Cedar Crest Academy 2026-2027
CAMPUS CONNECTIONS
Welcome Cedar Crest Families What a wonderful start to the 2026–2027 school year! Our campuses are alive with the energy of learning, the excitement of new friendships, and the everyday wonder of watching our students grow. It has been such a pleasure welcoming back our returning families and getting to know so many new families joining the Cedar Crest community. At the heart of everything we do is our commitment to "Challenge the Mind and Nurture the Heart." We believe in inspiring our students academically, sparking their curiosity, and helping each child discover and reach their full potential. At the same time, we know that learning is about so much more than academics. Nurturing kindness, character, compassion, confidence, and meaningful relationships is equally important to helping our students grow into capable and caring individuals. We remain committed to honoring our Founders' legacy and the vision, values, and traditions they so thoughtfully built. We're also excited to expand our program to include Young Preschool through Fifth Grade. This growth marks a meaningful next step that builds on our academic strengths while staying true to the relationships, values, and tight knit community that define who we are. Thank you for being such a treasured part of the Cedar Crest family. — Heather Carpenter, Executive Director
This Issue’s Topics 2
Better Together: Cooperation Across Bellewood
3
Redmond — Kindergarten Is in Full Swing
4
Northup — Where It All Begins: Young Preschool
5
Park Highland — Big Little Moments in Pre-K
6
Beyond the Classroom: Meet Our Specialists
7
Growing Up at Cedar Crest Academy
8-9
Articles & Events
10-12
Cross Campus Highlights
Better Together: Cooperation Across Bellewood BY DEBORAH CUNNINGHAM, BELLEWOOD Cooperation begins in everyday moments at Cedar Crest Academy and grows as students learn alongside one another, both within their classrooms and across Pre-Primary and Elementary grades. Our Pre-Primary program incorporates foundational mathematical concepts, print knowledge, and phonological awareness. While developing motor skills and number and letter recognition, students also learn to interact with classmates, follow routines, and express their needs. Together, these experiences build a strong foundation for academic and socialemotional learning in Kindergarten and beyond. Cooperation is one of Cedar Crest’s Ten Pillars of Character Education, alongside traits such as honesty and respect, which are nurtured across grade levels. For early learners, cooperation looks like building block towers together, helping clean up crayons and toys, and learning to compromise when two students want the same book. In Elementary, these early
lessons grow through partnered activities, shared classroom responsibilities, and active listening during student presentations. Teachers also create opportunities for PrePrimary and Elementary students to connect. Through reading buddies, older students become role models and mentors, building their own confidence while encouraging younger learners. Even Kindergarteners have opportunities to lead by demonstrating patience, kindness, and care. These experiences make cooperation more than a classroom lesson. Younger students gain support and someone to look up to, while older students discover the responsibility and joy of helping others. Both learn that they have something valuable to contribute and that their actions can help someone else feel included, capable, and ready to learn.
