View in browser

Volume 17, Issue 66

 

Andrews Academy's

Official Newsletter

May 8, 2024

 

To view the full newsletter, you may need to click on the words at the top - 

"View in browser."

 

Andrews Academy Class of 2024

 

Presenting the Andrews Academy Class of 2024, taken yesterday, Tuesday, May 7, 2024. We know graduation is just around the corner when we start to see graduation gowns!

 

The senior class officers were also photographed. We greatly appreciate the officers for their leadership for senior class trip and throughout this eventful and meaningful senior year. Thank you!

 

The class “top scholars” were also photographed. Ten seniors of this year’s graduating class were recognized for their outstanding academic success.

 

Class of 2025 Senior Class Officers

 

At Andrews Academy, election of officers for the senior class occurs near the close of their junior year. This way the new officers have time to plan for their senior year, with their senior class trip being their first major project. Elections were held on May 7, 2024.

 

Congratulations to each,

and prayers of blessings

as you plan for your senior year!

President: Sarah Lemon

Vice President: Kiera Lyons

Pastor: Gabby Roper

Secretary: Andrea De Leon

Treasurer: Eliel Silvestre

Public Relations: Yendy Joseph

Representatives: Noah Lim, Minki Kang, Ethan Izumi

 

AA Spring Concert

 

You are invited to attend this free music performance at the Howard. It will also be live-streamed on our Facebook page.

Tomorrow, Thursday, May 9, 7 PM: Band & Orchestra Concert

Dress Rehearsal:

Tonight, Wednesday, May 8, 6 PM: Orchestra & Band Rehearsal

 

(watch for more info from your music teacher)

 

Asian American & Pacific Islander Food Tasting

This Friday, May 10, 11:45 AM, Commons

 

This Friday, we're celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a delicious feast and vibrant cultural festivities! Students, join us for a culinary adventure and joyful celebration of diversity. Afternoon classes will be held.

 

If your student plans to or may participate in one or more of the following off-site activities in May, parents and students must sign and turn in the attached blanket Hold Harmless form ASAP

  • NHS vespers (May 17)

  • Beach vespers (May 18

  • Senior/faculty party (May 25)

Note that the form may not be digitally signed or sent to us as a picture or file. We need the original, signed form turned in to the office several days in advance of a trip (even day trips). Therefore, we now have this blanket hold harmless agreement that can be used for any school activity that is on our calendar. A new one will be required for next school year.

 

Note that this form is now required prior to all day trips (which must be approved by AU ahead of time), and that medical insurance coverage is required for students to participate in off-site activities. You can also find it on our Useful Documents web page. Printed copies are available in the main office.

 

Parent/adult volunteers who help with any event/activity must also sign a hold harmless form ahead of the event.

 

NHS Officer Nomination Forms


Due tomorrow, Thursday, May 9. See Mr. Sherman for more information.

 

Bible Study

This Sabbath, May 11, at 3:30 PM, AA

 

Andrews Academy students are invited to our last Bible Study Sabbath experience! We have had meaningful studies thus far, opening Scripture to find answers to difficult questions and hearing the experience of others in answering life application questions as well.

 

All AA students who are interested in attending this experience, please fill out the Google Form. It will help us prepare accordingly, especially concerning the finger food portion. There is also further information towards the end of the form to help you prepare/know what to bring.

Google Form

We will finish with enough time for the girls to transition to their girls' night experience.

 

May the LORD cover this experience with His blessing and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we dig into the Bible to ground our walk with the LORD.

 

As always, if there are any questions, comments, concerns, etc., please feel free to contact Mrs. May.

 

The permission slip to attend Girls' Night is in the main office.

 

Tickets will be sold during lunch this week.

 

Spring Picnic

This Monday, May 13

8:30 AM - 2:00 PM, at AA


Please plan to arrive by 8:30 AM for devotions as we dedicate new officers for the next school year and unveil the yearbook. There will be fun activities, games, and lunch.

  • Athletic wear may be worn. Please come to school dressed according to the AA Sourcebook policy (pg. 80) for school functions.

  • Lunch will be provided. 

Dismissal is at 2:00 PM.

 

SA Beach Vespers

Next Sabbath, May 18,

4:15 at AA - 8 PM

 

Next week, the newly elected Student Association will hold their first event: Beach Vespers. Dress code is casual (within guidelines - Sourcebook page 80) and bringing jackets, blankets, bug spray, and towels/blankets is encouraged.

Students may not drive themselves. Come to AA at 4:15 PM to be transported by bus to the beach. You must have a signed permission slip to get on the bus, and the office must have an original, signed hold harmless agreement by Wednesday, May 15, or you will not be able to attend. Both forms are needed to attend. All parent/adult volunteers also need to sign a hold harmless form.

