Post Tagged with: "AtlantiCare"

ACS Adds Gaga Ball Pit with Grant Support

Atlantic Christian School is grateful to have received a Physical Enhancement Grant from AtlantiCare’s Healthy Schools, Healthy Children program. With this grant, ACS was able to purchase and install a commercial-grade Gaga Ball pit in a permanent location at the back of our elementary playground on turf grass.

While our school has used portable Gaga Ball pits in the past, this new pit provides a dedicated, long-term space for students to enjoy active play. Since its installation, it has become a favorite spot during recess, PE classes, and after-school time. The game is easy to learn, gets students moving, and gives everyone a chance to join in—no matter their skill level. It’s also helping students practice teamwork, build friendships, and enjoy healthy competition.

Our PE teachers introduced the game in class, and it quickly caught on with students. It’s now part of their regular physical activity, giving them one more way to stay active during the school day.

This new addition has strengthened our efforts to promote student wellness, and we’re excited to keep building on that foundation. We’re thankful to AtlantiCare for helping us add to the active spaces for our children to be healthy.

6th Grade Culinary Adventure with Chef Shara and AtlantiCare

Our 6th-grade students enjoyed an engaging cooking demonstration on Friday, February 9th, led by Chef Shara Gadomsky from the Happy Heart Corner. Chef Shara prepared a delicious and healthy Corn Salsa for the students to taste, while also encouraging them to explore nutritious foods and embrace new culinary experiences.

During the demonstration, Chef Shara actively involved the students, even incorporating math skills as they helped measure ingredients for the dish. The event was made possible through the support of the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children program, in which ACS proudly participates.

Christine Guzman from AtlantiCare shared valuable insights with the students, highlighting the importance of incorporating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into a balanced diet. To make the event more memorable, students received a thoughtful gift of measuring spoons from AtlantiCare, along with a recipe card for the Corn Salsa.

ACS Receives Grants, Student Prizes from AtlantiCare to Support School Wellness Activities

Elementary students have new jump ropes, playground and soccer balls, hula hoops, toss and catch paddles and balls, and other play equipment thanks to a recent grant received from the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children program. The program also recently rewarded elementary students who participated in a 4-week Walking Challenge.

The AtlantiCare grant provided $750 in funding to purchase new equipment for organized play during recess for students in kindergarten to the 5th grade. The new equipment will also be used by students in the Cougar Camp summer program. ACS was one of 63 public and non-public schools in southern New Jersey — from elementary to high school — that received grant funding this year from AtlantiCare.

Mrs. Hockenberry’s 2B class received fidget bracelets for walking 290 minutes in April in AtlantiCare’s 4-week Walking Challenge.

AtlantiCare congratulated the students in 10 elementary classes who, at various times during the school year, participated in a 4-week Walking Challenge and collectively racked up a total of 2,671 minutes of walking. This week, each student in the participating classes received a prize for their efforts, including water pouches, fidget bracelets, and stickers.

“We are very grateful to the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children program for helping support our efforts to promote the health and wellness of our students,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen.  “Spending time outdoors during recess and walking together as a class are two great ways for our younger students to get healthy exercise and studies show that it helps our students’ energy and creativity in the classroom.”

The 4-week Walking Challenge was among a number of health and wellness activities that ACS students participated in throughout the school year. ACS also recently applied for and was approved to receive an additional year-end grant of $300 from AtlantiCare that will support health and wellness initiatives in the next school year.

 

 

AtlantiCare Heart Institute Donates Automated External Defibrillator to ACS

ACS recently received an Automated External Defibrillator from the AtlantiCare Heart Institute, which was presented to school nurse Carrie Jorgenson on March 28. The donation was made possible through a grant from the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children program.

Presenting the AED to Jorgenson were L.J. Wehner, Director of AtlantiCare’s Heart and Lung Institute, and Jessica Whittle, a school health specialist with AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children. The donated AED is a Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 and also came with a portable carrying case.

Jorgenson said the AED will be located on the second floor of the main school building, where it will be accessible for use by Upper School students, faculty, and staff.

“A new AED can cost upwards of $2,000 and is now even difficult to purchase due to supply chain issues,” Jorgenson said.  “We are very grateful to AtlantiCare for donating this life-saving device.” Jorgenson said the easy-to-follow instructions on the unit make it possible for anyone to use in the event of an emergency.

 

Students Sample Healthy Smoothies for Green Mustache Day, Get Surprise Visit from Cat in the Hat

Over 250 students from the 1st to 5th grades showed off their green mustaches on Thursday, March 2 after sampling healthy smoothies during lunch made with fruit and spinach. It was all part of “Green Mustache Day,” a fun annual activity that ACS sponsors as part of its membership in the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children program.

Green Mustache Day also coincided with Read Across America Day that celebrates Dr. Seuss’ birthday, which meant many students were dressed up like the Cat in the Hat, Thing 1, 2, and 3, or other characters from Dr. Seuss books. 12th grader Evan Power, who has held leading roles in several ACS musicals, paid a surprise visit to the lunchroom dressed up as the Cat in the Hat and posed for photos with the students.

After they sampled the smoothies, groups of students made green mustaches on their upper lips with the drink and posed for photos. Students who sampled the smoothies received a green paper mustache as a fun reward. A number of faculty and staff also sampled the smoothies and posed for photos.

