Viking Weekly News
Dear Voyager Community,
Voyager kicked off the week celebrating and honoring Martin Luther King. It was great to partner with 45 Voyager volunteers at our Voyage into Service event at the NC Diaper Bank! Over 14K diapers were wrapped and prepared for shipping to families in need!
Our EC Department was recognized by North Carolina ESEA as a Distinguished School. We received a banner to commemorate our excellence in meeting the needs of students with disabilities. We are so very grateful for the compassion, care, and dedication of our entire EC department in all three schools for their accomplishment.
Next week is an action-packed week as well. Please read information below for additional details.
Prospective Board Member Information Session Tuesday – January 24, 2023 – 6 pm
The Voyager Board of Directors oversees the strategic direction of Voyager and supports the school in achieving our mission and vision. We are looking for candidates that might be interested in serving on our board in the future. The Board of Directors will be hosting an information session for people interested in applying for a position on the Voyager Board of Directors. The zoom session linked here will be held on January 24, 2023 at 6 pm. Details about the application process are linked here for those interested in serving on the board.
Rising 9th Graders High School Information Night on Wednesday January 25, 2023 – 5 pm
Current 8th graders and their families are invited to join the HS team and student representatives for a virtual information session. Students and families will learn all about the academic, athletic, and extra-curricular programs that are offered at our high school. Join in to learn about the high school Viking experience. Zoom link here.
2023 -2024 Application Process is Open – Virtual Info Session on February 1, 2023
The 2023-2024 application process is now open. Please remember to apply by the February 28, 2023 deadline for any siblings that you would like to enroll for the 2023-2024 school year. Students that are already enrolled at Voyager do not need to reapply. Information, resources, and the timeline for the application and lottery process are under the admissions tab on the website. We will be hosting a virtual information night on February 1, 2023 for all prospective families. Voyager continues to strive to reach a diverse demographic that reflects our community. Please reach out to your friends and neighbors and share information about our wonderful school community. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee will be recruiting at area preschools and community centers. Voyager also partners with Communities and Families Rising (formerly Head Star) and has already shared our school brochures and participates in their open house events.
Reminders
Middle School Check Ins will be held next week so students should remember to bring their computers charged and ready for testing. The high school will be celebrating spirit week next week to further build community and school spirit. Our elementary students have the opportunity to participate in the Little Viking Cheer camp on Tuesday. The monthly school board meeting will be held on Thursday night in the art room at the Middle School. Our elementary school will be celebrating the 100th day of school on Friday with lots of fun and excitement. As you can see, the year is flying by and there’s something for everyone in the busy week ahead.
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 events and all the updates below from our School Nurse, Student Support Team, Operations Manager, and Athletic Director below. Have a great weekend!
All the best,
Upcoming Dates:
1/23 – 1/26 – MS Check Ins
1/24/23 – Prospective Board Member Information Session – 6pm
1/24/23 – Little Vikings Cheer Camp
1/25/23 – Rising 9th grader Voyager High School Information Night
1/26/23 - Board Meeting
1/26/23 - MOY mClass Assessments End
1/28/23 - HS: Winter Semi Formal (Umstead Pines)
1/31/23 - Prospective Family Tours
1/31/23 - 8th grade EC Parent night zoom meeting
2/1/23 – Prospective Family Information Session Virtual
ROUTINE REFRESH
With the start of each new year, many people like to make “new year resolutions.” Maybe they will start doing more of something, like exercising. Or maybe they choose to do less of something else - like eating fast food. We may be halfway through January, but it is still a great time to work with your children and family to create new routines or tweak any old routines that might need freshening up.
Good routines are well planned, regular, and predictable. Routines take some effort to create. But once you’ve set them up, they can have many benefits. As parents, when life is busy, routines can help you feel more organized, in control, and less stressed. Regular and consistent routines for your family can also help everyone feel like they’re doing a good job contributing. Routines help your family get through your daily tasks more efficiently and free up time for other things. And oftentimes, routines mean you don’t have to sort out disputes and make decisions. For example, if Sunday night is laundry night, there is no argument when children are asked to help fold clothes.
