Voyager MS Family Bulletin
May 13, 2022 Weekly News
Our mission is to prepare our youth today for tomorrow’s opportunities.
Land Acknowledgement
The Mukilteo School District acknowledges that we gather on the ancestral homelands of the Coast Salish Peoples, who have lived in the Salish Sea basin since time immemorial. We respect this place and honor the sacred spiritual connection to the land, water, and its people, past, present, and future. The district serves a diverse population of about 15,000 students who live near the Puget Sound about 15 miles north of Seattle. Dedicated staff help prepare our community's children to be successful, contributing members of the community. Our students learn in an environment that is positive, caring, and focused on their highest academic potential.
The Voyager MS Family Bulletin is available in multiple languages
Thought of the Week
Updated COVID Guidelines, Health and Safety and Family Resources.
Masks
As of March 12 the statewide indoor mask mandate was lifted. That means masks are now recommended but optional on school buses, and in schools and district offices. Here's the updated guidance from Washington State Department of Health and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
We understand that these changes may be concerning for some. We know that some staff, students and families will decide they are done wearing masks all together, while others will continue wearing them. We support and respect people’s decisions. We’ve included a few additional resources on the district website for supporting students through this transition.
Masks are still recommended (but not required) in certain situations such as high-risk indoor sports and performing arts.
It’s important to note that we don’t know if or when masks may be required again. As public health experts monitor COVID-19 in our community, the guidance may be temporarily updated in the future. We will update you if such changes are necessary.
Symptomatic persons, positive cases, additional guidance
Please see the district website and this updated flowchart for what to do if your child has symptoms or tests positive for COVID. Several circumstances listed on this webpage will still require masks.
Additional changes
- Contact tracing for COVID-19 exposure will no longer be conducted by school employees, but we will notify staff and families if there is a positive case so people can monitor for symptoms, etc. For instance, if a positive case occurs in a classroom, we will notify the families of that classroom so we are sure to reach anyone who may be considered high risk or immune-compromised.
- We are still required to report positive cases to the Snohomish Health District and track for district records. If your child tests positive for COVID-19, please notify the nurse hotline at 425-366-7745 (for elementary schools, middle schools and ACES), or your school nurse (for Mariner and Kamiak high schools).
- We will continue to maintain the district COVID Dashboard to show positive cases throughout the district for the previous week.
Testing reminder
The district testing site near Mariner High School (12310 Meridian Ave. S., Everett) is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is open to all and now provides rapid antigen and PCR tests. No appointment needed, but you can save time by registering ahead of time.
We know how incredibly difficult this pandemic has been for our school district community, and we appreciate your continued efforts to protect the health and safety of staff and the families we serve.
Sincerely,
Mukilteo School District
Nurse Hotline
Attendance Reminders to All Families
We want to remind students and families about the importance of daily attendance. In order for students to do their best learning in school, students need to be present at school, on time, as many days as possible. Additionally, please be mindful about scheduling appointments outside of the school day whenever possible, or to bring students back to campus so that they miss as little school as possible.
Sick or Unable to Attend
Stay home if you’re sick.
Thank you for your help in keeping Voyager Middle School as safe as possible.
