L SCHOOL
INNOVATION | EXCELLENCE | GLOBAL READINESS
Multicultural Night
A Celebration of Community
On October 24, our CHP community came together for an unforgettable Multicultural Night that showcased the rich diversity and cultural heritage of our families. The evening was filled with delicious food, vibrant performances, and meaningful connections that reminded us why our community is so special.
Parents brought authentic dishes from their respective countries, transforming our space into a global culinary experience. Each dish told a story and gave us a taste of the traditions that make our families unique. The performances throughout the evening highlighted the incredible talent within our community – from traditional dances to musical showcases that celebrated cultures from around the world. The spirit of collaboration was evident from start to finish. Thank you to everyone who planned, performed, shared their culinary talents, and stayed to help with cleanup. Your dedication made this event possible. Moments like these remind us that our diversity isn’t just something we celebrate once a year – it’s woven into the fabric of who we are as a school community.
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HALL WEEN
Lower School Parade
Our families outdid themselves with amazingly decorated cars and trunks! From spooky spider webs and ghosts to vibrant Barbie boxes, college football tailgates, enchanting witch themes, and Thing 1 making an appearance—the creativity was outstanding. Our Little Pumpkins arrived in equally impressive costumes: adorable witches, brave ninjas, and so many other creative characters. A Spectacular Halloween Celebration!
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Middle School Parade
The Middle School brought even more fun with incredible costumes—from spooky LED skeletons to inflatable aliens, dinosaurs, sports jerseys, and Scooby-Doo characters. Our teachers joined in dressed as jellyfish, adding extra fun to the celebration! Thank you to all the parents, families, and staff members who made this day magical. Your dedication created wonderful memories, and our students had an incredible time celebrating together!
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PRESCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN NEWS
Fire Prevention Week
Children in preschool learned the importance of knowing the emergency number 911. After reading the book 911 What is Your Emergency?, each child had the opportunity to pretend to have an emergency by saying and identifying those numbers in the book. When the operator came on, the children explained their pretend emergency. Children role-played situations where they would need to use this information. Stop, Drop and Roll was also introduced to the children through our fire safety books. It is a safety procedure taught to children if their clothing happens to catch on fire. Each child learned and practiced the procedure.
Fall and Farm Week
Fall is in the air! The leaves are changing colors and the weather is getting cooler. Children in preschool are learning about the season of Autumn. As a craft, we colored a tree brown and added the changing Autumn-colored leaves by mixing red, orange, and yellow paint. The children used a bundle of Q-tips to dab the colors of the leaves. They made beautiful fall trees with the leaves blowing in the wind. Our week continued with talking about farms and what we can find on the farm. We read farm stories, sang “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” and talked about the sounds these animals make. Then we made our own red barn with farm animals colored by the children.
Von Thun’s Pumpkin/Farm Trip
The Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten classes had a great time on their trip to Von Thun’s Farm. After an exciting bus ride, we arrived at the farm and saw some animals eating and playing in their pens. There were chickens, goats, sheep, pigs, and donkeys. After listening to the talking pumpkin—yes, there was a talking pumpkin—we hopped onto the hayride for a bumpy ride to the pumpkin patch. The hayride gave us a beautiful tour of the farm. We saw apple orchards and corn fields. Our hayride dropped us off in the pumpkin patch, where we had so much fun walking through the patch in search of the perfect pumpkin.
Halloween
What a beautiful day for Trunk or Treat with the lower school classes! The children dressed in their Halloween costumes and paraded in the parking lot to get some delicious candy. Parents beautifully decorated their car trunks as they gave each child candy. After our parade, we danced to some fabulous Halloween music. We also played pin the nose on the pumpkin using a blindfold. Children did their best to find the correct spot to pin the nose without looking. Then we played monster bowling using toilet paper rolls and a ball. Our final activity was hammering golf tees into a pumpkin. The children had a fabulous Halloween party!
PRESCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN NEW
Pre-Kindergarten: Exploring Professions Through Inquiry
Pre-Kindergarten students engaged in experiential learning this month as they explored different professions and occupations. Through hands-on inquiry, students visited Cedar Hill Prep's administrative and marketing teams in the office to learn about what each person does and how they contribute to our school community.
