Viking Weekly News
Dear Voyager Community,
It’s been another action-packed week on campus. AP exams started this week at the high school and our students did an awesome job demonstrating all they’ve learned this semester. Middle School students are working hard to finish the year strong and prepare for upcoming project celebrations. Our kindergarten and first grade students had some amazing project celebrations this week showcasing their musical talents, acting skills, and making connections with their project work samples in the classroom. Thank you to all the families that joined in on the celebrations. The elementary students are finishing off the week with an exciting field day of activities.
VOYAGER EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR
The Voyager team nominated their outstanding colleagues for Teacher of the Year recognition. Each school voted to award their outstanding educators of the year. The teacher of the year selected in each building was observed and interviewed by an outside panel of retired educators to make the recommended selection for the Voyager Teacher of the Year. Our teacher of the year has the opportunity to compete in the upcoming statewide teacher of the year competition. We will honor our outstanding educators at a special dinner next week to celebrate their deep contribution to our students and our school community. Please join me in congratulating the following Voyager Educators of the Year. Go Vikings Go!!
Voyager Outstanding Teacher of the Year
Dennis Baker
Elementary School
Teacher of the Year – Emily McGregor
Young Educator of the Year – Lauren Swain
Teaching Assistant of the Year – Kristy Dunham
Middle School
Teacher of the Year – Carrie Miller
Young Educator of the Year – Erin Coursey
High School
Teacher of the Year – Dennis Baker
Young Educator of the Year- Nuria Vicens
YMCA – Before & After Care for 23-24 School Year
The YMCA recently shared their pricing and programs for the 23-24 school year with currently enrolled families. I met with the YMCA this week to discuss their proposed pricing for the 23-24 school year because it does not align with our expected agreements. The YMCA will be pausing their registration process at this time so that they can adjust their program offerings and pricing. I have requested a daily rate for families that may only need 1 day a week or intermittent before/after care as well as adjustments to the rates that were previously shared with families. I also stressed the importance of including all families as well as new families so that everyone has an opportunity to enroll in the before and after care programs. The YMCA is working to provide the best service to meet each family’s needs. They will be reviewing and updating the following and provide additional details as soon as possible.
Pricing
Registration process and communication
Daily Registration
Timelines that better fit Voyagers school and enrollment calendar
Communication of the financial assistance program
Additional updates will be shared once the information is finalized by the YMCA. Please know that the YMCA offers financial assistance for families based on # of children attending and family needs, not just income. The YMCA Program Director can be reached at Charles.Gordon@ymcatriangle.org if you have specific questions or concerns you would like to discuss with him.
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. Enjoy the weekend!
All the best,
Upcoming Dates:
5/6 - Durham County Community Living Program's Race to Independence - 10-12
5/8 Building Zones, 4th grade, 12:00-3:00
5/10 - Senior Awards Breakfast and HS Parade, 10:00
5/11 - 4th Grade Celebration
5/11 - 7th Grade Science Fair
5/11 - 8th Grade Exhibition, 1:00 - 6:30
5/13 - 7th Grade Semi Formal, 7:00-9:30 Black Horse Run
5/17 - Second Grade Project Celebration (DATE CHANGE)
5/11-5/12 - 3rd Grade Reading/Math EOC
5/12 - Middle School Athletic Awards
5/13 - Voyage into Service (NC Diaper Bank) Additional Opportunity 9:30-11:30a
5/16 - 6th Grade Book Release, 4:00-6:00, Central Park
5/16-5/18 - 4th-8th grade EOGs
5/16-5/17 - HS Teacher Made Exams
5/19 - Third Grade Project Celebration
5/19 - High School Athletic Awards
5/18-19, 5/22-24 - HS EOCs
5/13 - HS Choir & Band: NC Educators Showcase (Greensboro)
5/23 - ES EOY Celebration
5/24 - MS 8th Grade Celebration, 8:45, gym
5/25 - HS Graduation
WEEKLY NURSES UPDATE:
Let’s Get Ready to Un-PLUG
It’s time to celebrate a full week to get away from the glowing screens of computers, TVs, phones, and games. National Screen-Free Week occurs during the first week in May and encourages everyone to pause, unplug, and re-engage with those around us. It’s not that screens are “bad.” Digital devices are all around us. We use them for work, school, and play. We stay connected to others through these devices. They offer hours upon hours of entertainment. But they can also keep us from engaging with those who are in the same room with us—our families, our friends, our peers.
Screen-Free Week isn’t just about avoiding our phones, televisions, tablets, and computers. It also encourages us to reconnect with each other and use our minds and bodies in the ways they were intended to be used. We don’t have to be tethered to a device to do these things. We don’t have to track our steps because we know we’re walking and enjoying it because we invited a friend to join us. No device can capture the thrill of the world around us better than our 5 senses.
Here are some ideas for how students and families can enjoy #ScreenFreeWeek
First, take the pledge to be screen-free and put away the electronics.
