Articles by: Amy Culleny

Students Celebrate the End of the Year in Annual Field Day and “The End” Events

ACS students in grades PreK-5 had a blast celebrating the end of the school year at our annual Field Day event on June 14. The beautiful weather held out just long enough for the students to enjoy relay races, GaGa ball, our new “Big Kahuna” water slide, and much more. On June 15, Middle School and High School students celebrated the last day of school with a variety of fun, outdoor activities at “The End” event, including a dunk tank, volleyball, and the “Big Kahuna,” and enjoyed grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, and ice cream from Ken’s Ice Cream truck.

ACS 3rd Annual Community Yard Sale – July 15

ACS will be holding its 3rd annual Community Yard Sale on Saturday, July 15 from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Tables will be located both outside and in the school gymnasium. If you’re interested in reserving a space, the fees are $15.00/outdoor space and $20.00/indoor space. Set-up times are Friday, July 14 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. or Saturday, July 15 from 6:30-7:30 a.m. Sellers must provide their own tables; ACS will provide chairs. Food may not be sold. To reserve a space, please click here for the form and submit it to the school office.

ACS Hosts Thank-You Luncheon for Volunteers and Staff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACS recognized and thanked volunteers, faculty, and staff for their commitment and service over the past school year at a Thank-You and Farewell Appreciation Luncheon on Monday, June 12 in the Multi-Purpose Room. “Over 50 parents, grandparents, and friends in the community gave generously of their time and talents as volunteers to bless ACS and we are so grateful for their dedication,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. Some of the volunteers who attended the luncheon (pictured at left) served in the school library, the nurse’s office, the lunch room, the Cougar Den, and on the Legacy Gala Committee.

ACS also gave a warm send-0ff to eleven faculty/staff members who are leaving ACS to pursue other endeavors. “It has been a blessing to work with these fine men and women and we will miss each one of them,” said Oblen, who presented the departing employees with personalized ACS sweat-shirts as one of their parting gifts. Those faculty/staff members to whom we say “farewell ’til we meet again” are, from left: Services Coordinator Nancy Peterson; facilities staff member Harry Peterson; Middle School science teacher Jim Ennis; PreK4 teacher Dawn Bird, PreK2 teacher Kelsea Chambers, 3rd grade teacher Simone McKinnon; nurse Sandy Settles; nurse Lara D’Anna; and Athletic Director Chris Eaton. Not pictured are Development Assistant Amy Culleny and PreK4 aide Donna Chapman.

ACS Scout Troop 389 Helps Bring Christmas in July to Troops Overseas

It will be Christmas in July for several hundred U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan when they open special care packages from Boy Scout Troop 389, sponsored by Atlantic Christian School in Egg Harbor Township.

Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of Troop 389 and their parents spent the evening of June 12 packing 250 large boxes with Boy Scout caramel popcorn and other comfort food and toiletry items obtained over the past four months through donations. The donated items included Herr’s potato chips and pretzels, powdered Gatorade, Clif bars, beef jerky, Ramen noodles, handiwipes, foot powder, Q-tips, and sporting and hunting magazines. The boxes also contained letters and messages from the scouts and Atlantic Christian School.

“We hope to make a lot of troops very happy with these gift boxes,” said Scoutmaster Peter Karabashian. “We know that when a soldier receives one of these care packages it’s like Christmas for them.”  Karabashian said this is the seventh year that Troop 389 has carried out its Christmas for the Troops service project, overall sending some 1,200 gift boxes overseas.

Donations were received from a variety of individuals and businesses including members of Beacon Evangelical Free Church in Galloway, Marcacci Meats in Ventnor, the Jewish War Veterans Post 39 of Margate, the Greater Absecon Island Memorial VFW Post 215, the Jersey Shore Friends of the NRA, and U-Line Container Company.  Members of the Yellow Ribbon Club of Cherry Hill will be shipping the packages to Afghanistan.

 

New Gardening Club Plants Vegetables in School Garden

Students in the new after-school Gardening Club planted basil, eggplant, tomatoes and other vegetables in the school garden last week that will soon take root and bear a bountiful crop in the late summer and early fall. Students in the 3rd-6th grades, guided by advisors Dave and Priscilla Garner, have been meeting on Friday afternoons since April to prepare six raised beds for planting, including weeding and adding new soil. Pictured at left are Isabell Alford, Hannah D’Aulerio, Aine Dorsey, Vanessa Lanier, Dylan Reilly, and club advisors Mr. and Mrs. Garner.

