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Equal Opportunity/Non-Discrimination
The Vineland School District has adopted policies which guarantee that all students shall have equal educational opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, disability, national origin, social/economic status or sexual orientation and that all students are entitled to learn in an environment free from discrimination and harassment. Any student who alleges that there has been an incident of discrimination/harassment should report the allegation in writing to the Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX Coordinator: Dr. Keith C. Figgs, Assistant Superintendent, 625 Plum Street, Vineland, NJ 08360. The district policies are available online or at each school
Vineland’s Early Childhood Program provides all three and four year
old children in the city of Vineland with high quality full-day preschool.
The Early Childhood Program fosters the social-emotional, physical and
academic development of each child. In addition, children are encouraged
to explore, interact and develop reasoning skills through hands-on learning
experiences. There is a strong focus on language development throughout
the preschool day. Vineland’s Preschool Program consists of three district
preschools partnering with eleven private providers. We presently have
about 1,200 preschool children in our program. Each of our 80 classrooms
has one preschool certified teacher as well as an assistant. We do have
inclusion classrooms which offer our special needs students the opportunity
to participate in the regular preschool program with their peers as well
as receive their required services. A full-time family worker or social
worker is employed in each center to help meet the needs of the families
as well as provide parent education. A preschool Child Study Team is
available for all of the preschools to assist in meeting the different
needs of our students. Vineland uses the High Scope approach to learning which is research-based
and aligns to the Preschool Teaching and Learning Expectations: Standards
of Quality for Early Childhood. There are 58 preschool skills called
Key Experiences that children are exposed to through their daily interactions
and activities throughout the day. The Child Observation Record (COR)
Assessment, Program Quality Assessment (PQA) as well as comprehensive
portfolio with a variety of work samples in the areas of literacy and
math are kept for each child. It is our goal that all children leave preschool with a love of learning
and an exciting attitude about their future educational experiences.
Preschool sets the foundation to build the bridge to higher learning.
Beginning at the primary level, a strong core of academics forms the
foundation of a student's education in Vineland. This includes state-of-the-art
programs in reading/language arts; mathematics; science; and social studies. In addition, to help students develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes
needed for productive citizenship, students receive instruction in computer
technology, physical education/health/safety, art, music, library, science,
World Languages and Skills for Growing. A more challenging gifted program,
LEAP (Learners with Exceptional Abilities Program) is available for those
students who meet district criteria. Innovative programs exist to assist
students who require extra assistance in the basic skills during the
early years, and bilingual and special education programs are available
to meet student needs.
At
the intermediate level, grades 6-8, students encounter an increasingly
more challenging curriculum. The emphasis on academics continues
with the core of reading/language arts, mathematics, science and
social studies,
physical education/health/safety, art; music, World Languages, Family
and Consumer Science (including career education and study skills),
Skills for Adolescence, and applied technology.
A variety of grouping practices are designed to help meet student
needs.
Students in the LEAP (Learners with Exceptional Abilities Program)
continue to have opportunities to meet their needs in advanced classes.
The
curriculum at Vineland High School is one of the most comprehensive
programs available to students anywhere. Courses required of all students
for graduation include: 4 years of communication; 3 years of mathematics;
2 years of United States history; 1 year of world history/geography;
3 years of science; 2 years of fine, practical and/or performing arts;
2 years of a World Language;4 years of physical education/health; and
1/2 year of career exploration or development. All students must pass
the State High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) as a condition for
graduation. Advanced placement programs are available in English; mathematics;
science and social studies areas, and the elective program offers a rich
variety of courses to meet virtually every conceivable career or life
goal of students. Vineland
High School has made a major commitment to educational technology.
Thus numerous computer laboratories and media centers with state of
the
art equipment allow students to use the latest technology to help them
learn.
Small
Learning Communities:
The
district continues to work toward the implementation of Small Learning
Communities for September 2008.
Curriculum Process:
The curriculum
of the Vineland Public Schools is reviewed and revised on a regular
basis within a 5-year Quality Assurance Cycle. During this
cycle, committees made up of teachers, administrators, parents and
community representatives study each curriculum area, review the
research and most
successful programs nationwide, and recommend changes to assure that
the curriculum meets the needs of students and society. The cycle
includes five stages: review, development, pilot, implementation,
evaluation. Links to other
documents:
Alternative School:
This innovative program, designed to meet the needs of disaffected
students, is now located in its own facility, off the high school campus.
The program accommodates approximately 100 students.
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