100 Students Graduate from the José Martí Child Development Center

This year, 100 children completed their final year of preschool and graduated from the José Martí Child Development Center (JMCDC). JMCDC staff, teachers, and families gathered to celebrate and honor the students who worked hard all year long and made outstanding progress in all areas of development (social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language). They are now ready for their next step: Kindergarten!

JMCDC at Hirabayashi Place honored 15 graduates at an event on Friday, June 21, at their rooftop playground. Chef Francisco prepared a delicious meal for the families, and the children decorated the space with their original artwork. The children gave performances; singing songs in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. Everyone enjoyed an exceptional performance from a group of ballerinas from Little Angel Studio accompanied by live piano music and music by a DJ! Also, Early Learning Program Manager CiKeithia Pugh congratulated the children and their families and presented them with their own take-home bag and a book for their participation in the Raising a Reader program. Finally, the teachers presented each child with a diploma, with many cheers from the crowd.

JMCDC on Beacon Hill then celebrated their 85 graduates on Thursday, June 28, at the Centilia Cultural Center where families first shared a potluck dinner provided by our kitchen and parents. The families and children then enjoyed a presentation by the spectacular Danza Azteca, followed by each class sharing their own cultural songs, poems and dances – in English, Spanish, and one class even recited a poem in Mixteco! We ended the night with certificates presented to the children for all their hard work and accomplishments throughout the year.

Mil gracias to the ECEAP and Step Ahead programs for making it possible for many of our students to attend preschool and the Seattle Public Library for supporting early literacy. We also want to thank our performers — Danza Azteca and Little Angel Studio — for sharing their beautiful traditions with the children, and many thanks to all of our parents for supporting their children’s educations and for their involvement in the program. Last but not least, a BIG congratulations to our graduates for a great year — we are so proud of all of our students and wish you the best of luck in kindergarten!