GO VIKINGS GO!
In this issue...
- Take a tour through the VAVA (Voyager Academy Visual Arts) Virtual Art Gallery
- An Amazing Leadership Opportunity for Sophomores - The HOBY State Leadership Seminar (deadline to apply, 10/30/20)
- Mid-term exams this coming week.
- Attention 11th graders: Information about the Oct. 29 PSAT.
- The new daily schedule, which began on Sept. 28, 2020
- It’s fun, it’s educational, it promotes social and emotional health: Advisory is Back!
- Happy Birthday U.S. Constitution!
- Science Olympiad.
- Campus safety: "Say Something" - an anonymous reporting system.
STUDENT WELLNESS
- Raising resilient children
- Promoting good health for life: Public service announcement.
- Hey Vikings--Are you eating mineral rich foods?
- Need a Quick Workout?
- Stress is Busted in Ms. Kehoe’s Health/Phys. Ed. class!
- How teens across the country are staying mentally healthy?
COLLEGE, CAREER, & GRADUATION
- How CFNC (College Foundation of N.C.) can help you plan, apply, and pay for college.
- Take community college courses at Durham Tech. while at VAHS: How to attend and information.
- High school class rings and graduation products.
STAYING ORGANIZED AND INFORMED
- Stay up-to-the-minute on your child’s progress: become a “parent observer” on his/her Canvas account.
- Students must regularly check their voyager academy email accounts.
- Remote learning tips for parents: how to help your child be successful in a remote learning setting.
- Check out the VAHS counselor’s blog (and subscribe).
- Parents: sign up to receive text messages from the school.
- Other great sources of information for and about VAHS.
- Important dates.
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Take a tour through the VAVA (Voyager Academy Visual Arts) Virtual Art Gallery
Check out the vivacious VAVA Virtual Art Gallery. Experience the work of our VAHS art students. This is the premiere of our new Virtual Gallery. There will be updated shows every few weeks so bookmark this page and enjoy the art! https://sites.google.com/voyageracademy.net/vava/home.
Here are a few teasers…
Landscapes…
The Value of Shoes…
Shell Study...
An Amazing Leadership Opportunity for Sophomores - The HOBY State Leadership Seminar (deadline to apply, 10/30/20)
(HOBY = Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership) Each spring, 10,000 high school sophomores from across the country join one of HOBY’s 70 State Leadership Seminars to hone their leadership talents and apply them to become effective, ethical leaders in their home, school, workplace, and community. Watch this 90 second video to learn more. https://youtu.be/RBFJ3UoDEtM
Interested Sophomores should contact Ms. O'kane (jokane@voyageracademy.net) by 10/30/20 to apply.
Mid-term exams this coming week
Just a reminder that next week is Mid-term Exam Week. The exam schedule is as follows:
Tuesday 10/6: pds. 1 & 3
Thursday 10/8: pds. 2 & 4
We will observe our regular bell schedule (click here to see the bell schedule).
IMPORTANT NOTE: Classes will extend for the full 80 minutes during the exam periods, i.e. no optional office hours.
Best of luck to all on your mid-term exams!
Attention 11th graders: Information about the Oct. 29 PSAT
VAHS will be offering the PSAT to any interested 11th grade students. The PSAT test will take place on Thursday, October 29th, beginning at 8:00am in the HIgh School Commons. Masks will be required and all COVID health and safety precautions will be followed. The test will only be offered once and there is no make-up date. Students who choose to take the PSAT will be excused for that portion of the school day. Parents may register their student at PSAT Registration . The cost of the exam is $16.
The PSAT is a practice test that prepares students for success on the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test). Additional information for students and parents about the PSAT can be found at https://www.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt. Additionally, Juniors who do very well on the PSAT may qualify for the NMSQT Scholarship Competition. Test results are usually received in December. Students will receive their test book back as well as a score report that gives specific information about their correct/incorrect answers, difficulty level of questions and content each question assessed. VAHS counselor, Jill O'Kane will make arrangements to distribute and explain results to students.
