Here is the schedule of events for Spirit Week which will take place Monday, May 7 through Friday, May 11…

MON, 5/7 – TWIN DAY: DRESS AS A TWIN WITH A FRIEND

TUE, 5/8 – CRAZY SOCK OR SHOE DAY: STUDENTS MAY WEAR JEANS

WED, 5/9 – TRACK MEET: STUDENTS MAY WEAR ACS P.E. CLOTHES ALL DAY

THU, 5/10 – GREEN AND WHITE DAY & PEP RALLY

FRI, 5/11 – COLLEGE T-SHIRT OR SWEATSHIRT DAY: FREE HOT DOGS AT LUNCH FOR ALL WHO PARTICIPATE

Points will be awarded to classes each day for participation.  The class with the highest point total will win a pizza party!

Students in Kindergarten through 5th grade will present their annual Elementary Spring Concert in the school gymnasium on Thursday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m. The program, entitled “Let All My Works Praise You,” will feature instrumental and vocal selections from the 1st-3rd grade music classes under the direction of Stephanie Rosie and a performance by the Elementary Band under the direction of Shirlene Perini.

Before and after the concert, guests are invited to walk around the school hallways to view student art on display as part of our Spring Art Show “Seasons of Art.” Please see the flyer below for more details about the Art Show.

In completing a unit of study in April on influential Americans in history, Mrs. McCarthy’s 3rd grade class created “living posters.” Students decorated poster board using a variety of materials and cut holes through which they added their own face to the likenesses of Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Ruby Bridges, Rosa Parks, Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington. Wearing their creative costumes, students then gave oral reports the week of April 16 to their classmates detailing what they had learned about their chosen historical figure.

Mrs. Capito’s first grade class brightened one of our elementary hallways with the fun-filled Easter-themed bulletin board pictured above. The students used pencils, markers, and water colors to complete a drawing project of colorful Easter bunnies.  Assisting the first graders were their “big buddies” from Mrs. Coates’ middle school “Making a Difference” class who coached and encouraged the students in their artistic efforts. Mrs. Capito added the finishing touch with the creative message, “No bunny loves you like Jesus.”

Sales are moving briskly for tickets and sponsorship packages for the April 30 ACS Legacy Gala. There are still a limited number of tickets and sponsorships available, so don’t miss out on your opportunity to be part of an exciting evening for our school families and the surrounding community. We want to fill every seat in the gym for the Gala program so that as many people as possible can hear Carson Wentz’s inspiring story. Help us spread the word and share our Facebook post on the Gala. Tickets to the Gala program can only be purchased online. CLICK HERE to go to the online ticket sales page.  CLICK HERE to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities, but act quickly.

Please note the following important change to the school schedule for Monday, April 30 due to ACS holding the Gala at our school campus — Monday, April 30 will be a half-day with a 12:30 p.m. dismissal. Extended care will be available until 3:00 p.m. Early Ed will also close earlier, at 3:00 p.m. instead of 5:30 p.m.

ACS high school students and staff members shared their missions trip experiences during Elementary Chapel on Friday, April 13, encouraging younger students to use whatever abilities God has given them to serve others.  The hard-working team of ten traveled from ACS to Houston, Texas over spring break to assist in ongoing hurricane recovery efforts. ACS staff members Lee and Jessica Martin led a group of eight high school students — Rudy Dalinger, Sarah Getty, Paige Hoover, Jay Lee, Ashleigh Martin, Josh Mizrahi, Lola Oguntuase, and Imohimi Unuigbe.

Hosted by First Baptist Church of Hamshire, Texas, the team partnered with Praying Pelican Missions and relief organization The Cajun Army to clean out and demolish houses damaged in the floods following last fall’s Hurricane Harvey. The team also packaged and delivered groceries to needy families in communities still struggling to overcome the loss and devastation. Developing relationships with the partner organizations and praying with families in the homes they visited allowed the team many special opportunities to share God’s love.

During the months of February and March, the 8th grade civics class studied the U.S. judicial system. Students learned about the federal court system, the Supreme Court, and the process of appointing judges. Students also had the opportunity to visit the Atlantic County criminal courts and witness an actual court session.

