Volume 12, no. 17 December 14, 2018

AA Weekly Andrews Academy’s Official Newsletter

This Friday, we continue one of the longest standing traditions at AA, the 46th Feast of Lights program. Starting at 7pm in Pioneer Memorial Church, this annual event is one you won't want to miss! Please invite your friends and neighbors as we celebrate the season of Christ's birth with wonderful sacred music, drama, and lights. If you have out-of-town friends and relatives, encourage them to watch the livestream online.

Come back Saturday night at 7pm to the Howard Performing Arts Cen-ter, where we will present a variety of popular Christmas tunes at our 8th annual Christmas Pops program. Again, invite your friends and family to enjoy all of our students' musical talents on display!

Both programs will also be available for out-of-town friends & relatives via Facebook Live.

Invitation to Feast of Lights and Christmas Pops Concert

IN THIS ISSUE

Feast of Lights...............…..1

Highlights at AA……….………2-5

Announcements……….……..6-8

UPCOMING EVENTS

12/14 Feast of Lights (PMC)

12/15 Christmas Pops (HPAC)

12/17-18 Moratorium

12/19-21 Final Exams

12/25 Tuition #5 Due

12/24-1/4 Christmas Vacation

12/25-1/9 Sow Safari

1/7 School Resumes

1/10 SA Student Council

1/11 Deadline for Seniors—Online

Courses Home School Courses

1/11 Agape Feast

1/14 Bible Camp Orientation

1/15 Assembly—Depression/Anxiety

1/15 SA Talent Show Auditions

1/15 AA Volleyball Night

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Throughout the school year Andrews University representatives meets with the senior class to help them learn more about how to apply to colleges and for financial aide. They also help the seniors learn more about what Andrews Universi-ty has to offer. This past Wednesday AU representatives met with the senior class to wish them a Merry Christmas and to give a Christmas gift to each senior. A very appropriate gift for this time of year, an Andrews winter hat to keep each senior warm this winter. Thank you Andrews University.

AU Presents Gifts to AA Seniors

Highlights At AA

Mrs. Meekma, AA alumni and develop-ment director, and Mrs. Leiterman met with recent Andrews Academy alumni at Andrews University. In the midst of their finals at AU the AA alumni department hosted a pizza meal for them, a time to reconnect with each other. Thank you Mrs. Meekma for organizing this event. It should be pointed out that other Acade-mies in the Lake Union have taken our idea of last year and each are doing the same this year at AU

Andrews Academy Alumni Department Meets with recent Alumni at AU

AA Resound Participated in Berrien Springs Christmas Evening.

Thursday of the previous week, (Dec. 6, 2018) AA’s Hand-bell Ensemble was one of the groups that participated in Berrien Springs Community Christmas Evening held in various shops on the main street of town. AA Resound played Christmas music in the Village Hardware Store. For a short video of one of their songs please go to Face-book.

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Screams of excitement and joy filled Andrews Academy com-mons as over thirty community children enjoyed a Christmas party with Andrews Academy students. Students signed up in groups of 2 - 3 to sponsor a child for the Christmas party. The evening began with crafts, drawing Christmas pictures, playing various games, Santa reading a Christmas story, and decorat-ing Christmas cookies. After some food Santa and his helpers handed out the gifts. Each group of Academy students pooled their money to buy their child a Christmas gift.

A lot of Christmas joy was experienced as Academy students gave to make Christmas a little more fun for our community children. As seen by not only the smiles of the invited children the Andrews Academy students also had a lot of fun in sharing Christmas joy. This afternoon is yet another example of genu-ine Christian school spirit that the Andrews Academy family enjoys.

Thank you Student Association officers and sponsors for a well planned and fun afternoon with meaning. Parents expressed appreciation for providing this Christmas party for the children. One parent expressed that things are so financially tight this year that they will not be able to really do anything this Christmas… this party and gift may be the only thing that will happen this year.

For more photos please go to Facebook.

Student Association Children’s Christmas Party—Dec 9, 2018

Highlights At AA

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Throughout this week the students from SOW mission trip led out in the chapels. Please keep them in your prayers as they will early Christmas morning depart on a two week mission trip to Cuba to help build the first SDA youth camp in Cuba and help build a home church, as well as preach and lead out in VBS programs.

