Voyager Elementary School

Dear Voyager Families, Thank you to everyone for welcoming me to Voyager!  We have had a great start to the 19-20 school year! Here at Voyager, we RISE UP to be the very best we can be!!  We RISE UP in everything we do!  RISE stands for Responsibility, Integrity, Safety, and Empathy!!  During the first 8 days of school, the focus has been on establishing with our students what it means to RISE UP here at Voyager.  This work has revolved around our  Voyager Behavior Expectations Matrix .  Teachers have been explicitly teaching, modeling, and providing opportunities for our students to practice the behaviors outlined in the matrix.  In addition to work around the matrix, they have used this time to establish the culture in their classroom - building relationships and establishing classroom expectations.  A twist on a well-known quote: Our students may forget what we say to them, but they will never forget how we made them feel! This is true of peer to peer relationships, as well - students will never forget how peers treat them.  Establishing positive relationships early on is critical to establishing a successful environment for learning. As we finish day 8, I can truly say that we are RISING UP, and have embarked on what is going to be a fantastic school year!  I would like to thank our families for all you do at home to support your children and the school...you are a valuable partner in what we do everyday! Consider having conversations at home with your children about what it means to RISE UP and how might they RISE UP at home, as well.  You will be hearing more as we go through the year about our expectations and how we are supporting our students social-emotional well-being, as well as their academic achievement! I would like to thank all of our families for your support and patience with the new visitor management system (RAPTOR) and our new drop-off and pick up procedures.  I know that changes like these are never easy, but at the end of the day we are making a safer environment for everyone. Here are the Voyager Drop-off & Pick-up Procedures all in one document.  Please review them periodically and carefully.  One item that we would like to highlight relative to pick-up in the afternoon - if you are the first person to get into line, please pull all the way up to the orange cones which are located beyond the main front doors.  As the line continues to move, please pull your vehicle all the way up to the car in front of you. Please contact us if you have any questions or any suggestions for these new processes that we have put in place. This concludes the topics that I have to share this week, however, there are a number of updates and informational items from the district, as well as our bi-weekly note from our wonderful Elementary Counselor, Ms. Jennifer Starkey - her topic this week is on saving for college...never too early to start planning for that phase of your child’s life - even if they don’t end up going to college having money available to help them on the path they choose is a good thing.  Please check the list of upcoming events that is included in this newsletter. Our VBC is having a welcome back Cider & Donuts event this week Thursday, September 12th, and they are planning this year's Annual Trunk or Treat event for Friday, October 25th! I will look forward to seeing students and their families at both of these events. Please feel free to contact me at anytime.  My e-mail is [email protected] or you can reach me by calling the main office at 517-552-7500 ext. 46503. Sincerely, Kari Naghtin, Principal Counselor’s Corner:   Helping You Learn to Save For Your Child’s Education Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year!   As we embark on a new academic year, we would like to empower you and your family for success not only now, but also in the future.  Saving for your child’s education can start as early as Kindergarten! Two ways you can save for your child’s education are through MET (Michigan Education Trust) and MESP (Michigan Education Savings Program).   Both MET and MESP are simple and user friendly.  Contributions may qualify for a state tax deduction.  Also, contributions can be made automatically, either via payroll deduction or via direct deposit.  The programs boast a variety of plan options, and you can invite others to contribute to your child’s accounts through e-gifting!   To further assist you in learning about these programs, Howell Public Schools invites you to participate in a college savings Webinar!   You can access the interactive session from your computer and interact with live presenters. For information, visit https://www.misaves.com/ and click on “The Buzz” and then “Events and Webinars.” Dates and times for this fall are listed below.   September 10 at 12 noon September 18 at 7 pm September 24 at 12 noon October 8 at 12 noon October 22 at 12 noon RSVP today and instructions will be sent to you via email.   You can also click here to access the MESP/MET flyer.  Dates and times are listed in the lower left corner.  Click RSVP to register today!    We are looking forward to a wonderful 2019-2020 school year!   Feel free to reach out at any time.   Your Partner in Education, Jennifer Starkey, School Counselor District Updates: Howell Cross Country - Elementary Cross Country Meet On Wednesday, September 25, the Howell Cross Country program will host its second annual district-wide Elementary Cross Country Meet. The course will cover a one-mile portion of the middle school cross country course at Highlander Way Middle School. The event is open to all Howell elementary students in grades kindergarten through fifth. Elementary runners will be responsible for their transportation to Highlander Way on Wednesday, September 25, 2019. The girl's race will start at 5:15 p.m. and the boy's race will begin at 5:30 p.m. Runners will be allowed to warm up on the course at 4:55 p.m. To learn more about the event or to register your child, please visit https://forms.gle/oGofkHCbQWqFQsPs6.  Highlander Reading Express Books If your child still has books that were checked out from the Highlander Reading Express over the summer, please have them return the books to our main office. Additionally, if your child received all nine stamps in their Reading Passport this summer, please have them write their name, grade, and school on the front of the Reading Passport and turn it into our main office. The district is working on purchasing the final prize for students who earned all nine stamps and needs an accurate number.   Julianna's Wishes Miles for Smiles Kids Fun Run On Saturday, September 28 Julianna's Wishes, a 501c3 non-profit charity that was created in honor of Julianna Ward-Brown, a Howell High School student who passed away will hold its second annual Miles for Smilies 5/10K run/walk. New this year, the event will include a one-mile kids fun run. Howell High School in partnership with Julianna's Wishes will provide a prize for the classroom from each elementary school that has the most participants in the kids fun run. The Miles for Smilies event is to celebrate and honor the lives of children that we have lost too soon. The proceeds from the event will support scholarships for Howell High School seniors and to help fund a Celebration of Life Memorial Garden at the Howell Carnegie Library. To learn more about the event or to register, please visit http://bit.ly/2k5Morc.

