Voyager MS Family Bulletin
March 4, 2022 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 Family Bulletin is available in multiple languages
Thought of the Week
Health and Safety Information for In-Person Learning
The in-person learning family guide has been posted on the Return to School website. 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.
Face Masks Required
Thank you for your help keeping Voyager Middle School as safe as possible.
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
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.
If students exhibit any of the above symptoms at school, or complain of these symptoms to staff, parents/guardians will be notified, and they will be sent home. If they have 2 symptoms, they may need a COVID test to return to school or they may isolate.
If your student has allergy symptoms or another chronic condition that is causing difficulty, please contact the School Nurse about documenting this with their healthcare provider.
New COVID guidance for five-day quarantines & family screening flow chart
Please review the new COVID guidance for five-day quarantines, please see the attached family screening flow chart under the Family Guide tab. If your student has ANY of the outlined symptoms, they should stay home, (even if you believe it’s not COVID!)
Vaccinations:
Students ages 18 and older must have their third dose of COVID-19 vaccination to be exempt from quarantining if identified as a close contact. Please see the Snohomish Health District website for vaccination locations if your student needs a third dose.
Please call the school right away to report POSITIVE Covid Test Results so we can notify close contacts.
Thank you for your help in keeping Voyager Middle School as safe as possible.
March 7 - March 11
Monday, March 7 - A Day
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
Literacy Center
8:10 - 9:30am
9:50 AM – 11:05 AM
1:15 PM – 2:45 PM
After School
ELL Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# B151
Literacy Center Staff Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - VO Library
7th/8th Grade Girls Basketball Games vs. North - 3:45pm @ Voyager
6th/7th/8th Grade Wrestling Practice - 3:30pm - 6:00pm - Mariner HS
Tuesday, March 8 - B Day
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
Literacy Center
8:10 - 9:30am
9:50 AM – 11:05 AM
1:15 PM – 2:45 PM
After School
Cribbage Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - VO Library
Homework Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - VO Library
Craft Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# B153
Beauty & The Beast Auditions - 3:00 - 5:00pm - Room# B141
7th/8th Grade Girls Basketball Games vs. Olympic View - 3:45pm @ Voyager
7th/8th Grade Coed Wrestling Match vs. Explorer - 3:45pm @ Explorer
Wednesday, March 9 - A Day
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
Literacy Center
8:10 - 9:30am
9:50 AM – 11:05 AM
1:15 PM – 2:45 PM
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
Beauty & The Beast Auditions - 3:00 - 5:00pm - Room# B141
7th/8th Grade Girls Basketball Practice - 3:00 - 5:00pm - Voyager Gym
6th/7th/8th Grade Wrestling Practice - 3:30pm - 6:00pm - Mariner HS
Mariner Incoming Freshmen & Parent Night - 6:30 - 8:00pm - Mariner High School - Main Gym
Thursday, March 10 - B Day
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
Literacy Center
8:10 - 9:30am
9:50 AM – 11:05 AM
1:15 PM – 2:45 PM
After School
Homework Club - 2:50 - 4:00pm - VO Library
Pride Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# A130
7th/8th Grade Girls Basketball Games vs. Alderwood - 3:45pm @ Voyager
7th/8th Grade Coed Wrestling Match vs. North - 3:45pm @ North
Friday, March 11 - A Day
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
Madres Latinas Meeting - 10:00 - 11:00am - Via Zoom
After School
7th/8th Grade Girls Basketball Practice - 3:00 - 5:00pm - Voyager Gym
6th/7th/8th Grade Wrestling Practice - 3:30pm - 6:00pm - Mariner HS
Friday - Learning Improvement Time (LIT) - Early Dismissal at 1:30pm
The halls of Voyager are paved with the talent and sentiment of our student's creative endeavors.
Congratulations are in order!
2022 Snohomish Region Scholastic Art Awards Virtual Ceremony:
Covid-19 Vaccination Event at Everett CRC - March 9
Date & Time: Wednesday, March 9th from 10 am-2 pm
Location: Everett CRC / Familias Unidas 215 W Mukilteo Blvd, Everett, WA 98203
Vaccines offered: Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J
Ages: 5 and up; all minors need to come with a parent or guardian.
Appointments preferred, but not required. Insurance not required.
Incentives:
- Each child or adult receiving the vaccine for the first time or as a booster will get a $50 check.
- FREE at Home Covid-19 Test Kits
- FREE facemasks, hand sanitizers, etc.
- FREE round-trip UBER Rides - to schedule a ride please call: (206) 235-9491 or (310) 442-1082
For questions, please contact: ygonzalez@lcsnw.org
8th Grade Families - Incoming Freshmen & Parent Night at Mariner High School - March 9
Mariner High School invites you to their upcoming Incoming Freshmen & Parent Night on Wednesday, March 9 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm in the Main Gym.
Mariner High School: 200 120th St. SW, Everett, WA 98204 / (425)366-5700
Important Message to 8th Grade Families
All 8th grade students have started their High School and Beyond Plan. The High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) is a high school graduation requirement and has specific tasks that must be completed. Students begin this plan in 8th grade and continue working on it throughout high school. A student’s HSBP is developed around three questions: Who am I? , What can I become?, and How do I become that? Watch this video to learn more.
There are two tasks that students must complete in 8th grade:
- Career Interest Areas Self-Assessment (was completed on February 3): This activity helps match students interests with types of careers. Students will answer 66 questions where they choose the activity they would like to do more. To learn about where and how students take this assessment, please watch this video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SV7FtjwJspeult-TuFwGMnBpMVuuGv8r/view
- 4 Year Course Plan (February 14 - 18): Students planned the classes they will take in 9th and 10th grade. This is done in preparation for High School Registration.
