Voyager MS Parent Bulletin
October 1, 2021 Weekly News
Home of the Wolverines
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 for the Week
“I tell my students; you do not enter the future…you create the future.
The future is created through hard work.”
~ Jaime Escalante
(Teacher. Education Reform Pioneer)
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.
COVID-19 Testing Locations
The Washington State Department of Health offers a comprehensive list of testing sites throughout the State. Click your area on the map to find testing sites near you. You can also search for locations by typing in the city nearest you.
If you have a health care provider, you can also call them for an appointment. Choose the option that works best for you. For additional questions about testing sites, call 2-1-1.
Visit the Testing for COVID-19 page for information about who should be tested, what you should do after you’re tested, and more.
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.
Week at a Glance
October 4 – October 8
No before school activities at this time.
10/4 - A Day: Cross Country Practice 2:45 - 4:00pm VO Gym
Softball Game - VO vs. Heatherwood - 3:45pm - Heatherwood
Football Practice 3:00 - 5:00pm VO Field
10/5 - B Day: Cross Country Practice 2:45 - 4:00pm VO Gym
Softball Practice 2:45 - 4:30pm VO Field
Football Practice 3:00 - 5:00pm VO Field
10/6 - A Day: Cross Country Practice 2:45 - 4:00pm VO Gym
Softball Game - VO vs. Mariner - 3:45 -- Evergreen
Football Game - VO vs. North - 3:45pm - VO Field
10/7 - B Day: Cross Country Meet - VO vs. Evergreen, Brier Terrace - 3:45pm - McCollum Park
Softball Practice 2:45 - 4:30pm VO Field
Football Practice 3:00 - 5:00pm VO Field
10/8 - A Day: LIT - Early Release 1:30pm
Football Practice 3:00 - 5:00pm VO Field
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
Voyager’s 2021 Virtual Curriculum Nights
Hello Voyager families. For those of you who were able to attend our 2021/2022 virtual Curriculum Nights event on September 27 & 28, thank you! The evening was well attended and proved to be very informative.
We hope that we were able to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of our academic culture and a brief view into a day in the life of your middle schooler at Voyager.
Washington State Healthy Youth Survey 2021
Voyager Middle School is participating in the Washington State Healthy Youth Survey during fall 2021. The survey will be given to students in Grades 6 and 8 during the week of Oct. 11-15. The Healthy Youth Survey includes questions related to physical activity and diet, unintentional and intentional injury, substance use, sexual behaviors, abuse, risk and protective factors, and access to school-based services. Survey results are used by schools, communities and state agencies to plan programs to support our youth and reduce their risks. Participation in the survey is voluntary and the students’ answers are anonymous. Our school will be administering the survey online this year. No privacy issues were identified in the E-survey pilot conducted in 2019. This year, schools and districts are being instructed to disable any recording, keystroke tracking, and video capture software on school-issued devices used to take the survey. Please read the Parent and Student Notification Letter for more information about the Healthy Youth Survey.
Parent and Student Notification Letter:
School Counselors - Our Role
As school counselors we support student development academically, personally, socially, and in college and career readiness. You will find that we work with students one and one, in small groups, and can also be found teaching in the classroom. We coordinate programs based on the needs of our students and collaborate with parents, teachers, and the community to bring enriching opportunities for our students.
Ultimately, we care about your student’s learning and removing barriers to their personal success. If we can be of assistance please don't hesitate to reach out.
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
Project Girl Mentoring Program
Project Girl Mentoring Program is a group-mentoring program serving
young women of color between the ages of 11-18 in Snohomish
County. Their curriculum-based sessions offers confidence, coping, and
life skills needed to empower. Their purpose is to be a haven while providing
encouragement and hope to young women about their future.
For more information please visit Project Girl Mentoring Program | Edmonds, WA United States (project-girl.com) or call (425)522-3862.
SAVE THE DATE: Picture RETAKE Day – Wednesday, October 27
Latinx Heritage Month
Each year, Americans observe Latinx Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The observance began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 31-day period starting on September 15th and ending on October 15th. This is a time to recognize and honor
Latinx people, cultures, issues, contributions, and histories.
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
New State Mask Mandate
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
10/22: Teacher Workday – No School
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
Ask questions when your child gets stuck on math problems
Middle school math can be challenging for students and parents alike! If your child gets stuck on math homework, it’s helpful to think of yourself as a guide rather than as a teacher. You don’t need to have the answers to show him how to tackle his homework effectively.
To help your child figure things out, ask him:
• What specific problem are you working on? This will help him focus on one task at a time, rather than become intimidated by an entire sheet of equations.
• What do the instructions say?
Have him read the directions out loud to you. It’s possible that he missed key words the first time he read them.
• Are there parts of the instructions you don’t understand? Suggest that he check in his textbook or ask a classmate for clarification.
• Are there things you’ve learned before that may help you here? If your child is still hopelessly stuck (and you are, too), encourage him to look for help online. If his teacher has a website, he should look there first. He can also search sites like YouTube and find instructional math videos to watch.
If your child still isn’t able to figure it out, have him turn in as much of the work as he was able to complete. Then, encourage him to ask his teacher for help.
~ The Parent Institute
Questions & Answers
Q: My eighth-grade daughter is late for everything. She turns homework in late. She starts projects at the last minute. How can I help her break this self-sabotaging habit?
A: Unfortunately, time management doesn’t come naturally to most middle schoolers. Instead, parents must teach them how to plan ahead. Show your daughter how to:
1. Get organized. Insist that she keep her backpack, room and desk neat. A child who can’t organize her belongings is likely to have trouble organizing her thoughts and actions
as well.
2. Prioritize. Encourage your child to list everything she has to do under one of three headings: “Must Do,” “Would Be Nice to Do” and “Can Skip This.” Remind her that items
on the must-do list (like schoolwork) have to come first.
3. Make a schedule. After your child sets her priorities, she needs to figure out when she can actually do those “must-dos.” That’s where a schedule comes in. Some kids can plan ahead and draw up a schedule for the whole week. Others need to make a schedule every day.
4. Stick to the schedule. This may be the hardest step of all. Few children want to spend a
sunny day doing research for an upcoming paper when five of their friends are planning to
ride bikes to a nearby restaurant. Encourage and praise your child for staying on track. And
don’t forget to leave some time in the schedule for fun!
~ 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