#ThisIsCheltenham

Congratulations to Cedarbrook English teacher Amie Raynor for being recognized as the Cheltenham School District Teacher of the Month for May. CSD Superintendent Dr. Brian Scriven, CBK Principal Craig Metcalfe and members of the Office of Education convened at Cedarbrook on Friday to surprise Ms. Raynor with the honor. In addition to CSD swag, she received a certificate and proclamation. Ms. Raynor cares about the overall well-being of all of CBK’s students. She collects holiday gifts from staff members for students, organizes the Thanksgiving drive to provide meals for families in our community, and makes it her business to know when students are in need, then moves into action. She collects clothing and gift cards for displaced students. She never looks for attention and she does this from the heart. When enough is not collected, she contributes the remainder herself. She does not want any student with a need to go without. She has all of the qualities that make her standout, specifically her community involvement and her exceptional work as a full-time classroom teacher. Congratulations, Ms. Raynor.

Congratulations to sophomores Frida Brodsky, Helena Ung, Grace Byard, Zafir Baksh, and Benjamin Sampson, who all finished second in their categories at the recent Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science state science fair competition at Penn State University.

In the Biology category, Frida Brodsky and Grace Byard both took second for their respective projects, “Germ Wars: Comparing Natural and Synthetic Antimicrobials,” and “Bio-Based Bones: Sustainable Bioinks from Agricultural Waste.” Helena Ung finished second in the Microbiology category with the project “Breaking Biofilms: Treatment Assay Comparing Antimicrobials.” In the Physics category, Zafir Baksh’s project “Using Magnetic Force to Facilitate Kinetic Energy” earned him a second place finish. Benjamin Sampson tackled “In Plain Sight: Is Steganography Still Useful Today?” in the Computer Science group, and finished second.

Students throughout the state who competed in their regional competitions and scored a first place qualified to compete at the state level. Over 2,000 students from grades 7-12 competed.

On Friday, May 22, students from Cedarbrook's 7B team worked in teams and participated in an extraordinary educational trip centered around navigating the streets of Philadelphia to learn about the city's rich African American history. Student groups created a plan and used a map devoid of street names to try to answer questions and explore the neighborhood around Independence National Park. The students were blown away by the preparation done by the field trip company, Journey On, and its leader, LaToya Miller, who created two adventure course maps that shed light on the amazing historical connections and achievements of Philadelphia's rich African American culture.

This week, CHS students have spent time working in the "Learning Undefeated" MX lab, which is on campus, to enhance their learning and motivation to continue in the field of science. The Mobile eXploration Lab (MXLab) is a self-sufficient laboratory on wheels, and the country’s largest STEM education laboratory. A modified tractor trailer outfitted with advanced technology and laboratory equipment, this mobile classroom accommodates up to 40 students, their teacher and two mobile laboratory instructors. There are student working stations equipped with touch-screen televisions, wifi, centrifuges, pipettes, electrophoresis supplies, and other scientific equipment. The mobile lab is self-sufficient with its own water supply, electricity, heating, and cooling. Thanks to the community outreach program at Merck for sponsoring and working with Science Department Chair Paul Desipio to bring the experience to campus.

The Cedarbrook Class of 2026 aka the Cheltenham High School Class of 2030 visited CHS on Thursday for an exciting look ahead to high school life! Students were welcomed by Vice Principal Dr. Callands and the Cheltenham Student Ambassadors before learning what to expect as incoming freshmen. Students then explored the courtyard, where they had the opportunity to mingle with high schoolers and learn about the clubs, activities, and sports available to them as future Panthers. The incoming freshmen also learned about project based learning, and AP and Honors opportunities. It was a great day visiting what will soon be home for the next four years! View photos>

Nearly 25 “community helper” groups exhibited the tools of their trades Friday morning at Glenside’s annual Community Helper Fair. Students and their families explored fire trucks and police cars, played soccer, filled “potholes” and spun prize wheels as they circled the fair and learned about the people who make Glenside a community. The helpers brought essential supplies, tools, trucks, vehicles and giveaways for students and their families to enjoy.

