Dear Voyager Community,
I anticipated opening my first newsletter of 2021 with all the optimism and hope that I feel with each new year. Unfortunately, I write the first weekly newsletter of 2021 with a very heavy heart. We have closed the book on 2020 but the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge. North Carolina has just had two record breaking days of over 10,000 new cases and the positive tests in the state have increased to 13.9%. And sadly, the state has had over 7,000 deaths due to the coronavirus. Many in our school community have recently been impacted as well, causing heightened concern about the pandemic and our plans to reopen on January 19, 2021. Families, students, and staff were all sent a survey yesterday to gather updated feedback from our community. We do have hope and can take action to stay safe. Please remember to practice the 3 W’s (wear a face mask, wait 6 feet, and wash hands frequently) to protect yourself, your family, and our community. We are also grateful that the vaccine has become available and the process is now being implemented to help protect our community.
The start of the new year was also tainted by the horrific news that rocked our country to the core. It was shocking to witness an attack on the US Capitol as hundreds of Americans stormed the Capital. This event evokes intense emotions and reactions in all of us. Our country continues to be divided over politics, social justice, and equity for all. And while everyone may have different opinions and thoughts, it is critical for all of us to come together as a Viking community. I implore all of us as parents and educators to demonstrate in our actions and words what we want our children and students to learn. It is our hope to create a safe, inclusive learning community. It is our responsibility to help children feel safe and to teach them how to engage with others of differing viewpoints in a peaceful, tolerant, and respectful manner. Our school student support team has provided additional resources below the newsletter to help you talk with your child about what occurred this week at the Capitol.
Our children are the hope to bring about change for a better world. Inspiring lifelong learning in every Viking is our vision. Learning and active engagement continues throughout all grades as Voyager students and staff work together virtually. While it doesn’t replace in person instruction, we are seeing tremendous growth in our students academically, socially, and emotionally. Thank you for continuing to encourage your child to be an active participant in the remote learning process. Please have them take advantage of the opportunity for office hours with their teacher if support is needed. Progress reports for elementary students, and report cards for middle school and high school students will be sent out next week.
Please know that we are all here to support your child grow, learn, and find their passion. 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:
Jan 04-Jan 15- mClass Assessments for K-3
Jan 8 - 8th Grade Career Talk
Jan 11 - HS Virtual Open House
Jan 12 - Reopening Task Force Meeting
Jan 13 - HS Transition - Info Session for Current 8th Graders
Jan 15 - Remote Learning Day - Teacher Workday
Jan 18 - Martin Luther King Day
Jan 19 - Hybrid Reopening - Cohort A start
Jan 21 - Hybrid Reopening = Cohort B start
Jan 22 - 8th Grade Career Talk
Jan 26 - EOC Make-ups
Jan 28 - EC 8th Grade HS Transition Night - 6 pm
Jan 28 - Board Meeting
Feb 17- End of second grading period for K-3
Feb 23 - ACT to all 11th graders
Student Support Resources in Response to Events at the Capitol
Responding to Events at the United States Capitol
The events at the U.S. Capitol evoked intense emotions and reactions from us all. We hope that you are able to acknowledge and process these intense feelings. As members of the Viking family, please listen, support, and encourage one another. As parents, caregivers, and educators, it is our responsibility to help children feel safe and to teach them how to engage with others of differing viewpoints in a peaceful, tolerant, and respectful manner. As children look to us for guidance, below are ways to help them make sense of it all.
Resources
Helping Kids Understand the Riots at the Capitol - Child Mind Institute
Younger kids are unlikely to understand what’s happening on TV, but they may pick up on your anxiety. The news is disturbing but you can help insulate kids by keeping your cool.
- Stay calm as you explain what’s going on. If you need to, take a quiet minute to yourself before talking with your children. If you need to vent your frustrations or other feelings, do it when the kids are in bed.
- Use developmentally appropriate language to answer little kids’ questions: “Sometimes adults, like kids, get very emotional and do things they shouldn’t. A lot of people got very angry because of the election results. They wanted to show that they were angry, which is okay, but the things they did were not okay.”
- Reassure kids who may have seen disturbing images of violence on TV that they’re safe.
- Emphasize the positive, too: “Our representatives knew it was very important to continue doing their work, so they went back into the building to finish, even if it took all night! This shows how important our elections are.”
Older kids may have some understanding of what’s going on and feel anxious or scared. Modeling a calm, rational response and helping them talk through any fears or worries they have can help.
- Give kids a chance to tell you what they saw and ask questions. It’s important to get a sense of what they’re thinking.
- Validate their feelings: “I totally understand why this feels scary. Let’s talk about it.”
- Let them know that if anything, the response to this unrest proves the government is working as it should, not the other way around.
- Check in with kids frequently.
- Limit exposure to news. Instead, keep routines in place and try doing something as a family like taking a walk, baking a cake, or making art. Anything that helps keep everyone calm and distracted.
For teenagers and young adults, using this as an opportunity to talk about their own rights and responsibilities can be helpful.
- Let them know that it’s normal to be angry, sad or frightened when witnessing injustice. Especially for teens who were involved in the Black Lives Matter protests, seeing this situation unfold may be very upsetting.
- Discuss appropriate ways for teens to channel their emotions and fight for what they believe in, no matter their politics. Can they get involved in community organizations? Raise money or volunteer for a cause they care about?
