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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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Class Vespers
At various times during the school year, the class officers and sponsors organize class vespers and activities, often at a class member's home. Thank you, families, for opening your homes for the class to enjoy. Three of the classes (seniors just returned from class trip) had vespers these past two Friday evenings.
On Friday, September 20, the freshman class enjoyed their first class vespers of the school year. They gathered at the campfire site behind Andrews Academy and enjoyed supper, s’mores, and singing by the campfire, as well as a vespers program together.
This past Friday, the junior class enjoyed their vespers at the Simpson home. There were outdoor games followed by a grilled cheese and tomato soup supper. Pastor Justin Mertz, who was also the SA camp out speaker, presented the worship thought for the juniors. (September 27, 2024.)
We thank the Busch family for opening up their home for the sophomore class activities and vespers. The evening began with outdoor games and a hayride, which included stopping in the apple orchard to eat fresh apples. Following the haystack supper that was served on the hay wagon by the campfire, they began vespers with singing. The officers led in singing and organizing Bible charades for the worship activity. Class pastor, Chrissy Penno, presented a short worship thought following the charades, encouraging the class to use their talents to serve God. The evening concluded with s’mores around the campfire. (September 27, 2024)
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| More photos on Facebook |
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SAT Testing at AA
We are excited that juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to participate in SAT School Day on Thursday afternoon, October 24. The SAT is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. Allowing students to take the test in a familiar environment will help build their confidence. To learn more about the SAT, we invite you to explore the website: https://www.collegeboard.org/. You are also able to access a free practice test: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/practice-preparation/practice-tests
There is limited seating available for the test; we will allow a total of 50 students who are in the 11th & 12th grades to sign up. Students must bring their $60 (cash or check) to the office, and write their names on the list to reserve a place on the list ASAP. Checks should be payable to Andrews Academy with "SAT" written on the memo line.
October 24 is the second day of Parent/Teacher Conferences, and the students have noon dismissal. Students participating in SAT School Day are excused from their classes that morning only if they are present for the test that afternoon and should arrive at school at 1 PM to begin testing promptly at 1:30 PM. If you do come for the whole day, please bring a lunch.
Please bring an approved calculator:
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/what-to-bring-do/calculator-policy
Ms. Leslie Nieves
Guidance Counselor | Andrews Academy
269-471-3453
nievesl@andrews.edu
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School pictures are ready! 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.
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All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card.
More about the Smilesafe program here.
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PSAT Testing Information & Senior Day with AU
Next Thursday, October 10
All freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will take the PSAT test on Thursday, October 10. We will dismiss at 12:00 PM, with no lunch.
Grades 9, 10, and 11 students will take the PSAT/NSMQT that morning from 8:00–12:00 PM. Students should arrive by 7:45 AM. Students arriving after 8:00 AM will not be allowed to sit for the test. Please arrive on time.
The PSAT, when taken in a student's junior year, is a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship. We encourage our students to familiarize themselves with the test by taking practice tests online by visiting www.collegeboard.org.
If your student wishes to participate in the PSAT testing, they will need to test on-site. There will not be a make-up PSAT testing date.
Grade 12 will be with AU that day for Senior Day. Your sponsors will give you more information and permission forms.
If you have any additional questions, please contact me at nievesl@andrews.edu.
Ms. Leslie Nieves
Guidance Counselor | Andrews Academy
269-471-3453
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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.
We are especially looking for help with Sabbath lunch during alumni weekend (October 19).
Please email me (aappi@andrews.edu) if you are available and willing to serve at alumni or any of these events. ~ Kimberly Spare
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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,
Caleb Akins, MA
Media Ministry Director
Andrews Academy
akins@andrews.edu
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Tuition
Note that payment #2 was due on September 25.
Please contact Ms. Gracie at gaytan@andrews.edu with questions.
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Professional Development Day
The faculty and staff were very busy yesterday (Monday) during their Professional Development Day as they renewed their CPR certification and had planning meetings. AA alumnus, Jessica Larson, led in the training and provided the CPR certification. (September 30, 2024)
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| More photos on Facebook |
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Senior Pictures & Ads for Yearbook
Senior pictures are needed for yearbook, class night, and the class composite to be hung in the AA Commons or Library. The yearbook team will need your senior and baby pictures by Friday, October 18, 2024. We encourage you to get your senior picture done ASAP since photographers get busy in the fall. PLEASE PLAN AHEAD and get your picture done in a timely manner.
You do not have to go to a professional photographer for this picture, but please make sure you follow the picture requirements below. If not, the yearbook team may request that you send an alternative. For yearbook pictures, seniors should be looking at the camera rather than away from it.
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Pictures for the yearbook and senior ads must adhere to the following requirements:
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- In color - yearbook picture
- Picture from waist up (not entire body) - yearbook picture
- Portrait/vertical mode (not landscape/horizontal) - yearbook picture
- Attire per AA guidelines—no sleeveless shirts or bare shoulders, no low cut or cropped tops, no jewelry - yearbook AND senior ads
- High-resolution JPEG (at least 4x6, 300 ppi resolution)
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Baby Photos
By the same date (October 18), please submit a baby picture as well. The baby picture will be used by yearbook as well as for senior bulletin board and class night purposes. Please submit a high-resolution JPEG baby picture. If you cannot scan the picture, you may bring the baby picture to the yearbook team, and they will scan it for you.
Also, please plan ahead for senior yearbook ad nights on Monday and Tuesday, October 28 & 29, starting at 5:00 PM. At that time, you and your parents can purchase senior ads for the yearbook (see the messages to seniors in the back of previous yearbooks for examples). Click here to sign up for ad night.
Please send photos and any questions to Mrs. Diane Meyers (myersd@andrews.edu). Note the student’s name in the subject line and indicate if the photos are for the senior/baby section OR the parent dedication.
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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.
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Attention AA Alumni:
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On Sunday at 9:00 AM, there will be a memorial walk on the campus of Andrews University in honor of former teacher Mrs. Sharon Russell. Meet in the AA parking lot.
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Community Volleyball
AA has will host 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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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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