Atlantic County – Page 35 – Atlantic Christian School

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Bowls of Hope Soup Cook-Off Tickets On Sale – New Restaurants, Sponsors Joining Event

ACS parents, families, and friends are invited to the 6th ACS Bowls of Hope Soup Cook-Off on Saturday, February 2, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the school gym, all to benefit Atlantic Christian, the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Southern Branch. More than 20 restaurants and chefs are expected to serve up signature soups, including the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, Brick House Pub & Grille, Carluccio’s, Eat Clean Organization, Gregory’s, The Original Soup Man, Sadia’s Tea & Coffee, Sofia’s of Margate, Steve & Cookie’s, Tacocat, Varsity Inn, and Whisk Bakery & Cafe.

Several businesses are already on board as Sponsors — American Church Group of NJ; B.F. Mazzeo Fruit & Produce; Clayton’s Self Storage; Edward Jones Investments, Jason Kiefer Financial Advisor; HS Restoration & Cleaning Service; and Sadia’s Tea & Coffee. Additional sponsors are welcome for a donation of $400 and sponsors will receive 4 complimentary tickets to the Bowls of Hope. Formica Brothers Bakery will again be donating tasty rolls, and delicious home-made desserts will be provided.

ACS students will entertain the crowd with live music, and a Silent Auction featuring themed gift baskets like “Super Bowl Party,” “Baker’s Delight,” and “Family Game Night,” donated by our PreK4-8th grade classes will be held. Parents, please note that the collection deadline for all Silent Auction baskets is Friday, January 25.

Student Council members have initiated a “Let’s Can Hunger” Food Drive to collect canned soup and other canned food for the Community FoodBank of NJ, Southern Branch. Collection boxes are located in the school foyer and next to the second floor office of the Upper School Principal. The canned food drive will continue to the night of the February 2 Bowls of Hope event.

The prices of the Bowls of Hope tickets, which are considered a charitable, tax-deductible gift, are: Adults-$20; Students-$10; Children (6-10)-$5; Children under 5-Free. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased in the ACS school office, from any ACS high school student, or online. Tickets will also be sold at the door that night.

Exciting Basketball Season Underway for Six ACS Cougars’ Teams

Cougars’ Basketball is in full swing with six teams playing in this 2018-19 season. Congratulations to the High School Varsity Boys’ basketball team, under head coach Dan Carney, for beating Gloucester County Christian School this week at home and remaining undefeated with a 6-0 record and in first place in the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference at this half-way point in the season. Tuesday’s game against Gloucester was a real heart stopper, with forward Cole Johnson sinking a 3-point shot with 3.5 seconds left in the game that tied the score and sent the game into overtime. ACS went on to win in overtime, 59 to 56. Johnson, finished with 14 points, joined by other outstanding contributions from forward Landon Shivers with 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 blocks, and point guard Ben Noble with 16 points. CLICK HERE to see a highlights video of Wednesday’s thrilling win. The High School Varsity Girls’ basketball team is also having a strong, winning season, with a 4-1 record and in second place behind King’s Christian School in the TSCAC. The Lady Cougars, under head coach Kaylee Breunig, beat Gloucester County Christian 51-21 at home this week. The JV Boys’ and Girls’ teams are also seeing success and are gaining a lot of on-court playing time experience.

The Middle School teams are a third of the way into their season in the Atlantic Cape Junior High League. The Middle School Girls’ team, under head coach Grant Miller, started off strong winning a season-opening non-league tournament at ACIT and have continued to excel in posting an 8-1 record so far. Seventh-grader Evangelina Kim is the leading scorer off the bench as well as a strong spiritual presence on the team. The Middle School Boys’ team, under first-year coach Lee Martin, is currently 3-3 and continues to improve each time the young players take the court. Eighth grade guard Caleb Vogel has lead the team in scoring, averaging almost 15 points per game.

Additional Changes to Inclement Weather Delayed School Opening Policy

ACS has recently expanded its inclement weather school opening/closing policy to include a “Delayed School Opening” option when it appears school can be opened safely at a later time rather than being closed for an entire day. For clarification purposes, new wording was added this week to the policy as it relates to Early Education students and Before Care. The new wording is as follows: The Early Education Center will open at the same time as the rest of the K-12 school on a delayed opening day. In addition, no “Before Care” will be provided on a delayed opening day.

The entire inclement weather policy can be found on the school website on a page called “Inclement Weather Information” under the Parents’ tab and has also been added to the various school handbooks. CLICK HERE to read the policy.

