Dear Voyager Community,
What a beautiful week on campus! Our students are working hard to finish strong during the 3rd quarter of the year. Our students are also diving deep into content through their project based learning experiences. We all look forward to the spring project celebrations. The month of March is also focused on Women’s History Month with lessons integrated across campus. This morning I heard our student representatives at the Middle School share an overview of Malala’s story during morning announcements.
As I visited the elementary classes earlier this week I was able to enjoy camp fire songs around a camp fire with our kindergartners playing their ukulele during music class. They were talented and adorable. Our 11th graders stayed focused during their ACT exam this week to demonstrate their knowledge and prepare for college. This weekend we wish the high school band and chorus students all the best as they travel to VA for another competition.
The lottery was also held today for the 22-23 school year. We had over 1,900 applications for 208 open seats. Today we extended offers to 208 potential new students and the remaining applicants were added to the waitlist. The waitlist will automatically be updated with changes in the SchoolMint system throughout the enrollment period. We look forward to having new families join our community next year.
The MS Student Council members are also active as student leaders. They wanted to support a Voyager family with relatives in Ukraine and organized an awareness day. The MS was a sea of yellow and blue on Friday in support of Ukraine. Our hearts go out to all those impacted by the violence in Ukraine during this tragic time in history. Resources to talk with your child about the impacts of war are provided by our student services team below in the Student Support section.
The Board of Directors also held an Emergency meeting on Friday to discuss and implement new policies related to COVID and staff compensation. We are thankful to the board for their service and dedication to our school. A summary of the updated information is shared below.
Staff Compensation:
I am pleased to share that the Board unanimously approved the recommendations for changes to staff compensation to true up salaries and align with our area district school so that we can retain and recruit the best educators for our students. Thank you to the compensation committee for your valuable feedback and priorities which guided the focus of our recommendation that was presented.
We recognize and value the impact our teachers and all staff have on our school community and are so grateful for your dedication and tireless support of our students, families, and our school community. Our team represents the heart and soul of Voyager and truly makes the difference in the quality of a Voyager education for our students. Voyager is a very special place to learn, work, and grow with wonderful caring and supportive educators. I am so grateful to partner alongside such a fabulous team of Vikings.
COVID -19 Policy Updates
There have been several changes in guidance from the state and local health departments which warranted us to review and update our COVID 19 policies. As you know Durham Public Health lifted their mandatory mask mandate effective Monday, 3/7/22. The NCDHHS held a webinar earlier this week to discuss updates on their policy changes and mask recommendations along with updated data and statistics statewide. The revised Strong Schools Toolkit from NCDHHS will be released later today. The latest information which has led to the mask recommendation changes from NCDHHS are outlined below.
The COVID-19 landscape is different as we emerge from the latest surge; as we have throughout the pandemic, we are adapting our response based on the current stage of the pandemic.
We are learning more about the virus, and we now have a wider array of effective tools to reduce risk:
Vaccines and boosters are widely available and help protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
Immunity in the community is increasing
Treatment is available for those at higher risk of severe disease.
Trends are decreasing, lowering the risk of infection, and improving hospital capacity.
Our goal is to use the most tailored and effective tools for the stage of the pandemic, get people back to the experiences and places they love, and reduce the risk of COVID-19 and to protect those at highest risk of severe illness.
Universal mask mandates are a less important tool in lower risk settings like schools.
After a thorough review of all updated guidance from the state and local health departments, the board has approved a Mask Optional COVID 19 policy and updated the employee and volunteer vaccination policy at the emergency meeting today. The approved policies are linked for your convenience. Mandatory testing of student athletes was also eliminated. These policies will go into effect on Monday, 3/7/22 and continue to transition as guidance recommends.
I recognize that there may be mixed feelings about the changes to the mask policy. Some of you may be excited to remove your masks while others may still have concerns. Please know that we respect family’s individual choices and we ask that you respect the choices of others as well. We also ask that you please speak with your children about respecting the choices of others and not to question them about why they might be wearing or not wearing a mask.
Please remember that individuals that return from a quarantine will be required to wear a mask per guidelines from NCDHHS. We will continue to monitor the COVID metrics and stay abreast of all guidance from the health departments and adjust as needed. Thank you for all your flexibility as we continue to navigate the ever changing plans due to the COVID 19 challenges.
