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Our CHP Spelling Bee champions showed remarkable skill
On January 14th, the CHP community in grades 3–8 gathered in the gym to support their classmates competing in the annual CHP school-wide Spelling Bee. The competition was impressive. By Round 7, four students remained competing. By Round 10, three students were left, and they continued for another four rounds.
Advancing to the Championship round were sixth grader Geetha Puthumana and seventh grader Yajur Subramaniam. They competed in two Championship Rounds until a winner was declared when Yajur correctly spelled "persillade."
Congratulations to Yajur Subramaniam (1st place winner) and Geetha Puthumana (runner-up) for their amazing performances and sportsmanship! Yajur will advance to the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee with our very best wishes!
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PRESCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN NEWS
Preschool Rings in the New Year with Festive Countdown
Preschoolers welcomed the New Year when they returned to school. With party hats and clock noisemakers, our excited children pretended it was 10 seconds before midnight to count down to the beginning of a great New Year. After identifying the numbers 1-10, the children colored a beautiful New Year picture. They cut the numbered pieces and glued them back together again.
Young Learners Explore the World of Clothing
Preschoolers continued their clothing study upon returning to school. We started by learning about the different clothing we wear during the four seasons. We also discussed where clothes come from. Some clothes come from cotton, sheep, silkworms, and animal skins.
Our craft activities started when we grouped in pairs to look at what each of us was wearing. The children then drew what their partner was wearing – we have amazing artists! We then learned how to take care of the clothes we have. The children pretended to wash and dry play clothes in our washer and drying rack set up in our classroom. They learned that delicate clothes that do not go in the dryer need to be hung on the drying rack. We also learned that many years ago, we did not have washers and dryers. People washed their clothes using a washboard and drying rack or clothesline. Then the children learned how to sew by lacing shirt, skirt, and pants cards using yarn.
Exploring Patterns with Hands-On Learning
Cedar Hill Preparatory preschoolers are learning about patterns. The children were taught that a pattern is something that repeats itself. Lining up crayons, singing songs, listening to stories, and dancing enhanced the children’s knowledge of making their own patterns. Here the students are using unifix cubes, mittens, and socks to create their own patterns.
PRESCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN NEWS
Preschoolers Discover Winter Animal Hibernation
Last week in Preschool, our theme was Winter Animals. The children learned that there are animals that sleep all winter, called hibernation. We read books that explained what the animals do to prepare for hibernation. Some gather their food and put it in their burrow, while some bulk up and eat their food before going into hibernation.
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On the third Monday in January, we celebrate a great man: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Our preschool children learned that he stood for freedom, kindness, and peace for everyone. After our MLK lesson, the children colored a color-coded worksheet.
PreK Celebrates MLK Day: Learning Unity Through Action
Our PreK students honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy by exploring what it means to work together and care for one another.
Through circle time discussions and hands-on activities, our youngest learners discovered that we're all connected—just like the circle of hands they created together.
PRESCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN NEWS
Kindergarteners Share Their Dreams While Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a special day to remember. We celebrate it to honor Dr. King, who wanted everyone to be treated fairly with love, kindness, and respect. In his famous “I Have a Dream...” speech, he shared his dream that all children would one day play together, go to the same schools, and be best
friends, regardless of their skin color.
Kindergarteners wrote about their own dreams. They read different books and learned that Dr. King was a kind leader, a dreamer, a helper, a peaceful warrior, and he inspired people to stand up for what is right.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
First and Second Grade Spelling Bee Crowns Champion
On January 14, first and second grade students held their annual Spelling Bee, featuring four finalists—two representing first grade (Shrivika Sarangi and Ismael Khan) and two representing second grade (Tara Mokal and Shaaina Modi). Shrivika was eliminated in Round 7, followed by Ismael in Round 8. Shaaina and Tara then competed through Round 30, where Tara Mokal emerged as the winner with the word “scorcher.” We are very proud of all our participants. They did an excellent job demonstrating their hard work and dedication.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
Building Compassion: Third Graders Support Local Families
Third graders actively participated in a service learning project with the goal of providing nutritious, packed bags to children in our community who may not have access to regular meals during the weekend. Students aimed to make a tangible difference by preparing 75 bags containing non-perishable snacks, water, cans of beans, and mixed vegetables. Parents donated the food items, and the students worked together to fill the bags, ensuring each bag contained the same items and was packed securely for delivery. The students then delivered the bags to a local school.
