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Volume 16, Issue 12

 

Andrews Academy's

Official Newsletter

September 30, 2022

 

Thank You, Mr. VanDenburgh!


We are all looking forward to the musical Fiddler on the Roof coming to AA this December. We recognize that there have been practices after school almost every day since school began in August. What some may not know about are the hours involved in building the stage and various props for the musical. This past Sunday, Mr. VanDenburgh spent close to ten hours extending the stage in preparation for the musical.

Thanks to Mr. VanDenburgh for his many hours of dedicated service as he not only teaches but prepares for this musical. Thank you also to the volunteers who have been helping with the stage and props!

 

Next Week, October 3-7, 2022


Monday - Grandparents Day: Come dressed up as your grandparents.

Tuesday - Class Colors Day:

Freshmen - Black

Sophomores - Red

Juniors - Green

Seniors - Blue

Wednesday - Christmas Wear Day: Come in Christmas-themed clothing.

Thursday - Tie-Dye Day: Come dressed in your most eccentric tie-dyed garb.

Friday - Faculty Day: Come dressed as one of your teachers.

Remember to follow the AA dress code guidelines (no hoodies, hats, shorts, short skirts, etc.) in our school Sourcebook (pgs. 79-80). If you aren't dressing up for Spirit Week, you must be in AA uniform!

 

Career Seminars & Fair

Friday morning, October 14

On Friday of AA's alumni weekend, there will be a special Convocation for our students. The speaker will be Christiana (Atkins) Howell from the class of 2012. She is Mr. Atkins' daughter.

Following the Alumni Convocation, sixteen AA alumni will hold Career Seminars, sharing about what they do, the education needed for their career, and more. There will also be a Career Fair in the gym. No classes will meet at AA during that time.

Students, please click on the link to sign up for Career Seminars. Give your top three choices, although you will only attend two seminars and the Career Fair. If you do not sign up by October 7, you will be assigned to two seminars.

Please contact Mrs. Meekma in the front office if you have any questions.

Career Seminar Sign-Up
 

Hispanic Heritage Assembly

Next Friday, October 7
 

 

8:00 AM

  8:00 Class Meets

8:55 AM

  9:20 Class Meets

9:50 AM

  10:15 Class Meets

10:45 AM

  Assembly

12:05 PM

  Regular Friday Schedule Resumes

 
 

PSAT Testing Information & Senior Preview Day

Wednesday, October 12

 

All freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will take the PSAT test on Wednesday, October 12. The regular schedule (lunch and classes) will resume at 12:00 PM.

 

Grades 9, 10, and 11 students will take the PSAT/NSMQT that morning from 8:00–11:30 AM. The PSAT, when taken in a student's junior year, is a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship. We encourage our students to familiarize themselves with the test by taking practice tests online by visiting www.collegeboard.org.

 

On the morning of the test, students should arrive by 7:45 AM. Students arriving after 8:00 AM will not be allowed to sit for the test. Please arrive on time. 

 

If your student wishes to participate in the PSAT testing, they will need to test on-site. There will not be a make-up PSAT testing date this school year.

 

Grade 12 will be at AU that morning/early afternoon for Senior Day. Your sponsors will give you more information. Following that, seniors should return to AA for the remaining afternoon classes.

 

If you have any additional questions, please contact me at nievesl@andrews.edu.


Ms. Leslie Nieves
Guidance Counselor | Andrews Academy
269-471-3453

 

SAT Testing at AA


We still have room available for AA seniors and juniors to participate in SAT School Day at AA on Thursday afternoon, October 27. Please bring a $60 check to the office to sign up.

Ms. Leslie Nieves
Guidance Counselor | Andrews Academy
269-471-3453
nievesl@andrews.edu

 

FACTS or Andrews Username Log In Help


If you need help logging in to FACTS or help with your Andrews user name/email and password, please contact Mrs. Meekma (ginam@andrews.edu) in the front office.

You can find your schedule, grades, etc. on FACTS. New students, if your username hasn't been set up yet, come to the front office for help.

 

You must use your Andrews.edu email to sign up on the links below. Also, please come the dates that you have selected to be present. If you did not fill out a form, it is still OK for you to attend. This just helps me (Mrs. Mills) know who is planning on being a part of the group. 

  • Flag Football (Tuesdays & Thursdays)

  • Women's Strength Club (Thursdays)

  • Fitness Center Open Gym Sign up (Mondays/some Tuesdays)

Flag Football Form
 
Women's Strength Club Form
Fitness Center Open Gym Sign Up
 

Chapels this Week


Our chapels this week proceeded to connect to Hispanic History Month and our theme this year, “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation.” Each chapel began with a short time for trivia, where students were invited on stage to answer a question about Hispanic culture and history. Following the trivia, a group of students led out in praise songs, sung in Spanish. 

 

On Monday, we heard from Hadid Cortez. He spoke of Mexican history—specifically about the Aztec and their downfall. Due to a widespread dislike of the Aztecs (by neighboring tribes who were paying tribute to them), the Spaniard conquistadors were able to use that division to overthrow the Aztec Empire. In reflection, he noted, “More things unite us than divide us.” He encouraged students to put aside their differences in order to go against the “real enemy.” 

 

On Tuesday, Pastor Nestor Osman, who is from Argentina, spoke regarding what the Bible is about. He pointed out how it shows international people crossing borders—like Joseph in Egypt—and making an impact in another country. Pastor Osman specifically pointed out Paul who had, during that time, what was considered an international passport and used that to travel to 59 cities. “Borders were created by people, but we are called to be ambassadors,” he advocated to students. 

 

On Wednesday, we heard from Mrs. Silvestre, AA Spanish teacher and mother of Eliel, as she shared about her high school experience and how she was shy back then, even though her interactions were in Spanish (her first language). She spoke of her “savior,” Mariana, who helped her feel included. Mrs. Silvestre contacted her recently to thank her for including her in their interactions at school. Mariana responded that she didn’t know that she had, and that she simply thought of Mrs. Silvestre as her friend and that she enjoyed talking and having fun with her. Mrs. Silvestre deeply encouraged students to be a “Mariana” to others in school and to help everyone feel included, during a time when they may feel excluded. 

 

On Thursday, Pastor Jose Bourget, father of Sophia, spoke. He noted that he is from the Dominican Republic but moved to the U.S. when he was five. He juxtaposed his experience swimming at Camp Au Sable and in Lake Michigan with the time he swam in the sea during a mission trip back in the Dominican Republic. He remembered a life-harrowing experience where he almost got swept out to sea by a current. Pastor Bourget likened knowing the differences between each body of water with knowing cultures. “Just because you know one culture doesn’t mean you know all of them,” he concluded. 

 

On Friday, we invited Ms. Myrna Araujo, an AA alumnus, to speak. She recalled her experience as a missionary child and depending on music (specifically singing) to occupy her time. Ms. Araujo posed this question: “What if a choir sang with only the same voice?” To demonstrate the answer, she had the students sing “God is So Good” in unison and in English. Then, she had students, by section, sing in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Lastly, she had them sing in the same languages but while harmonizing. “When we come together,” she declared brightly, “we make something extremely beautiful.”

More photos on FB
 

Senior Class Cookie Dough Fundraiser Continues


Seniors would like to continue to sell the unexpected extra cookie dough we received last school year. The remaining cookie dough containers can store for more than a year in the freezer. They have been kept frozen since December and are available for anyone interested in supporting the senior class by enjoying fresh cookies. Each container can make 30 cookies. We are selling them at a discounted price of $10. Please stop by Atkins’ classroom to pick some up, or contact any senior who would be happy to pick one up for you. We only have chocolate chunk available.

 
 

Remember: If you would like Friday's lunch, those who are signed up for the lunch program must request 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 or add funds to your student's account, 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.
 

Monday–Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

 

Alumni Reunion 2022

 

Alumni, we hope that you plan to attend the reunion on Sabbath, October 15. Alumni Convocation and Career Seminars on Friday are for current students.

Shydepoke Survey
Reunion Information
 
 
2022-23 Calendar*
2022-23 Year-at-a-Glance Calendar

* There are options to subscribe to the 2022-23 school calendar on our website.

 

Junior/Senior Banquet

Sunday, November 13, at 5:00 PM

Sponsored by PMC Parents. More information coming soon.

 
 

RAD Self-Defense Class

Led by the Berrien County Sheriff's Department
 

Who: Ladies ages 12 & up

Wonderful for mother/daughters, girl's evenings, and any lady who would like to learn some potentially life-saving methods of self-defense.

When: October 17-19, 2022
5:30-9:00 PM
Food will be provided.

Where: The Community Center at the Stevensville Adventist Church
6657 Stevensville-Baroda Rd
Stevensville, MI

Cost: Free (donations welcome)

Space is limited, so sign up ASAP! Reserve your spot by October 13 by texting Jen Lemon (269-340-2264).

 

Mondays - Thursdays:
7:40 AM - 4:00 PM

Fridays: 7:40 AM - 2:00 PM

2021-22 Sourcebook
Faculty & Staff Contact Info

Principal:
aaprincipal@andrews.edu
Main Office:
ginam@andrews.edu
Attendance: aaattendance@andrews.edu

Registrar/Class Schedule: aaregistrar@andrews.edu
Finances:
gaytan@andrews.edu

Guidance Counselor: nievesl@andrews.edu

 

Students, please report positive COVID tests, symptoms, and exposure to COVID at the link below. Thank you!

COVID Reporting
 

Andrews Academy

8833 Garland Ave Berrien Springs, MI 49104

 

 

academy@andrews.edu

 

269-471-3138