News & Announcements

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Volume 18, Issue 46

Andrews Academy's

Official Newsletter

February 14, 2025

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No School
this Monday, February 17!

Physical Science Sound Lab

Ms. Chao’s physical science class has recently been studying the physics of sound, including frequencies, pitch, and volume. Recently, they went on a field trip to the music room where Mr. Cerna, AA choir and bells director, illustrated these concepts on the piano, violin, and other instruments. Students asked many questions, and when one asked about an accordion, Mr. Cerna stepped into his office and pulled one out to show how air pressure in pipes makes sound. It was a very informative lesson on sound, especially for those involved in music at Andrews Academy.

More photos on Facebook

Show your support for the JUNIOR Class by dining at Stevensville Culver's this Wednesday evening, February 19, from 5-8 PM! Drive-thru or dine-in! Or stop in to buy a gift card for a later date. A portion of sales between 5-8 PM will be donated to the JUNIOR class. This is a great way for the class to generate funds while also increasing our visibility in our community. Juniors raised nearly $600 at this event last year. We hope to reach or exceed that amount this year. Share the attached flyer with friends and family and save the date!

Tuesday, March 4, is our scheduled Academy Day, when area 8th graders will visit AA. This will be an e-learning day for most AA students.

Class officers and organizational officers, along with a few other students, will be helping as tour guides, etc. for the day, and some music students will be needed for chapel, but most students will work on assignments at home that day. Please let us know if you need more details regarding this event.

Badminton Tournament

The AA PE department is sponsoring a whole school Badminton tournament on Tuesday, February 25, 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 February 25, so please remember to mark it down on your calendar. Sign-ups are due by next Friday, February 21.

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

Calendar Change

Please note that Monday, April 21, will now be a Professional Development /E-Learning Day. This day replaces two half days for Professional Development that were originally scheduled for March.

SA Election forms will be available starting Monday, March 3, at the SA Election Orientation meeting. ~ Mrs. Mills

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 #7 is due on or before Tuesday, February 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.

Valentine's Day Cards

Spanish classes made Valentines today and wrote the message in Spanish! Thank you, Mrs. Slivestre, for a creative lesson on this special day.

Seniors Preparing for Graduation

On Tuesday, seniors worked on two important items to prepare for graduation and plan for college. Seniors recorded their parent tribute that will be viewed on Thursday night of graduation during Class Night. They did their recordings in the recording studio that was created a few years ago at Andrews Academy.

Seniors also individually met with Andrews University representatives to help in their application to AU or to learn more about the application process for colleges in general. AU provided an assortment of donuts for the seniors to enjoy. Also, for the seniors who have already applied, they learned the amount of scholarships they will be receiving. This ranges from $8,000 to $14,000 per year while at AU. These scholarships are based on ACT/SAT scores and GPA.

More about Scholarships

Chapel Recap - Judges

On Wednesday, Pastor Johnson, an AA religion teacher, shared how God represents himself in the book of Judges. Israel was to be a light to the dark world, but instead became more like the dark world. A leader would show up and change with this new “savior” for a time. But then they would fall again, a cycle of good and bad that repeated many times. Jesus, our true Savior, would come to this world to end the cycle. He shared a video that highlighted this cycle, all leading to Jesus, our true Light in this dark world.

Briauna Skinner, AA sophomore, shared insights on the story of Samson on Thursday. His was a series of departures from God’s plan, like taking honey from a dead carcass, and giving in when Delilah pestered him for the secret of his strength. Briauna pointed out that he should have questioned on the first three times why Delilah would ask and then call for the Philistines each time. Instead, on the fourth time when he was pressed for the answer, he gave the real reason. Briauna encouraged each of us to choose friends and influences that would help us be better and closer to God, not to choose friendships that will tear us down. She then applied biological terms: our friendships should be mutualistic not parasitic!

Today (Friday), Mrs. Kim Spare, AA alumnus from the class of 2000, along with her son Kaden, AA freshman, shared a wonderful presentation on Valentine's Day entitled, “Love Testimonies." Her first testimony was of herself when she was three days old and recovered from turning blue with a breathing problem. She then shared Psalms 106:1, praising God for He is Good, leading into congregational singing of “Give Thanks.” Her son played the piano in the background as she talked and then accompanied her while singing. She then shared the testimonies of two black historical leaders, one of whom was Dr. Ben Carson, and after each testimony, she led in another song of praise. She also shared some Biblical love testimonies, including about Jesus, and encouraged each student to live the testimony Jesus has for us.

More photos 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.

8th graders are invited to attend....

Tuesday, March 4, 8 AM - 3:15 PM (gym doors open at 7:30 for registration)
Lunch is provided.
Call 269-471-3138 with any questions.
Students who attend local Adventist schools do not need to RSVP.

Adventist Colleges Abroad is part of the Education Department of the North American Division. They provide opportunities for students to learn a second language on an Adventist campus abroad.

If you want to learn more about the languages you could learn and places you could go, please come to the information meeting on Tuesday, February 25, at 7 PM in the Newbold Auditorium at Andrews University.

ACA will also have a presentation at AA during chapel on Wednesday, February 26.

For additional information, please contact badenas@andrews.edu.

Indoor Triathlon

You are invited to participate in the 2nd Annual ACW Indoor Triathlon, hosted by Andrews University at the Andreasen Center for Wellness!

🗓 Date: Sunday, February 23, 2025
⏰ Time: 9:00 a.m.
📍 Location: Andreasen Center for Wellness

This unique event is perfect for athletes of all levels (at least 16 years old)!

Participants will compete in the following activities:

10-minute swim in our indoor pool
20-minute cycling session on stationary bikes
15-minute run on treadmills

How You Can Get Involved:

Register as participants or bring a team!
Sponsor the event to gain visibility and support wellness in our community.

If you have questions or are interested in sponsoring the event, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

We hope to see you there!

Mr. Herbie Helm

Aquatics Director

Andrews University

herbert@andrews.edu | 269-471-6093

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!