Dear Voyager Community,
What an exciting and action-packed week of learning and fun on campus. The school year is in the homestretch and our students and staff continue to work hard to finish the year strong academically to be ready for all end of year testing. They’ve also had an opportunity for incredible enrichment programs and activities.
Last weekend our Middle School students brought down the house with three sold out performances of Footloose. It was great to see so many families come out to support our students and school community. Our students displayed incredible talent with their award-winning performances. They also demonstrated all of our core values of confidence, empathy, curiosity, reflection, and integrity as they brought their characters to life. It was incredible to see how hard they worked to perfect their performance and also how strongly the cast supported and encouraged one another. Below are a couple highlight pictures of the show.
Our HS theatre class also showcased their work this week in an evening performance of various American Folktales. The cast members encouraged audience participation as they engaged in their storytelling renditions. Students demonstrated their learning and showcased their talents as they portrayed their characters in each folktale. Below are a couple highlight pictures of their performance.
Our elementary students also had some exciting activities this week. Our 3rd grade students attended a field trip to Morehead Planetarium Science Center. They viewed a show, explored the museum, and participated in a solar systematic enrichment activity to supplement their learning about the solar system. Students in K-5th grade also had a talent show on Thursday evening and showcased their unique talents in each performance. There are many more special events, field days, and project celebrations scheduled throughout May so please check out the upcoming events.
Please remember 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 calendar of events and all the updates below from our School Nurse, Student Support Team, Operations Manager, and Athletic Director.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the Voyager moms in our community. Have a great weekend!
Upcoming Events:
5/9 - 7th Grade Science Fair, 5:00 - 6:00, MS gym
5/10- Spring Choral Concert (7-8pm, HS gym)
5/10 - PTO Meeting
5/10 - Elementary Field Day
5/11 - Sr. Breakfast & Awards - gym 9:00 and Graduation Parade - 10:30
5/11-National School Nurses Day
5/12 - Talent Show, 6-8, MS Gym, 4:00
5/12 - 4th Grade Beach Trip
5/12 - 3rd Grade Reading EOG
5/13 - 3rd Grade Math EOG
5/13 – Blood Drive at HS 9 am -2 pm
5/15 - HS Athletic Awards (senior recognition)
5/16 - 4th-6th grade ELA EOG
5/17 - 4th-6th grade Math EOG
5/18 - 3rd grade RTA re-test
5/18 – 1st grade project celebration
5/18 - 5th, 7th- 8th ELA EOG
5/18 - 5/19 -HS Teacher Made Exams
5/19 - Board Meeting
5/19 - 3rd Grade Project Celebration
5/19 - 5th, 7th, 8th Math EOG
5/20 - 5th and 8th Science EOG
5/20-5/25 - HS EOCs
5/20 - 2nd Grade Project Celebration (1:00)
5/20 1st Grade Fairy Tale Ball 1:15-2:15
5/24 - Kindergarten Project Celebration (11:00)
5/25 - MS 8th Grade Celebration - 8:45 am
5/26 - High School Graduation (Carolina Theater)
NURSE’S CORNER
Did you know that over 32 million American have a serious and potentially life-threatening food allergy? 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 13 kids (roughly 2 children per classroom) has a food allergy. Every 3 minutes a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room and more than 40% of children with food allergies have had a severe or life-threatening anaphylactic reaction to their allergen.
May 8-14 is FARE’s Food Allergy Awareness Week. FARE stands for Food Allergy Research and Education. This organization aims to enhance the lives of individuals with food allergies, empowering them to lead safe, productive lives with the respect of others through education and advocacy initiatives and improved awareness around healthcare options and treatment. This week and next, I will be highlighting and sharing some insightful resources related to food and food allergies. Many of these resources have been shared by students and families with food allergies. It’s important to understand that food allergies can impact everyone. Perhaps your family may not have an individual(s) with food allergies, but your child will likely have a friend at school or in an extracurricular activity with one.
See the links below to learn more about food allergies, FARE, and knowing how to recognize and respond when someone might be having an allergic reaction. Having a food allergy should not be a label. By growing understanding and supporting one another we can keep kids and families safe, promote inclusion, and prevent serious adverse health effects.
· Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) website: https://www.foodallergy.org/resources
· FARE’s Food Allergy Awareness Week website: https://www.foodallergy.org/our-initiatives/awareness-campaigns/food-allergy-awareness-week
· Food Allergy Myths and Misconceptions: https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/food-allergy-myths-and-misconceptions
· Recognizing & Responding to Anaphylaxis: https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/recognizing-and-treating-reaction-symptoms
· The awareness poem below was created by one of our wonderful Voyager parents!
