ACS has been awarded an $800 grant from the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children program to purchase and install a new water bottle filling station in the school’s Multi-Purpose Room. The new station, which will replace an existing water fountain, will provide healthy, filtered water year-round for students, staff, and visitors. The grant check was presented to Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen at an AtlantiCare workshop on Tuesday, January 9. Pictured at the workshop, from left, are Mrs. Oblen and AtlantiCare health educator Amy Hogan.

“We hope this new water bottle filling station will encourage everyone to make the healthy choice to choose to drink water over other sugary beverages,” Oblen said. “The new station will also help reduce waste from disposable plastic bottles, a important conservation benefit for our environment.”  The new station should also provide a cost-saving benefit to students and staff, who will not have to spend money purchasing additional water bottles, but can simply refill at the station.

The water bottle filling station is expected to be installed by early spring. Oblen also noted that ACS received an AtlantiCare grant last year to build and install a greenhouse adjacent to the current school garden. She said plans are underway to finish the greenhouse and open it this spring. The ACS Boy Scout Troop 389, overseen by Scoutmaster and ACS parent Mike Jorgenson, is expected to take the lead role in building and erecting the greenhouse.

Congratulations to junior point guard Mikai Browne for sinking his 1,000th career point on Tuesday, January 2 during a non-conference home game against Cape Christian Academy. Mikai is now just the 7th ACS Varsity Boys team member in school history to reach this significant milestone. Way to go, Mikai. We’re proud of you!

ACS went on to win that game 42-35, with Mikai leading the team with 28 points, including three 3-point shots. He also had seven rebounds and four steals. Led by head coach Dan Carney, the ACS Boys’ Basketball team will face Cape Christian Academy today in an away game and will play at home again on Tuesday, January 16 against Cumberland Christian School. Go Cougars!

The Intramural Cheerleading Squad made its debut on Thursday, January 9, leading an enthusiastic crowd in cheers and performing a half-time routine at the home game of the Varsity Girls’ Basketball Team against Pilgrim Academy. The squad plans to perform at several upcoming home games, with the next appearance on Friday, January 26, starting at 4 p.m. in the ACS gym.

The 14-member squad of girls from K to 5th grade, led by Coach Morgan Gibson, has been practicing weekly since early December, learning the chants and  practicing tumbling and stunting. “The girls have a lot of school spirit and are fast learners,” said Gibson, who is in her 3rd year as intramural coach. “It’s a blessing to work with each of them and to see how they are growing and improving.” Gibson is also coach of the Varsity Cheerleading Squad and its members have also been working with the intramural squad. Gibson expressed thanks to ACS parent PJ Santos, who has designed and donated the squad’s bright green T-shirts for the past three years.

As the winter season gets underway, we want to be sure that parents and guardians are aware of our communication guidelines in the event that school is cancelled. As a general rule, if the Egg Harbor Township public schools are closed, ACS will be closed. The decision to close school is usually made by 5:30 a.m. and will then be communicated to parents and guardians in a variety of ways, as follows:

1. An automated phone message will be sent to all parents’/guardian’s home phone numbers or to the cell number listed as the primary contact in Renweb.
2. Posting on the ACS Website home page
3. Posting on the ACS Facebook page
4. Media notifications — ACS notifies 6-ABC TV and NBC-10 TV stations, who will include ACS in their closure announcements.

Congratulations to 2nd grader Leila Alobeidy for being the Grand Prize Winner of our 2017 Race for Education, raising $1,500 through gifts and pledges from her sponsors. Leila, pictured at right with Event Coordinator Jessica Martin, was recognized for her accomplishment during chapel on Friday, January 12 and received an Apple watch as the grand prize. Overall, donations to the Race for Education totaled $25,000 for our Annual Fund, meeting our goal for that important fundraising event. Thank you to all our donors, student and teacher participants, and volunteers for making our 2017 Race a success!

