Voyager MS Parent Bulletin
October 29, 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
“It is no longer good enough to cry peace, we must act peace, live peace, and live in peace.”
~ Native American Proverb, Shenandoah
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
November 1 - November 5
Activity Bus & After School Clubs Begin
11/1 - Monday - B Day:
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
Literacy Center 8:10 - 9:30am
After School
ELL Club 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# B151
Journaling Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room#B141
Craft Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room#B153
Football Practice 3:00 - 5:00pm VO Field
11/2 - Tuesday - A Day:
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
Literacy Center 8:10 - 9:30am
After School
Cribbage Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# Library
Football Game - VO vs. Explorer - 3:45 @ Explorer
11/3 - Wednesday - B Day:
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
Literacy Center 8:10 - 9:30am
After School
Wolvy Book Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# Library
STEAM Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room#C140
Football Game - VO vs. Eisenhower - 3:45pm - @ VO Field
11/4 - Thursday - A Day:
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
Literacy Center 8:10 - 9:30am
After School
Pride Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# TBD
Football Practice 3:00 - 5:00pm VO Field
11/5 - Friday - B Day:
Before School
Library Open 7:40 - 8:00am
Literacy Center 8:10 - 9:30am
After School
ELL Club 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room# B151
Journaling Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room#B141
Craft Club - 2:55 - 4:00pm - Room#B153
Football Practice 3:00 - 5:00pm VO Field
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
Remember to Vote!
Season Two Sports are starting SOON!
Does your child want to participate in Voyager Soccer, Girls Volleyball or Boys Basketball? Voyager will be holding tryouts for these season two sports, but to participate you and your child will need to complete the following steps.
For SOCCER:
Tryouts start on November 3rd!
If interested meet in the Voyager Gymnasium at 2:50pm on 11/3/21
To try out you must complete the following steps:
- Completed necessary paper work on FinalForms online
- Turned in a physical to Mrs. Tolstedt or to the student office
- Must be a 7th or 8th grader.
For BOYS BASKETBALL and GIRLS VOLLEYBALL:
Tryouts start on November 8th!
To try out you must complete the following steps:
- Complete all forms on FinalForms online
- Turn in a physical to the student office or Mrs. Tolstedt
- Show Mrs. Tolstedt proof of vacination OR have a signed parent consent form to be rapid tested during the season.
- Be a 7th or 8th grader.
Lasagna Love
Lasagna Love was started at the beginning of the pandemic, when the founder of Good to Mama was looking for a way to help moms in her community. She and her toddler started making and delivering meals to families in the neighborhood who were struggling, whether that struggle was financial, emotional, or simply a feeling of overwhelm.
Lasagna Love has since grown into a national movement, with thousands of people all cooking and delivering meals to families in their communities. Their mission is not only to help address the incredible rise in food insecurity among families, but also to provide a simple act of love and kindness during a time full of uncertainty and stress.
If you are a mom (or a dad!) that has been impacted by COVID, they want to help. Let one of their Lasagna Mamas or Papas deliver a home-cooked meal to you and your kiddos one night. To request a lasagna or volunteer to help the cause, please visit https://www.lasagnalove.org/
Snohomish County Resources Guide
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance during the pandemic and/or the holiday and winter season, there are several special programs in Snohomish County to aid families. Please visit the link below for additional information.
Snohomish_County_Resource_Guide.pdf (hasco.website)
NOTICE: Due to COVID-19, please contact each agency directly for more information on their current services, operating hours, and other important information.
November is Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, also referred to as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to overcome these challenges. Join us in honoring the past and celebrating the future.
To learn more about Native American Heritage Month click on the link below.
2021 Winter/Early Spring Activities Guide
- Outdoor activities.
- Amazing virtual tours or museums from around the world.
- Amusement park virtual rides!
- Virtual zoo and aquarium tours, animal spy cams
- Clubs
- Virtual camps
- Special needs activities and therapeutic programs.
The list is endless and so much fun!
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
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 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!
New 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
11/11: Veteran’s Day – No School
11/24: Early Dismissal - 12:00pm
11/25: Thanksgiving Day – No School
11/26: Native American Heritage Day – No School
12/20 - 12:31: Winter Break – 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
Too much stress can decrease students’ learning potential
Middle schoolers often have a lot on their plates and on their minds. They can easily become overwhelmed, stressed and anxious. And when their anxiety goes up, their grades can go down. If your child seems stressed, help her find ways to relax. She could:
- Enjoy time with a friend. Suggest they take a walk outside or do something that makes them laugh, such as watching a favorite funny movie.
- Spend time on a hobby (other than playing games online). Focusing on an enjoyable activity reduces stress.
- Stretch. Doing yoga is linked to lower stress levels. Tell your child to try a few minutes of slow, gentle stretches.
- Breathe deeply. A short session of slow deep breathing can calm your child when she is feeling overwhelmed. Practicing it for a brief time each day can lower her overall stress levels.
- Take a power nap. Sleep is vital for stress reduction. A 15- to 30- minute nap in the afternoon can give your child the extra boost she needs. Keep naps under one hour.
- Write in a journal. Writing can help your child clarify her thoughts and feelings. Journaling can also be a great tool for solving problems.
- Listen to her favorite music. Music can improve your child’s mood and help her release negative emotions.
~ The Parent Institute
Ask questions that will make your child think
Middle schoolers need critical thinking skills to do research, make decisions and 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 research 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
Family Engagement Liaison
Email: mantillaoy@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Location: 11711 4th Avenue West, Everett, WA, USA
Phone: (425)366-5300