L TO SCHOOL
Educating Students Since 2003
INNOVATION | EXCELLENCE | GLOBAL READINESS
CHP Wildcats Win Gracious Professionalism Award at FLL Robotics Qualifier!
First Lego League (FLL) hosted a Robotics Qualifier tournament at Bound Brook High School on Sunday, November 23, 2025. Twenty-three teams across New Jersey participated in this competitive tournament.
Our school team—Wildcats#CHP— excelled in all four categories: Robot Design, Robot Game, Innovation Project, and Core Values, and were presented with the prestigious Gracious Professionalism Core Values Award!
According to FLL, "During the course of competition, the judges evaluate the teams whose unique efforts, performance, or dynamics merit special recognition. This award is based on the in-person judging at the tournament. This award celebrates a team that made significant progress in their confidence and capability in Robot Game and Innovation Project and are a shining example of excellent Core Values. They demonstrate that they understand that what they discover is more important than what they win!"
Representing Wildcats@CHP at the tournament were: Afzaal Mohamed, Yajur Subramaniam, Shivad Desai, Aiden Betancourt, Nyle Thaver, Snehal Nadella, Jonathan Li, Dylan Lee, and James Nguyen.
Congratulations to our amazing team and their coaches on this outstanding achievement!
PRESCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN NEWS
Celebrating Our Roots: Family Traditions Collages
We love family traditions because they’re such an easy way to build happy memories together! Children in preschool were asked to create “family traditions” collages with pictures that capture memories of their yearly traditions, with help from their parents. Some traditions included annual summer or holiday trips, birthday celebrations, and holiday parties. Each student recalled their pictures as they shared their cultures and traditions with the class.
Exploring Nature: Our Tree Study Adventure
Preschoolers started their tree study! We are exploring and investigating parts of a tree, what lives in trees, what grows on trees, and what is made from trees. The children made their own binoculars to better see as they walked around campus. We started by placing large white paper on a tree. The children were given crayons to rub on the paper. They noticed that the trunk of the tree was bumpy and not smooth. Our next adventure was a scavenger hunt. The children were given a colorful sheet of things they needed to find related to trees. The children were so excited to check off the items they found! Another day, we went out on campus to collect various sizes and different colored leaves. We brought them into class and sorted them by size.
We continued our investigations by using magnifying glasses to look closely at acorns, veins on the leaves, branches, and pinecones. The children then drew what they saw on paper using their crayons. Using balance pans, the children placed acorns and pinecones in the cups. They discovered that the pinecone was heavier than the acorns. However, when they added more acorns, they were able to make the weights even.
Building Like Birds: Creating Nests
We continued our tree investigation by making bird’s nests. Using items the children found outside on our scavenger hunt, they worked in small groups to create their nests. Cotton balls were used to represent the eggs in the nest. We will end our Tree Study the first week of December with a few more exciting activities!
PRESCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN NEWS
Gratitude and Togetherness: Thanksgiving Celebrations
Thanksgiving is a time when we count our blessings and celebrate with family and friends. The preschool class discussed the things they are thankful to have in their lives. Some of the things they mentioned were their toys, family, parents, and food. For a Thanksgiving craft, the preschoolers designed their own turkeys with different colored feathers. On each feather was a letter from their name. The children glued the feathers in the correct order to spell their names. As a group, the children made a Friendship Fruit Salad. Each child brought in an item to contribute to this fruit salad cornucopia.
Everyone enjoyed combining the ingredients together, but the best part was eating it!
Pre-K Celebrates Thanksgiving
Pre-Kindergarten A and B came together for a special Thanksgiving celebration, sharing a feast familystyle and enjoying edible cornucopias. The festivities included a dance party and craft-making, where students created beautiful displays showing what they’re thankful for—now decorating our CHP hallways.
The celebration concluded with turkey crown crafts and photo opportunities at our “Give Thanks” backdrop. A perfect reminder that Thanksgiving is all about gratitude and friendship.
PRESCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN
Pre-K Learns Democracy Through Mock Elections
Our Pre-Kindergarten classes had an exciting introduction to voting and civic participation. Each student cast their vote in a real ballot box, selecting their favorite sport from football, soccer, and basketball.
After counting the votes together, we announced the winning sport. The highlight? Coloring their own “I Voted” stickers! It was a fun and meaningful way to introduce young learners to the democratic process.