 

Final Exam/Assessment Schedule

& Graduation Practices

May 21-23

No early departure policy applies.

Final exams/assessments start on May 21. Please note when your exams are scheduled for and carefully prepare for them so that you can do well in each of your classes.

 

If there is a family emergency or some type of extenuating circumstances that necessitate a student missing any of their final exams, there is a form in the office to request an exception to the policy that will need to be filled out, signed by parent, administration, and teacher(s), and then turned in to the office prior to exam week. There is a $20 fee for each exam that needs to be rescheduled.

Students are required to attend even if you do not have an exam/ assessment for that time slot. However, if you have a study hall  (or band) during the first exam slot of the day, then you do not need to arrive until devotions. For students with band or a study hall for the first or last exam slot of the day (except Thursday), parents should contact us at AAattendance@andrews.edu or 269-471-3138 to excuse band/study hall. Contact Mrs. Meekma in the front office if you have any questions. Be sure to sign in at the front office if you arrive late or leave early. 

If you have a break in between two finals (for example, on Wednesday you have a 10:15 AM class final and no 11:10 AM class final [such as a study hall or CSA], then a 2:25 PM class final), then you must go to study hall. You may not leave campus and walk over to Apple Valley or anywhere else. Everyone should attend Mizpah/Communion/Checkout on Thursday.

Please remember that students must stay in the classroom for the entire exam class period. You may not go "get books," "get a drink," etc. when you are done with your exam. Before the exam begins, please get books you may need to study from, get a drink, use the restroom, etc. so that you can stay in the classroom the entire time. We want the entire school to be quiet during exams so that they can be done as effectively as possible without distractions. Thank you!

 

Graduation Information

  • Senior Class Night Practice: Tuesday, May 21, 1:15 PM, AA Chapel
  • Class Night: Thursday, May 23, 7:00 PM, AA Chapel - 6 tickets per graduate; overflow in library.
  • Consecration Service: Friday, May 24, 8:00 PM, Village Adventist Church
  • Senior Parent Sabbath School: Sabbath, May 25, 10:00 AM, AA Chapel
  • Baccalaureate Service: Sabbath, May 25, 11:45 AM (Get to PMC early)
  • Faculty/Senior Vespers & Party: Saturday night, May 25, 7:45 PM, AA
  • Commencement Service: Sunday, May 26, 11:00 AM, PMC
 

New Students


Applications for new students are open. If you have a current student at AA, you can start a new application packet in FACTS, in the same place that you re-enroll your current student (under Apply/Enroll, click on Application).

For new families, please go to the AA website and click on "Apply Now" for the online application.

AA Website
Instructions for New Students

Returning Students


For returning students who have not yet re-enrolled, please log in to FACTS and re-enroll. See the link below for detailed instructions.

Parents, please keep in mind that even if your child was financially cleared, they will not be able to begin class this next school year (2024-25) if their account has a balance.

FACTS
Re-enrollment Instructions for Returning Students

CONTACT US

 

Re-Enrollment Process: aaadmissions@andrews.edu

Financial Information: gaytan@andrews.edu

(Appointments: https://calendly.com/aafinances)

Class Schedule Questions: aaregistrar@andrews.edu

 

Important Information from the Registrar’s Office:

  • 2024-2025 Class Schedule Appointments: For those who have completed re-enrollment, including the financial agreement, you will receive an email with a link to make an appointment for your class schedule. You can also put your name on my door, and I will meet with you as I can.

Ms. Ivonne Segui Medina

Andrews Academy Registrar
269-471-6234
aaregistrar@andrews.edu

 

Tuition

 

Note that payment #10 FOR SENIORS was due on Monday, May 6.

 

Tuition payment #10 for everyone else is due by May 25.


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

 

Thank You!


We are thankful to our principal, vice principal, and all of our teachers for their tireless, hard work! Leading and teaching are often thankless jobs.

We invite you to let Pastor Ferguson, Ms. G, and your teachers know how much you appreciate them! Remember the staff also.

Faculty & Staff Contact Info
 

Chapel Recap

More photos on Facebook

On Monday, Ms. Jessica Catron, AA class of 2005, shared some insights of God’s leading her to become a teacher. She read from her Bible, the one that was given her at AA’s graduation, Proverbs 3:5-6, to lean on God not our own understanding. She had her life figured out her way after graduating from AA—she was going to go into an outdoor emergency rescue program. During one of the rock climbs in this program, she fell from a cliff, her life passing before her eyes. She was saved and realized that she was running away from God’s plan for her to be a teacher. She shared that she is so at peace being a teacher, now that she is leaning on God and doing His plan for her life.

 

It was rather ironic that she pointed to where she used to sit during chapel, and then as part of her introduction that her first name is Jessica. The person she pointed to was also Jessica, who is planning on becoming a teacher as well. The two talked after chapel.


