Voyager Elementary School

Greetings, Voyager Families. 

This week, we had the pleasure of once again celebrating the musical talents of our students as our second graders took the stage for a wonderful performance. Witnessing our students' dedication and hard work as they prepared for these performances fills us with immense pride. What truly warms our hearts, however, is seeing the joy and pride radiating from them as they step off the stage after giving it their all.

Additionally, we're thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of our Student Council Snack Drive. Our young leaders worked tirelessly to collect, sort, and deliver over 70 snacks to each teacher, ensuring that this valuable resource is readily available for all. We're incredibly proud of their dedication to supporting our school community.

On another note, we're delighted to share that our students recently completed their NWEA testing, and we've been blown away by the remarkable growth and progress they've made. It's truly inspiring to see our students thrive and excel academically.

As we continue to grow and thrive together at Voyager Elementary, we want to express our gratitude for your continued support and partnership. Your involvement and dedication play a vital role in creating a vibrant and nurturing learning environment for our students.

Warm regards,

Danielle Schmidt

Voyager Movie Night

There is still time to get your tickets and join us next Friday, February 23, 2024 for our Voyager Movie Night at the Historic Howell Theater. Doors open at 5:30 PM for concessions and the staff are ready to take your order! Students voted on the movie and are excited to begin Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle: Mutant Mayhem at 6:30 PM. 

Begindergarten and Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-2025 School Year

Begindergarten and Kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school is now open at 

HowellSchools.com/KDG . Join us on March 7, 6-7 p.m., for an informative night at your child's elementary school to meet educators and explore the school. Additionally, we're accepting applications for Academia Bilingüe's Spanish immersion kindergarten class until March 22. Discover the bilingual journey at HowellSchools.com/DualLanguage and attend the parent night on February 21 at Three Fires Elementary to learn more. 

 New Offering from ParentGuidance.org

Thanks to our partnership with ParentGuidance.org, we are pleased to offer families in Livingston County a new initiative called "Ask a Therapist Live." This is a no-cost event designed specifically for families in our community. "Ask a Therapist Live" provides an opportunity to receive expert answers to any questions you might have about your child's mental health or your parenting journey. You can submit your questions anonymously via the webinar chat or through their interactive tools. Alternatively, you may choose to listen to questions from other parents and the responses provided by our live therapist. The next session is scheduled for Wednesday, February 21, at 8 p.m. Please register at https://bit.ly/49bJ9la. To learn more about "Ask a Therapist Live,” please visit https://bit.ly/48iX9bu. 

Counselor's Connection 

Research shows that friendships are critical for social and emotional health: they can decrease stress and tension, help us develop empathy, and strengthen our defenses. To kids, though, choosing friends is a little simpler - they likely connect with people they have the most fun with. For a child, having even one good, dependable friend can make a huge difference! Similarly, when those friendships change, children can really feel a sense of loss.   

There are three basic, social skills that are critical for making and keeping friends, whether you are 5 or 55:

Breaking the ice with kids/people you have not met before

Acting positively and appropriately with others

Managing conflicts/problems constructively

We are often very vigilant in helping our kids master concepts in math or reading, but we often forget to teach behaviors. Here are some strategies for teaching these important friendship skills to our children:

First and foremost, do a self-assessment and make sure you are modeling and showing the behaviors we are hoping to see in our children! Do you make friendships a priority? Are you friendly to new people? Are you open-minded and respectful when problems arise with others?

Pay close attention to how your child behaves with same-age peers. Point out his/her strengths (“I noticed you let Lilly go first - that was very thoughtful!” or “When Stuart tried to argue with you, you calmly walked away - that was a good choice.”).

Similarly, take note of what skills s/he needs to practice. For instance, does your child often interrupt others or boss them around? Is your child shy and afraid to try new activities, or hesitant to join a group?

Once you identify what your child needs to work on, come up with creative ways to practice the skill. When it’s not the heat of the moment, talk about what that skill looks like. Go to the park and role play different scenarios. Check out books from the library that illustrate children using these skills. At the least, talk with your child about your strengths and weaknesses, and work together to form and strengthen your personal relationships together. 

Lastly, be patient. Teaching social skills takes time and lots of practice. 

For more support, or a more personalized plan for your family, please reach out: [email protected]

Kristen Peffer

School Counselor

Important Dates

2/16-2/19  No School - Winter Break

2/23          Voyager Movie Night @ Howell Theater 6:30 PM

3/7            VBC Meeting 6-7 PM

Dear Voyager Families,

As we navigate our way through the month of February,  it's always surprising how quickly time flies.  I trust you've been enjoying the return to routine after the recent snow days and we have certainly enjoyed having our hallways filled with the energy and enthusiasm that only our students can bring. 

We recently concluded Kindness Week at Voyager. While kindness has always been a cornerstone of our school culture, it was particularly inspiring to witness the entire school community, both staff and students, coming together with a strong focus on kindness. This momentum leads us seamlessly into our next initiative: the annual Student Council Snack Drive.

