Post Tagged with: "Atlantic County"

ACS Teachers, Students Finding Ways to Integrate Technology into Classroom Learning

How do arctic animals stay warm? What crops did people living in the Thirteen Colonies grow on their farms?  Who are some of the famous people born in New Jersey? What is a negative integer? ACS students are finding answers to these and other questions in their history, science, and math classes by using various types of technology that are being integrated into classroom learning.

Volunteer Greg Louderback, a retired teacher and educational technology trainer, is providing valuable in-classroom support to ACS teachers and students to help them find new ways to use technology and various educational websites to supplement and enhance learning.

“Education in the 21st century must include using technology to enhance a student’s learning experience,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen.  “We are very pleased to be able to provide training for our teachers and students so they can make the best use of their Chromebooks and the many online resources that are available for interactive and hands-on learning.”

In December, Mrs. Jackson’s 4th grade class accessed the Nearpod program on their Chromebooks to study thermal energy. The first lesson consisted of learning the three types of energy transfer. The next lesson was a lab in which students applied the scientific method as they explored the use of insulators by making blubber mittens. Their final project was to design a house that would withstand the subzero weather of the arctic.

In Mrs. Murphy’s 5th grade class, students worked in pairs in February to research the thirteen colonies and report their findings to their classmates. The students researched such topics as colonial clothing, the Jamestown settlement, the Plymouth colony, colonial jobs and trades, cooking, life on a colonial farm, and life in a colonial town. The students were given quality digital resources from which they gathered their information. Each team created a report using Google slides and gave a oral presentation in class.

Both sixth grade math classes are using Desmos, Quizizz, and Nearpod websites for learning. According to Mr. Louderback, Mrs. Coates and Mrs. Lee were excited to find hands-on ways for their students to learn and review various abstract math concepts, such as the coordinate grid, transformations and negative integers.  Upper school math teachers George Dickson and Gina Wilson are also using Desmos, ExploreLearning Gizmos, Schoolyourself, Edpuzzle, and Nearpod video for their Algebra 1 and Geometry classes.

 

 

ACS Participates in Read Across America Week with Fun, Creative Educational Activities

Preschool and elementary students ate green eggs and ham, counted and matched rainbow goldfish crackers, and wore wacky, mismatched socks to school as part of fun and educational activities they enjoyed from March 1-3 as part of Read Across America Week.  Some classes watched the “Cat in the Hat” movie, others made Cat in the Hat kebobs of bananas and strawberries for snack, and the librarian played music from “Seussical” as students choose from a variety of books on display in the library.

“Our students and teachers really look forward to Read Across America Week and celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday every year because they get to dress up for Cat in the Hat Day or Crazy Sock Day and come up with creative projects that make reading fun,” said Elementary Principal and Early Education Director Gail Alford. “The goal is to get our students excited about learning.”

Reading Dr. Seuss books was a favorite activity throughout the week and a large bulletin in the school library hallway was decorated with the covers of various Dr. Seuss books.

In Mrs. Kelley’s PreK4 class, they read Dr. Seuss’ “Put Me in the Zoo” and then made the dog from the story as an art project. The students also made “Thing” hats, recited their numbers up to 20, and chose a number to write on their hat.

Mrs. Fosbenner’s 3rd grade class read Dr. Seuss’ “Bartholomew and the Oobleck,” and then created their own version of Oobleck as part of a science experiment observing how liquid ingredients when mixed together can change into a solid form.

CLICK HERE to see additional photos from Read Across America week.

 

 

 

Athletes, Family Members Honored at Basketball Senior Night on March 1

ACS honored its 12 Seniors on the Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball Teams and on the Cheer Team and their parents in a special ceremony on March 1 before the start of the last regular season home games against Cumberland Christian School. We look forward to seeing our seniors play in the upcoming Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference playoff games, which were postponed to the week of March 15, with the championship final games to be played on Saturday, March 20 in the ACS gym.

The Seniors girls honored were: Olivia Chapman, Kami DeNick, Kayla DeNick, Shelby Einwechter, Bekah Kimmerley, Katherine Kong, Sydney Pearson, Chloe Vogel, and Cristen Winkel. The Senior boys honored were: Joshua Jacoby, Malachi Green, and Jacob Rosie.

