SUPERINTENDENT'S SPOTLIGHT
JUNE 2021

June has arrived and our very different school year is winding down! As always, we have many special events this month and hope that you will join us as we celebrate our students and staff.
What's Happening at the DLCs

DLC – New Providence students will begin the month of June with Say Something Nice Day on June 1. Students will work on filling buckets with positive comments and compliments of their peers. World Bicycle Day is on June 3 and students will learn about the various types of bicycles and how bicycles started out.  To mark the end of the year, students will participate in a walk around the playground at the Walk It Out Celebration on June 4. Games and activities such as the oversized Jenga and Connect Four games will be held outside. In anticipation of Father’s Day, DLC – New Providence students will be busy making cards and crafts.  Finally, on the last day of school, June 14, students and staff will wear a color of the flag for Flag Day. Students will participate in lessons related to flags and their meanings.
 
The DLC 2021 Yearbook will be delivered to the DLC – Warren during the week of June 7. The Yearbook features each of our graduates as well as the students in all of our secondary classrooms and all the special activities that have been occurring at the DLC this past year. There are a few yearbooks still available for purchase. If you are interested, please call the DLC – Warren Main Office at 908-762-5600. Graduation is scheduled for Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at the DLC – Warren. This year we are proud to announce we have 13 graduates. Staff and students have been preparing for this memorable event for several months. Special activities include a slideshow highlighting the students and how they have grown from early childhood to graduation, “Future Me” posters portraying each graduate and their future aspirations as well as a special musical performance performed by a graduate. It is always an unforgettable day for our graduates and their families as they leave DLC and continue on to many exciting opportunities.


Union County School Boards Association Unsung Heroes Award
 
Congratulations to Raphael Ferrer for receiving the Union County School Boards Association Unsung Heroes Award. This award is given to graduating students who have distinguished themselves in unique ways, model good citizenship or a quiet strength that inspires others in the spirit of volunteerism. Raphael has attended DLC for 13 years. He has been an integral part of the DLC, participating in a variety of school and community activities including structured learning experiences at RW Delights in Millington, Famous Dave’s in Mountainside, the Great Swamp Greenhouse in Gillette, and Stonecrest Community Church in Warren. Congratulations, Raphael!
Dr. Janet L. Fike, Union County
Superintendent of the Year for 2021
Dr. Janet L. Fike was recently honored with the award of Union County Superintendent of the Year for 2021. Dr. Fike was nominated for this award by the Union County Superintendents' of Schools Roundtable which is in conjunction with the New Jersey Association of School Administrators.
Well Wishes and Welcomes
 
Dr. Julie Gardner, DLC – Warren principal, will be retiring this summer. We extend our best wishes for a healthy and happy retirement. We will miss you, Julie!
 
Congratulations to DLC – Warren Vice Principal Matt Fernandez on his promotion! Matt will become a principal at DLC – Warren effective July 1, 2021.
 
We welcome several staff members for the coming school year. Effective July 1, 2021, Daniel Sanacore has been appointed Principal at the DLC – Warren; Evan Abramson has been appointed Director of Technology and Innovation; and Louis Galasso joins the MUJC as Technology Specialist.  Effective June 7, 2021, Lori Watson will take over the role of Executive Assistant in the Central Office. Please join me in welcoming Daniel, Evan, Louis, and Lori!
 
Important Dates and ESY Program
 
As a reminder, the last day of school is Monday, June 14. The dates for the six-week 2021 ESY program are June 23, 2021 – August 4, 2021 from 8:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. The Developmental Learning Centers will be closed on July 5, 2021 in observance of Independence Day. 
 
We are continuing to plan for the upcoming ESY program. Both DLCs have several anticipated themes for each week throughout the program. 
 
DLC – New Providence will celebrate summer at various “locations”:
 
           Week of June 28        Summer in the West
           Week of July 6            Summer in the City
           Week of July 12          Summer in the Mountains
           Week of July 19          Summer at the Beach
           Week of July 26          Summer in Tokyo at the Olympics
 
DLC – Warren students will enjoy the following themes:
 
           Week of June 28        Sports Week
           Week of July 6            All American Week
           Week of July 12          Camping Week
           Week of July 19          International Week
           Week of July 26          Olympic Week
 
Stay tuned for more details on the events for each week!
 
We wish all our DLC students and families an enjoyable and safe summer, and we look forward to working with you during the Extended School Year Program and seeing you in the 2021 – 2022 school year.
 
Congratulations to our 2021 graduates and their families! We will miss you and you will always be a part of our MUJC family.
Superintendent
Morris-Union Jointure Commission