Morris-Union Jointure Commission

Superintendent’s Spotlight

September 2023

Superintendent’s Update

The Morris-Union Jointure Commission (MUJC) is pleased to welcome Developmental Learning Center students and their families as well as all MUJC staff to the 2023 – 2024 school year! We have been busy planning for the new school year and are excited to share upcoming news with you.

Welcome Back Convocation for MUJC Staff

I am pleased to announce the MUJC’s convocation for staff on September 5, 2023 will feature Ms. Maude Dahme, former New Jersey State Board of Education President. Ms. Dahme has a fascinating journey from being a Holocaust survivor to becoming a key promoter of educational change for NJ schools for almost 25 years. Her message is both inspiring and uplifting and demonstrates vividly how adversity can transform into triumph.

School Safety

There is nothing more important to any school district than the safety of its school community. Please review the wealth of resources found below which are provided to you by the NJ Department of Education. These resources are relevant and timely for parents and staff.

SchoolSafety.gov provides tools, guidance and resources to empower districts, schools and parents to improve safety and security. Start the new school year off with reading about evidence-based strategies and topics related to school safety, including student mental health support and services, bullying prevention, emergency planning, cybersecurity and online safety, preventing targeted and community violence.

Transportation Topics

Please welcome Marissa Newby as the MUJC's new Transportation Manager. Ms. Newby will be working with our dedicated Transportation staff to ensure that safe and efficient transportation services are provided to students in our member districts from caring and well trained drivers and bus aides. Marissa has a wealth of experience since, prior to this position, she worked at the DLC for 17 years! Welcome, Marissa!

What’s Happening at the DLCs

First Day for DLC Staff

DLC staff will return Tuesday, September 5, for our Convocation and room preparation. Please be at DLC-Warren at 8:15 a.m.

Back to School Night

The DLCs' in person Back to School Night is Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to meet teachers, therapists, and other staff who work with their child. Please join us!

MUJC Parent/Admin Chats

Our first Parent/Admin Chat will be held via Google Meet on Monday, September 11, at 12:00 p.m. A flyer will be sent out prior to the meeting with the Google Meet link.

DLC-New Providence

At DLC-New Providence, we are opening an additional primary class for the start of the school year. We are excited to have a full time vocational teacher to work with our students on STEAM activities, providing exposure to 21st century learning skills using Sphero Robots, cooking activities and school jobs. Please make sure to fill out your child's permissions as we have trips to the DLC - Warren Aquatics Center, community, and pumpkin farm planned for September. Welcome, Carl Bird, Vice Principal! We're so happy that you are on our team! 

DLC-Warren

DLC-Warren is hard at work preparing for the 2023-2024 school year! In addition to the district-wide Parent/Administration Chats, The Warren Administrative Team will be hosting meetings for parents to attend and specifically discuss DLC-Warren. The first date for this new meeting schedule is Wednesday, September 27 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. A Google Meet invitation will be sent to all DLC-Warren parents.

As part of our partnership with Climate Action Schools, DLC-Warren students will have the opportunity to work with hydroponics! Students will learn about growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil. Monthly, hand-on challenges will also be taking place as our students work on ways to "Build the Change" with Take Action Global. Stay tuned!

Transition Talk

The MUJC Transition Team is ready to hit the ground running this new school year with some inspiring and informative new trainings. Our Transition Team is proud to present the following for the 2023-2024 school year:

• Footsteps in the Transition Process - This presentation will focus on the important benchmarks that families should be taking to ensure their child has the most successful transition to adult services possible. This in person event will be held on October 26,2023 at the DLC-Warren, Room M205, from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• What is PCAST (Person Centered Approaches for Schools and Transition)? - This presentation will provide parents and families with information on how to learn and utilize person centered approaches that will help their child, their child’s IEP team, and other supporters create their child’s best vision for the future. This in person event will be held on January 11, 2024 at the DLC-Warren, Room M205, from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• Available Resources for Families - This presentation will provide parents and families with a wealth of information and links to resources they may use, as they prepare for their child’s transition to adulthood. This in person event will be held on February 22, 2024 at the DLC-Warren, Room M205, from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

In an effort to continue to support our families and their need for transition services and information, we are pleased to continue the following annual transition events:

• Parents of 2024 Graduates meeting - October 12, 2023. This invitation-only event will be held at the DLC-Warren, Room M205,from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

• 2023 MUJC Fall Transition Fair - November 16, 2023. This fair will be held at the DLC-Warren upper atrium, from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

• 2024 MUJC Spring Transition Fair - March 7, 2024. This fair will be held at the Professional Development Center of the MUJC in New Providence, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

What's New in Technology

New Website

The MUJC will be launching its new website in the coming weeks! Parents and staff will be informed of the launch as it approaches. If you have comments or suggestions about our new website, please feel free to contact Evan Abramson, Director of Technology and Innovation, at eabramson@mujc.org .

The MUJC also has a free app which will be enhanced throughout the school year. You can download the app through your preferred app store by searching for 'MUJC'. Finally, please check in frequently to our social media sites and our website (links below). We post frequently and hope you find them informative and fun!

We are so honored that DLC families have selected the Developmental Learning Centers as the school for their children. Your trust in the DLCs is highly valued and all DLC staff members do an amazing job to keep that valued trust. If you have any questions or concerns about our program, please call or email the DLC Principals. Their contact information is as follows:

DLC-New Providence

Andrea Marmolejos, Principal

908-508-1345

amarmolejos@mujc.org

Carl Bird, DLC-NP Vice Principal

908-508-1345

cbird@mujc.org

DLC-Warren

Dr. Jennifer Ferraioli, Principal

908-762-5600

jferraioli@mujc.org

Dan Sanacore, Principal

908-762-5600

dsanacore@mujc.org

Kim Spurlock, Vice Principal

908-762-5600

kspurlock@mujc.org

If you have any general questions about the MUJC, please feel free to contact Denise Smallacomb, Assistant Superintendent, or me. Our contact information is as follows:

Denise Smallacomb, Assistant Superintendent

908-464-7625

dsmallacomb@mujc.org

Dr. Janet Fike, Superintendent

908-464-7625

jfike@mujc.org



It’s going to be a great year and we look forward with excited anticipation to all of the success our students and staff will have!

Superintendent

Morris-Union Jointure Commission

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