The unit concluded with mock trials of three court cases in the which students role-played lawyers, bailiffs, judges, jurors, and court reporters. Each student had the opportunity in at least one case to be part of the jury, watching the case unfold, reviewing the evidence, deliberating the case, and returning a verdict.

After studying the court system, visiting an active court room, and participating in the mock trials, many students were very surprised and excited to learn of the different criminal justice career opportunities.

Students in Mrs. Alford’s 7th grade science classes wrapped up a unit on the major systems of the human body with some very creative projects and presentations. Working in groups of three or four, students selected a system to research then presented information about that system’s functions and major organs to the whole class.  Some groups created elaborate posters with graphics, charts, and even 3D sculpted models. Others wrote and sang highly creative songs such as the “Respiratory Rap” and a parody of Disney’s “Under the Sea” entitled “Excretory.”

More than forty moms and dads from around the community gathered in the ACS gymnasium Monday night to sharpen their parenting skills. ACS Christian counselor Jayne Boggs presented key principles from the best-selling book “Boundaries with Kids” by Henry Cloud and John Townsend and facilitated practical discussion on how to implement those principles in real life family situations.

The two-hour seminar included Biblical instruction on role modeling, character development, and establishing appropriate boundaries to provide children a safe environment in which to learn personal responsibility. The evening concluded with several helpful (and sometimes humorous!) role-playing scenarios in which attendees acted out potential real life situations and practiced applying what they had learned throughout the evening.

If you are interested in having the “Boundaries with Kids” seminar presented at your church or other organization, please contact Jayne Boggs at jboggs@acseht.org or call the school office for more information.

Thank you to the ACS families who participated in our Early Bird Gala ticket sale. Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, March 30 at 9:00 AM. Tickets to the Gala program can only be purchased online. CLICK HERE to go to the online ticket sales page. Sponsorship opportunities with great benefits are also available! CLICK HERE to find out more!

The entire school body met to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection during today’s Easter Chapel. Event Coordinator Jessica Martin welcomed students with the traditional Easter greeting, “He is risen!” to which they responded loudly, “He is risen, indeed!”

Mrs. Martin then called forward the two missions teams which will minister over Easter Break. Mr. Laskow led a time of prayer for the middle school team (above left) who will serve at the Camp at Old Mill in Coatesville, PA and the high school team (above right) who will assist in hurricane relief and recovery efforts in Houston, TX.

Musical worship was led by the 5^th grade worship team who helped students sing and dance to the upbeat praise song, “Happy Day” before staff members Bill Smallwood and Kelly Flynn provided stirring renditions of “I Can Only Imagine” and “You Are My King.”

Several staff members then delivered a powerful message about the dangers of temptation and Jesus’ ability to release us from the chains of sin. The seven-minute dramatic presentation was set to the music and lyrics of “Set Me Free” by Casting Crowns and “Lead Me to the Cross” by Hillsong. Louis Andujar shared several verses of scripture as the middle school and high school choir took the stage to sing a rousing version of “Shackles” highlighted by solos form Lola Oguntuase and Ashleigh Martin.

Pastor Jon Serbin of New Life Assembly wrapped up the special chapel with a poignant lesson in which students were offered candy but could only receive it after ACS security officer Curtis Dull did push-ups on their behalf.  Students cheered, and Mr. Dull hammed it up, but Pastor Jon used the fun to turn students’ attention to the price Jesus paid to forgive our sins and the need to trust in Him alone for salvation.

It was standardized testing week at ACS and students arrived each day anticipating long class periods and lots of brain work. To get their blood pumping, students gathered in the gym each morning for some aerobic exercise before picking up their pencils. Event Coordinator Jessica Martin, a certified Personal Trainer and Zumba Instructor, led musical exercise routines and line dances like the Cupid Shuffle and the Cha Cha Slide. With a lot of laughs and a few sore muscles, students and teachers alike headed off to testing each day in good spirits, ready to exercise their minds.

