Hello Middle School Parents,
Wow, I can not believe that we have completed the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year. Even with all the ups and downs, it has been a terrific semester. The students have put forth much effort and have been very successful this first semester. Parents, you have also put forth much effort to ensure your child/ren, our students completed and turned in assignments as well as pushed your children to zoom into their class periods. Our Voyager Middle School Staff has been fabulous as they have provided quality instruction to each of our students. Our teachers have created relationships with the students so that the students know their teachers might push them but that their teachers truly care about them. It has been a different type of semester but we have made it!
What a fun assembly the middle school had this morning. A huge thank you to our elective teachers for all they did to make sure our students had a fun morning. Hopefully you were also able to enjoy the show!
December 7, 2020 Town Hall Return-to-School Slide Presentation
Please click here for the slide show presented at the Dec. 7 Town Hall about returning to school in January. I’m including again just in case you need the information.
MS Town Hall Follow-Up
During the Town Hall meeting on December 7, we had a few questions needing additional clarification. You should have received an email from me this week through School Messenger providing you with several questions and the answer to the questions. I appreciate hearing from many of you sharing that the question and answer document was helpful!
HYBRID PROCEDURES MANUAL: I know the procedural manual was part of last week’s newsletter but I am leaving the link in this newsletter just in case you missed it last week. There is much information in the manual that you will need beginning January 19th which is the day we plan to have students in the building. Hybrid Procedures Manual
Back to School
Remember that we return to school on January 4. It is an asynchronous learning remote day as our teachers have a workday. January 15 is also an asynchronous day. There is no school on January 18 as it is Martin Luther King Jr Day and a holiday for our school. On January 19, our students who are continuing to be remote will be remote. Our Cohort A students will return to school in person. Our Cohort B students will zoom into their class. Wednesdays will continue as they are now---teachers working with small groups, conferences being requested, team meetings taking place, teachers working 1-1 with students, etc. .
School Supplies
Students will need to bring their school supplies to school. Book bags are permitted and should only have supplies and notebook/folders in the book bag. School supplies should be stored in a plastic pencil box or zipper pencil bag to help transport the supplies and maintain their personal supplies. Students will not be allowed to share their materials with other students. If students do not have the necessary materials, the teacher will have materials to give the students needing supplies. Students will use their personal supplies throughout the entire day. Lockers will not be available for student use at any time during the day.
Recess
Students will not be allowed to share computers, phones, equipment nor musical instruments. Recess and physical education activities will be modified or structured to promote proper physical distancing. This time will be designed to give students the opportunity to exercise in the safest manner possible. Activities will be scheduled and organized. Students will not be able to share play equipment. There will be no team or game play where student contact is needed. Walking and running are permitted with social distancing. Students will be supervised at all times and will follow the directions of the teacher in order to remain outside. Masks will need to be worn during recess and students must maintain social distancing. Students in grades 4-5 may use the climbing equipment on the playground but must be 6ft from their classmates. Students should use hand sanitizer after playing or climbing on any play structure.
Toy Drive:
What can I say about our Toy Drive other than YOU did it again. The Voyager Community supported our National Junior Honor Society in the most giving manner. It took 3 full vehicles to deliver all the donated toys. Based on what Mr. Owen, Mrs. Weber, and Ms. Green shared, the Durham Rescue Mission workers were totally overwhelmed with all that was delivered to them. THANK YOU for all of your support and making our Toy Drive a success!
Before and After Care – Now Hiring
Voyager Academy is seeking enthusiastic positive role models to fill open positions in the Before and After school programs for grades K-8. The part-time shifts are Monday-Friday 6:30am-8:30am & 3:00pm-6:00pm beginning mid January 2021. Applicants must be 18years old. You can apply online at https://nc.teachermatch.org/applyteacherjob.do?jobId=485603
For more information contact the Operations Manager, Patrice Johnson at pjohnson@voyageracademy.net.
