Board Adopts 2019-2020 Academic Calendar

By unanimous vote at the Tuesday, March 12 Legislative board meeting, the Board of School Directors of Cheltenham School District adopted the following schedule for the 2019-2020 academic year.

CSD Foundation Offering $6,000 in Scholarships to Class of 2019

Thanks to the generosity of our businesses, Cheltenham teachers and community members, the Cheltenham School District Foundation is offering $6,000 in scholarships again this year to members of the graduating class. Students interested in applying must:...

Junior Selected for American Invitational Math Exam

The Mathematics Association of America (MAA) has selected junior Christopher Luk to participate in the American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME). Luk’s score on the American Mathematics Challenge (AMC) 12 exam in February qualified him to advance to this prestigious round of competition. Students like Luk who perform exceptionally well on the AMC 12 are invited to continue participating in the AMC series of examinations that culminate with...

International Day of Happiness

The Cheltenham School District was one of the happiest places on Earth on Wednesday, March 20 for the International Day of Happiness. Students and staff celebrated all over the district with projects created by Positive Psychology teacher leaders. View these photos for a sample of the happiness that flowed....

Ultimate Frisbee Fundraiser with Philly Phoenix

Cheltenham High School Ultimate frisbee, which kicks off its season Friday afternoon with a boys matchup at the Science Leadership Academy, has partnered with the Philadelphia Phoenix, the city’s professional ultimate team, on a fundraiser. The Phoenix is donating 50 percent of all tickets sales from its April 27 home opener and 20 percent of all merchandise sales purchased through this link to CHS Ultimate. Along with the Phoenix’ donation, the more discounted tickets...

YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS WORKSHOP

Cheltenham School District is offering free training on Youth Mental Health First Aid, which is the help offered to a young person experiencing a mental health challenge, mental disorder, or mental health crisis. The training will be presented by Ms. Jane Donohue, Elkins Park School Counselor, and Dr. Nicole Warren, Cheltenham High School Psychologist. The objectives of the training are as follows:...

International Day of Happiness - March 20

CSD Positive Psychology teachers leaders spread happiness at Wednesday's faculty meetings in preparation for the International Day of Happiness on March 20. According to positive psychology researcher Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, individuals have great control over their happiness. Half of our happiness is based upon our genetics, 10 percent on our...

Tickets on Sale for Cheltenham Musical Theater’s Production of Urinetown

For its 56th annual production, Cheltenham Musical Theater is staging multiple Tony Award-winning “Urinetown” Thursday through Saturday, April 11-13 at Stretton Hall at Cheltenham High School. In the not-so-distant future, a water shortage and two-decade-long drought have combined to bring about a government ban on private toilets and a proliferation of paid public toilets - owned and operated by malevolent CEO...

Road Trip to Bowie State for WHM Forum

District and high school administrators and teachers led a daylong trip to Maryland’s Bowie State Wednesday for almost 20 African-American CHS students to experience the 6,000-student historically black university and attend a women’s history month forum and panel discussion. After touring the campus and learning about STEM- and communications-related careers, ...

Girls Track Sets School Marks at New Balance National Indoor Meet

Junior Brianna Smith, senior Bria Barnes and sprint relay set marks at New Balance National Indoor.

Chanel Brissett '17 Takes NCAA 60m Hurdles Title at NCAAs

USC Trojans sprinter and 2017 CHS graduate (and former Wyncote Elementary student) Chanel Brissett won the 60m hurdles this past weekend at the 2019 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Ala.

Cheltenham School District Adopts “Safe2Say Something” Anonymous Reporting System

The Cheltenham School District has adopted the “Safe2Say Something” (S2SS) anonymous reporting system for grades 7-12. Mandated under the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s 2018 Act 44, the program educates students and adults to recognize and report at-risk behavior – especially on social media. The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SSARS) is provided through Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a nationwide non-profit organization with programs in 50 states, encompassing more than ...

Panther Swimmers Earn All-League Honors

Senior Erik Williams and sophomore Eli Kofman have been recognized as All-Suburban One League American Conference swimmers as individuals and relay members. Along with senior Eli Tilema and freshman Darien Williams, Erik Williams and Kofman earned honorable mention in the 400-yard freestyle relay. Kofman earned third-team honors in the...