Children in the Cougar Camp program will be tending to the garden during the summer and produce harvested will be donated to the Community FoodBank of  New Jersey. Students will have the opportunity to participate again in the after-school Gardening Club in the fall, when additional vegetables will be planted. Produce from the garden will also be used next fall by students in the middle school and high school cooking classes. The school garden was established in 2015 with a grant from the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools program.

 

Middle School Sewing Class Creates Owl Pillows, T-Shirts, and More

The Middle School sewing class is now enjoying the several projects they created this year including sewing their own head bands, tote bags, owl pillows, and making over their own t-shirts.

The owl pillows in particular were a really special project for the students.  They learned a new technique called “faux chenille.”  Using 100% rayon fabrics, they layered 4 different prints on a background.  Then they stitched rows 1/2 inch apart and slit the fabrics between the rows of stitching.  When the pillow is machine washed, the edges fray, creating fuzzy, fluffy rows that resemble vintage chenille.

The t-shirts were the last project of the year.  Each girl was given a plain t-shirt and challenged to make it into something new.  Several students had fun dying the t-shirts.  All of them used ideas from Pinterest to alter sleeves, hemlines, necklines, etc. to create a one-of-a-kind top.

High School and Middle School Students Receive Recognition for Athletic Participation

High school and middle school students who played on an ACS sports team during the 2016-2017 school year received recognition for their participation, leadership, and athletic abilities at awards programs on June 2 and 5. At the high school awards event, it was a time to celebrate and reflect on a year of outstanding accomplishments. The ACS varsity girls’ teams brought home a league championship trophy in three sports — soccer, basketball, and softball — and the varsity boys’ were league champions in baseball. The ACS girls’ and boys’ teams also took first place in the TSCAC track meet. In addition, a number of athletes put their names in the ACS record book and were recognized by the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference for their outstanding individual accomplishments.

Seniors Dakota Hitchner, Shannon Murphy, and Carl Phillips (pictured above left) received the Cougar Award, given to athletes who have demonstrated outstanding Christian character, leadership, responsibility, and commitment in the area of athletics. Dakota and Carl were also chosen by the Athletic Department to be the recipients of the 2017 Billy Robinson Award.  Shannon also received the TSCAC Rex Feltman Award, given to one outstanding senior boy and girl athlete in the conference who will be attending a Christian college and pursuing ministry.  Carl, along with sophomores Ryan Lomangino and Solomon Griffith (pictured above right), received the top baseball team awards and were named to the TSCAC All-Star 1st team.

Dakota, who will be attending King University on a full scholarship to play basketball, is the first ACS athlete to have been named the TSCAC MVP in all three sports. Shannon, a TSCAC All-Star in three sports, will be attending Liberty University where she will major in social work. Carl will be attending Stockton University to pursue an education degree.

At the middle school sports awards program, 26 girls and 25 boys received certificates for participating in at least one sport. Athletic Director Chris Eaton thanked the coaches and assistant coaches for their dedication and commitment to teaching the student-athletes the fundamentals and the importance of good sportsmanship. Those recognized were: Robert Barberio, Kaylee Breunig, Laura Einwechter, Morgan Gibson, Matt Glancey, Casey Hopwood, Ricardo Leon, Chris Loeb, Lori Pearson, Mark Sandorfi, and Terri Vogel. The athletes and family members enjoyed ice cream sundaes at a reception following the ceremony.

 

PreK4 Students Raise and Release Butterflies

Students in Miss Dawn’s PreK 4 class experienced the joy of watching caterpillars grow, form a chrysalis, and finally emerge as monarch butterflies before they released them on Wednesday, June 9 Though this was a great science lesson, Miss Dawn used this as a spiritual analogy: how God can transform us once we know Him as our Savior.

9th Grade Students Create Roller Coaster Replicas

Students in Miss Stonelake’s 9th grade science class were asked to create their very own roller coaster replicas as part of a class project that they presented to their fellow students on Wednesday, June 7. Students were required to include hills, loops, decorations, and a vehicle that can travel through the entire coaster without stopping. The assignment helped students apply what they had learned about energy conversion, friction, and the law of conservation of energy.

