Bonnie Scharf

Program Coordinator

908-722-0233 X-112

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Peter Diana

School Age Coordinator  

908-722-0233 X-101

 

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Erica Cruz

Executive Director 

908-722-0233 X-118

 

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Lisa Giranda 

Assistant Executive Director 

908-722-0233 X-114

 

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Darnell Scott

Director of Children's Program 

908-722-0233 X-110

 

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Lauren De Cuollo

Public Relations Coordinator 

908-722-0233 X-115

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Phyllis Schnell

Administrative Assistant 

908-722-1563

 

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Maria Vernaci

Administrative Assistant 

908-722-0233 X-117

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ABOUT US

The Jointure has been providing community education for over 100 years. It began in 1914 as a small community initiative in Bound Brook through the Board of Education. Over the years, The Jointure expanded and partnered with other local school districts in Somerset County. Today, the Jointure represents a true "joint venture" in learning. In addition, the Jointure has partnered with local schools providing Preschool Wrap Around, Kindergarten and Before & After School Programs. Preschool and Community Education classes are also offered at our Creative Campus, formally the Old York School. We look forward to continuing to bring quality educational experiences to the communities of Somerset County.

 

Mission Statement:

To provide educational and cultural programs to empower children and adults in our communities to become independent, lifelong learners and to prepare for changing conditions in our society.

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Eligibility:

Everyone is welcome. There is no residency requirement. Classes are open to anyone 18 years and older, unless an age range is specified. Minors must be registered by a parent or legal guardian and meet the age requirements for a class. To enroll a minor in an adult class or a class where they do not fit the age requirement, permission must be obtained from the Jointure before registering.

 

Nondiscrimination:

The Jointure does not discriminate against any participant, employee, staff member or instructor on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, nationality, gender, religion, sexual orientation, marital or domestic partnership status, disability, or any other protected category under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. The Jointure is non-sectarian with no religious points of view, and welcomes people of all religions and with no religion. We will make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, within the limitations of our facilities and resources, with sufficient advanced notice of need in writing. Service animals are always welcome.

 

Privacy Policy:

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Facilities Use:

Board of Trustees

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Dr. Rosina Dixon- President

Dr. Dixon has over 30 years of experience on the boards of Church & Dwight Co., Inc. and Cambrex Corp. She currently serves as chairman of the Governance Committee of Church & Dwight and Compensation Committee of Cambrex. She served on the board of NACD from 1994 to 2003. She is a Trustee of Daytop NJ, a residential treatment facility for adolescents, the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, The Jointure and a member of the Advisory Board for Silberman College of Business at Fairleigh Dickenson University. She holds a BA from Harvard/Radcliffe College and an MD from Columbia P&S. She completed a residency in internal medicine at Roosevelt Hospital in New York and worked in new drug development at CIBA-Geigy and Schering Plough. From 1986 to 2006 and from 2012 to present she was a consultant in pharmaceutical development. She is retired from Sanofi where she was Senior Director in Global Pharmacovigilance and Epidemiology from 2006 to 2012.

 

Mr. Gerald Smit, Esq., P.E., IEEE- Vice President

Mr. Smit currently works as the Assistant Vice President at Aon Hewitt.

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Dr. Randy Webb- Treasurer

Dr. Webb has over 30 years of experience in drug discovery and development at Ciba-Geigy and Novartis and retired in 2018.  Dr. Webb holds a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa and completed post-doctoral training at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He is an adjunct professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University, College of Pharmacy. Dr. Webb currently resides in Hunterdon County.

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Mrs. Barbara Kane- Secretary

Mrs. Kane comes to The Jointure with experience in K-College Education in the areas of math, science,gifted, professional development, teacher,  assistant principal, and supervisor. She has also consulted in the areas of math and professional development. Her Community Volunteerism includes youth sports,township planning board, and Townhouse Community Board of Directors.

 

Mr. Ernest Shuba

Mr. Shuba was an elementary educator in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District for 42 years and a principal for 36 of those years at several district schools. He served as the principal of Van Holten School for 31 years retiring in September of 2006. Mr. Shuba held a number of leadership positions while in B-R including President of the B-R Principals’ Association and President of the Somerset County Elementary & Middle School Principals’ Association. He became a member of the Jointure Board of Trustees in the fall of 2007 and has served as the treasurer as well as the Board President. Mr. Shuba resides in Hunterdon County, is married and the father of two children and six grandchildren. He is a graduate of Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania and Seton Hall University in New Jersey where he earned his M. A. Degree in the Administration and Supervision of Elementary Education.

 

Mr. George Mullen, Esq.

Mr. Mullen is a practicing attorney in the Immigration and Naturalization Law Business and Industry for 30 years, practicing in Somerville, New Jersey. Mr. Mullen’s work includes DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and has appeared in a recent CNN report on DACA. He has also served in the Somerset County Food Pantry and is a resident of Bridgewater.

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Dr. Joseph McGarry

Dr. McGarry is the former Superintendent of Schools, Bridgewater-Raritan School District (Ret.). He has served as the Co-Chairman of the Somerset County Business and Educational Partnership, Member of the Bridgewater Twp. Environmental Commission and founding member of the Shade Tree Board.  He also served as the President of the Somerset County Federal Teachers Union, worked as a microbiologist in antibiotic research, and was awarded numerous grants by the National Science Foundation. Dr. McGarry is a thirty year resident of Martinsville and the father of four daughters.

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Mr. Arthur Akins

Mr. Akins is a lifelong resident of Somerville where he still resides with his wife and three sons. He is a United State Marine Corps Veteran where he proudly served our country for 6 years. He recently retired from the Bridgewater Township Police Department with 25 years of dedicated service. During his career, one of his main goals was to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community, especially our youth. As a School Resource Officer for the Bridgewater-Raritan High School, he was awarded the 2010 Dwayne Reeves School Resource Office of the year. He also co-founded the Somerset County Police Academy Police Youth Week where he served as Senior Drill Instructor for 18 years. In his retirement, he has started a small business, continues to mentor the youth especially those who are interested in law enforcement, and spends valuable time with his family.

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Mr. Scott Hobbs

Mr. Hobbs is a lifelong resident of Bridgewater. He recently retired from the Bridgewater Township Police Dept. where he served for 25 years. During his time at Bridgewater, he was a School Resource Officer for 10 years, working in all of the district's schools, conducting programs for the students, staff and parents.  In his “retirement”, he is currently a Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Residential Brokerage in Bedminster.

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