Six elementary classes recently participated in a four-week walking challenge as a way to improve their health and wellness and during chapel on Friday, June 1 the students received prizes from the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools program for their efforts. Mrs. Capito’s 1st grade class logged the most minutes of any class, walking 30-40 minutes daily during April for a total of 620 minutes. Each student received the top prize — a new digital, clip-on pedometer. The other classes received certificates, pencils, and stickers for making an extra effort to get out and walk during the school day beyond their normal classroom routine. The five other participating classes were: the kindergarten classes of Miss Price and Mrs. Reilly; the 2nd grade classes of Miss Vogel and Miss Williams; and the 3rd grade classes  of Mrs. Fosbenner and Mrs. McCarthy. ACS Director of Development and Communication Carole Karabashian, who coordinates the school’s partnership with AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, presented the prizes to the classes and congratulated them for choosing to do this simple form of exercise that helps the body burn calories, improves memory and mood, and gets the creative juices flowing.

ACS high school students recently spent a day at the William J. Hughes Technical Center in Egg Harbor Township learning about career opportunities in the fields of aeronautics and space. It was all part of the Tech Center’s 3rd annual Aviation STEM Day on May 14 that drew some 150 local high school and college students. High school science teacher Rebecca Stonelake said an FAA Tech Center guide accompanied the ACS students as they visited over 40 display booths that showcased a range of technologies including flight simulators, NASA spacecraft, and even drones.  Senior Tommy Taylor (pictured above), was one of several ACS students who had the opportunity to try their hand at flying a small drone. The students also attended a presentation by Shaesta Waiz, who recently became the youngest woman to fly solo around the world in a single-engine aircraft.  In addition to the student-related activities, Stonelake attended a teacher workshop on how to integrate aviation STEM into science curriculum and received a packet of classroom resources. (Photo credit: Press of Atlantic City)

A group of 10 ACS high school students are choosing to make their voices heard about urgent issues facing teens today by serving on a new Youth Advisory Board of Peer Challenge, a South Jersey non-profit that for 20 years has focused on serving and empowering youth.  Kevin McHugh, a Peer Challenge  coordinator and educator, met twice in May with ACS 11th and 12th grade students on the new board to develop a list of issues and begin planning a community outreach event this August in Ocean City to raise awareness about one of the pressing issues.

McHugh said that among the top issues raised by ACS students were gun violence, bullying and cyber bullying, mental health, and drug abuse. “I’m looking forward to working with the students to make this summer event a success and to continue working over the next year on additional programs that will help bridge the gap between our youth and the community,” McHugh said. McHugh began his involvement at ACS earlier this year meeting with juniors and seniors to teach a six-week course in health classes on the importance of abstinence, a program offered by Peer Challenge that is funded through the state of New Jersey to curb teen pregnancy and STD rates.

Ready…Set…Roll…Some 80 students in our PreK3 and PreK4 classes brought their bikes, scooters, and tricycles to school on Friday, May 25 for our annual Bike Day event. Teachers, parents, and other family members cheered them on as they rode around the school track or joined in on the fun riding their own bikes. May is National Bike Month and Friday was a perfect weather day to be outdoors enjoying the sun and fresh air and the healthy benefits of bicycling.

The combined Middle and High School Bands and Chorales presented their spring concert on Thursday, May 24 in the ACS gymnasium. The program, entitled “Rewind,” featured favorite musical selections from past ACS concerts and paid special tribute to the impact of retiring band director, Mrs. Shirlene Perini.

Perini, pictured at right with Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen, came to ACS in 2011 and built the band program from the ground up. Students recounted some of the significant milestones under her leadership as they gave personalized introductions to each band number. Following the tradition Perini started in her early years, the band’s portion of the concert featured “friends & family” musicians, including former ACS band students,  who joined the current members to fill out the sound.

Following the band’s presentation, the High School Select Ensemble took the stage for one number before being joined by the full middle and high school chorales. In addition to reprising a few favorite numbers from prior concerts, the chorales continued the “Rewind” theme by wearing various chorale T-shirts produced over the last few seasons. Under the direction of Lee Martin, the chorales also led the audience in a powerful time of worship featuring several contemporary praise songs with solos by many members of the group.

The concert concluded with Martin recognizing the five graduating seniors in the High School Chorale and Oblen making a special presentation to Perini to honor her seven years of service.

Before and after the concert, guests walked the school hallways to view art displays produced by upper school students in Sherry Mirakian’s art classes. In addition to a wide variety of sketches and drawings, the exhibits included clay castle sculptures, hand-painted African masks and “prehistoric” cork wall paintings.

REMINDER — Please send in your Box Tops next week. The final, year-end collection deadline is Friday, June  1. The Parent-Teacher Fellowship will be collecting all Box Tops from classroom teachers and the school office. The funds raised from this simple and easy fundraiser will be used to purchase school equipment. Be sure to  place your Box Top labels in a ziploc bag and write your child’s name and grade on the bag. For every 50 Box Tops submitted, your child will receive one PTF Dollar to use in the next school year toward Pretzel Mondays and at any athletic concession stand. The family that turns in the most Box Tops will receive a $10 Wawa gift card that will be presented at one of the year-end Awards Chapels. Thank you for participating.

Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen recognized and thanked high school teacher and coach Gregg Laskow for his dedicated service to ACS over the past nine years during the Middle School/High School Chapel on Friday, March 25.  She also announced that the 2017-2018 ACS Yearbook had been dedicated to him.

In the dedication, which Oblen read aloud, Laskow is praised for his skills as a history and Bible teacher and as head coach of the Varsity Boys’ Soccer team, which he led to a TSCAC championship in 2012 and to numerous playoff berths.

“As a teacher, he not only taught the subject matter, he created a love for the subject. As a coach he expected and got the best out of each of his players,” the dedication stated. Laskow recently earned his Masters of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He will be starting a new position in July as the Associate Pastor at Crossway Church in Mohnton, Pennsylvania. We are praying for God’s blessing and guidance for Mr. Laskow, his wife Caitlin, a former ACS elementary teacher, and their children Madison and Hudson, as they begin a new chapter in their lives of service to the Lord. We will miss you!

High school students in the Driver’s Ed Club recently completed a project to improve the flow of traffic and promote pedestrian safety in the main school parking lot, funded by a grant from the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey. The project included painting feet in a crosswalk and installing large orange traffic safety cones and sturdy,  non-tipping “No Parking” signs where parents drop-off and pick-up students. ACS is a member of the U Got Brains Champion School Program and the club project was entered into their annual  competition. The 14 juniors and seniors in the club attended the Awards Showcase on Thursday, May 24 at Six Flags Great Adventure, where their project along with those of some 60 other New Jersey high schools was on display. Athletic Director and Club Advisor Pam Hitchner said that even though ACS was not one of the top 3 award winning schools, the video created by ACS students about their project was prominently featured during the awards showcase and several hundred students visited the ACS display table. “The students could make necklaces with charms in the shape of feet and we handed out some 200 feet-shaped stickers that displayed our theme, Drive Safe, Walk With Faith,” Hitchner said.

Some 100 parents, faculty, and staff gathered the evening of Monday, May 21 for the Annual Meeting of the Atlantic Christian School Association, spending time together in fellowship and prayer, electing new Board members, honoring the dedicated service of 10 ACS teachers, and listening to state of the school reports highlighting this year’s academic and financial progress. Members of the ACS Board of Directors served up a buffet dinner that preceded the formal opening of the meeting.

Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen touched on highlights from the past school year,  noting that this year’s enrollment of 487 students was the highest in the school’s 47-year history and praising God for His goodness and faithfulness. Board of Directors Chair Pearson announced that in response to the steady growth in enrollment the Board and administration have begun working on a conceptual plan to add a new school building, which could include a gym and a performing arts venue.  “We are working on a vision so that we grow well and if it’s God’s will, we know He will provide the funds to do it,” Pearson said.

During the meeting, two new members were elected to the Board, which oversees the governance and policies of the school. The new Board members, who will serve 3-year terms alongside eight other Board members, are school parents Lina Lomangino and Rob Barberio, pictured above with current Board Chair Pearson (center). School parents Jason Lewis, Eric Hoover, and Courtney Mitchell were also elected to serve on the Board’s Nominating Committee.

Oblen recognized and thanked 10 teachers who will be leaving ACS at the end of the school year due to retirement, relocation, or being called to a different vocation. Those present (pictured above) were presented with certificates in appreciation of their service, including faculty members Deanna Bailey, Anne Dice, Karan Erlandson, Casey Hopwood, Joelle Howard, Gregg Laskow, Matt McKnnnon, Charlie Moore, Shirlene Perini, and Ariel Richvalsky.

