GO VIKINGS GO!
In this issue...
New This Week
- NEXT WEEK IS SPIRIT WEEK At VAHS!
- Under The Northern Lights: The VAHS Semiformal 9/26/26
- The Making of Me: An Identity Exhibit
- Help Us Treat Our Teachers!
- Save the Date: Grease Is The Word!
- Annual Fall Festival Oct. 31
- Class of 2027 T-shirts and hoodies pre-order
- Financial Aid Awareness Night: Get Ready for FAFSA Season
- School Pictures Are Shipped And On Their Way
- Free Community College Courses While In HS: Durham Tech CCP Information Sessions
- Show Your Viking Spirit This Fall, Get Some Viking Gear
- Save The Date: The Senior Year Essentials Workshop 9/22/26
Recent News Items
- Simplifying Your Senior's Path to College with NC College Connect
- Build Essential Life Skills: Register for LIFE Skills’ Free Fall Program
- Purchase You Parking Pass Now
- Free Parent Workshops: Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College
Helpful Resources
- How To Stay Up-To-The-Minute With Your Student’s Grades: Become a “Parent Observer” on His/Her Canvas Account
- Stay Connected with Our Voyager Community Calendar
- Bring Your Laptop!
- How To Purchase Viking Gear
- The Voyager Academy High School Website
- VAHS Counseling Department Blog
- Voyager Academy Student/Parent Handbook
- Important dates
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NEXT WEEK IS SPIRIT WEEK AT VAHS!
SPIRIT WEEK at VAHS is the week of September 21st - 24th!
We have dress up days, an assembly on September 24th, an end of week dance, and more.
- Monday Sept 21st - Celebrity Day
- Tuesday Sept 22nd - 2016 Day
- Wednesday Sept 23rd - Rhyme without Reason Day
- Thursday Sept 24th - Pirates v. Princesses and an assembly at the end of the day
- Saturday Sept 26 - The VAHS Semiformal 7-10pm (Umstead Pines at Willowhaven, 253 Country Club Dr., Durham)
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Under The Northern Lights: The VAHS Semiformal 9/26/26
What: VAHS Fall Semi-Formal Dance for grades 9-12
When: Saturday, September 26, 2026, 7-10pm
Where: Umstead Pines at Willowhaven, 253 Country Club Dr., Durham, NC 27712
Tickets: $20 per ticket (https://gofan.co/event/6875305?schoolId=NC12485)
(Tickets will be on sale through Wednesday, September 23rd; No ticket sales at the door!)
*Non-Voyager students can attend with a Voyager student upon approval. Guest ticket applications can be picked up from the front office or Mrs. Higdon B133 and returned no later than September 18th. If bringing a non-Voyager guest, don't purchase 2 tickets until the guest is approved.
Parents: We can use your help!
We are in need of food donations and chaperones. Here is the sign-up genius link.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F45A8A823A5FD0-65739543-homecoming
Please contact Mrs. Higdon (thigdon@voyageracademy.net) with any questions
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The Making of Me: An Identity Exhibit
ENG1 Honors students are creating visual exhibits representing the forces that have shaped them into who they are today. What may look like an art project is actually the culmination of weeks of analysis: reading two (or more!) novels, examining scientific and informational texts, translating life experiences and influences into mathematical expressions, and developing theories that represent their own self exploration. The final exhibits bring all of that thinking together into one visual representation of their answer to our unit question: What shapes who we become?
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Help Us Treat Our Teachers!
The Parent Committee is kicking off our September Teacher Luncheon and we’d love your help!
Parents can sign up to bring a dish, dessert, drink, or other items to help us provide lunch for our hardworking VAHS teachers and staff.
If you’re able to contribute, please take a look at the sign-up and choose whatever works for you. Every contribution helps make these luncheons special!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040D45ACAF2AA4F58-65375295-vahs
Thank you for helping us show our teachers how much we appreciate all they do for our students!
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Save the Date: Grease Is The Word!
The high school production of Grease is coming to the Performing Arts Center November 12-14. Be on the lookout for ticket information coming soon.