Top honors go to 2nd grader Leila Alobeidy for winning the ACS spelling bee held today on stage in the gym. With fellow students, teachers, and proud parents in the audience, Event Coordinator Jessica Martin got the bee underway among the 10 students in grades 1-8 who had advanced to the school-wide bee by winning classroom spelling bees. The bee went 27 rounds before Leila correctly spelled “exasperation” and then clinched the victory by correctly spelling the 158th word in the competition — “reprobate.” Fourth grader Amelia D’Anna placed second and tied for third were 3rd grader Nathanael Thompson and 4th grader Gabriella Goodwin. Due to regional spelling bee regulations which require all participants to be in at least 4th grade, runner-up Amelia D’Anna will go on to represent ACS at the South Jersey Regional Spelling Bee on March 10 at Folsom Elementary School.

Pictured above, from left, are: Leila Alobeidy, Amelia D’Anna, Gabriella Goodwin, and Nathanael Thompson. The other students who competed in the spelling bee were: Adam Alobeidy (1st grade), Matthew Coates (2nd grade), Kalee Tardif (3rd grade), Christy Park (5th grade), Ryleigh Martin (6th grade), Daniella Ajayi (7th grade), and Faith Gracia (8th grade).

The next Parents In Prayer monthly meeting will be Monday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. in Annex Building #5. Parents and guardians are invited to come out for a time of fellowship and prayer, lifting up our faculty, staff, students, and Board of Directors. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

Spring picture days for students in Kindergarten and Early Education classes will be Monday and Tuesday, March 5 and 6. Information has been sent home with students, including a form that will allow you to pick a specific pose/background.

Kindergarten students are not required to be in uniform for pictures but must follow all other dress code guidelines (no sweatpants).

A drama team from Bob Jones University visited the ACS campus on Friday, February 9 to visit with students, promote their school, and share in Upper School Chapel. The five-person team spent the lunch hour chatting with students in the Multi-Purpose Room before delivering a light-hearted presentation for middle and high school students in the gym. The 30-minute drama told the story of fictional high school student “Chandra” as she wrestled with her decision over where to go to college. The humorous look at a challenge most high school students face was punctuated with valuable life principles about decision-making and seeking the will of God.  Following the skit, the BJU team welcomed questions from students and gave T-shirts to seven students selected from a drawing.

From carrying backpacks and helping with homework to giving piggyback rides and providing snacks, students in the senior class enjoyed serving fellow students and staff for Senior Servant Day on Friday, February 9. The seniors served students or staff who had placed the highest bid for their volunteer services for the  day — all in an effort to raise money for their senior trip expenses. The good-natured seniors provided service with a smile and set a great example, especially for younger students who proudly enjoyed their company in the hallways and classrooms.

The winning classes of the 2017 Christmas Door Decorating Contest enjoyed the fruit of their labors as students were treated to ice cream parties.  Mr. Dixon’s seventh graders, Mrs. McCarthy’s third graders and Mrs. Erlandson’s PreK3 students celebrated their victories as Event Coordinator Jessica Martin served each class heaping scoops of ice cream with all the toppings.

The next Parent In Prayer monthly meeting will be Monday, February 5 at 6:30 p.m. in Annex Building #5.  Parents and guardians are invited to come out for a time of fellowship and prayer, lifting up our faculty, staff, students, and board.  “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)

After completing a unit on genetics and heredity, students in Mrs. Alford’s 7th grade science class put their knowledge to work by creating snowmen from genetic models. Based on traits of a “dad snowman” and a “mom snowman” given to them by Mrs. Alford, students used Punnet squares to determine traits they would expect to be evident in a “baby snowman.” Then, using their conclusions about body shape, nose type, hat color, etc., students brought their creations to life with various media such as foam, paper, cotton and even Rice Krispie Treats!

The next session of Model Railroading with the Shoreline Model Railroad Club begins Tuesday, January 30. Students in 5th through 12th grades can enjoy this 6-session after-school class that meets Tuesdays from 3:15-4:15 p.m. for just $45.

In addition to gaining general knowledge about model railroading, students will learn to build a train layout and develop basic engineering skills that integrate science, math, general problem solving, and organizational skills.

A new after-school class called “3D Art: What’s It All About?” will begin on Thursday, February 8. Students will be able to express their creativity in three dimensions while learning about form and volume with art teacher Mrs. Sherry Mirakian. Plaster, recycled materials and other media will be explored.

This class, for students in 2nd-8th grades, includes six sessions which will meet on Thursdays from 3:15-4:15 p.m. (no class March 8). The registration fee of $60 includes all materials.