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Andrews Academy's
Official Newsletter
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To view the full newsletter, you may need to click on the words at the top -
"View in browser."
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AA Resound at Ringfest
On Wednesday afternoon, October 30, 2024, Resound (bell choir) left AA for Toledo, Ohio, to participate in Ringfest. This is the 23rd iteration of Ringfest, a handbell festival organized/run annually by Bill and Jeanelle Ashley at the Toledo First Adventist Church. The first Ringfest was held in 2000 with four academies participating. Andrews Academy and Toledo Junior Academy are two of the founder groups (Wisconsin Academy and Great Lakes Adventist Academy attended the first festival as well), and the longest serving groups.
The Andrews Academy handbell directors since 2000 are as follows: Dean Boward (2000-2011), Byron Graves (2011-2017), Elsy M. Gallardo-Diaz (2017-2019; in 2017 the handbell ensemble became known as Resound), Marcelo Martins (2019-2024), and Daniel Cerna (2024-).
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Above photo: Day 2 - Mass rehearsals have begun with David M. Harris, director of the acclaimed Raleigh Ringers. The second clinician is Sandra Eithun, a prolific handbell composer and conductor. Eighteen academies are attending the festival this year. Not all are pictured.
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Resound ready to depart Andrews Academy for Toledo, OH, to participate in the 23rd Ringfest.
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Day 1 - Running through a piece after setting up
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Day 2 - Part of the Ringfest experience includes participating in various clinics. This one was about the unique techniques of bass bell weaving.
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Day 2 - While the Festival Choir was rehearsing, Resound went to get some delicious ice cream. The students enjoyed the outing after a long day of rehearsals.
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Day 3 - Andrews Academy and Atholton Academy receive coaching from clinician Sandra Eithun in preparation for tonight’s concert.
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This annual event is tomorrow, Saturday evening, November 2, from 8:00–10:00 PM. All AA students are invited to attend, and they will be joined by area 7th & 8th graders to enjoy games and food, all for just pennies. If you don't have pennies, you can exchange money for them.
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Picture Day Retake Day
Retakes are THIS Tuesday, November 5. If you ordered photos and would like retakes, please bring the photos with you that day.
To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's school (not AU) ID number. Contact Mrs. Meekma (ginam@andrews.edu) for the number.
All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card.
More about the Smilesafe program here.
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Don't Forget to Order this Year's School Pictures
ENJOY 10% OFF your order!
CODE: F202410OFF
EXPIRES: July 31, 2025
Redeem Now
Don’t forget to order your FREE Digital SmileSafe card! More about the Smilesafe program here.
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Andrews Academy Music Department Vespers Concert
Next Friday, November 8, 7:00 PM, Howard Performing Arts Center
Join the Andrews Academy Music Department for an evening of inspiring music and poetry featuring the Silhouettes, Chorale, Symphonic Band, AA Strings, and Resound (handbells) under the direction of Mr. Daniel Cerna and Dr. Elsy M. Gallardo-Díaz. We will explore various facets of the Christian walk in Jesus, such as joy, celebration, peace, and rest, as well as the hope for His Second Coming.
FREE admission. Good will offerings to benefit the Andrews Academy music department will be gladly and gratefully accepted.
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E-Learning Days
November 25-27
AA will be closed on November 26-27, as well as during Thanksgiving Break (November 28-29).
Students, please check Google Classroom and your email for assignments from your teachers.
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You're Invited!
Who: Academy Students
What: Volunteer Opportunity
Where: Ruth Murdoch Elementary, right next door!
When: During study halls or after school - for half an hour a week or more
Why: Because you can make a difference!
How: Email Mrs. Cancel at cindyc@andrews.edu for more information
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AA Gym Schedule Fall 2024
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Parents Positively Involved (PPI)
As the AA school year and events are well under way, we are thrilled with the parent involvement thus far. There are many more opportunities to serve, and I encourage you to look ahead at the school calendar of events.
Please email me (aappi@andrews.edu) if you are available and willing to serve at any of these events. ~ Mrs. Kimberly Spare
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Tuition
Note that payment #4 is due on or before November 25 (E-Learning/Professional Development Day).
Please contact Ms. Gracie at gaytan@andrews.edu with questions.
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Chapel Recap: European Countries Highlighted
At various times during the year, we have a special emphasis for chapels. This week the European countries were highlighted. Each morning, there were trivia questions about various aspects of these countries. Guest speakers shared some heritage of their country as well as spiritual insights from Genesis 32-33. European students led in singing, with one of the songs being sung in Russian, Polish, and English during one song service.
Monday included a presentation by Dr. Cedric Vine, Associate Professor of New Testament and Director of the MA (Religion) Program at the Seminary. He shared how Jacob deceived to steal the birthright from Esau. It set up the pattern of deception in the family that occurred for many years to follow. This story illustrates how the measure you give will be the measure you receive. He shared various instances from the Bible where this was true. When presented with the deception plan, Jacob should have said this was the wrong thing to do. Instead, he did the pragmatic thing not the correct, moral thing to do. Dr. Vine encouraged each to stand up for the right, even in the simple things of life, such as being tempted to cheat on an assignment.
On Tuesday, Mr. Ron Norton, AA Maintenance, shared a little of his and his wife's ancestry in Europe tracing back to a famous painter. Mr. Norton enjoys doing artwork and shared a couple of his paintings. He shared the story of Jacob and Laban, and asked what is it with these piles of rocks that people may run into. He shared that it is a visible memorial or a reminder. For example, when they crossed the Jordan river, they set up a pile of rocks as a reminder of God's deliverance. He also shared the Mispah Prayer from Genesis 31:49 that is part of our theme wall and is part of the story of Jacob and Laban.
