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Special Chapel to Mark School’s 50th Anniversary — Wednesday, Nov. 18

ACS students and staff will celebrate God’s faithfulness to Atlantic Christian School at special chapels to celebrate the school’s 50th Anniversary on Wednesday, November 18. Outside guests will not be able to attend the chapels due to COVID-19 health and safety requirements, but both chapels will be live-streamed on the ACS YouTube Channel and recorded for later viewing.

The Middle School/High School Chapel will begin at 8:50 a.m. and the Elementary Chapel will begin at 11:50 a.m. “We decided to hold these special chapels on what will be the 50th day of our school year to take a look back at the past 50 years of our school’s history,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “We have so much to be thankful for and we want to celebrate the many ways God has blessed and sustained ACS over the years.”

Oblen said the chapel program will take students on a journey looking back over the past five decades and at what going to school looked like in 1971, the year that ACS was founded. A number of alumni will also be sharing their favorite memories of when they were students at ACS. Featured speakers will be David (DJ) Schrag, a school parent, Board member, and ACS 1988 alumnus, and Kim Clark Eaves, an ACS parent and 1987 alumnus.

This special chapel is one of a series of events that ACS is holding throughout the school year to mark the 50th anniversary of ACS.

Please click on the links to watch our 50th Anniversary Celebration Chapel on YouTube:

8:50 a.m. – Middle School/High School Chapel — http://bit.ly/ACSturns50

11:50 a.m. – Elementary Chapel — http://bit.ly/ACSNow50

Race for Education Just Three Days Away – Rescheduled to Monday, Nov. 2

Our 18th annual Race for Education fall fundraiser is just three days away, rescheduled to Monday, November 2 due to rain. Thank you to all our donors who have helped us reach and exceed our goal of $30,000! You can still make a gift to the Race and help us reach our new Challenge Goal of $37,000. Donate online at this link — www.race4ed.com/acs — and share it with others.

We are very grateful for the enthusiastic response from hundreds of donors. To date, we have 39 Classroom Sponsors and 10 Event Sponsors: Atlantic City Electric, an Exelon Company; Berges Awning Inc.; The Boyle Real Estate Team; Chick-fil-A Fire Road; The Clark Family; Costello Roofing; The DiSciascio Family; Mia and Pa; Eleanor Pepper; and SERVPRO of Egg Harbor/Ventnor.

Our students have been excited to see poster cut-outs of close to 300 large green sneakers that are on display in a main school hallway and around classroom doors. Students have earned a sneaker for every gift of $50 or more that they have received from a sponsor.

We welcome our ACS families to come out and support our students as they Race around our 1/4-mile track for 30 minutes, racing at different times. Just make sure to practice COVID-19 safety precautions by wearing a mask and to social distance at all times. Parents are not allowed to run during the Race or stay with students during Harvest Day activities this year.

The success of our Race for Education relies on the number of sponsors and the amounts they give. Think of relatives, friends, neighbors, business associates, coaches, your doctor, and anyone else you know who would want to invest in your child’s education.

You can post the website link, www.race4ed.com/acs, on your Facebook page, on Instagram, on Twitter, and on other social media to inform your friends.

Thank you for supporting our school’s Race for Education fundraiser!

Red Cross Blood Drive at ACS – Saturday, Nov. 28

Donate blood and help save a life. Make an appointment to donate blood at the American Red Cross Blood Drive on Saturday, November 28 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the ACS Multi-Purpose Room. All donors will receive a long-sleeve Red Cross T-shirt, courtesy of Suburban Propone, while supplies last.

All donors will have their temperature checked prior to admittance to the blood drive. Since 2008, ACS has hosted American Red Cross blood drives to help meet the urgent needs of patients at hospitals in our community. Our goal for the November 28 blood drive is to collect 40 or more donations.

To donate, please make an appointment on the Red Cross website.

CLICK HERE to make an appointment on the Red Cross website, which is: www.redcrossblood.org and use Sponsor Code: Atlantic Christian OR call 1-800-REDCROSS.

Middle School Soccer Teams Post Strong, Winning Seasons

Congratulations to our Middle School Soccer teams for posting a strong, winning season this fall. The Middle School Boys’ team was undefeated with an 8-0 record and the Girls’ team was 8-1.

Both teams played their final games at home on October 26. The ACS Boys, under head coach Brandon Stevens, beat King’s Christian School 3-1 and the ACS Girls, under head coach Casey Hopwood, beat Cumberland Christian School 4-3.

