Hi Middle School Families,
As you know we completed Benchmark #2 last week. We have received the results. We will provide you with a copy of the benchmark results. Our teachers will make copies and send them home with our students. You should receive a copy by the end of next week.
Spirit week was this week and it was lots of fun! On Monday lots of our students Dressed to Impress as it was Valentine’s Day. Tuesday was Twin Day and we had lots of twins in the building. Mr. Mitchell and I were twins! Wednesday was Trading Places and I think many students and staff had lots of fun with Trading Places and so many of our students dressed like their teacher or a former teacher. Teachers also enjoyed dressing like students or former students. Trading Places was lots of fun for all who participated.
FOOTLOOSE is coming to Voyager Middle School!!!! Our spring musical is going to be awesome. The students are so excited as they are working on their lines, learning the songs, and the choreography. It’s going to be fun! Please put April 28, April 29, and/or April 30 on your calendar. Be on the lookout for more information!
Remote Learning Day- Monday, Feb. 21, is a Remote Learning Day. Students will not be in the building but will have assignments to complete. They will also have a question or task to complete so they can be counted as present. Each grade level will have an activity or question to be completed by our students. If it is not completed, the student will be marked absent. It would be great to have this attendance task completed by 12:00 at the latest. Earlier than 12 would be great so Ms. Pam can make sure all is correct in PowerSchool.
Basketball Games
Wow, we’ve had some exciting basketball games! Our girls had a nailbiter on Monday night. Our boys had a tight game in the beginning and then scored big. On Monday night, Feb. 21 both of our teams, girls and guys, will host the semi-final round. Watching the girls and guys play is really exciting. We certainly are glad to have spectators attending!
Yearbooks
Yearbooks for the 2021-2022 school year are now on sale. An email was sent earlier providing you with information on how to purchase online. If you prefer to pay by check or cash, you may complete the envelope that will be in the office. It should be a great yearbook sharing lots of memories.
A Wellness & Mindfulness Event! - Sponsored by the PTO
Something that we can all agree on, is that the last few years have been particularly stressful for our kids, the staff, and ourselves!
There is no magic wand to wave it all away, but maybe there are some helpful tools that can help us manage. Please join the VA PTO Wellness and Mindfulness event on Wednesday, February 23rd at 7pm!
Zoom link:
https://duke.zoom.us/j/97206174896?pwd=VEladjFNRUhYdlFGN0RxTStGVUdTQT09
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PARENT ENRICHMENT NIGHT: The February Parent Enrichment Night was held on 2.16.22 . This session was recorded and hosted by a special guest presenter! The topic was: Social Media and Internet Dangers and the presentation was outstanding. If you have the opportunity to hear Shelly Epps discuss the above topic, you need to take time to listen to her. The information shared is important to all of us.
Just a Reminder - PLEASE DO NOT COME To School BEFORE 1:15 Mondays and 3:15 Tuesday - Friday as we are blocking the road for elementary parents and it is dangerous for ALL of us. I am also embarrassed that we have parents in line who are using inappropriate language. I recognize you are adults BUT that language is not necessary at school. We teach Core Values to our children and inappropriate language is not part of our Core Values.
FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Students at Voyager Academy will be discussing Black History Month during the month of February. 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 and learning more about famous Black Americans.
HELP Cell Phones and iWatch Reminder:
We continue to have students using their phones during the day. Cell phones should be turned off and 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 to refrain from texting or emailing our students during the day. It is distracting to our students and others. Our focus should be what we are learning, not returning a message.
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.
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.
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. 21: Remote Learning Day for Students: Students will have work to complete at home and teachers will be completing Professional Development or other necessary activities. Please make sure your student(s) completes the attendance task.
Feb. 21 - Both MS basketball teams are in the semi-final round. Girls play at 5:00 and boys play at 6:30 or 10 minutes upon conclusion of the girls’ game. We play at Voyager.
Thanks for all the support you provide Voyager Middle School. It’s
noticed and appreciated!
Gwen
Gwen Johnson
Middle School Principal
919-433-3301 ext. 101