News & Announcements

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Volume 18, Issue 52

Andrews Academy's

Official Newsletter

March 11, 2025

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Andrews Academy will be closed during Spring Break (except by appointment).

International Appreciation Week

This is International Appreciation Week (March 10-14, 2025). During this week, we celebrate the diversity that the Andrews Academy family enjoys and learn more about the many cultures represented here. Each day we are having a speaker present insights from their culture or discuss spiritual insights learned from their culture or international experience. The theme for the week is,“Think in Love, Live in Unity.”

On Monday, Elizabeth Dyman, AA junior, translated for her mother, who shared her experiences growing up in Russia. Mrs. Dyman shared Luke 15:4-7, the story of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, searching for and then rejoicing after finding His lost sheep. Jesus was searching for her as she grew up in Russia, a country that brainwashes children at a young age to mock Christians. People could even go to jail if pursuing Christianity, and Communism was glorified. She was ill during her childhood, and her grandmother, who remembered some about Christianity, had her baptized. She was then healed.

When she was twelve, she was finally able to see and hold a Bible for the first time. She began to read and was drawn closer to God. When her grandmother passed away, she began to pray and earnestly search for God. Around that time, some controlling aspects of Communism decreased, allowing Christianity to open up more. Then she was introduced to the Adventist church. She shared how she was the lost lamb that Jesus was pursuing. In many parts of the world, Christianity is illegal, but despite this, Jesus is searching for His sheep like He did for her. She reminded us all of Ephesians 4:4-6, that in Christ, we are all one body.

After today's (Tuesday) song service, Zola Sibanda prayed in Swahili. Joshua Omwocha, AA freshman, translated for his dad, a pastor from South Bend, who presented in Swahili.

Pastor Nyaribo asked a question: how many commandments are there? Some said ten, but then he read John 13:34-35 that Jesus gave another commandment, “Love one another. In the same way I loved you…” He encouraged AA students to love one another and live in unity.

He then shared a little about some of the large animals of Kenya, including the buffalo. When they are in danger, they place the young and weak ones in the middle of the herd, and the large buffalo surround them. The lion cannot enter because there are no gaps, so the young and weak are protected. Because of the unity of the buffalo, the lion cannot enter. He encouraged the AA family to come together with our friends and be in unity that no lion (Satan) can harm us.

More photos on Facebook

Please Note: This week, chapel starts at 8:50 AM instead of 8:55.

International Assembly
This Friday, March 14

International Food Fair

This Friday, March 14, 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 237 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 Mrs. Spare at AAppi@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:

Thursday, March 27 — Work Experience Forms Due for Seniors

Ms. Ivonne Segui Medina

Andrews Academy Registrar
269-471-3996
aaregistrar@andrews.edu

Cheese the Day! — Class of 2026 Enchilada Fundraiser

Support the AA junior class fundraiser by ordering delicious homemade enchiladas! We are selling take-and-bake Cheese Enchiladas, Beans, and Mexican Rice. Please complete our online form to secure your order today! Payments can be made via CASH or CHECK to the Andrews Academy front office. Please note that orders are not finalized UNTIL payment has been made. Orders must be placed and paid for by APRIL 1. Pick-up will be on Sunday, APRIL 13, at Andrews Academy from 4-6 PM. For more information, contact ginap@andrews.edu or denburgh@andrews.edu.

Order Here

Attention parents, if you are interested and willing to help out with this year's SA banquet on Sunday, May 11, please sign up today. We need your help to make it a success. This would include planning for the banquet, attending evening planning meetings, assistance with decor, assistance with setting up for the banquet, and help during and after the banquet. Please fill out the Google Form if you are interested. Thank you!

Group Therapy with Andrews University

Wednesdays at 3:30 PM, A-58 (Study Hall Room)

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. Note that all volunteers need to do the Sterling Volunteers training and background check, providing proof to AA. ~ Mrs. Kimberly Spare

Tuition

Payment #8 is due on March 25. You may put your payment in the drop box on the post by the main doors if needed.

Please contact Ms. Gracie at gaytan@andrews.edu with questions.

Learn More about PFE

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 your student has been approved for reduced lunch.

Youth & Young Adult Week of Prayer at Harbor of Hope

The Highland Ave Adventist Church is hosting a Youth & Young Adult Week of Prayer between April 5-12 on select evenings at 5 PM at Harbor of Hope (769 Pipestone St, Benton Harbor).

They extend an invitation to the students of Andrews Academy to participate as speakers in this special series. The theme is The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), where each session will focus on one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit—highlighting Christ and our calling as His children to bear fruit that blesses and nourishes others.

This is a wonderful opportunity for students to grow spiritually, develop their gifts, and engage with the wider faith community; tasting and seeing, eating and being healed, hearing and being saved, taking part and being nourished. If you are interested in speaking or participating, please contact Pastor Caris Wright (Pastorcaris@havchurch.com).

Save the date for Andrews University's annual

International Food Fair!

Full Calendar on Website

2024-25 Year-at-a-Glance Calendar

Textbook Information

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).

Email Mrs. Gina Meekma (ginam@andrews.edu) with log in difficulties. Contact EdTech with questions about your order.

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!

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.

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.

AA's Lands' End Store

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.

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

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.

You can find your schedule, grades, missing assignments, etc. on FACTS.

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.
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

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!