Since 2008, the ACS Middle School teams have competed in the Atlantic Cape Junior High League, but due to the coronavirus outbreak, the league cancelled this year’s season. “In spite of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to put together a solid season of non-league games and we’re so proud of the success of both teams,” said Athletic Director Pam Hitchner. “I have told our players many times that we have a lot to be grateful for.” (Photo credit: Katherine Kong)

ACS faced off against Pilgrim Academy on Thursday, October 29 and the Girls’ team won 5-1 and the Boys’ team won 1-0. In the Girls’ game, 8th grader Taylor Murphy scored 3 goals and 8th grader Sophia Johnson scored two goals. 6th grader Micah D’Anna scored the lone winning goal for ACS in the Boys’ game.

High School Students Challenged to Stand Firm in their Faith at October Retreat

What does it mean to stand firm in your faith? ACS students were challenged to answer that question at our day-long High School Spiritual Emphasis Retreat on Friday, October 23 held at the school campus. A variety of speakers, including Crossroads Fellowship Pastor Matt Mouliert, shared their personal faith journeys with the students in small and large group sessions.

The speakers encouraged the students that spiritual growth comes when we hold fast to the truth in God’s Word and are not swayed by the influences of pop culture, internet influencers, and what friends and other people have to say about you.

Upper School Principal Meg McHale said the one-day retreat was focused on giving the students time to explore more deeply the meaning of our spiritual development theme verse from 1 Corinthians 16:13 — Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. The speakers and agenda for the retreat were organized by Upper School Vice Principal Drew Carney.

“We felt there was a need to recalibrate our hearts and reprioritize who God is in our lives because we see our students being pulled in a lot of different directions,” Carney said. “Our speakers did an excellent job of reaching our students in a very personal way. There was a lot of valuable interaction, especially in the small groups.”

Gabe Connelly, the Youth Director at Coastal Christian, led a time of prayer, worship, and devotions to start off the day, and also led worship before lunch and at the conclusion of the retreat. Six different speakers, three men and three women, led small group sessions in various classrooms, with boys and girls in separate sessions. The six speakers were Pastor Matt Mouliert, head pastor at Crossroads Fellowship Church in Pleasantville; Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen; Pastor Christian Ragland, who is the Operations Pastor and works with the youth ministry at Lighthouse Community Church in Pleasantville; Ariel Richvalsky, a 2005 ACS alumnus and former high school faculty member; Tanner Rigdon, the Youth Director at Fusion Church; and high school faculty member Gina Wilson.

During one small group session, Pastor Mouliert talked about the impact of “labels” — ones that other people place on you and ones that you place on yourself. In another session, Pastor Ragland focused on the importance of staying on guard against the enemy and encouraged the young men to surround themselves with people who will help you stay on guard. In the final session of the retreat, Pastor Mouliert presented a closing devotion that encouraged the students to reflect on what they had learned and to take concrete steps to grow in their relationship with Christ.

Alumni, Students, Families Celebrate Homecoming 2020

Alumni, students, and families gathered at the ACS campus on Saturday, October 17 for Homecoming 2020, which featured two exciting Varsity vs. Alumni Soccer games, the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen and presentation of their court, and the dedication of the newly installed artificial turf Varsity Soccer Field. The campus grounds were creatively decorated for fall, including pumpkins painted by students in the high school art classes to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ACS.

Congratulations to our 2020 Homecoming Court — Homecoming King JJ Jacoby, Homecoming Queen Chloe Vogel, Homecoming Princesses Sydney Pearson and Rachel Whisman, and Homecoming Prince Jeremiah Engle. The King and Queen and waved to the crowd as they took the traditional ride around the track in a converted jeep, driven by school parents Michael and Kelly Flynn.

The soccer games against Life Center had to be postponed. Instead, the ACS Varsity teams faced off in two very competitive and fast-paced games against an ACS Men’s Alumni Team and an ACS Women’s Alumni Team. Prior to each game, ACS parent Karen Noble led the crowd in the singing of the National Anthem.

The Alumni Men won their game 2 to 1, with Ben Noble (’20) and Tommy Tillis (’10) scoring and assisting for the Alumni team and sophomore Jake DeNick scoring the ACS Varsity team’s goal. The ACS Varsity Women beat the Alumni 5 to 2. Sophomore Eden Wilson scored three goals, and senior Chloe Vogel and sophomore Paige Noble each scored one. For the alumni, Abigail Vogel (’18) assisted her sister, Sarah Vogel Laury (’11), on one goal, and DJ Hitchner (’17) assisted her sister, Carly Harper Witherow (’08), on the second goal.

Between the games, ACS dedicated the new artificial turf soccer field and recognized supporter Ralph Clayton for spearheading and funding the project. He was presented with the game ball, which was later signed by the players on the Varsity teams.

The concession stand was busy throughout the day helping raise funds for ACS Athletics, and students, staff, and alumni enjoyed competing for Chick-fil-A gift cards in a 50th anniversary Homecoming Court Photo Contest, with contestants having to guess the names of the Homecoming Kings and Queens going back to the first Court in 2004. Later that evening, our high school students enjoyed a fun and safe night out at the Homecoming Dance.