Festival of Lights
This real-world exploration helped students make connections between classroom learning and the world around them, fostering an understanding of community roles and responsibilities. By meeting with staff members and asking questions, our young learners developed communication skills and gained valuable insights into various career paths. This inquiry-based approach embodies the IB Primary Years Programme's commitment to helping students understand how the world works while building their sense of agency and connection to their community.
Diwali is an Indian festival of lights. It usually lasts for five days. The festival gets its name from the row of clay lamps that are lit in homes. Some traditions for the holiday include getting new clothes and jewelry, eating sweets, exchanging gifts, and decorating the house with diyas and flowers. Preschoolers learned about this holiday by listening to a story called Binny’s Diwali. Then they made their own colorful, beautiful paper diyas.
PreK Celebrates Diwali
PreK A and PreK B students enjoyed a special Diwali celebration this week! Mrs. Sohini Patel, Hrithvi's mom, visited PreK A, while Mrs. Alekya Chakkula, Anaira’s mom, joined PreK B. Both parent readers shared the story Binny's Diwali with our young learners, teaching them about the Festival of Lights. Students then painted colorful diyas to commemorate this beautiful holiday. Thank you to our wonderful parent volunteers for making this celebration so special!
PRESCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN NEWS
Kindergarten Fall Fun at VonThun Farm
It was a beautiful fall day visiting VonThun Farm with our Kindergarten family. The excitement to ride on the bus is always so adorable. At the farm, we got to see goats, donkeys, chickens, pigs, and more. We learned so many fun facts about these animals.
Students then enjoyed a tractor hay ride to the pumpkin patch where they picked pumpkins. Students were so excited to learn from the farmers about different varieties of apples and corn and see them on our ride.
Learning and Celebrating: Kindergarten’s Diwali Festival
Kindergarten celebrated the Festival of Lights with our class moms sharing wonderful stories of Diwali festivities. Our classroom was lit up with pretty tealights. We created Diwali lanterns and decorated rangoli plates. The class moms also brought in fun Diwali worksheets and sweet treats.
It was a beautiful celebration that reminds us of the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. We are grateful to our class moms for making it a fun party.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
First Grade's Pumpkin Patch Adventure
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
First Grade had a blast at Von Thun's this year for our annual field trip! We explored a corn maze, rode tractors, raced ducks, saw cool farm animals, went on a hay ride, and picked pumpkins. It was an unforgettable, action-packed day.
Diwali Diya Decorating
Colorful Science: First Grade Explores Plant Biology
First Grade worked on a STEM experiment involving celery sticks and food coloring. Students observed the function of the stem/stalk of the celery as it drinks water and carries it up to the leaves. The leaves turned the same color as the food coloring in the water. They loved this experiment and especially enjoyed recording their data like real scientists!
In celebration of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, students decorated traditional diyas – small clay oil lamps that symbolize the victory of light over darkness. Each student personalized their diya with vibrant colors and intricate designs, learning about the cultural significance of this five-day Hindu festival. The activity allowed students to explore how light, hope, and new beginnings are celebrated across different cultures. Students were excited to take their decorated diyas home to share with their families.
Second Grade Celebrates the Festival of Lights
Second graders joined together to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Thanks to our wonderful parent volunteers, students learned about the meaning of Diwali and its message of light over darkness through stories, activities, and crafts.
The children had a joyful time exploring the traditions of this special holiday while reflecting on kindness, gratitude, and the light we all carry within.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
Omar: The Triple Threat with a Heart of Gold
SUPER STUDENTS
Omar Aman is Third Grade’s Super Student! He’s in Mrs. Kotasthane’s class and describes himself as a Tremendous Team Player, Awesome Athlete, and Amazing Artist. His hero is his brother, and he would choose his brother and cousin to be his sidekicks. Omar loves reading the Magic Tree House books and playing with his friends in his spare time. His superpower is the ability to play soccer, and he enjoys discussing video games with his friends. If Omar could fix any problem in this world, it would be September 11, 2001. He hails from the Milky Way galaxy and thinks of the color blue when he is happy.
