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We view families as engaged partners essential to building a healthy school community. Parents are always welcomed at the JCC Nursery School. For those who seek more involvement, many opportunities are available to join in holiday celebrations, attend weekly Shabbat programs, meet other parents, work in our classrooms, and participate in the direction of the school by volunteering for our Early Childhood Committee.
Nursery School Student Forms Packet
Nursery School Parent Consent Form
Nursery School Student Medical Form
August 19 & 20 Parent/Teacher meetings
August 21 - 23 Student Orientation days
August 22 & 23 Student Orientation days (Pre-K students)
August 26 First day of school for 5-day students
August 28 First day of school for 3-day students
September 2 Labor Day - No school
September 20 Pre-K Parents’ Breakfast
September 23 - 26 Speech, hearing and vision screenings for older students
September 27 Nursery School Parents’ Breakfast
September 30 - October 1 Rosh Hashanah - No school (JCC closed)
October 9 Yom Kippur - No school (JCC closed)
October 14 Sukkot - No school (JCC closed)
October 16 Parents’ Night
October 21 Shemini Atzeret - No school (JCC closed)
October 22 - 25 School portraits
November 27 - 29 Thanksgiving break - No school (JCC closed on November 22)
December 2 Parent conferences begin
December 20 Chanukah celebration - Noon dismissal (after care open until 5:00 PM)
December 23 - January 5, 2020 Winter break - No school (*mini camps available)
January 20 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No school
February 7 Parent Shabbat
February 17 Teacher in-service - No school
February 19 Class photos
February 24 - 26 Mardi Gras break - No school
March 8 Adloyadah Purim Carnival
March 10 Purim parade
April 3 Passover program - Noon dismissal (after care open until 5:00 PM)
April 6 - 10 Passover break - No school (*mini camps available)
April 17 Parent Shabbat
May 4 Parent conferences begin
May 17 Marks Park Day - End of School Party
May 21 Last day of school - Noon dismissal (no after care available)
May 25 - June 5 *Start of Summer Mini Camp
June 8 - July 31 *Summer Camp
August 3 - 14 *End of Summer Mini Camp
August 26 - 28 Student Orientation days for the 2020-2021 school year
August 31 First day of school for the 2020-2021 school year
*Camps are not included in tuition for the JCC Nursery School and Pre-K. Additional registration and fees are required. Limited space is available.
The Ruth Gottesman Cohen Parenting Library is open to all members in need of 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 life-long 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 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 masters degrees from Tulane: Master of Early Childhood Education, while in her 40’s, and Master of Social Work at the age of 60. She had a successful career as a therapist in private practice, specializing in play therapy with 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 heart.
Her vibrant life included the pursuit of 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.
Get to know Brigid MacArthur-Thompson. Officially, she's Uptown’s Assistant Camp Director and Children's Program Manager. Unofficially, she's our Director of Fun.
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Watch Assistant Director Rachel Zoller and Director of Youth and Family Engagement Gary Brandt as they walk us through the steps of Dreidel.
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JCC youth yoga instructor Nora Seilheimer shares how to make a "mindfulness jar" to help children navigate challenging emotions.
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If you are like most Americans, you will need some help balancing out that Turkey Day indulgence. Thankfully, both our Uptown and Metairie campuses will be offering special Turkey Earner and Turkey Burner classes before and after Thanksgiving.
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