School Age (Grades K–6)
The JCC Children’s department provides dynamic programs for school-aged children in a safe, nurturing, flexible environment that supports their families’ childcare needs. The department will serve families through after school care, vacation and summer camps, and district snow and meeting day alternatives. Programming shall focus on a healthy combination of academic and learning disciplines, constructive activity and free play. The department will also provide opportunities to learn and grow in a Jewish context with weekly
Shabbat celebrations and other hands-on cultural programming.
Our Mission
We provide a dynamic array of programs and activities for school-age children in a safe, nurturing, flexible and welcoming environment that supports their families’ needs. Programming focuses on a healthy combination of constructive play, child-led and counselor-led activities, active play and Judaic culture. Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to become vital members of our programs.
Weekly Challah Sales!
Challah can be sent directly to your child if they are attending, SHDS, ECDP, or the After-School Program! Challah can be ordered using the form below, orders and payments must be made by 10 am on the Wednesday prior to the delivery date.
Safety
Please make sure to completely and carefully fill out your child’s registration/medical authorization form. It is also very important to leave current and accurate phone numbers and names of persons whom can be contacted in the event of an emergency. Please notify us if these phone numbers and contacts change. The Children’s Department of the JCC takes its responsibility for children very seriously. We must account for every child in the building. This means that all children who come into the JCC unaccompanied by an adult must check in with the Children’s Department via the After-School desk at the JCC’s main entrance or with the JCC’s front office. If your child is enrolled in the After-School Program and will not be attending on a day for which he or she is scheduled, it is necessary to inform the Children’s Department before 1:00 pm on the day in question. The number to call is 445-2360. The Children’s Department takes considerable effort to locate an absent participant. Families who repeatedly fail to notify the department of participant absence will be given notice of a cessation of the department’s efforts to locate their child when absent.
We’ve got so much for children to do each day after school! The JCC’s After School Program offers school-age children in grades K–6 a safe place to go for fun, educational and recreational activities. A variety of sports, enrichment classes, games, clubs, arts and crafts, homework, culture and more are available as well as sledding in winter and swimming in June!
We primarily serve Jamesville-DeWitt, Fayetteville-Manlius and the Syracuse Hebrew Day School. In many cases, the JCC’s own bus can even provide transportation to the program.
How does the After School Program work?
- Current JCC of Syracuse family membership is required to attend.
- After arriving at the JCC, children enjoy a healthy snack.
- Children participate in activities and attend optional enrichment classes.
- Everyone looks forward to Fridays to celebrate Shabbat and watch a movie on the big screen!
- Pickup: Anytime by 6 p.m. from the JCC’s main lobby.
- Absences: Call 315-445-2360 by 1 p.m. on the day of any absences.
Enrichment Classes and Class Care
We offer many popular enrichment classes such as sports, dance and gymnastics during After School Program hours. If your child is enrolled in a 45-minute or longer class, a class care fee will be added to the enrichment class fee. On class days, your child will be supervised before class with other After School Program children and can be picked up after class.
Fall, winter and spring class sessions each run about 12 weeks. Class schedules come out shortly before each session starts and are available at the JCC, on the JCC website and in our printed newsletters. Discount for JCC members.
For more information, please contact Sherri Lamanna at 315-445-2040, ext. 126, or [email protected].
Transportation
J-D Schools transports students directly to the JCC. This must be coordinated with the specific school by the parent. The JCC’s own bus can transport students from the F-M district schools at no extra cost if we reach a minimum enrollment. Please contact us for scheduling. The JCC bus is only reserved for children enrolled in JCC programs.
Billing, changes and withdrawals
Billing is monthly. To ensure proper staffing, all enrollment changes/withdrawals must be submitted in writing by the 15th of the month (or next business day) prior to the month when the change will occur. If written notice is not received, you are responsible for the original billed amount.
After School Program monthly rates
| Days per week | Cost |
| 5 | $300 |
| 4 | $255 |
| 3 | $215 |
| 2 | $175 |
| 1 | $112 |
5% sibling discount. Discount applies to lower priced enrollment on each additional child.
Getting started
After School Program monthly rates are not pro-rated for partial months due to school schedules or absences. Increases in days and times are based on availability and staffing.
Register today!
We are licensed through the Office of Children and Family Services and require certain paperwork to be completed in full before your child may attend the program. Register early to avoid any delays in starting. Please fully complete and submit the School Age Programs registration form along with a $36 non-refundable registration fee and a $50 deposit applied to the first month. Each child is automatically enrolled for each month unless we receive written notification to withdraw from the program.
