From the Voyager Academy Managing Director, March 24, 2023

 

Viking Weekly News 


Dear Voyager Community

It’s been another exciting and productive week on campus. Our elementary school students had an engaging week focused on stem activities. Our 6th -9th grade students participated in a health program about the dangers of Vaping presented by the POE Center in Raleigh. Our students and teachers are kicking off the 4th quarter of the school year with a focus on finishing the end of the school year strong. Thank you to all the families that participated in the Voyager into Service program at the Diaper Bank in Durham on Saturday. What a great way to make a difference in our community!


3rd Quarter Student Recognitions

Congratulations to all of our students that have been recognized for their 3rd Quarter accomplishments. The quarterly recognition report was shared today to highlight the academic, athletic, arts, and core value award winners for the 3rd quarter of the 23-24 school year. We’re so proud of our Vikings for their achievement, and their demonstration of our core values!


March Board Meeting

The March Board meeting was held on Thursday evening. Please visit our website to view the agenda, monthly financial report, 23-24 draft budget and the monthly Managing Director report for updates.


Culture and Climate Survey 

Thank you to all the families, students, and staff that have responded to our culture and climate survey. Our culture and climate survey launched on Monday, February 27th and closed on March 17, 2023.  We received 668 parent responses (33.9% of all emails),  and over 90% response rates overall for student, teacher, and staff surveys. Detailed results of the surveys will be shared after the results are received and reviewed.


PTSO Spring Fling – April 28th

Mark your calendars and save the date. You don’t want to miss all the fun and excitement during the Voyager Spring Fling sponsored by our PTSO. Games, vendors, food trucks, and emergency vehicles for students to explore will be on campus for a fun-filled community-wide event.

Burroughs Wellcome Fund Student STEM Enrichment Program Accepting Applications Through June 9

The Student STEM Enrichment Program (SSEP) supports diverse programs with a common goal: to enable primary and secondary students to participate in creative, hands-on STEM activities for K-12 students and pursue inquiry-based exploration in Burrough Wellcome Fund's (BWF) home state of North Carolina. These awards provide up to $60,000 per year for three years. Since the program's inception in 1996, BWF has awarded 275 grants totaling $41.4 million to 130 organizations that reach more than 43,000 North Carolina students.

Learn more and apply here. Applications close on June 9 at 3 p.m.

Please remember that students will have remote learning days on March 27th and March 28th.  We are all here to support your child, grow, learn, and find their passion.  Feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher, building administrator, or student support if we can assist your family in any way. Check out the upcoming events and all the updates below from our School Nurse, Student Support Team, Operations Manager, and Athletic Director below. Have a great weekend!

All the best,

Upcoming Dates:


3/24 - Teacher Recruiting Fair - 1 pm at MS

3/25 - HS Choir & Band: Powhatan Classic (Powhatan, VA)

3/27 - CPI Annual Training (Specific staff) To be confirmed

3/27 - 3/28 - Remote Days

3/29 - 3/31 - 4th-8th Grade NCCI 3

4/1 - HS Prom (Mountain View Farms, Rougemont)

4/3-4/5 - 4th-8th Grade NCCI 3

4/4 - ES Art Extravaganza and Concert - 5:30

4/5 New Kinder Parent Orientation 5:30 pm

4/6 - Project Exhibition Night (4-5:30pm)

4/7 - 4/16 - Spring Break

4/17 - Teacher Workday

WEEKLY NURSES UPDATE:

ATTENTION PARENTS OF CURRENT 6TH GRADERS….

Upon entering the 7th grade, students are REQUIRED by the State of North Carolina to have received (1) dose of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) and (1) dose of the Tdap vaccine. Students must have received these immunizations BEFORE the start of their 7th grade school year. If you have a current 6th grade student, now is a great time to check and see if they have received these vaccines already.  If they have not, be sure to book an appointment for them to receive their immunizations before August 9th, 2023.

These vaccines help prevent bacterial meningitis, whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria. Meningococcal disease (or meningitis) is a serious illness that causes an infection and swelling of the protective lining of the spinal cord and brain. Diphtheria is caused by a bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheria that can lead to difficulty breathing, heart failure, paralysis, or death.  Pertussis, also called whooping cough, can cause uncontrollable, violent coughing that makes it hard to breath, eat, or drink. Both pertussis and diphtheria are spread from person to person through droplets in the air from coughing and sneezing. Tetanus is caused by a bacteria that enters the body through cuts or wounds. The Clostridium tetani bacteria produce a toxin that causes painful muscle contractions of the body and/or jaw which can make it hard to open the mouth, swallow, and/or breath (CDC, 2021).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

What are the North Carolina school immunization requirements?

Upcoming 7th graders will need the following vaccines:

  • Tdap – Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough): 1 dose of Tdap for individuals who have not previously received it and are entering 7th grade or by 12 years of age, whichever comes first.

  • Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV): 1 dose for individuals entering the 7th grade or by 12 years of age, whichever comes first.

If my child received a Tdap dose last year, will he/she need to get another dose before entering the 7th grade?

No, only ONE dose of Tdap is required.

Are the vaccines safe?

Yes. The most common side effects are mild and include pain and swelling at the site of injection.

Where can I get vaccines and how much do they cost?

