Parents at Cheltenham Elementary School are calling for urgent safety reforms following reports of violent and inappropriate behavior, including assaults on teachers and students. A meeting with school administrators addressed concerns about the emotional support program and poor communication. While the district acknowledged the issues, parents remain divided on the effectiveness of the proposed solutions.
Thursday, April 30, 2026 3:44AMParents are demanding changes to ensure student and teacher safety after reports of violent and inappropriate behavior at Cheltenham Elementary School, concerns that prompted a meeting Wednesday night between the school district and families.
Parents met for several hours with Cheltenham School District Superintendent Brian Scriven and other administrators to address what they describe as long-standing safety issues. Parents reported incidents involving students attacking teachers and other children, with concerns centering on behavioral challenges within the school's emotional support program.
"We've had a very high number of serious incidents at this school. Children stripping their clothes off, assaulting staff members, assaulting other kids sexually and physically," said Elizabeth Schroeder of Cheltenham Township.
"It's important to me because my friends, my sister and I go here, and I don't want to go to school where I'm not safe and teachers are getting hurt," said Juliett Ostrowski, a third-grade student. One mother said her first-grade daughter experienced sexually inappropriate behavior from other students.
"She was sexualized by little boys with vulgar language, and also physical touch," said Shanyl Jones. "It's violating, and it makes me feel violated as though my daughter is not safe. " "She spoke up and she said it to me. She said it to her teacher.
She said it to the principal, and she needs to be heard," Jones added. The school district said the community meeting was private, but Scriven spoke with Action News afterward, acknowledging the urgency raised by parents. Parents also criticized the school and district for poor communication, which Scriven committed to improving.
"I was slow to respond, I do have to own that, and rectify that immediately," he said. "That's my immediate work, showing them that I heard them and this is what we're going to do to address it. " Reactions following the meeting were mixed. Some parents said they left feeling discouraged, while others expressed hope.
"Hopefully they've taken us seriously, they listen to us and things will change from now on," said another parent. Scriven said improving trust with families is now a priority. He said the district plans to share its next steps on the district website on Monday.
School Safety Violence In Schools Emotional Support Programs Parent Advocacy District Accountability
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