Post Tagged with: "South Jersey"

ACS Wins Best of the Press 2022 Awards in Three Categories

We’re in the Winner’s Circle! Atlantic Christian School was a big winner in the Press of Atlantic City’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards, placing in three categories — for Best Child Daycare Center, Best Summer Camp, and Best Place to Work. The award winners were announced on Sunday, November 6 and published in a special pull-out section in The Press of Atlantic City.

Our summer Cougar Camp and our Early Education Center both received 2nd place Silver Medals and ACS received a 3rd place Bronze Medal in the category of “Best Place to Work.”

Thank you to our ACS families and the many friends in our community who voted online in two rounds of the contest from July-September. Our desire is to honor God in everything we do as we serve our students, our school families, and our local community.

This past summer, children entering grades 1 to 7 enjoyed a 9-week Cougar Camp program that included field trips to the Cape May Zoo, King Pin Bowling, Estell Manor Park, and other fun and educational destinations, water foam fun, STEM activities, swimming at the lake at Sleepy Hollow Family Campground, working in the school garden, sports, Bible stories and worship, and much more. We’re very proud of our Cougar Camp staff, led by faculty member Eric Tardif, and our Early Education teachers and aides, led by Early Ed Director and Elementary Principal Gail Alford, for their dedication and love for each of the students who are in these programs.

CLICK HERE to read the online article on the awards in the Press of Atlantic City.

Varsity Soccer Teams Lose Matches in TSCAC Finals Tournament; Ten Players Named Conference All-Stars

The ACS Varsity Soccer Teams fought hard in the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference Finals Tournament on Saturday, November 5, but victory slipped out of their grasp. The Varsity Boys lost a hard-fought match to King’s Christian School in the Boys’ Championship game and the Varsity Girls lost to Calvary Academy in the Girls’ Consolation Game. At the end of the tournament, which was held at Cairn University, 10 ACS Varsity players were named TSCAC All-Stars and played in the November 8 All-Star Game.

In the Varsity Boys’ Championship Final against King’s Christian School, the game ended in a tie of 2-2, with goals scored by Chase Leach and Malachi Vasquez. The game then went into double overtime, with both teams still tied. King’s Christian won in penalty kicks 4-2. In the regular season, King’s Christian and ACS had finished in first place and 2nd place consecutively.

In the Varsity Girls’ Consolation game, ACS lost to Calvary Academy 6-3. Paige Noble, Kennedy Vasquez, and Eden Wilson scored for the Lady Cougars. The Lady Cougars had finished in 3rd place in the regular season.

Congratulations to the players who were named TSCAC Soccer All-Stars. The Varsity Girls’ All-Stars were: Maddie DeNick, Paige Noble, Alicia O’Donnell, and Eden Wilson (1st team) and Reyna Lewis (2nd team). The Varsity Boys’ All-Stars were: Moges Johnson, David O’Donnell, and Malachi Vasquez (1st team) and Jake DeNick and Manny Johnson (2nd team).

Athletic Director Pam Hitchner said each of the players who were named All-Stars gave 100% on the field and were key players in leading both teams to this year’s TSCAC soccer finals. This was the second consecutive year that the Varsity Boys’ team had advanced to play in the TSCAC Championship game.

“We had a memorable season and we’re proud of the exemplary sportsmanship that our Cougars showed both on and off the field,” Hitchner said.  “We’re also very grateful to our head coaches, Chris Lopez and Carly Witherow — for their hard work and dedication.”

Winter Sports Season for Basketball and Cheer Teams Ready to Launch

An exciting winter sports season is ready to launch for our basketball and cheer teams, with the first Varsity basketball games scheduled for December 5 and 7 and the teams participating once again in the Del-Co Basketball Tournament in Pennsylvania on December 9 and 10. The ACS Cheer Team is looking forward to cheering at the first home games on December 13 against Cape May Tech.

Middle School basketball tryouts will be held on Monday, November 28, with the Middle School Boys’ team opening its season competing in the Dixie Howell Tournament in Ocean City on December 9. The game schedules for middle school and high school are accessible from the ACS app and on the ACS website under the “Athletics” tab and will be updated regularly as needed.

“There is a lot of enthusiasm for our winter sports and we are looking forward to a competitive season for all of our teams,” said Athletic Director Pam Hitchner. “We are pleased to welcome back a strong Varsity coaching staff that has invested a number of years into building programs that emphasize the fundamentals and produce teams that are exciting to watch. We hope to see lots of school families, alumni, and friends filling our bleachers again this year.”

Varsity Basketball

The Varsity Boys’ Basketball Team will be under head coach Drew Carney, assisted by Dan Carney. Under this coaching duo, the team has won three consecutive Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference Championships. The 17 members of the 2022 team are: Robby Barberio, Charlie Costello, Judah Dawkins, Jake DeNick, Noah Gibbs, Sam Glancey, AJ Gomez-Rugoff, Caden Kim, Sam Kirchoff, Josh Merlino, Evan Pearson, Jayden Sanchez, Adam Schlundt, Noah Stokes, Jericho Thomas, Malachi Vasquez, and Caleb Vogel.

The Varsity Girls’ Basketball Team will be led by head coach and ACS alumnus Kaylee Breunig (’12), in her 6th year as head coach, and assistant coach Dara Kimmerley. The 14 members of the 2022 team are: Daniella Ajayi, Isabell Alford, Alexis Andujar, Sophia Costello, Maddie DeNick, Gianna Flynn, Becca Kelley, Evangelina Kim, Reyna Lewis, Ava Nixon, Paige Noble, Skylar Shivers, Taylor Sutton, and Kennedy Vasquez.

Both teams will play American Christian School away in the first games of the season on December 5, traveling to Succasunna, NJ. On December 7, the Varsity Girls’ team will travel to Burlington, NJ to play the Doane Academy on December 7.  On December 9-10, both ACS teams will compete in the Del-Co Tournament, hosted by Delaware County Christian School in Newtown Square, PA. The first homes games will be on December 13, when ACS will face off in a non-conference game against Cape May Tech, with the Varsity Girls’ game starting at 4 p.m. and the Varsity Boys’ Game tipping off at 5:30 p.m.

