Voyager MS Family Bulletin
April 22, 2022 Weekly News
Home of the Wolverines
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
April 25 - April 29
Monday, April 25 - 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
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
6th/7th/8th Grade Coed Track & Field Practice - 3:00 - 4:45pm - Voyager Football Field
Tuesday, April 26 - B Day
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
Trimester 2 Academic Awards Assemblies - Held in VO Commons
6th Grade – 8:10-9:05 AM
7th Grade – 9:15-10:00 AM
8th Grade – 10:05-11:00 AM
Literacy Center
8:10 - 9:30am
1:15 – 2:40pm
Madres Latinas Meeting - 10:00 - 11:00am - Zoom
After School
Homework Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - VO Library
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
Voyager Music Booster Club Meeting - 7:30pm - Via Zoom
Wednesday, April 27 - A 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
Wolvy Book Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - VO Library
Homework Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - VO Library
Games Club - 2:45 - 3:50pm - Room#B251
BSU Club - 2:45 - 4:00pm - Room#B244
Beauty & the Beast Play Practice - 3:00 - 5:00pm - Room#B141
7th/8th Grade Coed Track & Field Meet - VO vs. Explorer and North - 3:45pm - VO Football Field
Thursday, April 28 - 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 - 2:50 - 4:00pm - VO Library
Pride Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# A130
6th/7th/8th Grade Coed Track & Field Practice - 3:00 - 4:45pm - Voyager Football Field
Friday, April 29 - A Day
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
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
Family Social Media Safety Webinar Monday, April 25
Dear Mukilteo School District families,
Please join us Monday, April 25, 6 to 7:30 p.m. for a family safety webinar about social media and online safety. As part of our ongoing family safety series, join Robert Hackenson, Jr. from Dynamic Influence as he shares strategies for keeping students safe while interacting online. His presentation will cover topics such as screentime and social media’s effects on mental health, online bullying and negative interactions, sexting, and other potential dangers of interacting online. He will also offer strategies and resources for helping keep online and social media interactions as healthy parts of growing up and socializing with friends. District staff will briefly share about what students learn in school about digital citizenship and how schools respond to social media threats and similar online dangers with time for some questions at the end of the presentation.
The webinar will be presented in English and Spanish. A recording will be available for a limited time after the event in English with Spanish subtitles.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://mukilteoschools-org.zoom.us/j/96727367157?pwd=d25qT094endzVVdNUjB0SnIwWUhNdz09
Passcode: 357198
Or by telephone:
Dial: +1 206 337 9723, Webinar ID: 967 2736 7157
We hope you can make it!
Sincerely,
Mukilteo School District
Free STEM K-8 Online Seminars
Trimester 2 Academic Awards Assemblies - Tuesday, April 26!
Please join us this Tuesday, April 26 for an in person Academic Awards assembly as we recognize student excellence for Trimester 2 by grade level for those students who have earned a 3.0 - 4.0 GPA. Invitations have been sent out.
Below are the times for each grade level. The assembly will be held at Voyager in our Commons area.
6th Grade – 8:10-9:05 AM
7th Grade – 9:15-10:00 AM
8th Grade – 10:05-11:00 AM
We hope to see you there!
Voyager Music Boosters Fundraiser
On Wednesday April 27, Panera Bread (304 SE Evergreen Way in Everett) will be donating 20% of its sales to our Voyager Music Boosters - all day!
Order online at https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/home.html and enter code PRFUND at checkout. You can also bring the flyer below or show a digital version to the cashier when ordering at the café to ensure our club gets a portion of the proceeds.
Please consider supporting the Voyager Music Boosters while enjoying a delicious meal from Panera Bread!
WSU Everett Girls Explore STEM - Saturday, 4/30/22
Girls Explore STEM is a FREE event held on the Washington State University Everett campus. This event is designed to increase interest in engineering among 6th, 7th & 8th grade female students. Experience hands-on engineering and scientific activities while encountering challenges that engage you with specific engineering and science disciplines. There will be hands-on activities supported and assisted by WSU faculty and student mentors; participants will learn about engineering and science disciplines.
Public registration is now open! (Registration URL: https://futurecoug.wsu.edu/register/?id=f036479c-245d-4b0c-a556-45cd24a0a2cc)
COVID-19 Vaccine NOT Required for Students Next Fall
Dear Mukilteo School District families,
As you may know, the State Board of Health (SBOH), who determines immunization requirements for students in all of Washington’s K–12 schools, has been considering whether or not to require the COVID-19 vaccine for students.
Last week, SBOH voted to not require Washington’s students be vaccinated against COVID-19 for school attendance. This means this fall, immunization requirements for our students will remain unchanged. SBOH overwhelmingly supports the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine and notes that vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and those around you, especially against severe illness.
Before making this decision, the State Board of Health organized a technical advisory group (TAG) made up of doctors, public health officials, school partners, and other community members. Over a series of meetings, the TAG met to understand the benefits and challenges of requiring a COVID-19 vaccination for students. In late February, the TAG concluded their work and recommended to the State Board of Health that the vaccine not be required. In today’s SBOH meeting, they reviewed the TAG’s recommendation before deciding they agreed.
