December Newsletter 2024

CEDAR HILL PREPARATORY SCHOOL

December Newsletter 2024 Educating Students Since 2003

Happy New Year 2025!

Holiday Sing Page 15

www.cedarhillprep.com | 1

Garden State Debate League

On December 7th, 2024, Cedar Hill Prep School participated in the Garden State Debate League, showcasing an impressive lineup of talented sixth graders—many of whom were competing for the first time!

The tournament featured thought-provoking topics, including (1) Extinct species should be resurrected (2) School grading should be restricted to Pass/Fail (3) Hate Speech is a 1st Amendment right (4) The Electoral College does more harm than good Our students performed exceptionally well, demonstrating critical thinking, eloquence, and poise.

Awards and Winners R. Aman earned the 2nd Best Speaker award, M. Indupuru secured the 5th Best Speaker honor V. Badhan won the Top Speaker for Cedar Hill Prep Congratulations to all participants for their outstanding efforts and a fantastic showing at the tournament!

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PRESCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN NEWS

Tree Study Preschoolers have been immersed in a Tree Study, exploring the parts of trees, their inhabitants, what grows on them, and how they’re used. They crafted binoculars to observe nature closely during campus walks, created tree rubbings to feel the texture of bark, and went on scavenger hunts with checklists to identify tree-related items. The children collected and sorted leaves by size and color, examined acorns, branches, and pine cones with magnifying glasses, and experimented with balance pans to compare weights. They also built bird’s nests from scavenged materials, adding cotton ball “eggs.” To celebrate, Mr. Seeley and Ms. Donna from DnD Woodshop guided them in creating wooden Christmas trees to paint and decorate. The Tree Study concludes in early December with more exciting activities!

Hanukkah The preschoolers learned about Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. During Hanukkah week, the children discovered that the menorah candles are lit for eight nights. They also learned how to play dreidel, a traditional spinning-top game, and had lots of fun playing it. For a craft activity, they painted beautiful blue menorahs made from paper plates and used popsicle sticks to represent the candles.

Kwanzaa Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival celebrating African American culture and history. The children learned about the Kinara, a special candle holder used during Kwanzaa, which holds seven candles—three red on the left, three green on the right, and a black candle in the center. Each night during Kwanzaa, one candle is lit. The class read stories about Kwanzaa and colored paper candles using the holiday’s traditional colors.

They also learned that corn is used to symbolize the number of children in a family.

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PRESCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN NEWS Christmas In the final week of school, we celebrated Christmas. The children sang songs, painted Christmas trees, and made Santa crafts. We even held an ugly sweater contest! Each child was given a paper sweater and decorated it using a variety of craft materials.

Cozy Celebration in Pre-Kindergarten Classrooms The Pre-Kindergarten classes enjoyed learning about the different holidays celebrated in December.

We read stories on Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Christmas and talked about how they are all considered festivals of lights and celebrated with family and friends. Our students also worked hard in making crafts showcasing the dreidels, different patterned Christmas trees, Kwanzaa mats, and wreaths. Their beautiful work is displayed in our hallway.

We ended our last week before winter recess with a Pajama Party in class. The little munchkins came clad in comfy PJs and their stuffed toys tagged along too! We enjoyed all the yummy snacks as we watched one of the most famous winter tales - Frosty the Snowman. To add to the fun, we made hot cocoa!

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PRESCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN NEWS

Kindergartners Take a Magical Ride!

Through their imaginations, our kindergarten children embarked on their first Magic Carpet Ride of the holiday season, traveling to Germany and Turkey to discover how children there celebrate St. Nicholas Day! It was a thrilling adventure to envision! We learned that children in these countries place their polished shoes outside their classrooms, hoping St. Nicholas will visit with gifts of candy and toys. Our kindergarten students wrote about and illustrated this exciting journey in their Cedar Hill Prep passports! To celebrate St. Nicholas Day, our Cedar Hill Prep Kindergarten students also placed their shoes in the hallway, eagerly awaiting St. Nicholas’ visit. The excitement was palpable when the children discovered candy and toys in their shoes — and thankfully, no one found coal!

Lights, Crowns, and Cookies!

Continuing our Holidays Around the World series, our third Magic Carpet Ride took us to Sweden to celebrate St. Lucia Day. St. Lucia, whose name means “light,” symbolizes the dispelling of darkness. This beloved festival marks the start of the Christmas season. Dressed in a white gown with a red sash and a crown of candles, St. Lucia traditionally wakes her family at dawn to serve breakfast.

