CEDAR HILL PREPARATORY SCHOOL
December Newsletter 2025 Educating Students Since 2003 INNOVATION | EXCELLENCE | GLOBAL READINESS
Happy New Year! www.cedarhillprep.com | 1
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A Grand Musical Success: 2025 Holiday Sing
ur 2025 Holiday Sing brought together students from Pre-K through 8th grade for an enchanting evening of seasonal favorites.
Our youngest performers charmed the audience with “Snowflake,” “I’m a Little Snowman,” and “Jingle Bells,” while our 2nd-4th graders delivered spirited renditions of “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel,” and “The 12 Days of Christmas.” Our 5th-8th grade students took the stage with “Winter Wonderland,” “Last Christmas,” and
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
The evening sparkled with solo performances: Mythili Polamraju and Anandita Gurjar, Keira Peng and Indigo James, and Yajur Subramaniam each brought their unique voices to the celebration. Thank you to everyone who helped make this show a grand musical success. Events like these remind us of the incredible talent within our Cedar Hill Prep community.
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PRESCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN NEWS Preschool December Lights were bright in preschool at Cedar Hill Prep as the class learned a little bit about the holidays of Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and Christmas. It’s fun to learn about different holiday celebrations.
Hanukkah Preschoolers learned about Hanukkah, the festival of lights. During our Hanukkah week, the children learned that the menorah candles are lit for 8 nights. They also learned about a game played with a spinning top, called a dreidel. The children had a fun time coloring dreidels.
Kwanzaa Kwanzaa is a seven day festival that celebrates African American culture and history. During Kwanzaa a special candle holder called a Kinara is used. It holds seven candles, three red ones on the left, three green ones on the right with a black candle in the center. Each night during Kwanzaa a candle is lit. Our preschool class learned a little about this holiday by reading stories and coloring a paper candle using the Kwanzaa colors. Corn was included to represent the amount of children in the family.
Preschool Christmas The last week of school, we celebrated Christmas. The children sang songs, painted Christmas trees. We even had an ugly sweater contest. The children were given a paper sweater. Their job was to decorate the sweater with an assortment of craft items.
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PRESCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN NEWS Holiday Book Swap Spreads Joy and Love of Reading The holiday spirit was alive and well in Pre-K B as students participated in our annual Book Swap! Each child brought in a wrapped book to exchange with a classmate, combining the excitement of gift-giving with a love of reading. This beloved tradition not only encourages literacy but also teaches our youngest learners about generosity and the magic of sharing stories during the holiday season.
PreK A had a wonderful visit from Mia's dad, Mr. Filzer, who came to share a special book about Hanukkah with our youngest learners. These family connections enrich our classroom community and help students see their own cultures and traditions reflected and celebrated at school. Thank you, Mr. Filzer, for taking the time to share this meaningful story with us!
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Cozy Celebration in Pre-Kindergarten Classrooms
he Pre-Kindergarten classes enjoyed learning about the different holidays celebrated in December. We read stories about Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Christmas and talked about how they are all considered festivals of light celebrated with family and friends. Our students also worked hard making crafts showcasing dreidels, different patterned Christmas trees, Kwanzaa mats, and
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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 ones came dressed in comfy PJs with their stuffed toys in tow! We enjoyed yummy snacks as we watched one of the most famous winter tales—Frosty the Snowman. To add to the fun, we made hot cocoa!
PRESCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN NEWS Kindergarten Holiday Celebration
Kindergarten Celebrates the Season with December Holiday Fun
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ecember - It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And it was nothing less than that in the Kindergarten classes. The Kindergarteners enjoyed learning about all the different December holidays. We read books and discussed how people celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah. We colored symbols depicting each holiday. The last week before our winter break was full of fun
activities like wearing holiday headgear, ugly (but oh-so-cute!) sweaters, and holiday socks. On the last day, we came to school in our pajamas and enjoyed watching ‘The Grinch’ with yumm popcorn. We made a fun snowflake ornament craft using pipe cleaners and beads. Students ended the day drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows and dancing away to holiday music!
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS First Grade spelling stars shine bright! Class 1A had an exciting Spelling Bee that went a whole 18 rounds—wow! After lots of careful spelling and brave attempts, the final two spellers were Arin Giridhar and Ismael Khan. With fantastic focus, Ismael Khan spelled his way to victory in Round 18. Great spelling, everyone! Class 1B also had a terrific Spelling Bee, buzzing along for 17 rounds! The final two were Joshua Petit-Frere and Shrivika Sarangi. With confidence and big smiles, Shrivika Sarangi won in Round 17. Bee-lieve it or not— that was some awesome spelling!
Grade 2 Engineers Launch into Winter Break with Catapult Challenge Our Grade 2 students wrapped up the season with a fun and festive STEM challenge during our winter holiday party! Students worked in teams to design and build their own catapults, then put them to the test in a friendly “snowball fight” using cotton balls as snowballs. Teams launched their snowballs to see which catapult could send them the farthest, combining creativity, engineering, and teamwork. It was a joyful, hands-on way to celebrate learning as we headed into winter break!
Grade 3 Holiday Party Third graders had festive celebrations to ring in the holiday season! Our third-grade class enjoyed an afternoon of fun, games, and holiday cheer. We had a variety of snacks, including hot cocoa, popcorn and cookies. The mood was also set with cheerful seasonal music.
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
A Candle of Community and Sharing
Third graders were in for a treat when Kayla Kapoor’s mom, Sophia, read the book Winter Candle by Jeron Ashford and illustrated by Stacey Schuett. The story follows a squat, lumpy candle as it’s passed from apartment to apartment, allowing neighbors to celebrate a host of winter holidays, celebrations, and family reunions. It’s a delightful and beautiful story that shows how a simple, common object can unite neighbors and families. Thank you for reading such a wonderful book to us!
A Fox, Some Grapes, and a Humorous Lesson Third graders welcomed Mila Patel’s mom, Divya, who read Lousy Rotten Stinkin’ Grapes by Margie Palatini and illustrated by Barry Moser. This fresh take on the classic fable “The Fox and the Grapes” features a clever but arrogant Fox who tries to build a tower of animals to reach grapes, only to dismiss them as sour when he fails. The book’s lively dialogue and comical illustrations had everyone laughing. Thank you for reading this book to us!
Snowmen’s Secret Nighttime Adventures Third graders had a wonderful surprise when Rafael De Silva’s mom, Kai De Silva, came to read on a Friday afternoon. She read Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner, illustrated by Mark Buehner. The story follows a child who wonders why their snowman’s grin is crooked or arms have moved, leading to a delightful tale about snowmen having secret parties at night, complete with games and tricks. The book was really humorous, and the students loved her animated reading. Thank you for reading to us!
Finding the True Meaning of Christmas Third graders had a wonderful surprise when Richard Callan’s mom, Meara, read A Charlie Brown Christmas by Tina Gallo (Adapter), Charles M. Schulz (Author), and Scott Jeralds (Illustrator). The story follows Charlie Brown feeling down about the commercialism of Christmas as he seeks the true meaning with help from Linus and Snoopy. He finds it in a tiny tree, the Christmas pageant, and simple kindness, proving that even a small tree with love can be Christmas-y and meaningful. Thank you for reading such a meaningful book to us!
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
SUPER STUDENTS Rafael De Silva: Third Grade Super Student Rafael is in Mrs. Haynoski’s class and describes himself as an Awesome Athlete. His theme song is “Turn the TV Off!” and The King is his hero. Rafael loves to read Dog Man, Harry Potter, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. In his spare time, he likes to play on his phone, and when he is happy, he thinks of the color orange. Rafael hails from the Milky Way Galaxy and also likes to talk with his friends about video games.
Philip Fefey: Third Grade Super Student Philip is in Mrs. Haynoski’s class and describes himself as everything from a Mighty Mathematician to a Genius Geographer. His hero is his mom, and he would also pick his mom to be his sidekick. Philip likes to read the Sasha Series and We Shall Overcome. When he is happy, he thinks of the color yellow, and his favorite thing to do in his spare time is play with Phoebe. Philip loves to talk about himself when he talks to his friends, and he wishes he could fix violence in the world.
