GCDC is closed Monday, May 28, for Memorial Day. Please join GCDC and march in the Memorial Day Parade in Glassboro. The parade is approximately 1.2 miles long. It goes along University Blvd., Whitney Ave. and High Street, ending at Academy Street.

DX Dance Express in Deptford is partnering with the Glassboro Child Development Centers to hold a “Dancing For The Cure” event on Tuesday, May 29, at 7 p.m. at the Dorothy L. Bullock multi-purpose room, 370 East New Street, Glassboro. All profits will be donated to the Dancer’s Care Foundation for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research. Admission is $10 per person.

More than 25 ensemble members from the award-winning dance studio, located at 1341 Delsea Drive in Deptford, will perform for the audience, hold a silent auction, and serve refreshments, including cheese, “sparkling grape juice,” crackers and fruit. DX Dance Express is owned and operated by GCDC Alumnae and NJA3 Glassboro Intermediate School Teen Academy Co-Supervisor Niki Williams. The ensemble recently returned from a competition in Washington, D.C., and plans to perform in Disney World in July. DX Dance Express serves clients ages 2 ½ to adult.

Rob Baer, organizer, and Bob Kelly, former Philadelphia Flyer brought a free interactive street hockey program to our students at Bowe GAPA3 on May 2 and will be at Bullock GAPA2 on May 8. The Flyers and Phantoms hockey teams provide Hooked on Hockey to give back to the community. Each participant gets a hockey stick, activity book and autographs!

Nearly 100 people attended the Free Skate for GCDC’s preschool and Bullock children at Skater’s Choice in Sewell on April 23. Nearly 90 people saw a Philadelphia Phillies baseball game April 24 at Citizen’s Bank Park in Philadelphia. GCDC families, staff and friends were invited. At the Preschool, Preschool Director Ms. Doreen Shepherd, Executive Director Joan Dillon, GCDC Board Chairperson Danielle Y. Scott and Mr. Malcolm were guest readers April 23, 25 and 27. School Age program activities included parachute play April 24 with EIRC’s Dennis Groomes, scavenger hunts, outdoor play and a dance party with water ice and soft pretzels on April 27.

We would like to welcome new Board Solicitor Demetrica Todd-Hunter to our GCDC family. Todd-Hunter will oversee legal matters involving our non-profit agency. She attended the April 30 meeting of the GCDC Board of Directors.

Approximately 56 children and their families from the South Jersey area were treated to a free lunch, including ice cream, and a wagon full of toys, provided during a community service project by the Blank Rome attorney organization on April 14 at the Sea View Marriott in Absecon. Three GCDC families participated.

Rainy weather did not dampen the spirits of participants in GCDC’s S.M.A.S.H. (Start Moving And Stay Healthy) program at Robert Renlund Memorial Park in April. Approximately 15 to 20 people have attended each session. Now that spring has arrived, join us. GCDC families and the Glassboro community can walk Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Rest rooms and light refreshments are available. S.M.A.S.H. is made possible by General Mills Community Grants.

Many people visited GCDC’s information table at the Deptford Mall on April 14 during the EIRC Child Care Fair and at the Second Annual Chili Cook off on April 21. GCDC distributed agency materials and children made crafts. Many thanks to Dena McCracken, Doreen Shepherd, Sara Zolnier, Laurie Hain, Felicia, Chris and Violet Poff, Bertha Pierce, Gina Panetta, and Helen Mount for helping out.

GCDC staff collected nearly $300 on April 7 during our very first Sam’s Coin Drop Fundraiser at the Deptford Sam’s Club, 1500 Almonesson Road. Many thanks to GCDC staffers Doris Ducat, Dawn Kessler, Dena McCracken, Jaclynne Oldt, Linda Cosenza, Jennifer Pyle, Lynn Shute, Joan Williams, Niki Williams, Denise Bono, Gina Panetta and Joan Dillon for helping out.

Our next collection dates are Saturdays, June 2, October 13 and December 8. Collection hours are 10am-5pm.

Thanks to everyone who participated in our Uncle Jerry’s T-shirt and Novelty Items sale. The families of Juan Gomez, Joey Naples, Danasia Holbrook, and the Gable Family topped our fundraising efforts and sold over $1100 in orders just among the four families! The Clesi, Jackson and Usta families each sold $136!!!

Mother’s Day gift baskets including our 23-Ounce Candles are now on sale at the GCDC office. The candles come in shades and scents of spring. Prices range from $8 to $20 per basket. Don’t wait until the last minute!

Don’t forget our Pizza Hut Value Cards, good for a $75 savings. Cards are $8 and may be purchased at the GCDC office.

Stop by the Gloucester County Institute of Technology on Tanyard Road Saturday, June 2, between noon and 3:00 p.m. for a free “Families On the Move Fun Fest.” Families will learn new games and activities, try healthy food choices and learn about portion sizes, use video games to get into shape, and have fun with the Philadelphia Phantoms. This event is presented by the Gloucester County Department of Health and Senior Services in partnership with the Gloucester County Cancer Coalition. Call (856)-262-4101 for information.

Registration forms are available at the GCDC office for Camp Horizon 2007, GCDC’s summer program for children in kindergarten through grade six at the Dorothy L. Bullock School, 370 East New Street, Glassboro. Hours are 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! Enrollment will be capped this year so sign up soon!

Parents of children participating in Pre-K graduation on Friday, June 1, at the Dorothy L. Bullock School should check their children’s blue mail folders for initial graduation information. A fee of $15 per graduating child is required to cover costs associated with the graduation. This fee is due by Wednesday, May 16, 2007.

Ann Downham (GAPA3) – One Year
Phenice Chapman (Teen Academy)-Five Years
Dawn Kessler (Pre-K Room) – One Year
Danielle Ward (Pre-K Room) – One Year

Itea Bell (GAPA3 Program) – For the period of January, February and March 2007.