Go Time for High School Robotics Team

The Cheltenham High School Robotics team Simple Machines (FRC No. 423) has spent the past six weeks gearing up for its initial two FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) qualifying events of the season: March 9-10 at Westtown School in West Chester, Pa., and March 23-24 at Seneca High School in Tabernacle, N.J. FRC pairs high school students with adult mentors (primarily engineers and teachers) to design and build robots that compete against one another in a high-energy environment. Students learn and use sophisticated hardware and software and develop design, project management, programming, teamwork, strategic...

Panther Wrestlers Earn All-League Honors

Three Panther wrestlers earned all-league honors: Senior Yasir Gray, junior Isaiah Stehman and sophomore Lucas DiBenedetto. Wrestling at 170 pounds, Stehman earned first-team Suburban One League American Conference accolades after finishing 29-5 overall (7-0 in league), finishing as runner up in the district tournament and advancing to regionals. Gray, who ...

Cheltenham Artists Garner Honors at “PSEA Touch the Future” Exhibition

Congratulations to the 17 CHS art students whose work is being featured in the juried “PSEA Touch the Future” exhibition at Arcadia University. CHS senior Clement Thomas won third place in the “Best in Show” category with his “American Dream” and senior Rebecca Banner won the Dr. Selma Burke Sculpture Award for her “Tea Set.” The other 15 students representing CHS are...

Boys and Girls Hoops Combine for Six All-League Nods

Senior forward forward Kai Williams earned a spot on the Suburban One League American Conference girls basketball third team after a season in which she averaged a double double (10 points, 10 rebounds) for the Panthers. The boys hoops team placed junior guard Zahree Harrison and senior guard / forward ...

CHS Senior Lionel Smoler Schatz Named Candidate for United States Presidential Scholars Program

Cheltenham senior Lionel Smoler Schatz has been named one of more than 4,500 candidates nationwide selected as a candidate for the 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Candidates were selected from nearly 3.6 million students expected to graduate from high schools in the United States in 2019. Inclusion in the 54-year-old U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest...

Cheltenham Orchestra Players Compete at PMEA Festival

Junior Naomi Aires became the first Cheltenham cellist to qualify for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) All-State Festival since 2008 when she re-auditioned recently at the PMEA Region VI Orchestra Festival. Junior violinist Ifenna Amaefuna also...

Leadership Academy Sixth Graders Earn Blue and Gold Ties

Twenty-seven Elkins Park sixth graders participated in the Leadership Academy’s high impact fifth annual Tie Ceremony this Tuesday in Kircher Hall in front of nearly 100 family, friends and community members. Dedicated to the pursuit of excellence, responsibility and unity, the Leadership Academy is an after-school program for African-American boys and aims to eliminate the achievement gap. Group sponsors Tai Crutchfield, Quyntyn...

Senior Will Felix Recognized with Scholar Athlete Award from National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame

Senior student-athlete Will Felix will receive a Scholar Athlete Award from the National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame at an award ceremony March 31 at Villanova University. Felix, who carries a 3.84 GPA, served as a tri-captain for the Panthers’ breakout 8-4 season this past fall and is a two-time all-league selection at tight end. He is a member of multiple student groups, including ...

Junior Brianna Smith Earns Perfect Score at PJAS Competition

One of 10 CHS students to participate in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) regionals at Souderton this past weekend, junior Brianna Smith won first with a perfect score for her microbiology project “Apple Cider Vinegar & Benzoyl Peroxide: Mixing It Up.” In the project, Smith aimed to create a more natural acne treatment and treated various concentrations of apple cider vinegar with lower doses of Benzoyl Peroxide against bacteria-causing acne to show effectiveness in home remedy treatments. Her perfect score also ...

Cheltenham School District Shines Again at PETE&C 2019

Check out the video below to see students in Lynn Meldru and Rebecca Sheridan’s AP Biology classes demonstrating the four Cs of 21st Century Skills (critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity) to design models illustrating cell signaling and communication using 3-D printers and iMovie. Meldru and Sheridan shared this work in the video presentation “Integrating Modeling & STEM Practices” given at the PA Educational Technology Expo & Conference (PETE&C) this past weekend in Hershey, Pa....

