Dear VAES Families,
It’s hard to believe that the school year is over and we are heading into the summer break! Thank you for a wonderful year!! I am truly blessed to work with such an amazing group of parents, students, and staff!!! Also, a BIG Thank You to the PTO Hospitality Committee for an amazing luncheon this week and for all your hard work and support this year!! You truly brighten each month with your friendly faces and yummy food!!!
We had a wonderful week at VAES! On Tuesday, the students and staff showcased their beautiful and hard work from the Kindergarten and Third Grade projects!!! All of the projects were fabulous!!! How do they continue to make each year better than the last??!!
On Tuesday, 2nd grader, Glynda Blair Wilder, was Principal for the Day! She was the lucky winner at the PTO Silent Auction. We kept her very busy and she did a terrific job!!! If you see her, be sure to ask her about it!
On Thursday, our High School Seniors did their graduation walk through. This is one of our favorite events of the year!! This year, was especially emotional for me since my youngest, John, is graduating. However, even if you do not have a high school graduate, it is hard not to shed a few tears as you watch our sweet elementary students wave signs and high five the seniors! Several of our students were also able to cheer for their brothers and sisters – that was priceless!!
Over the summer break, it is extremely important that your children continue to read at least 20 – 30 minutes each day. Our digital subscriptions to MyON Reading and IXL Math will be active for you to continue to use over the summer. I have also included the wonderful resources that are offered by the Durham Public Library at the bottom of the newsletter.
I am extending the date to retrieve the Lost and Found items to Tuesday, May 29 since very few items have been taken. After Tuesday, May 29, all of the items that are left in the Lost and Found will be donated to charity.
Report cards will be sent home on Friday. If you do not receive a report card either via hard copy or electronically by Friday evening, please contact your child’s teacher.
Last, but not least, your child’s classroom teacher assignment will be sent via email on Wednesday, August 1 by 4:00 PM. Please do not call or email the school before this date and time to ask for this information. We will be unable to provide you with that information since enrollment and class lists change throughout the summer. If you have not received your child’s classroom teacher assignment by Thursday, August 2, please email Karen Hofmann at khofmann@voyageracademy.net and she will be able to assist you.
Important Dates & Information for the 2018 – 2019 School Year
1st Grade Open House:
Friday, August 3
11:00 - 12:00
**Please park at the High School and walk over to the Elementary School.
2nd Grade Open House & Curriculum Overview:
Friday, August 3
2:00 - 3:00
**Please park at the High School and walk over to the Elementary School.
3rd Grade Open House:
Thursday, August 2
5:00 - 6:00
**Please park at the High School and walk over to the Elementary School.
The first day of school for all 1st - 3rd graders is Tuesday, August 7.
Kindergarten Open House:
**It is REQUIRED that all families attend the Open House on Tuesday, August 7:
Tuesday, August 7
9:30-10:00: Students with Last Name Beginning with A - K
10:30-11:00: Students with Last Name Beginning with L - Z
Please bring ALL school supplies to Open House.
Staggered Start for Kindergarten:
**Please note that we reserve the right to change your child’s classroom assignment within the first few weeks of school if we determine that it is in their best interest - the principal will make the final decision regarding classroom assessments.
For the staggered start, ½ of the students will attend school EITHER Wednesday, or Thursday, NOT BOTH days. Then ALL will attend on Friday.
Wednesday, August 8: 8:30 - 12:00: Students with Last Name Beginning with A - K: Students should bring a snack, water bottle, and a lunch from home.
Thursday, August 9th: 8:30-12:00: Students with Last Name Beginning with L - Z:
Students should bring a snack, water bottle, and a lunch from home.
ALL K STUDENTS:
Friday, August 10th: 8:30-12:00: ALL students attend: Students should bring a snack, water bottle, and a lunch from home.
ALL K STUDENTS:
On Monday, August 13: All Kindergarten students will attend for the full day from 7:45 - 12:45. Remember, Mondays are Early Release Days and school dismisses at 12:45 on Mondays.
MORE NEWS:
Durham Public Library Resources:
Register to participate in Durham County Library’s Summer Reading School Competition from June 9 – August 11!! You can log your points for reading online and the school with the most minutes read will win a class STEM kit!! Here is the link: https://durhamcounty.beanstack.com/reader365
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a resource for preschool children ages birth to five who are residents of Durham County. It is a 60 volume set of books beginning with the children’s classic, The Little Engine That Could™. Each month a new, carefully selected book will be mailed in your child’s name directly to your home. Best of all it is a FREE GIFT! There is no cost or obligation to your family. This resource is only for preschool children ages birth to five who are residents of Durham County. A parent or guardian must completely fill out and submit an official registration form (Forms must be approved and on file with Durham’s Partnership for Children). Books are mailed to the address listed on the official registration form. If the child’s address changes, you must contact the folks at the address on this card in order to continue receiving books. Eight to ten weeks after your registration form has been received, books will begin arriving at your home and will continue until your child turns five or you move out of Durham County. Please share this information with family and friends!!!
If you are not a member of the Durham Public Library, here is the link to their borrowing privileges:
They offer numerous programs throughout the summer and school year. I am attaching several flyers.
VAES YEARBOOKS: Pre-ordered VAES Yearbooks were delivered to classrooms If you have questions about pre-ordered yearbooks, please contact Leslie Jewell at leslieljewell@gmail.com.
We have a limited number of extra yearbooks available to purchase. Please see Karen Hofmann at the ES front desk - they are $30 each, cash only, exact change.
Carolina Show Choir Camp at Voyager!
ATTN Rising 4th-12th graders: Summer Music Camp @ Voyager!
Register now for Voyager's Carolina Show Choir Camp!
WHEN: Monday June 25-Friday June 29th, 9am-4pm daily with showcase performance on Friday!
Camp Directors are HS Choral Director, Jenny Hobgood, and Bull City Lights Choreographer, Ryan Shapiro! The GROUP DISCOUNT OF $100 OFF APPLIES TO VOYAGER STUDENTS!! Total Cost is $150 for Voyager students! Please pay $50 registration fee by June 1st! The group discounted rate of $100 off total cost will also apply to 6+ students who register from other schools...so, please help us spread the word!
To pay the registration fee & for more details, visit Voyager's summer camp website OR contact HS Choral Director, Jenny Hobgood for more info: jhobgood@voyageracademy.net
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Host Families Needed for Show Choir Camp
We have students from out-of-town schools wanting to participate in our Show Choir Camp. If you are willing to be a host family for a high school &/or middle school student starting Sunday, June 24th through end of camp on Friday, June 29th please contact Jenny Hobgood ASAP! jhobgood@voyageracademy.net
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We are continuing to host the Usborne Books eFair for Voyager Academy Elementary. They have some fabulous book choices for under $5.00! This is a great way for parents to purchase some excellent books for summer reading and consider buying a book for your child’s teacher to add to their classroom libraries. If we sell over $250 in books, we will get half in free books for project work and classrooms!! Follow this link to order your books online and support