
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, 2020 Teachers return
August 24 & 25 Parent/Teacher meetings - Teachers will call in August to schedule
August 26 - 28 Student Orientation days
August 27 & 28 Student Orientation days (Pre-K students)
August 31 First day of school for 5-day students
September 7 Labor Day - No school
September 28 Yom Kippur - No school (JCC closed)
October 14 Virtual Parents’ Night
October 19 - 22 School portraits
November 2 Parent conferences begin
November 25 – 27 Thanksgiving break - No school (JCC closed on November 28)
December 11 Chanukah celebration - tentative
December 21 - January 1, 2021 *Winter break - No school (Mini Camps available)
January 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No school
January 29 Parent Shabbat - tentative
February 1 Teacher in-service - No school
February 4 Class photos
February 15 – 17 Mardi Gras break - No school
February 26 Purim parade - tentative
February 28 Adloyadah - JCC Purim Carnival - tentative
March 26 Passover program – tentative Noon dismissal (after care open until 5:00 PM)
March 29 - April 2 *Passover break - No school (Mini Camps available)
April 16 Parent Shabbat - tentative
May 3 Parent conferences begin
May 17 Shavuot - No School (JCC closed)
May 23 Marks Park Day (end of school party) - tentative
May 27 Last day of school - Noon dismissal
May 31 - June 4 *Start of Summer Mini Camp
June 7 - July 30 *Summer Camp
August 2 - August 13 *End of Summer Mini Camp
August 25 – 27 Student Orientation days for the 2021-2022 school year
August 30 First day of school for the 2021-2022 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.
As we reach the end of 2020, a year that has been filled with disruptions and uncertainty, we are glad to welcome a holiday about light and celebration. Chanukah is all about looking for beauty and celebrating life’s miracles. To honor that tradition, we’ve put together eight fun facts about the New Orleans JCC.
...The Jewish community is partnering with Tulane Medical School students for a holiday food drive for CrescentCare, a New Orleans clinic that offers comprehensive health and wellness services to the community, advocates for empowerment, safeguards the rights and dignity of individuals, and provides for the public.
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