Questions regarding the PSAT administration, should go to Laura Howell, VA Testing/Accountability Coordinator.
The new daily schedule, which began on Sept. 28, 2020
Beginning the week of September 28, VAHS will not be providing live instruction on Wednesdays. Instead, this will be a day for students to have some flex time and learn remotely, in a way that reduces live screen time instruction. And Monday will no longer be an early release day.
During Wednesdays, VAHS students may receive instruction in various ways. On this day students may schedule a time to meet with a teacher during office hours to receive remediated instruction, or enrichment. Instruction may include everything from review assignments, to independent work introducing new content, to (30-minute maximum) recorded lessons to be viewed at the student’s convenience. It is important to note that a student must complete and submit a given assignment for each Wednesday class (by 11:59pm Wednesday) to be marked “present” for the class by the teacher. If it is not submitted, the student is marked “absent.”
The Wednesday Schedule:
8:30am – 10:30am: Professional Development time (previously Monday afternoons).
11:00am – 11:30am: Advisory (1st and 3rd Wednesdays)
1:00pm – 4:00pm: Office hours
The VAHS Daily Schedule (click here for a printable copy)
It’s fun, it’s educational, it promotes social and emotional health: Advisory is Back!
VAHS Advisory resumes on Wednesday, Sept. 30, and will take place from 11:00 to 11:30.
First Semester Advisory dates are: 9/30, 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, 11/8, 12/2, and 12/9.
Advisory will consist of fun, educational, and collaborative activities to help students re-connect. Advisory is especially critical in this remote learning environment as we support students’ social and emotional wellbeing. All students are expected to attend. Prizes and Incentives for attendance and participation will be awarded!
Happy Birthday Constitution!
Constitution Day was September 17th. Although Civics classes were not able to host our annual Durham event, we still found a way to participated and celebrate during Constitution Week. Please enjoy this artifact from our project work. https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1HtiFuoKOYrjGGdpDuyk_jKO3PcafHiv2
Voyager’s Science Olympiad Program
Science Olympiad Team – Info meetings this week!
If you are interested in joining any of our science olympiad competition teams (elementary, middle school or high school), please fill out this INTEREST FORM. Science Olympiad is a program where a team of Voyager students compete in science events against other schools. We will send the zoom details for our upcoming info meetings to everyone who fills out the interest form.
Oct 7th 1pm – High School Team Info Meeting (9th-12th)
Oct 7th 7pm – Elementary School Team Info Meeting (K-5th)
Oct 8th 7pm – Middle School Team Info Meeting (6th-8th)
Campus safety: "Say Something" - an anonymous reporting system.
On Friday, October 23rd during 2nd pd., Voyager Academy High School will undergo training to launch the “Say Something Anonymous Reporting System” (SS-ARS). This program 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. The link below provides additional information about the program.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10jTdrq3TrdwlnCV-HahPuwcQfRbyraZq5qrAq91p6Os/edit?usp=sharing
Raising Resilient Children
The pandemic, social distancing and isolation puts a strain on our families. How do we help our children to manage their feelings and become resilient in dealing with this on-going stress? In this interactive workshop, parents and caregivers learn how to cultivate children’s ability to: express feelings appropriately; build a positive outlook; develop coping skills; and deal with stressful life events.
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/
Promoting good health for life: Public service announcement
In Ms. Kehoe's class students became advocates for healthy behaviors and risky health behaviors of their choice. Here you will find public service announcements from her Health/Phys. Ed. students, covering personal behaviors and personal hygiene such as, staying hydrated and the effects of smoking cigarettes. For example…
(click here for printable copy)
(click here for printable copy)
(click here for a printable copy)
Hey Vikings--Are you eating mineral rich foods?
Ms. Kehoe's Strength and Conditioning 1 students explored nutrition and identified vitamins and minerals to incorporate into your diet on a daily basis. After the unit concluded, students created an informative brochure or poster of a mineral in order to help other students and faculty receive more information about what these minerals are, why they should be included in your diet and what food sources to consume in order to get the daily requirement needed. Here is an example of an informative brochure addressing phosphorus by one of our fellow students.