Starting from Tuesday, February 6th, through Tuesday, February 13th, our Student Council will be actively collecting snacks. The goal is to gather a variety of snacks that will be evenly distributed throughout the school, ensuring they are readily available to any student in need of a quick snack during the day. I am proud to share that last year, the Student Council collected over 2,000 snacks, and this year, we hope to surpass that remarkable achievement. Your contributions, whether big or small, can make a significant difference in ensuring every student has access to a snack when needed.

If you would like to participate in this worthy cause, please send in or drop off your donations. Your generosity will undoubtedly contribute to fostering a caring and supportive environment for all our students.

Thank you for being an integral part of our Voyager community and for your ongoing support.

Warm regards,

Danielle Schmidt

Coffee Chat with Superintendent MacGregor

Join Superintendent Erin MacGregor for an engaging Coffee Chat on Thursday, February 15, from 9 to 10 a.m., in the Edinburgh Room at the Administrative Office. This session's focus is "Innovation In Education," featuring discussions on new programs, advanced technology initiatives, and AI's emerging role. To learn more, please visit https://bit.ly/3ummALt. 

Begindergarten and Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-2025 School Year

Begindergarten and Kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school is now open at 

HowellSchools.com/KDG. Join us on March 7, 6-7 p.m., for an informative night at your child's elementary school to meet educators and explore the school. Additionally, we're accepting applications for Academia Bilingüe's Spanish immersion kindergarten class until March 22. Discover the bilingual journey at HowellSchools.com/DualLanguage and attend the parent night on February 21 at Three Fires Elementary to learn more. 

Hope Squad's Daddy Daughter Dance

Step into 'A Night in Candyland' with Howell Public Schools Hope Squad's Daddy Daughter Dance, February 17, 6-8 p.m. at Voyager Elementary. Enjoy a sweet evening of dancing, treats, and crafts! Details at https://bit.ly/3vPAF4j. All proceeds from this event will go to the Hope Squad, allowing them to continue advocating for mental health support in our school and community. 

The next Family Educational Series Webinar is February 8

Mark your calendar for our upcoming family educational series on Thursday, February 8, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., spotlighting the theme 'Building Your Child's Confidence.' Gain insightful strategies to nurture your child's growth mindset and resilience. For details on this session, head to https://bit.ly/3O4dNEI. Please note that this month's session will be exclusively online with no in-person viewing. We look forward to having you join us for this enriching session.

Summer EBT is Coming to Michigan

Michigan launches the Summer EBT program, providing eligible families up to $120 per child for the summer. To apply, please submit a Free and Reduced Price Meal application by February 10. Even if you're uncertain of eligibility, apply at https://bit.ly/2z6nDlP. ou do not need to complete another one if you have already completed a Free and Reduce Price Meal application for this school year.

Nominate an Outstanding Teacher of Support Person for HPS Of the Year Awards

Howell Public Schools is now accepting nominations for its esteemed Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year awards. Celebrate our remarkable educators and staff by submitting your nomination by Friday, February 9, at 4 p.m. Visit https://bit.ly/3SyS0Yx for details and to submit a nomination.

Important Dates

2/6-2/13 Snack Drive

2/8 Family Education Webinar

2/15 Superintendent Coffee Chat

2/17 Daddy Daughter Dance

2/16-2/19 No School 

2/23 Voyager Movie Night 6:30PM 

VBC Movie Night 

Students were able to cast their vote for the VBC Movie Night on February 23rd. There were four choices and the winner is....Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhen!

Counselor's Connection 

Parents often ask for tips on how to improve their children’s focus. Being able to engage, focus, and maintain attention is “what connects us to others, defines our experiences, deepens our curiosity, and determines what we tune in to see” (taken from Dr. Michele Borba’s book Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine). Here are some “attention robbers” -- things that can stand in the way of our kids and their ability to focus -- and what to do to fix the problem (hint: think FOCUS):

F = FOOD

Minimize caffeinated or energy drinks and food with high sugar content.

O = OVERSCHEDULED

Cutting just one activity can free time for kids to recharge.

C = COMPUTERS AND SCREENS

Electronic screens and bright lights can delay the release of melatonin and make it harder to fall asleep. Turn digital devices off at least 30 minutes before bed.

U = UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

Too high of expectations create stress and reduce focus. Too low of expectations make kids feel that “anyone could.” Aim expectations slightly above your kid’s performance level to strengthen focus and boost success odds.

S = SLEEP DEPRIVATION

Inconsistent sleep routines (including on the weekends), as well as noise, heat, cold, light conditions, and electronics can rob sleep. Stick to routines. 

As always, reach out to your school counselor for more information or a more personalized family plan. This excerpt was taken from Dr. Michele Borba’s book Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine.