Dear Voyager Community,
Welcome back from Fall break! I hope you all have had a great week and enjoyed the gorgeous weather. It’s hard to believe that next week is the end of October. The high school advisory sessions this week went really well and the staff greatly appreciated all the student engagement. Middle School report cards are on their way highlighting student achievement for the first quarter. The elementary and middle school have some exciting assemblies planned for Friday, October 30th to connect with our students and have fun together. We hope you will all join in on the assemblies!
Thank you again for your ongoing support at home during the remote learning process. We recognize the challenges and appreciate all of you. Continuing to get input and communicate with all students, families, and staff is an important part of our planning process for remote learning and as we navigate our transition to the hybrid model. Outlined below is a timeline highlighting the input and communication process that will allow us to get additional input and plan for our reopening in January. Thank you for partnering with us on the journey this year.
Staying current on all of the health metrics and data is also part of our ongoing process. As we work together to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, please remind your children about the importance of the 3 W’s (Wear, Wait, & Wash). Wear a mask, practice social distancing by waiting and maintaining a 6-foot space between others, and wash hands frequently to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Outlined below are some helpful links and resources if you are interested in learning more about the latest data and recommendations.
K-12 Public Health Guidance Updates
Durham Public Health COVID Dashboard
Please know that we are all here to support your child grow and learn. Feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher, building administrator, or student support if we can assist your family in any way. Please review the upcoming dates and information below for additional resources. Have a wonderful weekend!
All the best,
Upcoming Calendar Events:
- Oct. 23 - MS Report Cards for 1st Quarter
- Oct 26 - 30 - ES Spirit Week
- Oct. 29 - PSAT for 11th graders (optional)
- Oct. 30 - ES Fall in Love with Books Assembly
- Nov. 5 – Student Support Mindfulness Activities for Students
- Nov. 9 - K-3 Report cards sent home
- Nov. 12 – Parent Night – Incorporating Mindfulness in our Daily Lives
- Nov. 13 - MS Second Quarter Progress Reports
- Dec 14- 18 - Final Exams
Food and Nutrition Support for Families
From now until December 31, 2020, Durham County Public Schools is 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
Community Partnership with Kate’s Korner for K-5
Kate’s Korner will provide a supervised remote learning space for Voyager Academy Elementary (Kindergarten-3rd grades) and Middle School (4th & 5th grade) students to complete their school work while Voyager is operating in a remote learning environment and parents are working. Additional information regarding Kate’s Korner can be found on their website https://www.kateskornerdurham.
Community Partnership with Student U for Grades 6-12
Student U will provide a supervised remote learning space for families of Voyager Academy Middle School and High School students to complete their Voyager school work in a safe supervised learning center while Voyager is operating in a remote learning environment and parents are working. This community partnership will support struggling Voyager families in need of free child care while they are working during the remote learning environment. Applications for the learning center will be prioritized by Student U for families that qualify for free or reduced lunch, have parents that are essential workers, or have become recently unemployed, are experiencing homelessness, are part of the foster care system, or live in public housing.
EXPO October Meeting - Thursday, 10/29, 6 pm
The Exceptional Children’s Parent Organization invites you to attend our October meeting. Tonya Farrish, Voyager’s Middle School Counselor and Cindy Gittens, Social Worker will speak to our group on Resources for EC and AIG Parents and Students During Remote Learning.
Join Expo Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 944 1879 6084
Passcode: 064905
Link for Remote Access to the Voyager Library for Elementary Students