Ishanvi Komatireddy Shines as Third Grade’s Super Student Ishanvi Komatireddy is Third Grade’s Super Student this week. A student in Mrs. Kotasthane’s class, Ishanvi describes herself as a Wonder Writer, Awesome Artist, and Awesome Athlete. Her theme song is “My, Oh My,” and her favorite book is Matilda. Ishanvi hails from the Milky Way Galaxy and thinks of the color yellow when she is happy. She enjoys talking to her friends about how her day went, and in her spare time, she likes to play. If there was one wrong in the world that Ishanvi could fix, it would be to stop people from polluting the earth.
Deck the Halls & Pin the Ornaments! Third graders showcased their creative side by working on a festive display of holiday cheer! This bulletin board celebrates creativity, community, and the simple joy of decorating as students added their personal touches to their ornaments. Students chose from a variety of patterns provided by Mrs. Kotasthane, and the result is a vibrant, eclectic collection that captures the unique spirit of our group. Students were awarded house points for their creativity. 8 | December Newsletter
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS Grade 4’s Bustling December! December 2025 was packed with excitement for Grade 4! We kicked off the festivities with Crazy Hat Day and Crazy Sock Day, giving students the perfect chance to show off their wildest, most colorful accessories. Amidst the fun, we made time to celebrate our December birthdays, honoring our classmates born during this special month. Happy Birthday to Jayden and Mahi! Congratulations on becoming members of the Double Digit Club! On Dec. 9, Grade 4 held their annual Class Spelling Bee. Congratulations to Reyansh and Kiera for winning the Grade 4 Spelling Bee! We wish them the very best as they prepare to participate in the CHP school-wide Spelling Bee on January 14! During December, some of our Grade 4 students began working on their Social Studies project, “Hop on Board!” This project will be ongoing throughout the year as students “travel” around the globe, exploring various lines of latitude and longitude, and the coordinates they create. To wrap up the year in total comfort while adding a sweet touch, Grade 4 students came to school in their snuggly pajamas, all cozied up for a day of fun-filled activities and our annual Holiday Cookie Decorating Party. This busy day was a wonderful way to relax and celebrate a successful term before the winter break began!
On December 16, our CHP Community was treated to an evening performance of the Cedar Hill Prep Holiday Concert. Highlights of the evening included the students’ choral singing as well as individual performances by several of our Elementary and Middle School students. Congratulations Mr. Altman and all of the CHP students for their outstanding performances
Best wishes to our CHP Community for a safe, healthy, and happy New Year!
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MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS Winter Adventures: Sledding & STEM at NJIN Our seventh and eighth graders enjoyed a fantastic winter outing at NJIN today, arriving to the surprise of snow-covered ground—perfect for sledding! Students raced down the hill, tested different techniques for extra speed, and cheered each other on. They also tackled a hands-on STEM challenge, working in four teams to build the tallest tower using plastic cups, skewers, balloons, string, scissors, and natural materials. The winning structure stood an impressive 28 inches tall! It was a day full of teamwork, problem-solving, and winter fun—one our students won’t soon forget!
Cool Snowman Alert! The last week before winter break brought our Cedar Hill Prep 5th and 6th graders to the New Jersey Institute of Nature for some serious snowman-building fun. Complete with blue shades and creative accessories, this frosty friend was a true team effort! What better way to wrap up the semester than with outdoor adventures in nature—collaboration, creativity, and plenty of cold noses included.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS Cedar Hill Prep School Students Sweep the Garden State Debate League Cedar Hill Prep School students swept the GSDL, taking home top speaker awards and team wins. We are a small school, but mighty! Every student is a champion—this happens because, in the end, success is driven by striking the right balance: intrinsic motivation, hard work, mentorship, and positive peer dynamics. Bravo! Congratulations to the entire team.
Middle Schoolers Get Creative with “Anything But A Backpack” Challenge!