Science Projects
Our 7th grade students have been hard at work creating their projects related to Cells. Each student used their creativity and knowledge to create projects that are outstanding. I know much was learned regarding cells.
I have never seen a Gingerbread House quite like this one. Max is one of our 4th graders who created this awesome Gingerbread House. I had the opportunity to listen to Max as he described his house, all the components of the house, all the items on land and all the items in the sea along with what he used to create his Gingerbread House. Great job, Max and thanks for allowing me to share!
GREENLIGHT
During the Town Hall meetings we discussed the importance of better measuring our Voyager specific COVID related metrics to improve our decision making about school reopening plans. Through our collaboration with Duke and Greenlight Ed we have access to a health screening app that will provide another measure utilized to support our reopening decision process. The ability to monitor the staff and students that have become positive or are under quarantine will assist us with determining if we need to pivot to remote learning or if can continue to stay the course with our reopening plans for January 19, 2021. Voyager staff have already registered and are participating. We need all families to join as well so that we can complete our health screening process efficiently and measure the reopening readiness for the Voyager community. Additional information about the Greenlight app can be found in the K-12 Town Hall presentation below.
Please set up your Greenlight account today and complete the survey daily for each child even while your children are learning remotely. We will use this data and input to ensure we are ready for reopening safely. The links to set up your account are below.
ACTION NEEDED: Directions and links to set up your Greenlight Account
Setting up your account is simple. Select the link below and enter the email address you use to receive Voyager newsletters. Families with multiple children can select any school their children attend. Once your account is set up you will see all of your children associated with your account and be able to complete the daily health screening for each of them. After you complete your first survey you will see the Greenlight pass cleared indication. We will have students select that option to show the larger pass during car line for screening along with their temperature check. Each student will be able to show their Greenlight pass to ensure they are healthy and can attend school. The app also provides support for families that need access to health care, testing, or additional community resources. Please select the link below to set up your family account now.
Elementary School - activate account here: https://glit.me/go/voyager-elementary
Middle School- activate account here: https://glit.me/go/voyager-middle
High School - activate account here: https://glit.me/go/voyager-high
Carline Number - Very Important
You should receive an email to provide you with your child’s car line number. The car line number that you receive will be used during afternoon carline. If your child was at Voyager during 2019-2020, the car line number will be the same as in the past. If your child is new to Voyager, the 4 digit number you received is your child’s 4 digit number that will be used for dismissal each day. On the first day of carline, the MS will provide you with a piece of blue cardstock. You will need to write the names of all of your children on the cardstock and write their carline number beside each student’s name. Again, we will provide you with a piece of blue cardstock. Some of you may have your blue card from last year! We need you to display your sign on the right side of your dashboard as this will help our staff who are outside monitoring the dismissal process. This is done daily.
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. Apply to Student H Here
Stay healthy and safe – Practice the 3 W’s: 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. Masks will need to be workworn except when eating lunch.
REMIND Text: Thanks to those of you who signed up!
4th Grade-In the“To” section of the text type 81010 and in the message type @6agbha.
5th Grade-In the“To” section of the text type 81010 and in the message type @eh9f6kb.
6th Grade -In the“To” section of the text type 81010 and in the message type @beeh8h.
7th Grade - In the“To” section of the text type 81010 and in the message type @cak43k.
8th Grade -In the”To” section of the text type 81010 and in the message type @8cg9ch
DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR:
The Holiday Season is upon us and I hope you and your family have the opportunity to spend time together. I hope you can have family conversations, play some fun games, enjoy meal time, and relax. No Zoom and No Google Classroom!!!
I want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to each and everyone of you! You have supported us in times that none of us could imagine. So many of you have asked “How may I help?” and “What do you need?” I can’t imagine what this journey would be like without all of you. I am truly blessed to be on a team with you and I appreciate each and every one of you!!!!!!!
I wish all of you a Happy Holiday and A Very Merry Christmas!
See you in January of 2021 ready to start a new chapter in the book!
Take Care,
Gwen