Kindergarten is in Full Swing BY BECKY HICKS, REDMOND At Cedar Crest Academy, our Kindergarten program is designed to inspire curiosity while building the strong academic foundation students need for future success. This trimester, students are engaging in meaningful learning across science, literacy, writing, and social studies. In Physical Science, students are exploring light and sound, developing skills in observation, questioning, experimentation, and critical thinking. Their Life Science Penguin Unit encourages students to investigate animal characteristics, habitats, and adaptations while strengthening research and science vocabulary. Writing takes a personal approach as students create autobiographies, learning to organize ideas, sequence events, and communicate their experiences clearly. Then turning to descriptive writing using frogs as their subject, students use descriptive writing skills by using details, precise vocabulary, and complete sentences to bring their writing to life. Students also work on spelling, having weekly tests that help students develop phonics skills, vocabulary, accuracy, and confidence as they learn to recognize and apply spelling patterns. Together, these experiences strengthen independence, communication, critical thinking, and academic habits—essential skills for success in academically focused programs and future elementary grade bands
Where It All Begins: Young Preschool BY JENNA VANDEN BOOMEN, NORTHUP
The littlest kids in school are having some big adventures in Young Preschool! A month into school, they’re making fast friends and having a blast discovering the classroom and playground. For many, this is their first introduction to school, so these early weeks have been all about getting to know their teachers, classmates, and classroom routines. Joining circle time or lining up for recess might seem simple, but when school is brand new, these are big steps! As children learn what comes next, they feel more comfortable joining in and trying things on their own. With that growing confidence comes an eagerness to explore, and those little hands have been busy! Cutting with scissors, tearing paper, and putting together puzzles build fine motor skills, grip strength, and hand-eye coordination. They take patience, too. A puzzle piece might need a turn or two before it fits, but figuring it out is part of the fun. Each small success gives children another reason to say, “I did it!” Those developing skills come into play during art and sensory activities, too. Whether arranging materials on paper or pressing shapes into sand, children discover different textures and what happens when they scoop, squeeze, and press. With room to experiment and make a little mess, they’re learning to make choices and try out ideas of their own! From making a new friend to fitting that last puzzle piece, there’s plenty to feel proud of in these early days of school. It has been a joy watching our Young Preschoolers settle in and arrive each day curious about what’s waiting for them!
Big Little Moments in Pre-K BY BRUNETTA BANDA, PARK HIGHLAND An idea shared with the class. A problem solved with a friend. A proud “Look what I made!” In Park Highland’s Pre-K classrooms, these little moments are a big part of the year. Helping make them happen are our Pre-K teachers: Ms. Pooja, Ms. Kelsey, Ms. Becca, and Ms. Shaunna. They make room for children’s questions and ideas while offering the encouragement to try things for themselves. With a little guidance and plenty of practice, something that once felt tricky becomes something a child can proudly do on their own. This balance of support and growing independence makes Pre-K an important bridge between Preschool and our Elementary program, which begins in Kindergarten. Children build on the routines they already know while learning to take a more active role in the classroom. During discussions, that might mean explaining an answer, asking a follow-up question, or adding to a friend’s idea. Teachers help children find the words to express their thinking and listen to what others have to say, so one child’s observation can become a discovery for the whole group. Hands-on projects and shared problem-solving give students plenty to discuss, along with opportunities to practice doing more for themselves. That independence carries into everyday routines, from following several steps to managing belongings and completing classroom jobs. As children become more comfortable, teachers gradually step back, giving them room to take charge. And when they do, that proud “I did it myself!” means a little more. For parents, these changes can be some of the most rewarding parts of the Pre-K year: hearing a child explain their thinking or watching them handle a task that once required help. Each small success helps the next challenge feel more manageable, preparing children to step into Kindergarten with confidence, curiosity, and plenty of ideas to share.
Beyond the Classroom: Meet Our Specialists BY VINU VIJAY, PROGRAM DIRECTOR It’s a joy to be back at Cedar Crest Academy! Having been part of this community as both a teacher and a director, I’m excited to return as Program Director after four years coaching educators across the country. I look forward to bringing fresh ideas and supporting our teachers in the classroom. This month, I’d like to highlight our in-school specialists. From books and coding to music and movement, their lessons help children discover new interests, build confidence, and express themselves while enriching their classroom learning.
Music | Ms. Asa Pre-Primary, All Campuses
Smart with Art Elementary Program
Through singing, instruments, and movement, students explore rhythm and melody, build listening skills and coordination, and discover the joy of making music together.
In Art, students express creativity through varied mediums and projects, exploring color, design, and artistic traditions while developing fine motor skills, patience, and their own creative voice.
Amazing Athletes Pre-Primary: All Campuses Kindergarten PE: Redmond, Park Highland & Northup
Foreign Language for Youth | Ms. Arguelles Elementary Program
This multi-sport program uses organized, hands-on play to introduce sport basics, nutrition, and muscle building, giving kids the foundation for lifelong healthy habits.
