GO VIKINGS GO!
In this issue...
- VAHS Begins In-person Classes on March 16
- Yearbook Pictures for Grades 9-11
- Virtual College Fair, Feb. 23rd
- Hey Seniors: Class of 2021 Drive Thru Breakfast! (Feb. 19
- Hey Juniors: You Must for Your Junior/Counselor Planning Meeting
- Hey Parents: Supplies Needed!
- Hey Seniors and Parents: CFNC Financial Aid FAQ
- Leadership Opportunity for Female Students
- Senior Cap and Gown Orders
- Important Yearbook Info.
- Buy a Senior Ad in the Yearbook!
- Got Zoomitis? Re-Connect! Join an Extra-Curricular Club at VAHS
- Freshman Lunch Bunch
- Free Academic Assistance: Our Community Partnership with Student U
- Free Personalized Mentorship For High School Students
- FREE TUTORING From National Honor Society Tutors/Viking Buddies
- DRIVERS EDUCATION CLASS: Registration and Details
- Substitute Teachers Needed
- ACTION NEEDED: Directions and links to set up your Greenlight Account (The new morning check-in screener for entering the school)
- Job Opportunity at Voyager Academy
- Seniors Need to Order Caps and Gowns A.S.A.P.
- FREE TUTORING: National Honor Society Tutors/Viking Buddies Back In Business
- Virtual Driver Education classes information
- Science Olympiad Competition Team – Signup now open
- COLLEGE, CAREER, & GRADUATION
- Scholarship Money for SECU Members
- Scholarship Opportunities for Seniors
- College Board opportunity Scholarships
- Durham Tech. Information Sessions for Seniors
- 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.
- Ordering 2021 graduation items like caps and gowns/Class Rings.
- 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 High School Athletics Update
- Important dates.
--------------------------------------------------
VAHS Begins In Person Classes on Tuesday March 16
VAHS begins the hybrid model of instruction on March 16.
Please click here for all procedures and details about Spring hybrid instruction
Yearbook Pictures for Grades 9-11
Strawbridge Studios will be at Voyager High School on February 17 and February 24 to take yearbook pictures for grades 9-11. Students must sign up for an appointment through this Sign Up Genius link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C4BAEAE2FA3FE3-110321
Click here for a flyer with all of the various packages that you can purchase.
Students must abide by social distancing guidelines, only one student will be allowed in the photo room at a time. All other students, parents, etc must wait outside of the school. All students MUST wear a mask (will take it off for your picture) and show the Greenlight Covid Screening Application (High School - activate account here: https://glit.me/go/voyager-high) upon entering the school. Students should come fully dressed and ready to take their picture and leave the building directly after.
The following link will allow parents to sign up to receive updates via email regarding their child's school portraits. https://strawbridge.fotomerchanthv.com/clients/voyager-high-school/fall-pictures-2-17-2021-4/optIn . These updates include promotions, additional deals and the ability to order more pictures at a later time. When entering student information, parents should be sure to enter the student's name as it is on file at the school.
Virtual College Fair, Feb. 23rd
College Board is hosting virtual events for high school students to connect directly with college admissions representatives and take action on the most important steps for college. BigFuture Days Southeast will take place on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 from 5:00-9:00 PM ET/2:00-6:00 PM PT. Be sure to look up your local timezone. Many Admissions reps from UNC System Schools will be in attendance.
If you are unsure about a college, you can check out their website, social media properties, or profile page on BigFuture.
For more information about what to do before BigFuture Days Southeast, visit this page. https://pages.collegeboard.org/big-future-days/before-big-future-day
You’ll be able to connect with admissions representatives and current college students from the following schools and more!
Hey Seniors: The Class of 2021 Drive Thru Breakfast! (2/19/21)
All Seniors are invited to attend the Drive Through Chick Fil A Breakfast at VAHS on 2/19/21 from 8:30-9:15. A VAHS Senior Facemask will be provided to each senior who attends!
Click here for more about Senior Masks!
Hey Juniors: Junior/Counselor Planning Meetings
Juniors are encouraged to schedule a meeting with Ms. O'Kane for an individual planning meeting. Parents are welcome to attend or to discuss a recap of the meeting with their students at home.
Topics to be covered include:
• High school reflection and transcript review
• Planning for senior courses
• College and career planning tips
Sign Up for a meeting here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C44A5A62AA5F58-juniorcounselor1
Hey Parents: Supplies Needed!
Hi Parents! We are looking forward to students coming back to the high school building in March! It's been very very quiet inside the building.
We currently have classrooms stocked with sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer, Kleenex, gloves, etc. As you can assume, when students are in the building we will be going through these supplies very quickly! If you are able to donate a container of sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer, paper towels, or Kleenex, we would greatly appreciate it! Please contact Amey Hendriks with any questions. ahendriks@voyageracademy.net
Thank you!!
