Cedar Hill's Display Celebrates Diversity

Tolerance and understanding of others begin at home. The community at  considers their school “the home, away from home.” 

The Diversity Committee at Cedar Hill presents different religious holidays and customs through visual and verbal presentations displayed in the front hall of the school. The focus of the committee is to enable all the students to feel welcome and represented in their school environment. 

The Cedar Hill Diversity Committee, which consists of parents and teachers from the school, has had a very busy year! Throughout the fall and winter, a variety of colorful displays have presented information as well as cultural and religious items and symbols to explain religious holidays on or near the time of observance.

The “believes that an understanding of religions and the contributions that religion has made to the advancement of civilization is essential to the thorough education of young people and to their appreciation of a pluralistic society” (Board Policy #2270). The holidays were chosen from the approved calendar published by The New Jersey State Department of Education after surveying the population.

The student body at Cedar Hill learned about religious holidays as well as their classmates’ beliefs through this medium. The following are some of the holidays presented this year:  Rosh Hashanah, Birth of Báb, Navaratri and Diwali, Eid al-Adha, Hanukkah, Christmas, Chinese New Year and Purim. The children of this generation live in a global, pluralistic society in which they need to understand others, both here and abroad. 

The Diversity Committee decided that a sign was truly needed to showcase the display. After considering a variety of suggestions, a decision was made to reach out the woodworking department for assistance. The committee was greeted with much enthusiasm.

On Friday, Cedar Hill had a schoolwide assembly called “The Unveiling.” At the assembly, a sign entitled “Cedar Hill Embraces Diversity” was presented to the entire staff and student body. Three honored guests, Montville High School student, Justin Nebesnak,  Woodworking Teacher Bob Levchik and Art Teacher Joanne Zoppo, were recognized for their time and talent in creating this sign which will hang above the diversity display case. With the assistance of Mr. Levchik, Nebesnak carved the design and letters for the sign. Zoppo very skillfully followed the design and painted each detail. 

The Cedar Hill community is so excited to have this magnificent sign to highlight and to make the “diversity” display case a focal point of the front lobby. This sign will welcome visitors, newcomers to the school, parents and most importantly the Cedar Hill students who will feel cherished and respected for who they are.