12th grade students watch as the DUI experience unfolds in a mock fashion. The scenario begins with a flash-bang. A 911 call to police then occurs over the school’s exterior speaker system. Students hear post crash mock communication that would naturally occur between police and fire. Next there is a mock police presence followed by mock fire department and coroner activity. Once the scenario is complete, students transition indoor to take part in a specialized assembly program. The program allows for reflection and discussion of the harsh realities that accompany real life DUI fatalities.
STORY OF THE WEEK: CHS Skills for Life Students Go Green with Garden Project
CHS DISTINGUISHED ALUMS OFFERING SPORTS CAMP OPPORTUNITIES THIS SUMMER
Brandon Bing, Class of 2007
Misha Horsey, Class of 2007
SAVE THE DATE: Cheltenham School District Foundation Second Annual Food Truck Jamboree
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2015
(Raindate: SUNDAY October 11)
2015 JAMBOREE: MORE FOOD TRUCKS, MORE TIME TO DINE AND MEET FRIENDS...JUST AS MUCH FUN!