Morris-Union Jointure Commission

October was an Outstanding Month!

Sincerely,

Dr. Janet L. Fike

Superintendent

Both DLCs participated in the Week of Respect with activities that centered on encouraging positive behavior and promoting kindness. Lessons were taught about how important it is to treat others with respect, both in and out of the classroom. Each morning, DLC students helped lead the way by sharing messages of kindness, inclusion, and respect with our school community.

DLC-New Providence Week of Respect

At DLC-New Providence, students participated in engaging activities focused on respect, the importance of appreciating differences, being kind to others and celebrating what makes each person unique. Students listened to the story Try a Little Kindness, which encouraged discussions on ways to show kindness through words and actions. Students also wrote a kind letter to a friend, allowing them to practice expressing appreciation and spreading positivity. They were encouraged to identify their own strengths, celebrate what makes them special, and feel proud about their individual abilities. The Week of Respect provided a valuable opportunity for students to strengthen their social emotional skills and foster positive relationships while helping to create a welcoming and inclusive school community.

DLC-Warren Week of Respect

At DLC-Warren, students explored how to celebrate differences, recognize bullying, and show respect through everyday words and actions. Students learned that kind words and sharing compliments to one another helps build a caring school community. During morning announcements, DLC-Warren students shared messages of kindness, inclusion, and respect with our school community.

During School Violence Awareness Week, the DLCs focused on promoting kindness, safety, and caring throughout our school community. Both DLCs participated in activities that centered around positive behavior, using kind words, trust and helping friends when they feel sad or scared.

Lessons taught by social workers at both DLCs reinforced skills that taught students about recognizing unsafe situations, expressing their feelings, and promoting kindness, respect and safety at school.

DLC - New Providence students are now settled into the new school year. Each classroom is focused on building academic skills, social development, and life skills through hands-on, engaging methods. Students are enjoying swimming in our DLC-Warren pool, participating in art classes, visiting Stop and Shop and more!

DLC-New Providence students enjoy the Arts in Learning Program offered through Young Audiences. Molly Johnson, Resident Artist, will visit DLC-New Providence weekly through February 2027 and help bring out the creative side of all students!

The DLC-New Providence gymnasium transformed into a Halloween adventureland full of fun activities including a ghost toss, spiderweb corn hole, pumpkin tic-tac boo, monster mash photo booth and more!

DLC-Warren students participated in activities in October such as Fire Prevention Week, enjoyed lessons in Martial Arts by Master Del and ended the month with the annual Halloween celebration!

The Warren Township Fire Department and Firefighter Ryan Valentino of Mt. Horeb Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 visited students at DLC–Warren in recognition of Fire Prevention Month! They shared important fire safety lessons with our students and explained ways they keep our community safe.

On October 28, DLC - Warren had a fun and festive celebration for students and families. It was an afternoon full of creativity, movement, and Halloween spirit!

The October 12th Professional Development Day gave our DLC staff an opportunity to come together for joy and learning opportunities. Staff participated in presentations that included essential skills for the classroom, functions of behavior, staff health and wellness, effective communication in a school setting and more. Staff learned practical ideas for supporting students and a stronger awareness of how adult well-being affects classroom practice.The day concluded with fun activities in the gymnasium!

This month, students at DLC–Warren continued to take learning beyond the classroom through our Community-Based Instruction (CBI) program! These community outings provide meaningful opportunities for students to practice essential life skills, including shopping, navigating public spaces, making choices, communicating with others, and developing independence in real-world settings. A special highlight this month was visiting the Warren Township Library's brand-new sensory room, which opened this week! Our students were excited to explore and enjoy this welcoming, sensory-friendly space. Students also visited Grace Community Food Bank in Summit to deliver donated food items. This was a great to give back to our community and practicing social skills at the same time!

DLC-New Providence Social Worker Shaniel Champagnie and DLC-Warren Social Worker Gabriela Fredericksen work closely with our students on a daily basis focusing on the social emotional needs of all students. Both social workers were actively engaged on teaching lessons during the Week of Respect and Violence Awareness Week. By working with students, families, teachers, and other professionals, both Shaniel and Gabby help students develop social skills for communication with their peers, parents and teachers, build and discover positive relationships and learn how to navigate challenges both in and out of the classroom. Thank you for your dedication to ur students!