News & Announcements

Volume 16, Issue 40

Andrews Academy's

Official Newsletter

February 1, 2023

Dear AA Families,

I hope you are all staying warm during this cold season. As we navigate the Spring Semester, I want to share some important information and updates with you. Our Winter Bible Camp 2023 was a great success. The Holy Spirit was present, and lives were transformed. All honor, glory, and praise belong to God.

We continue to be intentional about raising the spirituality of our school. An important element of spirituality is creating an atmosphere and setting a time for worship. Beginning today, February 1, 2023, all entities of Andrews Academy will pause for worship from 8:55 - 9:20 AM. This means the main office will be closed for business during this time. We thank you in advance for supporting this initiative. If you wish to contribute to the spiritual growth of the Academy, please let me know. We have opportunities available for mentors, Bible study, and prayer ministry.

During February, we will celebrate the rich diversity that is a part of our AA experience. February 6-10 is our International Week celebration. We will end our celebration with an assembly on Friday.

February is also Black History Month. Black History Month is an annual celebration of the achievements of African Americans, recognizing their central role in U.S. history. This was the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Our Black History Month theme is Yet Still I Rise. Our main presenter for the month is Pastor Earl Baldwin, Youth Director for the Lake Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. We invite all students and those affiliated with the Academy to join us in prayer and participation as we look at our past, present, and future. Black History is American history. We will conclude the month with a celebratory assembly on February 24. “When we’re talking about diversity, it’s not a box to check. It is a reality that should be deeply felt and held and valued by all of us.” —Ava DuVernay

May we be reminded of the Biblical principles as we navigate this life. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”

Blessings,

Pastor Mario Ferguson
Principal
Andrews Academy
mferguson@andrews.edu

Adventist Seniors of Michiana Dinner

Each year Andrews Academy hosts a dinner for the Adventist Seniors of Michiana. The dinner also includes some music entertainment, which was provided this year by the AA Silhouettes, directed by Mr. Martins.

Each month this organization meets at various locations in the area. This dinner (January 29, 2023) was one of their monthly meetings, which included remarks by the president of Adventist Seniors of Michiana (and former AA teacher and principal), Mr. Cleon White. He discussed some items for their meeting and announced some upcoming events. He then expressed his appreciation for Andrews Academy hosting this dinner and encouraged each member to keep Andrews Academy in their prayers, asking for blessings on this school year.

Andrews Academy appreciates the service of the retirees, many who have been missionaries at various places around the world and many who have served in our community for years. We also appreciate the support of the Adventist Retirees who have volunteered their time at Andrews Academy and have given financial support to help many students attend Andrews Academy.

Thank you to John Bitterman, Kofi Amponsah, and Abigail Kayongo for saying thank you to this group on behalf of AA students. These three students represented the students well in expressing their thanks to the retirees for their financial support.

Thank you to the many students and teachers who volunteered for this program by either presenting music, making the food, serving food, hosting, setting up, and cleaning up after the program. Your service in helping with the seniors' dinner is appreciated and is an expression of the unique school spirit that we enjoy here at Andrews Academy.

More photos on Facebook

Ice Skating & Class Vespers This Friday

Plan now to attend ice skating and class vespers this Friday, February 3! The four classes will skate together, then each class will go to their own location for a vespers together.

Class vespers and activities provide a meaningful time to be drawn closer to God, to develop friendships outside the classroom setting, and an opportunity for class officers to develop leadership skills as they plan and lead in the activity and worship experience.

As you load the bus at 2:45 PM in the parking lot of AA, please bring the following:

► Your permission slip (you will not be able to get on the bus without it)
► $10 for ice skating
► Cold weather gear (the rink is outside)

The permission slip is in the office. The $10 is to cover the cost of using the ice, skate rental, and to help defray some of the cost for transportation. We will leave the rink at 5:30 PM and travel to your respective class supper and vespers locations.

Please plan now for this vespers and activity, and be sure to pick up a permission slip in the main office.

Freshmen: Bring chips, cookies, juice, or soda to go with dinner. Pick-up time from vespers location (listed on the permission slip) is 8:00 PM sharp.

Sophomores: Pick-up time is 6:30 PM.

Juniors: Pick-up time is 7:00 PM.

Seniors: Pick-up time from vespers location if needed (listed on the permission slip) is 8:30 PM.

Seniors: February 7 Deadline for Graduation Invitation Orders & Parent Tribute Recordings

Yesterday, the senior class met with a representative from Jostens. This company sells graduation invitations/announcements and other graduation items for Andrews Academy. They provided order forms that families can fill out and turn in by this Tuesday, February 7, during the lunch hour. The same representative will be here at the school then to receive any orders you would like to make. Parents, your child has the order packet. Mr. Atkins has spares in his classroom if more are needed.