This service learning project helped the third graders understand the concept of community needs and the importance of helping others. Students realized that their small actions can make a big difference in someone’s day.
Cedar Hill Prep Third-Grader Shines at Americas Cup Roller Skating Competition
Congratulations to third-grader Ishanvi Komatireddy, who recently competed at the Americas Cup roller skating competition in Florida against athletes from 14 countries!
Ishanvi brought home impressive results from two segments:
• Dance (Ice Princess): 1st Place
• Freestyle (Moana): 3rd Place
"This achievement is a direct result of the support and encouragement Ishaanvi has received from the school," said Mounika Reddy, Ishanvi's mother. "She is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to compete at this level and is proud to bring this recognition back to our community. We would like to extend a special thank you to Ms Kotasthane and Ms Haynoski for assisting Ishaanvi with her schoolwork, and to Dr Nan for providing the nutritional support that aids her daily practice sessions. Thank you all for your unwavering belief in her abilities."
Balancing competitive athletics with academic excellence takes dedication, and we're proud to support our student-athletes as they pursue their passions while thriving in the classroom. Congratulations, Ishanvi! Your hard work and determination inspire us all!
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
Omar’s Mom Kicks Off 2026 with a Story About Identity
Third graders welcomed the year 2026 with our first reader of the year, Naima, Omar’s mom. She read The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi.
The Name Jar is a children’s book about a young Korean girl named Unhei who moves to America and is anxious about her classmates pronouncing her name, so she decides to pick a new one from a “name jar” filled with suggestions. With the help of new friends, she ultimately learns to embrace her own name. The story explores themes of identity, assimilation, and cultural pride as Unhei discovers the special meaning of her name and its connection to her heritage. Thank you for reading such a wonderful book to us!
Ayla’s Dad Brings the Laughs with Wayside School
January brought yet another wonderful reader to third grade! Michael Trottini, Ayla’s dad, read Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger by Louis Sachar.
In this book, the famously sideways, 30-story school reopens after 242 days, only for Mrs. Jewls to go on maternity leave. The students face bizarre substitute teachers, including Mr. Gorf (who has three nostrils), strict Mrs. Drazil, and the fearsome Miss Nogard, making the already chaotic school even more surreal. The students enjoyed the book immensely. Thank you for reading to us!
Anvay’s Mom Shares a Clever Folktale
Third graders were very excited to welcome Sampada Parulekar, Anvay’s mom, as a mystery reader. She read A Taste of Honey: Kamala Outsmarts the Seven Thieves by Rebecca Sheir. The book is a clever folktale about bravery, quick thinking, and kindness. When seven greedy thieves break into Kamala’s home, they believe they can easily trick her. But Kamala stays calm and uses her intelligence to turn the situation around.
When Kamala’s first plan doesn’t exactly work out, she has to rely on her own wits to outsmart them—and discovers a rather sweet reward. The story teaches kids that confidence, clever thinking, and kindness can help them handle difficult situations safely and wisely.
SUPER STUDENTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
Meet Inaaya: Wonder Writer and Lego Enthusiast
Inaaya Gupta is Third Grade’s Super Student! Inaaya is in Mrs. Haynoski’s class and describes herself as a Wonder Writer, Stellar Scientist, Amazing Artist, and Harmonious Helper. She hails from the Milky Way Galaxy, and her theme song is “Golden.” Inaaya’s dad is her hero, and she would choose her mom as her sidekick. She loves to read The Dragon Girl’s book series, and when she is happy, she thinks of the color pink. Inaaya loves to draw and build with Legos in her spare time, and she enjoys talking to her friends about her sister.
Meet Liam: Golf-Loving Awesome Athlete
Liam Lee is Third Grade’s Super Student! Liam is in Mrs. Kotasthane’s class and describes himself as an Awesome Athlete. His theme song is “Butter” by BTS, and he hails from the galaxy Seoul. Liam’s hero is Bryson DeChambeau, and he would choose Mason as his sidekick. He likes to read the Dog Man book series, and he thinks of the color red when he is happy. Finally, Liam’s favorite thing to do in his spare time— and to talk about with his friends—is golf.
Meet Niya: Ravenous Reader with Big Dreams
Niya Jithin is Third Grade’s Super Student! Niya is in Mrs. Haynoski’s class and describes herself as a Ravenous Reader. Niya’s theme song is “Que Sera Sera” (“Whatever Will Be, Will Be”). Her hero is her grandpa, and she would choose her cousin, Maya, to be her sidekick. In Niya’s spare time, she enjoys watching TV and reading. Some of her favorite books are Mallory Towers and The Famous Five. She hails from the Milky Way Galaxy, and she thinks of the color pink when she is happy. Niya loves to talk with her friends about what she wants to be when she grows up.
Grade 4 has had an incredible start to 2026!
When we returned from Winter Break, Grade 4 celebrated three more milestone birthdays. Congratulations to Mahi, Grace, and Anay on the occasion of their 10th birthdays and becoming official members of the Double-Digit Club! When news of two more January birthdays was made public, an outpouring of birthday wishes surprised Ms. Vicari and Mrs.
Yurman. Thank you to the CHP community for your kindness and for making our birthdays so special!
The middle of January was quite busy with our annual CHP school-wide Spelling Bee and Midterm Exams. On January 14th, Grades 3–8 gathered in the gymnasium to cheer on their
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
grades’ participants in our annual CHP schoolwide Spelling Bee. Congratulations to our Grade 4 representatives, Reyansh and Kiera, for advancing to the school-wide Bee and proving to be such strong competitors! Following Midterm exams, Grade 4 students were involved in a project related to the Lakota Nation and the Great Plains Ecosystem. In this integrated Science and Social Studies project, students journeyed into the heart of the Great Plains to explore the profound connection between the Lakota Nation and their environment. By studying this vast grassland ecosystem, students moved beyond simple observation to understand the complex principles of interdependence and adaptation.
Throughout this lesson, they identified the geographical region of the Lakota homelands and characterized the unique Great Plains climate. They discovered how plants, animals (specifically the bison), and people form a delicate web of life where nothing is wasted. They explored how both humans and wildlife adjust their behaviors, clothing, and shelters to survive the Plains’ dramatic seasonal shifts. They are creating detailed ecosystem diagrams that illustrate and describe the interaction of biotic and abiotic organisms and the effect diverse weather patterns have on the ecosystem. (Stay tuned for February’s newsletter!)
By bridging traditional ecological knowledge with modern scientific inquiry, students learn that humans are not just observers of nature—we are an active part of the ecosystem.
In a fantastic display of math-in-action and community spirit, our fourth-grade students recently took the lead on a meaningful service project for Pine Grove School. Combining their classroom lessons with real-world impact, students practiced critical data analysis and organization skills.
Students gathered a variety of non-perishable food items, using tally charts to record each donation as it arrived. To better understand their progress, they converted those tallies into bar graphs, providing a clear visual representation of the food categories they had successfully gathered. Using a detailed quality-control checklist, students carefully assembled 75 weekender bags. Each bag was packed with essential items to ensure local students have access to nutritious meals over the weekend. This project not only strengthened their foundational math skills but also fostered a deep sense of empathy and teamwork as they worked together to support their neighbors.