Jason: The Awesome Athlete Who Lives for Adventure
Jason Austin is Third Grade’s Super Student! He’s in Mrs. Haynoski’s class and describes himself as an Awesome Athlete. Jason’s hero is Sonic the Hedgehog, and a cross represents his superpower. He would choose his sister as his sidekick, and his favorite thing to do in his spare time is play Pokemon. Jason’s favorite book series is the I Survived series, and he loves talking to his friends about Mario. He hails from the Milky Way galaxy and thinks of the color blue when he is happy.
Anvay: The Multi-Talented Reader, Writer, and Artist
Anvay Bobade is Third Grade’s Super Student! He’s in Mrs. Haynoski’s class and describes himself as a Mighty Mathematician, Wonder Writer, Ravenous Reader, Amazing Artist, and Harmonious Helper. A blue lightning bolt represents his superpower, and he hails from the Milky Way Galaxy. Anvay’s hero is Dav Pilkey (author of the Dog Man series), and his favorite books are from The Wings of Fire series. He would choose his cousin as his sidekick, and he wants to make peace in the world. Anvay thinks of the color blue when he is happy and loves talking to his friends about books and drawings.
Flying High: Third Grade Super Student Adhvik
Adhvik is Third Grade's Super Student! He is in Mrs. Kotasthane's class and describes himself as a Tremendous Team Player, a Stellar Scientist, a Marvelous Musician, a Harmonious Helper, and a Genius Geographer. An airplane represents Adhvik's superpower symbol, and his hero is his mom! Adhvik would choose his aunt as his sidekick, and he hails from the Andromeda Galaxy. Adhvik likes to talk to his friends about Tesla, and when he is happy, he thinks of the color orange. He likes to read books about how things work, and in his spare time, he likes to learn about airports and airplanes.
Super
Student Spotlight: Meet Richard!
Richard Callan is Third Grade's Super Student! He is in Mrs. Haynoski's class and describes himself as a Mighty Mathematician, a Wonder Writer, and an Amazing Artist. Richard's theme song is Lava Chicken, and his mom is his hero. He would pick his sister as his sidekick, and his favorite book is The First Cat in Space. Richard's favorite thing to do in his spare time is to draw or play video games, and he likes to talk to his friends about Minecraft. He would like to end all violence in the world, and he thinks of the color blue when he is happy.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
A Spooky Mystery at Cedar Hill Prep
Third graders welcomed the first ‘Mystery Reader’ of this year. Lena, Kaiss’s mom, read The Whispering Locker of Cedar Hill Prep, a spooky story that entertained the students. At Cedar Hill Prep, Locker 99 is rumored to be haunted, whispering when the school is empty. Three friends encounter strange events after school before hearing the locker whisper and seeing a paper slide out with a message from “The Spirit of Forgotten Homework,” who demands homework. After the friends provide homework and a riddle, the spirit falls silent, though the story suggests the whispering may return. The reading of this story was met with a lot of excitement and laughter. We loved Lena’s animated reading. Thank you for reading to us!
A Sideways Look at Wayside School
Candice Tolud, Ayla Trottini’s mom, read Wayside School, a fictional children’s book series by Louis Sachar. The fictional school is a 30-story skyscraper where classrooms are stacked one on top of the other, and the stories revolve around the wacky students and teachers. The students love being read to by their parents, and the parents’ arrival is always a big surprise for them. We will be welcoming more readers throughout the year.
Battle Bunny Takes Over Story Time
Third graders were in for a treat when Ryan Chung, Caleb’s dad, came in to read Battle Bunny by Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett. It is a humorous picture book that creatively transforms a saccharine story into an action-packed adventure through the power of a child’s imagination. The book’s premise is a metafictional mashup of two stories. The book, supposedly found at a garage sale by a grandmother, begins as Birthday Bunny, a gentle, vintage-style tale about a bunny who believes his friends have forgotten his special day, only to be surprised with a birthday party. The illustrations are in a soft, old-fashioned style. However, the sweet narrative is scrawled over and reillustrated in pencil by a mischievous boy named Alex. With his additions, Birthday Bunny becomes the ruthless and determined Battle Bunny, complete with an eye patch, weapons, and an “Evil Plan” for world domination. The book’s appeal lies in its celebration of creative mischief and the way it encourages young readers to be storytellers themselves. Thank you for reading to us, Mr. Chung!
