Spotlight

On Wednesday, March 19, seventh grade English teacher Erin Gilbert hosted the Women's Student Union's third annual Empowering Women assembly in celebration of Women's History Month. Members of Cedarbrook's various student unions and student council were invited, as they heard from a panel of fabulous female professionals. This year's panel included Alexandra Ingram (executive director, Make the Distinction), Nydia Han (Emmy award-winning journalist/anchor, 6ABC News), Rebecca Abboud (Emmy award-winning video producer/director), Majdah al Qahtani (founder, Altus Wealth Management and member of Cetera Financial Group's DEIB Council and Women's Council), and Sophia Lee, Esq. (lawyer, adjunct professor, Temple University, DEI advocate, and special advisor to the CEO for Girl Scouts of Eastern PA). Throughout the presentation, the panel discussed their respective careers, highs and lows, and their educational journeys. They shared important advice regarding picking yourself back up after setbacks, standing up for yourself, being prepared for the job and for interviews, having confidence, taking risks, and being a leader. The assembly left students inspired and empowered, providing them with valuable insights and motivation to pursue their dreams with confidence and resilience.

It may be a day off from school Monday, but many in the Cheltenham School District will be treating it as a “Day On” in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. All seven CSD schools will be engaged in MLK activities focused on helping those less fortunate or in need of a boost.

Cheltenham Elementary: Collecting and assembling care kits for the unhoused to be given to Covenant House and Project Home. CES Gymnasium, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Glenside Elementary: Creating “Birthday Parties in a Bag” for children at the Woodstock Family Center. GES Cafeteria, 9 - 11 a.m.

Myers Elementary: In support of St. Christopher Children's Hospital Center for the Urban Child, Myers Elementary will be collecting care package items for infants and children, and making cards of well-wishes for inpatient children. MES Gymnasium, 9 - 11 a.m.

Wyncote Elementary: Packing “Birthday Boxes” and making birthday decorations. In honor of Dr. King, birthday boxes will be donated to local food banks. WES Cafetorium, 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Elkins Park School: Making breakfast bags for the unhoused. EP Cafeteria, 10 a.m. - noon.

Cedarbrook M.S./Cheltenham H.S. - Writing letters to the troops; creating cards for Cradles to Crayons, packing kindness cups for the unhoused, and collecting toiletries for Fostering Hope Philly NE. CBK Learning Commons, 9-11 a.m.

Cheltenham H.S. - CHS Students will be able to earn points for their annual Blue and Gold competition by donating toiletry items to Fostering Hope Philly NE. Students are divided by last name into Blue (A-K) and Gold (L-Z) teams, and the team that donates the most items by January 17 earns points!
 

Cedarbrook students in Omar Rose’s class put their self reflection skills to the test during the Prism Portrait project. They created a self portrait using polygons, wrote an autobiography, calculated the area of the polygons in their portrait and combined their findings using design software. 

To begin, students used the polyline tool in Google Drawings to create a self portrait. The polyline tool is a fun and creative way to explore art and geometry by allowing students to draw shapes by connecting straight lines, making it possible to construct a portrait entirely out of polygons. They then outlined their face and features using various polygons, turning curves into connected angles. It's a unique way to blend artistic expression with a bit of math, resulting in a one-of-a-kind geometric portrait.

Next, students wrote a biography about what makes them unique. They included important details about their life, like where they’re from, details of their family, their favorite hobbies and activities and detailed their proudest accomplishments. They also brainstormed about their future dreams, and reflected on people who have had the greatest impact on them. 

To utilize their math skills, students became familiar with geometric formulas to determine the area of their portraits. The culmination of their project resulted in a unique design that represented each student’s personality, creative and academic skills. 

The WIldcat Coffee Cart has been a fun addition to Cedarbrook this year. A few days a week, Ms. Kaplan and Ms. Houston's classes deliver various coffees, treats and snacks to teachers and staff who have ordered. Students fulfill the orders as well as count the money (and change)! A portion of the funds raised from the Coffee Cart in November and December have gone toward purchasing supplies to make sandwiches and snacks for a local shelter. If able to reach their goals, they would also love to buy materials to make blankets for those in need!

Students in Ms. Kaplan and Ms. Houston's classes enjoy building independent living skills while focusing on the Wildcat Way tenet of OUTREACH.