Hello Middle School Families,
THANK YOU middle school families. First it was awesome to see so many of you on Monday and/or Thursday. All of you who came to the middle school put smiles on the faces of all of us. I haven’t seen so much excitement since March of 2020. We truly appreciate the visits.
In addition to you driving through the car line, we want you to know how much we appreciate all the food you brought to school. The InterFaith Food Shuttle will be AMAZED when we deliver or they pick up. All of the food covers most of the middle school office. It’s very challenging to walk through the office and that’s a great problem to have. Again, THANK YOU for your visits and for your food donations! I hope we were able to Share the Love with all of you!
Spotlighting Amelia Fay!!!!!
The VFW sponsors an essay contest each year for middle school students called the Patriot's Pen. This year's topic was "What Is Patriotism to Me?" Amelia Fay, an 8th grader, entered this year's contest. She won the local competition and placed 2nd in the state competition. She will be honored with a small banquet presented by VFW Post 2740 in February. We are proud of and excited for Amelia. Congratulations, Amelia! From Mrs. Harris
“What is Patriotism to Me?”
Written by Amelia Fay
Patriotism is improving the country you call home. While this seems like a simple matter, there are many aspects to it. It is more than just waving a flag around; it is speaking out, putting the needs of others before your own, participating, and working towards unity.
Patriotism is speaking out for what is right. Looking at my home country, the United States, a great example of this with the Black Lives Matter movement occurring all over the nation. Citizens use this platform to oppose police brutality and improve policing systems. This represents true patriotism by speaking out for what you think is best for your country.
Patriotism is putting the needs of others before your own. This can be tough, but it is essential to helping your nation. With COVID-19, wearing a mask and socially distancing can keep our communities safe. Even if you are not directly affected by the Coronavirus, over 1.15 million people have died globally and that number is still rising. We all need to do our part as patriots and keep those who are vulnerable to the virus safe.
Patriotism is speaking out, sacrificing some of your time to do what is best, participating, and uniting together. Patriotism is what makes your country special.
By supporting those doing risky jobs to keep you safe, you are being a patriot. Frontline workers that are in the hospitals and emergency rooms are our flowers right now, and just like a flower needs sunlight and water, these heroes need our support. This could be showing your thanks through cards and signs or cooking food for frontline workers. Another way to keep this flower blooming is by voting. If you are a US citizen you have the right age to vote, there is no reason not to. Democracies need voters like flowers to need bees. It's how you keep it alive.
Patriotism is like the ocean; it's a vast generality that many confuse as a simple matter. Most believe that patriotism is pride for your country and the willingness to help it. While this is true, it barely touches the surface of what true patriotism is.
Generally, patriotism is thought of as pride for your country and the willingness to help it. While this statement is true, it barely touches the surface of what true patriotism is. The strongest act of patriotism is standing up for what you think is right for your country. This can mean many things.
Being proud, speaking out, and supporting your country represents true patriotism.
Reopening Plans
We have outlined a phased in approach to allow time for our staff to acclimate back to teaching on campus and ensure all technology and safety procedures are ready for our students. Our elementary (K-3) students enrolled in the hybrid model will begin in-person instruction on March 1, 2021. Middle School and High School students will return to in-person instruction on March 16th so they can finish the 3rd quarter of instruction remotely without the added stress from a new transition. In order to ensure the continuity and integrity of instruction, Middle School and High School students will begin in person at the start of the 4th quarter. Outlined below is an overview of our reopening plans along with other important updates.
The Board reviewed and approved our plans to reopen under the hybrid model at the meeting on 1/28/21. Thank you to all parents, students, and staff for sharing your input. Key dates are summarized below:
2/18 & 2/19 - Teacher Work Days - All staff return to working on campus so that teams can plan together and prepare classrooms for the return of students
2/22 - 2/26 - All staff on campus teaching remotely
3/1 - Elementary (K-3) Students in Hybrid Cohort A begin in-person instruction on campus
3/1 – All staff children in hybrid learning return to in-person instruction on campus
3/4 - Elementary (K-3) Students in Hybrid Cohort B begin in-person instruction on campus
3/15- Teacher Workday
3/16 - MS/HS students in Hybrid Cohort A return to in-person instruction on campus
3/17 – Becomes the asynchronous remote learning day.