Hey Seniors and Parents: CFNC Financial Aid FAQ
Seniors and Parents can find useful information about Financial Aid for college and completing the FAFSA on this informative CFNC website.
https://www.cfnc.org/pay-for-college/college-financing-resources/financial-aid-faq/
Leadership Opportunity for Female Students
WISER is an international NGO that supports girls in Muhuru Bay, Kenya by providing them with a safe environment to learn and become empowered women (www.wisergirls.org).
WISER Duke, wants to instill the same principles of the importance of women’s education and empowerment to the young women of the greater Triangle Area community. They are inviting girls from VAHS to the annual LeadWISER Conference. At this conference, young women will hear from several prominent women on Duke campus and participate in activities that will promote women’s empowerment, offering these girls important skills to be successful in high school, college and beyond.
The conference will take place virtually via Zoom on Saturday, March 6th, and more details will be provided later. If you are interested in participating in the conference, please let Ms. O'Kane know as soon as possible.
Senior Cap and Gown Orders
Please see the following message from Herff Jones about cap and gown ordering:
MAKE PAYMENTS or PLACE YOUR ORDER at:
https://highschool.herffjones.com/secom/home
Please click on the link below for important Cap & Gown information. Immediate attention recommended for a virtual experience:
* If you have already placed your graduation order and have a balance due, please make your final payment ASAP in order to receive your supplies at the delivery date which is to be announced soon!
For Questions:
cwieczorek@herffjones.com
(336) 228-7770
Important Yearbook Info.
The 2021 Expedition (VAHS Yearbook) has a website. Take a look to learn more about how YOU can send in your photos for the school yearbook. You can also find other information such as:
-Senior Ads
-Underclassmen Photos
-Topics were are researching
-How to buy a book
Click here: https://sites.google.com/voyageracademy.net/vahs-yearbook-2021/home
Buy a Senior Ad in the Yearbook!
Senior Ads for the 2021 yearbook are on sale now! Visit the Yearbook site for more info. https://sites.google.com/voyageracademy.net/vahs-yearbook-2021/home
Got Zoomitis? Re-Connect! Join an Extra-Curricular Club at VAHS
Gamers Club, Spanish Club, Visual Arts Club, Yoga Club, Service Club, Science Olympiad, and more… VAHS has a host of extra-curriculuar clubs and student organizations for students. Even given the restrictions of the COVID environment, VAHS is trying to make these work to the greatest extent possible. Click here to learn more about our clubs, and to see who to contact.
Freshman Lunch Bunch
All Freshman are invited to attend the Freshman Lunch Bunch Group on Wednesdays from 12:00-12:30. Sophomore group leaders guide discussions and fun games for all. Bring a friend and get connected!
Free Acdemic Assistance: Our Community Partnership with Student U
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)
Free Personalized Mentorship For High School Students
Area Youth Ministry (AYM) is now serving high school students in RTP. College graduate mentors are providing free, personalized mentorship to current high school students. They are offering various 3 week tracks on topics such as: College Essentials, Next-Level Leadership, Finding Identity, Community Service, or even just life advice. The first kick off event is on January 16th. Anyone who attends the even is entered in a raffle for a $25 Amazon gift card. Please see the website for information about the event and how to sign up for one of their amazing mentor programs!
https://northcarolinayouth.wordpress.com/
FREE TUTORING From National Honor Society Tutors/Viking Buddies
The NHS is excited to be "virtually" back in full swing this year (although we miss seeing each other in person) and going strong! We are starting to plan some events for the upcoming school year. The NHS is most excited to have the tutoring/buddy program back up and running. We have sent out links to your child's teachers for them to request tutors. But in addition, this year we are also providing a link for parents to request tutors for their children!
We all know that these are trying times and we are glad to be able to help with anything from homework to studying for a test. Maybe your student could just benefit from talking to a peer and would like to sign up for a Viking Buddy to talk to through the day, who can give some tips on time management or test taking strategies.
Please click here to request tutoring from NHS!
DRIVERS EDUCATION CLASS: Registration and Details
Virtual Driver Education Class offered by Jordan Driving School of the Carolinas
February 15th – February 26th
Monday - Friday - Time: 6:00 PM
This Driver Education class is a module-based virtual class.
There are 11 modules (Chapters) with quizzes and tests and a final exam.
On the above dates, students will meet with the instructor each day at 6P for an hour.
To qualify for Driver Education:
Student must be 14.5 yrs. old on the first day of class
Complete the 30-hr. classroom
Pass the required DMV vision check - scheduled date/time/location TBD
Drive the 6-hrs. of BTW (behind the wheel) with one of our instructors
Once the above qualifications are met, when 15 yrs. old, students can go for their NC Learner's Permit.
To register and details, please complete the contract: DE Registration
Our Safety Protocol during COVID:
We are practicing full safety precautions as required by the state and we have implemented some of our own.
