Viking Weekly News
What a beautiful fall week on campus! Congratulations to all the students recognized for the 1st Q 2022 awards that were sent out earlier this week for each school. We are proud of how hard our students are working this year to demonstrate their best academically, artistically, athletically, and showcasing our core values.
Our elementary students celebrated and dressed up as their favorite book character this week and had guest readers visit their classrooms. I enjoyed my visits with Ms. Spankie’s 3rd grade class and Ms. McGregor’s 2nd graders. It’s great to experience the excitement and love of reading with our children in the classroom.
We also appreciate the great collaboration we have among our schools. Our high school students partner with our elementary school to support their learning and help the younger students practice their multiplication facts and serve as reading buddies. Our Middle School students highlighted their artwork and knowledge of Spanish with a presentation and mask parade throughout the elementary school.
The Board of Directors also visited our campus on Thursday to observe classes and meet with teachers and administrators to learn more about our school community firsthand. The elementary school kicked off the day with a choir showcase of their talents featuring big dreams. Their enthusiasm brought joy to my heart and was a fabulous way to start the day. We had the opportunity to observe engaged learners in our K-2 classes. The elementary school bulletin boards also highlight the joy in learning and belonging for all at Voyager.
Student leaders led the school tours at the high school and middle school to share their insights and perspectives as well. Some highlights included observing the high school Forensics class working on a lab to analyze hair strands. Science projects were also on display in the hallways for viewing. Teachers and administrators met with the board after the tours for a roundtable discussion and sharing of ideas to help us continue to meet the needs of our students.
Our third graders welcomed their families and guests to a project celebration to showcase their learning about endangered animals. Students were well-prepared as they described their habitat, facts, and learning process.
Safety Procedures and Drills
Please remember to check in at the front office if you need to visit campus to pick up your child early or if you are volunteering in the school. Please do not go to the field or playgrounds to get your child without checking in at the office. The teachers are supervising a full class of children and are responsible for ensuring their safety and may not recognize all parents that come to campus. We also appreciate our parent/guardian volunteers that support our school community. Partnering together and reinforcing student learning goals will help further support the growth of our students.
Each building conducted a severe weather drill this week to ensure all students are prepared should we have a weather event and need to shelter safely in the building. Please remember that we will not dismiss students once we have sheltered in place. Once the weather alert is clear we will dismiss students safely. We appreciate your cooperation if these procedures should happen during carline or pick up.
Welcome New Staff
Please join me in welcoming the following new staff to the Voyager team. We are excited to have the support of these talented professionals.
o Director of Technology – Prashant Jonathon Jairam
o Operations Manager – Lathasha Lunsford
o 5th Grade Science – Sarah Hambrick
o ES Teaching Assistant – Kay Maunder
Voyager Academic Accolades and Recognition
DPI Visit to Review Voyager’s Innovative Practice of Project Based Learning
Dr. Angie Mullenix, Director of the Office of Innovative Practices for the State and Dave Machado, formerly Director of the Office of Charter Schools visited Voyager Academy last spring to learn more about how we implement Project-Based Learning to support innovation and meet the needs of all learners. The goal of the state organization is to share these innovative educational strategies with schools throughout the state to foster creativity, innovation, and academic growth for all students. The state created and recently released a brochure highlighting Voyager Academy’s Project Based Learning. Dr. Mullenix also asked the Managing Director to present at the state AIM Conference in Raleigh last week to share our expertise with other school leaders.
Please remember that 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 below.
Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour. Have a wonderful weekend!
All the best,
Upcoming Dates:
11/4- Family Game Night at ES
11/5 – Voyage into Service – Diaper Bank
11/9 Pre-ACT
11/10 - Blood Drive
11/10 - College Fair
11/11 - No School
11/21 – Remote Learning Day
12/1-12/2: Viking Troupers presents Seussical
12/5 - Parent Enrichment Night
12/13-12/21: H.S. final exams
12/21 – Early Release
WEEKLY NURSES UPDATE:
GOOD VIBES SAVE LIVES
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Blood is essential to helping patients survive surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. This lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation. The need for blood is constant. But only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly. You can help the American Red Cross make sure that supply meets demand. Please help support the blood drive located at Voyager Academy on November 10th. This event is organized by Voyager Academy High School students and supports an amazing effort that saves lives!
COVID-19 COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION WEEKLY UPDATE:
Our CDC COVID-19 Community Level is: LOW
• People may choose to wear a mask for any reason at any time.
• People with a positive test for COVID-19 MUST wear a mask for 10 days.
• People with symptoms or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
Parent Enrichment Night – Fall Seminar: WE HEARD YOU! Please join the Student Support Services Team on Monday, December 5th from 6p-7:40p for an exciting night filled with enriching topics that are meaningful to YOU! Participants will be able to choose TWO of the three available sessions to attend, in seminar format. We kindly ask that you sign-up in advance in order to help us plan for space, refreshments, and childcare. We are looking forward to this evening of enrichment and fellowship with you!
National American Indian Heritage Month: November is reserved for the celebration and recognition of the rich histories and diverse cultures of our nation’s first people! Check out the websites below for more information, activities, and fun facts:
https://www.uncp.edu/academics/american-indian-heritage-center
https://www.visitraleigh.com/event/27th-annual-american-indian-heritage-celebration/84642/
Important Dates in November:
6th – Daylight Savings Time Ends: Make sure to roll your clocks back!
