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Foundation Awards Seven Scholarships to 10 CHS Students

6/11/2018

 
At this week’s senior awards celebration, the Cheltenham School District Foundation awarded seven scholarships to 10 students across a variety of interests. Students wrote essays to be considered for the scholarships, which increased this year from $1,000 to $6,500 thanks to the generosity of local businesses, Cheltenham teachers, community members, and organization donations.

“I am so excited and honored to have been a part of this scholarship process because it extended beyond the traditional merit scholarship for grades to include those who are capturing the spirit of Cheltenham and impacting the lives of others,” said Michelle Bellamy, who chaired the scholarship committee, which also included Pamula Hart, Lisa Angelettie and Betsy Conway. “The applications were amazing, and I am so proud of the caliber of students we have as demonstrated in the applications. Congratulations to the class of 2018. We know you will do great things.”
Awarding scholarships helps fulfill the mission of the Foundation, which was founded in 1992 to  mobilize philanthropic power for the benefit of educators and students in the Cheltenham School District.
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"The Foundation is proud to build an innovative student scholarship program that compliments our teacher grants," said Laura Baldwin, Cheltenham School District Foundation President. “CSDF worked to increase our student scholarship awards and ensure this was a three-year, sustainable program to provide opportunities to our district graduates.”
This year’s winners were:
  • Lauryn Banks (Spelman) earned the Class of 1967 Award for outstanding student in the senior class.
  • Julia Doyle (Temple) and Alain Jean-Baptiste (Bloomsburg) received the Innovative Senior Awards, given to students demonstrating an innovative idea, initiative or project they completed while at CHS.
  • Makayla Hill (Alvernia) and Gianna Williams (American) accepted the the Shooting for the Stars Awards, given to students who have demonstrated resilience and perseverance in overcoming obstacles during their CHS experience.
  • Lauren Chappell and Tiffany Tieu collected the Making A Difference Awards, given to students who have a passion for improving their community and having an impact on the lives of others.
  • Rachel Banner (Maryland Institute College of Art) took home the Joe Kircher Scholarship, given to a student who valued their experience at Elkins Park School and demonstrated leadership, service and strong character while there.
  • Zachariah Gharrafi (Columbia) received the David Katz Memorial Scholarship, given to a student pursuing a degree in STEM in honor of the memory of Katz’ lifelong interest in STEM-related topics.
  • Lillian Phung (Penn) accepted the Barry Brucker Memorial Scholarship, given to a student who demonstrates perseverance and a commitment to helping others.

CSDF Hosts Inaugural Spring Event, en blanc

6/9/2018

 
CSDF's inaugural spring event became a community building event for more than 165 Cheltenham residents and their guests. Grey Towers Castle served as the perfect backdrop for the potluck-style dinner but remained a secret location until the morning of the event. 
Attendees arrived dressed in white and shared their own food across friends and tables. This successful event raised over $6,000 to directly fund the CSDF scholarship program. 
To sign up to receive updates on CSDF events, visit our Events page. 

CSDF Expands Scholarship Program for Class of 2018 and beyond.

4/25/2018

 
The Cheltenham School District Foundation is pleased to expand their scholarship program to offer opportunities to High School seniors. The Foundation program grew from two $500 scholarships to a program offering $6,000 in scholarships
to the CHS Class of 2018.

Thanks to the generosity of our local businesses, Cheltenham teachers, community members, and organization donations, we are offering a scholarship program totaling $6,000 of funding this year.

Students interested in applying for a CSDF Scholarship must be a member of the Class of 2018 from Cheltenham High School, Wyncote, PA; provide your CHS student ID number; meet the specific requirements for each scholarship including letters of recommendation; letters will ask for specifics regarding your attitude, academic ability, and personal attributes. 

Visit our Scholarship page to apply by May 4, 2018. 
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CSDF Board Retreat Sets Goals for 2018

1/27/2018

 
On Saturday, January 27, the Cheltenham School District Foundation (CSDF) kicked-off 2018 with their annual Board retreat. Hosted in Grey Towers Castle at Arcadia University, the nine-member Board came together to review the previous year's successes, challenges, and chart their path forward. The retreat agenda included an overview of the current Foundation, examining committees, funds, programming, and setting CSDF's strategic goals for growth. 

