Post Tagged with: "Egg Harbor Township"

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:

 

 

 

 

5th Grader Madelyn Petrinec Wins ACS Spelling Bee, Advances to March 25 Scripps South Jersey Regional Bee

Congratulations to 5th grader Madelyn Petrinec for winning our school Spelling Bee on February 16, placing first among 19 students from the 1st to 8th grades after 2 hours and 27 rounds of competition. Maddie, who also won last year’s school Spelling Bee, will move on to represent ACS at the Scripps South Jersey Regional Spelling Bee in Camden on Saturday, March 25.

Coming in second place was 1st grader Zackary Alobeidy. 6th grader Brody Panetta placed third, staying in the Bee through the first 19 rounds. Zackary and Maddie then went head to head for another 7 rounds before Zackary misspelled “thurible” and Madelyn correctly spelled “nares” and then “eurythmics,” marking the 213th word in the competition.

Parents, teachers, and students were on hand in the gym to watch the bee and applaud between rounds. The students who competed in the bee had either won or placed runner up in classroom bees held in January. 6th grader Gaebriel Hahn-Chaney and 8th grader Caedyn Hahn-Chaney, who are brothers, represented their classes well and finished in 4th and 5th place, respectively.

Under the guidance of Spelling Bee coach Jessica Martin, the students had a month to prepare for the all-school bee by studying a list of 450 words provided by the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Martin was also the pronouncer for the Bee. “Since this will be Maddie’s second time representing ACS at the regional bee, I am optimistic that she will draw upon her prior experience and will do well in this upcoming competition,” Martin said.

The top 19 spellers who competed in the Bee, by grade level, were: 1st Grade: Zackary Alobeidy, Ellie Campbell; 2nd Grade: Chase Hemberger, Carson Myers, Janessa Obot; 3rd Grade: Chloe Capito, Amelia Crespo, Rachael Eachus; 4th Grade: Caitlin Doucett, Lindsay Eachus; 5th Grade: Giovanna (Bo) Altier, Tamara Kulov, Maddie Petrinec; 6th Grade: Eva Dimashi, Gaebriel Hahn-Chaney, and Brody Panetta; 7th Grade: Grace Lushina and Nino Miranda; and 8th Grade: Caedyn Hahn-Chaney.

Pastor Appreciation Day Gives ACS Students an Opportunity to Honor, Thank Their Pastors

We love our pastors! Nearly 50 pastors and ministry leaders from churches across South Jersey were treated to breakfast and a student-led chapel for Pastor Appreciation Day on February 16.  It was a special time for ACS students to honor and thank their pastors for the important role they play as their spiritual leaders and mentors. Pastors and students spent time together at breakfast, worshipping in chapel, and posing for group photos after chapel.

Pastor Mat Mouliert of Crossroads Fellowship Church shared an encouraging message with the pastors during breakfast. 12th grader Sam Glancey spoke during the chapel program about the importance of being trained to go out and share the gospel and thanked the pastors for discipling and training the next generation and encouraged them “to do more of what you are already doing.”

During his breakfast remarks, Pastor Mat shared some of the lessons he has learned during his five-year battle with cancer.  “Suffering happens to all of us and God wants us to glorify Him through our suffering,” Pastor Mat said. “Suffering builds perseverance and character and also opens doors that would never be available to us otherwise.”

The chapel also included performances to bless our pastors by the PreK4 students, the Kindergarten students, the 5th Grade Band, the 5th Grade Worship Team, and the High School Worship Team. Students in elementary classes also created several hundred unique, hand-written thank-you cards that were given to the pastors to take back with them.

Thank you to the parent and staff volunteers who donated food and served at the Pastor Breakfast.

 

We’re No. 1! ACS Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball Teams Both Capture 2023 Conference Championships

The ACS Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball Teams are the 2023 Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference Champions! Both teams won hard-fought battles on February 25 in their championship games, which were held in the ACS gym. The No. 1-seeded Lady Cougars remained undefeated, beating Gloucester County Christian School 48-43, and the No. 2-seeded Varsity Boys’ Team pulled off an upset, beating No. 1-seeded Pilgrim Academy 54-45, a team that had been undefeated all season. It was a night to celebrate!

This is the fourth consecutive year that our Varsity Boys’ Team has brought home the championship trophy. The Lady Cougars last won the TSCAC championship in 2021. ACS advanced to the championship games by handily winning their semi-final matches on February 23 against King’s Christian School.

Congratulations to Varsity Boys’ head coach Drew Carney, assisted by Dan Carney and ACS 2013 alumnus Ben Chapman, and to Varsity Girls’ head coach and ACS 2012 alumnus Kaylee Breunig, assisted by Dara Kimmerley, for their hard work and dedication. This was an exciting and memorable season.

Eight ACS players were named TSCAC All-Stars for the 2023 season and were recognized at the end of the championship games. The four Girls’ Varsity All-Stars are — Evangelina Kim and Paige Noble (1st team), Reyna Lewis (2nd team), and Becca Kelley (honorable mention). The four Boys’ Varsity All-Stars are — Noah Stokes (1st team), Caleb Vogel (2nd team), and Charlie Costello and Noah Gibbs (honorable mention).