Please note that two days on the ACS 2018-2019 school calendar have been designated as “Snow Make-Up Days” — Friday, February 15 and Friday, March 15. School is currently scheduled to be closed on those days, but if they are needed as “Snow Make-Up Days,” then school will be open.

Christian Skate Night Brings Out 200+ Skaters, Raises Over $1,400

Young’s Skating Center in Mays Landing was full of energy on Saturday, January 12 with Christian music on the speakers and over 200 skaters on the floor! The sophomore class welcomed students, friends, and family members from ACS, local church youth groups, and even other Christian schools for an exciting evening at the rink.

The fundraiser brought in over $1,400 that will be used toward sophomore class activities and their 2021 senior trip. Two more skate nights are being planned — one each in the Spring and Fall of 2019.

Buffalo Wild Wings Spirit Day — Friday, February 8 — Eat Wings, Raise Funds

ACS families, faculty, staff, and friends are invited to our second ACS Spirit Day at Buffalo Wild Wings in Mays Landing on Friday, February 8. Eat wings and help raise funds for ACS Athletics. The Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, located at 4311 Black Horse Pike, will donate 10% of the total bill of any customer who presents our special yellow fundraising ticket between 11 am and 11:30 pm on February 8. Take-out orders are also eligible.

Click on the ticket image to download a sheet of three tickets – one for yourself and two to give away! Spread the word about this exciting fundraiser to benefit ACS athletics.

High School Woodworking Students Build Adirondack-Style Armless Chairs

High school students in Mr. Carney’s Woodworking elective class this week put the finishing touches on their semester-long project — building Adirondack-style armless chairs. The students began the project in September, first learning to use various saws and other equipment to cut and assemble the pine boards into a handsome chair. The last phase was staining the chairs a color of their choice — brown, red, or natural — and then applying shellac for long-lasting protection. The students pictured with their chairs are: Aaron Glancey, Ian Iaconelli, Constantine Jiang, Joshua Jacoby, and Dalton Sage. Not pictured are Luke Johnson and Jacob O’Brien. Mr. Carney said the twice-weekly class will be offered again in the spring semester and is a great way for students to acquire hands-on woodworking skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Door Decorating Contest Winners Enjoy Class Ice Cream Parties

On Wednesday, January 16, Event Coordinator Jessica Martin served up hand-made ice cream sundaes for the winning classes of our 2018 Christmas Door Decorating Contest. Celine Melody’s 8th grade homeroom and Haley Price’s kindergarten class enjoyed their treats in the Multi-Purpose Room, while the party came to the classroom for Jennifer Kelley’s PreK4 students. Students earned their sweet treats in December when their decorated doors were evaluated on a combination of Facebook reactions and staff votes for artistic creativity, spiritual message, and student involvement.

AtlantiCare Awards Grant to Benefit New ACS Greenhouse

ACS has been awarded an $800 grant from the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children program to furnish and equip our new school greenhouse, which was erected in the fall of 2018. Student horticulture projects are envisioned to get underway in the greenhouse this spring, including growing seedlings of vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers to plant in the school garden. The grant check was presented to ACS faculty members at an AtlantiCare workshop on Tuesday, January 8. Pictured at the workshop, from left, are high school science teacher Dave Genter, 4th grade teacher Eric Tardif, and 5th grade teacher Bethany Kiefer.

“We are very grateful for the support from AtlantiCare that will help us launch new educational programs in our greenhouse to get our students involved and excited about horticulture,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “Teachers at every grade level are being encouraged to incorporate science projects that will bring their students into the greenhouse for inter-active, hands-on learning.” Oblen said a new horticulture elective class is being offered to high school students this spring and an after-school Garden Club, led by faculty members Tardif and Kiefer, will also be offered for K-8th grade students. Faculty member Genter said they would like to have a composter for the greenhouse and if anyone would like to donate one to please contact the school office.

The new ACS greenhouse is a 20-foot x 20-foot farmer’s hoop-house design that was erected by the scouts in Boy Scout Troop 389 and will provide ample space for multiple classes to conduct science projects. It is also envisioned that some of the produce grown in the greenhouse and garden, such as lettuce and spinach, will be harvested and used by the school’s middle school and high school cooking classes and perhaps for a salad tasting during school lunch.

Buy a Ticket or Be a Sponsor for Feb. 2 Bowls of Hope Soup Cook-Off Benefit

ACS parents, families, and friends are invited to the 6th ACS Bowls of Hope Soup Cook-Off Benefit on Saturday, February 2, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the school gym. More than 20 restaurants and chefs are expected to serve up their signature soups, including the Brick House Pub & Grill, Eat Clean Organization, Sadia’s Tea & Coffee, and the new Whisk Bakery & Cafe in Mays Landing. Last year’s “Souper Soup” Chef’s Choice Winner Gregory’s Restaurant in Somers Point is also participating again. Come out for an enjoyable evening of good food and fellowship, all to benefit Atlantic Christian, the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Southern Branch.