Thank you to Athletic Director Pam Hitchner for putting together a family friendly event, assisted by PE teachers Ben Chapman and Kaylee Breunig. We are also grateful to the dedicated volunteers who helped with food, concessions, set-up, and clean-up, including Laura Einwechter, Karen Noble, Ray Picking, Heather and Scott Shivers, Paul and Terry Vogel. CLICK HERE to see our Homecoming Photo Gallery.

Soccer Senior Day Honors Contributions of Athletes, Parents

ACS honored nine seniors on the Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer teams and their parents in a special ceremony on Monday, October 19. The seniors honored were: Olivia Chapman, Kami DeNick, Shelby Einwechter, Malachi Green, Joshua Jacoby, Sydney Pearson, Jacob Rosie, Chloe Vogel, and Cristen Winkel.

Athletic Director Pam Hitchner introduced the team members and read notes of special thanks to each written by Varsity Boys’ Coach Andres Tortola and Varsity Girls’ Coach Carly Witherow. Each player escorted their parents across the Varsity Boys’ Soccer field, with their fellow players lined up on either side of their pathway, cheering and applauding as they walked by.

The ceremony was held prior to the start of the home games against Gloucester County Christian School. Both teams went on to win their games. The Varsity Girls’ won 2-0, with senior Chloe Vogel scoring both goals, and the Varsity Boys’ won 2-1, with junior Aaron Glancey scoring twice, the second time with just 43 seconds left in the second half to clinch the victory.

We’re so proud of the commitment and leadership that our seniors have given during their high school careers and the important contributions they have made to the success of both teams this season. The Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ teams have another week of games before playoffs the week of November 2. The Varsity Girls’ team is currently undefeated and in first place and the Varsity Boys’ team is in a tie with three other teams. The Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference quarter-final games are scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, locations and teams to be determined. The semi-final playoff games are scheduled for Thursday, November 5, locations and teams to be determined. The TSCAC Championship Games will be played on Saturday, November 7 at Cairn University in Philadelphia. More details will be provided soon.

Mark Your Calendar: K-12 Closed Nov. 5-6, Early Ed Center Closed Nov. 6

A friendly reminder that ACS will be closed on Thursday, November 5 and Friday, November 6 for students from kindergarten to the 12th grade to provide an opportunity for professional development for our teachers. The Early Education Center will be open on Thursday and closed on Friday.

The school office will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday and will be closed Friday. The Early Ed Center will be open on Thursday during its regular operating hours from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., but will be closed on Friday, November 6.

Volunteer Spotlight: Greg Louderback — IT Integration Coach

Greg Louderback first came to ACS as a proud grandparent, excited to watch his grandchildren, Lily and James Boyle, as they performed during the Elementary Christmas Concert in December 2017. Now, just three years later, he is no longer an occasional visitor to ACS but a valuable volunteer, donating his knowledge and expertise as a long-time teacher and IT specialist to benefit our faculty and students.

Three days each week, you can find Louderback in a classroom working with teachers and students as they integrate technology in the classroom. He assists students in the use of their Chromebooks and on independent assignments that they receive through Google Classroom. He also lends a helping hand on projects overseen by Information Technology Director Louis Andujar, including facilitating remote learning.

Louderback came out of retirement to volunteer at ACS as an IT Integration Coach after spending 18 years as an IT specialist in the Camden School District, where he trained and mentored over 200 teachers in the use of technology in the classroom. “I have a passion for education and teaching and it’s something that I wanted to continue doing,” Louderback said.

Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen said she was thrilled when she first met with Louderback in the fall of 2019 and he offered to volunteer and provide his valuable experience as an IT specialist and trainer at ACS. “We are truly blessed to have a volunteer like Greg who is willing to give of his time and expertise to bless ACS,” Oblen said. “The use of technology in the classroom has become more and more critical, and Greg has been a vital resource, coming to ACS at just the right time.”

Louderback began his career as a 6th grade teacher at King’s Christian School in Haddon Heights, after earning a B.A.Ed. with a concentration in history from the University of Delaware. After four years in the classroom, he decided to change careers and go into Information Technology. He went on to earn a Master’s degree in Information Systems from Drexel University, where he also worked as a programmer analyst.

“I see myself as a teacher who knows a lot about computers,” Louderback said. “I just love the energy and enthusiasm that the students bring to school and I especially appreciate the way that prayer is such an integral part of the school day at ACS.” Louderback and his wife, Shelley, live in Haddon Township and have two children and four grandchildren. They worship at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.

ACS Students Create Pumpkin Art to Mark Homecoming, 50th Year Anniversary

ACS high school students put their artistic skills to work painting various designs and messages on pumpkins that were used as fall decorations at Homecoming on October 17 and were then put on display near the school’s main entrance during the week of October 19.