On Monday, Peter Tumangday, presented worship. He shared how has always been perplexed with how people are scared of not getting to Heaven but are not scared about not having a relationship with Jesus. Too many people see Heaven as a reward after fighting the Giants we face here on Earth. It should really be about building a strong relation-ship with Jesus and growing in Him. Our focus should not be “Heaven is the reward” our focus should be our relationship with Jesus!

On Tuesday, Ryano Masengi talked to the students about living with purpose. He said that “God has called each of us to do His will.” He asked, how do we know our purpose? How do we know what God’s plan is for our lives? Ryano shared 3 things that Andrews Academy should be. Church. Change. Chosen. He concluded with a brief testi-mony about how he left life in Australia for a life here in Berrien Springs, MI and how this changed his life for the better. His life was changed because his family had chosen to follow God’s plan.

Week of Chapels

Highlights At AA

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Sam Taylor, for Wednesday’s chapel, began by asking a question… what is beauty? We each have our own definition and sometimes our subconscious will cause each of us to view the same person differently. He read 1 Peter 3:3-4. “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” Too often we focus on the external instead of on the beauty that is on the inside. What other people see in you shouldn’t affect you, keep focusing on the beauty God want’s us to have on the inside.

On Thursday, Natalie McArthur shared her experiences from hiking the Grand Canyon that she did with her dad and cousin, Andres. She also shared the spiritual applications she took away from the hiking trip. On the first day of her trip, she noticed that the way she, her father, and Andres dressed was a lot different than how the other tourist hikers were dressed. She stated that they stood out, saying that “when we follow God, we will stand out in the world.” On her second day, she wit-nessed her cousin Andres climb to the top of a waterfall. He said that he saw how vast the area was that they were in. Of course, Natalie and her father did not see what the whole area looked like because they did not climb up to where Andres was. Natalie related this to the fact that none of us will have the same spiritual experiences as another person. All of our spiritual journeys should be different, and they should be special. Let us all strive for a genuine connection with God.

For more pictures from chapels please go to Facebook

Week of Chapels

Highlights At AA

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Announcements

Highlights At AA

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE Final exams start December 19! Keep in mind you only need to show up for your exams and morning devotions, not your regular class schedule. If you have a break in between two finals (for example let’s say on Thursday, you have an 10:15 a.m. class final and no 11:10 am class final (such as a study hall, CSA), then a 2:25 p.m. class final), you must go to study hall. You may not leave campus and walk over to Apple Valley or any other place. If for example, on Friday you do not have a 9:20 am class final then please make sure you arrive by devotional time to be ready for your 1:30 am class fi-nal. Be sure to sign in at the Front Office.

Finals end at 12:35, giving you three days of early dismissal so you have time to study! Remember there is no hot lunch on these days. The exam schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, December 19 8:00 Class Final Exam 9:25-10:40 Devotions 10:50-11:10 Noon Class Final Exam 11:20-12:35

Thursday, December 20 10:15 Class Final Exam 8:00-9:15 Devotions 9:25-9:45 11:10 Class Final Exam 9:55-11:10 2:25 Class Final Exam 11:20-12:35

Friday, December 21 9:20 Class Final Exam 8:00-9:15 Devotions 9:25-9:45 1:30 Class Final Exam 9:55-11:10 SA Christmas Party 11:20-12:35

Please plan on staying in the classroom for the entire exam class period. Please bring other books to study from in case you finish the exam early. SCHOOL OPENING AND CLOSING AA’s doors will open at 7:15am, Monday-Friday (December 17-21). December 19-21, we will be clos-ing at 12:35pm. CHRISTMAS BREAK SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS December 24-26 CLOSED December 27 9 am – 3 pm December 28-January 2 CLOSED January 3 9 am – 3 pm January 4 9 am – 1 pm Normal school hours will resume Monday, January 7, 2019 TUITION This is a reminder that tuition is due December 25. For credit card payments you may pay online via Touchnet. For cash or checks you may pay at the Academy office by Friday, December 21 or on Thursday, December 27 between 9am and 3pm. Andrews University will be closed and unavailable to receive payments during the Christmas break. Plan accordingly to avoid late payment fees. Please check your mail as detailed Academy Christmas break hours and information has been mailed to you with your monthly statement. Thank you for your support and understanding.

