The township school district for the first time earned a new distinction and award in late September from an online education program that has been geared to districts across the country, including Cinnaminson.
EVERFI is an organization that for more than a decade has tackled intractable social issues by providing the missing layer of education. It has awarded the Empowered District Seal designation to schools nationally that, according to its website, “have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to whole-child education through the use of EVERFI’s comprehensive, evidence-informed digital programs.”
“This is the first year that Cinnaminson has received this award,” said the district’s Technology/Library Services Coordinator, Sherry Spier. “EVERFI has been used for years throughout the district to educate our students on critical issues, including financial literacy, social-emotional learning, health and wellness and inclusion.”
Forty-seven school districts in the state and 1,440 nationally received the exclusive EVERFI distinction for the 2022-’23 school year. The township district did not apply for the award, but EVERFI decided it met a set of criteria needed to earn the organization’s seal.
Upon hearing Cinnaminson was among a select few districts in the country who received the distinction, school officials said they were honored and beyond grateful.
“Any award received based on student and staff participation is an honor,” Spier said. “Mr. Stephen Cappello, the superintendent of Cinnaminson Township schools, was elated when made aware of the significance of this award, and could not wait to share the news with the community, staff, and students.”
Among other ways to celebrate the distinction, the district announced the award via Facebook on Sept. 26.
“The criteria includes well-trained staff that implements the program efficiently and accurately,” Spier explained. “Each course must be deployed to an entire grade level, with high usage and completion. The outcomes of the lessons and the program are then evaluated by the teaching staff to ensure students have met the goal of each lesson.”
Other local school districts that received the EVERFI seal include Cherry Hill, Gloucester Township and Pine Hill.
To learn more about EVERFI, visit its website, which has its own separate page detailing some of the criteria and the districts across the country who have received the seal.
