The Viking View 5/17/2024

Charletta Purdy — Mon, 20 May 2024 14:56:00 GMT

Greetings, Voyager Families. A special thanks to our Voyager families and friends for your incredible efforts in making our first annual Fun Run a resounding success! The enthusiasm and energy displayed by our students during the event were truly infectious. It was heartwarming to see them having such a fantastic time while participating in this healthy and enjoyable activity. A massive round of applause is also due to our exceptional VBC and volunteers. Your dedication and hard work did not go unnoticed, and we are immensely grateful for the support you provided throughout the event. I am thrilled to announce that, thanks to everyone's combined efforts, we were able to raise an impressive $9,912! This achievement is a testament to the generosity and community spirit that thrives within our school. The funds raised will be utilized by the Voyager Booster Club to further support our students and enhance their educational experience. Whether it's through providing additional resources, organizing enriching activities, or supporting various school initiatives, your generosity will undoubtedly make a significant impact. There is still time to show your support! We currently have 30% of our students signed up and would love to get to 50%! Click the link to sign up: https://www.getmovinfundhub.com/register?school_uuid=66311c0e021a4 Donations will be accepted through May 27th at midnight. Donations to determine our Top 10 fundraisers will close this Sunday, May 19th. On Monday, Field day, they will get to soak a staff member who has volunteered! Have a wonderful weekend! Warm regards, Danielle Schmidt A Field Day Message from Mrs. Schrock Hi everyone, We are SO close to Field Day! It is this upcoming Monday, May 20th. Here are a couple of reminders: Please send a water bottle to school with your child. They will be able to keep them in a wagon that a volunteer will bring around as students move to the different stations. If you signed up to donate items please bring them in no later than this Friday (I am still waiting on a couple items that were signed up for). I will be setting up stations this weekend and need all the items to set them up. If you signed up to volunteer, please arrive at 9:00 am for the morning session and at 12:30 pm for the afternoon session so that I can give directions and we can start promptly. In order to volunteer, you must have a completed background check. Also, your flexibility with volunteering is appreciated if unexpected last minute changes are needed. More information is included in the attached photo, and I have included the sign up genius link as well as a reminder. Please let me know if you have any questions (schrockk@howellschools.com)! Mrs. Schrock Highlander Reading Express Summer Schedule Get ready for an exciting summer with The Highlander Reading Express! The district's mobile library is hitting the road, bringing books and fun to various areas throughout the district. Starting Tuesday, June 11, the Highlander Reading Express will embark on its summer route, spreading the joy of reading to all. Don't miss out on the excitement! Visit HowellSchools.com/ReadingExpress to find the schedule and stops, and join us for a summer full of stories and fun! "Plant Great Seeds" Leadership Camp This summer Reaching Higher is launching the "Plant Great Seeds" Leadership Camp. Designed for children entering grades 1-5 in Livingston County, this camp offers an incredible opportunity for young leaders to grow and thrive. The day camp will run from Monday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., from July 22nd to 25th. We hope you can help us spread the word to families. To learn more, please visit https://bit.ly/3UCLFuM. Howell Robotics Interest Form If your child is interested in joining the Howell Robotics program, please fill out the Howell Robotics Interest form at https://bit.ly/3UHC5Ih. The program has teams at the elementary, middle, and high school levels,

The Viking View 4/19/2024

Charletta Purdy — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 20:18:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, Wow, spring is truly an incredible time of the year, isn't it? As the weather warms up and nature bursts into bloom, our school is filled with energy and excitement. I wanted to take a moment to share some highlights and upcoming events with you. During a recent staff meeting, our team had the pleasure of reflecting on the incredible progress and success stories of our students. The growth we've witnessed this year is truly remarkable, and it fills us with pride and gratitude. Starting our day with these uplifting stories was a wonderful way to reaffirm our commitment to our students as we gear up for the busiest time of the year. At Voyager, one of our key priorities is to provide authentic learning experiences for our students. As we enter this vibrant season, we're looking forward to offering new opportunities for hands-on learning through various field trips. Each grade level has an exciting excursion planned for May, and we can't wait to see our students engage with their learning in new and meaningful ways. May will also be filled with activity as we also focus on strengthening our school community and celebrating our successes together. We're thrilled to announce our First Annual Voyager VBC Fun Run, where students and families can come together for a day of fitness, fun, and fundraising. Additionally, we'll be hosting Field Day, classroom celebrations, and our much-anticipated 5th grade Completion Ceremony. There's so much to look forward to, and we can't wait to share these special moments with all of you. Here's to a spring season filled with growth, joy, and unforgettable memories! Warm regards, Danielle Schmidt Howell Robotics Open House On Monday, April 29, from 6 to 8 p.m., the Highlander Robotics program is hosting an open house for anyone who would like to learn more about the robotics programs offered in the district. Attendees can meet with the elementary, middle, and high school teams to learn about the programs and FIRST Robotics. To learn more, please visit https://bit.ly/3U5XlWt. Reminder: Free Breakfast and Lunch for All Students Thanks to the Michigan School Meals program, breakfast and lunch are provided free of charge to all students. To qualify for a free meal, students must select a complete meal consisting of an entrée and at least a half cup of fruit or vegetable. A la carte items are not included in the free meal program, and students cannot incur negative balances on their meal accounts for additional servings or a la carte items. Meals for adults are not free, and adults are also prohibited from accruing negative balances on their meal accounts. Important Dates 5/2 VBC Meeting 6-7 PM 5/17 VBC Voyager Fun Run 5/17 Voyager Choir to Sing National Anthem at Lugnuts Game 5/20 Field Day 5/21 KG Music Program 7-8 PM 5/27 Memorial Day - No School 5/29 5th Grade Completion Ceremony 2-3:30 PM Counselor's Corner Each summer, the elementary counselors share a comprehensive list of summer opportunities and activities for families! If you know of any low-cost or free resources, programs, or activities that could be helpful for Howell families, please share that information with your school counselor! We are looking for ideas in the areas of reading and learning, parenting, food, general assistance, and just for fun!

The Viking View 4/5/2024

Charletta Purdy — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 20:13:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, As you may be aware, on Monday, April 8, 2024, there will be a solar eclipse. Even though Howell is not in the path of totality, this is still a very exciting astronomical event. However, the risk of eye injury to everyone, especially children who may not understand that the danger of looking directly at the sun is heightened during an eclipse. In Howell, the eclipse will begin at 2:40 p.m., reach near totality around 3:15 p.m., and end by 4:20 p.m. During this time, children are transitioning to their homes, after-school activities, and after-school care, which presents a challenge in providing sufficient adult supervision. Please remind your child that at no time will it be safe to look at the sun without the protection of authentic and properly certified eclipse viewing glasses. At Voyager Elementary, we are taking the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our students during this event. It is important to note that only our 5th-grade students will be participating in viewing the solar eclipse as part of their science curriculum. Safety glasses will be provided to them, along with clear instructions and supervision during the viewing. However, we understand that some families may prefer for their 5th grader not to participate, and therefore, an opt-out option has been communicated by our 5th-grade teachers. Students in grades BK-4th will not be participating in the eclipse viewing. We will be implementing the following safety plans due to the timing of the eclipse coinciding with our afternoon dismissal: Bus Dismissal: Students riding the bus home will be dismissed by bus number. This allows our supervisors to manage fewer students at one time and provide reminders not to look directly at the sun. Pick-Up Dismissal: We will have additional staff members stationed to remind students of safety precautions and supervise as they exit the building and head to their cars. If you are planning to keep your child home on this day, we kindly ask that you consider calling their absence today. This will assist our office staff in managing the increased volume of attendance calls expected for that day. Additionally, if you plan on picking your child up early, please be aware that the eclipse will begin at 2:40 PM. Your child's safety is our top priority, and we appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we implement these safety measures. Sincerely, Danielle Schmidt Senior Survivor Kick-Off Carnival Howell High School's Student Council is excited to launch this year's Senior Survivor Week with the Senior Survivor Kick-off Carnival. The carnival will be held on Friday, April 19, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the high school field house. There will be activities for all ages, including inflatables, games, a photo booth, entertainment, student performances, food trucks, crafts, raffles, prizes, and other attractions. Admission is $10 for children and students ages 3-18 and free for adults and children under 2. To learn more, please visit https://bit.ly/3qff1Ry. Voyager Junior Survivors Thank you for supporting our Junior Survivors this week with our popcorn day. Don’t forget tonight they are hosting a Hawaiian Family Fun Night from 6-8 PM. Our Junior Survivors have been working hard making some amazing crafts to sell on Tuesday, April 9th through Thursday, April 11th. They will be selling in the main hallway by the gym before school starts each morning. All proceeds will benefit Senior Survivor and Community Catalysts. 2024 State of the District Event On Thursday, April 18, at 6 p.m., we will host our State of the District event. During this event, Superintendent MacGregor will update district stakeholders on this district's innovative initiatives and programs, district initiatives, projects relating to the Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future bond, and our vision for the future. The event will be held in the Edinburg room at the district's administrative offices.

The Viking View 3/15/2024

Charletta Purdy — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 14:58:00 GMT

Greetings, It is hard to believe that we are fast approaching the end of the school year and beginning preparations for the 2024-2025 academic year. One important aspect of our preparation is determining teacher grade level placement and individual student class placement. Our elementary schools provide an opportunity for parents to provide information that they believe will assist in the placement of their child through the Placement Consideration Form (PCF), which can be found here. This form allows you to describe the educational setting you believe would best benefit your child, without naming a specific teacher. Please be as detailed as possible when filling out the form, indicating the type of classroom environment that you believe would support your child's growth and development. Again it is important to note that specific teacher requests cannot be accommodated. If a teacher's name is written on the form, it will not be accepted or considered. While we value your input through the PCF, please remember that your child's current teacher is most familiar with their learning style and needs. We strive to balance parental input with professional expertise to ensure the best possible placement for each student. If you chose to complete a form, please do so by Friday, April 12th, 2024. Thank you for your support and collaboration in this process. Your input is invaluable as we work to create a successful learning environment for every student at Voyager Elementary School. Wishing you a restful and enjoyable Spring Break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday, April 1st, for the final 43 days of the school year. Sincerely, Danielle Schmidt Important Dates 3/18-3/19 Hearing Screening 3/20 3rd Grade Music Program 7-8 PM 3/25-3/29 Spring Break 4/1 School Resumes 4/3 Choir Performance at Howell Library 11:30 AM 4/6 VBC Meeting 6:00 PM MI Student Voice Family Perception Survey This past Monday, Superintendent MacGregor sent an email inviting you to share your insights on our school and district through the MI Student Voice Family Perception Survey. Your feedback provided in the survey helps us gauge how we are doing as a school and district and informs us of our continuous improvement efforts. Please complete the survey for your oldest child's school, and if your time permits, we would greatly appreciate your input on any other schools your children attend within our district. To access the survey, please visit https://bit.ly/4a7xnIB. The survey window is open through Friday, March 29, 2024. Mobile Food Pantry in Howell on Thursday, March 21 On Thursday, March 21, Gleaners Food Bank's Mobile Food Pantry will be in the bus lot at 411 N. Highlander Way (between Highlander Way Middle School and the Freshman Campus). The 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. If you have any questions regarding the Howell Food Mobile or food access in Howell, please contact Gleaners Food Bank at 517-548-3710.