Cheltenham CSDF receives $10,000 for innovative programming

12/13/2017

 
Forst Foundation donation to support Cheltenham School District Foundation initiatives
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Pictured from right to left: Tracy Brown, CSDF President Baldwin, Pam Hart, Nathan Schultz, Don Milley, Lynn Craig, Michelle Bellamy, Daniel Schultz, Julie Haywood, Dr. Marseille, David Cohen, Betsy Conway, Bill England, Pamela Henry, Christopher A. Pender Sr., Jean McWilliams, Napoleon Nelson, and Joel Fishbein.
The Forst Foundation donated $10,000 to the Cheltenham School District Foundation (CSDF) to support innovative programming and student scholarship programs. The donation was highlighted at the Legislative Meeting of the Cheltenham School Board on Tuesday, Dec. 12, when Lynn Craig, Cheltenham resident and Lincoln Investments representative, proudly presented CSDF President Laura Baldwin and the foundation's board with a $10,000 check.
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“Our founder Nick Forst never forgot where he came from and the teachers who helped him build Lincoln Financial,” said Craig. “In 1991, he and his wife Agnes created the Forst Foundation [Lincoln Investment’s philanthropic arm], with the goal of assisting charitable organizations to meet their goals, particularly in the field of education.”

Several members of the School District and School Board offered thanks to the Forst Foundation for their extraordinary generosity, including School Board President Julie Haywood and CSDF President Baldwin.  
"We are so grateful for the most substantial single donation in CSDF's 25-year history," said Baldwin.  

Cheltenham Superintendent Dr. Marseille closed the evening by extending his gratitude to the Forst Foundation. “This donation speaks volumes to their dedication to the Cheltenham School District.”

Food Truck Jamboree Raises Funds for Teachers

9/10/2017

 
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Tables at Jamboree highlighting Cheltenham organizations - photo by Kenny Moss
PictureCHS Marching Panthers photo by Kenny Moss
Wyncote, PA - Cheltenham High School (September 9, 2017) - The Cheltenham School District Foundation (CSDF) welcomed more than fifteen hundred community members to the 4th Annual Food Truck Jamboree on Sept. 9. Clear blue skies served as the backdrop for families and friends to enjoy the day and sample food from regional food truck favorites such as Humpty’s Dumplings, Smokin Tacos, Gigi's & Big R Soul Food, and Li Ping Corn Company, to name a few. 

"I can think of no better way to raise funds for the Foundation," said Laura Baldwin, president of the Cheltenham School District Foundation. "The Food Truck Jamboree is the event that opens the new school year by bringing the community together through good food and student entertainment.”

The fundraiser featured a robust silent auction that offered items from local businesses. The winning 50/50 ticket is still out there, CSDF is searching for the winner. The winning number is posted on their Facebook page: facebook.com/CheltenhamSDF/. 

Cheltenham's own DJ Biscuit emceed the day as talented students, and local musicians took the stage with live music throughout the day. Student groups like Up the Octave, Sons of Pitch, CHS Marching Panthers, Matt Ryan Band, Dave Cohen and Deirdre Finnegan, Jonathan McCoy, and Destiny Lewis-Upchurch entertained families and children of all ages. 

About Cheltenham School District Foundation
CSDF mobilizes philanthropic power to support the educators and students in the Cheltenham School District. CSDF works collectively to enhance educational programming and projects that advance the school district's strategic plan. Established in 1992, CSDF has grown to award more than $23,000 in grants to 24 district educators for innovative programs that serve a broad range of our students and scholarship opportunities for our senior students moving on to higher education.  For more information on CSDF, go to cheltenhamsdf.org.

Cheltenham School District Foundation raises $20K for Kircher Hall

1/16/2017

 
The Cheltenham School District welcomed more than 200 people to Elkins Park School to dedicate its auditorium after beloved educator and principal Joseph C. Kircher.
Betsy Conway, a teacher at Elkins Park School during Kircher’s tenure, organized the Joe Kircher initiative, a program of the Cheltenham School District Foundation. The initiative raised $20,000 needed for permission to name a district facility.
The $20,000 raised will be used to support programs funded by the Cheltenham School District Foundation, which provides grants to educators in the district engaged in innovative programs for students. Conway petitioned the school board for permission to name the facility and created the Joe Kircher Naming Rights Fund. “Team Joe Crew” brought together educators and friends who drove the energy needed to complete the fundraising goals.
“We felt strongly that Mr. Kircher should be honored for all of the good he did for so many people of our community over the years,” said Conway, a trustee of the Cheltenham School District Foundation. The initiative raised the necessary funds in less than a year. “We have Stretton Hall and Joseph Rogers Library at Cheltenham High School. Kircher Hall at the Elkins Park School will preserve his legacy.”

​Read the Full Story in [Montgomery News]  here 

CSDF Jamboree scheduled for Sept. 11th 2 - 7 PM

8/7/2016

 
Cheltenham School District Foundation invites you to the 3rd Annual Food Truck Jamboree. This year the Jamboree will be held rain or shine on Sunday, September 11th.
Local musical talent and entertainment, activities for children, food trucks, Silent Auction, 50/50, kids games with prizes and more! All funds raised fund Innovative Education Grants.
When: Sunday, September 11, 2016  2-7 P.M. 
Where: Cheltenham High School, 500 Rices Mill Road
Admission:  $3 
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Leadership Academy closes an amazing year

6/13/2016

 
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Leadership Academy at Elkins Park program, run by Cyd Smith, had an amazing year in 2016. The program provided activities with an emphasis on enrichment, empowerment, and entrepreneurship for 26 young men in our district.

