Post Tagged with: "Atlantic Christian School"

Race for Education and Harvest Day 2018 – Having Fun While Raising Funds for ACS

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.

Click Here for More Photos

 

Varsity Girls’ Soccer Team to Play in TSCAC Championship Game Saturday, Boys’ Team to Play in Consolation Game

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).

 

 

 

ACS Holds Ribbon-Cutting for New Greenhouse

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.

ACS to Honor Veterans — Wednesday, November 7

ACS will show its appreciation to our veterans at an all-school chapel on Wednesday, November 7 at 2:00 p.m. in the gymnasium. Flyers have been sent home with students. Please invite family members and friends who have served or currently serve in the military to attend. There will be reserved seating for our honored guests.

What’s New at ACS — Elementary Restrooms Renovated

ACS recently completed a major renovation of the school’s elementary bathrooms that are located on the first floor near the rear bus entrance of the school. The $11,000 renovation, which got underway in July, included replacing all the plumbing in the boys’ and girls’ bathrooms and installing new sinks, urinals, and tile flooring. Framed inspirational messages and Bible verses now hang on the walls that were painted a quiet, blue-grey. The renovation effort was carried out by Facilities Director Bill Smallwood, with assistance from Gassis Brothers Plumbing and Heating and Westy’s Flooring.  “We thank God for supplying the funds required to complete these necessary and beneficial improvements to these bathrooms,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “We also are blessed to have a variety of contractors who are willing to gift or discount their rates to help our school.”

ACS Goes Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

From pink socks and hair bands to pink shirts and shoelaces, ACS students, faculty, and staff enthusiastically participated in Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Monday, October 29. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the ACS event helped raise awareness of the disease. Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women and current trends indicate that about 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point. The fundraiser brought in $370 that will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. That’s nearly a 25% increase over last year’s total! Great job, everyone!

Staff Spotlight – Meet Our New Elementary Teachers

Three new teachers are bringing great experience and enthusiasm to the ACS elementary school. Pictured left to right are Bethany Kiefer (5th), Eric Tardif (4th), and Grant Miller (5th).

Mrs. Kiefer comes to ACS with a BS in Elementary Education from the University of Valley Forge and teaching experience in the Swedesboro/Woolwich School District and Gloucester Township Public Schools.  Kiefer, her husband Jason, and their daughters, Isabelle (1st) and Hannah (PK4), attend Calvary Chapel Gateway where she serves on the worship team. “Pouring my heart and soul into teaching where the students are encouraged to pursue a relationship with Christ is one of the most rewarding teaching experience I’ve ever had,”  Kiefer said.

Mr. Tardif has a BA in sociology from William Paterson University and a Masters in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University. He has been a fourth grade teacher and reading tutor for the last twelve years in Pleasantville and Vineland. Tardif and his wife, Krystal, attend Greentree Church with their children, Kalee (4th) and Dylan (1st). “Teaching at ACS is a true gift,” he said. “Walking in the doors each day and being greeted by my students is a blessing. Serving the Lord alongside my students is a unique experience.”

Mr. Miller is an ACS alumnus (’07) with a BS in Physical Education and Health from Montclair State University. He previously taught 4th-6th grades at Gospel of Grace Christian School and 5th grade at Crossroads Christian Academy in Panama City, Panama. He has also coached basketball here at ACS and in Panama. Miller and his wife, Minelva (who is from Panama), attend Praise Tabernacle where they coach Upward flag football. His motivation for educational ministry shines through when he said, “The Lord has given us the opportunity to shine for Him in this beautiful world. It’s now time to answer the call!”

PTF SpiritWear Sweatshirts On Sale Again

SpiritWear sweatshirts are again for sale by the ACS PTF. Adult hoodies ($30) and crewnecks ($26) are available in green and gray. Children’s crewnecks ($22) are available for Early Education students only in green and gray with the “Cougar Cubs” paw logo. Orders must be placed by Monday, November 19. The shirts will arrive the first week of December — just in time for Christmas!

CLICK HERE FOR ORDER FORM

 

Tickets for Elf the Musical, Jr. NOW ON SALE!

Tickets are now on sale for the ACS productions of “Elf the Musical Jr.” on Friday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 17 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by school families in the school office or can be purchased online by clicking the button below. Adult tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Student tickets (age 3-12th grade) are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.

 

Click Here to Purchase Tickets

Grandparents Day Scheduled for Friday, November 16

We love our grandparents and ACS students will show that love next Friday, November 16 as part of Grandparents Day. This special annual celebration will begin with a coffee social for grandparents at 9:00 a.m. in the gym, followed by an all-school chapel at 10:00 a.m., where students from preschool through high school will participate in praising God through musical presentations and Bible readings. Grandparents will then have the opportunity to spend time with their grandchildren in their classrooms from 11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. and visit the Scholastic Book Fair. We hope to see all of our grandparents at ACS on November 16.

Scholastic Book Fair at ACS November 12-16, Volunteers Needed

Our fall week-long Scholastic Book Fair will be held from Monday, November 12 to Friday, November 16. All students as well as their family members will have opportunities to visit the “Paws for Books” themed fair and shop for books throughout the week.

Students in PreK3 to the 5th grade will visit the Fair in the school library on Monday and Tuesday to create their “wish lists.” Family members can join students and purchase books until 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 13, and until 3:00 p.m. (after the Grandparents Day chapel) on Friday, November 16. Middle school and high school students can visit the Fair and purchase books throughout the week during lunch periods and study halls. Book orders can also be placed by filling out the “wish list” that students will bring home and sending the money in with students by Wednesday, November 14.  Book orders can also be placed online at scholastic.com/fair. For more information to order or to sign up to volunteer, visit our school’s homepage on the Scholastic website by clicking on the link below:

CLICK HERE TO ORDER BOOKS ONLINE

We need volunteers to help make this year’s Book Fair a success! If you would like to volunteer, please  CLICK HERE to sign up easily online.

ACS to “Go Pink” for Breast Cancer Awareness – Monday, October 29

ACS is going pink on Monday, October 29 to support breast cancer research. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and ACS is doing its part to raise awareness of the disease. For a donation of $2, students and faculty/staff can wear a top or shirt that is predominantly pink with jeans (no jeans with holes) or with uniform bottoms (skirts, pants, shorts).  Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women and current trends indicate that about 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point. Proceeds from the ACS event will go to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Middle School Students Hone Leadership Skills at ACSI Philadelphia Conference

Eighteen students in grades 6-8 attended the ACSI Middle School Leadership Conference in Philadelphia on Wednesday, October 17. The conference, organized annually by the Association of Christian Schools International, focused on helping students see that their fallen state has led to brokenness, identifying their  leadership style, and realizing how more more can be accomplished by working together to see redemption take place through action. Students from 11 other Christian schools in the Greater Philadelphia area, who along with ACS are members of ACSI, participated in the conference.

ACS students listened to speakers, interacted in discussion groups with students from the other schools, and then worked collaboratively to develop ideas and plans to make a difference at ACS. “It was a full day and we are excited to see the kind of impact these emerging leaders in our middle school will be making on our student body moving forward,” said Upper School Principal Meg McHale, who attended the conference along with middle school faculty member Sara Coates and parent chaperone Polly Ellison.

Elf the Musical, Jr. — Playbill Ads Deadline is Oct. 31 — Tickets Go On Sale Oct. 30

Playbill ads for the upcoming ACS production of  “Elf the Musical Jr.” are still 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 using a form obtained in the school office. ACS students get a 50% discounted price of $5 for a Pride Line.  Ad prices begin at $25 for a quarter-page. All Pride Lines and other playbill ads must be submitted by no later than Tuesday, October 31.

Shows are Friday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 17 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets will go on sale Tuesday, October 30.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE PLAYBILL ADS

Surprise Baby Shower for Elementary Principal, Early Education Director Gail Alford — Details on Interim Leadership During Maternity Leave

The ACS faculty and staff threw a surprise after-school baby shower for Elementary Principal and Early Education Director Mrs. Gail Alford on October 18. There were lots of smiles and hugs as the ACS family offered best wishes and God’s blessings on the Alford family. A new baby girl is due to arrive in early November, joining the Alford’s four other children — Joshua, Ashlee, Isabell, and Elizabeth.
Mrs. Alford’s last day is this Friday, October 26. In her absence, Mrs. Unique Johnson will be serving as the interim Director of Early Education. Mrs. Johnson has been shadowing Mrs. Alford for the past month. She has extensive experience of over 10 years in Early Childhood Education.  She ran a licensed center in her own home, was a teacher for a center in Lakeland, Florida, and served as the assistant director of a center on a military base in Japan.  Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen will be the main point of contact overseeing administration of the elementary grades during Mrs. Alford’s absence.

