Voyager Academy High School News: Voyager Academy High School News, April 29, 2022

GO VIKINGS GO!

In this issue...

Senior Breakfast and Awards Ceremony, May 11, 2022
College Fair 5/9/22
VAHS Hosts a Blood Drive on May 13, 2022
AP Exams: May 2 - 13
2022 Graduation Information
High School Student-Athletes Go Back to Elementary School!
A Senior Trip to Carowinds
Teacher/Staff Gifts - End of the Year
Parents: How to Stay Up-To-The Minute On Your Child’s Grades and Performance in Class
Free Tutoring From The National Honor Society!
Class of 2022 Individual Senior Meetings With The Counselor
VCF (Viking Christian Fellowship) meets Friday mornings from ~7:30-8:30 in D124

COLLEGE AND FINANCIAL AID INFO.

Scholarship Search Websites

OTHER GREAT WAYS TO STAY INFORMED

Check out the VAHS Counselor’s Blog (and subscribe)
What to Do If You Are Not Receiving Group Emails From Voyager Academy
Sign up to receive text messages from the school.
Subscribe to the “21-22 VA Parent Calendar” (google calendar)
Other great sources of information for and about VAHS.
Important dates.
2 Important COVID Announcements

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Senior Breakfast and Awards Ceremony ,May 11, 2022

All seniors and their parents are invited to attend the class of 2022 Senior Breakfast and Awards Ceremony! The celebration will be held in the VAHS gym on Wednesday May 11, from 9:00a.m.-10:30a.m. The traditional Senior Parade in graduation regalia. will occur directly after the ceremony. Please click on this link for more details.

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VAHS Hosts a Blood Drive on May 13, 2022

Made possible by the leadership of VAHS student, Lauren King, VAHS will be hosting a blood drive on May 13, 2022 from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Everyone is encouraged to donate!

Please click here for details

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2022 Graduation and Ticket Information

Congratulations to the Voyager Academy class of 2022! Graduation will be at the Carolina Theatre on May 26, at 5:00. Senior parents/guardians, have received an email with all graduation details, including ticket information.

Please click here for important graduation information.

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AP Exams: May 2-13

Please click here for the Advanced Placement Exams schedule. Best of luck to all!

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High School Student-Athletes Go Back to Elementary School!

After learning about some of the issues in youth sports in our country today, students in Sports & Culture students spent time this week working with 2nd grade classes in Ms. Flowe-Dawson's PE classes. The goal was to help these younger Vikings experience the fun and joy of physical activity and playing sports!

These high school students, many of whom are Voyager athletes, taught soccer, basketball, volleyball, and Frisbee skills to younger students that may be the next generation of Viking athletes. The high school students included Caleb Bennett, Jackson Boswell, Kooper Hendriks, Parker Hinshaw, Dorian Kenan, Derek Leedom, Lionel McCullough, Logan McElroy, Ryan Mottola, Keith Njuguna, and Charley Whight.

Great job Vikings, and thanks to Ms. Flowe-Dawson for letting us remember what it's like to be in 2nd grade again!

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A Senior Trip to Carowinds

A group of thoughtful VAHS parents are planning a day trip for VAHS seniors to Carowinds amusement park. This is not a Voyager sponsored, nor affiliated trip. If you are interested in joining the group, here is the information you need:

If you have questions, please send your email, tkpenn@aol.com.

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Teacher/Staff Gifts - End of the Year

Parents, please consider contributing to the teacher/staff gift collection as a way to thank them for their hard work and dedication this school year! You can use the link to the PTO Square site to contribute to the end of the year teacher/staff gifts. https://voyager-academy-pto.square.site/

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Parents: How to Stay Up-To-The Minute On Your Child’s Grades and Performance

Parents–just a reminder on how you can stay informed (“up-to-the-minute”) with your child’s VAHS classes and performance. You may login as an “Observer” on your VAHS student’s Canvas account. You can check grades and assignments any time and receive automatic alerts and notifications. Click on the link below for instructions.

VAHS Canvas – Voyager Academy

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Free Tutoring From The National Honor Society!