McKinnons Share Experiences as Missionaries at Faculty, Staff Devotions

Throughout the school year, ACS faculty and staff meet before school each Tuesday morning for devotions and prayer. This week, the devotions were led by two ACS faculty members in their first year at ACS — 3rd grade teacher Simone McKinnon and her husband Matthew, who teaches computers.  They opened the meeting with the song, “Once Upon A Cold December,” that focused on the message of being patient on God’s timing. They were joined by three of their sons, Nolan (11th), Ryan (9th), and Brandan (7th) who attend ACS. The McKinnons, who have six children in all, shared about their experiences as missionaries for 18 years in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Mr. McKinnon noted that their last five years were perhaps the most rewarding as they focused on sharing the gospel with street kids as part of an outreach ministry called Abba. He said through their efforts they saw many runaways and homeless children, ranging in age from 13-24, reunited with their families or become adopted by Christian families in the area. We thank God for our faculty and staff who set the example for our students of what it means to live out your life as a Christian.

Preschool Celebrates Bike Day

May is National Bike Month and to join the effort to emphasize the importance of exercise and fitness some 80 students in PreK3 and PreK4 brought their bicycles, tricycles, and scooters to school on Tuesday for “Bike Day.” Under sunny blue skies, the students rode around the track for an hour, joined by teachers and family members. A “bubble obstacle” set up on a portion of the track added to the fun.

ACS Staff and Students Participate in Production of “The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe”

Congratulations to the 10 ACS students and 5 staff members who participated in Sojourn Productions’ outstanding four-show run of “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe” May 19-21 at Atlantic Cape Community College. Over 1,200 people attended to see the dramatic presentation of Christian author C.S. Lewis’ fantastical story that paints a beautiful allegory of Christ’s sacrifice for mankind.

ACS students who participated in the production were cast members Elizabeth Amadio, Robby Barberio, Hannah Campbell, Faith Carroll, Calvin Costello, Sophia Costello, Chloe Griffith, Ashleigh Martin, and Ryleigh Martin and stage manager Elyssa Griffith. ACS staff members were Amy Joan Culleny (Director), Shirlene Perini and Sandra Settles (costumes), Haley Shorten (make-up), and Havilah Shorten (stage manager).

Sojourn Productions, which was founded through Sojourn Community Church in 2007, seeks to not only present inspiring productions, but also to inspire those involved, building them up in their talent and dreams in a positive atmosphere. Their annual Performing Arts Summer Camp will be held at Atlantic Christian School July 10-14.

5th Grade Posters Promote Eating Healthy Snacks


The students in Mrs. Ash’s 5th grade class have been learning all about the importance of choosing healthy snacks, like fruit, vegetables, and hard boiled eggs, over junk food snacks like sugary cookies and salty potato chips, as part of a poster project in their science unit. The posters are now on display in a first floor hallway to share the message of healthy snacking with fellow students.

Students Warn Against Distracted Driving


Distracted driving kills — that was the message emphasized by a group of ACS high school students this week during presentations to fellow high school and middle school students during PE classes. The students made their presentations next to a smashed-up car donated by Flemings Junk Yard. “This is what can happen to you if you text and drive,” said senior Dakota Hitchner. Juniors Andrew Arsenis and Matthew Castellane also shared stories of family members who were seriously injured in accidents caused by distracted driving.

The students had been working since February on their  project to promote safe driving as members of a new Safe Driving Club, overseen by Athletic Director Chris Eaton. The club received a grant from the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey to create the project, which also included making a video on the dangers of distracted driving. Next week, club members will be going to Six Flags Great Adventure to present their project at a state-wide event with other high school students who have worked on similar safe driving projects.

Ms Baseball Field Gets Pristine Upgrade


The Middle School Boys’ Baseball Field has been transformed into a pristine field thanks to the charitable efforts of Clayton Construction Company and Rhodes Paving. The some $25,000 worth of upgrades included the excavation of the infield, installation of an irrigation system,  planting of sod, and building a regulation pitching mound. The upgrades were completed in time for use by our Middle School Boys’ baseball team this spring and for continued use by summer campers and community leagues. We are so grateful for the way God provides for our school’s needs through donations and gifts from the school family and supporters in the community.