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
May is Mental Health Month! Check out these aMAYzing websites, which are filled with resources, information, guidance, and tools to support positive mental health for anyone working with or caring for youth:
https://mhanational.org/mental-health-month (in both English and Spanish)
https://www.nctsn.org/resources/public-awareness/childrens-mental-health-awareness?page=1
https://rhyclearinghouse.acf.hhs.gov/mental-health-and-youth-homelessness-understanding-overlaps-1
2. May is also Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month! Check out the following website to learn more about the history of and the activities planned for this wonderfully celebrated month: https://fapac.org/AAPI-Resources
3. For those who would like to view the recent Parent Enrichment Night Sessions, please click on the following links:
Gender and Sexuality - https://youtu.be/39sI6qOolc0
Nourishing Children with Picky Eating Behaviors - https://youtu.be/fA0yagpR-LY
4. Transition to 9-8-8 This Summer: On July 16, 2022, 9-8-8 will become the national three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, replacing the current phone number of 1-800-273-TALK (8255). People can talk, chat or text with trained call center staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. Call center staff can provide crisis counseling along with information on local community resources and referrals. Feel free to read the Press Release here:
5. "Thank you!" to everyone who are being mindful of the laws and safety regulations that govern child safety while in the carline. We greatly appreciate children being buckled up and properly restrained at ALL times when in the carline, EVEN while the carline is stationary. We also greatly appreciate that children have not been hanging out of windows, tapping on roofs, and have been fully inside of the car when the car is pulling off. "Thank you!" Let's all continue to work together to keep our most precious cargo - our children - safe!
VIKING SUMMER CAMP
The last day to register is May 6th. We have added wrap-a-round care to students participating in the Summer Bridge program. Voyager Academy's 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. Parents wanting wrap-a-round (before and after care) can register online in the Titan school store.
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.
BEFORE AND AFTERSCHOOL 2022-23
Planning for the 22-23 school year is gearing up! Registration will begin on or after July 18, 2022. An email will be sent with all the details over the summer. We are hopeful for a full staff of energetic and engaged after care workers. Please keep in mind as the job market continues to fluctuate, so will the number of slots available in aftercare. I encourage all families to anticipate a waitlist and make alternate plans for the coming year. If you know someone wanting to join our team, please have them email the Operations Manager or apply online at https://nc.teachermatch.org/jobsboard.do?districtId=569410884
SCHOOL PAYMENTS IN TITAN SCHOOL STORE
The Family Portal is where families pay your school fees, manage your students accounts, apply lunch funds and apply for free and reduced meals. When making purchases, you will need to visit the "Store," which is on the left hand side of the Home screen. The one time payment and recurring payment features are where you apply funds for lunch orders. Select the Categories button to filter through the list of items available in the store. Then select the item you are wanting to purchase for your student. If you have trouble logging into your account or have questions, call or email the Titan Support team. Support is available from 7 AM to 7 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, to answer your family portal questions at (844) 467 4700, option 2. Refunds are issued at the school level.
Please settle all accounts on Titan before June 1, 2022. Negative balances will need to be brought current before the end of the school year. If your child will be returning to Voyager Academy, any remaining balance will automatically carry-forward to next school year. If your child will NOT return to next year, you can donate the funds or request a refund. If you have another child currently enrolled at school, you can transfer the funds to that student inthe Family portal. You will need to notify finance of your decision by completing this form.
LUNCH PROGRAM
On full day field trips, classes will not be on campus to eat hot lunch. Please be sure to cancel your lunch order for those days in LINQ. If you need assistance, please email foodnutritionservices@voyageracademy.net.
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.
May Menu IS LIVE!
Nutrition and Fitness
The winning recipe for a healthy lifestyle includes a combination of both good nutrition and physical activity. Your body needs a variety of nutrient rich foods to grow and prevent illness. And your body also needs to move and exercise everyday.
Key things you need to know about leading a healthy lifestyle are:
Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and whole grain products
Control portion sizes and never "supersize"
Get active for at least 60 minutes, five times a week for ages 6-18
Avoid tobacco and illegal drugs all together
Well-nourished students have higher test scores, increased school attendance, improved concentration, and improved classroom behavior. Students, who are physically fit, sleep better and are better able to handle the physical and emotional challenges that they encounter during the day.
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”