Hi Middle School Families,
Wow, another busy week!
Parents,
We are noticing an uptick in cases of various symptoms and illnesses, especially flu, among our students especially in 7th grade. COVID cases are increasing in Durham and flu cases are also exceptionally high in our surrounding community. If your child is complaining of not feeling well before the school day starts, please keep them home for further monitoring and have them remain home until they are feeling well enough to actively participate in learning during the school day. **PLEASE REMEMBER - if your child is on a sports team or extracurricular activity and did not attend school that day (or went home early) due to illness, they should NOT attend their practice, game, event, or competition.**
If a student has a fever (100.4F or above), vomiting or diarrhea, they must stay home until those symptoms have been resolved for at least 36 hours without the assistance of medication per the Voyager Academy Sick Policy and Parent Handbook. We also ask that students with symptoms wear a mask while at school until their symptoms have resolved completely.
Voyager Academy still follows the CDC guidance for COVID-19 that highly recommends COVID-19 testing for any individual with symptoms of illness and the required isolation and masking periods for individuals that test positive.
Our school remains a mask-friendly environment and students without symptoms may choose to wear a mask at any time. We realize the holidays are quickly approaching and many families may be traveling or attending gatherings where being sick is certainly no fun. Wearing a mask indoors while at school can be an excellent strategy to help prevent new illness and also reduce the spread of any existing illness. The school has disposable masks available for any student that wishes to wear a mask.
Please find the link to our 2022-2023 Sick Policy for your reference: https://www.voyageracademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Voyager-Academy-Sick-Policy-2022-2023-UPDATED-8.4.22.pdf
Thank you for your understanding as we strive to keep our students, teachers, and staff healthy.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Johnson (VAMS Principal), Mrs. Skoff (School Nurse), and our Staff
Early Release
December 21 is an Early Release Day. Middle School carlines will begin at 11:45 and all Middle School students should be picked up by 12:15. Remember there is NO afterschool on December 21.
Learning
Even with the holidays around the corner, our teachers are continuing to teach and our students are continuing to learn! It’s exciting to see the work of our teachers and the work of our students.
Teacher Lunch:
Wow, you all did it again! We had a Teacher Luncheon on Thursday and as always the food was delicious. I heard many comments from the staff regarding how they enjoyed the food! We appreciate you - those who cover classes so teachers can enjoy their lunch, those who drop off food, and those who set up the workroom and turn it into a cafeteria. YOU ALL are appreciated for supporting our teachers. Thanks to Mrs. Robinson, Ms. Thompson and Mrs. Ford!
Holiday Giving Tree
Our Holiday Giving Tree was located in the main lobby. It was amazing how quickly the tags that were on the tree were off the tree and the gift cards were purchased and given to Mrs. Farrish. THANK YOU!
Toy Drive
Our Toy Drive to support the Rescue Mission was a HUGE success. Thank you to each and every one of you who donated a toy or game or book. Members of the Rescue Mission came Wednesday with their truck. We had the pleasure of helping load all the toys, etc.
Lost and Found Items
The Lost and Found Items were bagged on Wednesday and Mrs. Graham took the items to her church to provide opportunities to help families. Yes, we already have some Lost and Found Items. Thanks, Mrs. Graham and thanks Mrs. Hodges for helping bag the items.
Student Work and Assignments
Just a reminder that students need to make sure all of their assignments have been completed and submitted to their teacher/teachers no later than December 21st. All grades need to be turned in so teachers can enter into PowerSchool as Report Cards will be distributed on January 11 after the Break.
Great News regarding Ultimate Frisbee -
Ultimate Frisbee is in full swing. I don’t know the exact number of participants but there are lots of MS students who are participating. It looks like lots of fun! I have heard the students are certainly enjoying Ultimate Frisbee. I am looking forward to watching them play. Thanks to Leslie Jewell and team for making this happen.
Tardies
I know you get tired of me talking about tardies BUT our students need to be on time and in their classrooms no later than 8:15. If a student is not in class by 8:15, they are late. It’s really not fair to our students as they walk into class already behind! Please help us in getting your children/our students to school on time.
Lottery Applications Open January 1, 2023
Voyager Families, the lottery for the 2023-2024 school year will open on January 1, 2023. If
you currently have a child attending Voyager and you are interested in the sibling attending
next year, your family will need to complete the lottery application for the sibling.
Yearbook Online Ordering
Yearbooks ordered before 1/2/2023 cost $30.
Yearbooks ordered after 1/2/2023 are $35.
The final deadline to order is 2/17/2023.
Please use the link below for online ordering instructions.
8th Grade Yearbook Ad Purchase a personalized yearbook ad for your 8th Grader using the following link, https://plicbooks.com/go/BVQXG5. Deadline to order 2/1/2023. Once you place an order, an email will be sent to you with further instructions on designing your ad online. Detailed directions on using the ad designer can be found here: https://bit.ly/3ypUtb4
Voyager into Service Event
Mark your calendar for the next “Voyage into Service” event! 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 Monday, January 16th from 9-10:30a for our second 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.).
Sign up link: https://x.gldn.io/e/hfSgEoGhXrb :Each participant - each parent, child, and staff member, must fill this out.
· Bring a cool drink!
· Close-toed shoes are required.
· Volunteer guarantees that they are not feeling ill before their shift.
· Masks are optional; anyone who is not vaccinated, please wear a mask at all times.
Please contact Dr. Monique Link, School Social Worker at 919-433-3301 X 146 / mlink@voyageracademy.net with any questions or needs.
SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED FOR WINTER BREAK DEC. 21-JAN. 04. Dismissal is 11:45-12:15. STUDENTS RETURN TO SCHOOL ON
JANUARY 5.
Some Important Dates:
Dec. 20 - 7th and 8th Grade Holiday Social/Dance at the MS, 6:00-8:00, $5.00 entry fee or bring a Toy the evening of the dance and you get in free.
Dec. 20 - Fourth Grade Holiday Celebration
Dec. 20 - Holocaust Guest Speaker for 6th Grade
Dec. 21 - Second quarter ends - Early Release—our release time is 11:45! All students need to be picked up by 12:15.
Electives
Our 7th and 8th graders ranked electives for the second semester. The process took place last week. They made their rankings through a Google Doc. We work hard to have our students receive their first or second choice for their second semester elective.
Notifying You if Work is Incomplete
This year we are sending info to you through a Google Doc notifying you that your student is not submitting all work or that your student is not making all passing grades. Our athletes must pass 4 of 5 subjects in order to stay on the team. Please check PowerSchool as the Second Nine Weeks is almost over. Student work should be completed no later than Wednesday, Dec. 21. Some of our teachers may have an earlier deadline as they have to grade and enter into PowerSchool in order for Report Cards to be ready to email.
WEEKLY NURSES UPDATE:
As many families might be aware, the 2022-2023 Sick Policy is a little different this year compared to last year. As we head into the Winter season and we can anticipate an increase in various illnesses, it is important to remember that while some requirements for students returning to school after symptoms of illness HAVE changed, some have not. Here are some important reminders:
If your student tests positive for COVID - please let the school know as soon as possible so that we can provide you with their correct return to school date and masking guidance. ANY person that tests positive is still REQUIRED to follow the CDC guidelines for their 5-day isolation period and 10-day masking period when they return to school. This is a Durham Department of Public Health protocol and is NOT optional. Open, transparent communication between families and the school when their student tests positive for COVID helps keep everyone informed and able to make smart decisions that keep students, teachers, and staff healthy and safe.
Nobody likes to be at school/work when they are sick. If your child is not feeling well, please keep them home from school until they are feeling better. Please reach out to your child’s teachers so that they can assist with any assignments that may be able to be completed at home and links for daily attendance. Please refer to the Voyager Sick Policy for other recommendations for students with symptoms.
Fever (100.4F and above), vomiting and/or diarrhea still REQUIRE that a student stay home from school for a minimum of 36 hours. A student may return to school once they have been symptom free without medication for at least 36 hours.
Anytime someone has a known exposure to COVID, it is a good idea to wear a mask while at school and extracurricular activities for 10 days after the exposure. Testing on day 5 is highly recommended. Voyager remains a mask-friendly environment and offers both weekly screening testing AND post-exposure rapid antigen testing by request. Email Mrs. Skoff (cskoff@voyageracademy.net) for more information on these testing services.
Anytime someone has symptoms of illness it is a good idea to test for COVID-19. A PCR test is considered the diagnostic gold standard for COVID-19. Rapid antigen tests are also great resources to test for COVID-19 infection and are readily available in the community. If using rapid antigen tests, make sure that you follow the directions outlined by the manufacturer (usually included inside or printed on the box) and remember you might need to test every day or every other day for a few days to ensure the test result’s accuracy.
You can access a copy of the 2022-2023 Voyager Academy Sick Child Policy on our website here: https://www.voyageracademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Voyager-Academy-Sick-Policy-2022-2023-UPDATED-8.4.22.pdf
Below are links for locations that offer FREE at-home rapid tests as well as PCR testing locations in our community:
Free At-home Test Pick-Up Locations: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/PickUpTests
Free On-Site Testing Locations: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/testing/find-my-testing-place/no-cost-community-testing-events
Retail COVID-19 Testing Locations: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/testing-treatment/find-covid-19-tests/find-covid-19-testing-site
Everyone following these guidelines helps keep our students, teachers, and staff healthy and protects our in-person learning environment. Thank you for your understanding and support.
The 22-23 Voyager Parent Activities calendar lists all programs and activities so all families have access to the events and programs offered on campus. The calendar is posted on the school website.
To subscribe to 22-23 VA Parent Calendar
View 22-23 VA Parent Calendar on Voyager Website under the Calendar tab
Select the plus sign at the bottom right of the calendar to add to your Google calendar
This will open your Google calendar
Select other calendars, add calendar
Select subscribe to calendar
Once subscribed, Voyager events will populate on your Google calendar
The Titan Family Portal and LINQ Online Ordering system work together like a checking/ debit card account. All student lunch accounts must be preloaded with funds for ordering. Parents then order lunches for students based on the funds availability in their Titan account. Families who have a negative balance on the account will no longer be permitted to order lunch online. Please be sure to send your student(s) to school with lunch if no meal was ordered. If your student's lunch account currently has a negative balance, we please ask that you pay this balance as soon as possible by either form of payment:
Online at https://family.titank12.com There is a $2.80 flat fee charged by the bank per deposit online. (Example: $100 deposit + $2.80 fee = $102.80)
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.
Lunch menus are published for the month of October. The lunch ordering rule is a week in advance. If you need assistance email foodnutritionservices@voyageracademy.net.
LINQ ONLINE ORDERING - View and order student/staff meals. Website: https://family.onlineordering.linq.com
Website: https://family.titank12.com
TITAN SCHOOL STORE
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 AM to 7 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, to answer your family portal questions at (844) 467 4700, option 2.
Have a great weekend and remember next week is a 3 day week!
Gwen
Gwen Johnson
MS Principal
919-433-3301
gjohnson@voyageracademy.net