Kindergarten Enjoys Thanksgiving Feast
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to celebrate and be grateful for all the blessings we have. Our Kindergarten students have been learning about Thanksgiving through books and activities like "The Thankful Tree."
Kindergarten celebrated with fun crafts planned and brought in by our wonderful class moms. Students colored Thanksgiving-themed crowns and masks and had a great time playing Thanksgiving Bingo. We enjoyed a special feast with both classes coming together to share the meal. We are thankful to all the parents who donated items for our Thanksgiving feast and volunteered their precious time!
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
First Grade’s Lucky Day at the Farm
First grade truly enjoyed their first farm trip of the year. The first thing we noticed was an abundance of ladybugs, which ensured us that our trip was extremely lucky! The first graders sat attentively as we read about and discussed the life of huntergatherers and how they had to make everything they had from things found in nature.
After our discussion, we worked in groups, examining items and trying to figure out which things from nature were used. Then, students wrote six adjectives about hunter-gatherers. Next, we collected leaves, visited horses, and created sculptures using natural materials. We ended our trip with a fun game called “Tiger, Turtle, and Tree.”
Grade 2 Celebrates Thanksgiving with Pie Tasting and Graphing Activity
On Friday, November 22, Grade 2 classes will read Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie: A Thanksgiving Celebration. Students will then sample and vote on their “perfect” pies. Once the tasting is complete, results will be tallied and graphed as a fun class activity that combines literacy, math, and delicious fun!
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
Ayaan Kumar’s Mystery Reader: A Science Fair Gone Wrong!
Ayaan’s mom, Meenu Paliwal, read I Was a Third Grade Science Project by Mary Jane Auch and Herm Auch. It sure is handy having Brian the Brain for a best friend—how else would Josh have a shot at first prize in the science fair and winning tickets to Wonderland Lake? But when Brian plans to hypnotize his dog, Arfie, into thinking he’s a cat, Josh knows he can say goodbye to Wonderland Lake—this scheme will never work. The next thing he knows, Josh is climbing trees and craving raw fish sandwiches. What’s going on? Will the real science project please meow? It was an entertaining book that the third graders truly loved. Thank you for reading to us!
Ibrahim Khan's Mystery Reader: The Magic of a Library Card
Haleema Khan, Ibrahim's mom, was our mystery reader who read All the Books by Hayley Rocco and Caldecott Honoree John Rocco. The story is about a young chipmunk named Piper who loves books but doesn't want to share them until she discovers a library and a library card. This charming picture book, published in 2024, tells the story of a little chipmunk named Piper Waterstone who loves her books but doesn't want to share them. A kind librarian introduces her to the magic of a library card, teaching her about sharing and the accessibility of a vast world of books. It has been praised as a "charming introduction to libraries" by the School Library Journal. Thank you for reading to us!
Adhvik Arun's Mystery Reader: Learning About Money Management
Adhvik's mom, Sridevi Jagadishan, read The Four Money Bears by Mac Gardner. It's about four bears: Spender Bear, Saver Bear, Investor Bear, and Giver Bear. Each can do good and bad things with their money. When they work together, they learn how to manage their money. The Four Money Bears and their friends share their stories and give kids fun financial tips. They come together in their forest home to teach everyone money management skills. These skills serve as building blocks for strong financial literacy and expose young children to healthy financial habits. Parents can also help kids create their own budget for every month of the year at the end of the story. Thank you for reading such an interesting book to us!
Jason Austin's Mystery Reader: Dreams Take Flight
Third graders were in for a treat as we had Jason's dad, Randolph Austin, who read Felix and His Flying Machine. Felix O'Finnegan has been an inventor ever since he was a small child. His ideas were getting bigger and bigger, but all of the grown-ups kept saying, "No!" Felix continued to dream, invent, and build no matter what the adults said. He finally created a flying machine! The story highlights themes of resilience, creativity, and the importance of not giving up on one's dreams despite initial setbacks or discouragement from others. It follows Felix as he works tirelessly to build a machine capable of flight.
SUPER STUDENTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
Mason Bigos is in Mrs. Kotasthane’s class and describes himself as a Mighty Mathematician, Tremendous Team Player, Wonder Writer, Ravenous Reader, Marvelous Musician, and Amazing Artist. He hails from The Best Galaxy Ever, and flying represents his superpower. Mason’s hero is his mom, and he would choose his brother as his sidekick. He loves to read Harry Potter and play baseball. Mason enjoys talking to his friends about video games and playing sports in his spare time. If he could change the world, Mason would love to fix wars. When he’s happy, he thinks of the color yellow.
