Parents of high school students are invited to attend an important presentation on a new job shadowing program on Tuesday, October 1 at 7 p.m.

ACS is partnering with NextStep Planning and Education to launch this new program that will give ACS high school students an opportunity to explore their career interests by working in local businesses. To date, NextStep has over 25 certified business partners. Parents had their first opportunity to learn about the new program during the 6th-12th grade Back-to-School Night on September 24 and a representative of NextStep provided information at a table in the school foyer.

The job shadowing program will supplement the work of our new guidance coordinator, Mrs. Kelly Schlundt, in helping prepare ACS students for college and careers after graduation. NextStep is also providing its services to several other area high schools including Absegami, Cedar Creek, and Oakcrest.

Please contact Upper School Principal Meg McHale with any questions about the NextStep program at 609-653-1199, ext. 309 or mmchale@acseht.org.

ACS will be using a new assessment tool called NWEA Map Growth during this school year that will replace the TeraNova as a standardized test. Teachers in grades K-8 will begin administering this new MAP Growth test on a computer or Chromebook during the weeks of September 30 to October 11.

Elementary School Principal Gail Alford sent an email to parents on Friday, September 27 explaining the new assessment tool. The test will be given three times during the school year — October, January, and May — and will measure reading, math, and language skills. The test results will be quickly available to teachers to help them identify each student’s strengths and weaknesses, tailor classroom lessons, and set goals for students.

Following each testing period, parents and guardians will receive a Family Report showing a summary of their child is performing academically.

ACS students in grades 6-12 will once again have the opportunity to go on missions trips in the spring of 2020. Three high school trips are planned to occur during spring break — to the Bahamas, Panama, and the Carolinas. The application to go on these trips is due Monday, September 30.

The middle school missions trip will be to Coatesville, Pennsylvania and will also occur during spring break 2020. The application for the middle school trip is due Thursday, October 31.

Since 2008, over 300 students have gone on ACS missions trips and learned first-hand about the joy of serving God by serving others. For questions about the high school missions trips, please contact High School Missions Club Advisor Dave Genter at dgenter@acseht.org. Please contact Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen regarding the middle school missions trip at koblen@acseht.org.

Our PreK3 students wore pajamas to school on Wednesday and brought in their own teddy bear or other favorite stuffed animal. It was all part of this week’s learning-focused theme — bears.

All week long, Mrs. Costello and Mrs. VanAcker organized fun, creative bear-themed activities to help make learning interesting and interactive. Class activities included sorting bears by color and size, counting bears, reading the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and learning the sound of the letter “B.”

When jealousy comes — pray, remember the good things God has done for you, and rejoice in the blessings that others received. This was the core message that Mrs. Kiefer’s 5th grade students shared in Elementary Chapel on Friday, September 27, which included showing a video of skits they had created. The chapel’s message was building on the 2019-2020 spiritual development theme that encourages our students to be transformed by the renewing of their mind — to think Biblically and thereby live differently.

Over the past week, the 5th graders wrote and acted out four original skits that depicted real-life scenarios when jealousy can occur. In the skits, the students put into practice the best, Biblically-based ways to react and set aside those jealous feelings. Mrs. Kiefer took videos of the skits, which were shown during chapel.

5th grader Mia Morales also used her artistic talents to create a poster, which has been distributed to hang on the walls in our 1st to 5th grade classrooms as important reminders of how God wants each of us to cope with jealousy.

The Servant’s Heart Club will meet for the first time this school year on Tuesday, October 1. This after-school club is for students in the 2nd to 5th grades and will begin another season of finding creative ways to bless others in our community and show them God’s love.

The club will once again be under the direction of volunteer leader and ACS parent Jennifer DiMaio. Past club projects have included making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Valentine’s Day care packages for the homeless people served by the Atlantic City Rescue Mission and Christmas caroling at the Linwood Care Center.

The Servant’s Heart Club meets the first Tuesday of each month from 3:15-4:00 p.m. and participants are asked to pay a $25 fee. Flyers to register for the club were sent home with students on Friday, September 27 and are also available on the ACS website.

CLICK HERE to go to the “After School Program” website page and print out the flyer.

