We are thrilled to share that the first day of school on September 6, 2024, was a grand success! The campus was buzzing with excitement as students and staff came together to kick off what promises to be an incredible year. From engaging classroom activities to enthusiastic welcomes, the day set a positive tone for the months ahead. Here’s to a great year of learning, growth, and achievements!
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The Cedar Hill Prep Annual Welcome Picnic, held on September 14, was a resounding success! The event brought together CHP families, friends, and staff for a memorable day filled with music, delicious food, and fun activities.
Highlights included a bouncy house, face painting by the talented Ms. Vargas and Ms. Dempsey, and delightful treats like cotton candy and snow cones. It was the perfect way to kick start the new academic year, setting a joyful tone for the months ahead.
We welcomed our new group of preschool students for the new school year. With hesitation in their eyes and backpacks stuffed with supplies, we were ready for a wonderful preschool year. Each consecutive day brought more smiles, friendships, sharing, playing and laughter. We all are happy to come to school to play and learn with our new friends.
Children in preschool identified things about themselves and their family. They were asked to complete a poster called, All About Me. With help from their parents, the poster described the children’s favorite book, food, color, and age. There was a section where each child drew a self -portrait. As a group, we listened to a song called, Mat Man. Using wood sticks shaped in straight lines and curves, the children were able to put the sticks together to complete the Mat Man body to identify their body parts.
Our week in preschool was all about colors. Each day the children wore specific colors to school. Everyone, even the teachers, participated in wearing blue, white, green, red and black on the designated day. The children experimented and learned that mixing colors is so magical!! They were so excited when we mixed red and yellow paint to make the color orange, blue and yellow paint made green and red and blue paint made purple. As the class chanted, “magic, magic,” the new colors were revealed.
We also went on a Color Hunt outside. First, we identified a variety of colored paper placed on a file folder. We then took that file folder outside to see if we could find things to match our colored paper. To our surprise, we found every color that we were looking for. Some of the things we found were flowers, leaves, and ribbons. The children had a great time hunting for these colorful objects.
Apple season is upon us! The children in preschool had a sample tasting of red, green and yellow apples. Each child then decided which apple was their favorite. Using three apple trees on a poster, the children placed their favorite color apple on the matching colored tree. After all the apples were graphed, the Red apple was the winner!!! Tasting apples turned into using our creativity to make torn paper apples, apple men, and apple stamping. Did you know that there is a star in the center of the apple??? Preschoolers found out after listening to the story, The Little Red House. If you cut an apple horizontally, you will see the star.
In the Pre-Kindergarten classrooms, it was a special time learning all about apples. The students discussed various facts and discovered that apples come in different colors like red, green, and yellow. Did you know that apples belong to the rose family and are rich in fiber and Vitamin C? We also explored the different parts of an apple, with students examining the core and searching for seeds. Along with these facts, our classroom conducted an apple tasting! The students tried different types of apples, including Red Gala and Granny Smith. We took a vote, created a graph, and the Red Apple was the winner! Our Pre-Kindergarteners are definitely an A-peeling bunch!
On September 24th, our Pre-Kindergarten class held their Back to School Night event, which was a great success. In the Pre-Kindergarten classrooms, the Creative Curriculum and classroom procedures were explained to the parents. Parents also enjoyed meeting their children’s teachers and were delighted to see the colorful classrooms and their children’s work. Both Pre-Kindergarten classes introduced creative icebreakers, such as guessing their child based on just their smile and eyes. Parents also had the opportunity to contribute to anchor charts, sharing how they implement key skills—listening, speaking, and observing—at home. The Back to School Night truly demonstrated what our Pre-Kindergarten is all about: collaborating with parents to ensure each child’s success. Thank you once again to all the parents for participating in the guessing game and for your continued support!
Celebrating Johnny Appleseed: A day of learning, crafting, and apple-tasting!
The kindergarten class learned all about Johnny Appleseed, a real-life pioneer who lived over 200 years ago. Johnny loved apples and dedicated his life to planting apple seeds and growing trees across America, leaving behind a legacy of thousands of apple trees. Thanks to him, people enjoyed fresh fruit, and the land blossomed with beauty! In his honor, the children crafted pots to wear as hats, just like Johnny, read a special Johnny Appleseed book, and savored delicious apples!
