NEWS FROM ELEMENTARY: We hope that you and your family have had a wonderful week of learning. The following announcements will be helpful for you and your family for the week of March 21-25.
REMOTE LEARNING DAYS ARE COMING: VAES will be hosting 2 Remote Learning Days for students and staff on Monday and Tuesday, March 28 and 29. Teachers will provide choice boards and assignments that should be able to be completed independently. Students will NOT need to log on to a zoom session with the teacher during these remote learning days. Do you have questions? Please reach out to your child’s teacher.
FIRST GRADE FINISHED THEIR ANIMAL PROJECT: 1st grade celebrated their Animal and Habitats project on March 18. They presented their research about an animal of their choosing for the 3rd grade classes. Students researched their animal's habitat, adaptations, and interesting facts. They created posters about their animals, wore costumes as animal experts and animals, and wrote informational texts about their animals.
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING WEEK: VAES knows the importance of science and technology. During the week of March 21, our students will be focusing on science experiments and learning about scientists. On Friday, March 25th our students will participate in 5 different science learning stations and will participate in our EGG DROP CHALLENGE. The Durham Fire Department is assisting us with the drop.
NATIONAL READING AWARENESS MONTH: Reading is the key to success. Listed below are a few fun things VAES will be doing to celebrate reading during the month of March.
March 21: Read a Mystery Book Today
March 22: Animal Day: Read a book with your favorite stuffed animal
March 23: Bring Your Favorite Book To School To Share
March 24: Sports Day: Wear your favorite sports team and read about sports today
March 25: Beach Party Reading: Bring a towel to school to sit on during reading time!
DO YOU HAVE A PICKY EATER: Many young children and adults are picky eaters. Our school social worker and guidance team wanted to share this great resource with our families. Voyager will be hosting a Virtual Workshop on April 20 from 6:30 to 7:30 to help all families learn to navigate life with a picky eater.
AIG TESTING: AIG testing will be completed on March 30 for 2nd graders and March 31 for 3rd graders. If your child qualified for testing, you should have received a letter from the school on Friday, March 11. The students brought it home in their folders. Please sign and return the form to your child’s teacher.
2nd GRADE FIELD TRIP: The 2nd grade classes will be visiting the Museum of Life and Science on March 25th. Please see your child’s teacher if you have any questions about this educational trip.
VOYAGER 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. 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" in Basketball, LEGO Robotics and Ukulele/Guitar.. The camp dates and details for these special sessions can be found on the camp webpage. Registration for Summer Camp is live on the Titan Family portal. You can quickly view all camp sessions by changing the "Category" in the school store to "Summer Camp." Complete the Summer Camp Registration Form for each child at the attached link. The $30 registration fee will be applied to your account after registration is complete. Registration is not complete until camp registration from, registration fee and session payment is made in Titan or by Check/Money Order. Space is limited and on a first come first served basis. There will be no waitlist for summer camp registration. The last day to register is April 30th, if space is still available.
CHICK-FIL-A BOOK DRIVE: Chick-Fil-A is such a wonderful supporter of our school. They will be hosting a BOOK DRIVE for us on Wednesday, March 30 from 7 to 7. If you bring three new or gently used books to Chick-Fil-A (on Roxboro St.) they will give you a FREE biscuit or sandwich. Spread the word!
VOYAGER ART SHOW: VAES will be hosting its first Elementary Art Show on Tuesday, April 5 from 5:30 to 7:00. Mark your calendar now for this exciting event.
It’s an ART SHOW_ 2022 Spring Art Show
TRAFFIC STUDY: Voyager will be conducting a traffic study in the near future to obtain more data to help as we strive to ensure the car line experience is as smooth as possible.
ALLERGIES AND COVID: It's officially "that" time of year….ALLERGY SEASON! We realize that many students and families experience symptoms of seasonal allergies. And unfortunately, many allergy symptoms can look like COVID-19 symptoms, and vice versa.
As Voyager moves into a phase of less restrictive COVID-19 measures, testing remains a powerful and valuable tool that helps prevent the uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 and keeps our students, teachers, and community safe and able to continue in-person learning. We ask that parents continue to practice an abundance of caution and follow the testing requirements for their children if they are experiencing any symptoms or have had a recent, known exposure to COVID-19.
