GCDC is closed on Friday, April 6, and Monday, April 9, in observance of the Easter holiday. Special occasions this month include Earth Day (April 22), Administrative Professionals Day (April 25), Arbor Day (April 27) and Week of the Young Child/TV Turnoff Week (April 22-28). Preschool parent-teacher conferences are the week of April 23 to 27. Contact your child’s teacher to set up an interview.

An enthusiastic crowd attended a ClassACT play featuring 21 of GCDC’s GAPA2 children in grades two and three on March 8 at the Dorothy L. Bullock School. Students performed four original stories directed by John Perovich from Learning Stages, a local theater education program. The stage manager was Jaclynne Oldt, GAPA2 supervisor. The cast and their families enjoyed a reception afterward in the school lobby. ClassACT is an artistic collaboration of GCDC and Learning Stages, and is funded by New Jersey After 3, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to expanding after school opportunities for New Jersey’s kids. ClassACT participants included Melissa McLaughlin, Neena Duffey, Claudia Nieves, Erica Ross, Natalie Clesi, Esiyah Dixon, Christian Cendejas, Taj Mahal DeFrance, Cody Shute, Acosta Kittles, Martin Castro, Michael Turner, Bryan Wilson, Deonte Rowland, Ben Harris, Kristopher Hartung, Tre’ron McBride, Ebony DeBerry, Alana Sharkey, Jordyn Wigglesworth and Crystal Munyingi. Learning Stages Executive Director and GCDC board member Renee Post brought the theater program to GCDC.

Approximately 70 children took advantage of GCDC’s full day care program for students in grades K through 6 during Glassboro Schools’ spring break. Children were given the opportunity to golf, ride bikes, roller-skate and make pizzas at Pizzeria Uno in Deptford during the break, from April 2 to 5. The program was held at the Dorothy L. Bullock School.

GCDC’s Week of the Young Child/TV Turn-Off Week celebration will begin on Monday, April 23, with a Free Skate for GCDC’s preschool and Bullock children from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Skater’s Choice in Sewell. The free skate is part of a week of activities celebrating our youngest children, infants through Grade 3. If the younger children have older siblings, they are welcome to attend. Parents or guardians must accompany all children. The free family event includes skates, admission and a pretzel and soda.

On Tuesday April 24, all Bowe and Intermediate School families are invited to participate in a trip to see the Philadelphia Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park. Tickets are just $4.00 and are available on a first come first served basis. You may purchase as many tickets as you’d like. Price includes ticket and bus transportation! We will leave from Glassboro Intermediate School at 5:30 p.m. Parents must attend with their children.

At the Preschool, Preschool Director Ms. Doreen Shepherd, Executive Director Joan Dillon and GCDC Board members Renee Post and Danielle Scott will be guest readers during the week as well!

The GCDC board of directors held elections at its March meeting. Danielle Y. Scott was elected chairperson, Samuel C. Hull vice chairperson, Sharon Bell, secretary, George Diem, treasurer, and Pearl Diem, historian. Other board members include Renee Post and Bernice Willis. Ms. Scott served as board vice chair the past three years. She is employed in Philadelphia as an executive/personal assistant to philanthropist David Pincus.

GCDC’s Sixth Annual Chinese Auction on March 28 netted our non-profit agency more than $3,700. More than 100 people donated their time, talents and materials for the Chinese Auction. This auction could not have taken place without your concern and commitment to GCDC and its children. Every donation is important, no matter the amount. Special thanks to our host for the evening, Executive Director Joan Dillon; “Mom Joan” Williams, who created the lovely gift baskets and packages; and Public Relations Director Gina Panetta, who coordinated auction donations. Thanks also go out to Glassboro Mayor Leo McCabe and his wife for attending the auction, and buying some tickets!

Nearly 25 parents and children attended the first session of GCDC’s healthy lifestyles program S.M.A.S.H. (Start Moving And Stay Healthy) at Robert Renlund Memorial Park on Monday, April 2. The S.M.A.S.H. program added an extra day and took advantage of more spring like weather. The program is available to GCDC families and the Glassboro community Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The park is located off of Market Place in Glassboro. Rest room facilities and light refreshments are available following the walk. S.M.A.S.H. is made possible by General Mills Community Grants. The next scheduled S.M.A.S.H. outing will be Wednesday, April 11, because of spring break.

Our first Coin Drop Fundraiser at the Deptford Sam’s Club, 1500 Almonesson Road, is Saturday, April 7. Other dates are June 2, October 13, and December 8. Our staff will be outside the store from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. collecting funds to benefit our childcare programs. Please stop by the store!

Flyers will go out shortly to parents and staff for our Uncle Jerry’s T-shirt and Novelty Items sale.

Please tell your friends about our 23-Ounce Candles on sale at the GCDC office. The candles come in shades and scents of spring and are available for $7 each or three for $20. Candle warmers are also on sale for $7 each.

We also continue to have 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!

Parent Volunteer Day is scheduled for Friday, April 27. Parents wishing to volunteer should sign up in their children’s classroom before this date. Parents must report to the GCDC office to sign in before entering the preschool building. Thank you.

Registration information is now available at the GCDC office for Camp Horizon 2007, GCDC’s summer camp program for children in kindergarten through grade six. The program will be held at the Dorothy L. Bullock School from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., June 25 through August 24. Call 881-3331 for information. You will find that we are the most reasonably priced camp in our area. Our fees include all activities, trips, special events, breakfast, lunch and snack! Sign up soon!

Laurie Hain (PreK) – Three Years
Helen Mount (Toddler Room) – 10 Years
Karen Gustavsen (Operations Director) – 15 Years