Exciting times in the AFJROTC program at VHS!
This year we are having an inspection from the Airforce JROTC Director, and cadets have been busy completing inventory and issuing uniforms to all cadets in the program. The first uniform inspection took place with cadets falling into formation to report to their Flight Commander and Flight Sergeant to be inspected for their first uniform grade under the guidance of the course instructors. The cadet-run program is preparing for the inspection while learning how to count items in logistics, inventory equipment, and performing assigned duties for each Flight.
Two new LDR (afterschool) programs for cadets have been created this year within Airforce guidelines. The first is the Saber Team, which will be used in parades, the Military Ball, and other ceremonial events. The second is the Kitty Hawk Society. Cadets are selected into Kitty Hawk based on academics and other selected criteria as an Honor Society for AFJROTC.
Cadets participated in the Homecoming Parade on October 14 of this year. Cadets were proud to march in their uniforms to represent VHS AFJROTC even in slightly rainy weather. We were happy that the rain held off for the Color Guard to present on the football field at Gittone Stadium.
Congratulations to the VHS Marching Clan for winning first place in Percussion and second place overall in the Liberty A Class at the Cavalcade of Bands NJ Championship! Further proof that our band is among the best - great job by all!
Petway Elementary School Instructional Coach, Angeline Tedesco, hosted her first ever Donut and a Discussion. Donut and a Discussion invites staff members to engage in educational discussion related to various selected podcasts such as, Sold a Story. The goal of sessions is to create awareness of best instructional practices in the area of Reading and Literacy. Staff loved the morning session and are excited for their next meeting.
Veterans Memorial Middle School transformed its school into a true fiesta on Wednesday as part of its Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.
Before even entering the room, the smell of freshly-made Spanish food and the rhythmic sounds of drums drifted out of the cafeteria doors. Vibrant decorations welcomed students and families into the eating space, which featured floor-to-ceiling decor and student artwork. On the far side of the room, a live band led by Manny “Papo Conga” Resto entertained the crowd and provided a lively atmosphere. Families were also treated to performances by the VMS choir and band. After eating, families were able to rotate to several different stations featuring crafts, a photobooth, bingo, and dominos.
The event was also held in honor of Manny “Papo Conga Jr” Resto III, former VMS student and child music prodigy who passed away at the age of 30 in 2018. Families were able to donate to a scholarship fund in his name.
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
A video highlighting the event can be found on our YouTube channel here: https://shorturl.at/vMPT9
Sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students in Sonia Rivera's SEL classes at Johnstone School helped build an interactive bulletin board called “Take What You Need.”
The students wrote messages on strips of paper to uplift someone needing kindness, love, self-control, and more. Students and staff can pass by and take a strip based on what they need that day. They can put it back after they have read it, keep it, or pass it on.
"Today, I needed a little patience," said Rivera. "I pulled a strip, and it helped me remember to take a deep breath and that it was a bad moment, not a bad life. Powerful words from one of our students."
We'll be streaming the Vineland-Pennsauken football game live from Pennsauken High School at 6pm! Tune in for the last regular season game for the Fighting Clan. Watch on our YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/live/wX6C2XzhVag?feature=share
Go Fighting Clan! 🐔
The Vineland High School Marching Clan will be competing in the New Jersey Championship Cavalcade of Bands this Saturday at Washington Twp. High School! VHS will perform their routine at 8:15pm. Best of luck this weekend! 🐔
On Wednesday, October 18, the Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee had its first meeting of the school year in the Sabater Cafetorium. Over 200 parents, students, volunteers, and staff attended the event. Representatives from Complete Care spoke to parents about a partnership with the school district, and stayed to answer questions and help families sign up for their services. Dr. Negrin gave a presentation on the state and federal rights of Multilingual Learners and their families. Finally, Jessica Mercado Santana, BPAC Coordinator and first grade teacher at Sabater, explained the importance of having an account on the VPS Parent Portal and showed them how to navigate within the Portal. Secretaries Wanda Santiago-Jimenez, Jackie Salazar, and Jonathan Gonzalez were on hand to assist parents in setting up accounts.
Do you have dress clothing you no longer need cluttering up your closets? It could help a Vineland student! Please consider donating new or gently worn dress clothing to our Vineland Public Schools Dress to Impress Closet.
You can drop off your donations M-F from 8AM-4PM at the Landis Administrative Offices, 61 West Landis Avenue, Vineland
Questions or concerns: Call 856.794.6700 x2006 or email midaz@vineland.org
William Amadei, a 6th grader at Veterans Memorial School, completed his meticulously crafted "Fiery Dragon" model under the guidance of Mrs. Goode in her 3D printing class. The intricate details brought the dragon to life, and the young student beamed with pride, showcasing his masterpiece to his classmates and teacher. This project was not just about creating a 3D print; it was about nurturing creativity, honing technical skills, and fostering a passion for learning that would last a lifetime.
Vineland High School and the city’s agricultural community came together today to celebrate a significant milestone in the school's history: the reintroduction of the Future Farmers of America (FFA). This memorable event marked the second official establishment of the FFA chapter at Vineland High School, which previously held a chapter from 1932 until approximately 1963.
The ceremony began with an introduction from the New Jersey State FFA Officers, Chase Sherburne (president), Maisie Shimko (vice president), Julia Moreno (secretary), and Jonathan Finney (treasurer), and their advisor, Erin Noble. After a welcome from VHS FFA advisor Annaliese Castellini, the VHS Select Choir led the crowd in the singing of the national anthem.
