Voyager Academy High School News, Oct. 27, 2019

GO VIKINGS GO!
In this issue...

Yearbook and Graduation Info.
  • Senior Cap and Gown Orders 
  • 2020**Senior Ads are Now On Sale**2020 
  • Buy a Yearbook Before the Price Goes Up
Field Trip Highlights (Past and Upcoming Trips)
  • AP Environmental Science Explores Health Fields at UNC School of Public Health
Viking Volunteerism and Funraising
  • VAHS Hosts another Blood Drive (Oct. 29) 
  • Food Truck Friday (last day to pre-order is Oct. 28) 
  • Shoes for Show Choir! 
  • Backpack Buddies: Balanced Meals and Snacks for Students in Need
Student Support, College Prep, and Career Planning (ACT, college and scholarship info., etc.)
  • For Students Curious About Careers:  ASVAB Career Exploration Program 
  • Announcing, The ACT Question of the Day 
  • AFSA Opened October 1st – File as soon as you can! (college financial aid form assistance) 
  • Stay Informed About Scholarships, Internships, Summer Programs and Lots More by Clicking Here
More...
  • 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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Senior Cap and Gown Orders

There was a cap and gown assembly for all seniors on Monday, Oct 21. Seniors were provided with Herff Jones order packets for 2020 graduation attire. Order forms are to be returned next Monday, 10/28 during Advisory and lunch.  Please read the pricing sheets carefully before completing the Order Form. Extra Order Forms and packets are available in the counseling office if needed.   
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2020**Senior Ads are Now On Sale**2020
Buy a Senior Recognition Ad for your Viking today. Prices range from $40 to $250.  For more information, go to jostensadservice.com

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Buy a Yearbook before the price goes up!
The 2020 VAHS Expedition Yearbook is now on sale.  Go to www.jostensyearbooks.com to buy before the price increases.

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

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AP Environmental Science Class Explores Health Fields at UNC School of Public Health
On Tuesday, October 22 the AP Environmental Science class became UNC Public Health students for a day! Students met with several faculty members, department chairs and attended a class lecture on environmental science. Current research projects from across the state including the PFAS network study were discussed in detail with students. Students also got a tour of the campus of UNC Chapel Hill.





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VAHS Hosts Another Blood Drive (Oct. 29)
Awesome VAHS student Jordan King, is directing another blood drive this year. Please see her message below…

Hello Voyager Academy! We are hosting another  BLOOD DRIVE, on  OCTOBER 29, 2019! Please register to donate at www.redcrossblood.com using the sponsor code; ‘Voyager.’ You must be at least sixteen years old to donate, with a parental consent form (in the VAHS lobby). Anyone seventeen or older can donate without a permission slip. Additionally, some sort of ID is needed upon donation day, validating the donor’s age. Please consider donating blood to those in dire need.

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Food Truck Friday & PuraVida Bracelets! (last day to pre-order is Oct. 28)
Voyager Music Program is hosting a Food Truck Friday, November 1st!!!
Enjoy a hot meal without having to leave campus, but you must pre-order and pay in advance (cash only)! LAST DAY TO PRE-ORDER during LUNCH on Monday, October 28th!
Menu includes: philly-cheesesteaks, hot dogs, hamburgers w/ your choice of chips or fries & a drink. Combo prices starting at $6 (See menu's posted around school!)
Orders will be delivered & ready to go on Friday, Nov. 1st at the beginning of lunch! Proceeds benefit chorus & band program.

Also, pre- order your Pura Vida bracelets in Voyager colors for only $6 and show your Viking Pride!

Place your order for Food Truck Friday & PuraVida bracelets starting Monday, October 21st during lunch outside Mrs. Copley's room. (Cash only accepted)
LAST DAY TO pre-order & pay: Monday, October 28th!


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Shoes for Show Choir!
The Driving question: What do SHOES & SHOW CHOIR have in common?