The Viking View 3/1/2024

Charletta Purdy — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 14:42:00 GMT

Greetings, Voyager Families. Get ready to power up your reading skills because it's March is Reading Month, and we're gearing up for an epic adventure with our "Game On" theme! Throughout the month, we have planned a variety of exciting activities and events to get students excited about reading and inspire them to dive into new worlds through books. From engaging read-aloud sessions to fun reading challenges and themed activities, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. We encourage you to join us in celebrating March is Reading Month at home by setting aside time each day to read with your child, exploring new books together, and sharing your own love of reading. By making reading a priority in our homes and in our school, we can instill a lifelong love of learning and literacy in our children. Sincerely, Danielle Schmidt National School Breakfast Week is March 4-8 Howell Public Schools will celebrate National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) from March 4-8, 2024, to encourage more families to take advantage of the healthy choices available with school breakfast. The NSBW campaign theme, "Surf's Up with School Breakfast," reminds the entire school community that healthy breakfast options are available to give students an energizing start to the day. Busy weekday mornings can make it challenging for families to find time for a healthy breakfast. Fortunately, our Food Service Department offers nutritious school breakfasts with fruit and low-fat or fat-free milk to ensure students are fueled for learning every school day. To view our school's breakfast menu, please visit http://bit.ly/3ENeVYD. Howell Public Schools Student Perception Survey This year, the district and our school will participate in the MI Student Voice Perception Survey. The survey provides invaluable insights into how we are doing as a district to help guide district improvement planning. The survey will be administered to fifth through twelfth-grade students and is designed to provide a holistic picture of the student experience beyond test scores. Topics covered include perceptions of students' engagement, belonging, and social-emotional learning. The survey does not ask questions regarding drug or alcohol use, intimate relationships, political or religious affiliations, or other personal information. You can review the survey questions at https://bit.ly/3uI5Iz2. If you would prefer your child not take part in the survey, please complete an opt-out form at https://bit.ly/49kk7QR by Friday, March 8, 2024 Monthly Family Educational Series Our next session in the district's family educational series is scheduled for Thursday, March 14, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The March session will focus on bullying. The session will equip families with strategies to identify bullying, treatment options, and strategies for prevention. To learn more about this session, please visit https://bit.ly/3OSwnjk. This month, there will not be an in-person viewing option. We encourage families to participate virtually by visiting https://cookcenter.info/March14Livingston. Attention Fifth-Grade Parents Before you know it, your students will move on to middle school. We wanted to make you aware of some important upcoming dates. The middle school principals (Dr. Tim Moore, Highlander Way Middle School principal, and Dr. Trish Poelke, Parker Middle School principal) will visit all fifth-grade classes on March 4. Before the visit, students will watch a video created by Dr. Moore and Dr. Poelke that will go over the changes to expect in the transition to middle school and some things they can start doing now to prepare. They will review the structure of the middle school day and the different encore classes offered. During the visit, the principals will answer questions from students. A fifth-grade parent night will be held on Tuesday, March 5, at 6:00 p.m. at both Parker and Highlander Way. Begindergarten and Kindergarten Information Night is Next Week Next Thursday, March 7, from 6-7 p.m., we will host our annual Begindergarten and Kindergarten information night. At this event, incoming begindergarten and kindergarten families will gain insights into the educational experiences our begindergarten and kindergarten programs offer, tour the school, and students will receive a special stuffed animal with their child's graduation year. If you have an incoming begindergarten or kindergarten student who still needs to register, please visit HowellSchools.com/KDG to start the registration process. Important Dates 3/5 Middle School Parent Night @ HWMS/Parker 6 PM 3/7 BK/KG Information Night 6PM 3/8 PJ Day 3/11-3/15 Book Fair 3/13 Books Before the Bell 9:20-10:20 AM 3/14 BOBA and Books 4-7 PM 3/13 Late Start 3/14 LOC Credit Union during lunches 3/15 Dress Like Your Favorite Character Day 3/18 Dine to Donate - Jet's Pizza Counselor’s Corner Reading not only exercises your mind, but helps to build social and emotional skills as well! Reading can increase empathy, improve relationships with others, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, promote better communication between parents and children, and encourage a greater understanding of other people and cultures. Just 15 minutes of daily reading at home can make a difference. Here are 5 quick tips to make reading a priority in your home: Always have books on hand. Keep books in odd places, like your purse and car. Make frequent trips to the library. Check out bargain book sales and garage sales. Make it fun. Design a “reading bingo”game (read to a pet, read in a pillow fort). Consider subscribing your child to a magazine for kids. Focus on their interests. Read routinely together. Schedule time to read aloud together. Take turns reading passages. There is no app to replace your lap! Make reading a regularly scheduled tradition in your home. Seek out other things to read, like menus, greeting cards, and street signs. Be a patient listener. Even if your child reads slowly, try not to finish sentences for your child. Instead, gently correct mistakes, sound out words together, and let your child know you are proud of their effort. Cut out distractions. Ask questions. Ask your child about what they are reading in school or about what you are reading together. Try to ask open-ended questions, such as “Why do you think the character did that?” or “What do you think will happen next?” Books can have healing powers! Check out http://booksthathealkids.blogspot.com/. There are over 150 book topics, ranging from acceptance, anxiety, and arguing, to sibling rivalry, teamwork, and tattling. Reading Rockets has other great tips to help children become successful readers: www.pbs.org/launchingreaders/parenttips.html . Happy reading! Your Partner in Education, Kristen Peffer

The Viking View 2/15/2024

Charletta Purdy — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 21:19:00 GMT

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 readi

The Viking View 2/2/2024

Charletta Purdy — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 14:48:00 GMT

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

1/19/2024 The Viking View

Charletta Purdy — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 21:38:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, We are thrilled to share some exciting news about the VBC's Dine to Donate program has just leveled up, and we're spreading our wings – literally! Introducing our newest partner: Detroit Wings Company! We've teamed up with Detroit Wings Company to bring you mouthwatering delights while making a positive impact in our school community. Here's the delicious deal: Detroit Wings Company will generously donate a whopping 20% of their proceeds each Monday between 4-8 PM. The funds raised will go towards purchasing prizes for our school wide student recognition program. With the chilly weather settling in, we want to make sure our students are warm, cozy, and ready to conquer the great outdoors. Our students go outside for recess each day, as long as the real feel temperature is above 10 degrees. Please ensure your child comes to school prepared to go outside each day. If you need support with warm winter gear, please contact our school counselor, Mrs. Peffer at pefferk@howellschools.com. Enjoy your weekend. Sincerely, Danielle Schmidt Community Connect 2024 is Coming Soon Don't miss Community Connect 2024 on Saturday, February 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2|42 Community Church in Brighton at 7526 Grand River Ave. for a day of community services, connection, and freebies! This event is open to everyone and will feature 50+ exhibitors offering everything from basic need info to personal care items and services like health screenings and haircuts. There will be fantastic giveaways like laundry detergent, winter gear, and more! Mark your calendars and spread the word! To learn more, please click here. The next Family Educational Series Webinar is February 8 Our next monthly family educational series session is scheduled for Thursday, February 8, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This month's session will focus on Building your child's confidence. The session will equip families with strategies that foster a growth mindset and resilience. To learn more about this session, please visit https://bit.ly/3O4dNEI. This month, there will not be an in-person viewing option. We hope you will join us for this valuable learning experience. Shrek's Swamp Party Join the cast of Parker Middle School's spring musical Sherk for Sherk's Swamp Party on Sunday, January 28, from 3-5 p.m. at Parker Middle School. You can meet Sherk, Donkey, and Fiona at the Swamp Party and enjoy games, crafts, snacks, and more. Tickets are $15 per child. To learn more, please visit https://bit.ly/3HoRF41. Dance the Night Away at the Hope Squad's Daddy Daughter Dance Howell Public Schools Hope Squad is excited to be hosting its inaugural Daddy Daughter Dance! This event will be hosted at Voyager Elementary School on Saturday, February 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. Please join us for A Night in Candyland, where there will be dancing, refreshments, crafts, and much more! To learn more, please visit https://bit.ly/3vPAF4j. All proceeds from this event will go to the Hope Squad and will allow them to continue advocating for mental health support in our school and community. Teacher of the Year/Support Person of the Year Nomination Window is Now Open The nomination window for the Howell Public Schools Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year awards is now open. Each year, Howell Public Schools recognizes an outstanding teacher and support staff member through these awards. Individuals associated with Howell Public Schools (students, parents, employees, and community members) are invited to submit award nominations. You can read more about both awards and submit nominations at https://bit.ly/3SyS0Yx. The nomination deadline is Friday, February 9, at 4 p.m. Important Dates 1/22 Weekly Monday DIne to Donate (DWC) begins 2/1 VBC Meeting 6-7 PM 2/9 Teacher/Support Person of the Year Nomination Due BK/KG Registration Begindergarten & Kindergarten 2024-2025 School Year Registration Begindergar

The Viking View 12/22/2023

Charletta Purdy — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 21:26:00 GMT

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

The Viking View 12/8/2023

Charletta Purdy — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 21:32:00 GMT

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 ____________________________________________________________________________ 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 communications@howellschools.com by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13. Please include the student's name, grade, and school in the email. ____________________________________________________________________________ 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! ____________________________________________________________________________ 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.

THE VIKING VIEW 11/17/23

Charletta Purdy — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 19:46:00 GMT

Greetings, Voyager Families. While November often feels like a short month, it has been a busy one at Voyager! I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your enthusiastic support and participation in our recent student coloring contest. It was truly heartwarming to witness the creativity and talent showcased by our students. The stairwell, which now serves as a vibrant display of the 312 colorful scarecrow creations, has become a focal point in our school. Your children's artwork has not only brightened up our physical space but has also added an extra layer of joy and positivity to our school environment. This month, we have also collected nearly 2,700 cans for the Gleaner’s Food Drive! This is an amazing accomplishment that will greatly benefit our community. Please keep those cans coming in; the drive ends on December 1st. Looking ahead, we are excited to return from the Thanksgiving break and finish off the semester on a strong note. There are still many exciting learning opportunities, events, and milestones to come, and we are confident that, together, we can make the remainder of the semester just as successful as the beginning. Wishing you and your family a joyful Thanksgiving filled with warmth and gratitude. We look forward to seeing everyone back at school and finishing the semester strong! Sincerely, Danielle Schmidt VBC December Dine to Donate The Voyager Booster Club has arranged a special Dine to Donate for the month of December at Detroit Wings Company. Dine to Donate nights are always a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a meal with family and friends while contributing to our school's fundraising efforts, but December’s proceeds will be put directly towards purchasing a class set of yoga mats for our physical education program! If you are looking for an easy dinner on December 8th, please consider dining at DWC! Playground Update We have some exciting news to share regarding our school playground, and we wanted to keep you in the loop! You may have heard from your child that one of the playground structures has unfortunately become largely unusable. We understand how important this space is for our students, and we're thrilled to let you know that we are taking steps to upgrade the playground! The old structure will soon be removed, making way for a fantastic new addition. We are currently in the process of selecting a new piece of equipment that will not only provide hours of fun but also contribute to the overall development and enjoyment of our students. Here's where it gets even more exciting—students will have the opportunity to have their say in choosing the new structure! We believe their input is invaluable, and we want to make sure the new addition is something they are genuinely excited about. Now Hiring Kids Kare Staff The Howell Public Schools Early Childhood Education Department is hiring additional staff for its before and after-school care programs for elementary students. The starting pay for these positions is $15.50 per hour. To learn more about these job openings, please visit https://bit.ly/3R0HbNZ. Important Dates 12/1 Gleaners Food Drive Ends 12/6 5th Grade Music Program 7 PM 12/7 VBC Meeting 6-7 PM 12/8 Dine to Donate - Detroit Wings Co. 12/8 4th Grade Choir Caroling 4-7 PM 12/13 1st Grade Music Program 7 PM 12/18-12/22 Santa Shop 12/25-1/5 No School Counselor's Corner “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 must practice. The ability to show gratitude and be grateful not only allows us to feel at peace with our lives, but also helps us to build strong relationships with others. Here are simple ways that we can help children appreciate the people and things in their lives: MODEL GRATITUDE- Find time during the day when you can talk about the people and things for which you are grateful. At school, we often talk about sunshines and clouds (sunshines are things that inspire us to feel good, clouds are things that might be icky or uncomfortable). This reinforces the idea that we can be grateful, despite everything not going our way. DEVELOP PERSPECTIVE - When you have your child write a “wishlist” for a birthday or holiday, also have him/her write a “thankful for” list (spending time with family, baking, decorating, etc.). This is a healthy perspective to develop at an early age. SAY THANK YOU - Make writing thank you notes or drawing pictures a normal ritual after receiving a gift or sharing a special event together. VOLUNTEER - Volunteering, even a few hours a month, helps us connect with the world around us and affirms 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 our area: Volunteer Livingston.

