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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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Black History Week Celebration Assembly
A special celebration assembly that concluded Black History Week was held on Friday, February 7, 2025. The assembly included special musics, readings, video presentations, hair style presentation, and a skit. A food fair in the Commons followed the assembly.
Thank you, Pastor Gabriel Johnson and a large group of students, for organizing this very informative and powerful series of chapels and this celebration assembly. And thank you to each of the participants, not only for the assembly, but also throughout last week.
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No School
this Monday, February 17!
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Show your support for the JUNIOR Class by dining at Stevensville Culver's next 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!
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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 Friday, February 21.
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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
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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.
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SA Election forms will be available starting Monday, March 3, at the SA Election Orientation meeting. ~ Mrs. Mills
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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.
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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.
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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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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
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Tuition
Payment #7 is due on or before 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.
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Ice Skating & Class Vespers
Class vespers and activities provide a meaningful time to be drawn closer to God, to develop friendships outside the classroom setting, and an opportunity for class officers to develop leadership skills as they plan and lead in the activity and worship experience.
Traditionally individual classes have organized and planned events, but sometimes classes work together in planning an event. On Friday, February 7, 2025, students from all four classes went ice skating at the Howard Rink in St. Joseph. Approximately 90 students participated in this tradition that began with the class of 2012 in 2010.
After ice skating, the classes ate supper together in the Commons (thank you to those who provided the food!) and then went to various locations for their class vespers. Freshmen met in the library, juniors and seniors had their vespers together in the chapel with Mrs Sari Butler (former AA teacher/school counselor) presenting, while the sophomores had theirs in the home economics room.
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Chapel Recap - Judges
Dr. Jerome Skinner, AU seminary professor and parent of sophomore Briauna, presented from Judges as he compared the parallel stories of Ruth and Samson. Samson was chosen of God but failed to be faithful to God, while Ruth, from pagan ancestry, chose God and lived the life of a Chosen one. We are to remember that it is not “who we are,” instead it is “whose we are.” It is not our pedigree that determines our greatness and impact on peoples lives, instead it is living a life in Jesus. He is the one that makes the difference in our life.
Today (Tuesday) Ishmael Jacques, AA junior, discussed insights from Samson’s life from the book of Judges. In chapter 13, instructions were given on how Samson was to be treated to make him a great leader for God. Then in Judges 14, we see the first of the compromises he made, to marry a Philistine woman that he should not have married. In Judges 16, we read of Delilah who was paid to find out his source of great strength. He lied three times, and then on the fourth time, he finally stated the true source of his strength. Like Samson, we sometimes compromise. We must remember that even if we fail, God can still use us like He did in the last act of Samson’s life. Ishmael then related this to Black history month, pointing out that black leaders did not compromise in their efforts to elicit change in our society, resulting in impactful outcomes. He concluded with the question, "What choices are you making today?" He then had a Kahoot game to review the content from his talk.
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| More photos on FB |
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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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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.
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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)!
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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
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| Sign Up 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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