Voyager Academy Middle School News, March 11, 2022

Hi Middle School Families, 

Wow, spring was here and now winter is back!  


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. 




2 IMPORTANT COVID ANNOUNCEMENTS


  • Voyager Academy Masking Policy Update

  • ALLERGY SEASON and COVID-19 PROTOCOLS



Voyager Academy Masking Policy Change

Voyager Academy has adopted a mask-optional policy effective March 7, 2022. In general, students, staff, and visitors will be permitted to decide whether or not to wear a mask. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, even in this mask optional setting, masks will be required for individuals at the discretion of the Managing Director in the following circumstances:

  1. To be 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. To be 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.


-----------------------------------------------------


Allergy Season and COVID-19 Protocols

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: 

  1. get a PCR COVID test with a negative result, OR 

  2. obtain a note from the doctor excusing the student from testing due to allergies, OR 

  3. 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





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. 


Attendance letters for tardies and days absent  will be sent home or mailed to you on Monday, March 21. 


PLEASE HELP!

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 Washcloths.  Please help our National Junior Honor Society!


DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME:  Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 13.

PTO SAVE THE DATE – SPRING FLING – FRIDAY APRIL 22ND, RAIN DATE – APRIL 23RD


Office of Charter Schools

We were excited to have a few guests from the Office of Charter Schools on Thursday, March 10.  The guests visited Voyager to learn more about how we incorporate Project Based Learning.   I was so very proud of our teachers and students as they did an awesome job of sharing their projects!


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 18.    The items will be in the school lobby. 



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. 


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. 



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!

 

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.

March Menu

 

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.  


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.

 

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:

Titan Video Tutorial Link

 

You will need to create an account on the portal first to begin making payments. Once in the Titan family dashboard

  1. Link your student(s) to your family account. All Voyager students are in the Titan system.

  2. Add a payment method here under profile or in your cart before checking out.

  3. Use the menu on the left to select "Store." This is the future home of all fees payments at Voyager Academy.

  4. Select the Extended Day Programs - Before & After Care (Viking Care) button. 

  5. Select your student(s) name from the drop down list.

  6. Select the plan selection. (i.e. 2 day, 3 day, before care, etc.)

  7. Select your students' grade level.

  8. Select the month of service.

  9. 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 a sibling to register or need an additional plan, 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."

  13. Please do not set up recurring payments within the portal for Before or After care. It only works for school lunch funds.

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

   Thanks for all the support you provide Voyager Middle School.  It’s 

    noticed and appreciated!

Gwen

Gwen Johnson

Middle School Principal

gjohnson@voyageracademy.net

919-433-3301   ext. 101




Labels: