#ThisIsCheltenham

Seventh grade social studies students took measurements of the Cedarbrook campus last week to work on their cartography skills. Using the measurements, students create a scale map of the school to accurately depict the location of physical and human features of the school on their maps. This project allows students to apply the map skills they learned in class and see the real world application of proportions, scale, and relative location. More photos>

Cheltenham High School’s Cultural Proficiency Education Student Ambassadors recently participated in an exciting field trip to learn about the Montgomery County judicial system. The students had an amazing time meeting local judges and commissioners and learning about careers in the field.

A huge shout out to the local fire company for visiting and helping Cheltenham Elementary students learn important fire safety skills! Students learned what to do if there is a fire at home, got an up-close look at the tools firefighters use, and watched a demonstration of how firefighters put on and use their protective gear. The students loved learning more about the brave men and women who keep our community safe! A huge thank you to our local firefighters for their time, knowledge, and dedication.

On Thursday, Cedarbrook celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with local music group Los Bomberos De La Calle. The group put on a show in the auditorium and danced and celebrated throughout the hallways, recreating the Puerto Rican holiday tradition of traveling from house to house throughout the town during the festive season.

Congratulations to Homecoming Queen junior Jenna Walker (left) and Princess sophomore Eve Martin (right), who were announced during the halftime festivities of Friday night's Boys Soccer game.

Check out the Panthers' new stadium! Thanks to the CHS Media Club for the footage.

Friday, October 23 - Early Dismissal

• Schools will be dismissed at the following times: K-5 Schools: 1:20 p.m.; CBK East: 12:40 p.m.; CBK: 12:40 p.m.; CHS, noon

Tuesday, November 3 - Election Day

• Schools closed/offices open

Friday, November 20 - Early Dismissal

• Schools will be dismissed at the following times: K-5 Schools: 1:20 p.m.; CBK East: 12:40 p.m.; CBK: 12:40 p.m.; CHS, noon
  

Cheltenham School District Calendar> | 2026-27 Academic Calendar> | CHS Athletics Calendar>

With co-chair Dr. Caroline Watts presiding, the Facilities Committee convened in person at the Administration Building and via Zoom on Tuesday, October 6, for its monthly meeting. CSD Director of Facilities Anthony Carter informed the board and public of a number of items, including removing dead trees from the high school property, the completion of the installation of the concourse pavers and the replacement of defective lights at the athletic stadium. Mr. Carter then discussed the renovation for the family consumer science room and STEM rooms at Cedarbrook and updates on the Glenside construction project. SitelogIQ's Ryan Brennan, project manager for the Glenside Elementary and Cedarbrook projects, gave a project schedule update. Both projects remain on time and on budget. There was a discussion among board members and Brennan about moving up the timetable for occupancy for Cedarbrook. CSD Director of Business Services Josh Sweigard reviewed the finances behind the stadium, Glenside and Cedarbrook. Mr. Carter returned to discuss water lead testing across the district and all schools are compliant with Environmental Protection Agency regulations. Mr. Carter then reviewed changes made around the district related to the Center for Safe Schools reports. These include the addition of security cameras across the district, upgrade of access controls at all schools and the addition of security at CHS. Projects on the horizon include a review of building vestibules and a Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency grant to look at additional student mental health supports and counselors, security staffing and physical upgrades to the buildings. The meeting wrapped up with a review of upcoming Homecoming activities. The next Facilities Committee meeting is Wednesday, November 4 at 7 p.m. at the Administration Building and via Zoom. Slide deck>

With co-chair Daniel Schultz presiding, the Financial Affairs Committee convened for its monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 6 at the Administration Building and via Zoom. Our apologies for the video’s lack of sound for the first five minutes. The CLA representative Carl Hogan presented his firm’s audit findings of the district’s finances. The report came back clean. CSD Director of Business Services Joshua Sweigard reviewed the interim financial statements, stating results were similar year over year, with the exception of delinquent tax collection, which was up from this past year. Sweigard then reviewed the district’s $10M bond issuance, a parameters resolution that will be up for board vote at next week’s legislative board meeting. The meeting wrapped up with Mr. Sweigard’s giving context surrounding the Act 1 index. The district’s adjusted Act 1 index for this year is 4.2 percent, above the base index of 3.6 percent, which means if the school district didn’t take an exception, it would be able to raise taxes as great as 4.2 percent. Mr. Sweigard remarked that would not be necessary. The next Finance Committee meeting is Wednesday, November 4 following the Facilities Committee at the Administration Building and via Zoom. Slide deck>

The Counseling Department welcomed Arcadia's Lisa Ware for a virtual financial aid presentation on Wednesday, October 7. Slide deck>

CHS seeks local businesses, organizations, and professionals who may be open to hosting a Cheltenham High School senior for an unpaid internship in the spring of 2027 in one of the following areas:

• Construction / Architecture

• Health Sciences

• Law / Legal Services

• Engineering

• Real Estate

Students would have flexible weekday hours during the Spring 2027, and have early release from school so they are available to intern on weekday afternoons.

The goal is not for students to simply observe or complete busywork. The hope is they will gain meaningful exposure to a professional environment, learn what a career in the field actually looks like day to day, develop workplace skills such as communication, dependability, initiative, and professionalism, and begin building connections with adults who can help them better understand possible career paths.

If you own a business, work in one of these fields, or know someone who might be willing to mentor a motivated high school senior this spring, please message Abby Fishman (afishman@cheltenham.org) or share this post with your network.

As CHS prepares for the 2026-2027 winter sports season, this is a reminder that winter sports officially begin on November 20, 2026. In order to be eligible to participate in winter sports, all student-athletes must have the following completed and uploaded through the Arbiter registration page:

• A valid PIAA Comprehensive Initial Pre Participation Physical Evaluation (CIPPE)

• The PIAA Student-Athlete and Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement Form

Students who do not have the required documentation completed and approved will not be eligible to participate until all requirements have been satisfied. CSD only needs ONE PIAA Student-Athlete Acknowledgement Form and ONE valid PIAA physical uploaded per school year. If these documents have already been completed and approved for the 2026-2027 school year, you do not need to submit them again for winter sports.

• Winter Sports Registration: Arbiter Registration Page
• Athletics and Activities Handbook: Athletic/Activities Handbook
• Acknowledgement Form: Handbook Acknowledgement Form

UPG is seeking interested parents/guardians to serve as UPG PTO Reps. Becoming a UPG Rep is a great way to stay in the know, support your ​c​hild(ren), and help strengthen the connection between families and the school district. The time commitment is about ​o​ne hour per week/​f​our hours per month, which includes the meetings. Parent​/guardian involvement makes a meaningful difference. If you're interested in learning more, please complete the UPG Board Member Interest Form.

Time to reinvigorate yourself and try something new at Cheltenham Adult School! Find out how to make truly tasty scones or macarons; learn how to protect your devices and data; do Qigong or Pilates. Spend a day exploring Harlem, including a visit to the newly rebuilt and expanded Studio Museum. Find these choices and many more on our website or peruse the CTAS catalog you received in the mail, or can pick up at libraries. Registration is open now. Many classes begin in late September or early October. Questions? Call 215-887-1720.