Vaccines are available at your child’s regular doctor’s or pediatrician’s office.  They are also available at the Durham County Health Department. Medical insurance may cover the costs of the vaccines. Contact your health care provider or local Health Department to find out how much the vaccines will cost.

What exemptions to immunizations are allowed in North Carolina?

Valid medical and bona fide religious exemptions to immunization are accepted in North Carolina. Please plan to provide a written copy of a medical or religious exemption from vaccination to Voyager Academy BEFORE the start of your student’s 7th grade year.

 My child is currently in 6th grade, what should I do next?

Contact your child’s health care provider to schedule an appointment to receive Tdap and MCV vaccines.  The Durham County Department of Public Health also offers a vaccine clinic. For more information, please call the Immunization Clinic, 919-560-7609.

Be sure to get a Certificate of Immunization (shot record) that shows these vaccines have been received.  You can upload this document in your student’s online registration for 2023-2024 in SchoolMint or email a copy of the immunization record to the school nurse, Mrs. Skoff cskoff@voyageracademy.net. You can also drop off a paper copy to the Middle School front office on the first day of school.  Immunization Records should be provided to the school before the start of your child’s 7th grade school year.

Are there other vaccines that my child needs?

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) also recommends the following vaccines for 11-12 year olds:

  • Hepatitis A

  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

  • Influenza

The above vaccines are not required by law, but are strongly recommended for adolescents. For more information about these vaccines, please talk to your child’s pediatrician or healthcare provider.

COVID-19 COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION WEEKLY UPDATE:

The health and safety of our students, teachers, staff, and volunteers are our top priorities. Voyager Academy is following the CDC COVID-19 Community Level guidance.  We sincerely appreciate your consideration.

  • Our CDC COVID-19 Community Level is: LOW 

  • Masks are welcome but are not currently required

  • Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including recommended booster doses

  • Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19

  • Follow recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19

Participate in “World Autism Month”: Every April, Autism Speaks celebrates World Autism Month, beginning with World Autism Awareness Day (April 2nd). Learn more at: https://www.autismspeaks.org/world-autism-awareness-day Additionally, you are invited to wear blue and Light It Up Blue (homes, cars, businesses, yards, etc.) in recognition of and support for those who meet criteria for Autism and for those who love and care for them.

A Message of “Thanks!”: The Student Support Services Team would like to extend a HUGE “Thank You” to the Voyager Academy Elementary and Middle School communities for their support, time, kindness, and selflessness in their giving (donations) toward their recent food drives conducted! The amount of food collected is absolutely amazing and the range of food donated is even more outstanding! “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” This will go a long way to continue to support our students who experience food insecurities!

Student Support Services Newsletter: If you haven’t already, please check out our first edition of “Connections” (link below) - your new, quarterly Student Support Services Newsletter! Connections will provide parents and caregivers with relevant content focused around our school-aged children (K-12). Afterwards, we welcome you to complete a short survey to let the Student Support Services Team know how we can improve Connections or if we met your needs in a satisfactorily manner. Your feedback is important to us!

March is Women’s History Month: This month is dedicated to observing, honoring, and learning about the great women in our nation’s history! Check out these websites for more information and exciting opportunities to join in the celebrations and learn more:

Middle School Athletics

The baseball team (2-1) continues to play solid baseball this season as they beat Roxboro Community at home on Thursday afternoon, 6-2.  The team faces off in their second game of the series against Roxboro this afternoon as they will travel for their 4pm first pitch.

The girl’s soccer team (2-0) is off to a hot start this season, outscoring their first two opponents 11-4!  7th grader Abi Schnee has been incredible in goal, with a save percentage over 93%!  Offensively, 7th grader Ella Garrett leads the Vikings with 5 goals while 8th grader Abby Anderson is close behind with 3 goals. 

High School Athletics

The baseball team (5-2, 2-1) dropped their first conference game of the season at Roxboro Community Wednesday night, 14-4.  The Vikings had been tied 4-4 in the 5th inning before the game was broken wide open.  The Vikings look to bounce back and get revenge on the Bulldogs as they host Roxboro this evening at the Durham Athletic Park in a 6pm start.

The men’s tennis team (0-6) is wrapping up the most difficult part of their schedule and are looking forward to conference play starting up on Monday as they will travel to Vance Charter for their first TNAC match.  The Vikings have faced some of the most competitive teams in 2A and 3A in the region to start off their season.  The team looks to use these matches to their advantage as they begin conference play. 

The men’s lacrosse team (0-8, 0-4) is still looking for their first win of the season, but they continue to battle and make positive improvements.  Scott Green (’23) leads the Vikings on offense with 14 total goals on the season.

The women’s soccer team (2-3-1, 2-0) has won their first two conference games, outscoring their opponents 10-0.  Reece Fernandez (’24) has been on fire offensively for the Vikings and is currently averaging 2.0 goals per game.  Defensively in goal, the Viking’s duo of First Year CeCe Meath and sophomore Claire Schnee have been leading the way.  Schnee is averaging 8.8 saves per game with a 2.0 GAA while Meath has a 3.5 save average and 1.5 GAA.      

Go Vikings, Go!

Jordan Gatcomb, Athletic Director

jgatcomb@voyageracademy.net




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