To honor this tradition, our students created their own crowns by cutting out candles and leaves, which they wore with pride. They also wrote about the experience in their travel passports and colored a beautiful picture of St. Lucia. To complete the celebration, the children enjoyed a delicious St. Lucia breakfast of cookies and chocolate milk. It was a joyful and enriching day for everyone!

www.cedarhillprep.com | 5

PRESCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN NEWS Kindergartners Explore the joys of Hanukkah The Kindergarten children embarked on their fourth Magic Carpet Ride, exploring the Jewish Festival of Lights—Hanukkah! Through their imaginations, they journeyed to Israel, where they experienced beautifully lit Menorahs, nightly gifts, families playing the Dreidel Game, and the warmth of gathering around Potato Latkes. The children documented their adventures in their Kindergarten Passports, paired with vibrant illustrations.

Together, we read Dino Hanukkah and engaged in festive activities like crafting dreidels and coloring the Star of David. Happy Hanukkah to all!

A Magical Christmas Adventure This time, our exciting Magic Carpet Ride took us to the North Pole to experience Christmas and meet Santa Claus! We also flew over New Jersey, where we saw Christmas carolers singing traditional songs in neighborhoods. Bright lights adorned Christmas trees, and people were celebrating with gifts, games, dinners, and joy. We documented all of this in our passports. Merry Christmas!

A Magic Carpet Ride Through Kwanzaa Celebrations Across New Jersey We took a magical journey across New Jersey to experience the vibrant celebration of Kwanzaa! Along the way, we discovered the rich culture and traditions that honor African American heritage. We witnessed families coming together to celebrate this week-long harvest festival, a time to reflect on the past and look toward the future. Each day, one candle was lit in the Kinara, symbolizing one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. The Kinara featured three red candles, representing the struggles of African Americans, a black candle in the center symbolizing the African American people, and three green candles that represent hope for the future.

On the final day of our journey, gifts were exchanged as part of the celebration. We also had the chance to write and illustrate in our passports, learn about the story “Seven Candles for Kwanzaa,” and even color our own Kinara to take home. It was a meaningful experience, honoring the values of unity, self-determination, and community.

6 | December Newsletter

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS First Grade Spelling Bee Champs!

On Tuesday, December 10th, the 1st grade participated in their very first spelling bee. The students lined up alphabetically and carefully reviewed the official rules before the competition began. I was incredibly impressed by how well they performed on their first attempt and proud of their ability to regulate their emotions when faced with challenges. After several rounds—and even tackling words from the 2nd grade list—our two finalists emerged victorious. Congratulations to S. Modh and A. Gupta, who will advance to compete against the 2nd-grade winners.

In-Class Spelling Bee Success!

Congratulations to all our amazing second graders who participated in the in-class spelling bee! The competition was fierce and exciting, lasting nearly two hours and even tackling fourth-grade-level words before our champions were crowned. A big round of applause to A. Bobade and N. Jithin, our top two winners, who will proudly represent their class in the First and Second Grade Spelling Bee on January 22. Kudos as well to H. Patel and Z. Usman, who made it to the final four—your hard work and perseverance were inspiring! Great job to all participants for showcasing your spelling skills and determination. We’re so proud of each of you!

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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS

SUPER STUDENTS

Meet Our Third Grade Super Student I. Joshi I. Joshi from Mrs. Haynoski’s class is this week’s Third Grade Super Student! She describes herself as a Mighty Mathematician, Wonder Writer, Marvelous Musician, Amazing Artist, and Harmonious Helper.

Her theme song? “Better When I’m Dancing”! Ishani imagines herself hailing from the galaxy “Spiral.” Her Super Family includes her mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa. A true book lover, some of I. Joshi’s favorite reads are Bhagavad Gita, The Boxcar Children, Mermaids to the Rescue, and Never Girls in a Blink. She loves chatting with her friends about books, her culture, and storytelling. Pink is the color that makes Ishani happiest, and if she could pick sidekicks, she’d choose her mom and grandpa. If given the chance to fix a wrong in the world, I. Joshi would eliminate water pollution—and she dreams of starring in a movie dedicated to solving this important issue. Way to go, I. Joshi!

Your creativity, kindness, and passion inspire us all.

