Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held Tuesday-Thursday, January 22-24. Twenty-minute time slots are available from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, and from 1:00-5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
Conferences are mandatory for families of students in kindergarten to 5th grade and optional for families of students in grades 6-12.
An email with a link for scheduling conferences will be sent to parents and guardians next week.
The vital ministry of “Parents In Prayer” continues as we start 2019.
Join other ACS parents on Tuesday mornings from 8:45-9:45 a.m. in Room 209 to pray for our students, faculty, staff, and board members. Please go to the school office for a Visitor’s Pass before going to Room 209. Prayer Group contacts are school parents Sharon Griffith (609-214-2136) and Lina Lomangino (609-517-1818).
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:
Intramural basketball for students in grades 2 through 8 begins Saturday, January 5. The program, led by Girls’ Varsity Coach Kaylee Breunig, will feature 5 weekly sessions of skills development and game play.
The cost is $50 per student, and registration is due with payment by Friday, December 21. Forms are available in the school office.
Christmas shopping doesn’t have to be a chore! On Saturday, December 15, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., let the students in the ACS Bahamas Missions Team provide a safe, fun evening of Christmas activities for your children (age 3 – grade 5) while you shop till you drop!
For $20 per child ($35 for 2, $40 family max), kids will enjoy supervised care, milk and cookies, Christmas crafts, and a Christmas movie.
All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Bahamas Missions Team as they raise funds for their April trip. Please RSVP by December 13 to sdenick@acseht.org or (609) 653-1199, ext. 316.
On Tuesday, December 4, eighteen ACS students in the after-school Servant’s Heart Club traveled to Linwood Care Center for a Christmas carol sing. Joined by ACS parent and club leader Jennifer DiMaio, as well as teachers Patti Scardilli and Eric Tardif, the elementary students gathered around the fireplace at serenaded the Linwood residents with joyful Christmas songs. The Servant’s Heart Club meets monthly to help students develop a love for serving God and blessing others by working cooperatively on creative, hands-on projects.
Thank you to our ACS basketball coaches and parents for participating in our winter 2018 Coin Drop fundraiser on Saturday, December 1. Dressed in festive Christmas hats, the ACS representatives greeted drivers at the intersection of Zion Road and Ocean Heights Avenue from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., asking for donations to support our middle school and high school athletics program. In just six hours, the coaches and parents collected $2,083.52 from our generous community members.
ACS students and teachers have begun decorating their classroom doors for the Christmas season as classes compete for prizes based on Facebook Votes, Student Involvement, Spiritual Message, and Originality.
Photographs of each classroom door will be posted on the ACS Facebook page. Voting will open at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 10 and will close at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, December 17.
One classroom door each from Early Ed, Elementary, and Middle School/High School will win a special prize to be shared by all the class members. Make plans now to go to the ACS Facebook page between December 10 and 17 to cast your vote with a “like” for your favorite door. Winners will be announced at the December 21 all-school Christmas Chapel and on Facebook.
The Freshman Class will be selling Christmas-Grams next week, from December 10-17. For just $1.00, a student, staff member, or school family member can send a personalized message with a candy cane to spread joy to friends, teachers, students, coaches, and more! Orders are due by December 17, and forms are available in the main office. Your support helps our freshmen raise funds for special class activities.
Mrs. Estefany Gomez joined our faculty this fall as our new Elementary Spanish teacher. Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Gomez found her love of teaching at age 14 in her local church’s children’s ministry. After graduating from high school, she went on to earn her BA in Education from Dominico Americano University. Before moving to the U.S. last year, Mrs. Gomez taught EFL and ESL courses at three different elementary schools in the Dominican Republic.
Estefany, her husband Miguel, and their daughter Graciela Marie worship at Ciudad De Luz church in Atlantic City, where she teachers children’s Bible classes, serves in their theater ministry, and will become the Director of Children’s Ministries in 2019.
With a fun, practical approach to language learning, Gomez uses various hands-on activities like the “Octopus Numbers” craft pictured at right. Still settling into her new life here in the states, she said, “I am in a country that is not my own, but I have seen God’s hand working in my favor. He opened a door for me and I am so happy to be part of the ACS team. I feel at home, surrounded by people with the same beliefs, and by little students who make me smile each day, saying ‘Hola!’ in the hallways.”
As the Christmas season quickly approaches, it is easy for us to get caught up in our “to do” lists.” In the busy-ness of life, we can sometimes forget those who have greatly impacted the lives of our families and children the most, in particular the wonderful teachers and staff here at Atlantic Christian School. In the near future, we will have the opportunity to show them how much they mean to us and to our children through the “Christmas Love Offering” that we will take at each of the upcoming Christmas concerts on December 13 and 14. Through the Love Offering, we have the chance to bless our ACS teachers and staff and show them our deep appreciation for all they do to educate our children and train them up in the Lord.