Cheer

Twenty-two middle school and high school students are part of this year’s cheerleading squad, under head coach Morgan Gibson, assisted by Michelle Wheeler. Team tryouts were held in early September and the squad has been practicing weekly since that time. Practices will increase to four times a week in mid-December. The team will cheer at select home and away games and is preparing to compete in three upcoming ImpACT Cheer and Dance Competitions from January to March.

“We’re very excited about taking our Cheer Team to the next level and competing in a different division this year,” Gibson said. The Cheer Team achieved national recognition in the spring of 2022 after competing in several meets and being named the national grand champion in The ONE Finals School Cheer Division, Junior High Intermediate Level.

Gibson said the squad has been busy this fall leading several fundraisers to help cover the costs of competition entry fees, uniforms, cheer training equipment, and more.  The squad has raised some $5,000 toward their $15,000 goal by selling wristbands in October to Playland’s Castaway Cove and selling Spiritwear, s’mores kits, and doing face painting at Homecoming and the Under the Lights home soccer game on October 21.

The members of the cheer squad are: Ashlee Alford, Ava Barberio (captain), Annalena DiMaio, Rebecca DiMaio (captain), April Eaves, Mackenzie Flynn (captain), Makenzie Fresh, Kylie Jackson, Raslyn Jacoby, Emily Johnson, Grace Johnson, Abigail Kelley, Ava Lombardi, Autumn Loo, Kiara Loo, Tara Mccorkle, Madeline Neill, Solia Pecou, Chelsie Richards, Haven Sanchez (captain), Makayla Tomlinson, and Taylor Vola.

Boy Scout Troop 389 Tours Washington, DC, Lays Wreath at Arlington Cemetery’s Tomb of Unknown Soldier

Fifteen scouts in Boy Scout Troop 389, chartered by Atlantic Christian School, went on a two-day tour of Washington, DC in mid-October and had the special honor of presenting a memorial wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery.

The trip from October 22-23 was organized by Scoutmaster Mike Jorgenson and Assistant Scoutmaster Mike Capito, both ACS parents, who saw the tour as an opportunity for the scouts to fulfill many of the requirements to earn their Citizenship in the Nation badge. But the trip was about much more than earning a badge. “Everywhere we went, the scouts were seeing and learning about important events in our country’s history that they only knew about in an abstract way, and now it was becoming more real,” Capito said.

Jorgenson said the Troop is very grateful to the American Legion Post 469 in Longport for making a donation to help underwrite the cost of the trip and make it affordable for every scout.

Both Jorgenson and Capito said one highlight of the trip was participating in a wreath presentation ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery. Four scouts — Blake Botbyl, Logan Campsmith, Hunter Jorgenson, and Cameron Riordan — participated in the ceremony in the afternoon of October 23, right after the hourly changing of the guard. The rest of the scouts also participated by standing in columns on the steps as the wreath was carried to the front of the Tomb. A ribbon on the wreath recognized Troop 389 and American Legion Post 469.

“All of us felt so honored to be part of this solemn and reverent ceremony,” Jorgenson said. “It’s hard to put into words the emotions we felt in that moment.” After the ceremony, the scouts visited the graves of two members of the military who were interred there who had a personal connection to scouts in the troop.

Another highlight of the trip was the scout’s tour of the National Archives, where they saw historic documents including the Bill of Rights, Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and the Magna Carta. “For many of us, this was the first time we were seeing these documents, which were so important to the founding of our country, in their original form and it was a really memorable experience,” Jorgenson said.

In addition to visiting Arlington Cemetery and the National Archives, the scouts’ itinerary included touring the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, and a number of national monuments, including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam War Monument, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument.

“Even though we did a lot of walking during the trip, everyone loved the experience and they all want to go back and do it again,” said Jorgenson, who had been planning since 2019 to take the Troop to DC, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic had to delay those plans.

Boy Scout Troop 389 and Cub Scout Pack 389 were established in 2004 and meet at ACS on Monday nights.  Cub Scouts is for boys from the 1st -5th grades and Boy Scouts is for boys from 6th grade until their 18th birthday.

 

 

 

1st Grade Students Decorate Pumpkins to Look Like Storybook Characters

Olaf, Belle, Arthur, dinosaurs, and narwhals took on a new form as the 20 students in Ms. McCartney’s 1st grade class found ways to decorate pumpkins to look like these and other favorite characters for a recent book report project. The whimsical pumpkins have been on display in the hallway outside their classroom for several weeks in November.

The pumpkins came from the ACS pumpkin patch on Harvest Day, which students took home on October 28. For the book report project, McCartney asked each student to select a book to read at home, choose a favorite character from the book, and then decorate their pumpkin to look like that character.

“We’ve been learning about characters in stories and this project was a fun and creative way to reinforce the subject,” McCartney said. “They could paint or attach any decorations they wanted, but they were asked not to carve the pumpkin.” The students presented their book reports and pumpkins to their classmates on November 4.

“Everyone did a good job and put a lot of creative effort into their decorating,” McCartney said. Some of the books the students read included “The Three Little Pigs,” “Charlotte’s Web,” Berenstain Bear’s “Report Card Trouble,” “The Wonky Donkey,” “Froggy Picks a Pumpkin,” and “Olaf Waits for Spring.”

High School Students Learn about Injections in Practical Health and Medicine Class

High school students in Mrs. Melody’s “Practical Health and Medicine” class recently learned about the different types of injections used in health care during a skills lab on October 24. The class is part of a high school concentration on Health and Medicine.
Melody invited ACS parent and nurse Justyna Montemurro to lead the skills lab. Montemurro is a maternity and delivery nurse at Inspira Medical Center in Vineland.
The students were able to use different needles and practice doing three types of injections on oranges. They also learned how to start an IV line on a patient.
“It’s very valuable for our students to have hands-on experience putting into practice what we have been learning in class,” Melody said. “The students enjoyed it a lot and it further confirmed to them their interest in the medical field.”
The students who are part of the year-long class, which meets five days a week, are Daniella Ajayi, Tommy Ellison, Noelle Thompson, and Kennedy Vasquez.