The student in each class from PreK4 to the 8th grade who had the most sponsors also received a Five Below $10 gift card during the chapel. Those students were Nathan Frye (PreK3A), Dillon Ims (PreK3B), Olivia Daughenbaugh (PreK4A), Jeremy Harris (PreK4B), Tyler Shull (KA), Gabriella Santos (KB), Brianna Banks (1st); Chelsie Richards (2A), Liam Larkin (2B), Garrett Martin (3A), Tommy Potenski (3B), Austin Salcedo (4A), Hannah D’Aulerio (4B), Seth Phillips (5th), Alex Mazak (6), Eva Elgersma (7A), Dylan Reilly (7B), and Alexandra Friend (8th). Five teachers who participated in the Race and reached out to sponsors received Amazon gift cards to purchase items for their classrooms for the exact amount that they raised — Mindy Capito (1st-$295); Sherree Hoover (4A-$255); Hayley Price (K-$45); Amy Vogel (2B-$135), and Amy Williams (2A-$20).

We’re so proud and grateful for every student and teacher that participated in the Race. Hats off to 4th grader Charlie Costello, with 30 laps, and 6th grader Kendall Murphy, with 28 laps, who were the boy and girl who completed the most laps in the one-hour time frame. The top girl and boy in each grade level who turned in at least 10 address labels and completed the most laps also received recognition certificates during Chapel. They were: PreK3: Matthew Humbert (10) and Peyton Ryan (9); PreK4: Jayden Bird (12) and Skylar Navarro (13); Kindergarten: Raquel Crespo, Gabrielle DiSciascio, and Eve Gibbs (13), James Boyle, Anthem Correa, and Tyler Shull (14); 1st grade: Maddox Wellman (19) and Brianna Banks (14); 2nd grade: Jason Remlein and Matthew Schlundt (21), Emilee Van Acker (14); 3rd grade: Sawyer Gayeski (24) and Kalee Tardif (14); 4th grade: Calvin Costello (26) and Sophia Costello (18); 5th grade: Charlie Costello (30) and Isabell Alford (25); 6th grade: Noah Gibbs (29) and Kendall Murphy (28); 7th grade: Dylan Reilly (21) and Eva Elgersma (18); 8th grade: Wyatt DeLuca (21) and Destiny Brewer (16).

Each of us has a Christmas carol that speaks to our heart in a special way. O Holy Night is my favorite. This Christmas, a phrase in the first verse of this sacred carol has been especially meaningful — “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices.” We cannot pick up a newspaper or glance at a news website without reading about the hardships of this world. Just like the first Christmas, it appears that our world is once again in a “weary state.”

At Christmas, however, we celebrate the birth of the Son of God, the promised Messiah. Our faith and hope is in God’s divine plan and His providence over all things. In Christ, our Savior, we can rejoice in that “thrill of hope.” This is the powerful, life-changing message that we can reflect upon and share as we meet with family and friends.

Please know how grateful I am that you are part of our ACS school family. It is my prayer that God will watch over you and your loved ones during this Christmas season and fill you with His hope and heart of love and peace.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year,

Karen M. Oblen, M.Ed.
Chief School Administrator

Students, faculty, and staff gathered in the ACS gym for a joyous celebration of Christ’s birth at the all-school Christmas chapel on December 22. The chapel opened with the kindergarten students ringing hand bells to “Joy to the World” and reciting Luke 2:8-11. Later in the program, the High School and 5th grade worship teams led the assembly in singing several Christmas carols. Crossroads Fellowship pastor and former ACS faculty member Matt Mouliert presented the devotional. He began his remarks with a lively game, rewarding students and teachers alike with candy canes if they correctly named the titles of popular Christmas movies as photo clips were displayed on a screen (pictured below right). Pastor Mouliert then focused on the important message of how Christmas is a time of transformation. He encouraged the students to let God transform their hearts by surrendering to His will and looking for ways to serve Him.

