Voyager Academy High School News, Sept. 15, 2019

 
GO VIKINGS GO!


In this issue...
  • Free Student Checking Accounts, Wednesday, Sept. 18th after school
  • Backpack Buddies: Balanced Meals and Snacks for Students in Need
  • 1st Annual 3 on 3 Volleyball Tournament
  • Durham College Fair
  • Free Assistance with the FAFSA (financial form)
  • Stay Informed
  • VAHS Senior Information Session (Senior Parent Night)
  • Durham Tech Dual Enrollment Information Sessions (Take College Courses While at VAHS)
  • Buy a Yearbook Now
  • Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) meets Wednesday Mornings
  • The VAHS Counseling Department Blog (website)
  • Be a Smartie and join the PTO ! !
  • PARENTS:  Sign up to receive text messages from the school
  • Important dates

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Free Student Checking Accounts, Wednesday, Sept. 18th after school
Want a Free Student Checking Account? Come Wednesday, Sept. 18th after
school to the High School room A148 (Mr. Baker's room) to open up a Free Student Checking Account with Vision Financial Credit Union! Representatives will be on campus from 3:50-4:30pm. Students under 18 will need to
have a parent/guardian be on the account with them,
and everyone should bring at least two forms of ID
(Driver's License or Student ID, and Social Security
Cards preferred). Minimum deposit of $25 to get started, and all
set up fees will be waived. This is a great way to learn about
managing your finances, and it's FREE! Contact Mr. Baker (dbaker@voyageracademy.net) with any questions.

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Backpack Buddies: Balanced Meals and Snacks for Students in Need 
VAHS is once again teaming up with the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle to offer a BackPack Buddies Program. This program provides a weekend bag filled with balanced meals and snacks for eligible students to take home over the weekend.  The program is free of charge. Permission slips will be distributed to all students who are currently participating in the Voyager Academy free/reduced lunch program. A form is also included below for your convenience. Please contact Jill O'Kane with any questions. 

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1st Annual 3 on 3 Tournament
Voyager Academy Booster Club will be organizing our first annual Volleyball Tournament on September 28th at 9:00 am. The 3 on 3 Tournament will feature three brackets of play. One Co-Ed Bracket for ages 16-20 (All participants must be at least 16 and not yet 21), Boys only Ages 13-16 and Girls only Ages 13-16. For Co-Ed Teams one girl must be on the court at all times during play. This event is OPEN to the PUBLIC. There will be a $10 player registration fee. Teams must have at least 3 players and no more than 5. Voyager Volleyball will be assisting with hosting the event and provide line judges, referees, and scorekeepers. The Event will begin with an open play times for teams to warm up. After Open play teams will be sorted and placed into a bracket for  single/double elimination tournament play. Spectators may attend the event, but there will be standing room only. Admission is $1 with any student ID and $3 for adults. Food and Refreshments will be provided courtesy of Voyager Booster Club and prizes will be given for all bracket winners. Please see Ms. Taylor for an Entry Form.

Deadline to register is September 24th. 


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Durham College Fair 
Durham Public Schools is hosting a College Fair on Sunday September 29, from 1-3 p.m. at the Downtown Durham Convention Center. All students and parents are encouraged to attend to meet representatives from over 75 colleges and universities. See the attached flyer for more information.

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Free Assistance with the FAFSA
The FAFSA launches on October 1. The NC campus financial aid offices are holding multiple events, including FAFSA Day on October 26, 2019, to assist students and families with FAFSA completion. Click here for a flyer with information about where students/families can receive assistance with financial aid/FAFSA completion. It includes a link asking students/families to complete a VERY short form – name, email, county of residence, and how they wish to be contacted. Once they  receive a request, they will reach out to the financial aid office on the campuses of the designated counties. The financial aid office will then send information on the events in the family’s area.

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Stay Informed!      
Please check the VAHS blog frequently, for news, information, and opportunities for VAHS students. Also, please feel free to subscribe, to receive emailed notifications of new postings. (see below on the right hand side of the page under where it says, "FOLLOW US.").