Diving Deep with the Magic School Bus
Marta Pateiro, Mason’s mom, took us on an unforgettable field trip with Ms. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus to the most amazing place of all: the ocean floor! The bus turned into a submarine and took us on an incredible adventure deep under the sea. During our journey, we discovered so many amazing things about the ocean and the animals that live there. We also learned that things on land can hurt the ocean. Ms. Frizzle explained that pollution can make coral reefs sick and lose their color. We saw a treasure chest that was polluting the reef and worked together to clean it up. A Bus that Can Do Anything! During our adventure, the Magic School Bus transformed into different vehicles to help us explore. It was a submarine to take us down, a glass-bottomed boat to see clearly, and even a surfboard to ride a wave back to shore!
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
Attract! Third Graders Discover the Magic of Magnetism
Third graders in Mrs. Kotasthane’s science class investigated how to predict which objects are magnetic and how to test if a magnet will attract or repel other magnets. We predicted which items would stick to our magnet and then used a magnet to test our objects. We learned that magnets only attract certain materials, like some types of metal.
How we tested:
1. First, we gathered a variety of objects, such as paper clips, metal and plastic spoons, twist ties, steel wool, brass fasteners, wooden popsicle sticks, crayons, and metal washers.
2. Next, we made a chart to predict if each item would be attracted to the magnet.
3. Then, we tested each item with a magnet to see what really happened.
4. Finally, we compared our predictions to our results.
What we learned:
• Magnets have a force: We found that magnets can pull on certain things without even touching them. This is known as a non-touching force. This force can be a push or a pull.
• Opposites attract: We also learned that magnets have two ends called a north pole and a south pole. When we put the north pole of one magnet near the south pole of another, they pull together.
• Same sides repel: When we put two north poles or two south poles together, they push each other away.Magnets only work on some materials: Our tests showed that some things, like paper clips, were magnetic, but many other things, like plastic, were not.
Our conclusion: Our predictions were sometimes right and sometimes wrong, but the investigation helped us learn that magnets are special because they can attract some objects and repel others.
We now know that the magnetic force depends on what the object is made of and which poles of the magnet are near each other.
Grade 3 Halloween Party
Third Graders had a fun-filled Halloween party! We had our very own Craft station- Pumpkin Decorating: A classic and fun activity was to let students decorate pumpkins. They used markers, paint, googly eyes, and other craft supplies to create unique Jack-o'lanterns or other pumpkin characters. We then had another craft, a 'ghostly' door hanger. It was followed by our party with yummy cupcakes and salty snacks! The grand finale was the trunk or treat parade where we visited many beautifully decorated trunks and got a lot of treats! Happy Halloween!
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
The Grade 4 classroom was the Hub of Bustling Activity throughout the Month of October!
October Birthday CelebrationsGrade 4 celebrated two birthdays this month…HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Anjali and Xavier!!!
Kids Can Make a Difference!
Throughout the year, all CHP students will participate in our collective service-learning initiative as we partner with TEEEM to learn about the people of the Lakota nation and how we can help them. The acronym, TEEEM, reflects its mission to “help empower students to become caring and impactful global citizens through empathy and social entrepreneurship.” During the month of October, in their LAL classes, all CHP students participated in grade-specific interactive lessons that introduced them to the Lakota Nation. Grade 4 students began to learn about some of the important cultural values and symbols of the Lakota people. This culminated in students’ reflective writings and representative drawings…which are being proudly displayed on our hallway bulletin board.
Grade 4 students continued to expand their understanding of how many different ways they help to make a positive difference in the lives of others. In their literature anthology, they read about the impact two girls had as they intervened to help a very shy girl gain more confidence. Many of the students were able to relate to this story as it applied to them personally or to friends or family members.
Grade 4 classrooms were blossoming with Pink as the students and teachers joined the CHP effort to raise awareness and money for the Breast Cancer organization.
Book Fair
Judging from Grade 4’s participation, the Scholastic Book Fair was a great success! A special thank you to Mrs. Turkowsky for chairing this annual CHP event... and to all of our Grade 4 families who helped out! Pumpkins! Pumpkins! Pumpkins!