Seussical JR. Musical — Buy Your Tickets for Nov. 18, 19 Shows; Set Design, Costumes Bring Whoville to Life

Tickets are selling fast for our exciting production of the musical, Seussical JR., to be presented in three shows on Friday, November 18 and Saturday, November 19. Colorful and creative scenery and fantastical costumes of Dr. Seuss-themed characters will bring Whoville and its many charming creatures to life.

Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for general admission and can be purchased online at acseht.org/drama or at the door. Seating will be first-come, first-served. The November 18 show is at 7 p.m. and on November 19 there are two shows — at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

“A talented group of volunteers — including ACS teachers, staff, students, and parents — have been working hard since the first week of October to create the colorful and dynamic scenery and costumes for this show,” said Director Genevieve Huff, who is also an ACS 3rd grade teacher. “The audience will feel like they’re walking into a Dr. Seuss storybook and we’re so grateful for the countless hours that our volunteers have spent to make this show visually spectacular.”

ACS Art Teacher Sherry Mirakian has headed up a team of some 25 volunteers who have focused on the scenery — creating and painting the backdrop, the Pill-Berry Bush, glow-in-the-dark fish, and other props for the show. The student Set Design Club has worked diligently on Thursdays during school and additional volunteers have served after school and in the evenings for the past two weeks.

ACS Computer Teacher Rhapsody Hahn-Chaney and Instructional Specialist Bethany Kiefer have been focusing on costumes. Hahn-Chaney, who majored in fashion design in college and worked for several years at fashion houses in Manhattan, made the costumes for the six Bird Girls and the lead characters of Maizy LaBird and Gertrude McFuzz, and made the ears and tails for the six monkey-like creatures known as the Wickersham Brothers.

“We have so many talented faculty and staff members who have given of their time and talents to make this show really memorable,” Huff said. “It’s been a blessing to work with them.”

Some of  the individuals involved in set design and scenery include: Ava Aragon-Franks, Stephanie Ballester, Kendall Bouchard, Gabe Capito, Sophia Capito, Caelyn Domsic, Aine Dorsey, Noriko Dorsey, Gabrielle Franks, Keira Frontino, Gabriella Goodwin, Autumn Henson, Victoria Hines, Mark Huff, Gracie Leon, Malena Meyer, Raquel Mitchell, Bryce Mooney, Aryana Mossbrook, Rowlee Murphy, Iannair Ramirez, Sophia Rose, Isabella Saad, Patti Scardilli, Ben Smith, Gianna Ulerio, and Taylor Vola.

Individuals who volunteered as costume helpers include Stephanie Ballester, Caeli Barbour, Brittany Correa, Ashley Gonzalez, Malena Meyer, Jenny Riveros, and Rowynn Shevlin.

 

 

 

ACS Honors, Thanks Area Veterans With Special Breakfast, Chapel on November 3

ACS honored and thanked some 40 area veterans for their service and sacrifice at a special breakfast and chapel on November 3. Student Council officers welcomed and joined the veterans for breakfast, spending time in conversation learning about their experiences serving in the military. Special hand-made thank-you cards made by students were also presented to the veterans during the breakfast.

After breakfast, several hundred students from the 1st-8th grades filled the gym for the Veterans Appreciation Chapel, which was also livestreamed to the kindergarten and high school classrooms. Upper School Principal Meg McHale opened the chapel with prayer. Members of the ACS Boy Scout Troop 389 then presented the colors and 12th grader and Eagle Scout Hunter Jorgenson led everyone in the salute to the American flag.

Students had the opportunity to demonstrate their patriotism by performing a variety of musical numbers.  The Middle School Band, directed by faculty member Tim Rosie, performed “God Bless America,” the PreK4 students sang “The Lord’s Army,” and the 1st grade students sang “America the Beautiful,” directed by faculty member Julie Zimmer.

8th grader Rowynn Shevlin was invited to the podium to share her essay that thanked veterans for the important sacrifices that they make to defend our freedoms. Her essay was chosen out of more than a dozen that were written by 7th and 8th grade students as an extra credit class assignment.  In her essay, Shevlin described veterans as “honorable people who too often have gone through mental and physical strain to make America what it is today.” Shevlin continued — “Your strength and courage are something to be celebrated at least one day a year, if not more.”

A favorite part of the program featured the playing of an “Armed Forces Medley” video. The students cheered and clapped as each service anthem was played and the veterans from each branch stood for their anthem.

Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen introduced the keynote speaker, Lieutenant Colonel Jessica Lewis, who has served for 22 years in the U.S. Air Force. She is also a school parent and her husband, Urick Lewis, is the high school Bible teacher. Lieutenant Colonel Lewis described some of the challenges she faced while serving at Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan.  She noted that during times when the base was attacked she always felt “that God was by my side.” She noted that Proverbs 3:5-6 is her favorite Bible verse.

“We often don’t know what God’s plan is, but we have to trust that we all have a purpose,” Lewis said. She also encouraged everyone in the audience to never stop showing gratitude to those who have served and currently serve in the military.

“Our veterans deserve all our respect, and not necessarily for fighting in a war but for preventing them,” Lewis said. She then closed with the famous quote from World War II General Douglas MacArthur — “Remember that the soldier above all others prays for peace.”

The chapel program concluded with the Middle School Worship Team bringing everyone to their feet to join in singing the lively worship songs “My Jesus” and “My Father’s House.” Three 8th grade soloists were featured in the songs — Abigail Kelley, Isabella Santos, and Rowynn Shevlin.

After chapel, students from elementary to high school placed American flags outdoors along the sidewalk on Zion Road in honor of our veterans. The flags will remain in place through November 11, the national Veteran Day holiday.

