Dear Voyager Community,
The entire Voyager community, students, staff, and parents have been partnering together to support the growth of our Vikings this year. We are so grateful for all of you. Next week, school will be closed Wednesday through Friday so that everyone can celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. While many of our traditions and gatherings will be modified this year, I hope that you all have the opportunity to spend time with those you love.
As I reflect on Thanksgiving I am reminded of the importance of gratitude. I am grateful for my health, family, friends, and our Voyager community. I am thankful for the support of our entire community as we navigate the challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. This has taken patience, flexibility, and grace. What I have experienced at Voyager is the love, bond, and connection our staff have with their students. They continue to create innovative lessons to engage learners of all ages in curriculum to foster academic success and social and emotional growth.
Our teachers create authentic learning through Project Based Learning experiences at all grade levels. This week I am especially thankful for our kindergarten team and students for the Virtual Museum they shared to showcase their work. Their first trimester topic helped kindergartners learn about themselves and how they fit into the community through the following driving question,“ What makes me “me” and how do I fit into the world around me?” Teachers integrated all content areas throughout the trimester of learning. Students demonstrated their curiosity, creativity, confidence, and hopes and dreams through their writing, drawings, quilt, and song. The “All About Me Virtual Museum” is the culmination of their work and showcases their critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. This 9 minute video will warm your heart when you hear those beautiful Viking voices singing about what makes them wonderful.
When we return from Thanksgiving we will be holding Town Hall meetings to provide an update to our community on the survey feedback and reopening plans for January. Registration for the before and after care program will be sent out next week from Operations Manager, Patrice Johnson. Please review the upcoming dates and information below for additional resources.
Feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher, building administrator, or student support if we can assist your family in any way. As we gather remotely or in-person with our family and friends this Thanksgiving, let’s count our blessings, share our joy, and express our gratitude and love to everyone around us.
Warmest wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving,
Upcoming Calendar Events:
- Nov. 25-27 – Thanksgiving break
- Dec. 2 - Elementary Town Hall - Reopening Plans Hybrid Model - 5 pm
- Dec. 3- K-3 Dance Party
- Dec. 7 - Middle School Town Hall - Reopening Plans Hybrid Model - 5 pm
- Dec. 8 - High School Town Hall - Reopening Plans Hybrid Model - 5 pm
- Dec. 11 -Winter Virtual Assembly (elementary)
- Dec 14- 18 - Final Exams
- Dec 14 -15 Middle School Toy Drive
- Dec 18 Middle School Assembly
Reopening Plans – Hybrid Model Town Hall Meetings
Stay healthy and safe – Practice the 3 W’s
Staying current on all of the health metrics and data is also part of our ongoing process. As we work together to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, please remind your children about the importance of the 3 W’s (Wear, Wait, & Wash). Wear a mask, practice social distancing by waiting and maintaining a 6-foot space between others, and wash hands frequently to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Outlined below are some helpful links and resources if you are interested in learning more about the latest data and recommendations.
K-12 Public Health Guidance Updates
Durham Public Health COVID Dashboard
Food and Nutrition Support for Families
Important Update: Food and nutrition support for families in need has been extended through June. From now until June 30, 2021, Durham County Public Schools will provide free meals to all children aged 18 and under. Drive-through pick up of meals is available weekly from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. Pick-up sites are listed here and below. No ID is required to pick up the meals. If you are unable to pick up at the designated time, click here to obtain information on how to have meals delivered to your home.
The students services team has compiled an additional list of resources which can be found here.
Community Partnership with Kate’s Korner for K-5
Kate’s Korner will provide a supervised remote learning space for Voyager Academy Elementary (Kindergarten-3rd grades) and Middle School (4th & 5th grade) students to complete their school work while Voyager is operating in a remote learning environment and parents are working. Additional information regarding Kate’s Korner can be found on their website https://www.kateskornerdurham.
Community Partnership with Student U for Grades 6-12
Student U will provide a supervised remote learning space for families of Voyager Academy Middle School and High School students to complete their Voyager school work in a safe supervised learning center while Voyager is operating in a remote learning environment and parents are working. This community partnership will support struggling Voyager families in need of free child care while they are working during the remote learning environment. Applications for the learning center will be prioritized by Student U for families that qualify for free or reduced lunch, have parents that are essential workers, or have become recently unemployed, are experiencing homelessness, are part of the foster care system, or live in public housing.
Link for Remote Access to the Voyager Library for Elementary Students