Voyager MS Parent Bulletin
October 15, 2021 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 Parent Bulletin is available in multiple languages
Thought of the Week
“So often in life the things you regard as an impediment turn out to be great, good fortune.”
~ Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Health and Safety Information for In-Person Learning
The in-person learning family guide has been posted on the Return to School website. As with last spring, school staff will follow the health and safety guidelines provided by the Washington State Department of Health. You’ll also find information about cleaning, transportation, physical distancing, masks and other in-person learning protocols.
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
Health and Safety Reminders
As we approach cold and flu season, it is important to remind all our Voyager families that students should be symptom-free to come to school and before/after school activities.
Stay Home if You’re Sick – Helpful Information: A COVID -19 Toolkit https://www.snohd.org/DocumentCenter/View/8109/COVID-Toolkit-FINAL
While we recognize that many conditions can cause these symptoms, such as the “common cold” or allergies, the best way to rule out COVID is to be tested.
If your student has tested negative or is fully vaccinated for COVID, they should STILL stay home until their symptoms have improved to avoid bringing other viruses or contagious conditions to school, or coughing, wiping, or blowing their nose in the classroom, for example.
Please review the COVID-19 DAILY HEALTH SCREENING AND RESOURCE FORM. If your student has ANY of the outlined symptoms, they should stay home, (even if you believe it’s not COVID!)
Thank you for your help in keeping Voyager Middle School as safe as possible.
Week at a Glance
October 18 – October 22
Activity Bus & After School Clubs Begin
10/18 - A Day:
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
Literacy Center 8:10 - 9:30am
After School
Cross Country Practice - 2:45 - 4:00pm - VO Gym
ELL Club 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# B151
Journaling Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room#B141
Softball Game - VO vs. Harbour Pointe - 3:45pm @ Mariner
Football Practice 3:00 - 5:00pm VO Field
10/19 - B Day:
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
Literacy Center 8:10 - 9:30am
After School
Cross Country Practice 2:45 - 4:00pm VO Gym
Softball Practice 2:45 - 4:30pm VO Field
Cribbage Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# Library
Football Practice 3:00 - 5:00pm VO Field
10/20 - A Day:
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
Literacy Center 8:10 - 9:30am
After School
Cross Country Practice 2:45 - 4:00pm VO Gym
Wolvy Book Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# Library
STEAM Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room#C140
Softball Game - VO vs. Meadowdale - 3:45 @ Meadowdale
Football Game - VO vs. Heatherwood - 3:45pm - @ VO Field
10/21 - B Day:
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
Literacy Center 8:10 - 9:30am
After School
Cross Country Meet - VO vs. Mukilteo School District Meet - 3:45pm @ Harbour Pointe
Softball Practice 2:45 - 4:30pm VO Field
Pride Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# TBD
Football Practice 3:00 - 5:00pm VO Field
10/22 - Teacher Workday – No School
Learning Improvement Time (LIT) Dismissal, Fridays
On Fridays Voyager students are usually released from school at 1:30pm due to Learning Improvement Time (LIT) time for staff. There are no after school activity buses on early dismissal Fridays.
School News
Social Emotional and Well-Being Survey
Dear Mukilteo School District families,
About a week ago, we shared with you that we are inviting staff, students (grades 3-12) and families to participate in a social emotional and well-being survey this fall and again in spring. The fall survey is open through midnight on Sunday, Oct. 24. The survey should only take 15 to 20 minutes to complete and is available in several languages including English, Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, Korean, Arabic and Vietnamese. Please make the time to complete this important survey today.
We encourage you to have your children take the survey too if they are in grades 3-12. The access code is the student’s ID number.
Thank you for helping us get a sense of how people are doing and how we can better support students and families.
If you have any issues accessing the survey, please contact SUPPORT+MUKILTEO@PANORAMAED.COM.
Sincerely,
Mukilteo School District
After-School Activities: Why They Are So Important
Effective afterschool programs bring a wide range of benefits to youth, families and communities. Afterschool programs can boost academic performance, reduce risky behaviors, promote physical health, and provide a safe, structured environment for children.