The Viking View 11/3/2023

Charletta Purdy — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 14:38:00 GMT

Greetings, Voyager Families. As we embark on this season of gratitude, I want to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for your unwavering support and commitment to our school community. The past few weeks have been a wonderful time for fostering a sense of togetherness among our students, parents, and staff. Even a week later, many of our families are still enjoying the sweet memories of our recent Trunk or Treat event. It was truly a spooktacular evening, and we are grateful to have had the pleasure of your company. Last week, we also wrapped up our fall Book Fair. Whether you volunteered your time, purchased books, or helped spread the word about the fair, your dedication did not go unnoticed. Thanks to your collective efforts, our amazing VBC was able to provide our students with an array of captivating books and fundraise to continue to support a variety of their initiatives, all aimed at improving our school and benefitting our students and families. Thank you all for joining us for our Parent-Teacher Conferences. It has been a pleasure seeing so many of our families engaging in conversations with our teachers about their child's progress and educational journey. As we wrap up our fall conferences, I am reminded of the importance of collaboration in education. It's the combined efforts of parents, teachers, and students that create a nurturing and thriving learning environment. Together, we have accomplished so much, and there is much to be thankful for. Sincerely, Danielle Schmidt Important Dates 11/6 Gleaner's Food Drive 11/7 Election Day 11/9 VBC Meetin 6-7 PM 11/14 Picture Retakes District Updates Vote on Tuesday, November 7 Please remember to vote on Tuesday, November 7. The Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond Proposal will be on the ballot, outlining plans for district-wide improvements focusing on safety and security, learning environments, learning tools, aging infrastructure, and community needs. This proposal is structured with no expected tax rate increase from the current tax rate of 5.5 mills. For a comprehensive overview of what the bond encompasses, we invite you to visit HowellSchools.com/Bond. Participation in local elections is vital, and we encourage all eligible community members to exercise their right to vote on Tuesday. Mobile Food Pantry in Howell on Thursday, November 16, 2023 On Thursday, November 16, 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 will be open from 4 p.m.-5 p.m. Anyone in the community needing food can drive through and pick up food from the Mobile. A family of 4 receives about 40-45 pounds of food. A Family of 5 or more receives double the amount. Each portion consists of fresh produce, milk, fresh 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. ParentGuidance.org November Newsletter Financial stress can significantly impact mental health, and as a parent, you play a crucial role in helping your child navigate these challenges. Understand the profound link between financial stress and mental well-being. The ParentGuidance.com November Newsletter provides insights into strategies to equip your child with the resilience to face financial challenges head-on. As always, check out the ParentGuidance.org resources, where you can access free courses led by licensed therapists on more than 50 topics. To access the course, navigate to ParentGuidance.org and click courses. Reality Tour Program On Tuesday, November 7, from 5 to 7 p.m., the Livingston County Community Alliance will host a Reality Tour program. The program is geared toward families with children ages ten and above. The Reality Tour is an immersive experience designed to engage children and their families in conversations surrounding drug use and healthy coping skills. The event is free to attend. To learn more, please visit https://bit.ly/40cBpvF.

The Viking View 10/19/23

Charletta Purdy — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 19:01:00 GMT

Greetings, Voyager Families. As we bid farewell to the first quarter, we want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've shared with your children over the past few months. It has been a season of growth, discovery, and joy, and we are thrilled to share some highlights from the past quarter. Our students have shown remarkable effort, and we are proud to see their academic progress. From mastering new math concepts to expressing creativity in writing assignments, their accomplishments are a testament to their hard work and the support they receive at home. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Your involvement is vital to the success of our school, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work together in shaping the educational journey of your children. Teachers are looking forward to connecting with families during our fall conferences on October 26th and November 2nd, and sharing more successes of our first quarter. Sock-tober has been a huge success this month! Our Student Council is still gathering new socks for all ages and donating them to LACASA. If you wish to donate to this cause, please send in those socks next week! Another highlight for the Student Council was walking in the homecoming parade, starting the STUCO store and kicking off their recycling program. We are fortunate to have a great group of student leaders organizing and carrying out activities, working in partnership with our community, and serving as positive role models in our school. By the end of the month, our K-5 students will have all had the opportunity to engage in at least one authentic learning experience outside of the classroom. Whether it was our kindergarteners field trip to Peacock Farms or our 4th graders in school field trip and guest speaker leading an exploration in Michigan Furs, these hands-on experiences help to reinforce what students have learned in class and make often abstract concepts more tangible. I am grateful for our teachers who plan these memorable experiences for our students. Thank you again for a wonderful first quarter. I hope you each enjoy the long weekend. Please remember there is no school tomorrow, Friday, October 2oth, for our Fall Break. We look forward to seeing students on Monday, October 23rd. Sincerely, Danielle Schmidt District Updates Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond Proposal On Tuesday, November 7, our community will vote on the Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond Proposal. This proposal focuses on five important areas: Safety and Security, Learning Environments, Teaching Tools, Aging Building Infrastructure, and Community Facilities. If it's approved, the bond proposal would provide $258 million to make improvements in these areas across the district while expecting to maintain the current tax rate of 5.5 mills. To find out more about the bond proposal, please visit HowellSchools.com/Bond. Don't forget to vote on November 7 on the Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond Proposal. Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond Proposal Informational Meeting On Wednesday, October 25, at 5:30 p.m., the district will host an informational meeting on the Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond Proposal. This meeting is an opportunity for families and the community to come and learn about the bond proposal and to ask any questions they may have about it. The meeting will be held in the District Office Edinburgh Room at 411 N. Highlander Way. KLAA Cross Country Championship Races to Affect Traffic on Friday, October 20 Tomorrow, Friday, October 20, the Howell Athletic Department is hosting the KLAA Cross Country Championship Races on the Howell High School Campus. To ensure the safety of the student-athletes, the Grand River Avenue entrance to the campus will be closed at 2:15 p.m. The road will be closed between Grand River Avenue and the south parking lot of Howell High School. The M-59 entrance to

The Viking View 10/6/23

Charletta Purdy — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 14:45:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits as we prepare to welcome the vibrant colors and cooler temperatures of the fall season. It's hard to believe that another school year is already in full swing, and I want to take a moment to share some information, and exciting happenings at Voyager. The Voyager Student Council is participating in Sock-tober! What is Sock-tober you ask? It’s a way for Voyager students to give back to their community by gathering new socks for all ages and donating them to LACASA. LACASA focuses on supporting and advocating for survivors of child abuse, domestic violence and assault. They provide prevention, education and awareness to strengthen individuals/families to help make our community safer. In doing so, they also help survivors by supplying them items they may need for day-to-day living. Please consider having your family donate new socks to our Sock-tober tub which will be placed outside the Voyager Elementary main office. We will be collecting socks Friday, October 27, 2023. Voyager 4th grade LOC students are ready to help your child save their money with LOC’s Student-Run Credit Union at Voyager! Open a youth savings account with LOC and your student can save and win prizes at Voyager every other Thursday! To learn more or to open an account, visit: www.loccreditunion.com/kids-and-teens. Wishing you a wonderful and relaxing weekend. Sincerely, Danielle Schmidt ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ District Updates Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond Proposal On Tuesday, November 7, our community will vote on the Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond Proposal. If approved, the bond proposal would allocate $258 million for enhancements to our district while expecting to maintain the current tax rate of 5.5 mills. Notably, this tax rate is the lowest among all school districts in Livingston County. For additional details about the bond proposal, please visit HowellSchools.com/Bond. We encourage you to remember to cast your vote on November 7 on the Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond Proposal. Mobile Food Pantry in Howell on Thursday, October 19, 2023 On Thursday, October 19, 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 will be open from 4 p.m.-5 p.m. Anyone in the community needing food can drive through and pick up food from the Mobile. If you have any questions regarding the Howell Food Mobile or food access in Howell, please contact Gleaners Food Bank at 517-548-3710. Currently, the Mobile Food Pantry is held on the third Thursday of each month from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. To better meet the community's needs, Gleaners is considering changing the time that the Mobile Food Pantry is available on the third Thursday of the month. Please complete a short survey at https://bit.ly/3F4DFeG by Monday, October 16, to let the Gleaners Team know which time would work best for your family. Coffee Chat With Superintendent MacGregor Superintendent MacGregor will host his first Coffee Chat of the school year on Tuesday, October 10, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Black Iron Coffee Roasters in Downtown Howell. Members of the Board of Education will join Mr. MacGregor as they share information on the Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond Proposal, and overall district updates. There will also be time for questions about the bond proposal or general questions about the district. To read more about Coffee Chat, please visit https://bit.ly/46Bx3A1. Important Dates 10/20 No School 10/23-10/27 Book Fair Before the Bell 8:00-8:35 AM 10/24 and 10/25 ONLY 10/26 Parent Teacher Conferences Book Fair Open 4-7 PM 10/27 Trunk or Treat 6-8 PM 11/01 Late Start Day 11/02 Parent Teacher Conferences

The Viking View 8/25/23

Charletta Purdy — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 15:05:00 GMT

The Viking View Greetings, Voyager Families. What an amazing first week of school! While this time is often exhausting for everyone, it is also an exhilarating time that is filled with hope and promise for a new year. Thank you for sharing your children with us; we could not be more pleased with how well our first week of school went and are excited for what is yet to come. I want to take a moment to extend my sincere gratitude for the warm welcome I have received this week. Seeing so many of you taking time out of your busy schedules to join us at Open House and our Popsicles on the Playground event is heartwarming and serves as a testament to the strong sense of community that we have here at Voyager Elementary. The enthusiasm and energy you brought Monday evening was truly infectious and helped us start our school year off strong. Thank you for your partnership; we are looking forward to an amazing year together. Sincerely, Danielle Schmidt _____________________________________________________________________________________ Counselor’s Corner One way to ensure continued success for your child is to reinforce school rules at home. Studies show that children are more successful when the rules are consistent in all areas of their life (home, school, etc.). This consistency will make life easier (and more enjoyable) for kids, parents, and teachers! Here are some strategies for getting your family plan aligned with school expectations, as well as some fun ways to practice these positive behaviors at home: School Expectation: Be a Good Listener How to practice at home: encourage him/her to listen intently when you or anyone else is speaking. 93% of communication is nonverbal, so give your child opportunities to practice active listening skills, like eye contact and head nods. School Expectation: Sit with Feet on the Floor and Bottom in the Seat How to practice at home: expect him/her to sit properly when dining. For older kids that require a rationale, explain that chairs are designed with intention: to support your back and other bones. School Expectation: Keep Hands and Feet to Yourself How to practice at home: model self-control and responsible calming strategies (deep breathing, taking a break from a situation, going for a refreshing walk). Correct him/her when they act impulsively and explain the rationale (“Sometimes when we touch other people we can hurt them or make them uncomfortable.”) School Expectation: Wait your Turn How to practice at home: point out people being respectful and waiting their turn. Give your child opportunities to wait – they will quickly learn they can survive a little delay! School Expectation: Use Quiet Voices How to practice at home: encourage your child to use quiet voices indoors and louder voices outside. School Expectation: Be Respectful to Others How to practice at home: insist on kind words and actions - have a “zero tolerance” policy for mean behavior. Model the behavior we want to see in our children. When you are out and about, point out situations where children are and are not being respectful to others - reflect with your child. Also, and most importantly, be respectful to your child - kids that feel good, do good. While our instinct is sometimes to punish or reprimand when our children aren’t cooperating, consider coaching. Offer a “do over” to make a better choice, or simply sit down and intentionally make a plan for the next time so your child is coached and prepared. If you need additional support developing a meaningful family management plan, please reach out (pefferk@howellschools.com) _____________________________________________________________________________________ District Updates Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond Proposal On Tuesday, November 7, the Howell community will vote on the Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond Proposal. If approved, the proposal would provide $258 million to fund the highest priorities improvements in each of the district’s school buildings. To learn about the projects the bond would support at Voyager Elementary, please click here. To learn more about the Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond Proposal as a whole, please visit HowellSchools.com/Bond. Support the Howell Highlanders Football Team Come support the Howell Highlanders Varsity Football team, which will host the Canton Chiefs on Thursday, August 31, at 7 p.m. in Memorial Stadium. In addition to being the team’s home opener, Thursday will be youth football night, and we will host our youth football players, cheerleaders, and pompon girls. Halftime will feature a performance by youth pompon and two youth football teams. Below are a few reminders and updates for the Athletic Department about the game. All tickets are $6.00. We will accept cash at the gate. Season passes will be available for purchase at the ticket booth at the main entrance. No advanced seat saving will be permitted on varsity football nights. No blankets or stadium seats will be allowed to be placed in the grandstand before the gates open. We’re Hiring Bus Drivers Howell Public Schools is currently hiring additional bus drivers and substitute drivers. During August, we will be offering a sign-on bonus of up to $5,000 for fully trained certified bus drivers, up to $3,000 for fully trained licensed bus drivers taking on substitute runs for at least 20 hours per week, and up to $2,000 for individuals who participate in the paid training we offer. Please help us spread the word about these limited-time incentives. Individuals interested in applying can do so at BeABusDriver.org. Highlander Reading Express Books If your child still has books checked out from The Highlander Reading Express, please have them return them to their school’s main office. The office will ensure that the books are returned to the Highlander Reading Express to be enjoyed next summer. School Meal Update The State of Michigan has made school meals free for all students this school year. We encourage all qualifying families to complete a Free and Reduced Price School Meal Application, as completing an application has additional benefits. Completing an application may allow qualifying families to receive other benefits such as reduced Chromebook fees, discounts on college admissions and academic tests, discounted home internet, and access to the Summer EBT program. Additionally, completing the application helps ensure the district receives the proper funding from several state and federal sources and programs. To learn more or to complete an application, please visit https://bit.ly/3BkO45d. The free meals do not apply to ala carte items purchased at the secondary level.