Caleb Chung is in Mrs. Haynoski’s class and describes himself as a Mighty Mathematician, Wonder Writer, Ravenous Reader, and Marvelous Musician. Ronaldo is Caleb’s hero, and he would pick his sister as his sidekick if he were a superhero. He loves to read Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. Caleb’s favorite thing to do in his spare time and discuss with his friends is soccer. When he’s happy, he thinks of the color blue. If Caleb were ever to make the front page of the news, it would be for creating World Peace.
Christian Ganthier is in Mrs. Kotasthane’s class and describes himself as a Mighty Mathematician, Tremendous Team Player, Stellar Scientist, Marvelous Musician, and Awesome Athlete. He would pick his cousins as his sidekicks, and he thinks of the color yellow when he’s happy. Christian hails from the Milky Way Galaxy and wants to fix pollution in the world. His favorite thing to do in his spare time and talk to his friends about is gymnastics. Dog Man is his favorite book series to read.
Third Grade Honors Veterans Through Poetry
Our Third Graders celebrated Veterans Day by creating acrostic poems honoring those who serve. After discussing the sacrifice veterans make for our country, students wrote about their bravery, selflessness, patriotism, and dedication—expressing gratitude for the freedom we enjoy today.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
Grade 4 welcomed Anay Joshi and his family to our CHP community!
The Joshi’s were an “alum” family as their oldest son graduated from CHP two years ago. We are thrilled to welcome them back!
NJIN Farm Trip
Grade 4 Celebrates November Birthdays!
During November, one of our 4th graders celebrated his double-digit birthday and joined our Grade 4 Double Digit Club! Happy Birthday to Preston! We hope your birthday was filled with joy! Thank you to Preston’s family for sharing his birthday celebration with our class!
Although November 13th was a cloudy and cool autumn day….Grade 4 had a fun-filled trip to the NJIN Farm! The day began with a hike up the hill where we were all treated to a beautiful vista of the valley before us. Signs of autumn and the seasonal changes occurring were breathtaking, especially as this formed the backdrop for a full view of the farmland and the horses grazing in the pasture. In their Math/Science class, Grade 4 students learned that fractals in nature are self-similar patterns that repeat at different scales, where a small part of the pattern resembles the whole. Fractals appear in a wide variety of natural phenomena such as trees, rivers, coastlines, snowflakes, and even lightning. At the farm, the students went on a Scavenger Hunt to look for fractals. Any fractals found were sketched in their Farm Journals. When they returned to class the next day, the students worked on reproducing the fractal they sketched onto a larger sheet of paper for display. The students are always so excited when they have an opportunity to apply their in-class lessons experientially. Our farm experience ended as we sat around the pond and wrote our reflections, enjoying the serenity and beauty of the environment.
Kids Can Make a Difference!
As we learned about the people of the Lakota Nation, their values and way of life, Grade 4 students began to realize that many of us have similar values. This prompted our reflective writing and illustrations, which now decorate our hallway bulletin board.
In our Open Court Reading Anthology, Grade 4 read “Ava and Pip,” a story within the unit “Making a Difference.” Through their reading of the story and ensuing reflections, Grade 4 realized that we all have many opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others…and that Kids Can Make a Difference, as well as adults! After reading how the kids in the story were able to help a very shy child gain confidence, Grade 4 students were able to reflect on how we are helping to make a difference in the lives of others as we contribute to the various efforts to help the students at Pine Grove school and learn about the people of the Lakota Nation. During our November TEEEM TUESDAY event, in honor of World Kindness Day on November 13th, Grade 8 led this month’s CHP TEEEM activity. Each 8th grader was assigned a specific classroom where they would lead the students in an activity related to World Kindness Day. Thank you to Sahasra and Azaal for working with Grade 4! Your lessons gave us much to reflect upon and put into action.
Winnie the Pooh!
On Friday, November 21, CHP students and faculty were treated to the Drama Club’s fabulous performance of Winnie the Pooh! Congratulations to our 4th graders who participated in this amazing performance: Ishani, Kasvi, Mahi, Mishka, Preston, and Sisira!!! And…congratulations to Ms. Duncan for all that she does to inspire our young thespians!