On Wednesday, Mrs. May, AA religion teacher, presented on Jacob from Genesis 32, where he wanted to return home but was concerned about how Esau would receive him. She shared seven themes from these verses as two spiritual life leaders wrote the themes on the whiteboard and drew a small picture representing the seven themes. She shared how Jacob's name that means "deceiver" was changed to Israel meaning "God preserves." It was a creative and insightful presentation.
Thursday's chapel began with the march of flags from European countries, which were carried by students who were either from (or whose heritage is from) the country of the flag they carried. It was also Reformation Day. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed a piece of paper to the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, containing the 95 revolutionary thesis that would begin the Protestant Reformation.
Following the march of flags, a video compilation from the movie "Luther" highlighted why Luther nailed the paper to the church door. He loved the church but wanted to make effective change which then resulted in the Protestant Reformation. Following this riveting portrayal of what Luther did, students were dismissed to the Commons to enjoy tasty crepes and a drink representing Europe's cuisine.
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| More photos on Facebook |
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Attention Students: If you would like Friday's boxed 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.
Parents: To sign your student up for the lunch program or add funds to your student's account, please pay at the Academy main office (cash/check/credit card) until a website is set up to load funds online. You may still pay cash or check in the Academy office even when the website is available. The preset amount for 20 lunches is $132, unless you have been approved for reduced lunch.
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Community Volleyball
AA hosts community volleyball on some Tuesday nights from 7:00-9:00 PM.
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Click on the form link if you would like to play. It needs to be completed before you can attend and play for the evening. You can access this form repeatedly to change your sign-up status. Please sign up the day before the Tuesday you choose to play so that Mrs. Mills can give the list to the supervisor for the evening. Each person that plans on playing needs to sign up using the attached form (using an andrews.edu email address).
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| Volleyball Sign-Up Form |
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Our online textbook store is open. Please follow the instructions for purchasing workbooks and digital content that are automatically placed in your cart, which is required to purchase from them as part of our contract. The bookstore will list all of the textbooks required for each class that the student is registered for (note that some textbooks are optional if there is digital content required).
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Email Mrs. Gina Meekma (ginam@andrews.edu) with log in difficulties. Contact EdTech with questions about your order.
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AA Uniforms Available from Lands' End
Uniforms can be purchased from Lands’ End, including for PE. 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.
We understand that uniforms are on back order from Land's End. We do have a limited supply of uniforms for sale at AA (cash or check only) during office hours.
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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 an AA logoed jacket, they should also have an AA logoed shirt underneath. Only AA logoed jackets are allowed to be worn in the building.
The PE uniform can only be worn during PE class.
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Google Account Security Key Required
PLEASE note that if your child still has their security key from last year, you DO NOT NEED to purchase them a new one.
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If you have not done so already, please purchase the Multi-Factor Authentication Security Key for all AA students. This key is essential for your child to access all Google platforms (AU email, Google Classroom, etc.), as well as secure documents from Andrews University and Andrews Academy. Each student needs their own security key.
Security Key Link
If you have any further questions, feel free to email me.
Forms to check out a school computer for use at home during the school year can be found in the main office. Both a parent and the student's signatures are required.
Thank you for your cooperation,
Mr. Caleb Akins, MA
Media Ministry Director
Andrews Academy
akins@andrews.edu
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FACTS or Andrews Email Log In Help
If you need help logging in to FACTS or help with your Andrews email and password, please contact Mrs. Gina Meekma (ginam@andrews.edu) in the main office.
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You can find your schedule, grades, missing assignments, etc. on FACTS.
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Important Attendance Information
- Pre-arranged Absences: Please be sure to fill out a pre-arranged absence card if you know in advance that you will be missing school due to a doctor/dentist/orthodontist appointment, trip, basketball tournament, driver's test, etc. These cards can be found in the main office or online. A parent's signature is required, then the office, and teacher(s) of the class(es) that you will miss.
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Class Schedule Adjustment (CSA) Requests: A CSA is available for students who have a study hall at the beginning or ending of the school day or will be working during a study hall during the school day. A CSA is required for students who leave the Academy to attend classes at Andrews University, who are going to work off campus, or who wish to begin the school day later or leave earlier on a regular basis. The CSA request form must be filled out and signed by everyone indicated on the form before the student stops attending their study hall. Students must adhere to CSA guidelines that are printed on the CSA application. Any violation may cause the CSA to be revoked. I will email students and parents when a CSA is approved.
- Other Absences: Parents, please call the front office (269-471-3138) or email aaattendance@andrews.edu if your student is going to be absent or tardy. These are the preferable methods.
Please provide the reason why your child will not be attending school and how long you think they will be out.
Parents/Guardians are the only authorized individuals who can excuse a student's attendance. When emailing, parents must send correspondence from their email account to maintain the validity of the request. Please include the name of the student.
From the Sourcebook (pg. 83):
Students who miss three (3) consecutive school days due to illness must provide written documentation from a certified medical professional corroborating the necessity of that absence.
For any attendance questions that you would like to ask by email, please direct these questions to aaattendance@andrews.edu.
Thank you!
Ms. Leslie Nieves
Guidance Counselor/Attendance Officer
Andrews Academy
269-471-3453
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School Communications
The E-Sanjo and other communications from the school, including classroom teacher communications, use the email address(es) that you (and your parents) have recorded in FACTS when you registered for Andrews Academy. We will also use students' AU email address. Some have been wondering why they are not receiving their school communications to a certain email. If you wish to have communications sent to a specific email address, please send the change to ginam@andrews.edu. Thank you!
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Mondays - Thursdays:
7:40 AM - 4:30 PM
Fridays: 7:40 AM - 2:30 PM
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Andrews Academy
8833 Garland Ave Berrien Springs, MI 49104
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269-471-3138
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