Newly-elected Board member Lomangino, whose son Ryan is an ACS junior, has been a long-time parent volunteer, serving on the PTF, the Servant’s Heart Club, and Parents in Prayer. She holds a degree in special ed from Rowan University. Barberio, who is in his second year as head coach of the ACS Middle School Boys’ Baseball team, has two children currently at ACS, 4th grader Ava and 7th grader Robert. He is the co-owner of Olympic Physical Therapy and is the founder/operator of the Barberio School of Massage in Linwood.

In their financial reports, Board Treasurer Chris Loeb and Business Administrator Kelly Flynn noted that God has once again blessed the school with the necessary financial resources, including gifts to provide for a second year of tuition assistance for needy families in the 18-19 school year. The annual audit of the school’s finances has also been completed and the recent obtaining of a new commercial loan for the school’s mortgage is resulting in an annual savings of $24,000 in interest payments over the next 10 years.

Parent Teacher Fellowship President Terry Vogel gave a year-end update on the volunteer organization’s activities and reported that PTF fundraisers, such as the Spiritwear sweatshirt sales, collection of Boxtops, and Shoparoo,  had netted over $4,000 to benefit school programs. She announced that next year the PTF plans to give 10% of the total Shoparoo proceeds to the class who comes in first in participation.

Fifteen ACS high school students participated in the 2018 Atlantic County Teen Arts Festival and three pieces of art created by two students — 10th grader Xiao Lin (above left) and 12th grader Nora Vu (above right) — were selected for special recognition. Art teacher Sherry Mirakian and the students attended the festival on April 27 in Hammonton. They had the opportunity to meet with professionals in the field, attend hands-on workshops or master classes, and view the more than 530 student entries on display. A panel of judges selected 112 pieces, including the artwork of Nora and Lin, to be part of a Teen Arts Festival Selected Works Exhibit on display from May 5 to 23 at the Stockton University Art Gallery. Thank you to Mrs. Mirakian for helping our students discover and develop their God-given artistic talents.

Students in Kindergarten through 12th grade cheered loudly as American Ninja Warrior competitors Daniel Gil and Jonathan Horton made their way to center court in the ACS gymnasium on Friday, May 11. Following an exciting video highlighting their appearances on the popular television show, Gil and Horton spoke to the students about perseverance and faith at an afternoon all-school assembly.

Horton, a former world champion and Olympic medalist in gymnastics, shared his story of repeated failures in his sport before breaking through and succeeding at the highest level. “Even if you’re not the most talented,” said Horton, “you can be a winner if you work harder than everyone else and have faith in God and yourself.” Gil shared similar thoughts, telling students about how he dealt with multiple rejections auditioning for American Ninja Warrior before being invited onto the show and rising to the top of his sport. Gil passionately shared the good news of God’s love for us and the wonderful plans He has to use our individual gifts and abilities when we are willing to simply “Say yes to Him.”

Following their inspiring presentation, Gil and Horton fielded questions from students. Some asked about specific ninja course obstacles and others inquired about their training methods. When one student asked for an impromptu demonstration of their skills, the fun-loving ninjas engaged in a hand-stand contest. With lots of high-fives and a few selfies, the popular athletes left the students with big smiles, great memories, and spiritual life lessons they are sure to remember for years to come.

It was Teacher Appreciation Week at ACS and each day our teachers were thanked and recognized in a special way for their hard work and dedication. On Monday, a breakfast cart treated teachers to coffee, fruit, and pastries. On Tuesday, members of the Board of Directors provided a beautiful breakfast buffet during morning faculty/staff devotions and shared words of appreciation and encouragement. On Wednesday, Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen and Event Coordinator Jessica Martin visited classrooms to present teachers with a potted geranium.  The Parent Teacher Fellowship provided a tasty lunch on Thursday, featuring tacos, enchiladas, salads, and desserts. On Friday, each teacher received a new lanyard in the school colors of green and white to use for their school ID card and keys. Thank you also to the parents and students who blessed our teachers this week with special thank-you gifts.

ACS students participated in a variety of fun activities each day this week to promote school spirit, including Twin Day, Crazy Sock or Shoe Day, and Green-and-White Day.  The 7th grade class and Mrs. McCarthy’s 3B class took top honors for the most participation in the Spirit Week activities and will receive special class parties.

