NEWS FROM ELEMENTARY: We are back into the swing of things and I hope your family is as well. Listed below are some important reminders for you and your family for the week of November 7-11:
BOOK CHARACTER DAY WAS AWESOME: Students and staff members had an amazing day of learning on Oct. 31 as we hosted our annual BOOK CHARACTER DAY. Students and staff dressed as their favorite book character and each class hosted fun reading stations to remind students of the importance of reading. Thank you to all the parents who signed up to help. We appreciate you!
MIDDLE SCHOOL SHARED THEIR KNOWLEDGE: The middle school Spanish classes visited the elementary school this week to share knowledge via music. Our students loved it! It is wonderful to have such great resources at Voyager.
THIRD GRADE PROJECT CELEBRATION AND CONCERT: Thank you to all the parents who came to campus on Thursday to learn about animal habitats and to support the BIG DREAMS Concert. We are very proud of our students and how hard they worked to prepare for this celebration.
VETERANS DAY IS FRIDAY, NOV. 11: Voyager Academy will be closed for students and staff on Friday, Nov. 11.
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD MEETING: Does your child love science? Would they enjoy sharing science ideas with their friends? If so, Voyager Elementary's Science Olympiad is the perfect team activity for them! As part of the olympiad team, students participate in fun, hands-on math and science learning games, then compete against other students in a super exciting science tournament. We are having an in-person meeting at the elementary school on Tuesday, November 8, at 3:15 pm (room 201). Registration for K-5th students is HERE. Registration will be open until December 10th. Please email Sandi Portilla at scienceolympiad@voyageracademy.net for any questions.
STOP THE SPREAD; MAKE MASKS YOUR FRIEND: Just a friendly reminder that students that are having mild sickness symptoms in class (coughing, runny nose, etc) should be encouraged to wear a mask. This will help us lower the spread of fall and winter viruses and colds. You can help us keep everyone safe by placing a new mask in your child’s bookbag (in case it is needed).
Students that have a fever 100.4F or above, vomiting, or diarrhea MUST be sent home.
If you would like to review the Sick Policy, here is the link:
ELEMENTARY FAMILY MARATHON: Keep walking and keep talking! Our Elementary Family Marathon is underway. If you need more information about our Family Marathon challenge, click the link or contact Mrs. Flowe-Dawson (mflowedawson@voyageracademy.net) or Mrs. Boyd (tboyd@voyageracademy.net).
ON SITE WALKING EVENT: As our family marathon comes to a close, we will be walking the last 1.2 miles of the marathon on Voyager’s soccer field. This event will take place on Nov. 18th. Each grade level will come out and walk and we want to encourage parents and grandparents to come and walk with us as well. The times each grade level will be walking are listed below:
First Grade: 8:15 start time
Second Grade: 9:15 start time
Kindergarten: 10:15 start time
Third Grade: 11;15 start time
PTSO FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Save the DATE! The PTSO is hosting a FREE Family Game Night Friday, November 4th from 6-8pm in the ES gym. Bring blankets/folding chairs & board games! We will have popcorn, refreshments, & apparel/gear for sale. Bring cash and small bills, please.
Sign Up Genius to volunteer - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090948a4ab23a4f94-ptso
THE TIME CHANGES THIS WEEKEND: Just a friendly reminder to set your clocks back one hour this weekend.
NOVEMBER STAFF LUNCHEON SIGN-UP: If you are able to volunteer or provide a food item for the November Staff Luncheon, please sign up on the link below. We truly do LOVE this monthly event. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054AACAB29A5FF2-vaes4
VOYAGER BLOOD DRIVE: Voyager is hosting a blood drive this semester on November 11th, from 9 am to 2 pm. This will take place at Voyager High School.
LIVE PLAY FOR K-3: Students in grades K-3 learned about the importance of recycling and conservation during a LIVE performance from the National Theater for Young Children. This presentation was held on Friday, Nov. 4. Ask your child to tell you something they learned.
PTSO UPDATES: Our PTSO is very busy. Listed below are a few upcoming events:
Freddy’s Spirit Dinner 12/07
Family Game Night Nov. 4 in elementary school gym
Diaper Bank Family Service Event Nov. 5
Nov 15 will be the next PTSO meeting
FAMILY COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT: The Student Support Services Team is pleased to announce our inaugural K-12 Community Service experience for the 2022-23 school year: “Voyage into Service.” This is a school-wide volunteer opportunity that is available to all students, parents, and staff throughout K-12! The Vision of Voyage into Service is “Building the capacity for positive regard and respect for self, others, and the world around us.” The Mission is to “Provide confident, empathic, curious, and reflective service to and throughout the community, with integrity.” We invite and encourage all of those who are interested in serving to join us Saturday, November 5th from 9:30-11:30a for our first Community Service Event: The Diaper Bank of NC (1311 E. Club Blvd, Durham, 27704 - inside the green fence at the corner of Kiss Dr. and E. Club Blvd.). The Diaper Bank of NC requires the following:
Sign up link: https://x.gldn.io/e/hfSgEoGhXrb (Each participant must fill this out parents, children, and staff).
*Volunteer guarantees that they are not feeling ill before their shift.
Masks are optional for all staff and volunteers. Those who wish to continue wearing masks are encouraged to; however, anyone who is not vaccinated, please wear a mask at all times.
Volunteers will work inside a ventilated warehouse. Please note that this area is in a warehouse that is not climate-controlled. The loading dock doors open will be open and large fans will be going, but it does get warm!
