News & Announcements

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Volume 18, Issue 13

Andrews Academy's

Official Newsletter

September 24, 2024

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AA Students at AU SciFest

This year’s SciFest theme was “Light” presented by STEM at Andrews University. Thursday evening was an introduction dinner and activities. Students had the option to 3D print objects, visit the natural history museum, play board games, or visit the Wellness Center. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is in the College of Arts & Sciences at Andrews University. (September 19-21, 2024)

Friday morning’s worship was about how special the sunlight and atmosphere are to allow only useful light reach us. It sure appears designed - like God created it. Then the students went to each of the STEM departments and completed labs.

Math - Students tried to solve puzzles such as tangrams, a puzzle calendar, folding puzzles, and a cube snake.
Biology - Students studied chloroplasts and chlorophyl from spinach leaves.
Chemistry - Students had to determine the concentration of a solution by the intensity of light passing through the solution. They had to mix several different strengths of concentration and perform a linear regression to make a model.
Physics - Students explored the interference of light by shining a laser through two tiny slits which produced an interference pattern.
Engineering - Students explored the best angles to set a solar panel to make electricity. They experimented with both compass direction and angle to the sky. The data was slightly messed up due to rain and clouds.
Sustainable Agriculture - Students learned about how the iris of the eye works. Then they build origami sodium ion channels that open and close something like an iris.

Friday evening vespers included an afterglow fire and s’mores by the observatory.

On Sabbath morning, Sabbath School was a panel discussion reflecting on technology, AI, science, and the Bible. Five professors, from biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and theology, answered questions about the intersection of faith and science.

Sabbath evening vespers was followed by a quiz bowl where teams answered questions from the different STEM areas. Then scores were added with the Friday lab activities and winners determined. Awards were based on points. Teams that earned 90-100% of the possible points earned a first place award. Both AA teams earned first place.

More photos on Facebook

Junior/Senior & Parent Information Night

Tonight, Tuesday, September 24, 6:30 PM

Attention all juniors, seniors, & parents! The Guidance Department, in collaboration with Andrews University's Enrollment Department, will host a Parent Information Night at Andrews Academy. The purpose of this Parent Night is to provide information about GPA and test scores, registration, scholarship opportunities, and Andrews University's Early College Experience Program. In addition, students and parents will have the opportunity to hear more about the pros/cons of community college vs. four year universities, how to schedule a family visit at AU, and learn more about upcoming events. Please join us!

This Thursday - everyone will have their photo taken in their AA uniform. Come prepared!

E-Learning Day for Students/Professional Development for Faculty & Staff

Please note that there will be an e-learning day this Monday, September 30. Students will work on assignments from home while the faculty and staff have some important training.

AA Gym Schedule Fall 2024

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.

We are especially looking for help with Sabbath lunch during alumni weekend (October 19).

Please email me (aappi@andrews.edu) if you are available and willing to serve at alumni or any of these events. ~ Kimberly Spare

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,

Caleb Akins, MA

Media Ministry Director

Andrews Academy

akins@andrews.edu

Tuition

Note that payment #2 is due tomorrow, Wednesday, September 25.

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

Freshman Assembly

Today the Guidance Department presented an assembly just for the freshmen. During this assembly, the Guidance Counselor, Ms. Leslie Nieves, helped freshmen process standardized test anxiety for such tests as the PSAT. They then used a computer program called “bluebook” that helps them develop strategies for taking these standardized tests and did some sample questions together.

Senior Pictures & Ads for Yearbook

Senior pictures are needed for yearbook, class night, and the class composite to be hung in the AA Commons or Library. The yearbook team will need your senior and baby pictures by Friday, October 18, 2024. We encourage you to get your senior picture done during the summer before the busy school year begins. Photographers get busy in the late summer and fall, so you may want to book an appointment early. PLEASE PLAN AHEAD and get your picture done in a timely manner.

You do not have to go to a professional photographer for this picture, but please make sure you follow the picture requirements below. If not, the yearbook team may request that you send an alternative. For yearbook pictures, seniors should be looking at the camera rather than away from it.

Pictures for the yearbook and senior ads must adhere to the following requirements:

In color
Picture from waist up (not entire body) - yearbook picture
Portrait/vertical mode (not landscape/horizontal) - yearbook picture
Attire per AA guidelines—no sleeveless shirts or bare shoulders, no low cut or cropped tops, no jewelry - yearbook AND senior ads
High-resolution JPEG (at least 4x6, 300 ppi resolution)

Baby Photos

By the same date (October 18), please submit a baby picture as well. The baby picture will be used by yearbook as well as for senior bulletin board and class night purposes. Please submit a high-resolution JPEG baby picture. If you cannot scan the picture, you may bring the baby picture to the yearbook team, and they will scan it for you.

Also, please plan ahead for senior yearbook ad nights on Monday and Tuesday, October 28 & 29, starting at 5:00 PM. At that time, you and your parents can purchase senior ads for the yearbook (see the messages to seniors in the back of previous yearbooks for examples).

Please send photos and any questions to Mrs. Diane Meyers (myersd@andrews.edu). Note the student’s name in the subject line and indicate if the photos are for the senior/baby section OR the parent dedication.

Chapel Recap: Genesis 3-5

We are blessed to be on the campus of Andrews University. On Monday, Dr. Glanz from the seminary shared insights on the Cain and Abel story. As we read the Biblical account, he included the Hebrew to gain a deeper understanding. He shared a picture of a portion of ancient scrolls that this account was written on. This first story after the fall dealt with the poison of envy. He helped us see how this story applies to each of us as we may experience the poison of envy. If continue to do good things despite what is going on, we will start to raise our head from despair and see other people instead of just ourselves.

On Tuesdays, we have student pastors from the classes, NHS, and SA lead in group Bible studies. Today the entire student body was divided into smaller groups that met in various places throughout the school. These groups were then divided into smaller groups of 7-8 that read portions of Genesis chapter 3 and discussed the reading.

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.

Local 7th & 8th Graders:

Attention AA Alumni:

On Sunday at 9:00 AM, there will be a memorial walk on the campus of Andrews University in honor of former teacher Mrs. Sharon Russel. Meet in the AA parking lot.

Community Volleyball

Starting tonight, Tuesday, September 24, 2024, from 7:00-9:00 PM, AA will be hosting community volleyball.

Click on the form link if you would like to play. It needs to be completed before you can attend and play for the evening. You can access this form repeatedly to change your sign-up status. Please sign up the day before the Tuesday you choose to play so that Mrs. Mills can give the list to the supervisor for the evening. Each person that plans on playing needs to sign up using the attached form (using an andrews.edu email address).

Volleyball Sign-Up Form

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. We found a few more used uniforms in storage, so those who don't have uniforms should come tomorrow (Monday) to see if you can find something that fits (first come, first served).

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

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!