Vineland reschedules spring recess

Vineland Public Schools revised its spring recess because of days lost to inclement weather this winter.

Under the new schedule, schools will close for the spring recess after a legal attendance day on April 1.

Schools will be closed on Friday, April 2, a legal holiday.

Schools will re-open on Monday, April 5.

State address affects local schools

By DEBORAH M. MARKO
The Daily Journal staff writer

School districts braced for the ripple effects of Gov. Chris Christie's state budget proposal with its $1 billion cuts to education.

Some were obvious.

The NJ Stars program that offers two years of free community college tuition to the highest high school academic achievers may not accept a freshman class in September. This means the 75 local qualifying students may have to make other plans or not attend college, said Maud Goodnight, executive director of enrollment academics and student support at Cumberland County College.

Others are vague.

Public school districts were told to expect state aid cuts of no more than 5 percent of their total budget. That could mean Millville will need to cut $4.3 million and Vineland has to slash about $8.3 million from their 2010-11 spending plans.

Read more

Eight positions cut from V’land school district

Vineland Public Schools' Board of Education voted this week to eliminate eight Vineland High School administrative assistant positions from the district's organization chart, The Daily Journal staff writer Deborah M. Marko wrote.

Seven administrative assistants will lose their current position effective June 30. They are: Michael L. Adams, Edward Benish, Madeline Galan, Erika Kirschner, Tammy Monahan, Jeffrey Perez and Eric Reissek.

Carol Rothman is also affected because she was to be appointed to an administrative assistant position that has now been eliminated, said Superintendent Maryann Banks. She will remain in her current VHS teaching position. Their salaries range from $60,592 to $89,650.

Administrative assistants have divided their time between classroom instruction and overseeing the administrative responsibilities of a specific VHS small learning community of about 400 students each.

The seven administrative assistants will remain district employees but in other capacities, board president Frank Giordano confirmed. They will be given the opportunity to move to other positions under N.J. tenure laws.

Read more below or here.

Read more

STAR STUDENT: Gina Cristina Schwegel

Gina Cristina Schwegel

Gina Cristina Schwegel is The Daily Journal's Student of the Day.

She is a 6-year-old kindergartner at Petway Elementary School of Vineland Public Schools.

She lives in Vineland with her parents, Asher and Franca.

“Gina strives very hard to achieve her goals,” according to a Student of the Day nomination submitted by her school. “She acts and sings and has even auditioned for Disney. She hopes to be a star one day.”

Read more about today's Student of the Day and past participants here.

Students, teachers to display artwork

In conjunction with National Youth Art Month, Vineland Public Schools will be hosting the 12th Annual District-wide Student Art Exhibit.

The event is scheduled at D’Ippolito Elementary School, 1578 N. Valley Ave. on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.

The exhibit is free and open to the public.

The displays consist of artwork created by children in kindergarten through grade in all eight elementary schools in the district. This year, in addition to the student work, elementary art teachers will also be displaying their work.

Read more

Star Student: Keyshla Charriez

Keyshla Charriez

Keyshla Charriez is The Daily Journal's Student of the Day.

She is a 5-year-old student at Petway Elementary of Vineland Public Schools.

She lives in Vineland with her parents, Luis Charriez and Iris Charriez.

Keyshla was selected as Student the Month by her teacher, Mrs. Mastrogiovanni. “Keyshla loves to come home to do her homework,” according to her school. “Keyshla is a hard worker and strives to do her best.”

Read more about today's Student of the Day and past participants here.

CBS3 meteorologist speaks at Mennies

Carol Erickson, a meteorologist at Philadelphia TV station CBS 3 and also an author, was a guest speaker/reader at Mennies Elementary School on Tuesday.

Erickson read a book she recently published about adopting shelter animals titled, “Not a Used Dog at All.”

In honor of Erickson's visit, Mennies students held a fund drive - “Coins for Cumberland County SPCA”. School staff members also put up a display of their pets prior to the visit.

According to information on the CBS 3 website, Erickson is a passionate advocate for family pets and other animals.

Profits from her new book benefit area animal shelters and rescue groups.

Snow cancels several school events, programs

Here's a list of the latest cancellations and closings as reports another potential snowstorm head for the area.

- All Vineland Public Schools are open today on a half-day schedule. All Vineland Public Schools' after-school activities, including athletic events and practices, have been canceled because of the inclement weather.

- Because all Vineland Public Schools are on a half-day schedule today, "wrap around" services at Leuchter and Dallago Preschools will end at 3 p.m.

- The YMCA will offer "wraparound" child care at regular hours today. Parents of Vineland Public Schools students are urged to pick up their child as soon as possible following dismissal because the inclement weather is expected to worsen in the afternoon and early-evening hours.

- The Vineland Ministerium has canceled its Lenten Luncheon program for Thursday. It was scheduled to be held at Redeemer Lutheran church starting at noon. The six week program will resume on Thursday, March 4. For more information contact Eileen at (856) 691-4278.

- The Gloria M. Sabater Elementary School dinner dance originally scheduled for Friday has been postponed until April 23.

- Visions of Hope and the Vineland Boys & Girls Club will be closed today. The program will resume when Vineland Public Schools re-open.

- The Landis Middle School play "Songs and Dance of Broadway, Landis Style" has been canceled tonight. The Friday performance is still "on" depending on weather and road conditions tomorrow.