ACS also received two other special recognition awards from the conference. Senior Paige Noble received the 2023 TSCAC MVP Varsity Girls’ Basketball Award. She was one of the team’s leading scorers and a force to be reckoned with both on offense and defense. Paige will be attending Cairn University in the fall.

Coach Breunig received the 2023 TSCAC Varsity Girls Basketball Coach of the Year Award. This is the second time she has received this award. The first time was in the 2017-2018 season when she was in her first year as head coach of the Lady Cougars.

During this season, Coach Breunig was also honored for earning her 100th win on February 15 when the Lady Cougars defeated Oakcrest 54-24 in a nonconference game. In her 6th year as head coach, Coach Breunig has now led the Lady Cougars to two TSCAC Conference championships and five first place finishes in the regular season. She also received the TSCAC Coach of the Year Award in the 2017-2018 season, her first year as head coach. Coach Breunig is a 2012 ACS alumnus who was a strong varsity player and team leader during her four years on the Lady Cougars.

In the Championship varsity girls’ game, junior guard Evangelina Kim led the team in scoring with 20 points and pulled down 8 rebounds. Senior forward Reyna Lewis scored 16 and also had 8 rebounds. Senior guard Paige Noble had 7 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals. Freshman forward Gianna Flynn scored five and Flynn and junior forward Becca Kelley each had five rebounds.

In the Championship varsity boys’ game, three players were the top scorers — junior Noah Gibbs, with 15 points, sophomore Noah Stokes with 14 points, and senior Caleb Vogel with 13 points. Gibbs and Stokes also led the team in rebounds, each pulling down 12, and were strong on defense, with Gibbs grabbing 3 steals and Stokes getting 2 blocks. A key contributor to the team’s success in the final quarter of the game was consistently sinking their baskets at the foul line.

At the conclusion of the games, the ACS teams did the traditional “cutting down of the nets,” which each player and coach cutting a piece of the net to take home as a souvenir of their victories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to Top Scholars on 2022-2023 First Semester Honor Roll

Congratulations to our top scholars who made the first semester Honor Roll of the 2022-2023 school year. The Honor Roll, finalized in mid-February, recognizes 331 students from the 1st through 12th grades who have excelled in their academic studies, receiving Highest Honors or Honors designation.

“We are very proud of these students from elementary through high school who have distinguished themselves as top-notch scholars  and earned a place on the Honor Roll,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “We are also thankful for our dedicated and highly qualified faculty who encourage our students to excel academically and to seek to honor God with their lives.”

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 the 1st to 12th grades who achieved Highest Honors or High Honors.

Chapel Speakers, Class Projects, Quiz Contest Help Focus Students on Black History in February

Throughout February, ACS students participated in a variety of special activities for Black History Month. Chapel speakers, classroom assignments, bulletin board displays, and a quiz contest helped spotlight the history, culture, and accomplishments of African-Americans.

On February 2, Rev. Vena Noel-Jackson, a pastor with Yeshua’s Living Word Ministries, was the featured speaker in Middle School Chapel, where she highlighted the accomplishments of two African-American athletes — Ida Keeling and James “Jesse” Owens — and emphasized the importance of celebrating our uniqueness by the power and love of Jesus. Using examples from her own accomplishments as a runner, Rev. Jackson reminded the students that despite our differences – age, race, ability, etc. – we can all run for the same prize in following Jesus. An accomplished seamstress, Rev. Jackson also gave away to the students several hand towels with scripture inscribed on them.

On February 9, Upper School students welcomed chapel speaker and ACS parent Christian Ragland, who spoke on the school’s spiritual emphasis theme — God breathed — based on 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

“I believe the enemy is working overtime with your generation to sow seeds of anger and discontent and to make wrong look right,” Ragland said. “Don’t try to figure out how to solve your problems, but instead allow God to take over, to breathe His Word and His Spirit into your life.” Ragland is the operations pastor at Lighthouse Community Church in Pleasantville and is Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at AtlantiCare.

The Black History Month quiz contest ran for two weeks, from February 13-24, and nine African-Americans were highlighted. During morning announcements each day, students were given a question to answer about an influential African-American. The first student in each homeroom to tell their teacher the correct answer was entered into a contest to win a dress-down pass. The correct answer and a short biography of that person were read over the intercom into every classroom at the end of each day.

Some of the quiz questions and answers were:

Question: Who were the first two African-American quarterbacks to play in the same Super Bowl? Answer: Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes
Question: Who was the first African-American to win a Nobel Prize? Answer: Ralph Johnson Bunche
Question: Who was the first African-American woman to win an Academy Award for best actress? Answer: Halle Berry

The students who correctly answered the quiz questions and received dress down passes were:  in Elementary — Layla Aspenberg, Abigail Brunda, Milo Cirigliano Jeremiah Diaz, Allison Eachus, Alexia Gay, Sofia Huezo, Olivia Kuchmek, Erik Macpherson, Selah Melody, Myla Montemurro, Robert O’Donoghue, Addison Rawlings, Michael Saad, Ceci Tormey, Jordan Vielma, Hunter Wolcott, and John Wolcott; in Middle School — Josiah Christmon, Malani Christmon, Kiara Loo, Finn Maxwell, Layla McCarthy, Malena Meyer, Luca Sullivan, and Nathaneal Thompson; and in High School — Cruz Lewis, Zachary Fosbenner, Isaac Kelley, Evangelina Kim, Reyna Lewis, Michael Markert, Seth Phillips, and Jeriko Thomas.

