ACS will be collecting donations next week at all home basketball games to support the American Cancer Society as part of the annual “Shoot For a Cure” Appeal sponsored by the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference. ACS will be collecting donations and designating admission fees collected at the middle school and high school boys’ games on Monday, February 12 and Friday, February 16 for the appeal. To promote the cause, ACS athletes and staff will be wearing special black T-shirts with a message in pink that reads — “Shoot for a Cure: TSCAC Makes a Difference.” Funds collected by ACS and the other TSCAC teams will be combined into one gift from the conference to the American Cancer Society. Please come out and support our teams during the final week of regular season games and give generously to help us raise funds for cancer research.

The ACS Varsity Girls’ Basketball team is heading into the final week of league games undefeated and in first place in the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference.  Way to go, Lady Cougars! Under new head coach and ACS alumnus Kaylee Breunig (’12), the team has posted a 12-5 record overall.  The Lady Cougars pulled out an exciting, over-time non-conference win this past Tuesday against Our Lady of Mercy Academy. Senior forward Samantha Rhodes (pictured at right) tied the game in the last four seconds and ACS went on to win in overtime 54-46. Leading the team in scoring and rebounding were Samantha with 19 points and 13 rebounds, junior Caraline Winkel with 14 points and 5 rebounds, and freshman Sydney Pearson with 8 points and 9 rebounds.  CLICK HERE to read the Press of Atlantic City article on Tuesday’s game.

Congratulations to the Middle School Boys’ Basketball team for posting a strong, 10-2 winning record this season in the competitive Atlantic Cape Junior High League. The team lost at home this past Monday to St. Joe’s, the only team that has beat ACS this season. The Atlantic Cape league includes local area public and parochial middle schools.  The ACS boys and girls’ teams will play on Saturday in a tournament at Pilgrim Academy. The boys’ team will then play its final two games next week — on Monday at home at 4 p.m. against Solid Rock and Friday at home at 3 p.m. against Gloucester County Christian School. Come on out and cheer for our young players who have worked very hard under head coach Matt Glancey and have a lot to be proud of this season.

Congratulations to our ACS Boy Scout Troop 389 and Cub Scout Pack 389 that both took first place in the Jersey Shore Scout Show on Saturday, February 3 at the Hamilton Mall.  ACS students Matt Dietrich, Jackson and Sawyer Gayeski,  Joshua Guevara, and Brandon and Hunter Jorgenson worked with other members of the Troop and Pack to create impressive, inter-active displays on famous explorers from around the world. The Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts impressed the judges with their poise, confidence, and great communication skills.  The Scout Troop is led by Scoutmaster Mike Jorgenson and his wife, Carrie, who is the ACS school nurse, is the Cubmaster. Thank you for helping our scouts creating their winning displays.

Mrs. Coates’ 7th grade “Ancient Civilizations” class took a field trip on Wednesday, February 7 to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia to tour the Terracotta Warriors exhibit and dig deeper into the rich history of ancient China. For several weeks, the students have been learning about ancient China’s culture, religion, customs, and leadership under various dynasties. The life-size Terracotta Warriors were built during the Qin Dynasty, which the students will be studying in their next history unit. After touring the exhibit, the students watched an IMAX movie on the excavation of the Terra Cotta site and visited other exhibits that tied in with their science curriculum, including one on the Human Heart and an ultrasound machine.

Varsity Inn in Ocean City (above left) and Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar in Somers Point (above right) took the top honors for their signature soups at the ACS Bowls of Hope Soup-Tasting Benefit on Saturday, February 3 in the school’s gymnasium. Out of the 21 chefs and restaurants who participated in the event, Varsity Inn was selected to receive the People’s Choice “Golden Spoon Award” with its Baked Jersey Tomato Soup and Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar received the “Chef’s Souper Soup Award” for its Chicken and Sausage Gumbo.  Over 500 people enjoyed sampling a variety of hot, delicious soups and voting for their top pick to receive the “Golden Spoon Award.” Towne & County Café in Egg Harbor Township, with its Tomato Basil Soup (pictured above middle), placed a close second to Gregory’s in the “Golden Spoon Award” category.

Acclaimed Chef Joseph Massaglia, owner of Mama Mia’s Ristorante in Seaville and host of the “Joe’s Table for Two” radio show on WOND 1400 AM, tasted the soups from each of the participants and selected the “Chef’s Souper Soup Award.” Café 80 West in Galloway with its Mulligatawny Soup and Brick House Pub and Grille in Mays Landing placed second and third in the “Souper Soup Award” category.

