Congratulations to 2nd grader Adam Alobeidy for being the Student Grand Prize Winner of our 2018 Race for Education, raising $1,550 through gifts and pledges from his sponsors. Adam, pictured with Event Coordinator Jessica Martin, was recognized for his accomplishment during chapel on Friday, December 14 and received an Apple watch Series 3 as the grand prize. A new Class Grand Prize was added this year for the class that raised the most in donations overall and the winner was Mrs. McCarthy’s 3rd grade class that raised $2,687 from sponsors. The class is receiving an outing to the Get Air Trampoline Park in Mays Landing as their prize. Overall, donations to the Race for Education totaled $25,000 for our Annual Fund, the same amount raised in last year’s Race. Thank you to all our donors, student and teacher participants, and volunteers for making our 2018 Race a success.
A number of prizes were awarded for class, student, and teacher/staff participation. Kindergarten teacher Miss Price and her aide Mrs. Garner led all teachers and staff in raising money from sponsors, a combined $556, which is directly benefiting their classroom. Six other teachers/aides also raised money from sponsors to benefit their classrooms — Mrs. Capito, Mrs. Correa, Mrs. Gonzalez, Mrs. Hoover, Mrs. Kiefer, and Miss Williams. For the first time in Race history, two classes had 100% of their students send sponsor letters to at least 10 people — Mrs. McCarthy’s 3rd grade class and Mr. Tardif’s 4th grade class — and each teacher received a $100 Amazon gift card to purchase equipment and supplies for their classroom. Five other classes had at least 75% of their students reach out to 10 or more prospective sponsors and their teachers are receiving a $50 Amazon gift card — KA, Miss Price; 2A, Miss Williams; 5A, Mr. Miller; and 5B Mrs. Keifer.
The student in each class from PreK3 to the 8th grade who had the most sponsors received a Five Below $10 gift card during the chapel. Those students were: Olivia Moren-Owens (PK3A), Abigail Hornbaker (PK3B), Selena Phillips (PK4A), Alexia Repice (PK4B), Alana Rosie (KA), Jeremy Harris (KB), Jonathan Ireland (1A), Tyler Shull (1B), Adam Alobeidy (2A), Leila Alobeidy, Adrian Hinchman, Samuel Johnson (3A), Liam Larkin (3B), Thomas Potenski (4A), Keira Frontino (4B), Joseph McCrae (5A), Gabriella Goodwin (5B), Bailey Boggs (6th), Ryleigh Martin (7th), Eva Elgersma (8A), Paige Noble (8B).
We’re so proud and grateful for every student and teacher that participated in the Race. Hats off to 4th grader Sawyer Gayeski, with 28 laps, and 7th grader Michaela Schlemo with 28 laps, who were the boy and girl who completed the most laps in the one-hour time frame. The top girl and boy in each grade level who turned in at least 10 address labels and completed the most laps also received recognition certificates during chapel. They were: PreK3A: Jayce Bird, Charlotte Bradshaw, Brooklyn Smith, Juliette Valdes; PreK3B: Daniel Awad, Dean Kraft, Jeremy Seckinger, Lilly Schulingkamp; PreK4A: Josiah Correa; Callie Gibson, Sarah Johnson, Juliana Loaiza, Selena Phillips, Olivia Smith; PreK4B: Alex Hewitt and Alba Reed; KA: Nolan Bohs, Declan Bridgeman, Devyn Piccinino; KB: Jayden Bird, Isabella Gaffney; 1A: James Boyle, Mathias Dye, Cheyenne Nixon; 1B: Kayden O’Brien, Anthem Correa; Gabrielle DiSciascio; 2A: Gaebriel Hahn-Chaney, Benjamin Kelley, Mia Gaffney, Lauren Bohs; 3A: Jason Remlein, Vanessa Rallo: 3B: Liam Larkin, Zoey Holmstrom: 4A: Ethan Costello, Kalee Tardif; 4B: Sawyer Gayeski, Ashlee Alford; 5A: Calvin Costello, Skyler Shivers; 5B: Cole Hagerty, Marley Odell; 6th: Taylor Murphy, Samuel Lilley; 7th: Michaela Schlemo, Manny Johnson; 8th: Eva Elgersma, Dylan Reilly.





Yesterday I was listening to Christmas music and the song “So This Is Christmas” by John Lennon came on. As I listened to the beautiful yet simple lyrics, I reflected on how much I love the spirit of this blessed season. I love seeing the happiness on our students’ faces as they work on class projects about the Christmas story and prepare gifts for family members, members of our school family in need, and community helpers. I enjoy watching our students as they act, sing, dance, and play instruments to praise and worship God at our Christmas concerts and December chapels. I love the laughter and giggles, the festive hallways, and the decorated doors. I can’t help but smile as I reflect on God’s goodness to us all in sending His Son to this earth for us.

Intramural basketball for students in grades 2 through 8 begins Saturday, January 5. The program, led by Girls’ Varsity Coach Kaylee Breunig, will feature 5 weekly sessions of skills development and game play.






As the sacred season of Christmas unfolds this month, the good news of the birth of a Savior, Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, is being joyously celebrated at ACS. We are very grateful for the prayers and donations from ACS parents, grandparents, alumni, alumni parents, current and former faculty and staff, churches, businesses, and many other community supporters that have made it possible for us to boldly proclaim the name of Christ during Christmas and in everything we do throughout the year.
Christmas shopping doesn’t have to be a chore! On Saturday, December 15, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., let the students in the ACS Bahamas Missions Team provide a safe, fun evening of Christmas activities for your children (age 3 – grade 5) while you shop till you drop!

Thank you to our ACS basketball coaches and parents for participating in our winter 2018 Coin Drop fundraiser on Saturday, December 1. Dressed in festive Christmas hats, the ACS representatives greeted drivers at the intersection of Zion Road and Ocean Heights Avenue from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., asking for donations to support our middle school and high school athletics program. In just six hours, the coaches and parents collected $2,083.52 from our generous community members.
ACS students and teachers have begun decorating their classroom doors for the Christmas season as classes compete for prizes based on Facebook Votes, Student Involvement, Spiritual Message, and Originality.
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The Freshman Class will be selling Christmas-Grams next week, from December 10-17. For just $1.00, a student, staff member, or school family member can send a personalized message with a candy cane to spread joy to friends, teachers, students, coaches, and more! Orders are due by December 17, and forms are available in the main office. Your support helps our freshmen raise funds for special class activities.


As the Christmas season quickly approaches, it is easy for us to get caught up in our “to do” lists.” In the busy-ness of life, we can sometimes forget those who have greatly impacted the lives of our families and children the most, in particular the wonderful teachers and staff here at Atlantic Christian School. In the near future, we will have the opportunity to show them how much they mean to us and to our children through the “Christmas Love Offering” that we will take at each of the upcoming Christmas concerts on December 13 and 14. Through the Love Offering, we have the chance to bless our ACS teachers and staff and show them our deep appreciation for all they do to educate our children and train them up in the Lord.