 

Varsity Boys’ Soccer Team to Play in TSCAC Championship Game Saturday, Varsity Girls to Play in Consolation Game

We’re in the Championship Game! Our Varsity Boys’ Soccer Team is headed to the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference Championship Match on Saturday, November 5 and will face King’s Christian School for the Championship Title. The TSCAC Finals are being held at Cairn University in Langhorne, PA. The start time for the Varsity Boys’ Final Match is 4 p.m. Come on out and cheer our Cougars to victory!

The ACS Varsity Boys’ team, seeded #2 at the end of the regular season, won 4-3 in an exciting, hard-fought semi-final playoff match at home against The Pilgrim Academy on Thursday to advance to the Championship Game. This is the second year in a row that the ACS Varsity Boys’ team has advanced to play in the Championship Game.

The #3-seeded Varsity Girls’ team lost their semi-final game to #2-seeded Gloucester County Christian School and will play in the consolation game against Calvary Academy at Cairn University starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Three players on the Varsity Boys’ team scored in Thursday’s semi-final playoff game versus The Pilgrim Academy. From left: Manny Johnson (1 goal), James Papanikolaou (2 goals), and David O’Donnell (1 goal). Goalie Jake DeNick, far right, had 6 saves.

The Varsity Boys’ team, under head coach Chris Lopez, finished the regular season in second place with a 8-2 record in the conference, and overall record of 12-6. In Thursday’s semi-final playoff game against The Pilgrim Academy, three players scored for ACS — 10th grader James Papanikolaou, 2 goals; 11th grader Manny Johnson, 1 goal; and 9th grader David O’Donnell, 1 goal. 12th grade goalie Jake DeNick had six saves. 12th grader Tommy Ellison had two assists and 11th grader Manny Johnson and 10th grader Chase Leach each had one assist.

The Varsity Girls’ team, under head coach Carly Witherow, finished in third place in the regular season with a 7-3 record in the conference, and a 10-4 record overall. In Thursday’s semi-final playoff game, 12th grader Eden Wilson scored the one goal for ACS.

Admission to the games will be $2 per student, $3 per adult, and $10 max per family. Cairn University is located at 200 Manor Avenue in Langhorne, PA.

 

 

 

 

 

Seussical, JR. Musical Two Weeks Away; Purchase Ads, Boosters for Playbill by Monday, Nov. 7

Opening night of our exciting production of the Seussical, JR. musical is just two weeks away — on Friday, November 18. The deadline to place an ad or booster in the show’s playbill has been extended to this coming Monday, November 7.  Tickets are also on sale for all three performances. Don’t miss this opportunity to support a show that is sure to be a big hit and will put a smile on your face.

CLICK HERE to purchase ads, boosters, and tickets online.  Ticket prices are $8 for students and $10 for general admission and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. There are three performances — on Friday, November 18 at 7 p.m. and on Saturday, November 19 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Set construction is underway, led once again by ACS parent and former student Mark Huff, assisted by ACS parent Mike Capito. ACS parent Tony Boules and Travis Shafer, who are owners of Architectural Master Builders based in Parsippany, NJ, have also offered assistance.

Students and teachers have created bulletin boards to promote the musical. A bulletin board outside the library features Horton the Elephant, one of the characters in the musical, sharing an encouraging message — “A person’s a person no matter how small.” Another bulletin board features the photos of the 45 members of the cast, with their names and the parts they will play in the show.

 

12th Grader Jake DeNick Organizes “Operation Christmas Child” Initiative as Senior Project

ACS 12th grader Jake DeNick is leading a special school-wide initiative to encourage teachers and students to participate in “Operation Christmas Child” by filling shoeboxes with gifts for children that will be distributed around the world during the Christmas season by the ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. Jake has chosen this initiative to be his Senior Project as part of a year-long Senior Project Class and the deadline is November 14 to have all the shoeboxes filled and ready to ship to Samaritan’s Purse.

“I’ve been participating in Operation Christmas Child for many years with my church and I’ve always enjoyed doing it,” Jake said. “I wanted to give the school community the chance to do it with me.”

During the week of October 24, Jake made presentations at several teacher meetings about his project and brought 50 shoeboxes to hand out to teachers interested in doing the project with their students. By the end of the week, Jake had given out all 50 shoeboxes and had to get more, something he did not anticipate.

Mrs. Myers’ 3rd grade class is one of a number of classes who participating and they have filled up not just one, but two shoeboxes, one for a girl and one for a boy. A number of faculty and staff members are also filling up their own shoeboxes. Participants are also donating $10 per shoebox to cover the cost of shipping each box to Samaritan’s Purse.

“It’s an opportunity for children in foreign countries to have a Christmas who don’t normally get to have a Christmas, while also getting to learn about the Bible,” Jake said.  A shoebox sponsor has the opportunity to choose if the box is for a boy or girl and choose the age range, either 2-4 years old, 5-9 years, or 10-14 years old. The sponsor then fills the shoebox with their choice of toys, school supplies, and personal care items, and when Samaritan’s Purse distributes them to the children they also take the opportunity to share the Gospel.

Jake’s Senior Project class is facilitated by faculty member Daniel Vasquez. Other seniors are working a variety of Senior Projects, all with a community service focus and utilizing their individual gifts and talents.  Part of each project also includes writing a letter of intent, writing a research or reflection paper, and doing an oral presentation to the class.

ACS Students Competing in ACUA Recycled Art Contest

ACS high school students are competing in the 8th annual Recycled Art Contest sponsored by the Atlantic County Utilities Authority with unique artwork they created in October out of recyclable materials. The artwork will be on display at the ACUA’s America Recycles Day Event on November 19 and contest winners will be announced at the event.

Eight students created the artwork in Mrs. Mirakian’s Art Workshop class, a semester-long class that meets four days a week. The art pieces, which were entered in the 14- to 18-year-old category in the contest, were completed on October 19 and then taken to the Atlantic County Library in Egg Harbor Township, where they were on display through October 31.

