
Our fabulous band provided a wonderful holiday concert last night! A special thank you to Mr. Schultz and all the band students and families who attended! 🥁🎺🎷💛💙





Please don't forget to stop out tonight to Chick Fil A for dinner from 4-8pm to support Pilla's Spirit Night! All proceeds support end of year activities for students!


Please don't forget to stop out tonight to Chick Fil A for dinner from 4-8pm to support Pilla's Spirit Night! All proceeds support end of year activities for students!


Pilla Safety Patrol volunteered at Bishop McCarthy helping the residents write Christmas cards to their loved ones. Residents were able to socialize and get into the Christmas spirit with patrol members. We are #PillaProud of our thoughtful students! 💛💙

Pilla Safety Patrol Decked the halls with boughs of SNACKS 🎶Fa la la la la, la la la la🎶
The Pilla Safety Patrol did a SUPERB job selling snack items to staff, teachers, parents, and students during parent conferences. They demonstrated leadership, kindness, and responsibility; the true essence of what it means to be a Pilla Safety Patroler. We are so #PillaProud!
(Pictures below)




Reminder!


Students in Miss Welden’s ELA classes learned how to operate a courtroom during a trial when they prosecuted the narrator of The Tell-Tale Heart for committing a crime. The students collected textual evidence to use during a mock trial. They researched and performed the jobs of the judge, jury, lawyers and expert witnesses. On Thursday, December 7, Miss Welden’s students had the opportunity to participate in a meet and greet with retired Judge Julio Mendez, father of Pilla Asst. Principal Mrs. Finizio. The students prepared questions and they participated in a discussion about courtroom proceedings, NJ law, and trials with Judge Mendez.






Pilla Middle School is proud to announce that our 2023-2024 Educational Services Professional of the Year is Christina Saccomanno, our Speech Therapist at Pilla School. Congratulations Mrs. Saccomanno, we are #PillaProud of you! 💛💙
Any educators nominated for this award must meet all of the following requirements:
Be an exceptionally skilled and dedicated educational services professional (ESP) who is listed as one of the eligible enrollment areas
Must have the latest summative rating of at least effective; if the ESP has not received a summative rating at the time of application, then their most current practice rating should be at least effective or the equivalent
Be an expert in the field who inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn
Actively collaborate with colleagues, students, and families to create a strong culture of respect and success
Demonstrate leadership and innovation in educational activities at the school, district, and/or state and national levels that take place both within and outside the school setting
Have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues


Pilla Middle School is proud to announce that our 2023-2024 Governor's Educator of the Year is Cheryl Caporale, a current 6th grade math teacher at Pilla School. Congratulations Mrs. Caporale, we are #PillaProud of you! 💛💙
Any educators nominated for this award must meet all of the following requirements:
Be an exceptionally skilled and dedicated licensed classroom teacher (PreK to grade 12 in a public school) where teaching is the primary responsibility rather than administrative or supervisory responsibilities or an educational services professional. Must have the latest summative rating of at least effective; if the teacher has not received a summative rating at the time of application, then their most current practice rating should be at least effective or the equivalent.
Be an expert in the field who inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn.
Actively collaborate with colleagues, students, and families to create a strong culture of respect and success.
Demonstrate leadership and innovation in educational activities at the school, district, and/or state and national levels that take place both within and outside the school setting.
Have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues


Pilla Middle School would like to welcome Mrs. Allison Volpe as our new Assistant Principal! Congratulations! 💛💙


Please don't forget that Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are legal attendance days this week with 1:25 pm dismissal. Thank you!


Mrs. Russo and Ms. Dean's period 3 and 4 seventh science grade classes performed an experiment using cans and clay to measure kinetic energy. Students used different sized cans to vary mass and dropped the cans at various speeds to measure the effects on kinetic energy.






Please view Pilla's December calendar of events


Miss Welden’s 7th grade accelerated ELA students participated in a mock trial after reading
The Tell-Tale Heart by Poe. Students put the narrator on trial for murder to prove without a reasonable doubt that he was either guilty of the crime or innocent by reason of insanity. Students researched courtroom jobs and chose roles to play in the trial. Students took the positions of judge, jury, prosecution, defense and expert witnesses. After hearing the evidence from both sides, the jury found the defendant guilty and the judges handed down a sentence. This project based-learning activity was student led and showcased progressive peer collaboration.











Boys Middle School Basketball will be holding tryouts on December 11th and 13th at the Pilla Middle School Gym. Students MUST have a sports physical turned into the nurse to tryout. Students will arrive by bus from their home school, but transportation home by a parent or guardian MUST be provided at 5:30pm. Please email lsimonini@vineland.org for more information or questions.


Good evening Pilla parents. Parent Conferences are scheduled for next Wednesday, December 6th from 6-7:20pm and Thursday, December 7th from 2:15-3:05pm. Appointments can be make through the parent portal. Information on how to schedule can be found via this link: https://bit.ly/Dec2023PillaConferences



Mrs. Purich's science classes participated in a Stomp Rocket activity on Friday.
Students were able to time the rocket's flight and use that to calculate initial velocity and height using the kinematic equations we have been working with in class. #pillaproud 💛💙🚀




Please be aware of this week's school schedule. Wednesday, Nov 22nd is a legal attendance day with a 1:25pm dismissal and Nov 23rd and 24th school is closed for Thanksgiving break. 🦃


On Monday, November 30th, students will be allowed to wear Eagles or Chiefs gear (or green/red) with jeans (NO RIPS OR TEARS) in anticipation of the big Eagles-Chiefs Superbowl rematch on Monday Night Football. Go Birds! 🏈🦅