Throughout the month, classroom lessons and projects highlighted the historical contributions of various of African-Americans and some of these projects were displayed in the first floor hallways. In the 2nd grade classes, students learned about the life and contributions of George Washington Carver. Mrs. Hockenberry’s class created a mosaic of his portrait and Mrs. Brossman’s and Ms. Leach’s classes completed a biography sheet on Carver.

Mrs. McCarthy’s 3rd grade class completed a project inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s memorable “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.  A hallway wall display, entitled “Martin’s Dream was Big and So is Mine,” featured student essays about Dr. King and their own dreams for the future. Students in Mrs. Huff’s 3rd grader studied the life of civil rights activist Ruby Bridges and their hallway display highlighted a quote from Mrs. Bridges describing the lesson that she said Dr. King tried to teach us all — “Never judge people by the color of their skin. God makes each of us unique in ways that go much deeper.”

 

Join Us at Applebee’s on March 25 for Cheer Team Flapjack Fundraiser

Pile up some pancakes at the ACS Cheer Team’s Flapjack Fundraiser at the Mays Landing Applebee’s on March 25 and help send the team to The One Finals national competition in Virginia Beach on April 1-2.

Flapjack tickets are available for purchase at the ACS front desk and online. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children 10 and under. The breakfast will run from 8:00-10:00 a.m. so be sure to get there early. The address of the Applebee’s in Mays Landing is 200 Consumer Square.

According to staff member Arzum Sanchez, who organized the fundraiser, the cheerleaders will be greeters and will help serve breakfast and do clean-up. Sanchez’s daughter, 11th grader Haven, is one of the team captains.

Sanchez said the goal is to have at least 200 people come out for breakfast, so mark your calendar for Saturday, March 25 and come out to support our award-winning cheer team.

CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets online.

 

12th Grader Moges Johnson Featured in Kickoff of 2023 Senior Spotlight Series

The future plans and goals of the Class of 2023, 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 kicked off on February 28 featuring 12th grader Moges Johnson. A new spotlight article on each of our 29 seniors will appear each Tuesday and Thursday from now until June 2023 on the ACS Facebook and Instagram pages and will also be on a “Senior Class Spotlight” page on the ACS website.

This is the fourth 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 during COVID while school was closed and we wanted to have a way to celebrate our seniors and their accomplishments,” said Martin, who is producing the series. “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 first Senior Spotlight article on Moges Johnson.

8th Grade, 12th Grade Basketball, Cheer Team Members and Parents Honored at Mid-February Ceremonies

ACS celebrated the talents and contributions of basketball and cheer team members in the 8th and 12th grades and thanked their parents and family members for their support at separate ceremonies in the ACS gym on February 10 and 17. Athletic Director Pam Hitchner, who organized the ceremonies, introduced each team member and described the various ways they had contributed to the success of their teams and ACS athletics overall.

The 8th Grade Night on February 10 recognized 20 basketball and cheer team members. Following the recognition ceremony, the Middle School Basketball Teams played King’s Christian School and the ACS Girls won 27-9 and the ACS Boys won 51-23. The ACS Middle School Boys had an outstanding season and finished the season undefeated and in first place in the Atlantic Cape Junior High League. The team was also invited to compete in the Northfield Invitational Tournament at the end of the season.

The 8th grade students honored with their family members were —

  • Boys’ Basketball: Josiah Christmon, Gabe Correa, Ethan Costello, Micah D’Anna, Zion Dawkins, Jude Gibbs, Xavier Johnson, Jason Kelley, Alex Newhall, Luke Odell, Tommy Potenski, Justice Settles, and Luca Sullivan
  • Girls’ Basketball: Kendall Bouchard, Sophia Capito, Luci Huff, Gracie Leon, Nadia Pearson, Isabella Santos, and Shelby Tomlinson. Kalee Tardif was unable to attend.
  • Cheer: Ashlee Alford, Annalena DiMaio, April Eaves, Mackenzie Flynn, Kylie Jackson, Abigail Kelley, Ava Lombardi, Kiara Loo, and Mia Morales

Senior Night on February 17 honored the ten seniors who have been part of the Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball Teams and their families. The seniors honored were: Daniella Ajayi, Robby Barberio, Jake DeNick, Maddie DeNick, Sam Glancey, Benny Kimmerley, Cruz Lewis, Reyna Lewis, Paige Noble, and Caleb Vogel.

Following the recognition ceremony, two Varsity basketball games were played against Pilgrim Academy, with the Varsity Girls’ team winning its game 67-15 and the Varsity Boys’ team losing a close game by a score of 48-44.

 

Students, Staff Celebrate 100th Day of School

We’re 100 days smarter! Our preschool and elementary students celebrated the 100th day of school on February 10, 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.

There were messages on signs, banners, and bulletin boards celebrating the day and one sign asked — How have you honored God over the past 100 days?

There were also creative classroom activities in our preschool and elementary classes using the number 100, like coloring a 100 days picture, word search, counting 100 snacks, and making 100-day paper hats to wear.

 

 

 

Elementary Students Learn About Importance of Dental Hygiene

Sixteen high school students from the Atlantic County Institute of Technology (ACIT) visited our kindergarten to 4th grade classrooms on February 15 to teach students about the importance of dental hygiene, an educational visit facilitated by school nurse Carrie Jorgenson.

Jorgenson said the ACIT students gave 20-minutes presentations on dental hygiene and gave each student an oral hygiene kit that included a toothbrush and toothpaste.

“Our students loved the presentations that included using different animal puppets getting their teeth brushed,” Jorgenson said. “It was very effective and fun.”

Two ACIT teachers, Gaby Coslop and Jessica Crompton, accompanied the team of students, who are part of the ACIT Dental Assistant Concentration.

 

Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar, Sal’s Cafe Win Top Awards at 2023 Bowls of Hope Soup Cook-Off Benefit

2023 Bowls of Hope Chef’s Super Soup Award Winner – Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar

Two Somers Point restaurants received the top awards for their New England Clam Chowders at Atlantic Christian School’s 2023 Bowls of Hope Soup Cook-Off Benefit held in the school gym on February 4. Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar, pictured at left, won first place in the “Chef’s Super Soup Award,” and Sal’s Cafe, pictured at right, won first place in the “People’s Choice Golden Spoon Award.” Some 400 people filled the school gym to taste delicious signature soups from 18 area restaurants and then voted for their favorite soup for the People’s Choice Golden Spoon Award. Chef Joe Massaglia of Mama Mia’s Ristorante in Marmora chose his favorite soup for the Chef’s Super Soup Award.

2023 Bowls of Hope People’s Choice Golden Spoon Award Winner — Sal’s Cafe.

Coming in second place for the Chef’s Award was B.F. Mazzeo in Northfield, with its Butternut Squash Soup, and Chick-fil-A Fire Road received third place for its Tortilla Soup. For the Golden Spoon Award, Towne & Country Cafe came in second place with its Tomato Basil Soup, and Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar placed third.

For B.F. Mazzeo and Chick-fil-A Fire Road this was their first time competing in the Cook-Off. This is the third time that Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar has received the Chef’s Super Soup Award, with prior wins in 2018 and 2023. Sal’s Cafe is also now a three-peat winner, previously receiving the People’s Choice Golden Spoon Award in 2017 and 2022.

The Bowls of Hope showcased 18 restaurants and chefs in and around Atlantic County serving up their specialty soups and competing for the awards. Atlantic Christian high school students were among the some 50 student and staff volunteers who helped serve the soups and worked behind the scenes in the kitchen, with set up and clean up, selling tickets, and more.

The 18 restaurants and chefs who participated were: Atlantic City Rescue Mission Kitchen (Atlantic City); B.F. Mazzeo (Northfield); Carluccio’s (Northfield); Charlie’s Bar & Restaurant (Somers Point); Chick-fil-A Fire Road (Egg Harbor Township); Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar (Somers Point); Jing Sushi House (Somers Point); Juliano’s Pub & Grill (Egg Harbor Township); Maurizio’s Pizzeria Express (Egg Harbor Township); Mays Landing Diner (Mays Landing); Mia’s Café (Mays Landing); Root Cellar Tavern (Dorothy); Sal’s Café (Somers Point); Sana & Sadia’s Mediterranean Bistro (Egg Harbor Township); Sofia Restaurant (Margate); Stir It Up Catering (Northfield); Towne & Country Café (Egg Harbor Township); and The Windjammer Café-Bar-Grille (Somers Point).

7th grader Nino Miranda won 1st place in the Bowls of Hope Student Video Contest.

Thank you to the 11 generous sponsors that helped make the benefit fundraiser a success — 3’R Premium Commercial Cleaning Services; American Church Group of New Jersey; B.F. Mazzeo; Chick-fil-A Fire Road; Clayton’s Self Storage; Formica Freitag Bakery; Fortress Financial; HS Restoration and Cleaning Service; Olympic Physical Therapy; ServPro of Egg Harbor/Ventnor City; and Texas Roadhouse.

All funds raised from ticket sales and sponsorships for the Bowls of Hope Soup Cook-Off, now in its 10th year, are benefiting the Atlantic City Rescue Mission and Atlantic Christian School. Many of those attending the event also brought cans of soup and other non-perishable items for the school’s food drive to benefit the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Southern Branch.

7th grader Nino Miranda was recognized during the evening for winning first place in a Bowls of Hope Video Contest for creating a video to help promote the event. Two runners-up finalists in the video contest also were recognized — 11th grader Zachary Fosbenner and 6th grader Jennyfer Loiza-Riveros.

We are also grateful to a number of parents who donated desserts, and to Greate Bay Country Club for providing high top tables for our guests. Thank you also to Chef Massaglia, host of the “Joe’s Table for Two” WOND Radio program and Bill Link of the Truth That Rocks Bookstore for helping promote the event, and to photographer and ACS grandparent Gail Crafton of AC Photo for donating her services.