Preschool Classroom Gifted New Table, Chairs

The children in Mrs. Genter’s Early Education classroom enjoyed snacks and other activities this week on a new blue-and-white round table and chairs, a gift from New Life Assembly of God Church in Egg Harbor Township. Thank you to Pastor Kevin Bernat and the ministry team at New Life for choosing to bless our students with furniture that is perfectly sized for our toddler-age students.

Upper School Band Dedicates Annual Spring Concert to “The Ones We Love”

The Upper School Concert Band presented its annual Friends and Family Concert Thursday night and the theme was “Dedicated to the Ones We Love.” True to the theme, each song played was chosen by a band member, who introduced the song and named a parent, grandparent, sibling, or teacher to whom it was dedicated. The opening number, “You Raise Me Up,” was dedicated by 8th grader Isabel Ye to her Middle School teachers Deanna Bailey and Lisa Dye. Other songs ranged from traditional hymns including “In the Garden” and “Amazing Grace” to movie tunes from “The Sound of Music” and “The Lord of the Rings.”

Several talented band members from grades 6-12 were featured as soloists and in a trio — Asheligh Martin (solo clarinet), Haley Whedbee (solo flute, pictured below left), and Alex Mazak, Alyssa Mazak, and Isabel Ye (violin trio). Thank you to Band Director Mrs. Shirlene Perini for working with our students throughout the school year to help them develop and

ACS Varsity Baseball, Softball Teams Enjoying Winning Seasons

Congratulations to the Varsity Boys’ Baseball team, pictured above, who is undefeated at 11-0 and in first place in the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference. The Varsity Girls’ Softball team has also posted a winning season (7-2) and is tied for first place in the TSCAC with Cumberland Christian School. Both teams will be in the playoffs on May 30. Last year, both the boys’ and girls’ teams were the TSCAC champions and this year’s teams are looking to earn that title again.

The boys’ team has been led by strong pitching from Andrew Arsenis, Elijah Chapman, Solomon Griffith, and Ryan Lomangino. Griffith and Lomangino have also been top hitters for the team, joined by Micah Bonek, Eniel Hernandez, and Carl Phillips. Thank you to head coach Ray Picking and assistant coaches alumnus Dave Heuman (’16), and school parents Kevin Iaconelli and Charlie Rhodes for your commitment and dedication to excellence. The boys’ team will face Calvary Christian Academy at a home game today at 4:00 p.m. Come on out and cheer on our Cougars to victory.

The girls’ team, under head coach Dara Kimmerley, is  led by senior starting pitcher Dakota Hitchner. Hitchner, joined by Shannon Murphy, Samantha Rhodes, and Abigail Vogel have also been leading the team with powerful and consistent hitting.

ACS Prom 2017 — Time After Time

High school students enjoyed an elegant evening of dinner and dancing on May 5 at the Greate Bay Country Club in Somers Point. Door prizes, games, and a photo booth made the evening both fun and memorable.

High School Nashville Missions Trip Highlights — Team Volunteered at Soup Kitchen, Food Bank, Other Organizations Serving Needy

Six ACS high school students, led by high school Bible teacher Joe Rowell, spent their Easter break volunteering at local organizations in Nashville, Tennessee that provide vital services to the needy in that city. On their way back from Nashville, the missions team also spent time in Kentucky, touring the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter, a life-size replica of Noah’s Ark (pictured above left).

In Nashville, the ACS team, under the direction of the Center for Student Ministries, spent four days serving at the Fish and Loaves Soup Kitchen, harvesting kale and planting vegetables at an urban garden, packaging sweet potatoes at the Second Harvest Food Bank, and working at a warehouse that provides furniture and household goods to the needy.  They also cleaned and helped with painting at a local church.

In Kentucky, during their tour of the Creation Museum, the students met and spoke with Ken Hamm, the founder of the museum and the “Answers in Genesis” website (pictured at top).  “The most important lesson we learned at the museum is that the truth claims of Christianity about creation do not rival the facts of science and are not mutually exclusive,” Mr. Rowell said.  The students and adult chaperones who participated in the trip were: Steven Chirinos, Rudy Dalinger, Jasmine Davis (chaperone), Zengheng (Constantine) Jiang, Jay Lee, Brianna Lomangino, Joshua Mizrahi, and Joe Rowell (chaperone).