Both ACS teams went on to win their games and several seniors put in an outstanding effort. In the Varsity Girls’ game, which ended 50-23, forward Olivia Chapman had 10 steals, 8 rebounds; forward Sydney Pearson had 16 points and 10 rebounds; and point guard Cristen Winkel scored a season high 24 points and had 6 assists. In the Varsity Boys’ game, which ended 67-42, point guard Malachi Green scored a career high 33 points, had 8 rebounds, and 5 steals. Forward Jacob Rosie had 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals.

The ACS teams will be playing in the TSCAC playoff games next week, which were originally scheduled for the week of March 1.  The Varsity Girls, who are undefeated and in 1st place in the conference, will play in the semi-final playoff game (opposing school to be determined) and the Varsity Boys, who are in 3rd place, will play in the quarter-final game against Cumberland Christian. The dates and times of the playoff games are still to be determined, but the championship final games will be held on Saturday, March at the ACS gym. All games will be livestreamed. Go Cougars!

 

 

Classroom Cameo: Geometry Students Design Cities Using Parallel Lines

The high school students in Mrs. Wilson’s geometry class recently had the opportunity to combine their creativity with their math skills to design a city using parallel lines, with some students bringing their cities to life by creating a 3-D model.

“In geometry we’re learning all about angles and in this project the students had to correctly identify and use specific angles, such as the alternate interior angle, as they created their city designs,” Mrs. Wilson said. The students also had to name their city and place fire stations, hospitals, schools, and other public service buildings at the correct angles in their designs. The students worked in teams and completed their projects in mid-January.

The team of 10th grader Samuel Glancey, 10th grader Moges Johnson, and 12th grader Jacob Rosie created the most elaborate 3-D city (pictured below) ,which they named Soga City, and included streets and buildings named after family members and friends. “The students who created 3-D designs definitely had the most fun with their projects and they got extra credit points,” Mrs. Wilson said. She said the team even made a video of themselves as they were working on their project.

10th graders Eva Elgersma and Lauren Kent teamed up to create a 1-dimensional city (pictured below left), which they called Trump City, that included roads named Trump Road and Pence Avenue.  Pictured below right is the early stages of a 3D project designed by 10th grader Jason Herrera, who worked on his project remotely from home.

 

Congratulations to Top Scholars on First Semester Honor Roll for 2020-2021 School Year

Congratulations to our top scholars who made the first semester Honor Roll for the 2020-2021 school year.  The Honor Roll, finalized on February 24, recognizes 226 students from the 1st through 12th grades who distinguished themselves in their academic studies, receiving Highest Honors or Honors designation.

“We are so thankful for our dedicated and highly qualified faculty who encourage our students to excel academically and to seek to honor God with their lives,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. The names of elementary Honor Roll students, written on gold and silver stars, are currently on display on a first floor bulletin board that celebrates their academic achievements during the first half of the school year.  The Honor Roll was also published online on February 25 in the Current and Gazettes newspapers.

Elementary students in grades 1-5 who earned a 95% average or higher in every major subject received the Highest Honors designation and students who received an 85%-94% average in every major subject received the Honors designation. Middle School and High School students in grades 6-12 who earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.8 or higher at the end of the school year received the Highest Honors designation. Students in grades 6-12 who earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5-3.79 received the Honors designation.

CLICK HERE for a complete list of  the students from elementary through high school who achieved Highest Honors or High Honors. The Honor Roll was also published on February 25 in the Current and Gazettes newspapers. CLICK HERE to read the online article.

Bowls of Hope Food Drive Sets New School Record – Collecting 4,655 Pounds of Food for Community FoodBank of NJ

Our Bowls of Hope Food Drive set an exciting new school record this year, collecting a whopping 4,655 pounds of food for the Community FoodBank of NJ, Southern Branch.  Middle school and high school students on the Student Council, who helped organize the school-wide event, helped pack up and load the over two tons of donations onto wooden pallets for pickup by a FoodBank truck on Thursday, March 4. Congratulations to Mrs. Capito’s 1st grade class for winning first place among all PreK-12th grade classes for collecting the most non-perishable food by weight — 442.4 pounds.

The food drive was held during the month of February, concluding on March 1. In early February, hundreds of paper grocery bags donated by the English Creek Shoprite in Egg Harbor Township were sent home with students for families to fill with their food  donations.

Mrs. Capito’s 1st grade class came in first place in a schoolwide contest by collecting the most non-perishable food donations by weight — 442.4 pounds.