Two-Sport Star Grady Signs to Play Soccer, Study Psychology at George Washington

Panthers Soccer goalie and Football kicker/punter Justin Grady has signed to play soccer at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He will study psychology and mind the net for the Colonials, who finished 5-9-3 in 2018 competing in the Atlantic 10 Conference under coach Craig Jones. Justin looked at Colgate, Lafayette, Villanova, and Penn State, but ultimately, GW approached him at the right time with the...

Cheltenham Earns Grant to Establish Girls Ultimate Club Team

Cheltenham High School has been named the recipient of one of six Girls’ Team Startup Project (GTSP) grants from the Ultimate Foundation to establish a girls ultimate club team. Led by sophomore captains Molly O'Neill and Bailey Messa, the squad will face clubs and teams from, among others, Lower Merion, Radnor, Haverford, Science Leadership Academy and Pennsbury when its season begins this spring. "Cheltenham High School has a long tradition of ...

Cheltenham Seniors Win Regional Academic WorldQuest

Seniors Eve Glazier, Alana Margerum, Naomi Oziel and Camille Ross, members of the CHS Students for International Awareness club, won the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia-sponsored Academic WorldQuest trivia contest this week, earning an all-expenses paid trip to the national competition in Washington, D.C., in April. The Cheltenham High School faculty team of club sponsors Melanie Jackson, Jennifer Pollack, Mark Hoff and Richard Moyer took second in the adult competition, which ...

Freshman PBL Hosts Cosi Taste Test as Part of Breaking Bread Project

The freshman Project Based Learning cohort hosted Cosi Catering Sales Manager Abbey Shuster this week for a taste test featuring different foods from the local eatery as part of its “Breaking Bread” assignment. Shuster brought a variety of salads, soups and entrees and as the students tasted each, they wrote notes. Was it bitter? Sweet? Salty? Sour? How was the texture? Shuster has food allergies and wanted to gain a perspective about what the food tastes like so it could help her know what the spices ...

Junior Ifenna Amaefuna Wins Regional Brain Bee

At this past weekend’s regional Brain Bee at the University of Pennsylvania, Cheltenham students took three of the top four places, including junior Ifenna Amaefuna, who won the competition. Sophomore Rajakavi Boominathan took third, freshman Conrad Schaumburg took fourth and freshmen Teddy Perez and Raffi Perez, sophomore Ben Soboloff and junior Serena Sohmen all advanced to the third round. The students prepared for the competition by reading the book...

Panthers Student-Athletes Max Brown, Marcus Winfield Sign National Letters of Intent

Wednesday morning, seniors Marcus Winfield (top left with his parents) and Max Brown (botton left with his family) signed letters of intent to play football and soccer, respectively, in college next fall. Winfield, a defensive end, is headed to Delaware State University, while Brown will be attending the University of Mary Washington. A second-team all-league performer for the 6-7-1 Panthers this past season...

Senior Clement Thomas among 10 CHS Students Showing Artwork in 41st Annual County HS Exhibition

Senior Clement Thomas’ mixed media collage “Chaos in the Air” was one of 15 pieces selected to receive opening night special recognition at this week’s 41st Annual Montgomery County High School Students Exhibition at the Montgomery County Community College Fine Arts Center Gallery. In all, artwork from 10 Cheltenham students was included in the exhibition. Featuring work from students at 19 high schools, the exhibition is...

Kindergarten Registration 2019-2020

Kindergarten Registration and Readiness Screening for the 2019-2020 school year will take place Monday, May 6 through Thursday, May 23, 2019, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Administration Building located at 2000 Ashbourne Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027. There will be no registration on May 21, 2019, due to Professional Development Day. Prior to making an appointment, you must submit an application online....

Suni Blackwell Named Cheltenham’s Coordinator of Athletics and Activities

A three-sport student-athlete at Chester (Pa.) High School and varsity men’s basketball player at West Chester University (WCU), Suni Blackwell has been named the coordinator of athletics and activities at Cheltenham High School. After being approved for hire at the January Cheltenham School District Legislative meeting, Blackwell began his tenure on Tuesday, Jan. 22. Blackwell assumes the reigns of the 25-sport athletics program that competes in the Suburban One League American Conference. He will also oversee Cheltenham High School’s student groups. “I am humbled and honored for this opportunity to lead Cheltenham’s athletics and activities programs,” Blackwell said. “Together, we will ...