First graders recently embarked on a nature walk as part of their ongoing lessons about sense organs, living and nonliving things, and plants. They used their senses to explore the living organisms around our campus and documented their findings with a checklist.
In first grade, we are exploring the concept of differences and how they can teach us valuable lessons. Students interviewed one another and recorded their peers’ responses, fostering a deeper understanding of diversity.
The second-grade students had an enriching experience exploring the theme of communities, discovering how people come together to solve problems and the vital roles each part plays. Community Building Activities:
• Students began by building small communities in groups.
• They then progressed to medium-sized communities and ultimately joined together to form larger ones.
• Throughout these activities, they engaged in discussions and debates about the importance of various buildings and services within a community.
It was inspiring to see their enthusiasm and creativity as they worked collaboratively. We are grateful for the valuable lessons learned and the moments they shared!
Welcome Grade 3 to a New School Year!
On a beautiful sunny day, students enjoyed working on their math skills in the outdoor space. The change of scenery provided a refreshing break from the classroom, making math both engaging and enjoyable.
Third grade is excited for more sunny days to continue learning outside!
In Science, students are gaining multiple opportunities to practice the strategy of setting goals to enhance their reading comprehension. Recently, we’ve been investigating the question of what causes an object to start moving. To explore this concept further, we engaged in a hands-on activity designed to explain the motion of objects. Afterward, students took their learning a step further by reading a book to gather additional evidence.
Before reading, students set a clear purpose: to find more examples of forces in action. As they read the book, they actively looked for and identified instances of forces, such as a ball bouncing off a desk or a stroller being pushed along a sidewalk. Whenever they found relevant examples, they placed sticky notes next to those parts of the text. Reading in pairs, students paused briefly every two or three pages to discuss what they had seen or read that demonstrated an example of a force in motion.
By setting a purpose for reading, students are able to focus on key information, making it easier for them to connect their reading to their hands-on investigations. This strategy will continue to be taught and reinforced, both in reading and as students engage in future science explorations, ensuring that they can apply these skills to deepen their understanding of scientific concepts.
T. Bhutia is Third Grade’s Super Student of Week 1! A proud member of Ms. Kotasthane’s class, T. Bhutia describes himself as a mighty mathematician, tremendous team player, and harmonious helper. If he could choose a theme song, it would be “Ninja Kids.” T. Bhutia’s dream planet would be Mirik, and his favorite books are all about SpiderMan. In his spare time, he enjoys riding his bike, and if he could pick a sidekick, it would be his friend Z. Shirley. If T. Bhutia starred in a movie, it would showcase him performing a front flip! Lastly, if he could fix one wrong in the world, it would be to stop littering and keep our planet clean.
H. Bonsu is also Third Grade’s Super Student of Week 2! She is in Ms. Haynoski’s class and proudly describes herself as an amazing athlete. Heaven’s theme song of choice would be “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, and if she had to pick a color to represent her happiness, it would be pink. In her free time, H. Bonsu loves working on her artwork, and her ideal sidekick would be her friend Michelle. If she were the star of a movie, H. Bonsu would play a princess on an adventurous journey! Lastly, the wrong she would love to fix in the world is ending violence everywhere.
X. Bridges is Third Grade’s Super Student of Week 3! A proud member of Mrs. Haynoski’s class, X. Bridges describes himself as a tremendous team player and an awesome athlete. His theme song of choice? “Space Jam,” of course! If he could be from another planet, he’d hail from the imaginative “Balaxy World.”
X. Bridges’s favorite book is one all about him, and in his free time, he loves playing basketball video games. If he could pick sidekicks, they’d be his friends Z. Shirley, I. Shahid, and P. Fennell-Powell. If he starred in a movie, it would be about him living his dream as a basketball star. Most importantly, if he could change one thing in the world, it would be to stop all fighting in basketball.
Shoutout to Ms. Haynoski!
We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Haynoski to the CHP family this year! Her presentation at Back to School Night was so inspiring that it earned a well-deserved standing ovation from the parents! Not only has she impressed us with her insights, but she has also shown incredible dedication to our students, making a positive impact from day one. Thank you, Ms. Haynoski, for being such an amazing addition to our team! We’re excited to see all the wonderful things you’ll accomplish this year!
