News & Announcements

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Volume 18, Issue 38

Andrews Academy's

Official Newsletter

January 15, 2025

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Backpacking Class

Andrews Academy has a rich history of outdoor education classes. Currently, we offer a rotation of backpacking and mountain biking tours. This Spring, there will be a backpacking trip to the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. This class meets at 7:30 AM each Monday morning to plan for various aspects of the trip. This week, they looked at the pros and cons of various backpacks that can be used on this trip. Later in the semester, they will go on short excursions to build up skills and muscles in preparation for the week long backpacking tour at the end of April/early May.

Thank you, Dr. Byron Graves, AU music teacher and former AA music director, for organizing this trip. He has a passion for backpacking, and while teaching here at AA, he also led out in the backpacking tours.

Bible Camp

Bible Camp is this week (January 16-19). The group plans to leave at around 12:30 PM tomorrow, Thursday.

Participating students, please bring your luggage to the Commons. Park closer to the back part of the school in case the parking lot needs to be plowed while you are at Bible Camp.

No School on Monday,

January 20

Since this Monday, January 20, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, there is no school on that day.

Important Deadlines from the Registrar’s Office:

Tuesday, January 21, 2025: Drop/Add Class Deadline
Friday, January 31: Junior Honor Proposals Due. Application forms are in the main office. Please see Ms Ivonne with any questions.

E-Learning Day for 11th & 12th Grades and

MAP Testing for 9th & 10th Grades

Next Wednesday, January 22,

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Grades 9 & 10 will be taking the MAP Test next Wednesday, January 22. There is no cost, and no preparation is needed other than to get a good night's rest and eat a hearty breakfast.

Students should arrive at school at 8:00 AM. Testing will begin promptly at 8:30 AM and should conclude by 12:00 PM.

Lunch will not be served.

Please make sure that your student(s) arrive on time and are picked up on time as well.

We encourage the students to bring a book to read or homework that can be completed if finished with a section ahead of time.

Grades 9 & 10 will have e-learning in the afternoon. Be sure to check Google Classroom and your email for any assignments for your afternoon classes that begin at 12:00 PM or later.

Grades 11 & 12 will be learning at home that day. Students should check Google Classroom and your email for each class to see what may have been assigned for that day.

Ms. Leslie Nieves

AA Guidance Counselor
269-471-3453
nievesl@andrews.edu

Ice Skating & Class Vespers Next Friday

Class vespers and activities provide a meaningful time to be drawn closer to God, to develop friendships outside the classroom setting, and an opportunity for class officers to develop leadership skills as they plan and lead in the activity and worship experience.

Ice skating and class vespers will be next Friday, January 24. Due to space limitations, the first 110 students that turn in their signed permission slips and $10 for ice skating at the main office will skate together, and then each class will go to their own location for a vespers together. Some classes will also have supper together. Students who don't go ice skating can still go to the evening vespers, and they will still need a permission slip ($10 not required if not going ice skating).

As you load the bus at 2:45 PM in the parking lot of AA to go ice skating, please bring cold weather gear since the rink is outside. Students are not allowed to drive themselves.

Permission slips will be available tomorrow in the main office. The $10 is to cover the cost of using the ice, skate rental, and to help defray some of the cost for transportation to the rink. We will leave the rink at 5:30 PM and take you to your respective class vespers.

Badminton Tournament

The AA PE department is sponsoring a whole school Badminton tournament on Tuesday, January 28, starting at 5:00 PM. This is a doubles competition, and it does not matter what class your partner is in. Choose a partner and indicate it on the sign-up sheet posted on the glass gym doors. We need at least 12 teams to run the tournament, so please sign-up early and ask your friends to sign-up to play. If you have signed up, you have committed to being present for the tournament on January 28, so please remember to mark it down on your calendar. Sign-ups are due by next Friday, January 24.

There will be areas for spectators to watch the games and cheer on their fellow students and athletes.

Equipment will be provided to each of the players for the tournament.

Looking forward to this fun event.

~ Mrs. Mills

REMINDER: Backpack Policy

Students should store their backpack in their locker. They should only take their books and materials to class. Backpacks are not permitted in the classrooms, library, or the hallways outside of the classrooms.

Loose backpacks on the floor or in the hallways create hazards to the safe egress from the classroom or the hallways and impede exit routes in the case of a fire or tornado evacuation.

Students may use whatever backpack they choose to carry their books and materials to and from school; however, these backpacks should safely fit in their Academy locker and be kept there. We recommend that students who need to transport a computer or tablet acquire a small protective sleeve. Small pencil cases are also allowed to be taken to class.

REMINDER: Cell Phone/Smart Watch Policy

To maintain a safe teaching and learning environment for students, teachers, staff, and the community, the Academy has a strict electronic devices policy.

Any violation of this policy or otherwise inappropriate use of electronic devices in text messaging, recording, loudspeakers, or electronic photo capabilities will lead to immediate confiscation, and may lead to further disciplinary action. Students should arrange with the office to pick up their confiscated device(s).

Exceptions to this policy will only be made based on medical necessities or other special needs that are recognized by school officials and/or officially documented by appropriate professionals.

Cell Phones & Smart Watches:
Cell phones and smart watches should be kept in a safe place—such as a locker (devices should be neither seen nor heard)—and are not to be used during the school day or during on-campus school activities during school hours. Students may use their cell phones during school hours only under the following limited circumstances:

Students may check their cell phones for important messages at their lockers 5 minutes before their lunch period ends. Phone should then be redeposited in a safe storage area after checking messages.
With the express permission of a school teacher or administrator. Students may come to the main office to use their phone with permission.

Inappropriate Use of Electronic Devices:
Students are not allowed to record any person, including students or teachers/staff, without the express permission of the person whose picture is being taken during the school day. Photos and video recordings are prohibited in locker rooms and bathrooms.

Trips and Tours:
Electronic devices may be used for trips or tour events in which cell phone/electronic device use is deemed appropriate by the sponsor.

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. Soon we will be sharing detailed information regarding the buyback process, including the list of eligible books, pricing, and procedures.

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.

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.

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!

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. Note that all volunteers need to do the Sterling Volunteers training and background check, providing proof to AA. ~ Mrs. Kimberly Spare

Tuition

Payment #6 is due on or before January 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.

Chapel Recap: Joshua 7-19

Monday’s focus was on Joshua 7. Portions of chapter seven were read, then students dialoged with those near them about what was read. Many insights were gained as they read and then shared with each other.

Tuesday’s chapel involved small group Bible study teams participating in a Bible trivia completion. A few minutes were given for students to skim through Joshua and Ruth to look for names of people or cities from these chapter. Four members from each group were selected and formed a line behind their Spiritual Life leader on the stage. Then the first letter was given to a pair of participants, from only Joshua and Ruth. The first one who could think of the name of a person or city with that letter remained. The one not answering would sit down. The team with the most participants left standing had remembered the names of people and cities from these texts the best and was the winner.

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. The preset amount for 20 lunches is $132, unless your student has been approved for reduced lunch.

Free Counseling Offered at Andrews University

The Andrews Community Counseling Center (ACCC) opened 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.

More information

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.

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

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,

Mr. Caleb Akins, MA

Media Ministry Director

Andrews Academy

akins@andrews.edu

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!