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
Poetry Day
Middle Schoolers Explore Identity Through Verse
Cedar Hill Prep’s middle schoolers took the podium on November 14th and 17th to share their “Where I’m From” poems, and the results were powerful. Students weren’t just reciting lines—they were exploring identity, wrestling with questions about culture and belonging, and confidently declaring: This is who I am.
This year’s Poetry Day centered on George Ella Lyon’s poem “Where I’m From,” which captures snapshots of childhood and formative experiences. Students spent weeks crafting autobiographical poems—brainstorming, drafting, and refining with feedback from teachers Yasmeen Villafranca (7th8th grade ELA) and Lisa Simon (5th-6th grade ELA).
“The writing process reflects growth and refinement—like uncovering a diamond,” said Villafranca. “First, you dig deep and extract the rough idea. But with each revision—each thoughtful turn to polish with specific details—the rough edges fade. What began as a dull stone emerges as a sparkling diamond.”
Students presented their poems alongside multimedia visual boards featuring images of temples, traditional foods, family celebrations, and cultural symbols. Poems explored themes of immigration, dual cultural identity, family traditions, and the experience of straddling “two worlds, one home.” “You are the narrators of your own stories,” Villafranca told students before they performed. “Never forget that. Today, what you say truly matters.”
For parents like Joy Ragland, Poetry Day offered a window into how their children are processing the world—and discovering who they’re becoming.
“Poetry Day was phenomenal. Some of the poems brought tears—so inspirational, so motivating. It was amazing to see students dig deep into their heritage, who they are, the questions they’re asking about life.
— Joy L. Ragland, Parent of Frederick “Tre” who participated in the 7th-8th grade showcase.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
High School Visits: Preparing Our Eighth Graders for the Next Chapter
Cedar Hill Prep hosts visits from area high schools to give our eighth-grade students valuable insight into their future educational options. Recently, representatives from Peddie School visited campus to share information about their programs and answer student questions.
These visits allow our graduating class to explore different school cultures, academic offerings, and campus environments as they prepare for this important transition. By bringing high schools directly to our students, we help families make informed decisions about the next step in their educational journey.
Eighth Graders Share Lakota Nation Culture with Lower School
Our TEEEM (The Empathy Equality Entrepreneurship Mission) eighth grade students recently led an educational program introducing grades 1 and up to the Lakota Nation’s rich heritage.
After an assembly presentation, students broke into small groups for hands-on activities including drawing and coloring while learning about the Seven Lakota Virtues such as respect, courage, and wisdom.
This cross-grade collaboration showcased student leadership and cultural awareness, with our eighth graders serving as mentors to younger peers in this meaningful cultural exchange.
CHP Students Earn Top Honors at International World Challenge Competition MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
When students from 20 countries gathered to solve one of the world's most urgent problems—how coastal cities can survive rising sea levels—Cedar Hill Prep students didn't just participate. They excelled.
In the 2025–26 World Challenge, hosted by Future Problem Solvers Competitions, CHP teams earned top placements in both the Junior (Grades 5–6) and Middle School (Grades 7–8) divisions. The monthlong international competition required students to research, analyze, and develop real solutions to threats facing coastal communities worldwide.
Here's how CHP students performed:
Junior Division (Grades 5–6)
Team Anandita Gurjar, Isra Arif, Indigo James — Honorable Mention
Middle School Division (Grades 7–8)
Team Aaliyah Patel, Kasey Conner, Tanish Patel — 2nd Place
Team Agasthya Mabbu, Shivad Desai, Vedant Pandya, Yajur Subramaniam — 3rd Place
Team Afzaal Mohamed, Sahasra Genupur, Samaira Doshi — Honorable Mention
What This Success Really Shows
These results reflect how Cedar Hill Prep students learn. They asked questions. They collaborated. They didn't settle for surface-level answers. That's what inquiry-based education looks like in action. The competition required critical thinking and creative problem-solving, collaboration across disciplines, application of knowledge to real-world issues, and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly— the exact skills students need for high school, college, and meaningful careers.
Cedar Hill Prep congratulates all participating teams for their commitment to tackling one of the defining challenges of their generation.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Cedar Hill Prep Science Teacher Presents at National Conference
During the second week of November, science teacher Denise Galiano took the stage as a presenter at the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) national conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mrs. Galiano led a workshop on Experiential Learning for science educators from across the United States and as far away as Bangkok.