Several businesses are already on board as Sponsors — American Church Group of NJ; B.F. Mazzeo Fruit & Produce; Clayton’s Self Storage; Edward Jones Investments, Jason Kiefer Financial Advisor; HS Restoration & Cleaning Service; and Sadia’s Tea & Coffee. Additional sponsors are welcome for a donation of $400 and sponsors will receive 4 complimentary adult tickets to the Bowls of Hope. Formica Brothers Bakery will again be donating tasty rolls, and delicious home-made desserts will also be provided. Everyone attending the Bowls of Hope is also being asked to bring in a can of soup or other non-perishable to donate to the Community FoodBank of NJ. It’s all about giving back to our community!

ACS students will entertain the crowd with live music and a Silent Auction featuring beautiful gift baskets donated by our PreK4-8th grade classes will also be held. The prices of the Bowls of Hope tickets, which are considered a charitable, tax-deductible gift, are: Adults-$20; Students-$10; Children (6-10)-$5; Children under 5-Free. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased in the ACS school office, from any ACS high school student, or online. Tickets will also be sold at the door that night.

PURCHASE TICKETS AND SPONSORSHIPS

Bowls of Hope Canned Food Drive Kicks Off Next Week

Student Council members are kicking off the Bowls of Hope “Let’s Can Hunger” Food Drive next week to collect canned soup and other canned food for the Community FoodBank of NJ, Southern Branch. Collection boxes will be located in the school foyer and next to the second floor office of the Upper School Principal starting Wednesday, January 16. The canned food drive will continue to the night of the February 2 Bowls of Hope event.

Last year, ACS donated some 280 cans of soup and other non-perishables to the Community Food Bank from the Bowls of Hope Canned Food Drive and this year the goal is to collect at least 350 cans. Working together, we can do our part to help provide food to needy families in our community.

Bowls of Hope Silent Auction to Feature Themed Classroom Gift Baskets

The Bowls of Hope Soup-Tasting Benefit on February 2 will include a Silent Auction and each classroom from PreK4 to the 8th grade is being asked to collect items for a gift basket that has a specific theme. Flyers were sent home this week asking families to donate an item fitting the theme for their class basket, such as “Super Bowl Party,” “Baker’s Delight,” “Family Game Night,” and more.

The collection deadline for all Silent Auction baskets is Friday, January 25. Parents who are interested in donating a basket or item from their home consulting businesses (such as Avon, Pampered Chef, Tupperware, etc.) should contact Event Coordinator Jessica Martin at 609-653-1199, ext. 314 or jmartin@acseht.org. We are happy to take those donations along with some of your business literature to have available at the Silent Auction.

New Delayed School Opening Option Added to ACS Inclement Weather Policy

ACS has recently expanded its inclement weather school opening/closing policy to include a “Delayed School Opening” option when it appears school can be opened safely at a later time rather than being closed for an entire day. As a general rule, if the Egg Harbor Township public schools are closed or have a delayed opening due to inclement winter weather, ACS will follow that same action. The opening of school can be delayed by up to two hours rather than opening at 8:30 a.m. Class schedules will be adjusted so that the school day ends at the normal time.

Bus transportation will be provided on a delayed opening day both to and from school to students who regularly travel on the bus. A delayed opening will delay the morning bus pick-up time for a student. For example, if a student is normally picked up at 8:01 a.m., on a delayed opening day with a two-hour delay, that student would be picked up at 10:01 a.m.

ACS winter weather cancellations or delayed openings will be communicated to parents and guardians by 6:00 a.m. via numerous channels:

An automated phone message will be sent to all parents’/guardian’s home phone numbers or to the cell number listed as the primary contact in Renweb;
Posting on the ACS Website home page;
Posting on the ACS Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter feeds;
Media notifications — ACS notifies 6-ABC TV and NBC-10 TV stations, who will include ACS in their closure/delayed opening announcements.

Intramural Cheer Squad Makes Debut at January 4 Home Game

The Intramural Cheerleading Squad made its debut on Friday, January 4, leading an enthusiastic crowd in cheers and performing a half-time routine at the home game of the Varsity Girls’ Basketball team against King’s Christian School. The squad plans to perform at several upcoming home games, with the next appearance on Friday, January 18 at the home game against Calvary Academy starting at 4 p.m. in the ACS gym. In addition to performing at a number of home basketball games through February 15, the squad will be participating in Spirit Week and will do a half-time routine at the February 1 school pep rally.

