Hi all,
Oh my, how the weather changed! Morning car line has been a little chilly as we are getting a taste of what winter really will be! Get those coats and gloves ready!
No School:
Just a reminder that there is no school for students nor staff on Veteran’s Day which is Thursday, November 11th!
5th Grade Project Celebration:
Wow, what an awesome Washington D.C. Project Celebration our 5th graders had! I couldn’t be more proud of them and all the work that was put into their projects.
MIddle School Parents ONLY-- An Important Reminder
Beginning Monday, November 1st, all students who arrived on campus after 8:15 am needed to sign in through the front office. When back doors are closed, please pull around and park in the front of the building to walk your student inside. Your student will also be counted tardy as the tardy bell is 8:15 and that means the student should be in the classroom.
Today, November 5th, we had way too many tardies. Several of our students missed the beginning of their first period. I do know some mornings are tougher to get to school than others but students really do need to be in their class by 8:15 as that is when the tardy bell rings. Absences and tardies will be reviewed next week.
Basketball - Girls and Boys and Lady Cheerleaders
Part of being an athlete at Voyager is attending school on time, completing assignments and having passing grades. I am hoping that ALL of our student athletes have passing grades. If not the Coaches and I will have a conversation with each student who has non-passing grades. On Monday and Tuesday, I will search grades in PowerSchool for girl and boy athletes. Parents, you may also search their grades in PowerSchool!
Duke Children’s Hospital needs our help.
They are in need of some school supplies so let’s do what we can to help. Please put all supplies in the box on the round table outside Mrs. Johnson’s office. What a blessing it is when we can help those in need, Please turn in all supplies by November 19.
Go Vikings Go!
Each grade level has assigned supplies - Dollar Tree is a great place to shop!
Colored pencil boxes-4th grade
Construction paper (all colors)- 5th grade
Small dry erase boards- 6th grade
Ticonderoga Pencils-7th grade
Pipe Cleaners- 8th grade
Plastic clipboards- 8th grade
Save the Date!
Friday, November 5, 2021
4:00-7:00 pm
@ Voyager Academy
VOYAGER’S CLINIC WILL BE ADMINISTERING:
1ST dose Johnson & Johnson
1st and 2nd dose Pfizer for ages 12+
1st and 2nd dose Moderna for ages 18+
Booster doses Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson
Potentially Pfizer for ages 5+ (pending State approval and availability*)
All students, staff, and family members are welcome.
Please bring VACCINATION CARD (if previously vaccinated)
All vaccines are FREE - NO APPOINTMENT required
*Children ages 5-11 years MAY ALSO be eligible for vaccinations at this event pending the CDC’s approval and distribution of this age group’s vaccine on Nov. 2 - . We will send an update for this age groups’ eligibility for vaccination at this event NEXT WEEK.
SCHOOL CALENDARS FOR 2022-2023 AND 2023-2024 WERE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD AT LAST WEEK'S BOARD MEETING. THEY SHOULD BE ON VOYAGER’S WEBSITE IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. WE NEEDED TO MAKE A COUPLE OF CHANGES!
Boys’ Basketball Info - Read Carefully
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
Dear Voyager Families,
It was great to see so many Voyager families at the Fall Festival Friday on Oct. 29th. Not only was it great to see so many Middle School families, it was awesome to see so many high school students that WERE my middle school students. We even had a few visitors attend. Thanks to all who supported the Fall Festival!
COMING SOON: The MS National Junior Honor Society will be sponsoring a Toy Drive! More information coming in next week’s Newsletter!
STUDENT SUPPORT
Parent Enrichment Night – 11/10/21 – 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Zoom Link – JOIN HERE
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.
October was 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).
"Stomp Out Bullying" is a must and all of you can help!
This week our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders viewed the See Something, Say Something Video with one of their teachers. There was also time to discuss or ask questions afterwards. When we receive an alert from See Something, Say Something, Mrs. Farrish, Mr. Mitchell, and I take it very seriously.
Middle School Spirit Week was October 25-29!
What fun we had or at least some of us had! I’ve not sure which was more fun: Pajama Day, Crazy Sock Day, Wear Blue Day, Hat Day or Favorite Holiday. I certainly enjoyed the fun with the students!
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
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