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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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Introducing Ms. Jessica Catron, English Teacher
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Hello! My name is Ms. Jessica Catron, and I am delighted to return to my alma mater, not as a student but as one of the English teachers! Andrews Academy holds a special position in my heart as the place where I met Jesus and learned to walk with Him daily. What a journey we have embarked on since!
After graduating the Academy in 2005, I attended Southern Adventist University and then graduated from Andrews University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in English with minors in English Literature, Teaching English as a Second Language, and Secondary Education. I spent the next decade teaching middle school— first at Hinsdale Adventist Academy in Hinsdale, Illinois, for six years, and most recently at Naples Adventist Christian School in Naples, Florida, for the last five years. I’m going to miss all that sunshine! But I am also excited to enjoy all four seasons again.
Some hobbies I enjoy are long walks on the beach collecting seashells, playing with my two poodles, baking and decorating sugar cookies, painting, gardening, and, of course, spending time with family and friends.
One of my favorite pieces of scripture comes from Luke 10:41-42. The Bible says, “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” It is a necessary reminder to me to stop striving and to rest in the presence and goodness of our Friend, Savior, and King Jesus. May we all know the peace and joy of His presence in our lives this year more deeply than ever before.
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Introducing Mr. Daniel Cerna, Chorale/Bells Teacher
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Hello, my name is Mr. Daniel Cerna. I am excited to be joining the Andrews Academy family as the new chorale and handbell director. While studying at Andrews University the past few years, I have had the pleasure of getting to meet and work with many of you already, and I look forward to continuing the important musical work that Andrews Academy does each year.
I am originally from the Loma Linda area and was a part of the university church's handbell ensemble during my high school years. I am also a violist and have been teaching violin/viola privately for almost a decade now. I graduated from Andrews University this last May with a BMus in Music Education with a focus in composition and choral conducting.
I am deeply passionate about music ministry, particularly music education as a ministry. As the president of the Institute of Young Musicians for Christ, a non-profit ministry I founded eight years ago, I have designed and taught numerous classes exploring the connection between music and theology. This is an area I believe Adventists should study more deeply. To learn more about what we do, please visit iymcsda.org or follow us on Instagram.
As a teacher, I want you to fall in love with the process of making music and understand what it takes to create music that moves hearts. I aim to foster an environment where we strive for musical excellence and appreciate the profound role music plays in the Christian life. Together, we will make meaningful music that shares beautiful messages about God. It won't often be easy, but I hope you will find it to be truly rewarding.
Outside of teaching, I enjoy hiking, learning new languages, visiting aquariums, studying apologetics, and sharing meals with friends.
I look forward to a fantastic year of music-making with all of you. See you at auditions!
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In case you missed this announcement:
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Mr. Ruben Pérez Schulz, New Principal
Mr. Ruben Pérez Schulz, who has been serving as a vice-president and campus director at the Career Care Institute, accepted the Andrews Academy Board’s June 5 invitation to serve as Andrews Academy’s next principal. He will formally begin his role on July 15, 2024.
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A fourth-generation Adventist educator, Pérez Schulz holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Lethbridge, Canada. He brings almost thirty years of experience to his new role, including time spent as a high school teacher, elementary and high school vice-principal and principal, university instructor, college administrator, institutional administrator, and educational administrator.
Notably, he served as educator and principal of Los Angeles Adventist Academy, the second largest Adventist K–12 academy in Chile. He also served in various educational administrative positions at Concepción Adventist Academy, Chile Adventist University, and Lake Michigan College. In 2006, he was invited to serve as a faculty member in the Department of International Languages & Global Studies at Andrews University. He later served as assistant dean for the College of Arts & Sciences at Andrews, before he accepted a position with the Career Care Institute in 2019.
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Caring Hearts Award
The Lake Union Herald has an article about the Caring Hearts Award that was received by class of 2024 senior Marco Sciarabba Badenas at class night on graduation weekend. Congratulations, Marco!
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After-School Hours Agreement
The After-School Hours Agreement needs to be signed by a student and a parent. Here are the acceptable ways to return this document by August 19:
- Complete the attached fillable document and email to ginam@andrews.edu.
- Print the attached document, complete it, scan or take a picture, and email it to ginam@andrews.edu.
- Stop by the school office and complete the form.
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Hold Harmless Form
Note that the attached hold harmless form is required for all day and overnight trips (e.g. beach day, class vespers, ice skating, trips and tours, etc.), and that medical insurance coverage is required for students to participate in off-site activities. You can also find it on our Useful Documents web page, and printed copies are available in the main office.
Note that the form may not be digitally signed or sent to us as a picture or file. We need the original, signed form turned in to the office by the time school starts on August 19. This blanket hold harmless agreement can be used for any school activity that is on our calendar.
► Parent/adult volunteers who help with any event/activity must also sign a hold harmless form (also attached) ahead of the event and complete Sterling Volunteers training/background check. It would be best to have this done at the beginning of the year or as soon as possible.
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To log in, use your student's AU email address with the password edtech23.
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New Students
Applications for new students are open. If you have a current student at AA, you can start a new application packet in FACTS, in the same place that you re-enroll your current student (under Apply/Enroll, click on Application).
For new families, please go to the AA website and click on "Apply Now" for the online application.
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| AA Website |
| Instructions for New Students |
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Returning Students
For returning students who have not yet re-enrolled, please log in to FACTS and re-enroll. See the link below for detailed instructions.
Parents, please keep in mind that even if your child was financially cleared, they will not be able to begin class this next school year (2024-25) if their account has a balance.