Choir Members Perform at Temple U

Cheltenham sophomores Miles Fodor, Quincy Rhoades and Stefan Rogowski, juniors Jordan Hood and Manny Rimmer and senior Colin Polisano sang in Temple University's third annual ManChoir Festival in Lew Klein Hall at Temple’s Performing Arts Center on Saturday. The singers and 150 outstanding tenors and basses from across the Mid-Atlantic region worked with Temple choir faculty during a day of rehearsals and learning and received a campus tour before participating in a ...

Building Strengths Book Club

Cheltenham families and staff met recently to discuss ways to focus on what's good with our children in part two of the parent workshop/book club “Building Strengths.” Workshops are based on the book The Strength Switch by Dr. Lea Waters. Workshop participants discussed and engaged in activities around noticing and navigating strengths, attention, goofing off, gratitude, savoring and mindfulness. Parents and guardians played gratitude ping pong and balanced feathers as they explored ways to disconnect from technology and reconnect with their children in ...

CSD Earns $25K Safety Grant

The Cheltenham School District has received a $25,000 school safety grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The grant will be utilized by purchasing security-related technology. The PCCD initiates, validates and financially supports justice-related programs put forth by practitioners and experts in the justice system. The commission focuses on...

CHS Black Scholars Win MLK Jeopardy

The Cheltenham High School Black Scholars squeaked past a team from Arcadia University to win the MLK Jr. Jeopardy Bowl on Monday, Jan. 21 at Arcadia’s “Youth Forum 2019.” Under the leadership of faculty advisor Melanie Jackson, the CHS Black Scholars won the opening round against Springfield Township High School’s Voices of Excellence in categories such as...

Service Projects, Historic Recitations, Song and Dance to Highlight Cheltenham’s MLK “Day On”

Hundreds of Cheltenham School District students, parents and community members will gather at Cheltenham High School on Monday, Jan. 21 for service projects, performances and birthday cake to commemorate the memory and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the District’s annual “Day On.” Each school will perform its own service project, some of which include creating flashcards for incoming kindergarten students, no-sew blankets and bags to fill with toiletries and other essentials for those less fortunate, breakfast bags for the homeless, and collecting books, coats and stuffed animals for children. Some of the organizations...

Junior Naomi Aires Retains First Chair in Cello at PMEA District Competition

unior cellist Naomi Aires retained her first chair standing at this past weekend’s Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 11 Orchestra Festival at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School. She moves on to perform in the PMEA Region VI Orchestra competition Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 21-23 at Downingtown West for guest conductor Dr. Timothy Dixon. Junior violinist Ifenna Amaefuna also qualified for the District 11 competition and, along with Aires, rehearsed diligently for ...

CSD School Board Accepts Tax Incremental Financing Resolution to Redevelop Elkins Estate

By an 8-1 vote, the Cheltenham School District Board of Directors accepted the tax incremental financing resolution concerning the Elkins Estate at 1750 Ashbourne Rd. in Elkins Park. The resolution reads: “Approval of a resolution of the Board of School Directors of the Cheltenham School District, approving the school district's participation in a tax increment finance districting within the Township of Cheltenham, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in connection with ...

Community Conversation on Climate, Culture and Equity

Equity, access and opportunity drive the District's work to ensure the eradication of the pervasive and inequitable outcomes in student achievement, results and performances. To that end, the Cheltenham School District hosted its second Community Conversation on Climate, Culture and Equity on Thursday, Jan. 10 at Wyncote Elementary. At the meeting...

December Students of the Month

Ten students have been acknowledged as December’s Students of the Month for academic excellence, leadership and character growth in Unified Arts and Health/Physical Education. Congratulations to (left to right) Dalonese Love, Abby Tabas, Kelley Ilin, Zoe Matsinger, Alanah Jones, Crystal Leonard, Anyae Wilson-Worley, Carissa Dorley and Bran Hartwell. (Not pictured: Ben Soboloff) The students will receive ...

#SeniorsOfCheltenham Share #CSDimpact Stories

Every school district has a story to tell — our school culture and community are uniquely ours. Throughout the 2018-19 school year, we’ve shared stories demonstrating the Cheltenham School District impact on students, staff, families and community. The #SeniorsOfCheltenham campaign provides an opportunity for a select group of seniors to share their #CSDimpact stories, personal narratives and plans for the future. CHS guidance counselors nominated...

