Community Corner
Over 100 Turnout for Bethlehem YMCA Pre-K Graduation and Move-up Ceremony
River Crossing YMCA celebrates the end of another school year; preparing young students for their next chapter.
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Over 100 family members, teachers, staff and nearly 90 young children participated in the annual Pre-K graduation and move-up ceremony at the Bethlehem branch of River Crossing YMCA on Friday June 5. The ceremony honored the accomplishments of five Pre-K Counts classes as their students prepare to begin Kindergarten at the end of this summer.
Xiomy Colon, one of the Pre-K Counts teachers, led the students through enthusiastic performances of “The ABC Song,” “Dynamite” and “Bye Bye School” prior to each teacher announcing each child by name and presenting them with certificates.
“Every year is special, and of course each and every child is incredible,” shared Allison Fekula, director of the Bethlehem YMCA’s child development program. “It’s always so emotional when we get to this day because we’ve known many of these children and their families for years. We couldn’t be prouder of how they’ve grown, and what they bring to the next chapter of their lives.”
River Crossing YMCA operates early learning centers throughout the Lehigh Valley, in the Allentown, Bethlehem and Slate Belt (Pen Argyl, PA) branches as well as the LVHN Child CareCenter in the West Gate Shopping Center in Bethlehem and Forks Education Center in Easton. Centers are currently enrolling infants - Pre-Kindergartners for the 2026-2027 school year, as well as this summer’s Growing Up Wild early childhood camp program. PA Pre-K Counts (free) is offered at the Allentown, Bethlehem (branch) and Forks centers.
River Crossing YMCA (formerly YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties and Greater Valley YMCA) is a charitable, nonprofit organization committed to strengthening communities through membership and programs that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all. Annually, the Y serves over 100,000 members and participants at its 11 member branches, 12 early childhood centers, 20 summer camp locations and 44 school age child care programs. River Crossing YMCA provides over $12 million of community impact annually in the form of financial assistance to individuals and families in need and free programming for veterans, cancer survivors, older adults and more. To learn more visit ymcarivercrossing.org.
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