Morris-Union Jointure Commission

Our combined May/June edition of the Superintendent’s Spotlight features many exciting end-of-year events at the Developmental Learning Centers! As I reflect on this school year, I am thankful that you are all part of the the MUJC community. Our students continue to inspire us each day with their creativity, determination, and enthusiasm as they participate in hands-on activities, social-emotional learning experiences, therapeutic programs, and special events throughout the season. We are grateful to our dedicated staff and supportive families whose collaboration helps create a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment where every student can thrive. Thank you, all, for your continued partnership and support of our school community. Have a great, safe and relaxing summer!

Sincerely,

Dr. Janet L. Fike

Superintendent

As a reminder, the ESY program runs for a total of six weeks, starting on Thursday, June 25th for students and concluding on Thursday, August 6th. Please note that the program will be closed on Friday, July 3rd, in observance of the Independence Day holiday weekend. ESY program hours for students are 8:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

This year's themes are as follows:

The DLCs participated in Wellness Week by learning about nutrition and healthy food choices. Through engaging classroom activities and discussions, students explored healthy eating habits and discovered how nutrition can help them feel their best at school and at home.

During National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, we celebrated the essential work of Speech-language specialists (SLS) and their dedication to student success. In the DLCs, SLSs are instrumental in supporting students by focusing on the complex world of functional communication and social navigation. Speech language specialists develop tailored strategies that help students translate their thoughts into meaningful interactions. These strategies include social pragmatics (social rules of communication), Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), language comprehension and collaboration with teachers and teacher assistants. SLSs empower students to find their unique voices and build lasting connections within their school community.

DLC -New Providence is gearing up for the end of the school year! Students participated in a variety of engaging learning activities focused around mental wellness month, welcomed parents to Special Persons' Day, and are preparing for the Moving Up Ceremony on June 2.

The "Paris" themed Special Persons' Day at DLC - New Providence was a huge success! Parents were invited to celebrate with their children for a fun filled day of special treats and activities.

Artwork created by DLC - New Providence students was chosen to be included in the New Providence summer Art Show. The piece, "America the Beautiful", will be on display throughout the summer at the New Providence Library. Our students are not only amazing, but very creative as well!

Through hands-on activities and engaging discussions, students learned about the important role bees play in pollination, nature, and our environment. They created projects showing the life cycle of bees!🐝

DLC - Warren Students enjoyed a day at the ball park! The weather cooperated with our students who had a blast watching a Somerset Patriots Baseball game. The Patriots' mascot, Sparky, even made an appearance!

DLC - Warren graduates recently participated in the DLC - Warren Prom. This year's theme was "The Streets of Paris." Decorations were incredible and our students looked amazing! Everyone had a wonderful time throughout the afternoon. Thank you to the Prom Committee and everyone that helped make this day extra special for our students!

We are excited to announce that 11 students will be graduating DLC - Warren. We are incredibly proud of their hard work, growth, and accomplishments throughout the years. Their determination, resilience, and unique talents have inspired our entire school community, and we look forward to their future endeavors!

As we move into the warmer months, I encourage our school community to continue creating opportunities for our students to experience the joy of simply being kids beyond a screen. While technology can be an incredible support and communication tool for many of our students, some of the most meaningful growth can happen through hands-on play, outdoor activities, sensory experiences, movement, music, water play, walks, playground time, and shared family moments. These experiences help build communication, regulation, social connection, confidence, and independence in ways that no device can fully replace.

I know that for many of our families, devices can also provide comfort, routine and support throughout the day, and every child’s needs are different. This is not about removing technology completely. It is about finding balance and creating space for laughter, exploration and connection. Even small moments like blowing bubbles outside, taking a short walk, playing catch, gardening, or listening to music together can create powerful memories and meaningful engagement for our students. Children thrive most when they feel connected to the people and world around them.

As we work with our students each year, we want our students to recognize that their hard work helps prepare them for future Activities for Daily Living (ADL) skills. Those skills can be used to help outside locations that appreciate their hard work and an opportunity to maybe use those skills in a Work Based Learning (WBL) environment.

Students show an incredible work ethic at one of our WBL sites. Students at the Basking Ridge site of Arbor Terrace Adult Living Facility, demonstrate their individual custodial skills by vacuuming, polishing furniture, cleaning tables and by creating a safe and healthy environment.

The MUJC was awarded, once again, two grants from the Union County Board of Commissioners. A fruit tree will be planted on the DLC - New Providence school grounds and the Dig in Grant funds will be used to enhance our gardens! Thank you, Union County, for these grants!

As part of the Climate Change Grant from the NJ Department of Education, DLC - New Providence students participated in the "Build the Change" Challenge to create nature inspired homes. This was a wonderful learning experience and fun challenge for the students! Students used a variety of materials to create their houses such as sticks that they gathered from outside and recycled materials, just to name a few. Their creations were fantastic!

Students at DLC - Warren enjoyed a nature walk at the Watchung Reservation with naturalists and representatives from the New Jersey Department of Education as part of the Climate Change Education and Resilience through Interdisciplinary Learning – Continuation Grant.