See the full list of cancellations here.

Star Student: Madison Craig

Madison Craig

Madison Craig is The Daily Journal's Student of the Day.

She is a sixth-grader at Wallace Middle School of Vineland Public Schools. She is 11 and lives in Vineland.

"Madison is ready to tackle any assignment with a positive attitude and a smile,” her math teacher, Ms. Kouhoupt, says. “She maintains excellent grades and was on the Principal’s List during the first marking period.”

Read more about today's Student of the Day and past participants here.

Students celebrate Black History Month

Patton, left, with Bunton and students. Submitted photo.

As part of Rossi Middle School’s Black History Month celebration, Carolyn Bunton’s language arts class hosted publisher and author Deborah Patton.

A South Jersey native, Patton’s first book “Shypoodle” teaches children about love, friendship, and respect, said Kelly A. Williams, a Rossi representative.

The author has an entire series of books that she will be writing for children. Her main goal is to encourage children about the important of reading and writing, and how these tools can help to develop their own stories, Williams said.

Patton spoke to the students about interactive communication skills and offered advice on books that the students are using in class.

On the Wire: No more state payouts for schools, Christie says

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has adopted hundreds of millions in spending cuts that were proposed by his Democratic predecessor.

Christie's midyear budget cuts include saving $475 million in school aid by requiring districts to use their surpluses in place of state payouts.

On his way out the door, Gov. Jon Corzine had proposed paring school aid by $300 million to reconcile the budget.

Christie's plan goes further because it pares all district surpluses greater than 2 percent, while Corzine would have allowed districts to keep 25 percent of the excess.

Christie also achieved the savings instantly by signing an executive order. Corzine's proposal required legislative action, but no bill was put forth before his term ended on Jan. 19.

V’land Public Schools, offices closed Monday

All Vineland public schools will be closed on Monday because of the weekend snow storm.

The administrative offices at Plum Street and Coney Avenue will also be closed.

All Vineland Public Schools preschools and preschool providers will also be closed on Monday.

District eyes new asst. superintendent

The superintendent/principal of Downe Township School is Vineland Superintendent Maryann Banks' choice to fill the district's assistant superintendent of administration vacancy.

Dina Elliott, 33, of Millville was selected from a field of 11 contenders, Banks said. The school board is set to vote on the new hire during Wednesday's meeting.

Two board members -- Brian Dewinne and Pat Phillips -- oppose filling the vacancy created when Keith Figgs retired last October in light of the district's uncertain financial future.

Figgs was making $153,367 when he retired. He also was paid $3,500 for his doctorate. The salary Elliott would receive, if hired, is still being negotiated, according to Banks.

-- By Deborah M. Marko, DJ Staff Writer

Grades hit the Internet for Vineland students

A screenshot of the "recent reports" portion of Parent Portal.

By DEBORAH M. MARKO
Staff Writer

VINELAND -- A new computer program blows the cover for students who tell their parents they did nothing in school and have no homework.

Starting today, the school district rolls out the Parent Portal, giving parents online access to their children's class schedule, grades, attendance records, homework assignments and building announcements.

"There is a lot of great stuff here," said Steve Dantinne, technology director for Vineland Public Schools.

Read more

Teachers earn high honors going back to school

Thirty-seven Vineland Public Schools professional staff members have earned advanced degrees, according to district communications assistant Sheila Biagi.

Here's the list of staff, separated by degree and credits earned:

- 45 graduate credits beyond the Master’s Degree: Jennifer Frederico, Petway principal; Karen Malatesta, Petway assistant principal; and Sylvia Morano, Winslow assistant principal.

- 30 graduate credits beyond the Master’s Degree: Edward Benish, Vineland High School North administrative assistant; Lori Martini, VHS South guidance counselor; Bonnie O’Rourke, VHS South guidance counselor; Wendy Osborne, D’Ippolito teacher; and Edward Zatzariny, Veterans Memorial music teacher.

- Master’s Degree: Jeffrey Belmonte, Johnstone computer teacher; John Capizola, D’Ippolito health and physical education teacher; Valerie Carbonara, Sabater teacher; Lori Cummines, VHS choral music teacher; Brandi Dittus, VHS social studies teacher; Frances Finazzo, Landis teacher; Richard Gasior, VHS teacher; Carmella Heer, Landis teacher; Jason Lera, Dallago teacher; Rhonda Magee, Winslow teacher; Sydonie Maitland, Landis teacher; Lindsay McCarron, Johnstone teacher; Maria Oria, Johnstone teacher; Jordan Pla, VHS teacher; Melissa Pomante, Winslow teacher; Katherine Rivera, Wallace teacher; William Shropshire III, VHS teacher; Eric Sikorski, Landis teacher; and Jennifer Trivellini, Petway teacher.

- 30 graduate credits beyond the Bachelor’s Degree: Jenne Castellini, VHS teacher; Ana Cooley, D’Ippolito teacher; Denise Diorio, Durand speech therapist; Stacy Mainiero, Landis teacher; Erin Sparacio, Leuchter teacher; Terrence Spencer, Landis teacher; Barbara Thibodeau, school nurse; Brittney Tomlin, Durand teacher; Nicole Velazquez, Johnstone teacher; and Megan Ziller, Sabater teacher.