8th – Election Day: Don’t forget to vote; your voice matters!
11th – Veterans Day: Do you know the history of Veterans Day?!
20th – Universal Children’s Day: Protect the rights and improve the welfare of children!
24th – Thanksgiving Day: Do you know the history of Thanksgiving?!
25th – Native American Heritage Day
29th – Giving Tuesday: A global day of generosity; “do something good” today!
COMING UP: Voyager Academy College Fair:
• When: November 10th, 12-1p
• Where: Voyager Academy High School
• Who’s Coming (so far!): UNCG, UNCW, UNCC, ECU, Alabama, UAB, South Carolina, Gardner Webb University, Campbell University, Durham Tech, US Military Recruiters
• For Questions Contact: Ms. Jill O’Kane - jokane@voyageracademy.net
School Lunch
December lunch menus for K-8 and 9-12 are active!
Each day lunches are scanned into Titan, please make sure there is a sufficient balance on your child's meal account for that week. Thank you for all your cooperation with this matter.
Lunches are pre order and have to be ordered through LINQ a week in advance.
Reminder - Before and After care payments are due on the 1st of each month. The fee groups are open and active on the 20th of each month for the following month.
Enrichments: Details are being finalized for Spring 23' Enrichments, once everything is finalized specific information will be sent out and they will be active in Titan.
Pay your school fees, manage your students accounts, and apply for free and reduced meals. Use the chart below as a guide for where to pay your fees or deposit money for lunch.
Deposits - The "one time" and "recurring payment" feature is ONLY for lunch accounts.
Assigned Fees- They are automatically assigned to the student it applies to, but you still have to select the item, complete any required fields and then add to your cart. Then you check out to make payment.
Transaction History -You can view payments & transactions.
Meal Application Status -You can check on the status by selecting the meal application in the menu to the left. Meal application status, if processed, is on the home screen.
Support Desk - 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.
Middle School Athletics
No middle school games were played this past week as we are making the transition into the winter season already! The boys and girls basketball teams held tryouts this past week and will have their first game of the season on Thursday, November 17th as they host Research Triangle Charter Academy. Girls will tip off at 4:30pm while the boys will play at the conclusion of the girls game. A reminder that you can find up to date game schedules on our new athletics website, www.voyagervikings.com
Student Athletes of the Month
8th grader Cindy Combs is one of two students to be named Voyager middle school’s October Student-Athlete of the Month. Cindy is a member of our amazing girls tennis team that went undefeated this season and won the first ever middle school tennis tournament! Congratulations, Cindy!
Unfortunately, our other student-athlete of the month was not in school this week and we want to give them the recognition they deserve. Therefore, keep an eye out in next week’s newsletter as we announce our other middle school student-athlete of the month.
Important Notes:
The middle school fall & winter athletic awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, February 22 at the middle school gym from 6:00 – 7:30pm. More details to come when we get closer.
Middle School winter athletic pictures will be held on Tuesday, November 8th right after school in the gymnasium.
High School Athletics
The Fall All-Conference Edition
Let’s start off with our October Student-Athletes of the month. This month we are recognizing sophomore soccer player Tyler Hinshaw and Junior tennis player Katelyn Hutson. Hinshaw is a key defensive member of our men’s soccer team that is currently in the third round of the NCHSAA state playoffs. Hutson’s season ended Wednesday night as her team fell to Chatham Central High School in the East Regional Dual Finals. Congratulations to both Tyler and Katelyn!
All but three of our fall teams have completed their seasons. Men’s Soccer is just getting started in their state playoffs while the men’s and women’s cross-country teams have their final race this Saturday for the state championship in Kernersville. At the request of the men’s soccer team, we will not disclose their all-conference selections at this time.
Volleyball
8-11 Overall Record
4-9 Conference Record
Earned #28 seed in the NCHSAA State Playoffs
Lost in second round to Vance Charter
Sophia Jones, Senior, OH
Women’s Tennis
10-6 Overall Record
6-0 Conference Record
TNAC Champions
Earned #3 seed in NCHSAA Duals
East Regional Runner-up
Seniors: Kate Flintom, Cara Freiburger, Lauren King
Juniors: Karli McKenna, Katelyn Hutson
Katelyn Hutson, Junior, TNAC Player of the Year
Men’s Cross-Country
TNAC Champions
East Regional Champions
TNAC Runner of the Year
Seniors: KJ Davis, Glenn Stiles, Parker Hinshaw
Sophomores: Louis DeFrate, Owen McMurray
Karl “KJ” Davis, Senior
TNAC Men’s Runner of the Year
Women’s Cross-Country
TNAC Runner-up
East Regional Runner-up
Junior: Liz Lalor
Sophomores: Eloise Leonard, Olivia Pearson
Notes:
The high school fall & winter athletic awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, March 2nd at the high school gym. More details to come when we get closer.
High School winter athletic pictures will be held on Thursday, November 17th right after school in the gymnasium.
I am looking for someone to operate the scoreboard during men’s and women’s varsity basketball games. If you are interested in helping, please email me: jgatcomb@voyageracademy.net