Hi all,
I hope all of you enjoyed Fall Break and that you and your family enjoyed some fun time together. We are now in Quarter 2 which is really hard to believe! You should have received your student’s report card via email. As I reviewed the report cards I noticed that the large majority of our students are putting forth much time and effort in order to have passing grades. I also noticed that we had some students who received grades that were not passing. When I dug further, the low grades were because of incomplete assignments. Please check your student’s assignments to make sure they are turned in or check PowerSchool.
It’s time for a Teacher Luncheon.
Here is the sign up genius for this month's teacher luncheon.
Thanks,
Kathy Robinson
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0949A8AE2A1-fall
THANK YOU so much for providing lunch to our staff!!!!!! It’s a favorite day for the teachers as they enjoy a delicious lunch!
Subject: Voyager Apparel and Fall Festival
Message: Show your school spirit! We've teamed up with a local vendor to bring you some fun Viking gear! Pre order HERE or scan the QR below. All orders will be ready to be picked up next Friday night 10/29 at the K-12 FALL Festival. (For more detail about the festival see flyer below.) Go Vikings, Go!
Sports
Our sports teams are doing well - volleyball, boys’ soccer, girls’ tennis, cheerleading, and cross country. Next week is the final week for boys’ soccer as the tournament is next week. Hopefully some of the games will be at Voyager. Volleyball is over, girls’ tennis is winding down, and cross country finished today with a meet at Excelsior!
There have been many questions about the interest meeting for girls’ basketball. The Interest Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 11:30 which is during lunch. The meeting is in the gym so if your daughter is interested, please have them attend the meeting and pick up the information that you need.
If your son is trying out for boys’ basketball, you should have received much information from Coach Ryan The email sent was full of information and dates. I am sending it again in the event you didn’t receive it.
Information below from Shawn Ryan, boys’ basketball coach!!!!!
Vikings:
Thank you for your interest in middle school basketball at Voyager Academy. Our tryout schedule for the 2021-2022 season is:
November 1, 6-8 pm, Tryouts for all 6th -8th graders that are cleared to try out
November 2, 6-8 pm, Tryouts for selected list of 6th-8th graders
November 3, 6-8 pm, Tryouts for selected list of 6th-8th graders
To be eligible to try out on November 1, parents/students need to complete all paperwork on the athletic participation checklist (https://voyagerathletics.bigteams.com/main/otherad/contentID/49495942) prior to October 29.
While I really look forward to the start of the basketball season, I do not look forward to Team Selection at all. I fully understand the stress that the student-athletes and parents are under during tryouts. I do not like telling our students that have worked hard towards a goal that they didn't make the team. And with 6th-8th graders, I truly hope that not making this team this year does not stop them from continuing to play basketball!
Between 40-60 boys typically try out for this team each year. That shows the health of the program. While it is great to have that much interest in this sport at Voyager Academy, it also highlights the challenge of selecting 12-15 guys for the team.
It is our goal to select the 12-15 players that we believe will make the best team and contribute to the overall strength of the basketball program at Voyager Academy. It is an honor to be selected to a team to represent Voyager Academy. There are many factors that go into the selection of a team. The player’s current skill level is an important factor. However, I believe that one of our main goals is to develop players’ skill level. So, there are also several other factors that we consider as we select a team. Some of these other factors include:
Academics - we will be checking on the grades for all the players who are trying out for basketball. We need players who will be eligible, and we want players about whom our faculty and administration speak highly.
Needs - while we don't talk about or assign players to particular "positions," we do have to consider things like size, speed, and current abilities.
Basketball IQ and coachability - players must understand the game and demonstrate the ability and desire to quickly learn our system.
Player development – one of our main goals as coaches is to develop players that will be ready for the level of play in high school that will keep Voyager Academy as competitive as it has been over the past years. We are looking for players that demonstrate that they are coachable and will likely succeed in their development in our program and on this team.
Work ethic - we expect our players to bring their best to every practice, workout, and game. Our expectation is that the student-athletes treat every practice like they are continuing to try out for this team.
Commitment to the program - this includes how long players have been in the program, their efforts in off-season workouts, summer events, etc.
Leadership - some players are natural leaders. We want to be sure that these players demonstrate positive leadership that leads their teammates to be their best.
Attitude/team spirit - it is critical that players are willing to play within the structure of the team, play a role even if it's not the role they expected, and be a great teammate.
Character/off-court behavior - this includes in the classroom, around the school, and in the community. We want players who are good citizens to represent Voyager Academy because the behavior of the individual reflects on the public perception of the team and the entire school.
Our team is not made up of just our student-athletes on the floor; we believe that we are a family working together towards the same common goals. We are committed to putting a competitive team on the floor every night by developing our players’ individual and team skills. As parents, your support for and commitment to this team is essential. We recognize and appreciate the many personal sacrifices that you will be making in supporting your child’s participation on this team.