In Grade 4, the new school year has been bustling with enthusiasm and activity! We are excited to welcome several new students and their families to our Grade 4 community: R. Chophla, R. Patel, K. Pingle, and I. Rajiv. It was wonderful to meet our new and returning families during the Welcome Picnic!
As the students settled into their new classes, they have begun to adapt to their new grade while putting forth a tremendous effort to learn new organizational skills that will help to support their learning. They have demonstrated their ability to work cooperatively in their cohort groups as they worked on developing their Class Constitution, Tree of Hope, and vocabulary development.
The story, What Do You Do with an Idea, provided an introduction to Grade 4’s overarching theme…Kids Can Make a Difference. We began by listening to the story and reflecting upon our own experiences. Through our discussion, the students quickly realized the impact our words have upon others and how easily one kind word can provide encouragement to others. Their personal narratives thoughtfully expressed their feelings when faced with a new idea.
Each year, Grade 4 students learn about the events of September 11, 2001. The students were quite moved by the story, This Very Tree…A Story of 9/11, Resilience and Regrowth. Through much discussion, they understood that although this was a tragic day, the survival of this one tree provided a symbol of hope for all. This inspired the students to reflect upon, and then write about, their individual feelings of hope. A sampling of their hopes are currently decorating our “Poetry Tree”…with autumn leaves inspired by N. Paladugu and cut out by a group of volunteers. Such moving reflections certainly indicate that our Grade 4 students are quite introspective.
In Math, students began working with whole numbers: place value, approximation, factors, multiples and order of operations. They also began working on the Grade 4 time honored tradition of DWPs, which challenge them to apply their mathematical knowledge to complex problems. Students began their new Science curriculum, Amplify Science, as they investigated Energy Conversions/Systems.
The return to school also signifies a return to one of Grade 4’s favorite activities…Recess! They did not mind the frequent changes in September’s weather as long as they were able to enjoy outdoor recess playing Four-Square, soccer, and tag. Grade 4 had an opportunity to celebrate our first birthday of the 2024-2025 school year. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to R. Chophla!!!
Thank you to our Grade 4 parents who were able to join us for Back to School Night! We look forward to getting to know you throughout the year! As always, September seems to have flown by as we busily prepare for the days ahead. Happy Autumn!!!
We are thrilled to announce that our 5th grader V. Vijayaraj recently made us proud at the 3rd International Geography Championships held in Vienna, Austria, from July 13-20, 2024! Representing New Jersey and himself as a talented 9-year-old, he showcased remarkable geography skills among some of the world’s brightest young minds.
Here are his outstanding achievements:
• Third Place (Bronze) in the Overall Individual IGC Championship (Elementary Division)
• Gold Medal in the Written Exam
• Silver Medals in the Geopardy Competition and Travel & Tourism Exam
• Bronze Medals in the Hungary Exam and South Asian Geography Bee
• Sixth Place in the International Geography Bee World Championships Trophy
In team events, NJ-Team A won:
• Gold Medal in the Hexathlon Event
• Silver Medals in the Geographeud Event and International Geography Bowl World Championships Trophy
He had a fantastic time learning, competing, and connecting with peers from 19 countries, 31 U.S. states, Hong Kong, and DC. This incredible experience reflects his dedication and passion for geography, and we couldn’t be prouder! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported his educational journey.
Our Grade 5 students explored strategies for calming their bodies and focusing their minds with Ms. Pensack. Understanding how energy shifts throughout the day, they practiced techniques to manage these changes effectively. After each exercise, students reflected on how their bodies felt, discovering that some techniques were energizing while others were calming. This awareness helps them better support their needs at any given time. In today’s session, they practiced three collective breaths and the new "Finger Roll" Heartfulness activity, which helps in focusing the mind and calming the body. Ask your child to show you how the "Finger Roll" works! The students also engaged in a Listening Activity designed to enhance Attention and Cognitive Control skills, including Alertness (achieving cognitive readiness), Selecting (focusing on specific stimuli), and Flexibility (adapting thinking and avoiding rigidity). It was a valuable experience for developing essential executive function skills.
We are thrilled to share that A. Mohamed, a talented 7th grader from Cedar Hill Prep, has made us all incredibly proud at the 76th Annual New Jersey Open Championship held at the Cherry Hill DoubleTree Hotel.
