Voyager MS Parent Bulletin
January 7, 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 Parent Bulletin is available in multiple languages
Thought of the Week
“We have before us the glorious opportunity to inject a new dimension of LOVE into the veins of our civilization.”
~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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.
Week at a Glance
January 10 - January 14
Activity Bus Leaves Promptly at 4:05pm
Season Two Sports - Fall Athletics Schedule
1/10 - 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
7th/8th Grade Girls Volleyball Games vs. Olympic View @ 3:45pm @ Olympic View
7th/8th Grade Boys Basketball Games vs. Olympic View @ 3:45pm @ Voyager
1/11- 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 Basketball Practice - 3:00 - 5:00pm - VO Gym
1/12- Wednesday - A Day:
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
During School
Literacy Center 8:10 - 9:30am
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
7th/8th Grade Girls Volleyball Games vs. Einstein - 3:45pm @ Voyager
7th/8th Grade Boys Basketball Games vs. Einstein - 3:45pm - @ Einstein
1/13- 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 Game vs. Explorer @ 3:45pm - Voyager
7th/8th Grade Boys Basketball Game vs. Explorer @ 3:45pm @ Explorer
1/14- Friday - A 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 - 9:10am
After School
7th/8th Grade Girls Basketball Games vs. Brier Terrace @ 3:45pm @ Brier Terrace
7th/8th Grade Boys Basketball Practice - 1:30 - 3:00pm - VO Gym
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
Navigating Tough Times - Strategies to Support Our Kids & Ourselves During COVID
Please join us for this important and relevant lecture coming up on Thursday, January 20th at 10:00am. We encourage as many of you to attend as possible, but we will also provide a link to the recorded event afterwards so you can watch at your convenience. There will be a Q&A session at the end of the lecture with our experts. We encourage you to ask questions and be part of this discussion during the live event and for those who will not be able to attend the live event or would like to remain anonymous, please submit your question/s to: MartinezAZ@mukilteo.wednet.edu
On-Line Event via Zoom
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3318272560
Code: 331 827 2560
Featuring:
- Liza Patchen-Short, MA, Children's Mental Health Liaison
- Bethenee Grant Engelsvold, School Psychologist
- Teresa Hoffman, Middle School Guidance Counselor
Snohomish County Legal Services - Housing Justice Project
See if you are eligible by calling (425)258-9283 ext. 5 or e-mail at information@snocolegal.org
Apply on-line at http://nwjustice.org/apply-online
For additional information please visit Housing Justice Project • Snohomish County Legal Services (snocolegal.org)
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide - FREE Tax Preparation & Filing
Visit AARP Tax-Aide for more information.
Helpful Resources
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 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.
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
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 will 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.).
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.
New Convenient Digital Vax Record
Mukilteo School District is Hiring!
State Mask Mandate
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
1/13/22: MLK Assembly - CANCELLED - Will be rescheduled in February - Date to de determined.
1/14/22: Madres Latinas Meeting
1/17/22: Martin Luther King Jr. Day – No School
1/18/22: Individual Team Academic Awards Assemblies - Virtual Event
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
6/17/22: Last Day of School (Early Dismissal @ 12:00pm)
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
Experts offer three strategies to motivate underachievers
It’s frustrating when you know your child has the ability to succeed but seems not to want to. This is the trap of underachievement.
Experts suggest parents do three things to get kids back on track:
- Show your child you care about him as a person, not just a student. If a long lecture about getting better grades were the trick to motivation, there would be no such thing as an underachiever. Make time to talk to your child about his life, watch a favorite movie with him, play a board game together. This helps him feel valued—a key step in helping him feel motivated.
- Recognize improvements. It might not thrill you if your child brings home a low C on his history quiz. But if his last quiz grade was a D, he’s made progress. A pat on the back with a simple, “You brought your grade up. I believe in you!” can work wonders.
- Harness the power of friends. If your child doesn’t want your help, consider enlisting the help of one of his friends. “Grant is in your history class. Maybe the two of you could study for the next test together.”
“Positivity, confidence, and persistence are key in life, so never give up on yourself.”
—Khalid
~ The Parent Institute
Are you helping your child work with teachers?
It’s normal for middle schoolers to like some teachers better than others. Learning to get along with authority figures is an important life lesson. Are you helping your child get along with her teachers? Answer yes or no to the questions below to find out:
- Do you remind your child of her responsibility to be courteous and respectful to teachers?
- Do you help your child keep things in perspective? She doesn’t have to like a teacher to learn something in that class.
- Do you help your child figure out the cause of any problem she’s having in a class?
- Do you encourage your child to try to work with her teachers on her own to resolve any issues?
- Do you ask to speak to a teacher if your child is unable to work through an issue herself?
How well are you doing? Mostly yes answers mean you’re helping your middle schooler learn how to work with her teachers. For no answers, try those ideas.
~ 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