Dear Voyager Community,
It finally feels like spring on campus and the excitement and enthusiasm is in the air. Parents and families had the opportunity to enjoy the first art show at the Elementary School on Tuesday evening. The elementary chorus performed to share their talents and students welcomed guests and families to view the amazing display of artistic creations. Below are a few pictures highlighting some of the work that was showcased. What a wonderful celebration of community and student talent!
The High School held their first in-person Project Celebration on Wednesday evening. Student work and exhibits were showcased throughout the building. Public exhibition of student work is an essential element of project-based learning. Our student work on display highlighted inquiry-based learning, authenticity, student voice and choice, reflection, critique and revision as they fine tuned to showcase the public exhibition of their driving question. The display of project-based learning exemplified the deeper learning that happens when students engage in inquiry to solve complex questions and real word problems. Below are a few photos of the High School Project Celebration event.
Today we celebrated our Teachers of the Year, Young Educators of the Year, and Teaching Assistant of the Year for each school and our K-12 award winners. These dedicated education professionals were nominated and voted on by their peers to recognize them for their leadership, innovation, and commitment to our students and school community. Winners will be recognized at a dinner in their honor this spring. Please join me in congratulating Voyager’s top educators this year.
K-12 Award Winners
Teacher: Lauren Copley
Young Educator of the Year: Arianna Vargas
Teaching Assistant: Angie Oakley
Elementary School Teacher of the Year Award Winners
Teacher: Coral McDonald
Young Educator of the Year: Arianna Vargas
Teaching Assistant: Angie Oakley
Middle School Teacher of the Year Award Winners
Teacher: Lauren Copley
Young Educator of the Year: Sadie Lee
High School Teacher of the Year Award Winners
Teacher: Dalila Lilly
Young Educator of the Year: Nicole Whitby
Please remember that school will be closed for spring break from April 11, 2022 through April 18, 2022 and we will reopen on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. When we return from break we have an action-packed calendar of learning and fun. The PTO is sponsoring the Spring Fling, the Middle School will perform “Footloose”, and Student Support is hosting the final two parent enrichment nights during the month of April. Additional information is below.
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. Check out the upcoming events and all the updates below from our School Nurse, Student Support Team, Operations Manager, and Athletic Director.
Have a wonderful spring break!
Upcoming Events:
4/11 - 4/18 - Spring Break
4/19- EOY M-Class Assessments Begin
4/20 - Parent Enrichment Night: Nourishing Children with Picky Eating Behaviors (6:30 pm)
4/22 - Spring Fling
4/25 – Parent Enrichment Night: Gender Identity and Sexuality (6:30 pm)
4/27 - New Family Get Acquainted Day
4/25-4/29 - Spirit Week (HS)
4/29 - Homecoming Parade (HS)
4/29, 4/30, 5/1 – MS Play - Footloose
4/30- Chick-Fil-A Book Drive 7 to 7
5/5 - Talent Show - K-5 at MS
5/10- Spring Choral Concert (7-8pm, HS gym)
PTO SAVE THE DATE – SPRING FLING – FRIDAY APRIL 22ND, RAIN DATE – APRIL 23RD
National Junior Honor Society
Thanks to the generosity of the Middle School families, the NJHS prepared 91 hygiene kits for Urban Ministries. We are very excited to have these kits delivered tomorrow to Urban Ministries. Thank you for your support!
Melodie Green
Andrea Weber
NURSES CORNER
SPRING HEALTH & WELLNESS
Cold and flu season may be coming to a close (yay!) and the beautiful Spring sunshine is finally calling all of us outdoors! As we transition into a new season, here are some reminders for helping keep kids healthy and safe both indoors and outdoors!
Voyager Academy School Reminders - IF YOUR CHILD DEVELOPS SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS
Please remember – per NCDHHS and Durham Department of Health protocols - a PCR COVID test or a doctor’s note is STILL REQUIRED for any student with symptoms of an illness (regardless of vaccination status) BEFORE the student may return to school. Voyager Academy is not accepting at-home rapid antigen COVID-19 test results at this time.