The students who are competing in the contest are: Eddie Ireland, Lauren Kent, Alli Lushina, Evan Pearson, Alli Schlundt, Noelle Thompson, Eden Wilson, and Eve Wilson.

Some of the recyclable materials the students chose to create their artwork included aluminum cans, bottle caps, buttons, cardboard, cork, egg cartons, newspaper, plastic bottles, puzzle pieces, straws, wire, and yarn.

 

 

Instrument Donations Bless ACS Band Program

The ACS Band Program has been blessed with donations of fifteen instruments this fall.  A number of the newly-donated instruments were being played this week by 4th grade students in Elementary Band class as they were rehearsing for their upcoming performance at the “One Christmas Night” event on December 2.

“With continued growth in the school’s enrollment this year, more students are in band, creating a need for additional instruments,” said Tim Rosie, Director of Choral and Instrumental Music. “We’re very grateful for these donations that make it possible to put an instrument in the hands of every band student.” Rosie noted that all students in the 4th and 5th grades are in the Elementary Band, and that band class is also offered to students in middle school and high school.

Rosie said the donated instruments include — one drum set, two electronic keyboards, one snare kit, one tenor saxophone, three trumpets, two trombones, one viola, three violins, one xylophone, and six instrument cases.

“We are always in need of instruments, so please consider donating an instrument to ACS, whether it’s a gently used instrument or if you are considering buying a new instrument to donate,” Rosie said.

Ten of the instruments came from Musicopia, a nonprofit based in Philadelphia that receives donations of used instruments, refurbishes them, and then donates them to schools in the region. Thank you also to a number of individuals who donated instruments and instrument cases, including Evelyn Altier, Kelly Flynn, Jay Harris, Gretchen Murphy, and Chaz Wyckoff.

 

Athletes, Family Members Honored at Varsity Soccer Senior Day on Oct. 25

ACS honored 13 seniors on the Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer teams and their family members in a special ceremony on October 25. Six senior players on the Varsity Girls’ team were honored — Maddie DeNick, Reyna Lewis, Alli Lushina, Paige Noble, Alli Schlundt, and Eden Wilson — and manager Daniella Ajayi. Six senior players on the Varsity Boys’ team were honored — Robby Barberio, Jake DeNick, Tommy Ellison, Sam Glancey, Moges Johnson, and Cruz Lewis.

Eden Wilson

Athletic Director Pam Hitchner introduced the team members and read notes of special thanks to each senior. Each player escorted their parents or other family members across the Varsity Boys’ Soccer field, with their fellow players lined up on either side of their pathway, cheering and applauding as they walked by.

The ceremony was held prior to the start of home games against Cumberland Christian School. The Varsity Girls won 10-0 and the Varsity Boys won 5-0.

“We’re so proud of the commitment and leadership that our seniors have given during their high school careers and the important contributions they have made to the success of both teams this season,” Hitchner said. “We’re going to miss them a lot next year.”  Hitchner also thanked the parents and other family members for their encouragement and support.

 

Join Us for Grandparent Appreciation Day – Wednesday, Nov. 23

We love our grandparents! Join us on Wednesday, November 23 as our students show their love and appreciation to the special grandparents in their lives. Activities will include a student-led Appreciation Chapel and classroom visits. Invitations were mailed to grandparents on November 4. To enable our staff and teachers to plan for the event, we are asking that grandparents please RSVP by Monday, November 21 to let us know that they will be attending.

The schedule of the day’s activities can been found on the flyer below.

CLICK HERE to RSVP online or send an email to: cdelacruz@acseht.org

 

 

 

 

 

ACS Varsity Teams Head Into Soccer Playoff Week, Middle School Boys’ Team Clinches League Championship

ACS athletes got fired up for Soccer Playoff Games this week as students and staff wore green-and-white and cheered for them at middle school and high school Pep Rallies on October 31. The Middle School Boys’ Soccer Team played and beat Pilgrim Academy on November 1 to become this year’s 1st place champions in the Atlantic Cape Junior High League. The Varsity Girls’ Soccer Team handily beat Cumberland Christian 11-0 at home on November 1 in a Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference quarter-final playoff game. The ACS Varsity Boys’ Soccer Team, which finished the regular season in 2nd place, will play Thursday at home at 2 p.m. against Pilgrim Academy in a semi-final TSCAC playoff game.

The Varsity Girls’ Soccer Team now advances to the TSCAC semi-finals and will play away on Thursday against Gloucester County Christian School, start time at 2:30 p.m. The Middle School Boys savored their victory on Tuesday, after going into the game tied for 1st place with Pilgrim Academy. Both teams had a record of 9 wins and 3 ties.

At Monday’s Pep Rallies, athletes competed in two skills contests to win Wawa Gift Cards and played several short scrimmages. Winners in the soccer ball juggling contest were: 11th graders Alicia O’Donnell and Manny Johnson and 8th graders Jason Kelley and Ashlee Alford. Three Varsity Boys’ Soccer players were also winners in the 50-yard kick to go over the goal line in the air — Noah Gibbs, Manny Johnson, and James Papanikolaou. Come on out to this week’s games and let’s cheer our Cougars on to victory!

 

Save the Date — One Christmas Night Festival — Friday, Dec. 2

Our popular “One Christmas Night” festival for ACS students, staff, and their families is one month away — on Friday, December 2 — from 5:00-8:30 p.m. Mark your calendar to attend this special event to celebrate the joy and hope of Christmas — with fun indoor and outdoor activities for children and adults, craft and food vendors, and musical performances by our students.

Tickets are not required to attend the event, but will be needed for eight different activities, including inflatables, the hayride, the pony ride, a petting zoo, face painting, and Christmas crafts. New activities this year include a balloon twister, a magic show, and a Christmas Bazaar with vendors selling Christmas crafts and other holiday items.

Tickets can be purchased in the school office or at the event. Tickets options are $2 per ticket and $14 for a pack of 8 tickets.

