Viking Weekly News
Dear Voyager Community,
What a wonderful week on campus with lots of active learning and exciting field experiences. This was also an exciting week for events on and off campus. Elementary and Middle School students visited the Museum of Life and Science and our 6th graders ended the week with a trip to Busch Gardens to extend their learning. Our elementary school ended the week with a special visit from author, Darren Farrell. Other students in Middle School set out for an international experience in Italy with Ms. Green and Mr. Mitchell. What a fabulous way to explore another culture and enjoy spring break.
Our High School students enjoyed celebrating together at the prom which had over 170 students and staff attend on Saturday night at Mountain View Farms. They enjoyed dancing the night away and connecting with their friends. The 2nd annual Elementary School Art Show was held on Tuesday. What a beautiful showcase of talent and creative expression. Voyager also welcomed new families during the kindergarten parent orientation held on Wednesday. And the High School held their spring project exhibition event on Thursday after school. Students demonstrated their understanding through project-based learning experiences that integrated course content and executive function skills to better prepare them for their future. What an impressive group of Vikings!
PBL Highlights
The spring High School Project Exhibition Night was held school-wide on Thursday. Please check out the high school web page to view individual projects. Our 7th graders participated in a debate project and presented their persuasive positions during their debates held Monday through Wednesday.
The project began in ELA with argumentative essays that have evolved into a debate practice through Core Connections. The driving question for the project was, “How can I challenge my peers in a debate over social media to create a positive change in our society?” Students were very convincing with their arguments and creative with ideas to improve society.
Our third-grade students planned and organized a Community Fair to learn more about resources available in the Durham community. Students visited each booth and learned about the many resources available and how they support families in the community. There were over 15 vendors that participated in the learning process with our students. We are so grateful to have such great collaboration with our Durham community
HS Outdoor Classroom Reflection Space
Construction began on Monday, April 3rd to install the outdoor classroom /reflection space for our students and staff. The contractor anticipates that the project will take 2-3 weeks depending on the weather. They will be working on this project over spring break as well.
Awnings
Yahoo! Our permits were finally approved and the contractor is ready to install the Elementary School awnings over spring break. Middle School awnings will be installed over the summer.
PTSO Spring Fling – April 28th
Mark your calendars and save the date. You don’t want to miss all the fun and excitement during the Voyager Spring Fling sponsored by our PTSO. Games, vendors, food trucks, and emergency vehicles for students to explore will be on campus for a fun-filled community-wide event.
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. I hope you all have a wonderful spring break.
All the best,
Upcoming Dates:
4/6 - Project Exhibition Night (4-5:30pm)
4/7 - 4/17 - Spring Break
4/17 - Teacher Workday
4/18-4/19 - Biology and English 2 NCCI 2 (2nd semester)
4/19 - 5th On Campus Field Trip, all day, Camp Flintlock
4/20~ Title I, II and IV Monitoring Visit, NCDPI on site
4/21-Special Olympics-Elementary
4/21- 4/24 Middle School Matilda Play Dates
Friday, April 21 at 7:00
Saturday, April 22 at 7:00
Sunday, April 23 at 3:00
Monday, April 24 at 7:00
4/22 - HS Choir & Band: NC Show Choir Competition (Charlotte)
4/26 - NJHS Induction, 6:00
4/27 Kindergarten Project Celebration “Change Over Time”
4/27 - VAHS Dance Program’s “Dance Performance Night” 7:00 pm
4/28 - Special Olympics High school
4/28 - Spring Fling
4/28 - 5th Grade Shark Tank, 1:15
Burroughs Wellcome Fund Student STEM Enrichment Program Accepting Applications Through June 9
The Student STEM Enrichment Program (SSEP) supports diverse programs with a common goal: to enable primary and secondary students to participate in creative, hands-on STEM activities for K-12 students and pursue inquiry-based exploration in Burrough Wellcome Fund's (BWF) home state of North Carolina. These awards provide up to $60,000 per year for three years. Since the program's inception in 1996, BWF has awarded 275 grants totaling $41.4 million to 130 organizations that reach more than 43,000 North Carolina students.
