Voyager Academy High School News, Feb. 26, 2021

GO VIKINGS GO!


In this issue...


FEATURED

  • VAHS Begins In-person Classes on March 16

  • All Students Please Set Up This Account Now: Directions and links to set up your Greenlight Account (The new morning check-in screener for entering the school)

  • Student Parchment Accounts Needed (The Place Where Students Get Their Transcripts)

  • Student Socials and Parent Enrichment Sessions

  • Hey Juniors: You Must for Your Junior/Counselor Planning Meeting

  • Hey Seniors and Parents: CFNC Financial Aid FAQ

  • Leadership Opportunity for Female Students on March 6

  • Senior Cap and Gown Orders

  • Important Yearbook Info.

  • Buy a Senior Ad in the Yearbook!

STUDENT HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND CLUBS

  • Got Zoomitis? Re-Connect! Join an Extra-Curricular Club at VAHS

  • Freshman Lunch Bunch

  • Science Olympiad Competition Team – Signup now open

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

  • Free Tutoring From National Honor Society Tutors/Viking Buddies

  • Free Academic Assistance: Our Community Partnership with Student U

  • Free Personalized Mentorship For High School Students

  • Remote learning tips for parents: How to help your child be successful in a remote learning setting.

HELP NEEDED AT VAHS

  • Substitute Teachers Needed

  • Job Opportunity at Voyager Academy (Before/Afterschool Program)

  • Hey Parents: Supplies Needed!

COLLEGE, CAREER, & GRADUATION

  • Scholarship Money for SECU Members  

  • Scholarship Opportunities for Seniors

  • College Board opportunity Scholarships 

  • 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 an information session.

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.

  • 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.


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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 instructio.



All Students Please Set Up This Account Now: 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.

 

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 VideoGreenlight Directions Video #2


Student Parchment Accounts Needed (The Place Where Students Get Their Transcripts)

Parchment is the digital credential service used by VAHS. All students need Parchment  accounts to view and send official transcripts. Registration codes were sent to students this week that include easy instructions for creating their accounts. Once an account is made, students can view their transcripts, which is needed to consider course selections for next year.


Click here for the how-to guide


Student Socials and Parent Enrichment Sessions

Check out the updated calendar and flyers for Student Socials and Parent Enrichment Sessions.  Please note that our student socials have been moved to Wednesdays to ensure all students can attend. Join us next Wednesday, March 3rd for Freeze Dance!  Parents and guardians, we look forward to seeing you on Thursday, March 11th to discuss nutrition tips for your family. For more info…

 Student Socials/Parent Enrichment Flyer

March Student Social Flyer

March Parent Enrichment Flyer


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 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 on March 6

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:

CLICK ME!


* 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!   

(click here for flyer)




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



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!


Free Academic 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/



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.



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. 



Job Opportunity at Voyager Academy (Before/Afterschool Program)

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.


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!!



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.

Click here to apply.



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. 



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 VAHS Counselor’s Blog


The Voyager Academy Athletics Website




Important Dates


Dates

Events

March 3

Pre-ACT to all 10th graders

March 9

Mid term exams pds. 1 & 3

March 11

Mid term exams pds 2 & 4

March 12

Mid term make ups; End of first half of Spring Semester

March 15

Parent/teacher conferences

March 16

Cohort A reports to school

March 18

Cohort B reports to school

March 19

Report cards go out

April 2 - 12

Spring Break

April 12-23

ACT Workkeys Tests

May 3-14

AP Exams

May 18-26

Final Exams

May 26

Last day of school

May 27

Graduation


VOYAGER VIKING VALUES

CONFIDENCE   -   CURIOSITY   -   EMPATHY

REFLECTION   -   INTEGRITY