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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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Class of 2027 Sophomore Class Officers
At Andrews Academy, election of officers for the sophomore class
occurs near the beginning of their sophomore year.
Elections were held on September 6, 2024.
Congratulations to each, and prayers of blessings for your sophomore year!
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President: Nito Suarez
Vice President: Briauna Skinner
Pastor: Christina Penno
Secretary: Caleb Bliven
Treasurer: Luke Reid
Public Relations: Jonni Rosenthal
Representatives: David Beatty, Alayna Prentice, Ava Zygowiec
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Andrews Academy Senior Presentation Convocation
Today, Tuesday, September 10, 2024, was Senior Convocation, a formal service to present the senior class and challenge them to think of and apply their class Motto, Aim, and text. There was special music, prayers, and some officers presented their class banner which artistically portrays their class Class Aim, “Unity in Christ,” and their motto, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much,” and Bible verse, John 17:23.
Mrs. Erin Dockerty, parent of senior Anabel, presented the address. She commented that the class verse creates a target - your target is God, to have unity in Him. She prepared a little box for each senior, and asked them to pull out the paper measuring tape. This was to help visualize that we only have a certain length of days—there is a beginning and an end. Each day we need to fuel up with God. She then invited the seniors to write a list of things that they love about God on their box. Inside the box was also a little cross to remind us to contemplate on the love of Christ—to remove any doubt about God’s love for us. She concluded with the reminder that we are created to have unity in Christ.
Class president Sara Lemon gave the president’s response to the address. Ms. Leslie Nieves and Mrs. Marah Silvestre, class sponsors, presented the class. Pastor Gabriel Johnson, class sponsor, then gave a charge to the class. It was an inspiring program to present the senior class and dedicate their school year. A reception in the Commons for seniors and their families followed the program. We thank the junior class and their sponsors for organizing this reception.
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| More photos on Facebook |
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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 any questions or log in difficulties.
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| Freshmen & Sophomores (Grades 9 & 10)
This Monday, September 16, grades 9 & 10 will take the MAP® Growth™ test from NWEA® on a Chromebook (provided - bring security key). Students should arrive at school at 8:00 AM. Testing will begin promptly at 8:30 AM and should conclude by 12:30 PM. Parents, please arrange for your student to be dropped off and picked up on time.
Lunch will not be provided
that day.
If you would like to have your student see what to expect on Monday, visit the NWEA website: https://www.nwea.org, go to the login tab, and select MAP Growth student login from the drop down menu. Once at the login page, select try the practice test. After clicking, try the practice test, enter grow for the username and password. On the next screen select grade, choose any of the subjects, language preference, and any of the tests. This will help the students see what a test will look like on Monday.
Parents, please contact Ms. Nieves (aaattendance@andrews.edu or 269-471-3453) if your student is not able to make it to the school for MAP testing so that we can schedule their make-up test.
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Juniors (Grade 11)
As the juniors prepare for the PSAT on October 10, a test prep session has been scheduled for Monday, September 16, at 8:00 AM, while grades 9 & 10 take the MAP tests. The PSAT, when taken in a student's junior year, is a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship. They will also meet with Andrews University. They should be done around 12:00 PM.
PM E-Learning Day
There will be e-learning (at home) for the afternoon classes, so grades 9-11 should check Google Classroom or watch for an email from their teacher for each of their afternoon classes to see what may have been assigned for that day.
(Seniors will be on their class trip.)
Ms. Leslie Nieves, Guidance Counselor & Attendance Officer
269-471-3453
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► Note: All freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will take the PSAT test on October 10. We encourage our students to familiarize themselves with the test by taking practice tests online. In addition, students will receive a PSAT study guide and practice test soon from their English teachers in preparation for test day.
There is no cost to Andrews Academy students taking the PSAT or MAP tests.
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Service Day
Next Wednesday, September 18
8:30 AM - Chapel
2:00 PM - Dismissal
Wear an AA t-shirt with your work clothes if you have one,
and bring a sack lunch.
Water will be provided.
(Seniors will be doing service on their class trip.)
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E-Learning Day for Students/Professional Development for Faculty & Staff
Please note that the e-learning day was moved from October 7 to Monday, September 30. Students will work from home while the faculty and staff have some important training.
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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.
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
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School Lunch Program
Andrews Academy
2024-2025
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Bon Appetit Management at Andrews University is honored to have the opportunity to provide your child with delicious meals that promote health and wellness. Our chef-driven food is alive with flavor and nutrition, always prepared from scratch. We take the care of your student(s) very seriously and thank you in advance for placing your trust in us.
