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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 Vespers
On Friday or Saturday before Thanksgiving break, each of the classes had a class vespers. Here are some photos from the freshmen and sophomore vespers.
The freshmen class had their vespers at the AU Gymnics gym. After some singing together, Sebastian Silié, freshmen class pastor, led in a worship talk. Following this, the students learned and tried out some gymnastic moves using the gymnastic equipment. Two Andrews Academy alumni who are/were assistant Gymnics coaches helped supervise and teach the gymnastic routines. The class had a fun evening together trying out new things. (November 23, 2024)
For more photos and for some videos, please go to the freshmen class Facebook group (freshmen and parents, please join the group).
The sophomores would like to thank the Fusté family for opening up their home for a Thanksgiving vespers. The sophomores organized a surprise during the beginning of the evening, they broke into singing happy birthday to Mr. Atkins, with a number of them wearing a picture of him! All enjoyed the tasty Thanksgiving meal to which everyone contributed. Then they gathered downstairs for singing and worship together, giving thanks for many blessings. (November 22, 2024)
For more photos and for some videos, please go to the sophomores class Facebook group (sophomores and parents, please join the group).
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AA Fall Play - Radium Girls
Step back to the 1920s—a time of glittering progress
darkened by hidden dangers.
This gripping true story follows young female factory workers who paint watch dials with a luminous, radium-infused paint, believing it to be safe, even magical. As they fall mysteriously ill, they discover the shocking truth: their beloved radium, hailed as a miracle cure-all, is slowly poisoning them.
Refusing to fade quietly, these courageous "Radium Girls" take on a powerful corporation, battling for justice and their lives. With each defiant step, they expose the cost of corporate greed and the importance of workers' rights.
Full of heart, tragedy, and resilience, Radium Girls reminds us of the power of ordinary people to ignite change.
Prepare to be moved by this intense and illuminating drama that sheds light on one of history's most haunting injustices.
Approximate run time: 120 mins. Interest level: ages 11+.
Purchase tickets online, or stop by the Academy main office to purchase tickets via cash or check. Tickets may also be available at the door the night of the show.
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| Order Tickets Here |
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SA Service Project
The end date is December 17, the Tuesday before finals.
Quota: 250 bags of food per class
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| More Info |
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Bible Camp
January 16-19, 2025
Camp Au Sable, Grayling, MI
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Applications for Bible Camp are available in the main office. We can only accommodate 80 students (40 guys/40 girls), so complete applications (along with $150 payment) are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Once we have 40 guys/40 girls, others will be placed on a waiting list.
The deadline to receive applications and payments is Monday, December 16.
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Andrews Academy would like to invite our Berrien Springs community to attend our annual Feast of Lights next Friday, December 13, 2024. Dr. Orrison began this "Gift to the Community" fifty-one years ago. Please join us for this free musical celebration of the birth of Jesus.
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Next Saturday, December 14, 7:00 PM, Howard Performing Arts Center
Please join us for a free concert of popular Christmas music, brought to you by the AA Music Department.
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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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Final exams/assessments start on Wednesday, December 18. Please note when your exams are scheduled for and carefully prepare for them so that you can do well in each of your classes. The first day begins at 9:25 AM to provide you more time to prepare. If your transportation requires you to arrive at the school at 8:00 AM, then please go to the Commons.
Students are required to attend even if you do not have an exam/assessment for that time slot. However, if you have a study hall (or band) during the first exam slot of the day, then you do not need to arrive until devotions. For students with band or a study hall for the first or last exam slot of the day, parents should contact us at AAattendance@andrews.edu or 269-471-3138 to excuse study hall/band. Contact Mrs. Meekma in the front office if you have any questions. Be sure to sign in at the front office if you arrive late or leave early.
Students with a college class exam time that conflicts with AA classes, please contact your teachers to make other arrangements. Also let the office know so that you can be excused.
If you have a break in between two finals (for example, on Thursday you have a 10:15 AM class final and no 11:10 AM class final [such as a study hall or CSA], then a 2:25 PM class final), then you must go to study hall. You may not leave campus and walk over to Apple Valley or anywhere else.
Please remember that students must stay in the classroom for the entire exam class period. You may not go "get books," "get a drink," etc. when you are done with your exam.
Before the exam begins, please get books you may need to study from, get a drink, use the restroom, etc. so that you can stay in the classroom the entire time. We want the entire school to be quiet during exams so that they can be done as effectively as possible without distractions. Thank you!
If you have a conflict with final exams for any reason, please contact Mrs. Gina Meekma in the main office (ginam@andrews.edu or 269-471-3138).
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AA Gym Schedule Fall 2024
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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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Chapel Recap: Exodus 5-18
We are blessed almost every week to have guest speakers from the seminary share their expertise on scripture as we begin our study on various chapters for that week.
On Monday, Dr. Baker, Associate Director at AU press, and PhD in Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology and Biblical Archaeology, specializing in Egyptology, gave insights on the plagues and other related stories. He shared how God introduced himself to the Egyptians by relating the plagues to Egyptian mythology. You will recall when Aaron threw down his rod, it turned into a cobra that swallowed up the seven other cobras. The seven Egyptian cobras had significance, showing that God is most powerful in the Egyptian way of thinking. Dr. Baker pointed out that God used Moses despite his flaws. He likewise can use each of us despite our flaws in magnificent ways as we serve God.
On Tuesday, the organizational pastors led out in reviewing the plagues with an interactive game between the sections of the chapel. A clue was presented, and then someone from the sections who got the clue first would name the plague. Sometimes a volunteer was blindfolded and had to feel to discover the plague. In the case of Seth Crownover, he “discovered” the locust by reaching into a container filled with preserved locusts from the biology classroom. Pastor Johnson then related each plague to the Egyptian god, and what the god was supposed to be in charge of. Each plague showed how Moses’s God overpowered the Egyptian god. It was a fun, interactive, and informative way to learn more about each of the plagues and their significance.
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| Photos on Facebook |
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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 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.
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Dinosaurs in Berrien Springs!
This Saturday, December 7, at 6:00 PM, Mr. Rich Aguilera will be presenting his new epic Dinosaur Encounter show. This is the same show that premiered in Gillette for the International Camporee to thousands of people. This special event takes place in the Berrien Springs High School Auditorium.
Watch the trailer here:
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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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