Hi Middle School Families,
Wow, we have made it through Benchmark # 2. I am proud of our students and the work they are doing. As we monitored the halls and looked from afar, it appeared that our students were focused as they pushed through math and language arts and science for our 5th and 8th graders. Our Benchmark administration gives us an idea of spacing for groups and for the number of test administrators that we will need for our EOGs in May as well as what skills need additional attention.
As soon as we receive the results and we receive the parent document, we will send it to you. I will let you know when the students have received the reports!
We are continuing to work with our students to make sure all work is completed and submitted. Mrs. Farrish and I talk with many of our students about the importance of completing their work, especially our 8th grade students as they prepare for 9th grade.
SPIRIT WEEK - Feb. 14 - Feb. 16
Monday - Dress to Impress for Valentine’s Day
Tuesday - Twin Day
Wednesday - Trading Places - Students Dress Like Teachers and Teachers Dress Like Students. Should be lots of fun!
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!
Teacher Workdays - February 17 and February 18 are Teacher Workdays. No school for students.
Helping a Family
Many of you know the Crooks’ family and the battle that Monica Crooks, the mom, had with cancer. She lost her battle which saddens all of us. The middle school is collecting gift cards, Target or Walmart, to support the family and to help their children who will be going back to college soon. If you would like to donate a gift card, please send or bring to my office. I know they will be appreciated and used wisely. Thanks, Gwen!!!!!
Basketball Games and Ultimate Frisbee
Congratulations to our girls as our basketball team won Thursday evening and are the Triangle North Athletic Conference Regular Season Champs. Our team was very small this year but very powerful! Thanks to all of our girls and to Coach Miracle Jackson. We also appreciate ALL the parent support the team received. Our Ultimate Frisbee team also had a great season.
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!
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.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Wow, thanks to all of you for recognizing the great work of our staff. You were extremely generous in all that you did this week to say “Thank You!” Our staff enjoyed each day. Again, thank you so very much!
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.
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. 14 Happy Valentine’s Day
Feb. 14 Dress to Impress for Valentine’s Day
Feb. 15 Club Pictures such as NJHS, Student Council, etc.
Feb. 15 Twin Day
Feb. 16 Trading Places - Students Dress Like the Teachers
and the Teachers Dress Like Students.
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 at home and teachers will be completing Professional Development or other necessary activities.
Thanks for all the support you provide Voyager Middle School.
Gwen
Gwen Johnson
Middle School Principal
919-433-3301 ext. 101