Student Council, Skills for Life Collaborate to Make Holiday Dreams Come True

Through the charity committee of the Cheltenham High School Student Council, local elementary school children with special needs or who come from low income families will receive gifts this holiday season. “This is important, especially at this time of year,” said charity chair Leslie Melecio, “because it’s good to remind ourselves of the significance of giving back.” For at least the past decade, student council’s charity committee has worked ...

Cheltenham Fencers in Action in Community, on the Strip

Senior Afwé Griffin, a sabre fencer for the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia - North in Wyncote, helped to facilitate a fencing demonstration with coach James Miller for a group of young students from the Meadowbrook School this past weekend. The Meadowbrook students learned about maneuvering the fencing strip and how fencers score points. In related news, Griffin and CHS sophomore Naomi Hirsch...

CBK 8th Grader Takes First in Colgate Women’s Games 400-Meter Dash

Congratulations to Cedarbrook eighth grader Eyota Bey who won the 400 meters in 1:00.12 in the Mid School division of the opening preliminaries at the 45th anniversary Colgate Women’s Games at Brooklyn’s Pratt Institute on Saturday, Dec. 15. Every year, thousands of girls and young women compete in the games in grade divisions for ribbons, medals and points. Events include ...

Three Instrumentalists Qualify for PMEA District 11 Band and Orchestra Festivals

Based on their recent auditions, three CHS musicians earned a spot to perform at District 11 band and orchestra festivals in January. Juniors Ifenna Amaefuna (violin) and Naomi Aires (cello) will compete in the District 11 Orchestra Festival Jan. 10 – 12 at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School for conductor Allan R. Scott. Senior Tommy Scott (French horn) will compete in the District 11 Band Festival January 23 – 25 at Pottsgrove High School for conductor James Colonna. Selected from a pool of more than 350 students, these students...

DECA Students Qualify for State Leadership Conference and Competition

At this past week’s DECA District 10 Conference at Temple University, 17 Cheltenham students earned the privilege of representing CHS at DECA’s state leadership conference and competition in Hershey, Pa., in February. Competing against more than 300 students from more than a dozen other schools, students were given a business-related real-world scenario, 10 minutes to prepare and seven minutes to present their solutions. At the state competition, students will ...

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...

Students of the Month for November

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 her 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 ...

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...

Girls Hoops Opens Home Season Friday with Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer Fundraiser

he 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...

PBL 9 Tells the “Stories of Cheltenham”; Hosts Book Launch Thursday, Dec. 13 at Glenside Library

The CHS Freshman English and Social Studies Project-Based Learning collaborative is hosting a book launch at the Glenside Library, Thursday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. to celebrate the publication of its book and companion website “Stories of Cheltenham.” The 63-page paperback, which is available for purchase on Amazon, is a collection of thematically connected photographs and stories collected by PBL 9 students, ranging from humorous to ironic and heartfelt to absurd and captures the spirit of Cheltenham Township. The book, inspired by "The Humans of New York," will be entered into the “local authors” section of the Glenside Library at the launch.

Sophomore Provides a Fresh Voice on KYW Newsradio

The voice of sophomore MaryKate Haasz recently graced the airwaves of KYW1060 with a report about Cheltenham’s Unified Track program. Challenge teacher Elaine McGoldrick recommended Haasz for the KYW Newstudies Student Reporter program because of the opportunity it would present to the aspiring writer interested in developing her writing skills.

Cheltenham Lady Panthers Host Sixth Annual Alumnae Basketball Game

Cheltenham High School Lady Panthers alumnae are giving cancer the full court press. Now in its sixth year, the Lady Panthers Alumnae youth clinic and game on Saturday, Jan. 5 at Cheltenham High School aims to support those who are fighting cancer and raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society’s Coach vs. Cancer program. Tipoff for the alumnae game is noon. Participating alumni and alumnae include players from the Lady Panthers 2000 and 2007 state championships and four...

Panthers Senior Gridder Winfield among Mini Max Award Honorees

Cheltenham High School senior Marcus Winfield, a stalwart on both sides of the line of scrimmage for the Panthers’ football squad, has been selected as one of 63 Pennsylvania Mini Max High School Award winners, Pennsylvania Maxwell Football Club President Mark Dianno recently announced. “I’m excited to receive this honor,” Winfield said. “It’s the payoff for all the hard work. It’s a great accomplishment for me, my family and team.” Honorees were nominated by ...