The Viking View 1/15/2021

Megan Tefft — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 21:20:00 GMT

******** This newsletter is for ALL Voyager families - families attending in-person, as well as those attending Highlander Virtual. Even though a lot of the information pertains to in-person families, there is a fair amount of information that pertains to both in-person & Highlander Virtual families Dear Voyager Families, Happy New Year! This is the first issue of “The Viking View” for 2021! For those families that are new to our school since the break, we would like to welcome you to our school! We are glad you have joined us. This newsletter typically is emailed every other Friday and is a great way to get important information about what is happening and what you as parents need to know. 2nd Semester is Underway - As a reminder we are now 2 weeks into 2nd semester. You should have been able to access your child’s first semester report card in PowerSchool last Friday. Please let us know if you were not able to access the report card. New Secretary in the Main Office - Today was Mrs. Megan Tefft’s (School Secretary at Voyager for the past three years) last day in the Main Office at Voyager. Starting on Tuesday, January 19th, she will begin working as the Media Secretary in the library at Three Fires Elementary School. We will miss Mrs. Tefft a lot, but we are so happy that she has this opportunity to do what she has always wanted to do - be an elementary school librarian! With saying good-bye to Mrs. Tefft, we get to welcome a new Secretary to Voyager!!! Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Char Purdy to our Main Office. Her first official day with us will be on Wednesday, January 27th. Between now and then, Mrs. Shannon Birdsell, our Clerk, will be covering Mrs. Tefft’s position, and Mrs. Robin Peterson will be covering Mrs. Birdsell’s position. We are still here to serve you like we always are, however, I ask for your patience as we welcome Mrs. Purdy to the office and make this transition! Here is a brief introduction from Mrs. Purdy: Hello Voyager Vikings, I am Char Purdy, your new Building Secretary. My family and I have lived in Howell for nine years and I have worked for Howell Public Schools for five years. Of those five years the first three were at Voyager. I have been working at Highlander Way for the last two years as a Media Secretary. My husband and I have two children, our son is in fourth grade and our daughter is a Freshman, both attend Howell Schools. We enjoy camping and traveling, especially in Northern Michigan. I am super excited to be back "home" at Voyager and I look forward to getting to know each of you better. Virtual Assembly - On Tuesday, January 5th, we were treated to a virtual assembly with Mr. Peace!! This was an assembly that was paid for by our VBC parent group that we were supposed to have in person last April. When we realized that it was probably going to be awhile before we could hold an in person assembly we decided that bringing Mr. Peace and his message of diversity and kindness to us virtually was the best plan B available to us. Mr. Peace presented to our K-2 students and to our 3-5 students. Please check out this short video recap of the two assemblies that were held that day - Mr. Peace Visits Voyager You can also learn more about Mr. Peace at his website which is mrpeace.org The video recordings of the assemblies will be shared within the next week with our Highlander Virtual teachers from Voyager - Mrs. Hull; Ms. Biscorner; and Mrs. Gariepy. Drop-off/Pick-up Procedures - As I mentioned above, we have some new families, but even for our current families, this is a good time to share our drop-off and pick-up procedures. Overall, things are going well, and we thank you for that. I asked our three drop-off/pick-up supervisors (Mrs. Hoyes, Mrs. Schoendorff, and currently Ms. Sawyer - covering for Mrs. Gariepy) if there were any points that they wanted me to touch upon. The main reminder is this - please pull as far forward as you can which typicall

The Viking View 12/18/20

Megan Tefft — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 12:45:00 GMT

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 info@goskimichigan.com This concludes the information that I have to share today! Please read the following information from others: “Counselor’s Quick Tip” below. It contains 10 Tips for Helping Kids Have a Great Holiday. 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 naghtink@howellschools.com. 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 crea

The Viking View 12/4/2020

Megan Tefft — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 14:08:00 GMT

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: VBC December Newsletter “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. 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 naghtink@howellschools.com. 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: starkeyj@howellschools.com Your Partner in Education, Jennifer Starkey, LPC District Updates You

The Viking View 11/13/2020

Megan Tefft — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 13:55:00 GMT

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 (naghtink@howellschools.com) 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. Voya

The Viking View 10/30/20

Megan Tefft — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 19:05:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, Happy Halloween to all of our Voyager Families! It sure is going to be a bit different this year, but have fun and be safe doing whatever you have planned for the weekend! Classrooms had a lot of fun celebrating “Orange and Black” day today!! Thank you to everyone who sent items in for the classroom celebrations! We know that parent-teacher conferences were very different this year with the pandemic! We would like to thank everyone who was able to schedule a conference with their child(ren)’s teacher. A conference was held for 97% of our students - that is fantastic! “Be Kind in the Line” Continues in November - Thank you to everyone who is following our drop-off and pick-up procedures, and thank you to everyone who is being “kind in the line”! I was out front on Thursday morning and was pleased overall with what I saw that morning. 2nd quarter started on October 19th. We had a number of students start in-person instruction that day. As a result, I am sharing our “Pick-up and Drop-off Procedures” again. Beginning on Monday, November 2nd, cars will not be able to drive from the front lot to the back lot during “active” drop off in the morning or “active” pick up in the afternoon. Cones will be put across the front of the cut-through once staff are outside in the morning and in the afternoon. FYI - more specific information to follow: In the next couple of weeks, the district will be installing a gate across the south end of the cut-through. Times as to when the gate will be opened and closed will be shared once it is installed. Voyager Media Center/VBC Virtual Fall Book Fair - As we know, EVERYTHING has a different twist this year. The annual fall Scholastic Book Fair will have the twist of being COMPLETELY virtual this year. It will run for TWO WEEKS - Monday, November 2nd-Friday, November 20th. More information will be sent home soon, but here is some important information 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 their home with free shipping on book orders over $25 The book fair flyer will be coming home with their student next week District-wide Food Drive for Gleaners Food Bank - 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 our students will be bringing home this week. Voyager’s student council members will be helping with the drive here at Voyager. The drive will be held from Monday, November 2nd-Friday, November 20th. Each week will have a featured item, however, you can send in any items that you would like to donate. Week 1 - Canned Meat (chicken, tuna, etc.) Week 2 - Canned Fruit Week 3 - Canned Vegetables Week 4 - Protein items/Peanut Butter/Protein Shakes 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. Cold Weather Gear for Outdoor Recesses - Thursday at lunch recess the “wind chill” temperature was just 39 degrees. That is definitely “warmer jacket/sweatshirt” weather. Please make sure that you are sending your child with a coat or a sweatshirt everyday now that the weather is a bit more unpredictable. It would also be a good idea to start putting gloves and hats in their backpacks. Unfortunately, it probably won’t be long before we will need to think about boots and possibly snow pants, so beginning to plan for that is a good idea, as well. Please remember to label all items with your child’s name and/or initials. This concludes the information that I have to share today! Please read the following information from others: “Counselor’s Quick Tip” below. It contains information about Halloween Voyager Booster Club November Newsletter (Linked here) District Upd

The Viking View 10/16/20

Megan Tefft — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 13:04:00 GMT

The Viking View Friday, October 16, 2020 Dear Voyager Families, It is hard to believe that we have completed one quarter of the school year as of TODAY - Wow!!! That is 40 days of in-person instruction, virtual instruction, or a combination of both!! Whether you have been in-person, virtual, or a combination of both, I want to personally thank you for the support you have given our staff and your children as we continue to navigate this pandemic!!! Everyone is doing their best in what continue to be very stressful and challenging times!! Bring on the 2nd quarter - just a reminder that the 2nd quarter/1st semester will end on Friday, December 18th...the day we leave for the winter holiday break!!! With the end of the first quarter, it is time for report cards and fall parent-teacher conferences. 1) 1st Quarter Report Cards - 1st quarter report cards will be available in PowerSchool on Friday, October 23rd. Here is what each grade level will receive relative to a 1st quarter report card: Kindergarten and 1st Grade students do not receive a report card until the end of 1st semester, however, there will be a “mark” for the special area class that they had first quarter in PowerSchool; 2nd-5th Grade students will receive a report card for the subjects that were covered during the 1st quarter, as well as a “mark” for the special area class that they just completed. Here is the link to the Directions for Accessing Report Cards in PowerSchool 2) Parent-Teacher Conferences - Parent-teacher conferences this year will all be done virtually or over the phone. There will not be face to face conferences on the evenings that conferences are being held. The dates for conferences are Thursday, October 22nd, and Thursday, October 29th, from 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Teachers will be contacting their parents about scheduling a time to meet and will explain how the virtual conferences will work. In a nutshell, there will be a zoom session set up with a “waiting room”. At your scheduled time, the teacher will allow you to enter the zoom meeting for your conference. As is the case when conferences are in person, please be considerate and make sure you end the conference at your assigned end time. If there is a need for additional time, the teacher will follow-up with you at another time. This concludes the information that I have to share today! Please read the following information from others: “Counselor’s Quick Tip” below. It contains information about October being celebrated as “College Month” Voyager Booster Club October Newsletter (Linked Here) District Updates (full breakfast and full lunch will continue to be free to all students for the remainder of the school year - not ending on 12/30/2020 as originally announced) 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 naghtink@howellschools.com. We are here for you and willing to assist in whatever way we can. Sincerely, Kari Naghtin Principal Counselor’s Quick Tip: October is College Month October is College Month! To encourage our students to think about their futures, our District is celebrating College Month throughout the month of October! At the elementary level, this means that our students are learning about their teachers’ college experiences, and they are hearing college trivia in the morning announcements! We have one more College Spirit Wear Day left this month on Friday, October 23! Later this month, students will hear a story called I Can Be Anything! inviting them to think about their interests and hobbies. At Voyager, we will end the month with a fun-filled “Dress As Your Future Self” Day on Thursday, October 29. Your Partner in Education, Jennifer Starkey, LPC District Updates USDA Free Meals for Kids Extended for Entire School Year The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it has ex

The Viking View 10/2/2020

Megan Tefft — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 12:49:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, Welcome to the month of October...fall is definitely in the air - morning temps are cooler (please send your child with outerwear suitable for the day’s forecast), leaves are changing colors, and pumpkins are beginning to decorate the landscape!!! There is a lot of information in today’s “Viking View” that other people asked me to share, so I’m going to try and keep what I need to share brief. October is “Be Kind in Line” Month - You probably are aware that October is College Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Halloween Safety Month, and Down Syndrome Awareness Month! You may not be aware that it is also American Cheese Month, Pizza Month, and Bat Appreciation Month (Google “October is national what month” and you will be surprised what all gets celebrated in October - it’s not just Columbus Day and Halloween!). I bet you didn’t know that it is also “Be Kind in Line” month (you won’t see that in your Google search as this is a new celebration created by me!!). This month we are going to be focused on being kind in the pick up and drop off line at Voyager (feel free to transfer this to any line that you encounter this month - the grocery store line, a line at the gas station, etc.). Things to remember as you celebrate this month: 1) Practice patience! 2) R.I.S.E. UP - be Responsible; show Integrity; be Safe; show Empathy!!! 3) Be a role model for your children and our students! I thank you in advance for helping us celebrate “Be Kind in Line” month here at Voyager! New Requirement re: Masks: The new mask requirement goes into effect on Monday, October 5th. Beginning on this day, students are now required to wear a mask when they are in the classroom. Our teachers will provide periodic facial covering breaks where students will be able to remove their facial covering for a few minutes and will provide students with guidance as to how they can request a break when they need to take one. Students will still be able to remove their facial coverings when they are outside the building or when they are eating lunch in the classroom or eating snack in the classroom. Device & Internet Access Survey from Your Child’s Teacher - If you haven’t received a request for information from your child’s teacher yet re: device access at home and internet access at home, you will be in the near future. Teachers are being asked to collect this information from each of their families just in case their class needs to be quarantined. This is information that we hope we won’t need, but is important information to have in case it ends up being needed. Parent-Teacher Conferences - In addition to gathering information about device/internet access, classroom teachers are beginning to schedule parent-teacher conferences. Parent-teacher conferences this year will all be done virtually or over the phone. There will not be face to face conferences on the evenings that conferences are being held. The dates for conferences are Thursday, October 22nd, and Thursday, October 29th, from 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Teachers will be contacting their parents about scheduling a time to meet and will explain how the virtual conferences will work. In a nutshell, there will be a zoom session set up with a “waiting room”. At your scheduled time, the teacher will allow you to enter the zoom meeting for your conference. As is the case when conferences are in person, please be considerate and make sure you end the conference at your assigned end time. If there is a need for additional time, the teacher will follow-up with you at another time. This concludes the information that I have to share today, but as I mentioned at the beginning of this letter, many other people asked me to share information with you. Please read the following letters from others: 1) “Counselor’s Quick Tip” below. It contains information about the Mobile Dentist Program.

