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 7-11.
PARTNERSHIP WITH AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION: Thanks to your support and kindness Voyager Elementary raised $1,980.89 for the American Heart Association. We are proud to sponsor this organization. This is a great way for our students to give back. Thank you to Mrs. Flowe-Dawson and Mrs. Boyd for organizing this year’s Kids Heart Challenge Event.
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.
EDUCATIONAL MICROSCOPES: On Thursday, a few high school students visited Mrs. Spankie’s 3rd Grade classroom to teach them how to use a microscope. The students worked with light microscopes. They viewed eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms on water slides.
EC FUNDRAISER: With Spring Fling around the corner, Voyagers Exceptional Children Pineapple class has decided to sell DONUTS. The Dunking Booth was such a big hit at the fall festival we are hoping to have it return for Spring Fling. We are trying to raise money to help cut the cost for the booth and raise money for materials that are needed for our classroom. Beginning today and until Friday, March 18th we will be selling donuts by the dozen for $13.00. If you would like to order, please complete the order form listed below. It you have any questions please reach out to Crissy Wilson- Cwilson@voyageracademy.net
READING AWARENESS MONTH: March is National Reading Awareness Month. We will be encouraging students and families to read, read, read. Will you join us? Think about setting aside time each week for the entire family to stop what they are doing and READ. It will make a difference. The more your student reads, the stronger student they will become. This coming week we will focus on the following:
Monday: Play a board game and read the board
Tuesday: Read a Joke
Wednesday: Read Poetry
Thursday: Read a Magazine
Friday: Read with a flashlight
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME: Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 13.
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.
WELCOME MRS. HATCH: Voyager Academy is pleased to welcome Mrs. Nichole Hatch to our faculty. She will be teaching one of our kindergarten classes for the remainder of this school year. Mrs. Hatch holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education. Her first day with us will be Monday, March 7. Please join me in helping her feel welcomed.
FIRE DRILL: VAES hosts a monthly fire drill to help students practice this important procedure. Our monthly drill was held on Thursday, February 3.
NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT: VAES is so excited to announce that our K-3 playgrounds are getting a facelift! The Voyager Foundation, along with our fall fundraising efforts, has allowed us to purchase new playground equipment for our playgrounds. The project will not be completed until May or June but new equipment has been ordered. The students are going to love it. We are also excited to announce that an outdoor awning has been ordered to cover the car line pick-up/drop off area, so students and staff no longer have to stand in the rain. Yeah!!!
ATLANTIC COAST THEATER COMPANY: VAES is excited to announce the Atlantic Coast Theater Company will be visiting the elementary school on March 8 to perform a live play for students in grades K-3. The company will be performing The Fairy Tales of Grimm. This 50 minute play will take place in the middle school gym.
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.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: VAES will be hosting a Science and Engineering Extravaganza Week March 21-25. Details will be provided to each family. We hope to fill the week with fun and energizing experiments and challenges as we highlight the importance of science and engineering. On Friday, March 25, the students will experience 5 different science and engineering learning stations and will participate in the first VAES Egg Drop Event.
WISH LIST FOR SCIENCE WEEK: As we prepare for our amazing Science Week, we are in need of a few supplies. If you are able to assist with this, please click on the link below. Thank you so much.
PROJECT CELEBRATIONS: Voyager is thrilled to be a PBL school and our students are diligently working on their upcoming projects. Our 2nd and 3rd grade students will be hosting their next Project Celebration on March 11th. Our 1st grade students will be sharing their knowledge during their project celebration on March 18th.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER: VAES will be hosting Teacher Workdays and Spring Conferences on March 14-15. There will be no school for students and no before or after care available on these two days.
REMOTE LEARNING DAYS: Voyager Academy will be hosting its last remote learning days of the year on March 28-29. Teachers will be sending home assignments for students to work on during these two days. In order to be counted PRESENT for each day, students will need to complete and submit or return the packet work to their teacher.
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
CARLINE REMINDERS: Thank you to the parents who work so hard to help make our carline successful. Things are certainly much smoother than they were but we still have room for improvement. I wanted to encourage everyone to consider coming to school 5 minutes earlier to ensure we can begin school on time. The past week, the majority of cars have arrived at Voyager at 7:40 and then we cannot begin school until close to 8:00 because the cars back up in the line. We need to begin our day at 7:45 am. Car line begins at 7:15 and it would truly help if we could have more parents arrive on campus before 7:40. We are working to remind our students they can make a difference, and we can model that for our students with our car line procedures. Will you help us make a difference at Voyager?
A second reminder to all Voyager Families–please be kind and respectful while in the car line. Please do not cut into the line when everyone else has been waiting their turn. It is just the wrong thing to do.
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.