The 18-member squad of girls from K to 5th grade, led for the 4th year by Coach Morgan Gibson, has been practicing weekly since early December, learning the chants, and practicing tumbling and stunting. “I was so excited to see so many girls returning to be part of the squad this year,” Gibson said. “This is the largest and most experienced squad we’ve ever had and the crowd loved seeing them perform the more advanced tumbling and stunting routines. This is going to be a great season for them.” ACS parent PJ Santos, owner of the personalized gift company Lovingly Ours, once again has designed and supplied the squad’s green T-shirts.

Sign Up Online for Parent-Teacher Conferences – Jan. 22-24

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held Tuesday-Thursday, January 22-24. Twenty-minute time slots are available from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, and from 1:00-5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Conferences are mandatory for families of students in kindergarten to 5th grade and optional for families of students in grades 6-12.

Click the appropriate grade-level link below to sign up online:

ACS Spirit Day at Buffalo Wild Wings – Friday, Feb. 8

New After-School Classes Starting Week of Jan. 14

Snapology Amusement Park Adventures (Grades 2-6)
Begins Tuesday, January 15

Design and build your own amusement park in this super fun program! Learn how to use LEGO® bricks and other building materials to make coasters and other awesome rides. Can you design the next Disney World?

Model Railroading (Grades 5-12)
Next session begins Tuesday, January 15

Gain experience in model railroading during this 6-session class. Learn to build a train layout and develop basic engineering skills that integrate science, math, general problem solving, and organizational skills.

High School Students Draw Church Building Sketches, Encouraging ACS to Draw Near to God

High school students in Mrs. Scardilli’s Drawing I class used charcoal and graphite in a recent class assignment to draw their interpretation of noted American artist Ben Stahl’s charcoal drawing of a church. The drawings have been on display on a second floor bulletin board since early December, highlighted by the verse in James 4:8 that says “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Artist Stahl is also well known for his paintings of the 14 stations of the cross.

Mrs. Scardilli said the students created their drawings after watching a vintage video of artist Jon Gnagy, who gave step-by-step instructions on how to draw the famous church image by Stahl. “The students in this class are not only developing their drawing skills using different mediums, but they are learning the history behind notable works of art and the artists who created them,” Scardilli said.

ACS Students Create, Send Hanukkah Cards to Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue

Students from 6th grade Bible class, 8th grade Writing class, and 9th-12th grade Language Arts classes wrote, decorated, and sent nearly 100 cards with messages of condolence and encouragement to the Tree of Life Synagogue the week of Hanukkah. The Pittsburgh synagogue was the site of a mass shooting in October 2018 where 11 people were killed and 7 were injured. ACS students sent the cards in support of Rabbi Jeffrey Myers and the congregation. High School English teacher Katy Callahan also sent a personal letter to the Rabbi offering prayer and support from the school and explaining briefly how ACS students see the people of Tree of Life as their neighbors. “This project was all about having a spirit of love and compassion for others,” Callahan said. “One way we can show our love is by following the Biblical instruction in Romans chapter 12 which says to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.”

“Take Note” Ensemble to Sing with Lauren Daigle Choir at Carnegie Hall

The ACS “Take Note” high school vocal ensemble is headed for Carnegie Hall later this month for the exciting opportunity of performing on January 26 with Christian artist Lauren Daigle. Thank you to everyone who purchased a beautiful poinsettia in December (close to 90 plants were sold!) that is helping the ensemble members raise the necessary funds for what will be an amazing and memorable experience.

The ensemble members are now busy learning 15 songs that they will be performing during Daigle’s concert as part of a 200-voice select choir. The students and their chaperones will be in New York for three days and two nights — starting with rehearsals on January 25, then performing with Daigle at her sold-out concert on January 26, and attending church at the Brooklyn Tabernacle before returning home on January 27. A dinner cruise for all the choral participants is also part of the event experience. The ensemble is also planning to raise additional funds at a Crossroads Fellowship Church performance on January 20. Anyone interested in helping underwrite the cost of this trip can also make a designated gift to ACS.

Christian Skate Night at Young’s Skating Center – Jan. 12

The ACS sophomore class is hosting a Christian Skate Night skating party on Saturday, January 12 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Young’s Skating Center (763 Park Road, Mays Landing). Tickets are $8 in advance and can be purchased in the school office or from Mr. Genter. Tickets will be $10 at the door. Maximum price for immediate family will be $30. Skate rental is an additional cost.