Art teacher Sherry Mirakian said the project was a nice collaboration between the Athletic Department, which runs Homecoming, and our high school artists. Athletic Director Pam Hitchner supplied the pumpkins and the paint and other supplies came from the Art Department.

The students painted a variety of designs that celebrated the 50th Anniversary of ACS and Homecoming 2020, including one message that said “50 Years Blessed.” Mirakian said 22 students in her high school Art Appreciation and Art Workshop classes worked on the project over a two-day period.

Ready, Set, Go! Our Race for Education is a Week Away!

Ready, set go! — Our 18th annual Race for Education is just one week away and our PreK3 to 12th grade students are excited to be participating in this fun and healthy event that helps raise funds for our school’s educational programs. Students in PreK3 to 5th grade will also participate in our annual Harvest Festival, including a tractor-pulled wagon hay ride. Parents must sign a permission slip for their student to take the hay ride. CLICK HERE to sign and submit the permission slip.

We are also very grateful for the enthusiastic response from hundreds of donors. We are well on our way to reaching our goal of $30,000. To date, we have 24 Classroom Sponsors and 10 Event Sponsors: Atlantic City Electric, an Exelon Company; Berges Awning Inc.; The Boyle Real Estate Team; Chick-fil-A Fire Road; The Clark Family; Costello Roofing; The DiSciascio Family; Mia and Pa; Eleanor Pepper; and SERVPRO of Egg Harbor/Ventnor.

Please help us reach our goal by donating or sharing the link at www.race4ed.com/acs. The success of our Race for Education relies on the number of sponsors and the amounts they give. Think of relatives, friends, neighbors, business associates, coaches, your doctor, and anyone else you know who would want to invest in your child’s education.

Throwback Thursday 50th Anniversary Photo Contest

“Throwback Thursday Photo Contest” — Week 3. This month’s prize is a gift card to Buffalo Wild Wings! Compete each week to win a prize at the end of the month. Just email your best guesses about this photo to contest@acseht.org. Earn points by identifying: 1) the year the photo was taken; 2) where the photo was taken; 3) the occasion of the photo; and 4) the names of the people in the photo.

As part of ACS 50th Anniversary, a new photo will be posted each Thursday for the Throwback Thursday Photo Contest. Photo will be posted on the ACS Facebook page, the ACS Stronger Together Facebook group page, and Instagram. It will also be posted on a bulletin board in the Multi-Purpose Room, in the school foyer video, and on the ACS website.

We welcome all ACS family members, students, staff, alumni, alumni parents, and friends in the community to participate in our Throwback Thursday Photo Contest. Let’s celebrate the great memories made by the thousands of students, families, and staff who have been a part of ACS over the past 50 years.

ACS Students Learn Pickleball in New PE Unit Funded by Donations

ACS middle school and high school students were introduced to the game of Pickleball the week of October 5, thanks to recent donations to the ACS Athletic Department.

Six new, bright yellow pickleball nets, along with racquets, and balls were set up in the gym for game play during various PE classes. Additional pickleball game sets purchased with grant funds from the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children program will be used for elementary PE classes and will be set up outdoors on the new ACS basketball court.

Pickleball is a paddleball sport that combines the elements of badminton, table tennis, and tennis. “The students are having a lot of fun learning this new game, which has become a popular sport that is often seen played adjacent to larger tennis courts,” said Athletic Director Pam Hitchner. “Pickleball is a faster-paced game and it’s a recreational sport that can be played and enjoyed over your lifetime.” Hitchner said she is very grateful for the donations and grant funds that made it possible to add a new unit to the ACS PE curriculum.

ACS Dedicates, Installs New Buddy Bench in Elementary Playground

A new “Buddy Bench” was installed in the elementary playground on Wednesday, October 7, after a dedication program held during the Elementary Chapels. ACS students collected over 540 pounds of plastic bottle caps in the spring of 2019, enough to build the 6-foot-long Buddy Bench as well as a toddler-size picnic table for a preschool play area.

“This is not just any bench, it’s a special bench where you can show the love of God to your fellow students when you’re out on the playground,” said Elementary Principal Gail Alford, who led the chapel dedication program. “If you feel like you need a buddy, you can sit on the bench. If you see someone sitting on the bench, go talk to them. God wants us to be a friend.” Mrs. Alford noted that ACS has many new students this year and sees the Buddy Bench as a place where students can connect and make new friends. A plaque on the bench reads: “Everyone Needs a Friend — Be One.”