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Annual Fall Festival Oct. 31
Annual Fall Festival is on Oct. 31!
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Class of 2027 T-shirts and hoodies pre-order
Last chance to Pre-order your class of 2027 hoodies and T-shirts
https://share.google/a7zucECbH3TazfnsM
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Financial Aid Awareness Night: Get Ready for FAFSA Season
FAFSA season is right around the corner, and we want to ensure high school seniors and their families are fully prepared to navigate the financial aid process for the 2027–2028 academic year.
To help families get a head start, the Game Plan: Future program at the Emily K Center is hosting a Financial Aid Awareness Workshop tailored specifically for local high school seniors and their parents/guardians.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Location: Emily K Center (In-Person) & Zoom
Schedule
5:30 PM – Financial Aid Overview: Learn the fundamentals of college financial aid. Offered both in-person at the Emily K Center and online via Zoom.
6:15 PM – FSA ID Creation Assistance: Receive hands-on assistance setting up your Federal Student Aid ID in-person at the Emily K Center.
Parents are strongly encouraged to attend alongside their students. Students can register via this link to reserve a spot.
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📸 School Pictures Are Shipped And On Their Way
School pictures are on their way and should be arriving in the next few days!
Still need to order pictures? Strawbridge has a new Code Lookup Tool that makes it easy to access your student’s picture gallery. Simply scan the QR code on the flyer below and follow the instructions to find your student’s ordering gallery.
*For security, you will need your student’s last name and Student ID number*.
If you have questions or need help navigating the ordering site, Strawbridge’s Customer Service team is available through the Live Chat at www.strawbridge.net
*Please click on the link below, or see this flyer for additional ordering information.*
https://strawbridge.net/picture-day-lookup/
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Free Community College Courses While In HS: Durham Tech CCP Information Sessions
Are you or your student interested in earning college credit while still in high school? 🎓
If you are interested in the Durham Tech Career and College Promise (CCP) program, all students are required to attend a mandatory Information Session. During the session, you will learn about program requirements, eligibility, how to apply, important deadlines, and the next steps for getting started.
Contact: Arielle Beamon
Email: beamona@durhamtech.edu
Please sign up for an upcoming Information Session using the link below:
https://visit.durhamtech.edu/event/477420
Click here for a flyer with more details.
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Show Your Viking Spirit This Fall, Get Some Viking Gear
It’s time to gear up for fall and show your Viking spirit! The PTSO Fall Apparel Pre-Order Sale runs now through Thursday, September 24th. Visit the PTSO website for full details and to place your order: sites.google.com/view/voyagerptso
Pre-order and new-inventory apparel will be available for pickup at the *Fall Festival* on October 31st.
Thank you for supporting our school and PTSO! We can’t wait to see our Vikings showing their spirit this fall!
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Senior Essentials Workshop
Senior Parents/Guardians,
Join us on September 22 from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM for the Senior Year Essentials Workshop! Designed based on feedback from senior families, this event features targeted breakout sessions to help navigate the year ahead:
1) Financial Aid & Paying for College: FAFSA, scholarships, and funding strategies.
2) College Application Process: Deadlines, submission tips, and staying organized.
3) Post-High Pathways: Career options, trade programs, and gap year opportunities.
4) Surviving Senior Year Stress: Supporting student well-being and maintaining balance.
Click on this link to register:
https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/CN92226
See more details on this flyer (click here).
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Simplifying Your Senior's Path to College with NC College Connect
We are excited to share a new state initiative that simplifies the college application process for our high school seniors: NC College Connect. On Monday, September 14, students will view an informational presentation during Advisory class detailing how this program works.
What is NC College Connect?
https://www.cfnc.org/education-professionals/nc-college-connect-ed/
NC College Connect offers direct admission to participating North Carolina colleges and universities without required essays, recommendation letters, or standard application fees.
NC Community Colleges: Every graduating senior on track to earn a diploma receives direct admission to their local NC community college.