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| FACTS |
| Re-enrollment Instructions for Returning Students |
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Tuition
Note that payment #1 for new and returning students is due on or before Monday, August 5.
Please contact Ms. Gracie at gaytan@andrews.edu with questions.
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AA Renovations & “Spring” Cleaning
Ms. Alia Pellegrini and her crew of student workers continue to be very busy this summer. Furnishings in each room have been removed, and the floor either waxed or carpet steam cleaned. Each piece of furniture is also being cleaned. The light fixtures throughout the school are cleaned, not only on the outside, but are also unlatched and cleaned on the inside as well.
The home economics kitchen is undergoing spring cleaning and some renovations. All the items were removed and then cleaned. Kitchen walls are being repainted, kitchen sinks are being redone, and new faucets are being installed by Mr. Ron Norton, AA maintenance director.
The gymnasium floor was scrubbed and resurfaced by a company in preparation for another school year. It floor looks great.
Thank you, Ms. Alia Pellegrini, Mr. Ron Norton, and their crew for their efforts in preparing the school for the Fall.
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| More photos on Facebook |
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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).
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Berrien County Youth Fair
Show that you are a fan of Andrews Academy! We invite you to stop by AA's booth and pick up a fan at the Youth Fair in Berrien Springs (across from Apple Valley), from August 12-17.
How would you like to get into the Berrien County Youth Fair
for free?
We'd love to have your help staffing the AA booth. Please click on the sign-up link and take a look at the available times to see when would work best in your schedule—then invite a friend to sign up for a shift (or two!) with you! Each volunteer will get a free fair entrance ticket per shift.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Looking for something to do this summer? Here are some ways that you can help (while getting in some volunteer hours - be sure to get a Work Experience evaluation filled out by your supervisor)!
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Vacation Bible School
July 15-19
Niles Westside Adventist Church
1105 Grant St, Niles, MI
9-11:45 AM
Volunteers are needed to take a group of kids (age 4 - grade 6) to their activities, or help with crafts or games. If interested, contact Mrs. Meekma at nileswestsidevbs@gmail.com.
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Pioneer Memorial Church Children's Sabbath Schools
Volunteers are needed in Beginners Sabbath School, and several junior and primary teams need more helpers through summer months particularly.
Here are ways you can help:
- Greeters in Beginners, Kinder 4 year old, Primary Gr 3 or Junior Gr 5 – cheerfully welcome, manage the door with iPad and radio for emergencies
- Table teachers in Kinder 4 yr, 5-6 yr, Primary Gr 2, Gr 3, Junior Gr 4, Gr 5 – read the lesson during the week, prayerfully, then come and follow instructions the program leader gives to assist kids doing the activities at tables
- Musicians – play piano in preschool divisions, play other instruments with the music group playing for Gr 2-5 rooms
- Story tellers or craft preparers, help with check-in, and more
You would need to arrive by 10:20 and help through 11:30 AM, as many Sabbaths as you can through the summer. PMC will mentor and sign off service hours as needed.
Contact Mrs. Bradfield at glynisb@andrews.edu for more information.
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Spend Your Summer with Andrews University!
July 28 - August 16
The Early College Experience is an in-person summer program for rising high school Juniors and Seniors as well as incoming college Freshmen. Come join us for three weeks of learning and fun on the campus of Andrews University. Each student will take one, 3-credit hour college course in addition to participating in seminars, activities, and local travel. This is a great way to earn college credit as a high schooler!
Admissions
Admissions requirements for the summer 2024 Early College Experience have been changed.
All applicants must fill out and submit the online application. Students must have a 3.25 High School GPA with a college prep curriculum.* ACT, SAT or PSAT scores preferred. Students can be admitted without test scores, but must meet high school curriculum requirements. For questions, please email explore@andrews.edu.
*Rising juniors must submit additional test scores. Please contact the program director for special inquiries.
Application
Students can apply for the Early College Experience online following the instructions below. In addition to the application, you will need to submit a copy of your high school transcript and the relevant standardized test scores.
The easiest way to apply is to use our fillable application. Click the link above and download the form. Fill it out and send it back to AU via email at explore@andrews.edu.
If you want to apply online, visit the online application right here or by visiting andrews.edu/apply. Choose the undergraduate application and be sure to apply for the Main Campus as a high school guest student. You must apply as a high school guest to get the special rate. In addition, make sure you choose the summer term and click "yes" for Early College. The rest of the application is simple and should only take a few minutes to complete.
After AU receives the application and additional documents, they will review your information and you will receive a decision letter. If you have already been admitted for the fall term, they will have your documents on file. If you are admitted to the program, you will receive an acceptance letter with instructions on your next steps and payment information. Please remember, acceptance to the Early College Program is not an admission to Andrews University as a full-time student. If you have any trouble with the application or have questions, please contact them at explore@andrews.edu.
2024 Courses
College Writing I*
Communications Skills
World Civilizations*
Scripture* (general education religion)
*honors eligible courses
The Early College Experience is a single package price of $1,295. This covers all costs, including tuition, housing, food, books, and activities. There are no hidden costs or additional fees.
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Textbook Information
The online textbook store will open soon. Please watch for more information.
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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. Meekma (ginam@andrews.edu) in the main office.
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You can find your schedule, grades, etc. on FACTS.
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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 do have a limited supply of uniforms for sale at AA (cash or check only) during office hours.
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| AA's Lands' End Store |
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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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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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Andrews Academy
8833 Garland Ave Berrien Springs, MI 49104
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269-471-3138
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