Congratulations to 13-year veteran staff member Susan Smith who has a new title this year — Upper School Principal. She took on this important leadership position overseeing students and teachers in grades 6-12 after serving for four years as the Director of Student Services and six years as Director of Special Services and Guidance Counselor. She will continue
to serve as Guidance Counselor.
Mrs. Smith first came to ACS in 2003 as a middle school teacher. She has also taught the high school life skills class and overseen the National Institute for Learning Disabilities program. Over the years, she has been involved in many extra-curricular activities, including serving as yearbook and senior class advisor, overseeing the National Honor Society and Junior National Honor Society, serving on the strategic planning committee as part of the school’s accreditation team, and coaching the Varsity Girls’ softball and the Varsity and JV Girls’ basketball teams. Mrs. Smith earned a Bachelor’s degree in social work from Stockton University and holds a Master’s in Education from Liberty University. She and her husband Mark have two children, Tyler and Hunter (’18).
We rejoice with two faculty members who became new parents this year. High school language arts teacher Ariel Richvalsky and her husband Tim, both ACS alumni, welcomed a baby girl, Eden Hope, on June 9. Mom and nearly 4-month-old Eden were warmly welcomed at the Back-to-School BBQ on September 16. High school history teacher and Vice Principal Gregg Laskow and his wife Caitlin (a former ACS 3rd grade teacher) are thanking God for the gift of a healthy baby girl on September 28 – Madison Eliana. Congratulations and best wishes to both families.