Voyager News
March 2024
Principal's Message
Greetings, Parents,
With March comes the prospect of longer, sunnier days and bouts of spring fever (for young and old). Be that as it may, we will strive to keep the focus on academics, especially with our Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments just around the corner.
Students, too, need to stay focused and work diligently. Goals will be revisited during your child’s March conference; please take the time these final months to remind your child of these goals and reinforce the Voyager expectation that all students work hard for their learning. Stressing the need for consistent effort is especially important this time of year. Students will feel better about a relaxing summer break if they work hard right up to the finish.
Regards,
Dana Christenson
Mark Your Calendar
Evening Conferences/Science Showcase/Art Show, 3:30-7:30 PM....................3/7
No School - Conferences/Science Showcase, 7:30 AM-3:30 PM........................3/8
Evening Conferences/Science Showcase, 3:30-7:30 PM.....................................3/11
No School..................................................................................................................3/15
No School - Easter Break.........................................................................................3/28-4/1
MCA Science Testing - 5th Grade...........................................................................4/9
Two-Hour Late Start.................................................................................................4/10
VES "Spring Fling", 5:30-8:00 PM............................................................................4/12
MCA Reading Testing - 3rd-5th Grades...................................................................4/16-18
MCA Math Testing - 3rd-5th Grades........................................................................4/23-25
No School - Memorial Day.........................................................................................5/27
VES Exemplary Students Earn Code Kid Recognition
Let’s celebrate these Voyager students who have earned February Code of Conduct Awards! They were seen demonstrating our Code of Conduct traits of responsibility, honesty, respect, fairness, and kindness. Thank you, students!
Code Kid
Code Kids
Code Kids
Code Cash Winners
Conferences Coming Soon!
Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences will be held March 7, 8 and 11. Please attend at your scheduled time to discuss your child's goals and accomplishments. During all conference times, please stop by the Media Center to view science projects completed by our 5th grade students. During the evening conferences on Thursday, March 7, art projects created by 1st-5th grade students will also be on display in the Art Show in the Media Center.
Please Register Your Incoming Kindergartener
It’s not too late to get your child registered for next year’s kindergarten class. See details on the attached document. Please share this information with other parents who have students eligible for kindergarten. Children must be five years old by September 1 to be eligible. If any parents are “undecided,” I would be more than happy to meet to answer questions and/or give a tour of the building. Just contact Dana at 320-762-3325.
"Spring Fling" is Coming April 12th!
Not only is the Spring Fling a night of fun for the whole family, but it is also an important fundraiser for Voyager, supplying funding assistance for various student enrichment activities throughout the year. Our Parent Advisory Committee will be having our next planning meeting on Tuesday, March 5th at 6:30 P.M. in the Media Center if you would like to attend. Please consider volunteering some time on Friday, April 12th; this is an event with strong parent involvement and we wish to thank you in advance for any assistance you might provide. More information regarding volunteer opportunities will follow in future communications .
Parent Survey Input Needed
Alexandria Public Schools Focus on Every Kid Healthy
We're making health and wellness a regular thing! Instead of just once a year, the Alexandria Public School's Student Wellness Committee is switching to a monthly celebration called Every Kid Healthy Alexandria. Get ready for updates and activities through the year, covering different health topics. In March, we're focusing on Mental Health, Stress, and Resilience. Join us in helping students live healthy lives!
Third Graders Participate in Kindness Camp
Screen Time Guidance
One of the biggest challenges parents face today is monitoring and limiting their child’s screen time. According to the Mayo Clinic, too much screen time or exposure to poor-quality programming has been linked to:
Obesity
Poor sleep schedules and insufficient sleep
Behavior problems
Delays in language and social skills development
Violence
Attention problems
Less time learning
Screen time per se isn’t necessarily bad, as there are high-quality educational programs available for children. What is key is monitoring your child’s screen viewing and helping him/her apply learning to real life. Ultimately, parents need to decide how much media to let their child use each day and what’s appropriate, but Mayo does make the following recommendations:
Encourage unplugged, unstructured playtime
Create tech-free times, such as during mealtimes or homework
Set and enforce daily screen time limits and curfews
Keep screens and charging stations out of your child’s bedroom
STEAM Expo Coming Soon!
Alexandria Public Schools' annual STEAM Expo is on Thursday, March 21 at Alexandria Area High School from 4:30-7:00 PM. See adjoining flier for details.
Class List 2024-25 Information
As the end of the year fast approaches, our staff will work hard on an important end-of-year task: preparing class lists for next year. A tremendous amount of thought and energy goes into this process. Classroom teachers meet many times amongst themselves, with specialists, special education teachers, the social worker, and the principal to discuss the appropriate placement of students. Their goal is to develop classes that will grow into positive learning environments for all students. Things that are crucial to consider as we build those class lists include, but are not limited to:
A balance of boys and girls;
A blend of abilities;
Careful consideration of student personalities and behaviors;
A mixture of students from classrooms; and
Placing students who work well together as learners, which does not necessarily mean they are friends.
Voyager will continue its past practice of NOT allowing parents to request teachers; however, if parents have a concern about placing a student in a particular classroom, please stop in the office to complete a Request For Special Consideration Form and turn it in by April 26th. We have exceptional teachers at Voyager, however, it is understandable that a concern may arise or that special circumstances may prompt such a request. We do want parents and students to feel comfortable going into the new school year, and feel this may help.
Voyager Elementary School
Email: mronning@alexschools.org
Website: www.alexschools.org
Location: 203 Voyager Drive, Alexandria, MN, USA
Phone: 320-762-3325
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexmnschools/
Voyager Elementary does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, or disability.