6 Benefits of Afterschool Programs
1. Create a sense of belonging.
2. Improve social skills.
3. Provide academic support.
4. Make learning more fun.
5. Provide safety and supervision.
6. Build confidence.
Throughout the school year, depending on seasons, Voyager offers a wide range of after-school activities to our students to foster the aforementioned benefits. Please take advantage of the wonderful programs our school has to offer and encourage your student to join today!
Below is a list of current Voyager Clubs for the 2021/2022 School Year. To sign up please contact the club host teacher. This list will be updated as more clubs are added.
- ELL Club - Meets on Mondays - 2:55 - 4:00pm (Hosted by Ms. Kang)
- Journaling Club - Meets on Mondays - 2:55 - 4:00pm (Hosted by Ms. Jordan)
- Craft Club - Meets on Tuesdays starting 10/26 - 2:55 - 4:00pm (Hosted by Ms. Jarvis)
- Cribbage Club - Meets on Tuesdays - 2:55 - 4:00pm (Hosted by Ms. Bayha and Mr. Grove)
- Wolvy Book Club - Meets every other Wednesday - 2:55 - 4:00pm (Hosted by Ms. Bayha & Ms. Henton)
- STEAM Club - - Meets on Wednesdays - 2:55 - 4:00pm (Hosted by Mr. Lewis)
- Pride Club - Meets on Thursdays - 2:55 - 4:00pm (Hosted by Ms. Peterson)
For additional information on the benefits of after-school programs, please visit:
Voyager Parking Lot Safety Reminders
When dropping off or picking up your student(s), please adhere to the Security Officer’s and other school staff's instructions to maintain an ongoing flow of vehicles and avoid inconvenient back-ups. If you need to park to wait for your student (s), please park in the NORTH parking lot and meet your student(s) there.
Parking Lot Safety Reminders:
- Parking lot speed limits are 5 mph.
- Staff and students will be crossing at different points in the parking lot. Be especially alert when coming around corners or areas with limited visibility.
- Always yield to pedestrians.
- Stay out of the bus pickup/drop off lanes.
- When backing out of stall, be mindful of other vehicles, staff and students.
- Obey the posted restrictive signs at the parking entrance/exit (i.e no left turn during certain times). Failure to obey the signs causes delays and can lead to collisions.
Your cooperation is appreciated.
Spirit Week Coming Soon!
Monday, Oct. 25 Comfy Cozy, PJ Day
Tuesday, Oct. 26 Twin Day, Twin Tuesday
Wednesday, Oct. 27 Throwback Day/Decades Day
Thursday, Oct. 28 Black and White Day
Friday, Oct. 29 Halloween Costumes or Halloween, Fall themed clothing
Spooky Grams On Sale Now!
You can get your order forms from your 1st Core teachers then purchase your Spooky Grams from our bookkeeper, Mrs. Nelson.
For any questions, please contact Mr. Hare at HAREMJ@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Get Your Voyager Gear!
Click here https://www.lockscreenprinting.com/voyager to purchase your gear now! The store will be open from October 11-20. Show your Wolvy Spirit!
National Principals Month
Each October, National Principals Month recognizes the essential role that principals play in making a school great. Principals are among the hardest working, yet often least recognized individuals in education. Principals set the academic tone for their schools, and it is their vision, dedication, and determination that provide the mobilizing force for achieving student success.
Each October, NASSP, NAESP, and AFSA seek to honor these unsung heroes for their tireless efforts in pursuit of excellence in education.
Join us in celebrating National Principals Month!
Thank you Dr. Zirkle and Ms. Porter for all you do to make Voyager great!
October is National Bullying Prevention Month.
October in National Bullying Prevention Month, a time to focus and raise awareness on bullying. During this month, many groups across the country will release new resources, campaigns, and efforts aimed at bringing awareness to the issue of bullying.
What is Bullying?
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose. Bullying can also take place through technology, known as cyberbullying. Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles.
There are many other types of aggressive behavior that don’t fit the definition of bullying. This does not mean that they are any less serious or require less attention than bullying. Rather, these behaviors require different prevention and response strategies.
To learn more about bullying prevention please visit National Bullying Prevention Month | youth.gov
Mukilteo School District is Hiring!
