- Cheltenham High School
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Cheltenham High School Cheltenham High School From Rices Mill Road Salubritas et EruditioHealth and EducationAddress 500 Rices Mill Road
Wyncote, Pennsylvania , Montgomery County, 19095
United States of AmericaInformation School type Public Established 1884 Status Open School board Cheltenham Township School District Principal Dr. Elliot Lewis Vice principal Wanda Anderson Vice principal Lori Felgoise Vice principal Jill Clark Grades 9–12 Enrolment 1439 (2010–2011) Schedule type Semester Schedule 8 periods Hours in school day 7:30 AM-2:33 PM Athletics PIAA
District 1Athletics conference Suburban One American Sports Golf, Football, Soccer, Tennis, Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse, Wrestling, Volleyball, Basketball, Swimming, Track and Field, Winter Track, Field Hockey, Cross Country Mascot Panther Team name Cheltenham Panthers, Cheltenham Lady Panthers Rival Abington Senior High School Newspaper 'The Cheltonian' Yearbook 'El Delator' Communities served Cheltenham, Elkins Park, Glenside, La Mott, Laverock, Melrose Park, Wyncote Feeder schools Cedarbrook Middle School Website [7] The Seal of Cheltenham High School
Cheltenham High School is a public high school in Wyncote, Pennsylvania serving grades 9 through 12. Cheltenham is the Senior High School in the School District of Cheltenham Township. It is preceded by Cedarbrook Middle School, Elkins Park Middle School, and four elementary schools Cheltenham Elementary, Wyncote Elementary, Myers Elementary, and Glenside Elementary.September 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of the current Cheltenham High School (also known by the moniker "CHS"), located at 500 Rices Mill Road in Wyncote, Pennsylvania. The previous location was at High School Road and Montgomery Avenue.
There were 405 graduates in the Class of 2009, 78 of whom earned academic achievement awards, 47 earned scholarships, seven were named National Merit Scholarship Finalists, 11 received Letters of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Foundation, two students were National Achievement Scholarship winners, 35 were inducted into the National Honor Society, and 46 earned athletic awards. Ninety-five percent of the 2009 graduates plan to attend an institution of higher learning, 3% will enter the work force, 1% will join the military and 1% will take a year off before attending college.[1]
The student to teacher ratio is 14:1. Student ethnicity is distributed as follows: 48% Caucasian, 42% Black, 6% Asian, 3% Hispanic, and 1% Native American.[2]
Among the school's notable alumni are Yoni Netanyahu, Israeli national war hero and leader of Operation Entebbe, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoni's younger brother and currently Prime Minister of Israel and Baseball Hall of Fame great, Reggie Jackson.
Contents
General Information
- Grades Served: 9–12
- Enrollment: 1439
- Student Teacher Ratio: 13.5:1
- Class Periods: 47 minutes, 7 minute homeroom
Graduation Requirements
4 years of English, 4 years of Physical Education, 3 years of Social Studies, 3 years of Mathematics, 3 years of Science, 1 year of Economics, 1 year of Health, Completed Graduation Project.
School Year Layout
- School always begins the Tuesday following Labor Day. By PA Department of Education standards, there must be a minimum of 180 school days. The school year usually concludes around June 15, depending on the amount of snow days used that year.
- Every third Wednesday in the month, students are dismissed one hour early for department meetings.
- All students and staff are off on the following holidays: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day.
- The following holidays are school days, but nonetheless are still observed, usually by a moment of silence during the morning announcements: Patriot Day, Veterans Day, Pearl Harbor Day.
- Students and staff have two major breaks during the year, one at the end of December, usually beginning on December 23. The other major break occurs in the spring, and this break always concludes on Easter Sunday.
- Other shorter, but notable breaks for students and staff: Thanksgiving Day Weekend (Wednesday-Sunday), President's Day Weekend (Friday-Monday), Memorial Day Weekend (Saturday-Monday).
