Voyager Elementary School

Dear Voyager Families,

The 1st semester has come to an end and with the exception of two classrooms, we have had in person instruction for the entire semester!  As I have said a number of times since August, thank you for all of the support and understanding that you have provided during this semester!!  It has been greatly appreciated by the staff and I!  We are looking forward to kicking off the 2nd semester when we return on Monday, January 4, 2021!!!

Holiday Literacy Activities from Reading is Fundamental - RIF.org - Reading is Fundamental (RIF) is the leading champion for children’s literacy, empowering millions of children to read, learn and grow. They are encouraging families to make reading a part of their holiday traditions with some fun literacy-related activity suggestions from RIF's Holiday Literacy Tips for Families Guide and daily winter read-alouds from RIF starting December 21 through January 1 at 12 EDT on their Facebook and YouTube. Their holiday literacy activities and daily read-alouds will be sure to bring families closer together through the power of reading this season.  A fun resource to review over the upcoming break!!

Opportunities for Students & Families through the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association (MSIA) - COLD IS COOL! - More than ever, it is important for students to get outside and enjoy Michigan’s winter.  Without school programs and other organized sports, it’s up to parents to make this happen.  MSIA is pleased to provide an affordable way for families with 4th and/or 5th graders to head out to Michigan’s ski slopes and trails by obtaining the Cold is Cool Ski & Ride Passport App.  New this winter, our Passport – which was formerly a booklet – is now a downloadable app.  With the app, 4th and 5th- grade students can ski free two-to-three times at each of the 28 participating ski areas when accompanied by an adult.  MSIA charges a one-time per student fee of $25 to access to the app.  The lift tickets are all donated by the participating ski areas.   Program details are available here.  

For those who don’t know how to ski, we also offer a reduced-rate program in January called Discover Michigan Skiing & Snowboarding.  Everyone, including adults, can learn to ski at a very reasonable rate of $20 for cross-country skiing and #35 for downhill skiing or snowboarding at ski areas across the state.  The package includes rental equipment, a beginner group lesson and a beginner-area lift ticket.  Details are available here. 

Our state is a winter wonderland for three months each year.  The MSIA looks forward to providing some fun and experiential learning opportunities for students.  More information on skiing and snowboarding in Michigan - including ski area COVID-19 protocol - is available at  goskimichigan.org  If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call (248) 620-4448 or email MSIA’s Executive Director, Mickey McWilliams, at [email protected]

This concludes the information that I have to share today! Please read the following information from others:

1. “Counselor’s Quick Tip” below.  It contains 10 Tips for Helping Kids Have a Great Holiday.
2. District Updates - There is just one update about district meal kit distributions.

As always, please reach out to me with any questions that you may have.  Email is the best way to reach me.  My email address is [email protected].  We are here for you and willing to assist in whatever way we can.  

I would like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday break!

Sincerely,

Kari Naghtin

Principal

Counselor’s Quick Tip: 

10 Tips for Helping Kids Have a Great Holiday

10.  Make time for physical activity every day. Creating some unstructured time for kids to run around, be noisy, and work off pent up energy will decrease crankiness, boredom, and bad behavior throughout the day.

9.  Create and honor your own family traditions. Traditions can strengthen your family’s sense of closeness. With your kids, you can certainly create new and different traditions from the ones you grew up with, but make a point to have a few special things you do together every year.

8.  Keep an eye on sugar intake. You don’t have to take all the treats and fun out of the holidays! However, remember that it can make it hard for kids to regulate their behavior, it can leave kids over-energized, and it often results in mood crashes.

7.  Teach your kids the joy of giving, not just getting. This can be through an overt conversation, or more subtle, depending on the age and personality of your child. Modeling is an indirect way: say out loud how good it felt to give someone a meaningful gift, and why.

6.  Don’t lose all routines. Some degree of routine helps children know what to expect and what is expected of them. This, in turn, helps reduce stress for everyone. Keeping some of their usual routines, appropriate for their age, can help you all feel a little more grounded.

5.  Teach your kids to remember others in need. Most communities, schools, and churches have activities around the holidays in which kids and families can help others. This type of action, when done mindfully, can help your child to develop a sense of community, responsibility, and value. Participate as a family and let it be part of your holiday tradition.

4.  Kids still need to sleep (and so do parents). Sure, you may not need to keep them to their usual 8:00pm bedtime for the entire break, but try to make sure your kids get adequate sleep. This will help avoid exhaustion-induced meltdowns and it will help them (you) transition better back into their school routine when the holidays are over.

3.  Practice mindfulness and gratitude, and teach your kids to do the same. It’s easy to get swept away by the excesses of the holidays. Take time to notice moments of love and joy. Point them out to your children, and then reminisce about them later.

2.  Take care of yourself. If you’re stressed out, it will very likely pass on to your kids. It’s ok not to be perfect. It’s ok to say no to some invitations, projects, outings, or decorating extravaganzas. Choose to put your heart into doing the things you and your family really enjoy.

1.  Have fun! Enjoy yourself! Enjoy your kids. This year will never come again!  

Your Partner in Education,

Jennifer Starkey

School Counselor 

District Updates

No Meal Kit Distributions For the Next Two Weeks

Please remember that due to our holiday break, there will not be meal kit distributions for the next two weeks. Meal kit distribution will resume the week of January 4.

Dear Voyager Families,

As you read this issue of the “Viking View”, we are two weeks away from the end of the first semester - WOW!!!  

Lost and Found - Even during a pandemic, student belongings seem to make their way to our lost and found area in the cafeteria.  There is quite a collection accumulated at this time.  Due to our COVID-19 restrictions regarding building access, we are asking parents who want to stop by and check our lost and found for themselves  to please stop by before school (8:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m.), after school (3:50 p.m.-4:30 p.m.), or during the following times during the day - 9:15 a.m.-10:45 a.m. or 2:15 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

While mentioning lost and found items, let me remind everyone to please label your child’s belongings whenever possible.  Having items labeled helps immensely when needing to return lost items to students.  Labeling with a student’s last name or even first and last initials is helpful.

Holiday Stress & Anxiety in Children - Last year, I came across an article from Very Well Family that was entitled Preventing Holiday Stress and Anxiety in Children.  I find it to be a timely article to share again this year.  Here are the pointers that they shared:

• Set a calm example
• Set up conditions for good behavior
• Remember the importance of routines 
• Watch what they are eating
• Get your child moving
• Avoid over scheduling
• Have your grade-schooler help you (younger & older can help, too!)
• Schedule some quiet time
• Remind your child what the holidays are really all about

I wish each of you a stress and anxiety-free holiday season and break!!!  

This concludes the information that I have to share today! Please read the following information from others:

1.  VBC December Newsletter
2. “Counselor’s Quick Tip” below.  It contains information about college-savings plans.  These can be a great gift suggestion when children seem to have enough toys, clothes, etc.  A grandparent just might be interested in making a deposit to a college-savings plan.
3. District Updates - Please read this week’s information from the district.  There is a reminder about bus stop protocols and information from the district/health department re: COVID-19 self-reporting of positive test results.

As always, please reach out to me with any questions that you may have.  Email is the best way to reach me.  My email address is [email protected].  We are here for you and willing to assist in whatever way we can.  

Sincerely,

Kari Naghtin

Principal

Counselor’s Quick Tip: 
College-Savings Opportunities

Although our day-to-day is often chaotic, it is beneficial to spend a little time thinking about our children’s futures. Here are two great college-savings opportunities:  Michigan Education Trust (MET) and Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP). 

MET is a 529 Prepaid Tuition Plan which allows for the pre-purchase of tuition based on today's rates and then paid out at the future cost when the beneficiary is in college. Click here for more information about MET, or visit https://www.michigan.gov/setwithmet.

The MESP is a college savings account that you pay into over time. By setting up automatic contributions from your bank account or by payroll deduction (if supported by your employer), making regular contributions is hassle free. MESP can be used at colleges and universities all over the country, and it allows for unused benefits to be transferred between members of the same family. Click here for more information about MESP, or visit www.misaves.com.

Both MET and MESP are simple, user-friendly, and can help maximize your savings even on a modest budget. Contributions may qualify for a state tax deduction and can be made automatically. You can even invite others to contribute to your children’s accounts through e-gifting!  

As always, reach out for support and resources! I am just an email away: [email protected]  

Your Partner in Education,

Jennifer Starkey, LPC

 District Updates

Younger Students at the Bus Stop

Please remember that students in begindergarten through third grade must be met at the bus stop by a parent, guardian, or older sibling. If an adult or older sibling is not present, our bus drivers will not release students in these grades from the bus. Instead, the child will be returned to Kid's Kare, and a twenty ($20) dollar fee will be charged.

Update from the Livingston County Health Department

At the guidance of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the Livingston County Health Department (LCHD) has realigned its COVID-19 case investigation prioritization strategy. This realignment is necessary for local public health to maximize staffing resources and prevent outbreaks within the school environment and amongst the most vulnerable populations. A top priority of this realignment at LCHD is to keep schools open for in-person learning. The new strategy includes case investigation only for individuals below 19 years and above 64 years of age, as well as students attending in-person schools and those living in congregate living environments. Due to this realignment strategy, the LCHD will need help to identify individuals between the ages of 19 and 64 that test positive for COVID-19 and reside in the same household as a child attending school. To self-report a positive COVID-19 test result, please fill out the self-reporting form here: https://bit.ly/3pGWJGV. Questions about self-reporting can be submitted to the LCHD COVID-19 email at [email protected]. Please remember that if your child has been tested for COVID-19 for any reason, they should not attend school while their test results are pending.

Dear Voyager Families,

All of you should have received an email from Superintendent Erin MacGregor last night letting you know that I am one of four elementary principals who is at home quarantining due to a possible COVID-19 exposure on November 5th.  I am feeling fine and do not have any symptoms.  Provided everything goes as planned, I will be back in the office at Voyager on Friday, November 20th (one week from today).  Even though I am not at school (so wishing I could be there), I am in constant contact with various staff members and with families who need me while I am away from the building.  My mantra is...I’m steering the ship from afar, and so thankful and grateful for the “crew” that has remained on board in my absence!  Voyager is the best!  Please reach out via email ([email protected]) if anyone needs anything from me.

You also received correspondence from me regarding a staff member testing positive for COVID-19.  Fortunately our contact tracing resulted in only a few students and/or staff needing to quarantine.  As the district update below reminds us all - it is critical that we all continue to follow good public health practices at all times.  We will continue to be vigilant in our practices here at school.  Thank you for all that each of you is doing to keep our schools safe so that they can remain open for face to face instruction as long as possible. I am thankful and grateful that overall issues with COVID-19 have been minimal here at Voyager since the start of the school year.

While mentioning being thankful and grateful, I would like to wish each of our families a Happy Thanksgiving (the next Viking View will go home on Friday, December 4th)!  Whatever you have planned this year, I wish you a safe and blessed Thanksgiving holiday and break! 

DEADLINE IS TONIGHT at 10:00 P.M. - The deadline for registering your 2nd semester enrollment plans is tonight at 10:00 p.m.  If you are not making a change in your child’s enrollment for 2nd semester you do not need to do anything.  IF, HOWEVER, you are wanting your child to go from Highlander Virtual to In-person or from In-person to Highlander Virtual, you MUST complete this form for each of your children who will be making a change.  Additional information is in the “District Update” section below.

A Big Welcome to Mrs. Elliott - I should have included this information in the last issue of the Viking View, but it didn’t make it in there.  Mrs. Carol Elliott began filling Mrs. Abby Kemper’s art position on Wednesday, October 28th.  Mrs. Elliott is a retired Howell Art Teacher who taught at Northwest Elementary School prior to her retirement.  We are so grateful that she was able to quickly step in when Mrs. Hurlbert was no longer able to fill the position.  Mrs. Elliott will be with us until the end of the semester in December.  Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Elliott to Voyager, especially if your child has art this quarter.  Mrs. Kemper will be back in January!

Voyager Media Center/VBC Virtual Fall Book Fair is UNDERWAY - Our fall VIRTUAL book fair started on Monday, November 9th (this past Monday).  PLEASE NOTE - the book fair continues through SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd (it was previously reported that it ended on Friday, November 20th - sorry for any confusion with this). Here is a recap of some important information that was shared previously to help you plan for shopping virtually at the book fair:

• All purchases support our school as we will earn 25% in rewards
• There will be some book fair exclusive items
• All orders will be shipped directly to your home with free shipping on book orders over $25
• Link to the online fair - https://www.scholastic.com/bf/voyagerelementaryschoolnov2020 
   

District-wide Food Drive for Gleaners Food Bank IS CONTINUING - Voyager Elementary is partnering with Howell High School to support a district-wide food drive for Gleaners Food Bank.  Here is a link to a flyer that went home at the beginning of the drive.  Voyager’s student council members will be helping with the drive here at Voyager.  The drive will be held from Monday, November 2nd-Monday, November 30th.  The featured items for the remaining two weeks are as follows:

• Week 3 - Canned Vegetables (week of 11/16)
• Week 4 - Protein items/Peanut Butter/Protein Shakes (11/23-11/30)

Thank you in advance for your support of this food drive!  The HS students organizing the drive have set a goal of collecting 30,000 items for Gleaners Food Bank.

Life Changer of the Year Nomination Request - Life Changer of the Year is an annual program recognizing K-12 educators and school employees across the country. This includes teachers, para educators, custodians, secretaries, principals, lunch personnel, school nurses, guidance counselors, anyone who is employed by a K-12 school district. Anyone can nominate up to 3 employees. The program celebrates those who are making a significant difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership. Life Changer of the Year is sponsored by the National Life Group and the National Life Group Foundation. Nominations are actively being accepted for the 2020-21 Program until December 31, 2020. For more information and to make nominations, go to: https://www.lifechangeroftheyear.com/how-it-works.

This concludes the information that I have to share today! Please read the following information from others:

1. “Counselor’s Quick Tip” below.  It contains information about “gratitude”
2. District Updates - Please read this week’s information from the district.  There is a reminder about free meal availability, as well as a reminder to fill out a free and reduced lunch form if you are eligible - the district receives federal money based on the free and reduced lunch student numbers in the district.

As always, please reach out to me with any questions that you may have.  Email is the best way to reach me.  My email address is [email protected].  We are here for you and willing to assist in whatever way we can.  

Sincerely,

Kari Naghtin

Principal

Counselor’s Quick Tip: 
Gratitude

“It is not happy people who are thankful, it is thankful people who are happy.”  ~unknown 

This month brings to mind the idea of being grateful.  Gratitude is not an instinct, it is something we are taught and that we must practice.  The ability to show gratitude not only allows us to feel at peace with our lives, but it also helps us to build strong relationships with others.  There are many ways that we can help children appreciate the people and things in their lives.

• Model gratitude.  Find a time during the day where you and your child can talk about the people and things for which you are grateful.  For example, you could talk about a sunshine and cloud at dinner (a cloud being something not-so-great that happened during the day and a sunshine being something great that happened). This reinforces the idea that we can be grateful even when things are not going our way.
• Put the focus on the celebration.  When you have your child write a” wish list” for a birthday or holiday, also have him/her write a “thankful for” list (spending time with family, baking, decorating, etc.).
• Say thank you.  Make writing thank you notes or pictures a normal part of getting a gift or sharing a special event together.
• Experience volunteering.  Volunteering, even a few hours a month, can keep us connected with the world around us and affirm our part in something bigger than ourselves.  It can easily help children to feel grateful for their own situation.  Check out this link for volunteering needs in your area  Volunteer Livingston.

Your Partner in Education,

Jennifer Starkey

School Counselor 

District Updates

Second Semester Enrollment Change Window Ends Today 11/13/20 at 10 p.m.

The district’s second-semester enrollment window ends today, Friday, November 13, at 10 p.m. If you wish to change your child’s enrollment for the second semester (Highlander Virtual to in-person or vice versa), you must complete the enrollment change form, which can be found at https://bit.ly/2HBizdL by the 10 p.m. deadline. Some families had contacted us to rescind their enrollment change request based on the rising COVID-19 cases. If you wish to rescind your enrollment change request, please complete the form again.

Health and Safety Reminders

The current increase in community spread of COVID-19 is impacting our district. While schools remain very safe, and thanks to our strict safety protocols and mitigation strategies, we have not seen the transmission of COVID-19 in our schools. However, we are seeing an increase in students testing positive for COVID-19 based on interactions outside of school. To help ensure that our schools can remain open for in-person instruction, we must all continue to follow good public health practices such as frequently washing our hands, avoiding large and social gatherings, wearing a mask when around others, and staying home when displaying any signs of illness. Remember that if anyone in your household has tested positive for COVID-19, your child should not attend school. Additionally, if your child has been tested for COVID-19 for any reason, they should not attend school while their test results are pending. Lastly, please remember to complete the daily student self-screener, which can be found in the Livingston County Health Department Back to School Toolkit at https://bit.ly/2PLeaoW. 

Meal Distribution and Free School Meals Reminder

Each week the Howell Public Schools Food Service Department holds two meal kit distribution events. The first is on Tuesday’s from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Howell High School loading dock, and the second is on Thursday’s from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Three Fires Elementary bus lot off Latson Road. The meal kits are free and available to any family with children under the age of 18. Also, please remember that due to federal waivers, all school meals are free this year. While all school meals are free, it is still important to complete a Free and Reduced Meals application if your family qualifies. The Free and Reduced Meals application can be found at https://bit.ly/2z6nDlP. 

Job Openings at Howell Public Schools

Howell Public Schools currently has several job openings in its Food Service Department and for education aides in schools around the district. To view the district’s current job opportunities, please visit www.HowellSchools.com/Jobs.