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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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AA will be closed from December 18 - January 2.
School resumes on Wednesday, January 3.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
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Season's Greetings
Throughout this Christmas season, we have enjoyed the music, the decorations, and so many Christmas traditions here at Andrews Academy. The Feast of Lights program is not only a highlight of the Christmas traditions, but it also retells the Reason for the Christmas season: Jesus coming to this Earth as a baby so that each of us can be saved and spend eternity with Him!
Another AA tradition is a SA sponsored Christmas party right after exams and before everyone leaves for the holidays. This year, SA organized a series of activities in the chapel, a Kahoot competition between the classes, and wrapping a class sponsor up in Christmas wrap. Following this, there were a number of activities such karaoke, board games, and food for each of the students. Thank you, SA and sponsors, for this party to celebrate the end of the semester and the beginning of our Christmas holidays.
May God grant you His richest blessing during this season of His Son’s birth.
Merry Christmas!
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| More photos on FB |
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Christmas Pops Concert
The twelfth annual Christmas Pops Concert was held on December 10, 2023. 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 to the music teachers, Dr. Elsy M. Gallardo-Diaz and Mr. Marcelo Martins, who worked diligently in making this such a beautiful program.
May each of you have a blessed and Merry Christmas!
(Please remember to “like” AA's Facebook page.)
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Important Deadlines from the Registrar’s Office:
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Ms. Ivonne Segui Medina
Andrews Academy Registrar
269-471-6234
aaregistrar@andrews.edu
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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 (including snow days), upcoming events, and urgent information, 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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Tuition
Tuition payment #5 is due on December 25. AA will be closed, but there is a drop box on the pillar near the front door for payments, etc.
Please contact Ms. Gracie at gaytan@andrews.edu with questions.
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Drawing Class Final Exam
The drawing class final exam was not a paper and pencil test as most exams are. Theirs was to present the sketches that they created this semester. Mr. Zech Ray, art teacher, AA alumnus, and local artist, positively commented on each of the student’s sketching artistic skills. He pointed out their unique strengths as they developed their sketching skills this past semester.
Thank you, Mr. Ray, for teaching drawing class this semester, developing the artistic skills of your students, and for this creative “final exam.”
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| More photos on FB |
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Thank You, PPI!
Thank you, Parents Positively Involved (PPI), for thinking of the faculty/staff and providing a meal for them this past Wednesday. The food was delicious and was appreciated after a day of finals, at the close of this busy semester. Again, thank you for this and for all your help for the numerous activities throughout this past semester that helped make many memories for the students of Andrews Academy.
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Chapels this Week
On Prayer Monday, the AA religion teachers asked students to write a letter of thanks to God. They encouraged them to not only write thanks for what has happened, but also for thanks of things in advance. Then they illustrated how to fold the paper into an envelope that will be kept in a safe place and returned to the students next semester. Throughout the semester, Monday's chapel has focused on prayer.
On Tuesday, Mrs. Pellegrini, SOW Safari director, read from Mathew 7 that says we are to ask God boldly for His spiritual blessing, then from Acts 1 that we are to be His witnesses. The SOW mission trip participants are claiming this promise as they leave the last day of December and return on January 10 for a mission trip to the Dominican Republic to build a church. The congregation there is currently meeting under a tarp, and when it rains, they often get soaked if there is a strong wind. Besides building the church, the thirty-two that are going will lead out in VBS for about 150 children as well as preach. Mrs. Pellegrini thanked the AA students for helping raise funds for this trip, to buy and prepare VBS supplies that will then be left there there for Sabbath school, and for the prayers of the AA family. The program concluded with participants going on the stage for a prayer of blessing for their SOW Safari mission trip.
On Wednesday, Karan Chun, AA senior, shared the insight she has gained from a late night talk with her parents. Last year she was feeling overwhelmed, a failure, and she lacked confidence. In the process, she spent less and less time with Jesus. During a good late night talk with her parents, she was challenged to renew her relationship with God. Focusing on her relationship with God slowly made these negative feelings disappear. She had two individuals do a trust fall to help us see that when we have a strong relationship with Jesus, we can trust Him in all that we do.
Pastor Lindsey Pratt began Thursday’s devotion by asking students to vote on their favorite flashlight by how it looked (without the light on). She then had the chapel lights shut off and asked students to vote again. This time, many changed their vote because the light shining out from the inside made a big difference. Just like the light on the flashlight is what matters, what's on the inside of us is what counts. It was Mary’s “heart” and character that determined that she was chosen to give birth to and raise Jesus. The Pastor encouraged each of us to remember that what's on the inside of our hearts is what matters.
On Friday, Pastor Gabriel Johnson asked the students for examples of good things that people do during the Christmas season. Students shared ideas such as giving, celebrating, being with family, etc. Pastor Nancy May then read two original stories that her students had written as part of her Bible class assignments about the first Christmas. These two stories were creative and very well written.
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SOW Safari 2023
December 31, 2023, - January 10, 2024
If you would like an opportunity to be part of the upcoming SOW Safari mission trip without leaving home, scan the QR code or click on the graphic to give online. You can also give via check (made out to Andrews Academy) or credit card (call AU Development at 269-471-3124 - specify AA's Student Missionary/SOW Safari fund).
If you would like to support one of the students going on the trip (non-tax deductible), please contact the school office at 269-471-3138.
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Free Counseling Offered at Andrews University
The Andrews Community Counseling Center (ACCC) will be open for spring semester starting on January 8, 2024, and counselors will start contacting individuals within a couple of weeks after re-opening. Individuals may call now and leave a confidential voicemail message to get on the request list now. 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 brochure for details.
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| More information |
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Mondays - Thursdays:
7:40 AM - 4:30 PM
Fridays: 7:40 AM - 2:30 PM
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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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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.
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You can find your schedule, grades, etc. on FACTS.
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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 do have a limited supply of uniforms for sale at AA (cash or check only) during office hours.
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| AA's Lands' End Store |
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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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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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Andrews Academy
8833 Garland Ave Berrien Springs, MI 49104
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269-471-3138
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