High school faculty member Dave Genter and three high school seniors from the Student Council acted out a skit during the chapels to demonstrate how easy it can be to make another student feel welcome at the Buddy Bench. The Student Council oversaw the plastic bottle cap collection project, which ran from April 29 to May 31, 2019. Seniors Joshua Jacoby, Sydney Pearson, and Jacob Rosie were very involved in collecting bottle caps and encouraging students from kindergarten to the 12th grade to participate in the service project. Mr. Genter recognized and thanked faculty member Tim Rosie and his wife, Stephanie, for making the long drive to Indiana to drop off the school’s large collection of bottle caps at Green Tree Plastics, a firm that manufactures furniture from recycled plastic bottle caps. The Rosies also picked up the Buddy Bench and a toddler picnic table made for ACS.

Mrs. Alford also recognized and congratulated the students who were in Mrs. Reilly’s kindergarten class in 2019, who collected the most bottle caps by weight among all the other elementary classes. The students, who are now in second grade, were invited to come up front during chapel and sit on the Buddy Bench.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all of you using this Buddy Bench,” said Mrs. Alford. “God wants us to come alongside and support each other, so let’s put this Buddy Bench into action.”

Race for Education Is Fast Approaching – Please Share Donation Website With Family and Friends

Our 18th annual Race for Education fall fundraiser is fast approaching! Race Packets were recently sent home to students. Please help us reach our goal and raise over $30,000 for Atlantic Christian School by sharing the link to the donation website – www.race4ed.com/acs.

Then EMAIL or TEXT them with a message such as this:

“[Your child’s name] will be walking/jogging during Atlantic Christian School’s Race for Education fundraising event on Friday, October 30, 2020. Would you be willing to sponsor [him/her]? Please go to www.race4ed.com/acs to find out more. Type [your child’s first and last name] in the Search bar to make a donation. Thanks very much.”

You can also post the website link, www.race4ed.com/acs, on your Facebook page, on Instagram, on Twitter, and on other social media to inform your friends that your child is participating in a Race for Education at Atlantic Christian School. Please feel free to use the images at the bottom of this article for use on social media.

Remote learners are encouraged to participate in our Race for Education as well. We will be sending parents suggestions on how to make this fundraiser a good wellness activity (e.g., walking/jogging in your neighborhood or at a local park).

If you have any questions about our Race for Education, please feel free to contact PJ Santos via email at psantos@acseht.org. Thank you for supporting our school’s Race for Education fundraiser!

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Save the Date – FAFSA Workshop for College Planning – Thursday, October 22

Looking for money to pay for college? The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the key to getting free federal financial aid to help pay for college. If you are the parent of a student in the 11th or 12th grades, you can learn all about the FAFSA at our free FAFSA Workshop on Thursday, October 22 at 6 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room.

Guidance Counselor Christina Ragland said the workshop is open to parents of juniors and seniors and students can attend if accompanied by a parent. Parents are encouraged to pre-register by October 20 if they plan to attend. CLICK HERE to register or email Mrs. Ragland at cragland@acseht.org.

Mr. Michael Whiting from the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will be facilitating the workshop and answering questions. If your son or daughter is planning to pursue a certificate program, a two-year college degree program, or a four-year college degree program, you should attend this workshop to learn what you need to know to complete the FAFSA and other financial aid forms. The FAFSA is also required for most types of financial aid, including scholarships.

K-12 Picture Days — October 22, 23 — Mark Your Calendar

Give us your best smile! Lifetouch will be at ACS to take school pictures on Thursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23 and students should only wear school uniforms on those days.

Pictures of students in grades 6-12 will be taken on Thursday, October 22 and pictures of students in K-5 will be taken on Friday, October 23. If Remote-Only students would like their picture taken, they can come on the appropriate day for their grade level, from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. only, and should use the side entrance of the school on Zion Road. Photos will be taken in the school library. Early Education Picture Days will be November 2-4.

Students should not wear gym clothes or athletic wear on their picture day. Hoodies and ACS sports jerseys or uniforms are also not to be worn.

Photo order forms from Lifetouch have been sent home. Online ordering is the preferred method this year to keep the process as contact free as possible. School pictures can be ordered online in three easy steps, as follows:

CLICK HERE to go to mylifetouch.com
Enter the Picture Day ID: EVT9F72B4
Pick your package and complete payment

New Teacher Spotlight: Welcome to Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Meza, Mrs. Murphy, and Mrs. Vaccaro

ACS is pleased to welcome and spotlight the final group of four faculty members who are new to the ACS staff this fall or have moved into new positions — Mrs. Becca Jackson, Mrs. Abigail Meza, Mrs. Gretchen Murphy, and Mrs. Ashley Vaccaro. We thank God for the how these new faculty members feel called to be teachers and are excited about the opportunity to share God’s love with each of their students.

Mrs. Rebecca Jackson is a new 4th grade teacher. She brings a wealth of experience to the classroom, having spent 10 years as a public school teacher in Upper Township and Somers Point. She took 12 years off to be a stay-at-home mom, but earlier this year she got the urge to return to teaching. Mrs. Jackson holds a BA in elementary education from Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana and a MA in student personnel services from Rowan University.