The Voyager Academy HS Chorus & Band Program is conducting a shoe drive fundraiser from October 14th through December 2nd to raise funds for program expenses through Funds2Orgs. We will earn funds based on the total weight of the pairs of gently worn, used and new shoes collected, as Funds2Orgs will issue a check for the collected shoes. Starting October 14th, anyone can help by donating gently worn, used and new shoes in the collection bins located near Lost & found at each school (elementary, middle AND high)!

All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of micro-enterprise (small business) partners. Funds2Orgs works with micro-entrepreneurs in helping them create, maintain and grow small businesses in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited. Proceeds from the sales of the shoes collected in shoe drive fundraisers are used to feed, clothe and house their families. One budding entrepreneur in Haiti even earned enough to send to her son to law school.

We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they would like to donate to us. As you clean out your closets, please consider donating shoes you no longer wear or have outgrown to our shoe drive. By doing so, we raise money for Voyager’s competitive show choirs & show band: Bull City Lights, Vocal Affinity & Bull City Sound! And, we have the chance to help families in developing nations who need economic opportunities. It's a win-win for everyone!

By donating gently worn, used and new shoes to our program, the shoes will be given a second chance and make a difference in people’s lives around the world. 
DONATION DATES: October 14th-December 2nd
WHERE: Voyager Academy Elementary, Middle & High Schools
DROP OFF: collections bins located near lost  & found at each school!
QUESTIONS: Contact Jenny Hobgood jhobgood@voyageracademy.net 


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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 School Counselor, Jill O'Kane with any questions. 

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Students: Curious About Careers? ASVAB Career Exploration Program 
The ASVAB Career Exploration Program will be offered at VAHS on November 4 at 2:00. This is a GREAT opportunity for students to become informed about their futures . There is no cost. Participation does not commit students to the military in any way. The ASVAB CEP helps students understand their unique skills and interests, identify potentially satisfying careers, and discover all the different ways to get to their your dream jobs. See below and contact Ms. O'Kane to sign up to take the test. Click here for more.



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Help Your Student Plan for College and Career: Create an Overgrad Parent Account 
Overgrad is a free platform that helps students and parents plan for life after high school. Students are able to find colleges and careers that match with their academic abilities and interests, understand the requirements needed to get there, and then have tools to track their progress towards meeting those requirements over time. All VAHS students are connected to Overgrad. Freshmen have recently received Welcome emails with instructions on how to activate their accounts. Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors all have active accounts. Parents are encouraged to create accounts to partner with their child and monitor their academic progress over time. See the instructions below.
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The ACT Question of the Day
The ACT exam is one of the most crucial standardized tests taken by a high school student. This is especially true in North Carolina, where it is required for all 11th graders.  It will be one of the primary determiners of college acceptance.

To support student success at VAHS, last week we began the “ACT Question of the Day,” provided by Kaplan (which provides many more ACT and SAT resources for students).  This will take place during the first five minutes of 3rd period for all students.  Students will be given the question, some time to respond, and then the answer will be provided, with an explanation. Teachers will manage the process and can provide support.

How parents can support their VAHS students’ success on the ACT…
Parents can help by providing students with a composition notebook, in which they can record all of their ACT Questions of the Day, to keep throughout their entire time at VAHS. This could also serve as a tool for communication with your child about ACT preparation and readiness.  In addition to familiarizing students with the ACT exam, the ACT Question of the Day will raise a collective awareness—as a school and community—as to the importance and impact of the ACT exam. 
 
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FAFSA Opened October 1st – File as soon as you can!
If seniors need financial aid to help  pay for college, families must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. The 2020–21 FAFSA form just opened this week on Oct. 1, 2019. Families should fill it out as soon as possible. Federal funding is limited, so experts urge students and families to file their FAFSAs as soon as possible.
There are some great articles posted on the Counseling Department Blog about how to get started on the FAFSA!  

Click here for a flyer with information about where students/families can receive assistance with financial aid/FAFSA completion.
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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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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
Oct. 29
VAHS Blood Drive (in the Commons)
Nov. 1
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