Beyond sharing her expertise, Mrs. Galiano immersed herself in professional development by attending workshops covering language acquisition in science, vocabulary instruction, algae and yeast beads for photosynthesis experiments, natural emissions and carbon cycling, polymers, and hands-on experiments spanning all branches of science.
Mrs. Galiano returned to Cedar Hill Prep energized and equipped with fresh ideas to share with both colleagues and students, reinforcing our commitment to cutting-edge science education.
Cedar Hill Prep Shines at TQBA Thanksgiving Online Academic Bowl
Saturday, November 22, six of our academic bowl students competed in the TQBA (Texas Quiz Bowl Alliance) Thanksgiving Online tournament from 10am to 5pm. Both Cedar Hill Prep teams represented our school exceptionally well in this competitive online bowl. The TQBA Thanksgiving Online is part of a prestigious series of academic competitions hosted by the Texas Quiz Bowl Alliance, which is open to teams from all regions across the country. The tournament uses the NAQT IS-241A question set, testing students’ knowledge across multiple academic subjects including history, literature, science, mathematics, and more.
Our team of Nico Garofalo, Yajur Subramaniam, and Vallabh Vijayaraj won 3rd place in the tournament, demonstrating their impressive breadth of knowledge and quick recall skills. Congratulations to all six students who participated and showed the Cedar Hill Prep spirit of academic excellence!
Candy Salad Bag – What is it?
Our 7th grade students recently completed their unit on GCF (Greatest Common Factor) and LCM (Least Common Multiple). To see how best to apply these math concepts to the real world, students tackled a “Candy Salad Bag” Entrepreneurship Project. Students had to figure out how to buy the least amount of candy bags from the store to make identical “candy salad” bags of their own with little to no candy left over using GCF. It then became a challenge to also make the bags profitable, so students had to make adjustments. In all, it was a great experience using math and entrepreneurial skills while learning how to compare unit prices and discounts from different stores.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Cedar Hill Prep Students Create 75 "Weekender Bags" for Pine Grove Manor Elementary
Our 8th grade class successfully completed an ambitious community service project, assembling 75 "Weekender Bags" filled with essential food items for families at Pine Grove Manor Elementary School, a Title 1 school in the Somerset community.
The initiative, organized through our Grade 8 leadership program, aimed to provide weekend nutrition support for families facing food insecurity. Each bag contained carefully selected staples including rice, mac and cheese, instant oatmeal, black beans, mixed vegetables, canned fruit, juice boxes, and bottled water.
Community Effort Makes Goal a Reality
The project's success was made possible through generous donations from Cedar Hill Prep families who contributed all items needed to reach the 75-bag goal. The response was overwhelming, with families signing up to donate specific quantities of each item.
Contributing families included: Razeena Dilshad and Afzaal Mohamed, Prathima and Sahasra Genupur, Naima and Reyaan Aman, Doreen and Lily Trotta, Madhavi and Pragnya Banigallapati, Jennifer and Nico Garofalo, Stephanie and Aiden Betancourt, Pooja and Aanya Vig, Mason Parker's family, and Mahwish and Ayaan Yussouf.
8th Graders Take Leadership Role
Our 8th grade students took an active role in the project, coordinating donations, organizing collection efforts, and assembling the bags for distribution. The hands-on experience gave students a meaningful opportunity to understand food insecurity in their own community and take concrete action to address it.
The Weekender Bags were delivered to Pine Grove Manor Elementary School, where they will be distributed to families who can benefit from additional food support over weekends when school meal programs are not available.
A Joyful Night in the Hundred Acre Wood
What a fantastic success our elementary production was! Under the direction of Drama Department Director Mary Blair Duncan, students brought beloved characters like Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore to life with charm, energy, and imagination.
"I couldn't be more proud of these students," Duncan said. "Watching our youngest learners take the stage with such confidence and joy was truly special."
The production featured hand-crafted props, colorful staging, and a whimsical backdrop that transported the audience into the Hundred Acre Wood. The full house was treated to an unforgettable evening of theater.