Friday: Learning Improvement Time (LIT) - Early Dismissal at 1:30pm
May 16 - May 20
Monday, May 16 - B Day
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
Literacy Center
8:10 - 9:30am
1:15 – 2:40pm
After School
Homework Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - VO Library
ELL Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# B151
Literacy Center Staff Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - VO Library
Beauty & the Beast Play Practice - 3:00 - 5:00pm - Room#B141
7th/8th Grade Boys & Girls Track & Field Meet vs. District Meet – 3:45pm @ VO
Tuesday, May 17 - A Day
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
Literacy Center
8:10 - 9:30am
1:15 – 2:40pm
After School
Homework Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - VO Library
Games Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# B251
Beauty & the Beast Play Practice - 3:00 - 5:00pm - Room#B141
6th/7th/8th Grade Coed Track & Field Practice - 3:00 - 4:45pm - Voyager Football Field
Wednesday, May 18 - B Day
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
Literacy Center
8:10 - 9:30am
1:15 – 2:40pm
After School
STEAM Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room#C140
Homework Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - VO Library
BSU Club - 2:45 - 4:00pm - Room#B244
Beauty & the Beast Play Practice - 3:00 - 5:00pm - Room#B141
6th/7th/8th Grade Coed Track & Field Practice - 3:00 - 4:45pm - Voyager Football Field
Thursday, May 19 - A Day
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
Literacy Center
8:10 - 9:30am
1:15 – 2:40pm
After School
Homework Club - 2:50 - 4:00pm - VO Library
Games Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# B251
Pride Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# A130
7th/8th Grade Boys & Girls Track & Field Meet vs. League Preliminary Meet- 3:45pm @ Everett Stadium
Friday, May 20 - B Day
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
Madres Latinas Meeting - Via Zoom - 10:00 - 11:00am
After School
6th/7th/8th Grade Coed Track & Field Practice - 3:00 - 4:45pm - Voyager Football Field
Friday - Learning Improvement Time (LIT) - Early Dismissal at 1:30pm
Smarter Balanced Assessment Testing is Underway!
Dear Parents/Guardians,
During May, all students at Voyager Middle School will take the Smarter Balanced Assessments in English/Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics, and students in grade 8 will also take a science test (Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science, or WCAS). We use these state assessments as some of the ways to know how students are doing at meeting grade level standards and expectations in these areas.
As you know, testing is underway for all grades. It is an important assessment and therefore ask that students prepare each day by coming to school well rested and having a well-balanced breakfast. Please be mindful about absences, scheduling appointments and early pick-ups during testing schedules, if it can be helped, so as not to interrupt your student’s testing time. Below is the testing schedule to assist you in scheduling around testing times. We appreciate your assistance.
SAVE THE DATE: 8th Grade Field Trip Boat Cruise - June 15
The Voyager Middle School 8th grade class will be taking our annual end of the year celebration field trip on Wednesday June15, 2022 during school hours. This year, our end of year student celebration will be a privately chartered Argosy boat cruise. We will travel to Seattle by bus and take a boat tour of the Puget Sound, Lake Union, and the Ballard locks. Lunch will be served on the boat. There is no cost to students.
Permission slips will be sent home on May 31 and will be due back by June 6.
More information to come.
SAVE THE DATE: 8th Grade End of Year and Academic Awards Assembly - June 16
Please join us on Thursday, June 16 for an in person 8th Grade End of Year and Academic Awards assembly as we recognize student excellence for Trimester 3 for 8th grade students who have earned a 3.0 - 4.0 GPA. Invitations will be send out soon.
The assembly will be held in Voyager's Gym from 11:15am - 12:15pm
SAVE THE DATE: 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony - June 16
Please join us in person on Thursday, June 16, as we celebrate and formally say goodbye to our 8th graders.
When: Thursday, June 16, 2022 - 5:45 – 7:15pm
Where: Voyager Middle School (School Gym)
Please note: Students must arrive and be lined up outside the gym by no later than 5:45pm.
PLEAVE ARRIVE EARLY
Kindly please arrive on time so as not to disrupt the celebration! Consider carpooling as parking will be limited.
The 2022-23 School Year Calendar is Here!
Dear Mukilteo School District families,
The 2022-23 school year calendar is here! 2022-23 School Calendar. It is also posted on the district website on the calendar webpage.
The printed wall calendar will be delivered to families at the start of school in September. The first day of school for most students will be Wednesday, September 7.
Sincerely,
Mukilteo School District
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Month raises awareness of trauma and the impact it can have on the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of children, families, and communities. Mental Health Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans' lives, and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. Mental health is essential for a person's overall health. Prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can recover from mental disorders and live full and productive lives.
Over the past 20 years, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and others within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and across the Federal Government, the public health community, and the general public have made efforts to increase the importance of understanding both prevention and treatment of mental health problems. These efforts have significantly improved the outlook for those affected by mental illnesses.
Successful efforts that have raised awareness about the importance of mental health and promoted acceptance, support, prevention and recovery from these mental health conditions include:
- The Affordable Care Act expands health insurance coverage to approximately 30 million Americans by 2016, and an estimated 11 million of these newly eligible beneficiaries will have substance abuse and/or mental health service needs.