“Thank you to all our school families and friends who brought in food to make this an overwhelming success,” said faculty member Dave Genter, who oversaw the drive as the Student Council advisor. “You were Jesus’ hands and your donations are helping out many families in our community.”  Genter said that ACS collected over four times more donations this year than last year, when ACS had collected 1,021 pounds of non-perishable food.

Kathy Steinman, transportation supervisor at the FoodBank, thanked and congratulated ACS for its efforts. “Wow, you guys and gals did an amazing job,” Steinman said. “Thank you all for everything you did to help so many in need.”

Mrs. Capito’s 1st grade class will be enjoying a pizza party next week for collecting the most donations by weight. Two other classes were also recognized for their efforts — in second place, Mrs. Lewis’ PreK2A class, which collected 419.8 pounds of food, and in 3rd place, Mrs. Brossman’s 1st grade class, which collected 385 pounds of food.

 

5th Graders Gabe Capito, Billy Winkel Earn Cub Scouting Arrow of Light Rank, Advance to ACS Boy Scout Troop 389

Congratulations to 5th graders Gabe Capito and Billy Winkel, who earned the Arrow of Light rank, the highest achievement in Cub Scouts, and advanced into the ACS Boy Scout Troop 389 during a crossover ceremony on February 22 in the ACS gym.

Cubmaster Carrie Jorgenson, an ACS parent and school nurse, was thrilled to be a part of the crossover ceremony to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of Billy and Gabe, who have been part of Cub Pack 389 for the past two and half years.

“Both Billy and Gabe worked very hard to achieve the Arrow of Light,” said Cubmaster Jorgenson. “They never missed a Cub Pack meeting or outing and they have gained a wide range of knowledge and skills with each of the badges they earned.” Jorgenson said some of the skills the boys have learned include: wood carving, foraging, how to build an outdoor shelter, how to build a campfire and cook over it, knife safety, water safety, first aid, and environmental science and conservation.

As proud family members and fellow scouts looked on, Scoutmaster and ACS parent Mike Jorgenson welcomed the boys into Boy Scout Troop 389, which has grown to 19 members. Several Boy Scouts also participated in the crossover ceremony, tying on a Boy Scout neckerchief onto Billy and Gabe.

The Boy Scout Troop 389 and Cub Pack 389, which are chartered by Atlantic Christian School, meet weekly on Mondays at ACS at 7 p.m.  For more information about the scouting program at ACS, contact Scoutmaster Mike Jorgenson for children ages 11 and older at 609-464-3957, and contact Cubmaster Carrie Jorgenson for children from K to the 5th grade at 609-289-1489.

 

Students in Class of 2021 Share Future Plans, Favorite Teachers, Advice in Senior Spotlight Series

The future plans and goals of the Class of 2021, as well as other interesting facts about each student and their advice for the underclassmen, are part of a “Senior Spotlight” series of articles that are appearing each Tuesday on the ACS Facebook page and have also been added to a new “Senior Class Spotlight” page on the ACS website.

The Senior Spotlight articles began appearing on Facebook in mid-February and will conclude in June. This is the second year ACS has published this Senior Spotlight series, which was created by Admissions Director Jessica Martin in the spring of 2020.

“The idea for the Senior Spotlight developed last year during COVID while school was closed and we wanted to have a way to celebrate our seniors and their accomplishments,” said Martin, who is overseeing the project. “We had an excellent response to the series and decided to continue doing it annually.”

Martin said each student submits his or her responses to a series of questions that are part of the spotlight.  “The spotlight is a great way for our school families and friends in the community to learn about the character and heart of our students and the wide range of interests, talents, and abilities that they have developed during their years at ACS,” Martin said.

CLICK HERE to read the Senior Spotlight articles that are posted on the ACS website and will be updated weekly through June.

Date Change: Butterfly Ball for K-6 Girls Is Saturday, March 27


Girls in Kindergarten through 6th Grade are invited to bring their “special prince” (father, grandfather, uncle, brother) for an evening of dinner, dancing, and fun at the annual Butterfly Ball on Saturday, March 27 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the ACS gymnasium.  Invitations went home with the students last week. Please note that the date has changed to Saturday, March 27.

The cost is $35 per couple or $45 for families with more than one daughter. Please RSVP by Monday, March 15 . Please return your RSVP card along with your payment to the main office.