Proverbs 11:25 tells us “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” I would ask that you prayerfully consider how you might bless our wonderful 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 are unable to attend one of the concerts, you may also send your gift directly to the school office and please designate it for the Christmas Love Offering. Thank you for your continued faithfulness to our Lord and to ACS.
Blessings,
Doug Pearson
Chair, ACS Board of Directors
On Wednesday, November 28, Dr. Christopher DiSanto, Associate Professor at Stockton University’s School of Arts and Humanities, visited ACS to work with 4th and 5th grade band students in a clarinet workshop. DiSanto, who was invited to ACS by Music Director Jaron Beadle, teaches music appreciation, music theory, and conducting at Stockton. He is also the Principal Clarinetist of the Bay Atlantic Symphony and director of its Music Mentorship program. This initiative affords selected Stockton music students the opportunity to be paired with musicians from the Bay Atlantic Symphony who act as mentors in a unique setting as visiting instrumental specialists in local middle and high school music programs.
During his one-hour workshop with the ACS students, he taught several key concepts for beginning clarinetists, focusing especially on fingering techniques. Dr. DiSanto made the learning fun with games using the white board and ping pong balls. He concluded his session with an impressive demonstration of virtuosity on his instrument, playing an intricate, up-tempo piece that left the young band members oohing, aahing, and excited to play.
Middle School Basketball try-outs will be held on Monday, November, 26. The girls’ team, coached by Mr. Grant Miller, will have tryouts at Greentree Church located at 125 School House Road, Egg Harbor Township. The boys’ team, coached by Mr. Lee Martin, will have tryouts at Linwood Community Church located at 1838 Shore Road, Linwood. Transportation to practice will be provided, but students will need to be picked up from their practice location. The girls’ practice will end at 5:00 pm and the boys’ will end at 5:30 pm.
Cheerleading, coached by Mrs. Kelly Flynn, will have an orientation meeting and begin practice at 3:15 pm in the bus loop foyer.
The students in Mrs. McCarthy’s 3rd grade class recently took a trip back in time to write creative essays on the topic, “You have a ticket on the Mayflower…” The students first stained their paper with tea to make it look old then they started the writing process — brainstorming, first draft (a.k.a. “sloppy copy”), final draft. Writing from the point of view of a Pilgrim, they answered questions such as, “How are you feeling about the journey?” “Why are you leaving?” “What are you worried about?” and “What will you take with you?”
When the project was completed, students agreed, “We all were very thankful to God that we have the luxuries of this day and age and not the hardships that the Pilgrims faced in 1620.”
We’re just one week away from opening night of Elf the Musical, Jr. right here at ACS! Students and directors have been hard at work, and the show promises to be a real treat, kicking off the holiday season with great music and a lot of laughs. Get your tickets now in the school office or online by clicking HERE.
Please note that seating for both shows is general seating. Doors will open 3o minutes before showtime and reserving seats will not be allowed.
A six-member team of educators representing the Association of Christian Schools International spent three days at ACS this past week assessing various aspects of the school’s operations. ACS is seeking to be re-accredited by ACSI and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the site visit was the final phase of a year-long re-accreditation process that included preparing a 97-page self-study report for the team to review.
During their visit, the team members met with Board members, faculty, staff, parents, and students and conducted classroom observations. The members of the accreditation team and ACS administration pictured here are, first row, from left: Roxane Southcott-Roberts (Calvary Academy, NJ); Sandy Moritz (Liberty Christian, MD); Lori Cole (Lancaster County Christian, PA); Anita Whisler (Conestoga Christian, PA); second row, from left: Sam Osbourn (Red Lion Christian Academy, DE); Paula Frey (Cornerstone Christian Academy, PA); Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen; and Upper School Principal Meg McHale.
Team chair Paula Frey said ACS will receive the decision from ACSI regarding re-accreditation after the meeting of the ACSI Northeast Regional Accreditation Commission in early December. Middle States will make its decision regarding re-accreditation in spring 2019. ACS received its first dual 7-year accreditation in 2012.
ACS has a new commercial-quality GBC Laminator thanks to a donation from the Parent-Teacher Fellowship and C. Costello Roof and Solar. PTF President Terry Vogel said the funds raised through weekly pretzel sales, sweatshirts, the Shoprite gift cards, and other fundraisers helped make their donation possible. “The PTF is focused on blessing our faculty and staff and we know that they will be using this new laminator for many years,” Vogel said. Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen said she is grateful to the PTF and to a business owned by an ACS family for combining their gifts to make the purchase of the new laminator possible. The nearly $2,000 in gifting also underwrote film rolls for the laminator and one year of maintenance. The PTF officers pictured with the new laminator, from left, are: Polly Ellison, Terry Vogel, Amanda Costello, and Lori Pearson.