Helpful Resources
Links
Mukilteo School District Web Site
Voyager Middle School Web Site
https://www.flashalert.net/login/
Mukilteo School District 2021-22 School Calendar
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
Voyager School Counselors
Brenna Reid, 6th Grade Counselor ReidBC@mukilteo.wednet.edu, 425-366-5334
Vincenza Moody, 7th Grade Counselor MoodyVC@mukilteo.wednet.edu, 425-366-5333
Margaret Peterson, 8th Grade Counselor PetersonMJ@mukilteo.wednet.edu, 425-366-5332
New State Mask Mandate
COVID-19 Testing Locations
Visit the Washington State Department of Health’s Testing for COVID-19 page for the latest updates, information about who should be tested, what you should do after you’re tested, vaccine information, testing locations and data dashboard.
Support for students transitioning to in-person learning
As more students return to in-person learning, students and families may be experiencing many different emotions. Even a positive change can cause anxiety or stress. Here are a few resources to help your child transition back to in-person school.
Supporting your child’s transition back into the classroom – Washington State Department of Health.
How to tell if your kid is struggling, plus 5 ways you can help – Boys and Girls Club of America
District website, Need Help? tab – find crisis lines, mental health, food/housing support and addressing racism resources resources.
You can also reach out to your child’s school to connect with the school counselor for assistance.
Back to School Resources
If your child has a need for school supplies, food, clothing or community resources, please contact Kristen Anderson, Lead Student Support Advocate at AndersonKM@mukilteo.wednet.edu or Olga Mantilla, Family Engagement Liaison at Mantillaoy@mukilteo.wednet.edu
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 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.
Upcoming Events
10/27: Picture Retake Day - During school hours
11/11: Veteran’s Day – No School
11/24: Early Dismissal - 12:00pm
11/25: Thanksgiving Day – No School
11/26: Native American Heritage Day – No School
12/20 - 12:31: Winter Break – No School
Friday - Learning Improvement Time (LIT) – EARLY DISMISSAL SCHEDULE
8:05 - 9:30am - Core
9:35 - 10:50am - Elective
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
Help your child find a balance between school and activities
Many middle schoolers are excited to dive into extracurricular activities especially now that pandemic restrictions have eased.
This is mostly good. Activities are fun and build friendships. They teach respect for peers and adult leaders. They steer children away from simply “hanging out.” And they can be an important part of a successful college application. But there can be too much of a good thing. Academics are the most important part of school. To help your middle schooler find the right balance:
- Encourage her to prioritize. Which activities has your child enjoyed in past years? Which benefited her the most? Ask her to think honestly about these questions. Don’t settle for a terse “I loved doing everything!” response. If your child is going to make smart choices about extracurricular activities, she’ll need to evaluate them candidly.
List the pros and cons. Once your child has narrowed down her favorites, have her list the pluses and minuses of each one. For instance, lacrosse was fun, but it consumed too many weekends. Help her see each activity with a clear and critical eye.
Devise a plan. Keeping each activity’s pros and cons in mind, help your child select one or two to join this fall. In a few weeks, reassess the situation. If she’s already struggling in a class, make some changes. But if she’s thriving? She may have struck the right balance!
~ The Parent Institute
Being involved benefits you and your family in three ways
Family engagement at the middle school level is just as important as it was in elementary school. Students’ grades, test scores, attendance and behavior all tend to be better when parents are aware of what is going on at school.
But your child is not the only one who benefits when you are engaged. Here are three ways being involved also benefits you:
- You understand more about how the school works. Perhaps you come from an area where the school system is different from the one where you are currently living. Being involved helps you become familiar with the local education system.
- You learn whom to contact if you have concerns. You know your child’s teachers. You know the counselor and are familiar with the administrators.
- The school will have a better understanding of you and your family. Perhaps English is not your first language. Perhaps you need support. School staff may be able to direct you to agencies who can help. If they know what is going on at home, they can better respond to your child at school.
~ 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
Family Engagement Liaison
Email: mantillaoy@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Location: 11711 4th Avenue West, Everett, WA, USA
Phone: (425)366-5300