Dear Voyager Community,
We’ve had another energizing week on campus with staff and students learning and working together. Unfortunately, we have also had many student and staff illnesses during this time and we wish everyone a speedy recovery. The Voyager team has done an amazing job providing coverage when substitutes have been fully utilized to ensure that we are able to remain learning in person on campus. We are so grateful for their commitment and dedication. We are also so thankful to have the support of our school nurse, Chelsea Skoff, to support our community during this challenging time.
Our goal is to remain learning on campus unless we experience a staff shortage due to illness that would not allow our school to operate safely. In that instance we may need to consider a short term remote learning option. This option would only be utilized as a last resort similar to an inclement weather or emergency closing. Please know that we understand the impact this could have on our families and will provide as much notice as possible. It is important to also recognize that it is often not possible to control the timing if multiple people become ill simultaneously. Some area schools have already needed to implement this type of transition to a remote learning plan due to staff absence and lack of coverage. We would ask that our families start to think about contingency plans should this emergency action need to be taken and understand that these dynamic and challenging times often require difficult decisions. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to tackle the challenges from the Covid pandemic.
We recognize that remote learning is not a substitute for high quality in person instruction. However, it is a viable option for students that may need to be quarantined due to illness or exposure. Teachers are providing assignments for those students that are able to continue with their work while quarantined at home so they can continue to keep up with their classwork. This varies by grade level with some posting on Canvas or Google Classroom, recording lessons, creating packets, or setting up check ins to discuss work plans. Parents should review teacher newsletters for information and communicate directly with their child’s teacher if they have questions and need assistance.
Parent support and encouragement at home is such a crucial part of the school partnership and student success plan. Please take time to read with your child and encourage them to explore different authors and genres to expand their interests and curiosity. The state Department of Public Instruction has recently launched a “Literacy at Home” initiative to support K-5 students. Check out the details below and access this site with resources to further support your child’s literacy foundation.
Thank you to all the families that attended the high school open house event for second semester. It was great to have so many participate virtually to meet your child’s teacher and learn about the course requirements and expectations. Thank you to our PTO for your continued support of our school. The staff greatly appreciates the delicious lunches that are planned monthly for each school. We also appreciate all the kind notes of appreciation and surprises for our staff that make them feel valued and supported during these challenging times.
Voyager joins our country in honoring and recognizing Dr. Martin Luther King on Monday, January 17th . Please remember that school will be closed on Monday for the holiday. Take the time to talk with your child about Dr. King's impact on the civil rights movement and how his life and legacy has changed our world.
Please know that we are all here to support your child grow, learn, and find their passion. Feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher, building administrator, or student support if we can assist your family in any way. Have a wonderful weekend!
Upcoming Events:
1/24/22 - 8th Grade Transition to HS Night - zoom
1/26/22-EC 8th grade Parent night-zoom-High school Transition
1/27/22 - Board Meeting- zoom
2/3/22 - Info Night for Prospective Families - 5 pm
2/7-11/22 - MS Check Ins
2/7-2/10 - Kids Jump Rope Heart Challenge (Elementary PE)
2/16/22 - Parent Enrichment Night
22-23 APPLICATION AND LOTTERY PROCESS
The 2022-2023 application process is now open. Please remember to submit an application by the February 28, 2022 deadline for any siblings that you would like to enroll for the 2022-2023 school year. Students that are already enrolled at Voyager do not need to reapply. Information, resources, and the timeline for the application and lottery process are under the admissions tab on the website. We will be hosting a virtual information night on February 3, 2022 for all prospective families. Voyager continues to strive to reach a diverse demographic that reflects our community. Please reach out to your friends and neighbors and share information about our wonderful school community. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee will be recruiting at area preschools and community centers. Voyager also partners with the Head Start program and has already shared our school brochures and participated in their open house.
HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION NIGHT FOR 8TH GRADE
Voyager High School will also be hosting information nights for our rising 8th graders so they can learn more about the opportunities available at our high school. Please reserve the dates and look for additional information coming soon with the zoom link for the virtual sessions.