A variety of student performers provided entertainment throughout the evening. School families and friends also engaged in friendly competition bidding on Silent Auction gift baskets donated by various  classes. Proceeds from the Bowls of Hope are benefiting the educational programs at Atlantic Christian School and the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. In addition, a canned food drive spearheaded by high school students in the National Honor Society collected over 280 cans of soup and other non-perishable food items for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Southern Branch, which were delivered to the FoodBank on February 6.  CLICK HERE to see additional photos from the 2018 Bowls of Hope posted in a gallery on the ACS website.

“We are very grateful to the chefs and restaurants that donated soup and for the support from families and friends that helped make Bowls of Hope a success,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “This event is all about teaching our students to show love and concern for the needy and homeless in our community by taking action and supporting the Rescue Mission and the Food Bank, two very effective local charities.”

Atlantic Christian gratefully acknowledges its Bowls of Hope participants and sponsors:  the Academy of Culinary Arts; B.F. Mazzeo Fruit & Produce; Brick House Pub & Grille; Café 80 West; Carluccio’s Coal Fired Pizza; Chickie’s & Pete’s’ Clayton’s Self Storage; Crab Trap; Eat Clean Organization; Formica Bros. Bakery; Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar; JR’s Fresh Market; La Cucina & La Padella; La PizzaTea; O’Donnell’s Pour House; Philadelphia Mills; Romanelli’s Garden Café; Ruth’s Chris Steak House; Sadia’s Tea & Coffee; Sal’s Café; Sofia Restaurant; Steve & Cookies; Sturdy Savings Bank; Towne & Country Café; Varsity Inn; and Windjammer Diner Bar & Grille.

Bowls of Hope is just ONE DAY AWAY and the line-up is now complete with a record 21 chefs and restaurants participating. This week we welcomed the Crab Trap, Eat Clean Organization, La Padella Ristorante, and the Varsity Inn. There’s no better place to be tomorrow from 6 to 8 p.m. where you can sample so many delicious, signature soups under one roof. We will also have some great items up for bid in our Bowls of Hope Silent Auction including — a Super Bowl Party Basket, Philly Flower Show tickets, a SodaStream Sparkling Water Maker, a Game Night Gift Basket, and a Beach Day Gift Basket with water park tickets. Thank you to our elementary families who donated to create the beautiful silent auction gift baskets. Come out and show your support for Atlantic Christian School, the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, and the Community FoodBank of NJ, Southern Branch. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Congratulations to the 17 ACS students who were inducted into the National Honor Society on January 29 in the ACS gym. They joined 30 other middle and high school students who were inducted into the ACS chapter of the NHS in prior years.

Twelve students became new members of the Junior National Honor Society (open to 7th-9th graders) — Elizabeth Alford, Madelynne DeNick, Thomas Ellison, Jr., Hunter Jorgenson, Cruz Lewis, Reyna Lewis, Jada Logan, Alexandra Lushina, Julianna Nardone, Paige Noble, Dylan Reilly, and Allison Schlundt. Another five 10th-12th grade students became new members of the National Honor Society — Kaitlyn Kelley, Ashleigh Martin, Ngoc Anh “Nora” Vu, Kathryn Winder, and Jia We “Julia” Wong.

Chapter Advisor and Upper School Principal Susan Smith said the students had distinguished themselves in the areas of service, leadership, Christian character, and scholarship, which are the guiding principles of the ACS NHS chapter. Four senior members of the ACS chapter participated in the program and spoke on each of the principles — Rose Shaw (service), Steven Chirinos (leadership), Mariyah Black (Christian character), and Samantha Liang (scholarship). Mrs. Smith and Board of Directors’ Chairman Doug Pearson congratulated the new members and presented them with their NHS membership certificate.  CLICK HERE to see additional induction ceremony photos from our ACS website photo gallery.

The ACS Athletic Department is holding a fundraiser this Tuesday, February 6 from 6:00-10:00 pm at Chickie’s & Pete’s in Egg Harbor Township. It’s easy to participate — just take an ACS Spirit Night flyer with you or tell the waitress you are from Atlantic Christian School. Enjoy a tasty meal and 10% of your purchase will benefit our ACS athletic programs. ACS Spirit Night at Chickie’s & Pete’s flyers will be handed out at the Bowls of Hope Soup-Tasting Benefit and will be available in the school office on Monday and Tuesday.  Chickie’s & Pete’s is located at 6055 E. Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township.

Tell a fellow student, teacher, or staff member “I Love You Because…” with an ACS Valentine Gram on Valentine‘s Day. Recipients of a Valentine Gram will receive a carnation and your special message. The Valentine Grams are $1 and the proceeds will go to the Freshman Class. Valentine Gram order forms were given to students on Friday and are available in the school office. The deadline to return the forms is Friday, February 9.

Thank you to our parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends in the community who donated blood at our American Red Cross Blood Drive held on January 29 from 3:00-8:00 p.m. in the school’s Multi-Purpose Room. You helped save 67 lives with the 25 pints that were collected. Thank you!