New Fencing and PA System Provide Enhanced Campus Security

A new public address system and additional fencing to enclose the outdoor basketball court and school greenhouse were recently installed, providing enhanced campus security and communication with the school building and adjacent annex classrooms. On Wednesday, February 24, the 6th grade boys’ PE class was the first group of students to use the new outdoor basketball court since the installation of the new fencing.

These important facility enhancements were made possible by state security grant funding for non-public schools that totaled over $31,000.  Progressive Fencing installed some 200 feet of new green-colored fencing over a 4-week period, starting on February 5.  The new PA system went into operation on February 16 and now connects the PreK4 and Kindergarten classrooms in the Annex Trailers to the system. The system also includes new speakers that have been installed outdoors directed towards the athletic fields.

“We are very pleased to have received additional funding to install a second phase of security fencing to ensure that all the outdoor areas where our students play and carry out various learning activities are now enclosed with fencing,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen.  Oblen said additional security cameras have also been installed in new outdoor areas.

The new public address system replaces a system that was installed when the school campus first opened in 2004 and was an outdated analog system, Oblen said. There are also plans to expand the PA system in the next school year to include connecting with the Art and Computer classrooms and After Care Room in the annex trailers across the school parking lot.

 

 

Exclusive Time Period for Current Parents to Re-Enroll Ends Sunday, Feb. 28; Enroll Now to Secure Your Child’s Spot for Next Year

The exclusive time period for current ACS parents to re-enroll their children in ACS and secure their spot for next year ends in just a few days — on Sunday, February 28. The following day, March 1, enrollment will open up to new families and there are many who are seeking to enroll their children and space is limited, according to Admissions Director Jessica Martin.

Martin sent emails this week to every current family advising them if their re-enrollment application is COMPLETE or INCOMPLETE.  If  an application is incomplete, Martin said it is likely missing one of the following items required for re-enrollment:

1) Completed B6T form for ALL K-12 students. This is required whether you are using bus transportation or not.

2) The enrollment fee, which is $75/child with a family cap of $150.

“We want to make sure that our current families secure their student’s spot before we open up enrollment to new families on March 1,” Martin said. ” Current families who have not completed all the necessary paperwork may lose their spot for next year to a new family that enrolls.” Martin said space is particularly limited in kindergarten through the 5th grade and in 7th grade.

Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen said ACS worked hard last summer to put health and safety protocols in place to be able to open ACS with full, in-person instruction last September. “We are very grateful for the encouraging messages from so many parents during this school year who have thanked our teachers and staff for their efforts,” Oblen said. “We are praying that all of our current families will choose to return to ACS next year.”

Oblen also shared some of the positive comments and feedback that been received from current parents:

  • From ACS parent Jennifer Kinch, who children Joey, Emily, and Josh are in 3rd, 4th, and 8th grades:  “This school has done EVERYTHING possible for the kids. The teachers are AMAZING. They treat them like their own kids. ACS is the absolute best decision we could have ever made for our children and their future. I know financially it is overwhelming, but think about all that your money is buying. And what other things you are so quick to spend $$ on. This is worth it. I promise you. I don’t care if I have to work 3 jobs. We love you Atlantic Christian School.”
  • From ACS parent Connie Macpherson, whose son, Erik, is in 2nd grade:  “We’ve officially made it to the 100th day of school at ACS. This is always a fun and exciting day, but this year I’m extra grateful to be celebrating this point in the year. We’ve been in school, in person, 5 days a week for 100 days and I thank ACS for all the hard work they are doing and extra protocols they put in every day to allow our kids to come to school and have as much of a normal school year as possible.”
  • From ACS parent Jennifer Hoffman, whose son, Brayden, is in kindergarten: “Thank you to ACS for getting us to this point, safely!!!! 100 DAYS OF SCHOOL!!  So grateful for all of the AMAZING, rock star teachers, staff, and administration for their love, dedication, hard work, and patience to keep our children in school during this crazy year!

 

 

 

 

 

ACS Varsity Basketball Teams Heading into Playoffs Next Week as Pep Rallies Promote School Spirit

The ACS Varsity Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball Teams are heading into the playoffs next week in strong positions to advance to the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference championship finals on Saturday, March 6, which will be held in the ACS gym.  At pep rallies on Thursday, February 25, ACS students and staff cheered for the players and showed their school spirit, proudly displaying our school colors of green and white. The students also enjoyed dressing up all week in various, themed costumes for Spirit Week.