Having a real, face-to-face conversations
Problem-solve with your children
Relax
Play a card game
Visit with your neighbors
Explore your communities
Make real meals with real food with your own hands
Screen-Free Bingo: https://screenfree.org/project/screen-free-bingo/
Screen-Free Projects and Activities list: https://screenfree.org/project/101-screen-free-activities/
To learn more about National Screen Free week and explore screen free resources, click here: https://screenfree.org/
COVID-19 COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION WEEKLY UPDATE:
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
May is Asian Pacific American/Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Celebrate, learn about, and recognize the historical and cultural contributions of those who identify as Asian American Pacific Islander.
For more information on events, articles, documentaries, and historical facts, check out the links below!
https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/asian-pacific-american-heritage-month
https://www.pbs.org/articles/celebrate-asian-american-and-pacific-islander-heritage-month/
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/asian-american-pacific-islander-heritage-month
Chowan University Academic Summer Campapalooza: Campapalooza is a 5-day academic summer camp (June 18th-23rd) for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. They will live on campus, have their meals in the University cafeteria, and spend their days engaged in exciting academic activities with our University Faculty! This is designed for those students who want the college experience while taking a deep dive into a specific content area. Early registration is $400.00 – register now!
Information: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_hv_Qa4YHT9htcb5-5UVh99aWFfE-yOnNS_osvXxDXtCZsQ/viewform
Registration and Payment: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_Jlbu_G_BkYkal7XICX1jm-DV5-6oX3clcf2Z637ubvaF7w/viewform
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!
Quick Reminders:
As we near the end of this wonderful school year please make sure all negative balances on your student's meal account are taken care of as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns about the balance showing or how to rectify the balance please reach out to tthomas@voyageracademy.net
We are gearing up for a fun filled summer full of learning! Summer Enrichment sign-up has closed. If you have enrolled your student in a Summer Enrichment please make sure the session chosen has been paid for in full. If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to reach out at tthomas@voyageracademy.net.
Middle School Athletics
The baseball team (2-5) will wrap up their regular season today as they take on rival Excelsior Academy this afternoon in a 4pm matchup. The Vikings took on the Lyons earlier in the week, a 10-4 loss during 8th grade celebration night. Even though the team dropped the game Coach Holder has been incredibly proud of his team and notes that they continue to improve each day. #5 Voyager will take on #4 Roxboro Community in the 1st round of the TNAC tournament on Monday, May 8th, 4pm at the Granville Athletic Park.
The girls’ soccer team (7-4) team dropped back to back games this week as they fell to Excelsior Academy 5-1 on Tuesday and lost yesterday’s game to Eno River Academy 4-1. The team celebrated their 8th graders prior to their kickoff yesterday and will face Eno River one more time on the road next Tuesday. Voyager will be hosting the girls’ middle school conference tournament that will kick off on Tuesday, May 16th.
PC: Claire Schnee
The softball team (2-5) is currently tied for 4th place in the conference as they play their last regular season game this afternoon when they host Roxboro Community. The team will also celebrate their 8th graders prior to their game! The Vikings hold the tie-breaker and will be the #4 seed and host Excelsior Academy in the 1st round of the TNAC tournament on Monday, May 8th, 4pm at Bull City Little League.
Notes and Announcements
DATE CHANGE!!!! Due to Voyager hosting the middle school soccer conference tournament our middle school athletic awards ceremony will be moving to Thursday, May 18th, 5pm. Please update your calendars.
High School Athletics
The baseball team (17-5, 9-1) concluded regular season play last night with a big 15-0 win over conference opponent Oxford Prep. The Vikings will end the season as TNAC Co-Champions with Roxboro Community. This will mark back-to-back TNAC championships for the Vikings. NCHSAA state playoff seeding will happen tomorrow. We will share on our social media accounts where the Vikings are seeded as soon as we find out.
The men’s tennis team (4-10, 4-0) have members in Goldsboro today and tomorrow competing for singles and doubles regional championships. Sophomores Tyler Hinshaw, Micah Smith, and Will Baker. Junior Zach Hanspal, and Seniors Parker Odell and Umar Chaudhry. Good luck, Vikings!
Congratulations to The women’s soccer team (10-5-1, 10-1) for winning the program’s first ever conference championship! The team’s huge win against Eno River Academy last night, 3-1 secured their spot at the top with one more game left in the season. Sophomore Olivia Pearson scored two goals and Junior Dakota Tivnan scored once to lead the Vikings offensively. Sophomore Claire Schnee got the start in goal and played an incredible game, including stopping a penalty kick at a key moment in the game. Schnee finished with a hard fought 8 saves on the night. Seeding for the NCHSAA state playoffs will be released on May 12th with 1st round games beginning on May 15th. As soon as we know details we will be sure to release them on our social media accounts.
The softball team (4-8, 0-6) concluded their regular season this past Tuesday in a double header against Oxford Prep. The team also took the time to honor their two seniors, Emma Heidecker and Autum Suka. The Vikings will wait to see if they will get an at-large bid into the NCHSAA state playoffs to be announced tomorrow.
The men’s and women’s track team will be participating in a large meet this afternoon at Willow Spring High School – good luck! I’m sure more school records will fall, which we will update next week. This will be their last meet before they travel to Pender High School next Saturday for the Regional Championships.
Notes and Announcements
Friday May 19, 6pm: High school spring athletic awards @ high school gym
Go Vikings, Go!
Jordan Gatcomb, Athletic Director
