Voyager Academy Elementary School News, Nov. 20, 2020

Hello Voyager Academy Elementary Families.  We hope you have had a wonderful week of learning and exploration.  Listed below are some important updates for you and your family for the week of November 23-27:


NOVEMBER 26 IS THANKSGIVING DAY:  Voyager Academy will be closed November 25, 26 and 27 in recognition of Thanksgiving.  Happy Thanksgiving to every VAES family member. In an attempt to keep the staff as safe and as healthy as possible, all Voyager staff members will be working remotely from November 30 through December 11.  You will be able to contact your classroom teacher or the administrative team via email during any normal school day.   


DECEMBER VIRTUAL ASSEMBLY:  Winter is just around the corner and Voyager Academy is getting ready to celebrate.  Our students will be invited to a WINTER THEMED virtual assembly on December 11 at 8:00 am.  Mark your calendar now for this fun and educational event.


MASK PRACTICE:  As we begin to prepare for returning to in-person instruction in January, I would like to encourage you to begin having your child practice wearing their face mask for long periods of time.  All students and staff will be required to wear a face mask at all times (except for a period of time during lunch) when we return to in person instruction.  It would be very helpful if you would begin having your child wear their face mask during morning meetings or for a one to two hour period during the school day as we prepare them for the transition.


Mask Do's and Don'ts Video


SANITIZER DRIVE?  VAES is working on trying to obtain a good amount of hand sanitizer for our January reopening plan.  Mrs. Daly, a Voyager parent, has offered to try and organize a parent group to obtain a bulk order of sanitizer.  If you are willing to partner with Mrs. Daly and help Voyager purchase some hand sanitizer, please email Mrs. Daly at joeandsuz105@gmail.com


THANK YOU MRS. DALY AND ALL VOYAGER PARENTS!


COHORTS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED:  Thank you for your patience and understanding as we have worked to place every student in a Cohort for our reopening plan.  Due to the fact that we are only allowed to place  a set number of students inside a classroom (50% capacity) switching students from one Cohort to another is extremely difficult and is not possible. 


Cohort A:  These students will receive in-person learning on Monday and Tuesday and will receive remote instruction on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Cohort B:  These students will receive in-person instruction on Thursday and Friday and will receive remote instruction on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Remote Cohort:  These students have elected to remain remote learners throughout the remainder of this school year.  They will receive remote instruction 5 days per week.


KINDNESS MONTH AT VAES:  We hope you and your students enjoyed our November Virtual Assembly related to KINDNESS.  Please check out a few thoughts about KINDNESS from our kindergarten students: 

 

What is Kindness?

Thoughts from Mrs. Scarantino’s Kindergarten Students


Alex: “Don’t push other people, even if they push you first”

Anabella: “If you take something away, give it back”

Anisa: “Be really nice”

Arianna: “Don’t push anybody”

Bella: “Be nice and don’t yell at anybody”

Billy: “Help someone out if they get hurt”

Bryson: “If someone trips someone, tell them not to do that”

Corben: “Letting someone drive your car”

Eleanor: “Sharing. Give someone something if they ask nicely”

Grant: “Someone you love”

Gus: “Hugging people if they are crying”

Hadley: “Be nice to your friends”

Jackson: “Don’t hit, even if they hit you first”

Judith: “Be nice, don’t hit, give back toys”

Julien: “Be nice and don’t hit back if someone hits you”

Karleigh: “Be a friend, show people care”

Landon: “Give a toy to someone if they ask”

Maddie: “Be nice”

Molly: “Doing something nice to help, like cleaning for your mom”

Zoey: “Don’t hit anyone in the belly”

Mrs. Scarantino: “Doing something to help someone else”

Mrs. Koppenhaver: “Thinking of others before yourself”

Ms. Vines: “Treating people with respect”



 IMPORTANT DATES FOR HYBRID REOPENING:


Timeline of Community Communications on Hybrid Reopening Plan in January

Town Halls- Review survey results and operations and procedures for return to hybrid learning.  A link will be sent to all parents to attend this Town Hall session.

ES-December 2, 2020- 5 PM




FUN READING OPTIONS FOR YOUR FAMILY:  


The Carolina Panthers "3rd & Goal Read Along" video series is a free resource for classroom teachers and parents. The program is designed to encourage a love of reading for students in K-3 with the goal of helping students develop grade level reading proficiency skills by the end of 3rd grade. The series features Panthers players and special guests reading popular Scholastic book titles in a fun "read along" style for students to follow.

The Carolina Panthers are grateful to program partners Scholastic, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, South Carolina Board of Education and the Children's Theatre of Charlotte for their valued assistance.

https://www.panthers.com/news/3rd-and-goal