Fall Student-Athletes Garner All-League Recognitions

Congratulations to the following fall student-athletes for earning Suburban One League American Conference All-League recognition for their outstanding athletic performances, as selected by league coaches....

Parent Workshop and Book Club Kicks Off with “A Strengths Based Approach to Flourishing”

District parents and positive psychology teacher leaders joined CSD Mindfulness/Positive Psychology coach Cindy Goldberg on Tuesday for an interactive evening centered on the importance of focusing on children’s strengths, rather than noticing their weaknesses. The Strength Switch by Lea Waters, Ph.D., was the featured reading for...

Senior Tenor Colin Polisano Selected for All-Eastern Chorus Festival

Fresh off staring in the high school’s fall play “A Servant of Two Masters,” senior tenor Colin Polisano was recently selected to perform in the mixed chorus at the National Association of Music Educators (NAfME) All-Eastern Chorus Festival in Pittsburgh, Pa., in April. Based on his work in district, regional and ...

Choir Members Qualify for District 11 Chorus Festival

Based on their auditions this past Saturday, Nov. 17 at Upper Merion High School, CHS Choir members seniors Rebecca Banner, Alice Fodor, Colin Polisano and Matt Ryan, junior Oren Schwartz and sophomores Caelan Donahue and Naomi Guth were selected to perform at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 11 Chorus Festival February 7-9 at Wissahickon High School. Chosen from a pool of more 300 singers from...

Marching Panthers Finish at “Cavalcade of Bands” Best in Five Years since Joining Open Class

Behind the direction of drum major Jessie Oswald, the Marching Panthers closed out their season by scoring 86.80 points to take ninth out of 13 in the tough American Open Division of the 59th annual Cavalcade of Bands Sunday at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, Pa. The finish is the Panthers best in their five years of competing in the Open Class. Color guard finished third overall. Competing against ...

Thanksgiving Basket Project Caps Student Council Philanthropic Fall

Cheltenham High School Student Council raised more than $1,600 through homeroom collections to provide Thanksgiving day meals to 40 local families in need. The baskets included instant mashed potatoes, stuffing mix, macaroni and cheese, jarred gravy, canned vegetables, and, of course, a turkey. "What a tremendous collective effort," said student council co-sponsor Ryan Nase. "Thank you to the high school homeroom teachers for their ...

7th Annual Skills for Life Thanksgiving Feast

On Thursday, Nov. 16, the CHS Skills for Life students gathered with students, staff and administrators to give thanks and enjoy a student-organized buffet-style Thanksgiving meal at the seventh annual Thanksgiving feast in the Skills for Life apartment. Every step of the meal - from planning to table setting - was...

Track Standout Bria Barnes Signs National Letter of Intent to Attend Iowa State

Panthers’ senior track athlete Bria Barnes, who runs in sprints and sprint relays and served as an important cog in CHS extending its District I Championship to six consecutive seasons this past spring, signed a national letter of intent to become an Iowa State Cyclone at a signing ceremony this morning at CHS. “On my visit, campus felt more ...

Cheltenham’s Elissa Johnson Earns Student of Month from Eastern Center for Arts and Technology

Cheltenham High School senior Elissa Johnson has been named the November 2018 Student of the Month at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (Eastern) in Willow Grove. A student in Eastern’s Construction Technology program, Johnson is a class leader and student ambassador who helps with recruitment activities. “Elissa works hard and shows dedication to the construction trade,” said Jeff Pakula. Eastern’s Construction Technology instructor. “She is ...

CHS October Students of the Month

Two seniors, two sophomores and a freshman have been acknowledged as the November Students of the Month for academic, character and personal growth, leadership and academic excellence in music and special education. Congratulations to (left to right) senior Jalayna Mancini, who was nominated by Jenny Hutton for her leadership in music; sophomore Nya...