The Voyager Viking View 5/24/2019

Dear Voyager Families,

We cannot give enough thanks and praise to our Voyager Volunteers! Field Day could not have gone on without the generous support from our Voyager families. Thank you to all that rose to the call of duty, and rearranged their schedules to provide our students with this special day.

The countdown for the last day of school has officially begun! You can hear the murmurs through the hallways and kids declaring, “there’s less than ten days of school left!” This time of year can be difficult for students to maintain focus with summer on the brain. Teachers are still busy coordinating end of year parties, finishing projects, looking at students’ growth, and making plans for the following year. If you have signed up to help with a classroom party or attend a field trip please make sure that you check into the main office and have a background check on file.

To assist with the end of year transitions, it is most helpful for students and staff to keep student transportation as consistent as possible.  This is especially helpful during the last week of school and on June 6th! When students This simple level of consistent routine greatly helps us help children successful work during the last week of school.  Thank you for partnering with us on this component.

Playground

Your children may have spoken about new balls, jump ropes, and other equipment on the playground.  You may have wondered how they came to arrive at Voyager. A couple of months ago, Mrs. Bean’s class began working on persuasive speeches. As the students realized that they really cared about their school and wanted to make it an even better place to play; they came up with an idea. They decided to try to persuade me to get new playground items, such as soccer nets, balls, jump ropes, and hoola hoops. After hearing their collective speeches, I offered to give it some thought. I was soon to come back and announced that I had about $2,000 from the Voyager Booster Club for these purchases.  The Bean Mustangs had to get busy. The conversations and ideas needed to become lists of real equipment. Mr. Holmes talked to the class about looking for items that were of good quality, even if they may cost a bit more. The class discussed with him ideas about what types of things hold up and keep kids interest over time. After much discussion, the class came up with questions for the Playground Equipment Representative from Gopher. A call was placed with the whole class on speaker. Questions were asked, and they clarified ideas and got suggestions. Students then made purchase orders and voted on their ideal new items. Finally, the order was placed. The “Grand Opening,” as the kids called it was this week. Huge boxes of dreamed for items piled onto the floor. It looked like outdoor recess brought inside!  Needless to say, as the items hit the playground the whole elementary membership is enjoying fresh new things for recess time! The Bean class realized that everyone can make a difference, and they did just that!