All ACS parents and guardians are invited to join the newly established Parent-Teacher Fellowship Facebook Group Page. CLICK HERE to go directly to that group page and request to join. This is the best way to get the latest PTF news, volunteer opportunities, and PTF fundraising information. School closing Please note that a prior PTF Facebook page is no longer active. Please join our new group and get involved. Thank you!

Bowls of Hope is just 1 week away and 18 restaurants are now participating — bringing delicious soups to sample and to compete for our “Golden Spoon Award.” Five new restaurants signed up this week — Brick House Pub & Grille, Carluccio’s, Chickie’s & Pete’s, Crab Trap, and Romanelli’s.

ACS students will be performing live during the event and our Silent Auction is offering some great items, including a Super Bowl Party Basket, Philly Flower Show tickets, a SodaStream Sparkling Water Maker, and a Beach Day Gift Basket with water park tickets.

Buy your Bowls of Hope tickets today to this exciting, family event being held in the ACS gym and support ACS and the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. We’re also collecting cans of soup and other nonperishables all this week up to the night of Bowls of Hope.

CLICK HERE to purchase a ticket online or buy them in the school office.

ACS will be promoting our Bowls of Hope Soup-Tasting Benefit to the community over the next week with guest appearances by ACS staff on several radio programs on WOND 1400 AM and with a commercial on WAYV 95.1 FM.  ACS staff will be joined on the radio programs by chefs from restaurants who are donating soup to Bowls of Hope. Complimentary tickets to Bowls of Hope will also be given away to callers during these programs.  Here’s the schedule of upcoming appearances:

— Saturday, January 27, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. — “Joe’s Table for Two;” Hosted by Chef Joseph Massaglia, who will be our celebrity judge at Bowls of Hope. Mark Dziegrenuk of Cafe 80 West will be joining Development and Communications Director Carole Karabashian on the show.
— Tuesday, January 30, 2-3 p.m. — “Bob Burns In Your Afternoon.”
— Wednesday, January 31, 5-6 p.m. — “Off the Press With Scott Cronick.” Matthew Kenkelen of Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse will join Event Coordinator Jessica Martin on the show.

We prayed for one and God provided two — two trucks, that is, for use by our ACS facilities crew. Over the Christmas break, ACS received two used trucks, gifted by donors who wish to remain anonymous. ACS was also blessed in December with gifts in response to the school’s first Facebook Christmas Challenge. The donations, after matching gifts, raised $2,310 for the school’s Annual Fund.

Pictured at right is Director of Facilities Bill Smallwood with the two donated trucks — a blue 2005 Ford F150 pickup truck with an 8-foot bed and a green 1986 Chevrolet C30 full-ton pickup truck, that also came with a snow plow, work boxes, a rack system, and tow package. We praise God for the many donors who God uses to supply our school’s needs in so many ways.

The students in Mrs. Capito’s 1st grade class found a creative way to show their appreciation to some important community helpers — their mail carriers. During the weeks before Christmas, the students wrote notes in class to say thank you for a job well done and left the notes with a candy cane in their home mailboxes for their mail carriers. “It’s all about showing the students things they can do to make someone else feel loved and appreciated,” said Mrs. Capito. The class activity was just one of the ways ACS teachers are helping students put into practice this year’s spiritual development theme — “Actions Speak Louder,” which is based on James 1:22 that  says — “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

ACS international students from China met together for a new, special chapel on Friday, January 19 led by ACS parent Mrs. Qing Ye and Mrs. Lilian Koo from the Atlantic Chinese Alliance Church in Ventnor. Getting to know the students was the goal of this first chapel, which is planned to be held once a month, according to Mrs. Heidi Sray, Director of Admissions and the International Student Program. The students sang worship songs in Chinese and read Psalm 1:1-3 in Chinese and English. Mrs. Koo demonstrated a tree planted by the water with green tissue paper and spoke about the importance of growing and yielding fruit. “Our international students have to work hard learning and listening in English all day, so we wanted to provide a time for them when they can relax and hear the gospel message in their first language,” Mrs. Sray said. The students also enjoyed tasting homemade almond cookies brought by Qing Ye.

The ACS Missions Club would like to say thank you to everyone who donated toothbrushes, toothpaste, and crayons that they will deliver to children in the Dominican Republic during their mission trip in March. Your gifts are a blessing to those in need!

Muchas gracias!

ACS faculty, staff, students, and families gave a warm goodbye this week to faculty member and ACS parent Mrs. Erin Gibbs, who for personal reasons had to leave mid-year after serving since September as one of our 4th grade teachers. Mrs. Gibbs was thanked for her service and presented with flowers during the monthly PTF Faculty-Staff Lunch on Thursday, January 25. The following morning, her students and their parents surprised Mrs.  Gibbs with a farewell party in their classroom. The students presented Mrs. Gibbs with handwritten notes describing some of their favorite memories with her. Mrs. Celine Melody, pictured at right with Mrs. Gibbs, will be the new 4th grade teacher starting on Monday. She has been working alongside Mrs. Gibbs in the classroom for the past month, getting to know the students and becoming familiar with the curriculum to provide for a smooth transition.