Daily routines help children feel safe, develop life skills, and build healthy habits. Having chores as part of family routines helps children and teenagers develop a sense of responsibility and some basic skills like time management. These are skills children can use for life. When children can do their parts of the routine with less help or supervision from parents and caregivers, it also helps them become more confident and independent.
One of the easiest ways to start a routine with children at home is using daily hygiene. Help your child create a daily routine that includes washing their hands before meals, showering or bathing using soap and water, brushing their teeth twice a day (once in the morning before school and again at bedtime), and flossing. These behaviors teach children that routine, daily habits are good for their health. For example, children that frequently wash their hands are sick less often.
Here are some other ideas for establishing routines for children at different ages:
Toddlers and preschoolers:
For toddlers and preschoolers, you could have routines for:
• getting ready in the morning
• eating meals
• having quiet time and going to bed at night.
School-age children:
For school-age children, you could have routines for:
• getting ready in the morning and going to bed at night (including bathing, brushing teeth and hair, flossing)
• doing homework
• doing chores – setting the dinner table, unpacking the dishwasher, helping with the laundry, or caring for pets
Teenagers:
For teenagers, you could have routines for:
• time management routines when participating in after-school activities like clubs, groups, or sports
• unplugging from screens and spending time with family
• relaxing before bed
COVID-19 COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION WEEKLY UPDATE:
Our CDC COVID-19 Community Level is: HIGH
**Masks are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED indoors, even if you are vaccinated**
If you have symptoms of illness, COVID-19 testing is highly recommended
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.
School Attendance Matters: We love having your children at school all school year; unfortunately, winter weather can take a toll on school attendance. Snow and rain can make it hard to get your children to school, as can illnesses such as colds, flu, fevers, earaches and Covid-19. These absences, even if they are excused, break the routine of daily attendance that contributes to students feeling connected and engaged in learning. Please consider these steps to keep your children healthy and in school this winter: Promoting Good Attendance all Winter Long. If you need any support around attendance and/or want to brainstorm additional ways to ensure that your children are present and on-time each day, please feel free to reach out to your building Administrator or any member of the Student Support Services Team:
Dr. Monique Link, School Social Worker: K-12, 919-433-3301 X 146
Mrs. Chelsea Skoff, School Nurse: K-12, 919-433-3301 X 247
Mrs. Melissa Meckes, School Counselor: Elementary, 919-433-3301 X 188
Mrs. Tonya Farrish, School Counselor: Middle, 919-433-3301 X 206
Ms. Savannah Purdy, School Counselor: Middle and High, 919-433-3301 X 144
Ms. Jill O’Kane, School Counselor: High, 919-433-3301 X 326
National Human Trafficking Awareness Month: January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. The U.S. Department of State defines human trafficking as a crime in which traffickers exploit and profit at the expense of adults or children by compelling them to perform labor or engage in commercial sex acts. NC ranks 9th in the nation with 260 human trafficking cases in 2020. Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in the US and a serious issue impacting NC.
Athletic Award Ceremony Dates
Fall/Winter Middle School: Wednesday, February 22, 6:00pm
Fall/Winter High School: Thursday, March 2, 6:00pm
Spring Middle School: Friday, May 12, 6:00pm
Spring High School: Friday, May 19, 6:00pm
We are gearing up for the start of Spring 2023 Enrichments! Rosters are being finalized and lanyards are being made...Exciting! I hope everyone is ready to have a fun smooth semester. Below are the dates for Spring 2023 semester:
February 9, 2023 – May 11, 2023
***No classes offered:
February 16th, 17th & 20th
March 13th, 14th, 27th, & 28th
week of April 7th – April 17 (Spring Break)
If you have any specific questions about anything concerning enrichments please feel free to reach out to me at my contact listed below.
Taylor Thomas
E:tthomas@voyageracademy.net
P:919-433-3301 ext.158
