Voyager Elementary School

The Viking View 12/22/2023

Dear Voyager Families,

As we approach the much-anticipated holiday break, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible energy and enthusiasm that filled our school building this week. 

Our week was highlighted by a special assembly sponsored by the Voyager Booster Club, featuring the dynamic “Jim Basketball Jones." The assembly was not only entertaining but also carried a powerful message centered around the Growth Mindset and the "Power of Yet." It was a highly engaging and interactive experience that left a lasting impact on our school community.

Additionally, we were treated to a mesmerizing performance by the Howell High School Chorale. The students were captivated by their singing talent, and it served as a wonderful reminder of the importance of the arts in our school.

Throughout the week, both staff and students participated in fun spirit days, creating a lively and dynamic atmosphere within our school walls. These spirit days not only brought joy but also fostered a sense of unity and camaraderie among our Voyager family.

As we approach the holiday season, the entire staff at Voyager would like to extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. May your holiday be filled with joy, laughter, and cherished moments. Please take this time to relax, rejuvenate, and create lasting memories with your family and friends. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for an outstanding second semester!

Warm regards,

Danielle Schmidt

Parking Lot Update

Due to traffic and safety concerns during the high school dismissal, there will be a slight change in our dismissal procedures that will be implemented for the safety and well-being of our students and families. Beginning January 8, 2024, the parking lot gate will be closed and locked each day until 3:00 PM. We understand that this adjustment may cause a slight inconvenience and temporary backup in our pick-up line, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we prioritize the safety of everyone on our school premises.

This decision was not taken lightly, and we want to assure you that it is essential to maintain a safe environment within our parking lot. Unfortunately, recent circumstances have compromised the safety of our students, staff, and parents. Despite our efforts to address the issues without resorting to closing the gate, we have experienced continued high school traffic cutting through our lots at unsafe speeds, posing a risk to everyone present.

By closing the gate until 3:00 PM, we aim to minimize the potential for accidents and ensure the safety of all individuals within our school grounds. We understand that this may cause some inconvenience, and we appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work together to create a secure environment for everyone.

I would also like to extend our gratitude for Officer Sawyer, who has been a great partner in ensuring we maintain safety on school grounds. 

Important Dates

12/25-1/5: Holiday Break; No School 

1/8: School Resumes

1/11: VBC Meeting 6-7 PM

1/15: NO SCHOOL 

Holiday Break

This year, our Holiday Break runs from Monday, December 25, through Friday, January 5, with classes resuming on Monday, January 8. During the break, our office and district office hours will be adjusted to accommodate the holiday schedule. If you need to visit our school of the district office during the break, please call before visiting to ensure the office is open on the day of your planned visit. 

District Food Drive a Huge Success 

We are thrilled to share the remarkable results of the recent district-wide food drive supporting Gleaners Community Food Bank. The community's generosity has been overwhelming, with 14,648 pounds of food donated and $9,091.633 in monetary donations. The monetary contributions were matched on Giving Tuesday, doubling our impact to $18,183.26. This effort will provide approximately 72,127 meals to our neighbors in Livingston County. We are immensely grateful for everyone's support during this holiday season.

Greetings, Voyager Families.

I trust this message finds you well as we approach the conclusion of the first semester. It's incredible to reflect on the myriad accomplishments we've achieved together as a school community. With only 10 school wake-ups left until the holiday break, it's an opportune time to acknowledge and celebrate our successes.

This past weekend, our Robotics Teams demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork at the annual Robotics Festival. Their dedication and enthusiasm were truly commendable, and they represented our school with pride. Congratulations to all students and mentors involved for a job well done!

Exciting news continues as the Voices of Voyager Choir has been selected to participate in Channel 10 WILX's A Mid-Michigan Christmas. This prestigious opportunity not only showcases the incredible talent within our school but also spreads festive joy to the wider community. Kudos to our choir members for their outstanding achievement.

Our first music program of the year took place this week. It was a bittersweet moment for all of us as we gathered for the last music performance of our incredible 5th graders' elementary school journey. It was a great evening as we cherished the laughter, applauded the talent, and continued to make lasting memories with this class.  

A special mention is due for our Student Council, whose exceptional efforts in supporting the high school leadership students with the canned food drive have not gone unnoticed. The Voyager Community collected 2207 cans and raised $2,306. Congratulations to Mrs. Runion’s class for 1st place with 1061 cans, Mrs. Hibbard’s class for 2nd place with 880 cans and Mrs. DeJaegher’s class for 3rd place with 512 cans!

We are thrilled to share the exciting news of the recent Reaching Higher Graduation Ceremony held earlier this week. It was truly an inspiring and momentous occasion, and we are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our outstanding students.For those who may not be familiar, Reaching Higher is a youth personal leadership program that focuses on building essential skills for success. The program emphasizes the development of self-confidence, goal attainment, positive stress management, positive decision-making skills, and increased motivation.

This holiday season, I encourage you to celebrate the successes, big and small, with your children. Whether it's mastering a new concept, making new friends, or participating in extracurricular activities, every achievement is a testament to their efforts and your ongoing support. Here's to a strong finish and an even stronger start to the second semester!

Warm Regards. 

Danielle Schmidt

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District Holiday Card Art Contest

Each year, Superintendent MacGregor selects holiday-themed artwork created by a student to be featured on the district's holiday card. Students from begindergarten through fifth grade are invited to showcase their creativity by submitting an original holiday design for the card. With your help and permission, students should send their artwork to [email protected] by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13. Please include the student's name, grade, and school in the email.

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Important Dates

12/13: 1st Grade Music Program 7 PM 

12/18: HOLIDAY HAT DAY

           Santa Shop (12/18-12/21)

           Dine to Donate Detroit Wings

12/19  FLANNEL VS FANCY

12/20: UGLY SWEATER DAY

12/21: RED/GREEN DAY

12/22: WINTER PJ DAY

12/25-1/5: Holiday Break; No School 

1/8: School Resumes

1/11: VBC Meeting 6-7 PM

The Student Council has planned some fun SPIRIT Days for the last week of school!

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Counselor's Corner

Family Educational Series on School Avoidance

On Thursday, December 14, from 6 to 7 p.m., Howell Public Schools is offering an insightful session on school avoidance as part of its monthly family educational series. This webinar will explore common causes and offer strategies to address this challenge. Attend in person at the Howell High School Freshman Campus Media Center, with refreshments and child care available (register at https://bit.ly/3QXLWGL) or join online at https://cookcenter.info/Dec14Livingston. Take advantage of this opportunity to support your child's educational journey!

Mobile Food Pantry in Howell on Thursday, December 21, 2023

On Thursday, December 21, Gleaners Food Bank will have a Mobile Food Pantry in the bus lot at 411 N. Highlander Way (between Highlander Way Middle School and the Freshman Campus). The Mobile Food Pantry will be open from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone in the community needing food can drive through and pick up food from the Mobile Food Pantry. A family of 4 receives about 40-45 pounds of food. A Family of 5 or more receives double the amount. Each portion comprises fresh produce, milk, meat, and shelf-stable items. If you have any questions regarding the Howell Food Mobile or food access in Howell, please contact Gleaners Food Bank at 517-548-3710.