Residents should be advised to watch their heads, since tennis balls, soccer balls, baseballs, or softballs could be headed in their direction. Close to 1,000 kids are participating in this year’s Union City Recreation Summer Program, sponsored by the Board of Education. The program began on June 26 and will run through August 11. There are six school sites for the program: Hudson, Gilmore, Robert Waters, Washington, Roosevelt, and Edison. Students from age eight to 14 are involved in the program’s different activities, including arts and crafts, baseball, softball, bowling, swimming, soccer, gymnastics, track and field, bowling, and for those who aren’t too interested in sports, computer instruction. Each of these activities takes place from approximately 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition, each site takes one trip during the program to Sandy Hook, N.J. for a “fun in the sun” experience. Richard Potente, head teacher of the tennis program, said that at their site they are learning the basics to tennis, such as positions for hitting the ball. He said each teacher, along with Robert Walleck, the head coach of the tennis teams at Union Hill High School, contributes. “We try to use everybody’s expertise,” said Potente, adding that the program was like a “dream come true.” “[Former Union City coach] Pep Novotny was my mentor for 27 years,” Potente said. “Just to take the position he had, I’m honored.” Novotny passed away Oct. 17. Bob Walleck, the tennis coach at Union Hill High School, also commented about the program. “I want to give them an opportunity to see a great sport,” he said. “It’s a lifetime sport.” This week, Walleck was able to get a pro tennis teacher Jamie Moore to come visit the tennis program. “I met Jamie at the Oritani Club,” Walleck said. “He is great with the kids, and if he can just get a couple to keep playing, it would be an accomplishment. I think that the more that kids are exposed to, the more well-rounded they are.” Jamie Moore, Professional Tennis Player and North Bergen resident, played in both Europe and the United States. He has been a teaching pro for about seven years, currently at the Binghampton Raquet Club in Edgewater and at the Oritani Field Club in Hackensack. On July 24, Moore came to Union City’s Washington Park on Second Street and had a small teaching session with the kids in the program. “Mr. Walleck asked me to come, and of course I did,” Moore said Monday. “Anything to do with the kids is always fun. We worked with eye-hand coordination, moving, and racquet skills. They did pretty well.” Also present at the pro session was Leonard Calvo, vice president of the Union City Board of Education. “The Board of Education welcomes any pro player to come and show their talent to the kids,” Calvo said. “Even more importantly, to talk about life and how much hard work it took them to get to the places they are now.” The last week of the program will be filled with commencement ceremonies and tournaments.