The Viking View 9/18/2020

Megan Tefft — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 12:01:00 GMT

The Viking View Friday, September 18, 2020 Dear Voyager Families, We made it...we have successfully completed our first full week of school for the 20-21 school year! Thank you for your continued support of our staff as we continue to navigate our current situation. Our Voyager Vikings are demonstrating that they are in the routine of school and are handling all of the new procedures and ways of doing things like true “Vikings”!! One thing that you as parents could help with is remembering to send your child with a clean mask everyday. We are noticing that some masks are definitely not being washed everyday or being replaced if the mask is not washable! The time that it has taken to get cars through the pick-up line this week has been amazing...most days all students have been picked up and the pick-up line is gone by somewhere between 3:40 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. ONE BIG REMINDER: While waiting along the service drive out back in the drop-off line in the morning or the pick-up line in the afternoon, please DO NOT block the entrance and exit to our bus parking lot. Our buses need to be able to enter and exit the bus lot without interference from parent vehicles waiting to drop off or pick up their children. Also, please DO NOT block the road - please wait on the shoulder until there is enough room to enter the lot. We thank you in advance for your cooperation!! One more reminder...Student Absences - If your child is going to be absent, please call the main office at 517-540-8084 and press 1 (this is the attendance line) and provide a detailed explanation as to why your child is absent. When an explanation is not provided the absence is recorded as unexplained and the student is considered truant. In the midst of the pandemic, it is very important that we know why your child is absent and what, if any, symptoms he/she is experiencing. Please let us know if you have any questions regarding your child’s attendance or if there is information that we should have relative to your child attending school. Now onto the “fun” stuff... Picture Day is Next Week Thursday, 9/24 - Picture Day for BOTH our in person and our virtual students is on Thursday, September 24th. Our in person students will have their pictures taken during the school day. The Lifetouch photographers will be at Voyager from 4:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. to take the pictures of our virtual students. You may come at any time during that window - know, however, that there may be a line at times. Please bring your mask and know that we will socially distance the line of people within the building. Our Picture Day ID is EVTFRTVMV - you may use this code to order online at mylifetouch.com During fall pictures we like to take every student’s picture as it is this picture that will be used in a yearbook. If you know that your child will be absent on this day or you are unable to make it in that evening if you are a virtual family, our retake day is scheduled for Thursday, November 5th. Please contact the main office if you have any questions regarding picture day. Two Voyager Booster Club Fundraisers happening this week - Our wonderful parent group which is known as the Voyager Booster Club (VBC) is hosting two optional fundraisers this week. The first is happening on Monday and the second is on Friday. Hungry Howie’s Pizza Night - On Monday, September 21st (not on Sunday, September 20th - there was an incorrect date on the flyer that was sent home), the Hungry Howie’s located at 2560 E. Grand River (next to Auto Zone and the old Great Escape) will donate 10% of their net sales brought in from 4-9 p.m. to our school. You can call ahead or stop in and place your order. Their phone number is 517-548-0067. Please tell them thank you for supporting our school and let them know which teachers your children have - the class with the most participation will win a pizza party. You can take a night, a Monday night for that

The Viking View 9/3/2020

Megan Tefft — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 12:22:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, Labor Day weekend has arrived! I would like to wish everyone a restful and enjoyable weekend. School will resume on Tuesday, September 8, 2020!! After three ½ days and two 4-day weeks (we have one more 4 day week next week), it is beginning to feel like our new routines are falling into place. Students know what is expected relative to masks, lunch/recess are going smoothly (it is nice having just one grade level in the cafeteria at a time), and we are getting students out to the pick up line much quicker at the end of the day. I would like to thank everyone for continuing to make sure that our drop-off and pick-up procedures are followed. It is due to parent/adult cooperation that we are able to get students unloaded quickly in the morning and loaded quickly in the afternoon. With that said, I do have some reminders mainly related to the procedures out back as cars are falling into the line: Our HPS buses have the right of way; please be respectful by letting them go ahead of you and by not blocking the entrance and exit to the bus lot. There are to be NO U-TURNS anywhere along the service drive!!; the best advice is to enter the back service drive from Grand River (by Challenger Elementary), but if that is not possible and you need to enter the service drive from M-59, please drive down to the high school lot and turn around down there. From the time the high school dismisses at 2:20 p.m. until we are done with our dismissal around 4:00 p.m., the back service drive is a very busy “thoroughfare” with buses, parents, and high school students (HS students are not always the most observant individuals). Finally, parents should be utilizing the drop off line and the pick up line. If for some reason, you do need to exit your vehicle with your children during drop off in the morning, you are to park out front entering the lot from Byron Rd. (the lot out back is the staff parking lot), and then walking your children to the sidewalk. As always, please let myself or staff know if you have any questions. Here is the “Drop-off & Pick up Procedures” document one more time: Voyager Drop-off & Pick-up Procedures Two recycling opportunities that are located near the loading dock area at the back of the building: Planet Aid/Midwest Recycling Yellow Bin - Through this bin, families and community members are able to donate/recycle clothes and shoes. Please do not put any other items in this bin. Our student council receives money for each pound of clothes/shoes that are donated. Paper Recycling Bin - Through this bin families, and community members are able to recycle paper/newspapers, etc. For personal safety, please do not put items in this bin that contain personally identifiable information. Items that contain this type of information should be shredded prior to putting them in the bin. When recycling companies are receiving money for paper, our building does receive money for the paper that is donated. When companies are not paying for paper, we are just providing a service to the environment by not sending the paper to the landfills. ******* NOTE re: both bins - DO NOT PLACE bags or items outside of the bins. If the bins are full, please bring your items back on another day. Neither company picks up items that are left outside of the bins - these items become an eyesore and then become items that the district has to dispose of in our dumpsters. Thank you for cooperating with these procedures. This concludes the information that I have to share today. Please read the “Counselor Corner” below. It contains good tips regarding your children and sleep - I’m thinking some of the tips might be good for me to try, as well!!! There is also one “District Update” this week. 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 naghtink@howellschools.com. We are here for y

The Viking View 8/21/2020

Megan Tefft — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 12:17:00 GMT

Friday, August 21, 2020 ***** Just a reminder that ALL Voyager families, in person and virtual, will receive the Viking View. This will keep our Virtual families connected to us. I apologize that a lot of the information won’t pertain to our Virtual families, but from time to time, events and other information will pertain to our Virtual families, as well. Dear Voyager Families, What a fantastic start to the 2020-2021 school year!!! I want to thank you, the parents, for prepping your children for the return. It was obvious that our students knew that things would be different - the wearing of masks, social distancing, etc. It has been wonderful having them back in the building. Thank you for “returning” them to us and for “trusting” that we will do our best to keep them safe. A couple of reminders: NEW Main Phone Number at Voyager: Thank you for your continued patience with our new phone system. I know there were times this week where calls were dropped or the system was down completely. As a reminder our new main office number is (517) 540-8084. There is no longer a separate number for the attendance line. When you call the main number there will be a list of prompts - press 0 for the main office; press 1 for attendance; press 2 for Kids Kare. Forms (registration information, medical, birth certificate, etc.): Just a reminder that registration paperwork, medication forms, etc. can be turned into the main office. Please send it with your child in an identified envelope so that the teacher can get the information to the main office. If we have not received the necessary registration forms, etc., our clerk, Mrs. Shannon Birdsell, will start making reminder phone calls. Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures: Thank you for your patience in the pick-up/drop-off lane the first three days. We promise the line will start to move faster everyday!! Thank you, also, for following our drop-off and pick-up procedures. I am sharing them one more time in case you haven’t had a chance to review them. Voyager Drop-off & Pick-up Procedures. One tweak was made - students that need to eat breakfast at school will be able to exit their vehicle starting at 8:30 a.m. Other students will need to stay in their vehicles until 8:40 a.m. Students who are riding the bus will also be sent in for breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Over all, our procedures are being followed, but here are a couple of items from the procedures that I would like to highlight/stress again: Please remember to PULL AS FAR FORWARD (up to the cone) as you can at both drop-off in the morning and at pick-up in the afternoon. This will help the line to move more smoothly. If you do need to park, exit your vehicle, & walk your child to an adult for some reason at drop-off in the morning, please do not exit your vehicle until 8:40 a.m. unless your child needs to get breakfast. Parents should not be sitting on the benches at the front door waiting for an adult to take their child from them. Please walk your child to an adult and then return to your vehicle once an adult has your child. This week at pick-up we had a handful of parents who were parking and walking up to the building. This will not be able to happen starting on Monday. Due to COVID-19, parents will no longer be able to congregate up by the front doors. You will need to be in the pick-up lane and wait for your child to be brought out to your car. Please stay in your vehicle. If you need to get somewhere right after school, please plan to pick your child up early (by 3:30 p.m.) if possible. This concludes the information that I have to share today. Please read the “Counselor Corner” below, and please remember that there is NO SCHOOL for staff and students next week Friday, August 28th. As always, please reach out to me with any questions that you may have. Email is the best way to reach me at this time. My email address is naghtink@howellsc

The Viking View 8/14/2020

Megan Tefft — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 13:59:00 GMT

Friday, August 14, 2020 **** Just a reminder that ALL Voyager families, in person and virtual, will receive the Viking View. This will keep our Virtual families connected to us. I apologize that a lot of the information won’t pertain to our Virtual families, but from time to time, events and other information will pertain to our Virtual families, as well. Dear Voyager Families, Heads up - there is a lot of information in this newsletter! Please read it carefully. Before getting into the meat of this newsletter, here are three very important notes: Forms (registration information, medical, birth certificate, etc.): If you have any information that needs to be turned into the office, please send it with your child in an identified envelope so that the teacher can get the information to the main office. Parents of kindergarten students and new students may have paperwork to turn in to complete the registration process. Please feel free to bring that paperwork with you if you are coming in for a tour on Monday or Tuesday. Info. from the district and the Livingston County Health Department: As we prepare to welcome back our students next week, we all must work together to ensure that our students and staff remain safe. Today, Dr. Juan Marquez, the Livingston County Health Department Medical Director shared a letter with some important reminders to families. Please take a few moments to review the letter at https://bit.ly/2DYu90l. NEW Main Phone Number at Voyager: Thank you for your patience during the district-wide phone system outage on Thursday. As with any significant change, this process did not go exactly as planned. The request to transfer our building phone number was denied. The request to transfer numbers can take up to 45 days for approval, so our school was assigned a new main office number, which is (517) 540-8084 This week’s news... Last week’s newsletter focused on the upcoming Open House and an update on getting to know who your child’s teacher is for this year. This newsletter has additional information re: Open House and what you need to know about the first day of school - arrival, dismissal (REMINDER - the first three days are half-days with dismissal at 12:05 p.m.) and the rest of the first week. Open House for In-person Families As this year gets underway, Open House is going to be key to getting information, as well as making sure we are connected via Email. By 9:00 a.m. on Monday, August 17th, all in-person families should have received an email from their child’s teacher. That email should contain the zoom link for the zoom session that is being set up for Open House. Special AreaTeacher/Other Staff/Principal Zoom Session - Here is the zoom link information for the zoom session which will include myself, our four special area teachers, and other staff: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87983921026?pwd=ODdybGhzNFlMSjlWQU55N1ZYaEE4UT09 Meeting ID: 879 8392 1026 Passcode: JBSMS2 If you haven’t received a zoom link from your child’s teacher by 9:00 a.m. on Monday, please email the teacher and myself - naghtink@howellschools.com - so that we can get you the link in time for Open House at 6:00 p.m. As a reminder - The zoom sessions start at 6:00. The schedule is 6:00 - 6:20 (1) 6:30 - 6:50 (2) 7:00 - 7:20 (3). You really only need to attend one session per teacher but we wanted to provide options so families could attend multiple sessions if they had multiple students. When you enter any Zoom Meeting, we are asking that when the teacher begins his/her presentation all parents and students mute their microphone in order to prevent any background noise from jumping in and out of the presentation. Please email me if you have any questions about Open House on Monday evening - we are looking forward to “seeing” you! The FIRST Day of School and Thursday and Friday I know there

The Viking View 8/7/2020

Megan Tefft — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 13:58:00 GMT

Friday, August 7, 2020 ***** PLEASE NOTE: Even though the content of this newsletter pertains to families that are opting to send their child(ren) back to school face to face, ALL Voyager families - virtual and non-virtual are receiving this newsletter today. Families who opted for the virtual option should have received an email from the Superintendent earlier this afternoon. Dear Voyager Families, Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year! We are happy you are going to be a Voyager Viking family this year!! If you are new to Voyager, my name is Kari Naghtin, and I am the Principal at Voyager Elementary School. Welcome back to our returning families! Last year was my first year at Voyager, but this will be my 24th year as an elementary principal! We all know that this school year is going to be different from anything we’ve ever experienced in the past and with that comes a level of uncertainty. I will do my best to minimize the level of uncertainty, but know at times it will be unavoidable. Whenever you feel the level of uncertainty rising, please reach out to your child’s teacher, the main office, or myself. I am always available by email or via phone if you have any questions or need assistance. In the past, I have sent a newsletter every other Friday (bi-weekly). This is the first one for this school year. With everything going on and things constantly changing, I will be sending a weekly communication in an attempt to keep everyone informed for the next few weeks. In order to maintain the length of the newsletter each week, I am going to focus on one or two pertinent topics for that week. Please read each newsletter carefully so you are as informed as you can be. Open House In order to better ensure the safety of our students, parents, and staff, and to comply with the latest Executive Orders from Governor Whitmer, the Elementary Open House is going to be different this year. This year, all grade levels (Kindergarten to 5th Grade) will have an opportunity to meet their teacher, the special area teachers, and any other staff members that a student will interact with. This virtual meeting will take place for all K-5 students on the evening of August 17 via Zoom. There will be three 20-minute Zoom meetings which you are able to choose to attend. If you are a family with two students your night could look like this. 6:00 - 6:20 - Mrs. Barlows’s Zoom 6:30 - 6:50 - Go To Mrs. Runion’s Zoom 7:00 - 7:20 - Hop Over To The Specials Teachers Zoom (or at-risk, or counselor) This will ensure your ability to meet with all of your students’ teachers if you have multiple children in one school (if you have more than 3 students in the school or need more than three time slots, please let us know and we will figure it out). Your classroom teacher will be providing you a Zoom link via your registered email address prior to August 17. (It will also have the link to the specials teachers, at-risk, and counselor) When you enter the Zoom we are asking that when the teacher begins his/her presentation all parents and students mute their microphone in order to prevent any background noise from jumping in and out of the presentation. If you are a new Kindergarten student or new family to us, you will be invited to sign up for a brief tour of the school sometime before the first day of school. Our building is still undergoing major construction as of today, so the dates that tours will be available have not been determined yet. You will be contacted once the date(s) are determined. Please note our teaching staff may not be at the building during these tours. Who will my child have for a Teacher? With the opening of Highlander Virtual, we have experienced staffing changes, as well as enrollment changes. As a result, the assigning of students to a teacher is still being finalized. We hope to have that information available by Friday, August 14th. I will provide informa

The Viking View 6/5/20

Megan Tefft — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 22:27:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, The 2019-2020 school year officially ended yesterday (this is the last issue of the Viking View until August)!! What a year it has been!! If someone had told me when I became the Principal of Voyager back in mid-August that the year would end the way it did, I wouldn’t have believed them. Even with a world-wide pandemic impacting our first year together, I can still say it has been a wonderful year! This past week I was able to arrange my schedule so I was able to bop on each classroom’s final Zoom Meeting for the year - from last week Thursday, May 28th through yesterday, I bopped on 24 Zoom Meetings to say “Bye for the Summer” to our Voyager Vikings! In one of the Zoom Meetings, the teacher was asking her students 3 questions - 1) What was your favorite part of the year?, 2) What are you going to do this summer?, and 3) What is your hope for next year? I answered those three questions for the class. My answers were as follows: Question #1 - My favorite part of the year was being the Principal at Voyager - what a great place to be a Principal when there is a pandemic going on world-wide!!! The support that the staff and I received from you, our families, was fantastic and greatly appreciated. Thank you for all you each did to support your students not only while we were in school, but especially when you were having to facilitate “schooling” at home! Question #2 - This summer I hope to spend a lot of time with my two grandkids!!! Miss Addie is 2.5 years old - her and I missed each other tremendously during the “safer at home” order! My new grandson, Bodie (Addie’s baby brother) was born 3 days after schools closed on March 13th - I’ve only seen him 5 times since then! He needs to get to know who “grandma” is!!! Question #3 - Finally, my hope for next year is that we can all safely return to Voyager when school is scheduled to start on Wednesday, August 19th (yes, that is the first day of school)! Before turning to some important reminders and information, I want to recognize the wonderful virtual "celebrations" that teachers and grade levels planned for their students! Even though we weren’t able to be together and a lot of our traditional end of the year activities needed to be cancelled, our Voyager teachers still showed their students that they love them and have missed them tremendously. The car parade that staff organized yesterday was fantastic...the positive energy was invigorating!!! Many of the end of the year activities were shared on our Voyager Facebook Page, shared in SeeSaw or Google Classroom or emailed to families via emails from the teacher or through an email sent by me through School Messenger (final video messages from Mrs. Schoendorff were sent by me yesterday morning via School Messenger). Mrs. Kemper shared two virtual art shows this past week. Here are links to both of them: HPS Virtual Elementary Art Show and Voyager’s Virtual Art Show If you didn’t get a chance prior to now to check out these wonderful end of the year celebrations, please consider scrolling through the Voyager Facebook Page, logging into SeeSaw or Google Classroom, or going back through your email...they are must see celebrations! LAST OPPORTUNITY before August to Get Your Child’s YEARBOOK and to Pick-up Your Child’s Personal Belongings from Last Year (this is the same information that was shared two weeks ago, as well as numerous times by classroom teachers during the past two weeks and on Facebook) - here is what you need to know: The process for picking up personal belongings will be a “drive-thru” process utilizing the front parking lot. Please enter off of Byron Rd. and follow the front circle drive around. Staff will be there to direct you around the circle drive. Please do not get out of your car. Staff have placed student belongings from classrooms/lockers in a plastic bag or some other type of bag, and all of the “bags” have been moved down to th

The Viking View 5/22/20

Megan Tefft — Wed, 27 May 2020 16:22:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, Happy Memorial Day Weekend to all of you! Please take a moment this weekend to remember and honor all of the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military! IMPORTANT information re: Parent Pick-up of K-4 Students’ Personal Belongings: From the start of this journey that we have been on, my mantra has been “We’re building the plane as we are flying it!” As we approach what would have been the “official” end of the 2019-2020 school year, my new mantra is “The best laid plans…”!! On Tuesday of this week, the Superintendent shared information regarding a plan for allowing parents to pick up their child(ren)’s personal items from school. That communication shared that the district’s tentative plan was to allow for pick-up during the week of June 1. It should have also included that the plan was contingent on bond construction work occurring at each individual school. As a result, Voyager’s pick up plan will be different from other elementary schools in the district (right now it appears that Northwest Elementary will be on an adjusted plan, as well). I had a plan (Plan A) for parents to pick up their child(ren)’s personal belongings during the week of June 1st, but learned on Thursday of this week that due to the recent rains our parking lot will probably not be ready for parents to pick up student belongings until the week of June 8th [Insert Plan B]. Before I provide details regarding Plan B, let me just be up front and let you all know that there could be reasons to adjust Plan B and implement Plan C or even Plan D. Know that I will keep you updated via School Messenger and the Voyager FaceBook page of any changes to the plan. In all of the plans one thing has remained consistent: Staff have placed student belongings from classrooms/lockers in a plastic bag or some other type of bag, and all of the “bags” have been moved down to the cafeteria. On the designated days for pick up, parents will not have access to the building. There will be a drive-through process where staff will bring a student(s)’ belongings out to the parents car, along with the student’s 19-20 year book. Details that you need to know as a parent: K-4 Families - Tentative schedule of pick up days and times (families with a 5th grade student will receive a separate email from me by June 1st, regarding when they can pick up their 5th grader’s belongings, as well as the belongings of younger students in the school) - Monday, June 8th - 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.; 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.; and 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 9th - 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.; 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.; and 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Items to bring with you: Please bring an index card or a piece of paper that contains a list of the children you are picking up belongings for - first and last name, teacher, and grade level. Items that you may need to drop off or return to the school: Registration paperwork for in-coming kindergartners (sibling of a current student) - PLEASE make sure that paperwork is clearly marked and in a sealed envelope. VBC Read-a-Thon money - our VBC has let me know that there are parents who still have money from our “March is Reading Month Read-a-Thon” - PLEASE make sure that all money is sealed in an envelope or a plastic bag with clear information as to the amount in the envelope or plastic bag and who the money is coming from. School/Classroom items that need to be returned (district Chromebooks and Ipads are to be kept over the summer and are not to be returned at this time): Any classroom books, instructional materials, take-home book bags, etc. Library Books 5th grade safety belts (if you can wash them that would be greatly appreciated) Any other items that belong to the school that your child may have brought home. Classroom teachers may have classroom-specific items that they will let parents know about in communications that they send next week or the week after. I know this

The Viking View 5/8/2020

Megan Tefft — Mon, 11 May 2020 14:16:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, This week was Teacher Appreciation Week! I would like to thank our Voyager Booster Club (VBC) and everyone who posted words of appreciation and thanks on our Facebook page or did something else to make our teachers and staff feel so special this week! You are all the best! This was also Senior Survivor Week at Howell High School. As part of Senior Survivor, we had three 5th grade students from Voyager competing as Junior Survivors. I would like to congratulate Jack M. (Team Brad-bot, and Kate J. and Madyson P. (Team No-Slak) for representing Voyager this week in this competition! Mother’s Day is on Sunday!! I’d like to wish a happy Mother’s Day to all of the Voyager moms, step-moms, aunts, and guardians who care for and serve as a role model for our Voyager Vikings - hoping they make you all feel special on Sunday! Earth Day was on Wednesday, April 22nd! During the school year I was meeting with a group of 5th grade students who are passionate about the environment and ways that they and the elementary students in our school can be better caretakers of the Earth. They were focused on finding ways to make our school cafeteria more eco-friendly. Their main project during the year was to look at ways that the school could reduce the number of styrofoam trays that were going to the landfill from our Voyager cafeteria. They had read that it takes 50+ years for styrofoam to decompose, but only 2-12 weeks for most cardboard containers to decompose. They successfully worked with me to generate and research an idea, present the idea to our district Finance Director and our Food Service Director, and share the information with our school. As a result of their work, the district Food Service Director allowed our kitchen staff to replace styrofoam trays with a cardboard “boat” when serving breakfast or lunch items that were pre-packaged. For example, the items contained in the daily 3rd choice on the lunch menu (the “munch boat” option) are pre-packaged items - yogurt cup, string cheese, goldfish/graham crackers. These items do not need to be put on a styrofoam tray - they can easily be placed in a cardboard “boat”. As a result of their proposal, fewer styrofoam trays were being used on a weekly basis at Voyager. With the year ending abruptly, this group reached out to me with an idea to share with our students and their families ideas for continuing to make a difference in our environment even while being quarantined. I would like to thank Megan E., Ryan M., Madyson P., Gabe S., and Sophia T. for sharing this “Being Eco-Friendly While in Quarantine”. Please take a look at this document that these students created to see if there are ways that your family can be more eco-friendly!! Even though we don’t yet know what the start of the 20-21 school year is going to look like (we just learned yesterday that the stay at home order is being extended through May 28th), we, as a district, need to prepare for the eventual return of students to our buildings. We need to begin the process of placing students into classrooms for the upcoming school year. 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. If you would like to complete this form, please email Kari Naghtin at naghtink@howellschools.com. The link to the form will then be emailed to you. PFC forms will be accepted through Friday, May 22nd. In closing, please remember that even though you