She and her husband, Rich, have been married for 16 years and live in Linwood with their four children who are also new to ACS this year — 8th grader Richie, 6th grader Kylie, 4th grader Robbie, and Kayla in PreK3. They worship at Fresh Start, where her husband was saved, and over the years she has heard good things about ACS from teachers and students who also attend Fresh Start.

“I really wanted to get back into teaching and it’s all about God’s timing,” Mrs. Jackson said. “I love to teach and it’s been great to be able to pray with my students and tell them that Jesus loves you for who you are.” She also said she was impressed by the excellent penmanship of the students in her class, likely the result of cursive writing being a continuous part of the ACS curriculum.

One of Mrs. Jackson’s hobbies is gardening. “While spending time at home during the outbreak of COVID-19, I got very involved in my garden and have enjoyed growing lots of different flowers as well as tomatoes, green beans, and peppers,” Mrs. Jackson said. She hopes to get involved this year with the ACS school garden and greenhouse.

Mrs. Abigail Meza joins ACS as a new second grade teacher. Mrs. Meza is a strong believer in the value of a Christian education, having attended the Christian School of York in Pennsylvania from kindergarten to the 9th grade. The oldest of three girls, she moved to southern New Jersey with her family eight years ago, when her father, Tony Montemurro, took a position as the Pastor of Calvary Chapel Gateway in Northfield.

After graduating from Ocean City High School, Mrs. Meza attended Cairn University and finished earning her BS in elementary education online from Calvary Chapel University. Married in November 2019, she and her husband, Ryan, live in Ocean City.

Mrs. Meza first walked the halls of ACS in 2011, when she started attending weekly evening Bible studies that her father was holding at ACS. After getting her degree, she said her first choice was to find a job teaching in a Christian school. Two ACS teachers who attend church with her at Calvary Chapel Gateway encouraged her to apply at ACS.

As a first-year teacher, Mrs. Meza appreciates the close-knit, family-like environment at ACS. “Everybody works together,” she said. “I can always ask my fellow teachers questions and they’re ready to help.” Mrs. Meza said her main goal this year is to help every student in her class grow and develop their God-given gifts and talents and see them advance academically, spiritually, and socially.

Mrs. Gretchen Murphy is teaching 5th grade. Born and raised in Syracuse, New York, Mrs. Murphy moved to South Jersey in 1999 when her husband, Kim, took a staff position at the First Presbyterian Church in Ocean City, where he continues to serve. Mrs. Murphy joins the ACS faculty after teaching at the Westminster Christian Academy in Ocean City for the past five years.

Mrs. Murphy attended college at Messiah University for two years and then transferred to SUNY Cortland, where she graduated with a BS in elementary education and later earned a MA in Education. She worked for eight years as a public school teacher — in New York and in South Carolina — and then took time off to be a stay-at-home mom and homeschool her four children, Olivia, Elijah, Natalie, and Rowlee. Natalie and Rowlee are now in 7th grade at ACS. She also has two grandchildren.

Since joining the faculty at ACS, Mrs. Murphy has especially enjoyed having devotions and worship time with the staff and watching the students sing and worship together during chapel each week. “I love music and I used to be involved with worship at our church,” Mrs. Murphy said. “It’s great to be in a school where God’s name is lifted up and we can celebrate our shared faith.”

Mrs. Ashley Vaccaro is a new kindergarten teacher. While she is a new faculty member, she is not new to ACS. Mrs. Vaccaro first came to ACS as a parent in 2013, when her son, Austin, started kindergarten. Austin is now an ACS 7th grader and his younger brother, Asher, is in kindergarten.

“What I always liked about ACS was the feeling of community, that we are one huge family,” Mrs. Vaccaro said. “I felt that as a parent and now I feel it as a part of the faculty. I never considered teaching anywhere else.”

Mrs. Vaccaro holds a BS in elementary education from Liberty University and has formerly worked as a substitute teacher and kindergarten aide at ACS. She and her husband, Carlos, and their two children reside in Northfield and worship at Fusion Church, where she has served in the children’s ministry.

One of Mrs. Vaccaro’s favorite verses is I Corinthians 16:13, which ACS chose this year to be its Spiritual Development Theme Verse. “We have to stand firm and trust in God no matter what we are facing,” Mrs. Vaccaro said. “We can’t let anyone steer us away from our faith because of fear.” Mrs. Vaccaro’s students recite the verse every day in class and they have created choreography to go with the verse. The class may share and teach their unique movements to the verse when they lead Elementary Chapel on October 16, Mrs. Vaccaro said.

In her leisure time, Mrs. Vaccaro is an ocean conservationist. She and her family are involved with One Ocean and volunteer with 4 Ocean, doing monthly trash cleanup at local beaches. “It’s all about being a good steward of the earth that God created,” Mrs. Vaccaro said.