Anyone interested in being a vendor in the Christmas Bazaar must register online and reserve a space for $15. A maximum of 22 vendors can participate in the Bazaar and selection of vendors will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Please CLICK HERE to register to be a vendor.

The Elementary Band, Upper School Band, and Middle School and High School Worship Teams will be performing Christmas music throughout the evening at various locations. Other free activities to enjoy at the event will include a live nativity,  fire pits and s’mores, and Christmas movies. There will also be several food trucks.

“We invite all of our parents, students, and staff to come out to celebrate the birth of our Savior and participate in the many fun activities we have planned,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “Last year, about 1,000 people attended and we expect even more this year.  It’s a great way to kick off the Christmas season.”

Red Cross Blood Drive at ACS — Wednesday, Nov. 30 — Register to Donate

Give the gift of blood and help save a life. Make an appointment to donate blood at the American Red Cross Blood Drive at ACS on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 from 3:30-8:30 p.m.  Our goal is to collect 30 or more donations. Donors will receive a $10 Amazon gift card.

If you are an eligible type O, B – or A – donor, consider making a Power Red donation. Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused blood type.

All donors will have their temperature checked prior to admittance to the blood drive. ACS has hosted American Red Cross blood drives since 2008 to help meet the urgent needs of patients at hospitals in our community.

CLICK HERE to make an appointment to donate blood on the Red Cross website — RedCrossBlood.org — and enter the sponsor code “atlanticchristiansch” OR call 1-800-RED CROSS. The zip code for ACS is 08234. You can also scan the QR Code on the flyer image below to make an appointment on the Red Cross website. A donor must be 16 years of age or older.

Alumni, Students, Families Celebrate Homecoming 2022

Alumni, students, and their families gathered at the ACS campus on Saturday, October 15 for Homecoming 2022, which featured a co-ed Alumni Soccer Game, the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen and presentation of their court, and the Varsity Soccer Teams playing King’s Christian School and winning both games. ACS middle school and high school cross country club members also competed against King’s Christian in races on the ACS campus and took first place in all categories.

The 2022 Homecoming Court was presented between the Varsity Girls’ and Boys’ Soccer Games— Homecoming King Moges Johnson, Homecoming Queen Maddie DeNick, Homecoming Princesses Reyna Lewis and Paige Noble, and Homecoming Princes Sam Glancey and Cruz Lewis. The King and Queen waved to the crowd and shot confetti into the air as they took the traditional ride around the track in a converted jeep, driven by school parents Michael and Kelly Flynn. The ACS Cheer Team marched in front of the jeep as they cheered for the King and Queen.

Two new large ACS Spirit Flags were unveiled at Homecoming — one with the Cougar mascot image and the other with the letters ACS — that were waved throughout the day during the soccer games to get the hundreds of fans fired up.

The Homecoming events began in the morning with a 3-mile cross country race for high school students and a 1.5-mile race for middle school students. Eighteen ACS students are part of the cross country club that meets weekly on Wednesdays to practice and prepare for races, coached by ACS faculty member Joshua Clark. Twelve club members ran in the Homecoming Races, with 10th grader Jayden Sanchez finishing in first place overall and among the high school boys, with a time of 19.18. 6th grader Caleb Wilson won first place for the middle school boys and 8th grader Kalee Tardif won first place for the middle school girls.  No high school girls competed in the race.

The second event of the day was a co-ed Alumni Soccer game. Wearing jerseys representing the school colors, the Green Team beat the White Team 6-1.  For the Green Team, the alumni who participated were Kaylee Breunig (’12), Ben Chapman (’13), Andrew Gregas (’13), Carly Harper Witherow (’08), DJ Hitchner (’17), Carl Phillips (’17), Jon Picking (’13), Rachel Picking (’11), and Dan Vogel (’13). Alumni playing on the White Team were: Ang Eggie (’22), Shelby Einwechter (’21), Cole Lewis (’22), Jacob Rosie (’21), Chloe Vogel (’21), and former student Luke Phillips. ACS soccer team coaches also played in the game.  Dozens of alumni, alumni parents, and school families cheered for their favorite teams from the sidelines.

The Varsity Girls’ Team, under head coach Carly Witherow, faced off against King’s Christian in the afternoon, winning 2-1, and bringing the team’s win-loss record to 8-2. 11th grader Alicia O’Donnell scored the first goal, assisted by 10th grader Isabell Alford. 12th grader Paige Noble scored the second goal, assisted by O’Donnell, and 10th grade goalie Taylor Sutton has 13 saves.

The Varsity Boys’ game against King’s Christian was the final Homecoming event. The team, under head coach Chris Lopez, beat King’s Christian 2-0, bringing the team’s record to 8-5. Scoring for ACS were 10th grader James Papanikolau and 11th grader Malachi Vasquez, with 9th grader David O’Donnell having both assists. Senior goalie Jake DeNick had seven saves.

Throughout the day, students, alumni, and their families enjoyed a variety of activities including ga-ga ball, volleyball, and face painting, and there were plenty of tasty cheeseburgers and snacks serve up by ACS parent volunteers.

Race for Education One Week Away — Still Time for Students to Ask Family, Friends to Sponsor Them to Reach our $40,000 Goal

The Race for Education is just one week away — on Friday, October 28 — and sponsor donations and pledges are now close to $25,000. There is plenty of time left for students from PreK2 to the 8th grade to ask family members and friends to sponsor them in the Race. We’re getting closer to our goal of $40,000, so please keep emailing and calling family, friends, and local businesses to ask them to be a Race Sponsor.

Event Coordinator Christian Delacruz has been visiting classrooms around the school campus to present dozens of green-and-white Race for Ed Sponsor Sneakers to students who have raised $50 or more from a sponsor. The sneakers are on display on a bulletin board in the Multi-Purpose Room hallway. There is still room for more sneakers — so let’s keep reaching out to prospective sponsors. All proceeds will go into the ACS Annual Fund to support our educational programs in this school year.