ACS has immediate openings for part-time aides in our award-winning Early Education Center, working with children from 6 months to 4 years old. Must hold current CPR and First Aid certification. Also hiring Extended Care aides to work with K-6th grade students in our after school care program. CLICK HERE for more information and to apply.
ACS organized a trip for students from the 10-12th grades to attend the 2018 National College Fair at the Atlantic City Convention Center on November 1, where nearly 200 colleges were represented. “We want to help our students make informed choices about pursuing post-secondary education and attending this college fair was one way to gather a lot information under one roof,” said Upper School Principal Meg McHale, who along with Admissions Director Heidi Sray, accompanied the students on the trip. The students talked with representatives from various colleges and attended informational workshops, including one tailored to students interested in playing sports in college and another on ways to finance a college education. To prepare for their visit, McHale said the students were asked to list 10 colleges they were interested in getting information from at the fair.
Congratulations to the Lady Cougars for beating Calvary Academy 3-2 to win the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference Championship Game on Wednesday, November 7, bringing home the championship trophy for the fourth time in the past five years. Special cudos to the three players who put the ball in the goal — senior Rebekah Darragh, who scored in the first five minutes of the game, senior Lola Oguntuase, who also had two assists, and sophomore Chloe Vogel. Sophomore Shelby Einwechter played strong in goal with 8 saves. The Lady Cougars had finished the regular season 11-1 and were tied for first with Calvary Academy. Lola, who led the team in goals all season, was named conference MVP, and four other Lady Cougars were named to the TSCAC All-Star Team — senior Lindsey Ash (2nd team), Darragh (1st team), Einwechter (1st team ), and Vogel (2nd team).
An enthusiastic group of some 60 fans made the trip to Lakewood to cheer ACS on to victory. Thank you to head coach Carly Witherow, an ACS alumnus (’08) in her fifth year as head coach, and her Lady Cougars for an exciting and memorable season! CLICK HERE to see additional photos from the TSCAC Varsity Girls’ Championship Game.
The Boys’ Varsity Team, under head coach Ricardo Leon, finished 4th in the regular season and advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2013. The Boys’ Team was scheduled to play in the tournament consolation game, but the game was cancelled due to wet weather conditions. Congratulations to the five ACS players who were named to the TSCAC All-Star Team — senior Elijah Chapman (honorable mention), senior Luke Johnson (senior), junior Ben Noble (2nd team), senior Jacob O’Brien (2nd team), and senior Mark Rosie (honorable mention).
ACS students gathered for an all-school chapel on Wednesday, November 7 to show their love and respect for our veterans who have served, sacrificed, and given their lives to protect our country’s freedoms. Forty-four veterans from every branch of the service, including parents, grandparents, and great grandparents of ACS students, attended the Veterans’ Appreciation Chapel. A combined Middle School and High School Choir opened the program with “God Bless America” and Upper School Vice Principal Drew Carney followed with prayer, asking for God’s blessings on our veterans and for protection for those currently serving in the armed forces around the world.
Members of the ACS Boy Scout Troop 389 presented the colors and led the salute to the American flag. The varied program continued with patriotic musical presentations by the 2nd and 3rd grade classes and 5th-12th grade students in the band. ACS students cheered and applauded as the veterans stood when the Marine Corps hymn “From the Halls of Montezuma” and the hymns for each of the other branches of service were played. The kindergarten students made a special gift presentation to each veteran of a hand-made thank-you card decorated with an eagle in flight and the 5th grade worship team got everyone on their feet, moving and clapping along for their performance of “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High.”
The chapel speakers were ACS parents Timothy and Unique Johnson, who served in the Marine Corps and Air Force respectively, and are now both assistant pastors at Christ Fellowship Church in Seaville. Both veterans emphasized how they trusted God as their source of strength during their military service. Mr. Johnson said there were three words that he learned to value during his military training and have carried over into his civilian life — honor, courage, and commitment. “It takes courage to be different because we all want to fit in,” Johnson said. “But God will put us in situations to give us the opportunity to stand for what’s right, even when everyone else is doing the wrong thing. That takes courage.”
After the chapel program, the kindergarten students made a second presentation to the veterans of a handmade paper flag, which was gifted to a group from one of veterans’ posts.
CLICK HERE FOR THE PHOTO GALLERY
More than 300 students in preschool through 8th grade took to the track on Friday, October 26 for our 15th annual Race for Education. Dressed in colorful Bible character class shirts, PreK3 and PreK4 and elementary students happily braved the chill in the air to run their laps. Later in the day, middle school students were doused with color powder as they enjoyed their “color run.” Throughout the day, younger students also enjoyed a Harvest Festival including wagon rides, pumpkin picking, stories, songs, crafts, snacks, gaga ball and more.