Note: The school provides each student with a graduation gown, cap, and tassel, so DO NOT purchase them through Jostens.

Seniors, please look for an email from Mr. Atkins that was sent last night which provided directions on how to write out your parent tribute for class night of graduation weekend. Please turn in your written tributes to Mr. Atkins by this Tuesday, February 7, via email. Next Thursday, February 9, you will be recording these tributes you have thoughtfully prepared and written out.

Seniors, thank you for attending to these two items by this Tuesday, February 7.

International Food Fair

Next Friday, February 10, we will be holding an international food fair as part of our International Week activities. During the international food fair, students will be able to showcase cuisine from their respective ethnic backgrounds!

That is why we would like to request that all parents help contribute to our food fair. We are holding a food tasting, where a variety of vegetarian dishes will be offered as options to sample from. We have 247 students, so, the bigger the participation, the more our students will be able to experience different tastes!

Please fill out the Google Form linked below, letting us know how you can contribute to the international food fair. More details are on the Google Form.

If you have any questions about contributing, please email Mrs. Silvestre at silvestre@andrews.edu or Ms. Kim at joellek@andrews.edu.

Thank you for your continued investment into the enrichment of our students' experience here at AA!

Google Form

Important Deadline from the Registrar’s Office:

Work Experience Forms Due for Seniors - March 30

Ms. Ivonne Segui-Weiss

Andrews Academy Registrar
269-471-6234
aaregistrar@andrews.edu

Important Upcoming Dates:

Class Devotions: This Friday, February 3, 8:55 AM
National Honor Society Applications Due: Next Wednesday, February 8 (Based on GPA, those eligible received an invitation from Mr. Sherman.)
No School - Presidents' Day: Monday, February 20

Lunch Volunteer Needed

The Dining Services Department is looking for a volunteer cashier to help at AA Monday - Thursday from 11:45 AM – 1:15 PM. This would be perfect for a parent or someone who is retired. The person would get a free meal everyday that they volunteer. If interested, please contact Nereida Martinez by emailing her at nereidab@andrews.edu or by calling her at 269-471-6352.

AA Uniforms Available from Lands' End

We have renewed our relationship with Lands’ End for uniform needs. More selections for uniforms are now included, such as a button-down shirt, a long-sleeved polo, and a sweater. Click on the option(s) that you would like, then choose the size (kid or adult). Please be mindful that Andrews Academy is not responsible for your orders.

Unfortunately, the squall jacket is out of stock for this school year.

Please review the Sourcebook (pgs 79-81) for more information regarding uniforms. Only approved logoed uniform wear is allowed. A solid-color, long sleeved undershirt may be worn under the AA short-sleeved polo (no writing should be visible on the undershirt). If a student is wearing a fleece/squall jacket, they should also have an AA logoed shirt underneath.

If you need PE uniform items, please see Mrs. Mills at lunch time or after school (cash only).

Lands' End

Opting into Texting for One Call Now

Andrews Academy utilizes One Call Now, an automated messaging service, to contact students and parents about school cancellations, upcoming events, and performances, etc.

Please make sure that we have the phone number that you would like to have contacted. We also send an email, put the announcement on our Facebook and Instagram pages, and alert local TV stations (WSBT, WNDU, ABC57).

To receive a text notification instead of a call (text works best), please text “ALERT” to 22300. Please make sure that you have given us the number that you would like to be texted on as well. Email ginam@andrews.edu with any changes. Thank you!

FACTS or Andrews Username Log In Help

If you need help logging in to FACTS or help with your Andrews user name/email and password, please contact Mrs. Meekma (ginam@andrews.edu) in the front office.

You can find your schedule, grades, etc. on FACTS. New students, if your username hasn't been set up yet, come to the front office for help.

Spring is "Just Around the Corner"

Mr. Atkins noticed that a flock of robins had returned to our area and had been eating berries from the hawthorn trees behind the school and seeking shelter in the pine trees. The robins have also been finding some food next to the building where the heat has melted the snow and the grass and ground is exposed. Although we still have some cold days ahead, it looks like spring may be "just around the corner!"

Remember: If you would like Friday's lunch, those who are signed up for the lunch program must order it each week by Wednesday at 2:00 PM. The sign-up sheet will be at lunch or in the front office.

To sign up for the lunch program or add funds to your student's account, please contact Andrews University's Dining Services at ds@andrews.edu or call 269-471-3161. The Dining Services Office is located on the first floor of the AU Campus Center.

Monday–Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM