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Volume 17, Issue 54

 

Andrews Academy's

Official Newsletter

March 24, 2024

 

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Ceramics Class

 

Andrews Academy offers a number of different art classes. This semester, the school offers a ceramics class. Mr Zechariah Ray, local artist and AA alumnus, teaches this class. Recently they were shaping their next project while the previous projects were in the kiln. (March 13, 2024)

More photos on Facebook
 

Parent/Teacher Conference Schedule

This Wednesday & Thursday, March 27 & 28


School dismissal is at 12:00 PM. No hot lunch will be served.
 

Wednesday, March 27, 2024
(AM Classes Meet)

 

Thursday, March 28, 2024

(PM Classes Meet)

 

Please plan for in-person Parent/Teacher Conferences on March 27 & 28. School will dismiss at 12:00 PM on both days to accommodate the conferences. Conferences this Wednesday, March 27, will be from 4:00–8:00 PM, and conferences this Thursday, March 28, will be from 2:00–5:00 PM.


Online signups are now open. The last day to sign up is this Tuesday, March 26.

If you received an email from your child's teacher inviting you to make an appointment, this may have been an automatic email to all parents of students in their classes. If things are going well for your child in their class, please do not feel like you have to make an appointment with the teacher. If you would like to, you can make an appointment, but making an unnecessary appointment will result in fewer appointments available for those that really need to have a conference.

 

To sign up online, please go to www.factsmgt.com and complete the following steps:

  1. Parents sign in with their own FACTS account, not the student account. The district code is AN-MI. If you have trouble logging in, email ginam@andrews.edu.
  2. Navigate to Family Portal > Calendar > My Classrooms to view events on the calendar. Click an event to view details. Note: While the events show up on March 27, when you click on them, options should be available for both March 27 & 28.
  3. Register for a time slot.
  4. After registering, parents may cancel or change their registration in Family Portal, Calendar, My Classrooms by clicking on the event.

These steps MUST be done for EACH appointment.

 

Please note that typically only full-time teachers are listed. Some of our teachers will be away on band tour (Gallardo, Johnson, Silvestre), so you will need to make other arrangements if you would like to meet with them. Contract and college/dual enrollment class teachers aren't listed. If you have a desire to conference with a contract teacher, the office will be able to provide you with contact information. College teachers must be reached through the University.

 

If spots are filled or there is not a time slot that is workable for you, please feel free to email the teachers through the FACTS portal and schedule an appointment that works for both of you.

 

We look forward to meeting with you.

 

2024-2025 Re-Enrollment


Andrews Academy’s administration and staff welcomes you to re-enroll your child for the 2024-2025 school year. Parents, please take time now to complete your child’s re-enrollment for next year.

 

March 1, 2024
FACTS Re-Enrollment & Financial Agreement Opened

 

April 2
Academic Orientation, Class Schedule Available

 

August 19
First Day of School

 

FACTS ENROLLMENT

FACTS requires a non-refundable $100 payment upon submission of enrollment and a verification email will be sent to you. (You may now pay online - the issue has been fixed.)

 

Follow these simple instructions:

  1. Please go to https://factsmgt.com

  2. Select Family Log In.

  3. Select FACTS Family Portal.

  4. Enter AN-MI into the District Code field.

  5. Enter your username and password. If you have forgotten your username or password, please click on the link provided.

  6. After logging in, click on the Apply/Enroll button in the left menu.

  7. Click on the Enrollment/Re-enrollment button.

Our Enrollment system will open with a link to the enrollment packet for your child. The online process should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Your information will be saved if you need to quit and come back later. 

 

(Please Note: You will need to use a computer to access the online enrollment packet. Mobile devices can be used to log into FACTS; however, the enrollment function will not work.)

 

MEDICAL INSURANCE CARD

Upload a medical insurance card (front & back – jpeg format only) when completing FACTS enrollment OR email to aaadmissions@andrews.edu.

 

🚩 FINANCIAL AGREEMENT

The Financial Agreement form must be approved by Gracie Gaytan, Student Accounts Manager. Please make an appointment for your family at https://calendly.com/aafinances. We appreciate your patience as she has many families to meet with as well as other responsibilities.

 

CLASS SCHEDULE - Available as of April 2

Upon completion of FACTS Enrollment and the Financial Agreement, an email will be sent to you with instructions to make an appointment with the registrar. Appointments begin in April starting with the new seniors, then juniors, and sophomores (see dates in registrar's announcement below). Re-enrollment, including the financial agreement, MUST have been completed before an appointment can be made for the class schedule.

 

Your class schedule will be time-stamped, and reservation for classes will be based upon class standing, availability, attendance records, and a time stamp.

  • Based on FACTS Enrollment and Financial Agreement completion dates, students will be able to choose a locker for next school year.
  • Instructions and forms are located on the Andrews Academy website.

CONTACT US

 

Re-Enrollment Process: aaadmissions@andrews.edu

Financial Information: gaytan@andrews.edu

Class Schedule Questions: aaregistrar@andrews.edu

 

New Students


Applications for new students are now open. If you have a current student at AA, you can start a new application packet in FACTS, in the same place that you re-enroll your current student (under Apply/Enroll, click on Application).

New families, please go to the AA website and click on "Apply Now" for the online application.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Gina Meekma at aaadmissions@andrews.edu.

FACTS
 
AA Website
Instructions for New Students
 

SA Banquet

 

Starting tomorrow, tickets will no longer be discounted and will return to their usual price of $15 and will be sold for two weeks during lunches and after school.

 

Important Information from the Registrar’s Office:

  • Reminder for Seniors: Work Experience Evaluation forms are due by this Thursday, March 28. If you are not sure if you have submitted yours or if you have enough hours turned in, please contact me.
  • If you or your parents have any questions regarding work experience or schedules, don't hesitate to contact me.

  • 2024-2025 Class Schedule Dates (for those who have completed re-enrollment, including the financial agreement): You will receive an email with information to make an appointment once you have completed re-enrollment/financial clearance.

    • Seniors (class of 2025)April 2-8, 2024
    • Juniors (class of 2026)April 9-15
    • Sophomores (class of 2027)April 16-24

*If you miss your designated class week, you will need to schedule your appointment beginning April 29.

 

Ms. Ivonne Segui Medina

Andrews Academy Registrar
269-471-6234
aaregistrar@andrews.edu

 

Noon Dismissal for Professional Development

Next Tuesday, April 2


Please note that we will have Professional Development for our faculty and staff next Tuesday afternoon, April 2. Afternoon classes will meet in the morning. School will dismiss at 12:00 PM. Watch for a posted adjusted schedule.

 

Community Vespers

Friday, April 5

 

Everyone is invited to join us for refreshments at 5:30 PM and vespers at 7:00 PM. This will be Pastor Ferguson's final Community Vespers.

 

Tuition

 

Tuition payment #8 is due tomorrow, Monday, March 25.


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

 

Sophomore Class “After Hours” Variety Show & Silent Auction

Sunday, April 7, from 6:00-8:00 PM

 

Enjoy an evening of entertainment and purchase delicious desserts and specialty baked goods. Come show your support! Tickets available during lunch or online.

 

If you're unable to attend but would like to support the event, follow the link and click the "Donate" button.

Tickets/Donations
 

Thank you, AA Students!

 

Many stories can be told of the caliber of students we have at Andrews Academy. Here are two.

 

On beautiful, spring-like days, the students often step outside Mr. Atkins' classroom door just before class to toss the football and enjoy the sun. The Wednesday before Spring Break was so beautiful and warm that Mr. Atkins let them stay out an extra few minutes after the beginning of class to enjoy the outdoors. When he invited them in, they self-regulated themselves to get going on the lesson right away, working efficiently because they were given extra outdoor relaxation time. Mr. Atkins was thankful for their efforts to make up their time—the lesson for the day was done before the class period was over. Thank you, students.

 

On that day, and like so many other days, as they walked out of the room at the end of the class period, many yelled over to their teacher saying, "Thank you!" Thank you, students, for expressing thanks to your teachers.

 

We are blessed with the caliber of students we have here at Andrews Academy. 

 

Chapel Recap

 

On Wednesday, March 13, Pastor Natasha Richards, a student in the AU seminary, continued her week-long presentation on the topic “The Persistent Quotient.” She read portions from Isaiah 43:1-3, 19 which is the text for the week of presentations. The first point was prayer, the second was power, and the third was God’s promise. Some promises are conditional but God’s promise that “you are mine” is an unconditional promise. No matter what we do, or what we go through, we are always His.

 

Following song service on Thursday, Pastor Natasha Richards continued her series. God proclaimed in Isaiah 43 that we are His. She encouraged us to find our scripture to help us proclaim that we are His.

After song service on Friday, Pastor Natasha Richards concluded her series with the theme, “push.” She encouraged each to push through whatever the circumstances we are in, to use prayer and the other aspects of the persistent quotient to bring you through. 

 

She concluded the week with two special prayers: teachers praying over students with specific requests or needs, then praying over the teachers to bless them in their ministry as teachers. 

More photos on FB
 
 
 

Attention: 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.

To sign up for the lunch program and to add funds, 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. At this time (while the new website is being worked on), you will still contact Dining Services to add funds to your student's account. Parents will now need to purchase at least 20 meals at a time. Any leftover funds will be refunded at the end of the year.

 

Monday–Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

 

RAD Self-Defense Class

 

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: April 16, 17, & 18, 2024
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 April 6 by calling/texting
Jen Lemon (269-340-2264).

 
 
2023-24 Year-at-a-Glance Calendar
2023-24 Calendar
2024-25 Year-at-a-Glance Calendar
 

Mondays - Thursdays:
7:45 AM - 4:30 PM

Fridays: 7:45 AM - 2:30 PM

 

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

 

Opting into Texting for One Call Now Alerts


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. 

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!

 

Textbook Information

Be sure to check to see if used options are available.

 
 
 
 

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.

You can find your schedule, grades, etc. on FACTS.

 

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.

AA's Lands' End Store

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.

 

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!

 

CONTACT US:

Main Office: ginam@andrews.edu or call 269-471-3138
Principal: aaprincipal@andrews.edu or mferguson@andrews.edu
Vice Principal:  girlie@andrews.edu

Application/Enrollment Process: aaadmissions@andrews.edu

Financial Questions: gaytan@andrews.edu

Class Schedule: aaregistrar@andrews.edu

Attendance:  aaattendance@andrews.edu

Guidance Counselor: nievesl@andrews.edu

Faculty & Staff Contact Info
 
Useful Documents
Sourcebook (revised 2021-22)
 

Andrews Academy

8833 Garland Ave Berrien Springs, MI 49104

 

 

academy@andrews.edu

 

269-471-3138