Bowls of Hope Food Drive Sets Record, Collecting Nearly Two and a Half Tons of Food for Community FoodBank of NJ, Southern Branch

Our 2023 Bowls of Hope Food Drive collected nearly two and a half tons of food for the Community FoodBank of NJ, Southern Branch, setting a new school record with a total weight of 4,811 pounds.  High school students on the Student Council, who helped organize the school-wide event, packed up and loaded the donations into 26 large boxes and bins that were picked up by a FoodBank truck on Thursday, February 9.

The Food Drive was held during the month of January and concluded on February 4 at the Bowls of Hope Soup Cook-Off. The school record was previously set in 2021 with 4,655 pounds of food collected, and last year’s drive collected 4,063 pounds of non-perishable food.

Mrs. Brossman’s 2nd grade class won first place in the Bowls of Hope Food Drive contest, bringing in the most donations of non-perishable food.

Congratulations to Mrs. Brossman’s 2nd grade class for winning first place among all PreK-12th grade classes for collecting the most non-perishable food items — 1,118 items. The class will receive a pizza party as its prize.

“Thank you to all our school families who donated throughout January and to everyone who attended our Bowls of Hope Soup Cook-Off and brought in food to make this an overwhelming success,” said Event Coordinator Christian Delacruz, who oversaw the drive assisted by Student Council Advisor Dan Vasquez. “Your generosity will be a blessing to families in our community who are struggling to put food on the table.”

Student Talent Show Entertains Crowd at Feb. 4 Bowls of Hope Soup Cook-Off

ACS students from elementary to high school entertained the audience at the Bowls of Hope Soup Cook-Off Benefit on February 4 as they sang, danced, played the piano and violin, and even kicked and leaped with ninja-like moves as part of the Student Talent Show.

“We believe that every student has God-given gifts and creative talents and the Bowls of Hope Talent Show gave some of our students the chance to share their musical and artistic abilities with our school families and friends,” said Event Coordinator Christian Delacruz, who oversaw the auditions for the Talent Show.

“We’re proud of every student who performed and they all did a really good job,” Delacruz said. He also thanked faculty member Amy Parker for serving as the Master of Ceremonies throughout the evening and kept everyone informed and excited as each performer took to the stage.

Congratulations to each of the Talent Show participants, listed here in the order that they performed:

  • The 5th Grade Worship Team, singing and doing choreography to “Light of the World”
  • 5th grader Ella Henigan – playing “Danny Boy” on the violin
  • 1st grader Roselyn Vega – singing “Thank God”
  • 4th grader Allie Pineo – singing “Reckless Love”
  • Kindergartener Braylen Borlandoe – dancing and doing Ninja moves to “Ninja Music”
  • 3rd grader Callie Gibson and 2nd grader Olivia Moren-Owens singing “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”
  • 7th grader Nino Miranda – playing “Kings Ballroom” on the piano
  • 5th grader Megan Connolly – singing “Big House”
  • 3rd graders Jeremiah Diaz, Victoria Rosario, and Sadie Wyzen-Gregory – singing and moving to “Gratitude”
  • 11th grader Ryleigh Martin – singing “King of Kings”
  • 4th graders Lily Kimmerley, Bella Markert, and Allie Pineo – singing “Peace Like a River”

Photo credits: Gail Crafton, AC Photo.

Re-Enrollment Underway for 2023-2024 School Year; Exclusive Time-Frame for Current Family Re-Enrollment Ends Feb. 17

Re-enrollment for returning families is now open for the 2023-2024 school year. Email messages about re-enrollment were sent to families on January 24 by Admissions Director Jessica Martin. ACS families with students currently enrolled are being given an exclusive time-frame from January 24 to February 28 to secure their child’s space for next year, ahead of the open enrollment period for new families, which will begin on March 1, 2023.

“Our enrollment this year has continued to increase to record levels and we thank God that more and more families are choosing a Christian education for their children,” said Admissions Director Jessica Martin. “It’s important for our current families to re-enroll early to secure their child’s space for next year.”

Martin said current families must do two things by Tuesday, February 28 to secure their child’s spot in the next grade — pay the Enrollment Fee and submit the B6T Transportation Form. The Enrollment Fee is $50 per student (maximum $100 per family) until February 19 and then increases to $75 per student (maximum $150 per family) on February 20.

Beginning on March 1, Martin said spots not filled by a current family will become open for a new family. She also emphasized that current families who will be enrolling additional children for the first time should contact her before March 1 for additional instructions.

The tuition rates for the 2023-2024 school year were recently approved by the school’s Board of Directors. The new rates are posted on the school’s website under the Admissions tab and are also available on the link below. ACS families seeking needs-based Tuition Assistance can submit an application online on the school’s website. The application period opened on February 1 and the deadline for returning families to submit a Tuition Assistance Application is May 1, 2023.

Early Education Student Re-enrollment Procedure:

To re-enroll an Early Education student, please complete the online “Early Education Schedule Form,” which was emailed to families by Martin on January 26 (link to form is also below), and pay the Early Education Enrollment Fee of $50 per student ($100 per family maximum) by February 28. The Enrollment Fee is $50 per student (maximum $100 per family) until February 19 and then increases on February 20 to $75 per student (maximum $150 per family).  The enrollment fee has been billed to all annual and semi-annual payers. Families making monthly payments through FACTS have been billed for their enrollment fee under “Incidental Billing.”

CLICK HERE for the online Early Education Center Schedule Form

K-12 Student Re-enrollment Procedure:

To secure your child’s space in grades K-12, please complete and return the fillable PDF “B6T Transportation Form” and pay the $50 Enrollment Fee by Tuesday, February 28. If the fee is not paid or if the B6T Transportation Form is submitted after February 28, a child’s spot in the next grade cannot be guaranteed. The B6T Transportation Form (see link below) may be returned to the school office by email, FAX (609-653-1435), mail, or hand-delivery. A signature on the B6T form is still required by the school districts. If you are unable to create a digital signature, please print the form and sign it manually. The Enrollment Fee is $50 per student (maximum $100 per family) until February 19 and then increases on February 20 to $75 per student (maximum $150 per family).  The enrollment fee has been billed to all annual and semi-annual payers. Families making monthly payments through FACTS have been billed for their enrollment fee under “Incidental Billing.”

Martin also noted that there is an important additional step for all rising 8th graders seeking to enroll in 9th grade next year. All rising 8th graders must also submit a new Pastor’s Reference Form by February 28 to hold their spot.

Please contact Mrs. Jessica Martin, Director of Admissions, with any questions at jmartin@acseht.org or 609-653-1199, ext. 314.

CLICK HERE for the 2023-2024 Tuition Rates and Fees

CLICK HERE for the 2023-2024 B6T Transportation Form

CLICK HERE for the Pastor’s Reference Form

ACS Students Show their Support for Philadelphia Eagles at Pep Rally on Feb. 6

Go Eagles! Over 400 students from preschool to high school dressed up in their favorite Eagles Spirit Wear for Eagles Day at Atlantic Christian School in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey on Monday, February 6. The students packed the bleachers for a pep rally in the school gym and sang the Eagles Fight Song — “Fly, Eagles Fly” — to show their support for an Eagles win in the Super Bowl LVII on Sunday, February 12. A video of the pep rally was shown on NBC10 Philadelphia news that evening.

The school’s cheer team led the students as they sang and danced to the fight song, with choreography created by the cheer team. Green confetti was shot into the air to cap off the Eagles Day assembly.

“Our cheerleaders had a really fun time coming up with the dance choreography to get everyone pumped up for the Super Bowl and, of course, we want the Eagles to win,” said the cheer team head coach Morgan Gibson. “So many people who live in South Jersey are huge Eagles fans, so we knew our students would enjoy celebrating an Eagles Day.”

Gibson noted that various parts of the choreography were based on moves that Eagles players use as their touchdown celebration dances.

CLICK HERE to view a video of the ACS students signing and dancing to “Fly, Eagles Fly.”

 

Power of a Praying Mother 6-Week Bible Study for Moms to Start February 17

All ACS moms are invited to attend a new, 6-week Bible study entitled “The Power of a Praying Mother” to be held on Friday mornings from February 17 to March 31. Pastor Gwen Mouilert, an ACS alumni grandparent, will be leading the Bible study, which will be held in the ACS library from 8:45-9:45 a.m.

The Bible study will examine the lives of six different women in the Bible — Sarah, Leah, Hannah, Marth, Deborah, and the women of Canaan — and how prayer helped them meet the challenges they faced.

Gwen is a celebrated speaker, author, and teacher who has been in ministry for over 30 years. She has appeared on Christian television and radio and has authored several books – including “Satan’s Secret Weapon” (formerly entitled “Overcoming Bitterness”) and “Hidden Treasures” – which have been featured in such publications as Winds of Fire, Charisma, and Spirit Led Woman magazines.

Gwen also teaches weekly women’s Bible studies at Crossroads Fellowship in Pleasantville, a church she co-founded with her late husband, Concepcion. She currently resides in Egg Harbor Township and is the proud grandmother of two grandsons, Jacob and Luke Mouilert, who graduated from ACS.

Light refreshments will be available and an RSVP is recommended, but not required. Please note that there will be no Bible study on March 10.

CLICK HERE to RSVP.

For additional questions, please contact the school office.

Show Your Love By Giving a Valentine’s Day Carnation; Orders Must be Placed by February 13

Show your love and appreciation for a friend, family member, or teacher by giving them a carnation with a special message on Valentine’s Day. The ACS Cheer Team is selling Valentine’s Day Carnations as a fundraiser and all orders must be turned in to the school office by 9 a.m. on Monday, February 13.

The order form is available below and has been sent home with students this week.

The price for a single carnation is $3 and the price for two carnations is $5. Please use the flyer form to write a message that will be attached to the carnation when it is delivered on Valentine’s Day. All proceeds will benefit the ACS Varsity cheerleaders.

CLICK HERE for a printable copy of the Carnation Fundraiser Order Form. Thank you for your support.

 

ACS Spirit Day at Texas Roadhouse — Friday, Feb. 24 — Help Raise Funds for ACS Athletics

Join us for ACS Spirit Day at Texas Roadhouse in Egg Harbor Township on Friday, February 24 from 4:00-10:30 p.m. Come out with your family and friends and enjoy hand-cut steaks, fall-off-the-bone ribs, made-from-scratch sides, and fresh-baked bread and help raise funds for ACS Athletics.

The restaurant is located at 6801 E. Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township.

Please mention “Atlantic Christian School” when you order and 10% of your bill will benefit ACS Athletics.