A new, long-sleeved ACS Spiritwear Performance Shirt is available for purchase until Tuesday, October 1. Order forms are available in the school office. All proceeds from the sales will benefit the Parent Teacher Fellowship.

The shirt, which has a quarter-zip, is available only in adult sizes and can be worn parents and guardians as well as by middle school and high school students as official school SpiritWear.

The performance shirt is a dark grey heather with the school logo in white. Adults sizes are available from XS to 4X and cost $40. The shirts are expected to arrive by the third week of October.

The ACS Christian Skate Night is just one day away — on Saturday, September 28 — from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Young’s Skating Center located at 763 Park Road in Mays Landing. We hope to see a great turnout of our ACS families and their friends. Tickets will be $10 per person at the door, with a maximum price of $20 for immediate family. Skate rental is an additional cost. All proceeds will benefit the ACS Junior Class.

Rising Christian country music recording artist, Daryl Boyer, was the featured speaker at the 6th-12th grade chapel on Friday, September 27, where he shared his testimony about how he found his identity in Christ and led the students in a powerful time of worship, including him performing one of his original songs entitled “King Jesus.”

Boyer’s message to the students and to several dozen ACS parents who also attended the chapel, focused on the importance of finding our worth and identity in Christ and not in our own accomplishments or achievements.

Boyer described how he spent the early part of his life in Nashville seeking to build a career as a musician, but had not committed his life to Christ. He was struggling with alcoholism and depression.

“I had wrapped up my entire identity in succeeding and making it in the music industry and when things didn’t go the way that I had planned, I started spiraling downward,” Boyer said. When he finally cried out God, Boyer said he was delivered “on the spot” from his addiction to alcohol and turned his life over to Christ.

Since then, Boyer has written and recorded two original songs that have hit the #1 spot on the Christian Music Weekly Christian Country chart. His most recent #1 single — “Running Down Revival” ‘– was released in March and his first #1 single — “Never Looking Back” — held the top position on the CMW Christian Country chart for 24 weeks in 2017-2018.

Boyer now also has a special link to ACS. He is a new ACS parent. His wife, Steffanie, is the new After-Care Director, and their daughter, Leah, is enrolled in the 7th grade.

The Middle School Spiritual Emphasis Retreat at America’s Keswick is just two weeks away and the deadline is next Friday, October 5 for submitting permission slips and the $50 retreat fee. Michael Melody, who has served in ministry with Calvary Chapel churches in northern and southern New Jersey, will be the keynote speaker.

Mr. Melody served on staff for 7 years at Calvary Chapel Cornerstone in Howell, New Jersey, where he led the young adult group. He also led missions trips to Haiti and El Salvador and coordinated Calvary Chapel Relief in response to Hurricane Sandy.

Since relocating to southern New Jersey with his wife, Celine, who teaches Middle School Science at ACS, and their three children, Mr. Melody has served in the children’s ministry at Gateway Calvary Chapel in Northfield. He is an MRI Tech for AtlantiCare.

Payment of the retreat fee can be sent into the school office or paid online. CLICK HERE to complete the permission slip and pay online.

Students in the 10th and 11th grades who are interested in being accepted into the National Honor Society must submit their completed application packets by next Friday, October 4. The application packet and four recommendations should be hand-delivered to Middle School teacher Mrs. Coates, who is the NHS advisor, by no later than noon on Friday.

New candidates will be selected for membership by a Faculty Council and must demonstrate academic achievement as well as outstanding character, leadership, and service. The Induction Ceremony into the National Honor Society will be Thursday, October 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the ACS gym.

ACS first established its National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society chapters in the fall of 2012.  Since that time, 36 high school students have been inducted into the National Honor Society and 65 middle school students have been inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. The application packet for 7th and 8th grade candidates into the National Junior Honor Society will be due Friday, October 25.

CLICK HERE to view and download the National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society application packets, which are posted on the ACS website.

Students, faculty, staff, and family members gathered for a time of prayer around the ACS flagpole as part of the annual national “See You At the Pole” event on Wednesday, September 25. The morning began with singing led by staff members Kelly Flynn and Bill Smallwood. Students and adults then took turns leading prayer as the the group lifted up our school, community, and nation.

CLICK HERE to see additional photos from “See You at the Pole.”