Wash hands. Handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is an easy, cheap, and effective way to prevent the spread of germs and keep kids and adults healthy. Germs are everywhere, especially on or in some of everyone’s favorite outdoor activities - sports equipment, the playground, the sandbox, and even just digging in plain, ol’ dirt. Handwashing can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea-related sicknesses and 1 in 5 respiratory infections such as a cold or the flu. Key times to wash hands include before eating, after using the bathroom, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, after playing with a pet or animal, and after playing outdoors.
Drink water. Drinking enough water everyday can prevent dehydration and constipation, improve thinking and mood, and help maintain the body’s thermoregulation, especially once outdoor temperatures begin to creep upward. School-aged children should aim to drink (1) 8oz cup of water for every year of their age with a maximum of 64 ounces for children over the age of 8. Consider substituting water for sugary drinks, juice boxes, and soda.
Wear sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that all kids – regardless of skin tone – wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and broad-spectrum coverage that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed skin 30 minutes before going outside and reapplied every 2 hours. Remember to check the expiration dates on your sunscreen. If you notice the sunscreen has changed color or consistency, it’s a good sign that it’s time for a new bottle.
Watch out for bugs. Although most bug bites are harmless, some can spread dangerous diseases. To help prevent bug bites, dermatologists recommend using insect repellent and covering exposed skin as much as possible when outside hiking, playing, or exploring in densely-wooded areas. Remember to check your child’s bare skin when they are finished playing outdoors. Sometimes, despite our greatest efforts, bug bites and stings still happen. Ice packs can be a quick and easy remedy for pain, itching, or swelling that can occur after bug bites.
Wishing our students, their families, and our staff an enjoyable Spring Break!
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
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Please check-out the resources below for more information focused on the safety and well-being of our youth:
Multimedia Gallery
Videos that showcase the importance of community involvement in preventing child abuse and neglect. The conversations highlight the true value of community-based child abuse prevention programs.
https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/resources/multimedia-gallery/
Child Maltreatment Data
Each year, the Children's Bureau releases a detailed report of national data about child abuse and neglect and the State and local services that address it.
https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/about/child-maltreatment-data/
Publications
Child Welfare Information Gateway offers a number of publications related to preventing child abuse, protecting children from the risk of abuse, and promoting healthy families. The publications provide evidence-based information for professionals and families.
https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/resources/publications/
PARENT ENRICHMENT NIGHTS
Please join the Student Support Services Team as we host a guest presenter who will bring us a wealth of information focused on: Nourishing Children with Picky Eating Behaviors. The recorded session will begin at 6:30p on WEDNESDAY, April 20th. The flyer is included and has the zoom link ("Click Here to Join" or copy the URL from the bottom) attached. We hope to see you there!
The Student Support Services Team is proud to announce that we are able to host a second Parent Enrichment Night in April! The topic will be focused on: Gender Identity and Sexuality. All parents/guardians, as well as all adults working with and supporting youth are encouraged to attend. This FINAL Session will be held on MONDAY, April 25th, at 6:30p. Our special guest presenter is just as excited as we are, to bring forth this meaningful and timely content! The flyer for this event is also included and has the zoom link attached ("Click Here to Join" or copy the URL from the bottom). We hope to see you there!
Child safety is an area of concern that matters to and impacts us all! We kindly ask that everyone please mind the laws and safety regulations that govern child safety while in the carline. Children should be buckled up and properly restrained at ALL times when in the carline, EVEN while the carline is stationary. Children should NOT be hanging out of windows, tapping on roofs, or be half-way in the car as the car is pulling off. Please be aware that EACH car is carrying, dropping off, and picking up the MOST precious cargo that we can possibly carry - our children! Let's all be safe! Please make sure the children in the car with you are properly buckled and restrained, and that they are inside the vehicle at ALL times!
Nourishing Children with Picky Eating Behaviors.pdf
Gender Identity and Sexuality.pdf
LUNCH PROGRAM
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.
April Menu IS LIVE!
VIKING SUMMER CAMP
Voyager Academy summer camp is for Rising 1st – 8th grade Voyager students and their siblings. 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." When registering a sibling that does not attend Voyager Academy, select a Voyager student from the dropdown. Then select the sibling's rising grade and name in the labled text box. 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
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 POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR BEFORE AND AFTER CARE
Competitive hourly rate
Great staff and friendly children
Organized programming for before and after care
Apply on employment site on Voyager website under “About Voyager”
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”