Pre-K students in our Early Childhood Learning Center celebrated their "Stepping Up" ceremony at the Temple today. These beautiful, wonderful children are saying goodbye to the ECLC as they prepare for Kindergarten next fall. Here is the talk I gave on the occasion.
There is nothing like the pride that parents feel when they see their children take another step toward becoming the remarkable people they are going to be. Your parents have already seen you smile for the first time. They heard you say your first word, watched your first steps, and they were amazed when you first started really playing with other children.
You cannot imagine yet how difficult it was for them the first time they had to say goodbye to you when they dropped you off for the day. Even though they knew that you would have an awesome time at the Early Childhood Learning Center (and you did), they fought back their tears when they said, “Bye-bye, Sweetie. Have a great day.” That is because letting go is hard, even when it’s something that you have to do.
Today is another day like that. Your teachers, Miss Amy, Miss Bridgette, Cantor Beth and I are all so proud of you today. We have seen you take so many steps here at Temple Beit HaYam. We saw you learn to play imaginary games by yourself and with others. We saw you get along with other kids, even kids who were new to you. We saw you learn how to share with others. We saw you develop respect for your classmates and confidence in yourself. We saw you make beautiful artwork, sing songs with joy, and learn some letters, too. You amaze us. We are so proud of you for who you are.
And it is hard for us to let go. Even though we know that you will have an awesome time in Kindergarten (and you will), we are sad to say goodbye to each one of you. We want to say to you, “Bye-bye, Sweetie. So long, Sport. Take care, Dear One. We love you and we will miss you. Have a fantabulous time in Kindergarten.” Letting go is hard, even when it’s something that we have to do.
You have been a part of our Temple’s family and you always will be. We want you always to feel free to come back and visit us any time you want. We’ll share our toys with you and remember all the great times we have had during your time at Temple Beit HaYam. At Friday Tot Shabbat, I will sing Bim Bom and think of you. You can think about us, too.
With a love for all that is sacred about first words, first steps, making friends and learning how to be caring and giving person, we offer our gratitude to the God of Everyone and Everything for this special moment of saying goodbye and wishing you well. Amen.
There is nothing like the pride that parents feel when they see their children take another step toward becoming the remarkable people they are going to be. Your parents have already seen you smile for the first time. They heard you say your first word, watched your first steps, and they were amazed when you first started really playing with other children.
You cannot imagine yet how difficult it was for them the first time they had to say goodbye to you when they dropped you off for the day. Even though they knew that you would have an awesome time at the Early Childhood Learning Center (and you did), they fought back their tears when they said, “Bye-bye, Sweetie. Have a great day.” That is because letting go is hard, even when it’s something that you have to do.
Today is another day like that. Your teachers, Miss Amy, Miss Bridgette, Cantor Beth and I are all so proud of you today. We have seen you take so many steps here at Temple Beit HaYam. We saw you learn to play imaginary games by yourself and with others. We saw you get along with other kids, even kids who were new to you. We saw you learn how to share with others. We saw you develop respect for your classmates and confidence in yourself. We saw you make beautiful artwork, sing songs with joy, and learn some letters, too. You amaze us. We are so proud of you for who you are.
And it is hard for us to let go. Even though we know that you will have an awesome time in Kindergarten (and you will), we are sad to say goodbye to each one of you. We want to say to you, “Bye-bye, Sweetie. So long, Sport. Take care, Dear One. We love you and we will miss you. Have a fantabulous time in Kindergarten.” Letting go is hard, even when it’s something that we have to do.
You have been a part of our Temple’s family and you always will be. We want you always to feel free to come back and visit us any time you want. We’ll share our toys with you and remember all the great times we have had during your time at Temple Beit HaYam. At Friday Tot Shabbat, I will sing Bim Bom and think of you. You can think about us, too.
With a love for all that is sacred about first words, first steps, making friends and learning how to be caring and giving person, we offer our gratitude to the God of Everyone and Everything for this special moment of saying goodbye and wishing you well. Amen.
RSS Feed
