Milestone Celebrations at JCDSRI: A Journey of Learning, Belonging, and Becoming
At JCDSRI, our milestone celebrations are more than culminating events; they are meaningful markers of growth, identity, and purpose in each child’s learning journey. Rooted in our school’s core values of chesed (kindness), kavod (respect), kehillah (community), tzedek (justice), and achrayut (responsibility), each milestone reflects the developmental stage of the students while honoring the depth of their academic, social, and emotional learning.
Through Social Emotional Learning (SEL), students build self-awareness, empathy, and interpersonal skills, developing the inner resources needed to be reflective members of their communities. Guided by the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), every milestone is intentionally designed to offer multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression so that every child, regardless of learning profile, language background, or family observance, is seen, heard, and celebrated.
Each milestone gives students the opportunity to articulate who they are, what they value, and how they see themselves as part of something greater. Families are invited to witness their children’s growth not only as learners of content, but as builders of character, community, and identity. Together, these moments of reflection and celebration weave a tapestry of meaning and connection across the grades.
Kindergarten Milestone: Me, Myself, and My Kehillah
In Kindergarten, students explore self-discovery, identity, and belonging. They create a keepsake book that includes self-portraits and reflections on the school’s values. The celebration is a joyful, inclusive community gathering with songs, prayers, and collaborative art, supported by fifth-grade buddies.
First Grade Milestone: Leading with Kindness
In First Grade, students begin to see themselves as capable, responsible, and compassionate leaders. They explore leadership through the lens of kindness, empathy, and responsibility, discovering that true leadership means helping others and making thoughtful choices. Using UDL-informed practices, they engage in read-alouds, role play, writing, and art to express their growth. The celebration highlights songs, stories, and student work, underscoring that at JCDSRI, leadership begins in the earliest grades.
Second Grade Milestone: Author’s Tea
Students share autobiographies and illustrated Hebrew iPad books, demonstrating their growth as writers. Families are invited to listen to a selection of student readings while enjoying refreshments, creating a warm community celebration of each child’s unique voice.
Fourth Grade Milestone: A Taste of Torah
Students study and chant portions from Sefer Bereishit, prepare Divrei Torah, and create visual interpretations of their learning. This milestone highlights their ability to engage deeply with text and tradition while connecting it to their personal lives.
Fifth Grade Milestone: Shemot Scroll Ceremony
The culminating milestone of elementary school, this ceremony combines Hebrew text study, interpretive writing, midrash creation, and artistic expression. Students assemble a collective scroll and present their work to the community, demonstrating their growth as Jewish learners, thinkers, and leaders.