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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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Resound & Silhouettes Music Tour
The Andrews Academy Silhouettes small choir and Resound handbell ensemble recently had the honor of sharing their music at the General Conference headquarters, presenting special worship music that inspired all in attendance. During their visit, the groups also had the privilege of meeting and taking a group photo with GC President, Pastor Erton Köhler.
As part of their music tour through the Washington, DC, area, the students explored several historic and cultural landmarks, blending music, ministry, and memorable experiences. Stay tuned for a detailed report and highlights from their tour—coming soon!
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Noon Dismissal Next Friday
Next Friday, November 7, we will dismiss at 12:00 PM so that we can set up for Penny Arcade. Lunch will be provided only for those students who have signed up to help set up that afternoon.
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Andrews Academy Apparel to Support Worthy Students
We are excited to announce a new opportunity for Andrews Academy students to show their school spirit while supporting a great cause. Starting next Friday, November 7, 2025, and continuing on Fridays through Christmas break, students will be allowed to wear new school apparel that is being ordered to benefit the Worthy Student Fund at Andrews Academy.
While participation is not required, students who wish to wear non-uniform shirts on Fridays must wear one of the approved shirts available for purchase. Orders will be placed on Friday, October 24, 2025, and Monday, November 3, 2025. If you are interested in purchasing shirts for your student, please use this link or scan/click on the QR code below to access the order form for t-shirts and sweatshirts.
Payment is expected before delivery of the shirts, and the only method of payment accepted is cash or check made payable to Andrews Academy. We appreciate your support of this endeavor to build school spirit and advance the mission of Andrews Academy. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Mills at samantham@andrews.edu.
Thank you for your continued support.
Mrs. Samantha Mills
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Next Friday, November 7, at 7:00 PM at the Howard on the campus of AU
Join us for a concert by the AA music groups!
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All AA students are invited to attend Penny Arcade. They will be joined by 7th & 8th grade guests next Saturday evening, November 8, at 7:00 PM (those who are needed to help with set up can arrive at 6:00 PM).
Bring your pennies (there will be a bank for change if needed)!
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Picture Retake Day is this Tuesday, November 4. If you ordered pictures but want to do retakes, please bring the picture packet with you that day.
Retake Picture Day ID: EVTJBTV9G
Don't Forget to Order This Year's School Pictures
ENJOY 10% OFF
your order!
CODE: F2510OFF
EXPIRES: July 31, 2026
Redeem Now
Don’t forget to order your FREE Digital SmileSafe card!
More about the Smilesafe program here.
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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. For school closings due to weather, 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
Payment #3 of 10 was due on October 25. 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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AA Music Groups in the Community
A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Elsy Gallardo-Diaz, Mr. Daniel Cerna, and all our talented musicians for sharing the love of Jesus through the gift of music! On October 25, 2025, the Symphonic Band filled Pioneer Memorial Church with inspiring melodies that touched many hearts. The beauty and power of the music left a lasting impression—several attendees shared how deeply moved they were by the performance.
Between the first and second services, musicians gathered for some joyful group photos—capturing not just smiles, but the spirit of unity and praise that defines our music ministry. Thank you to everyone who continues to make a joyful noise for the glory of God! 🎺🎵
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Junior Class Vespers
The junior class gathered for their second vespers of the year on October 24, 2025, at the Andrews Academy campfire site. The evening began with volleyball, pizza, and time to relax together. As the sun set, everyone circled around the fire for worship. After singing two songs, Chrissy Penno shared an inspiring message about supporting one another and strengthening their bond as they grow in faith and prepare for life beyond graduation. The night ended with s’mores, laughter, and warmth by the fire.
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Chapel Recap: Health Week
During Health Week (October 27–30), Mrs. Samantha Mills organized guest speakers for chapel on various health topics. On Monday, Ms. Olson—AA alumna and mother of senior Audrey Simpson—led a session on emotional intelligence. A Corewell Health professional, she outlined its four key components:
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Self-awareness – recognizing one’s emotions
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Self-management – controlling emotional responses
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Social awareness – understanding others’ emotions
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Relationship management – maintaining positive interactions
Ms. Olson explained that the brain stem often reacts before the reasoning frontal cortex, causing emotional responses to precede rational thought. She encouraged students to “not flip their lid”—to pause, stay calm, and let reason lead. She added that prayer is a superpower, helping individuals center themselves and respond thoughtfully.
