Dear Voyager Community,
Thank you to the PTO and our wonderful families that recognized and celebrated our staff this week during staff appreciation week. It was amazing to see all the inspirational messages, decorations, and all the delicious food served in each of the school buildings to make our team feel special. It was incredible for our staff to receive hand written notes from students, cards from parents, flowers, gift cards, and sweet treats to show gratitude and appreciation for the Voyager team. I had many teachers and staff sharing how wonderful it was to be recognized and appreciated by our families and students. We all appreciate the loving kindness shown in a big way this week. I am so grateful for our school community and the support from all of our families.
I am so pleased to report that the cases of COVID on campus and in the Durham community has been declining since we hit the peak in January. You may have also seen that the NCDHHS has updated their guidance and recommendations for schools related to school quarantines. The updated NCDHHS Strong Schools Toolkit is linked here if you are interested in learning more about the recommendations from the state which are effective on February 21, 2022. Schools also need to follow the guidance of the local County Health Department which may be more stringent than the state recommendations. We are working with the Durham Health Department to learn more about their specific recommendations so that we can update our COVID protocols to ensure the health and safety of all while striving to get school back to normal operations as much as possible. NCDHHS continues to recommend universal masking at this time since we are still experiencing high transmission. We all look forward to the day when we can transition away from masking as well but we want to ensure that make changes in a measured way to ensure the health and well-being of all.
The health department continues to remind all of us that the best tools we have to stay healthy right now are: getting vaccinated, getting boosted when eligible, wearing a well-fitting mask, testing after exposure, and staying home when sick. As soon as we have the updated guidance from the Durham County Health Department on their planned recommendations we will finalize the updates to the Voyager procedures. All updates will be shared with the community as soon as they are approved.
Please remember that students do not have school on Thursday and Friday 2/17-2/18 since these dates are designated as teacher workdays. Monday, February 21st is a remote day for students as well. Teachers will be providing assignments for students to complete at home. 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.
I’m looking forward to our Nashville Songwriters Fundraiser at DPAC tonight and look forward to seeing many of you there. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day weekend!
Upcoming Events:
2/11 – Country Songwriter’s Night at DPAC
2/12 - Mattress Sale @ ES
2/14/22 - Singing Friend-A-Grams at the Elementary School
2/14 - 2/18 MS Winter Spirit Week
2/16/22 - Parent Enrichment Night: Social Media and Internet
Dangers (6:30p)
2/17 & 2/18 - Teacher Workdays - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
2/21 - Remote Day for Students and Staff
2/22-2/25 - ACCESS for ELLs testing
2/24 - Board Meeting
3/1 - ACT (all 11th graders)
Early March - 8th grade course registration during Core Connections
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.
Link to Parent Info Night held on 2/3/22
AUTISM TEAM
The Voyager Autism Team has been meeting monthly this year to find ways to better support teachers' classrooms for students with sensory needs to be successful. This group of teachers and administrators wrote and applied for grant funding which was approved by the Department of Public Instruction. With the grant, they purchased sensory items to make “Classroom Support Kits.” for each grade level. (K-3). These kits included items such as weighted blankets, hand fidgets, flexible seating options, as well as visual timers. The Autism Team's plan is for all students to be able to benefit from these items in order to support language development, cognitive growth, fine and gross motor skills, social interaction and emotional regulation.
If you would like more information about this project or to make a donation, please contact Tracey Edler-Exceptional Children Director-Tedler@voyageracademy.net.
NURSES CORNER
LOVE YOUR HEART
February is National Heart Health Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States so it’s never too late (or early) to start creating heart healthy habits. During this special month, both kids and adults can take a moment to recognize the importance of a healthy heart and actions we can all take to live a heart healthy life. Throughout the month of February, be on the lookout for Friday RN Updates focusing on different ways to take action and show our hearts some love!
This week it’s all about FOOD! Let’s treat our hearts to some delicious, heart-healthy foods! The following foods are the foundation of a heart-healthy eating plan.
