Voyager Academy High School News, Jan. 28, 2022

GO VIKINGS GO!


In this issue...

  • VAHS Students Pass Internationally Recognized Chinese Proficiency Exam
  • At February’s Parent Enrichment Night…“Is your child safe on Social Media?”
  • App Development Competition for High School Students
  • Free Community College Classes for VAHS Students: An Information Session
  • Free Tutoring From The National Honor Society!
  • Senior Cap and Gown Orders
  • Class of 2022 Individual Senior Meetings With The Counselor
  • VCF (Viking Christian Fellowship) meets Friday mornings from ~7:30-8:30 in D124

COLLEGE AND FINANCIAL AID INFO.

  • Added Session Due to Popular Demand! "Some Help Navigating the High School to College Road."
  • SECU Scholarship
  • 6 Great Options For Finding Scholarships

OTHER GREAT WAYS TO STAY INFORMED

  • Check out the VAHS Counselor’s Blog (and subscribe)
  • What to Do If You Are Not Receiving Group Emails From Voyager Academy
  • Sign up to receive text messages from the school.
  • Subscribe to the “21-22 VA Parent Calendar” (google calendar)
  • Other great sources of information for and about VAHS.
  • VAHS Safety Guidelines for Students and Staff
  • Important dates.

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VAHS Students Pass Internationally Recognized Chinese Proficiency Exam

On Saturday, Dec. 11th, 13 of Mr. Baker’s Honors Chinese III students, plus 2 former students, and 1 current VAHS Math teacher who has been dutifully auditing his courses for the last year and a half–Ms. Nguyen–took the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi--the most internationally recognized Chinese proficiency exam in the world). It was optional and done outside of class.

 

ALL 16 OF THEM PASSED ! ! !   

 

Some of the honors/awards open to these students now that they have passed include:

 

  1. They are now qualified for the North Carolina Global Languages High School Diploma Endorsement (something to file away for the year each of them graduates). An honor for them individually, to be sure, but also for our school. 

  2. Potentially earns them college credit (e.g. passing the HSK placed a VAHS alumnus out of the world language requirement at N.C. State–the equivalent of 6 credit hours).

 Congratulations to all! 

  • Amelie Boyer

  • Zach Hanspal

  • Nathan Hinshaw

  • Andrew Holland
    Peter Jesutowo

  • Amelia Leonard

  • Hayden Mancour

  • Grayson McAlexander

  • Carter Mills

  • Taylor Mitchell

  • Mason Pennuto

  • James Stover (VAHS Graduate, Class of 2021)

  • Osaretin Ukponmwan

  • Will Vance (VAHS Graduate, Class of 2021)

  • Ms. Yen Nguyen

 

Click here to see more photos of the Certificate Award Ceremony.

 


At February’s Parent Enrichment Night…“Is your child safe on Social Media?”

All parents are strongly encouraged to attend the February 16th Parent Enrichment Presentation. Special guest speaker Shelly Epps, Director,  Security Program Management at Duke Health will present an informative session about the possible social  media and internet dangers for children.  Parents/caregivers will not want to miss learning how to protect their children and keep them safe from internet/social media harm. Please see the flyer below for the link to the 6:00 zoom session.  Click here for details.



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App Development Competition for High School Students 

The Ready, Set, App! challenge is a mobile app development competition for high school students sponsored by Lenovo. Participants are asked to develop a mobile app using a mobile app development platform (e.g. MIT App Inventor) to solve a problem in their school or community (e.g. you can ask your teachers or administrators what they could use an app for). Click here for more details (http://www.ncbce.org/ready-set-app).


See Mr. Reynolds (room E140) to sign up.



Free Durham Tech. Community College Classes for VAHS Students: An Information Session

Durham Tech CCP (Career and College Promise) Information Sessions:

During Advisory on 1/10/22, all 10th and 11th grade students participated in a zoom session to learn about the Durham Tech. CCP program.  Parents and students can download the recorded zoom session by clicking here.. 

Students who wish to begin the CCP enrollment process for next year, must attend an Information Session in order to enroll.

