Spotlight

Cedarbrook students in Omar Rose’s class put their self reflection skills to the test during the Prism Portrait project. They created a self portrait using polygons, wrote an autobiography, calculated the area of the polygons in their portrait and combined their findings using design software. 

To begin, students used the polyline tool in Google Drawings to create a self portrait. The polyline tool is a fun and creative way to explore art and geometry by allowing students to draw shapes by connecting straight lines, making it possible to construct a portrait entirely out of polygons. They then outlined their face and features using various polygons, turning curves into connected angles. It's a unique way to blend artistic expression with a bit of math, resulting in a one-of-a-kind geometric portrait.

Next, students wrote a biography about what makes them unique. They included important details about their life, like where they’re from, details of their family, their favorite hobbies and activities and detailed their proudest accomplishments. They also brainstormed about their future dreams, and reflected on people who have had the greatest impact on them. 

To utilize their math skills, students became familiar with geometric formulas to determine the area of their portraits. The culmination of their project resulted in a unique design that represented each student’s personality, creative and academic skills. 

The WIldcat Coffee Cart has been a fun addition to Cedarbrook this year. A few days a week, Ms. Kaplan and Ms. Houston's classes deliver various coffees, treats and snacks to teachers and staff who have ordered. Students fulfill the orders as well as count the money (and change)! A portion of the funds raised from the Coffee Cart in November and December have gone toward purchasing supplies to make sandwiches and snacks for a local shelter. If able to reach their goals, they would also love to buy materials to make blankets for those in need!

Students in Ms. Kaplan and Ms. Houston's classes enjoy building independent living skills while focusing on the Wildcat Way tenet of OUTREACH. 
 

Every other Friday is quickly becoming a favorite day for students, faculty and staff at Cedarbrook. That is because this year Cedarbrook has adopted a Lunch and Learn program on those days.

After feedback from students that they wanted more time with friends and opportunities to interact with their teachers in non-academic settings, Mr. Metcalfe, Ms. Atwood and Mr. Smith researched various scenarios that might work to help students who have these wishes. This summer, the administration and teachers worked together to devise a plan and create a schedule.

This year on Lunch & Learn Fridays, all seventh graders and all eighth graders can eat lunch together in multiple locations throughout the building, and are especially loving the new Wild-Cafe in the school's lobby.  

On the Wednesdays prior to each Lunch & Learn, students are able to choose which activity they would like to attend that week. It is very exciting when Ms. Atwood announces, "The Lunch & Learn Portal is now open" as students quickly navigate PowerSchool to find and select an activity in which to participate.

• Teachers have created a variety of activities for the students, including:
• Chess Club
• Arts & Crafts
• Basketball
• Walk & Talk
• Yoga
• Guitar
• Bike Mechanics
• Line Dancing
• Board Games
• eSports
• Broadway Sing Along
• Teen Talk
• Chat & Chill
• Math Olympiad
• Interactive Games
• Library Time
• Volleyball Circle
• Team Games
• Baking
• The Great Sports Debate
• Mindfulness & Coloring

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CBK STEM students in seventh and eighth grade are bringing creativity and problem-solving to life through hands-on projects! Seventh graders are demonstrating the engineering design process by building a "Cell City," where they use cardboard and Makedo tools to represent the parts of an animal cell as a functioning city. Meanwhile, eighth graders are tackling a real-world challenge by designing and prototyping chair backings for stools to provide additional support. These projects help students apply critical thinking and collaboration while exploring STEM concepts.