The March 2026 edition of the VPL Gazette is now available!
Take a few moments to explore all that’s happening at the Vineland Public Library this month. There’s something for everyone.
Share the Gazette with family and friends and encourage them to check it out. For questions, comments, or suggestions, email vplgazette@vinelandpubliclibrary.org.
The Vineland Public Library always appreciates the opportunity to connect through the newspaper and looks forward to your next visit.
Read the VPL Gazette here:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAHCib5g9x4/S6V5cxO75BMia6n-fJrFFg/view?utm_content=DAHCib5g9x4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hfc5151dbc1#1

This extraordinary film tells the story of Seabrook Farms, the largest industrial vegetable producer in the United States during the 1950s. The documentary explores the unique and complex community that formed there, where post–World War II refugees, interned Japanese Americans, and African American workers lived and worked together. Through powerful storytelling, the film highlights both the vibrant multicultural community that developed and the challenges faced by the laborers whose work sustained the operation.
Following the screening, a panel discussion will take place featuring Dutch Estonian filmmaker Helga Merits along with Ivin Seabrook, Masura Nakawatase, Gloria Kates, and Helle Gawrylewski. Ivin Seabrook, the great-grandson of Seabrook Farms patriarch C.F. Seabrook, will attend the event and participate in the conversation.
The event will be held on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at the Landis Theater, 830 East Landis Avenue in Vineland. Doors open at 12:00 PM and the movie screening begins at 2:00 PM.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-paradox-of-seabrook-farms-movie-event
You can also view the film trailer here: https://share.google/images/AZ8kEyXX2Z1fseU3x

The event will feature a car wash, craft show, antique show, and yard sale, offering a fun day for the community while helping raise funds for the marching band. Families and community members are invited to come out, enjoy the activities, discover great finds, and support our student musicians.
More details will be shared soon. Join us for a day of family fun, community spirit, and great finds while supporting the Vineland High School Marching Band!

During the presentation, families will learn what AP courses are and how they work, the role of the College Board, how AP exams are scored, and how AP classes help students prepare for college and competitive admissions. The session will also cover Vineland High School’s 30+ AP course offerings, the similarities and differences between AP and Dual Credit, how VHS compares to other schools in the area, and will include an open Q&A session.
Free pizza and refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP online to register and save your seat. For more information about the AP program, visit the AP website: https://sites.google.com/vineland.org/vinelands-ap-program/home

"Counted Out" is a powerful, family-friendly documentary that explores how math shapes everyday life, opportunity, and our future. Through real stories, the film highlights why math confidence matters for students, families, and communities, and why everyone deserves access to strong math learning.
Join us for this meaningful community event and conversation about the role of math in education and daily life. Registration is required. Please use the registration link or scan the QR code on the flyer to register.
The New Jersey Family Engagement Hub is a project of SPAN Parent Advocacy Network funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Performances will take place at Veterans Memorial School, 424 S. Main Road in Vineland. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased from any cast member or at the door.
Friday, March 20 – 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 21 – 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Friday, March 27 – 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 28 – 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Come out and support our talented middle school performers and enjoy a fun evening of live theater!

Students and their families kicked off the evening in the cafeteria with pizza and great conversation before receiving their VIP Backstage Passes for the night. From there, they traveled to five exciting stations where music and reading came together in creative ways:
🥁 Pool Noodle Drumming – Students used pool noodles to drum along with rhythms while practicing listening and following patterns, connecting beat and rhythm to language skills.
🎤 Karaoke Sing-Along – Families sang along to favorite songs while reading the lyrics on the screen, reinforcing fluency and the fun of reading words through music.
🎨 Rock & Roll Art – Students created their own microphones to take home, channeling their inner rock star while celebrating the night’s music theme.
📖 Backstage Read Aloud – Guests stepped “backstage” for engaging read-alouds that highlighted the joy of storytelling and shared reading.
🧩 Rock Star Music Puzzles – Students solved music-themed puzzles and activities that challenged them to think, read, and problem-solve together.
It was wonderful to see our school community learning, laughing, and celebrating the powerful connection between music and literacy. A special thank you goes out to the many staff members who volunteered their time and to those who donated supplies to make the evening possible. Your generosity and dedication helped create a memorable night for our students and families!










The evening began with families enjoying a pizza dinner together, followed by cookies for dessert. The highlight of the night was an interactive patriotic laser light show, where students and parents sang along to familiar songs. Children could be seen dancing in the aisles while families clapped and joined in the fun, creating an energetic and joyful atmosphere.
A central focus of the event was promoting literacy. Students and their families left the event carrying arms full of free books to help build their home libraries and encourage a love of reading.
Representatives from the Vineland Public Library were also present, sharing free bookmarks with attendees and providing information about upcoming programs and events available to the community.
Family Literacy Night was made possible through the generous support of grant programs from the Vineland Education Association and the New Jersey Education Association. Their support helped ensure that families could enjoy a free evening centered around literacy, learning, and community connection.
School organizers expressed their gratitude for the partnership and the strong turnout from families. “Seeing students excited about books and sharing that excitement with their families is exactly what this event is all about,” organizers said.
Family Literacy Night continues to be an important opportunity to bring the school community together while inspiring a lifelong love of reading.










