Superintendent's Update

Spring will arrive on March 20th and we have had two snow days so far this school year. If our luck holds out, we will not have any more snow closings and our last day of school for both DLCs will be Thursday, June 13, 2024. After the revised 2023 - 2024 school year calendar is Board approved at the Board of Education meeting on March 7th, we will post it on our website and send it out to parents and staff.

What’s Happening at the DLCs

Spirit Day

Spirit Day will be held on Tuesday, March 5th. Wear your DLC spirit wear or blue to show school spirit!

Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Week of March 4 - 8

This year’s theme is “Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Leaders.”

On Friday, March 8th, DLC - New Providence students will celebrate SEL week by participating in activities that promote kindness. School social workers will be setting up kindness activities for DLC - New Providence students throughout the week during social skill lessons and in the classroom.

There will be a variety of activities at DLC - Warren throughout the week.  Some of the planned activities at DLC - Warren are listed below:

• On Monday, March 4th, Words Matter Day, both students and staff will collaborate to craft a poster with positive words, intended for display throughout the entire school.

• On Tuesday, March 5th, National Sportsmanship Day, students and staff are encouraged to wear their favorite team jerseys or shirts to school.

• On Friday, March 8th, SEL Day, students will be filling their buckets with all the good deeds they have completed throughout the week! Be sure to view MUJC’s social media for pictures!

DLC - New Providence

March is Women’s History Month

During the month of March, DLC - New Providence will be celebrating famous women and their accomplishments. Each class will choose a famous woman in history and create a poster to display outside their classroom for all to see. Faith Ringgold is DLC - New Providence’s artist of the month. Students will be working on art that resembles quilts in celebration of Faith  Ringgold for Women in History Month. 

Read Across America, March 4

To celebrate Read Across America on March 4th, DLC New Providence will have reading activities set up in the Voc Room for all classes. Some of the older students will read to the younger students. This is always a fun day at DLC - New Providence. Watch for it on the MUJC’s social media! 

Mario Day, March 8

To celebrate Mario Day, normally held on March 10 (this year it is on a Saturday), students will celebrate on March 8th with an ESports event. All classes will participate in educational experiments with technology. Dress like your favorite video game character. Be sure to view our social media posts on this fun day!

Irish American Heritage Celebration, March 15

Students are invited to wear green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 15th. Students will have an opportunity to take pictures in our festive St.Patrick’s Day photo booth. Stay tuned!

March is National Developmental Disabilities Month

On March 22nd, the day before the DLC spring break, DLC - New Providence students and staff are invited to celebrate National Disabilities Month by wearing DLC spirit wear or the color blue. Related services therapies will focus on students expanding their leisure activities throughout the month.

DLC - Warren

Read Across America Day, Friday, March 1

Students will be celebrating diversity on Read Across America Day, being held at DLC - Warren on Friday, March 1st. Students will read the book, "A Crown for Corina" by Laekan Zea Kemp, an engaging story about a girl who learns about a beloved family tradition and the symbolism behind the Mexican flower crown. Students will subsequently create crowns to wear on this fun and special day.

Spring Transition Fair, Thursday, March 7

DLC - Warren’s Transition Coordinators are proud to present this year’s Spring Transition Fair on Thursday, March 7th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the MUJC’s Professional Development Center located at 330 Central Avenue, New Providence. Please refer to the flyer that will be sent in the EBB for further details. On behalf of MUJC Transition Coordinators, Matt MacDougall and Ray Colon, and the attending organizations, we look forward to seeing you there!

National Good Samaritan Day, March 13

Throughout the day, students and staff will engage in acts of kindness towards friends or colleagues, celebrating and creating kindness and selflessness, despite our differences.

Act Happy Day, March 18

Act Happy Day is on Monday, March 18. Celebrate this day at DLC - Warren by featuring your radiant smile and feel free to wear yellow to brighten someone's day.

World Oral Health Day, March 20

On World Oral Health Day, students will engage in activities to understand the significance of their dental care practices. Look for DLC students showcasing World Oral Health Day on MUJC’s social media!

70s Retro Theme Selected for Prom, May 23, 2024

The votes are in and this year's theme for the 2024 DLC’s Prom is 70s Retro.  The prom will be held on Thursday, May 24, 2024, in the cafeteria at DLC- Warren. More information and invitations will follow

Climate Action Chat

The Climate Action Club at DLC - Warren is expanding its horizons by reaching out to community tree/plant experts. Students will have the opportunity to gain insights from these local experts, focusing on our keystone species, the milkweed.

Technology Tips

March is a great time to review social media awareness with children, focusing on privacy and security. First and foremost, users should learn about and utilize the available privacy and security settings on social networks to control their online presence positively. It's crucial to keep personal information confidential to protect against identity theft, data breaches and potential cybercrimes, such as stalking. Remember that once posted online, content remains accessible, impacting your reputation and even job prospects. Recent research shows that job recruiters often reject candidates based on their online presence. Always be aware of the information you share, as it may reveal personal details about yourself and others, including your location, school, or daily activities.



Managing your friends’ list is also vital. While social networks allow for a diverse array of connections, not all friends are equal. Consider creating open profiles or "fan" pages for public personas, reserving personal profiles for close friends you know and trust. You are not obligated to accept friend requests from everyone, especially those you don't know. In cases of harassment or threats, promptly remove and block the offender while reporting them to the site administrator. Understand the value of your personal information and exercise caution when sharing it online. Ensure that companies explicitly state how they collect and use your data before using their products or services. When using public Wi-Fi, recognize that it is not secure, and consider using a virtual private network (VPN) for added security. Finally, be aware of your device's connectivity settings, turning off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use to prevent unwanted tracking by stores and locations.

Transition Talk

For parents of graduating students who want to continue having their children use devices for communication, there are a few organizations that may be able to assist. Please see the list below:

Assistive Technology Resources

(Department of Human Resources Guide)

• AbleData:

Provides a wealth of information to assist individuals with disabilities and their family members, professionals, and caregivers in understanding assistive technology options and programs available.

https://abledata.acl.gov/

• Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (ATAC):

Provides information on assistive technology and maintains a used equipment recycling program that provides used items at very low cost or free. View the available items on their website. 

http://www.drnj.org/atacprogram.htm

The center is located at 210 S.Broad Street, 3rd Floor, Trenton, NJ 08608

(609) 292- 9742 

• Advancing Opportunities: Assistive Technology Services/Lending Center

This organization assists people with disabilities, their families, teachers, and employers in identifying and learning how to use the technology that will be most effective in meeting their goals. The “Technology Lending Center” allows NJ residents with disabilities the opportunity to borrow assistive technology for a trial period, for free. 

http://www.assistivetechnologycenter.org

The center is located at 1005 Whitehead Road, Suite-1, Ewing, NJ 08638 

Toll Free: 1-888-322- 1918 ext. 595 or  (609) 882- 4182

Important Reminders:

March 21, 2024    Parent Teacher Conferences - 12:45 p.m.

dismissal for students. Conferences will be held

from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

March 25-29, 2024 Spring Vacation

Enjoy a great entry into Spring! As always, thank you for your support!

Dr. Janet L. Fike

Superintendent

Morris-Union Jointure Commission

Website