ACS is excited to welcome Mrs. Princesa (PJ) Santos as our new Assistant Director of Development and Communication. PJ is passionate about Christian education and feels called to serve at ACS “to use my God-given talents for His glory.”

PJ is a talented graphic designer, website developer and programmer, and digital manager with over 15 years of experience. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources from De La Salle University, College of St. Benilde, in Manila, Philippines.

Since joining the ACS staff in mid-August, PJ has hit the ground running, coordinating activities for the first day of school, the Back-to-School BBQ, and the Back-to-School Nights. She also designed the logo image for the school’s “Be Transformed” Spiritual Emphasis Theme Verse. “I’m looking forward to getting to know our school family even better and getting everyone connected to the school and excited about volunteering, ” PJ said.

PJ and her husband, David, have been part of the ACS school family since 2001 when they enrolled their daughter, Isabella, in PreK-2. The next year they enrolled their daughter, Gabriella, in the PreK- Infant class and they have been at ACS ever since. They worship and serve at Mission Point Church in Somers Point, where PJ has been active in a variety of ministries over the past 15 years, including Tech & Sound, the Kids Zone, hospitality, and helping with the church’s website.

Prior to joining the ACS staff, PJ was working alongside her husband in a home-based online Etsy store, creating and selling personalized and wedding gifts. Prior to that, she worked for nearly 8 years for the Miss America Organization as a graphic designer and website and digital manager. Her tasks included producing the annual program book for the Miss America pagaent. PJ also worked for three years at Liberty University in the Minority and International Student Office.

ACS international students from Belgium, China, and South Korea enjoyed a tasty celebration to mark the mid-autumn or moon festival in China and Korean Thanksgiving Day, both of which fell on the same day this year, Friday, September 13, also the day of the Back-to-School BBQ.

Instead of sharing a BBQ meal of hamburgers and hot dogs, the students gathered outside near the ACS track to sample Korean noodles, spicy Krunchicken, and bubble tea from Ocean City’s Krunchicken. For dessert, the students enjoyed delicious plum, beet, and nut varieties of round Chinese moon cakes, coconut candies, and cookies, donated by Mr. Juxiang Yang of the Ivy International Group.

The special celebration was organized by faculty member Patti Scardilli and Admissions Director Jessica Martin. Mrs. Scardilli said these special Chinese and Korean holidays are all about celebrating the importance of family.

Atlantic Christian will hold a special time of group prayer around the school’s flagpole as we participate in the annual national “See You At the Pole” event on Wednesday, September 25. Family and friends are welcome to join our students, faculty, and staff from 7:45-8:15 a.m. as we pray for our school, our local community, and our nation.

For the last 28 years, hundreds of schools across the nation have held “See You at the Pole” events for one main purpose — to give students an opportunity to unite themselves in prayer before God to intercede for their generation. Please join us around our flagpole!

Next Tuesday, September 24, is our Middle School and High School Back-to-School Night. We hope to see all of our parents who have students in grades 6-12 come out for this very informative inter-active event that will begin at 6:30 pm in the school’s gymnasium and will end at 8 pm.

The evening will begin with a general assembly where important information will be presented about upcoming school events, athletics, clubs, after-school enrichment classes, fundraising and volunteer opportunities, and more. Parents will then get to walk in their student’s shoes – following his/her class schedule, visiting different classrooms, meeting the teachers, and hearing a synopsis of the class goals.

We had a great turnout of close to 200 parents on Thursday who filled the gym bleachers for our Elementary Back-to-School Night. The evening gave parents a chance to get better acquainted with our teachers and to learn more about the specific educational goals at each grade level from kindergarten to the 5th grade. The evening began in the gym with an overview of school events and programs from Elementary Principal Gail Alford and other school staff. Parents then made their way to the classrooms to meet the teachers. Parents enjoyed sitting at their child’s desk and had a chance to see artwork and other classroom work on display inside and outside the classrooms.

Representatives of the new mobile app Xspero, the Parent Teacher Fellowship, and the Cub Scout Pack 389 were in the school lobby to meet with parents and answer questions about their programs.

CLICK HERE to see a photo gallery of the Elementary Back-to-School Night on our ACS website.

