CGSD Newsletter
March 2019
Dear CGSD Community,
In this edition of the CGSD Newsletter, we highlight, among other awesome activities, the #takeovertuesday initiative at CGHS. A student-centered experience, #takeovertuesday uses @cgpantherpride social media to provide a glimpse into a day in the life of a CGHS student. Those chosen are given an iPad for the entire school day (see pic below) to snap pictures and videos as their experiences unfold, sharing with our viewing audience the twists and turns that inspire them to grow socially, emotionally and academically. With the support of our teachers and administrators, we believe #takeovertuesday is a great way to connect with the community and showcase the amazing opportunities available at CGHS from the most important perspective of all - the students! A video sample can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/y6am247u
School Performance Reports Released:
In other important news, the NJ Department of Education has published the 2017-18 School Performance Reports on the NJDOE website and www.njschooldata.org. These reports contain valuable information that can be used to start conversations about our strengths and areas that need improvement, as well as compare us to other schools, districts and to statewide results.
#WeAreCedarGrove
Sincerely,
Michael J. Fetherman
Superintendent


The Essex County Education Association (ECEA) held their annual PRIDE EXPO from March 15-22 at the Livingston Mall to celebrate the talents of Essex County students. | The work of three students from the CGSD were chosen from among the many wonderful submissions and were honored at a ceremony held March 21. | Winners of the ECEA Pride in Public Education Essay Contest were on hand March 21 to read their submissions aloud and receive their prizes! |
The Essex County Education Association (ECEA) held their annual PRIDE EXPO from March 15-22 at the Livingston Mall to celebrate the talents of Essex County students.
Do you have the need for speed? Super scientists at NE in Mrs. Massotto's and Mrs. Grossman’s 4th grade classroom investigated how the height of a ramp will affect the speed of an object. | First graders at NE acted out related fact problems during a Math lesson this month. The students had to move around while holding their numbers to solve addition and subtraction facts. | NE School is so proud of 4th grader, Olivia Healey! She recently placed second in the Essex County Education Association Essay Contest. Olivia wrote about her favorite day of the year. She skillfully described the Art Show, led by the talented Mrs. Martin, as one of the best at the school! |
Do you have the need for speed? Super scientists at NE in Mrs. Massotto's and Mrs. Grossman’s 4th grade classroom investigated how the height of a ramp will affect the speed of an object.
First graders at NE acted out related fact problems during a Math lesson this month. The students had to move around while holding their numbers to solve addition and subtraction facts.
NE and SE Art...Kindergarten students had fun designing animals in "artsy" colors, while creating a sunset background and animal print collage border. | "Pete the Cat" was read to first graders and connections were made between art and literature. Students painted Pete in various locations! | The Mexican Folk art mirrors are examples of radial symmetry and knowledge of color harmonies, completed by fourth grade students. |
NE and SE Art...
Kindergarten students had fun designing animals in "artsy" colors, while creating a sunset background and animal print collage border.
What better way to learn how to be a great writer than to listen to a published children's author tell her story! Grade 2 and grade 3 students at SE and NE had that opportunity when author Mary Amato visited on March 14. | Some of her published books include The Riot Brothers Series, Good Crooks Series, News for Me, Lucy McGee, Please Write in This Book and Open Mic Night at Westminster Cemetery. Ms. Amato discussed her fear of writing as a young child and how she overcame that fear by practicing to write and writing about things that interested her in her daily life. | A ukulele player, Ms. Amato then taught the children songs that reflected the characters in her book. No doubt our students left the presentation more motivated and excited to write! Check out the video here: https://tinyurl.com/y2tpuazv |
What better way to learn how to be a great writer than to listen to a published children's author tell her story! Grade 2 and grade 3 students at SE and NE had that opportunity when author Mary Amato visited on March 14.
