Post Tagged with: "ACS"

High School Students Receive Chromebooks; Portable K-8 Classroom Sets Available Soon

ACS high school students each received a new Chromebook this week as part of a new one-to-one Chromebook initiative to help students master the use of technology and be trained for success in college and the workplace. Portable classroom sets of Chromebooks will also be available for use by elementary and middle school classes by the end of the month.

“We are very excited about giving our students the tools and training in technology that they need to be prepared for college and their future careers,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. She said donations of over $40,000 enabled ACS to purchase 130 Chromebooks to launch this new initiative.

Prior to the start of this school year, teachers received training in how to integrate the use of the Chromebooks in the classroom and additional teacher and student training will continue this fall.

ACS has taken a series of steps over the past several years to increase technology training, including equipping two computer labs and adding technology-related classes. This year, web design and digital photography were added as new high school electives.

For the 2019-2020 school year, Oblen said ACS will be offering several specialized educational tracks for students when they enter high school, including tracks in computer science, education, business, and pre-med. Dual enrollment to obtain college credits will also be in place.

The enhanced technology offerings are building on a well-established program that begins with 3-year-olds in preschool and continues in elementary through high school. Oblen said one of the successful programs being used is called Education City, software tailored for children from PreK3 to the 8th grade. Middle school students attend computer classes in a lab twice a week, where they learn internet research skills, graphic design, how to make presentations, and other technology-related skills.

Parent-Teacher Conferences To Be Held Friday, October 19

Parent-Teacher Conferences for parents with students in K to 12th grade are next Friday, October 19, from 1:00-6:00 p.m. A Parent-Teacher conference is not mandatory, but is recommended if your child is not performing well academically (a grade of 70 or below in any subject) or is having trouble acclimating to the new school year. To schedule a conference, a new on-line scheduling tool is to be used:

If your student is in grades K-5 —  CLICK HERE to schedule a conference.

If your student is in grades 6-12 — CLICK HERE to schedule a conference

Servant’s Heart Club Begins Monthly Meetings, Helps Students Bless Others

The 2018-19 Servant’s Heart Club met for the first time after school on Tuesday, October 2. Nearly 20 students in 2nd to 5th grades gathered with volunteer leader and ACS parent Jennifer DiMaio to begin another season of blessing others in creative ways. This year’s first project included making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to be distributed by the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. Club members assembled the sandwiches and then packaged them in plastic bags decorated with hand-colored Bible verse cards.

The Servant’s Heart Club is just one of many offerings in the ACS After School Program. Students can participate in a variety of activities and classes like art, band, gymnastics, karate, and more.

CLICK HERE FOR PROGRAM LIST AND DESCRIPTIONS

 

Meet Our New Preschool Teachers

The ACS Early Education Department is excited to welcome back three of its own in new roles this year. Joanne VanAcker (left),  Brittany Correa (center), and Nicole Warriner (right) are all former ACS Early Ed aides who have moved up to be classroom teachers after completing their Child Development Associate certification earlier in 2018.

VanAcker (PreK3) is a former daycare director who teaches Sunday school at New Life Assembly. She and her husband, Jamie, have three children who attend ACS. “I am so excited to be a teacher at ACS,” she said. “It is so rewarding to watch the 3-year-olds blossom throughout the year. I love seeing the children’s faces when they learn something new or fall in love with a new book we have read in class.”

Correa (PreK2) attended Masters Commission ministry school and serves in the children’s programs at Praise Tabernacle. She and her husband, Damien, have three children who attend ACS. “My vision is to give young children an opportunity to be in a safe, loving environment and develop an excitement for learning,” she said.

Warriner (PreK2) comes from a background of helping others in tough situations. Serving in the U.S. Army and the Salvation Army, she was a first responder during both Hurricane Irene and Hurricane Sandy. As a member at Mainland Baptist Church, she ministers in Kids Club, nursery, and special events. She and her husband, Jason, have three children who attend ACS. With enthusiasm and motivation shining through, she said, “I love watching the kids grow and learn new things even at the young age of 2! My goal is to continue my education, get my bachelor’s degree, and see where God leads me at ACS.”