Forty-seven students from elementary to high school were selected to be in the cast for our November 22-23 production of the musical Annie Jr. Show Director Amy Culleny got rehearsals underway in mid-September and she is very excited to be working again with the talented students at ACS. Ads and booster messages for the show can be purchased online on the ACS website.

“I know this show is going to be a big hit and I was thrilled to be able to find a place in the show for every student who auditioned,” Culleny said. 4th grader Vanessa Rallo was cast for the leading role of Annie. The five other students selected for leading roles were: 9th grader Hunter Jorgenson as Oliver Warbucks, 12th grader Ashleigh Martin as Miss Hannigan, 9th grader Soolim (Sue) Yoon as Grace, 10th grader Asher Dawkins as Rooster, and 12th grader Nell Daeleman as Lilly.

Seventeen elementary students were selected for an ensemble group of orphans who will appear throughout the musical. The six students who were selected to have leading roles as orphans were: 4th graders Leila Alobeidy, Raquel Mitchell, and Solia Pecou; 3rd graders Lauren Bohs and Natalie Dickson; and 5th grader Autumn Henson.

Pictured here, from left, first row are: Autumn Henson, Solia Pecou, Racquel Mitchell, and Vanessa Rallo; second row, from left: Nell Daeleman, Ashleigh Martin, Hunter Jorgenson, and Leila Alobeidy.

Tickets will soon be on sale to the performances, which are scheduled for Friday, November 22 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, November 23 at 2 p.m. 

CLICK HERE to purchase playbill and electronic screen ads and booster messages for Annie Jr.

Our Varsity Girls’ and Boys’ Soccer Teams headed to Lancaster, PA today to play in the 2nd annual PA vs NJ Soccer Tournament at Lancaster County Christian School. Athletic Director Pam Hitchner gathered the players and coaches together for final instructions and prayer this morning before leaving for Pennsylvania.

ACS and Pilgrim Academy will represent NJ in this two-day tournament, competing against two PA teams — Lancaster County Christian School (LCCS) and Northumberland Christian School (NCS). The tournament is being sponsored by Clarks Summit University.

Here’s the tournament schedule:

Friday, Sept. 20, 3:15 p.m. — ACS Varsity Boys vs LCCS
Friday, Sept. 20, 5 p.m. — ACS Varsity Girls vs LCCS
Saturday, Sept. 21, 10:45 a.m. — ACS Varsity Boys vs NCS
Saturday, Sept. 21, 12:30 p.m. — ACS Varsity Girls vs NCS

Go ACS Cougars and let’s root for both of our NJ teams to win this friendly, cross-state rivalry!

What is God saying to you and what do you need to do about it? ACS high school students were challenged to answer that question throughout the two-day Spiritual Emphasis Retreat on September 16 and 17 at America’s Keswick.

“The retreat is a time of growing closer to God and each other and we were pleased to see this take place in so many ways this week,” said Upper School Principal Meg McHale.

During morning and evening sessions, Travis Lee, founder of the Travis Lee Band, led a time of prayer, worship, and devotions, after which students broke into smaller COMPASS groups, where our high school teachers facilitated discussion focusing on how to apply God’s Word to their lives.

Students also participated in several friendly class competitions, including an Amazing Race game based on solving clues related to Biblical knowledge. In one contest, students competed to build the tallest “Tower of Babel” using graham crackers and frosting and without speaking to each other during the process. Some students also explored a team-building challenge course set up on America’s Keswick grounds that included setting up wooden planks between raised platforms and walking across them.

In free time, the students found plenty of ways to bond through a variety of indoor and outdoor recreational activities, including archery tag, canoeing, racquetball, swimming, tennis, volleyball, and more.

The Middle School Spiritual Emphasis Retreat will also be held at America’s Keswick this year on Thursday, October 10. Mrs. McHale will be emailing information to parents soon regarding signing a permission slip and submitting payment for the retreat.

CLICK HERE for additional Retreat photos.

The ACS Junior Class is hosting a Christian Skate Night skating party on Saturday, September 28 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Young’s Skating Center (763 Park Road, Mays Landing). The event is open to ACS families and their friends. Tickets are $8 in advance and can be purchased in the school office or from Mr. Genter. Tickets will be $10 at the door. Maximum price for immediate family will be $20. Skate rental is an additional cost.