Congratulations, Grade 4! This has been an inspiring beginning to the New Year!
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Cedar Hill Prep Students Win Second Place at Regional Future City Competition
Cedar Hill Preparatory School's middle school team has earned second place at the Regional Future City Competition, competing against 56 teams and showcasing exceptional skills in engineering, problem-solving, and public presentation.
The Cedar Hill Prep team advanced to the finals after judges shortlisted just three teams from the field of 56. The students then presented their futuristic city model and fielded technical questions from a panel of three judges before an audience of 300 community members.
“This achievement exemplifies what hands-on STEM education can accomplish,” said Nandini Menon, Ed.D. (Mind, Brain and Teaching), Chief Education Officer and Founder of Cedar Hill Preparatory School. “Our middle school students are already building the teamwork and communication competencies through authentic engineering challenges like Future City.”
The Future City Competition, organized by DiscoverE, challenges students to design cities of the future using engineering principles, collaborative problem-solving, and innovative thinking. Teams research, design, and build scale
models while developing comprehensive project plans that address real-world urban planning challenges.
“Future City isn't just about engineering – it's about preparing students for careers that don't exist yet,” added Menon. “Our students learned to work as a team, present complex technical information clearly, think critically under pressure, and defend their ideas professionally.”
As an International Baccalaureate candidate school serving Preschool through Grade 8, Cedar Hill Preparatory School integrates handson learning, critical thinking, and real-world application across all grade levels. The school's STEM program emphasizes inquiry-based learning where students tackle authentic challenges rather than memorizing isolated facts.
The team was guided by middle school teachers Sangeeta Lekhi and Yasmeen Villafranca, with strong support from Cedar Hill Prep families throughout the competition preparation process.
“Future City showed me just how many types of engineering exist and how they all work together to build something as complex as a city. You learn which engineers focus on infrastructure, which handle environmental systems, and how they collaborate to solve real problems. If you’re considering any field in engineering, this competition helps you discover which area truly interests you – not through reading about it, but by actually doing the work.
—Anandita Gurjar, Grade 6
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
CCHP Students Earn Spot at NAQT Middle School National Championship Tournament
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
edar Hill Prep’s quiz bowl team has qualified for the National Academic Quiz Tournament (NAQT) Middle School National Championship Tournament (MSNCT) in Chicago this May—NAQT’s premier middle school event bringing together the top teams from across the United States.
Our eight qualifiers—Nico Garofalo, Yajur Subramanian, Shivad Desai, Samarth Dakhera, Armaan Kahlon, Vallabh Vijayraj, Aaryan Shah, and Viraj Shukla—earned their spot through tournaments using questions supplied by NAQT, the gold standard of academic competition.
“What stood out to me wasn’t just their knowledge. It was their focus and how they supported each other, round after round,” said Ms. Denise Galiano, NAQT Team Mentor.
This achievement demonstrates the foundation of critical thinking, rapid recall, and intellectual confidence our students build—skills that position them to compete at the highest levels long before high school.
Comeback Victory and Dominant Performance: Cedar Hill Prep Students Shine at IAC Regionals
Two Cedar Hill Prep students earned medals at International Academic Competitions (IAC) Regional tournaments on January 24-25 and will advance to the National Championships:
Aaryan Shah (Grade 6) won bronze in Geography after a remarkable comeback. In the final round, Aaryan was down to -1 while other students had already secured gold and silver. He then answered six questions correctly in a row, out-buzzing eight competitors to claim bronze. “He learned that it’s not over until it’s over,” said his father, Raj Shah. This marks Aaryan’s third consecutive year as a finalist or medalist at IAC competitions.
Samarth Dakhera (Grade 7) swept the Science Bee Regional, finishing first in all four rounds including the finals to earn gold. “This achievement is a reflection of the nurturing environment and dedication offered to students every day,” said his mother, Pooja Dakhera.