Alumni Spotlight: ACS Alumni Making Their Mark in College and Beyond

ACS is pleased to recognize and congratulate several of its alumni who are making their mark in college, in the working world, and in other endeavors, building on the strong educational and spiritual foundation they received during their years at ACS. The alumni spotlighted here are Karen Kizer Woerner (’86), Tommy Tillis (’10), Dara Brown Heston (’11), Rachel Picking Tillis (’11), Hannah Schalles (’13), Paul Jones (’15), Sam Karabashian (’15), Lydia Dice (’16), and Dakota (DJ) Hitchner (’17). Profiles of these and many more ACS alumni can be found on the “Alumni News” page of the ACS website under the “News and Events” category.

Karen Kizer Woerner (’86) earned her BS in elementary education from Liberty University and wanted to return to her hometown to teach. She spent 15 years as an elementary teacher in Pleasantville, mostly as a 4th grade teacher.. During those years, she was named Teacher of the Year twice at the Leeds Avenue School and was nominated and chosen twice for the Who’s Who of American Teachers. Karen became a stay-at-home mom in 2005 and has been homeschooling her children, Kirsten and Andrew. This fall, Karen stepped back into the classroom part-time and is teaching 4th and 5th grade at Westminster Christian Academy.

Tommy Tillis (’10) joined the U.S. Navy after high school and served as a Navy rescue swimmer for six years, with three tours of duty to Bahrain. He is married to another ACS alumnus, Rachel Picking (’11), and they have two children, Ellie, and Cooper. While Tommy was serving in the Navy, the family lived in Norfolk, VA, but they returned to South Jersey in 2018. Tommy is now a firefighter in Ocean City, his life-long dream job, and Rachel is a stay-at-home mom. Rachel, who was valedictorian of the Class of 2010, attended Liberty University where she earned a BS in business administration.

Dara Brown Heston (’11), who has overseen the kitchen at the Atlantic City Rescue Mission for the past six years, recently became a Certified Medical Assistant and is working at a plasma clinic in Atlantic City.

Hannah Schalles (’13) graduated in May 2020 from Cedarville University with a Doctor of Pharmacy and is now doing her pharmacy residence at Nemours/Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. She plans to pursue a career as a clinical pharmacist.

Paul Jones (’15) has relocated to Florida with his wife, Hunter, and daughter, Selah, to take a faculty position at Trinity Christian Academy in Lake Worth. Paul is teaching middle school Bible and history. He will also be an assistant coach on the Varsity Boys’ basketball team, a position Paul held at ACS for the past several years.

Sam Karabashian (’15) has been living and working in the nation’s capital since graduating in 2019 from Biola University with a degree in business analytics. He worked last year in the Capitol Hill office of Congressman Mark Green of Tennessee and recently took a position with DeLoitte, a global firm that provides audit, consulting, tax, and advisory services.

Lydia Dice (’16) graduated with honors in September 2020 from Lancaster Bible College with degrees in Bible and middle level education in science and math. She has moved to South Carolina to work for a gap year with One Life at South Wesleyan University while she pursues her Masters in higher education through Geneva University.

Dakota (DJ) Hitchner (’17) is in her junior year at Cairn University pursuing a degree in health and physical education. She has distinguished herself as a scholar and athlete, making the dean’s list every semester while playing on the Women’s Soccer Team and the Women’s Basketball team. She has made all-conference in both sports every year, has been captain of the Women’s Basketball team, and was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team of the Colonial States Athletic Conference. In September 2020, DJ was recognized for her athletic talents and leadership by being one of 10 players named to Cairn’s 2010-2020 All-Decade Women’s Basketball team. She is also student president of the athletic department and is responsible for planning student events on campus.

Classroom Cameo: K Students Celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day, Make Homemade Applesauce

Our kindergarten classes celebrated Johnny Appleseed Day and Apple Day during the week of September 28, learning how to make applesauce from scratch and doing an apple taste test.

The first step in the applesauce-making process was to cut up red and green apples and stack them into crock pots to cook, a task carried out by the classroom aides and KB teacher Mrs. Vaccaro. In the afternoon, once the apples had cooked down, the students took turns using a food mill to mash the apples into applesauce. Of course, the students also enjoyed eating the applesauce they had made.

Students also had the opportunity to do an apple tasting test. “This week we have been learning all about our senses and the apple tasting test gave the children an opportunity to describe the feel, look, smell, sound, and taste of various apples,” said Mrs. Vaccaro.

Throwback Thursday 50th Anniversary Photo Contest Starts October 8

This school year is the 50th Anniversary of ACS and there will be various activities and events to mark this amazing milestone in our school’s history. The first fun anniversary activity will begin on Thursday, October 8 — a Throwback Thursday Photo Contest — with monthly prizes for contestants who correctly identify details in the photos. The first contest photo is posted here. Let the competition begin!

