Hi Middle School Families,
Here we go again with cold weather, sleet, freezing rain and snow or at least the possibility of cold weather! As winter weather is approaching again, stay warm and stay safe.
Want to Learn More About High School—
On January 24th, Voyager High School will be hosting an information night
for our rising 9th graders and parents so you can learn more about the opportunities available at our high school. Please reserve the date and look for additional information with the zoom link for the virtual session. The session will begin at 6:00.
You will have the opportunity to hear from Jill O’Kane, the HS Counselor, Leigh Dodson, the HS Assistant Principal, and Dr Chuck Nolan, the HS Principal. There will be lots of information shared with you and you will also have the opportunity to ask questions.
Just last week our 8th graders had the opportunity to complete a survey provided by the high school sharing some of the HS choices as the HS works to determine some of the courses they will offer.
Our 8th graders will begin their High School scheduling in early February. We ask that all rising 9th graders participate in scheduling even if you have not decided on a school for your rising 9th grader.
Voyager High School Information Night for our 8th Grade EC Students
On January 26th, Voyager High School will be hosting an information night for our 8th grade EC students and EC parents as our EC students prepare to transition to 9th grade at the high school. It will also be a zoom meeting and will begin at 6:00. Mrs. Hodge and Mrs Edler will also participate in the session.
Just a Reminder
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!
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.
NC Check Ins Round 2
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.
PTO SPONSORED LUNCH FOR TEACHERS: Each month PTO tries to host a lunch for the teachers. This month the lunch is scheduled for Thursday, JANUARY 27. If you are able to help provide a food item, please sign up using the below link. These lunches are so special and really mean a lot to our teachers.
The sign up genius for the luncheon on January 27th is below.
Thanks,
Kathy
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0949A8AE2A1-winter
SCHOOL SAFETY: Covid is in our community and we are striving to keep everyone as safe as possible. We are following all Voyager safety guidelines and are diligently striving to keep everyone learning. What can you do to help?
Please do not send your child to school if they are showing any signs of sickness.
If your child has been exposed to someone with Covid, please contact us and we will provide you with the next steps.
Send your child to school in a mask each day. It would be wonderful if they could have an extra mask in their bookbag in case their mask breaks during the day.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
You can find the link to the Sick Child Policy here: 2021-2022 Voyager Academy Sick Child and Return to School Protocol.
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).
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.
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
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.
ADD THESE DATES TO YOUR CALENDAR:
Jan. 24, 8th Graders Transition to High School Information
Session, 6:00, Zoom
Jan. 26 - EC 8th Grade Parent Night Transitioning to High School, 6:00, Zoom
Feb. 3, Info Night for Prospective Families, 5:00, Zoom
Feb. 16, Parent Enrichment Night: Social Media and Internet
Dangers, 6:30
Feb. 17-18: Teacher Workdays (School Closed for Students)
Feb. 21: Remote Learning Day for Students: Students will have work to complete on this date as teachers will be completing Professional Development.
Thanks for all the support you provide Voyager Middle School. I appreciate each of you!
Gwen
Gwen Johnson
Middle School Principal
gjohnson@voyageracademy.net