(click here for a printable copy)
(click here for a printable copy)
Need a Quick Workout?
In Ms. Kehoe's Health/Physical Education class, students learned about the importance of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and how they can incorporate this type of workout into their daily physical activity. At the end of the unit, they had to create their own workout and become the class fitness instructor as they led their peers through the different exercises.
So, if you are bored of your current workout routine and need a change or are strapped for time, here is a HIIT workout from one of our fellow students.
(click here for a .pdf version)
Stress is Busted in Ms. Kehoe’s Health/Phys. Ed. class!
In Ms. Kehoe's Health/Physical Education classes students learned about exactly what stress is, how it affects the body and various coping strategies to reduce and/or prevent it. At the end of the unit, students had to create a "Stress Buster" video discussing these various topics. Below are a couple examples from some of my students.
If you are struggling to deal with stress in a healthy manner, take a listen!
- Stress Buster Video - P. Farrish
- Stress Buster Video - N. Desai
How Teens Across the Country Are Staying Mentally Healthy
Click here for a great article about how teens across the U.S. a staying mentally healthy.
How CFNC (College Foundation of N.C.) can help you plan, apply, and pay for college
Any student or parent who missed the live CFNC webinar is invited to view the recorded version: https://youtu.be/hq1XpNAuH9I
Additional resources include these two new "how-to" videos:
1. How to Create Your CFNC account - https://youtu.be/S0L0_OeM67E
2. How to Use CFNC Career Tools - https://youtu.be/jKlk17y53J0
Take community college courses at Durham Tech. while at VAHS: How to attend an information session
Information Sessions are now available to Juniors and seniors who are interested in taking dual enrollment courses at Durham Tech. Community College during the second semester. Attending a virtual information session is the first step in this enrollment process. Please visit
https://www.durhamtech.edu/dual-enrollment to find out more and register for an Information session. Also, see the slides below to meet the Durham Tech. College liaison with Durham Tech. at Voyager.
High School Class Rings and Graduation Products
Herff Jones is your one-stop shop to designing your high school class ring and graduation caps, gowns, gifts and accessories. www.highschool.herffjones.com
Stay Up-to-the-Minute on Your Child’s Progress: Become a “Parent Observer” on His/Her Canvas Account
Click here to become an “Observer” in your child’s Canvas account. Once there, you can set it up to receive notifications about upcoming assignments, and grades just entered, keeping you updated on progress, daily.
Students Must Regularly Check Their Voyager Academy Email Accounts
Voyager Academy High School strives to make all students career and college ready. Good email communication skills are essential for a student to experience that success.
Parents, please remind your students to check their VAHS student emails often. This account is set up so that the staff can readily communicate with the students through a secure server. Also please remind your students to use their VAHS email account when emailing teachers as many times their personal emails do not contain their names or are inappropriate and we do not know who is contacting us in regards to an assignment or question.
Remote Learning Tips for Parents: How to Help Your Child be Successful in a Remote Learning Setting (see full article here)
Create a learning space for your child.
Make a schedule and stick to it.
Reduce distractions.
Use a calendar and color-code it. Use an electronic calendar if possible, like Google, or Canvas.
Stay in touch with your child's teacher.
Get plenty of exercise.
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, sorted by student’s graduation year.
VAHS Counseling Department Blog
Please be sure to check the VAHS Counseling Department blog frequently. The blog provides news, information, and opportunities for VAHS students and parents all in one convenient location. Topics range from Career/College Counseling and Application Support to Summer Programs and Opportunities. Check it out!
CLICK HERE FOR THE VAHS COUNSELING DEPT. BLOG
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). See subscription instructions below, sorted by student’s graduation year.
For parents of class of 2021:
In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahsp21
For parents of class of 2022:
In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahsp22
For parents of class of 2023:
In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahsp23
For parents of class of 2024:
In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahsp24
OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION
FOR AND ABOUT VAHS
Voyager Academy Academic Calendar
The Voyager Academy High School Website
The Voyager Academy Athletics Website
Important Dates