Dear AA Families:

Thank you for your continued support as we navigate through this pandemic. We recognize that remote learning is not the ideal method for our students. However, we are grateful that we can provide this option. Andrews Academy remains committed to providing a meaningful Christian education to and for our students.

In-person learning resumes this Monday, December 6, 2021. All of the COVID-19 protocols remain in place. This includes face coverings and sanitizing. As you may have noticed, several events scheduled for December have been postponed to Spring Semester. By lessening large gatherings, we are better able to mitigate COVID-19. Remember, if a student has been exposed to, or tests positive for, COVID-19, this information should be sent by email to covid19@andrews.edu and aaprincipal@andrews.edu.

Our Feast of Lights celebration will be held next Friday, December 10, at 7:00 PM with limited numbers. Two tickets will be available to students who are part of the music program. Tickets are required for entry into the event. The program will be live-streamed on Andrews Academy’s Facebook page and Andrews.edu/livestream.

The Christmas Pops concert is scheduled for next Saturday evening, December 11. Further details regarding this event will be available in the E-Sanjo on Tuesday.

As we get closer to the end of the semester, students should have conversations with their teachers regarding grades and final assessments. Please do not wait until it’s too late to get assistance.    

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” Psalm 84:11

We thank God for His favor and honor!

Freshman Class Officers

President: Sara Lemon
Vice President: Brady Case
Public Relations: Megan Bokon
Treasurer: Kate Yang
Secretary: Lily Delacruz
Pastor: Samantha Mitole
Representatives: Alaina Burks, Kiera Lyons, Eliel Silvestre

Andrews Academy Christmas Concerts

Christmas Pops

Saturday, December 11, 7:00 PM
Howard Performing Arts Center
Campus of Andrews University


Due to COVID restrictions, seating for both concerts will require tickets and will be for a limited number of participants' family members.

Both concerts will be live-streamed on our Facebook page.
Feast of Lights will also be live-streamed on the Andrews University website.

Concert Rehearsals

• Wednesday, December 8, 6:00 PM—Feast of Lights Chorale Dress Rehearsal (PMC)

• Thursday, December 9, 6:00 PM—Christmas Pops Dress Rehearsal (HPAC)

• Friday, December 10, 8:00 AM—Feast of Lights Rehearsal (PMC)

Bible Camp at Camp Au Sable

Seniors Got Talent has been postponed. As soon as there is a new date confirmed, we will communicate that information. Individuals who purchased tickets may request a refund, or wait until there is a new date and then decide if they will be able to attend or would like to be refunded. Contact one of the senior sponsors (Pellegrini and VanDenburgh) as needed.

Awesome Students at AA

We continue to be amazed at the flexibility and excellence of our students. COVID-19 has forced all of us to be flexible and do things differently. AA students have risen to this challenge and continue to do excellently with their work. As you all know, we went to remote learning this week following Thanksgiving. On Wednesday, the biology class had an online test. Every student arrived for the test with all their technology going: Google Classroom on their computer to do the test, as well as being on Zoom so the teacher could see them write their test. They had their cell phone loaded with Zoom so that the cell phone was pointing at their keyboard and computer screen while the instructor monitored the work they were doing. Mr. Atkins was impressed with everyone’s efforts, flexibility, being ready, and taking the test. Most did very well on the test. Thank you students!

A big thank you to the music students as well. The timing for the online week of instruction couldn’t have been worse for the music department as it was the week before the last week of practices for the two big Christmas music concerts. Music practices are so critical leading up to these big concerts. We thank the students and families for once again being flexible to drive in and meet for various music ensemble extra practices today (Friday). Again, we thank each of your for your flexibility and commitment to excellence as you worked in these practices and classes today. Thank you, students!

Chapel This Week

On Wednesday, the school family gathered together via Zoom for our morning chapel program led by Pastor Mario Ferguson. His message was based on Jeremiah 29:11-13: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.'"

The children of Israel were in captivity when this promise was given. While in captivity, they were encouraged to build homes and keep going, knowing that God had plans for them to prosper. Pastor Ferguson then asked, "Why are we in the midst of the pandemic if He has plans for us to prosper?"

The reality is that sometimes we think that everything in life is going to be pleasant. Let’s remember Joseph who went through a nightmare experience of being thrown in the pit. Like Joseph, we will have experiences that are not pleasant, but we will at some point also have “palace experiences.” Don’t throw your hands up and give up when going through tough times. Please remember God’s objective is not necessarily to make us happy but to save us. Our times of trouble should make us turn to God and rely on Him…He is saving us! Joseph, while in prison, did not act like a prisoner. He acted like he was free, going around ministering to prisoners. We can use this pandemic experience as a time to grow and prosper as much as we can.

Summer Employment at Camp Au Sable

There will be no active recruiting for summer (2022) employment at Camp Au Sable this year. Interested students (ages 17 or 18) need to apply now online and have 3 references submitted. Once both items are completed, Camp Au Sable will be hiring after reviewing application and references.

Important: Remember that in order to order lunch, students must have a signed contract with AU Dining Services/Bon Appetit and their ID card. Also, lunches need to be ordered online or through the GET Mobile app at least one day in advance (by 5 PM). See instructions in a previous E-Sanjo or contact Dining Services for more information - 269-471-3161 or ds@andrews.edu. If a student orders lunch but then is absent that day, please email Dining Services by 9:00 AM to cancel the order.

* There are options to subscribe to the 2021-22 school calendar on our website.