Lost and Found

As the school year closes we will work toward cleaning out the building for the summer. This includes donating our lost and found items that have accumulated throughout the year. Please stop by the Voyager cafeteria to look through these items before they are donated on the last day of school. These items will be donated on June 14.

Summer Food Resources

With summer approaching, the Livingston County Hunger Council has prepared a list of summer food resources. This list includes summer meal programs, food pantries, and other resources. You can view the resource guide at https://tinyurl.com/y3qrq9nn. Additionally, the Summer Lunch Bunch, a food assistance program put on through a partnership with The Salvation Army, the Livingston County United Way and the Livingston County Hunger Council will kick-off their summer program on Tuesday, June 18. To learn more about the Summer Lunch Bunch, please visit https://tinyurl.com/y2urp68f.  

Counselor’s Corner with Jennifer Starkey: When Children Have Emotional or Behavioral Struggles

Children feel a variety of emotions, and they often feel these emotions strongly.  To encourage mental health in children and to support parents along the way, below are tips from Mental Health America to help parents care for children’s emotional or behavioral struggles.  

1. Cover the basics.  Before you dismiss the outburst as a lack of control or disrespect, ask yourself if there is a simple explanation for the behavior.  Are they hungry or thirsty? Too hot or too cold? Overstimulated? Tired? Are they feeling under the weather (i.e. - colds, allergies, etc.)

2. Pick your battles.  Ask yourself if the specific behavior is doing any harm or if it’s just annoying.  If it’s annoying, it’s not worth arguing over. If you do engage, resist the urge to raise your voice.  Be matter-of-fact and stand your ground.

3. Environment matters.  Do your best to create a home that is low on stress, safe, and supportive.  Give reasonable timelines for getting homework and chores done. Praise your child for the things they do well and let them know you love them.

4. Encourage communication.  Let children know that they can talk to you about their thoughts, feelings, or difficult situations they are dealing with.  When you talk with a child who is in crisis, do your best to soften your voice and use short, clear directions. “Come with me.”  “Sit down.” “Take a deep breath.” “Tell me what’s going on.”

5. Timing is everything.  If your child is in a stressful situation or has heightened emotions/behaviors, they will need some space.  Address issues later when they have regained control over themselves.

6. Help them to help themselves.  It is great for children to learn coping skills.  Praise successes and use failures as learning opportunities.  Ask questions such as, “What can you do the next time you’re in this situation?” or “What made you feel better the last time you felt this way?”   A few coping strategies include the following:

• Mind boosters (read the story of someone you admire, play with an animal)

• Address basic needs (drink some water, have a healthy snack, take a bath or shower, take a nap)

• Process feelings (draw how you are feeling, make a gratitude list, let yourself cry)

• Problem-solving (make a list of solutions to problems.  Go over the list with a friend or family member)

• Volunteer/do acts of kindness (do something nice for someone you know)

• Relaxation exercises (belly breathing, mindfulness exercises, yoga, go for a walk)

• Ask for help (talk to a parent, trusted adult, teacher, counselor, etc.)

As always, feel free to reach out for additional support or for more specific information!

Sincerely,

Mindy McGinn, Principal

Join us on Twitter:  @VoyagerVikings

The Voyager Viking View 5/10/2019

Dear Voyager Families,

On behalf of the students and staff of Voyager and all of Howell Public Schools, thank you to each of you who supported the bond proposal on Tuesday. This approval will allow the district to complete security updates and many major maintenance projects at our school and across the district.

It is almost impossible to believe we only have 18 days left of this school year! As we near the end of another school year it is important to reflect upon the service provided to students by our staff. This week was National Teacher Appreciation Week. Part of the reason why our school is such an amazing place is because of our staff.  I am greatly appreciative of the dedication they bring to this school each day!

Many of our children begin their day with members of our transportation department. They transport our students with safety as the first expectation. Once students arrive at school, many enjoy a nutritious breakfast, and later in the day a lunch provided by our food service department. Our paraprofessionals work with students to meet their needs and provide supervision in the lunchroom, playground, and classroom. Our custodial staff provides our buildings with a safe, clean and inviting environment to enter every day. Our secretaries coordinate all of the demands of the office and support the whole school including teachers, parents, and students with their daily needs. Last but certainly not least is our teaching staff. Our teachers work tirelessly to ensure that your child is getting the best possible education possible. Please take some time this month to reach out and thank a staff member!

