Superintendent's Spotlight

December 2021

Superintendent Update


Superintendent’s Update


The MUJC Board of Education and administration send their very best wishes to our entire MUJC and DLC school communities for a wonderful season filled with joy, happiness, and good health to all.


As of November 29, 2021, the daily student and staff health screening will no longer be required. Thank you for completing the daily survey for the past year and a half. Please refer to the DLC Student Daily Health Attestation, MUJC Staff Daily Health Attestation, and the Visitor Daily Health Attestation for detailed information on COVID-19 symptoms and instructions for close contact/potential exposure.


We wish Mike Davison, MUJC’s School Business Administrator, a fond farewell at the end of December as he leaves his position with the MUJC to be the School Business Administrator of the Livingston School District. Mike has been a terrific resource for and conservator of the MUJC’s financial health and we wish him well. Thanks, Mike, for all you have done for our students, staff, and administration!

What’s Happening at the DLCs

MUJC Carolers 


Hooray! The MUJC Carolers will return this year in person and will visit both DLCs. MUJC Carolers are comprised of our central office staff and principals who love to sing and bring holiday joy to the DLCs. The Carolers will visit DLC – Warren on Monday, December 20, at 9:30 a.m. and DLC – New Providence on Tuesday, December 21, at 9:30 a.m. Carolers will stroll through the hallways and visit classrooms singing favorite holiday songs! We’re hoping to have Hunter join us as well! Please watch for us on the MUJC’s social media!   


DLC – New Providence


Music Showcase


The music showcase continues on Thursday, December 2, at the DLC – New Providence. Parents are invited to participate in their child’s music class. They will sing, dance, and participate in instrumental activities. It is sure to be a fun-filled time!


Annual Dessert Day for Staff


Wednesday, December 8, is the Annual Dessert Day for DLC – New Providence Staff! We appreciate parents sending in desserts to school for our staff. They are delectable and joyfully remembered all year. Thank you!   


Special Visitor


Mrs. Claus will, once again, visit DLC – New Providence in person on Tuesday, December 14! DLC – New Providence students and staff are invited to wear pajamas that day as they listen to Mrs. Claus read holiday books! What is your favorite holiday book? Mrs. Claus takes requests! This is sure to be a holiday favorite for all!    

Winter Activity


DLC - New Providence will be participating in our winter festival on Friday, December 17. This year’s theme is Candyland! The gymnasium will turn into a real-life “Candyland.” Each class will design an area from Candyland which will be displayed in the gymnasium. A schedule will be sent out for parents to join their children who will enjoy fun winter activities such as bowling, bean bag toss, holiday crafts, mini-golf, and more! 


DLC Warren


Musical Showcase at Warren


On Friday, December 3, our very own Mr. Brian Dailey, DLC Music Teacher, will lead each of our classes in our annual Musical Showcase! It will be amazing and fun for all!


DLC – Warren Student Caroling


On Wednesday, December 15, students from our Eagles Program will be visiting the Long Hill Senior Center to spread holiday cheer by caroling to the residents of the center. Students have also made holiday cards to share!


Holiday Spirit Day


On Thursday, December 23, staff and students are invited to participate in our annual Holiday Spirit Day by wearing their favorite holiday shirt, sweatshirt, or sweater.  

You’ve Been Snowed!


As the weather gets colder, DLC-Warren would like to bring a little bit of the outside inside. Beginning in mid-November and taking place through December "You've Been Snowed" will take place! The first group of staff members and classes will anonymously send "treats" to others in the building. Those staff members and classes have then officially been "snowed" and will place a snowman image on their door. They will then provide new snowmen pictures, directions, and "treats" to others who have yet to be "snowed". The process continues throughout the building! Our staff and students will get creative and have great fun in the process!


Spread Holiday Cheer with Brand New Gear!!


The MUJC online Spiritwear store is now open! Browse through the brand new online store to view the large assortment of spiritwear. View this video by Daniel Sanacore, Principal, DLC – Warren, as he takes you step by step through the website to make your shopping fun and easy! The first Monday of each month will be designated as School Spirit Days where students and staff are encouraged to wear their custom apparel!


DLCreations


Time for some shopping! Don’t forget DLCreations for your holiday gifts! This year’s selection includes Autism Awareness magnets, frames, snowflake pillows, personalized pencils, and much more. Please click on this link and you will be taken directly to the site. Our prices can’t be beat!


Technology Tips


Holiday Season Safety Tips


As the holiday season quickly approaches, it’s a good time to make sure your personal information stays personal! Click here to view the video, “Tech Tips”, by Evan Abramson, the MUJC’s Director of Technology and Innovation. Here are a few tips that can help ensure your data stays secure.


  1. Do not use public Wi-Fi for any shopping activity. Public Wi-Fi networks are convenient but can also be insecure. They can potentially grant hackers access to your usernames, passwords, text messages, and emails.
  2. Know what the product should cost. If a deal is too good to be true, it usually is.
  3. Outsmart the scammers. Be wary when opening an email from someone you don’t know or a site you have not visited.
  4. Make sure your passwords are complex. Do not use the same password for every website and create passwords that include a variety of letters, numbers, and special characters.
  5. Keep an eye on your credit. Review your credit report to ensure that nothing out of the ordinary is taking place. 

  

Transition Talk


Guardianship


At age 18, all individuals, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, reach the legal age of majority. This means that parents can no longer make decisions legally on behalf of their children unless the guardianship process has been completed. Most people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities can manage their own affairs with assistance and guidance from others, such as family and friends. If, however, the individual is not able to independently make decisions, guardianship may be necessary, which means that the parents make the majority of life decisions for the individual. Families considering guardianship should learn more about all the options before making a final decision. Some families opt to hire a special needs attorney to assist them with the process. Other families choose a “Pro se” option, which means filing for guardianship without an attorney. The proposed guardian represents himself/herself in court. Pro se forms and instructions can be found at www.njcourts.gov. Another option may include asking the Bureau of Guardianship Services at the Department of Human Services for help with the process. No matter which option a family chooses, the Transition Team at the DLC - Warren is always available to help! Families are encouraged to talk to either of the DLC Transition Coordinators, Ray Colon or Matt MacDougall, with any questions or concerns about the guardianship process.



Winter Recess


Winter recess will begin with an early dismissal at 12:45 p.m. Thursday, December 23, 2021. School will be closed Friday, December 24, 2021 through Friday, December 31, 2021. School will reopen Monday, January 3, 2022. Enjoy your well-deserved time off from school! 

Holiday Wishes


The MUJC Board of Education and administration wish you and your families a wonderful and joyous holiday season. Thank you so much for all you do for our programs and we look forward to an incredible 2022!

Dr. Janet L. Fike

Superintendent


Morris-Union Jointure Commission

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