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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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Ringfest 2024 - Bell Choir Clinic
This past week the AA Resound (AA Handbell Ensemble) traveled to Toledo, Ohio, for the annual Ringfest handbell festival (October 30 - November 2, 2024). Eighteen Adventist academy bell choirs from around the nation participated this year, from as far away as Virginia and Florida. Many academies have participated in Ringfest at various times over the past twenty-three years. 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.
After arriving at the church Wednesday evening and setting up, AA students enjoyed a delicious dinner at Panera Bread before checking into the hotel to catch some sleep. Thursday morning dawned early, with worship at 8 AM at the Toledo First Adventist Church, where the festival took place. The following two days, the students participated in intensive mass rehearsals with two of the foremost handbell directors and composers: clinicians Mr. David Harris and Ms. Sandra Eithun.
On Friday night, all the hard work paid off at the Ringfest concert, which featured six mass pieces featuring over 1,000 bells and solos by each academy or duets of academies. Our group successfully performed “Exultate," composed by Jason Krug, along with Atholton Adventist Academy. Marina Slavujevic was chosen to perform with the Festival Bell Choir, which consists of one ringer selected from each academy.
On Sabbath morning, all the schools had a joint Sabbath School followed by another performance at the church service. Our group was honored and asked to perform during Sabbath church. After lunch, it was back on the road home.
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| More photos on Facebook |
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AA Fall Play - Radium Girls
Step back to the 1920s—a time of glittering progress
darkened by hidden dangers.
This gripping true story follows young female factory workers who paint watch dials with a luminous, radium-infused paint, believing it to be safe, even magical. As they fall mysteriously ill, they discover the shocking truth: their beloved radium, hailed as a miracle cure-all, is slowly poisoning them.
Refusing to fade quietly, these courageous "Radium Girls" take on a powerful corporation, battling for justice and their lives. With each defiant step, they expose the cost of corporate greed and the importance of workers' rights.
Full of heart, tragedy, and resilience, Radium Girls reminds us of the power of ordinary people to ignite change.
Prepare to be moved by this intense and illuminating drama that sheds light on one of history's most haunting injustices.
Approximate runtime 120 mins.
Purchase tickets online with a credit card, or stop into the Academy office to purchase tickets via cash or check. Tickets may also be available at the door the night of the show.
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| Order Tickets Here |
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Andrews Academy Music Department Vespers Concert
Tonight, Friday, November 8, 7:00 PM, Howard Performing Arts Center
Livestreamed (YouTube and/or YouTube link on Facebook)
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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Organizational Pictures
This Tuesday, November 12, 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Organizations include class officers, SA/NHS officers, music groups (band, chorale, bells, strings, and orchestra), Spiritual Life Committee, PFE, Lady Acumen, and Acumen. Be sure to bring any uniform changes that you will need for music ensembles. This includes concert attire with the appropriate BLACK DRESS SHOES and BLACK SOCKS.
Check the schedule that will be posted soon (it will be emailed also) and change before your picture time so that we can run as efficiently as possible.
Please bring your instruments (if applicable) for the pictures. Thank you!
~ Mrs. Myers & the Yearbook Team
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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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Lifetouch Pictures
To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's school (not AU) ID number. Look in FACTS (it starts with 120) or 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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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: NHS Cause Week
This was NHS Cause Week at AA, in which the National Honor Society raises awareness of various causes and is often involved in raising funds to help a certain cause somewhere in the world. “Cause Week” was created by some students from the class of 2008 during the 2006-2007 school year and has continued to be part of the AA experience. This year, NHS brought awareness to the devastation from the two recent hurricanes and led in a bake sale each day to raise funds to help people in need. They also asked for donations of cleaning and other items for hurricane victims. The theme for the week was, “Perseverance through Trials.”
On Wednesday, Kevin Mendonça, AA Junior and NHS officer, led in an interactive activity, the first time without people encouraging the participants, and the second time with lots of encouragement. One could easily see that people do much better with support, and he extended that to include with support from God. NHS then shared a short video about the hurricane victims and what needs to be done. Kevin encouraged people to participate in the bake sale fundraiser for the support of the hurricane victims. Pastor Gabriel Johnson led in a prayer of blessing on the newly elected leaders of our country, this being the day following the nation's elections.
On Thursday, Kevin shared a story of a mother who suffered a great loss in the midst of the recent hurricanes that NHS is raising funds to help those in need. He then shared parts of Joseph's story from Genesis 37 and 39. He shared three main points gleaned from this story as one deals with hardships like Joseph did:
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God doesn't cause the bad things to happen in our lives.
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Being rightious doesn't mean you will not got through tough times and that God notices the upright moral things you do.
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God has a plan for you, it doesn't mean we will not have difficult times, however God will be with us as He helps bring us through these difficult times.
Today (Friday), Kevin's dad presented “What do you do while enduring?”— lessons learned from Joseph’s life from Genesis 40-41. He began by asking, "What are you doing today to help your dreams be fulfilled?" Joseph continued to be happy even when sent to prison, and while there, he rose to be the person in charge of the prison, and then later he was promoted to second in command of all of Egypt. It both situations, he continued to be happy, even throughout the good and the bad. Mr. Mendonça concluded with a reminder that happiness is contagious - it spreads happiness, and with an exercise to keep being happy.
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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 your student has 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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