LITERACY INITIATIVE
In order to provide continuing support for NC’s youngest readers, The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Office of Early Learning has developed and released “Literacy at Home.” This digital resource provides literacy activities at each grade level, pre-k through fifth grade. Families may access this free resource for activities that specifically target the literacy skills of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and oral language. When children grow in each of these foundational areas they are well on their way to becoming proficient readers.
Please bookmark the link below for resources for future reference. After your child’s mid-year mClass Assessment report comes home, you may notice areas of weakness that can be targeted at home with activities from this free resource to further support your child’s education at home.
NURSES CORNER
VOYAGER IS CONTINUING TO FOLLOW:
10-DAY ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE PERIODS
Parents, please note that Voyager has NOT yet adopted the 5-day isolation or quarantine periods that you may be seeing used by other institutions within the Durham community.
Out of an abundance of caution, we continue to follow the same protocols that have been in place since the start of the school year for students that test positive for COVID or who are currently unvaccinated and have an exposure to COVID outside of the school’s classroom setting.
Please reference the documents below as they have a wealth of information and can answer many questions parents may have related to your child’s or family’s COVID situation.
You can find our current Sick Child Policy here: https://www.voyageracademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Voyager-Academy-COVID-Sick-Policy.pdf
You can find a Frequently Asked Questions document here: https://www.voyageracademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/COVID-19-Guidelines-FAQ.pdf
You can find our current Sick Child Policy in Spanish here: https://www.voyageracademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Voyager-Academy-COVID-Sick-Policy_Spanish.pdf
Voyager Sick Child Policy & Guidelines
STUDENT SUPPORT
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month image
Although slavery is commonly thought to be a thing of the past, human traffickers generate hundreds of billions of dollars in profits by trapping millions of people in horrific situations around the world, including here in the U.S. Traffickers use violence, threats, deception, debt bondage, and other manipulative tactics to force people to engage in commercial sex or to provide labor or services against their will.
In recognition of this important topic, the NCTSN has compiled a list of resources for children, teens, parents and caregivers, educators, child welfare and juvenile justice professionals, and mental health providers.
Some resources include:
Trafficking Screening Tools
Child Sex Trafficking: What You Might Not Know
Mental Health Interventions for Commercially Sexually Exploited Youth
Understanding the Complex Needs of Commercially Sexually Exploited Children
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month External Resources
View these resources HERE.
Social Skills Groups
It's not too late!! 6th-8th graders and 9th-12th graders can still join Dr. Link's Social Skills groups after school!! This will be a fun, informative, reflective, and safe way for your student(s) to learn, build, and hone these important skills. WHY are social skills important?!? Great question! Because relationships are an integral part of our daily lives. Starting, developing, maintaining, and repairing meaningful and healthy relationships with others is possibly one of the most important yet underappreciated set of skills that we can develop and utilize over the course of our lives. Such important skills include, but are not limited to, active listening, conflict resolution, effective communication, non-verbal communication, assertiveness, perspective-taking, and reflective apologizing. Further development and/or honing of these skills, widely known as social skills, is most likely one of the best ways to improve our relationships with others.
Beginning in January, Voyager Academy is excited to be able to offer 6th-8th grade and 9-12th grade students an opportunity to participate in a Social Skills group after school! If you are interested in having your child participate, please contact Dr. Monique Link, School Social Worker, to enroll or for more information - mlink@voyageracademy.net
919-433-3301 X 146.
LUNCH PROGRAM
Voyager Academy is pleased to announce our participation in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) effective January 3, 2022. We know the importance of meals in fueling both healthy minds and bodies. Even though school meals and ordering may look a little different than years past, our goal is to provide children with the well-balanced nutrition they need to be healthy and stay focused during the school day. Meals, foods and beverages sold or served at schools meet state and federal requirements which are based on the USDA Dietary Guidelines.