On Thursday afternoon, students at an all-school pep rally cheered on our Varsity Baseball and Softball players before they faced off against Calvary Academy. Just before the start of the games, ACS Athletic Director Pam Hitchner held a ceremony to thank and honor the two seniors on the softball team and their parents for their contributions to the ACS athletic program. Senior Abigail Vogel is the starting shortstop and lead-off batter and has the highest batting average at .529. Senior Samantha Rhodes is a starting pitcher, with over 35 strikeouts, plays third base, and has 14 runs scored and 5 stolen bases. There are no senior players on this year’s baseball team. Both ACS teams won their games Thursday and are undefeated in the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference at this mid-point in the season.  Come out next Monday and cheer on our Cougars to victory at their next home game.

ACS middle school and high school baseball and softball team coaches and parents of team players will be out for another Coin Drop in the Egg Harbor Township community on Saturday, May 12 asking for donations to support our middle school and high school athletics program. ACS representatives will be approaching drivers at the corner of Zion Road and Ocean Heights Avenue from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please encourage your family members and friends to make a generous donation to support our student athletes.

The 2018 ACS Yearbook is now on sale. Order forms are available in the main office. The price is $35 per book and quantities are limited, so don’t miss your chance to get a copy of this great keepsake! Orders are due with payment to your student’s homeroom teacher by next Friday, May 18. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Smith at ssmith@acseht.org.

On Thursday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m., the combined middle and high school bands and chorales will present their annual Spring Concert.  The program, entitled “Rewind,” will feature some favorite musical selections from the bands and chorales over the last few years. The bands, under the direction of Shirlene Perini, will also welcome several “friends and family” musicians while the chorales, directed by Lee Martin, will share a set of current worship songs during which the audience will be invited to sing along.

Congratulations to the 64 ACS middle school and high school students who participated in the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference Track Meet on Wednesday, May 9 and earned medals and top team honors. Both the High School Boys’ and Girls’ teams and the Middle School Boys’ and Girls’ teams finished in first place and 25 students received first place medals. The High School Girls’ team, pictured above at left, earned the most meet points (61), winning every individual and relay race and placing first in the long jump. For the 12th consecutive year, ACS hosted the meet on its campus, welcoming hundreds of athletes, coaches, and families from six other Christian schools in the region — Abundant Life Academy, Ambassador Christian Academy, Calvary Academy, Cumberland Christian School, Gloucester County Christian School, and The Pilgrim Academy.

Sunny, blue skies and a light breeze made it a perfect day to run the mile and relays, throw the shot put, soar through the air in the long jump, and much more. We especially proud of a number of ACS students that broke school and meet records, including 9th grader Olivia Chapman (pictured at right), and the middle school relay team of Tommy Ellison, Cole and Cruz Lewis, and Luke Phillips (pictured above left). Chapman earned the most points for the ACS high school girls’ team (16), placed first in 4 races, and broke the 200-meter school and meet record with a time of 27.7 seconds. The middle school relay team also broke a school and meet record in the 4 x 400 meter race, with a time of 4:24. CLICK HERE to see a gallery of photos taken during the Track Meet.

Athletic Director Pam Hitchner, who organized the meet, said she was very grateful for the team of volunteers who helped make the day’s events run smoothly, including seven ACS students; eight alumni; former faculty member Larry Martin, who headed up the scorers’ table; substitute teacher Mike Bohs, the official starter; and former parent Jeff Wolf, who was the track master.  Thank you also to our parents and staff who volunteered in various ways, including at the concession stand that helped raise funds to benefit our Athletic Department.

In Colossians, Christians are called to “devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” ACS students were given the opportunity to devote their day to prayer on the National Day of Prayer on May 3. Throughout the day, elementary and Upper School students gathered together in groups outdoors where they prayed at different stations — in and around the school gazebos, in the school’s Memorial Garden, on the soccer field, and at the school building’s main entrance. Students thanked God for His many blessings and also interceded in prayer for a variety of concerns including the needs of fellow students, family members, missionaries serving overseas, family members and friends serving in the military, and the leadership of our school and the country.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
– 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

ACS was pleased to recognize and honor the recipients of the 2018 Servant’s Heart Awards during the Legacy Gala program on April 30. The awardees are — the Lowe’s store in Egg Harbor Township, ACS high school science teacher Dave Genter, and ACS school parent Lori Pearson. Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen presented a plaque to each recipient during the program. The award recognizes the valuable service of individuals and businesses that have provided their time, talents, and expertise to advance the mission of Atlantic Christian School.

As she presented the plaque to store manager Ted Knox, Oblen praised Lowe’s of Egg Harbor Township for its generous, give-back spirit. “Your store has provided materials for our school garden, helped make it possible for us to acquire our first water bottle filling station, and much more, and we are very grateful for your support as a strong member of our local business community,” Oblen said.