A large contingent of volunteers helped make the day a success — setting up, serving snacks, counting laps, and cheering on the runners. The PTF was out in full force, providing the students a Hot Diggity Dog lunch and encouragement throughout the day. New this year were Classroom Sponsor signs lining the inside of the track. Thank you to our Classroom Sponsors as well as everyone who donated toward this year’s goal of $27,000 for the school’s educational programs! Donations are still being accepted and can be made in the school office or online through the ACS website. CLICK HERE to donate now!
We’re very proud of every student and all our teachers who participated in this year’s race! Sixty-nine students completed at least 16 laps (4+ miles!) during their one-hour time slot. The girl and boy in each class who completed the most laps will receive special recognition during a December chapel as will the student in each class with the most sponsors and the top student fund-raiser overall.
Congratulations to a dedicated and talented group of high school and middle school athletes for a memorable winning soccer season. Our Varsity Girls’ Soccer team, pictured above left, finished the regular season tied for first with a 11-1 record. The Lady Cougars will play this Saturday in the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference championship game at 5 pm after their 1-0 win at home on Thursday in the semi-final playoff against Gloucester County Christian School.
The Varsity Boys beat Cumberland Christian 2-1 in the quarter-final playoff game on Tuesday, but lost their semi-final playoff game on Thursday at Pilgrim Academy. The Varsity Boys will play in the TSCAC consolation game on Saturday at 3 pm. The TSCAC tournament games will be played at Glassboro Receation Fields, 152 S. Delsea Drive in Glassboro. The gate fees at the tournament games, which benefit the league and go towards league awards, are: $2 for students, $3 for adults, and $10 max for families.
Top scorers on the Varsity Girls’ team this season have been senior Lola Oguntuase with 32 goals, senior Rebekah Darragh (12), sophomore Chloe Vogel (11), including the winning goal with a header in Thursday’s playoff game, and senior Lindsey Ash (8). Sophomore goalie Shelby Einwechter had six shut-out games in goal. The Varsity Boys’ team was led this season on offense by junior Ben Noble with 17 goals and senior Jacob O’Brien (12). Senior goalies Elijah Chapman, who sustained a mid-season injury, and Mark Rosie were key defenders, with Rosie posting 150 saves in goal.
Our outstanding Middle School Boys’ soccer team, pictured below left, was undefeated in the Atlantic Cape Junior High League, with a 12-0-0 record and 10 shutouts, scoring 49 times on its opponents and only giving up 3 goals. Truly a season for the ACS record books. The Middle School Girls also finished strong in 3rd place and for the first time in school history defeated Linwood in their last season game.
Thank you to our enthusiastic fans and dedicated coaches for a great season — Coach Witherow (Varsity Girls), Coach Leon (Varsity Boys), Coach Hopwood (MS Girls), and Coach Ellison (MS Boys).
Let the growing begin! ACS held a ribbon-cutting for a new greenhouse on Tuesday, October 30. Funding for the greenhouse came from a $1,500 grant from the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools program, of which ACS is a member school. The ACS Boy Scout Troop 389, under the direction of Scoutmaster Michael Jorgenson, recently completed building the greenhouse, a project that got underway in mid-June. “We’re very grateful to AtlantiCare and to Scoutmaster Mike Jorgenson, the scouts, and their parents for helping bring this greenhouse project to completion,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “We’re looking forward to the many science projects that our teachers and students will be undertaking in this new greenhouse that will be an exciting hands-on learning center.”
The individuals who participated in the ribbon-cutting, pictured above from left, were: high school science teacher Dave Genter, Director of Development and Communication Carole Karabashian, faculty members Eric Tardif and Bethany Kiefer, who will be advisors to a garden club this spring, Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen, AtlantiCare Lead School Health Specialist Amy Hogan, kindergarten aide and garden club advisor Priscilla Garner, Middle School science teacher Celine Melody, and ACS students and members of Boy Scout Troop and Pack 389 Brandon Jorgenson, Hunter Jorgenson, Matt Dietrich, Joshua Guevara, and Jayden Sanchez.
The large, spacious greenhouse, which measures 20′ x 20′ x 11′ high, is a farmer hoop-house design with plastic covering that can be rolled up and down to provide ventilation. The greenhouse is located adjacent to the school garden, which was funded by an earlier AtlantiCare grant, and will be used in concert with the garden. In addition to the grant from AtlantiCare, ACS is grateful for additional support from Lowe’s ($200 gift card) and Waldor Orchids and its owner David Off for donating the galvanized steel frame. In addition to the scouts who participated in the ribbon-cutting, ACS would also like to thank several other scouts and adult Scout leaders for their volunteer service, including Jacob and Kyler Campsmith, Matt Dietrich, Randy Guevara, Dr. Jim Wurzer, and James, John, and Mark Wurzer.