The year began with a key event called the Annual Tie Ceremony and continued to offer inspirational guest speakers who shared their careers and life stories.  The speakers represented the following career areas:  Aviation/Pilot, Pediatrician, Financial Consultant, and yes our very own Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Marseille.  Students also participated in an African Drumming session, STEMs session, and a Leadership Team Building session.  On May 10th, the group visited Washington DC to explore several sites, including the US Capitol.   


To be a member of the Leadership Academy at Elkins Park, students are usually nominated by teachers or faculty members of the school. Once nominated, they then have to fill out an application that includes and essay on why they should be selected . At the end of the year, the current members of the Leadership Academy pick the new members to join or succeed them for the following year. Contact Ms. Cyd Smith for more details.

The grant received supports Leadership Academy's theme:  
"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men."  by Frederick Douglass

ACOUSTICAL SHELL IN PLACE IN CHS' STRETTON HALL....WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SOUND!

4/26/2016

 
After months and months of fundraising activity including a $1,500 Innovative Teacher Grant from the Cheltenham Township School District Foundation (CSDF), Cheltenham High School's Music Department finally saw their dream of an acoustical shell on their stage come to life. The acoustical shell, a standard apparatus in professional performance halls, pushes sound out to the audience and enables singers to clearly hear and modify their voice and volume. Put in place today, CHS choral teacher, Mrs. Jenny Hutton, had her students give it a test run. Please enjoy their inaugural performance, and be sure to take note of Mrs. Hutton's pure joy over hearing her students' voices project as they should. 
We are so very grateful to the Foundation for its donation to the acoustical shell at CHS. The shell was delivered this past Tuesday, the 19th, and, after unpacking and assembly, Friday the 22nd was the big day when we tested it out for the first time. We were thrilled to no end."  Jennifer Hutton, CHS choral teacher

Marching Panthers are Trailblazing

4/10/2016

 
A big 'thank you' from the CHS Band Program - the Panthers now have a new instrument and equipment Trailer thanks to a $1500 grant from CSDF! The new trailer benefits hundreds of students in the Marching Band, Color Guard, and Indoor Percussion Ensemble, expanding their capacity to transport their instruments, props. and gear as they travel the country to compete and showcase Cheltenham's talented student musicians.

Glenside Students Film Weather Report at CHS TV Studio

1/13/2016

 
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On January 13th, Glenside Elementary School second graders visited the Cheltenham High School TV Studio to film their very own weather report. The 2nd grade students have been learning about and researching various types of storms and weather. They wrote scripts and then visited the studio to tape themselves on the green screen with help from the CHS Advanced TV Class. Studio received funding from the Foundation. 

Elkins Park School Brazilian Percussion Ensemble

1/4/2016

 
This group of 5th and 6th graders are performing an African influenced style of Brazilian samba called Batucada. Authentic instruments for this group were provided through a grant from the Cheltenham School District Foundation. The Elkins Park Brazilian Percussion Ensemble is under the direction of Mr. John Moran.

A Beautiful Day for a Jamboree

10/18/2015

 
The postponed rain date of October 18th proved to be a beautiful day to host the 2nd Annual Food Truck Jamboree. The Cheltenham School District Foundation welcomed more than one thousand visitors who queued for amazing food from food truck regional favorites while listening to local bands from across the township. Off of the success of the first Jamboree, the Foundation enlisted more trucks to feed hungry families, invited live local band entertainment, stationed additional face painters, inflated a laser tag maze, and gave away free beach balls for the children. 

The Cheltenham School District Foundation was established in 1992.  The organization's primary focus is to provide funding and assistance to launch, support, and administer opportunities that ultimately benefit the students of the School District of Cheltenham Township. In 2015, the Foundation awarded more than $20,000 in grants to 24 district teachers for their programs and opportunities that serve a wide range of our students.

Call for Proposals for 2015-2016 Educator Grant

3/15/2015

 
Seeking innovative and educational project proposals. The Cheltenham School District Foundation (CSDF) is initiating the 2015 call for proposals by inviting teachers, employees, and educators to submit an application for funding.

Past grant recipients have implemented projects such as: hydroponic gardens, instant student response classroom systems, creative all-inclusive field trips, creation of the Brazilian Percussion Ensemble, artistic mural projects and much more. Employees of the Cheltenham School District are encouraged to read the grant requirements and application on the Foundation’s website www.cheltenhamsdf.org/grant-application
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