SE students became step dancers when Soul Steps, an interactive performance team that celebrates the history of African-American step dance, performed for them. The students explored South African gumboot dancing and its connection to step dance and participated in the verbal call and response patterns to basic step movements. | Soul Steps taught students to use their bodies as a percussive instrument and invited them to participate in the rhythmic jam! Thank you to the SE FSA for sponsoring this worthwhile program. Check out the video clip: https://tinyurl.com/y26mj8ox | SE students celebrated Read Across America along with their superintendent of schools. Ms. Arluna's 1st grade class seemed to enjoy the visit...I know their superintendent did! |
Soul Steps taught students to use their bodies as a percussive instrument and invited them to participate in the rhythmic jam! Thank you to the SE FSA for sponsoring this worthwhile program. Check out the video clip: https://tinyurl.com/y26mj8ox
MMS 5th grade STEM students are exploring circuits. The first project is the "Dark Dilemma Challenge" where they are trying to create either a portable and wearable light or a device to help if the power goes out. | The other project students came up with is the "Shakey Shakey Challenge." They are attempting to create a device with a Makey Makey that either plays an online piano, can be used as a remote to play a video game, or can still access and play videos on YouTube if a keyboard breaks. | The students are working in teams and are in the beginning steps of the Design Process where they are brainstorming and developing a plan. |
MMS 5th grade STEM students are exploring circuits. The first project is the "Dark Dilemma Challenge" where they are trying to create either a portable and wearable light or a device to help if the power goes out.
MMS grade 5 students In social studies students have become travel agents and tour guides for their European country project. | Students will research their country of choice and put together a Google Slides presentation that they will present to the class acting as tour guides. | They are researching attractions, cities, foods, culture, language and the history of each European country! |
MMS grade 5 students In social studies students have become travel agents and tour guides for their European country project.
MMS 6th grade STEM students are examining different types of alternative energy. They have just begun creating a working windmill using our Simple and Powered Machines Lego kits. | Throughout the project, students will explore gears, weight and time, area, force, energy capture, storage and use, fair testing, and scientific investigating. Students will make predictions and record data as they advance through the project. | They will also run several tests experimenting with the number of sails and types of ratchets to see how this aspect of a windmill affects the overall efficiency. |
Congratulations to Amanda Eustice, MMS 7th grader, who placed third in the Essex County Education Association - Pride in Public Education Essay Contest entitled “Why is it important to accept others for who they are?” Amanda will have the opportunity to read her essay at the awards ceremony being held on March 21st, as well as having her essay on display at the ECEA Pride Expo at the Livingston Mall that same week. Well done, Amanda! | Congratulations to Ava Bratchenko, MMS 5th grader, who placed third in the Essex County Education Association - Pride in Public Education Essay Contest. Ava will have the opportunity to read her essay at the awards ceremony being held on March 21st, as well as having her essay on display at the ECEA Pride Expo at the Livingston Mall that same week. Well done, Ava! | MMS 7th grade math students played a game called Roller Derby. The goal of the game is to remove all pieces from the game board using knowledge of probability to formulate strategies that would help you win. Students recorded their observations and collaborated to develop game-winning strategies. All teams then put those strategies to the test to determine who would be the Roller Derby champion! |
Congratulations to Amanda Eustice, MMS 7th grader, who placed third in the Essex County Education Association - Pride in Public Education Essay Contest entitled “Why is it important to accept others for who they are?” Amanda will have the opportunity to read her essay at the awards ceremony being held on March 21st, as well as having her essay on display at the ECEA Pride Expo at the Livingston Mall that same week. Well done, Amanda!
MMS 7th grade math students played a game called Roller Derby. The goal of the game is to remove all pieces from the game board using knowledge of probability to formulate strategies that would help you win. Students recorded their observations and collaborated to develop game-winning strategies. All teams then put those strategies to the test to determine who would be the Roller Derby champion!
MMS grade 7 students in science, students finished up the Microscope Unit by viewing and drawing prepared slides and making their own Wet Mount slides of plant cells and their own cheek cells. | MMS 8th grade math students participated in a Properties of Exponents Scavenger Hunt to review the rules for properties of exponents. Twenty stations were placed around the classroom. Each station has a problem on the top half and a solution from another station on the bottom half. Students go to one station, solve the problem, and use the answer they just found to determine which station to go to next. If they do not see their answer on the bottom of another station, then they have to rework the problem. Great fun! | MMS grade 8 social studies students contrasted components of Athenian democracy with their counterparts in American government. Students worked with groups to identify characteristics of both systems and then evaluated how similar or different the components are with regards to their function and purpose. Pictured here is a student contrasting the Athenian practice of ostracism with the impeachment process. |
MMS grade 7 students in science, students finished up the Microscope Unit by viewing and drawing prepared slides and making their own Wet Mount slides of plant cells and their own cheek cells.