Some lighter moments during chapel included an Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest, with the assembly voting by acclamation for their favorites from among teachers and students representing each class. After several rounds of voting, the final three audience favorites were all teachers (pictured below left) — high school teacher Tori Novack, 4th grade teacher Erin Gibbs, and substitute teacher Mike Bohs, who was declared the overall winner. The winners of the Christmas Door Decorating Contest were also announced.

The elementary students celebrated the wondrous message of Christmas at their December 15 concert including performances by individual band members and the 4th and 5th Grade Elementary Band, directed by Shirlene Perini. The elementary classes, under the direction of music teacher Stephanie Rosie, recited scripture, sang Christmas carols, played hand bells. shook tambourines, and even clapped colored plastic plates together with creative choreography set to “March of the Toys” from The Nutcracker. Congratulations to the 5th grade band students who showcased their talents in solos and duets. Isabell Alford performed “Frosty the Snowman” on the saxophone; Aine Dorsey and Makayla Tomlinson played “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” on oboe and flute; Rebecca DiMaio and Nevaeh Johnson presented a saxophone duet of “Deck the Halls”; Christy Park performed “The First Noel” on violin; and Crystal Ramos performed “Silent Night” on the flute.  Thank you also to the parents who donated delicious Christmas cookies for the reception and to the PTF who served and provided coffee and tea.  To see a gallery of pictures from the concert, CLICK HERE.

Christmas Blessings for the O’Brien Family — Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen presented elementary aide Sandy O’Brien with a gift card tree on Monday, December 18 (top left). The gift cards were donated by various faculty and staff members to bless the O’Brien family this Christmas. Over the past two years, Mrs. O’Brien’s husband, Paul, has undergone more than five surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy for treatment of a cancerous tumor that is now considered terminal. The O’Brien family includes Jacob, a junior at ACS, an 8-year-old son David, and Gail Alford, the ACS Director of Early and Elementary Education, who is Sandy’s daughter. Please keep the O’Brien family in your prayers. Anyone wishing to assist the O’Brien family can make a donation through GoFundMe.  CLICK HERE to go to the O’Brien GoFundMe page.

Christmas-Grams Spread Cheer — On Friday, December 22, cheerful and encouraging messages were delivered all over campus in the form of “Christmas-grams” sent by students, faculty, staff, and family members. Each gift included a personalized note and a small gift. The holiday fundraiser benefited the seniors, who delivered the Christmas-grams in person. Pictured above right are seniors Abigail Vogel and Kate Kelley making a delivery to students in Mrs. Capito’s 3rd grade class.

Special Delivery — A New Baby for the Carneys — ACS faculty and staff threw a surprise baby shower for high school teacher Andrew Carney during faculty/staff morning devotions on Tuesday, December 19 (below left). And just in time. Two days later, Mr. Carney and his wife, Danielle, welcomed Chloe Grace Carney, a beautiful baby girl. Chloe joins siblings Colton, a second grader at ACS, and Callie, who is in kindergarten.

Celebrating Academic Achievement — Congratulations to faculty member Gregg Laskow for receiving his Masters of Divinity this month from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His wife, Caitlin, and 1-year-old daughter, Madison, were on hand at the graduation ceremony in Kentucky (below right). Mr. Laskow is the Upper School Vice Principal and has taught high school history at ACS since 2009.

Thank you to our ACS students and their families who participated in our Li’l Christmas Shopper Days on December 7 and 8. A portion of the proceeds from the gifts you purchased in our Christmas Shoppe were used to bless a local family of six who receive support through the Family Service Association. Among the gifts that will be given to the family in need for Christmas are infant and toddler toys, pajamas, diapers and wipes, winter outerwear, Bibles, and arts and crafts. ACS Event Director Jessica Martin presented the gifts to the FSA at its Egg Harbor Township office on Tuesday, December 19. Pictured from left are Mrs. Martin; FSA Chief Development Officer Torrina Bennet-Michael; and FSA President/CEO Cindy Herdman Ivins.

Please share the Christmas Challenge fundraiser between now and December 31 with friends and family on Facebook and make a gift as well. With everyone’s participation, thousands of potential donors can be reached. Every gift, whether it is $5 or $500, will make an impact and get us one step closer to our $2,500 goal.