Meet Our Stars:
Winnie the Pooh: Armaan Kahlon
A.A. Milne: Nico Garofalo
Christopher Robin: Ishan Rajiv
Kanga: Isha Gupta
Roo: Meera Chandwani
Rabbit: Nicholas Codreanu
Owl: Nehemiah Kim
Piglet: Ariana Jalloh
Tigger: Leo Romaine
Eeyore: Kenny Richard
Mama Heffalump: Lily Trotta
Lumpy: Viraj Shukla
Queen Bee: Mishka Modh
Student Storytellers: Nidhi Parram, Ishani Joshi, Kasvi Mehta, Mahi Parikh, Adhvik Arun, Preston Fennell-Powell
Bee Ensemble: Shaaina Modh, Ayla Trottini, Shanaya Shah, Lirthika Prabhakaran
Assistant Director: Indigo James
Parents praised the show not just for its entertainment value, but for the developmental growth it encouraged in students.
Cedar Hill Prep instills a genuine love for the performing arts from a very young age," said CHP parent Shalini Jayasuriya. "Through drama, our children develop confidence, creativity, and communication skills—all essential attributes of the IB learner profile. It's wonderful to see them take risks and grow as young artists.
National French Week Celebration
National French Week Brings Culture and Community to Cedar Hill Prep
Cedar Hill Prep’s French Honor Society led our community in a vibrant celebration of National French Week with engaging cultural activities that brought French language and traditions to life.
Throughout the week, students were greeted each morning in French and participated in community-building events, including a schoolwide Chicken Dance and a dressdown day featuring the colors of the French flag—red, white, and blue.
The week culminated with the Middle School Eiffel Tower Competition, where students demonstrated their creativity through thoughtful and artistic 2D interpretations of this iconic monument.
We applaud our French Honor Society for their leadership and our students for their enthusiasm in promoting cultural appreciation and language learning. Congratulations to 8A for their winning design!
AROUND THE SCHOOL
Making a Difference: CHP Students Support Lakota Indigenous Community
Cedar Hill Prep students in Kindergarten through 6th grade are participating in a meaningful community service project this fall. As part of their The Empathy Equality Entrepreneurship Mission (TEEEM) organization initiative, students are creating handmade pot holders to sell in support of the Lakota indigenous people.
This project combines creativity, teamwork, and social responsibility, giving students hands-on experience in contributing to causes beyond their immediate community.
Participating students include:
Pre-Kindergarten - Kindergarten: Brielle Dennery
Grade 2: Grace Dennery, Novah Squires, Mariausha Vaz, Riya Vasireddy
Grade 3: Lirthika Prabhakaran, Samantha Padan, Richard Callan, Caleb Chung, Dean Padad, Liam Lee, Christian Ganthier, Mason
Bigos, Omar Aman, Shivam Agarwala, Kaiss Maksad, Kiyaan Singh, Zareena Usman
Grade 4: Anjali Shah
Grade 5: Ian Lee
Through this project, CHP students are learning that even small actions can create meaningful impact for communities in need.
ALUMNI A SPOTLIGHT S
Myles Parker Shines as Freshman at Marist University
Our alumnus Myles Parker is making an impressive mark at Marist University—and he’s only a freshman! On Friday night at McCann Arena in Poughkeepsie, New York, Myles dominated the court, leading all scorers with 17 points (15 in the second half), 6 rebounds, and 2 steals as Marist defeated Army West Point 76-65. The game-changer came when Myles scored nine straight points to push Marist to a commanding 55-46 lead with 8:27 left on the clock. For a freshman to lead his team in such a crucial moment speaks volumes about his talent and the foundation he built at Cedar Hill Prep.
Myles, a Plainfield, NJ native, plays forward for the Marist Red Foxes. His performance is a testament to the strong athletics program at CHP and our commitment to developing wellrounded student-athletes. From our courts to college arenas—this is what we mean when we say our alumni go places! We couldn’t be prouder of you, Myles. Keep soaring!
AROUND THE SCHOOL
Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence!
Congratulations to Denise Galiano (Middle School Science) and Coach Tierney (Physical Education/Athletics) on reaching an incredible milestone—10 years at Cedar Hill Prep!
For a decade, they’ve inspired our students to explore, discover, and push beyond their limits—both in the classroom and on the field. Their dedication, passion, and commitment to our community have made a lasting impact on countless students and families.
Thank you, Mrs Galiano and Coach Tierney, for 10 amazing years of shaping young minds and hearts. Here’s to many more!