The price for lunch under NSLP will be $4.00 for full price, $.40 for reduced and free for students that are eligible for reduced priced student meals. Families can complete a Free and reduced price meal application online at Family.TitanK12.com. The monthly lunch menu is available on our School Nutrition website by clicking here.
LUNCH FUND DONATIONS
Some families require more help than others with daily purchases and outstanding meal balances. A few extra dollars from families with the ability to donate can help us make sure all of our children have consistent access to nutritious school meals, while keeping Voyager Academy’s finances strong! If you would like to contribute to the Voyager Academy Lunch fund, you can do so on the School Store at TitanK12.com
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
We hope you will accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience families experienced this week. We understand how important after care services are for working families. The rising number of staff absences due to COVID related issues may require us to revisit our ability to provide a safe environment for all students enrolled in the future. Please know that closing after care will always be our last option once all resources have been exhausted. We will be applying a credit to family accounts for the inconvenience of the missed days in January. An email will be sent to families from the Care Program Director. Please feel free to email careprogram@voyageracademy.net with any questions or concerns.
Here are a few program reminders:
Before and after care payments should be made using the Titan School Store on the family portal dashboard or by check. Do not use Charter Pay for any future payments.
Due to continued staffing shortages, there are currently no openings in after care. The waitlist is closed for the 2021-22 school year. We will make an announcement via email, if the program re-opens for new enrollments.
The payment system on the Titan school store is only for currently enrolled students. If a family not enrolled makes a payment on Titan, the funds will be refunded minus the service fees charged by the processor.
AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
Registration for Enrichment Programs is Monday January 17 - Monday, January 31st! Dance, Yoga, String Lessons, Beats by Girls, Piano, Woodwinds, Guitar & Ukulele, Drums, Robotics, Spanish Club, Art Club, Dungeon & Dragons, Soccer Shots and Futsal are the sessions being offered this spring. Classes run from February 7th through May 13th, except Soccer Shots (March 21st for 6 weeks). While the program happens after school, it is not a part of the after school program. Students will need to be picked up from the instructor immediately following the session. Register online via Titan Family Portal under Online Store.
If you need assistance or would like to offer a course, please email enrichments@voyageracademy.net.
ATHLETICS
Middle School Athletics:
The boys basketball team kicked off conference play this past Tuesday as they hosted Vance Charter School. The team improved to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the conference with a 50-27 win. Jonathan Scott led all scorers, including nine Voyager scorers, with 11 points. Mckinley Hemsley tallied 9 points, and Manny Pullium chipped in with 7 points. Next game for boys and girls basketball will be Tuesday, January 18th at conference opponent Oxford Prep.
High School Athletics:
The women’s basketball team dropped both of their road games this past week. On Tuesday they travelled to Vance Charter to open up conference play and lost a heartbreaker in overtime, 50-51. Sophomore Jynah Walden led all Voyager scorers with 19 points. The Vikings were back on the road the following day travelling to non-conference opponent Franklin Academy where they were upset 34-38. Senior Nailah Khan had two great games this week combining for 18 points, 5 steals, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the losses. The women look to get back on track when they host conference opponent Oxford Prep on Tuesday, January 18th. Tip-off will be 6:00pm.
The men’s varsity basketball team also kicked off conference play this past Tuesday as they travelled to Vance Charter and walked away with a 63-46 win. Junior Erik Kronstad broke out for a monster game as he notched his first double-double of the season with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots. Senior Parker Hinshaw and sophomore Joshua Meeks netted 15 and 13 points in the win as well. The next day at Franklin Academy it was Hinshaw’s turn to dominate as he scored 21 points going 6 for 10 from behind the 3-point line, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal. Kronstad followed up his previous monster performance with 13 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots. Joshua Meeks and Joe Adetunji contributed with 14 points each. Both the JV and Varsity men will return to action on Tuesday, January 18th as they will host Oxford Prep. JV tip-off at 4:30 and men’s varsity will go at 7:30pm.