Congratulations to 1st grade teacher Mrs. Mindy Capito, who has received the “Lite Rock” Teacher of the Month Award for January 2018. Lite Rock Morning Show host Eddie Davis announced the award during his show on WFPG 96.9 FM on Friday, January 19 and interviewed Mrs. Capito on the air about her exemplary efforts to make a difference in the lives of her students. Mrs. Capito was nominated to receive the award by Julia Williams, one the 20 students in her class this year.

During the interview, Davis read aloud the letter submitted by Julia and her mother, Joyce, when they nominated Mrs. Capito. The letter called Mrs. Capito “the best first grade teacher ever” and talked about how she teaches her students “about the Bible and how to be good citizens.” Davis asked Mrs. Capito to describe ways she encourages her students to be good citizens. She shared about how during December her students left candy canes with notes about the true meaning of Christmas on cars in the school parking lot and put candy canes with thank-you notes in their home mailboxes for their mail carriers.

Davis said his favorite part of the letter was hearing about ways Mrs. Capito makes learning fun, including letting the students have dance breaks after they work really hard. He said he will be coming to ACS in the near future to meet the class and enjoy a pizza party together.

For being selected as the Teacher of the Month, Mrs. Capito wins a year-long membership to Island Gym, a fresh fruit flower arrangement from B.F. Mazzeo in Northfield, and a $50 gift card to the Hamilton Mall. For submitting the nomination, Julia is now qualified for a $2,000 scholarship from Lite Rock.

CLICK HERE to listen to the full on-air interview of Mrs. Capito with DJ Eddie Davis on Lite Rock.

Just before the Christmas break, ACS officials finalized a new commercial loan with OceanFirst Bank that will result in an annual budget savings of some $24,000 in interest payments on the school’s $1.7 million mortgage. “We are very pleased that OceanFirst Bank came alongside our school to provide us with a new loan that takes advantage of lower interest rates and gets us closer to our goal of paying off our mortgage,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen.

The ACS officials pictured below at the closing on the new loan on December 21, from left, are Business Administrator Kelly Flynn, Board Chair Doug Pearson, Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen, Claudia Pennella, representing Equity Plus Land Transfer and an ACS alumni parent, and Brett Lawrence, Vice President of Commercial Lending for OceanFirst Bank.

“As a community bank, our focus is on the people and organizations within our local markets,” said Lawrence, of OceanFirst Bank. “We are happy to be able to meet the banking needs of Atlantic Christian School and consider it a bonus any time we can do something that supports children and education in the communities we serve.”

Oblen also expressed thanks to the Ocean City Tabernacle for its steadfast support of Atlantic Christian, which has held the school’s mortgage since 2014. She also thanked Mrs. Pennella and Equity Plus Land Transfer for its valuable assistance in handling the title work and discounting its professional fees.

ACS parents, families, and friends are invited to the 5th ACS Bowls of Hope Soup-Tasting Benefit on Saturday, February 3, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the school gym. At least a dozen restaurants are expected to serve up their signature soups, including Sal’s Cafe in Somers Point, which received the “Golden Spoon Award” last year for its New England Clam Chowder.  Come out for an enjoyable evening of good food and fellowship, all to benefit Atlantic Christian, the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey — Southern Branch.

Some of the participating restaurants will include: Barrels, Cafe 80 West, Carluccio’s, El Coyote, Gregory’s, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Sadia’s Tea and Coffee, Steve & Cookies, and Towne and Country Cafe.  Several area businesses are also on board as Sponsors — B.F. Mazzeo Fruits & Produce, Clayton’s Self Storage, the Philadelphia Mills, and Sturdy Savings Bank. Formica Brothers Bakery will again be donating tasty bread. Everyone attending the Bowls of Hope is also being asked to bring in a can of soup or other non-perishable to donate to the Community FoodBank. It’s all about giving back to our community.

Students in the National Honor Society are kicking off the Bowls of Hope Canned Food Drive next week to collect canned soup for the Community Food Bank. Collection boxes will be located in the school foyer and next to the second floor office of the Upper School Principal starting Tuesday, January 16. The canned food drive will continue to the night of the February 3 Bowls of Hope event.

Last year, ACS donated some 260-cans of soup and other non-perishables to the Community Food Bank from the Bowls of Hope Canned Food Drive and this year, the goal is to collect at least 500 cans. Working together, we can do our part to help provide food to needy families in our community.