Below are a few reminders as we head into allergy season. The Durham Department of Health guides our sick child/symptomatic individual protocols. Please note that Voyager Academy teachers, front office staff, or school nurse CANNOT diagnose allergies nor excuse a student that is currently experiencing any of the symptoms listed below from following the Sick Child Policy due to an assumption of seasonal allergies.
· NCDHHS and Durham Health STILL require a PCR COVID test for any student with symptoms on the list below. Even as other COVID protocols have changed, this policy has not changed.
· Negative at home rapid tests are not sufficient to clear a student to return to school at this point in time. While they are an informative tool, a student with symptoms needs a PCR test (with a negative result) in order to return to school prior to 5 days.
If a student is experiencing any symptoms listed below and a parent/caregiver feels that the symptoms are due to seasonal allergies, they have THREE OPTIONS. The student can either:
get a PCR COVID test with a negative result, OR
obtain a note from the doctor excusing the student from testing due to allergies, OR
stay home for 5 days following the onset of symptoms and they may return after the 5th day and will need to wear a mask indoors and outdoors for the next 5 days.
The only time a student with symptoms on the list below is not required to get a PCR COVID test is if they have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days.
If your child takes daily, over the counter medication for management of their seasonal allergy symptoms, now is a great time to speak with their pediatrician about starting that. For questions about medication management of seasonal allergies, please reach out to your child’s pediatrician.
Below is the list of possible COVID symptoms as defined by the CDC and NCDHHS:
· temperature above 100.4F or chills
· cough
· headache
· sore throat
· congestion or runny nose
· fatigue, muscle or body aches
· nausea or vomiting
· diarrhea
· shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
· new loss of taste or smell
UPDATED MASK POLICY: Voyager Academy has adopted a mask-optional policy effective March 7. 2022. In general, students, staff, and visitors will be permitted to decide whether to mask or not. Notwithstanding the foregoing, even in a mask optional setting, masks will be required for individuals at the discretion of the Managing Director in the following circumstances:
1. In accordance with guidance from the Strong Schools Toolkit, NCHHS, Durham
County Public Health Department, and/or the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (“CDC”)
2. Where an individual tests positive for COVID-19
3. Where an individual has symptoms of COVID-19
4. Where an individual has experienced a potential exposure to COVID-19
5. In accordance with state or federal law, including but not limited to the Americans
with Disabilities Act and Amendments.
For the safety of others, when a mask is required, the school requires a two-layer cloth face mask or medical mask. Masks must cover the nose, mouth, and chin. Mesh masks, bandanas, neck gaiters, and face shields are not an acceptable face mask covering and are never permitted. There are many reasons why an individual may or may not mask. All employees are expected to be supportive of their co-workers' choices with respect to masking. And, all
parents/students/guardians are expected to be supportive of staff and students with respect to
their choices. Any staff member who violates this policy will be subject to discipline. Any
student who violates this policy will be subject to discipline under the Schools Code of Conduct.
Any parent/guardian who violates this policy will be contacted by the Principal or Managing Director.
MARCH IS RESPECT MONTH: During the month of March, VAES is encouraging students to show RESPECT. We are using this theme throughout our morning meetings and we are encouraging students to be RESPECTFUL throughout the day. They have a daily RESPECT challenge–such as showing respect by being honest or by keeping your cubby clean. Thank you for encouraging your student to show RESPECT to all.
THIRD QUARTER ENDS: The third quarter grading period will end on March 11 and report cards are scheduled to go home on March 18. Teachers will be available for spring conferences on March 15.
VOYAGER SPRING FLING: The fun is coming on Friday, April 22. Rain date is set for Saturday, April 23!
IT IS TIME TO ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK: Voyager Academy Elementary School is excited to announce our YEARBOOK ordering is up and ready at Strawbridge Studios! See attached flyer.
VOYAGER ACADEMY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
2021-22 YEARBOOK
$22 - UNTIL 3/04/22
$27 - FROM 3/05/22-4/29/22
FINAL DEADLINE TO ORDER IS APRIL 29, 2022
ONLINE CODE - YB110322
https://strawbridge.fotomerchanthv.com/search/YB110322
FIELD TRIP PAYMENTS AT VOYAGER: Field Trip Payments will now be made through 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. Each family will need to set up an account in order to pay for field trip and classroom fees.
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 item you aRe purchasing (field trip, etc)
Select your student(s) name from the drop down list.
Select the plan selection.
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 field trip fees.