Over 500 grandparents visited the ACS campus on Friday, November 22 for our annual Grandparents’ Appreciation Day.
Mrs. Karen Oblen, ACS Chief School Administrator, welcomed the grandparents and PreK4 students started the program with the song “Hosanna.” The chapel program continued with students from elementary through high school praising God through musical presentations, scripture recitation, and prayer.
The keynote speaker, Pastor Kevin Bernat of New Life Assembly and ACS grandparent, shared scriptures and encouraged grandparents to take an active role in ensuring that their grandchildren grow up with the knowledge of Christ. He said “The greatest gift grandparents can give to their grandchildren is knowing Jesus.” He shared the stories of how people were saved due to their grandparent’s prayers. “Do not underestimate the prayers of grandparents,” Pastor Kevin encouraged the crowd. “Grandparents are blessed and a blessing,” he added. He said that he is grateful for a school like Atlantic Christian and its faculty and staff who are investing in each student and training them up in God’s Word. He closed his remarks by praying for our students.
Before the close of the program, the grandparents got a sneak preview of that night’s upcoming show, “Annie Jr.,” with the cast performing one of the lively numbers entitled “Hard Knock Life.” Senior Class President Ian Iaconelli closed the program in prayer.
After the chapel program, the grandparents visited various classrooms where their grandchildren proudly shared examples of their classroom projects and gave them hand-made gifts. The grandparents also had the opportunity to visit the Scholastic Book Fair in the school library and see the Shoreline Model Railroad Club’s model train Christmas display.
School picture retakes for students in grades K-12 will be on Monday, December 2. Students who missed the first Picture Day should pick up a form in the office. Students who would like to have their picture retaken must return their original picture packet on Retake Day. Please remember that the dress code for pictures requires an ACS polo shirt. Gym clothes, ACS hoodies and sports gear are not to be worn.
ACS students and teachers will begin decorating their classroom doors next week for the Christmas season. Classes will compete for prizes with winners to be determined by on-line voting on Facebook.
Mrs. Gail Alford, Elementary Principal and Director of Early Education, was excited to bring back this fun activity. “Every year before standardized testing we would always have a short session in the morning to get moving and wake up the brain. Since we changed the format of our testing we no longer had a set time to do this fun activity. After meeting with Mrs. Martin we decided that the first Monday of every month would be designated as a time to all get 
together and begin our day with movement.”
The boys’ team recorded their best record since 2012 and finished in a solid third place in the league. They lost a tough semifinal game 2-0 to Pilgrim on Thursday. They are playing Gloucester County Christian School who they have defeated twice this season already.
The girls’ team was undefeated in the TSCAC Conference for the 5th consecutive year. They have competed in the Championship game for the last 5 years, with a current 3 year winning streak and looking for a “four-peat” on Saturday. In the semi-finals, they easily defeated King’s Christian 6-0 with goals by Chloe Vogel (2), Reyna Lewis, Maddie DeNick, Tiana Purdy-Phillips and Eden Wilson. Goalie Shelby Einwechter had 5 saves.
ACS honored six 
Congratulations to the following ACS students who were inducted into the High School National Honor Society on October 24 in the ACS gym (pictured from left to right):
Elementary and upper school students welcomed special guest speaker Vena R. Noel-Jackson who spoke in each chapel on Friday. Her lively presentations covered the origins of Black History Month, significant contributions of African Americans throughout history, and encouragement about God’s plan for creating unity from diversity. Using examples from her own accomplishments as a runner, Mrs. Jackson reminded the ACS family that despite our differences – age, race, ability, etc. – we can all run for the same prize in following Jesus. “My Prayer is that we celebrate our uniqueness by the power of the love of Jesus,” she said. “Whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God.”
On Wednesday, March 6, students in grades K-5 will participate in “Green Mustache Day,” a fun annual activity just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. During lunch, students will have the opportunity to sample healthy green smoothies made by faculty the ACS middle school and high school cooking classes. Students who try the green smoothies will have their pictures taken and be entered into a drawing to win a prize! March is National Nutrition Month. Atlantic Christian is participating in Green Mustache Day as part of its membership in the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children program.