More College Acceptance Offers through Instant Decision Days

Gwynedd Mercy, Holy Family and East Stroudsburg extended acceptance to nearly 20 Cheltenham seniors during October as part of the high school’s Instant Decision Days. Congratulations to seniors Dina Riley, Patriece Halton, Bria Morgan, Savannah Latimer, Addaliath Mainassara, Jason Bashiru, Eli Tilema (not pictured) and Aliyah Phillips (not pictured) who Gwynedd Mercy University offered admission on Friday, Oct. 26; ...

National Honor Society Inducts New Members

The Cheltenham chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) admitted 45 new members at the 96th annual NHS Induction ceremony Thursday evening at the Little Theatre at CHS. Seven seniors and 38 juniors were among those to gain entry to the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. “I’m thrilled to help celebrate those scholars who embody character, scholarship, service and leadership and have made a commitment to their education, school and community,” said CHS Principal Ray McFall in his opening remarks....

Science Students Tackle Tough Topics in Environmental Policy and Law

Skills for Life and learning support students in Gus Ekhardt and Catherine Nguyen’s Environmental Science class recently completed a unit in environmental policy and law, which culminated with students creating posters (citing at least three sources) and presenting them to the class. Posters covered the date the act was put into place, what the policy says, who or what the law or act protects...

High School Mounts Production of Commedia dell’arte Classic “The Servant of Two Masters”

This fall’s play at Cheltenham High School is definitely intended to be a laughing matter. Written by Carlo Goldoni and translated by Jeffrey Hatcher and Paolo Emilio Landi, “The Servant of Two Masters” is the modern translation of 18th century Italian commedia dell'arte performed with masks and songs and clowning. The main character Truffaldino is a servant who finds employment from two nobles and ...

Cheltenham HS “Artivists” to Perform at Election-Themed Spoken Word Event at Elkins Park’s Rose Petals Café

Four Cheltenham High School “artivists” will take the stage to contribute to ongoing political dialogue as part of the voting-themed “Election Vibes” spoken word event at Rose Petals Cafe in the Yorktown Plaza in Elkins Park on Thursday, Nov. 1 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. “Bring your fire. Bring your rage. Bring your pen,” said CHS Poetry Club advisor and English teacher Avril Sommerville. “CHS slam poet artivists are ecstatic about displaying their art, scholarship and political convictions and adding to the ...

Runners Jason Cornelison, Janelle Williams Confident Heading to District I Meet

Cheltenham senior runner Jason Cornelison repeated as Suburban One American Conference champion at Lehigh University this past Friday with a time of 16:20. This week, Cornelison and the team return to the same course for the District I Class AAA Championship and a chance to qualify for the ...

CHS Youth Court Recognized by Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies

Cheltenham High School’s Youth Court program was honored a Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies (PCSS) President’s Award for illustrating how a traditional civics class can be transformed into a model of restorative justice while making the social studies come alive. Social Studies teacher Jen Pollack accepted the honor at the 65th annual Pennsylvania Conference for the Social Studies on October 18. Cheltenham students and educators involved...

Cheltenham School District Launches Mobile App

This week, the Cheltenham School District launched a branded mobile application by SchoolMessenger. The app is available for download to mobile device in the App Store and Google Play. A collaboration between CSD Communications and Technology...

Black Scholars Program Inducts 53

The CHS Black Scholars doubled its membership, inducting 53 members on Wednesday in a ceremony at the Little Theatre to bring its membership to 106. “We have in our presence Black Scholars of African American, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latinx and African descent who are making a difference and defying the stereotypes of black youth,” said faculty sponsor Melanie Jackson...

CSD Receives $20K Safety Grant from PA Department of Education

The Cheltenham School District has been awarded a $20,000 safety grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Safe Schools program. The funds will be utilized to create and launch the district’s threat assessment team. The Alexandria, Virginia-based...

The Big Reveal

The Cheltenham Touring Ensemble debuted its show “Seize the Moment” on Sunday, Oct. 7, and director Jenny Hutton announced this spring’s 56th annual musical theater production, the Tony Award-winning “Urinetown.” The ensemble performed 10 songs, including ...

CHS National Merit Commended Students Announced

Congratulations to six CHS seniors for earning National Merit Commended Scholars recognition. From the left: Brennon Paik, Liam McNally, Jason Cornelison, CHS Principal Ray McFall, Austin Chao, Alana Margerum and Ester Paik. Approximately 1.5 million high school students take the PSAT each year. Of those, 50,000 (3.3 percent) are Commended Scholars. Although Commended Students do not...