Vegetables such as leafy greens (spinach, collard greens, kale, cabbage), broccoli, and carrots
Fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges, pears, grapes, and prunes
Whole grains such as plain oatmeal, brown rice, and whole-grain bread or tortillas
Fat-free or low-fat dairy foods such as milk, cheese, or yogurt
Protein-rich foods:
Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, tuna, and trout)
Lean meats such as 95% lean ground beef or pork tenderloin or skinless chicken or turkey
Eggs
Nuts, seeds, and soy products (tofu)
Legumes such as kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, and lima beans
Oils and foods high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats:
Canola, corn, olive, safflower, sesame, sunflower, and soybean oils (not coconut or palm oil)
Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, and pine nuts
Nut and seed butters
Salmon and trout
Seeds (sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, or flax)
Avocados
Tofu
Trying new foods isn’t always a child’s favorite activity, so consider making it a family event and all members participating. Host a “Family Taste Test Night” and try cooking and exploring different heart-healthy recipes. Let children help you pick out recipes and include them in shopping for ingredients at the grocery store. When it comes time to prepare and cook, invite your children into the kitchen to help. Maybe they can help you read and follow the recipe, mix together ingredients, or chop and prepare foods. When the cooking is finished, enjoy a family dinner together and talk about the new foods! How it tastes, different textures, and how these foods can help support strong, healthy hearts.
For recipe collections from the American Heart Association click here: https://recipes.heart.org/en/ and for fun, kid friendly versions click here: https://recipes.heart.org/en/collections/lifestyles/kid-friendly
Voyager Sick Child Policy & Guidelines
STUDENT SUPPORT
Dr. Link is able to offer an additional group for our 6th-8th grade Middle School students focused on Healthy Coping! The group will be held on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30p. Please review the attached flyer and contact Dr. Link with any questions. To enroll your 6th-8th grade student, please complete the Permission Form and return it to Dr Link by February 23rd. This will be a safe, fun, and informative environment, where students will learn skills related to emotion regulation, self-management, self-care, healthy expression, and effective communication!
LUNCH PROGRAM
MEAL APPLICATIONS
All families need to complete an application now that Voyager Academy is approved as an NSLP school. Even if you do not qualify for reduced meals or order meals from the school, your input on the applications matter. The data used helps Voyager Academy qualify for certain programs and grants each year. The meal application can be completed online at Family.TitanK12.com. I have attached the FAQ Free and Reduced School Meals for more detailed insight on the program and a paper application. If you need assistance, please email foodnutritionservices@voyageracademy.net.
Families that qualify for Direct Certification based on their eligibility for State and Federal programs will receive an email from Food & Nutrition Services. Those families will not need to reapply at this time. If your family currently receives FRL meals but does not qualify under Direct Certification, you must resubmit an application dated after January 3rd. Families that do not, will lose their eligibility and are responsible for the cost of meals ordered.
Any applications received/processed after January 3, 2022 do not need to be resubmitted.
LUNCH ORDERING
The Linq Online Meal Ordering system is updated each Friday with your Titan account balance. 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. The monthly lunch menu is attached and also available on our School Nutrition website by clicking here. When ordering please remember to deposit funds into your Titan portal to cover the cost of meals ordered. Accounts with a negative balance, will lose their ability to order online until the balance is paid. If you need assistance, please email foodnutritionservices@voyageracademy.net.
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
AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
Enrichment classes begin next week. Classes run from February 7th through May 13th, except Soccer Shots (starts on March 21st for 6 weeks). There are no Enrichment classes on February 17th,18th, 21st, March 14th & 15th, and the week of April 11 – April 18 (Spring Break). Enrichments pickup will take place in the carline. We ask that parents be there to pick up their students on time. Please use your red/blue pick up card for enrichments. The instructor will escort the students to the carline door.
If you need assistance, please email enrichments@voyageracademy.net.
