Over 120 students participated in the annual VMS Holiday Sweater contest during the Veterans Memorial School Spirit Week leading into Winter Break, donning their gaudiest store-bought or handmade sweaters. After the students paraded along the front walkway of the school and then took a group photo on the steps of all 120 entries, a panel of teachers and security guards selected five finalists before the 120 students voted for their first-place winner. Seventh-grade student Kaden Cardona took top honors in the contest with his handmade sweater that sported tinsel, small fuzzy pom-poms, and a light-up reindeer. This week's excitement among students and staff displayed true VMS LIONS school spirit and pride.
Kindergarten students at Mennies Elementary School were able to choose books to take home just in time for winter break! Over 200 books were collected and distributed. Thank you to BookSmiles for making this possible!
D'Ippolito students completed their Seventh Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive and collected 212 pairs of pajamas.! Last year, they were able to collect 172 pairs, so they are thrilled that they were able to top that total.
Only brand new pajamas were collected in all sizes from newborn through adult from 11/13-12/15. The pajama drive is organized in partnership with Pajama Program, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting a comforting bedtime routine for children affected by instability in order to help them thrive. For every pair of pajamas that was collected, Scholastic Book Clubs donated a brand-new book. This year, D'Ippolito's donation was given to The Inspira Monarch Family Success Center, located at 1038 E. Chestnut Ave. in Vineland.
Our students and staff are so proud to make this donation to help kids in need. Students who donated a new pair of pajamas were able to wear their own pajamas to school on Friday, December 22nd, as a reward for their generous gifts.
Wallace Middle School staff members participated in Christmas Spirit Week featuring a Staff Ugly Sweater Day!
Students in Ms. Markman's first and second-grade classes at Sabater Elementary School created holiday sticker pictures and wrote about them!
Just a reminder about our schedule!
Veterans Memorial School, in collaboration with Robert Cresci, district chief, and members of the South Vineland Volunteer Fire Company, joined forces to sponsor a family during the holiday season.
The dedicated firefighters and their spouses went above and beyond by personally selecting and wrapping gifts for the entire family. Mrs. Luciano and Mr. Cresci from Veterans Memorial School, alongside the fire department, orchestrated the delivery of these heartfelt presents to the family.
The children experienced a delightful surprise as a fleet of illuminated fire trucks, including a charming 1931 Buffalo antique fire truck, rolled in to deliver the gifts last evening.
Expressing profound gratitude, Veterans Memorial School acknowledges the immense kindness and generosity exhibited by the fire company. Their collective efforts have undoubtedly brightened the holidays for this deserving family.
Students in Brooke Kaenzig's Business Management Class at Vineland High School are learning about the importance of working in a team by designing, building, and decorating gingerbread houses together!
Veterans Memorial School demonstrated a strong commitment to giving back this holiday season through its active involvement in the Student Generosity Project. The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) and Safety Patrol members, under the guidance of advisors Ms. Lindsay Jenkins and Mrs. Maria Kohansky, took the lead in the collection of various items for donation to our local Veterans Center and the Cumberland Family Shelter. These contributions included essential hygiene products, as well as warmth-providing items like hats, gloves, and scarves.
Additionally, VMS Social Worker, Mrs. Luciano orchestrated the Stocking Stuffer Project, where homerooms took part in filling stockings with small toys and gifts for children. All these thoughtful contributions, including the collected items for the our local Veterans Center and the Cumberland Family Shelter, were generously provided by both students and staff.
Highlighting the collaborative effort, NJHS students and Safeties diligently collected and organized these donations. Veterans Memorial School takes pride in the kindness and generosity demonstrated by its students and staff, showcasing the true spirit of giving.
Johnstone Jaguar 8th-grade NJHS students wanted to spread some Holiday Cheer to our bus drivers. They are so thankful that their bus drivers safely get them to and from school each day.
To keep them warm this holiday, they created a mug with hot chocolate, cookies, and a peppermint candy cane!
We Appreciate YOU!!