On Tuesday, Drs. Olen (AA alumnus) and Danae Netteburg—parents of two Andrews Academy students (Lyol and Zane) and former medical missionaries—spoke on holistic health Tuesday. The program opened with 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, reminding students that “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.” The Netteburgs met at Loma Linda University, whose mission to “make man whole” reflects a focus on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. After their medical training, they spent thirteen years serving in Chad, one of Africa’s most underdeveloped nations, where hospitals often rely on generators and maternal and child mortality rates are high.
They shared powerful stories of healing that addressed not only physical but also emotional and spiritual needs—including one about a woman ostracized after childbirth complications of 30 years ago who regained her health and dignity through surgery at their hospital, which later became a center for women’s care for similar health issues. The doctors closed by encouraging students to serve God and others through their future careers, promoting holistic well-being in every field.
Wednesday’s Health Emphasis Chapel opened with a reading of 1 Peter 5:7, followed by guest speakers Drs. Suzi and Ryan Hayes, microbiologist/STEM, and chemistry professor at Andrews University respectively, and parents of Carter and Christiana. Their presentation, “Living in a Material World,” examined how materials—especially plastics—affect health and the environment. They displayed metal, glass, and plastic containers, asking which was safest to drink from; most chose glass or metal. Demonstrating that aluminum cans are lined with plastic, they revealed how pervasive plastics are in air, soil, and water. The Hayeses explained that plastics can leach chemicals like BPA and release microplastics, both linked to hormonal and health issues. Even “BPA-free” plastics often emit similar estrogen-mimicking compounds, especially when heated or exposed to sunlight. They urged students to use glass for storage and heating.
Spiritually, they compared physical contamination to spiritual influence—just as plastics affect our bodies, what we behold shapes our character. By continually focusing on Christ, they said, we can be transformed into His likeness. They concluded by encouraging everyone to fill their minds with Christ’s beauty rather than worldly distractions.
Thursday concluded our week’s focus on health with a session on spiritual health. The chapel began with Mrs. Mills, our PE teacher, leading stretches and light movement. Guest speaker Mrs. Heidi Agy, mother of Easton and Lily Murphy, shared from 1 Peter 5:8, warning that the devil often attacks quietly when we’re weak or distracted.
Through a student activity, Mrs. Agy illustrated how the devil tempts us through “demons” like addiction, anxiety, and doubt, but reminded us that these influences can only enter if we allow them. Citing Ephesians 6:12 and Luke 10:19, she emphasized that with faith and Jesus’ authority, we can overcome evil. She concluded by encouraging everyone to stay close to God, guard against temptation, and call on Jesus’ name for freedom from evil’s grip.
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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 main office.
Parents: To sign your student up for the lunch program or add funds to your student's account, you may use this link to pay online (you will need your child's AU ID number), or you may pay with cash or check at the Academy main office. The minimum payment for 20 lunches is $141.20, unless your student has been approved for reduced lunch.
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Junior/Senior Banquet
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Sunday, November 16, 2025, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
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Pioneer Memorial Church Youth Chapel
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Sponsored by PMC
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| Tickets |
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Pizza & Parables
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FACTS or Andrews Email Log In Help
New students, you should have set up your Andrews email address if you didn't already have one. Students should also have a FACTS log in.
During the school year, you will be able to find your schedule, grades, missing assignments, attendance, etc. on FACTS.
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Students, 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.
The district code is AN-MI.
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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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Important Attendance Policy Updates
ATTENDANCE EVALUATION
Each student begins each semester with an attendance record of zero points. All absences and tardies are assigned a weight of 1 point. The FACTS system includes separate attendance codes, allowing for clear categorization and reporting:
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A (Absence)
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AE (Excused Absence)
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T (Tardy)
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TE (Excused Tardy)
The AS attendance code is assigned a weight of 0 and is used to mark school-related absences (e.g., for approved school trips or activities). These absences do not count against the student’s attendance record.