SUMMER CAMP
Voyager Academy is offering 4 fabulous weeks of summer camp for Rising 1st – 8th graders. Camp begins Monday, June 6, 2022 and will end Thursday, June 30, 2022. Camp hours are Monday - Thursday from 8:00am - 4:30 pm. All campers must be picked up by 5pm. Each week has its own theme incorporated into crafts, activities, and games. Campers will also go on weekly field trips, swim (pending pool availability due to COVID) or water play and participate in STEM activities. We are also offering "Specialty Camps". The weeks for those special sessions will be announced soon. Registration for Summer Camp will begin in mid February. Space will be limited and on a first come first served basis. There will be no waitlist for summer camp registration.
ATHLETICS
Winter Athletics
Middle School:
The boys basketball team (10-0, 7-0) continued their winning ways as they beat Oxford Prep. this past Friday, 2/4, 51-21. Nine different Vikings scored in the win, led by Devin Seward’s 12 points and Josh Ford’s 10. 8th grade recognition last night was extra special for our boys as they beat Roxboro Community School 60-26. Jonathan Scott led 11 different Viking scorers with 14 points and Seward contributed with 8.
The girls basketball team (6-1, 5-1) had a big week winning games against Oxford Prep. On Friday, Vance Charter on Monday, and with their huge 42-16 win vs. Roxboro Community last night the girls secured themselves as the 2022 TNAC Conference Regular Season Champions! Congratulations to our girls and good luck as they try to bring home the tournament conference championship later next week.
High School:
Congratulations to our swimming team as they took home silver in the Regional meet last Friday! Faith Murray finished first in the Region and will be competing for states in the 50 freestyle. Future UNC Tarheel swimmer Ede Kosik also finished first in the Region and will be competing in the 100 and 500 freestyle at the state championship. Rounding out our individual swimmers who qualified for states is Ashlin Wooten who qualified in both the 100 freestyle and the 100 backstroke. In addition, our 200 Medley Relay and 200 freestyle relay teams finished first in the region! The amazing relay team members are: Wooten, Sage Kuehner, Kosik, and Murray. Our 400 freestyle relay team also finished in the top 4 in the region, with the team consisting of Katelyn Elliot, Lilly Bullock, Eloise Leonard, and Amelia Leonard. Congratulations to our swimming team and best of luck on Saturday in States to our relay teams and individual state qualifiers.
Best of luck to our wrestlers as they will be traveling to Rosewood High School for individual regional titles. Jordan Reudi, Jed Rose, and Logan McElroy look to qualify for next weekend’s state championship and lock down individual titles in their weight class. Be sure to wish them luck if you see them in the hallways today!
The men's basketball team (12-6, 8-2) beat Oxford Prep. on the road last Friday, 60-42. Ten different Vikings scored in the team win. Senior Nate Kornegay led the way with 9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 7 assists! Junior Erik Kronstead had a huge night on the boards, ripping down 17 rebounds to go along with his 9 points and 6 blocked shots. This past Tuesday the men were back on the road as they won big against Eno River Academy, 81-49. 14 different Vikings scored in the big win, led by Konstead’s 14 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Cade Curtis had 13 points in the win shooting an amazing 61% from the floor. The men closed out their regular season with a win at Roxboro last night 66-52. Kornegay led the way with 16 points, 7 assists, and 5 steals. Kronstead had another strong game with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots.
The JV Men’s Basketball team won big at home 87-21 as they hosted Falls Lake Academy on Wednesday. The team wrapped up it’s season last night on the road at Roxboro Community School. At the time of writing this stats for both games and last night’s score had not been reported.
Spring Athletics Tryout Information
***REMINDER*** All athletes are required to be registered through Form ReLeaf prior to their tryouts. Please go to this link and complete the required paperwork:
https://app.formreleaf.com/organizations/voyager-academy/programs/20202021-sportscopy-16
If you were a member of a fall or winter team and did not check off a spring sport and would like to try out for one, please email me so I may add that spring sport to your file to avoid you having to upload all of your paperwork again. As a reminder, physicals are valid for 364 days from when the doctor completed the exam.
