Though 9/11 is receding into history, its lessons are incredibly relevant. The JEC Lower School marked the day by helping students connect the heroism of 9/11 to everyday heroism. Fire official Omar Munoz of the Elizabeth Fire Department addressed grades three through six, saying, “I’m a human being. I help out. I make a difference.” Dr. Rebecca Mischel, JEC Lower School director of guidance, explained how each person can be a hero to someone else by “filling other people’s buckets” with kindness. The children will be writing notes documenting their friends’ kindness, and filling up buckets in each classroom. JEC looks forward to celebrating the everyday heroes of the entire JEC Lower School!

Even the youngest early childhood students were able to find meaning in the day. Morah Rivkah Isaacs, JEC early childhood director, read “The Rainbow Fish,” a classic by Marcus Pfister celebrating friendship. The children created a bulletin board showcasing how though each person is different, all people ‘swim together’ and can appreciate each other.