Hope to see you there!

Spirit Week Spurs on ACS Basketball Teams; MS Boys, HS Girls Teams Undefeated, HS Boys in 2nd Place

ACS students and staff got fired up to support our basketball teams during Spirit Week, dressing up each day to various themes, starting  with Green-and-White Day on January 27 and ending with Whiteout Day on February 3. Best dressed prizes were given out to students each day.

The Varsity Girls’ Team is undefeated in the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference and the Varsity Boys’ Team is in 2nd place. Based on their winning records, both teams will advance to the playoffs, with a bye in the quarter-finals on February 21 and then playing in the semi-final playoffs on February 23.

The ACS Varsity Girls’ Basketball Team is currently undefeated in the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference.

The Middle School Boys’ Team is undefeated in the Atlantic Cape Junior High League and has been invited to play in the upcoming Northfield Invitational Tournament. The MS Boys will play their first tournament game on February 15 against the William Davies Middle School at 6:45 pm at the Northfield Community School gym. The Middle School Girls’ team is 5-4 in league play. Both teams will play their last games of the season on February 16, away at The Pilgrim Academy.

“We are so grateful for the enthusiastic support from our school families, alumni, and friends in the community who have been packing our gym for all our home games,” said Athletic Director Pam Hitchner. “We look forward to seeing them at all the remaining games this season, particularly at our semi-final playoff games on February 23.”

Hitchner also encouraged ACS fans to attend the February 10 8th Grade Night and February 17 Senior Night home games. 8th grade players and 12th grade players and their parents/guardians will be recognized and thanked before the start of each of the  games for their contributions to their teams.

Spirit Week, organized by Hitchner, featured fun themes including Neon Day, Tropical Day, Wild West Day, and College/Pro Team Day. On Wild West Day on February 1,  Andy the Armadillo from the Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Egg Harbor Township surprised students during lunch and picked the winners for those best dressed in Western attire. Winners received special Texas Roadhouse T-shirts and discount coupons to Texas Roadhouse. Additional coupons were also given to every student and school employee.

For Whiteout Day on February 3, the students selected for best-dressed received Wawa Gift Cards and those who wore all white attire got free admission to the home games that night against Pilgrim Academy. For middle school and high school students, there was a half-court basketball shooting contest during lunch on January 31 and a 3-point shooting contest on February 2. Winners also received Wawa Gift Cards.

 

 

 

 

 

Thank You for Supporting Our Fall Book Fair — Nearly $11,000 in Record Sales

Thank you to the many parents, grandparents, and other family members who supported our Seussical, JR.-themed fall Book Fair held from November 14-23. With over 1,200 books sold, the gross sales neared $11,000, setting a new school record, according to faculty member Patti Scardilli, who oversaw the Fair, assisted by Rhapsody Hahn-Chaney, ACS K-12 Computer Teacher.

The Book Fair profits of $2,675 are being used to purchase Christian literature and resources for the school library and classrooms. Scardilli said close to 100 new books are being added to the ACS library, including picture books, early readers, chapter books, and graphic novels.

Scardilli has now begun reading some of the new books to elementary students on their weekly library day. “The new books are so inspiring for our students — there are stories about God’s grace, about the heroes in the Bible, about courage, and the power of prayer,” Scardilli said.

Scardilli said the goal this year was to ensure that the Book Fair promoted a Biblical worldview and that the inventory was consistent with the ACS mission statement and values.

“We achieved that goal and ensured that all of the books, posters, and other products for sale were suitable for our student body,”  Scardilli said. To achieve that goal, ACS partnered for the first time with Christian-based vendors, including the Truth That Rocks Bookstore, Munce, Swanson, and New Day, to provide the books, stationery items, Bibles, devotionals, and gift items for the Book Fair.

Students visited the school library from November 14-18 to preview the Book Fair items and create their wish lists. Teachers’ classroom wish lists were also posted. In-person family shopping began on November 18 and 19, with opportunities to shop both before and after the Seussical, JR. musical performances. Family shopping continued the following week concluding on Grandparent Appreciation Day on November 23.

She thanked the some 20 parents, grandparents, staff, and students who volunteered and helped make the fair a success.

Cheer Team Makes Strong Showing at Feb. 5 Competition in Toms River

The ACS Varsity Cheer Team competed in its second meet of the season on February 5 at the ImpAct Cheer & Dance Competition at RWJ Barnabas Health Arena in Toms River and finished as 3rd Place Bronze Medalists in the Large Varsity Division.

“Our team outscored two other teams to place third in their division and we are unbelievably proud of the dedication and determination of our girls,” said head coach Morgan Gibson, who is assisted by Michelle Wheeler. “We went to this competition with two goals — to hit our routine and to make it to the final round and we did that and more.”

Gibson said the Varsity Cheer Team will be heading to its next competition on March 4 at Brookdale Community College.

 

Two High School Missions Trips Planned for Spring 2023; Students Seeking Financial, Prayer Support

Students in the High School Missions Club are looking forward to serving as the hands and feet of Jesus during two upcoming missions trips over Easter Break to the Bahamas and to Washington, DC. The students participated in several fundraisers in the fall and are now reaching out to family members, friends, and local churches to seek financial and prayer support for the trips.

