School News

Words ruled the night at Franklin Park School Dec. 5 as students participated in the inaugural Spelling Bee and Night of Words. Organized by teachers Priya Kharawala and Stacey Young, the evening was both a competition and game night.

Nima Majidi, an 8th grader at Cedar Hill Preparatory School on Cedar Grove Lane, finished in 8th place at the recent Garden State Debate League tournament at Mater Dei Prep School. Majidi competed against 119 other students.

The latest theatrical offering by Franklin Middle School students is one that is close to the director’s heart. That’s because the idea for “A Winnie the Pooh Christmas Carol” was conceived by director Ellen Beattie in 2000, when she was the artistic director for Metuchen Forum Theatre’s “A Kid’s Forum.”

The rock comedy-horror “Little Shop of Horrors” is the fall offering from Franklin High School’s theater program. The show, about an alien plant with dreams of taking over the world, runs 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21 and 22 and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 23 in the Theater at Franklin High, 500 Elizabeth Ave.

  A third-grade class at St. Matthias School, John F. Kennedy Boulevard in Somerset, remembered veterans in their families with a special project.

There were plenty of ghosts and goblins – and a few princesses – at the Fall festival open house held Oct. 31 by Little Gems Early Learning Academy on Weston Road. The pre-school was acquired by its new owner, Sujatha Alladi, in August.

Kindergarteners at Cedar Hill Preparatory School on Cedar Grove Lane celebrated their grandparents Sept. 30 with songs, poems and food. The annual “Grandparents’ Day” is held at the end of September to “show the grandparents how much we love and respect them,” said Ruth Sulitzer, a Kindergarten teacher and the school’s admissions director.

The Franklin Park School PTO held its annual back-to-school ice cream social on Sept. 19. PTO co-president Kimberly Stephens said the social is a way to greet new students and welcome back returning students.

Students, parents and staff at Cedar Hill Prep School on Cedar Grove Lane held their annual summer picnic on Sept. 6. Among the offerings were music, food and games for the children.