Voyager Academy High School News, Jan. 12, 2020


GO VIKINGS GO!

In this issue...

Testing
  • ACT Prep Update
Student Life
  • Winter Semi-Formal....VAHS Snow Ball!
Viking World Travelers
  • Travel to Peru, the Land of the Incas
  • Thailand 2020!
Yearbook and Graduation Info.
  • Senior Quote Submissions for the Yearbook are Open!
  • Buy a Yearbook before the price goes up!
Viking Volunteerism and Fundraising
  • A Barbeque Chicken Plate Fundraiser for a Viking Family!
  • SAVE THE DATE (Feb 1). 4th Annual Mattress Sale!
  • Backpack Buddies: Balanced Meals and Snacks for Students in Need
Student Support, College Prep, and Career Planning (ACT, college and scholarship info., etc.)
  • FAFSA Opened October 1st – File as soon as you can! (college financial aid form assistance)
  • Apply TODAY for an Unforgettable Summer at Duke University!
More...
  • Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) meets Wednesday Mornings
  • The VAHS Counseling Department Blog (website)
  • Be a Smartie and join the PTO ! !
  • PARENTS:  Sign up to receive text messages from the school
  • Important dates


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ACT Prep Update
Our  Juniors have completed the first step in the ACT prep. plan by taking a practice ACT test last week.  We simulated actual testing conditions, and it was a great experience for students to get a feel for the pacing and testing conditions. 


The practice ACT will be followed up this week, with a review of students’ individual test results, to be used in test strategies sessions that will be given by the test prep/tutoring company, Colprep Tutoring (https://www.colpreptutoring.com).

There were several students who did not bring calculators and we were able to provide them. This may not be the case during the actual ACT exam, so it's important for students to bring their calculator s on February 25th.

We encourage all students to do their best on the ACT, as a good score can really benefit them!


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Winter Semi-Formal....VAHS Snow Ball!
Tickets are currently on sale during lunch for the winter semi-formal on Saturday, February 1st from 7-9pm at Umstead Pines Country Club in Durham. Tickets are $10 each or $15 per couple. Students may bring a date from another school (approval forms must be submitted). This will be the final even in our winter spirit week and winter court! More details to come!

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Travel to Peru, the Land of the Incas

Travel with us to Peru, Spring Break 2020!  Hosted by Stephen Manuel.

Our tour will immerse us in new cultures through authentic interactions, hands-on activities and delicious cuisine. Our tour director will be our go-to local expert, helping us do more, see more and learn more than you ever thought possible.

On this trip, we’ll explore Peru’s bustling capital of Lima, immerse ourselves in the country's history at the Museum of Archeology and Anthropology and then experience it first-hand with a trip to Cuzco, and the famous “Lost City of the Incas”, Machu Picchu.

To learn more and enroll, visit http://www.Explorica.com/Manuel-9736

Sign up today for $200 Voucher!

Remember you only need $50 to sign-up!

Prices go up 21st of November!


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Thailand 2020!  
Voyager is going 1/2 way round the world!  You can join the trip. Mr. Mills will be chaperoning a trip to Thailand this summer.  Come find out why he is always talking about it. Are you interested? Please contact Mr. Mills right away, at jmills@voyageracademy.net

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Senior Quote Submissions for the Yearbook are Open!
Congratulations Seniors!  You are well on your way to graduation.  As part of celebrating your accomplishments, you have the opportunity to provide a senior quote to accompany your formal senior portrait in the 2020 VAHS Expedition yearbook.

Please understand that senior quotes are a privilege, not a right.  Your quote must be approved by the yearbook staff, adviser, and VAHS administration.

Senior quote guidelines:
-Maximum of 140 characters
-Must be school appropriate (no slang, no foul language, no innuendos or double meanings)
-If you use a quote from someone else, you MUST give credit to the creator.
-Must be in English.
-No offensive statements towards race, religion, sexuality, etc.

**Email submission will not be accepted.  Quote forms are available outside Ms. Todd's room, A149, and here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v_02eV1SAhS7VxVGQ6wCNTP52kiEsq3d/view?usp=sharing

Contact atodd@voyageracademy.net with any questions.

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Buy a Yearbook before the price goes up!
The 2020 VAHS Expedition Yearbook is now on sale.  Go to www.jostensyearbooks.com to buy before the price increases.

All purchases should be made at http://www.jostensyearbooks.com

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A Barbeque Chicken Plate Fundraiser for a Viking Family!
WHEN: January 25, 12pm-1:30 Pre-Sale Pickup 1:30–until sold out for Non-Presale pickup
WHERE:  Voyager Academy High School, 4302 Ben Franklin Blvd, Durham, NC

On Sunday December 22nd, the children of Bryan and Nikki were involved in an auto accident. Amya and Cade were both transported via ambulance to Duke Hospital after receiving multiple injuries from the auto accident. Both children have been discharged from the hospital; however, there is continued care that will be needed due to the injuries sustained. Amya has returned to school however at this time Cade is unable to return to school. Nikki will remain home with Cade while Bryan continues to maintain some steady income for the family. There is a long recovery period for Cade and the family at this time is uncertain of when Cade will be returning to school and Nikki  returning to work. 