Students are allowed one long tour per semester.
PROCEDURES
Each school day, the student who was absent or tardy without excuse is notified of the record in FACTS, the student information system. Parents and students both receive email notifications. If the student believes the record to be incorrect, or has any question about the record, it is that student’s responsibility to contact the school office or attendance officer or submit to the school office a written excuse from a parent/guardian within 3 school days to remove those points. Excuses received between the 4th and 5th days will result in the partial removal of points.
Correction received after five days generally will not be accepted. In instances where a student is absent for several consecutive days, such as for an extended illness, two school days are allotted following the last absence to submit an excuse.
A student is responsible for all course work missed while absent with or without excuse.
Absence Policy
• After 5 unexcused absences per class: Student receives a warning email.
• After 8 unexcused absences per class: Student receives a demerit.
• After 10 unexcused absences per class: A meeting is scheduled with the student, parents, and attendance officer or another administrator.
• After 10 combined excused and unexcused absences per class: Student receives a warning email noting the risk of withdrawal from the class.
• After 15 combined excused and unexcused absences per class: A meeting with the registrar is required, and the student may be withdrawn from the class and lose all credit subject to that class, pending a review by the Student Affairs Committee.
Tardy Policy
• After 5 unexcused tardies per class: Student receives a warning email.
• After 10 unexcused tardies per class: Student receives a demerit.
• After 10 total excused and unexcused tardies per class: Student meets with the attendance officer or administrator.
Demerit Review Policy
Demerits related to attendance may be re-evaluated at the end of the semester if the student maintains no unexcused absences or tardies from the date the demerit was issued onward.
A student is eligible to hold an organizational office or leadership position as long as they maintain an attendance score below 7 unexcused absences. A student is also eligible to participate in co-curricular, overnight trips and tours if the attendance score is below 7 unexcused absences. A student is placed on citizenship probation when the attendance score reaches 7 unexcused absences.
Major off-campus school activities include, but are not limited to, overnight trips and tours (see section on Student Citizenship-Citizenship Probation). When a student’s attendance score reaches 7 unexcused absences, the student is placed on citizenship probation. Further unexcused absences could lead to future in-school suspensions. Repeated attendance issues will be referred to the Student Affairs Committee to determine if the student should continue in the Academy and, if so, under what conditions. If these conditions are not successfully adhered to, the student’s enrollment may be discontinued at the time of infractions, at the end of a given semester, or at the end of the school year.
Students who miss five (5) consecutive school days due to illness must provide written documentation from a certified medical professional corroborating the necessity of that absence.
- From the Sourcebook (pg. 67-68)
For any attendance questions that you would like to ask by email, please direct them to AAattendance@andrews.edu.
Thank you!
Mrs. Dionne Robinson
Guidance Counselor/Attendance Officer
Andrews Academy
269-471-3453
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More Attendance Information
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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. We will email students and parents when a CSA is approved.
- Other Absences: Parents, please call the main 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. 68):
Students who miss five (5) 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.
Mrs. Dionne Robinson
Guidance Counselor
dionner@andrews.edu
269-471-3453
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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 right away. 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, which cannot be used by anyone else.
Security Key Link
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AA Uniforms Available from Lands' End
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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.
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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 65-66) for more information regarding uniforms.
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Only approved logoed uniform wear is allowed.
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A solid-color, long sleeved undershirt may be worn under the AA short-sleeved polo (no writing should be visible on the undershirt).
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Only AA logoed jackets are allowed to be worn in the building.
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The PE uniform (t-shirt or sweatshirt, shorts or sweats) can only be worn during PE class.
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If a student is wearing an AA logoed jacket, they should also have an AA logoed shirt underneath.
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Regular School Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday:
7:40 AM – 4:30 PM
(except Wednesdays where there's faculty meeting: 3:30 PM)
Friday:
7:40 AM – 2:30 PM
(see website for exceptions)
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Andrews Academy
8833 Garland Ave Berrien Springs, MI 49104
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This newsletter was sent to you at aanews@andrews.edu because of your interest in Andrews Academy.
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