News & Announcements

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Volume 18, Issue 51

Andrews Academy's

Official Newsletter

March 5, 2025

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Academy Day

On March 4, 2025, seventy-two guests spent the day at AA. The day is designed to help eighth graders become familiar with some of the activities of the school. Academy Day began with worship, which we have every morning. Our Principal, Mr. Ruben Perez-Shulz, welcomed the eighth graders to AA. Resound (bells) and an AA brass ensemble provided two special musics. Song service was led by Academy students. Pastor May, one of AA's religion teachers, led in a hands-on presentation on the Book of Ruth. She told the story of how the three main characters were “redeemed,” making comparisons to our life and how Jesus redeems us. As she told the story, students were instructed to fold a paper a certain way to illustrate components of the story, and then she asked the students to unfold the paper in the last step. A gasp was heard as students unfolded a cross and realized our redemption is the cross. After an introduction of the faculty and staff, the program concluded with prayer.

Next the students then went to some classes throughout the morning. Each teacher had a short lesson designed to give a taste of what their class is like. For example, guests in Mr. Atkins' classroom learned the parts of the human digestive system and then current AA students quizzed them. In some cases, current students led out in classroom activities.

The morning ended with a group photo of the AA class of 2029! Following the class picture, half of the eighth graders groups had lunch while the other half had activities in the gymnasium, then they switched. Afterwards, everyone met in the chapel for a presentation about what classes to take at Andrews Academy. The school registrar helped students start to fill out a potential schedule for the next school year and learn about the steps involved in registering for school.

The final event was a fun assembly program which included games, advice from SA leaders, and awards. Mr. Perez-Schulz then had a few remarks, and Pastor May closed with prayer. We hope that each eighth grader had a great day and will choose to attend AA next year!

More photos on Facebook

Class Activity Video on FB

NHS Induction

The NHS induction ceremony is tomorrow, Thursday, March 6, at 7:00 PM in the AA chapel. All members, both new and returning, are required to attend. New members, your attendance and participation are essential for your induction.

A mandatory practice will take place after school tomorrow, Thursday at 3:30 PM. Please arrive promptly. The attire for the ceremony is business casual.

Family members and friends are invited to come and support their NHS members. There will be a reception afterwards with light refreshments. All new members should pay the $30 NHS dues by tomorrow, Thursday.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Sherman.

International Food Fair

Next Friday, March 14, we will be holding an international food fair as part of our International Week activities. During the international food fair, students will be able to showcase cuisine from their respective ethnic backgrounds!

That is why we would like to request that all parents help contribute to our food fair. We are holding a food tasting, where a variety of vegetarian dishes will be offered as options to sample from. We have 237 students, so, the bigger the participation, the more our students will be able to experience different tastes!

Please fill out the Google Form linked below, letting us know how you can contribute to the international food fair. More details are on the Google Form.

If you have any questions about contributing, please email Mrs. Silvestre at silvestre@andrews.edu or Mrs. Spare at AAppi@andrews.edu.

Thank you for your continued investment into the enrichment of our students' experience here at AA!

Google Form

Attention parents, if you are interested and willing to help out with this year's SA banquet on Sunday, May 11, please sign up today. We need your help to make it a success. This would include planning for the banquet, attending evening planning meetings, assistance with decor, assistance with setting up for the banquet, and help during and after the banquet. Please fill out the Google Form if you are interested. Thank you!

Group Therapy with Andrews University

Wednesdays at 3:30 PM, A-58 (Study Hall Room)

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 #8 is due on March 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.

AA Participates in AU Music Fest

Andrews University's annual Music Festival was held from February 26 - March 1, 2025. The four-day festival is for academy and high school musicians that celebrated the accomplishments of each student and challenged their artistic expression. The daily agenda was comprised of inspirational ensemble rehearsals interspersed with specialized clinics and master classes for all attendees. This year the emphasis was for choir and orchestra.

During Sabbath church at PMC, choir attendees (including AA's Silhouettes) presented special music. There was a final concert on Sabbath afternoon in the Howard.

Vidoe of Song on Facebook

Video of Sabbath Concert on FB

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.

Save the date for Andrews University's annual

International Food Fair!

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!