News & Announcements

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Volume 19, Issue 7

Andrews Academy's

Official Newsletter

September 12, 2025

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Class of 2027 Junior Class Officers

Last Friday, we held our junior and sophomore class elections. We are proud to present our officers for this year. Congratulations to the new officers! We wish you all the best as you lead your classes this year and are looking forward to all of the things you have planned.

President: Nathan Crownover

Vice President: Audrey Marschner

Pastor: Samantha Elanko
Secretary: Autumn Leets

Treasurer: Kaitlyn McKenzie
Public Relations: Keila Bowerman
Representatives: David Beatty, Daniel Butnaru, Alayna Prentice

Class of 2028 Sophomore Class Officers

President: Hanan Legoh

Vice President: Lilianora Bailey

Pastor: Kaden Spare

Secretary: Migdali Glanz

Treasurer: Kelsey Yang

Public Relations: Cameron Bliven

Representatives: Connor Hentschel, Benjamin Ramos, Mackenzie Ritzenthaler

Senior vs School Flag Football Games

Senior Spirit Week took place the week before the senior class trip, featuring one of the most anticipated events of the year—the Senior vs. School Flag Football Games on September 9, 2025.

Over the past few weeks, senior and underclassmen teams—both girls and boys—practiced hard in preparation for the big game. Their dedication paid off in two exciting match-ups.

The senior girls came out strong and secured a shutout victory with a score of 12–0. The senior boys followed with an equally thrilling game, winning 18–13. Both games were fast-paced and fun, showcasing the athletic talent of our students. A big crowd of enthusiastic fans showed up to support their teams. God blessed with a fun-filled, beautiful evening.

Special thanks go to the coaches—your time, energy, and guidance made a huge difference.

PC: Dylan Bergmann

More Photos on Facebook

Senior Spirit Week

Senior Spirit Week (September 8-12) occurs the week prior to the Senior Class Trip. This week is a fun tradition filled with themed dress-up days, Senior Convocation, and the senior vs. school flag football game.

Each day of the week, seniors dressed up in various ways:

Monday - Squad Day
Tuesday - Dress up Day (for Convocation)
Wednesday - Jersey Day
Thursday - Country vs Country Club Day
Friday - Baggy Clothes Day

It was a fun week filled with laughter, smiles, and class spirit all as they prepared for the senior class trip departure on Sunday.

Please pray that they will have a safe, fun, bonding, and blessed time.

More Photos on Facebook

Service Day

This Wednesday, September 17

8:00 AM - Chapel
12:00 PM - Dismissal

Wear an AA t-shirt with your work clothes if you have one

(or get one in the office).

Water and a granola bar will be provided.

Please bring work gloves if you have them, wear closed-toed shoes, and wear jeans (not shorts).

Freshmen & Sophomores

(Grades 9 & 10)

This Monday, September 15

This Monday, September 15, grades 9 & 10 will take the MAP® Growth™ test from NWEA® on a Chromebook (provided - bring security key). Students should arrive at school by 8:00 AM. Testing will begin promptly at 8:30 AM and should conclude by 12:30 PM. Parents, please arrange for your student to be dropped off and picked up on time.

If you would like to have your student see what to expect on Monday, visit the NWEA website: https://www.nwea.org, go to the login tab, and select MAP Growth student login from the drop down menu. Once at the login page, select try the practice test. After clicking, try the practice test, enter grow for the username and password. On the next screen select grade, choose any of the subjects, language preference, and any of the tests. This will help the students see what a test will look like on Monday.

Parents, please contact Mrs. Robinson (aaattendance@andrews.edu or 269-471-3453) if your student is not able to make it to the school for MAP testing so that we can schedule their make-up test.

Juniors (Grade 11)

This Monday, September 15

As the juniors prepare for the PSAT on October 9, a test prep session has been scheduled for this Monday, September 15, at 8:00 AM, while grades 9 & 10 take the MAP tests. The PSAT, when taken in a student's junior year, is a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship. They will also meet with Andrews University. They should be done at around 12:00 PM.

PM E-Learning Day (Grades 9-11)

This Monday, September 15

There will be e-learning (at home) for the afternoon classes, so grades 9-11 should check Google Classroom or watch for an email from their teacher for each of their afternoon classes to see what may have been assigned for that day.