The Vineland High School Cap 'n Dagger Club invites you to join us for Disney's The Little Mermaid!
Show times are March 12-14 at 7 pm, with an additional matinee on March 14 at 2 pm.
Tickets are on sale now! Purchase at https://vhs.booktix.com/

Vlada began her career as a professor of English at Kherson State University in Ukraine. In 1999, she and her young daughter arrived in the United States, where Vlada quickly set about earning her teaching certificate. She began teaching Russian and English at New Jersey's Vineland High School in 2001, where for the past twenty-five years she has built a reputation among students and colleagues as a devoted and tireless educator. At Vineland, Vlada has spearheaded the development of a robust Russian program. Vlada started Vineland's Russian Club, established and advised the school's chapter of SLAVA, the National School Slavic Honor Society, and she has prepared numerous students for the ACTR National Russian Essay Contest and the Olympiada of Spoken Russian. Under her guidance, students at Vineland have taken the prototype AP Russian exam (NEWL) and Seal of Biliteracy tests. Vlada has encouraged her students to take their Russian skills to the next level, participating in study abroad programs facilitated by the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y).
In addition to her exceptional work in the classroom, Vlada has also been very active in the wider professional community. Beginning in 2012, she participated in a STARTALK program for Russian and Chinese teachers facilitated by the University of Iowa, first as a participant and then as a program instructor. She and her colleagues helped develop the first digital library of learning objects for the study of Russian, featuring resources for teaching reading, writing, speaking, listening, and culture to both second-language learners and heritage learners. In 2020, Vlada was chosen to serve on the ETS Praxis Russian Development Advisory Committee (DAC) and the National Advisory Committee (NAC), helping to develop the Praxis certification exam for K–12 Russian teachers.
Outside of school, Vlada has been a resource for many Ukrainian and Russian students and their families. She has provided essential translation services and has been instrumental in assisting dozens of refugees who have sought asylum in Cumberland County during the Russia-Ukraine war. Vlada's record of exceptional teaching and service led to her being selected as the Vineland High School Teacher of the Year for the 2025 school year. Moreover, she has been nominated by her students for the National Society of High School Scholars as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction for the last two years in a row. Her reputation among students, families, and colleagues is that of an organized, dedicated, and compassionate educator.
The Vineland Public School District is honored to have Vlada Jackson as a valued member of our community. Her dedication, expertise, and passion for education have left a lasting impact, inspiring students, supporting families, and strengthening the district as a whole.

A variety of guest readers participated in the event, sharing stories with students and helping bring the joy of reading to life. Among them was former Vineland Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Mary Gruccio, who connected with students through her reading. The evening was a lively celebration that brought students, families, and local community members together for excitement, stories, and the joy of reading.










During their time in classrooms, the older students not only read with the younger students but also discussed and analyzed the books together, encouraging critical thinking and conversation. They shared insights about school life and offered tips for succeeding in middle and high school, as well as highlighted the variety of clubs, sports, and academic opportunities available in the years ahead.
The event was both fun and educational, providing a memorable way for younger students to connect with older peers and celebrate the joy of reading.








Guests included representatives from the Vineland Police Department, EMS, the Fire Department, and other local partners, who spent time in classrooms sharing stories with students. The combination of creative hairstyles and special guest readers created a lively and engaging atmosphere throughout the school.
The event provided a special opportunity for students to enjoy stories with visiting guests while taking part in a schoolwide celebration of reading. It was a fun and meaningful experience that helped bring together the school and the greater Vineland community.








In addition to reading with classes, the high school students answered questions and shared advice about what elementary students can expect as they move on to middle school and eventually high school. They also talked about the many opportunities available in the years ahead, including clubs, activities, athletics and academic programs.
It was a great and educational experience for everyone involved, and a wonderful opportunity for younger students to connect with older peers while celebrating the joy of reading.










This event will showcase resources available for children from birth through age 21+ who have emotional or behavioral needs, intellectual or developmental disabilities, and/or substance use issues in Cumberland County.
Families, school personnel, DCP&P staff, and social workers are encouraged to attend and learn more about the services and support available in the community.
For more information, contact Beth Thomas at (856) 327-7602 ext. 7133.

A highlight of the evening was a performance by members of the Memorial School Band, who entertained the audience with live music from Trinidad and Tobago. Their energy and talent brought the spirit of the celebration to life.
This event was made possible through the collaboration and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students. We are also grateful for the support through a Vineland Education Association grant, which helped make this celebration of diversity a huge success.










We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Rossi Owls and Barse Bears for welcoming us so warmly. It was an absolute joy to read and connect with your students. We look forward to visiting again soon!









Their unwavering dedication to the district, thoughtful perspectives, and honest feedback have helped ensure that this process reflects the voices of the people who know and care about our schools the most.
At the board meeting, members of those groups presented to the board, the Leadership Profile and Desired Characteristics that will guide every interview that the board conducts. Check out the website under the “Superintendent Search” tab for more updates and information!






Thank you to the Vineland Historical and Antiquarian Society for welcoming our students and giving them the opportunity to learn more about the history, heritage, and traditions of our community, and for helping to continue the education and appreciation of our shared local culture.







The Festival features many innovative components, all designed to enhance student growth and highlight the importance of arts education in our Cumberland and Cape May County schools.
Students and arts teachers participating in the Festival will be offered:
• Student Exhibits & Performances
• Student Critiques
• Student Workshops
New this year: A “District Pride Swag Bag” will be awarded to a student from your district who attends three or more different workshops offered during the festival.
This exciting event celebrates the creativity and talent of teens across Cumberland and Cape May Counties, featuring visual art, music, theater, and more.
Learn more and get ready to register at www.cumberlandcountyteenarts.com
Hosted by The Levoy Theatre
www.levoy.net | 856-327-6400
Sponsored in part by the Cumberland County Cultural & Heritage Commission and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