Voyager’s Annual Talent Show

Talent show auditions will be the week of May 20 - May 24. All auditions will be before school starting at 8:00 a.m. or after school. There is no sign up necessary; however, if your child can not try out before or after school this week, they may try out during recess with a note from a parent. There are limited time and space options, so please make sure your child is prepared and ready to go the week of auditions.

Summer Lunch Bunch Information

With the school year is coming to a close, The Salvation Army is gearing up for its Summer Lunch Bunch program. This Summer Lunch Bunch is a food assistance program put on through a partnership with The Salvation Army, the Livingston County United Way and the Livingston County Hunger Council. The program will run June 17 through August 16, with several locations throughout Livingston County. To learn more, please visit https://tinyurl.com/y2urp68f.

Robotics Night

Come and learn all about the K-12 Howell Highlander Robotics program Thursday, May 16 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Parker Middle School. At the event, students and parents will learn about the various robotics programs offered to students in each of the district’s buildings. There will also be hands-on robot demonstrations and team displays. To learn more, please visit https://tinyurl.com/y3mxaqrp.

Coffee Chat with Superintendent MacGregor

Next Thursday, May 16, Superintendent MacGregor will hold his final Coffee Chat of the school year. The Coffee Chat will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce, which is located at 123 E. Washington St.

Counselor’s Corner with Jennifer Starkey: May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It is a time to educate the public about mental health, recommit to research and advocacy, and reduce the stigma and discrimination around mental illness.

Mental health refers to a person's overall psychological and emotional well-being. A healthy lifestyle can prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, which affects 1 in 5 people.

Experts suggest that humor, spirituality, recreation, animal companionship, and work-life balance are essential for everyone, especially those with chronic health conditions. Here are some other simple lifestyle tips and resources to support strong mental health and self-care:

• Be purposefully positive by tracking gratitude and achievement. Write 3 things you were grateful for and 3 things you were able to accomplish each day in a journal.

• Use Colortherapy.app - an app for everyday people to destress through a social coloring experience. The in-app community benefits from friendly, unconditional support to voice worries while creating beautiful artwork to share with the world.

• Ensure your social media interactions are as positive as possible. Choose apps and programs that are affirming and positive.

• Nurture your relationships. Show some love to someone in your life. Close, quality relationships are key for a happy, healthy life. And don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

• Look into Themighty.com - a safe, supportive online community for people facing health challenges and the people who care for them.

• Take time to laugh. Hang out with a funny friend, watch a comedy or check out cute videos online. Laughter helps reduce anxiety.

• Unplug. Leave your smartphone at home for a day and disconnect from constant emails, alerts, and other interruptions. Spend time doing something fun with someone face-to-face.

• For more information and resources, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness at nami.org.

As always, for more support, or a more personal family plan, please reach out: [email protected]

 Sincerely,

Mindy McGinn, Principal

Join us on Twitter:  @VoyagerVikings

The Voyager Viking View 4/26/2019

Dear Voyager Families,

Here is a special Thank You, to all of our students and families! It was so wonderful to see the excitement through student’s eyes during our first session of the Viking VIP Breakfast. Students were able to introduce loved ones to their friends and enjoy each others company over breakfast. It was a wonderful way to start the day! If you missed the first session be sure to join us for the last session on May 2nd.

In addition, thank you for making sure your student has sufficient rest and a balanced breakfast during this testing season. Testing can seem overwhelming to some students, but making sure they start the morning off right can help to ease anxiety. Please keep in mind that students cannot enter the classroom once a testing session has begun. Students will be able to enter when a break has been initiated. This will be helpful to remember when scheduling morning appointments. It is in the best interest of all students to be to school on time.

