Vineland Public Schools -

Vineland High School Football is recruiting future members of the Fighting Clan!

Any 8th graders interested in playing football at Vineland High School this upcoming season are invited to attend an open house on Thursday, March 26th at 6:00 PM in the Vineland High School Asselta (South) Gym.

All incoming 8th graders are welcome, and parents and guardians are encouraged to attend. This is an opportunity to learn more about the program and what to expect for the upcoming season.

Last week, Petway Elementary School hosted its Annual Family Bingo Night as part of the school’s Read Across America celebration.

Families gathered for an evening filled with fun, food, and friendly competition. Participants enjoyed several rounds of bingo, and winners had the opportunity to choose from a large variety of prizes.

It was wonderful to see so many families come together to celebrate reading and strengthen our school community. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the night such a memorable and successful event. We look forward to many more opportunities to celebrate together!

The Vineland Education Association celebrated its Annual Role Model Breakfast on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Petway School. Since 2007, Petway's fifth grade students have been inviting their adult role models to this special event, which integrates many areas of the curriculum, such as reading, writing, and technology. It also incorporates many aspects of the school’s character education program known as, “The Pathway to Patriot Pride.”

This year, as in the past, students wrote essays thanking their role models for the positive influence they had on each students’ life. Students wrote about role models who helped them through difficult times, encouraging them to always try their best, and about role models who lived their lives in a manner students wanted to emulate. Students also presented their role models with a certificate jacket, inside which held a Certificate of Appreciation, the essay written about them, and a pin stating, "You're an Inspiration."

5th Grade Teacher, Ms. Patricia Ocasio-El, and Principal, Ms. Daisy Mercado, welcomed role models to this beautiful event. The Petway Chorus, under the direction of Ms. Jeanne Andrews, sang “Kindness Sings” and “I See a Hero.”

After enjoying a delightful breakfast, a fifth grade student from each classroom read their essay aloud to everyone present.

Readers and their role models:

-Natalya Morales, Arlene Cerda

-Amelia Maysonet, Rafael Maysonet

-Nico Sterchele, Joseph Sterchele

-Ryan Ocasio, Gladys Ocasio

-Cadence Gossin, Brittany Gossin

The event recording can be found on our official district YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/eBpH28-BAjU

Thank you to all role models for inspiring the next generation of leaders and kind citizens.

The Vineland Historical Society proudly presents "The Paradox of Seabrook Farms", a documentary film by Helga Merits, at the beautiful and historic Landis Theater in Vineland.

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

Support the Vineland High School Marching Band at the Community Fundraiser Spectacular on Saturday, June 6, 2026 from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM (tentative) at Veterans Memorial Middle School.

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!

Vineland High School invites families to attend AP Parent Night on Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 6:00–7:30 PM in the Tanner Building Auditorium. This event is designed for current 9th–11th grade students and their families, incoming 8th grade students who will attend Vineland High School next year, students currently enrolled in AP courses, and those considering taking AP classes.

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

The NJ Family Engagement Hub invites families, educators, and community members to a special screening of the documentary "Counted Out" on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM at the Vineland Schools Administrative Building, 68 Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ.

"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.

Vineland All-Middle School Productions (VAMP) and Vineland Public Schools are proud to present "The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition". Inspired by the beloved SpongeBob SquarePants series from Nickelodeon and the hit Broadway musical, this colorful and high-energy show brings SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Squidward, and the world of Bikini Bottom to life on stage. Featuring fun songs, plenty of humor, and a heartfelt story, "The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition" is a great event for audiences of all ages.

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!

Dane Barse families had a rockin’ time at this year's Literacy Night! Through a VEA grant, this special event was planned by our amazing 2nd grade teacher Christy White as part of our Read Across America Week theme, “Rock Out With a Good Book.”

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!

Families gathered for an evening of learning, music, and community at the school’s Family Read Across America Literacy Night held on Thursday, March 5, 2026. The event welcomed students and their families for a lively celebration of reading and togetherness.
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 American Council of Teachers of Russian has named Vlada Jackson the recipient of the 2026 ACTR Excellence in Teaching Russian Award (Grades 9–12). She was formally honored at the March 4, 2026 Vineland Board of Education meeting.

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.

Rossi Elementary School recently hosted a Read-A-Palooza Community Night in celebration of Read Across America, offering students and families an evening full of fun and learning. Attendees enjoyed a variety of activities, including games, arts and crafts, face-painting, food and drinks, a prize & book giveaway, and of course, reading, all designed to make the event lively and engaging.

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.

Students from Mrs. Villar’s Vineland High School classes visited D’Ippolito Elementary School this week as guest readers in celebration of Read Across America. The visit gave the elementary students a chance to enjoy stories while engaging with high school mentors.

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.

Members of the Vineland community and school district administrative staff visited Petway Elementary School this week as guest readers in celebration of Read Across America. The visit coincided with the school’s Crazy Hair Day, adding an extra layer of fun and excitement as students celebrated 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.

Students from Vineland High School’s National Honor Society visited Durand Elementary School this week, as guest readers in celebration of Read Across America. This year, Durand’s Read Across America activities featured a mystery theme, adding an extra layer of fun and engagement for the elementary students.

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.

The Cumberland County Children’s Inter-Agency Coordinating Council (CIACC) will host a Children’s Health Resource Fair on March 26, 2026, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the Rowan College of South Jersey Cumberland Campus Gymnasium, 3322 College Drive, Vineland, NJ 08360.

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.

On Thursday, February 26th, Memorial Middle School proudly hosted its annual Multicultural Night, bringing together students, families, and staff for an evening of music, food, and cultural celebration. Attendees “traveled” to nine different countries from around the world, exploring traditions, learning about unique customs, and sampling authentic cuisine at each stop. In addition to the hands-on experiences, families had the opportunity to use the school’s VR goggles to take virtual trips to each country, allowing them to feel as though they were truly transported across the globe.
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.