For the in-car driving sessions:
Instructors and students are required to wear masks.
Windows cracked, weather permitting.
Sanitizing of the car between students
Social distancing when out of the car.
Temperature checks
Everyone's health and wellbeing are priorities.
If families decide to delay the driving, no one will be penalized or under pressure.
Jordan Driving School of the Carolinas looks forward to working with your teen!
Substitute Teachers Needed
Voyager Academy is always in need of good substitute teachers. If you are interested in subbing at Voyager Academy (any grade), please email Ms. Dodson at ldodson@voyageracademy.net.
Advanced Placement Environmental Science: Life Cycle of a Scrunchie!
The AP Environmental students have been learning about environmental, health, and economic impacts. We started out the semester by reviewing the story of The Lorax. As you probably remember, the story shows how the production of "thneeds" required deforestation and also seemed to produce a great deal of waste (which impacted local ecosystems). Eventually, the trees were depleted and there were no more raw materials to produce "thneeds". The moral of the story is that when we use materials from the environment our goal should always be use them sustainably (and with as little impact as possible). As a culminating project, AP ES students chose a product that they use and created a life cycle analysis (LCA). This analysis required them to look at the raw materials, production, transportation, and disposal of the item they chose and assess the benefits and costs. I was really proud of how great these projects turned out! Here is one created by Mackenzie T. that will show you the life cycle of the scrunchie:)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p2V152d9v8HUb5OtX4d92-mTN6odK0bj/view?usp=sharing
ACTION NEEDED: Directions and links to set up your Greenlight Account (The new morning check-in screener for entering the school)
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.
High School - activate account here:
https://glit.me/go/voyager-high
Directions and a step by step video of how to install and use the Greenlight App can be found here. GreenLight Directions Video ; Greenlight Directions Video #2
Job Opportunity at Voyager Academy
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 Olympiad Competition Team – Signup Now Open
Voyager’s Science Olympiad teams compete in science related events against other schools. We begin preparing in the fall and compete in the spring. Examples of event topics include: forensics, cryptanalysis, astronomy, virtual builds in CAD, oceanography, circuits, fossils, genetics, engineering and geologic mapping to name a few! If you are interested in science, this is the team for YOU! More information about the team can be found in this PRESENTATION. If you are interested in joining the team, please fill out this INTEREST FORM so that we can send you the team signup when it opens. For questions, please email Kristin Jantz at scienceolympiadteam@voyageracademy.net
Scholarship Money for SECU Members
SECU Foundation established the People Helping People four-year scholarship program to help North Carolina public high school students attend college. SECU Foundation takes an active role in assisting communities across North Carolina and truly believes in “People Helping People!” Three graduating seniors attending a North Carolina regular public charter high school will each receive one (1) scholarship valued at $10,000 to attend one of the 16 constituent campuses of the University of North Carolina System. Although the SECU Foundation Scholarship program wishes to recognize academic achievement,
the People Helping People Scholarship has a much broader purpose; recognizing leadership, integrity and community involvement.
https://www.cfnc.org/pay-for-college/scholarship-search/state-employees-credit-union-foundation-people-helping-people-scholarship-high-school-scholarship-program/
Please see the VAJS Counseling Blog or the attached Eligibility Criteria. Contact Ms. O'Kane for more information and an application. Applications must be submitted by 3/26/21.
Scholarship Opportunities for Seniors
See below some great scholarship opportunities. Deadline for these is March 1, 2021
Achievement Scholarship for Refugees & Immigrants of Wake County, Up to $16,000
Benjamin F. Ward Scholarship, $10,000
Elizabeth Marie Roberts Scholarship, $8,000
Felicia Brewer Opportunity Scholarship, Up to $80,000
GSK Opportunity Scholarship, Up to $20,000
Jason and Jessica Evans Memorial Scholarship, $4,000
Jay Spence Memorial Scholarship, $8,000
Joseph Nystrom Working Student Scholarship, Up to $16,000
Juanita McNeil West End Scholarship, $2,000
NC American Indian Fund Scholarship, $1,000
Richard Whitted Scholarship, $1,000
Triangle Scholarship Fund, $10,000
Umesh and Usha Gulati Scholarship, $2,500
Van and Luella Thomas Family Scholarship, $1,000
William L. Wall Family Scholarship, $4,000
Click here for more information, and to see how to apply.
College Board opportunity Scholarships
A Clearer Path to College for All Students...
Applying to college is a complicated process, so the College Board has created a program that guides students through it. This scholarship program is open to all students and it doesn't require an essay, application, or minimum GPA. Instead, it rewards efforts and initiative. Students complete key steps al ong the path to college for a chance to earn scholarships. Watch a short video ans see the resources with details below to get started! https://youtu.be/2CPku32bj5I
Click here for more information.
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.
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.
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 @df2ah6
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