Through songs, games, conversation, and cultural exploration, Ms. Arguelles helps students to build vocabulary and communication skills while appreciating Spanish-speaking cultures around the world.
Physical Education | Mr. Sauter Elementary Program
Library & Technology | Ms. Divya Bellewood Elementary
Mr. Sauter leads students through games and fitness challenges to build motor skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Students gain healthy habits, perseverance, and confidence in an energetic, supportive environment.
From discovering a favorite book to exploring coding, Ms. Divya helps students become curious readers and confident technology users. Students practice research, typing, and safe internet use through stories and hands-on projects.
Growing Up at Cedar Crest Academy BY KRISTINE JOHNSON, HEAD OF ADMISSIONS For Cedar Crest Academy families, the school years become a collection of milestones, friendships, and shared memories, from a child’s first day of Young Preschool to Fifth Grade graduation. Our Pre-Primary and Elementary programs are designed to work together, with each year building on the learning that came before. As children move into Elementary, they take on new challenges within a familiar community and teaching approach. That continuity gives them room to grow in confidence and independence while deepening the relationships they’ve formed along the way.
Vijay’s daughter graduated from Cedar Crest in 2025, and his son is now a Third Grader. He said staying at the school from preschool through graduation gave his family “an invaluable sense of stability and belonging,” adding that his children “have felt safely rooted in a cohesive, familiar culture.” For Vi’s family, those connections have continued beyond graduation. Her son graduated in 2024, and her daughter is now a Third Grader. Teachers still ask about her son, and her children’s cousins, also Cedar Crest alumni, often check in with her daughter for school updates. “It is so special to see our family bond over the experiences they shared,” she said.
These lasting connections are part of what makes continuing at Cedar Crest meaningful. Children move forward with people who know them, while families remain part of a community they’ve helped shape. Re-enrollment for the next school year opens in January for current families. As you look ahead to your child’s next chapter, we also invite you to share your Cedar Crest experience with friends and family who are considering a school for their children. Your perspective helps them imagine what their own journey here could look like.
A GENTLE NUDGE OR TOO MUCH PRESSURE? When children hesitate to try something new, how do you know when to encourage them and when to step back? Experts at the Child Mind Institute explore how to help children stretch beyond their comfort zone, understand what’s behind their hesitation, and recognize when a gentle nudge becomes too much pressure. Click here to read the full article.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN KIDS HAVE NOTHING TO DO? “I’m bored!” It’s a familiar refrain that can leave parents feeling like they need to have an activity ready. Between school, extracurriculars, and weekend plans, it’s easy to get used to keeping children busy. But what happens when there’s nothing on the schedule and they have to decide what to do next? Those quiet moments can make room for imagination, new ideas, and the satisfaction of finding something to do on their own. In this ParentMap article, parenting expert Sanya Pelini, Ph.D., explores how boredom can encourage creativity and independence, offering parents a reassuring reminder that they don’t have to fill every moment. Click here to read the full article.
HALLOWEEN CANDY: FINDING A SWEET BALANCE Halloween brings plenty of excitement and plenty of sugar! When trick-or-treat bags overflow, a little planning can help families enjoy the treats without letting candy take over. Explore practical ways to manage the sweets while keeping the holiday fun, including setting expectations, offering candy-free alternatives, and finding creative uses for leftovers. Click here to read the full article.
8 WAYS TO ENCOURAGE UPCOMING EVENTS THANKFULNESS Weds, Oct. 28
All Programs | Early Dismissal & Professional Development
Fri, Oct. 30
Halloween Celebrations! Trunk-orTreat & Fancy Dress Competition
Weds, Nov. 11
No School - Veterans Day
Sat, Nov. 14
All Campus Open House & Kindergarten Preview
Nov. 23-25
Thanksgiving Celebrations
CROSS CAMPUS Highlights
CROSS CAMPUS Highlights
CROSS CAMPUS Highlights