After reading the “Life Cycle of a Pumpkin” by Ron Fridell and responding to related comprehension questions, the students were ready to do their investigation. Using their scientific and mathematical skills, they observed a pumpkin, estimated its weight in pounds…the height in cubes and inches…and the circumference in inches. After that, they weighed and measured the pumpkin to test how accurate their estimations were. Next, they estimated the number of seeds in the pumpkin and then cut it open to test their estimations and use their senses to explore the pulp and seeds. After counting the exact number of seeds in the pumpkin, they opened a seed and used a magnifying lens to observe the parts of the seed. Finally, they planted the seeds to visualize the beginning of the pumpkin LIFE CYCLE.
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
Happy Halloween!
Grade 4 students were busy decorating their pumpkins for our annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest. All winning points will go to the winners’ respective Houses. Thank you Ms. Iyengar for serving as the judge of the 4th Grade Pumpkin Decorating Contest! Next on the agenda was the annual Grade 4 Mummy Wrap where teams of 2 - 3 students worked together to wrap one of their teammates while enjoying silly Halloween tunes.
Sprinkle in a Halloween Logic Puzzle, Mazes, a Halloween Math Puzzle, and a special birthday/Halloween snack in honor of Xavier’s birthday…Grade 4 had a busy, fun-filled time! Thank you to the Bridges family for the yummy ices! The day culminated with CHP’s traditional Trunk or Treating. Thank you to all of our CHP families who helped to make this event so very special!
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Grade 6 Science: Fossil Lab Investigation
Grade 6 students stepped into the role of paleontologists during an exciting hands-on fossil lab activity. Working in teams, students conducted “excavations” to discover and sort fossils, then made inferences about the time period and environment from which the animals came.
The essential question guiding their investigation: What can fossils tell us about the past?
Students recorded their findings after each excavation and created informative posters showing drawings of the fossils and the environments the fossils represented. Each team presented their discoveries, discussing their initial assumptions, any disagreements that arose from new evidence, and what additional information would help them better identify the ancient environments.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
This inquiry-based activity reinforced key IB concepts of change, environment, and evidence— demonstrating how scientists use fossils as clues to piece together Earth’s ancient history.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Middle School Adventures at Frost Valley
Middle school students recently enjoyed a three-day, two-night trip to Frost Valley YMCA in Claryville, NY! They took part in exciting activities such as archery, rock climbing, candle making, cooking, nature art, night exploration, and a Shark Tank–style challenge. Students also built teamwork and courage through ziplining, the flying squirrel, low ropes, and a half-day hike with beautiful waterfall views.
The last night culminated with s’mores around the campfire, where students sang silly songs and enjoyed their time together. Family-style meals taught students about responsibility and environmental stewardship as they helped set up, clean up, and compost.
The trip was a wonderful opportunity for students to bond with classmates and teachers creating lasting memories in the great outdoors.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Community in Action: Halloween Costume Drive Success
Thank you for making our Halloween Costume Drive a tremendous success! Together, we collected and delivered 180 costumes to Pine Grove Manor School (PGM), bringing joy to their students this Halloween.
Our student leadership team personally delivered the costumes and met with PGM’s principal, faculty, and students—a powerful experience that reminded them of the impact they can make through service.
Upcoming Drives to Support PGM:
• Food Drives – Ongoing (schedule attached; details from homeroom teachers)
• Winter Coat, Gloves & Hat Drive – December 2025
• Hygiene Kit Drive – March 2026
• Backpack Drive – May/June 2026
Every class will participate, with our student leadership team organizing these efforts. This partnership gives our students hands-on experience with compassion, civic responsibility, and collective action. Thank you for embodying the true spirit of our CHP community. Let’s keep the momentum going!
Grade 8 Connects Over Lunch
Our Grade 8 students continued their annual tradition of visiting the strip mall on Cedar Grove Lane for some quality time outside the classroom! This year’s outing had a festive twist—students arrived in their creative Halloween costumes and enjoyed lunch and conversation with Mr. Seeley, Ms. Lekhi, and Ms. Villafranca. Students enjoyed connecting with their teachers and peers in a relaxed setting. These moments of community-building are what make our middle school experience so special!