Advanced Placement Courses
Cheltenham offers 29 AP courses, ranging from math to art. They are: AP Biology, AP Calculus AB & BC, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science, AP English, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP European History, AP French, AP German, AP Human Geography, AP US Government and Politics, AP Comparative Government and Politics, AP Latin, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Music Theory, AP Physics B, AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language, AP Statistics, AP Studio Art, AP United States History, AP World History.
Alma Mater
- Hail, dear old Cheltenham
- Noble and strong
- Now let us raise our
- Hearts to thee in song
- Thy name shall honored be.
- Long may it live!
- Hail Alma Mater
- Our hearts to thee we give.
- Long may the noble walls
- Echo memories dear
- Fond recollections
- Fill our hearts with cheer.
- Loyal we'll ever be
- Down to every man!
- Our love we give thee,
- Our dear old Cheltenham.
Classes
Cheltenham High School provides a wide range of classes for students, allowing them to customize their curriculum to their interests and future endeavors.
English
English is required through all four years of high school. Students learn new vocabulary, study poetry, decipher Shakespeare plays, discuss grade appropriate reading material, and are taught the correct way to write analytical essays, in preparation for college.
Social Studies
Social Studies has an assigned curriculum every year, broken down as follows. 9th grade: World Cultures; 10th grade: World History; 11th grade: American History; 12th grade: Applied Economics. There are AP courses that can be taken in addition to these requirements.
Mathematics
Math varies for each student depending upon which level they have tested. Typically students take Algebra I in 9th grade, Geometry in 10th grade, Algebra II in 11th grade, and Pre-Calculus in 12th grade. Some students start 9th grade at Geometry, and then finish with Calculus. Advanced students start 9th grade with Algebra II, and take Calculus II as a senior.
Science
For Science, all 9th graders are assigned Biology, 10th graders, Chemistry. 11th graders and 12th graders have choices such as Marine Biology, Physics, Microbiology, Anatomy, and other AP level courses.
World Languages
CHS offers four languages: Spanish, French, Latin, and German. Languages are initially introduced at Cedarbrook Middle School in 7th grade. Each language has 5 levels of curriculum, and while not mandatory, some students opt to advance to the highest level, focusing on one language.
Unified Arts
Unified Arts is a collection of courses revolving around fine arts and other types of vocations. These courses include Art (I, II, III), Technical Drawing, Photography, Architectural Drawing, Building Structures, Woodworking Technology (I, II, III), Jewelry, Culinary Arts, TV Production, Graphic Arts, Pottery, et al.. These courses can be taken as majors or minors.
Physical Education
Freshmen are assigned gym classes all four marking periods, but 10th, 11th, and 12th graders can select which gym activity they want to participate in. During the 4th marking period, students have a series of Physical Fitness Tests, to see if they qualify for the National Physical Fitness Award or the Presidential Physical Fitness Award.
Athletics
Cheltenham Panthers School(s) Cheltenham High School Association PIAA Division District 1 Conference Suburban One American AAAA
AAAAthletics director Scott Layer Location Wyncote, Pennsylvania, United States Stadium Alumni Stadium Nickname Panthers Colors Blue and Gold Website Cheltenham High School Athletics CHS is a member of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), and in the Suburban One American Conference. Cheltenham offers a variety of sports for its students.
Sports for Students (boys sports listed on top line, girls sports listed on bottom line)
Fall Winter Spring Boys: Football, Golf, Soccer, Cross Country Boys: Wrestling, Swimming, Winter Track, Basketball Boys: Tennis, Baseball, Boys' Lacrosse, Track & Field, Volleyball Girls: Volleyball, Cross Country, Girls' Tennis, Field Hockey, Soccer Girls: Swimming, Winter Track, Basketball Girls: Lacrosse, Softball, Track & Field Girls Basketball Team
The Cheltenham Girls basketball team by far has had more success than any other team in the school. The team won the PIAA AAAA state championship in 2000, and again in 2007. They have also won numerous PIAA District 1 titles, and also have won the Suburban One American Conference 23 times. Coach Bob Schaefer won his 700th game on February 5, 2010, and has proudly coached the Panthers for 30 years[3]. He has coached numerous 1000 point scorers, and also the WBCA All-American Forward, Laura Harper, who currently plays in the WNBA. Harper scored 2007 points during her Cheltenham Career. In 2007 (their 2nd championship year), the Panthers were honored by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame with the "Pride of Philadelphia Award," along with Jimmy Rollins of the Philadelphia Phillies[4]. The award is given to individuals or teams who have "represented the Philadelphia area with dignity, determination, and class through athletic achievement[5]."