A staff panel has selected three group photos to submit to an AtlantiCare contest. One of the photos could be selected to receive a $50 VISA card, which will go to the classroom of the students in the photo. The photos in the running are from Mrs. Huff’s 3C class, Mrs. Jackson’s 4B class, Mr. Tardif’s 4C class, and Ms. Williams’ 5B class.

For families who would like to try making this healthy smoothie at home, here’s the recipe that makes 32 ounces:

Healthy Green Smoothie Recipe

2 ripe frozen bananas
1 apple, chopped
2 cups fresh chopped spinach (can also use kale)
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup cold water

The first 3 photos below are being entered into the AtlantiCare contest:

 

 

 

 

4th Graders Sample Healthy Quinoa Cabbage Salad at AtlantiCare Cooking Demo

Our 4th grade students were treated to an in-person cooking demo on Tuesday, December 13 by Chef Shara Gadomsky of the Happy Heart Corner, who prepared a healthy quinoa cabbage salad for the students to sample as she encouraged them to eat nutritious foods and to not be afraid to try something new. Throughout the demo, Chef Shara interacted with the students, including having them use their math skills to help her measure the ingredients for the salad dressing. The demo was sponsored by the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children program, of which ACS is a participating member school.

Jessica Whittle of AtlantiCare, accompanied by Angela Dennis, spoke to the students about how fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are part of a healthy diet. Quinoa is an ancient, gluten-free grain thatis a protein and originated with the Incas in the mountains of Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.  The presentation also tied in with sciences lessons in Mrs. Jackson’s and Mr. Tardif’s classes, who are teaching their students about making healthy food choices.

The students enjoyed sampling the salad and some even went back for seconds. They were also excited to receive a special gift of a measuring cup and measuring spoons from AtlantiCare as well as a recipe card for the Quinoa Cabbage Salad.

CLICK HERE for the recipe of the Quinoa Cabbage Salad.

 

AtlantiCare Selects 5th Grader Gaebriel Hahn-Chaney as a Winner in Green Mustache Photo Contest

A photo featuring ACS 5th grader Gaebriel Hahn-Chaney sporting a thick green mustache after sampling a healthy fruit and spinach smoothie during lunch in early May was recently selected as a winner in the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children “Green Mustache Day” photo contest. Gaebriel received an award certificate from AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children and a $50 VISA card to be used by his teacher, Ms. Lorick, to support a health and wellness activity for his class.

Gaebriel was presented with his certificate and gift card during class on March 25, after his win was shared with the student body during Morning Announcements.  In the winning photo (pictured below left), Gaebriel posed with two other classmates, Chase Hagel and Gabriel Hudec, and all three also received sporty blue water pouches from AtlantiCare.

Students from the 1st to 6th grades sampled healthy green smoothies as part of “Green Mustache Day” on March 2 and posed for photos taken by ACS staff. Three of the best photos featuring nine students showing off their green mustaches were submitted to the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools Program to be entered into the photo contest.

 

 

Students Sample Healthy Fruit & Spinach Smoothies for Green Mustache Day

Nearly 300 students from the 1st to 6th grades showed off their green mustaches on Wednesday, March 2 after sampling healthy smoothies during lunch made with fruit and spinach. It was all part of “Green Mustache Day,” a fun annual activity that ACS sponsors as part of its membership in the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children program.

Photos were taken of groups of students after they sampled the smoothies and made green mustaches on their upper lips with the drink. Students who sampled the smoothies also received a green paper mustache as a fun reward. A number of faculty and staff also sampled the smoothies and posed for photos.

A staff panel selected three group photos to submit to an AtlantiCare contest. One of the photos could be selected to receive a $50 VISA card, which will go to the classroom of the students in the photo. The photos in the running are from Mrs. Meza’s 2nd grade class, Mrs. McCarthy’s 3rd grade class, and Ms. Lorick’s 5th grade class.

Thank you to the students in the middle school and high school cooking classes, under the direction of faculty member Ruby Lewis, who made four gallons of the smoothies for our students to sample, cutting up the fruit and adding them with other ingredients into a blender.

For families who would like to try making this healthy smoothie at home, here’s the recipe that makes 32 ounces:

2 ripe frozen bananas
1 apple, chopped
2 cups fresh chopped spinach (can also use kale)
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup cold water

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.

 

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.

4th Graders Sample Healthy Quinoa Salad in Live AtlantiCare Cooking Demo

Our 4th grade students were treated to a live cooking demo on Friday, October 5 by Chef Marci Lutsky of The Happy Heart Corner, who prepared a healthy quinoa salad featuring the fall harvest fruits of apples and pears.  Throughout the demo, Chef Marci interacted with the students, including having them use their math skills to help her measure the ingredients for the salad dressing. The demo was sponsored by the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children program, of which ACS is a participating member school.

Mrs. Valerie Behrens of Impact Harvest also spoke to the students about “My Plate” and how fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are part of a healthy diet. The presentation was a good introduction for the students as they learned more about My Plate during science lessons in Mrs. Hoover’s and Mr. Tardif’s classes this week.

The students enjoyed sampling the salad and some even went back for seconds.  They were also excited to receive a special gift bag filled with fresh red and green bell peppers from Impact Harvest’s greenhouse in Buena.