Information on the May 7 Election

We are less than two weeks away from the bond election on May 7. Due to the passage of the statewide ballot proposal 18-3 in November, all eligible and registered voters in Michigan may now request an absent voter ballot without providing a reason. You may request an absentee ballot via first class mail up until 5 p.m. on May 3. After May 3, you may request a ballot in person at your local clerk's office until

4 p.m. on Monday, May 6. Voting by absentee ballot is a great way to ensure you cast your vote on May 7 regardless of what your schedule looks like that day. If you are not registered to vote, you may register anytime before the election at your local clerk's office. Proposal 18-3 also allows individuals to register and vote on May 7 in person in their local clerk’s office or vote in person in the proper precinct. To learn more about the bond proposal that will be on the May 7 ballot, please visit HowellSchools.com/ForOurKids.

Howell Athletics Sports Physicals

Howell Public Schools Athletic Department has partnered with Probility Physical Therapy to offer sports physicals for the 2019-2020 school year on On Thursday, May 30 in the Howell High School Fieldhouse. Physicals are $20.00 per student and all proceeds will benefit Howell Athletics. To learn more, please visit https://tinyurl.com/y2momdty.

Voyager Booster Club Needs Your Help

Hello Voyager families!

Please consider donating to Teacher/Staff Appreciation week coming up May 6-10 because we cannot do this without your help! We are looking for food donations for:

• Monday May 6, Coffee Bar (Coffee provided by Biggby!)

• Wednesday, May 8 Nacho Bar

• Friday, May 10 Salad Bar

• If you prefer to donate money instead of a food item, please send money with your student with checks made out to “Voyager Booster Club” or via the PayPal link with “Teacher/Staff Appreciation” in the notes/comments section.

Thank you for your support in showing how much we love our Voyager teachers and staff!

Sign up Genius:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080c4cacaf2ca3fa7-teacher

PayPal:

Http://www.PayPal.me/voyagerboosterclub

Counselor’s Corner with Jennifer Starkey: The Bond and Our Kids

Mental health is about so much more than emotional well-being. It is about perceived self-efficacy (how valuable one feels), autonomy (the ability to be independent), competence (the ability to be successful), and intellectual and emotional potential.

On Tuesday, May 7, our community will vote on a bond proposal to provide $39 million for improvements to our schools (while lowering the current debt millage). These improvements will have a positive impact on our students' mental health and well-being in many ways. Most notably, it will convey that our community believes our students are valuable and deserving of a safe, creative, and healthy learning environment.

If you are curious about the overall proposal, or the specific upgrades our school would see, visit HowellSchools.com/ForOurKids.  Yesterday’s schools can’t keep pace with today’s kids! Please get out and vote on May 7th, and encourage your friends and neighbors to join you.

As always, please reach out with questions, concerns, or requests for support: [email protected]  

Sincerely,

Mindy McGinn, Principal

Join us on Twitter:  @VoyagerVikings

The Voyager Viking View 4/12/2019

Dear Voyager Families,

We have so many exciting things happening at Voyager during this last quarter. The Voyager Booster Club will be holding the annual Viking Breakfast with your VIP on April 24 (last names A-L) and May 2 (last names M-Z) from 8:00-8:45 am. This event was formerly known as Donuts with Dad and Muffins with Mom. More information went home with students this week, please RSVP by April 16.

The Voices of Voyager will be singing the national anthem at the Lansing Lugnuts game on May 3. Families from all grade levels are invited to support the Voices of Voyager and watch the ball game, please contact Mrs. Schoendorff for questions about purchasing tickets. In addition, The Voices of Voyager will hold their Spring Concert and Military Recognition Ceremony for students and staff at Voyager on May 15 at 2pm and again for parents at 7pm.

Field Day is scheduled to take place on May 23 with a rain date of May 24. This event requires an army of volunteers, please consider donating some of your time for this fun filled day. More information regarding this event will be sent home soon.

If you have any questions regarding upcoming events at Voyager please utilize the calendar tab on the Voyager website. More details can be found by clicking the event on the selected date within the calendar. Our Voyager website provides a wealth of information including morning announcements, lunch schedules and menus, the principal’s message, teacher email addresses, etc.

