Hi Middle School Families,
Oh my, there was some excitement in the air today as students heard it might snow this weekend. If anything a little snow for sledding would work but hopefully not freezing rain and ice.
You should have received your student’s Middle School Report Card as it was emailed to parents January 7th. I reviewed each report card and saw that many of our students improved their grades. We are now in the third quarter and I hope our students put forth much effort to have their report card grades increase again. Thanks for supporting your students!
Carline - I know this topic is not the favorite of many of you but I have to say THANK YOU to those of you who are waiting until 1:15 on Mondays and 3:15 Tuesday-Fridays to arrive for the Middle School Car line. For those of you who are picking up middle school students only it is really appreciated when you do not come early. This allows the elementary carline to finish and allows the middle school parents who pick up elementary to come over to the middle. On Wednesday and Thursday our middle school parents cruised right through the line once we began—- so thanks for working with us!
Congratulations!!!!
Every year the VFW sponsors two writing contests called "Patriot's Pen" and "Voice of Democracy". Middle school students enter "Patriot's Pen".
Mrs. Harris was entered into the state competition and we learned this week that Mrs. Harris was selected for NC Teacher of the Year representing the Veteran’s of Foreign War.
Lottery Applications
We’re also busy planning ahead for next year. The 2022-2023 application process is open. Information, resources, and the timeline for the application and lottery process are under the admissions tab on the website. 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. We will be hosting a virtual information night on February 3, 2022 for all prospective students. The zoom session will begin at 5:00.
On January 24th, Voyager High School will be hosting an information night
for our rising 8th graders and parents so you 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 session. The session will begin at 6:00.
On January 26th, Voyager High School will be hosting an information night for our EC students and EC parents as our EC students prepare to transition to high school. It will also be a zoom meeting and will begin at 6:00.
Our 4th - 8th graders will have Check In #2 the week of Feb. 7 through Feb. 11. We will have math and Language Arts Check Ins for grades 4 - 8 and our 5th and 8th graders will also have a Science Check In.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Our current Sick Policy requires that BEFORE a student can return to school after staying home with symptoms of an illness, they will need either a doctor's note explaining the cause of the symptoms OR a negative PCR COVID test. Please plan to have your child PCR COVID tested as soon as possible. They cannot return to school without a negative COVID test.
You can find the link to the Sick Child Policy here: 2021-2022 Voyager Academy Sick Child and Return to School Protocol.
Below is the list of possible COVID symptoms as defined by the CDC and NCDHHS: • temperature above 100.4F or chills • cough • headache • sore throat • congestion or runny nose • fatigue, muscle or body aches • nausea or vomiting • diarrhea • shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • new loss of taste or smell.
If a child has any of these symptoms during the school day, the parent will be notified and the child will be sent home from school.
Parents, please note: ALL OTHER CHILDREN THAT ATTEND VOYAGER WILL ALSO BE SENT HOME AND WILL NEED TO REMAIN HOME UNTIL THE SICK CHILD HAS OBTAINED A PCR COVID TEST RESULT.
If a child is sent home due to any of the above symptoms, here are some of the various scenarios/criteria to return to school: Scenario Criteria to return to school Person has symptoms of COVID 19 but has received a negative PCR test result. *Please provide a copy of the test result to the school prior to your child returning. Person can return to school when: -It has been at least 24 hours since the person had a fever (if applicable) AND -They have felt well for at least 24 hours Person has an alternate diagnosis that would explain the symptoms of COVID 19 Person can return to school when: -A doctor’s note explaining the diagnosis is provided to the school. Person has symptoms of COVID 19 but has not been tested nor has visited a health care provider. Person can return to school when: -It has been 10 days since the first day of symptoms AND -It has been at least 24 hours since the person had a fever (without using fever reducing medicine) AND -Other symptoms of COVID 19 are improving. Person has tested positive on a PCR test but the person does not have symptoms. Person can return to school 10 days after their positive test. Person has symptoms of COVID 19 and has tested positive on a PCR test. Person can return to school when: -It has been 10 days since the first day of symptoms AND -It has been at least 24 hours since the person had a fever (without using fever reducing medicine) AND -Other symptoms of COVID 19 are improving.
For symptom updates and/or to report COVID test results, please email • your child's principal, • the front office administrative assistant • the school nurse, Mrs. Skoff cskoff@voyageracademy.net For daily attendance, school assignments, and homework, please email your child’s teacher each day while your child is home with symptoms, awaiting results, or in quarantine
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.
Cell Phones and I Watches!
Thanks for your support and reminding students to turn off their cell phone and to put the cell phone in their bookbag. We are having less issues with the phones.
Some of our students received an IWatch for Christmas which is great. We just need you to remind them that their IWatch is not to be a distraction from the learning process.
I will give you the heads up that during EOG testing in May phones and IWatches will need to be left at home. The reason is if a phone or IWatch rings and/or “dings” during the testing session, we will have to send a form to the state sharing that we had a misadministration due to a phone or watch making noises. We really do not want a misadministration!
MATTRESS FUNDRAISER: The Voyager Academy High School Chorus Program Mattress Fundraiser is right around the corner on Saturday, January 29th. There will be 25+ different styles of beds on display for customers to try. The beds are new, brand name, made to order, available in all sizes, and cost less than retail stores. In addition to beds, there will also be luxury pillows, mattress protectors, adjustable power bases and even massage chairs!!
WHAT IS AMAZON SMILE? 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.
IS YOUR CHILD READY TO RETURN TO SCHOOL AFTER A COLD? OR ALLERGIES? A TEST IS BEST! Parents, please remember that our current Sick Child Policy REQUIRES that if a student stays home from school with ANY symptoms of illness - such as cough, sore throat, headache, fever, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea - that they MUST obtain a PCR COVID test with a negative result or have a note from their doctor before they are able to return to school. Even if the symptoms are mild - or they just appear to be a cold or allergies. We apologize for the inconvenience, but at this point in time we cannot allow children to return to school without a negative COVID test. This policy helps keep students, teachers, and the Voyager community safe. For convenience, there is a PCR testing facility right down the street from Voyager that offers free, no-appointment required COVID testing.
NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS: TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS AT DPAC. Proceeds from this show will benefit Voyager K-12 Arts Programs. It’s a fun night!
SHOW WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 11, 2022 - 7:30 PM
LUNCH AND BEFORE CARE UPDATE: Before & After care payments will be made within the Titan Family portal at Family.Titank12.com. It is the same system we are using to deposit funds for lunch. If you have not set up an account yet, I've included the instructions (Spanish & English) to this email. I also created a short video tutorial of the process.
Watch the video here:
You will need to create an account on the portal first to begin making payments. Once in the Titan family dashboard
Link your student(s) to your family account. All Voyager students are in the Titan system.
Add a payment method here under profile or in your cart before checking out.
Use the menu on the left to select "Store." This is the future home of all fees payments at Voyager Academy.
Select the Extended Day Programs - Before & After Care (Viking Care) button.
Select your student(s) name from the drop down list.
Select the plan selection. (i.e. 2 day, 3 day, before care, etc.)
Select your students' grade level.
Select the month of service.
Press the add to cart button.
A pop up button will appear with the option to continue shopping or view the cart. If you have a sibling to register or need an additional plan, click continue shopping. Otherwise, continue to the cart for payment.
Review your cart before completing your purchase. To delete an item. Click the 3 dots to the right of the item.
The system should email you a receipt. You can also view your transaction history from the dashboard menu under "History."
Please do not set up recurring payments within the portal for Before or After care. It only works for school lunch funds.
Receipts for previous transactions will be emailed to parents that paid by check or money order. December payments can be made now using this system. You will need to complete this process each month for your student to appear on the roster. This process includes staff and their children. You will need to select the staff student plan in the drop down menu. If after watching the video, reading the instructions here or on the attached pdfs, please feel free to call or email me. Thank you for your patience. Patrice Johnson Lunch menus are published. Be sure to select your milk preference. Milk is included with each meal at no additional cost. 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
VOYAGER LUNCH UPDATE: The Linq system is updated each Friday with your Titan account balance. Accounts with a negative balance on their Titan Family Portal account will not be permitted to order lunch online in the LINQ system. Meals ordered will be cancelled, if payment or arrangements have not been made. If you need assistance with paying off your account balance, please contact the Finance Departm at ext. 107 to make arrangements. Please be sure to send your student(s) to school with lunch, if no meal was ordered. You can pay on your balance using either form of payment below:
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 December. Be sure to select your milk preference. Milk is included with each meal at no additional cost. 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
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.
School Store Fundraiser:
A huge THANK YOU for supporting the School Store Fundraiser. Because of you our teachers are receiving Caring for Classrooms gift cards that they may use to purchase school supplies and classroom items. You may still continue to participate in the School Store.
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!
Gwen
Gwen Johnson
Middle School Principal
gjohnson@voyageracademy.net