Upper School Students “All In” at Spiritual Emphasis Retreat

The 2018-2019 school theme, “ALL IN,” took center stage for two days as students in middle and high school participated in the annual Spiritual Emphasis Retreat on Thursday and Friday, September 27 and 28. From chapel sessions to class competitions, grades six through twelve engaged heart, soul, mind, and strength for an event full of spiritual impact and memorable fun.

Guest speaker Mike Bult shared powerful leadership principles from God’s Word, challenging students to embrace who God has made them to be and make a difference in the lives of others. Bult, a member of the John Maxwell Leadership Group and Administrator at Mainland Baptist Church, told students, “Leadership is influence. You can all be leaders – for good or bad – because you all can have influence on others.” Combining biblical teaching from Mark 2 with video testimony from Life Without Limbs founder Nick Vujicic, Bult presented five choices students must make to become positive leaders: “Have an attitude of Gratitude. Live a life of purpose. Be positive. Love yourself. Dream big, set a goal, and do it!”

Chapel sessions also included “compass group” breakout times during which students discussed what they were learning with one another and teacher-coaches. Musical worship was led by Matt Glancey from Coastal Christian Church who was joined at various times by ACS faculty members Zach Monroe and Jaron Beadle as well as his sister Naomi Glancey, a 2018 ACS grad, and Coastal’s worship director Pete Magazzu.

On Thursday, high school students traveled to Cape May for a two-hour dolphin watch cruise under beautiful blue skies. Middle school students stayed on campus, some participating in Knockerball while others enjoyed a paint party led by ACS art teacher Sherry Mirakian. Class competitions included banner making, a class cheer, and the annual favorite lip-sync battle featuring famous songs from movies like “We Go Together” from Grease and “Everything Is Awesome” from the Lego Movie. Students also ran “The Amazing Race,” completing challenges such as creating a tin foil Statue of Liberty and plugging holes in a water basket with bubble gum. When the final tallies were in, this year’s winning teams were seventh grade and eleventh grade.

 

CLICK HERE FOR THE PHOTO GALLERY

More After School Classes Starting – Servant’s Heart Club & Tumblewheels

Servant’s Heart Club – 2nd-5th Grade – $25

Meets first Tuesday of each month – 3:15-4:00 pm

Develop a love for serving God and blessing others in our community by working cooperatively on creative, hands-on projects. Club is open to ACS and non-ACS students.

 

 

Tumblewheels – PK2-K – $48/month

Thursdays, beginning Oct. 4 – 3:15-4:00pm

Tumble Wheels is a non-competitive mobile gym facility program that travels to ACS in a full-size school bus that has been converted into a gymnasium. Children will learn safe activities on the equipment while developing their self-image through tumbling, music, physical education, motor/movement, social skills, safety, personal care, and encouragement. Class is open to ACS and non-ACS students.  Click Here to register online.

 

CLICK HERE FOR PROGRAM LIST AND DESCRIPTIONS

Elf the Musical, Jr. Playbill Ads Now on Sale

Playbill ads for the upcoming ACS production of  “Elf the Musical Jr.” are now available for purchase. Purchase a spot in the playbill to advertise your business or to congratulate your favorite cast member.

Ads must be submitted online (click on button below),  except for Pride Lines from an ACS student to a cast member, which can be purchased with a form in the school office. ACS students get a 50% discounted price of $5 for a Pride Line.

Ad prices range from $25 for a quarter-page to $150 for the Inside Cover of the playbill. Student Pride Line Order Forms will be available in the school office on Monday, October 1.  All Pride Lines and other playbill ads must be submitted by no later than Tuesday, October 31.

CLICK HERE to purchase a playbill ad.

More After-School Classes Available — Gymnastics Starts Friday, Sept. 28

After-School Band — 4th-12th Grade — Free
M-F, 3:15-4 pm (beginners); Tu-Th, 3:15-4 pm (intermediate)

Improve your band skills! This class includes two levels: beginner (Mondays & Wednesdays, 3:15-4:00 pm) and intermediate (Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:15-4:00 pm). Approval from Mr. Beadle is needed to join the intermediate class.

 

Gymnastics – 1st-5th Grade – $80 – 6 sessions
Fridays, Sept. 28; Oct. 5, 12, 26; Nov. 2 & 30 – 3:15-4:00 pm

Learn the basics of gymnastics and build your skills each week. This 6-session class led by Blake’s Gymnastics is designed to enhance your love for movement and make fitness a fun activity.