The ACS Varsity Girls’ are undefeated and in first place in the TSCAC, with an 8-0 record, and the Varsity Boys’ team has a 6-2 record in the TSCAC and is ready to fight its way into a spot in the championship finals. Both teams won their games at Pilgrim Academy on Thursday, February 25 and have two more conference games to play — on Friday, February 26 against King’s Christian School, and on Monday, March 1, against Cumberland Christian School.

Athletic Director Pam Hitchner said the Varsity Girls’ team with its undefeated record has secured its spot in the semi-final playoff game on Thursday, March 4 in the ACS gym. The Varsity Boys’ playoff schedule will not be determined until after Monday’s final regular season game. The quarter-final round of games will be held on Tuesday, March 2, but Hitchner said it is not yet clear which teams will be playing in that round. Please check the High School Athletic Calendar on the ACS Website for more details as they become available next week.

Hitchner also said that attendance at the games in the ACS gym is still limited due to COVID-19 room capacity limitations, but ACS families and supporters can watch the games online as they will be live-streamed on the ACS YouTube Channel.

CLICK HERE for a gallery of photos from Spirit Week and the pep rallies.

 

 

ACS Students Celebrate Black History Month

Throughout February, ACS students participated in a variety of special activities for Black History Month. Bulletin boards, library displays, classroom assignments, and a quiz contest during morning announcements helped shine a spotlight on the history, culture, and accomplishments of Black Americans.

The quiz contest ran for two weeks in February and a total of 9 African Americans were highlighted. Students were told a fact about an influential Black American and were able to win a prize by being the first to find their Principal and correctly identify that person.

Congratulations to the 10 students who were contest winners: 8th grader Isabel Alford, 4th grader Vaughn Burgan, 3rd grader Megan Connolly,  3rd grader Anthem Correa, 4th grader Brantley Haltom, 5th grader Solia Pecou, 3rd grader Luke Sabulao, 8th grader Jayden Sanchez, and 7th grader Stephanie Valdes. The students received a dress down pass as their prize.

Student winners of the February Black History Month Quiz Contest.

Some of the quiz questions and answers were:

Question: Who was the first Black American to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court? Answer: Thurgood Marshall
Question: In 1968, who was the first Black American woman to serve in the U.S. Congress?  Answer: Shirley Chisholm
Question: Who was the first Black American woman to get a pilot’s license?  Answer: Bessie Coleman

A short biography and photo of the 9 Black Americans featured in the contest are on display in a first floor school hallway. Bulletin boards in other hallways are also decorated in honor of historically significant Black Americans, like composer Duke Ellington, who was featured on the Music Room bulletin board.

Classroom lessons and projects highlighted the historical contributions of Black Americans. In Mr. Tardif’s 4th grade class students read biographies of Black Americans and in the Early Education Center stories of Black Americans were incorporated weekly into story time.

We’re 100 Days Smarter! Students, Staff Celebrate 100th Day of School

Our elementary students and their teachers celebrated the 100th day of school on Tuesday, February 16, dressing up to look like a 100-year-old person and participating in lots of creative math, writing, and physical activities involving the number 100. It was all about making learning fun.

In kindergarten, Mrs. Reilly’s students did calisthenics with Jack Hartmann, including doing 100 jumping jacks, 100 arm waves, and marching in place 100 times. In several classes, including Mrs. Capito’s 1st grade class and Ms. William’s 2nd grade class, students were asked to bring in 100 objects from home, like 100 pennies or 100 pieces of cereal, and do a short show-and-tell presentation to their classmates.  Mrs. Capito’s students also made 100th day hats, ate 100 pieces of food for snack time, and completed many activities in 100 seconds, such as holding their breath, clapping, sitting in silence, and a staring contest.

In Mrs. Fosbenner’s 3rd grade class, students had fun seeing how high they could count in 100 seconds and did a math speed drill doing 100 multiplication equations. The students also had fun with a writing project where they answered questions as if they were 100 years old and looking back on their lives. 3rd grader Tamara Kulov wrote that she had a great career “as an artist and a painter” and had worked for an art museum. Classmate Melanie Libro wrote that her biggest accomplishment “was getting a job as a teacher.”

The 1st graders also did a creative writing project, imagining what they would do if they were 1o0 years old. One student wrote that he would have a party and invite 100 friends, blow out 100 candles, and make a wish for 100 Legos. Mrs. Brossman’s 1st graders also wrote their names 100 times and counted to 100 in Spanish.