Please CLICK HERE to go directly to the Christmas Challenge fundraiser on Facebook. Thank you for your help and support.

The glorious news of the birth of Jesus, our Savior, was joyously proclaimed by our Early Education students at their Christmas concert this morning of December 15. Over 400 family members and friends filled the gym to enjoy the uplifting program. One highlight featured the infants and toddlers shaking sleigh bells to the beat of the classic Christmas carol “Sleigh Ride.” Another memorable moment came when the 3-year-olds told the story of the angels appearing to the shepherds as they recited from memory Luke 2:8-10. They were then joined by ACS parent Sam Sharaf, who accompanied them on the guitar as they sang “O What a Glorious Night.” All the classes came together on stage to perform the final number, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” bringing smiles to everyone as the children clapped, jumped, twirled, and danced to the music.

Thank you to the many families and friends who have given generously during the Love Offering at each of our Christmas concerts that will be a blessing to our faculty and staff this Christmas. The final Christmas concert of the season — the Elementary Christmas Concert — will be presented this evening at 6:30 p.m. After the concert, parents and other guests are invited to stroll down our hallways to see the extraordinary decorations on each of our classroom doors and to vote for their favorite door.

High school students in Ms. Mirakian’s Art I and Art Workshop classes had the opportunity this month to create a cover design for the annual ACS Christmas card and the top three winners were announced on December 12 and presented with ribbons for their achievement by Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “There were so many excellent designs to choose from,” said Mrs. Oblen. “We are very pleased with the effort and creativity that all the students put into this project and the opportunity it gave them  to develop their God-given artistic abilities.”

The first place ribbon went to 10th grade Xiao Lin, an international student from China, (see card design pictured below left); second place went to Nora Vu, a 12th grade student from Vietnam, and third place went to 9th grader Katherine Kong, an international student from China. In addition, 12 Christmas card cover designs were selected out of the 25 students who participated to be featured on the ACS Facebook page from December 14 to 25. One card design is being posted on each of the 12 days counting down to Christmas. A card design created by 12th grader Naomi Glancey, pictured below right, was featured on December 14, the first day of the countdown.  Xiao Lin’s first place card design will be posted on the 12th day, Christmas Day.

Students in the ACS Middle School and High School Chorales spread Christmas cheer on Tuesday, December 12 singing carols for residents and patients at the Betty Bacharach Rehabilitation Center in Galloway. The students caroled up and down the halls and in the outpatient center. Some of the patients doing physical therapy got into the spirit as they exercised to the beat of the music.

ACS eighth grade students capped off their recent class assignment of reading Charles Dickens’ classic novel, “A Christmas Carol,” by seeing the story come to life in a performance at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia. Middle School Language Arts teacher Deanna Bailey organized the field trip on December 13 to give the students the opportunity to see a play performed live on stage. “For many students, it was their first time attending a play so they were very excited and amazed by the costumes, the set designs, and everything that made the experience so memorable,” Mrs. Bailey said.

Congratulations to Mrs. McCarthy’s third grade class for taking first place in our fall Box Tops for Education contest. The students celebrated on November 29 with a free pizza lunch courtesy of the Parent-Teacher Fellowship. Mrs. McCarthy’s class turned in 913 Box Tops, more than any other PreK-12th grade class. Each box top is worth 10 cents. The total Box Tops collected this fall have brought in $659.80, according to PTF Box Tops Coordinator Lori Pearson.

In addition to the class prize, every student who turned in 50 or more Box Tops earned one PTF Buck to use in the Cougar Den or at the PTF Monday Pretzel Sale during lunch.

Thank you to all our school families who participated. Please keep cutting out those Box Tops and help the PTF reach its $1,200 Box Tops fundraising goal. The next Box Tops collection date will be in March, with a final collection before school ends in June.

