Voyager Academy Elementary School News, Nov. 19, 2017


Dear VAES Families,

As we enter the season of thanksgiving, I wanted to highlight some of the wonderful ways we are teaching and reinforcing our empathy initiative. 

Earlier this week, I heard from the principal at Smith Academy in Houston, Texas.  We collected gift cards for them after Hurricane Harvey.  Here is his message to our Voyager family: “Smith Academy in Houston, Texas is grateful for your amazing demonstration of kindness to help our families impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Your efforts will go a long in helping those impacted by floods to return to their homes. Thank you!” 

Our counselors, Melissa Meckes and Scott Tribotte have been using the book We’re All Wonders by R.J. Palacio to highlight that all of us want to belong, to be seen as special, and we can all Choose Kind – “Look with kindness and you will always find wonder”!  My hope is that all of us, students, staff, and parents will try and do this more often.  

Second Grade has completed their “Only One You” empathy rocks for our empathy path.  After Thanksgiving, in art, other grade levels will begin working on completing their empathy rocks.  We can’t wait until all of them are completed so that we can design and construct our “Only One You” path!  I know it is going to be fabulous!! 

Also, Mr. Scott Tribotte designed our Empathy shirt for this year.  Thank you, Scott!  This design will be on the front of the shirt:



The quote "There's only one you in this great big world.  Make it a better place." - Linda Kranz will be on the back.  All of the profits from our empathy apparel sales are used to fund our K - 3 empathy projects. The empathy apparel will be back in time for the holidays and will make a great gift!





Within the next couple of weeks, we will be sending home information regarding our annual VAES Giving Tree to help families in need. 

We have raised $16,500 toward our $20,000 goal.  We are so close to our goal that pledging stayed open this week.  I’m hoping that we will reach our goal!  Also, don’t forget that if we reach our goal, Ms. Hofmann and I will spend the night at school!!!  You can make your pledges at funrun.com.

The Lost and Found is “out of control”!!  PLEASE come and see if your child has a lost jacket, sweater, coat, lunchbox, etc.  ALL items left in the Lost and Found will be donated to charity on Tuesday, December 19 at 3:30 PM.  See the picture below.
 
Last, but not least, a big thank you to our amazing PTO Hospitality volunteers!!  The taco bar lunch was fantastic!!  We truly appreciate your generosity, support, and of course, the food!! J

Best,
Leslie Paynter
VAES Principal

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FUTURE VAES HOSPITALITY LUNCHEON DATE

Thursday, December 14th

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VAES YEARBOOK ORDERING

Elementary School (K-3) Yearbooks are now on sale and can only be ordered online. 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!!

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IMPORTANT DATES

November:
Mon., Nov. 20 --  1st Trimester Report Cards Go Home
Wed., Nov. 22 – Fri., Nov. 24 -- Thanksgiving Holiday/NO SCHOOL

December:
Thurs., Dec. 14 -- Hospitality Luncheon
Tues., Dec. 19 @3:30 PM -- All items in Lost & Found donated to charity
Wed., Dec. 20 -- Early Release at 11:15 AM for the Winter Holidays
Dec. 21 - Jan. 4 -- Winter Holidays