September 4, 2020
Dear Voyager Community,
Thank you for all the responses to our parent and student remote instruction survey. If you have not yet completed the survey, please remember to submit your responses by Monday, 9/7/20 so that your input can be included in our planning for the future. The surveys are linked below. Many families have also completed the 2020 -2021 Year-Long Remote Learning Option Enrollment. Please complete the enrollment form linked below for each child if 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.
It was wonderful visiting online classes this week and seeing your children and our teachers learning and growing together. Sadly, in some of the classes I visited many students had their cameras off and needed to be reminded to turn their cameras on. Please talk with your child about how important it is to have their camera on so that teachers and classmates can connect with one another and learn together. It is very challenging for teachers to know if students are understanding the content if they cannot see their body language and expressions the way they might during in-person instruction. Students can use plain digital backgrounds if they do not want to show their room. If they are experiencing poor internet connection, they can turn their cameras off while speaking; but it should not be an issue while they are listening so the camera can remain on while they are viewing the lesson. Each of the principals will be sharing additional remote learning tips that are developmentally appropriate in their weekly newsletter.
Our core values are on display in front of the high school thanks to the great student work from Ms. Clark-Stover’s class last year. I also had the pleasure of joining the elementary virtual school-wide assembly and dance party on Thursday morning. We all had a fun time together starting our morning with a little song and dance. This week we also had social programs for students at all grade levels to help them connect more with one another while we are learning apart. Parents will also have an opportunity to learn more about internet safety at our upcoming Parent Night on Thursday, September 17, 2020. Additional details are below.
I continue to partner with school leaders around the state and with our local Durham Charter School Consortium as we all navigate the new educational landscape. We share best practices and problem solve together to tackle the many challenges that have developed with the various school options and COVID health concerns. We all recognize that child care and nutrition are at the top of the list while we all balance the needs of school, work, and family.
We understand that many of our families may also be struggling with nutrition needs for their family. Please see the detailed information below about meals that are available for pick up twice a week at select Durham Public Schools. Our student services team has additional resources available to support as well. Please reach out to your school counselor or our social worker if your family needs assistance.
Please know that we are all here to support your child’s success. Feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher, building level administration, school counselor, school social worker, or me if you need assistance or support. Don’t forget to check out the upcoming calendar events listed below and read all the building level newsletters to learn more about the exciting learning taking place at each grade level. Please remember that Monday is Labor Day and school will be closed for the holiday. I hope you all have a wonderful long 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 Holiday
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 17 – Parent Night – Internet Safety 6 pm – 7 pm
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
Food and Nutrition Support for Families in Need of Assistance During This Challenging Time
From now until December 31, 2020, Durham County Public Schools are providing free meals to all children aged 18 and under. Drive-through pick up of meals is available weekly from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. Pick-up sites are listed here and below. No ID is required to pick up the meals. If you are unable to pick up at the designated time, click here to obtain information on how to have meals delivered to your home.
Additionally, the Student Services Team has compiled a list of parent and community resources that can be found Here.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to your school counselor with questions and/or concerns. Thank you.
DPS Free School Meals
Age: Available to any child 18 and under
Pick-up Day & Time: Every Tuesday & Thursday from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
Meals Provided: Tuesdays students pick up two breakfasts, two lunches; Thursdays students pick up three breakfasts, three lunches.
Pick-up Locations:
Bethesda ES
Burton ES
Eastway ES
Eno Valley ES
Carrington MS
Club Boulevard ES
Glenn ES
Hillside HS
Holt ES
Shepard MS
Lakewood ES
Lakeview Secondary
Fayetteville St ES
Merrick Moore ES
Neal MS
Parkwood ES
Riverside HS
RN Harris ES
Southern HS
Sandy Ridge ES
Southwest ES
CC Spaulding ES
WG Pearson ES
YE Smith ES
Parent Night on Internet Safety – Thursday, September 17th – 6 pm – 7 pm
Zoom Link – Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83432174168?pwd=NDBFV2FRcUxIRU9NT1lsSCtpTEN5QT09
Meeting ID: 834 3217 4168 Passcode: 534542
All VA parents/guardians are invited to attend an Internet Safety Presentation on Thursday, Sept 17 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. This live Zoom event is hosted by the Student Services Department of Voyager Academy.
VA is proud to partner with Shelley J. Epps, long time VA parent and Information Security Analyst, Program Lead, Security Outreach & Education at Duke University Health System. Program topics will include
How parents/guardian can do their part to keep their children safe
How to help students navigate the internet appropriately
How to predict and respond to specific security situations when they arise
Ms. Epps will be available after the presentation to speak with any parents who have specific questions. We are grateful for her expertise and thankful to have Ms. Epps as part of the VA community!
Exceptional Children’s Parent Meeting
Thursday, 9/24, 6 pm
EXPO September Meeting
The Exceptional Children’s Parent Organization invites you to attend our first meeting of the year. Tracey Edler, Voyager’s new Exceptional Children’s Program Director, will speak to our group on strategies for Home and School. She’ll discuss things like morning routines, checklists, homework, etc. to help your child be successful.
Topic: EXPO
Time: Sep 24, 2020 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 959 0475 9696
Passcode: 118124
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