Tuesday was individual class devotions, and no pictures are available. 

 

Grad Brunch for Incoming Freshmen

 

Sunday, June 2, 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM, Andrews Academy

Parents of incoming freshmen (9th graders), along with your student, are invited to join us to learn more about Andrews Academy, including our music program and classes, get financial information, sign up for classes, meet many of our faculty and staff, and more. We will eat brunch, and students will have fun activities in the gym as well.

 

There will be limited financial clearance appointments available, so please try to meet with Ms. Gracie before June 2 if possible. For an appointment, go to https://calendly.com/aafinances. You may also meet with her during the summer, but you cannot move on to online enrollment and reserving classes until you meet with her as well as submit the application and two recommendation forms.

If you plan to apply for Financial Aid, please bring copies of the following:

• 2023 W2 or 1099 (if you do contract work)
• 2023 Tax Return

This will help to speed up the processing of your paperwork.

 

Note: Classes cannot be reserved until the online application, two positive recommendation forms, financial clearance, and online enrollment are completed, even if you turn a schedule in at Grad Brunch.

 
 

Attention: 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.

To sign up for the lunch program and to add funds, please contact Andrews University's Dining Services at ds@andrews.edu or call 269-471-3161. The Dining Services Office is located on the first floor of the AU Campus Center. At this time (while the new website is being worked on), you will still contact Dining Services to add funds to your student's account. Parents will now need to purchase at least 20 meals at a time. Any leftover funds will be refunded at the end of the year.

 

Monday–Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

 
 

Jr. Cardinals Girls Volleyball Tryouts

 

Questions and inquiries can be directed to Coach George Kim at gskim575@gmail.com.

 

Spend Your Summer with Andrews University!

July 28-August 16

 

The Early College Experience is an in-person summer program for rising high school Juniors and Seniors as well as incoming college Freshmen. Come join us for three weeks of learning and fun on the campus of Andrews University. Each student will take one, 3-credit hour college course in addition to participating in seminars, activities, and local travel. This is a great way to earn college credit as a high schooler!

 

Admissions

 

Admissions requirements for the summer 2024 Early College Experience have been changed. 

 

All applicants must fill out and submit the online application. Students must have a 3.25 High School GPA with a college prep curriculum.* ACT, SAT or PSAT scores preferred. Students can be admitted without test scores, but must meet high school curriculum requirements. For questions, please email explore@andrews.edu.

 

*Rising juniors must submit additional test scores. Please contact the program director for special inquiries.

 

Application

 

Students can apply for the Early College Experience online following the instructions below. In addition to the application, you will need to submit a copy of your high school transcript and the relevant standardized test scores.

The easiest way to apply is to use our fillable application. Click the link above and download the form. Fill it out and send it back to AU via email at explore@andrews.edu.

 

If you want to apply online, visit the online application right here or by visiting andrews.edu/apply. Choose the undergraduate application and be sure to apply for the Main Campus as a high school guest student. You must apply as a high school guest to get the special rate. In addition, make sure you choose the summer term and click "yes" for Early College. The rest of the application is simple and should only take a few minutes to complete.

 

After AU receives the application and additional documents, they will review your information and you will receive a decision letter. If you have already been admitted for the fall term, they will have your documents on file. If you are admitted to the program, you will receive an acceptance letter with instructions on your next steps and payment information. Please remember, acceptance to the Early College Program is not an admission to Andrews University as a full-time student. If you have any trouble with the application or have questions, please contact them at explore@andrews.edu.

 

2024 Courses

 

College Writing I*

Communications Skills

World Civilizations*

Scripture* (general education religion)

*honors eligible courses

 

The Early College Experience is a single package price of $1,295. This covers all costs, including tuition, housing, food, books, and activities. There are no hidden costs or additional fees.

More Info
 
 
2023-24 Year-at-a-Glance Calendar
2023-24 Calendar
2024-25 Year-at-a-Glance Calendar
 

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

Fridays: 7:40 AM - 2:30 PM

 

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

 

Opting into Texting for One Call Now Alerts


Andrews Academy utilizes One Call Now, an automated messaging service, to contact students and parents about school cancellations (including snow days), upcoming events, and urgent information, 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!

 

Textbook Information

Be sure to check to see if used options are available.

 
 
 
 

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. Meekma (ginam@andrews.edu) in the main office.

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

 

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 do have a limited supply of uniforms for sale at AA (cash or check only) during office hours.

AA's Lands' End Store

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.

 

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!

 

CONTACT US:

Main Office: ginam@andrews.edu or call 269-471-3138
Principal: aaprincipal@andrews.edu or mferguson@andrews.edu
Vice Principal: girlie@andrews.edu

Application/Enrollment Process: aaadmissions@andrews.edu

Financial Questions: gaytan@andrews.edu

Class Schedule: 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