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VAHS Senior Information Session (Senior Parent Night)
Seniors and their parents/guardians are invited to attend the Sr. Information session at VAHS on Thursday, October 17, from 6:00-7:30 p.m.. Sessions will include Information about Graduation Requirements, Post High school Options, and College Application/Admissions Information.  

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Durham Tech Dual Enrollment Information Sessions (Take College Courses While at VAHS)
The dates for the CCP Information Sessions at Durham Tech. Have been posted on the Durham Tech CCP website under "Enrollment Steps". The next evening session is Thursday Sept. 19, 2019. 
Students interested in the Career and College Promise program must attend an information session. During a session students can learn about program requirements, plans of study, and apply for admission.  Parents are welcome to attend. https://www.durhamtech.edu/dual-enrollment

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Buy a Yearbook Now!
The 2020 Expedition yearbook is on sale now at the lowest price offered, $55.  Purchase a personalization and get FOUR FREE ICONS to go along with the student's name.  The deadline for this offer is September 30th.

All purchases should be made at http://www.jostensyearbooks.com

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Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) meets on Wednesday mornings from 7:30-8:30am in room D124. 
Students do not need to be athletes, nor Christian to attend--All are welcome! :)  Contact Mr. Baker (dbaker@voyageracademy.net) or Mrs. Paradis (mparadis@voyageracademy.net) for more info.   

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VAHS Counseling Department Blog
All parents and students should frequently check and/or subscribe to the VAHS Counseling Department blog (click here)! Here you will find  important information and opportunities for VAHS students. Topics range from specific grade level information to scholarships and other interesting opportunities.   

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Why you might ask?
We need YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It will enrich your experience at Voyager by being involved
You get to meet and socialize with other parents
PTO involvement helps parents be aware of school needs
YOU’LL HAVE FUN!

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PARENTS:  Sign up to receive text messages from VAHS
Even though you may have been subscribed from last year, all must re-subscribe.  This is because some cell phone numbers may no longer belong to last year’s subscribers (as people may change numbers or mobile providers). Click below for subscription instructions for your student’s grade.  





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Important Dates for VAHS

Dates
Events
Sept. 27
NO CLASSES – Parent/Teacher conference day
Oct. 1
Midterm exams for pds. 1 & 3
Oct. 2
Midterm exams for pds. 2 & 4
Oct. 7-11
NO CLASSES – Fall Break
Oct. 17
VAHS Senior Information Session (Senior Parent Night)  6-7:30pm
Oct. 18
Report cards given to students
Oct. 22
Pre-ACT (required for all 10th graders)
Oct. 25
Fall Festival (by the VA PTO)
Nov. 11
NO CLASSES – Veterans’ Day
Nov. 25
Project Exhibition Day. 2-4:00pm
Nov. 27-29
NO CLASSES – Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 12 – 18
Final exams
Dec. 19 – Jan. 3
NO CLASSES – Winter Break
Jan. 6
1st day of class to begin the 2nd semester
Jan. 11
Report cards given to students
Jan. 20
NO CLASSES – MLK Holiday
Feb. 10-14
Teacher Appreciation Week
Feb. 17
NO CLASSES – Teacher workday
Feb. 18
NO CLASSES – Parent/Teacher conference day
Feb. 25
ACT Exam (all 11th graders)
Mar. 4
Midterm exams for pds. 1 & 3
Mar. 5
Midterm exams for pds. 2 & 4
Mar. 13
Report cards given to students
Mar. 16
NO CLASSES – Teacher workday
Mar. 17
NO CLASSES – Parent/Teacher conference day
April 8
Project Exhibition Day. 4-6:00pm
Apr. 10 – 17
NO CLASSES – Spring Break
May 1
Spring Fling (by the VA PTO)
May 4-15
AP exams
May 18-22
Final exams
May 26
Graduation (time and location TBA)



OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION
FOR AND ABOUT VAHS





VOYAGER VIKING VALUES
CONFIDENCE   - CURIOSITY   - EMPATHY
REFLECTION   - INTEGRITY