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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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Feast of Lights
Andrews Academy’s fifty-first annual Feast of Lights, our gift to our community, was held on December 13, 2024, at Pioneer Memorial Church. It was a magnificent night of music, scripture, and drama honoring the King of Kings, a retelling of the glorious Christmas story. It spoke to our hearts of His wondrous love.
A big thank you to all the students who worked diligently to make this such a beautiful program. And a big thank you to the music directors, Dr. Elsy M. Gallardo-Díaz and Mr. Daniel Cerna.
May God grant you His richest blessings during this season of celebration of His Son’s birth. Merry Christmas!
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Final exams/assessments start tomorrow, Wednesday, December 18. Please note when your exams are scheduled for and carefully prepare for them so that you can do well in each of your classes. The first day begins at 9:25 AM to provide you more time to prepare. If your transportation requires you to arrive at the school at 8:00 AM, then please go to the Commons.
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 or literary interpretation) during the first exam slot of the day, then you do not need to arrive until devotions. For students with band/lit interp or a study hall for the first or last exam slot of the day, parents should contact us at AAattendance@andrews.edu or 269-471-3138 to excuse study hall/band/lit interp. 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 Thursday 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.
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!
If you have a conflict with final exams for any reason, please contact Mrs. Gina Meekma in the main office (ginam@andrews.edu or 269-471-3138).
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AA will be closed (except by appointment) during Christmas break.
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Bible Camp
January 16-19, 2025
Camp Au Sable, Grayling, MI
For those who turned in an application to go to Bible Camp, additional paperwork and information will be sent home with students tomorrow. The forms need to be returned ASAP - due Monday, January 6, at the latest. Thank you!
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SA Service Project
This is a reminder that we are collecting food for our Andrews Academy Service Project that will help a local community in need. For this project, you can bring in canned fruits and veggies, bagged rice, Mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, and boxed cake. We encourage you to participate and help serve our community by making these donations. The classes are competing for the chance to win a donut party by reaching their 250 item quota.
Thank you for your participation!
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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. Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing detailed information regarding the buyback process, including the list of eligible books, pricing, and procedures.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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
Payment #5 is due on or before December 25 (AA will be closed except by appointment during Christmas break). 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.
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Christmas Pops Concert
The thirteenth annual Christmas Pops Concert was held on December 14, 2024. This Christmas celebration was presented by the Andrews Academy Music Department at the Howard Performing Arts Center on the campus of Andrews University. A big thank you to all the students and music directors, Dr. Elsy M. Gallardo-Díaz & Mr. Daniel Cerna, who worked diligently in making this such a beautiful program.
And thank you parents and AU Dining Services for providing Christmas treats for all to enjoy following the concert.
May each of you have a blessed and Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Remember to "like" Andrews Academy’s Facebook page to see more photos and news/information. Thanks!
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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.
Notice: Funds for second semester will need to be added starting Monday, January 6. Any leftover lunch funds from first semester do not roll over to second semester. They will be credited to your tuition account instead.
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Free Counseling Offered at Andrews University
The Andrews Community Counseling Center (ACCC) opens on January 13 for spring semester. Individuals may call now and leave a confidential voicemail message to get on the request list.
The graduate-level practicum students who provide these free counseling services at the ACCC have training in counseling adults, adolescents, and children. Counseling sessions are completely confidential. See the attached flyer for more information.
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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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269-471-3138
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