The Viking View 4/24/20

Megan Tefft — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 12:46:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, I’m not going to lie! I know this past week was tough - it was tough for students, it was tough for our families, and it was tough for the staff and I! In some respects, it seemed like the “first week” of school all over again - as we embarked on this past week, we already “knew” our students, but there were still a lot of unknowns, uncertainties, and lots of “kinks” to be worked on, just like there are during a typical “first week” of school in September! Transitioning to remote learning is not easy - it’s completely new to most of us!!! Anything that is truly new is usually challenging, frustrating, stressful, and often makes us just want to give up, etc. - emotions that I know ALL of us experienced this week (even myself)! I know I can speak for myself and for all of the teachers at Voyager - we know that this “remote learning” is all of those emotions wrapped up in a ball, but we want you to know that we don’t want it to be that way and that EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US is here to help. Please reach out to teachers, reach out to me, reach out to other teachers/staff that you have a connection with and let us know what you or your family needs. Every family situation is different and what every family is experiencing or needs is different...we as the “school” and the “school district” want to work with you relative to your individual situation and needs, but we can’t help if you don’t communicate with us. You will never be bothering us, interrupting us, or infringing on our time - we are still all here to support our students and their families. As educators, we, too, have had to find a balance in our own lives due to our own family dynamics, but at the end of the day we want to continue to be a support to our students and their families. Every single one of you and every single one of the teachers have worked really hard this week, and all of you need to give yourselves a big pat on the back for persevering. This week and the next five weeks is about keeping students’ minds and bodies engaged academically, physically, and social-emotionally to the best of our abilities...not about feeling inadequate or about not doing a good enough job! Over the past few weeks, I’ve read several articles that shed a great light on ideas that everyone of us needs to keep at the forefront of our minds - I’m going to share three of them with you (I am sharing the links to the articles, but do not expect you to read the articles unless you want more information - I’m sharing for those who want more information and as a way to cite the article: Keep Home Education Simple - In this article, a faculty member at MSU, provides the following tips to support families during these times: Tip #1 Use your village Tip #2 Organize the resources around you (use legos as math counters; dice from games, measuring cups, etc.) Tip #3 When feeling overwhelmed, stick to the basics Tip #4 Establish a routine and incentives Tip #5 Practice self-care and enjoy time together Strategies for Staying Sane While Staying Home - This article also provides a number of ideas to support families during these times of change - here are a few of their suggestions that I liked: Allow for different sleep/work schedules that work for the family Be flexible, but relatively consistent Stay physically healthy and mentally healthy (check out Mr. Gadjev’s PE website or Mrs. Starkey’s SEL activities) Be crafty (check out Mrs. Kemper’s art website or Mrs. Schoendorff's weekly lessons) Make it a game and laugh - my words, “Have fun” A Crisis is not a Marathon -- but it is a call for endurance - Finally, this last article just had some all around good points: Ways that this pandemic is NOT like a marathon - This crisis is not predictable...a marathon is! We did not train for this…my mantra “we are building the plane while we are flying it” We are isolated from our support crews...use your village as suggested in

The Viking View 4/10/2020

Megan Tefft — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 17:39:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, Since school closed on March 13th, this is my third issue of the Viking View - I sent one on Monday, March 23rd, one on Friday, March 27th, and am sending this one today. Each time I have written one, we have had a new date relative to when schools would reopen. With the writing of this letter, we now know that our staff and students will not be returning to “school” as we know it this year. On Thursday, April 2nd, Governor Whitmer announced that she was shuttering all schools across the state for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. Important Information: In the four weeks that schools have been closed (one of those weeks was spring break), students/parents have been receiving K-5, Special Area, and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Choice Boards. Although classroom teachers, special education/support teachers, specials teachers, and counselors have been interacting with students in a variety of ways during this time, interacting with the choice boards has been optional and ungraded. During the initial state-mandated school closure, districts were encouraged to provide families with materials and resources that would help them keep their children academically engaged, but did not have specific mandates/expectations relative to teaching, learning, and assessment. On Thursday, April 2nd, Governor Whitmer signed an Executive Order ending in-person instruction for the remainder of the school year and requiring school districts to implement a Continuity of Learning Plan. The district’s Continuity of Learning Plan and COVID-19 Response Plan outlines and highlights the components related to teaching and learning that are required in the Executive Order. Districts/Schools must keep students at the center by planning for student learning, developing a weekly plan/schedule, and contacting parents so as to continue to build and maintain relationships with students and families. Districts/Schools need to teach content, deliver instruction in multiple ways, provide feedback, and engage students and families. All student learning needs to take place under the direction of a teacher of record. At the elementary level, our teachers will be delivering two English Language Arts lessons and two Math lessons along with assignments/tasks related to those lessons each week for six weeks. During those six weeks, teachers will be interacting with students, contacting students/parents, and reviewing/assessing the work. Student participation in these lessons is highly recommended. Please be patient as teachers navigate this new method of teaching and learning. We are all in this together! Howell Public Schools policy is based on a “do no harm” philosophy, where pupils unable to fully participate will still be permitted to move forward next year. 3rd quarter report cards will not be issued. All elementary students will receive one of the following marks in ELA and Math at the end of the year: Not Evident (NE), Developing (D), or Secure” (S). Pupils who were unable to fully participate will receive a Not Evident (NE) informational mark without penalty and may receive remediation and support based on need in the fall. Our classroom teachers will be providing more details and information regarding the plan for advancing our curriculum. Starting on April 13th teachers will be connecting with students on specific choice board items leading up to new content being delivered starting on April 20th. We are living in unprecedented times and all families (staff families, as well) are dealing with different issues related to COVID-19. We want to first make sure that the physical and social-emotional needs of our students and families are being met and also want to provide instruction for our students to the best extent possible. Please reach out if you have any questions about the information contained in this letter. In closing, I wanted to remind you that even though your chil

Viking View 3/27/2020

Megan Tefft — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 19:24:00 GMT

Friday, March 27, 2020 Dear Voyager Families, I know that I sent you an issue of the Viking View this past Monday, and I am sending another today. In all the craziness that has come with the coronavirus, there was some uncertainty as to when and how building principals were going to send communications from their individual buildings. Prior to closing, all building principals were sending their building level newsletter every other week and Superintendent MacGregor was sending a communication on the weeks in between our building level newsletters. It was decided this week that the district will send COVID-19 updates on Tuesdays and Thursdays and that building principals will send a communication every other Friday following our pre-closing schedule for bi-weekly newsletters. That schedule has us sending a letter today. My next letter will be sent to you on Friday, April 10th. Hopefully, during the past week and a half, your child(ren) have had an opportunity to complete some of the activities that were in the email that was sent to families on Wednesday, March 18th. The purpose was to keep students engaged in a variety of activities during these first two weeks of school being closed - at the time that those were issued we were scheduled to return to school on Monday, April 6th. Also during this time, teachers have been reaching out to students and families in a variety of ways to check on how families are doing, to identify needs that existed, and to maintain the teacher-student relationships that occur when we are in school. Teachers have also been working with students and families to make sure that they are able to access some virtual platforms known as SeeSaw and Google Classroom. Please reach out to your child's teacher if you are having trouble accessing SeeSaw (mainly K-2) or Google Classroom (mainly 3-5) - your teacher should have already let you know which platform he/she will be using with his/her class. We now know that school will for sure be closed through Monday, April 13th, and could continue being closed after that date. As a result, the district has been planning for the week after spring break and determining the types of activities and communication students and teachers will engage in during that week. On Monday, April 6th, families and students will be receiving information from their classroom teacher either through SeeSaw or Google Classroom. Please plan to look for this information on that day. During the week of April 6th-10th, students will be asked to complete activities of their choice from the choice boards that will be sent home. Teachers will then post a question to students relative to the activities that they are choosing to complete or have completed. The focus during the week will be on students and teachers interacting at least once through a variety of ways (email, phone, SeeSaw, Google Classroom or Google Hangouts, Zoom Meetings, etc.) around the activities on the choice boards. Once you receive the information on April 6th, please reach out to your child’s teacher(s) if you have any questions. Please remember that if your child has more than one teacher (a general education teacher and a resource room teacher for special education services, for example), both teachers will be reaching out and interacting with you and your child!!! In closing, I wanted to remind you that even though your child’s teacher or other school staff may be reaching out to you or you may be reaching out to them, you can reach out to me as well if there is something I can assist with as you navigate the coronavirus and the impact it is having on your life. I can be reached through my district email address at naghtink@howellschools.com, or you can text me at 517-404-1682. If you choose to text me, please make sure you identify yourself at the start of the text so I know who is reaching out to me. Please tell your children that Ms. Naghtin says, “Hi!” and that I miss them

Viking View 3/23/2020

Megan Tefft — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 16:31:00 GMT

Monday, March 23, 2020 Dear Voyager Families, What an unbelievable time we are living in...as we embark on week two of our schools being closed, I wanted to touch base with all of you let you know that even though your child’s teacher or other school staff may be reaching out to you or you may be reaching out to them, you can reach out to me as well if there is something I can assist with as you navigate the coronavirus and the impact it is having on your life. I can be reached through my district email address at naghtink@howellschools.com, or you can text me at 517-404-1682. If you choose to text me, please make sure you identify yourself at the start of the text so I know who is reaching out to me. Please feel free to have your children email if they would like to do that - I promise they will get an email back from me! As we continue to navigate these uncharted waters, the need to stay connected is going to become greater. This weekend as I reflected on the past week, I realized that due to the birth of my grandson on Monday, March 16th, and a lot of behind the scenes work that administrators were involved in, I was feeling very disconnected from all of you by the time Friday rolled around. I decided on Sunday that this week I need to actively pursue ways to stay connected with my Voyager “family”...I miss all of you!! The way that I have decided to do that is to have more of a visible presence on the Voyager Elementary School Howell, Michigan Facebook page. Prior to the schools being closed, I rarely had time to visit our Facebook page, and kept abreast of what was going on via other avenues. Starting this week, I will be reacting to and commenting on posts and will even be posting some pictures as I participate in Howell’s Senior Survivor Spirit Week and Voyager’s Spirit Week. Please share my pictures with your children so that they can see me my favorite stuffed animal (try asking them who they think my favorite stuffed animal is), see me wearing my Detroit Tigers jersey, or see me reading in a cozy spot at my house. If you are on Facebook, I would encourage you, if you haven’t done so already, to like the Voyager Facebook page and regularly find a time to interact with it. I will be encouraging staff to do this, as well (although many of our staff do already interact with our families on Facebook). If you don’t have a Facebook account, I would encourage you to set up an account just for the purpose of interacting with our page and staying connected with us. This weekend, three activities that I would like to highlight for you were posted on the Voyager Facebook page (some teachers have also emailed or sent these activities to their families by another avenue and I am including them here in case you aren’t on Facebook): Senior Survivor at Howell High School is hosting a Virtual Howell Home Spirit Week. Here is the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=EjKqhY-7q_8&app=desktop and here is the link to the daily themes: image0.png At Voyager, we have three 5th grade students who are representing Voyager as a Junior Survivor. Our Junior Survivors and their teams are as follows: Jack MacGregor is with #TeamBradbot (Sapphire), Brad Young is his Senior Survivor; Kate Johnston and Maddie Papiez are our other Junior Survivors and they are with #TeamNo-Slak (Royal Blue), Sara Lakotich is their Senior Survivor. If you watch the video, you will have the guidelines, but in a nutshell, you need to post a picture or pictures representing each of the daily spirit week themes. Pictures should be posted on the Howell High School Senior Survivor Facebook Page, Twitter or instagram; hashtag the photo as #TeamBradbot or #TeamNo-Slak and #HPSHomeSpirit2020. Make sure you use the two # - the Team's hashtag and the #HomeSpirit2020 hashtag. Let me know if you have any questions. While on the "spirit week" bandwagon - please check out Voyager's “school specific spi

