


Calling all middle school filmmakers in New Jersey!
The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is hosting a Middle School PSA Video Contest for students in 5th through 8th grade.
Students are invited to create a 30-second peer-to-peer public service announcement focused on the dangers of substance misuse. Entries will be judged on creativity, message content, and overall ability to be produced, and the winning PSA featuring the student creators will be shared across New Jersey.
The contest is open to individual students or groups, and teachers may submit more than one team. All participants will receive a certificate, and one winning submission will receive a $1,000 prize.
All videos must be submitted online by April 24, 2026, and must follow contest guidelines, including using only original, non-copyrighted content.
For full contest rules, submission details, and to view past winners, visit drugfreenj.org/mspsa and drugfreenj.org/MSPSAwinners. For questions, contact Julia Egan at 973-275-7985 or Julia@DrugFreeNJ.org.

At VPS, we are proud to foster a culture that values collaboration, innovation, and student-centered learning—all grounded in our Portrait of a Graduate competencies.
If you—or someone you know—is looking to join a supportive, forward-focused school community, we encourage you to apply.
📩 Apply today: hr@vineland.org
👤 Send your resume to: Dr. Kristen Speakman
📱 Follow our journey: @vps_hr

They enjoyed a guided tour themed, “Around the World”, and sketched along the way. LEAP Art and Art Club students were able to explore different rooms that replicated Medieval, Roman, and early-century Japanese buildings and structures. They were ecstatic to see famous paintings in-person, especially by some of their favorite artists like Van Gogh.
This was the first time these students visited the museum, and were so engaged and respectful. We are so proud of these students representing Durand Dolphins, and being wonderful students and artists!



Students were welcomed at the College of Education in James Hall by Dr. Gaëtane Jean-Marie, Dean of the College of Education, and Mr. Dennis Rivera, Vineland Board of Education Vice President and Rowan University Assessment Coordinator. Mr. Rivera personally greeted students and presented them with commemorative t-shirts to mark the occasion. They were also welcomed by Dr. Catherine Michener (Critical Literacy, Technology & Multilingual Education), Dr. Brooke Hoffman (Lecturer), and Gokhan Alkanat (Associate Provost for International Education).
Students learned about programs and resources for multilingual learners and toured key campus spaces, including the Learning Resource Center and the university preschool. The visit also included a student panel, an admissions presentation, a guided campus tour, and lunch at Holly Pointe Commons.
Vineland Supervisor of Multilingual Learners, World Languages, and 9-12 Performing Arts, Jacqueline Roman-Alvarez, encouraged students to recognize their ability to succeed, highlighting their accomplishment of earning college credits while still in high school.
Students left the campus with a deeper understanding of college life and a strong sense of the support systems available to help them achieve their future goals.






Missed opening weekend? There’s still time to catch The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition!
Join us for another weekend of laughs, music, and undersea adventure as our talented cast brings Bikini Bottom to life.
Presented by the Vineland All Middle School Productions (VAMP), performances will take place at Veterans Memorial School, located at 424 S. Main Road in Vineland, NJ, on Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, March 28 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets are available at the door for $15 for adults and $10 for students.
Don’t miss your chance to soak up the fun — it’s going to be a fin-tastic time!

On March 24, 2026, 21 VHS students participated in this prestigious competition at Temple University in Philadelphia and earned an incredible 21 medals!
The participants included Cintia Francisco Hernandez, Kingston Fuller, Zaniyya McKever, Renata Ramirez Lecona, Vanessa Sandoval, Gurtejbir Singh, Justin Smith, Wyatt Troller, Nicole Vasquez, Bella Garcia Santiago, Areli Mondragon, Jaylah Moore, Mariia Manannikov, Ilya Pikulik, Daniel Man Singh Pradhan, Mariia Boieva, Deena Margolin, Vladimir Manannikov, Vadym Rybalka, Davyd Radyvonik, and Ester Sbitnieva. They competed in the Regular, Heritage, and Native Speaker divisions, based on their proficiency level and years of Russian study.
Students completed a wide range of challenging tasks in three commissions. In Commission 1 (Oral Speech), they engaged in conversations with judges using one of ten scenarios on topics such as personal background, home and family life, school, community, sports, hobbies, movies, music, and weather. In Commission 2 (Russian Area Studies), students delivered presentations focused on Russian geography, landmarks, major cities, music, art, and literature. In Commission 3 (Poetry and Narrative), they recited a Russian poem from memory and retold one of the short stories they had studied in class.
This year, VHS students earned an impressive total of 15 gold medals, 5 silver medals, and 1 bronze medal. Judges for the competition represented Temple University, the University of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Municipal Authorities, and private businesses.
Beyond the excitement of winning awards across multiple levels and commissions, the Olympiada gave students a valuable opportunity to strengthen their confidence in speaking Russian, showcase their knowledge of Russian culture and civilization, experience a sense of accomplishment, receive recognition for their hard work in mastering a demanding language, connect with Russian language students from other schools, and tour the Temple University Student Center.
Congratulations to our students on their remarkable achievements and for representing the VHS Russian program with excellence!