Local helpers included CSD Facilities, HR, Student Services, Transportation, Communications, and School Board, Cheltenham Township Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Planning and Zoning, Library System, and Emergency Management Services, and Montgomery County Department of Public Safety, Health and Human Services, and Intermediate Unit. Other organizations involved included the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, Mission Kids, Arcadia University, Cheltenham Communities That Care, and Playworks, among others. View photos>

Alumna and theater director Autumn Angelettie recently won the Outstanding Director of a Play - Helen at the 2026 Helen Hayes Awards in Washington, D.C. She took home the prestigious regional theatre award for her acclaimed work directing the Washington, D.C., premiere of the Susan Smith Blackburn Award-winning “Furlough's Paradise” by a.k. payne at Theater Alliance. Angelettie, a 2017 graduate, is presently an associate director on the Tony Award-winning musical “The Outsiders,” directed by Danya Taymor, maintaining both the Broadway and First National Tour productions.

Cedarbrook held its inaugural art show on Thursday night, featuring work in a variety of media, including these "Craftivism" embroideries. Thank you to all who attended Thursday night to celebrate the incredible artistic talents of our students. A special thank you to Mr. McShea, Ms. Goldsmith, and Ms. Pen for their hard work and dedication in making the event possible.

Thursday, June 4 - CHS Commencement

• Arcadia's Haber Green, 6 p.m.

Friday, June 12 - Final Day of School

• Schools dismiss at the following times: K-4 Schools, 1:20 p.m.; 6-8 Schools, 12:40 p.m.; Cheltenham High, Noon

Monday, June 15 - Professional Development Day

• No classes

Tuesday, June 16 - In-Service Day

• No classes

Friday, June 19 - Juneteenth

• Offices closed
  
  

Cheltenham School District Calendar> | 2025-26 Academic Calendar> | CHS Athletics Calendar>

CSD is hosting a public screening of the documentary "Counted Out." This film investigates the biggest crises of our time—political polarization, racial and economic inequity, global pandemic and climate change–through an unexpected lens: math. In our current information economy, math is everywhere. The people we date, the news we see, the influence of our votes, the candidates who win elections, the education we have access to, the jobs we get—all of it is underwritten by an invisible layer of math that few of us understand, or even notice. But whether we know it or not, our numeric literacy—whether we can speak the language of math, and how well—is a critical determinant of social and economic power. Through a mosaic of personal stories, expert interviews, and scenes of math transformation in action, "Counted Out" shows what’s at risk if we keep the status quo.

Screening and Discussion: Saturday, June 6, 9-11 a.m., Cedarbrook MS Learning Commons.

RSVP>

Are you interested in becoming a future member of the Cheltenham National Honor Society? Cheltenham's NHS seeks to promote scholarship and excellence among the students of CHS. NHS members participate in community service projects collectively and individually. The NHS also provides a tutoring program for CHS students in need of extra help with academics.

A sophomore, junior or senior at CHS whose unweighted GPA is at least 3.40 (unrounded) is eligible to apply for membership in the NHS. If this applies to you, you can complete the NHS 2026/2027 application Please use the NHS Criteria Points guide. The NHS Criteria Points explain how applicants will be evaluated using a points system.

The applications will be due by Friday, 10/16/2026. The following are required by the time you apply:

• A minimum of 20 service hours*
• Signatures from coaches, club and volunteer sponsors
• One character form completed by a CHS staff member
• A character letter from an adult who is not a CHS employee
• A minimum of 20 hours in two or more school or community clubs, activities or sports (one must be here at CHS)

*All volunteer hours must be completed with an organization and you must have a sponsor who is unrelated to you. If you have any questions about the process, please email Dr. Tran-Doerr atrandoerr@cheltenham.org or Ms. Reed nreed@cheltenham.org

The Alumni Association of Cheltenham High School (AACHS) is excited to introduce Pages of Pride: Cheltenham High School Alumni Author event, a special gathering to celebrate the powerful voices, stories, and journeys that began in Cheltenham. AACHS is seeking to gather the collective voices of Cheltenham and the stories that have inspired the community and the world. Think of this as a Cheltenham "Literary Homecoming” where AACHS will highlight the creativity, scholarship, and storytelling of the alumni community.

Please share your input. Whether you are an author of a novel, several books, or have various published writings, your perspective will help us design an event that reflects our shared legacy and inspires future generations.

Please take a few moments to complete our brief survey. Your feedback will help AACHS:
• Identify alumni authors interested in participating
• Shape event programming and format
• Ensure the experience reflects the spirit and diversity of our CHS community