We have received many favorable comments regarding our inaugural edition of GCDC’s electronic newsletter “Kidformation.” We would like to thank everyone who has offered support and suggestions. We will continue to do our very best to improve this publication to serve you.

• The ClassACT play, featuring 21 GAPA2 children in grades two and three, is Thursday, March 8, at 7 p.m. at the Dorothy L. Bullock School. A matinee show for Bullock students is March 9 at 9:15 a.m.
• GCDC’s Sixth Annual Chinese Auction is Wednesday, March 28, at 7 p.m., in the Dorothy L. Bullock School cafeteria. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Overflow parking is available at the East New Street Complex.

All of GCDC’s New Jersey After 3, afternoon enrichment programs, including GAPA2, GAPA3 & the Teen Academy, will be closed during the week of April 1, during Glassboro Schools spring break. HOWEVER, GCDC will provide full day care for students in grades K-6 from Monday, April 2 to Thursday, April 5, at the Dorothy L. Bullock School. The cost for this service is $25 per day, per child. Call 881-3331 to register.

Week of the Young Child/TV Turn-Off Week activities at the preschool and at GCDC’s GAPA2 program will take place the week of April 22 to 28. The Week of the Young Child is a time to reflect on how well children’s experiences in Glassboro are preparing them to maximize their educational opportunities and become effective citizens, capable workers, and loving parents. TV Turn-Off Week is a national initiative to encourage families to be “unplugged” for a week of family fun. The week’s activities will kick off with a Free Family Skate for all preschool and GAPA2 students and their families at Skater’s Choice in Sewell on Monday, April 23. Watch for more information next month on Week of the Young Child/TV Turn-Off Week!

Earn a $10.00 gift card to the store of your choice for each new student you refer who enrolls in either the GAPA3 or the Teen Academy by March 19. The new student must list your child as the referral, and the new student must attend our after school program full time. Gift cards will be awarded on May 1, 2007. Good luck!

Thanks to those who’ve donated to our “Baby Bundles” campaign to collect items for young mothers at GCDC and Robins Nest in Glassboro: Leigh Ann Kirsch, Doris Ducat, Lynn Shute, Breah Dill, Joan Dillon, Michaela Rosenfield’s family, Jimmy Schmittinger, Dylan Wolf, Noah Bruynell, Nathan Taraska’s family, Jadah Kingston and Jack Campbell.

Wal-Mart’s “Good Works” program donated $1,000 to GCDC in February to offset summer camp expenses.

Wakefern Inc. (ShopRite Partners in Caring) donated $1,500 to GCDC in February to offset GCDC food costs for its children. Partners in Caring is an ongoing program to fight hunger and malnutrition in South Jersey.

GCDC’s weekly walking program S.M.A.S.H. (Start Moving And Stay Healthy) will resume on Wednesday, April 4. (This is also “Kick Butts Day” – a day to quit smoking!) This program is held at Robert Renlund Memorial Park off Market Place in Glassboro, and is open to GCDC families and the community. Rest room facilities and refreshments are available following the walk.

The S.M.A.S.H. program is made possible by a grant from General Mills Community Grants. The starting time for the walk will be announced shortly.

Please remember the dates of our Coin Drop Fundraiser at the Sam’s Club at 1500 Almonesson Road in Deptford are April 7, June2, October 13, and December 8. Our staff will be on hand at the store from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. collecting funds to benefit our child care programs. Please stop by the store!

GCDC’s Cinnamon Bun Sale, available from Hadley Farms, profited GCDC $432. Thanks, everyone.

We have new, lovely, 23-Ounce Candles on sale at the GCDC office. You can’t beat the price! The candles come in shades and scents of spring, The candles are available for $7 each or three for $20. Candle warmers are also on sale for $7 each. Stop by and get your candles today!

Don’t forget our Pizza Hut Value Cards, good for a $75 savings. The cards cost $8 each and may be purchased at the GCDC office. Get discounts off your meals, or free pizzas with these cards!

Remember GCDC’s Sixth Annual Chinese Auction Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at 7 p.m. at the Dorothy L. Bullock School, 370 East New Street, Glassboro. Donations are urgently needed for NEW auction items, Tromboli (slightly more expensive) items, gift cards and door prizes. Admittance is $5.00. Extra auction sheets are $2.00 each or three sheets for $5.00. Tromboli tickets are $1.00 each, 3 for $2.00 or 10 for $5.00

Students from Clearview Regional High School’s self-contained, multiple disabled class have been doing paperwork and yard work at the GCDC Office and Preschool since December 2006. Clearview teacher Deana DeNafo created the community volunteer program to give the students exposure to different job skills at different locations. Up to a half dozen students work for one hour per visit. Great job, everyone!

Parent Volunteer Day is Friday, March 9, at the GCDC Preschool, 35 South Main Street. Parents wishing to volunteer should sign up in their children’s classroom before Friday. Parents must report to the GCDC office to sign in before entering the preschool.

Approximately 30 members of Rowan University’s Health and Exercise Science Club conducted a series of physical education activities with GCDC Preschoolers on Monday, March 5. The club visits GCDC two to three times a year and is under the direction of club advisor Dr. Gregory Blake Biren.

Another half dozen students from Rowan University’s Delta Phi Epsilon sorority worked with preschoolers on Friday, February 23, as part of a community service project. The students read books to and interacted with the children, and assisted preschool teachers with daily classroom tasks. One of the sorority members, Kristina Latoni, works in the preschool infant room. The sorority will also be assisting preschool staff with an upcoming Easter Egg Hunt.

Denise Bono (GAPA2) – One Year
Maisha Utterbach (Preschool) – Seven Years