(Seniors will be on their class trip.)

- Mrs. Dionne Robinson

Guidance Counselor & Attendance Officer, 269-471-3453

► Note: All freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will take the PSAT test on October 9. We encourage our students to familiarize themselves with the test by taking practice tests online. In addition, students will receive a PSAT study guide and practice test soon from their English teachers in preparation for test day.

There is no cost to Andrews Academy students to take the PSAT or MAP tests.

Important Attendance Policy Updates

ATTENDANCE EVALUATION

Each student begins each semester with an attendance record of zero points. All absences and tardies are assigned a weight of 1 point. The FACTS system includes separate attendance codes, allowing for clear categorization and reporting:

A (Absence)
AE (Excused Absence)
T (Tardy)
TE (Excused Tardy)

The AS attendance code is assigned a weight of 0 and is used to mark school-related absences (e.g., for approved school trips or activities). These absences do not count against the student’s attendance record.

Students are allowed one long tour per semester.

PROCEDURES

Each school day, the student who was absent or tardy without excuse is notified of the record in FACTS, the student information system. Parents and students both receive email notifications. If the student believes the record to be incorrect, or has any question about the record, it is that student’s responsibility to contact the school office or attendance officer or submit to the school office a written excuse from a parent/guardian within 3 school days to remove those points. Excuses received between the 4th and 5th days will result in the partial removal of points.

Correction received after five days generally will not be accepted. In instances where a student is absent for several consecutive days, such as for an extended illness, two school days are allotted following the last absence to submit an excuse.

A student is responsible for all course work missed while absent with or without excuse.

Absence Policy
• After 5 unexcused absences per class: Student receives a warning email.
• After 8 unexcused absences per class: Student receives a demerit.
• After 10 unexcused absences per class: A meeting is scheduled with the student, parents, and attendance officer or another administrator.
• After 10 combined excused and unexcused absences per class: Student receives a warning email noting the risk of withdrawal from the class.
• After 15 combined excused and unexcused absences per class: A meeting with the registrar is required, and the student may be withdrawn from the class and lose all credit subject to that class, pending a review by the Student Affairs Committee.

Tardy Policy
• After 5 unexcused tardies per class: Student receives a warning email.
• After 10 unexcused tardies per class: Student receives a demerit.
• After 10 total excused and unexcused tardies per class: Student meets with the attendance officer or administrator.

Demerit Review Policy
Demerits related to attendance may be re-evaluated at the end of the semester if the student maintains no unexcused absences or tardies from the date the demerit was issued onward.

A student is eligible to hold an organizational office or leadership position as long as they maintain an attendance score below 7 unexcused absences. A student is also eligible to participate in co-curricular, overnight trips and tours if the attendance score is below 7 unexcused absences. A student is placed on citizenship probation when the attendance score reaches 7 unexcused absences.

Major off-campus school activities include, but are not limited to, overnight trips and tours (see section on Student Citizenship-Citizenship Probation). When a student’s attendance score reaches 7 unexcused absences, the student is placed on citizenship probation. Further unexcused absences could lead to future in-school suspensions. Repeated attendance issues will be referred to the Student Affairs Committee to determine if the student should continue in the Academy and, if so, under what conditions. If these conditions are not successfully adhered to, the student’s enrollment may be discontinued at the time of infractions, at the end of a given semester, or at the end of the school year.

Students who miss five (5) consecutive school days due to illness must provide written documentation from a certified medical professional corroborating the necessity of that absence.

- From the Sourcebook (pg. 67-68)

For any attendance questions that you would like to ask by email, please direct them to aaattendance@andrews.edu.

Thank you!

Mrs. Dionne Robinson
Guidance Counselor/Attendance Officer
Andrews Academy
269-471-3453

Picture Day is coming on Monday, September 29!

You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTPSJXDD. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!
Your child can also bring their completed flyer (available soon in the office) with cash or check on Picture Day.

Orders after Picture Day must be placed online only on mylifetouch.com.

Note: Pictures will be taken in the AA uniform.

Call for Entries! Feast of Lights Cover Art

Due Friday, October 3

Students are invited to submit original art to be featured on the cover of the Feast of Lights (annual Christmas concert) printed program. The drawing/digital file should depict the nativity scene or a related motif.