The per person cost for the Bahamas trip is $2,350 and $900 for the Washington, DC trip. Club members raised $6,300 in November providing parking on the ACS campus for people attending the Pumpkin Run Car Show and Flea Market at the nearby Flemings Junk Yard. The club raised additional funds during the One Christmas Night event, where they received donations as they participated in the live nativity. The club plans to do a car wash and family skate night this spring as additional fundraisers, according to Missions Club Advisor and faculty member Dave Genter.

“The outbreak of COVID-19 prevented any missions trips for several years, but we were very pleased to be able to restart our missions trips in spring 2022,” Genter said. “It’s a life-changing experience for the students and it gets them to put their focus on others rather than themselves.”

Students going on the Bahamas missions trip will serving in a variety of ways, including working with children at sports camps and a handicapped center, tutoring at an after-school program, and leading a Vacation Bible School at a Haitian church.

In Washington, DC, the students will partnering with Praying Pelikan as they work with children doing tutoring, serving at a food bank and a soup kitchen, and doing street evangelism.

CLICK HERE if you would like to support the ACS mission teams or go to:  https://acseht.org/giving/online-donation-form. Under the gift category section, choose the appropriate missions trip. In a separate fill-in box, please specify a missions club member’s name or the Missions Club.  All gifts are tax deductible.

Since 2008, close to 350 students have gone on ACS missions trips and learned first-hand about the joy of serving God by serving others. For additional information, please contact Missions Club Advisor Dave Genter at dgenter@acseht.org.

Pastor Appreciation Day – Feb. 16

We love our pastors! Atlantic Christian School students and their families worship at over 100 churches across South Jersey and each year we set aside a day to recognize and thank the important role that pastors and others working in church ministry play in the lives of our students. This year, Pastor Appreciation Day will be held on Thursday, February 16. Invitations have been mailed to pastors and other ministry workers at their churches.

The day’s activities will begin with a breakfast for the pastors from 8:00-9:00 a.m., with Pastor Mat Mouliert of Crossroads Fellowship in Pleasantville as the featured speaker. After breakfast, the pastors and ministry leaders will attend our student-led All-School Chapel from  9:00-10:00 a.m. in the gym, where students will show their appreciation for their pastors through choral, instrumental, and oral presentations.

Group photos of pastors with their students will be taken following the chapel.

We are asking pastors to please RSVP online by February 13 to: HTTPS://acseht.org/PASTOR or CLICK HERE to RSVP.  Please contact ACS Event Coordinator Christian Delacruz with any questions at 609-653-1199, ext. 302 or to cdelacruz@acseht.org.

Some 20 South Jersey Restaurants to Compete in 10th Bowls of Hope Soup Cook-Off Benefit on Feb. 4

Some 20 South Jersey restaurants will be competing in Atlantic Christian School’s exciting Bowls of Hope Soup Cook-Off Benefit on Saturday, February 4 from 6-8 p.m. at its campus on 391 Zion Road in Egg Harbor Township.

“We’re looking forward to tasting a wide variety of delicious soups that will be part of our cook-off, and getting the opportunity to vote for our favorite soup to receive the People’s Choice Golden Spoon Award,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. Chef Joseph Massaglia, chef owner of Mama Mia’s Ristorante in Marmora, will also be the Celebrity Cook-Off judge who will select one restaurant to receive the “Super Soup Chef’s Award.”

All proceeds from the Soup Cook-Off from ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations will benefit the educational programs of Atlantic Christian School and the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at: ACSEHT.ORG/BOWLSOFHOPE.  Beverages, bread, and dessert are included in the ticket price — $20 for adults, $10 for students, and $5 for children 6 to 10 years of age, 5 and under are free.  CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.

ACS is also conducting a Bowls of Hope Food Drive to benefit the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Southern Branch, and those attending the Cook-Off are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate. A Student Talent Show will also be held during the evening.

To date, 19 restaurants and chefs have registered to compete in the cook-off and there are just a couple spots left. The restaurants signed up to participate as of January 25 are: the Atlantic City Rescue Mission Kitchen, B.F. Mazzeo; Carluccio’s, Charlie’s Bar & Restaurant, The Cheese Board, Chick-fil-A Fire Road, Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar, Jing Sushi House, Juliano’s Pub & Grill, La Tia Peruvian Cuisine, Maharaja Indian Restaurant, Mia’s Café, Root Cellar Tavern, Sal’s Cafe Coal Fired Pizza, Sana & Sadia’s Mediterranean Bistro, Sofia Restaurant, Stir It Up Catering, Towne & Country Café, and Windjammer Café-Bar-Grille.

Eleven local businesses are supporting the Cook-Off Benefit as Bowls of Hope Event Sponsors: 3’R Premium Cleaning Service; American Church Group of NJ; B.F. Mazzeo; Chick-fil-A Fire Road; Clayton’s Self Storage; Formica Freitag Bakery; Fortress Financial; HS Restoration & Cleaning Service; Olympic Physical Therapy; ServPro of Egg Harbor & Ventnor City; and Texas Roadhouse.

For more information, please call 609-653-1199, ext. 302 or send an email to Event Coordinator Christian Delacruz at cdelacruz@acseht.org.