Voyager Academy Middle School News, February 3, 2019



Dear VAMS Families,
Wow, it’s February!  We have four months of school and the students will be out for summer.  We have much to do before the end of May. All grade levels have completed Check In #2 except 7th grade.  They will take their Check In assessments Feb. 5 and Feb. 6.   We have received the results for reading and math in fourth grade, fifth grade, and eighth grade. Remember the Check Ins do not give a projected level for students.  The Check Ins provide the percentage of answers correct. They also provide information to teachers regarding individual strengths and areas needing attention, as well as, class period strengths and areas needing attention..


Student Celebrations

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Our 2019 Geography Bee Winner is Dominic Lemen.  Dominic will take his state qualifying test with Mrs. Nease.  Qualifying gives Dominic the opportunity to participate in the NC State Geography Bee in Charlotte, NC.



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Luca Shira has his postcard featuring his very own photography skills for sale at the Regulator bookstore on 9th street. Eighth graders studied the North Carolina Regulator Movement during the first quarter. They Regulator bookstore is named after this significant part of NC History but did not sell postcards memorializing the event. As part of an enrichment project, students were challenged to create a postcard featuring their own artwork to be sold at the Regulator. Lucas accepted the challenge and the Regulator accepted the postcard!

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Ms. Vurnakes class had much fun on Thursday, Jan. 31.  They celebrated the 100th Day of School.  As you can see, many students decided to dress as an elderlyperson.  Looking good, Ms. Vurnakes class!

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Sophia Stachura made Sunshine bags for students at Voyager. Sophia shared that she knows there are students whose parents are not working at the present time and she wanted to do something to help.  She gave the Sunshine bags to Mrs. Farrish, our counselor, so Mrs. Farrish could give to those who need the support.

      
Spring Sports
If you have a child interested in participating in a spring sport, please make sure to verify that the steps below are complete.
Obtain a physical and return form to high school front desk, Attn: Mr. Harris and Mr. Rice.
Complete concussion form and return to high school front desk.
Complete Online Forms and add the sport(s) your child plans to participate in.
If your child participated in a 2018 fall sport, please verify that the physical on file has not expired (valid for one year form exam date) and add desired winter/spring sport(s) to the online forms by editing your previous account. The concussion form and online forms are valid for the entire 2018-19 school year.

All forms must be complete and on file BEFORE your child can start tryouts or any sports activity.
Questions? Please contact High School Athletic Trainer Nate Rice at nathan.rice@emergeortho.com. Mr. Rice manages Middle School and High School athletic forms along with Athletic Director Deuce Harris.


Winter Sports –PLEASE HIGHLIGHT FEB. 12 ON YOUR CALENDAR SO YOU CAN ATTEND THE SECOND ROUND OF THE  BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT. The Feb. 12 games will be played at Voyager.  We are proud of our student athletes as boys and girls had a great season!  Hope to see you on Feb. 12

PTO Happening!  Family Dance!
Last year we took you to Candy Land, this year we are going tropical! Come to the Viking Luau on Saturday, February 9th, 6p-8p (CLICK HERE FOR FLYER).
We will have a photobooth run by TAPSNAP! Take a pic and be able to immediately email it to yourself and/or print as a keepsake! Enjoy Big Island Shaved Ice! Food Trucks! So come eat and party with your fellow Viking Families! School wide hula dancing perhaps? Looking forward to the fun.
Science Olympiad - A TEAM:
Competition Team 
-- Make sure your calendar is marked for the regional tournament on April 6th!
-- The next open practice is Saturday, January 26 from 9am-12pm in the VAHS common room.
-- K'NEX WHEELS - we need K'Nex wheels to get our teams ready for the Ramp and Roll event.  If you have some wheels, please bring them in to practice.
-- Keep an eye on the the A team webpage for more info as we get into the practices for this season.  GO, VIKINGS, GO!
And it's not too late -  we still have a few spots open on the varsity competition team for this season!  4th and 5th graders particularly are welcome to join this team.  If you're interested, email Coach Erik Benson.
In-school program   Classes are underway! Be sure to ask your Ramp & Roll student about K’nex vehicles, your Super Sleuth student about solving crimes with observation and your Sky Quest student about constellations!
B TEAM:
Regional tournament, March 2
The countdown is on...the regional tournament is on March 2 at Riverside High School.  There are FIVE official practices before the tournament (all practices are on Saturdays from 9-12).  In addition to regularly scheduled practices, students are encouraged to work on their own outside.  Putting in the extra time will take you to the next level on competition day!!!

Varsity Team Updates
-- There is only ONE spot left on the varsity team (grades 7 and 8)!
-- We need still a team of two for Density Lab during Period 1.
-- If you are interested in doing Density Lab AND it fits your schedule AND it won't overload you, please let me know ASAP!
JV Team Updates
-- There is still lots of room left on the JV team (open to grades 6-8).  Recruit your friends...they will be your future teammates on the varsity team!
Want more info about the B team? Click here or contact Connie Vance, B Team Head Coach.

Aladdin is Coming – Yes, another fabulous musical is on the way!  Aladdin will be performed at the middle school on April 4, April 5, and April 6.  Please put these dates on your calendar!

Pennies for Pender – Thanks to all of you who contributed to our Pennies for Pender project.  We will have a total amount collect next week. Many of you asked if I will collect in afternoon car line next week.  I’ll do that on Monday. Pender County students will receive needed supplies because of you!                                               

Report CardsWe are in the process of completing the recalculation task given to us by the Department of Public Instruction.  If all goes well, I think we MIGHT be able to print and send report cards home by the end of next week. Stay tuned ---- I will let you know when we are certain of the day.
8th Grade Graduation – Many of you have asked about our 8th Grade Graduation.  Our 8th Grade Celebration, not graduation, is scheduled for Friday, May 24.  We will begin at 8:45 and it is usually an hour. 8th graders may leave after the celebration.
Voyager’s Silent Auction
We have received some AWESOME donations!  I can hardly wait for the Silent Auction so I can place my bid on several of the donated items.   Thanks!
If you have questions, please email Mr. Eisenson at aeisenson@voyageracademy.net.  We appreciate all help!   The Silent Auction is scheduled for Feb. 23 and will be held at Umstead Pines.  Please put the date on your calendar! Please read the information below to learn more about the auction.   Please click below for helpful information.


Calendar of Events
Friday, Feb. 1 Voyager Basketball at Oxford Prep, girls at 5:00/boys at 6:00
Tuesday, Feb. 5 6th grade Field Trip
Tuesday, Feb. 5 7th Grade LA Check Ins
Wednesday, Feb. 6 7th Grade Math Check Ins
Wednesday, Feb. 6 4th Grade Presentation by Duke Energy
Friday, Feb. 8 Progress Reports
Saturday, Feb. 9 PTO Family Night
Monday, Feb. 11 Staff Appreciation Week begins
Tuesday, Feb. 12 PTO Lunch for MS Staff
Monday, Feb. 18 Teacher Workday – no school for students!
Tuesday, Feb. 19 Teacher Workday – no school for students!
Thursday, Feb. 21 Winter Sports’ Celebration, 6:00, MS gym
Saturday, Feb. 23 Silent Auction, Umstead Pines


Stay safe and warm,
Gwen Johnson
Middle School Principal