We are anticipating the current health and safety guidance from the state Department of Health will remain in place next fall. This includes encouraging––but not requiring––masks, regular cleaning and disinfecting, sharing reminders of proper hand hygiene, and physical distancing to the extent possible while ensuring a full-time in-person opportunity for all students. As a reminder, as we have learned throughout the pandemic, the situation with the virus can evolve and sometimes the guidance changes for us to continue providing the safest learning environment possible for our school community.
As we prepare for returning to school buildings next fall with no mask or vaccine requirements for students, we continue to encourage students and families to get vaccinated to protect against COVID-19. Widespread vaccination is one of the most effective strategies we have to reduce the spread of the virus.
Sincerely,
Mukilteo School District
Summer School Registration is Now Open
Mukilteo School District will be offering summer learning to currently enrolled Mukilteo School District students in grades K-12.
July 5 - July 29, 2022
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Middle and High School registration are now available on-line. Acceptance is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so register early. For general information and registration on-line please visit
- 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.
April is National Celebrate Diversity Month
April is National Celebrate Diversity Month started in 2004 to recognize and honor the diversity surrounding us all. It’s a designated time to help diverse people gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of each other. Throughout this month, you’ll have the opportunity to gain a greater appreciation for the diversity that surrounds you.
To learn more about National Celebrate Diversity Month, please visit https://myamericanmeltingpot.com/2019/04/15/april-national-celebrate-diversity-month/
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
5/13/22: Madres Latinas Meeting - Via Zoom - 10:00 - 11:00am
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
6/14/22: Madres Latinas Meeting - Zoom - 10:00 - 11:00am
6/17/22: Last Day of School (Early Dismissal @ 12:00pm) (Snow make up day)
Helpful Resources
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
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
Voyager MS Family Bulletins - Past Issues
Links
Mukilteo School District Web Site
Mukilteo School District Facebook Page
Voyager Middle School Web Site
Voyager Staff Directory / Home (mukilteoschools.org)
https://www.flashalert.net/login/
Mukilteo School District 2021-22 School Calendar
Voyager Clubs for the 2021/2022 School Year: Voyager Clubs (mukilteoschools.org)
FAMILY ACCESS: link
FlashAlert Newswire and Messenger
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
2021/2022 Voyager Yearbooks – Now on Sale!
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
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.
Free Tutoring Services for Middle and High School Students!
Students in grades 6 through 12 have access to free online tutoring services through a partnership with Revolution Prep. Academic tutoring will be accessible through the student portal on the district website in many key academic subjects (math, science, English Language and literature, foreign languages, history, etc.).
The sessions are offered in one-hour blocks with up to 5 other students. They are available after school, evenings and weekends. Students may drop-in to a session, but reservations are recommended as some sessions may fill up.
Watch this five-minute video to get started!
For more information, please access recordings here Free tutoring for middle and high school students! Additional family webinars in other languages will be presented in January.
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.
Celebrate Earth Day with fun online learning activities
Earth Day is April 22. Help your child find eco-friendly ways to celebrate the planet by logging onto:
- Recycle City, www3.epa.gov/ recyclecity. Students can explore Recycle City and learn how doing simple things at home and in their neighborhood can help them reduce waste, use less energy and save money. Students will also find games, activities and resources all about the benefits of recycling.
- Biomes of the World, www. teachersfrst.com/lessons/biomes. Tis site ofiers an online research project that will interest seriously studious kids. Using its outline and resources, students can discover how ecosystems depend on one another. Students will also find suggestions for cool ways to present the data they gather. (Keep that in mind during science-fair season!)
- Yellowstone National Park, www. nps.gov/yell/learn/kidsyouth/index. htm#onthisPage-7. Students can use an interactive map to learn more about the park and investigate its ecology, history and ongoing preservation eforts.
- WaterSense for Kids, www.epa. gov/watersense/watersense-kids. Students will find out how much water a typical family in the U.S. uses every day and learn effective ways to reduce water usage.
- Energy Kids, www.eia.gov/kids/ games-and-activities. This site is filled with energy-related riddles, games, puzzles, experiments and more. Students will learn about energy sources and ways to conserve energy.
~ The Parent Institute
Questions & Answers
Q: My children just don’t get along. They fight constantly and I always get caught in the middle. How can I teach them to treat each other respectfully and resolve their conflicts peacefully?
A: You aren’t alone! Even the friendliest of siblings have times when they don’t get along—and many parents feel like they have to be referees.
Instead of getting in the middle of every squabble, teach your kids some basic strategies for resolving conflicts peacefully and respectfully. These strategies will also help them when they face conflicts at school.
Teach your kids to:
- Talk about problems before they become conficts. When little things are ignored, they tend to grow into big disputes.
- Use “I-messages.” Encourage your children to talk about their feelings, not the other person’s mistakes. Instead of, “YOU always steal my clothes,” try, “I feel angry when you take something without asking to borrow it first.”
- Avoid the “blame game.” If there’s a problem, it probably doesn’t matter whose fault it is. Help your kids spend their time fixing the problem, not placing the blame.
- Listen. Your children will never see another person’s point of view if they don’t listen to what that person has to say.
- Cooperate and compromise. If two people have a conflict, they each have a problem. To solve it, they’ll probably both have to make some changes
~ 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