The school nurse has shared updated information and links to documents on COVID protocols as well in the nurse’s corner. Please keep in mind that all individuals that have been required to quarantine for 5 days will be required to mask for an additional 5-day period when they return to school per guidelines from the NCDHHS. Voyager will also offer Rapid Antigen Testing to students exposed to Covid with parent permission with these updated changes.
Please know that we are all here to support your child grow, learn, and find their passion. Feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher, building administrator, or student support if we can assist your family in any way.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Upcoming Events:
3/8 - Atlantic Coast Theater Presentation K-3 at 1:00 in middle school gym
3/9-3/10 - HS Mid-term Exams
3/10 - DPI Visit to Voyager - PBL
3/11 - End of 3rd quarter
3/14 - No School Teacher Workday
3/15 - No School Teacher Conferences
3/16 - Parent Enrichment Night
3/18 - MS Pictures
3/24 - Board Meeting
3/21-3/25 - Science Week at Elementary
3/24 - Science Engineering Night - K-3
3/28-3/29 - Remote Day for students
3/30 - HS Project Exhibition Night
PTO SAVE THE DATE – SPRING FLING – FRIDAY APRIL 22ND, RAIN DATE – APRIL 23RD
NURSES CORNER
UPDATED COVID-19 PROTOCOLS AND POLICIES
As the pandemic continues to evolve, the NC Department of Health and Human Services and the Durham Department of Public Health have been committed to providing the most effective and appropriate public health guidance for schools given the current phase of the pandemic. As cases from the recent Omicron surge are steadily decreasing within the community, NCDHHS and the Durham Department of Health are making new updates to the existing COVID protocols recommended for schools. These agencies have recommended that the best tools right now are:
getting vaccinated
getting a booster dose of the COVID vaccine when eligible. For the CDC’s guidance on booster eligibility, click here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html
wearing a well-fitting mask
testing after exposure
and staying home when sick
As of February 24, 2022, the Voyager Academy Board of Directors have approved the following updates to the school’s current COVID protocols:
Shortening the isolation period from school to 5 days (from 10 days) for students that test positive for COVID-19.
Students who are not having symptoms, regardless of vaccination status OR location of exposure, are no longer required to complete a mandatory quarantine from school or extracurricular activities after an exposure to COVID-19.
Offering post exposure testing on campus for students that have had a known exposure to COVID-19 AND are currently not experiencing symptoms. See the UPDATED Voyager Academy COVID Protocol document linked below for additional information.
Students who are experiencing any symptoms of illness identified by the CDC as possible symptoms of COVID-19 are still required to stay home and should obtain a PCR COVID test. For the list of symptoms, please refer to the UPDATED Voyager Academy Sick Child Policy document linked below.
For links to Voyager’s updated COVID-19 protocols and policies please see below. These documents are also available on the Voyager Academy website under “COVID-19 Info.”
· UPDATED Voyager Academy COVID Protocols as of 2/28/22: https://www.voyageracademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Voyager-Academy-COVID-5-Day-Guidance-and-Policies.pdf
· UPDATED Voyager Academy Sick Child Policy: https://www.voyageracademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Voyager-Academy-COVID-Sick-Policy.pdf
· UPDATED Voyager Academy Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.voyageracademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/COVID-19-Guidelines-FAQ.pdf
STUDENT SUPPORT
Attention all Adults: Did you miss the amazing Parent Enrichment Night session on "Social Media and Internet Dangers" or do you simply wish to view it again?! Well here's your chance! You may view the informative presentation facilitated by Mrs. Shelly Calrk Epps at either of the following links:
Please be reminded that this presentation is NOT intended for youth; therefore, make sure that any youth are not within hearing or viewing of the content.
Final Call: Calling all interested 6th-8th Middle School students: There is still time to join Dr. Link's second group, created just for you! It is focused on Healthy Coping and the group will be held on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30p. Please review the attached flyer and contact Dr. Link with any questions. Parents: To enroll your 6th-8th grade student, please complete the Permission Form and return it to Dr Link as soon as possible. This will be a safe, fun, and informative environment, where students will learn skills related to emotion regulation, self-management, self-care, healthy expression, and effective communication!
March is Women's History Month! Check out these exciting events...