Interested? Submit your creation to Mrs. Meekma (at the front office or by email to ginam@andrews.edu) by Friday, October 3. One drawing/digital file will be selected by the faculty. The winner will be awarded a $100 prize.

Tuition

Payment #2 of 10 is due on September 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.

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!

Chapel Recap

On Monday, Principal Ruben Perez-Schulz spoke about the power of daily decisions. He shared how Cristiano Ronaldo’s simple act of choosing water over soda in a 2020 interview reportedly cost Coca-Cola billions—an example of how small actions can have major impact.

He linked this to Daniel in the Bible, whose choice to avoid the king’s food led to better health, wisdom, and respect. Daniel also built consistent prayer habits and remained humble, always pointing glory to God. These small, faithful choices had lasting influence. The principal closed by reminding us: small, consistent decisions can deeply impact our lives and others’.

Tuesday’s chapel was part of Senior Convocation - please see that article from Tuesday's E-Sanjo.

Wednesday’s chapel featured one of the most unique musical experiences in my (Mr. Atkins) 34 years at Andrews Academy. Led by choir director Mr. Daniel Cerna, students created and performed a song based on Ephesians 6:10—composing lyrics, building harmonies, and singing it together, all within one worship period. The spontaneous, scripture-based session echoed biblical traditions of how how songs in scriptures may have formed and powerfully encouraged music as a tool for worship, learning, and community connection.

On Thursday, Pastor Lindsey Pratt, PMC Youth Pastor, delivered a powerful message on prioritizing what truly matters, centered on Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom of God.” She illustrated this visually: first she filled a bottle with sand (life’s distractions), then ping-pong balls (responsibilities), and finally a rock (time with Jesus)—but the rock didn’t fit. Then she reversed the order—rock first, then balls, then sand—everything fit, showing that when we put God first, everything else falls into place. She closed by inviting everyone to write down how much time they want to spend daily with God, encouraging intentional commitment.

After today's (Friday) song service, the Spiritual Life Committee invited students to complete a form titled My Spiritual Journey, 2025–2026. The form included reflective questions such as the following:

How would I describe my current relationship with God?
What do I hope it will look like by year’s end?
What spiritual legacy do I want to leave among my friends? Students sealed their responses in envelopes labeled with their names. These will be revisited throughout the year and returned at the end, offering a personal reflection on their spiritual growth. This simple yet meaningful exercise helps students intentionally reflect on and prioritize their faith journey.

More photos on Facebook

Video of Wednesday's Song

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 17, 2025. We encourage you to get your senior picture done ASAP. 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.

Pictures for the yearbook and senior ads must adhere to the following requirements:

In color - yearbook picture
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)

Baby Photos

By the same date (October 17), 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 27 & 28, 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). Watch for more information about signing up for ad night.

Please send photos and any questions to AAyearbook@andrews.edu. Note the student’s name in the subject line and indicate if the photos are for the senior/baby section OR the parent dedication.

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 main office.

Parents: To sign your student up for the lunch program or add funds to your student's account, you may use this link to pay online (you will need your child's AU ID number), or you may pay with cash or check at the Academy main office. The minimum payment for 20 lunches is $141.20, unless your student has been approved for reduced lunch.

Pizza & Parables

Every Wednesday 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Pioneer Memorial Church Youth Chapel
Sponsored by PMC

Calendar on Website

2025-26 Year-at-a-Glance Calendar

FACTS or Andrews Email Log In Help

New students, you should have set up your Andrews email address if you didn't already have one. Students should also have a FACTS log in.

During the school year, you will be able to find your schedule, grades, missing assignments, attendance, etc. on FACTS.

Students, 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.

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. We will email students and parents when a CSA is approved.
Other Absences: Parents, please call the main 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. 68):

Students who miss five (5) 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.

- Mrs. Dionne Robinson

Guidance Counselor

dionner@andrews.edu

269-471-3453

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 right away. 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, which cannot be used by anyone else.

Security Key Link

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.

AA's Lands' End Store

Please review the Sourcebook (pgs 65-66) 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).
Only AA logoed jackets are allowed to be worn in the building.
The PE uniform (t-shirt or sweatshirt, shorts or sweats) can only be worn during PE class.
If a student is wearing an AA logoed jacket, they should also have an AA logoed shirt underneath.