Competing against hundreds of students from New Jersey and beyond, A. Mohamed secured an impressive 2nd place in the Under 1200 Section. His performance was outstanding, with 3 wins and 2 draws across 5 matches, showcasing not only his exceptional chess skills but also his admirable sportsmanship.
A. Mohamed’s achievement reflects his hard work and dedication, and we are delighted to see him represent CHP School with such distinction. Congratulations, A. Mohamed, on this fantastic accomplishment!
Heartfulness is rooted in the Brighter Minds curriculum, emphasizing neuroplasticity and the power of the environment on learning. It incorporates mindful practices like Circle Time, Brain Exercises, Breathing, Music, and Relaxation to boost cognitive functions. Through consistent practice, students develop focus, memory, and emotional regulation.
These weekly 30-minute classes (Preschool–2nd grade) with Ms. Patel, guide students in posture, breathing exercises, and hand-eye coordination, all aimed at calming the mind and body. The program helps sharpen observation, boost confidence, and strengthen memory while fostering compassion and emotional resilience.
This year, as part of our executive functions curriculum, Ms. Pensack will be joined by her Black Lab Retriever, Lou, who is training to become a Future Seeing Eye dog. Lou will provide a unique opportunity for students to learn about service animals and their important roles.
We’re excited to integrate this hands-on experience into our lessons, enriching students’ understanding of both executive function skills and the incredible service of guide dogs.
International Master Farai Mandizha to Coach CHP Students!
International Master (IM) Farai Mandizha recently returned from a FIDE tournament in Budapest, where his team achieved an impressive second-place finish. With years of competitive chess experience, Mr. Mandizha is now gearing up for the prestigious World Cup, a challenge he’s well-prepared for after his successful qualification.
Mr. Mandizha emphasizes that success in chess comes from both mental and strategic preparation. He highlights several key strategies for improvement, including ensuring adequate rest before tournaments, thoroughly analyzing both personal games and those of opponents, and staying current with new techniques and strategies. According to Mr. Mandizha, knowledge and preparation are essential to excel in the competitive chess arena.
Beyond his personal achievements, Mr. Mandizha is also giving back to the community through an exclusive new chess curriculum at CHP. This program will focus on enhancing students’ critical thinking, strategic planning, and understanding of chess theory. Incorporating insights gained from highlevel tournaments, it promises to nurture a new generation of thinkers and players. As he continues his World Cup preparations, Mr. Mandizha remains dedicated to the growth of the chess community, both locally and globally. His commitment to fostering a passion for chess in students is sure to inspire many future chess enthusiasts.
Be sure to keep an eye out for updates on IM Mandizha’s journey to the World Cup!
Annual Pep Rally at Cedar Hill Prep!
We celebrated our Annual Pep Rally, where the spirit of Cedar Hill Prep truly shone! Students had the chance to cheer on our talented athletes from cross country, track, soccer, tennis, and basketball. It was a fantastic opportunity for our younger students to show their support and enthusiasm as we introduced all the players.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating teamwork, sportsmanship, and the vibrant spirit of our school community!
The CHP Wildcats kicked off their soccer season with their first game against Winfield on September 19th! Our team showed tremendous effort and teamwork throughout the match. Though we fell short with a 3-1 final score, E. Backenroth delivered an incredible goal, showcasing the Wildcats' potential. We’re excited for the upcoming games in October—Go Wildcats!
The CHP Girls’ Tennis Team is entering a rebuilding season following the graduation of five top players. In August, Coach Frankie led the team through preseason training and conditioning, which prepared us for daily practices once school started. We have been focusing on skill development, techniques, and match strategies. A. Vig (Grade 7), A. Patel (Grade 7), and Z. Shirley (Grade 6) will be key players this year, and we look forward to a promising season.
CHP Wildcats Runners Kick Off the Cross Country Season at Greenbrook Middle School!
Our CHP Wildcats runners hit the cross-country trail for the new season, competing against four schools with a total of 92 athletes. Kudos to all our new runners who completed the race, which covered 1.81 miles!
A special mention goes to our top three finishers: A. Prabhakaran finished with a time of 14:29.77, V. Patel clocked in at 14:29.20, and Team Captain N. Garofalo crossed the finish line at an impressive 12:40.