Let's help the Curtis family to assist with the decrease in two family incomes to one and the medical bills that have unexpectedly arisen during this time.




HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

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SAVE THE DATE (Feb 1)!! 4th Annual Mattress Sale!
If you're thinking about getting a new mattress, please WAIT until our 4th Annual Mattress sale fundraiser on Saturday, February 1st in Voyager's Elementary Gym!!
We bring the mattress store to YOU! The elementary gym will be transformed into a mattress showroom: Over 20 namebrand mattresses including Beautyrest, adjustable beds, luxury pillows & sheet sets, and massage chairs!! All at 30-50% cheaper than mattress store prices. All proceeds benefit the HS Band & Chorus students & their upcoming competition trips! See attached flyer, and find our event on Facebook for more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/2449253018655777/


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Backpack Buddies: Balanced Meals and Snacks for Students in Need 
VAHS is once again teaming up with the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle to offer a BackPack Buddies Program. This program provides a weekend bag filled with balanced meals and snacks for eligible students to take home over the weekend.  The program is free of charge. Permission slips will be distributed to all students who are currently participating in the Voyager Academy free/reduced lunch program. A form is also included below for your convenience. Please contact School Counselor, Jill O'Kane with any questions. 

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FAFSA Opened October 1st – File as soon as you can!
If seniors need financial aid to help  pay for college, families must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. The 2020–21 FAFSA form just opened this week on Oct. 1, 2019. Families should fill it out as soon as possible. Federal funding is limited, so experts urge students and families to file their FAFSAs as soon as possible.
There are some great articles posted on the Counseling Department Blog about how to get started on the FAFSA!  

Click here for a flyer with information about where students/families can receive assistance with financial aid/FAFSA completion.
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Applications for Duke University Summer Session 2020 are open NOW! Click on one of the links below to apply to your program of interest TODAY:
Applications are reviewed as they are received, so don’t wait! Get into your top choice by applying NOW! You can apply for multiple programs with one application.


See you at Duke this summer!


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2020**Senior Ads are Now On Sale**2020
Buy a Senior Recognition Ad for your Viking today. Prices range from $40 to $250.  For more information, go to jostensadservice.com

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Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) meets on Wednesday mornings from 7:30-8:30am in room D124. 
Students do not need to be athletes, nor Christian to attend--All are welcome! :)  Contact Mr. Baker (dbaker@voyageracademy.net) or Mrs. Paradis (mparadis@voyageracademy.net) for more info.   

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VAHS Counseling Department Blog
All parents and students should frequently check and/or subscribe to the VAHS Counseling Department blog (click here)! Here you will find  important information and opportunities for VAHS students. Topics range from specific grade level information to scholarships and other interesting opportunities.   

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Why you might ask?
We need YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It will enrich your experience at Voyager by being involved
You get to meet and socialize with other parents
PTO involvement helps parents be aware of school needs
YOU’LL HAVE FUN!

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PARENTS:  Sign up to receive text messages from VAHS
Even though you may have been subscribed from last year, all must re-subscribe.  This is because some cell phone numbers may no longer belong to last year’s subscribers (as people may change numbers or mobile providers). Click below for subscription instructions for your student’s grade.  





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Important Dates for VAHS

Dates
Events
Jan. 20
NO CLASSES – MLK Holiday
Feb 1
4th Annual Mattress Sale
Click here for detailes
Feb. 10-14
Teacher Appreciation Week
Feb. 17
NO CLASSES – Teacher workday
Feb. 18
NO CLASSES – Parent/Teacher conference day
Feb. 25
ACT Exam (all 11th graders)
Mar. 4
Midterm exams for pds. 1 & 3
Mar. 5
Midterm exams for pds. 2 & 4
Mar. 13
Report cards given to students
Mar. 16
NO CLASSES – Teacher workday
Mar. 17
NO CLASSES – Parent/Teacher conference day
April 8
Project Exhibition Day. 4-6:00pm
Apr. 10 – 17
NO CLASSES – Spring Break
May 1
Spring Fling (by the VA PTO)
May 4-15
AP exams
May 18-22
Final exams
May 26
Graduation (time and location TBA)



OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION
FOR AND ABOUT VAHS





VOYAGER VIKING VALUES
CONFIDENCE   - CURIOSITY   - EMPATHY
REFLECTION   - INTEGRITY