Voyager Academy High School News, Feb. 25, 2022

GO VIKINGS GO!


In this issue...

  • Show Choir Shines!
  • ACT Exam is Next Week (3/1) – Good Luck Juniors!
  • The Black History Virtual Quiz Bowl (2/26)
  • A Wellness & Mindfulness Event! - Sponsored by the PTO
  • Free Community College Classes While at VAHS: A Durham Tech. CCP Information Session
  • ONLY 60 YEARBOOKS LEFT!!!
  • Yearbook: Senior AD Deadline EXTENDED
  • Parents: How to Stay Up-To-The Minute On Your Child’s Grades and Performance in Class
  • App Development Competition for High School Students
  • 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."
  • C-STEP: Durham Tech's Guaranteed Admissions Pathway to UNC Chapel Hill
  • Durham Tech. Community College Application Workshop 2/28
  • Seniors: The SECU Scholarship Application Is Now Available
  • Scholarship Search Websites
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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ACT Exam Is March 1st – All 11th Graders

Good luck to the VAHS Juniors, who take the ACT Exam on Tuesday, March 1st! Please be sure to get a good night’s sleep before the exam.



The VAHS Show Choir Shines

Last weekend, the VAHS Show Choirs travelled to their first competition of the season in Winfield, WV. Both choirs brought home Best Stage Crew and Bull City Lights placed 2nd in their division! We also want to send out a huge congratulations to our two showmanship winners -- Karli McKenna and Riley Fernandez. We also had a member of Bull City Lights, Melody Wimberley, place first in the Solo Competition. We can't wait to see where this season takes us!


Here is the Live Stream video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIok0HpeoPc&t=1s 

To watch Vocal Affinity, start the video at 3:51:06.

To watch Bull City Lights, start the video at 7:06:22.





The Black History Virtual Quiz Bowl (Feb. 26,2022)

The Black History Virtual Quiz Bowl will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022 from 1:00pm until 2:30pm via Zoom for youth in grades 6 to 12. To register, click here.

 

The purpose of the Black History Virtual Quiz Bowl is to celebrate and teach youth about the major figures, events and contributions made by black people.

 

There will be four rounds of 25 questions. First place winners of each round will receive $100.

 

Join us in an opportunity to compete against other youth while learning and potentially winning! 

 

The Let Freedom Ring Quiz Bowl is in partnership with the North Carolina Martin Luther King, Jr Commission, Durham Community Martin Luther King, Jr. Steering Committee, Inc., Charles Hamilton Houston Foundation, Inc. and Men of Vision.



We Need Your Recyclables and Old T-Shirts

Are you looking for a way to get rid of those jars(with lids) and empty cans you don't use anymore... look no more, donate it today to the ES Class. We are also in need of your old t-shirts and towels.


Contact Ms. Stacy Harris (sharris@voyageracademy.net)



Free Community College Classes While at VAHS: A Durham Tech. CCP Information Session

Current Sophomores and Juniors who are interested in finding out more about dual enrollment in Durham Tech. Program for next fall should attend the final Information Session with the VAHS Liaison on March 7, 2022 from 6-7:30pm. Additional dates will only be available through the Durham Tech. website. Click here for more information and use the QR code below to sign up or email Mr. DeSantis at: desantisa@durhamtech.edu 


ONLY 60 YEARBOOKS LEFT!!!

Buy a yearbook now.  We have surpassed our previous year's sales and only have 60 yearbooks left!  Don't miss out on the memories of being UNITED back in the building.

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/2060369/Voyager-Academy-High-School/


Yearbook: Senior AD Deadline EXTENDED

Due to popular demand, senior ad purchase has been reopened.

IT’S EASY!
CREATE YOUR AD ONLINE AT WWW.JOSTENSADSERVICE.COM
1. CHOOSE YOUR AD SIZE AND LAYOUT.
2. ENTER YOUR TEXT AND UPLOAD YOUR PHOTOS.
Yearbook recognition ads are a great way for parents, families, and friends to commemorate student achievements and important milestones. In addition, revenues from recognition ads help our school to create a better yearbook.

To purchase your ad online, follow the instructions on the Senior Ad page of this website.

Please take into account our school's ad content guidelines during the creation of your ad online.

All ad orders must be placed online by February 7th, 2022 

 

 

Parents: How to Stay Up-To-The Minute On Your Child’s Grades and Performance

Parents–just a reminder on how you can stay informed (“up-to-the-minute”) with your child’s VAHS classes and performance.  You may login as an “Observer” on your VAHS student’s Canvas account. You can check grades and assignments any time and receive automatic alerts and notifications. Click on the link below for instructions.


VAHS Canvas – Voyager Academy

 

 

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 Tutoring From The National Honor Society!

The NHS is excited to let parents and students of all Voyager schools know that the NHS 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.
(Check out the VAHS Counselor’s Blog scholarship info. and a lot more.)


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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C-STEP: Durham Tech's Guaranteed Admissions Pathway to UNC Chapel Hill

Seniors and parents are invited to a virtual information session on Durham Tech’s guaranteed admissions pathway to UNC Chapel Hill.  


C-STEP is Durham Tech’s guaranteed admissions pathway to UNC Chapel Hill.  If you are interested in learning more about the program and how to apply, please join a C-STEP Information Session on Monday, March 7, or Tuesday, March 15, at 4:30 pm via Zoom.  Join Zoom Meeting

Click here for a flyer from UNC Chapel Hill, with more information.

Click here to see Who Is Eligible for C-STEP and How to Apply


The deadline is April 1.


Durham Tech. Community College Application Workshop 2/28

Mr. DeSantis, the VAHS/ Durham Tech. Community College Liaison, will be at VAHS from 2:00pm -  4:00pm in room A 151 to help seniors apply to Durham Technical Community College.
*Seniors should bring their laptop computers
*Creating  a CFNC account in advance is helpful
*Check out the programs and application steps on the website https://www.durhamtech.edu/

Please contact Ms. O’Kane (jokane@voyageracademy.net) to confirm  attendance for the session.  Current CCP Students are also welcome to stop by if they have questions for Mr. DeSantis during this time.  



Seniors: The SECU Scholarship Application Is Now Available

 SECU Foundation established the “People Helping People®” scholarship program to assist students across North Carolina with their educational goals. Since being established, the “People Helping People” scholarship program represents an annual commitment of over $5 million, with a collective total of over $71 million since the initial scholarship funding began in 2005.

SECU Foundation established the People Helping People four-year scholarship program to help North Carolina public high school students attend college. 


Candidates are to submit their application information to Ms. O'Kane by 3/11/22. A VAHS Scholarship Committee will submit the VAHS candidate to the Foundation. Use the links below to learn more about eligibility criteria and how to apply.

2022 NC OCS PHP Eligibility Criteria
2022 NC OCS PHP Consent Form
2022 NC OCS PHP Application



Scholarship Search Websites



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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. 19

Practice ACT for juniors

Feb. 21

REMOTE LEARNING DAY (state required) - All classes will be taught remotely. It is not live instruction. Students are provided lessons and activities to complete at home.  (click here for the VA academic calendar).

March 1

ACT exam (All 11 th graders)

March 9-10

Mid-term Exams

March 11

End of first half of Spring Semester

March 14

NO SCHOOL - Teacher workday

March 15

NO SCHOOL - Parent/teacher conferences

March 28-29

REMOTE LEARNING DAYS (state required) - All classes will be taught remotely. It is not live instruction. Students are provided lessons and activities to complete at home.  (click here for the VA academic calendar)..

April 6

Project Exhibition Night

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