Learn more and apply here. Applications close on June 9 at 3 p.m.
WEEKLY NURSES UPDATE:
Keeping WATER Fun…and Safe
All this warm weather and beautiful sunshine makes it feel like summer is just around the corner! Beach trips, pool parties, and lazy days on the lake are often everyone’s favorite way to beat the heat, stay cool, and have fun. It’s important to remember that drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children in the United States. For children under the age of 5, 87% of drowning fatalities happen in home pools or hot tubs. Children 5-17 years old are more likely to drown in natural water such as a pond or lake.
Facts on Drowning - Did You Know?
10 people die each day from unintentional drowning and on average 2 of them are under age 14.
Drowning is responsible for more deaths among children ages 1 to 4 than any other cause.
Drowning is the leading cause of death in autism for children and adults.
Among children ages 1-14, drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death behind motor vehicle crashes.
For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency care for nonfatal submersion injuries which can result in severe brain damage and long-term disabilities.
Ideas to Keep your Family Safe in the Water
Provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising, even when a lifeguard is present. Avoid distractions including cell phones.
Swim in areas where a lifeguard is present - especially when visiting the lake or beach.
Never swim alone, regardless of your age or level of swimming skills. Never let a child swim alone.
Stay within an arm's reach of a weak(er) or inexperienced swimmer who is in the water.
Find a reputable local swim school or sign your family up for swim classes offered through the American Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/water-safety-training-provider.html
Older children (ages 15 and above) may want to consider becoming Lifeguard certified. Lifeguarding is also a great summer job opportunity and currently there is a national shortage of lifeguards and aquatics staff. For more information about Lifeguard and Water Safety Training click here: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/lifeguarding?utm_source=RCO&utm_medium=For_Individuals_Find_Classes_and_Certification&utm_content=Lifeguarding
Other Water Safety Steps for the Entire Family:
Setting up family rules around water are simple steps that anyone can take that may save a life. Talk to your children early and often and ensure they know and understand the risk of playing in or around water. Ensure that they understand that they should never swim or go near water without adult permission and supervision.
Think about having multiple layers of protection such as physical barriers that prevent access to water such as a gate with a high latch and a door alarm.
Ensure every member of your family learns to swim and achieve skills of water competency including being able to get out of water (such as an inground swimming pool), holding their head above water to breath, staying afloat, and being able to swim 25 yards.
Also, make sure that everyone in your family knows what to do in a water emergency including how to help someone in trouble in the water, calling for emergency help, and/or giving CPR.
COVID-19 COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION WEEKLY UPDATE:
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
Masks are welcome but are not currently required
Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including recommended booster doses
Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19
Follow recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19
Parent Resource: Parents and caregivers!! Please check out the AMAZING newsletter completed by our Student Support Services Intern, Ms. Danielle Wright, titled “Parent Engagement: Connecting Home to School” This wonderful resource is FULL of useful articles, strategies, learning tools, and more, focused on engagement and involvement between the home and school. After reviewing, please provide your thoughtful feedback to inform us of the impact this newsletter had for you and your family!
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week: April 23rd – 29th: This year’s theme is “Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect change.” The focus this year is to amplify the voices of survivors and create environments where they will have the confidence that they will be heard, believed, and supported (ovc.ojp.gov). There are a number of services available to assist in a variety of areas of need:
· Suicide and Crisis Lifeline – call 9-8-8; https://988lifeline.org/
· Crisis Text Line – text HOME to 741741
· Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline – call 800-4-A-CHILD; www.childhelp.org/hotline
· National Sexual Assault Hotline – call 800-656-HOPE; www.rainn.org
· National Human Trafficking Hotline – call 888-373-7888; text 233733; www.humantraffickinghotline.org
· The Trevor Project – call; 866-488-7386; text 678678; www.thetrevorproject.org
· Mothers Against Drunk Driving – call 877-MADD-HELP; www.madd.org
If you are in need of support for an area not listed, please contact Dr. Link, as she may have a resource available to assist you!
Guess What!: We can proudly offer one last “Voyage into Service” event this academic year after all! For those who are willing and able, please sign-up for the May 13th event with the NC Diaper Bank from 9:30-11:30a at the following link: https://x.gldn.io/e/hfSgEoGhXrb Here are the important details:
· Each participant - each parent, child, and staff member, must fill out the link above.
· All volunteers guarantee that they are not feeling ill before their shift.
· Masks are optional; however, anyone who is not vaccinated, must wear a mask at all times.
· Bring a cool drink!
· Close-toed shoes are required.
· Address: 1311 E. Club Blvd, Durham, 27704 - inside the green fence at the corner of Kiss Dr. and E. Club Blvd.
All ability levels and those age 4+ are welcome to attend! Contact Dr. Monique Link, School Social Worker at 919-433-3301 X 146 / mlink@voyageracademy.net with any questions or needs. Certificates of Participation will be awarded to everyone in attendance AND there will be one last raffle for a few sweet give-aways! Thank you in advance for your commitment to service and volunteerism!
Student Support Services Newsletter: If you haven’t already, please check out our first edition of “Connections” (link below) - your new, quarterly Student Support Services Newsletter! Connections will provide parents and caregivers with relevant content focused around our school-aged children (K-12). Afterwards, we welcome you to complete a short survey to let the Student Support Services Team know how we can improve Connections or if we met your needs in a satisfactorily manner. Your feedback is important to us!
Middle School Athletics
Congratulations to Abby Anderson and Troy Cuellar for being named March’s Student-Athletes of the month. Abby is an 8th grader that plays Midfield for our soccer team. Abby continuously hustles on the field and leads the Vikings in goals scored. Off the field Abby works just as hard in the classroom and maintains an A average. Troy is a 6th grader and plays 2nd base and outfield for our baseball team. He is incredibly hard working and has an amazing attitude during practices and games. He is also the first person after practices and games to clean up the field, staying until it’s completely done. Troy also excels in the classroom as he maintains an A average. Congratulations to you both!
The baseball team (2-2) went 1-1 this past week. Last Friday the team won 21-0 over Bethesda Christian. 8th grader Linus Smith and 7th grader Timothy Johnson combined for a no-hit shutout, with Smith striking out 6 batters. Offensively, the Vikings found their rhythm and exploded for 13 hits. 7th graders Mason Singleton and Dylan Haswell and 8th graders Xavier DeHaro and Hayden Van Auken, all had 2 hits each. DeHaro, Haswell and 8th grader Erich Junker each drove in 3 runs. This past Monday the Vikings dropped a close game to the Raleigh Hawks, 3-2. Voyager took an early 1-0 lead when Singleton’s hit scored 6th grader Cohen Rappleyea. In the top of the 5th inning, the Vikings made it 2-1 when Singleton drove in Smith on another base hit. Singleton also got the start on the mound, going 4 innings and racking up 6 strikeouts. Smith came on in relief him in the 4th, with bases loaded and no outs - escaping with just 1 run scoring on a single.
The girls’ soccer team (3-1) team dropped their first game of the season after falling to Roxboro Community in the final seconds of Wednesday’s road game, 3-2. 8th graders Taylor Cuthriell and Kya Davis each scored a goal for the Vikings in the loss.
The softball team (0-1) opened up their season at the Durham School of the Arts this past week, falling to the Bulldogs 6-4 in a great game. The Vikings should be very proud of the progress they made from last season, as they saw their bats get hot. 7th grader Ella Bartes had a HUGE day at the plate blasting home runs in the 2nd, 4th, and 6th innings! 6th grader Tatianna Boyd and 7th grader Caroline Burton had some great plays in the infield while 8th grader Cindy Combs led the team as catcher. Bartes was also the starting pitcher for the Vikings, going three innings and allowing no hits and two runs while striking out ten.
Notes and Announcements
HAVE A WONDERFUL AND RELAXING SPRING BREAK!
