We have completed three full weeks of learning at Voyager Academy. The students are adjusting a little more each and every day. It is very exciting to see how thrilled the students are to learn each day. I try to remind them their job is to learn and our job is to teach. We are all doing our job very well. The following announcements will be helpful to you and your family for the week of August 30-Sept. 3
Mclass ASSESSMENTS: Teachers are continuing to complete mClass reading assessments on all K-3 students through Sept. 13. These reading assessments will give the school data to help us provide the reading instruction your child needs to master their grade level objectives.
STEP IT UP: Voyager will kick off its fall fundraiser on Sept. 1 with a K-3 virtual assembly that will be held from 1:30 TO 2:00 (THIS IS NOW A VIRTUAL EVENT). At the end of the assembly, your students will bring home their GOLDEN TICKET packet and the fun will begin. We will be raising funds to purchase play area shade tents, install a sensory walk and upgrade classroom technology. The fundraiser will end on Sept. 16. Your job is to help your child complete the GOLDEN TICKET on the evening of Sept. 1 and bring the ticket back to school on Sept. 2. More information about Step It Up and our Day of Awesomeness can be found at the following link https://p.stepitupkids.com/
CURRICULUM NIGHTS SET: Each grade level (K-3) will be hosting a VIRTUAL curriculum night for parents. We have chosen to host a virtual meeting to make it easier for parents to attend. Your child’s teacher will provide you with a zoom link for the meeting. Thank you for marking your calendar now for these important meetings:
Kindergarten: Sept. 1 from 5:30-6:30
First Grade: Sept. 1 from 4:30 to 5:30
Second Grade: August 31 from 5:30 to 6:30
Third Grade: August 31 from 5:30 to 6:30
QUARANTINE GUIDELINES: Listed below are the guidelines we have been given as they are related to quarantine:
When your children need to stay home to learn, always contact me and your child's teacher.
The teacher will provide remote assignments for your student. As long as the student is doing some work at home and you complete the attendance link provided below they will be counted present. The link to complete your child’s attendance is HERE
Because your student has been directly exposed to someone, outside of school, who has tested positive for COVID, your student needs to quarantine for 10 days. They may return to school after the 10 days of quarantine have been completed AND have no symptoms from the time of exposure.
The 10 day quarantine protocol is not school days, it also includes the weekend. For example, if your child was exposed on Aug. 9, they can return to school on Aug. 20 (10 days).
Please keep me, your child’s teacher, and our school nurse, Mrs. Skoff updated on your child’s symptoms and/or test results.
See below for details for siblings where ONE tests positive, another tests NEGATIVE. Or for students and a parent tests positive, but student tests NEGATIVE.
Your positive student will need to complete a 10 day quarantine and may return to school after those 10 days so long as they are fever free for 24 hours and their symptoms are improving. With regard to siblings - as of now, IF you are able to isolate the positive child from the family, eat in separate spaces, wear masks in the home, use separate bathrooms, etc the negative child may return at the end of the positive child’s 10 day quarantine IF you were able to ensure the above protective measures were taken in the home.
The negative child(ren) would need to have NO symptoms and obtain a COVID test NO SOONER THAN 5 days following their last exposure to the positive sibling. So, if you used Monday as Day 1, they could test after Friday. If that test is negative AND you have been able to keep the positive student isolated the entire time, then the negative siblings could go back to school after the positive child's 10 day quarantine is over. We would request that you provide us documentation of their negative PCR tests before the children return. IF any of your other children develop symptoms at any point, they should get tested. If they then test positive they would then just complete a 10-day quarantine from the onset of symptoms.
These are the recommendations that the Durham Health Department has provided us as of today. They will continue to assess and monitor the situation and may update their guidelines. We will make changes to our protocols here at Voyager if that happens.
REMIND APP: You can now sign up to receive text messages from VAES through the REMIND app. Even if you have signed up before you will need to subscribe again with your updated grade level and phone number. How do you sign up?
Texting from your cell phone:
Kindergarten Parents: In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vakinder22
First Grade Parents: In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vafirst
Second Grade Parents: In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vasecond22
Third Grade Parents: In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vathird22
READING WITH GRANDPARENTS AND SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY: Voyager will be hosting a special reading event for students on Sept. 10th. MARK YOUR CALENDAR. This will now be a VIRTUAL event. Each classroom teacher will be sending out a zoom link for you to share with grandparents and special friends. The guests will log in to the zoom link at the set time and enjoy the event. We are planning to host this virtual event at 1:30 pm on Friday, Sept. 10. The students will be sharing a special song, we will be hosting a read aloud session and the students will be greeting our guests. Each student has also created a special art item to bring home for their guest. We hope this is a wonderful memory for you and your family.
CAR LINE UPDATES: Carline is getting better and better. Thanks to everyone for your assistance. We love that many of you are coming at the 7:15 drop off time. This helps our carline flow tremendously. Please remember that if you arrive at 7:00 for teh 7:15 carline to please leave the right hand lane open for before school care drop off. The right hand lane should remain open until 7:10 am.
ORIGINS NIGHT: Thursday, Sept. , from 6:00 to 7:00 pm Voyager is hosting an Origins Night. Research the places your ancestors came from. Share what you learned. Do you have a talent, skill or craft that is representative of a different culture? Contact Mr. Mitchell at rmitchell@voyageracademy.net if you would like to perform during Origins Night.
WHAT DO I DO IF MY CHILD HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID?
Contact Mr. Manning and your child's teacher
Mr. Manning or the school nurse will contact the family and talk you through the quarantine/isolation process.
Students may still work from home during this quarantine period. The teacher will provide assignments for the student and the parent will need to complete a daily on-line attendance.
VAES LUNCH PROCEDURES: Thank you for all of your suggestions and support as we are attempting to provide a safe place for our students to learn, have fun and eat. We are now having students eat outside each day that it is NOT over 90 degrees. When the weather is over 90, the classes will have the option of eating inside. If you have any questions about the lunch procedures, please feel free to contact Mr. Manning or your child’s teacher.
ALL ABOUT ME BAG: Mr. Manning will begin hosting morning meetings for the K-3 classes this coming week. He will begin by meeting with the 1st grade classes this next week. Mr. Manning is excited to share a little about himself and his family. Did you know that Mr. Manning is a runner? Did you know he has played the piano since he was in the 7th grade? Did you know that he has 4 grandchildren? Ask your child what they have learned about Mr. Manning?
LABOR DAY: School will be closed for students and staff on Monday, September 6 in honor of Labor Day.