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Life Beyond Cedar Hill Prep
Cedar Hill Prep hosted representatives from several excellent private high schools on our campus this month. Families had the opportunity to learn about their programs, culture, and admissions process. Schools that Visited:
• Tuesday, October 21: Mercersburg Academy, PA
• Friday, October 24: The Hun School of Princeton, NJ
• Wednesday, October 29: The Hill School, PA
These visits were particularly valuable for current 8th graders who are actively applying to high schools and provided essential preparation for our 7th graders as well. Thank you to all the families who attended and to the school representatives who shared their time and insights with our community!
Autumn Learning at NJIN
Grades 5 and 6 had their first monthly trip of the 2025/26 school year to NJIN on October 29th. The air was crisp with autumn, and the trees displayed their magnificent changing colors. Students hiked the property while heightening their awareness of the sights, sounds, and smells of the open environment.
Suncatchers were created to memorialize this first trip, and students journaled their reflections while relaxing around the pond. Ms. Nan was also on hand to teach the students about the minnow nets, cranes on the pond, and the effects of the drought in our area. The beauty of the day was felt by all.
On Tuesday, October 28th, Cedar Hill Preparatory School proudly held its National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Induction Ceremony, honoring students who exemplify excellence in Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship—the five pillars of the NJHS.
The ceremony was a heartfelt celebration of our students’ dedication to academic achievement and their commitment to making a positive impact within our school and community. Family members, faculty, and classmates gathered to recognize the inductees’ hard work and integrity.
Congratulations to all the new inductees
Lilly Trotta
Sahasra Genupur
Yajur Subramaniam
And the returning members
Isha Gupta
Shivad Desai Nico Garofalo for their outstanding accomplishments and for embodying the true spirit of the National Junior Honor Society!
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NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE CELEBRATION
¡Celebramos! Hispanic Heritage Month at Cedar Hill Prep
This year, during Hispanic Heritage Month, Lower and Middle School students celebrated with engaging activities and presentations.
In Middle School, a project fair was held in the gym where students from Spanish class, including Afzaal Mohamed, Sahashara Genupur, Zinnia Shirley and Armaan Kahlon, presented on Spanish-speaking countries. Their classmates learned about beautiful landmarks, famous artists, and important historical figures from these diverse cultures.
In Lower School, students enjoyed presentations about Peru, Colombia, and Mexico from parent volunteers Mr. Gamarra, Mrs. Assi, Mrs. Garcia, and Mrs. Salas. Mrs. Assi handed out Mexican flags, and everyone danced and waved them to “La Yenca,” a beloved Spanish song. Both children and adults had a fantastic time celebrating together.
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WILDCATS SPORTS
Aanya Vig Takes Tennis Tournament
Tennis Team Finishes Strong
CHP ended October with a 2-2 record and went 3-3 overall for the season.
• Stuart: Lost 2-3
• Far Hills Country Day School: Won 3-1
• Princeton Day: Lost 0-5
• Hun School: Won 6-0
The team grew stronger and more confident in October. Aanya Vig and Aaliyah Patel delivered strong performances throughout the season, and the team wishes them the best in their future endeavors.
Zinnia Shirley, Mythili Polamraju, Esha Kumar, Francesca Martinello Merrill, Marie Z. Ghazally, and Miraya Shukla worked hard and played well in their matches. With more practice and match play, they will be even stronger contributors to the team next season.
Congratulations to eighth grader Aanya Vig, who won her age group tournament at Nassau Tennis Club in Princeton, NJ earlier this October! Aanya dominated the competition, showcasing exceptional skill and determination on the court.
Her success is a testament to her hard work and the expert coaching of Coach Sanjay Reddy. We’re proud of Aanya’s achievement and look forward to her continued success!
Soccer Team Shows Tremendous Growth
The soccer team looked a lot better overall in October. Although the team didn’t get a win, each and every player has improved in both skill and game IQ. The team definitely started working together more and more, understanding that in order to try and win games, you have to work together as a team.
In both of our last games, the team was able to score 5 goals in total! Aiden Nguyen, our top goal scorer, had a tremendous season, as well as Aryan Cherukuri, who had approximately 40 saves this season!