As the highlight of the event, the official charter was presented to the VHS FFA chapter. This charter symbolizes the chapter's formal recognition by the National FFA Organization, allowing its members to access resources, participate in competitions, and enjoy the full benefits of FFA membership. Members of the VHS FFA also presented a brief history of the FFA in Vineland history. Following the ceremony, attendees were escorted to the VHS greenhouse where the official ribbon-cutting ceremony was held. Guests were then able to tour the greenhouse and the agriculture program classroom while enjoying refreshments.
The sun wasn't the only thing shining when students in Mrs. Carson's and Mr. Martine's classes scavenged the great outdoors of Rossi Elementary School for signs of Autumn. Bright smiles abounded as students searched for colorful and crackly leaves, rough acorns, and round mushrooms.
Students in Mr. Martine's class are studying that adjectives are words used to describe nouns. In small groups after the scavenger hunt, students classified their Autumn treasures by color, size, and texture and came up with a list of adjectives to describe what they found.
Mrs. Carson's class was busy channeling their inner Robert Frost and were developing their very own Fall poems. Students described their Fall bounty using descriptive words and adjectives.
Mrs. Carson's and Mr. Martine's classes work together in conjunction with a schoolwide initiative at Rossi called Rossi Roomies. An upper grade (Gr. 3-5) pairs with a lower grade (K-2) to collaborate and model positive peer interactions, good study habits, and of course healthy friendships. A fun time was had by all students and an important lesson was learned: When two paths diverge in the yellow wood at Rossi, we take the road with the prettiest leaves.
In celebration of the new school year and Week of Respect, the Vineland Education Association at Dallago Early Childhood Center invited preschool students and their families, as well as current kindergarten students from Sabater Elementary School and their families, to build positive relationships between students, families, staff and community at the 3rd Annual Positively Preschool Family Night. There were 173 families in attendance, as well as Vineland Education Association members and Vineland High School student volunteers.
Working together we built positive relationships between students, families, staff and community. Association members and volunteers modeled positive interactions, encouraged social-emotional skill development, and engaged in building social relationships with preschoolers and their families to promote home-and-school partnerships. A variety of positive social and emotional activities were provided, including a music and movement character education concert, various social & emotional and developmentally-appropriate activity and craft stations, and story times with librarians from the Vineland Public Library. We also partnered with local farms, Bifulco Farms, and Ploch Farms, to provide fresh, local produce for our families.. Additionally, Families received a learn-at-home backpack filled with hands-on activities.
The Vineland Education Association provided a book for each Dallago student, as well as books for children in attendance that promote learning in the home and support positive social and emotional interactions. Promotional items of pencils, color changing cups, and tote bags were also distributed to attendees, as were a variety of snacks compliments of the Vineland Education Association.
Reminder that Friday, October 20, is a legal attendance day (half day) for all schools due to PM staff workshops. School hours can be found on our website here: https://bit.ly/3lwrm1c
Save the date: the VHS Parent University Resource Fair is one month from today!
Sabater School celebrated Pink Day in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month last week!
The "Racing Awareness for Dwarfism" event held at Sgt. Dominick Pilla Middle School on October 14th was a great success!
Despite the weather, the event featured various activities, including community vendors, food trucks, fire truck and ambulance displays, bouncy houses, a 50/50 raffle, basket auctions, a car show, and an exhaust competition.
Thanks to the generosity of the community and those in attendance, the event was able to raise funds and donations, which will go to the Pilla Activity Fund and DuPont's Skeletal Dysplasia Department.
Kudos to Mrs. Detteta for making it all possible with the help of her family, friends, her Pilla Peeps, and the community.
We are so #PillaProud💙💛
Photographer: Ms. Veronica Cruz 📸
Please join us for Fall Paint Night at VHS on Wednesday, October 25 at 6pm. Tickets are $20 and include step-by-step painting on a 16x20 canvas (several fall-themed options to choose from) and 2 slices of pizza. To purchase tickets, use the link below:
https://bit.ly/46Pe6dw
Tickets may also be purchased with cash or Venmo by contacting Anita Parent at acparent@vineland.org
Nurses in the News!
Nurse Karen Gallo from Mennies Elementary School and her son volunteered for a week this summer to assist individuals with Muscular Dystrophy at Happiness is Camping in June. This camping experience would not be possible without the dedication of these volunteers.
To start the new school year, Nurse Denise Ferarri at Winslow Elementary School greets each student at the door to welcome them. Returning students get to be acquainted with the assurance that Nurse Denise will be taking care of them if sick or injured. New students also get a chance to see the nurse outside of the Health Office.
Our ESY summer school nurse and district substitute Nurse Deanna Elliott participated in the Locks of Love program and donated over 6 inches of hair for children with childhood cancers undergoing chemotherapy.
Thanks for your commitment to children on and off campus!
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the VHS Dennis Tanner Library hosted several events for students to celebrate throughout the month-long event. Students created luminaries, made "Day of the Dead" magnets with our glowforge machine, decorated wooden spoons with flowers and skulls to represent "Day of the Dead," took pictures in front of our Hispanic Heritage Month backdrop, made dominoes out of resin and played dominoes while listening to Spanish music.
