schools

Moving on up: CAHAL kindergarteners graduate at HANC

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The graduation of CAHAL’s kindergarten class at HANC was a memorable event for everyone associated with this outstanding group of young people. The CAHAL class staged a Tony Award-worthy performance at the June 18 event, with each child coming up to the microphone to deliver their lines, as well as singing and dancing as a class.

What these children accomplished in three weeks of rehearsal is a testament to the growth — academically, socially and emotionally — they achieved throughout the year.

They left their mark on the audience, just as they had endeared themselves to everyone in the HANC building throughout the year.

Adina, a sixth grade HANC student, expressed her feelings about working with the CAHAL students in this personal letter to each child:

“It has been a wonderful year spending time with you and watching you learn and grow. I am so lucky and overjoyed that I can get to see you for a glimpse of your day, even if it may be only for 1 hour, because you are truly such amazing kids with strong personalities. I hope you work hard and try your best in whatever path you take. Every day when I wake up I feel so motivated to get out of bed to come see you even when I am not excited for the rest of the day.

“I will truly miss you so much. I hope to see you again because you will forever be in my heart. You had mesmerizing smiles, cute faces, and amazing personalities. With all the things you learned this year I hope you remember to be nice to others and treat others the way you would want to be treated.”

Through a program developed by Morah Harris in collaboration with the HANC sixth-graders, each morning “big sisters” and “big brothers” escorted CAHAL students to their classroom, settled them into their daily routine, joined them in sensory integration exercises, practiced reading, checked homework, and engaged them in creative free play.

CAHAL kindergartners enjoyed a curriculum tailored to each of their individual strengths and needs and interacted with a team of dedicated role models like Adina who help pave the way to the mainstream yeshiva education that they deserve.

Story updated June 27, 2019