Voyager MS Family Bulletin
June 3, 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
Last Day for Activity Buses - Thursday, June 9
June 9.
June 6 - June 10
Monday, June 6 - B Day
All Voyager Textbooks and Library Materials/Books Due Today
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
Tuesday, June 7 - 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
Choir Concert – 7:00pm - VO Commons
Wednesday, June 8 - 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
Wolvy Book Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - VO Library
BSU Club - 2:45 - 4:00pm - Room#B244
Thursday, June 9 - A Day
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
Literacy Center
8:10 - 9:30am
1:15 – 2:40pm
Choir Field Trip to Willis Tucker Park– 12:45pm - 3:30pm (Optional for students)
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
Voyager Pride Club after school party - 2:45 - 4:00pm - VO Commons
Orchestra Concert – 7:00pm - VO Gym
Last Day of Club Meetings
Last Day for Activity Buses
Friday, June 10 - B Day
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
Student Locker Clean Out
After School
Friday - Learning Improvement Time (LIT) - Early Dismissal at 1:30pm
A Message from Voyager's Principal
Hello Voyager families,
As we close in on the final two weeks of the school year, there is a lot of excitement and energy. Our amazing and caring staff at Voyager is used to the end of the year excitement and we are honored to end the school year with joy and opportunities for our incredible students.
This year has been unlike any other in my nearly 20 years of education. The tragic events in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX as well as in our own community have increased the tensions and stresses in our schools. We are allocating all our resources to providing lessons and interventions to students to support them in their social and emotional journeys as well as wrapping up the academic lessons as they transition to the next grade level. We are responding, to the best of our ability, to meet the needs of our students and families during these challenging times.
We are familiar with the typical pranks and misbehaviors that often accompany the end of any school year. However, this year due to the elevated stress and tension our communities are facing, we ask for your help. Please speak with your student(s) about finishing the year with strength and responsibility.
Please discuss with them:
- Avoid disruptive behaviors (running, play fighting, etc.)
- Refrain from bringing to school inappropriate items (water balloons, etc.)
- Talk to them about what they are seeing and posting on social media
- Please encourage them to be mindful of the words, phrases, and names they are using with other students
- Remind them to leave electronic devices (phones, earbuds, etc.) in their backpack
- Remind them that if they are not participating in a school event after school that it is a good idea to leave campus and go straight home
I am confident that we can close the 2021-22 school year on a positive note when we all work together.
Finally, thank you. Thank you for your students. Thank you for partnering with us to provide the best school experience possible for our community’s kids. And thank you for the strength you have provided to our school.
In the coming week, we will be communicating about school computer and library materials returns as well as other important information about ending the 2021-22 school year.
Humbly,
David M. Zirkle Ed.D.
Principal
Beauty and the Beast, Jr. - It was a hit!
Congratulations to the amazing cast and crew of Beauty and the Beast, Jr. and the talented director Ms. Jordan and assistant directors Ms. Ummel and Ms. Nelson! Audiences of all ages were mesmerized with the talented rendition of this classic favorite. Thank you for the wonderful performances!
Voyager Band Marches in the Whatcom Memorial Day Parade - Brings Home Award!
Special thank you to all our volunteers for their time and efforts to make this a successful and fun event!
Collection of Student Mukilteo School District Issued Computers Begins June 13
Students and families,
Starting Monday, June 13, students need to return their school issued computers and their corresponding charging cords.
Remember, it is important that you return both the school issued computer and its corresponding charging cord and without damage, to avoid penalties or fines for missing or damaged equipment. Thank you for your cooperation in advance.
Please call Voyager’s front office at (425)366-5300 with any questions. Thank you
June is Pride Month - Voyager Pride Club After School Party
Every year, during the month of June, the LGBT community celebrates in a number of different ways. Across the globe, various events are held during this special month as a way of recognizing the influence LGBT people have had around the world.
This year, the Voyager Pride Club will be holding a Pride party after school on Thursday, June 9. All Voyager students are welcome to join us whether they are part of the LGBTQ+ community or allies and supporters.