Athletes and Family Members Honored at Soccer Senior Day

ACS honored its eleven senior players and managers on the Varsity Girls’ and Boys’ soccer teams and their parents in a special ceremony on Monday, October 22. The ceremony was held prior to the start of the home games against Baptist Regional School. Athletic Director Pam Hitchner introduced the team members and read notes of special thanks to each written by Varsity Boys’ Coach Ricardo Leon and Varsity Girls’ Coach Carly Witherow.

The Senior girls are (front row, from left): Lola Oguntuase, Rebekah Darragh, Caraline Winkel, Lindsey Ash, and Maya Wahl (manager). The Senior boys are (back row, from left): Mark Rosie, Jake O’Brien, Rudy Dalinger, Danny Lee, Luke Johnson, and Elijah Chapman.

CLICK HERE to see more Soccer Senior Day photos in our online gallery.

Race for Education and Harvest Festival – One Week Away!

In conjunction with the Race for Education, students in PreK3 to 5th grade will enjoy a variety of activities for our annual Harvest Festival and can order a special Hot Dog Lunch. There will be worship, games, songs, crafts, tractor rides, and much more. We are asking parents to help us make the day a success by contributing $1 per student and donating either a bag of snack crackers (if your student is in Early Ed) or candy (if your student is in elementary).

The Parent-Teacher Fellowship is offering its popular “Hot Diggity Dog Lunch” for $3. The meal includes a hot dog, chips, and a drink. Additional hot dogs can be purchased for $1.50 each. Info about the Harvest Festival, including the Hot Diggity Dog Lunch order form and Wagon Ride permission slip, was sent home earlier this week. You can also CLICK HERE to download the order form and permission slip.

Anyone interested in volunteering to help with the Race for Education or the Harvest Festival activities, please contact Event Coordinator Jessica Martin at 609-653-1199, ext. 314 or jmartin@acseht.org.

Middle School Soccer Teams Excelling — Boys’ Team Undefeated, Girls’ Team 6-1

The Middle School Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer teams are making their mark this season in the Atlantic Cape Junior High League, which includes local area public and parochial schools. The 16-member Boys’ team is undefeated, with a 7-0 record to date, and five games left in the season that concludes October 30. The 23-member Girls’ team, led by Coach Casey Hopwood, is 6-1 and for the first time in school history defeated Linwood 3-2 on Thursday.

The Middle School Boys’ coach and ACS parent Tom Ellison said his team members were determined at the beginning of the season to do something special and had set a goal to go undefeated, a feat that has not happened in over a decade. Coach Ellison said the team has scored an astonishing 30 times on its opponents and has only given up 3 goals in the past seven games. The team is comprised of predominately 8th graders, most of whom have been playing together since fifth grade.

“The players genuinely care for one another on and off the field and play with a close-knit unity and a selfless attitude toward each another that can be clearly seen when you watch them play,” Ellison said. “These boys truly demonstrate what it means being all in for Jesus on the soccer field.” The middle school season ends on October 30. The boys’ and girls’ teams have home games next week — on October 23 and 25 starting around 3:45 pm. Come on out and cheer for our Cougars!

 

 

 

 

Soccer Senior Day Rescheduled to Monday, October 22

Soccer Senior Day was rescheduled from October 16 to this coming Monday, October 22, which will be our last Varsity home game of the season. ACS will honor the senior members of our Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Soccer Teams outdoors near the soccer fields, just prior to our home games against Baptist Regional. Parents or guardians of senior players are invited to attend and are asked to be part of the recognition ceremony. The games against Baptist will start at 4:00 p.m., immediately following the senior recognition ceremony.

Buffalo Wild Wings Spirit Day Has Great Turnout to Benefit ACS Athletics — ACS Green Basketball Jersey Now Hangs on Wall

Our ACS Spirit Day at Buffalo Wild Wings in Mays Landing on October 12 was a huge success. Thank you to our school families, staff, alumni, alumni parents, and friends of ACS who came out to eat wings and help raise funds for ACS. Your participation generated over $2,500 in sales, the most of any group who has held a fundraiser there this year, according to management. The best part — over $500 is coming back to ACS to benefit our athletic programs. It was also great to see a framed green ACS basketball jersey hanging on the wall along with jerseys from area high schools and colleges. Go Cougars!

