Hi Middle School Families,
Wow, spring has sprung or at least for a few days it has! I want to remind all of you that March 11 is the end of the third nine weeks of school. We do have several students who have outstanding assignments. In order for them to receive credit for any incomplete assignment, the work must be in no later than March 11 as teachers have a deadline for submitting grades.
Remember that Tuesday, March 15 is Spring Conference Day! If you have concerns about your child’s grades you might want to contact your child’s teacher or teachers.
March 14 and March 15 are teacher workdays so students will not come to school either day. We have two additional Remote Learning Days and the days are March 28 and March 29. Students do not come to school on Remote Learning Days. Remember assignments will be given to students but more importantly our students need to make sure they complete the assignment that is tied to their attendance.
National Junior Honor Society
Our National Junior Honor Society is at it again. Their Service Project is providing toiletries to Urban Ministries. They have tubs at the front door of the MS with labels on each tub. Let's help them fill the tubs so needed toiletries can be delivered to Urban Ministries. We will be collecting these items until March 31.
The needed items are: Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Shampoo, Conditioner (small or travel size), Deodorant, Soap, Hairbrush, Dental Floss, Hand Sanitizer, and Wash Cloths. Please help our National Junior Honor Society!
PTO SAVE THE DATE – SPRING FLING – FRIDAY APRIL 22ND, RAIN DATE – APRIL 23RD
Office of Charter Schools
We are excited that we will have a few guests from the Office of Charter Schools on Thursday, March 10. The guests are visiting Voyager to learn more about how we incorporate Project Based Learning. We know they will see much great work from our students.
Lost and Found Items
If you have dropped off lunch or picked up your students early, you have probably seen the Lost and Found Items in the lobby - there is a rack of coats, etc, a bucket of Water Bottles, sweatshirts, gym clothes, and even some shoes. If you think your student lost an item or more, send them to check lost and found or if you want to check the Lost and Found items, please stop by and check. We will send all items to a Church Closet on March 25th.
Trash
We have lots of trash on our school grounds which is not very becoming. Please remind your students/children to put lunch or snacks in the trash or in their lunch box.
Carline Reminder
Please follow carline procedures. We have shared that it is important for our middle school parents to arrive for car line pick up no earlier than 3:10-3:15. By waiting to arrive, we are not blocking Ben Franklin and we have less chance of accidents. We have also asked that you not cut in line as that is not how we do business. I continue to hear how the middle school needs to wait to arrive, how the middle school is not following the process, and how middle school is cutting in line. I even have pictures of license plates sent to me. Please stop cutting line. Once our line starts moving, the line goes quickly and smoothly.
Substitutes
The three schools are always in the need of substitutes. If you are interested in subbing at the elementary school or high school or middle school and aren’t sure how to get on the list, please contact Richie Mitchell by emailing him at rmitchell@voyageracademy.com or ldodson@voyageracademy.com and one of them will get you signed up.
Tardies
Several of you have asked why your student is marked tardy when you are arriving at 8:15. Students need to be in class at 8:15 or earlier. If a student is not in class by 8:15 he or she will be marked absent/tardy. They are also missing the beginning of the day instructions.
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!
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 but you need to have a scheduled conference.
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. You should have also received an envelope if you prefer to purchase with cash or check. If you have questions, contact Ms. Pam at pmurray@voyageracademy. com
Hip, Hip, Hooray
The Foundation Board met and all I can say to them is THANK YOU!!!!! The Board voted to provide funding to upgrade our middle school play areas, to add fencing around the perimeter behind the field to increase security and safety, and to add awnings to provide shade and cover for all those rainy and sunny days. We are extremely excited to receive funds to help provide equipment for the middle school.
We are in the process of purchasing basketball goals, basketballs, swings, paint to stripe 4 square on the sidewalk and stripe HopScotch on the sidewalk. We are using our Step It Up money along with a generous contribution from the Foundation.
We have contacted a company that sells Playground Equipment and ships the equipment to Voyager within 3-4 days of placing the order. The glitch is they do not install the equipment. If you know of a company that does install playground equipment, please send me the contact information. Due to the safety of appropriate installation, we do need a company that installs equipment to install our equipment.
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 option 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.
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
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.
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?
IMPORTANT INFORMATION—-Keep sick children at home!
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:
March 14, Teacher Workday
March 15, Conference Day
March 18, Spring Pictures/Class Picture
March 28, Remote Learning Day for Students
March 29, Remote Learning Day for Students
April 4 - April 8, Benchmark 3
April 1 - Benchmarks if we need April 1
REMOTE LEARNING DAYS: Teachers will be providing 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.
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