ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS

Grade 3 Mystery Readers

On Friday, February 10th, 3rd Grade was treated to a mystery reader. It was Allison and Alexa’s mom! She read us the book, Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli. This warmhearted tale examines the effect that love and tender regard can have on a lackluster existence. Mr. Hatch is a drab, predictable gentleman who leads a painfully ordered and uninteresting life, his dreary routine at the shoelace factory barely broken by the same joyless lunch day after day. One Valentine’s Day, a giant candy-filled heart is delivered to Mr. Hatch with a note that reads, ``Somebody loves you.’’ Just the thought of someone taking an interest in him completely changes the way Mr. Hatch interacts with his neighbors and co-workers. The newly adorable gentleman becomes so much a part of people’s lives that when it is disclosed that the heart was delivered by mistake, his friends and neighbors rally around him in a loving demonstration. 3rd Graders genuinely enjoyed this story. I think we can all learn a lesson from Mr. Hatch’s friends and neighbors!

3rd Grade welcomed Mr. Johnson, Conor’s dad, as their mystery reader on Friday, February 17th. He was given a drum roll welcome! Mr. Johnson read a very captivating book Gulliver’s Travels. The direct narrative describes four remarkable journeys of ship surgeon, Lemuel Gulliver. One journey takes him to the land of Lilliput where six-inch-high inhabitants bicker over trivialities. Another journey takes him to Brobdingnag, a land where giants reduce man to insignificance. Written with disarming simplicity and careful attention to detail, this classic is diverse in its appeal: for children, it remains an enchanting fantasy. The students loved the animated reading! Thank you for reading to us, Mr. Johnson!

Grade 3 Science

Third grade students conducted research on natural hazards.They gathered information on the characteristics of these hazards and also learned how to remain safe during them. Some of the natural hazards that they researched were, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and landslides. The students gathered interesting facts about them and presented them to their classmates. Great job, third grade!

Grade 4 Living History Presentations

February has been a very busy month for Grade 4. Throughout the month, students have been working on their Living History presentations. Each student’s performance was a celebration of the many Black American scientists and inventors who have made important contributions to our society. Dressed in costumes reflecting the period in which these inventors lived, from the mid-18th century to the present day, each 4th grade “inventor” delivered a speech that discussed the challenges many of the inventors faced and their amazing successes.

In preparation for the event, the students learned to do online research, collect and organize data, document their research, and write a speech -- all in the 1st person! Their “museum” displays included artifacts that reflected the inventors’ accomplishments and provided the students with an opportunity to express their findings creatively. In addition, the students learned some public speaking techniques and wrote Bio Poems of their subjects.

The gym was bustling with excitement on February 23rd as the students delivered their presentations to the many parents and other guests who visited their individual “museum” tables. Congratulations, Grade 4, for your outstanding presentations!

A special thank you to our Grade 4 families for their assistance with this five-week project. Thank you to Ms. Lyengar for her technical expertise and to Mr. Seeley for organizing the logistics that helped make the day so successful! As with all of our CHP events, it takes a village. And we are so grateful to all whose assistance has made Living History a time-honored CHP tradition! February also welcomed two more 4th graders to the “Double Digit Club.”

Happy Birthday to Vihaan Patel and Alexander Peng upon their 10th birthdays!

And, in the midst of all this, Grade 4 took time to celebrate Valentine’s Day as students shared cards and treats with their classmates. We hope everyone had a sweet February!

5th and 6th Grade Trip to NJIN

The 5th and 6th graders spent an amazing day at the NJIN farm! The students learned that horses have distinct personalities. They exhibit shyness, boldness, love, and idiosyncrasies just like people do! The students even watched two horses vying for position at the trough. Petting the horses was the highlight of the morning. During our time for journaling, the students were asked to write about the farm using all their senses and about whatever else came to mind. These “streams of consciousness” will be transformed into poems for “Poetry Day.” It was another beautiful experience at the NJIN farm.

7th and 8th Grade Trip to NJIN

The 7th and 8th grade students visited the NJIN farm on February 7. This was a special day for CHP students as they met the Rutgers University Landscape Architecture students who held their class up there that day. After a brief introduction, both groups of students proceeded to visit an area where excessive rainfall had collected since our last visit. The students observed the area and used an inquiry-based approach to try to figure out why the rainwater was collecting there. Next, the students measured the area of the frozen pond. All of this data will be used to design a rain garden in this spot and the flow of water will be analyzed from the top of the ridge by using whole systems permaculture design. Mr. Deisher will teach a joint CHP/ Rutgers University class on Zoom about permaculture design on February 21st. The 7th and 8th grade students are excited about working with Rutgers University on this special project.

Grade 8 Gets American Red Cross Certified for CPR/AED/First Aid

Last year, Coach Frankie introduced and implemented the Adult/Pediatric CPR/AED/First Aid American Red Cross Certification for CHP 8th Graders. Cedar Hill Prep became the only Middle School in Somerset County to offer this important life skill to our 8th Grade students. Coach Frankie has also provided the Cedar Hill Prep faculty/staff with the same certification.

On August 20, 2014, P.L. 2014, c.36 was signed into law requiring public school districts serving students in grades 9-12 to provide instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillation (AED). This instruction must be provided prior to graduation. Our 8th Grade students at Cedar Hill Prep School have an advantage now among other students throughout New Jersey since they have successfully completed their American Red Cross Adult/ Pediatric CPR/AED/First Aid Certification prior to entering high school. Kudos to the Class of 2022 and now also the Class of 2023 for their success in this beneficial program. Coach Frankie has encouraged her students to maintain this valuable certification throughout high school and beyond.