Cheltenham School District superintendent Dr. Brian W. Scriven published a memo regarding the district’s board of directors’ May 27 vote to permanently close the Elkins Park School in June.

According to Dr. Scriven, the school’s staff will be asked to spend their last in-service day (June 20) packing classrooms. The Elkins Park gym and library will remain open.

The additions at Glenside Elementary School and Cedarbrook Middle School are anticipated to be completed and open in Fall 2027.

The memo:

Dear Cheltenham School District Community,

We are writing to you today to share an important update regarding the future configuration of our schools, following the school board’s recent vote. On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the CSD Board of School Directors approved the recommendation for the permanent closing of the Elkins Park School building to educational use, effective at the end of the current school year. This decision followed the required public hearing held on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, and the subsequent ninety (90) day period leading up to the vote. A thirty (30) day written comment period was also held, which concluded on Friday, March 28, 2025, during which no written comments were received.

This reconfiguration is a necessary step as we move forward with significant construction projects aimed at enhancing our facilities, specifically additions at Glenside Elementary School and Cedarbrook Middle School, which are anticipated to be completed and open in Fall 2027.

Here are the key changes you can expect as we transition for the 2025-2026 school year:

• K-5 Elementary School Model: Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, our elementary schools will operate as K-5 buildings. This means that current 4th graders will remain in their elementary schools as rising 5th graders. Fifth grade students will be self-contained as part of the elementary school model. They will primarily utilize existing instructional materials, with the exception of some science materials that will be part of our purchase of high-quality instructional materials. Staffing adjustments have been made to support this model, including assistant principals being reassigned to Cheltenham, Wyncote, and Glenside Elementary, and a teacher on assignment at Myers Elementary. Special Education staffing has been adjusted, with an autism support classroom moving from Wyncote to Glenside to ensure  every elementary school has at least one autism support classroom. Learning support teachers have also been redistributed. Encore programming will see STEM become a standalone class in grades K-5. Elementary schools will share two floating gifted teachers whose assignment will be 100% gifted education. Additional instrumental music teachers will support 4th through 6th grades. Counselors and nurses will  be reassigned. Preliminary re-assignments have been provided to all Elkins Park faculty and staff for elementary schools and 6th grade as part of Cedarbrook.
   
• Sixth Grade at the Modulars: For the 2025-2026 school year, rising 6th graders will move to the modular buildings. There will be a 2025-2026 cohort of 6th graders and a 2026-2027 cohort of 6th graders before moving to the newly expanded Cedarbrook Middle School for the 2027-2028 school year. The schedule at the modulars will mimic the schedule at Cedarbrook and utilize a team model. We are implementing a 6th Grade Success Academy Model, utilizing a teacher on assignment to support its coordination and implementation. This model aims to provide additional support with professional learning, support professional learning communities, utilize data tools to inform instruction and interventions, and ensure appropriate social-emotional learning opportunities. Some instructional materials will be replaced as we move through our high-quality instructional materials adoption and implementation process. A gifted and a separate STEM teacher will be at the modulars for 6th grade. Both physical education/health teachers from Elkins Park School will move to the modulars. Current Elkins Park math and reading specialists will support 6th grade students. ESL teachers will continue to support students. A counselor and a nurse from Elkins Park School will be reassigned to the modulars. Extra Duty, Extra Pay (EDEP) positions, such as clubs and intramural sports, will be maintained at the modulars.
   
• EPIC Relocation: The Empowerment Program in Cheltenham (EPIC) will be relocated to the new wing in the Elkins Park School building, which was built in 1991. This space offers 12 classrooms and office spaces for use. The main office of Elkins Park School will remain open for EPIC use, as well as other parts of the building. Whitsons will prepare food for the EPIC students in the kitchen at Elkins Park. Holistic support will be provided to students at EPIC.

We are also addressing various logistical aspects of this transition. Regarding transportation, we will be moving from four school timelines to three for bus scheduling, but routes are expected to remain similar. Parking needs are being considered. Food services for 6th graders will involve food being prepared at Elkins Park (or a kitchen) and transported to the Modulars, where it will be kept warm or cold in new equipment in a modified kitchen. This arrangement is temporary until 6th grade moves to Cedarbrook.

Professional development will be provided for teachers switching content areas and for the transition, with summer institutes being structured and scheduled for 2025. Staff at Elkins Park will be asked to spend their last in-service day (June 20) packing classrooms. A system for tagging and labeling items for moving has been created, and summer help is being hired to support the move.

The Elkins Park gym will remain open for scheduled use for 6th grade students and staff, including for after school activities. The library at Elkins Park School will also remain open for student use. Evening activities currently utilizing Elkins Park School will be relocated to other schools as necessary.

We remain committed to transparency and engaging with the community regarding these plans. We will continue to utilize various communication mechanisms, including letters to the community, a webpage with frequently asked questions (FAQs), news shares, and principal and teacher newsletters.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we undertake these necessary steps to improve our facilities and educational programs, aligning with our vision to be a community where all students belong, engage, and excel, and our mission to provide inspiration and resources for every student to achieve academic excellence and pursue their highest potential.

For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.