Each week from October through April, ACS will select one photo featuring ACS students and/or staff involved in an activity or event that has occurred in the past, going as far back as the first school year of 1971-1972. A new photo will be posted each Thursday on the ACS Facebook page, the ACS Stronger Together Facebook group page, and Instagram. The photo will also be posted on a bulletin board in the Multi-Purpose Room, in the school foyer video, and on the ACS website. To participate, contestants must simply identify details about the photos. Earn points by identifying: 1) the year the photo was taken; 2) where the photo was taken; 3) where the photo first appeared or the occasion of the photo; 4) the names of the people in the photo. Each correct detail will earn a contestant one point.

To enter the Throwback Thursday Photo Contest, contestants will need to email their information about the photo to contest@acseht.org. The contestant with the most points at the end of each month will win a prize.

ACS Spirit Day at Buffalo Wild Wings — Friday, October 16

Save the Date! ACS Spirit Day at Buffalo Wild Wings in Mays Landing will be on Friday, October 16. Eat wings and help raise funds for ACS Athletics.

This is the third year that the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in Mays Landing is partnering with ACS to support our school. ACS will receive a donation of 20% of the total bill of any customer who participates between 11:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on October 16, the day before Homecoming. The donation will be applied to take-out orders as well as to meals eaten indoors or outdoors at the restaurant. The restaurant is located at 4311 Black Horse Pike in Mays Landing.

Please spread the word about this exciting fundraiser to benefit ACS athletics.

CLICK HERE to get the special yellow printable fundraiser ticket to present when you order your meal. Tickets are also available in the school office.

Join Us for Homecoming 2020 — Saturday, October 17

The ACS school family, alumni, family members, and friends are invited to Homecoming 2020 on Saturday, October 17, with our Varsity Soccer teams facing off against Life Center Academy from Burlington, NJ. Both games are set to be played on our newly completed artificial turf soccer field. Our Varsity Girls’ game will begin at noon and the Varsity Boys’ game will kick off at 2:00 p.m. The Homecoming Court Presentation will be held between the games, from 1:30-2:00 p.m., along with a Dedication Ceremony for the new turf field.

The Homecoming festivities will get underway with Open Volleyball outdoors for our alumni, families, and friends from 10 a.m. to noon and 3-on-3 half-court basketball games on our new outdoor basketball court from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Some additional fun activities are being added to Homecoming as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of ACS this year. There will be an opportunity to pose for a 50th anniversary photo op and a Homecoming Photo Contest with prizes. There will be lots of great food to enjoy throughout the day, including hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza, with the proceeds benefiting our athletic programs. Come on out for a fun family day to cheer our Cougars on to victory.

In the evening, our annual Homecoming Dance will be held in the ACS gym for ACS high school students and their guests from 6:30-9:00 p.m.

ACS Students, Staff Gather to Pray for See You at the Pole Event

Groups of ACS students and staff gathered throughout the day on September 23 near the school flagpoles to pray for our school, our community, and nation as part of the annual national “See You at the Pole” event.

Elementary students gathered for chapel near the flagpole and spent time praying and praising God in song, led by students in the 5th grade worship team.

Middle school and high school students gathered at the flagpole during their Bible classes, praying, reading Bible verses, and talking about the power of prayer.

The event, now in its 30th year, was usually held before the start of school and included participation from ACS families who could choose to attend. However, to ensure the health and safety of our students and families in light of the coronavirus, the event was modified to be held during the school day and involving smaller groups of students and staff gathering at different times.

New Hours for Used Uniform Closet, Lost and Found

New operating hours are now in effect for the Used Uniform Closet and Lost and Found as part of our effort to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff while in the school building.

Services Coordinator Anne Block said parents may visit the Used Uniform Closet or Lost and Found, which are located in the the Multi-Purpose Room, from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. or from 3:00-4:00 p.m. daily, Monday to Friday. Students and staff will not be in the Multi-Purpose Room during those hours.

Mrs. Block also noted that the school accepts outgrown or not needed uniforms in good condition year-round. The used uniforms are sold at discounted prices and the income from the sales goes into the school’s operating fund.

Clothing, backpacks, lunch bags, and water bottles left on the playground, in hallways, and other areas in the school are taken to the Lost and Found. All unclaimed, unmarked items will be displayed for a time for reclaiming. If not claimed after 14 days, items will be made available for resale or discarded. Mrs. Block said parents can help alleviate the build-up of articles in the lost and found by marking their child’s name and class on all coats, sweaters, and jackets.

Please contact Mrs. Block with any questions at 609-653-1199, ext. 381 or ablock@acseht.org.