 

ACS In The Community

Chorales Share Gift of Music With Local Nursing Home

Students in the Middle School and High School Chorales joyfully shared their gift of music on Thursday, May 11 with some 70 residents, staff, and guests at Our Ladies of Residence nursing home in Pleasantville. The chorales presented a lively 45-minute concert of contemporary Christian and gospel songs, featuring solos by Tommy Ellison (pictured above), Allie Friend, Gabrielle Gibbs, Rebekah Kimmerley, Sydney Pearson, Annia Pierre, and Rose Shaw.  Mark your calendar for Tuesday, May 23 at 6:30 p.m. when the Chorales will present their Spring Concert in the ACS gym. The concert is free and open to the public.

Students Show Support for Autism Awareness

ACS students participated in a “Bubbles 4 Autism” event on Monday, May 8 to show their support for autism awareness and acceptance. The event was organized by the Middle School World Changers Club and raised $200 that will be donated to FACES 4 Autism, a local non-profit. The students first gathered in the gym for an audio-visual presentation of a children’s illustrated book about a child with autism, entitled “So Did Kevin.” Isabelle Mosca, founder of FACES 4 Autism, then joined the students as they went outdoors to blow bubbles and show their love and acceptance for the many children and families in our community that are touched by autism.

Missions Club Supports Children’s Ministries at Pleasantville Church

The ACS Missions Club recently donated $100 to support the children’s ministry programs at Iglesia Oasis United Methodist Church in Pleasantville. The donation was made possible from the Club’s snack sales throughout the school year. In a thank-you note to the Club, senior pastor Rev. Amarilys Gonzalez-Lopez (pictured bottom right) said the funds would be used to support their Sunday school, Kidz Club, homework completion program, and Vacation Bible School. Elementary teacher Anne Dice and a club leader said the church has been a valuable resource for ACS faculty and students to help create worship services in Spanish to present on missions trips.

Congratulations To Dustin Hill Winner of Green Mustache Day

Congratulations to kindergarten student Dustin Hill, the winner of the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools “Green Mustache Day” contest!

On March 8, elementary students sampled healthy green smoothies as part of “Green Mustache Day.” Many of the students posed for photographs with their bright green mustaches. Three of the best photos were submitted to the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools Program to be entered into a drawing for a $25 Visa gift card. Dustin’s photo was randomly selected in the drawing. He was presented with a certificate and a gift card during chapel on Friday, May 5.

Teachers Receive Blessings During Teacher Appreciation Week

We love our teachers! The ACS Board of Directors, administration, and parents showed their love for ACS faculty members the week of May 1. The teachers received several special meals including Mexican fajitas, a nacho bar, and coffee and donuts as well as gifts and even chair massages. Thank you to everyone who participated in blessing our wonderful teachers.

High School Praise Band Leads Worship at Mission Point Church

The ACS High School Praise and Worship Band led Sunday worship at Mission Point Church in Somers Point on April 9. The student band leads worship throughout the school year at the middle school/high school weekly chapel. The band is directed by faculty member and ACS alumnus Dakota Mason (’09) who is also the Worship Leader at Mission Point Church. Thank you to Mr. Mason and Senior Pastor James McCartney for giving our students the opportunity to use their musical gifts and talents to share God’s love in the community. Pictured at left are the band members who performed at Mission Point: 1st row, from left: Kaitlyn Kelley, Naomi Glancey, Kelsey Kern, and Amanda Chau; 2nd row, from left: Trey Landwehr, Axel Potapoff, Andrew Jacoby, and Hunter Smith. Mr. Mason is standing in the rear. Three additional band members who did not perform on April 9 are Josh Burns, Matt Castellane, and Tommy Taylor.

Cougar Den Seeking Soda, Water, Other Donations

The baseball/softball season is underway! The Athletic Department is seeking donations for concession items to sell at home games. If you have any questions, please contact Athletic Director Chris Eaton at 609-653-1199, ext. 315 or ceaton@acseht.org. Thank you for your support and Go Cougars!

  • Gatorade/Powerade
  • Water
  • Soda
  • Cans of cheese (from Sam’s Club)
  • Boxes of nacho cheese (from Sam’s Club)
  • Hot dog rolls
  • Candy