Ms. Williams’ first graders did several math activities including rolling dice and seeing how fast they could add the dice and mark off a 100 chart to get to 100. We also flipped a penny 100 times and counted how many times we got heads and tails and made a chart for comparison. The students also did a writing piece about what it would be like to be 100, answering questions like how many children would I have; what would be their job and what would their house would look like. They also drew a picture of themselves when you they turn 100.

CLICK HERE to see a photo gallery of 100th Day of School photos.

 

 

 

Students in Servant’s Heart Club Spread Love to Seniors for Valentine’s Day

Servant’s Heart Club members recently decorated and filled 80 Valentine’s Day gift bags for residents living in the Haven House, a senior assisted living facility in Cape May. The gift bag project was completed at their February 9 monthly meeting and the bags were delivered to Haven House on February 12, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Club Advisor and ACS parent Mrs. Jennifer DiMaio said the bags were filled with candy, chocolate, mints, tissues, tea, hot chocolate, word find books, and cookies. The students also included a Valentine card with the John 3:16 verse.  During the meeting, Mrs. DiMaio and the club members also discussed assisted living facilities and prayed for the individuals receiving the bags.

“While working with intense eagerness and diligence, the students radiated absolute joy,” said Mrs. DiMaio. She also thanked 10th graders Allison Schlundt and Alli Lushina for helping the 2nd to 5th grade students in the club with the project.

Mrs. DiMaio said the club’s efforts were part of a larger project initiated and organized by ACS alumnus Ani Karabashian (’12) that blessed over 350 seniors on Valentine’s Day, including residents living at Victoria Towers in Cape May and seniors who are members of Beacon Evangelical Free Church in Galloway.

“At a time when so many people, and especially seniors, are feeling isolated and alone, we wanted to do something to let our seniors know that people are thinking of them and that they are loved,” Karabashian said.  According to Karabashian, the other volunteers who were part of the larger project and made Valentine’s cards for seniors were middle school and high school youth group and Sunday school children at Beacon Evangelical Free Church in Galloway and members of the South Jersey Young Adults group.

 

 

Middle School Basketball: A Shortened but Memorable, Winning Season

The Middle School Boys’ and Girls’ basketball teams posted strong, winning seasons this winter, making the best of a year impacted by COVID-19 and building experience and teamwork that will result in continued success in coming years. ACS also launched a new developmental league that met on Saturdays and gave 30 middle school boys who did not play on the team a chance to develop and strengthen their ball-playing skills.

MS Girls Squad

ACS 2020-2021 Middle School Girls’ Basketball Team.

The ACS Middle School Girls’ squad were undefeated with a 6-0 record going into their final game to be played this Friday, February 26 away at Calvary Academy in Lakewood, New Jersey.

Leading scorers for the team were 8th grader Taylor Murphy, who averaged 6.83 points per game, 7th grader Gianna Flynn, who averaged 4.5 points per game, and 7th grader Sophia Costello, who averaged 4 points per game.

“As a team, we would like to thank Athletic Director Pamela Hitchner for her dedication to our basketball teams this season,” said faculty member and ACS alumnus Grant Miller (’07), in his 3rd year as head coach. “We are very proud of our girls and how they have grown on the basketball court, but more importantly in their walks with Christ. We have seen a tremendous amount of confidence, aggressiveness, teamwork, and compassion. We pray the Lord will continue to work in our lives as we grow closer to Him.”  Coach Miller was assisted by his wife, Minelva, and ACS parent Rick Jackson.

The 15 members of the Middle School Girls’ Basketball team were: Alexis Andujar, Angela Awad, Sophia Capito, Katie Colella, Sophia Costello, Gianna Flynn, Kiera Frontino, Lucy Huff, Sophia Johnson, Taylor Murphy, Ava Nixon, Nadia Pearson, Skyler Shivers, Taylor Sutton, and Anyae Welch.

MS Boys’ Main Squad

ACS 2020-2021 Middle School Boys’ Basketball Team.

The ACS Middle School Boys’ basketball season finished its season with an 8-2 record. A pair of games against King’s Christian School wrapped up the season in dramatic fashion. After King’s took the first game at ACS on February 22 with a heart-breaking buzzer-beater, ACS traveled to Cherry Hill on February 24 and found redemption with a hard-fought 45-40 overtime win. “It was a thrilling end to a unique season, playing through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said coach and ACS parent Lee Martin, in his third year as head coach. Martin was assisted by ACS parents Jenna Cook and Charlie Costello.