The Voyager wrestling team had an outstanding showing this past Saturday at the 2022 Rocket Invitational held at Person High School in Roxboro. Senior Jordan Ruedi took home gold in the 172 weight class going 4-0 on the day and earning the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler award. Sophomore Jed Rose had another strong weekend going 2-1 in the 184 weight class and taking home the tournament’s silver medal. The team looks to have another victorious weekend as they travel to Riverside High School on Saturday, January 15th, to compete in the Silver Fox Invitational.
The swim team had a conference tournament at Vance Charter on Wednesday. However, at the time of writing this update no scoring or times had been released from the competing schools. We hope to have a big update on our swim team in next week’s update.
Spring Athletics:
It’s hard to believe that spring tryouts are just around the corner! High school spring tryouts will officially begin on Monday, February 14th. Middle School will start around the same time. More specific information will be released when we get closer. If your child is interested in competing in a spring sport please go to this link and register: https://app.formreleaf.com/organizations/voyager-academy/programs/20202021-sportscopy-16
If you have any questions about our spring teams please feel free to email me at jgatcomb@voyageracademy.net
Upcoming Home Athletic Events:
January 17th: Swim team hosts TNAC meet @ Campus Hill Pool, 5:00pm
January 18th: JV Men’s Basketball vs. Oxford Prep, 4:30pm
Varsity Women’s basketball vs. Oxford Prep, 6:00pm
Varsity Men’s basketball vs. Oxford Prep, 7:30pm
January 21st: Middle School Girls Basketball, vs. Excelsior Academy, 5:00pm
Middle School Boys Basketball vs. Excelsior Academy, 6:00pm
JV Men’s Basketball vs. Eno River, 4:30pm
Varsity Women’s Basketball vs. Eno River, 6:00pm
Varsity Men’s Basketball vs. Eno River, 7:30pm
Additional Athletic Notes:
A reminder that all home basketball games are $5.00 cash at the door. Voyager Academy students get in free by showing their student ID.
I am still looking for someone to run the high school varsity basketball scoreboard for home games, preferably someone with basketball knowledge.
The Athletic Boosters Club is looking for more people to come join! If you are interested please contact me and I can give you more information.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me:
jgatcomb@voyageracademy.net
Go Vikings, Go!
LET'S STAY CONNECTED
Let’s stay connected! Scroll on over to our Voyager Academy website to see all the updates and additions. Be sure to follow, friend, like and subscribe to all our Social Media accounts! #GoVikingsGo #VoyagerVikings
Amazon Smile
It’s the most wonderful way to support all of the great things we are doing at Voyager and to help us expand our program offerings in academics, extracurricular activities, professional development, athletics, the arts and more!
Now, it’s easier than ever to support us just by shopping online! Whenever you make an eligible purchase from Amazon, Voyager Academy will benefit at no additional cost to you. All you have to do is select Voyager Academy Inc. as your charitable organization on Smile.Amazon.com. You shop…Amazon donates!
What is AmazonSmile?
AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones. When you shop with AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to Voyager Academy Inc.
INTERESTED IN PART TIME WORK AT VOYAGER – SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS
PART TIME MIDDLE SCHOOL EC TEACHING ASSISTANT
Provides one-on-one assistance with academics and behavioral supports needed and may lead small group activities.
Assists the teacher with executing instruction and evaluating its effectiveness, participates in planning.
Assists with the delivery of special services for students in need of functional life skills.
Competitive hourly rate
Supportive school climate
PART TIME POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR BEFORE AND AFTER CARE
Competitive hourly rate
Great staff and friendly children
Organized programming for before and after care
Apply on employment site on Voyager website under “About Voyager”
PART TIME BUS DRIVER OPPORTUNITIES
Safely transport students to field experiences and athletic events
Maintain safe bus environment for students
Available to drive activity bus for field trips and athletic events
Flexible hours
Competitive hourly rate
CDL license required
Apply on employment site on Voyager website under “About Voyager”