Good Afternoon,
It was another busy week on campus! We hope you had a great week and that your students are ready to learn on Monday.
Some very important dates coming up so please mark your calendars and join us for the upcoming EXPO meeting (info below), fundraiser for the Arts (info below) and a school wide safety training.
EXPO Update:
PLEASE JOIN EXPO FOR A SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER AND OUR FIRST MEETING OF 2020 featured talk; PREPARING FOR YOUR EXCEPTIONAL CHILD’S FUTURE
Gretchen Cleevely of the Brady Cobin Law Group, will speak to EXPO on the importance of establishing a special needs trust to ensure your child’s financial needs are met in the event of your death, how to ensure your child receives Government benefits they are entitled to, ABLE accounts and much more.
Before pursuing a career in special education law, Gretchen was an actress in New York City. You may know her from her roles on the tv series Sex in the City and Law and Order and the movie Failure to Launch. She was also an elementary school teacher for five years teaching children with emotional and behavioral disorders, autism, ADHD and learning disabilities.
She has a passion for improving the lives of people with disabilities which led her to pursue a degree in special education law. She is a proud graduate of the Washington and Lee University School of Law. She began her legal practice in 2016 and represented NC public school districts on special education, First Amendment and Americans with Disabilities Act Matters.
WHEN: THURSDAY, JANUARY 30TH AT 6PM
WHERE: VAES ART ROOM
Questions? Contact Ginger Aycock at aycockginger@yahoo.com
Arts Update:
If you or someone you know is looking to replace a bed in your home, now is the time. We invite you to attend the HS Music Program's 4th Annual Mattress Fundraiser on Saturday, February 1st, from 10am - 5pm. We will have 25+ different styles of brand name mattresses on display for you to try out. All beds are made to order, have full factory warranties, are available in all sizes, and are priced below retail. In addition to beds, there will also be luxury pillows, mattress protectors, adjustable power bases and even massage chairs!! Delivery & financing is available. Visit our Facebook event - click “GOING”, INVITE YOUR FRIENDS! SHARE OUR POSTS! FACEBOOK LINK
Check out this video to learn more about how a Mattress Fundraiser works!
Bring or show the attached flyer to get a FREE set of sheets! Thanks in advance for your support of the HS Band & Chorus students!
Safety Update:
On Tuesday, January 28, 2019, Voyager Academy will undergo training to launch the “Say Something Anonymous Reporting System” (SS-ARS). This program, which fulfills the mandate requirement under 115C-105.51 of NC Law, teaches middle and high students, teachers, and administrators how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, of individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and Say Something to a trusted adult OR use its anonymous reporting system. Specifically, the program educates participants to:
- Recognize the signs and signals of at-risk behaviors – especially within social media
- Take every sign and signal seriously; act quickly to get help by talking to a trusted adult OR
- Report it anonymously through SS-ARS 24/7 Crisis Center, mobile app, or website
- Respond to and manage the submitted tip via multi-disciplinary educator and administrator teams
- Sustain the curriculum and awareness via student clubs, in-school activities and call-to-action weeks
Our students often are aware of the problems their peers are facing, so we must empower them to know the danger signs and give them the tools to help each other with the assistance of trained and caring adults. As you know, most conversations are taking place on social media, therefore it is critical that we teach our students to be looking out for one another as these digital conversations are taking place. SS-ARS teaches them what to look for in text, video and photos while empowering them to act quickly to help a fellow student.
Please double click on the file below for a full brochure outlining the SS-ARS program:
The SS-ARS program is being provided and sustained at no cost to us through Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a national non-profit organization. More than 7.5 million students and adults have been trained in their signature, evidence-based Know the Signs programs that includes Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS). They have an exceptional track record, reputation, and level of expertise in working effectively with kids, parents, and teachers to improve school safety and culture.
We anticipate that SS-ARS will help stop school shootings, suicides, and gun threats; it will help reduce bullying and cyberbullying; help intervene upon cutting, drug use, racial conflicts, and other violent and victimization acts.
APPLICATIONS FOR SPRING BREAK DRIVER’S ED IS OPEN!
If you are interested in this Spring Break class, please:
email: barbaragarmon.jdsc@gmail.com.
Subject line: Yes VA class - student's name
Registration form will be sent to you, once you have expressed your interest.
More information:
VOYAGER ACADEMY is interested in offering a SPRING BREAK class to students and VA friends the opportunity to complete the NC requirements for obtaining their NC Learners Permit and NC Driver's License. This private program for Voyager Academy students and invited friends, will offer 30-hours classroom instruction as well as 6-hours behind-the-wheel instruction by certified instructors, as required by NC DMV. Class dates:
Apr. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 2020 – 8:30A – 2:30P
Requirements:
- Students must attend and pass the 30-hour class
- Driving requirements: 6-hour BTW (behind the wheel)
- Fee for class $395
- Class minimum: 20*
*As soon as 20 students have expressed interest, the class will be confirmed. If the minimum is not met, a final decision will be made 7-days before first day of class.
Thank you to the very generous donors who have given to our capital campaign to purchase school buses for all students. If you haven’t already donated, please consider “Giving to Voyager” for our capital campaign fundraiser. We need activity buses to help transport our kids to all the wonderful events and activities they enjoy such as field trips, sporting events, arts competitions and much more. Please visit the donations page here: https://www.voyageracademy.net/support-voyager/
Regards,
Jennifer Lucas, M.ED.