For more information, go to: https://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/women-making-history-north-carolina-live
Check out 5 Ways to Celebrate Women's History Month - various events at Duke and in Durham to honor the contributions of women.
Supportive Resources
These may be of assistance when talking with your child about the war in Ukraine.
LUNCH PROGRAM
March is #NationalNutritionMonth! To celebrate, we'll be sharing the weekly theme here in the Weekly Newsletter as well as on social media. National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits. For more information on National Nutrition Month, you can visit https://www.eatright.org/food/resources/national-nutrition-month.
Week One: Eat a variety of nutritious foods.
Include healthful foods from all food groups.
Learn how to read Nutrition Facts labels.
Incorporate your favorite cultural foods and traditions.
Choose foods that have little to no added sodium, sugars or saturated fat
Try new flavors from around the world.
LUNCH ORDERING
The Linq Online Meal Ordering system is updated each Friday with your Titan account balance. The price for lunch under NSLP will be $4.00 for full price, $.40 for reduced and free for students that are eligible for reduced priced student meals. The monthly lunch menu is attached and also available on our School Nutrition website by clicking here. Please be sure to select a milk flavor before adding to your cart. The milk is a part of the meal. When ordering please remember to deposit funds into your Titan portal to cover the cost of meals ordered. Accounts with a negative balance, will lose their ability to order online until the balance is paid. If you need assistance, please email foodnutritionservices@voyageracademy.net.
LUNCH FUND DONATIONS
Some families require more help than others with daily purchases and outstanding meal balances. A few extra dollars from families with the ability to donate can help us make sure all of our children have consistent access to nutritious school meals, while keeping Voyager Academy’s finances strong! If you would like to contribute to the Voyager Academy Lunch fund, you can do so on the School Store at TitanK12.com
VIKING 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.
ATHLETICS
Middle School Athletics:
I can’t believe we are already into our spring season! The middle school baseball and girls soccer team will get their season started when they play their first games on Friday and Monday. On Friday, 3/4 the boys will travel to the Trinity School. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00pm. The girls soccer team will host Vance Charter School in their first game on Monday, 3/7. The softball team will get their season going when they host Vance Charter school on Tuesday, 3/15.
High School Athletics:
The women’s soccer team (0-1, 0-0) opened up their season by hosting the North Carolina School of Science & Math this past Monday. Unfortunately, the team fell to the unicorns by a score of 2-7. Senior Amelia Leonard scored both Viking goals and Sophomore Dakota Tivnan tallied an assist.
The baseball team (1-0, 0-0) officially opened up their season on Wednesday by shutting out 4A Riverside High School, 5-0. Carrick Ryan (1-0) earned the win throwing five strong innings, giving up two hits and zero walks to go along with his four strikeouts. Dylan Ohlendorf came in to close it out for the final two innings giving up no hits with 4 strikeouts and no walks. The vikings offense was led by Sam Koerner’s 2 RBIs and Bryce Smith’s 2 stolen bases.
The men’s tennis team (0-1, 0-0) lost their first match of the season when they traveled to the Trinity school on Thursday afternoon, 1-8. However, our team had incredibly competitive scores and will have a strong showing in conference play this season.
Both the golf (0-0) and softball (0-0) teams opened up their season this week. However, at the time of writing this, scores and statistics had not been uploaded.
Upcoming Home Games:
Monday, 3/7 Middle school girls soccer vs. Vance Charter School 4:30pm
Thursday, 3/10 Women’s soccer vs. Franklin Academy 6:00pm
Saturday, 3/12 Baseball vs. Carrboro (at DAP) 2:00pm
Important Notes:
There will be an Athletics Booster meeting held at the high school on Thursday, March 16th at 6:30pm. The Athletic Booster Club plays such a vital role for our athletes. If you have suggestions and ideas please come join us!
As a reminder, the athletic department no longer requires a participation fee for your athlete to compete in a sport each season. Please help support our student athletes by making a contribution using the following steps below.
How to contribute to Voyager Athletics
You will want to start by going to the following web address: Family.Titank12.com and you will see to the right where it says “Don’t have an account? Sign up today!”
1. Once you create your account you will see a green + button to the lower right of the computer screen. Once you hit that button it should give you an option where you can select “add student”. It will ask what your district is. Start to type Voyager Academy and it will automatically populate for you to select. It should now prompt you to enter your child’s name and their date of birth.
