Hi Middle School Families,
I can’t say Thank You enough to each of you as you all are such terrific parents! You continuously support our students and our staff in a variety of ways and I always feel supported, even when we have to have hard conversations.
I would like to ask that each of you check PowerSchool to see how your child/student is doing at this point in the Third Quarter. We need all of our students to make sure all work is completed and submitted. This is an important quarter as there is only one more to go! I plan to check PowerSchool also and see what the grades are for each student.
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.
Check In Schedule:
Monday, Feb. 7 5th and 8th Grade Science
Tuesday, Feb. 8 4th and 5th Grade Language Arts
Wednesday, Feb. 9 4th and 5th Grade Math
Thursday, Feb. 10 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Language Arts
Friday, Feb. 11 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Language Arts
It’s important that we began our Check Ins no later than 8:30 each day so PLEASE make sure our students are on time. We really need all of our students on time every day!!!!
Our Check Ins will help us determine who needs support in the various areas.
Remember our Tardy Bell is 8:15 and students are marked tardy if they are not in class by 8:15.
Basketball Games and Ultimate Frisbee
Our girls and guys have a basketball game tomorrow night, February 4 and both teams would appreciate your support. The girls play at 5:00 and the boys play following the girls.
PARENT ENRICHMENT NIGHT: The February Parent Enrichment Night will be held on 2.16.22 from 6:30-7:30pm. This session will be recorded and hosted by a special guest presenter! The topic is: Social Media and Internet Dangers. Please "come out" (it's actually a Zoom meeting!) and join the Student Support Services Team for this enlightening and important topic!
More About High School—
Thanks to all of our 8th grade parents and 8th grade students for attending Monday evening’s Informational Session for our 8th graders. Hopefully you learned lots and had all of your questions answered. It will soon be time for our 8th graders to hear about classes and to share course information with their parents.
Voyager High School Information Night for our 8th Grade EC Students
Thank you to Mrs. Edler for coordinating our session regarding our EC students transitioning to High School. Thanks to all of you who were able to attend. I will certainly miss our 8th grade EC students but know they will do well next year.
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!
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.
FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Students at Voyager Academy will be discussing Black History Month during the month of February. Each grade level is currently working on plans to ensure students have a solid experience.
Our Student Council has created Trivia Questions that are read each morning and students have the opportunity to answer the questions. They are really excited about finding the answers to the questions.
HELP Cell Phones and iWatch Reminder:
We need your help reminding your/our students to keep their phone in their bookbag. We had a couple of situations this week where some of our students tried to hide their phone under the desk and began sending texts until they were found out. I recognize they think of everything but we have been clear that cell phones need to be in bookbags.
I also want to ask each of you not to text or email your child during the day. It is distracting to your child and others and our focus should be what we are learning, not returning a message.
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!
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.
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).
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.
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:
Feb. 5 Science Olympiad, 7:00-3:00
Feb. 10 Recognition of 8th Grade Players at the game
Feb. 7 - 11 Teacher Appreciation Week
Feb. 4 - 11 Valentine Day Treats - Student Council is selling Valentine Treats that any of us may purchase. Treats will be delivered on Feb. 4.
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.
Gwen
Gwen Johnson
Middle School Principal
gjohnson@voyageracademy.net