We will plan to practice every day Monday through Friday from 6-8 pm and every Saturday 8-10 am throughout the basketball season (November 1 through February 15). All practices are mandatory. Tryouts and practices are closed to parents/family/friends. We will hope to have one or two open practices during the early part of the season that give parents a chance to see what happens at practice and give our guys an opportunity to play in front of a supportive crowd. By accepting a position on this team, it is understood that players and families are agreeing to fully commit to this team (attending all team practices, games, supporting this team, and complying with team and school rules).
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your support of Voyager Academy athletics. I truly look forward to the honor of getting to work with the student-athletes at Voyager Academy and to working together with you throughout the season.
Coach Shawn Ryan
sryan@voyageracademy.net
We are completing 5th and 6th grade check ins. Yesterday we administered 5th grade math and 6th grade ELA. Today we administered 5th grade science and 6th grade math. Once we are finished we will have info regarding your students’ results. Remember, these are check ins that help us determine the needs and strengths of our students on a particular set of standards.
STEP IT UP: Our new date for the DAY OF AWESOMENESS is set for Thursday, October 28th. The grade level times are the same - 4th and 5th grade time is 10:15-11:45 and grades 6 - 8 go out from 12:00-1:30. We had a great list of volunteers to help us out and now we need to get volunteers again for our new date. If you are able to help us on October 28th, please click on the link below and sign up. We need you to pull off this event. Please sign up by clicking New Sign Up for Parents below. We need you.
STEP IT UP PRIZES: Our Day of Awesomeness was moved to October 28, but our student prizes were delivered to classrooms on Friday and sent home with students. If you have any questions about the prizes, please let me know. If your child earned a Pelican Snowball or a chance to spin the money will, those prizes will be granted during the new Day of Awesomeness. All other prizes have been sent home. Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you for working so hard to help us raise funds for our school. We will begin making some improvements , with our fundraising money, after fall break.
Dear Voyager Families,
Please join us Friday, October 29th 6-8:30pm for our ALL SCHOOL FALL FESTIVAL!
Parents, teachers and students are working together to bring you a special night of family fun. Enjoy food trucks, vendors, games, silent auction items, a photo booth, bouncy houses, live music and emergency vehicles for kids to explore! Save the date- Come join the fun!
Dear Viking Parents: Voyager Academy is participating in the American Red Cross high school program. Through participating in this program, we will give students extra community service opportunities that could help save lives! In response to the need for blood in our community and the desire to help our students participate in more community service activities, I am asking for your support and participation in our upcoming blood drive. Besides encouraging your son or daughter (if they’re eligible) to donate blood at our upcoming blood drive on Friday October 22nd from 8am – 2pm in the High School Parking Lot, we are inviting you to donate blood, as well.
Even if you cannot donate blood, you can still help by encouraging your student to donate. To be eligible to donate, you must be healthy, at least 16 years old (with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and not have given blood in the past 56 days. It must be 112 days from the date of your last double red cell donation. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
I think you will agree that this is a wonderful community service opportunity for all of us, and I ask for your full support. If helping your community is not enough to entice you, all donors will be given a digital $5 e-gift card to a merchant of choice!
You can schedule an appointment today to donate blood by contacting Lauren King at lking@students.voyageracademy.net. For questions about donor eligibility, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS. Thank you in advance for your support. Sign-Up Link: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time (Simply go to this link and type in “Voyager” to schedule your appointment today!)Lauren King, Voyager High School Blood Drive Advisor
Please join us Friday, October 29th 6-8:30pm for our ALL SCHOOL FALL FESTIVAL!
Parents, teachers and students are working together to bring you a special night of family fun. Enjoy food trucks, vendors, games, silent auction items, a photo booth, bouncy houses, live music and emergency vehicles for kids to explore!
Save the date- Come join the fun!
From Mrs. Farrish, our Counselor:
October is World Bullying Prevention Month and the theme is "Stomp Out Bullying". Students will be shown a video created by our Student Services Intern Samantha Gaines called "What Students Should Know About Bullying". There will also be two large Choose Kindness: Your Words Matter posters for students to leave encouraging and positive messages for others to read.
STUDENT SUPPORT Info
October is National Bullying Prevention Month.
The Student Support Services Team would like to invite 4th-12th graders to sign an anti-bullying pledge poster to "Stomp Out Bullying!" Posters will be placed throughout the Middle and High Schools.
In addition, the Student Support Services Team will also be showing 4th-12th grade students a bullying prevention and support video, and providing guided classroom lessons on "Kindness" (K-1st) and "Feelings" (2nd-3rd).
Everyone is welcome to join-in and "Stomp Out Bullying" by showing support for National Bullying Prevention Month by wearing blue on Wednesday, October 20th!
Finally, the week of October 25th will be our "Start with Hello" campaign, in which everyone is encouraged to find ways to help others feel included and engage in friendly conversation.
Please join the Student Support Services Team for our second Parent Enrichment Night! Topics will include:
Bullying
Mental Health Support
We are looking forward to an informative session that will equip parents/guardians with resources and also support them in the home around these vital topics. Please check out the flyer linked here for details.