There are also some great student and class prizes for those who raise the most money in sponsor donations, including a fun class outing to the Atlantic City Aquarium, Get Air Trampoline Park, and Storybook Land, an individual  season pass to Ocean City Water Park or Storybook Land, pizza and ice cream parties, Five Below Gift Cards, and Dress Down Day passes.

Giving to the Race for Education is easy — just visit our Race website — www.race4ed.com/acs/

Sponsors can give any amount, but if they donate $50 or more, the student they are sponsoring will receive a special Race sneaker sign with the sponsor’s name and the name of the student they are sponsoring. Donors can also be a “Classroom Sponsor” (for a gift of $200) or an “Event Sponsor” (for a gift of $400). Individual yard signs with the names/logos of Classroom and Event sponsors will be placed around the edge of the track on Race Day to encourage all of our runners. In addition, the names/logos of our “Event Sponsors” will go on a banner hung at the school for the week prior to and on Race Day.

CLICK HERE to go to the Race donation website to make a gift.

Volunteers Needed on Friday, Oct. 28 — for Race for Education and Harvest Day

ACS is holding two big events in one day — the Race for Education and Harvest Day — on Friday, October 28, and volunteers are needed to help make both events run smoothly. Parents and other family members can register online to volunteer and a flyer with sign-up information was sent home with PreK-8th grade students this week. Please join us in making this day a memorable one for our students.

Harvest Day is for preschool and elementary students who, in addition to running in the Race for Education, have the opportunity to visit different activity stations throughout the day and also go a wagon ride and pick and decorate pumpkins.

Event Coordinator Christian Delacruz said volunteers are asked to sign up for one hour to serve in a variety of ways, including set up, serving as a Race lap counter, and being a monitor at the arts and crafts station, ga-ga ball, an inflatable bounce house, and the snack station. Volunteers interested in taking photographs of the Race and Harvest Day activities are also welcome to sign up. Volunteers can sign up for more than one activity if they so choose.

“Harvest Day is a fun, fall-themed day that our students look forward to every year,” Delacruz said.  “By volunteering, parents and other family members can be a part of Harvest Day or the Race for Education and help make both events a success.”

CLICK HERE to sign up to volunteer or go to: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4ba9aa28aaf9c25-race

ACS to Hold High School Information Night on Nov. 1

ACS is holding its annual High School Information Night on Tuesday, November 1 to give interested parents and students a preview of the variety of academic courses, programs, and extra-curricular opportunities offered to students who attend high school at ACS.  Featured speakers will include Upper School Principal Meg McHale and Guidance Counselor Christina Ragland. Attendees will be able to meet various high school teachers and get a tour of the school building.  The Information Night will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and will include light refreshments.

“We encourage any family that is interested in choosing ACS for high school to attend this meeting,” McHale said. “What makes ACS a distinctive high school is that our strong academic program is Biblically integrated and every course is taught from a Christian worldview.” McHale also noted that ACS offers AP and dual-enrollment college classes and course concentrations that prepare students for careers in business, education, health and medicine, ministry, and technology.

For more information about the upcoming meeting, please contact Admissions Director Jessica Martin at 609-653-1199, ext. 314, or jmartin@acseht.org.

8th Grader Garrett Martin Wins 1st Place Among 8th Grade Competitors at North Jersey Spelling Bee, Middle School Team Places 3rd in its Division

8th grader Garrett Martin wins 1st place among 8th grade competitors at Northern New Jersey spelling bee.

Fourteen ACS 2nd-8th grade students competed in the Northern New Jersey Christian School Association Spelling Contest on October 13 and Garrett Martin took first place among all 8th graders in the contest. Garrett received a ribbon for his achievement and because of the points earned for ACS, the middle school students as a team received a plaque for 3rd place in the middle school division.

“Atlantic Christian School was represented very well at the NNJSCA spelling contest this year,” said faculty member Rhapsody Hahn-Chaney, who accompanied the students to the contest, which was held at the Abundant Life Worship Center in Nutley, New Jersey. ACS was among eight schools who competed in the event.

“Garrett was our most successful speller and his winning word was mooring,” Hahn-Chaney said.  “Our group of spelling bee participants made me very proud; they were well-behaved, showed good sportsmanship, and each of them did their best.”

ACS Spelling Bee Coordinator Jessica Martin, who has been working with the students in the weekly after-school Spelling Club, said that unlike the format of the ACS Spelling Bee held each winter, the students did not know what words would be included in the contest and were not able to study ahead for them. The contest format had students competing in a preliminary round in their specific grade levels and the top three spellers from each grade advanced to the finals.

The 14 students selected to represent ACS in the contest were the top two grade level finishers in last year’s classroom spelling bees. The students who competed were: Grisha Kagramanov and Molly Klinetob (2nd grade); Alexander Dimashi and Olivia Smith (3rd grade); Caitlin Doucett and Khaleesi Nyanankpe (4th grade); Madelyn Petrinec and Tamara Kulov (5th grade); Gaebriel Hahn-Chaney and Reese Resnick (6th grade); Nino Miranda and Matthew Coates (7th grade); and Caedyn Hahn-Chaney and Garrett Martin (8th grade).

 

Veterans Appreciation Day — Thursday, Nov. 3

ACS will show its appreciation to our veterans at a breakfast and chapel on Thursday, November 3 in the gymnasium. ACS family members and friends who have served or currently serve in the military are welcome to attend. A flyer with information about how a veteran can RSVP to attend this special event was sent home with preschool to 8th grade students this week.

A continental breakfast for the veterans, joined by members of our Student Council, will begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by chapel at 9:15 a.m.

School families are welcome to invite a family member who is a veteran or currently serving in the military to attend. We are asking veterans to please RSVP by Monday, November 1 to: cdelacruz@acseht.org or by calling 609-653-1199, ext. 302.