High School Registration will begin March 16. More information about high school classes and how to register will be available soon.
March is National Reading Month
National Reading Month was established to motivate people of all
ages to read every day! We all know that reading impacts language
and literacy skills, such as vocabulary development, phonemic
awareness, and alphabet knowledge. However, the benefits of
reading go far beyond language and literacy.
Consistent reading habits have been linked to greater cognitive and social-emotional development as well as positive mental health. For more information on the benefits of reading, please visit https://www.childtime.com/blog/2020/03/march-is-national-reading-month/
March is Women’s History Month
Women's History Month is an annual declared month that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. During the month of March, we give a little extra attention to all of the amazing accomplishments of strong, determined women. Since 1987, the United States has formally recognized March as National Women’s History Month.
Every woman has a story to tell and gifts to share with the world. To learn more about Women’s
History Month please visit https://www.womenshistorymonth.gov/
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
Season Three Sports Schedule - https://www.arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=33418
3/13/22: Daylight Savings Time begins - 1 hour Forward
3/15/22: Voyager Music Booster Club Meeting - 7:30pm - Via Zoom
3/18/22: End of the 2nd Trimester
3/22/22: Voyager Orchestras concert - Live Audience - 7:00 - 8:00pm - VO Commons
3/29/22: Incoming 6th Grade Family Night - 6:15 - 7:30pm - VO Commons
4/5/22: Voyager Band concert - Live Audience - 7:00 - 8:00pm - VO Commons
4/11/22 - 4/15/22: Spring Break – No School
4/19/22: Madres Latinas Meeting - Zoom - 10:00 - 11:00am
4/26/22: Voyager Music Booster Club Meeting - 7:30pm - Via Zoom
5/13/22: Madres Latinas Meeting - Zoom - 10:00 - 11:00am
5/24/22: Voyager Music Booster Club Meeting - 7:30pm - Via Zoom
5/30/22: Memorial Day – No School
6/14/22: Madres Latinas Meeting - Zoom - 10:00 - 11:00am
6/17/22: Last Day of School (Early Dismissal @ 12:00pm) (Snow make up day)
Helpful Resources
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
COVID-19 Testing Locations
Mukilteo School District
Covid Testing Even Easier
The COVID testing location at 12310 Meridian Ave. S., Everett, 98208 (near Mariner High School) is now accepting walk-ups! While appointments are still encouraged, they have capacity to see students, staff and community members even without an appointment.
Please see attached map for entrance and exit locations.
Please use the registration and appointment sign-up link if you plan to make an appointment.
Additional testing locations within the community
Return to School / COVID testing locations (mukilteoschools.org)
Everett Mall Vaccination Site - Snohomish Health District
Everett Mall Vaccination Site | Snohomish Health District, WA (snohd.org) For those with limited or no internet access, the call center at 425-339-5278 is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays (closed weekends and holidays).
Free at Home Covid-19 Tests from Government and State
Government: COVIDtests.gov - Free at-home COVID-19 tests
WA State: Home - Say Yes! To Covid Test (sayyescovidhometest.org)
Mukilteo School District - Past Family Messages
Voyager MS Family Bulletins - Past Issues
Links
Mukilteo School District Web Site
Mukilteo School District Facebook Page
Voyager Middle School Web Site
Voyager Staff Directory / Home (mukilteoschools.org)
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
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.
Free tutoring services for middle and high school students!
Students in grades 6 through 12 have access to free online tutoring services 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.).
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.
Watch this five-minute video to get started!
For more information, please access recordings here Free tutoring for middle and high school students! Additional family webinars in other languages will be presented in January.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide - FREE Tax Preparation & Filing
Visit AARP Tax-Aide for more information.
New Convenient Digital Vax Record
Mukilteo School District is Hiring!
Virtual Career Fair - RESCHEDULED to March 26
Saturday, March 26, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with information about job opportunities.
Anyone interested in learning more about Mukilteo School District or interviewing for a certificated, paraeducator, or bus driver position is encouraged to register for the Career Fair on the district employment website.
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.
Dropout prevention begins with middle school habits
Many students who drop out of school between ninth and twelfth grade started down that path in sixth, seventh or eighth grade. Studies show that, without intervention, sixth graders are 75 percent more likely to drop out of school if they:
- Miss class 20 percent or more of the time.
- Fail language arts or math.
- Earn poor grades in a core course due to behavior issues. The good news is that families can steer middle schoolers down the right path. Here’s how:
- Expect your kids to attend school every single day. They should miss school only if they are quarantined or ill, or there is a family emergency.
- Talk to your children about school and what they are learning each day. Tell them that education is important to your family and you expect them to work hard and do their best.
- Let your children know that you believe in them—and that you know they can be successful.
- Encourage your kids to become involved in extracurricular activities. Students with ties to school beyond academics are more likely to stay in school.
- Work with teachers. Remind your children that you all are on the same team and want the best for them.
~ The Parent Institute
Ask questions that will make your child think
Middle schoolers need critical thinking skills to do research, to make decisions and to solve problems. As your child progresses through school, his teachers will expect higher-level thinking. Instead of just giving an answer, your child will need to give examples to support it.
Help your child develop more mature thinking skills by asking him questions such as:
- “Why are your favorites your favorites?” Whether it’s a singer or a character in a book, explore the appeal with your child. It’s not enough for him to say he likes them. Ask him to tell you some characteristics that make him like them.
- “How can we save money as a family?” Review a family expense, such as the electric or water bill, and challenge your child to find ways to save money. If he does, ask him what he thinks the family should do with the savings—and why.
- “Can you think of a volunteer opportunity for our family?” Ask your child to do some and give information that supports his choice.
~ 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