Cheltenham Student Council Partners with Komen in the Fight against Breast Cancer during “Pink Out” Week

The Cheltenham Student Council is sponsoring its “Pink Out” partnership with the Susan G. Komen Philadelphia Foundation. The 2018 “Pink Out” Week will run from October 8 -12, and culminate at the CHS football team’s “Pink Out” game versus Hatboro Horsham on Friday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. The goal of this program is to raise awareness and funds to help more women and men in our community survive breast cancer. Under the umbrella of Dietz & Watson’s unique “Pretty in Pig”program...

Community Conversations on Climate, Culture and Equity

Community Conversations on Climate, Culture and Equity are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 4; Thursday, Jan. 3; Wednesday, April 3; and Wednesday, May 29. All meetings will be held at Wyncote Elementary from 5:30 – 8 p.m. Please mark your calendars for these four important meetings.

CSD Foundation’s Fifth Annual Food Truck Jamboree Raises Hits the Spot

With food trucks for every taste, a dunk tank featuring CSD teachers and administrators, kids’ activities and silent auction and raffle with fabulous prizes, the fifth annual Cheltenham School District Foundation's Food Truck Jamboree held on Saturday, Sept. 22 at CHS raised funds for innovative educator grants. According to event chair...

CSD Shows its Character

On Wednesday, Sept. 26, CSD students and staff joined a celebration of the unique strengths which make people who they are as part of the fifth annual Character Day. An annual global event, Character Day brings together millions of people of all ages in schools, classrooms, companies, homes — anywhere people already gather — to engage...

CHS Chamber Orchestra Keeping Exclusive Company

The CHS Chamber Orchestra has been selected to perform at the PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, Oct. 18. At the urging of superintendent Dr. Wagner Marseille and music department chair Jenny Hutton, orchestra director Matthew Hoy submitted an application for what is being called a “spotlight on the best of the best of Pennsylvania’s public school students.” The orchestra is just one of 10 acts to be chosen....

36th Mike Berry Run Honors Injured Philly SWAT Team Member

During Labor Day weekend 16 Cheltenham Cross Country alumni assembled at Curtis Park to participate in the 36th Mike Berry Run and pay tribute to CHS alumnus Jaison Potts ‘87, who was in attendance and is recovering from head injury suffered when he was shot serving a warrant in August. Runners included Adam Rosenberg ‘70, Jon ...

Six Seniors Tabbed as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

Cheltenham High School can claim six of the approximately 16,000 semifinalists from in the 64th annual National Merit Scholarship Program, it was announced this week. The semifinalists were selected from among more than 1.6 million juniors from about 22,000 high schools who entered the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the...

Panther Academy Summer School Producing Record Results

This summer, students needing to recover credits at the Panther Academy produced record results. Nearly 83 percent of the enrolled students completed at least 90 percent of the course work. Of the students who completed 90 percent of the work online, 99 percent ...

District Celebrates "Start With Hello" Week

This week (September 24-28), the district will once again recognize Start with Hello Week, a national initiative to raise awareness and educate students and school communities about social isolation – the overwhelming feeling of being left out, lonely or treated like one is invisible. Start with Hello teaches students ...

Cheltenham School District Foundation Awards Innovation Grants

The Cheltenham School District Foundation awarded 24 grants totaling nearly $25,000 to 27 Cheltenham educators at this year’s school-opening festivities. The individual grants ranged from $1,500 to $100. Grant ideas included funding requests for creating classroom mindfulness spaces, an outdoor classroom...

Cheltenham Transportation Adds 40 Propane-Fueled Buses to Its Fleet

The Cheltenham School District Board of Directors and Administration continue their commitment to sustainability through the introduction of 40 72-passenger propane-fueled buses to the existing Cheltenham Transportation fleet. Propane-fueled school buses provide a number of environmental advantages, including ...

Patrick Fleury Named Boys Basketball Coach at Alma Mater Cheltenham High School

Cheltenham High School Class of 2005 graduate Patrick Fleury has been named head coach of the varsity boys basketball team at his alma mater, CHS Athletic Director John Creighton announced recently. Fleury is the seventh boys basketball coach in school history. “We’re thrilled to have Patrick ascend to this role,” said Creighton. “After a few...