3/18 – MS/HS Cohort B begins in-person instruction on campus
Cohort Schedules:
Cohort A- in-person M/T, remote W, Th, F
Cohort B- in-person Th, F, remote M, T, W
Remote All Year – remote M-F
Wednesday (school sanitized between cohorts, asynchronous remote learning, small groups, & office hours)
Voyager Spirit Wear:
We’ve Got Spirit Yes We Do! We are excited to launch our Athletics Apparel sale for 2021. It has a bunch of new items, including t-shirts that support every sport we have at Voyager. They come in a range of sizes for all our athletic supporters. Great for the times when we can all be back on the fields, gyms, courts, pools or stands to cheer on our teams! All orders are directly shipped to your home once placed! Orders open TODAY and close at midnight on February 15th. Apparel flyer is attached. Link to order is here: https://www.bsnteamsports.com/shop/hTMyMw7Npg
Parents of 7th Grade Students
Just a reminder that Ms. Pam needs an updated immunization record for ALL 7th grade students. If you have not provided an updated record to Ms. Pam, please do so ASAP as the deadline for submitting information to the Department of Public Instruction is getting closer. You may email it, fax it, or drop by school and give to us. THANK YOU!
YEARBOOK
Yes, we are going to have a YEARBOOK. Just a reminder that Ms. Pam needs pictures. Please send pictures to Ms. Pam!!!!
To upload pictures you will need this URL plicbooks.com/go/wNRyg.
We would like a portrait picture but also some fun shots to add to the pages. Make sure when you download, pick your student's grade level and add the name of the student. Thank you in advance for your help with this.
Ms. Pam
MS AIG Committee AT Work
On behalf of the AIG committee, we would like to share enrichment activities and highlight a few contests your children might like to use in addition to their regular learning. These opportunities are open to all students!
I know the AIG was in last week’s newsletter but I am hoping we have some participation in some of the events shared!
First is a link to some resources that have been compiled by the NCDPI. The websites highlighted in this list offer an opportunity for you to delve into topics that students might be interested in.
K-5 Virtual Enrichment and Extension Resources
6-8 Virtual Enrichment and Extension Resources
In addition, we would like to encourage your child to participate in a contest being offered by the popular educational website, "Flocabulary." In honor of Black History Month, they are sponsoring a rap-writing challenge where students research a black historical figure and create a unique rap about them. The link to the contest is below. It includes a very thorough video to explain the rules and requirements.
Flocabulary Rap Writing Challenge
Another competition that is more local is the Durham Saves Water poster contest. The 8th grade science class is required to participate in this each year so you will definitely be doing this in the future, however the contest is open to any K-8 students and the poster theme changes each year.
Durham Saves Water Poster Contest
Our middle school AIG committee is committed to highlighting contests and activities for enrichment. If your child participates in any of these contests please reach out to Mrs. Johnson so that we can share the excitement!
Student Services Team - Mrs. Farrish and Mrs. Gittens
The Student Services team is continuing their student socials and parent enrichment events each month to further engage our community while we are learning apart. Please check out the details below.
Students enjoyed a karaoke party together February 4th. Not only did the students enjoy it but so did the staff who attended!
Wow, that was fun! I really enjoyed the Karaoke Party with the students. I am already looking forward to the next social. Be on the lookout!
The Durham County Cooperative Extension will share programs to engage children now and throughout the summer at the next parent enrichment night scheduled for February 11th. Both programs are designed to further connect and support our students and families.
UPCOMIMG SOCIAL EVENTS For STUDENTS
Sponsored by our Counselors
Thursday, March 4, 2021: Freeze Dance
Thursday, April 15, 2021: 20 Questions
Thursday, May 6, 2021: Family Dance Party
Thursday, February 11, 2021:
Durham County Cooperative Extension: Programs to Engage Your Children Now Thru Summer
Thursday, March 11, 2021:
How to Raise Healthy, Thriving Children: Nutrition Tips for Families
Thursday, April 22, 2021: Diversity & Inclusion
Lottery Application
The new year also 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.
FREE TUTORING: National Honor Society Tutors/Viking Buddies Back In Business
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
Greenlight App - Health Screenings - Speed up Carline
We have partnered with Duke and Greenlight Ed to complete our daily health screening so we can monitor the overall health of our school community. 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/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 attends. 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 indicating your are clear. 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.
Middle School- activate account here: https://glit.me/go/voyager-middle
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.com/ to your phone. Additional resources are below to assist with setting up your phones for easy access to our Greenlight health screening.
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-to/add-a-web-link-to-home-screen-iphone-ipad/
For Android users:
https://www.howtogeek.com/667938/how-to-add-a-website-to-your-android-home-screen/
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,
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 Here
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.
If you did not receive your car line number prior to the Winter Break, please send an email to Gwen Johnson at gjohnson@voyageracademy.net requesting your car line number.
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 worn 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 MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHOOLNET CHECK INS
Thanks for all the support you have provided the Middle School. We are
thankful to have you on this most unusual journey that we are on!
If you need anything, please email or call !
Just remember ---YOU are “simply the BEST!”
Gwen Johnson
gjohnson@voyageracademy.net
Principal, Voyager Middle School
919-433-3301 ext. 101