4-Year Universities: Students with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher, who completed a fourth-level math, automatically qualify for direct admission to a customized list of 4-year public and independent universities.
Next Steps for Families
Verify CFNC Credentials: Ensure your student logs into CFNC.org to check that their name, birthdate, and student ID match their official school record (Infinite Campus) before eligibility data is pulled on September 9.
Review Offers Starting Sept. 15: Direct admission offers will be visible in students' CFNC accounts beginning September 15. Official offer letters will also be mailed home.
Claim Your Spot: Students can log into NCCollegeConnect.org to explore their matched schools and submit a short interest form. Direct admission offers are non-binding.
Click here for a flyer with all details.
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Build Essential Life Skills: Register for LIFE Skills’ Free Fall Program
Registration is now open for LIFE Skills Foundation’s Fall 2026 Independent Living Skills Program! Designed for youth ages 15–21, this free 10-week course provides practical tools to help young adults navigate adulthood with confidence.
Dates: Thursdays, Sept 17 – Nov 19, 2026 (5:30 PM – 7:00 PM)
Location: Echo NC, 404 Hunt St., Suite 500, Durham, NC
Topics: Financial capability, job readiness, health, nutrition, and communication skills.
Perk: Attendees who complete at least 8 sessions receive a $50 Visa Gift Card and a Certificate of Completion!
To sign up, complete the online registration form. For questions, contact Chyna Davis at chyna@lifeskillsfound.org or (919) 907-8418, or visit www.lifeskillsfound.org
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Purchase You Parking Pass Now
Find the Student Parking Application link here:
Click here for the Voyager Academy H.S Student Parking Permit Application (required)
$80 per year, and $40 per semester.
For instructions on how to pay, click here.
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Free Parent Workshops: Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College
As we settle into the new school year, we want to share some upcoming opportunities to help your family navigate the college funding process with clarity and confidence.
The College Funding Coach (click here) offers valuable workshops and webinars designed to guide families through financial aid rules, smart funding strategies, and long-term planning. Whether your student is just starting high school or getting ready to apply, these sessions offer practical, actionable insights.
2026 Tuition Cents Series:
September 17: FAFSA 2026: What You Need to Know Before Filing
October 15: Demystifying the CSS Profile: What High-Cost Schools Really Ask
November 19: How to Find Scholarships That Your Child Can Actually Win!
December 17: How High-Income Families Can Pay for College and Retire Comfortably
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How To Stay Up-To-The-Minute With Your Student’s Grades: Become a “Parent Observer” on His/Her Canvas Account
Click here to become an “Observer” in your child’s Canvas account. Once there, you can set it up to receive notifications about upcoming assignments, and grades just entered, keeping you updated on progress, daily.
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Stay Connected with Our Voyager Community Calendar
Stay in the loop with our Community Calendar (https://www.voyageracademy.net/calendar/).your go-to spot for upcoming events, activities, important dates, and more. Bookmark it and check back often so you don’t miss what’s happening across our Voyager community!
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Bring Your Laptop!
Hey Voyager Vikings, remember that Voyager Academy is Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) school. All students are required to bring their own device to school each day. Please click here for the Voyager Academy BYOD policy. (Also found in the Voyager Academy Student/Parent Handbook).
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How To Purchase Viking Gear
How to purchase Viking Gear!
https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/WNh8rYGBbD
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Other Useful Sources of Information
The Voyager Academy High School Website
One of the first places to check for basic information about VAHS is the VAHS website. Among the information you can find there are calendars and schedules, student clubs and organizations, faculty directory, the counseling page, special bulletins, etc. Here is the VAHS website:
http://voyageracademy.net/vahs
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VAHS Counseling Department Blog
Please be sure to check the VAHS Counseling Department blog frequently. The blog provides news, information, and opportunities for VAHS students and parents all in one convenient location. Topics range from Career/College Counseling and Application Support to Summer Programs and Opportunities. Check it out!
CLICK HERE FOR THE VAHS COUNSELING DEPT. BLOG
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Voyager Academy Student/Parent Handbook
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Important Dates