- Talking about their own media consumption can also give young adults a sense of control and safety. Where do they get their news? How do they know what information to trust? When do they give themselves space from the news?
How to Talk to Kids about Scary News - HuffPost
- Be mindful of news exposure
- Talk about what’s going on
- Ask open questions
- Keep it age-appropriate
- Validate their feelings
- Ensure them they’re safe
- Make it a teachable moment
- Focus on the positive
Psychological First Aid for Students and Teachers - Ready
- Listen: The first important step to help your students after an event is to listen and pay attention to what they say and how they act.
- Protect: Answer questions simply and honestly, clearing up confusion students may have about what happened. Talk to your students about what is being done by the school and community to keep everyone safe from harm.
- Connect: Reaching out to people in your school and community will help your students: “Check in” with students on a regular basis, find resources that can offer support to your students and classroom, keep communication open with others involved in your students’ lives (parents, other teachers, coaches, etc.).
Helping Children Cope
- Try to keep routines as normal as possible. Kids gain security from the predictability of routine, including school.
- Limit exposure to television, news and social media.
- Be honest with kids and share with them as much information as they are developmentally able to handle. Do not answer questions that have not been asked.
- Listen to kids’ fears and concerns.
- Refer students who are triggered by or struggling with recent events to the school counselor and/or school social worker.
Additional Resources
- Caring for Students in the Wake of a Traumatic News Event
- NASP Guidance for Ensuring Student Well-Being in the Context of the 2020 Election
Reopening Plans
Voyager is prepared and ready to be operational for safe in-person remote learning on January 19, 2021. However, we have heard a great deal of concern from staff and families regarding the reopening plan set for January 19th because there has been such a surge in COVID-19 cases. Student and staff safety remains our top priority. It is critical for our staff and families to feel safe and willing to return to the classroom in order for effective engaged instruction to happen with the in-person hybrid model. We are fully aware of the varied viewpoints on this issue from families as well as staff and we continue to strive to be flexible to meet the needs of all. Surveys were sent out to all families, students (4th-8th grade), and staff to get an update on their current thoughts regarding returning to in-person learning. The Reopening Task Force will also be meeting next week along with our leadership team to review all survey data along with the latest COVID data and metrics. I will continue to keep the school community apprised of any updates to the current reopening plan.
Applications for 2021 – 2022 School Year – Now Open
The application process is open for admission for the 2021 -2022 school year. It is important to remember that siblings of currently enrolled students interested in attending Voyager next year must also submit an application in order to be considered for admission. Applications are being accepted online through the SchoolMint system.
Please share our website and marketing materials with families that may be interested in learning more about Voyager Academy. Feel free to post on your social media accounts as well to encourage your friends to apply. The application period opens on January 1 and closes on February 28, 2021. We are scheduling a virtual information session for prospective families on February 9, 2021. We are also planning an information session on January 13, 2021 for current Voyager 8th graders and their parents to discuss the high school transition and share information about academic, athletic, and extracurricular opportunities available at Voyager High School.
Virtual Tour -
The link below will take you directly to a virtual tour of each of our school buildings along with drone footage of our campus. This will provide prospective families with a good sense of our incredible facilities since they will not be able to tour in person. The virtual tour will allow you to walk through the buildings and get a 360-degree view. The navigation menu will also allow direct access to each of the rooms on the tour.
Greenlight App -
We have partnered with Duke and Greenlight Ed to complete our daily health screening to ensure our school. 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/
Middle School- activate account here: https://glit.me/go/
High School - activate account here: https://glit.me/go/
Account set up questions should be directed to help@greenlightready.com
The app is not yet in the app store so you can't just download it at this time. The developer is currently waiting for approval from Apple. Once you set up your account you can send the link https://app.greenlightready.
Videos to Help you set up your account and add it to the home screen on your phone
Here is a link to a video that walks through registering for Greenlight:
Greenlight Video from Claire –instructions to add Greenlight to your home screen on your phone
For iPhone users:
https://www.macrumors.com/how-
For Android users:
https://www.howtogeek.com/
Questions regarding setting up your account should be directed to help@greenlightready.com. Once your account is set up you can also use their chat feature.
Biogen and MIT Speaker Series for HS and MS Students
Biogen and the Lemelson-MIT group are proud to introduce the BIOGEN COMMUNITY LAB: SPEAKER SERIES THE THIRD WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH
Please join on the third Wednesday of each month from 4pm – 5pm EST as we present a brand new, free virtual speaker series! Each session will host a different professional within the biotechnology community to discuss topics such as inventions, innovation and much more.
December 16th 4PM to 5PM EST The Next Frontier in Biomarkers, Imaging & Neuroscience!
Register Here: https://mit.zoom.us/
Biogen’s Vice President & Head, Biomarkers Center of Excellence, John Beaver
Stay healthy and safe – Practice the 3 W’s
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.
StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit (K-12)
Durham Public Health COVID Dashboard
Before and After Care – Now Hiring
Contact Patrice Johnson – pjohnson@voyageracadmy.net for details
Food and Nutrition Support for Families
Important Update: Food and nutrition support for families in need has been extended through June. From now until June 30, 2021, Durham County Public Schools will provide 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.
The students services team has compiled an additional list of resources which 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.