 

Homecoming 2018 – Great Turnout as Soccer Teams Beat King’s Christian, Students Enjoy Homecoming Dance

Over 100 ACS parents, students, alumni, staff, and friends turned out on Saturday, October 13 for Homecoming 2018. Our loyal fans enthusiastically cheered as our Varsity Girls’ and Boys’ soccer teams won both their games against King’s Christian School.  The senior boys and girls selected for the Homecoming Court were presented between the two games. It was a cool, clear fall day that brought everyone to the concession stand to grab a hot chocolate or a blended coffee drink. In the afternoon, there were grilled hot dogs and hamburgers for lunch, with all proceeds going to benefit ACS athletics.
The Varsity Girls’ soccer team showed its strength and depth on the field, defeating King’s Christian 5-0. Sophomore Hannah Urbaczewski led the team with three goals and an assist and senior Lola Oguntuase and sophomore Chloe Vogel each scored one goal. Sophomore goalie Shelby Einwechter made 10 saves for the shutout. The Varsity Boys’ team won a hard fought game 1-0  over King’s Christian, with junior Ben Noble scoring the only goal early in the game. The defense held strong and senior goalie Mark Rosie made five saves for the shutout.
The Homecoming King and Queen were seniors Rebekah Darragh and Elijah Chapman, joined by their court  — Solomon Griffith, Joshua Mizrahi, Lola Oguntuase, and Caraline Winkel.  Later that evening, our students enjoyed a fun night out at the Homecoming Dance.

Thank you to Athletic Director Pam Hitchner for putting together a family friendly event, to PE teacher Ray Picking and parent volunteers who helped with concessions, and to the girls’ high school PE classes that decorated pumpkins with various graduation years and made bows and braids for spirit wear. Thanks for the memories! For more Homecoming photos,  CLICK HERE for the photo gallery on the ACS website.

 

CLICK HERE FOR THE PHOTO GALLERY

Mark Your Calendar – Picture Days are October 22 & 23

Give us your best smile! Lifetouch will be at ACS to take school pictures next week — on Monday and Tuesday, October 22 and 23. Pictures of students in grades 6-12 will be taken on Monday and pictures of students in grades K-5 will be on Tuesday. Please do not wear gym clothes on your picture day. Hoodies and ACS sports jerseys or uniforms are also not to be worn. Photo ordering details will be emailed to parents soon.

Early Ed, Elementary Students Learn Fire Safety, Tour Fire Truck

Following up from National Fire Prevention Week (October 7-13), students from preschool to the 5th grade learned all about fire safety from firefighters who visited our campus on Thursday, October 18 with the Sculville Volunteer Fire Company. The students learned about the importance of smoke detectors, the need to have a meeting place outside their house in case of a fire, and how to “stop, drop, cover, and roll.” Our students also got a close-up look at a fire engine with its tools, hoses, gauges, and rescue equipment.

Art teacher Sherry Mirakian also provided the students instruction on drawing fire trucks. They learned about geometric shapes and vertical versus horizontal while creating replica drawings (pictured above right). Next week the classes will learn about color and complete the drawings. The firemen were given photos of the artwork in progress to take back to the firehouse.

Kindergarten Classes Celebrate Stories and Characters on Mother Goose Day

Fairy tales and fables came to life around the ACS campus on Thursday, October 18 as the Kindergarten classes celebrated Mother Goose Day. Students and teachers alike dressed up as storybook characters and went on parade throughout the building. A crowd favorite was Kindergarten Aid George Getty who appeared as a beanstalk, complete with a castle in the clouds and Jack making the climb. Also spotted in the cast of characters were Jack &Jill, Humpty Dumpty, and the Big Bad Wolf. Nursery rhyme healthy snacks were served including Little Boy Blue’s blueberry muffins, Humpty Dumpty’s eggs, beans from Jack’s beanstalk, and water from Jack and Jill.

Homecoming on Saturday – Important Changes to Game Start Times; Alumni Volleyball Cancelled

Homecoming is one day away — this Saturday, October 13 — but due to the rainy weather this past week and its impact on the condition of our soccer fields,  important, last-minute changes have been made to the Homecoming events, as follows:

1) The Alumni Open Volleyball game outdoors from 11 am-1 pm is CANCELLED. A future alumni volleyball event will be announced.

2) The START TIMES HAVE CHANGED for the Homecoming soccer games against King’s Christian School. The Varsity Girls’ Game will start at noon and the Varsity Boys’ Game will start at 1:45 pm. Both games will be played on the Girls’ Soccer Field.

3) The presentation of the Homecoming Court will be done between the girls’ and boys’ soccer games.

4) There are no changes to the Homecoming Dance, which will be held from 6:30-9:00 p.m. in the gym and is open to ACS high school students and their guests and alumni 20 years old and under. All students must have a permission slip to attend. Tickets to the Homecoming Dance are $10 each.