

Families As Engaged Partners
We view family engagement as an essential component of a healthy school community. Families are always welcome at the New Orleans JCC Early Childhood Center. We encourage families to attend holiday celebrations, visit our classrooms, bond with fellow ECC families, and volunteer at school events.
August 6
Teachers Return for Professional Development
August 11 - 13
Family/Teacher Story Gathering Meetings (In-person preferable, virtual options possible)
August 14 or 15
Student Orientation Days (Student attends one of these days)
August 18
First Full Day of School for Students
Coffee and Conversation, 8:45-10 AM
September 1
No School - Labor Day
September 12
Late Start - School begins at 9:30 AM, Professional Development
September 22
Early Dismissal - JCC closes at 5:00 PM, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown
September 23 - 24
No School - Rosh Hashanah
September 25
Parents’ Night, 6:30 - 8 PM
October 1
Early Dismissal - JCC closes at 5 PM, Yom Kippur begins at sundown
October 2
No School - Yom Kippur
October 7
No School - Sukkot
October 9
Dinner Under the Sukkah
October 14
No School - Shemini Atzeret
October 20 - 23
New Orleans Speech and Hearing Screenings
October 27 - 30
School Portraits - Individual and Siblings
November 7
Late Start - School begins at 9:30 AM, Family Shabbat
November 13
No School - Family/Teacher Conferences
November 26 - 28
Thanksgiving Break
December 5
Late Start - School begins at 9:30 AM, Family Shabbat
December 22 - January 2
Winter Break
January 6 - 13
ECC Priority Registration for 25/26 School Year
January 9
Late Start - School begins at 9:30 AM, Family Shabbat
January 12
No School - Professional Development
January 19
No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 21 - 27
Priority Registration for Camp
February 12
Early Dismissal - JCC closes at 5 PM, Muses Thursday
February 13
Late Start - School begins at 9:30 AM, Family Shabbat
February 16 - 18
No School - Mardi Gras Break
March 27
Purim Parade, 8:45 - 9:15 AM
April 1
Early Dismissal - JCC closes at 5 PM, Passover Begins
April 2 - 10
No School - Passover Break
May 8
Late Start - School begins at 9:30 AM, Family Shabbat
May 18
Marks Park Day - End of Year School Celebration, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
May 21
Last Day of School - Noon dismissal
May 22
JCC Closed - Shavuot
June 1 - July 24
Summer Camp
The Ruth Gottesman Cohen Parenting Library is open to all members needing parenting resources. Members may check out books through the Early Childhood Director's office.
Ruth Gottesman Cohen (December 10, 1924 – December 6, 2009) was a lifelong learner and a pioneer of early childhood and parent education in New Orleans. She was the beloved Director of the Jewish Community Center Nursery School (now the New Orleans JCC Early Childhood Center) for many years. During her tenure, she developed several innovative programs for young children and their parents and helped create the highly respected school the JCC has today. She trained several teachers who went on to direct early childhood programs in the community. She encouraged dads’ involvement in their children’s lives with Bagels and Blocks, a fun yearly event. She was a popular teacher of Parent Effectiveness Training and began parent support groups for parents of infants and toddlers. The adventure playground was funded and built under her guidance.
Always an outstanding student, she was proud of representing the region in the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., at the age of 9. She began college at age 15 and was selected for Phi Beta Kappa Scholastic Honorary Fraternity while at Sophie Newcomb College. She later earned two master's degrees from Tulane: a Master of Early Childhood Education in her 40s and a Master of Social Work in her 60s. She had a successful career as a private practice therapist specializing in play therapy for young children.
She was proud of her family and loved spending time with them as a group and one-on-one. She met her husband of 64 years, Dr. Alvin Cohen, at the Tulane University library, where both were working their way through college. They were the loving parents of four children, who gave them 12 grandchildren and 11 (and counting) great-grandchildren. She was generous and welcoming with her large extended family, offering warm hospitality, active involvement, and a sense of fun. Due to her expertise and accessibility, she was often asked for advice, which was always supportive. In-laws and friends were equally welcomed with open arms and hearts.
Her vibrant life included pursuing many interests, including dancing of all types, painting and sculpture, Jewish organizations, various academic classes, and volunteering at the New Orleans Museum of Art.
She is remembered as a devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, therapist, and teacher.

Stressed? If you're feeling it, chances are your child is feeling it too. You know the signs; when your mind starts racing and your heartbeat starts racing, your tendency is to get louder and faster. But what you and your body and your child need is for things to slow down and start making sense.
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