A heartfelt thank you to Debbie Eisinger for coordinating this meaningful opportunity, to Dr. Martine, our Safety Patrol advisor, for guiding our students, and to our incredible Rossi community for donating the items that made today possible.
We are so proud of our students for leading with kindness and showing what it means to give back.
The event recording can be found on our official district YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/N8ftrJrnFFw






The event will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Anthony Campanella Park, located at 429 W Elmer Road in Vineland, New Jersey. Walkers will meet at the pavilion at 12:45 PM, and activities will continue from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
Attendees can enjoy face painting, karaoke, dancing, volleyball, frisbee golf, crafts, and more. The event is pet friendly, and guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and lawn games. An ice cream truck will also be on site with free treats. Registration is encouraged but not required.
Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1RCp50fx6s9bYSkG6fCZdcaMLi75_WFYD1OM7HJas6z053g/viewform?usp=send_form
Come out, connect with others, and help raise awareness that no one has to face mental health challenges alone.

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.

Please note that this is not a school-sponsored event. However, all proceeds from the trip will benefit the Class of 2027 and Project Graduation.
If you are interested or would like more information, please email hfiori@vineland.org.

We are excited to share all of the amazing progress and opportunities happening within the RISE (Reaching Independence through Structured Experiences) Program. Our students continue to grow through hands-on learning, community experiences, and real-world job placements that support independence and confidence.
This spring, students have been actively participating in Community-Based Instruction, where they practice real-life skills such as shopping, ordering food, social interaction, and navigating the community. Back in school, the RISE Café and Greenhouse continue to thrive as students take part in meaningful, hands-on learning. In the Greenhouse, students are planting, watering, organizing inventory, and assisting customers. In the Café, students are building skills in food service, teamwork, communication, and handling money. These experiences help students build confidence and independence in meaningful and practical ways.
Our work-based learning program continues to provide a wide variety of job placements that match student interests and strengths. In food service and hospitality, Heath has started working at IHOP, joining Christian who continues to work there on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ryan and Sean have begun working at McDonald’s, while Jenny is working in the VHS kitchen with Sodexo. Alexis is gaining experience at Sodexo’s Central Kitchen, and Rachel is working in the dining hall at Inspira.
In school and community-based work settings, students are working at Compass Charter School and the Salvation Army, where they focus on organization, cleaning, and support tasks. Several students are also gaining valuable experience at the animal shelter, where they help care for animals and maintain the facility.
Keara is participating in a childcare experience at the YMCA, working in a preschool classroom where she is developing skills in working with young children, communication, and patience.
Students are also making important college and career connections. Eight students are currently working at the Together Café at RCSJ Cumberland Campus, where they are building strong customer service and workplace skills. In addition, four students are auditing classes through the ACT (Adult Center for Transition) Program at RCSJ, gaining exposure to college life and post-secondary opportunities.
We continue to see incredible progress in our students, including increased independence, stronger communication skills, greater confidence in new environments, and an improved ability to complete tasks with less support. These accomplishments reflect the hard work of our students and the continued support of our staff and community partners.
As we move further into the spring, we are excited to expand work-based learning opportunities, continue building community partnerships, and support students in preparing for life after high school.
Thank you to our families, staff, and community partners for your continued support in helping our students grow toward independence and success.



















This session will take place on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Participants will gain insight into distinguishing typical developmental challenges from more serious concerns and walk away with practical strategies to make a meaningful difference.
Presented by Erica Brentan, this workshop is part of a partnership between the New Jersey Family Engagement Hub and SEL4NJ. Register using the link or scan the QR code on the flyer to secure your spot.

Vineland Public Schools is proud to support one of our very own young learners!
Meet Jackson, a 7-year-old from Vineland with a passion for wildlife and nature. He loves catching insects, researching reptiles, and exploring the outdoors. He dreams of becoming a wildlife biologist one day and is excited to grow a monarch butterfly garden with his Pop Pop this summer.
Jackson is competing in the Junior Ranger contest for a chance to win an experience with Jeff Corwin and $20,000. This experience is sponsored by the Jr. Ranger organization in partnership with Ranger Rick, Hipcamp, and the National Wildlife Federation. Winning also includes an appearance in Ranger Rick magazine. To advance, he needs daily votes through multiple rounds.
Please consider supporting Jackson by voting below:
https://jr-ranger.org/2026/jackson-9ef7
More information on the organization and contest can be found here:
https://jr-ranger.org/
Thank you for your support!

Middle School Tennis runs from May 5th through June 3rd on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 7:00PM to 8:15PM at the Vineland High School Tennis Complex. Each session is designed for players of all levels, whether you are just getting started or looking to improve your technique.
Register now to secure your spot. Learn the sport from the players and coaches of VHS while building skills, confidence, and a love for the game in a fun and supportive environment.
For more information, contact vluciano@vineland.org.

During the ceremony, each inductee’s career was recounted, and their portraits were unveiled. They now hang in the upstairs atrium, known as the “Hall of Honor,” in the VHS Asselta Building.
The 2026 inductees were Nina Lascari (posthumous), Charles Gaudio, Jeanne Doremus, and Margaret Becker.
Members of the Vineland High School Historical Committee presented the awards and spoke about the lives and careers of each inductee, highlighting their lasting impact on the school community.
The VHS Historical Committee, which includes alumni, current staff members, and students, created the concept of a gallery of plaques with photos acknowledging the accomplishments of the school’s most celebrated staff members. To be nominated, a staff member must have been employed by the Vineland Public School District for 25 years and at Vineland High School for at least 15 years.
The purpose of the VHS Historical Committee is to preserve and proudly display historical artifacts that build on the great tradition of Vineland High School, established in 1870.
We proudly recognize and celebrate their achievements and lasting contributions to Vineland High School.
The event recording can be found on our official district YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/zRRLnrG8dC8





