Voyager News
April 2024
Principal's Message
Greetings, VES Parents/Guardians,
The final months of the school year are always busy, and added to the mix is the need to administer several end-of-the-year assessments, including state MCAs, district STAR Assessments, and benchmarking at the primary level. This testing provides important data to measure your child’s progress and to help us measure and set building goals. The MCA specific testing calendar is here. Parents can help by making sure students get adequate rest and a good breakfast on testing days.
Another important measure of how we are doing as a school is the Spring Elementary Parent Survey, and I want to thank those of you who took the time in March to provide us with this important input. Some celebration pieces from that survey include:
99% of parents feel that teachers demonstrate sincere care for children and treat them as individuals.
98% of parents feel that specialist classes are engaging for their child.
Think spring!
Dana Christenson
Mark Your Calendar
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
All-School Picnic........................................................................................................5/24
No School - Memorial Day.........................................................................................5/27
Last Day of School......................................................................................................5/31
VES Exemplary Students Earn Code Kid Recognition
Let’s celebrate these Voyager students who have earned March Code of Conduct Awards! They were seen demonstrating our Code of Conduct traits of responsibility, honesty, respect, fairness, and kindness. Thank you, students!
Code Kids
Code Kid
Nellie Graham & Jayden Eddy
Code Kid
Grayson Safe
Code Cash Kids
Brecken Medway, Emma Urbanski, Ava Gripne, Daisy Verant, Molly Stanley, Landon Faith & Adilynn Boike. Not pictured: Jye Ebnet.
MCA Testing to Take Place in Early April
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) annually administers statewide assessments for students in grades 3-5. They are designed to provide the state, districts, and schools with a snapshot of student progress towards meeting the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards.
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) are reading, mathematics, and science standards-based assessments that measure student learning of the Minnesota Academic Standards. The scores will still represent an accurate snapshot of student learning of the grade-level content standards.
MCA and MTAS results provide valuable information for the school, district, and MDE about how well students have learned concepts and skills from the academic standards. Educators and schools can use the results to plan instruction and evaluate their curricula. Families can also use the results as one way to measure how students are doing on the content standards.
If you would like more information about the testing, the MDE Parent Fact Sheet is available on the MDE website (education.state.mn.us > Students and Families > Programs and Initiatives > Statewide Testing) in several languages.
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 final planning meeting on Tuesday, April 9th at 5:00 P.M. in the Media Center if you would like to attend. We will be wrapping classroom boxes and donation items.
Please consider volunteering some time on April 12th; this is an event with strong parent involvement and we wish to thank you in advance for any assistance you might provide. You may scan the adjoining QR code to view volunteer opportunities.
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.
Staff Appreciation Dinner A Big Hit!
Many thanks to our PAC and all parents who had a hand in contributing to a terrific Teacher Appreciation Dinner during conferences on March 7th. This kind gesture is so appreciated by VES teachers during a busy time.
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.