Media
Cheltenham High School has a strong media, through the school newspaper "The Cheltonian," the school yearbook "El Delator," and various interviews, polls, and student work aired on Comcast channel 42, which is the township channel.
Radio station
Beginning on the first day of April 2012, the school will activate a student-operated radio station, broadcast on an AM frequency. Call letters WCHD (for "Cheltenham Digital") have been approved by the Federal Communications Commission, as has an antenna structure registration[6] for the 225-foot tower that will go up in 2013 along Panther Road, next to Pennsylvania Route 152. Students have generated a great deal of interest in the radio station. By the spring of 2011, membership in the Radio Club had increased to over 15 students. Cheltenham Digital will be sponsored financially in part by a grant from nearby Arcadia University.
School Events
Blue and Gold
Blue and Gold is a schoolwide event that was initiated in the 2006–2007 school year. The school is divided in two teams, last names A-K being the blue team, and last names L-Z being the gold team. Each year a theme is chosen to name the two teams, such as in 2009–2010, the theme was video games, the teams being the Blue Sonics and the Gold Warios. Any student can sign up for any event. Events vary from the Iron Chef, Ping Pong, Blind Volleyball, Simon Says, Obstacle Course, and as with many years, the deciding event, the great Tug of War. Below are the past Blue and Gold Competition Champions.
Year Winning Team Losing Team 2006–2007 Gold Fever Blue Steel 2007–2008 Blue Knights Gold Dragons 2008–2009 Blue Spartans Gold Samurais 2009–2010 Gold Warios Blue Sonics 2010–2011 Gold Pirates Blue Ninjas Dance Marathon
For four years now, Cheltenham High School has done a mini version of Penn State's dance marathon. Students who participate must raise a minimum of $100 in order to participate. Also, students must stand for ten hours straight, and every hour, participate in a "line dance," which the staff members of the dance marathon teach throughout the day. While not doing a line dance, students have many activities that can choose from: Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, Guitar Hero, Rock Band, and much more. All money proceeds the Four Diamonds Fund, which helps children with cancer.
Steve Daley Invitational Badminton Tournament
The Steve Daley invitational Badminton Tournament is a Badminton Invitational Tournament offered to students at Cheltenham High School. The Tournament was established in 1978 by long-time legendary physical education teacher, Mr. Steve Daley. At his proposal for a badminton tournament, many of the students were reluctant to play the sport. But as the years went on, it gained more and more popularity, and now, is one of the most popular events in the school. The tournament is an invitational, and to earn an invite, one must participate in challenge matches held before school. There are 32 invitations given out, and the tournament is bracket-style, with single elimination, with the #1 seed playing the #32 seed, the #2 seed playing the #31 seed, and so on. Below are the recent Steve Daley Invitational Badminton Tournament Champions.
Year Boys Champion/Runner Up Girls Champion/Runner Up 2011 Eliav Ehrenkrantz/Max Perilstein Breeanin Hansteen/Arielle Shoap-Hall 2010 B.J. Stuetz/Adam Goff Breeanin Hansteen/Arielle Shoap-Hall 2009 B.J. Stuetz/Murray Freedman Christie Kershaw/Marly Siegal 2008 Josh Camhi/Harry Perlstein April Doroski/Bobbie Hansteen 2006 Dave Burd/Matthew Polis 2003 Dan Solomon/Josh Ellis Trivia
- Cheltenham High School was used as a filming site for the 1988 movie The In Crowd.[citation needed]
- Fox Sitcom 'Til Death is based in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania. The school where Eddie and Jeff teach is loosely based on producer Josh Goldsmith's alma mater, Cheltenham High School.
