VAES Family Update:
Black History Month: Voyager Academy Elementary will be celebrating Black History Month during the month of February. Grade levels will be highlighting people, places and events through books, video clips, and special projects.
Reading Buddies: Voyager Elementary is partnering with the National Honor Society students to begin a reading buddies program. The NHS students will be zooming into K-3 classes to read with our students. I am sure our students will love spending time with our high school students.
Parent Enrichment Night: Voyager Academy is proud to announce a Parent Enrichment Night is coming your way. Mark your calendar for February 11. More details will be provided in the near future.
Science Olympiad: Way to go elementary students. We have over 20 elementary students who are participating in the annual Science Olympiad Event this year. Great things are happening and the students are learning so much. Their competition is coming up on March 20th. We wish them the best of luck!
Elementary Social Event: Do you enjoy singing? Or maybe you enjoy watching other people sing? Then join us for Zoom Karaoke on Thursday, February 4th from 2:45-3:15. Contact Melissa Meckes with any questions (mmeckes@voyageracademy.net). Here is the link:
Topic: February Elementary Student Social - Karaoke
Time: Feb 4, 2021 02:45 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98034053407?pwd=QW9BUklOUElnR09NSjZrd2ZIMXlwdz09
Meeting ID: 980 3405 3407
Passcode: bB5r87
Community Project: It is always a good thing to pull up our sleeves and help others. Voyager Academy is working on a community service project for K-12 students and families. This project will take place during the month of February. Begin thinking now, how you can help make a positive difference.
Lottery Application: The new year brings the opening of our application process for admission for the 2021 -2022 school year. 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. Thank you for assisting us as we spread the word about our amazing school.
Report Cards: The second VAES Report Card will be issued to families on February 22, 2021. The grading period will end on February 17, 2021.
Mid-Year Math Assessment: During the month of February and March, each grade level will be hosting a mid-year math assessment for all students. The teachers will share the details of this with their class. We want to get a basic idea of where we are and what math concepts your child has mastered.
February Virtual Assembly: The elementary school staff is at it again. We will be hosting “You’ve Got Talent” Virtual Assembly on Thursday, February 25. Our staff members will be showcasing some of their various skills and talents and we will be challenging students to share their skills and talents with us. I guarantee this event will make you smile!
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.com, and registration can be completed using this Registration Form
Substitute Teachers Needed: As we prepare for our return to school, we need to increase our substitute teacher list. If you are a Voyager parent and you would be willing to discuss subbing for the elementary school, please email Mrs. Graves at jgraves@voyageracademy.net. We need YOU to make our reopening plan a reality.
Greenlight App: It is imperative that all Voyager families set up the Greenlight App. 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
Greenlight Directions Video #2
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.
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
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.com, and registration can be completed using this Registration Form
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 (Click Here)