Both students are also members of our NAQT quiz bowl team competing in Chicago this May.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Cedar Hill Prep Student Selected as Young Artist Ambassador Following International Piano Competition Victory
We are thrilled to announce that seventhgrader Yajur Subramaniam has been selected as an LAI (Legacy Arts International) Youth Ambassador following his firstplace victory at an international piano competition in Osimo, Italy this past December.
This honor places Yajur among an elite group of award-winning young musicians who will perform at “Moonlight in the Afternoon” with Italian pianist Francesco Mazzonetto on Sunday, February 22nd at 4:00 PM at Princeton United Methodist Church. The concert, presented by Altamura Legacy Concerts, will feature works by Beethoven, Clementi, Liszt, Bosso, Bach, Debussy, and Chopin. Yajur’s journey to this prestigious platform
began with three years of dedicated study under teacher Cristina Altamura, who has been instrumental in providing competitive opportunities that have refined his artistry and technical mastery.
“The competition pushed me to focus intensely on mastering both the technical and artistic elements of my repertoire,” Yajur shared. “It really accelerated my musical development.”
“Cedar Hill Prep has consistently supported both Yajur’s academic and artistic endeavors, helping him with his well-rounded development,” said Visesh H., Yajur’s father.
At Cedar Hill Prep, students don’t choose between excellence in academics and pursuing their passions – they achieve both. Our approach creates space for students to compete internationally in music, excel in athletics, or lead community service projects while maintaining strong performance in their rigorous IB curriculum coursework. Yajur’s selection as an LAI Youth Ambassador exemplifies what’s possible when talent meets dedication and the right support system. Congratulations, Yajur!
Middle School House All-Star Basketball Competition: Cherokee Takes the Win
From quick layups to buzzer-worthy money ball shots, our Middle School House All-Star Basketball Competition was a total slam dunk! Students faced off in layup relays, dribbling challenges, money ball, knockout, and other basketball-themed events, filling the gym with energy, teamwork, and house pride.
After a nail-biting tiebreaker, Cherokee emerged as the top house, followed by Ramapo in second place, Shawnee in third, and Lenape in fourth.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Fifth Grade Glassblowing Adventure
January ended with a “blast” for fifth grade science class! Students had firsthand experience changing states of matter, watching solids change to liquids and back again. They went glassblowing at Hot Sand Studio in Asbury Park.
Students twisted colors, watched their projects get dunked in the glory hole at 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit, and even blew through the pipe to make their pieces hollow. What a great time everyone had! By experiencing changing states of matter with hands-on activities, students are sure to understand this concept forever.
WILDCATS SPORTS
Winter Pep Rally 2026
Winter Sports Season Tips Off with Spirited Pep Rally
Cedar Hill Prep kicked off the winter sports season with an energetic pep rally cheering on our girls and boys basketball teams! The gymnasium was filled with Wildcat pride as students rallied together to support our student-athletes.
We are incredibly proud of our basketball teams and look forward to an exciting, action-packed season ahead.
Middle School Basketball: Building Skills and Team Spirit
Our Middle School girls basketball team has been putting in great effort this season, facing competitive matchups that are helping them grow as players. The team took on Winfield twice this month, with close games that came down to the wire—including a nail-biter at home that ended 15-14.
They also tested their skills against Metuchen Christian in back-to-back away games. Every game has been a valuable learning experience, and we’re proud of the determination and sportsmanship our players continue to show on the court.
Boys Basketball Season Highlights
Wildcats basketball is heating up! Our boys are in top form this season, playing with skill, determination, and Wildcat pride. They’ve faced some tough competition this month, with each game providing valuable opportunities to grow as players and teammates.
Whether you’ve caught a game or cheered from the sidelines, you know our student-athletes give it their all every time they step on the court.
Go Wildcats!