Middle School Spirit Week: October 25-29
Monday, 10/25- Pajama Day (pajamas should be school appropriate)
Tuesday, 10/26- Crazy Sock Day
Wednesday, 10/27- Blue Day (Wear blue to show solidarity/unity regarding Bullying Prevention Month)
Thursday, 10/28- Hat Day
Friday, 10/29- Holiday Day (Dress like your favorite holiday)
This Strawbridge link above will allow parents to sign up to receive updates via email regarding their child's school portraits. 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.
Thank you for your assistance in helping us deliver a smooth school picture experience! We look forward to seeing you soon.
Thank you,
Strawbridge Studios, Inc.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Our School Nurse, Chelsea Skoff, created a document that has been added to our website. I’m including this document as I found it to be very informative and helpful!
Here is the link: COVID-19 Guidelines FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Lunch Program
The Titan Family Portal and LINQ Online Ordering system work together like a checking/ debit card account. All student lunch accounts must be preloaded with funds for ordering. Parents then order lunches for students based on the funds availability in their Titan account. Families who have a negative balance on the account will no longer be permitted to order lunch online. Please be sure to send your student(s) to school with lunch if no meal was ordered. If your student's lunch account currently has a negative balance, we please ask that you pay this balance as soon as possible by either form of payment:
Online at https://family.titank12.com There is a $2.80 flat fee charged by the bank per deposit online. (Example: $100 deposit + $2.80 fee = $102.80)
A check/ money order made payable to Voyager Academy. Please include your child's name and id# on the memo line. You can also use this pre-printed form.
Lunch menus are published for the month of October. The lunch ordering rule is a week in advance. If you need assistance email foodnutritionservices@voyageracademy.net.
LINQ ONLINE ORDERING - View and order student/staff meals. Website: https://family.onlineordering.linq.com
TITAN FAMILY PORTAL -Pay your school fees, manage your students accounts and apply for free and reduced meals. Website: https://family.titank12.com
Patrice Johnson, Operations Manager
Before/After Care, Enrichments, & Food/Nutrition Services
Voyager Academy
101 Hock Parc
Durham, NC 27704
Phone 919-433-3301 ext. 243
pjohnson@voyageracademy.net
PRE-PAID MEAL ACCOUNT PAYMENT
Please Print Clearly
School ________________________________________________ Date:______/______/_______
Student Name: _____________ ID#: ________Teacher:__________________ Amount: _____________
Student Name: ____________ ID #: ______Teacher:__________________ Amount: _____________
Student Name: ____________ ID #: ______ Teacher:___________________Amount: _____________
Student Name: ______________ID #: ____ Teacher:___________________Amount: _____________
Please write additional students on back if necessary
Please make checks payable to Voyager Academy and WRITE STUDENT’S Name & Student ID # ON CHECK. Do not staple the check. Seal Envelope and return to School Front Office.
ACCREDITATION UPDATE: Voyager Academy is a fully accredited school. Every five years the school goes through a re-accreditation process. That process will take place this year during the month of November. We are thrilled to be able to share all the great things Voyager Academy does to create amazing, life-long, independent learners. This is the year for Voyager’s School Accreditation. We are in the process of preparing our documentation for the team from COGNIA who will interview staff, parents, administrators, and students. The team interviews will be virtual as well as their visit. Each school will select representatives to meet with the team. The Accreditation Visit is November 17-19. The Accreditation Team has a different agenda for each day.
Substitutes and Bus Drivers
If you are interested in being a substitute, we need you! In order to be able to sub, we would need you to complete a background check and have a Drug Screening. Information is located on the Voyager website. We also will have a small training to give you some additional information. All 3 schools need substitutes as we pull subs from the same list. If you enjoy working with children/students, we need YOU!
If you are interested in Driving a Bus, we need you! We need drivers for our Activity Buses so we can use the buses for a field trip or our athletes may possibly use to travel to away games. In order to drive you would need a CDL license along with completing a Background Check and completing a Drug Screening. If you are interested, information is on our Voyager website.
QUARANTINE GUIDELINES: Listed below are the guidelines we have been given as they are related to quarantine:
When your children need to stay home, always contact me and your child's teacher.
The teacher will provide assignments for your student. When quarantining, if the student is doing some work at home and you complete the attendance link provided below students 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.
Please do not send your child to school if your child is not feeling well, has a fever, has a sore throat, or if you know he/she is sick. That puts our students who are at school at risk of getting germs and becoming sick. We are doing our part to stay healthy and well and need all of you to do the same. THANKS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE KEEPING THEM HOME!
We had several students come to school this week and they were sick when they arrived. We immediately called parents to come pick up the child/children as we do not need extra germs in our building. Please do not send your child to school when they are not feeling well!!!!!
Need Information:
As always if you have questions or have concerns or have suggestions feel free to contact me at gjohnson@voyageracademy.net. I am happy to help you or if I don’t know the answer, I will find out for you!
Thanks for your continued support and enjoy the weekend!
Gwen
Gwen Johnson
Middle School Principal
gjohnson@voyageracademy.net