Please click on the link below to see the dates, and to sign up to attend an Official CCP Information Session for Summer/Fall 2022 semesters enrollment:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=VZNUEsbgN0KzqdNHfaRTePU5SwfxG7FNhgAEnBCaouhUM1JLRExRWFJSNU9HNEJVODMwRjcwNlEyWi4u


Please contact Jill O'Kane, VAHS Counselor, with any questions (jokane@voyageracademy.net).


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Free Tutoring From The National Honor Society!

The Buddy Program Is BACK!!! The NHS is excited to let parents and students of all Voyager schools know that the Buddy Program is up and running. We offer tutoring services for all ages in person or via Zoom. Please use the link below to sign up for tutoring and we will get you connected with a NHS member in the area needed.


https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf6jWqwE5RpjuSo0fhtuBq82jlmPxuNL4Xs39deNfmiKnb0Og/viewform

 

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Senior Cap and Gown Orders

There are still several families who have yet to order their 2022 graduation products. Please be sure to order your items through the Herff Jones website as soon as possible if you have not already done so.     https://highschool.herffjones.com/secom/school/NC/Voyager%2BAcademy/32011137000/4252/home?gradYear=2022


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Class of 2022 Individual Senior Meetings With The Counselor

Congratulations to the VAHS class of 2022!  Senior Planning Meetings are well under way, and all seniors are encouraged to sign up to meet with Ms. O'Kane to plan for graduation and post high school plans. Seniors can use the link below or contact Ms. O'Kane to arrange a meeting. Seniors should also be sure to keep checking the VAHS Counseling Blog and their email  for updates and important news.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c44a5a62aa5f58-senior


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VCF (Viking Christian Fellowship) meets Friday mornings from ~7:30-8:30 in D124

Viking Christian Fellowship (VCF) meets Friday mornings before school from 7:30-8:30am in room D124 (Mrs. Paradis's room). All are welcome!


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COLLEGE AND FINANCIAL AID INFO.


Back By Popular Demand! “Some Help Navigating the High School to College Road”

New Added Date Due to Popular Demand! If you are a parent of an upper middle school and/or high school student or a student in this grade range, join us for a FREE informative presentation called "Navigating the High School to College Road."

 

On Sunday, February 27th, 2022, from 6:30-8:00 p.m., Lewis Select College Consulting and ColPrep Tutoring will offer our presentation, "Navigating the High School to College Road" where we will provide valuable information and suggestions for students at every grade level on navigating the college admissions process. We'll discuss timing for college entrance tests, extracurriculars, college essays, and other college application tips. This presentation will be virtual, and space will be limited to 25 families. There will be a short Q/A session at the end of the presentation for general questions.

 

Registration is open now! Please contact Pat to register at lewisselectcc@gmail.com.


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SECU Scholarship

It is time again to begin thinking about the 2020 SECU Foundation People Helping People Scholarship! Each year, $10,000.00 scholarships have been awarded to three graduating seniors attending North Carolina Charter Schools. These scholarships will be awarded to students attending one of the 16 constituent campuses of the University of North Carolina. Funds are made possible through the contributions to SECU Foundation by members of the State Employees’ Credit Union. Please see the Eligibility information below and contact Ms. O'Kane if you believe that you are eligible and would like to be considered for this scholarship.


SECU Scholarship Eligibility Criteria



6 Great Options For Finding Scholarships

Students and parents are encouraged to check out the attached list of websites for scholarship platforms that are available.  All seniors were invited by Ms. O'Kane to sign up for Going Merry (https://www.goingmerry.com) -- it’s free! Going Merry has thousands of national, regional, and local scholarships. There are also opportunities for every grade level, from freshmen to seniors.

Click here for more details about 6 Great Options for Finding Scholarships


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OTHER GREAT WAYS TO STAY INFORMED


VAHS Counseling Department Blog

Please be sure to check the VAHS Counseling Department blog frequently. The blog provides news, information, and opportunities for VAHS students and parents all in one convenient location. Topics range from Career/College Counseling and Application Support to Summer Programs and Opportunities. Check it out!