Third Grade Super Student Spotlight K. Mehta, from Mrs. Kotasthane’s class, is a self-described Stellar Scientist, Marvelous Musician, Awesome Athlete, and Amazing Artist. Her theme song, “Roar,” perfectly reflects her bold and vibrant personality. K. Mehta looks up to her mom as her hero and spends her free time indulging in her favorite hobbies: drawing, painting, and singing. She hails from the galaxy “Animal Sky” and enjoys chatting with her friends about recess adventures. She would choose Pickles the Dog as her loyal sidekick. Among her favorite books are Mermaid Tales and The Boxcar Children. When K. Mehta is happy, she thinks of the colors pink and gold. If she could change one thing in the world, it would be to solve the problem of pollution. She dreams of starring in a movie as a Nature Princess, spreading awareness and bringing harmony to the environment.

Ugly Sweater Fun: A Festive Challenge The third graders at Cedar Hill Prep kicked off December with a fun and creative activity— decorating "Ugly Sweater" patterns! Known for their over-the-top holiday-themed designs, bold colors, and whimsical embellishments like sequins and pom-poms, ugly sweaters embody the spirit of playful creativity. The students enthusiastically embraced the challenge, channeling their artistic talents to create a vibrant and festive display on our bulletin board. Their designs will soon be judged, and house points will be awarded to the winners. Great job, third graders, for starting the season with such flair!

8 | December Newsletter

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS Third Graders Welcome Special Guest Reader C. Fitzgerald C. Fitzgerald, aunt of M. Fitzgerald, delighted our third graders by reading Marshmallow by Clare Turlay Newberry. This timeless and beautifully illustrated story follows the heartwarming journey of an unusual friendship between a pampered tabby cat named Oliver and a sweet baby bunny, Marshmallow Initially resistant to sharing his home, Oliver eventually succumbs to Marshmallow’s irresistible charm, showcasing the power of kindness and connection. Thank you, C. Fitzgerald, for sharing this wonderful story with us!

Third Grade Welcomes Another Mystery Reader This week, third grade had the pleasure of welcoming another fantastic mystery reader! S. Yarlagadda’s mom, joined us to read “How the Sea Became Salty” by Sudha Murty.

The story carries an important moral lesson about the consequences of greed and jealousy. It contrasted the kind and hardworking Sridhar with his mean and jealous sister-in-law, Leela. Through their actions and the magical events that unfold, the tale highlights how kindness and hard work are rewarded, while greed and jealousy often lead to unintended consequences. Thank you, Mrs Yarlagadda, for sharing this beautiful story with us!

Holiday Craft The third grade came to school on the last day before winter break in our pajamas, stuffed animals and own blankets. We created some holiday crafts but this felt coloring one was our favorite! We picked a winter scene and used markers to make it beautiful!

We then had our classroom parties, laid our blankets out and got our stuffed animals and watched “The Polar Express”. Did we mention the best part?? We got popcorn and hot chocolate to enjoy with our movie!

www.cedarhillprep.com | 9

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS Grade 4’s Bustling December!

On Dec. 9, Grade 4 held their annual Class Spelling Bee. After a recordsetting number of rounds, the 1st and 2nd place winners were declared, as well as the runner-up! Congratulations to Shamit and Nikita for winning the Grade 4 Spelling Bee, and to Agastya for becoming the runner-up! In the event that Shamit or Nikita cannot participate, Agastya will be ready to step in. We wish them the very best as they prepare to participate in the CHP school-wide Spelling Bee on January 22!

Some of Grade 4’s students have registered to participate in the National Young Authors’ Fair. The deadline for all submissions is January 15. We cannot wait to read the published works of some of our authors!

On December 16 & 17, Grade 4 students took the Online Regional Qualifying Exams for these International Academic Competitions: National Geography Bee, National History Bee, and the National Science Bee. The students were thrilled to learn that most fourth graders have qualified to advance to at least one of the Regional IAC Bees. Congratulations Grade 4 for your amazing work! On December 18, there was a level of excitement as CHP’s favorite elf mysteriously appeared around campus creating all types of mischief!

Thank you Mr. Seeley! You continue to create lasting memories for our community!!!

On the last day of classes before Winter Break, Grade 4 students came to school in their snuggly pajamas, all cozied up for a day of fun-filled activities.

By evening, everyone’s wardrobe changed as the children dressed in their finest for the Holiday Sing. Once again, the annual CHP Holiday Sing receive accolades! Congratulations Mr. Altman and all of the CHP students for outstanding performances!

