Students and families gathered for a music-filled ceremony to mark the end of the Stepping Stones 2024-2025 school year. The event, hosted at Studio Arc, celebrated all the children achieved during the year and recognized the students who will be moving up to the next classroom level.

Held on June 13, the event was relocated across the street from the school in order to showcase the entire school at once and accommodate all the families in the audience. The ceremony began with a welcome from Principal Kassie Pierinelli, followed by the students progressing to the front, youngest to oldest. The Pledge of Allegiance and Star-Spangled Banner were each led by students, before the entire school sang “1,000 Years” to the crowd. Then the individual classes were featured, with each group of students singing and signing their own song before Principal Pierinelli recognized the students who were moving up and those remaining in the class for another school year. Songs included “One Small Voice” (preschool), “You Are My Sunshine” (TK), “Come on Everybody” (primary), and “This Is Me” (primary plus). Then the students and families watched a video montage from the year to close out the ceremony.

The Arc of Essex County congratulates each student on their success this year and thanks each staff member for supporting, teaching, and caring for the students in their classrooms. The school’s Extended School Year will begin on July 1.

The Arc of Essex County’s Stepping Stones School is a Department of Education approved private school for students with disabilities.  Located in Fairfield, NJ, the school is designed to meet the developmental and educational needs of children with cognitive impairments such as Down syndrome and other students with similar educational and developmental needs.  For more information, or to request a virtual tour and assistance with an out-of-district placement, contact Robin Moses, Director of Early Childhood and Education at (862) 210-8781 or rmoses@arcessex.org.