We are very proud of this team and very excited for what the future holds!
Cedar Hill Prep Wildcats Excel at October Cross Country Meets
In October, our Cross Country Team competed at Princeton Day School, Stuart Country Day School, and Wilberforce!
Nico Garofalo was our top Boys finisher in each meet, and Geetha Puthumana led the girls team. All of our runners improved their times throughout the season, showing dedication and perseverance.
Congratulations to our Wildcats!
AROUND THE SCHOOL
Pink Day for Breast Cancer Awareness
On October 30th, Cedar Hill Prep students wore pink to show solidarity and support for Breast Cancer Awareness. An incredible 240 students participated, and their compassion inspired our community to give back.
Fifth grader, Kenny Richard’s father, Scott, arranged for his company to generously match our participation with a $240 donation. In a touching display of leadership, Kenny chose to honor Mr. Seeley’s sister Lauren by matching his entire 5th grade class donation of $20—as his birthday act of charity. Thank you to all our students, families, and community partners who made this day meaningful. Together, we’re leading with heart.
ALUMNI A SPOTLIGHT S
Alumna Nethra Velanki joined the Cedar Hill Prep community as a fifth grader in 2016 and graduated in 2020 as a recipient of the President’s Award. During her time at CHP, she served as the Cherokee Bears’ house leader, basketball co-captain, and a member of the award-winning debate team. “I’m not afraid to ask questions because at CHP, you were encouraged to be inquisitive. You’re encouraged to question the things around you. I’m really grateful for that,” Nethra recalls.
Now a sophomore at Case Western Reserve University, majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Biomechanics and a minor in Philosophy, Nethra credits CHP for sparking her love of science and leadership. From Mrs. Galliano’s science classes to CHP’s experiential learning trips, she says these experiences “have always stuck with me and have fueled my curiosity all these years.”
In the most recent Alumni Blog, Nethra shares how CHP continues to influence her confidence, curiosity, and drive to lead — both in and beyond the classroom.
Click Here to Read her full story in “Leading with Curiosity.”
AROUND THE SCHOOL
Coffee with Principal
Our first Coffee with the Principal event took place on October 13, bringing parents together for an open conversation with Mr. Seeley. Parents had the opportunity to ask questions, share thoughts, and discuss what matters most to their families. These informal gatherings create meaningful dialogue between school leadership and our parent community, strengthening the partnership that supports our students’ success. Thank you to all who attended! We look forward to continuing these conversations throughout the year. Stay tuned for upcoming dates.
Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair, organized by Jessica Turkowsky and the PTO, was a great success! We sold $7500 worth of books. Thank you so much to the PTO for your assistance, and all the parents and faculty members who volunteered to help. It is our CHP team effort that makes this event so wonderful!
Monthly Mingle: Pizza with Mr. Seeley
Our first Coffee with the Principal event took place on October 13, bringing parents together for an open conversation with Mr. Seeley. Parents had the opportunity to ask questions, share thoughts, and discuss what matters most to their families. These informal gatherings create meaningful dialogue between school leadership and our parent community, strengthening the partnership that supports our students’ success. Thank you to all who attended! We look forward to continuing these conversations throughout the year. Stay tuned for upcoming dates.
Grades 1 - 2
Grades 3 - 4
Grades 5 - 8
Preschool - Kindergarten
PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION
The CHP PTO is keeping the fall spirit going strong!
Our next PTO meeting will be held on November 12th at 7:00 PM via Zoom
Check your email for the link
THANK YOU
A huge thank you to everyone who made the Scholastic Book Fair a success! Our volunteers were busy but loved every minute.
Our Thanksgiving Pie Sale has been a hit - we’re aiming for 100+ pies! Thank you for supporting the CHP family, and enjoy these treats with your loved ones this Thanksgiving.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Spirit Wear Sale: November 17–27
&
Check out our NEW cozy flannel pants, sweatpants, and white shirt - perfect for fall and CHP pride! Ordering details coming soon.
Holiday Bazaar: December 5
Festive fun for the whole community.
Questions or ideas? Email us at PTO@cedarhillprep.com We love hearing from you!
Looking Ahead to Upcoming Special Events