- The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant provides financial assistance to states and territories to carry out state plans to offer comprehensive community-based mental health services and evidence-based practices to adults with serious mental illnesses and children with serious emotional disturbances.
- Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 eliminates the practice of unequal health treatment and improves access to much needed mental health and substance use disorder treatment services through more equitable insurance coverage.
- The Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Suicide Prevention Program facilitates coordination across government agencies and the private sector in the development, implementation, and evaluation of youth suicide prevention and early intervention plans among youth-serving institutions, such as schools, educational institutions, juvenile justice systems, substance abuse programs, primary care, mental health programs, foster care systems, and other organizations.
Mental Health Month gives all of us a valuable opportunity to celebrate the tremendous strides this Nation has made in promoting mental health and increasing the public's knowledge that effective services and support are available.
Resources:
For further information about National Mental Health Month and related resources and events, visit:
Youth.gov’s May is National Mental Health Month | Youth.gov
Office of Adolescent Health, Adolescent Mental Health
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, Caring for Every Child’s Mental Health
To locate mental health services in your community, visit http://www.samhsa.gov/treatment/index.aspx or call 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727).
For more information about mental health, visit www.samhsa.gov.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have a rich heritage thousands of years old and have both shaped the history of the United States and had their lives dramatically influenced by moments in its history. Every May during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and throughout the year, we recognize the contributions and influence of
Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture,
and achievements of the United States.
You can find more information at several governmental agencies’ official pages for the Heritage Month:
- Asian Pacific Heritage Month - https://asianpacificheritage.gov
- National Archives - https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/asian-pacific-american-heritage-month
- National Endowment for the Humanities - https://edsitement.neh.gov/closer-readings/asian-pacific-heritage-month
- National Park Service - https://www.nps.gov/subjects/tellingallamericansstories/asianpacificislanderheritage.htm
- Smithsonian Institute - https://smithsonianapa.org
Beauty and the Beast, Jr. - Tickets on Sale Now!
Voyager proudly presents our rendition of Beauty and the Beast, Jr., the musical! Please join us on Saturday, May 28 at 7:00pm & Sunday, May 29 at 1:00pm at the Kamiak High School Theater as our students showcase their talents.
Tickets are $5.00 per person and can be purchased from Ms. Martha Nelson, Voyager Bookkeeping office. Cash, checks or credits cards are accepted. Tickets will also be available at the door. For questions please contact Ms. Nelson at nelsonmj@mukilteo.wednet.edu
2021/2022 Voyager Yearbooks – Now on Sale!
Nothing else can immortalize the memories you have of middle school quite like a yearbook can! It’s been a unique and amazing year for our students and we have captured many of those amazing moments within the pages of this yearbook!
Yearbooks are now available for sale at $15. The last date you can buy a yearbook is the last day of school, Friday, June 17. Yearbooks can be purchased at Voyager with Ms. Nelson, Bookkeeper. Cash or Check accepted. In person credit card purchase is also accepted.
Yearbooks will be distributed the last week of school.
For any questions please e-mail Mr. Hare at haremj@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Summer School Learning Registration is Open
Summer program registration is open for Mukilteo School District students in grades K-12! This summer, programs will be in-person from July 5 through July 29 from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM. Find more information and the registration link on the Summer Learning website.
There are academic and enrichment classes for middle school students. Current eighth-grade students can earn .5 credits towards high school upon successful completion of their eighth-grade summer learning program. Attendance is crucial to earning credit towards high school graduation.
Could your child benefit from summer learning? Sign up today!
- Middle & High School Summer Learning will be held at Explorer Middle School
- Modified/limited bus routes will be available
- Free breakfast and lunch will be provided
All Summer Learning opportunities are in-person. There are no virtual learning options.
Free Online Tutoring Services for Middle and High School Students!
Students in grades 6-12 may access free online tutoring services through Revolution Prep. Look for the orange Revolution Prep icon in the student portal. The login is the same as the student’s Schoology login. Watch this five-minute instructional video to get started!
