Voyager Academy Elementary School News, Sept. 30, 2017



Dear VAES Families,

This is our last push for families to donate a gift card of ANY amount from Walmart, Target, or Amazon for Smith Academy in Houston.  Many of these families lost everything!!  We have extended the deadline to Monday, October 2.  Please deliver the gift cards to the front office at each school by Monday, October 2.  We plan to send the gift cards to Smith Academy on Monday afternoon.  Let’s show the Smith Academy community how much the Voyager Academy community cares about them!!


This trimester, we are working on our elementary Empathy Project.  Cortney Morgan, a second grade teacher, read about this project (follow link) and has taken the lead for our very first Kindergarten – Third Grade Empathy Project entitled Only One You!

Teachers are reading the book Only One You by Linda Kranz to their class.  Only One You is a children’s book about a little fish who is about to go out on his own to explore the ocean.  Before he leaves on his adventure, his parents tell him about some very important life lessons.  Our goal will be for every K - 3 staff and student to design and paint rocks inspired by the book Only One You and then create a beautiful rock path for all to enjoy at Voyager Academy.  Here are a couple of pictures of Mrs. Morgan’s class and the rocks they are designing and painting. 


This year, our VAES fundraiser is the Voyager Boosterthon Viking Fun Run! Its a 2-week program that kicks off with a Pep Rally on Tuesday, October 31.  Families will gather pledges for every lap your student runs (30-35 laps), and we will celebrate at the Fun Run on Thursday, November 9. Our goal is to raise $25,000 for turf on our Kindergarten playground beside the gym, recess equipment, and additional technology.

Students will also experience an amazing character theme, CASTLE QUEST! It is an English castle theme all about being brave and having good character traits. On their quest to regain Bravemore Castle, students will learn the SIX VIRTUES of a TRUE HEROfrom a cast of colorful characters.  We are really excited about the Fun Run and raising funds for turf on our Kindergarten playground beside the gym, recess equipment, and additional technology.

Best,
Leslie Paynter
VAES Principal

Parent Teacher Conferences:
You should have received a sign-up notification from your child’s teacher for parent-teacher conferences.  Our policy at VAES is to schedule conferences with parents/guardians whenever we need them.  However, since we are on trimesters and the first trimester ends on November 9, we will conduct parent-teacher conferences from September 29 through October 23.  The elementary teachers will have a variety of days and times for parents to choose from, so that parents can find a day and time that is convenient for their family schedules.

Fall Break Basketball Skills Camp:
Voyager Basketball Coach, Mike Huff, is offering a 3-day basketball skills camp for boys and girls in grades 3-8, Monday-Wednesday of fall break.  Camp runs from 9:00-12:00, with early drop-off available for a small extra fee.  If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Coach Huff at mhuff@voyageracademy.net.
 
Yearbook Ordering:
Elementary School Yearbooks are now on sale and can only be ordered online this year. You can order your copy online at www.strawbridge.net. Yearbooks are $23.00 each and must be ordered by January 31, 2018. After this date, there will be a price increase for additional book orders. Visit www.strawbridge.net, click on Pay or Order Online, enter our school code 110322 for Voyager Elementary, then click View Gallery. Choose Yearbook to proceed to your order. Please contact Leslie Jewell (leslieljewell@gmail.com) if you have any questions. Order today!!

Lost and Found:
The Lost and Found is continuing to grow!!  Before it gets out of hand, please come and see if your child is missing a jacket, an article of clothing, or water bottle.  All items still in Lost and Found by October 6 will be donated to charity.

Background Checks:
If you are planning to chaperone field trips this year then please read the following information regarding the new process for background checks.  Currently, we are still in need of parents completing the driving record background check so that we will have enough parent drivers for local field trips. 
**If you HAVE already completed your background check but did not add the comment that says, “Please include driving record search” you need to call CIR directly at (919)-460-7799 and ask them to add a driving record to your account. This takes less than 2 minutes to do.  **If you have NOT completed your background check, please be sure to do the following:
1.       Go to www. http://voyager.myrecordcheck.com/.
2.       Click on “Check My Background”
3.       Type in your personal information.
4.       Under “Comments/Special Instructions” add the comment ” Please include driving record search-Voyager”. **If you do NOT do this step, you will not be able to drive for field trips.**
5.       Click “Continue.” 

Future VAES Hospitality Luncheon Dates:
Thursday, October 19th
Tuesday, November 14th
Thursday, December 14th

Important Dates:

October
Oct. 9 - 13
Fall Break
Oct. 23 - 27
Case 21 Math 1st Benchmark Assessments for 1st - 3rd grade
Fri., Oct. 27
PTO Fall Carnival
Tues., Oct. 31
Boosterthon Kick-off in Gym at 2:00

November
Oct. 30 - Nov. 3
Spirit Week (more information to come in October)
Wed., Nov. 8
Kindergarten Project Celebration at 11:30 AM &
1st Grade Project Celebration (VAES GYM) at 1:00 PM