ACS to Induct National Honor Society Members, New Separate Induction Ceremony Added for National Junior Honor Society

The Induction Ceremony for new high school members into the National Honor Society will be held on Thursday, January 17 and a new, separate Induction Ceremony for middle school students into the National Junior Honor Society will be held on Tuesday, March 12. ACS first established its National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society chapters in the fall of 2012. Since that time, 58 middle school students have been inducted into the National Junior Honor Society and 30 high school students into the National Honor Society.

Middle school teacher Sara Coates, who is the new NHS advisor for the ACS chapters, said students are selected for membership by a Faculty Council and must demonstrate academic achievement as well as outstanding character, leadership, and service. High school students in grades 10-12 seeking membership in the National Honor Society in 2019 were required to submit an application by December 11, 2018 and the Faculty Council is currently reviewing those applications.

Middle school students in the 7th and 8th grades will have the opportunity to apply for membership in the National Junior Honor Society in the first week of February. Students must have a 3.5 minimum GPA and demonstrate outstanding character, leadership, and service. Four teacher recommendations are also required. The application for membership has been posted on the school’s website on the “Honor Societies” page under the Academics tab. Completed applications must be submitted to Mrs. Coates by no later than Friday, February 22, 2019.

Girls’ Bathroom Stall Doors Newly Decorated with Inspirational Artwork Painted by ACS Alumnus

Inspiring Bible verses with bold, colorful illustrations are now decorating the bathroom stall doors in the second floor girls’ bathroom. ACS alumnus Dara Brown Heston (’11) painted the verses and artwork on the doors over the Christmas break. “It was great to come back to ACS and do something that would encourage the students,” Dara said. “The verses were specifically chosen to encourage a woman to be strong and confident in the Lord.” 12th grader Rachel Colasuonno said she and other students were pleasantly surprised by the decorated doors. “Everyone was talking about them when we got back to school on Tuesday because they are so beautiful. I took pictures of them and sent them to my mom,” Colasuonno said.

Dara said she had a lot of fun doing the project, which took about 25 hours to complete over a seven-day period. “I had praise and worship music blasting while I was painting, it was like one long worship session,” Dara said. She and Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen first started collaborating on the project in the fall of 2018. Two of the doors had been decorated with Bible verses in the summer of 2017 by alumnus Candace Winkel (’16). Dara expanded on the project, adding artwork to the two doors and painting additional verses and art on the four other doors. “I feel God is going to use these verses to speak to hearts of our young women and I’m thrilled Dara was willing to donate her God-given artistic talents to bless our students and staff in this way,” Oblen said. She said a similar project is planned in the near future for the second floor boys’ bathroom.

Art is an avocation for Dara, who is a self-taught artist and works as the assistant facilities director, kitchen manager, and chef at the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. She has completed several mural projects for the Mission and is excited about an upcoming trip to Ireland in February, where she has been invited to paint murals for the Dublin Christian Mission. Photos of each door can be seen on the ACS Facebook page.

New After-School Classes Starting Next Week

Art Workshop, Explore with Paint (Grades 1-5) – begins Wednesday, January 9

Have fun painting as you explore different types of paint and painting tools and paint in various styles. Watercolor, tempera, acrylic, ink, gouache…realistic, abstract, imaginative!!! What’s it all about? Find out at this fun workshop!

Snapology Jr. Engineers (PreK4-Grade 1) – begins Wednesday, January 9

Build fun and simple models using DUPLO® blocks. Use pulleys, levers, gears, wheels and axles while exploring energy, buoyancy, and balance. includes free-building time to promote creativity.

Drama Club (Grades 1-5) – begins Thursday, January 10

Everything you need to KNOW to be in a SHOW! In this six-week class, learn valuable acting techniques to help you play your next character – how to walk, talk, and stand on a stage, plus how to audition for a real production! Gain confidence and skills to prepare you for your next spotlight experience!

Parent-Teacher Conferences — January 22-24

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held Tuesday-Thursday, January 22-24. Twenty-minute time slots are available from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, and from 1:00-5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Conferences are mandatory for families of students in kindergarten to 5th grade and optional for families of students in grades 6-12.

An email with a link for scheduling conferences will be sent to parents and guardians next week.

Join Parents In Prayer Group Meeting Tuesday Mornings

The vital ministry of “Parents In Prayer” continues as we start 2019.

Join other ACS parents on Tuesday mornings from 8:45-9:45 a.m. in Room 209 to pray for our students, faculty, staff, and board members. Please go to the school office for a Visitor’s Pass before going to Room 209. Prayer Group contacts are school parents Sharon Griffith (609-214-2136) and Lina Lomangino (609-517-1818).