Revolution Prep offers online tutoring for academic support and test prep services, using over 200 full-time faculty - STEM specialists, Special Education teachers, and English Language teachers, and more.
Sessions are offered in one-hour blocks with up to five other students, and are available throughout the day, after school, evenings and weekends. You can drop-in to a session or reserve a spot in advance. Reservations are recommended as some sessions may fill up.
Friday - Learning Improvement Time (LIT) – EARLY DISMISSAL SCHEDULE
8:05 - 9:30am - Core
9:35 - 10:50am - Elective
10:50 - 11:20 - Lunch
11:25 - 11:55am - Intervention
12:00 - 1:30pm - Core
7th Grade
8:05 - 8:35am - Intervention
8:40 - 11:40am Core
11:40 - 12:10 - Lunch
12:15 - 1:30pm - Elective
8th Grade
8:05 - 9:15am - Elective
9:20 - 12:15pm - Core
12:15 - 12:45pm - Lunch
12:50 - 1:30pm - Intervention
Upcoming Events
5/23 - 5/27/22: Voyager Spirit Week
5/24/22: Voyager Music Booster Club Meeting - 7:30pm - Via Zoom
5/28/22: Beauty & The Beast, Jr. Play Performance - 7:00pm @ Kamiak High School
5/29/22: Beauty & The Beast, Jr. Play Performance - 1:00pm @ Kamiak High School
5/30/22: Memorial Day – No School
6/10/22: Locker Clean Out Day
6/14/22: Madres Latinas Meeting - Zoom - 10:00 - 11:00am
6/15/22: 8th Grade Field Trip - During school hours
6/16/22: End of Year and Academic Awards Assembly - 11:15am - 12:15pm - VO Gym
6/16/22: 8th Grade Ceremony - In Person - 5:45 - 7:15pm - VO Gym
6/17/22: Last Day of School (Early Dismissal @ 12:00pm) (Snow make up day)
Voyager School Counselors
6th Grade Counselor
Brenna Reid
425-366-5334
7th Grade Counselor
Vincenza Moody
425-366-5333
8th Grade Counselor
Margaret Peterson
PetersonMJ@mukilteo.wednet.edu
425-366-5332
Student and Family Support and Resources
Kristen Anderson
Student Support Advocate
andersonkm@mukilteo.wednet.edu
(425)366-5322
Olga Mantilla
Family Engagement Liaison
mantillaoy@mukilteo.wednet.edu
(425)366-5313
Hablo Español
COVID-19 Testing Locations
Mukilteo School District
Covid Testing Even Easier
The COVID testing location at 12310 Meridian Ave. S., Everett, 98208 (near Mariner High School) is now accepting walk-ups! While appointments are still encouraged, they have capacity to see students, staff and community members even without an appointment.
Please see attached map for entrance and exit locations.
Please use the registration and appointment sign-up link if you plan to make an appointment.
Additional testing locations within the community
Return to School / COVID testing locations (mukilteoschools.org)
Everett Mall Vaccination Site - Snohomish Health District
Everett Mall Vaccination Site | Snohomish Health District, WA (snohd.org) For those with limited or no internet access, the call center at 425-339-5278 is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays (closed weekends and holidays).
Free at Home Covid-19 Tests from Government and State
Government: COVIDtests.gov - Free at-home COVID-19 tests
WA State: Home - Say Yes! To Covid Test (sayyescovidhometest.org)
Volunteer Information and Forms
Voyager is always looking for volunteers to assist with various events throughout the school year.
If you would like to donate your time, you can print a Volunteer Application Packet in your preferred language by visiting Volunteers / Volunteer Information and Forms (mukilteoschools.org) or visit our Front Office to obtain a Volunteer Application Packet.
Please note: As of March 7, 2022, volunteers must show proof of vaccination as part of the approval process. Boosters are not currently required for volunteers. Vaccination exemptions or accommodations are not available for volunteers at this time.
For any questions, including volunteer opportunities, please contact Olga Mantilla at mantillaoy@mukilteo.wednet.edu or (425)366-5313.