Before winter break, our middle school students took on the viral TikTok trend “Anything But A Backpack Day”—and they did not disappoint! From kitchen appliances to human-powered transportation, creativity (and laughter) were at an all-time high as students found the most innovative ways to carry their school supplies. Our 3rd and 4th grade students served as the official judges, carefully evaluating each creative entry before announcing the winners: The Winners: 1st Place: Mason Parker transformed a paper shredder into the ultimate supply carrier 2nd Place: Eesa Usman, Dylan Lee, and Arnav Cherukuri went full collaboration mode with their “Human Roller” 3rd Place (Tie): Kenny Richard brought lunch and school supplies together with a microwave Zinnia Shirley slid into the competition with a “Human Sled” It was a perfect blend of teamwork, problem-solving, and pure fun—proving that learning (and carrying your stuff) doesn’t always have to be conventional! So much fun was had by all that our middle schoolers have already decided to make this an annual Cedar Hill Prep tradition. Way to go, Wildcats! www.cedarhillprep.com | 11
AROUND THE SCHOOL The Grinch’s Change of Heart: A Cedar Hill Prep Story The Grinch crept through the school halls, quietly snatching items and leaving students shocked and whispering in surprise. As decorations and supplies disappeared, excitement and confusion filled the building as everyone wondered what he was up to. The students bravely spoke up, reminding the Grinch that stealing was wrong and that the items belonged to the entire school community. Their kind and honest words touched his heart, and with a big grin, the Grinch had a change of heart. He returned everything he had taken—turning the surprise into a cheerful and happy ending for all.
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AROUND THE SCHOOL Holiday Spirit Week Was a Festive Success! What a wonderful week of holiday cheer at Cedar Hill Prep! Our students brought incredible creativity and festive spirit to each themed day: Monday, December 16: Holiday Hat Day had our hallways filled with Santa hats, reindeer antlers, sparkly headbands, and every festive headpiece imaginable! Tuesday, December 17: Ugly Sweater Day brought out the most wonderfully tacky holiday sweaters. From blinking lights to dancing snowmen, our students showed off their most festive fashion! Wednesday, December 18: Wacky Sock Wednesday had everyone showing off their most creative holiday socks – candy canes, snowflakes, and plenty of sparkle from head to toe! Thursday, December 19: Pajama Day wrapped up the week with cozy comfort as students celebrated in their favorite pajamas, ready to enjoy the holiday season. Thank you to everyone who participated and brought such joy and laughter to our school community!
Pizza with the Principal: December Edition We wrapped up 2025 with our final Pizza with the Principal of the year, and what a delightful gathering it was! Students enjoyed delicious pizza while sharing their holiday plans and excitement for the break ahead. The conversation was filled with talk of family traditions, upcoming travels, and all the festive fun on everyone's minds. We can't wait to gather again in 2026 for more pizza, conversation, and community building!
Grades 1
Grades 2 - 4
Preschool - Kindergarten
Grades 5 - 8
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CHP EDUCATION AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION
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Annual Holiday Bazaar Brings Festive Cheer to Cedar Hill Prep
hat a magical day at our Annual Holiday Bazaar! Our PTO hosted an incredible celebration filled with festive cheer, community spirit, and holiday joy. Students shopped for gifts at vendor booths featuring ornaments, handbags, jewelry, crochet art, baseball cards, and artisan chocolates. Our talented students performed Christmas carols in Spanish and French,
showcasing our commitment to multilingual education. Santa made a special appearance to delight our Cedar Hill Prep families! Thank you to our SOON and our amazing PTO, all ourCOMING wonderful vendors, incredible community for making this tradition so special year after year.
UPCOMING EVENT April 25, 2026 Spring Market 14 | December Newsletter
PTO@CEDARHILLPREP.COM
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CHP Spelling Bee Midterm Exams Family Fun Night
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6 Parent / Teacher Conferences (Optional) Preschool - Grade 8 17 Lunar New Year / Mardi Gras Celebration 19 Living History Museum (Grades 1-4) 27 Living History Museum (Grades 5-8)
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Read Across America Family Fun Night Showcasing the Classrooms Debate at CHP Science Fair (Grades 1 - 4)
Spring Play Poetry Day (Graded K-4) Art Exhibition (Evening) Spring Market
SAVE THE DATES
January
Click for 2025 - 2026 Calendar
Celebrating Our Founder: Happy Birthday, Nandini Menon! Happy Birthday to our visionary founder and Chief Education Officer, Nandini Menon, Ed.D.! Your passion for education, innovative spirit, and unwavering dedication have shaped Cedar Hill Prep into the extraordinary community it is today. Thank you for inspiring our students, empowering our educators, and creating a learning environment where curiosity thrives and potential flourishes. We are so grateful for your leadership and the vibrant, nurturing community you have built. Here’s to celebrating you today and always!
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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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Holiday Sing Read More on Page 2
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