Staff Spotlight — Meet Our Seven New Early Education and Elementary Teachers

ACS is pleased to welcome seven new Early Education and Elementary teachers to our school family — Heather Aspenberg, Samuel Gottschall, Dena Johnson, Olivia Leach, Holly McCrosson, Jessica Samuels, and Michelle Wheeler. Several of these teachers have previously served at ACS in different roles, including as aides, substitute teachers, summer camp staff, and coaching the cheer team. What they all share is a passion for Christian education and a desire to show love and encouragement to their students and be a light for Christ.

Faculty member Heather Aspenberg

Heather Aspenberg — Heather is our new PreK3B teacher. She first came to ACS last year to work as an Early Education Center aide and continued working over the summer in the Early Ed Summer Program. Two close family members who had previously worked at ACS encouraged her to apply — her mother-in-law, Patty Aspenberg, and her sister-in-law, Christy. Heather holds a BA in hospitality from Johnson and Wales, but after working for several years as a general manager at Sonesta in Somers Point, she decided to change direction and pursue a job in education. “I’ve been working with children since high school and really feel that’s my calling,” Heather said. Her life verse, found in 1 Peter 4:8, serves her well in her new position. “It’s easy to think negatively, but we have to love everyone, show them grace and mercy, and pray for them daily,” Heather said.  Heather and her husband, Brian, live in Egg Harbor Township and worship at Fresh Start Church. They have three children, and their son, Liam, is in the 7th grade at ACS.

Faculty member Samuel Gottschall

Samuel Gottschall — Sam is a native of Piscataway, but relocated to South Jersey some three years ago after meeting his wife, Elyse, who has deep roots in the area. His father-in-law is Kyle Huber, the lead pastor at Greentree Church in Egg Harbor Township. Sam holds an BA in music from Moody Bible Institute and a MA in elementary education from Grand Canyon University. Prior to coming to ACS, Sam was a special education aide in the Ocean City School District, and he is bringing that experience into the classroom as a new 5th grade teacher. Sam said his favorite verse is Hebrews 4:12. “This verse captures how I want to live my life,” Sam said.  “It describes the Word of God as living and active, with the ability to create real change.” Sam and Elyse live in Egg Harbor Township and co-lead the children’s ministry at Greentree Church.

Faculty member Dena Johnson

Dena Johnson — Dena has returned to the ACS faculty this year after teaching middle school and high school Spanish from 2016-2020. In her new position, Dena is teaching 5th grade grammar, spelling, writing, and Bible. “I love languages and I’m just moving from Spanish to English,” Dena said with a smile. Prior to serving at ACS, Dena taught Spanish in the Wildwood Crest K-8 school for 12 years. A Bible verse that has been especially meaningful to her in the last decade is Psalm 25:5 — “Guide me in your truth, and teach me, for you are God by Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Dena also serves in ministry at Mission Point, where she has been a preschool Sunday school teacher for 22 years. Dena and her husband, Rob, have one son, Samuel, who is in 7th grade at ACS.

Faculty member Olivia Leach

Olivia Leach — Olivia is a new 2nd grade teacher. She gained valuable experience serving at ACS over the past two years, as a substitute teacher and as a staff member for summer Cougar Camp and the Early Education Summer Program. She is a native of Boyertown, PA and holds a BS in early education and a MS in special education from Cairn University. She lives in Linwood and her brother, Chase, is an ACS 10th grader. She attends Coastal Christian and is also part of the Morning Star Fellowship worship team. Her life verse is 1 Timothy 4:12 – “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

Faculty member Holly McCrosson

Holly McCrosson — Holly is a South Jersey native who grew up in Upper Township and graduated from Ocean City High School. She has known of ACS for some years and even considered transferring to it for her senior year of high school because she wanted to grow spiritually. In 2021, she earned her BA in elementary education from Southeastern University and decided to use her time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic to earn an MA in trauma informed education from Columbia College.  As a new kindergarten teacher, Holly said a Bible verse that is meaningful to her is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. “I want people to feel God’s love when they see me, and especially the children that I have the privilege of working with this year,” Holly said. Prior to coming to ACS, she worked as a preschool teacher at Tomorrow’s World in Marmora. Her home church is Calvary Baptist Church in Dennis, but this fall she has become involved with a church plant in Pleasantville, Rise City Church, started by several alumni from Southeastern University.

Faculty member Jessica Samuels

Jessica Samuels — Jessica joins the ACS faculty as our PreK4B teacher, bringing a wealth of experience with young children. She worked for eight years as a PreK4 teacher at the Gospel of Grace Christian School, formerly located in Linwood, and has been a stay-at-home mom for the past six years with her two children, Saylor, 3, and Shiloh, 6, who started attending ACS this fall. A talented musician, Jessica loves incorporating music into the classroom. She has been a worship leader for over 17 years with Gospel of Grace Ministries in Egg Harbor Township. She also enjoys working in the ACS Early Education Center alongside her sister-in-law, PreK4A teacher Jennifer Kelley. “Christian education is a top priority for my husband, Jake, and I and originally I was planning to be a flex aide in the Early Education Center, but God had other plans and I have learned over the years that no matter what we think, God is in control,” Jessica said. A Bible verse that has been meaningful to her in the past three years is Isaiah 55:8, where the Lord declares – “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Faculty member Michelle Wheeler

Michelle Wheeler — Michelle has been an ACS parent, cheer team coach, and preschool aide, and is now excited to join the faculty as our PreK2A teacher. Michelle said she loves being part of a school where children are learning about God and His Word every day to help them follow the right path for the rest of their lives. Michelle holds an Associates degree from Wilmington University, where she was also on the Wildcats Cheer Team. Michelle and her husband, Sean, live in Mays Landing and have two children, Adrianna and Sean, who attend ACS. “My children love to pray and I’ve seen them grow so much spiritually since attending ACS,” Michelle said. She said her life verse found in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 encompasses how she tries to be an encourager in her daily life, at home, in the classroom, and elsewhere. “We all have some sort of goal in life and maybe all someone needs is just a few words of encouragement to give them the push that they need,” Michelle said. She and her family worship at Fusion Church.