2. You should now see a box on the screen with your child’s name. If you want to add a payment method you can go to the top right of the screen, click name, select profile. Here is where you can add your payment method.
3. Use the menu on the left to select "Store." This is the future home of all fee payments at Voyager Academy.
4. Select the Recommended or Custom Athletic Contribution tab. Each tab has a picture of our V logo with Athletics written across it.
5. Select your student(s) name from the drop down list.
6. Select the contribution you would like to make. In the recommended Athletic Contribution tab there are pre-set amounts listed depending on how many sports your child participates in. In the Custom Athletic Contribution tab you are able to write in the amount you wish to contribute.
7. Press the add to cart button.
10. A pop up button will appear with the option to continue shopping or view the cart. If you have additional contributions you would like to make, click continue shopping. Otherwise, continue to the cart for payment.
11. Review your cart before completing your purchase. To delete an item. Click the 3 dots to the right of the item.
12. The system should email you a receipt. You can also view your transaction history from the dashboard menu under "History."
As always, if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me:
jgatcomb@voyageracademy.net
Go Vikings, Go!
1st Annual Pete Shankle Classic
Own a piece of the 1st Annual Pete Shankle Classic today! Shirts are available in red only and in youth and adult unisex sizes. Shirts are $10 and pre-order ONLY!
The deadline for all orders is Wednesday, February 23 at 5:00pm. Cash or Checks payable to Lauren Allen will be accepted. If paying by check, please note "Pete Shankle Classic Shirt" on the memo line of the check and put your check and order form in a sealed envelope. If paying by cash please put your order form and cash in a sealed envelope. It is important that all payments be turned in to Voyager Academy Middle School with attention to Lauren Allen. Proceeds from t-shirt sales will be donated to Stand Up to Cancer Foundation.
Shirts will be available for pick-up from 4:30-6:00 Friday, March 11 at Voyager Academy Middle School or prior to the start of the game on Saturday, March 12.
Inaugural Pete Shankle Classic T-Shirt Pre-Order Form
How to contribute to Voyager Athletics
You will want to start by going to the following web address: Family.Titank12.com and you will see to the right where it says “Don’t have an account? Sign up today!”
1. Once you create your account you will see a green + button to the lower right of the computer screen. Once you hit that button it should give you an option where you can select “add student”. It will ask what your district is. Start to type Voyager Academy and it will automatically populate for you to select. It should now prompt you to enter your child’s name and their date of birth.
2. You should now see a box on the screen with your child’s name. If you want to add a payment method you can go to the top right of the screen, click name, select profile. Here is where you can add your payment method.
3. Use the menu on the left to select "Store." This is the future home of all fee payments at Voyager Academy.
4. Select the Recommended or Custom Athletic Contribution tab. Each tab has a picture of our V logo with Athletics written across it.
5. Select your student(s) name from the drop down list.
6. Select the contribution you would like to make. In the recommended Athletic Contribution tab there are pre-set amounts listed depending on how many sports your child participates in. In the Custom Athletic Contribution tab you are able to write in the amount you wish to contribute.
7. Press the add to cart button.
10. A pop up button will appear with the option to continue shopping or view the cart. If you have additional contributions you would like to make, click continue shopping. Otherwise, continue to the cart for payment.
11. Review your cart before completing your purchase. To delete an item. Click the 3 dots to the right of the item.
12. The system should email you a receipt. You can also view your transaction history from the dashboard menu under "History."
As always, if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me:
jgatcomb@voyageracademy.net
Go Vikings, Go!
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
INTERESTED IN PART TIME WORK AT VOYAGER – SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS
PART TIME MIDDLE SCHOOL EC TEACHING ASSISTANT
Provides one-on-one assistance with academics and behavioral supports needed and may lead small group activities.
Assists the teacher with executing instruction and evaluating its effectiveness, participates in planning.
Assists with the delivery of special services for students in need of functional life skills.
Competitive hourly rate
Supportive school climate
PART TIME BUS DRIVER OPPORTUNITIES
Safely transport students to field experiences and athletic events
Maintain safe bus environment for students
Available to drive activity bus for field trips and athletic events
Flexible hours
Competitive hourly rate
CDL license required
Apply on employment site on Voyager website under “About Voyager”