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Volume 18, Issue 49

 

Andrews Academy's

Official Newsletter

February 25, 2025

 

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AA Silhouettes and Resound Tour to Ohio - Part 2

 

In the previous E-Sanjo, we reported on the tour’s Thursday music clinics at two sister academies. Friday morning, Resound and Silhouettes performed at Kauhale Centerville Assisted Living facility. It was nice to hear how grateful the residents were to listen to young, selected voices as well as the bell choir. Please go to Facebook for one a portion of one of the songs they presented there.

 

On Friday afternoon, the group had a fun time at Newport Aquarium, and in the evening, they had vespers at Centerville Adventist Church.
Sabbath morning, Silhouettes and Resound worshipped at Kettering Adventist church. The congregation was blessed by the music, and afterwards, the students enjoyed some traditional Caribbean food. Sabbath afternoon, Resound and Silhouettes performed a full concert at Centerville Adventist Church. The local church and visitors were thankful to our students for visiting their church.

 

After a busy Sabbath day of performances, Resound and Silhouettes closed the Sabbath with a vespers at Centerville Church. Mr. Daniel Cerna, AA choir and handbell director, shared a few words about music and excellence from a biblical point of view, and they learned a song Mr. Cerna wrote. Please see the video on Facebook for a portion of this song.

Sunday afternoon was the last performance for Resound and Silhouettes Tour 2025. It was at The Gospel Mission Inc. which operates a comprehensive inner-city mission near downtown Dayton, Ohio. People with food insecurity go to TGMI for a meal and other services. They had a blessed time not only performing for the audience but also singing together. A number in the audience were brought to tears and expressed their appreciation for the young group of musicians to perform there at the mission.


Thank you, Mr. Cerna, AA choir and handbell director, and the other sponsors for making this trip possible, and for the outstanding participation by the student, including their exemplary behavior as they shared Jesus through music on this tour. We know the audiences were blessed, and as often happens on these music tours, the students were blessed as they shared Jesus and interacted with the audiences, not only in the churches, but also in the retirement center and mission as part of their tour. Thank you all!

More photos on FB
 
Portion of Song at Assisted Living Facility
 
Portion of Concert Song
Portion of Song by Cerna
 

International Food Fair

 

On 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
 

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!

Sign Up Here
 

Next Tuesday, March 4, is our scheduled Academy Day, when area 8th graders will visit AA. This will be an e-learning day for most AA students.

Class officers and organizational officers, along with a few other students, will be helping as tour guides, etc. for the day, and some music students will be needed for chapel, but most students will work on assignments at home that day. Please let us know if you need more details regarding this event.

 

SA Election forms will be available starting this Monday, March 3, at the SA Election Orientation meeting at 3:30 PM. ~ Mrs. Mills

 

Textbook Buyback

 

We are excited to announce an initiative aimed at helping reduce the cost of books for the 2025-2026 school year. 

 

AA is implementing a Textbook Buyback Program, which will allow us to purchase books that were used by students this semester/school year. Soon we will be sharing detailed information regarding the buyback process, including the list of eligible books, pricing, and procedures.

This program is designed to make book costs more manageable for our families while promoting sustainable practices.

 

Note that some textbooks are used all school year, and that we will also buy books back this coming summer.

 

We encourage all families to keep an eye out for further communications with specific dates and instructions. If you have any questions or need additional information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office.

 

Thank you for your continued support of Andrews Academy and for partnering with us in this initiative.

 

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!

 

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 #7 is due today, Tuesday, February 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.

 

CPR & AED Training, Stroke, Heart Attack, and Concussion Awareness Assembly

 

Andrews University nursing students presented an assembly today. Half the students went to the gymnasium where there were multiple stations with manikins to practice doing CPR. It was a very hands-on learning experience to prepare students in case they need to administer CPR and AED. The other half of the students stayed in the chapel for a presentation on concussions, heart attack and stroke awareness, and what to do if someone is suffering from one of these problems. Halfway through the assembly, students switched locations for the other presentation. (February 25, 2025)

 

Chapel Recap: Ruth 3-4

 

On Monday, Pastor Johnson led in some questions of our students to set the mindset for watching a “Bible Project” video on the book of Ruth. The four chapters show how God is involved in the details of our daily lives, even though God is hardly mentioned in these chapters. God is behind the scenes, weaving the restoration of Naomi and her family. The book of Ruth shows the interplay of God’s purpose and human decisions. God is at work in the mundane details of our life as well. 

 

Focusing on the theme "God will take care of you," freshman Hanan Legoh reflected on the book of Ruth before sharing his testimony today (Tuesday). On February 25, 2024, Hanan and his family lost their home to a fire. In the midst of the family's despair, love and support from community members buoyed their faith and proved God's care and presence. Hanan cited John 16:33 as a guiding verse: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Hanan and his family lived God's promise in the form of housing, food, and caring people in their time of crisis, proving that God has overcome the world.

More photos on Facebook
 
 

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.

 

8th graders are invited to attend....

  • Next Tuesday, March 4, 8 AM - 3:15 PM (gym doors open at 7:30 for registration)

  • Lunch is provided.

  • Call 269-471-3138 with any questions.

  • Students who attend local Adventist schools do not need to RSVP.

 

Adventist Colleges Abroad is part of the Education Department of the North American Division. They provide opportunities for students to learn a second language on an Adventist campus abroad.

 

If you want to learn more about the languages you could learn and places you could go, please come to the information meeting on Tuesday, February 25, at 7 PM in the Newbold Auditorium at Andrews University.

 

ACA will also have a presentation at AA during chapel on Wednesday, February 26.

 

For additional information, please contact badenas@andrews.edu.

 
 
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.

 

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!

 

Mondays - Thursdays:
7:40 AM - 4:30 PM

Fridays: 7:40 AM - 2:30 PM

 

CONTACT US:

 

Main Office: ginam@andrews.edu or call 269-471-3138
Principal: aaprincipal@andrews.edu or rubenp@andrews.edu
Application/Enrollment Process: aaadmissions@andrews.edu

Financial Questions: gaytan@andrews.edu

Class Schedule Questions: aaregistrar@andrews.edu

Attendance: aaattendance@andrews.edu

Guidance Counselor: nievesl@andrews.edu

Faculty & Staff Contact Info
 
Useful Documents
Sourcebook (revised 2021-22)
 

Andrews Academy

8833 Garland Ave Berrien Springs, MI 49104

 

 

academy@andrews.edu

 

269-471-3138

Find us on the Web: www.andrews.edu/aa

This newsletter was sent to you at aanews@andrews.edu because of your interest in Andrews Academy.

 

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