To learn more about pride celebration, please visit Pride Month 2022 - Awareness Days Events Calendar 2022
Summer Reading
The final weeks of the school year are here! This means that, while it may still feel far away, summer is just around the corner.
This year, Summer Reading at Sno-Isle Libraries will start Monday, June 20. Teens and kids who read 10 hours will get a free book. Sno-Isle Libraries will also offer engaging in-person and online events and reading recommendations for Teens and Kids on the Sno-Isle website.
Return All Voyager Textbooks and Library Materials/Books by June 6
All textbooks, library materials/books and novel sets MUST be returned to Voyager Middle School no later than Monday, June 6.
Please remember, it is important that you return all textbooks and any library materials/books your students had assigned to them or checked out to avoid penalties/fees for missing equipment. Thank you for your cooperation in advance.
Student Locker Clean Out - June 10 & 13
Student locker clean out will occur during the school day on Friday, June 10.
P.E locker clean out will occur during the school day on Friday, June 10 & Monday, June 13.
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, June 15 during school hours, 9:15am - 2:45pm. 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 June 1 and will be due back by June 8.
End of Year Awards Assembly - June 16
Please join us on Thursday, June 16 for an in person End of Year Awards Assembly for all grades as we recognize student excellence. Invitations will be sent out soon.
6th & 7th Grade Awards: 8:10am - 9:30am
8th Grade Awards: 11:15am - 12:15pm
The assembly will be held in Voyager's Gym.
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 5:30pm. Assembly starts promptly at 6pm.
PLEAVE ARRIVE EARLY
Kindly please arrive on time so as not to disrupt the celebration! Consider carpooling as parking will be limited.
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.
Moving or Transferring Schools Over the Summer?
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
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 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
Drive-thru COVID-19 Testing
Mukilteo School District
COVID testing is available for staff, students and community members 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. For more details, please visit Drive-thru COVID testing (schoolwires.net)
Appointments are welcome, but not required. Please register to save time before you arrive!.
Free or Cheap Summer Activities for Kids and Families
The best things around Puget Sound are free, at least in the summer: beaches, spray parks, wading pools, wildflowers, natural water slides, lighthouses, skateboard lessons, bowling (if you’re a kid). And then there’s the almost free: kayak rentals, owl prowls, museum exhibits. What else do you need? Here are more than 60 fun summer activities!
For information, please visit 62 Free or Cheap Summer Activities for Seattle-Area Kids and Families | ParentMap
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 is Hiring!
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
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 Matters: Summer Learning
Teach your child the value of persistence and determination
Middle schoolers are able to consider ideas and think in ways that wouldn’t have been possible when they were younger. You can support these emerging thinking skills by encouraging your child to record thoughts and ideas in a summer journal.
Grab a notebook and suggest that your student:
- Make lists of favorite songs, TV shows, books, meals or celebrities. It’s fun for kids to look back on these later to see how their opinions have changed.
- Try fiction. Encourage your child to write a story, song or poem.
- Write about something funny. Why is it so funny to your child? Which friend or family member has a similar sense of humor?
- Record observations and thoughts on a particular day.
- Write about an ideal day. How would it be different from a typical day? How would it be the same?
~ The Parent Institute
Spend quality time with your middle schooler this summer
Summertime can be wonderful family time. You may see your child more during the day. But even if you don’t, you can take advantage of the less stressful evenings.
To spend quality family time together this summer:
- Establish a weekly family night. Cook a meal together, talk, play board games. Avoid screen time.
- Ask for your child’s opinion. Many middle schoolers enjoy current events. Because kids this age tend to be idealistic and would like to “save the world,” they also have strong opinions. Take time to hear your child’s thoughts and ideas.
- Hold regular family meetings to solve problems and share ideas about fun ways to spend time together.
- Ask your child to join you when you go on errands.
- Participate in family traditions. If you always camp out in the backyard or have an outdoor movie night, keep doing it. No traditions? Brainstorm with family members and start some.
~ 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