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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 (except by appointment) during Christmas break.
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Student Association Food Drive
We are thankful for the generosity of students and families as they participated in the Student Association food drive. Students shared enough food to prepare 100 Christmas meal packages for needy families. The school puts the Christmas meals together, and Pastor White, along with his Benton Harbor Highland Avenue Adventist Church, shares these meals with needy families.
Again, thank you for your generosity during this Christmas season of giving!
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The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25:40
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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, it also reminds us of 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 final exams and before everyone leaves for the holidays. This year, they organized a series of activities in the chapel, a Christmas story, whip cream activity, and wrapping your sponsor up in Christmas wrap. Following this, there was a number of activities such as gingerbread decorating, board games, and food for each of the students. Thank you, SA, 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 Facebook |
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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 on Monday, January 6. Thank you!
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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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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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Watercolor Class Final Exam
The watercolor class final exam was not the usual paper and pencil test. Their final was to present the artwork they created this semester. Mr. Zech Ray, watercolor 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 painting skills this past semester.
Thank you, Mr. Ray, for teaching watercolor class this semester, developing the artistic skills of your students, and for this creative “final exam.”
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| More photos on Facebook |
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Thank You, PPI
Thank you, Parents Positively Involved (PPI), for thinking of the faculty and providing meals this past Wednesday and Thursday! The food was delicious and was appreciated after busy days of finals, helping students with assignments, and at the close of this busy semester.
Again, thank you for this and for all your help for the numerous activities throughout this semester that helped make many memories for the students of AA.
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Christmas Extras
The faculty would like to thank the 9:20 Freshman Bible class for baking cookies and writing thoughtful notes of appreciation to faculty and staff during this Christmas season. This cheered us up and provided a little extra energy during this busy time of year.
There has also been a treasure hunt during these last two weeks of school. Some clues were shared, and students tried to find the prize. One hint was between Austria and Italy, so numerous students stopped by the Earth science classroom to look at the classroom globes in case the prize was there.
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Chapel Recap: Exodus 25-40
Principal Rubén Pérez-Schulz began the week by presenting an overview of Exodus 25-40. He read some portions of the texts, then had a series of quizzes that highlighted these chapters of the Bible. He presented a question, and students answered the multiple choice questions. We are impressed with how well numerous students were able to accurately answer the various quiz questions from Exodus. At the conclusion of the summary, he shared six lessons one can learn from these chapters.
Tuesday’s small group study took on a different approach this week. After some preliminary comments students left their chapel seating and went to their small Bible study groups. However this time within the group, they were divided into even smaller groups to play a school-wide Kahoot over Exodus 25-40.
Wednesday included singing three Christmas carols that students chose to sing. This was interspersed with reading portions of Exodus and also sharing a little about the Jewish nation and their celebration of Hanukkah - “dedication.” We as Christians often include candles in our Christmas celebrations of the birth of our Savior, the “Light of the World.”
Thursday’s chapel began with singing, “What Child is This?” Mrs. Sarah Fusté, mother of AA sophomore Melanie, shared insights from her life as she presented “Discovering Our Image of God.” She began with a quote she wrote on the chalkboard when she was five, and placed pieces of paper into a jar that described her image of God that she has discovered throughout her life, including the time of a terrible car accident in 2019. The three main images she wanted us to remember are
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God is Christlike
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God works all things for good
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God is present
She concluded with a prayer that each will know God deeply and develop their image of God.
Today (Friday), after everyone sang Noel, Mr. Wright, AA math/science teacher, read the Christmas story. Each text read had pictures to help visualize the words. It was a great way to end the semester’s chapel series.
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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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| 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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