Meals are sold as a package of 4 weeks of meals (one month). Students may choose which lunches they want to eat and bring a lunch on the other days. When the academic semester has completed, the cost of any unused meals remaining are credited back to the Andrews Academy student (tuition) account.
Important Information for 2024-2025 School Year
For the first month of school (August 19 - September 13, 2024), those parents desiring to purchase school lunches for their enrolled students will need to pay via cash, check, or credit card at the Andrews Academy office or via credit card over the phone for their student's lunch service for the month. Checks (noting that the payment is for lunches and the student's name) may also be put in the dropbox on the pillar by the front door also. Lunch payments may NOT be made on TouchNet.
This is a temporary arrangement, since Andrews University ITS is planning to provide a secure web page where parents of AA students can pay online for any subsequent school lunch charges after the first month of school. Further announcements will be forthcoming.
The reduced meal plan contract and application can be obtained from the school office, or you can reply to this email to request them to be sent to you in an email in case you would like to be considered for this program. Please return the completed forms to Andrews Academy ASAP. Proof of income will be required. Please see the application for details.
Students must present their ID card for meal pickup. Portion sizes are predetermined, and second servings are not provided. All meals now include the house legume and whole grain brown rice. Students are expected to behave appropriately while in the service area. Disciplinary action will be taken by AA as needed.
Your feedback is always welcomed. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
It is our greatest pleasure to serve our youth!
Your School Lunch Team at Bon Appetit
E-mail: ds@andrews.edu
Phone: 269-471-3161
Notes: The menu will be posted in the display case at school as well as towards the end of the E-Sanjo each week.
The Friday boxed lunch must be ordered by putting the student's name and ID number on a sign-up sheet in the office (also passed around during lunch) by Wednesday at 2:00 PM.
This is an optional lunch program. Students are always welcome to bring their lunch or their parent can bring them a lunch, but students are not allowed to have lunch delivered to them by a restaurant/Door Dash.
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| More information |
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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. 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).
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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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| AA's Lands' End Store |
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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,
Caleb Akins, MA
Media Ministry Director
Andrews Academy
akins@andrews.edu
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Tuition
Note that payment #2 is due on or before September 25. If you have not yet paid payment #1, please do so right away. It was due on August 5.
Please contact Ms. Gracie at gaytan@andrews.edu with questions.
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SA Camp Out
Forty-four Andrews Academy students participated in the annual Student Association camp out from September 6-8, 2024, at Indian Valley Campground (Middleville, MI). God blessed with excellent fall weather for the weekend, which was a little cool, but it made all appreciate the campfire even more.
The entire weekend was a spiritually focused fun social event to start off the school year...to get to know each other and our God more. Local pastor and AU Seminary student, Pastor Justin Mertz, led in the talks throughout the weekend. He has a gift of unpacking deep spiritual insights from familiar stories of the Bible. His plea was for students to chose Jesus now and to unashamedly share Jesus now and throughout their lives.
Meals were organized and prepared by Mrs. Kim Spare, an alumnus of the school from the class of 2000. Students took turns helping prepare, serve, and cleanup each of the meals. A big thank you to Mrs. Spare and each student for your hard work in preparing the delicious meals.
Thank you to the SA officers and sponsors who put a lot of time and effort into the events of the weekend. They spent many hours preparing for the next event of the weekend while others where enjoying the activity at hand. They were also very organized, dividing the entire group up into several teams to help prepare and then clean up after every meal. Thank you, officers, for your leadership.
On Sabath afternoon, the group went canoeing down the Thornapple River for a pleasant canoe “hike.” As the group went down the river, they often saw snakes, turtles, herons, and ducks. Most had a lot of fun canoeing and enjoying God’s nature as they experienced the trip together.
The group packed up camp Sunday morning, had a final worship together, and then traveled to Andrews Academy, making the famous stop ice cream stop along the way.
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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.
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Pictures for the yearbook and senior ads must adhere to the following requirements:
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- 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)
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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.
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Adventist Choice College Fair
The Adventist Choice college fair was held today, Tuesday, September 10, from 8:00-9:30 AM in the AA library for juniors and seniors. Students met with admissions counselors from Adventist colleges and universities throughout North America. Students found out about scholarships, financial aid, and nearly 500 academic programs and career options available. Students were able to ask questions of individual representatives and learned how to apply to the colleges of their choice. Application fees for these colleges were waived during the fair.
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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 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 in mid-September to load funds online. You may still pay cash or check in the Academy office even when the website is available.
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Andrews University Basketball Program
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Community Volleyball
Starting on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, from 7:00-9:00 PM, AA will be hosting community volleyball.
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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).
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| Volleyball Sign-Up Form |
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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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