Vineland Public Schools and Rowan College of South Jersey came together in a celebratory event on February 21 at Vineland High School, marking the reception of a prestigious $148,000 Dual Enrollment Pilot Grant from the New Jersey Department of Education. This grant, awarded to only four school districts statewide, highlights the commitment to fostering innovation and enhancing high school student participation, particularly among underrepresented groups.
The ceremony featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including Senator Michael Testa Jr; Joe Sileo, Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Directors; Kimberly Codispoti, Vineland Board of Education President; Dr. Elizabeth Arthur, Vineland City Council President; Alfonso Llano, Vineland Public Schools Superintendent; Suzette DeMarchi, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction; Jacqueline Roman-Alvarez, Vineland High School South Principal; Xavien Phillips, VHS Class of 2024; Kellianne Burgess, VHS Class of 2024; and Dr. Frederick Keating, Rowan College of South Jersey President.
The event included the VHS Select Choir performing the national anthem and alma mater and the VHS AFJROTC presenting the colors and leading the flag salute. Susan Nardelli, AVP Communications, Marketing, & Government Affairs, provided the welcome and introductions, while Denise Gonzalez, VHS Senior Class President, and Gabriela Cumba, VHS Senior Class Vice President, served as the Masters of Ceremony.
The NJDOE Dual Enrollment Pilot Grant, a one-year initiative, aims to equip local educational agencies with the resources to initiate or expand dual enrollment programs. Such programs allow high school students to concurrently earn both high school and college credits through college-level courses.
Vineland's successful proposal, securing the $148,000 award, revolves around the establishment and expansion of dual enrollment/dual credit courses at Vineland High School. The primary objective is to ensure equitable access and participation for all eligible students, with a particular emphasis on economically disadvantaged students and multilingual learners. This initiative is part of a broader articulation agreement with Rowan University and Rowan College of South Jersey, ensuring seamless collaboration for the implementation of dual enrollment programs.
The grant funds will cover essential expenses, including tuition, textbooks, transportation costs, and materials translation where needed. Addressing these financial barriers, Vineland Public Schools aims to make dual enrollment opportunities financially accessible for disadvantaged students, contributing to a more inclusive educational environment.
The ceremony concluded with a ceremonial signing, symbolizing the acknowledgment of the award and the commitment to advancing dual enrollment opportunities for students in Vineland Public Schools.
VPS Broadcasting was at the event, and the entire ceremony can be viewed on our YouTube channel, VLDSchoolsTV, here: https://youtu.be/Y72AprSJeD0?si=ZZR_T7739w234rgg