Dear Voyager Community,
It’s been another wonderful week of learning, playing, and growing together for our students and school-wide K-12 community. The leadership team and staff greatly appreciate all the positive support and feedback we have received from our students and families as we navigate the new educational landscape together. We are now three weeks into the remote learning environment and have been assessing our plans for moving forward as promised during our town hall meetings earlier this summer. Please be assured that our greatest desire is to re-open our campus and have our entire school community return to our normal learning environment. We all miss seeing the children in our classrooms and the joy they bring to each of us. We understand the challenges and stresses that this health pandemic and uncertainty has caused for many of our families. While we pivot during these times of uncertainty, we remain steadfast as we continue to focus and prioritize the health and safety of your children, our staff, and our greater Voyager community while we continue to provide an excellent education for all remotely.
One of the most critical elements in assessing our readiness to move to Phase II, our hybrid model of in-person and remote instruction with reduced capacity is the status of the COVID-19 outbreaks in our community. We have analyzed the most recent data and metrics shared by the NC Department of Health and Human Services as well as the Durham County Public Health Department. Guidelines and metrics provided by the Harvard Global Health Institute and World Health Organization were also utilized to determine our readiness to reopen campus to the hybrid model of instruction and move to Phase II. The Reopening Task Force comprised of representatives from all key stakeholder groups in our community (students, parents, staff, community members, board members, and administrators) also met to review our progress and provide feedback to the leadership team. Additionally, we have received input and feedback from staff and many families that have reached out directly or through our PTO to share their concerns about health and safety as we move forward.
After reviewing all of the COVID-19 data and metrics and discussing all feedback and input from our community, the Voyager Leadership team recommended that we remain in Phase I our remote learning environment through the end of December 2020. This recommendation was approved by our School Board last evening. We believe this extension will allow us to remain focused and committed to the remote learning model without disruptions from transitions or school closures required from an outbreak on campus. The Leadership team will continue to review the COVID-19 data and metrics, as well as the input from staff, students, and families in order to determine when in-person instruction will begin again. Our goal is to reopen after winter break and return to campus with our Phase II hybrid model in January of 2021. We will continue to monitor the health data and inform our community should this timing need to be modified again.
We also understand that many families have additional health concerns and do not wish to return to campus when we move to our hybrid instructional model in Phase II. Many families have already expressed a concern for the health and safety of their child and their preference to extend remote learning throughout the entire 2020 -2021 school year, even when Voyager determines that we will move into Phase II with a Hybrid model of remote learning and in-person instruction with reduced capacity. As promised during our Town Hall meetings this summer we are making this option available to all families in the Voyager community if desired. Please complete the 2020 -2021 Year-Long Remote Learning Option Enrollment form linked below for each child you wish to continue with remote instruction for the entire 2020 -2021 school year. This information is critical for us to plan staffing for the remainder of the year. Please understand that once you have requested to have remote learning instruction for the entire 2020 - 2021 school year you will not be able to switch your child back to in-person instruction during this school year.
The current remote learning schedules for each school (elementary, middle, and high) were developed to ensure our students would be successful in the new learning environment. The school administrators developed school schedules based on best education practices, developmental readiness, and data collected from the summer survey that was sent to all Voyager families. We have received feedback from our Reopening Task Force, staff, students, and families about concerns with the amount of screen time required for classes. We hear your concerns and have created a short student and parent survey to ensure we reach a broader audience and allow all to share their input. The results from these surveys will provide additional guidance as we reflect on changes that may be needed to improve our remote instructional model. Student and parent/guardian input will also be utilized to help guide the schedules for the future so that we meet the needs of all students as we move forward. Please complete the short 4 question survey linked below for your child or children’s appropriate grade level. The survey will allow you to skip sections that do not apply to you.
We appreciate the opportunity to model our commitment to the core value of reflection as we strive to incorporate the feedback from our entire community and refine our plans to provide an excellent education and support all students as we move forward. I would like to thank our Board, Reopening Task Force, staff, students, and families for your collaboration and support as we navigate the new world of education in a pandemic. Voyager will continue to grow and thrive as we partner together to support the academic social and emotional needs for our school-wide community. Thank you for the privilege of leading and learning alongside such an incredible community.
Please know that we are all here to support your child’s success. Feel free to reach out to your building level administration, school counselor, school social worker, or me if you need assistance or support. Don’t forget to read all the building level newsletters to learn more about the exciting learning taking place at each grade level and about upcoming events. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
All the best,
Submit by 9/25/20 - Voyager 2020 – 2021 Year Long Remote Learning Option Enrollment Form
Submit by 9/7/20 - Parent Remote Instruction Survey – 8/28/20
Submit by 9/7/20 - Student Remote Instruction Survey – 8/28/20
Upcoming Calendar Events:
Sept. 7 – Labor Day
Sept. 8 - Family Connection Zoom Meet up with Managing Director - 5:30 pm
Sept. 11 - MS First Quarter Progress Reports
Sept. 11 - Elementary Grandparents and Grand Friend Day celebration
Sept. 18 – Elementary Progress Reports
Sept. 29 - Family Connection Zoom Meet up with Managing Director - 10 am
Oct. 5-9 – HS Mid-term exams
Oct 12 - 16 - Fall Break
Oct. 14 – Report cards go out
Oct. 22 – Pre-Act (all 10th graders)
Oct. 23 - MS Report Cards for 1st Quarter
Nov. 09 - K-3 Report cards sent home
Nov. 13 - MS Second Quarter Progress Reports
NCDHHS Resources: Helping Families Find School-Aged Child Care
With school now underway, many working parents are facing the added stress of finding a safe place for their children during the day that can also support their remote learning. The good news is that there is ample licensed child care available across the state, and we are making it as easy as possible for families to find it. In partnership with Child Care Resources and Referral, the NC Department of Health and Human Services created a free hotline to connect families to licensed care for their school-age children. Families can call the hotline at 1-888-600-1685.
Help families know that they have options by:
Sharing our Child Care Hotline flyer (English, Spanish) with your networks and employees
Sharing our Parent Toolkit on What To Know When Looking for School-Age Child Care
Posting on social media using our toolkit
Including information in your newsletters, presentations, and other communication vehicles
------------------
This just in...
Stay healthy while supporting Voyager Academy.
This is a limited time offer. So act now.