Hi Middle School Families,
I hope it’s been a great week for all of you. It’s been a short week for us but a very busy one. Our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders had their 3rd Check In with reading on Thursday and math on Friday.
Our 5th and 8th graders will have their Science Check In on Monday. On Tuesday 4th and 5th will have their reading Check In followed by their math Check In on Wednesday.
Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Ford, and Ms. Thompson, - you did it again with the help of many parents. The staff lunch provided by our PTO parents was delicious!!!! The staff always enjoys the meals. Thanks to all of you who sent salads, chili, desserts, toppings for the baked potatoes, toppings for the salads, etc. AGAIN, thanks to all of you!
Our students who will be participating in our musical, FOOTLOOSE, really sound great and are very excited. Footloose will be playing at the MS on April 29 at 7:00, April 30 at 7:00 and May 1 at 2:00. Yes, we needed to make some adjustments to our dates.
What an afternoon we had on Thursday! We knew the afternoon forecast was for lots of rain and wind. Little did we know we would have rain and HUGE downpours. We had hoped the severe weather would pass by us or hold off until carline was over BUT as you know it didn’t play out that way. THANK YOU for supporting our decision to cancel sports and play practice. We also appreciate all of you who waited either in your car or in the building during the storm. I am proud of our STUDENTS, parents, and staff as we followed our protocol and procedures for severe weather. Because we have practiced drills for severe weather, we all knew what to do. Thanks for working with us!!!!!!!
PLEASE HELP —- Last CALL
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. The tubs are close to being full.
The needed items are: Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Shampoo, Conditioner (small or travel size), Deodorant, Soap
PLEASE SEE BELOW REGARDING A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS!!!!!
Greetings from the Emily K Center!
We are pleased to announce that our application window for 2022-2023 programming is now open! The Emily K Center operates two enrollment-based programs for Durham County students which accept applications each spring. Pioneer Scholars serves elementary and middle school students (grades 1-8) and Scholars to College supports high school students who reside in Durham County. Both programs have a priority application deadline of April 21, 2022. Applications can be downloaded for the website or picked up at the Center Monday-Friday from 10:00AM-5:30PM.
Please share this information with your school community! If you have any questions or would like additional information on the Emily K Center or its programs, please visit our website emilyk.org or contact Nephitearya Bailey Singleton, Director of Elementary and Middle School Readiness via the contact information below.
--
Nephitearya Bailey Singleton
Director of Elementary and Middle School Readiness
Emily Krzyzewski Center
904 W. Chapel Hill Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 680-0308 x2002
nbailey@emilyk.org
Recycling Program
Mrs. Johnson and Mr. Manning
This is Amelie and Kaymille (juniors from the high school). We are working with Ms. Huntington and a group of high schoolers to create and secure a working recycling program here at Voyager since that has been something the school has been lacking for quite some time. We would like to expand this system to all three schools. Before we can begin, we need to make a list of all the teachers that need a recycling bin in their classroom. If you do not mind, could you please forward the google form below to all the teachers in the middle school and elementary school? This will allow us to move forward more efficiently and start working on the next steps of this project. Thank you for taking the time to read this email. We really appreciate the help.
Bring Your Own Device: For the 2022-2023 school year we are asking that 6th, 7th, and 8th graders Bring Their Own Device to School. Many of you are aware of the BYOD policy. Program outline is below:
BYOD stands for “Bring Your Own Device”. It is a strategy for providing personal computing in business and education where the end user (employee, student), as opposed to the organization, provides, owns, and maintains his/her own device. It is typical in universities and colleges, and is gaining in popularity in K-12 education and businesses.
Effective starting in the 2022-23 school year, each student in grades 6-12 is required to provide his or her own device for personal use both at school and at home, with exceptions for families with demonstrated financial hardship.
Daily Expectations Access to a computer is essential to learning at Voyager Academy. The student’s personal device is considered an essential school supply, just as pencils and paper traditionally have been. Students are required to be prepared at the start of each school day with their fully-charged and functional devices. This is considered a part of being prepared to learn. As with all technology at Voyager Academy, students are required to follow the Acceptable Use Policy and the Ethical Use Policy when using their personal devices.
Loaner devices
Voyager will maintain a sufficient pool of short-term loaner devices for extenuating circumstances, such as a computer being out for repair. Loans will be day-long only. Students who need a loaner should check one out from building administration (usually the building Assistant Principal) before the start of first period, and return it before returning home. The loaner devices do not go home with students unless no other option, such as a shared family computer, is available.
Student Computer Purchasing Guide - Updated July 2022 Voyager Academy requires that every student in grades 7-12 have his or her own laptop for use in school and at home as a part of our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. Students use their computers extensively for academic purposes. Most software, resources, and services that students utilize are cloud-based and accessible via a modern web browser. Students use Google’s G Suite for office software (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, etc), so Microsoft Office is not required.
Requirements
Hardware
Physical keyboard. On-screen touch keyboards are insufficient.
Battery sufficient to last an entire school day.
Operating System:
Chrome OS
Windows 10 or newer
Mac OS X / macOS
Linux
Installed Software:
Current version of a modern web browser. Options include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera. Google Chrome is recommended, as it includes a built-in Flash Player, which is still required by many web applications.
Adobe Flash Player
Network Connectivity:
WiFI: 802.11ac or 802.11n with 5 GHz support
This is an important requirement. Voyager has made significant investments in WiFi infrastructure to ensure reliable internet access by many simultaneous users. To take advantage, student computers must meet the above requirement. Meeting this requirement is not expensive; all devices listed in the “Device Recommendations” section are less than $300. Most new computers will have 802.11ac.
Your reseller can help make sure the computer meets this requirement. If 802.11ac is listed in the specifications, the computer meets this requirement. If 802.11n is listed, the 5 GHz band must be supported (often listed as 802.11n dual-band). Again, most new computers will have 802.11ac.
A note about cellular (3G or 4G) connections: Students are required to connect to Voyager’s WiFi for Internet access when at school. Use of cellular connections on campus is prohibited.
Device Recommendations
Voyager’s extensive use of cloud applications means that requirements for software support and local system resources are minimal. A Chromebook is an excellent, inexpensive option in our environment. Recommended models are the Lenovo (4 GB RAM), and the Acer (4 GB RAM and 14” 1080p screen). The Acer model is notable for having a 1080p 14” screen which provides more workspace. The Acer also is a 100% Aluminum chassis, while the Lenovo is hard plastic. Please note that we no longer recommend Chromebooks with less than 4 GB of RAM (some 2 GB models are still available but should be avoided).
Triangle Ecycling VIP Store
We recycle our company computers and other electronics with Triangle Ecycling, a local nonprofit that uses them in an educational program that teaches public high school students computer tech and the soft skills they need to succeed in the job market. They also donate 10% of their profits to the DPS Foundation to support innovation and equity in the public schools.
They donate many computers to local charities but also make some available to the community online through their VIP Store. They have invited us to take advantage of great deals on refurbished computers through this link. Please check it out and support a good cause if you are in the market for a high quality computer at a discounted price.
ALLERGIES AND COVID: 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.
PTO SAVE THE DATE – SPRING FLING – FRIDAY APRIL 22
RAIN DATE – APRIL 23
Lost and Found Items - Last Call
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 28. 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.
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.
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:
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:
April 1, Check Ins for 6, 7, and 8 in Math
April 4, Check Ins for 5th and 8th Science
April 5, Check Ins for 4th and 5th Reading
April 6, Check Ins for 4th and 5th Math
April 11 - April 18 Spring Break
May 6, 6th Grade to Busch Gardens
May 10, 7th Grade Science Fair
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