CLICK HERE FOR THE VAHS COUNSELING DEPT. BLOG


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What to Do If You Are Not Receiving Group Emails From Voyager Academy
Please click here if you are not receiving group emails from Voyager Academy. This is a form, on which you can provide us your email address. 


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PARENTS and STUDENTS:  Sign up to receive text messages from VAHS

Even though you may have been subscribed from last year, all must re-subscribe.  This is because some cell phone numbers may no longer belong to last year’s subscribers (as people may change numbers or mobile providers). Click below for subscription instructions, sorted by student’s graduation year.  


PARENTS

Texting from your cell phone…

 

For parents of class of 2022:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahsp22

 

For parents of class of 2023:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahsp23

 

For parents of class of 2024:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @df2ah6

 

For parents of class of 2025:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahsp25


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STUDENTS

Texting from your cell phone…

 

For the class of 2022:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahss22

 

For the class of 2023:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahss23

 

For the class of 2024:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahss24

 

For the class of 2025:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahss25



Subscribe to the 21-22 VA Parent Calendar

You can view this calendar in two ways:


1.   You can subscribe to the 21-22 VA Parent Calendar, so that it merges with yours. Here are the instructions:

-Go to your google calendar

-Go to Settings, the little gear in the upper right corner----->

In Settings:

-Add calendar

-Subscribe to calendar

-In the “Add Calendar” field, paste the following:

c_rf81ppekino4980nbie6tkvggs@group.calendar.google.com


OR


2.   You can simply view it on our website, by going to https://www.voyageracademy.net/calendar/.


You can also add it from there, by clicking on the “+” sign at the bottom right of the calendar..  

 


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OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR AND ABOUT VAHS
Voyager Academy Academic Calendar

The Voyager Academy High School Website

The VAHS Counselor’s Blog


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Important Dates


Dates

Events

Feb. 17-18

NO SCHOOL - Teacher workdays

Feb. 21

REMOTE LEARNING DAY - All classes will be taught remotely (click here for the VA academic calendar).

March 3

ACT exam (All 11th graders)

March 9-10

Mid-term Exams

March 11

End of 1st half of Spring Semester

March 14

NO SCHOOL - Teacher workday

March 15

NO SCHOOL - Parent/teacher conferences

March 28-29

REMOTE LEARNING DAY - All classes will be taught remotely (click here for the VA academic calendar).

April 11-18

NO SCHOOL - Spring Break



VAHS COVID Safety Guidelines for Students and Staff

  1. It is important that students begin school each day with a mask that fits them properly.  Please make sure your child has a mask that will stay  over their nose.  This is our number one safety feature.

  2. When we returned in April of last year, we had specific directions for lunch. We will continue to reinforce the fact that students will have 14 minutes to eat lunch and then their masks will go back on. If students do not finish their lunch in that amount of time, we will have the students who need more time to sit at a table while the other students can talk as they will have on their mask.  

  3. Students will be asked to keep their masks on for outdoor lunch if and when they cannot be at least 6 feet apart.  

  4. Students need to continue to wash hands and use hand sanitizer when needed. 

  5. If students have any symptoms of sickness, the student should remain home until they have no symptoms. Please do not send a child to school if he or she has a fever. 

  6. Our school nurse and managing director are keeping a very close eye on the ever changing safety guidelines for schools.  We will keep you updated as information is shared with us.

  7. If we have a student who tests positive for Covid, that student will be asked to isolate for 10 days before returning to school.  Voyager will send out a health email that tells families we had a positive case within our school community.    Positive cases are reported to the health department.  Students who are exposed to a positive Covid individual within their home, should report that to the building principal as soon as possible.  That student will be asked to quarantine based on the most recent guidelines.  All cases will be followed by the school nurse.   If a student  begins to show any Covid symptoms then that student would need to quarantine.  Thank you for working with us as we seek to keep every student and every staff member as safe as possible.  I understand we may not like the various guidelines, but I think we can all agree we need to do everything possible to keep our Voyager family healthy. 

 


VOYAGER VIKING VALUES

CONFIDENCE   -   CURIOSITY   -   EMPATHY

REFLECTION   -   INTEGRITY