Mukilteo School District - Past Family Messages
Are you a Hotmail user having issues receiving emails from our schools or district office? Follow these instructions to add us to your safe sender list to receive future messages.
Voyager MS Family Bulletins - Past Issues
Mukilteo School District Web Site
Mukilteo School District Facebook Page
Voyager Middle School Web Site
Voyager Staff Directory / Home (mukilteoschools.org)
Mukilteo School District 2021-22 School Calendar
Mukilteo School District 2022-23 School Calendar.
Voyager Clubs for the 2021/2022 School Year: Voyager Clubs (mukilteoschools.org)
FAMILY ACCESS: link
FlashAlert Newswire and Messenger: https://www.flashalert.net/login/
Covid Data Dashboard Return to School / COVID cases dashboard (mukilteoschools.org)
Free Student Meals for the 21-22 School Year! Complete the application
Transportation Department (425)366-1306 or visit Find Your School Bus Route.
VO Facebook @voyagermiddleschool
VO Instagram @voyagerwolverines
How to Get Information About School Closures or Delays
In the event of inclement weather, a power outage, or some other emergency making it necessary to close or delay schools, you can find that information in a number of ways:
CHECK YOUR PHONE Connect to Blackboard Connect.
Visit here if you want information about emergencies, such as the procedures for school closures, lockdowns, and shelter-in-place. Emergency Information. Or call the school district’s Emergency Information Line at 425-356-1299 or the 24-hour information line for your child’s school.
CHECK THE WEBSITE Mukilteo School District Web Site.
You can go directly to the Flash Alert website.
New Convenient Digital Vax Record
Mukilteo School District is Hiring!
Virtual Career Fair - RESCHEDULED to March 26
Saturday, March 26, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with information about job opportunities.
Anyone interested in learning more about Mukilteo School District or interviewing for a certificated, paraeducator, or bus driver position is encouraged to register for the Career Fair on the district employment website.
Stay Connected!
We send a schoolwide weekly newsletter and other regular communications out via Blackboard, our district wide communication system. By enrolling your child in our school, you are automatically set up to receive schoolwide and Blackboard messages from us. If you have updates to e-mail or phone numbers that you would like to make related to these communications, please call the main office at 425-366-5300.
It’s time to give your child’s technology skills a little boost
Most adolescents are very savvy when it comes to the latest apps and computer programs.
But there are some additional technology skills that can enhance your child’s success in school. Here are a few:
- Judgment. Some information your child encounters online will be excellent and helpful. And a lot of it will be trash. Can your child tell the difference? Talk about how to determine if sources are credible. Do they present facts or opinions? Is the information up to date?
- Planning. How will the information be used. Will your child add it to a research paper? Use it to gain a deeper understanding of a particular concept or subject?
- Creativity. Most students know how to create online presentations and multimedia projects. But are there new ways to present information? Challenge your child to explore and use a variety of presentation tools.
- Problem-solving. If your child has difficulty using a digital device, don’t immediately step in. Instead, let your student to attempt to solve the problem first.
“Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.”
~Christian Lous Lange, Historian
~ The Parent Institute
Are you laying a solid foundation for next year?
Middle school goes by quickly, and before you know it, your child will be heading to high school. Answer yes or no to the questions below to see if you are helping your student get ready:
- Have you worked together on organization and the need to write things down in planners?
- Have you helped your child develop helpful study habits, such as keeping a tidy work space and doing some review or practice each night?
- Do you talk about taking schoolwork seriously? Grades in high school will affect your child’s options after graduation.
- Do you monitor your child’s social life and emphasize the need to avoid unsafe and inappropriate activities?
- Do you communicate with your child and offer support and guidance?
How well are you doing?
Mostly yes answers mean you are laying a good foundation for next year and beyond. Mostly no answers? Try the suggestions in the quiz.
~ The Parent Institute
Contact Voyager
Email: Voyager@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Website: https://mukilteoschooldistrict.sharepoint.com/sites/msd_vo
Location: 11711 4th Ave W, Everett, WA, USA
Phone: 425-366-5300
Facebook: facebook.com/@voyagermiddleschool