N. Garofalo is an inspiration to our new runners, having improved his time by over five minutes during his two years on the cross-country team. I look forward to the continued growth and success of the team throughout the season!
Celebrating Z. Shirley’s Impressive Track & Field Achievements!
We are thrilled to highlight the remarkable accomplishments of Z. Shirley our very own 6th grader, in Javelin this summer! Despite facing the challenge of a fractured non-throwing wrist during practice, Z. Shirley’s determination and hard work were evident at every competition.
Here are some of her outstanding results:
• 1st Place at the AAU Districts in New Brunswick, NJ on June 2nd
• 1st Place at the AAU Regionals in Jersey City, NJ on June 28th
• 5th Place at the AAU Nationals in Greensboro, NC on August 3rd
Z. Shirley’s grit and perseverance exemplify the true spirit of athleticism here at CHP. We are excited to see what she will achieve next season!
Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year at Cedar Hill Preparatory School!
Traditionally, Ms. Nandini Menon, Ed.D. begins the year by providing an in-depth overview of the curriculum to both new and returning teachers. At Cedar Hill Prep, we value the partnership between parents and educators in supporting your child’s success. Our goal is to work closely with you to ensure a fulfilling educational experience. This year’s teacher-in-service highlighted the following topics.
Our Core Values:
• Foundational Education: We understand the critical role early and primary education plays in cognitive development.
• Investment in Growth: We are committed to both emotional and financial investments in developing students’ skills.
• Relevant Learning: We connect classroom learning with real-life applications.
• Diversity and Equity: We embrace diverse backgrounds and cultures, fostering a sense of belonging and shared responsibility.
Curriculum Updates: This summer, our team has been aligning our curriculum with the IB interdisciplinary framework, with full integration planned over the next three years.
Introducing Collegiate Prep Academy: We are excited to launch a new hybrid high school program tailored for gifted and talented students. Starting in Grade 7, students will have the opportunity to enroll in advanced STEM courses, including AP-level classes. This program will also be available to high schoolers from other institutions.
Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO): As part of the CHP Community, you are automatically a member of the PTO. We encourage you to join our Zoom meetings and be actively involved.
A Warm Welcome at Our New Parent Orientation!
Our recent New Parent Orientation was a resounding success, with a full house as we warmly welcomed new families to CHP! Attendees had the opportunity to learn about our school curriculum and rules, ensuring they are well-prepared for the exciting year ahead. It was wonderful to see such enthusiastic participation and to start building connections with our new school community.
House Ceremony Highlights: A Tradition of Welcome and Excitement!
Our annual House Ceremony at Cedar Hill Prep was a magical and memorable event, reminiscent of the beloved Sorting Hat ceremony from Harry Potter! This cherished tradition marks the moment when our new students are officially sorted into one of CHP’s four vibrant houses: Lenape Owls, Cherokee Bears, Shawnee Beavers, and Ramapo Falcons.
Dressed in a robe and hat, Mr. Seeley brought an extra touch of enchantment to the ceremony as he announced the houses with great fanfare. The atmosphere in the gymnasium was electric, filled with thunderous cheering and enthusiastic applause as students were welcomed into their new house families.
The ceremony not only introduced our new students to their house communities but also set the tone for an exciting year ahead. Each house, with its unique spirit and traditions, eagerly embraced its newest members, ready to support and celebrate their achievements throughout the school year. Welcome to the CHP family, new students! We’re thrilled to have you join the Lenape Owls, Cherokee Bears, Shawnee Beavers, and Ramapo Falcons. Here’s to a fantastic year filled with learning, growth, and house pride!
We were thrilled to welcome our parents to Back to School Night at Cedar Hill Prep! Families had the opportunity to meet with teachers and get an inside look at the CHP curriculum, which fosters a love of learning through engaging and hands-on activities. Our educators shared their goals for the year and how the curriculum promotes critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. It was an inspiring evening of connection and collaboration, setting the stage for an exciting school year ahead!
Another great ‘Coffee with the Principal’ session! Parents brought their questions, clarifications, and even some football updates! Mr. Seeley continues the tradition of hosting these informative Zoom meetings, offering parents a platform to share concerns and suggestions that help improve our school. Grateful for the continued collaboration and support!
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