CHP’s Coach Frankie Named 2026 Health Literacy Champion
Cedar Hill Preparatory School is proud to announce that Coach Frankie has been named the 2026 Health Literacy Champion by the National Academy of Health and Physical Literacy-Eastern Seaboard Region (NAHPL-ESR).
The Health Literacy Champion Award recognizes educators who advocate for and promote health literacy through the development of the whole person. Recipients demonstrate mastery in their field, nurture innovation, engage in leadership and service, and serve as role models for healthy lifestyles while promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion.
“Your commitment and dedication to the profession is unwavering and you truly deserve the honor,” said Carol Ciotto, NAHPL-ESR Executive Director. Coach Frankie’s work reflects Cedar Hill Prep’s holistic approach to education, where physical wellness, character development, and academic excellence work together to prepare students for lasting success. Through the school’s comprehensive athletics and wellness program, students develop healthy habits, confidence, and leadership skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
ALUMNI A SPOTLIGHT S
y favorite CHP memory was towards the end of 8th grade, when our entire grade took the afternoon to go to Moe’s and get food. It was an enjoyable way to close off the year after finally getting into high school. CHP prepared me to become a model student in all of my classes, especially in STEM. By placing me in an environment of highly motivated and organized students, CHP helped me manage my time and commitments quite well in challenging courses. The collaborative culture at CHP taught me that there will undoubtedly be times when courses become difficult, but working with teachers and relying on classmates makes it all worthwhile.
As I prepare to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where I plan to double major in Computer Science and Public Policy, I’m shocked at all the impressive things students my age can accomplish in such a short time. I love knowing that I’ll be surrounded by students equally as motivated as myself, who are dedicated to improving their environment. If I had to describe my CHP experience in one word? Memorable.
─Nina Barnes, Class of 2022
Cedar Hill Prep does more than provide a top-tier education. It builds a true community where teachers connect with students on a personal level. The classroom becomes a family, and every student is held accountable not only to themselves but also to their teachers and the broader mission of CHP.
It is rare to find a school where the student body feels so emotionally invested in what the institution stands for. Cedar Hill Prep creates an environment that inspires both academic excellence and genuine belonging.
─Rushil Sharan, Pursuing Master’s in Mechanical Engineering at Cornell, Founder,The Ursa Majors Group, Product Marketer, Collins Aerospace (Raytheon)
Rushil Sharan
Nina Barnes
AROUND THE SCHOOL
Family Fun Night: A Night of Laughter and Connection
Our first Family Fun Night of the year on January 30 was a huge success! We had a full house of excited kids and parents who came together for an evening of creativity, games, and community. From arts and crafts stations to karaoke performances and engaging games, there was something for everyone to enjoy. The energy in the room was electric as families laughed, created, sang, and played together.
A special thank you to everyone who helped set up the arts and crafts stations, karaoke area, and game activities throughout the night. Your dedication made this event possible! We can’t wait for our next Family Fun Night. See you there!
Pizza with the Principal: January Edition
Our first Pizza with Principal of the year was a delicious success! Students enjoyed pizza and quality time with Principal Seeley, sharing stories, laughs, and building connections.
It’s moments like these that make Cedar Hill special!
Grades 1-2
Grades 2 - 4
Preschool - Kindergarten
Grades 5 - 8
CHP EDUCATION AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION
PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION
We are excited to share some wonderful PTO news!
The Parent Teacher Organization is proud to present our Spring Handcrafted Showcase, a special event celebrating creativity, community, and local talent.
Join us for a fun-filled day featuring unique, one-of-a-kind handmade items created by talented local artisans and crafters. This is a great opportunity to support small businesses, enjoy time together, and discover beautiful spring finds.
We hope you’ll stop by with family and friends to enjoy this exciting spring event. More details will be shared as we get closer to the date.
Thank you for your continued support of our PTO and school community. We look forward to seeing you there!
Looking Ahead to Upcoming Special Events