Learn About The Howell Schools Bond Proposal

On Tuesday, May 7, our community will vote on a bond proposal to provide $39 million for improvements to all Howell Schools buildings, while lowering the current debt millage. Next Tuesday, April 16 at 6 p.m., Superintendent MacGregor will hold a community meeting to share information about the bond proposal. Attending the meeting is an excellent opportunity to hear what projects the bond would fund at our school and around the district. It is also an opportunity to ask any questions you have about the bond. You can also find information about the proposal at HowellSchools.com/ForOurKids.

Placement Consideration Forms

The Howell elementary schools have adopted a process that allows parents to provide the school with information about their child that will assist in the placement of the child through the use of a Placement Consideration Form (PCF).  The form asks that you describe the educational setting, (academics, behavioral and physical), that you would like to have for your child without naming a particular teacher. We do not accept specific teacher requests. It is important to be as detailed as possible stating the type of classroom environment that would benefit your child. The form will be available in the school office beginning on Monday, April 15, 2019, and will be accepted through Friday, April 26, 2019.  Remember that your child’s current teacher knows the learning style that best suits your child.

Senior Survivor Carnival

This year, the Howell High School student council is creating a community-wide event to kick off Senior Survivor Week! All Howell Public Schools’ students and families are invited to the Senior Survivor Carnival on Friday, April 26 at 6 p.m. in the Howell High School Field House! Activities at the carnival will include games, inflatables, photo booth, arts and crafts, raffles, entertainment, and food. Admission is $10 per person (kids under age 3 are free), or you can buy a family pass for $30 (up to 5 family members from the same home.) An adult must accompany students in eighth grade or below. All proceeds from the carnival will go towards a scholarship in memory of Julianna Ward-Brown.

Counselor’s Corner with Jennifer Starkey: Tips for a Restful Night’s Sleep!

Spring time; it’s here!  With spring come longer days and busy schedules packed tight with sporting events, spring performances, sunshine…and let’s not forget spring testing!  While these events keep everyone active and on a schedule, it is important to remember that to be fully fueled, children need adequate sleep. In fact, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, children ages 6-12 require 9-12 hours of sleep.  

Below are tips from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to help families encourage healthy sleep habits.

Prepare a “sleep friendly” snack before bed.  Below are a few recipes to help you get started:

Prepare a “Snoozy Banana Shake” by combining 2 ripe bananas, 1 cup milk, and ¾ cup vanilla yogurt in a blender.  Blend until smooth. The potassium, magnesium, and calcium in this tasty treat contain nutrients that promote healthy sleep.  

Create a “Cherry Banana Smash” by combining ½ cup frozen tart cherries and ½ a ripe banana in a ziplock bag.  Using your hands, smash the contents of the bag until smooth. Open the bag, grab a spoon, and enjoy! This delectable treat offers melatonin and potassium which may help you fall asleep.

Help your kids wind down before bed.  Do activities that calm the mind and body.  Examples include journaling (writing thoughts or the next day’s to-do list), breathing exercises, and yoga.  Other calming activities could include a relaxing bath or shower, reading, listening to relaxing music, and playing a repetitive game (like crossword puzzles or word searches).

Start your child’s bedtime routine at the same time each night, and set the alarm for the same time every morning.

Put away and power off devices.  Light stimulates parts of the brain that regulate hormones, body temperature, and other sleep/awake functions.

Make sure your child’s sleeping space is comfortable.  This might include soft pillows, no distractions, and the ability to make the space dark.  Your child might also want to sleep with a favorite sleeping item, like a stuffed animal or favorite blanket or pillow.

And with that, we wish you all a restful and peaceful night’s sleep!

Camp Infinity!

Attention families of current 4th and 5th grade girls!   If your daughter is interested in learning more about robotics, website design, and programming, be sure to check out Camp Infinity!  Camp Infinity introduces girls to computer technologies through hands-on activities during each week long session. Meet women who work in IT fields and explore career options in technology.  Camp dates and times are June 17-21, 2019 from 9-4 daily, 9-3 on Friday. The cost for camp is $75 per camper, and limited scholarships are available. Questions? Call Laura Hoehn at 517.540.6807 or email [email protected].  Dates, information, and registration can be found online at www.mcwt.org

Sincerely,

Mindy McGinn, Principal

Join us on Twitter:  @VoyagerVikings