Despite minimal practice time due to limited gym availability, the boys quickly picked up the offensive and defensive schemes and learned to play together as a unit, ultimately turning in their best all-around performance to end the year on a high note. Leading scorers for the season were 8th grade newcomer CJ Ford, who averaged just over 13 points per game and returning 8th grade point guard Jayden Dixon, who averaged 10.5 points per game. Head coach Lee

The 13 members of the Middle School Boys’ Basketball team were: John Cook, Charlie Costello, Ethan Costello, Micah D’Anna, Judah Dawkins, Jayden Dixon, CJ Ford, Caden Kim, Chase Leach, Joseph McCrae, Jayden Sanchez, Adam Schlundt, and Justice Settles.

MS Boys’ New Developmental League

When nearly 30 6th-8th grade boys tried out for the middle school basketball team in early January, Coach Lee Martin knew he had a unique opportunity on his hands. Clearly, a team of 30 players was out of the question, and after two days of tryouts, a main squad of 13 players was selected. With 7 of those players being in 8th grade, the coaching staff was already thinking about next season and how to develop players with potential but just “weren’t quite there yet.”

After some brainstorming with Athletic Director Pam Hitchner, Coach Martin invited the boys who did not make the main squad to participate in a new “Developmental League” (D-League) on Saturdays. Fifteen boys, divided into two rosters (Green & White), joined this new program designed primarily to help younger players gain the fundamental skills and experience to prepare for tryouts next season.

Each week included an hour of conditioning and skills training, similar to a main squad practice, as well as a regulation game with coaches Marques Chaney and Charlie Costello, referees, and official scoring and stats. The D-League will wrap up on Saturday, February 27, with the last of a five-game series, followed by an awards ceremony to honor the team with the most wins and individual players who excelled in various aspects of the game.

The coaches are hopeful that the D-League program will continue next season and beyond, developing younger players and strengthening the middle school and high school basketball program for years to come.

 

ACS Cheer Team Participates in Fresh Start “Night to Shine” Event

Fifteen members of the ACS Cheer Team participated in Fresh Start Church’s “Night to Shine” event on Friday, February 12, clapping and cheering as a car parade of special needs students passed by. The event was organized through the Tim Tebow Foundation.

“Our cheer team was thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of this event and to show the students in each car that they were loved and appreciated,” said cheer coach Kelly Flynn, who accompanied the team to the event held in Egg Harbor Township. Some 70 cars were part of the car parade that lasted two hours.

“Even though it was freezing cold and snow on the ground, our girls were enthusiastic and made sure they told each guest of honor how special they were,” Flynn said.  This was the first service project for the 21-member cheer team this year and Flynn said they have also been invited to be part of several Memorial Day Parades.

 

We’re Hiring! ACS Has Immediate Openings for Several Part-Time Positions

We’re hiring! ACS has immediate openings for several part-time positions — custodian, flex aides for our award-winning Early Education Center, and substitute teachers to serve in kindergarten through 12th grade classes.  Apply on the ACS website on the “Employment Opportunities” page or contact Human Resources Manager Mrs. Arzum Sanchez for more information at asanchez@acseht.org.

ACS requires its employees to be Christians, living their lives as Christian role models. Spiritual standards must be met and a background check is required.

For the part-time teacher aides in our Early Education Center classrooms, flexible hours are available on Mondays through Fridays between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.  A high school diploma and experience with young children is preferred. The part-time custodian position is a 25-hour position working either three full days or five half-days.  Substitute teachers who are certified teachers with a degree are preferred and a minimum of 60 college credits is required.

CLICK HERE for more information and to apply.  Also, please SHARE our Facebook posts about these job openings with your contacts.

Bowls of Hope “Super Soup Coupon Card” Sale Extended Until March 31!

We are extending the sale of our Bowls of Hope Super Soup Coupon Card until March 31!  Support local restaurants, Atlantic Christian School, and the Community FoodBank of NJ by purchasing a Bowls of Hope “Super Soup Coupon Card”!

Thanks to you, we are now halfway towards reaching our fundraising goal! Please continue to share the link with family and friends – https://acseht.org/bohcard/ The Super Soup Coupon Card can be used to receive a free soup, with a minimum purchase, for take-out or eat-in orders.