Middle School:
Boys Tennis: Tuesday, 2/15 @ Rock Quarry Tennis Courts after school (about 3:45).
Address: 701 Stadium Drive, Durham
Coach: LeeAnn Rose: leerus@aol.com
Softball: Monday, 2/14 after school (1:00) on the turf field
Address: Voyager Campus
Coach: Cole Blackston: cblackston@voyageracademy.net
Girls Soccer: Tuesday, 2/15 after school (3:35) on the turf field
Address: Voyager Campus
Coach: Joe Shields (please email AD with questions for now)
High School:
Men’s Tennis: Monday, 2/14 @ Rock Quarry Tennis Courts 4:00pm.
Address: 701 Stadium Drive, Durham
Coach: Kevin Kirk: functionalfitnessnc@gmail.com
Outdoor Track: Tuesday, 2/15 after school behind middle school gym
Address: Voyager Campus
Coach: Dan Middleman: dmiddleman@voyageracademy.net
Lacrosse: Monday, 2/14 on the turf field 6:00pm
Address: Voyager Campus
Coach: James Mills jmills@voyageracademy.net
Softball: Monday, 2/14 Souther SES 6:00pm
Address: Southern SES 800 Clayton Rd. Durham
Coach: Wayne Holder wayne.holder@voyageracademy.net
As always, if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me:
jgatcomb@voyageracademy.net
1st Annual Pete Shankle Classic
Own a piece of the 1st Annual Pete Shankle Classic today! Shirts are available in red only and in youth and adult unisex sizes. Shirts are $10 and pre-order ONLY!
The deadline for all orders is Wednesday, February 23 at 5:00pm. Cash or Checks payable to Lauren Allen will be accepted. If paying by check, please note "Pete Shankle Classic Shirt" on the memo line of the check and put your check and order form in a sealed envelope. If paying by cash please put your order form and cash in a sealed envelope. It is important that all payments be turned in to Voyager Academy Middle School with attention to Lauren Allen. Proceeds from t-shirt sales will be donated to Stand Up to Cancer Foundation.
Shirts will be available for pick-up from 4:30-6:00 Friday, March 11 at Voyager Academy Middle School or prior to the start of the game on Saturday, March 12.
Inaugural Pete Shankle Classic T-Shirt Pre-Order Form
How to contribute to Voyager Athletics
You will want to start by going to the following web address: Family.Titank12.com and you will see to the right where it says “Don’t have an account? Sign up today!”
1. Once you create your account you will see a green + button to the lower right of the computer screen. Once you hit that button it should give you an option where you can select “add student”. It will ask what your district is. Start to type Voyager Academy and it will automatically populate for you to select. It should now prompt you to enter your child’s name and their date of birth.
2. You should now see a box on the screen with your child’s name. If you want to add a payment method you can go to the top right of the screen, click name, select profile. Here is where you can add your payment method.
3. Use the menu on the left to select "Store." This is the future home of all fee payments at Voyager Academy.
4. Select the Recommended or Custom Athletic Contribution tab. Each tab has a picture of our V logo with Athletics written across it.
5. Select your student(s) name from the drop down list.
6. Select the contribution you would like to make. In the recommended Athletic Contribution tab there are pre-set amounts listed depending on how many sports your child participates in. In the Custom Athletic Contribution tab you are able to write in the amount you wish to contribute.
7. Press the add to cart button.
10. A pop up button will appear with the option to continue shopping or view the cart. If you have additional contributions you would like to make, click continue shopping. Otherwise, continue to the cart for payment.
11. Review your cart before completing your purchase. To delete an item. Click the 3 dots to the right of the item.
12. The system should email you a receipt. You can also view your transaction history from the dashboard menu under "History."
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
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”