Oblen thanked faculty member Dave Genter for his valuable service at ACS since 2012.  “You are more than a talented and engaging teacher,” Oblen said. “You have a heart for encouraging our students and mentoring them to be leaders – whether on Student Council, organizing class fundraisers, or serving God on missions trips to the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Thank you for making a difference at ACS.”

Oblen said ACS parent Lori Pearson was most deserving of the award as “one of our tireless volunteers.” Pearson has been serving at the school since her oldest daughter, Sydney, started attending kindergarten 10 years ago. “Since then, you have jumped in with both feet and volunteered with our Parent Teacher Fellowship, our athletic teams, at our concession stands, and much more,” Oblen said. “We are so grateful for all your hard work.”

Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz and founder of the AO1 Foundation shared his passion for serving God, whether on the football field or overseas on the missions field, during remarks to nearly 1,000 people as the featured speaker at Atlantic Christian School’s 5^th annual Legacy Gala on Monday, April 30 held at the school’s campus in Egg Harbor Township.

Wentz inspired a diverse crowd of students and parents, teachers and coaches, and community and business leaders with his message of seeking to honor God first with his life.  “In everything I do, I want to impact others for Jesus Christ because one day I hope to see lots of people in heaven who were influenced by something that I said or did,” Wentz said.

Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen and Board of Directors Chairman Doug Pearson presented Wentz with a plaque congratulating him for his exemplary legacy of faith, hope, love, and service and also gave him an honorary ACS athletic hoodie with his name and Eagles jersey #11 embossed on the back.

“We were thrilled to be able to bring Carson to speak at our school to be such a bright beacon of light for Christ here in our community,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “Carson is someone that our young people can look up to and respect. He is the kind of positive role model that is so needed in our society today.”

The Gala Program featured Wentz speaking to the audience in a lively, question-and-answer format that was moderated by the hosts of the Philadelphia-based ESPN 610 AM radio show “Faith on the Field.” Eight ACS middle school and high school students also joined Wentz on stage to ask him a question.  Milligan College Men’s Basketball Head Coach Bill Robinson, a 1987 ACS alumnus, had the honor of introducing Wentz to the audience, after sharing how his education at ACS had helped shape him for life.

Wentz spoke enthusiastically about the goals of his Audience of One Foundation, founded 10 months ago, and how serving on two missions trips to Haiti has been a life-changing experience. His said his foundation recently partnered with “Mission of Hope in Haiti” and he has pledged to match donations of up to $500,000 to help build a sports complex there.

In response to a question from AP sportswriter and “Faith on the Field” show host Rob Maaddi,  Wentz shared how his faith in God helped him deal with getting injured just before the playoffs and not having the opportunity to play in the Super Bowl. “As a kid I had envisioned myself on the stage one day holding the Lombardi Trophy. It was difficult. I had to swallow my pride and trust God through it all. In the end, it was Jesus Christ who got the glory through Nick Foles and Doug Pederson being on that stage.”

6^th grader Zach Fosbenner of Beesley’s Point asked Wentz how he was handling the sudden fame and fortune of being a successful NFL player and whether he liked the fame or would prefer a slower life. Wentz responded that he would probably prefer a slower life, but that God has given him a platform to share his faith and that he wants to make the most of the opportunity. “My goal is not to make myself famous, but to make God famous,” Wentz said.

The audience at the Gala program included several hundred students from across southern New Jersey, ranging in age from elementary school to college and many active on athletic teams at their schools. In response to a question from 7^th grader Paige Noble of Egg Harbor Township, who plays on three ACS middle school teams, Wentz encouraged the students to establish a healthy balance between schoolwork and demanding activities, such as athletics. “It’s important to have the right priorities and to do the important things first, and that might mean sacrificing some of your social life too,” Wentz said.  Wentz was valedictorian of his high school class and was an academic All-American in college with a 4.0 GPA.

12^th grader Hunter Smith of Egg Harbor Township drew laughter and applause when he congratulated Wentz on his recent engagement and asked for his advice on what qualities he should look for in a future spouse. Wentz responded that he met his fiancé while they were both serving on a missions trip. “To find someone on a missions trip and see her heart for Christ, that sealed the deal,” Wentz said.

Leading up to Wentz’s remarks as the featured Gala speaker, various students and alumni participated in the program.   12th grader Kate Kelley opened the Gala program with prayer, followed by a High School Select Ensemble performing two songs.