The 15 participating restaurants this year are:  Barrels; Bahay Kubo; Gaspare’s Italian Bistro; Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar; La Cucina Ristorante; Linwood Country Club; Maurizio’s Express EHT; Ocean City Cafe; Sana & Sadia’s Cafe; Stir It Up; Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall; The Spot; Towne & Country Cafe; Velo Cafe, and Windjammer Diner.

This year’s Bowls of Hope Fundraiser is also sponsored by the following businesses: American Church Group of NJ; B.F. Mazzeo Fruits and Produce; Daniel Rallo at Keller Williams Realty; Edward Jones Investments, Jason Kiefer, Financial Advisor; Klingert Chiropractic Wellness Center; Olympic Physical Therapy; SERVPRO of Egg Harbor/Ventnor City; and Wire Wiz Electrician Services.

 

Red Cross Blood Drive at ACS – Saturday, February 27

Donate blood and help save a life. Make an appointment to donate blood at the American Red Cross Blood Drive on Saturday, February 27 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the ACS Multi-Purpose Room. All donors will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card* via email.

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.

To donate, click here to make an appointment on the Red Cross website.

 

Purchase Your Bowls of Hope “Super Soup Coupon Card”

Support local restaurants, Atlantic Christian School, and the Community FoodBank of NJ by purchasing Bowls of Hope “Super Soup Coupon Card”!

The 15 participating restaurants this year are:  Barrels; Bahay Kubo; Gaspare’s Italian Bistro; Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar; La Cucina Ristorante; Linwood Country Club; Maurizio’s Express EHT; Ocean City Cafe; Sana & Sadia’s Cafe; Stir It Up; Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall; The Spot; Towne & Country Cafe; Velo Cafe, and Windjammer Diner.

The card is available for purchase throughout the month of February for $20 each. The Super Soup Coupon Card can be used to receive a free soup, with a minimum purchase, for take-out or eat-in orders.

Original Stories by Eight ACS 8th Grade Students Selected for Publication in Young Writers’ Anthology

Students in the ACS 8th grade Honors Writing class recently had the opportunity to compete in the Young Writers’ “SOS Sagas: Trapped” contest and the eight students who chose to enter the contest had their original stories selected for publication in the anthology that will be released later this year.

English teacher Tori Flath, who teaches the writing class, said the students were required to write a 100-word story for the contest around the theme of being “trapped,” either physically, mentally, or emotionally. The stories were submitted in mid-December.

The eight aspiring writers whose stories will appear in the anthology are, from left: Isabell Alford, Rebecca DiMaio, Ava Nixon, Aine Dorsey, Taylor Murphy, Alek Stein, Alex Deliivanov, and Charlie Costello.

Two prior ACS students have also had their works published by Young Writers — Matthew Dietrich, with a story in the “Stranger Sagas” flash fiction anthology, and Fiona Xiao, with a poem in the “Through Their Eyes” poetry anthology.

Classroom Cameo: 4th Grade Students Create Models of Lenape Indian Longhouses

ACS 4th grade students have been learning about the history and culture of the Lenape Indian tribes, one of the early inhabitants of New Jersey, and recently created models of the longhouses where they lived. The longhouses are now on display in the hallway outside the 4th grade classrooms.

The students used tree bark and other materials to cover the longhouse roofs. Several models also incorporated fire pits. In addition to building the longhouse models, the students were required to write essays describing details about the longhouses.

In her essay, 4th grader Mia Gaffney wrote that the longhouses were built by tying young trees to the frame, “trees young enough to bend and shape.” 4th grader Malani Christmon noted that 20 or more people could live in a longhouse and that “some longhouses had two stories used for sleeping and storage.” 4th grader Rafael Patiag wrote that a lot of fires were placed in the  longhouse and were used for heating, cooking, and light. “There were holes at the top of the longhouse for the smoke to go out,” Patiag wrote. In his essay, 4th grader Ben Kelley wrote that one way to measure the length of a longhouse was by the number of fire pits. “A longhouse is about ten to twelve campfires long,” Kelley wrote.

Faculty members Eric Tardif and Rebecca Jackson said the students did a great job compiling their facts about the Lenape longhouses and building their models. The unit was part of the 4th grade social studies curriculum, which includes studying about the history of the state of New Jersey.