Voyager MS Parent Bulletin
December 10, 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
Fill your life with experiences, not things. Have stories to tell, not stuff to show.
~ Joshua Becker
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.
REMINDER: Early Dismissal Friday, December 17
Voyager students will be dismissed at 12:00pm on Friday, December 17. There are no after school activities or activity buses on early dismissal days.
Upcoming Winter Break - December 20 - December 31 - NO SCHOOL
Week at a Glance
December 13 - December 17
Activity Bus Leaves Promptly at 4:05pm
Season Two Sports - Fall Athletics Schedule
12/13 - Monday - A Day:
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
Literacy Center 8:10 - 9:30am
After School
VO Homework Room - 2:50 - 4:00pm - VO Library
ELL Club 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# B151
Journaling Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room#B141
Donuts with Your Grown Ups - Drive Thru Event - 3:00 - 3:45pm @ Voyager
7th/8th Grade Girls Volleyball Games vs. Alderwood - 3:45pm @ Voyager
7th/8th Grade Boys & Girls Soccer Practice - 3:00 - 5:00pm - VO Field
7th/8th Grade Boys Basketball Games vs. Alderwood - 3:45pm - Alderwood
12/14 - Tuesday - B Day:
Before School
7th Grade Girls Volleyball Practice - 6:15 - 7:45am - VO Gym
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
Literacy Center 8:10 - 9:30am
After School
VO Homework Room - 2:50 - 4:00pm - VO Library
Cribbage Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# Library
Craft Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# B153
8th Grade Girls Volleyball Practice 3:00 - 5:00pm - VO Commons
7th/8th Grade Boys & Girls Soccer Practice - 3:00 - 5:00pm - VO Field
7th/8th Grade Boys Basketball Practice - 1:30 - 3:00pm - VO Gym
12/15 - Wednesday - A Day:
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
Literacy Center 8:10 - 9:30am
After School
Wolvy Book Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - VO Library
STEAM Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room#C140
Homework Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - VO Library
8th Grade Girls Volleyball Games vs. North - 3:45pm @ North
7th/8th Grade Boys & Girls Soccer Practice - 3:00 - 5:00pm - @ VO Field
7th/8th Grade Boys Basketball Games vs. North - 3:45pm - @Voyager
12/16 - Thursday - B Day:
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
Literacy Center 8:10 - 9:30am
After School
VO Homework Room - 2:50 - 4:00pm - VO Library
Pride Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# A130
7th/8th Grade Girls Volleyball Games vs. Meadowdale - 3:45 @ Meadowdale
7th/8th Grade Boys & Girls Soccer Games vs. Explorer - 3:45pm @ Goddard Stadium.
7th/8th Grade Boys Basketball Games vs. Meadowdale - 3:45pm @ Voyager
12/17 - Friday - A Day: EARLY DISMISSAL @ 12:00PM
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
Literacy Center 8:10 - 9:10am
After School
No After School Clubs or Sports on this day
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
REMINDER: Donuts with Your Grown Ups - Monday, December 13 - Drive Thru Event
Dear Voyager Families and Students,
On Monday, December 13 Voyager will be holding a Drive-Thru "Donuts with Your Grown Ups" pick-up event after school between 3:00pm - 3:45pm. We will be providing you with a paper bag with donuts to share the following morning with your student(s) as you start the day together. Please make sure and stop by curbside to pick up your bag of sweet treats.
Start your week off with a delicious morning sweet treat together and put a smile on your child’s face! Enjoy some donuts, compliments of Voyager Middle School!
“At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child’s success is the positive involvements of parents.”
~ Jane D. Hull
It Is Winter Spirit Week at Voyager!
Participate & Have Fun!
Snooze Day Monday
Mad About Plaid Tuesday
Animal Day Wednesday
Snowman Day Thursday
Crazy or Cozy Sweater Friday
Voyager Music Boosters Club - First Meeting on December 14
Parents of students in the Voyager Band, Orchestra, or Choir,
If your student is in any of the music classes above, you are automatically a part of the Voyager Music Boosters. As you may know, the music programs and fundraisers have been on hold for the past 20 months due to COVID-19. We need your help more than ever to help the music program get back on its feet! If you are a parent of a music student, please join us at our next meeting via Zoom to find out how you can support your student. All are welcome! Please come and share your ideas!
Meeting Date & Time: Tuesday Dec. 14th at 7:30pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://mukilteoschools-org.zoom.us/j/97607044041?pwd=dy9hOGswMWhEclI3SWRWV09qVG5sdz09
Meeting ID: 976 0704 4041
Passcode: 069931
For questions, please contact Ann Fox at voyagermusicboosterclub@outlook.com
Free tutoring services for middle and high school students!
Students in grades 6 through 12 will have access to free online tutoring services beginning December 8 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.). Students also have the option for test preparation sessions for SAT and ACT.
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.
Webinars were recorded and shared on the district website for families who could not attend earlier this week. You can access recordings here Free tutoring for middle and high school students! Additional family webinars in other languages will be presented in January.
Universal Human Rights Month - December 2021
In honor of this observation, please take the time to learn about another culture that is different from yours. For additional information, please visit:
Universal Human Rights Month – Everything You Need to Know ...
Are You Moving Over Winter Break?
Please let our office know as soon as possible if you are planning on moving during or after our winter break. Advance notice of a move helps us complete necessary paperwork and ensure a smooth transition to your child’s new school. Please forward any changes to Voyager@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Remember to include the student’s full name, effective date and authorizing parent/guardian’s name.
Holiday Community Resources
Christmas House 2021
To learn more about volunteer opportunities and also to apply for Christmas gifts assistance, please visit www.christmas-house.org
Snohomish County - 2021 Holiday Dinners and Toy Distributions
The Arc of Snohomish County is offering assistance with holiday meals and toy distribution. In addition, the link also provides a list of foodbanks throughout Snohomish County. For information, please visit Snohomish County Holiday Meals & Toy Distributions 2021
Please note: These resources were gathered by The Arc of Snohomish County in early November 2021. Resources often change over time. You may want to verify the information with the individual source.
The Salvation Army Angel Tree – Christmas Assistance
Marine Toys for Tots - Christmas Gifts Assistance
If you would like to make a donation or apply for assistance from Marine Toys for Tots this Christmas CLICK HERE to find the Local Marine Toys for Tots Campaign in your community and visit their local campaign website for details and instructions.
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
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
Voyager Middle School - YouTube
Revolution Prep. Academic tutoring accessible through the student portal (Free Tutoring Services for Middle and High School Students)
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
Mukilteo School District is Hiring!
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.
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
1/17/22: Martin Luther King Jr. Day – No School
2/21/22: President's Day – No School
2/22/22 - 2/25/22: Mid Winter Break – No School
4/11/22 - 4/15/22: Spring Break – No School
5/30/22: Memorial Day – 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
Give your child opportunities to make valuable contributions
The myth that middle schoolers are lazy is just that: a myth. The truth is that adolescents want to be useful and feel like their contributions matter.
Help your child find ways to contribute in the community year-round. Not only will it make him
feel good about himself, it may help nurture his sense of responsibility toward people around him. Your child could:
- Join a service organization. Whether national or local, service organizations can be perfect places for middle schoolers to make a difference and connect with other students who share similar interests.
- Be a caring neighbor. Is your older neighbor stuck at home because of a recent snowfall? Have your child grab a shovel and get busy. The same goes for bringing in a sick neighbor’s trash can from the curb. Point out ways your child can take the initiative and pitch in. Responsible actions contribute to the overall well-being of his community.
- Support a cause. He could collect goods for a local shelter or host a bake sale to raise funds for a charity. Help him do some research and make a plan.
- Write letters of thanks. Encourage your child to write a thank-you note to a public servant, such as a fire fighter. He’ll learn how nice it feels when one responsible member of society applauds another!
~ The Parent Institute
Questions & Answers
Q: I know that attendance is important, but we’re planning to travel over the holidays, and my seventh grader will miss a week of school. How can I keep her from falling behind?
A: First, take a look at your itinerary. Is it possible to alter your plans so your trip falls within the school’s break? That’s the only way to ensure your child won’t miss out on important learning. If your travel dates are written in stone, though, here are three things you can do to help your middle schooler stay on top of things:
- Talk to her teachers. Well in advance, explain the situation to each of them. If they’re planning to assign readings or worksheets right after break, see if your child can get started now. Find out which teachers maintain updated classroom websites, and see if your child can follow each day’s lesson from afar. But keep in mind: Teachers are under no obligation to adjust to your vacation schedule.
- Focus on learning while you are away. Look at your trip as a learning opportunity. Explore museums and cultural or historical attractions and discuss them as a family. Try to immerse your child in educational activities she might not get at home.
- Set aside time for reading and writing. Even if your child has no official work to complete while she’s away, insist she read for pleasure and write about her trip in a notebook. A vacation from school should not be a vacation from learning!
~ 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