The Senior Class is selling Christmas-Grams.  For just $2.00, a student, staff member, or school family member can send a personalized message with a Christmas pencil and a treat to spread joy to friends, teachers, students, coaches, and more! Orders are due by December 18 and forms are available in the main office. Your support helps our seniors raise fund for their senior class trip.

Thank you to the ACS coaches and parents who participated in our first-ever Coin Drop on Saturday, December 2 and helped raise over $2,600 to benefit our middle school and high school athletics programs.  The ACS representatives raised the funds over a 7-hour period by approaching drivers for donations at the intersection of Zion Road and Ocean Heights Avenue in Egg Harbor Township.  Athletics Director Pam Hitchner said she is very pleased with the success of this new fund-raiser and is planning to do a second coin-drop to benefit athletics in the spring of 2018.

2018 Chick-fil-A Cow Calendars: Buy a 2018 calendar for $10 from ACS and get a Chick-fil-A Coupon Card to use each month for a FREE sandwich, bowl of soup, or other menu item. Buy one for your family and buy more to give as gifts. This fun and popular calendar will be on sale at the Christmas concerts and are available for purchase in the school office. Help support ACS by participating in this Parent Teacher Fellowship fundraiser.

Do Your Christmas Shopping on Amazon Smile: AmazonSmile is a simple and easy way to support ACS when you shop for Christmas gifts, at no cost to you. At smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection, and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase to ACS.

Cougar Den Donations: Basketball season is getting underway and the Athletic Department is seeking donations of items to sell at home games in the Cougar Den Concession Stand. Any size donation is welcome. However, a Season Pass to all ACS home basketball games will be given to donors of larger quantities of the items listed below. For questions, please contact Athletic Director Pam Hitchner at 609-653-1199, ext. 315 or phitchner@acseht.org.

• Gatorade (minimum 24 bottles for Season Pass)

• Nacho cheese sauce – Sam’s Club (minimum 3 cans for Season Pass)

• Nacho chips – Sam’s Club (minimum 3 boxes for Season Pass)

• Candy, without nuts (minimum 3 cases for Season Pass)

The ACS Intramural Basketball program is being offered again this winter in the ACS gym for boys and girls in grades 2 to 8.  Sign-up forms will be available in the school office on Monday and will be sent home with students next week. ACS Varsity Girls’ Basketball coach Kaylee Breunig will lead this popular program that helps students learn the game of basketball and the skills required to play it in a fun and encouraging environment. The fee is $50 and will run from 9 to 11 a.m. on five Saturdays — January 13, 20, 27, February 10 and 17.  A game showcase on February 17 will be open for parents and family members to attend. Sign-up forms and the registration fee must be returned to ACS by Thursday, December 21.

This month, we will have the opportunity to show the wonderful teachers and staff at Atlantic Christian how much they mean to us and to our children through the Christmas Love Offerings that will be taken at each of the upcoming Christmas concerts. Through these Love Offerings, we have the chance to bless our teachers and staff and show them our deep appreciation for all they do to educate our children and train them up in the Lord.

Please prayerfully consider how you might bless our teachers and staff this season.  Whatever amount you are able to give, I guarantee that it will not only be a blessing to them, but to you as well. If you cannot attend the concerts and would like to make a gift, your love offering can also be given directly to the school office. Gifts can be made by check or credit card.  Thank you all for your continued faithfulness to our Lord and to ACS.

Blessings,

Doug Pearson
Chair, ACS Board of Directors

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas as ACS students and teachers have begun decorating their classroom doors for the holiday season. Classes will compete for prizes with winners to be determined by on-line voting on Facebook.

Photographs of each classroom door will be posted on the ACS Facebook page. Voting will open at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, December 11 and will close at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, December 18.

The Early Ed/Elementary classroom door and the Upper School classroom door with the most “likes” will each win a special prize to be shared by all the class members. Make plans now to go to the ACS Facebook page between December 11 and 18 to cast your vote with a “like” for your favorite door. Winners will be announced at the December 22 all-school Christmas Chapel.