Friday May 12, 6pm: Middle school spring athletic awards @ middle school gym
High School Athletics
Congratulations to Junior Liz Lalor and Senior Jackson Glenn for being named March’s Student-Athletes of the month. Liz is a member of our women’s track & field team and has already broken several school records in the last month. Liz is currently ranked 2nd in the state in three separate events and is ranked 3rd in another. In addition, Liz is a dedicated student who is involved in many activities at school while also running 35+ miles per week. Jackson’s quiet professionalism on and off the field exemplifies the expectations of our student-athletes at Voyager Academy. Jack is the first one to arrive and last one to leave every practice. Jackson comes to practice to improve every day – hold himself to a very high standard and himself accountable to that standard. He always gives his best effort, with full intention, every minute of every practice. According to his baseball coach, Coach Ryan, “I cannot remember one practice where Jackson was not 100% focused throughout practice working to continue to improve each and every day. His focus and work ethic have really paid off so far this season for our team!” In 10 games, Jackson is hitting 0.458 (11 for 24) with a 0.606 on base percentage, 9 RBI and 7 runs scored. Jackson has also been rock-steady defensively at first base. Congratulations to you both!
The baseball team (10-2, 7-1) has gone 9-1 in their last ten games and are currently tied with Roxboro Community for 1st place in the conference. Over the last ten games the Vikings have outscored opponents 105-26! Sophomore Carrick Ryan is leading a talented pitching staff with an impressive .93 ERA on the season. Along with Ryan, senior pitchers Dylan Ohlendorf and Daniel Higdon have combined to strike out an incredible 64 batters on the season. Offensively, Ryan is leading the team in hits with 18. Cade Curtis (’23) and Bryce Smith (’25) lead the team in homeruns while Adam Freiburger (’25) leads the Vikings in RBI’s. Curtis and fellow senior Jackson Glenn have found success with their speed on the base paths, with each player having 5 stolen bases. The Vikings look to continue to stay hot as they enter into one of the most competitive baseball tournaments in the region this coming weekend.
The men’s tennis team (2-8, 3-0) had the last week off due to Vance Charter forfeiting their match. The team will be back in action on April 18th when they travel to take on conference opponent, Eno River Academy.
The men’s lacrosse team (1-8, 1-4) got their first win of the season as they took down conference rival Roxboro Community, 8-7, at home on Tuesday. Senior Scott Green led the Vikings with 4 goals while Nate Scott-Benson (’23) and Graham Buchanan (’24) added 2 goals each as well. Sophomore Keith Njuguna had 12 saves, some point blank, to seal the win.
The women’s soccer team (4-4-1, 4-0) beat conference opponent Henderson Collegiate on the road last week, 10-0. The Vikings had 9 different players scoring goals in the win, led by first year Eliana Mah’s who scored twice. On Wednesday, the team dropped their game to a tough Franklin Academy team in the heat, 4-0, in a non-conference match.
The softball team (4-2, 0-1) dropped their TNAC opener on Wednesday evening at Roxboro Community, 15-0. Sophomore Reese Minor had the lone Viking hit in the game. Earlier in the week the Vikings hosted their first home game as they beat Franklin Academy 10-0. Senior Emma Heidecker had 3 hits in the game in addition to her pitching a complete game shutout, allowing only 2 hits and striking out 12.
The men’s and women’s track team continues to dominate in their meets. We do not have the complete results from last night’s meet at Eastern Alamance, but we DO know that we once again broke some more school records. Congratulations to the following new record holders!
• Boys 200 Ryan Mottola
• Boys 4x100 Ethan Beaver, Mottola, Dorian Kenan, Vince Ton
• Boys 110 Hurdles Evan Green
• Girls Long Jump Lenoira Bown
• Girls Shot Put Peyton Vickers
• Girls High Jump Eloise Leonard
Notes and Announcements
HAVE A WONDERFUL AND RELAXING SPRING BREAK!
Friday May 19, 6pm: High school spring athletic awards @ high school gym
Go Vikings, Go!
Jordan Gatcomb, Athletic Director
jgatcomb@voyageracademy.net