Notable alumni
- Candace Allen, '01 Miss District of Columbia USA 2006
- Michael Brecker, '67 Grammy Award-winning Jazz Artist
- Randy Brecker, '63 Grammy Award-winning Jazz Artist
- Michael S. Brown, MD, '58 1985 Nobel Prize in Medicine
- Laurie Colwin, '62 Author and Columnist
- Rebecca Creskoff, '89 Actress
- Tom Feeney, Member of Congress, R-FL
- Stuart F. Feldman (1937–2010), co-founder of Vietnam Veterans of America.[7]
- Glenn A. Fine, Inspector General, United States Department of Justice
- Wilmot E. Fleming, '35 State Senator
- Jon D. Fox, '65 U.S. Congressman
- Laura Harper, '04 Professional Basketball Player
- Trina Schart Hyman, '56 Artist & Illustrator
- Reggie Jackson, '64 Professional Baseball Player
- Mark Levin, '75 Conservative Talk Radio Host & Attorney
- Richard Levinson, '52 Emmy Award-Winning Writer & Producer
- Chad Levitt (b. 1975), '93 American NFL football player
- Franz Lidz, '69 Journalist whose memoir, Unstrung Heroes, became a 1995 feature film directed by Diane Keaton
- William Link, '52 Emmy Award-Winning Writer & Producer
- Craig Littlepage, '69 College Administrator & Educator
- Jeff Lorber, '70 Musician
- Mary Ellen Mark, '58 Photojournalist
- Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu, '67 Prime Minister of Israel
- Yonatan "Yoni" Netanyahu (1946–1976), '64 Israeli military hero
- Brad Raider, '93 Actor
- David Saxon, '37 Physicist, Educator & Administrator
- Roger Scott, '36 Musician & Educator
- Ronald M. Shapiro, '60 Notable Sports Agent, Corporate Attorney, New York Times Best Selling Author
- Robert C. Solomon, PhD, '60 Author & Educator
- Wallace Triplett, '45 Professional Football Player
- Kate Vrijmoet, '84 Artist
- Chris Williams, '02 Professional Soccer Player for Miami FC
Lockerbie Bombing
Cheltenham High School students, faculty, and staff were all in mourning upon hearing the news that class of 1981 graduate David Dornstein had perished on the Pan Am Flight 103. He was on his way back from Israel to finish a project for a New York-based organization[8]. His younger brother, Ken, wrote a book titled "The Boy Who Fell Out of the Sky" about his older brother[9].
September 11, 2001
The Cheltenham High School community suffered on the morning of September 11, 2001, when class of 1981 student, Andrew Kates, was killed by terrorists. Andrew worked on the 105th floor of the North Tower, for Cantor Fitzgerald as a senior managing director[10].
References
- ^ About CHS
- ^ Public School Reviews
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ "R&O, Part 17,WT Dck No 95-5,FCC 95-473". http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Wireless/Orders/1995/fcc95473.txt. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
- ^ Naedele, Walter F. "Stuart F. Feldman, prime Constitution Center supporter", The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 17, 2010. Accessed July 22, 2010.
- ^ [4]
- ^ [5]
- ^ [6]
External links
- School Website
- Cheltenham High School Profile
- CHS Alumni Association
- Cheltenham Girls Basketball Award-Winning Profile
Communities Educational Institutions Arcadia University • Bishop McDevitt High School • Cheltenham High School • Cedarbrook Middle School • Reconstructionist Rabbinical College • Salus University • Westminster Theological Seminary • Cheltenham Township School DistrictPoints of Interest Beth Sholom Synagogue • Curtis Hall Arboretum • Wall House • Grey Towers Castle • Elkins Estate • Lynnewood HallFamous People See also Major Roads Regional Rail Stations Infrastructure PIAA Suburban One League American Conference Cheltenham High School • Norristown Area High School • Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School • Springfield Township High School • Upper Dublin High School • Upper Merion Area High School • Upper Moreland High School • Wissahickon High SchoolContinental Conference National Conference Pride of Philadelphia Award Winners 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 See Also Categories:- High schools in Pennsylvania
- Educational institutions established in 1884
- Schools in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
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