Happy Holidays
From Johnstone Jaguars NJHS
Fourth-grade students at Petway Elementary School learned about navigation from a very special guest presenter. Lieutenant Joshua DuBois spent an afternoon with Mrs. Bond and Miss Arno’s social studies classes, sharing his unique experiences in the Coast Guard. He explained how he utilized the global grid to navigate through different bodies of water. He also demonstrated how he used the stars and different tools to aid in identifying his location at night and in the middle of the ocean. His presentation allowed students to extend and apply their knowledge about latitude, longitude, and different kinds of maps. Students were excited to learn about his career and how it connects to their learning!
Winslow students geared up for a flurry of creativity as we dove into the magical world of STEAM! Our little learners have embarked on an enchanting journey exploring the intricate beauty of snowflakes through a delightful hands-on project. Using pretzel sticks and marshmallows, these budding scientists and engineers are bringing the wonder of winter to life. Through this engaging activity, students are not only discovering the unique geometry of snowflakes but also honing their fine motor skills and teamwork abilities.
In honor of the late John Pierantozzi, a Secret Santa has anonymously cleared $1,600 in negative lunch balances across eight district schools. Pierantozzi, a cherished former teacher and coach at Vineland High School, had a deep appreciation for Vineland's schools, and this generous gesture reflects his enduring legacy. With this act of kindness, the community is reminded of the profound impact that compassion can have during the holiday season.
Photo: Pierantozzi received the Red & Gray Gridiron Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication and commitment to the Vineland High School football program in 2013.
Pictured, from left: VHS Athletic Director Don Robbins, John Pierantozzi, and VHS teacher and coach Dan Russo.
Mrs. Friend and Mrs. Boesz's fourth-grade class had some holiday fun in Science and Math. In science, the students worked in groups to complete a Christmas Tree StEM Project in which they used chenille sticks, straws, beads, and dot stickers to create a free-standing Christmas Tree. The students used their creativity and ingenuity to build some very impressive trees. Then, the trees were measured to see which group built the tallest tree. In math, the students completed a project in which they decorated the Rockefeller Tree. The students were given a budget of $40,000 then they had to use their math skills in multiplying, adding, and subtracting to decorate their tree without going over their budget. Finally, they drew a picture of what their Rockefeller Tree would look like.
Congratulations to Superintendent Alfonso Llano, who was recently named one of New Jersey’s “Top Latinos” by The United State Latino Affairs Initiatives. 50 Latino leaders from various fields across the state were recognized for their “inspiring stories of resilience, commitment, and compassion anchored on culture, heritage, and language.” More information on the recipients and the award can be found at www.thelatinoindex.com
Members of Pilla Middle School's Project Unity recently made 75 holiday ornaments for residents of Spring Oaks. Project Unity is a club dedicated to integrating all students and creating social interactions that promote unity while participating in activities to better our community.
Barse hosted its first "Book Swap" for staff. Staff who chose to participate brought in a new or used book, which was then wrapped, and words or a quick synopsis was written on top of the wrapping. Think: "Blind date with a book." Participants played a dice game to choose and swap their books. There were tasty treats, bookish discussions, several books swapped, and fun times had by all!
On Tuesday, December 19th, the Sabater Safety Patrol visited the residents at Spring Oaks assisted living facility. During this trip, they read Christmas stories, created Christmas pictures, and shared cookies and milk with the residents. A merry time was had by all!
Santa made a surprise visit to Mr. Martine's 2nd and 3rd graders at Rossi Elementary. Students had written opinion essays, arguing whether certain book characters belonged on the nice or naughty list. The classroom was buzzing as each student presented their case to Santa, who listened attentively.
Santa praised their efforts, emphasizing the importance of kindness and redemption. In the end, he revealed that all characters discussed would be on the nice list, stressing the power of second chances. The room erupted in cheers.
The day left a lasting memory of a holiday visit that combined literature, critical thinking, and the spirit of Christmas. Students went home smiling, proud of their persuasive skills, and with a reminder that everyone deserves a shot at being on the nice list.
Ms. Caterina's Second Grade and Miss Bernard's Kindergarten classes at Dr. William Mennies Elementary School met up last week for their monthly "Buddy Time"! Miss Bernard's Kindergarten class is currently learning about "Holidays Around the World," and one of the countries they learned about was England! England started the stocking Christmas tradition, so the classes came together to decorate stockings with their buddies and make edible Christmas trees using ice cream cones, icing, and sprinkles!