News from the Nurse
Hello CHP families! As the weather gets chillier and our classrooms get cozier, here are a few friendly reminders from the health office to help keep everyone feeling their best this November:
Healthy Habits for a Healthy Season
Cold and flu season has arrived! Please remind your kiddos to wash their hands often (front, back, in-between—get those bubbles everywhere!) and to cover coughs and sneezes with elbows instead of hands. These small habits make a big difference in keeping our school community healthy.
When to Keep Your Child Home
If your child has a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or is just feeling “off,” please allow them to rest at home. A good rule of thumb: students should be fever-free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
Don’t
Forget Those Layers!
As temperatures drop, students will still be going outside for recess when possible. Please pack warm jackets, hats, and gloves so everyone can enjoy fresh air comfortably.
Medication
Reminders
Any medications brought to school—prescription or over-the-counter—must be accompanied by the proper forms and kept in the nurse’s office. Feel free to reach out if you need any medication authorization paperwork.
Seasonal
Wellness Tip
Shorter days can sometimes mean sluggish mornings. Make sure your child is getting plenty of sleep and a hearty breakfast to fuel learning and play.
If you ever have questions or health concerns, I’m just a call or email away. nurse@cedarhillprep.com Wishing everyone a healthy, happy, pie-filled November! —Nurse Loretta
AROUND THE SCHOOL
Collaborative Professional Development in Action
Collaborative Professional Development in Action
Our teachers have been engaged in meaningful professional development this fall, working together on interdisciplinary units and curriculum integration. It’s been wonderful to see our MYP teachers collaborate as they align IB criteria and strands with Terranova assessments, while deepening their understanding of the fundamentals of MYP assessment using task-specific rubrics with subject-specific criteria and strands.
In December, we’ll continue our work with a focus on report cards and assessments, including exploring innovative ways to create personalized, authentic feedback for our students.
The dedication our faculty brings to continuous improvement ensures that every Cedar Hill Prep student receives the highest quality education.
November Parent-Teacher Conferences: Celebrating Progress and Growth
Cedar Hill Prep’s November parent-teacher conferences provided families with valuable insights into their children’s academic progress, social-emotional development, and classroom experiences. Teachers shared individual strengths, areas for growth, and strategies for supporting student learning at home.
These conferences are an essential part of our commitment to partnership between families and educators. By maintaining open communication, we ensure that each student receives the support they need to thrive both academically and personally. Thank you to all the families who participated in these meaningful conversations. Our next parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for February, where we’ll continue tracking progress and celebrating achievements as we move through the school year.
CHP EDUCATION AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION
PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION
Hello CHP families! We hope your November has been filled with cozy vests, crunchy leaves and pumpkin spice. As we wrap up this season of gratitude, we’d like to send a huge THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our annual Pie Sale. We hope your homes are filled with delicious aromas and happy tummies.
Before we jump headfirst into candy canes and twinkly lights, here’s a look at the fun and festive happenings coming up at CHP:
UPCOMING EVENTS
Picture Re-Take Day
Did someone blink? Did someone sneeze? Did someone insist on making a silly face? No worries! Re-take day is here to save your photo frames.
December 5th – PTO Holiday Bazaar
Our magical annual tradition! Students will have the chance to shop for gifts for loved ones (and maybe even themselves!). Volunteers, sparkle shoes, and holiday cheer welcome!
04 DEC DEC 29 through Jan 04 05 DEC 16 DEC
December 16th – CHP Holiday Sing
Prepare for cuteness overload as our students fill the halls with festive tunes. Warm fuzzies guaranteed.
Winter Break
Break out the hot cocoa and fuzzy socks—school is closed for winter break! We hope everyone enjoys a restful, joy-filled holiday season.
Next PTO Meeting
Come join us as we plan upcoming events, share ideas, and keep the CHP magic going. Fresh faces and new voices always welcome!
A Thanksgiving Thank-You
We’re deeply grateful for our incredible CHP community—your support makes all the difference. We hope your Thanksgiving was packed with gratitude, laughter, and (of course) PIE. Lots and lots of pie.
Wishing all our families a joyful transition into the holiday season. See you at the Bazaar!
Questions or ideas? Email us at PTO@cedarhillprep.com. We love hearing from you!
Looking Ahead to Upcoming Special Events
S