Questions? Please contact us at 315-445-2360 or [email protected].
Weekly Challah Sales!
Challah can be sent directly to your child if they are attending, SHDS, ECDP, or the After-School Program! Challah can be ordered using the form below, orders and payments must be made by 10 am on the Wednesday prior to the delivery date.
Give your Jamesville-DeWitt elementary student a safe and comfortable place to go in the morning before the school day begins.
- Current JCC of Syracuse family membership is required to attend.
- Attend up to 5 days per week Monday–Friday.
- Drop-off as early as 7 a.m.
- Free busing to school.
- Before School Care monthly fee: $185 (no prorated fee available)
See how convenient, flexible and affordable our Before School Care can be for your family!
Register today!
We are licensed through the Office of Children and Family Services and require certain paperwork to be completed in full before your child may attend the program. Register early to avoid any delays in starting. Please fully complete and submit the School Age Programs registration form along with a $36 non-refundable registration fee and a $50 deposit applied to the first month. Each child is automatically enrolled for each month unless we receive written notification to withdraw from the program.
Questions? Please contact us at 315-445-2360 or [email protected].
Weekly Challah Sales!
Challah can be sent directly to your child if they are attending, SHDS, ECDP, or the After-School Program! Challah can be ordered using the form below, orders and payments must be made by 10 am on the Wednesday prior to the delivery date.
Transportation
The Jamesville-DeWitt school district transports students directly to the JCC. Coordination with J-D schools is between the participants’ parents and their child’s J-D school. The JCC can arrange bussing from the Fayetteville-Manlius School District, and some private schools. Please contact the Children’s Department to make these bussing arrangements. The cost of transportation is included in the monthly fees.
Questions? Call us at 315-445-2040, ext. 133.
Vacation Camps
Join us when the children are off for week-long vacation breaks! Children can register for certain days or the whole week! Vacation camps take place at the JCC and may include occasional off-site field trips. There are themed days with activities that vary greatly as we look to keep things exciting and fun. Registration forms will be available the month prior to camp.
Campers must bring a non-meat lunch; an afternoon snack will be provided. Wear sneakers and come prepared for indoor and outdoor play!
Registration flyers will become available a few weeks before each vacation camp. You may also receive a copy at the front desk of the JCC.
Camp runs daily from 9 am to 4 pm with extended hours available beginning at 7 am and ending at 6 pm.
Upcoming Vacation Camps:
Winter Break 2023 | December 22, 26, 27, 28, 29
Spend this break enjoying indoor and outdoor fun – so come prepared for the weather! We will also throw a rockin’ New Year’s Eve party! Half days are available. Registration deadline: Monday, December 11.
February Break 2024 | February 19 – 23
Celebrate a week off from school with your friends! Partake in daily themes, field trips, and more! Come prepared daily for sledding fun. Sign up for one day or attend all week! Early Registration Deadline: Monday, Feb 5
Spring Break 2024 | April 22, 25, 26
Enjoy spring break with fun games, seasonal crafts, exciting field trips, and more! Sign up for one day or attend all week. Early Registration Deadline: Monday, April 8.
Passover Break 2024 | April 29, 30, and May 1
Enjoy spring break with fun games, seasonal crafts, exciting field trips and more! Sign up for one day or attend all week! Early Registration Deadline: Monday, April 15. Minimum number of participants required to run vacation camp.
For more information, contact Kevin Smith at 315-445-2360 or [email protected]
Winter Break Vacation Camp is now registering!
Join us for Vacation Camp when schools are closed. We have care during Syracuse Hebrew School, Jamesville DeWitt, and Fayetteville Manlius school closures (minimum number of children will apply.) Please note that the schedule is based on the school’s calendar as of August 2023 and may change if the school calendar changes. There will be a separate registration for weeklong vacation that will be out the month prior.
Campers must bring a non-meat lunch; an afternoon snack will be provided. Please come prepared daily for play inside and out and wear sneakers!
Care will be available on the upcoming scheduled school closure dates below. For snow days, contact us at 315-445-2360 as early as 7 a.m. the day of the closing or email [email protected].
Daily Program: 9:00 – 4:00: Members $60, Non-Members $70
1/2 Closure: After School Participants Only, $36
Early Care: 7:00 – 9:00 Members $5, Non-Members $8
Late Care: 4:00 – 6:00 Members $5, Non-Members $8
Please note that children from different school cohorts will be mixed during School Closure Days!
Register by downloading, completing and submitting the registration form. Discount for JCC members. Questions? Contact us at 315-445-2360 or [email protected].