MMS 8th grade math students participated in a Properties of Exponents Scavenger Hunt to review the rules for properties of exponents. Twenty stations were placed around the classroom. Each station has a problem on the top half and a solution from another station on the bottom half. Students go to one station, solve the problem, and use the answer they just found to determine which station to go to next. If they do not see their answer on the bottom of another station, then they have to rework the problem. Great fun!
MMS 8th grade Peer Leaders took part in the Sidekicks Program for the second time. They were trained and then visited 5th grade classes to talk about empathy and making positive choices. The 5th grade students learned a great deal by taking part in this interactive lesson! | MMS 8th grade ACE students continue to develop their own philosophy lessons based off traditional and nontraditional philosophers. | MMS 7th grade ACE students continued to apply their knowledge of bridge structure and trusses to make their toothpick bridges. Each group created their own unique design for their trusses, bridge towers, road deck and truss tops. |
MMS 8th grade Peer Leaders took part in the Sidekicks Program for the second time. They were trained and then visited 5th grade classes to talk about empathy and making positive choices. The 5th grade students learned a great deal by taking part in this interactive lesson!
MMS 8th grade ACE students continue to develop their own philosophy lessons based off traditional and nontraditional philosophers.
On March 7th, the CGHS Art Club hosted a student showcase at Cedar Beans Coffee Joint, which invited our community to sip coffee while enjoying handcrafted artwork. | This event displayed original drawings, paintings, pottery and photographs created by our high school students. | The event also featured live musical performances by three of our Art Club members. Thanks to the hard work of our students and support of our community, the night was a big success! |
CGHS students in biology class have been studying homeostasis, the maintenance of normal bodily function. Shown here, students work to keep Homer Simpson alive using the proper temperature, fluids and electrolytes - Homer-o-statis, if you will! | CGHS students in Ms. Amador's English III class spent time familiarizing themselves with Elizabethan language and poetry using Shakespeare's sonnets. learners were tasked with the challenge of rewriting Sonnet 18 in the style of modern songwriters, children's book authors or even writers they have studied throughout the year, while maintaining the mood and meaning of the original poem. | March Madness is here! But for Ms. Shutovsky’s classroom it’s all about mammals (and other organisms, even a dandelion). Students must predict the outcome of these different species going head to head. They research habitat, adaptations and behavior; it may sound brutal, but nature is all about survival! |
At CGHS, students in Mr. Coster's Robotics class mentored some of their schoolmates on how to use a 3D printer to create, among other things, key chains using a new computer program. | Plans are being made for their next project that includes the design and creation of cookie cutters made from plastic that is food safe. | Students involved in this apprenticeship have expressed interest in joining CGHS's new 3D Print Club and look forward to working together again in the near future! |
At CGHS, students in Mr. Coster's Robotics class mentored some of their schoolmates on how to use a 3D printer to create, among other things, key chains using a new computer program.
Plans are being made for their next project that includes the design and creation of cookie cutters made from plastic that is food safe.

Music Matters is a family-school organization supporting the music program at Cedar Grove High School. We work with the students and teachers to partner with and support community events and organizations in our wonderful town. Our 2018-19 theme is “It Takes Two!” and we are enjoying incorporating this theme into many of our music department activities throughout the year.
Please visit CGHS Music Matters online at: https://www.cgschools.org/cghs-music-matters/
On Facebook: CGHS Music Matters
On Instagram: cghsmusic
On Twitter: @cghs_Music

The CGSD District Advisory Committee, through the generous assistance of the CG Education Association and the NJEA, hosted a dinner and discussion on the district homework policy. Participants were asked to consider the role homework plays in education and provide suggestions for improving our HW policy. Thank you to all who attended!

The mission of the Cedar Grove Education (CGEF) is to enrich and enhance the educational experiences of Cedar Grove students above and beyond the scope of the curriculum and to provide lifelong learning opportunities for the entire community.
Follow us on Facebook: Cedar Grove Education Foundation