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Announcements

Highlights At AA

ASSIST WORK PROGRAM The current students working in the Assist Program are working fewer hours than anticipated, and we have grant money for tuition assistance that is not being used. This means that we can add a few more students to the program, to begin working 2nd semester. There is an Assist application to be filled out, work permit paperwork and a personalized orientation with our coordinator, Joelle Ashley, that need to occur preferably before Christmas Break. If you are interested, you will need to pick up an application from the basket outside Mrs. Ashley’s office in the library A.S.A.P. We anticipate these positions will fill fairly quickly, and students will be considered on a first come, first served basis. Email or call Mrs. Ashley at joellea@fullylive.com or 301.991.4152 with any questions. ORION STRINGS/SILHOUETTTES - TORONTO TOUR - FEBRUARY 21-24, 2019 1. TRAVEL CONSENT FORM (STUDENTS UNDER 18) Because this tour takes us out of the country, every student under the age of 18 must have a signed Travel Consent Form from their birth parents - or legal guardian(s) - to exit the United States and en-ter most foreign countries (see attachment). IMPORTANT: Unless any parent has full and sole custody of their child(ren), BOTH PARENTS must SIGN THE FORM IN THE PRESENCE OF A NOTARY - either together, or separately. Guardi-ans must also sign the form in the presence of a notary. The deadline to turn in the form at the front office is Thursday, January 31. 2. TOUR FEE As published in the AA Schedule of Fees, the cost of the tour is $250. The fee is designed to cover transportation, lodging, most meals, and various activities. Below is a payment schedule for your convenience (please bring checks or cash to Mrs. Esther Penn at the front office). Payments may be made at any time before the deadline, keeping in mind that the full balance must be paid off by February 7, 2019.

December 17 - Non-refundable deposit: $100 January 11 - $75 February 7 - $75 - Deadline to pay balance in full

3. VISA REQUIREMENTS Most people need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization to travel to Canada. Some people, such as US citizens, may only need a valid passport. However, when entering by land, requirements change. To find out whether you need to obtain a visa or an ETA, please read carefully the information in the following link: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/entry-requirements-country.html

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Announcements

Highlights At AA

WIND ENSEMBLE/HANDBELLS - DC/NYC TOUR - MARCH 14-21, 2019 Although contracts will be sent home within a few days, because we have already made payments to our vendors, here is the payment schedule: 1. TOUR FEE As published in the AA Schedule of Fees, the cost of the tour is $500. The fee is designed to cover transportation, lodging, most meals, and various activities. Below is a payment schedule for your convenience (please bring checks or cash to Mrs. Esther Penn at the front office). Payments may be made at any time before the deadline, keeping in mind that the full balance must be paid off by March 7, 2019.

December 19 - Non-refundable deposit: $200 January 10 - $100 February 7 - $100 March 7 - $100 - Deadline to pay balance in full

RUNNING TOUR Dear Parents: Please remember that your first payment for the running tour will be due on Wednes-day, December 19, 2018 of $200.00. This will cover down payments for lodging and the cost of the race. This fee is non-refundable. If you cannot/do not make the deposit by December 19, 2018, your student can/will be removed from the class list. If you have any questions, please contact me at sa-mantham@andrews.edu. Also, due to calendar conflicts in the spring, we have changed our start and end dates to the tour. We will leave on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, and return on Monday, May 6, 2019, before the end of the school day. Please make a note in your calendars to the change of dates. Parents and students will also be receiving another more detailed email from me by Friday, December 7, 2018. BIBLE CAMP 2019 Bible Camp 2019 January 17-20: We are excited about Bible Camp 2019. The theme is “The Still Small Voice”. Applications for Bible Camp are available in the main office. Only 80 spots (15 spots left) are available and the cost is $ 125.00. Spaces limited so please return your application ASAP.