Bring a cool drink!
Close-toed shoes are required.
If anyone is interested in attending but needs transportation to/from the event, please contact Dr. Monique Link, School Social Worker at 919-433-3301 X 146 / mlink@voyageracademy.net
Also, if anyone will be attending who is under the age of 18, please contact Dr. Link, as this needs to be noted for the Diaper Bank on the Group Waiver form by Dr. Link. Certificates of Participation will be awarded to everyone in attendance AND there will be a raffle for a few sweet give-aways!
CHICK-FIL-A READING CHALLENGE: We are so honored to partner with Chick-Fil-A on Roxboro St. They will be giving a FREE gift card to students every month who read 15 books. The October challenge begins Oct. 1. We are almost reading to begin our October Reading Challenge! As your child reads or you read to your child, please record the books on the reading log and return it to your child’s teacher once you have 15 books listed. Your child can earn one free gift card per month.
COVID UPDATE FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE: The health and safety of our students, teachers, staff, and volunteers are our top priorities. Voyager Academy is following the CDC COVID-19 Community Level guidance. We sincerely appreciate your consideration.
Our CDC COVID-19 Community Level is: LOW
People may choose to wear a mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
MONDAY’S SCHEDULE: Each and every Monday, Voyager will dismiss students at 12:45 pm. Since our staff attend meetings every Monday, it is imperative that students are picked up on time.
BIRTHDAY ROCK: The Voyager Birthday Rock is such a popular thing! We hope you and the students enjoy seeing the various birthday designs. The Birthday Rock is available on a sign up basis. The sign up was sent out late summer. If you would like to see if there is any availability left, please click on the link below.
LUNCH UPDATE: Voyager Academy will offer a hot lunch meal option from K & W Cafeteria! Hot meals will be delivered daily to each school prior to meal time. The meals are made fresh offsite at K&W’s kitchen. They are delivered in individual hermetically sealed meal plates kept warm in commercial grade insulated food delivery bags. These meal containers closely resemble microwave meal trays. We assure you that the meals are made fresh daily following the USDA National School Lunch Program (NSLP) meal requirements.
Lunch orders are placed on the LINQ Online Ordering system (https://family.onlineordering.linq.com/) The cost for lunch is $4.50 per student per meal for all students not participating in the Free and Reduced lunch meal program. There is a Vegetable Plate option listed under A la Carte items. It generally has the vegetables of the day and a starch item. The cost is $4.50 for a vegetable plate entrée. It does not qualify for the NSLP pricing & program.
All meal purchases are prepaid. You will add money to your student’s account via the Titan Payment portal (https://family.titank12.com/). It is recommended that families set up reoccurring payments by week or month. This ensures you have enough funds on account when preordering. You can also make one time payments/deposits. You can order meals by the week or month. We recommend purchasing by the month to ensure your family doesn’t miss the ordering (7 days in advance) deadlines. A week’s worth of lunch is $4.50 (price per meal) x 5 days (school week) = $22.50+ processing fees* a week or $90 + processing fees* per month (4 weeks). The processing fee for lunch is $2.60 per deposit.
We will only serve meals to students who have pre-ordered and paid for lunch. All families participating in the school’s lunch program regardless of their status (Free, Reduced or Paid) have to use this system to pre-order the meals. All meal orders must be in by 11 pm. There is a 7 day advance order cutoff policy to allow the vendor time for meal planning and preparation.
LUNCH FUND DONATIONS
Some families require more help than others with daily purchases and outstanding meal balances. A few extra dollars from families with the ability to donate can help us make sure all of our children have consistent access to nutritious school meals, while keeping Voyager Academy’s finances strong! If you would like to contribute to the Voyager Academy Lunch fund, you can do so on the School Store at https://Family.TitanK12.com
What you need to know:
There are two systems that work together for ordering and payment
LINQ ONLINE ORDERING - View and order student/staff meals.
TITAN FAMILY PORTAL -Pay your school fees, manage your students accounts and apply for free and reduced meals.
Pre-Payment Options - Please take advantage of the options to prepay your student's meal accounts.
The online payments are a simple, safe and a secure way to make payments to your students account 24 hours a day at your convenience.
Online at https://family.titank12.com There is a $2.60 flat fee charged by the bank per deposit online. (Example: $100 deposit + $2.60 fee = $102.60)
A check/ money order made payable to Voyager Academy. Please include your child's name and id# on the memo line. You can also use this pre-printed form.
Send/mail Check or money order to school with your student. Please place the payments in an envelope marked clearly with your student's name, their ID #, their teacher's name, the $ amount and the check #. Turn in prepaid deposits to the teacher or school office.
Download and Print Out a pre-formatted #10 Envelope for making Deposits
Ordering Rules
You can pre-order meals for the week or the full month.
There is a week advance Order Cutoff date. All orders must be made the Monday of the week before.
We can not accept same day orders. Changes/cancellations can be made up to 2 days before the meal date.
All orders must be pre-ordered and pre-payment made to the Family Portal account on Titan or sent to school.
Lunch Menus are available on the School Nutrition website
Images/photos on the menu are for promotional purposes and are not actual meal photos.
Free and Reduced Lunch meal pricing is available at Voyager Academy.
Applications must be renewed each school year. If a new application has not been completed, the student will automatically revert to “paid” status.
Verification of income will be requested. You will be required to submit supporting documentation during the verification process.
View the USDA Child Nutrition Programs Income Eligibility Guidelines (2021-2022)