Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island

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An attitude of gratitude

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“I have an attitude of gratitude,” a beaming student exclaims. As I watch her dance her way toward her classroom, I turn to a colleague and remark that every day feels like “Thanksgiving Day” at JCDSRI. Gratitude is a core Jewish value and it permeates our school. During all-school morning assemblies, we often sing Birchot ha-Shachar, […]

2018-19 TikkunXDesign Fellows

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We are pleased to announce this year’s TikkunX Design Fellows, Anzia Anderson and Katya Scocimara! Every year JCDSRI awards 2 fellowships to current students from the Brown/RISD community. The fellows support our TikkunXDesign Director and contribute to our design thinking curriculum while deepening our relationship with the RISD/Brown STEAM community. Anzia is a senior at […]

Walk-in Wednesdays!

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Admissions season is underway! Stop by one of our “Walk-in Wednesday” parent information sessions. At each session, parents will spend time with our Head of School, Andrea Katzman, as well as other faculty members and will visit classes in action. This is a wonderful way to get to know our school and have all your […]

Be the change you wish to see in the world

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Everyone around me was as surprised by the power of her words as I was. Standing in our beautifully decorated and colorful school sukkah with community members, current families, and alumni parents, we were moved by the powerful call to action. Our speaker that morning- despite her novice role as teacher – demonstrated emotional awareness […]

New after school programs for middle school students

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TikkunXDesign is now available to 5th grade and middle school students in the community as an after school program.  Our TikkunXDesign after school program kicks off on October 9th. Tiferet Rose, TikkunXDesign Director, and JCDSRI TikkunXDesign Fellows from Brown University will facilitate the weekly lessons in our Design Lab that explore Jewish values through Design […]

The Founding of JCDSRI

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It all started forty years ago at the Providence home of Sheila and Paul Alexander.  While their kids played upstairs, the Alexanders hashed out a bold idea with three other couples with preschoolers: Rabbi Alvan and Marcia Kaunfer, Joshua and Penney Stein, and Chuck and Ada Beth Cutler.  They wanted a Jewish day school education, […]

Welcome back letter from Andrea

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Dear Families, “Hiney ma tov umah na’im . . . . how good and delightful it is for people to dwell in unity.” These words, joyfully sung by your children while they swayed in unison during our first all-school assembly, marked the beginning of our new school year at JCDSRI. The words aptly expressed how grateful we were […]

Celebrating Israel!

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Our school-wide celebration of Israel’s Independence Day was very active and kef (fun)! In honor of Israel’s 70th birthday, students played Israeli games and participated in Israeli folk dancing during recess. Students “visited” a variety of places in Israel as they traveled around school participating in different stations. We had an all-school trivia competition, Jewperdy, […]

Parents say..

JCDS both nurtured & challenged my kids! I love that they take the time to treat each child individually & have progressive academic programs in two languages. I am so happy that our kids genuinely loved going to this school & are “hooked on learning” for life!
Kristin Rosler, Alumni ParentAssistant Professor, Johnson & Wales University
JCDS has provided a challenging, nurturing, and caring education for both of my children. Their teachers are creative, innovative and focus on child centered learning. I am confident that my children will graduate from JCDS with a strong sense of who they are and will be ready for the academic rigor of middle school. I believe that JCDS is creating a generation of passionate, thoughtful and forward thinking leaders for the future who care deeply for their community and the world around them.
Alison WalterParent
My son loved this school—he was challenged, cared for, and stimulated. Every morning he ran to get to school sooner. The teachers are wonderful and communicative, the staff are friendly and helpful, and the facilities are quite nice. We are very secular, and felt included in a welcoming Jewish community without pressure on us to be different than we are. A wonderful school that embraces diversity and makes it work!
Julia RivinFormer Parent
We love JCDS. Their approach is child centered and progressive. The kids are respected, challenged and supported by their awesome teachers and staff. The community of parents is amazing too. Very open and down to earth. I love the emphasis on Jewish values and spirituality. There is a range of families: interfaith, secular to modern Orthodox, single parents, LGBT, varying socioeconomic income, AND all are welcomed!
Naama GidronParent
JCDSRI is an amazing school with a wonderful community of teachers, staff and families. My children love being there. The size is perfect for an elementary school- it creates an environment of learning and friendship throughout the school. Above all, the teachers & staff are so committed to their students- it is not uncommon for one of them to call after hours “just to check in.” Through Jewish learning, they are helping me to raise my children to (hopefully!) be thoughtful and kind people.
Rashmi Licht, ParentClinical Assistant Professor of Surgery (Urology), Alpert Medical School of Brown University
JCDSRI is a gift, and I urge all parents in Rhode Island (and beyond!) to visit the school to discover the magic for themselves.  The school’s educators have a special ability to bring out a child’s true potential by fostering values and skills that are critical for success in today’s world.  Moreover, the school welcomes families from many different Jewish backgrounds and has a unique ability to make everyone feel accepted.
Adriane SchoenParent
JCDSRI is a warm and diverse community, and the school is wonderfully respectful of all different religious backgrounds. The school utilizes innovative teaching methods, in which creativity on the part of the children (and staff) is welcomed and appreciated.  Further, there is an emphasis on STEM and a partnership with students from both RISD and Brown. It truly is a warm and loving environment and I have the utmost confidence in the education that my son receives on a daily basis.
AnonymousPsychiatrist, Rhode Island Hospital
The strong academic foundation our son is getting is only the start; he is learning that school is a place where his instinctive love for learning and curiosity is continued and furthered. The school truly focuses on the “whole child;” emotional intelligence is fostered just as much as are academic skills. Core values such as empathy and gratitude are woven into the curriculum. As parents with different religious backgrounds, we feel that our shared values have found in this school a perfect fit…
Annie CookAssistant Professor, Johnson & Wales University
Thank you for fostering our son’s imagination, his confidence, his self-esteem and so much more! Thank you for helping him grow into a kind and awesome kid. Thank you for doing it with patience, creativity, love, high fives and smiles. I think you have one of the hardest jobs in the world, and you make it look so easy.
Barbara EnglerFormer Parent
JCDSRI has been incredible. When my 4 year old son realizes it is Monday morning and he is going to school, he shivers with joy and runs to choose his clothes. My daughter bolts out of bed in the mornings so she will not be late. Communication with teachers is wonderful- I get frequent glimpses into their classrooms and activities. The small school community fosters inter-age friendships. The children learn values of community and kindness. The environment is loving, warm, and open minded.
Zoe, ParentPsychiatrist at Rhode Island Hospital and Assistant Professor Brown University