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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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Radium Girls Play
A fine Andrews Academy tradition is the school play or musical by the “Literary Interpretation” class, which just presented three outstanding performances of Radium Girls on December 7, 8, and 9. Radium Girls is a story about the women who painted watch dials with radium-based paint and the resulting health issues they faced. The story is set in 1926, when radium was a popular miracle cure and glow-in-the-dark watches were in style. The women who painted the dials began to fall ill, and the factories that employed them ignored their claims. The women fought for compensation and workers' rights, and their efforts led to important changes in labor law and safety standards.
All three performances were filled with an appreciative audience. Many commented on what an amazing production it was. Over the years of producing plays at Andrews Academy, we have noticed that students enrolled in the class have surprised themselves by what they can do, and they have gained a new confidence in their abilities. Additionally, it is what happens in the process of preparing for the play that is most important—students learning to work together toward one goal, keeping at it until it is "right" and not just putting in practice time, realizing each one is important to the success of the project, and creating strong bonds and a sense of "belonging" and group accountability. Those intangibles help students grow in positive and memorable ways.
Thank you, Mr. David VanDenburgh, for investing so many hours and so much energy into the production of this play! He, with the help of the students, parents, and numerous volunteers, built the set, prepared costuming and makeup, trained actors, and tended to the numerous details that made this production possible.
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SA Service Project
This is a reminder that we are collecting food for our Andrews Academy Service Project that will help a local community in need. For this project, you can bring in canned fruits and veggies, bagged rice, Mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, and boxed cake. We encourage you to participate and help serve our community by making these donations. The last day to bring items is next Tuesday, December 17. The classes are competing for the chance to win a donut party by reaching their 250 item quota.
Thank you for your participation!
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Andrews Academy would like to invite our Berrien Springs community to attend our annual Feast of Lights this 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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| Livestream on YouTube |
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This 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.
CHRISTMAS POPS AFTER-CONCERT RECEPTION!
This year, the Music Department is hoping to bring back our after-concert potluck reception tradition! In years past, the reception has provided a great opportunity to celebrate with our musicians as we conclude the Fall concert cycle.
We are inviting all performers' families to bring a dessert or fruit to share. PPI will provide the drinks.
Here is the link to sign up.
1. Choose what item you would like to bring.
2. Click on "Take."
3. Enter your information in the blank boxes.
4. In the "What I'll Bring" box, indicate what you will bring, if needed.
Please bring your dessert/fruit to the Howard lobby on Saturday evening (before the concert begins at 7 PM). Our PPI volunteers will take it from there.
Questions? Please reach out to PPI Coordinator, Kim Spare
(269-277-0030 or aappi@andrews.edu).
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| Link to Sign Up for Potluck |
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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 (attached - fill out both sides) 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 this Monday, December 16.
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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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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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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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Partnership with Andrews University - Earth Science Class Field Trip
Andrews Academy is blessed to be part of the Andrews University campus. It provides opportunities that many other high school students cannot experience. Today, the Earth science class went to the museum at the biology department. They were able to examine Michigan’s most complete skeleton of a mammoth as well as other specimens in the museum. This mammoth was discovered in an irrigation pond that was being excavated near Eau Claire a number of decades ago. While students were there, they analyzed the size of the teeth, size of pelvis, and growth plates on the bones to hypothesize the age and sex of the mammoth. Earth science students will be studying fossils in a few days.
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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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Free Counseling Offered at Andrews University
The Andrews Community Counseling Center (ACCC) opens 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.
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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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