The NHS is excited to let parents and students of all Voyager schools know that the NHS Buddy Program is up and running. We offer tutoring services for all ages in person or via Zoom. Please use the link below to sign up for tutoring and we will get you connected with a NHS member in the area needed.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf6jWqwE5RpjuSo0fhtuBq82jlmPxuNL4Xs39deNfmiKnb0Og/viewform

Class of 2022 Individual Senior Meetings With The Counselor

Congratulations to the VAHS class of 2022! Senior Planning Meetings are well under way, and all seniors are encouraged to sign up to meet with Ms. O'Kane to plan for graduation and post high school plans. Seniors can use the link below or contact Ms. O'Kane to arrange a meeting. Seniors should also be sure to keep checking the VAHS Counseling Blog and their email for updates and important news.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c44a5a62aa5f58-senior

VCF (Viking Christian Fellowship) meets Friday mornings from ~7:30-8:30 in D124

Viking Christian Fellowship (VCF) meets Friday mornings before school from 7:30-8:30am in room D124 (Mrs. Paradis's room). All are welcome!

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Scholarship Search Websites

OTHER GREAT WAYS TO STAY INFORMED

VAHS Counseling Department Blog

Please be sure to check the VAHS Counseling Department blog frequently. The blog provides news, information, and opportunities for VAHS students and parents all in one convenient location. Topics range from Career/College Counseling and Application Support to Summer Programs and Opportunities. Check it out!

CLICK HERE FOR THE VAHS COUNSELING DEPT. BLOG

What to Do If You Are Not Receiving Group Emails From Voyager Academy
Please click here if you are not receiving group emails from Voyager Academy. This is a form, on which you can provide us your email address.

PARENTS and STUDENTS: Sign up to receive text messages from VAHS

Even though you may have been subscribed from last year, all must re-subscribe. This is because some cell phone numbers may no longer belong to last year’s subscribers (as people may change numbers or mobile providers). Click below for subscription instructions, sorted by student’s graduation year.

PARENTS

Texting from your cell phone…

For parents of class of 2022:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahsp22

For parents of class of 2023:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahsp23

For parents of class of 2024:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @df2ah6

For parents of class of 2025:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahsp25

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STUDENTS

Texting from your cell phone…

For the class of 2022:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahss22

For the class of 2023:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahss23

For the class of 2024:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahss24

For the class of 2025:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahss25

Subscribe to the 21-22 VA Parent Calendar

You can view this calendar in two ways:

1. You can subscribe to the 21-22 VA Parent Calendar, so that it merges with yours. Here are the instructions:

-Go to your google calendar

-Go to Settings, the little gear in the upper right corner----->

In Settings:

-Add calendar

-Subscribe to calendar

-In the “Add Calendar” field, paste the following:

c_rf81ppekino4980nbie6tkvggs@group.calendar.google.com

2. You can simply view it on our website, by going to https://www.voyageracademy.net/calendar/.

You can also add it from there, by clicking on the “+” sign at the bottom right of the calendar..

OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR AND ABOUT VAHS
Voyager Academy Academic Calendar

The Voyager Academy High School Website

The VAHS Counselor’s Blog

Important Dates

Dates	Events
April 25-29	Homecoming!
May 2 - 13	AP Exams
May 9	College Fair at VAHS
May 10	Spring Choral Concert 7:00-8:00pm, VAHS Gym
May 11	Senior Awards Breakfast 9:00-10:30am VAHS Gym
May 13	VAHS Blood Drive 9am-2pm VAHS front parking lot
May 18-25	Final Exams
May 26	Graduation Location: Carolina Theatre Time: 5:00-6:00pm

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:

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”)
Where an individual tests positive for COVID-19
Where an individual has symptoms of COVID-19
Where an individual has experienced a potential exposure to COVID-19
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.

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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:

get a PCR COVID test with a negative result, OR
obtain a note from the doctor excusing the student from testing due to allergies, OR
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

VOYAGER VIKING VALUES

CONFIDENCE - CURIOSITY - EMPATHY

REFLECTION - INTEGRITY