This busy day was a wonderful way to round out the end to our classes in 2024! Best wishes to our CHP Community for a safe, healthy, and happy New Year!

10 | December Newsletter

MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS

May the best Gingerbread House Win! The winter season wouldn’t be complete without the famous CHP Gingerbread House Competition! This year, all four houses showcased their imaginative and creative skills to craft some stunning Gingerbread Houses. Colorful candies and sparkly icing that resembled snow, lined the cookie sheets, as students put together their Gingerbread Houses. It was an absolute delight to watch!

Each House came up with creative lyrics inspired by Christmas carols for the House Cheer. These competitions definitely bring a sense of team spirit and camaraderie. Congratulations to Lenape Owls for winning both the house and cheer!

Egg Drop Challenge In their Physical Science class, 8th-grade students put their theoretical knowledge of force and motion into practice through an engaging hands-on activity. The objective was to design, engineer, and build a container capable of protecting a fragile egg from the impact of a high fall.

The Egg Drop Challenge, a classic experiment, required students to construct crash-proof carriers using a variety of materials and techniques. This project encouraged creativity and innovation as students explored different designs to ensure the egg remained intact when dropped from varying heights.

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SPECIALS

WILDCATS SPORTS

CHP BOYS BASKETBALl Team

CHP girls BASKETBALl Team

GIRLS BASKETBALL Team CHPand GIRLS BASKETBALL Team practice players

Winter Sports Pep Rally A Beloved CHP Tradition!

The Cedar Hill Prep community came together for one of our favorite traditions—the Winter Sports Pep Rally! Students filled the room with energy and cheers as we celebrated the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams. With pump-up music, lively introductions of our athletes and coaches, and a spirited visit from our mascot, CHiP, the event was a heartwarming reminder of the incredible school spirit at CHP. Thank you to everyone who participated and cheered on our teams. It’s moments like these that make CHP truly special. Go Wildcats!

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Record Update: 1 Win, 2 Losses Our first game was at home against Noor-Ul-Iman. The girls gave it their all, but despite their hard-fought efforts, we came up short. The opposing team had some taller players, which made a difference.

In our second game, we traveled to Metuchen Christian.

Although we lost, the team showed significant improvement as the game progressed and put up a strong fight.

Finally, our third game was away at Stuart Country Day School.

With only 5 players available, the girls played the entire game and came out with a well-deserved win.

Girls Basketball Schedule

Boys’ Basketball Season Outlook: Strong Start and Room for Growth Boys’ basketball is off to a 1-2 start this season, with their first win coming at home. After a slow start in the opener, the team bounced back with a dominant 15-point win at home, highlighted by strong performances from Mason and Ayan Patel. The boys then hit the road, putting up 50 points, but fell short in a tough loss.

With plenty of talent and determination, expect big things from this team as the season progresses.

Boys Basketball Schedule

Union Beach Clean Up Mini Grant Awarded Cedar Hill Prep Receives Mini Grant Following Union Beach Clean-Up Efforts On a rainy Saturday, September 28, 2024, Coach Frankie, along with A. Kahlon (Grade 6) and his parents, as well as A. Parekh-Patel and L. Parekh-Patel (Grades 8 and 5) and their parents, represented Cedar Hill Prep School at the Union Beach Clean Communities Day. The CHP team volunteered their time and efforts to help clean Union Beach. Despite the challenging weather conditions of rain and wind, the team persevered, making the event a resounding success.

As a token of appreciation, Cedar Hill Prep School received a $90 Mini Grant and a certificate of appreciation signed by Union Beach Mayor Charles W. Cocuzza and Mary E. Mancini, Assistant to the Director of Public Works and Clean Communities Coordinator.

In a generous gesture, Coach Frankie donated the $90 Mini Grant to the CHP Green Team to support their ongoing environmental projects. www.cedarhillprep.com | 13

SPECIALS Spotlight on Chess Excellence at CHP CHP’s very own Chess Teacher and Enrichment Club Coach, Farai Mandizha, led an engaging after-school chess tournament this week. Students from Grades K-8 displayed remarkable focus, strategic thinking, and sportsmanship throughout the event.

The tournament provided an excellent opportunity for students to test their skills, challenge their peers, and grow their love for the game. Coach Mandizha’s dedication to fostering a positive and competitive spirit was evident as students tackled each match with enthusiasm and determination.

Congratulations to all our talented players! We are so proud of your effort and sportsmanship.

Congratulations to M. Indupuru, K. Pingle, and V. Badhan for taking top honors!

6th Grade Spanish Students Explore the Flavors of the Spanish-Speaking World Our 6th-grade Spanish students showcased their creativity and cultural knowledge through an engaging project on traditional foods from Spanish-speaking countries. Each student researched a country, learned about its unique culinary traditions, and presented their findings to the class.

The presentations were both informative and mouthwatering, as students not only shared their insights but also had the opportunity to taste and enjoy the delicious dishes they had studied. It was a flavorful journey that brought the classroom to life and deepened their appreciation for the rich diversity of Hispanic culture. ¡Buen provecho!

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SPECIALS

Holiday Sing 2024: A Musical Success!

This year’s Holiday Sing was a spectacular celebration of music and joy, showcasing the incredible talents of our students from Preschool through Grade 8. Preschool through Grade 3 delighted us with festive classics such as Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel, 12 Days of Christmas, and Jingle Bells.

Grades 4 - 8 added their magic with heartfelt renditions of Holly Jolly Christmas, Wonderful Christmastime, Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year and Last Christmas.

Thank you to Mr. Altman for his tireless dedication in training and preparing our students for this heartwarming event. Your guidance made this holiday season even brighter!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Cedar Hill Prep!

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AROUND THE SCHOOL Elf on the Shelf at Cedar Hill Prep!

The holiday magic arrived at Cedar Hill Prep with our mischievous Elf on the Shelf making his rounds around the school! Students excitedly searched for him each day, eagerly trying to spot where he would appear next. It was a fun way to spread some holiday cheer and bring extra joy to the season! We loved seeing the students’ excitement as they joined in on the festive hunt!

Ugly Sweater Day at CHP! At CHP this week, it was a stylish storm as everyone embraced the fun of ‘Ugly Sweater Day’! From reindeer gone rogue to clashing colors that could stop traffic, the holiday spirit was in full force.

Thanks to all who participated— let’s keep spreading those festive vibes!

Say Cheese Before Winter Break!

The holiday season is here, and we’re wrapping up the year with our last Pizza with the Principal before winter break! Every month, a few lucky students are chosen to have lunch with Mr. Seeley, our principal. It’s a great opportunity for students to chat, share their ideas, and enjoy some pizza together.

Grades 1 - 2 16 | December Newsletter

Grades 3 - 4

Preschool - Kindergarten

Grades 5 - 8

Happy 60th Birthday Ms. Nan! Celebrating Nan Menon Ed.D. on Her 60th Birthday!

This year marks a significant milestone as we celebrate the 60th birthday of Nan Menon, Ed.D., the visionary founder of Cedar Hill Prep. Her unwavering dedication to education, her innovative approach to learning, and her deep compassion for students have left an indelible mark on our school community.

Nan Menon’s passion for nurturing young minds has been the cornerstone of Cedar Hill Prep’s mission. Her leadership and commitment have cultivated an environment where curiosity thrives, diversity is celebrated, and excellence is achieved. Happy 60th birthday, Nan Menon! May this year bring you joy, health, and continued success. Here’s to many more years of inspiring excellence and changing lives!

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CHP EDUCATION AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION

Holiday Bazaar Brings Cheer to Cedar Hill Prep!

The PTO’s Annual Holiday Bazaar was a festive success.

With a wide variety of vendors, delightful holiday treats, and plenty of fun shopping, the event brought together families, friends, and community members in the spirit of the season.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to make the day so special!

COMING SOON

UPCOMING EVENT Jan 31, 2025 18 | December Newsletter

Uniform Sale PTO@CEDARHILLPREP.COM

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Read Across America Mardi Gras Celebration Debate at CHP Showcasing Classrooms Family Fun Night Singing and Dancing Competitions Poetry Day (Grades K-4)

Poetry Day (Grads 5-8) Spring Play

SAVE THE DATES

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January

Click for 2024 - 2025 Calendar

to the December Staff Birthdays!

Dawn Pensack, Nandini Menon, and Yollia Allen www.cedarhillprep.com | 19

152 Cedar Grove Lane Somerset, NJ 08873 Phone: 732-356-5400 Fax: 732-356-5409 Email: admissions@cedarhillprep.com Web: www.cedarhillprep.com

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20 | December Newsletter