Viking View 2/28/20

Megan Tefft — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 13:15:00 GMT

Friday, February 28, 2020 Dear Voyager Families, It’s been a short week...two snow days does that, and today was a half-day! I have a couple of reminders to start off this newsletter: RESCHEDULED SPRING PICTURE DAY - Spring Pictures were supposed to be taken last week Wednesday. Due to the snow day on Wednesday, they needed to be rescheduled. Life Touch will now be here on MONDAY, MARCH 16th. Please send your child's picture envelope with them that day if you still had it at home. We still have order forms in the front office if you need one. REMINDER - Vision Screening for 1st, 3rd, & 5th Grade Students and Referrals is THIS WEEK - Vision screening will occur this week on Monday and Wednesday (rescreening will be on Thursday). Please notify the school on Monday morning if: 1) You have a concern for your child and your child is not in the above grades, or 2) You do not want your child screened. Please provide your child’s name and his/her teacher if either of these situations apply to your child. Please let the office know if you have any questions about vision screening. REMINDER - Registration for the Feelin’ Good Mileage Club 2020 ENDS ON MONDAY - From April 13-May 29, students are provided opportunities to walk or run during identified lunch periods. Students earn a toe token for every five miles logged up to 20 miles. When they reach 20 miles they earn a water bottle. This is a free program, however, any student who chooses to walk/run even on one day has to be registered to participate. As a result, I encourage you to register your child even if he/she is not sure if he/she wants to participate (some of our younger students decide they want to participate after they see friends participating). You can register on your phone, tablet, or computer at SparrowMilesClub.com. Please contact the office if you need a hard copy of the form! Let’s shoot to have 90-100% of our Voyager Vikings registered to participate. **** A program like this requires a large number of volunteers - information on how to volunteer is on the Voyager Facebook Page and it was emailed to everyone earlier this week. Please take a look at this information so you can see how you might support this program once or twice; on a weekly basis; or even more than that if your schedule allows. It’s a fun way to be involved at the school that doesn’t require any prep work or a long term commitment!!! NEW INFORMATION - Reading, Reading, Reading - As everyone knows, reading is a very important part of what we do here at school!! Even though March is designated as reading month, our belief is that reading should be the focus every month of the year not just during March. With that said, we as educators do typically place a heightened focus on reading during the month of March - Dr. Seuss’ birthday is Monday and reading is celebrated nationally during the month. We typically hold a spring book fair in March (this year’s fair will be the week of March 9th - more information will be coming home soon, although I’ve heard it has a “jungle” theme)!!! Another way that we focus on reading in March is through our wonderful parent group’s “Read-a-Thon. The Voyager Booster Club (VBC) utilizes the “Read-a-Thon” as their major fundraiser of the year to raise funds for the activities and materials that they provide to our staff and students. I’m looking forward to experiencing my first “Read-a-Thon” fundraiser at Voyager - it is kicking off today and runs through March 31st. Students will be bringing home information about the “Read-a-Thon” and information will be posted on the Voyager FaceBook page. I strongly encourage you to check out the staff video to kick-off the “Read-a-Thon” - it’s posted on the Voyager FaceBook page. In wrapping up this section on reading, even the National Association of Elementary and Secondary Principals focuses on reading in March. They shared this flyer with their members across the c

The Viking View 2/14/20

Megan Tefft — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 13:10:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, Happy Valentine’s Day!!! There is a district reminder below, but please remember that there is NO SCHOOL for staff and students on Monday, February 17th!!! Enjoy the long weekend! Vision Screening for 1st, 3rd, & 5th Grade Students and Referrals - Vision screening will occur at Voyager on March 2nd & 4th (re-screening will be on March 5th). Here is some information from the Health Department regarding vision screening: The Livingston County Department of Public Health will be conducting Vision Screening at Voyager. All Health Departments in Michigan provide routine vision screening to identify children who have vision problems or might be at risk for vision problems. Children who do not pass the initial screening will be rescreened. If a child does not pass the rescreen, a letter will be mailed home recommending the child see an eye doctor for a complete eye examination. Students in 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th grade will receive vision screening. Vision screening will also be provided to students in other grades who are last-year follow-ups and parent/teacher requests. Please notify the school (prior to the first day of screening) and provide child’s name and teacher if: 1) You have a concern for your child and your child is not in the above grades, or 2) You do not want your child screened. Please let the office know if you have any questions about vision screening. REMINDER - Registration for the Feelin’ Good Mileage Club 2020 is open through March 2nd - From April 13-May 29, students are provided opportunities to walk or run during identified lunch periods. Students earn a toe token for every five miles logged up to 20 miles. When they reach 20 miles they earn a water bottle. This is a free program, however, any student who chooses to walk/run even on one day has to be registered to participate. As a result, I encourage you to register your child even if he/she is not sure if he/she wants to participate (some of our younger students decide they want to participate after they see friends participating). You can register on your phone, tablet, or computer at SparrowMilesClub.com. Please contact the office if you need a hard copy of the form! Let’s shoot to have 90-100% of our Voyager Vikings registered to participate. **** A program like this requires a large number of volunteers - information on how to volunteer will be available next week from our VBC. Please be on the lookout for this information so you can see how you might support this program once or twice; on a weekly basis; or even more than that if your schedule allows. It’s a fun way to be involved at the school that doesn’t require any prep work or a long term commitment!!! On Tuesday, I will be on the morning announcements, encouraging students to have their parents register them for the program, will be sharing some new “features” of the program this year, and will be letting students know that I will be walking with students when my schedule allows. I LOVE Sparrow’s Feelin’ Good Mileage Club! There are several “District Updates” this week. As a result of this, I am going to keep my letter short this time - enjoy the three day weekend with your families! Please read the “District Updates” and the “Counselor Corner”. Every other week, our wonderful Elementary Counselor, Ms. Jennifer Starkey shares information with parents - this week’s Counselor Corner features information about an in-school program that is offered to all of our 2nd graders - 2nd Grade Ability Awareness Day! Please read the information even if you don’t have a 2nd grader - Ms. Starkey needs volunteers to help with this program! As always, please feel free to contact me at anytime. My email is naghtink@howellschools.com or you can reach me by calling the main office at 517-552-7500 ext. 46503. Sincerely, Kari Naghtin, Principal District Updates: No School on Monday, February 17

The Viking View 1/31/20

Megan Tefft — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 13:15:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, It is hard to believe it is already the last day of January - if it seems like the month flew by, it did!! The unexpected snow day was nice, but it also contributed to the month seeming like it flew by even more. From experience, I can tell you that the next four months will fly by, as well. When we get to the last day of May, we will only have four days left in the school year. Hang on as we finish the second half of the school year together! Since sending my last bi-weekly newsletter on January 17th, Superintendent Erin Macgregor sent to all Voyager families an emailed letter letting them know that I have been named the permanent Principal at Voyager. I am very happy with this announcement and look forward to continuing the journey that we started this fall on into next year. Feelin’ Good Mileage Club 2020 - Either today or early next week, your child will be bringing home information regarding Sparrow Hospital’s “Feelin’ Good Mileage Club” (information is also on the Voyager Facebook Page). From April 13-May 29, students are provided opportunities to walk or run during identified lunch periods. Students earn a toe token for every five miles logged up to 20 miles. When they reach 20 miles they earn a water bottle. This is a free program, however, any student who chooses to walk/run even on one day has to be registered to participate. As a result, I encourage you to register your child even if he/she is not sure if he/she wants to participate (some of our younger students decide they want to participate after they see friends participating). Registration opens tomorrow (2/1) and ends on Monday, March 2nd - you can register on your phone, tablet, or computer. Please contact the office if you need a hard copy of the form! Let’s shoot to have 90-100% of our Voyager Vikings registered to participate. **** A program like this requires a number of volunteers - please be on the lookout for upcoming information regarding when volunteers are needed for this program. It’s a fun way to be involved at the school!!! Topic for this newsletter: ATTENDANCE There will be times that a child needs to miss school - sick with a contagious illness; an appointment(s) that can’t be scheduled outside of the school day; a family emergency that can’t be avoided, etc., but overall students should miss very little school. Regular attendance in school is one of the most important factors related to success in school. In elementary school students are being taught foundational skills. As a result, regular attendance is crucial for learning these skills. I recently read a parent tip sheet related to attendance that I thought made some good points (woodburnpress.com). Absences add up - even if your child misses just a few days of school here and there, important concepts can be missed/not learned. According to research, missing two days a month negatively impacts a student’s academic performance (missing 2 days a month = ~ 18 days/year - that’s 10% of the school year that a student is missing; missing 3-4 days a month = ~27-36 days/year - that’s 15%-20% of the school year that a student is missing) Elementary attendance affects reading - reread the last sentence above. Frequent absences in elementary school have been shown to significantly impact a student’s reading skills. Elementary attendance problems can negatively impact a student’s future - research shows that by 6th grade, attendance problems become a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school. Attendance affects social growth - elementary students are still learning social and emotional skills that will help them throughout their lives. At school, they learn to interact with others, make friends, and build relationships with adults outside their family. Consistent attendance helps foster positive social and emotional growth for your child. School is the equivalent of being a student’s job. It is important t

The Viking View 1/17/2020

Megan Tefft — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 20:38:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, Happy New Year and happy end of 1st semester!!! First semester ends today. Report cards for all students will be available in PowerSchool on Friday, January 24th. If you have not had a chance to have a reflective conversation with your child about his/her experiences during 1st semester and his/her “goals” for 2nd semester (see the Viking View from 12/20), please consider having that conversation over the upcoming long weekend - we do not have school on Monday, January 20th - it is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! 2nd semester/3rd quarter begins on Tuesday, January 21st. As we look at the calendar today, Thursday, June 4th seems a long time from now. Some of you may not even know what Thursday, June 4th is - it’s the last day of school for the 2019-2020 school year! It will be here before we know it - it’s already the middle of January. The end of the school year is an exciting time for staff and students and a lot of special classroom and school-wide events/activities get scheduled. Staff and I have already met to discuss what our school-wide end of the year activity/event schedule will look like this year, and we wanted to get some dates to you at this time, as there are some events that you will want to attend and there are others that will require several parent/non-parent volunteers. We know that having these dates as soon as possible is critical for scheduling. In this newsletter, I am just providing dates. Specific information on each event/activity will come home in the future. Here is the schedule for the last week of school: Monday, June 1st - Field Day Tuesday, June 2nd - Rain Date for Field Day Wednesday, June 3rd - AM - 3rd-5th Grade Talent Show (all students attend) Thursday, June 4th - AM - 5th grade Completion (9:15 a.m. Clap Out; 9:30 a.m. CompletionProgram); PM - Oakland University Production “The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse" I realize that this schedule looks different than the end of the year schedule that Voyager has had in the past (field day the Thursday before Memorial Day; a talent show that was two half days in length and included K-5 students participating, and 5th grade Completion in the afternoon of the last day). Staff and I reviewed what has traditionally happened, discussed events that staff would like to see changed or tweaked, and took into consideration that next year the 2020-2021 school year will end on the Friday before Memorial Day. Starting summer vacation the Friday before Memorial Day will have its benefits, but also creates some challenges (for example, the state testing window for our 3rd-5th graders typically ends on the Friday before Memorial Day). Staff and I decided that beginning to make some changes now would assist in preparing for next year’s change. With all of that said, we know that not having K-2 students involved in the Talent Show will be sad news for a lot of students and for parents. Change is hard...but is something that happens. Thank you in advance for understanding and for helping our students to understand the need for change. I am confident that we have a great line-up of events and activities to make the end of the year special for our students. In addition to what I have shared, classroom teachers/grade levels will have their own special/exciting events to add to the end of the year festivities. Howell HS Varsity Basketball Games -I would like to highlight some HHS Varsity Basketball events that Voyager elementary students and their families have been invited to next week Friday and at the end of February. Here is the information: Howell Varsity Girls Basketball “Pink Out” Night- 1/24/20 - 7 pm - our own “Voices of Voyager” Choir will be singing the National Anthem Howell Varsity Boys Basketball “Voyager/Northwest” Night & “Dress Like Simon” Night- 2/21/20 - 7 pm In addition to these two nights, 2/4/20 is a Howell Varsity Girls Basketball Elementary & Middle School Night - 2/4/20 - 7

The Viking View 12/20/2019

Megan Tefft — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 13:24:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, I would like to wish all of our families a wonderful break! The staff here at Voyager will look forward to welcoming our students back on Monday, January 6th. Enjoy this time with families and friends! When we return there will be 2 weeks left in the first semester. The semester ends on Friday, January 17th, and report cards will be available in PowerSchool on Friday, January 24th. There is no school on Monday, January 21st - this is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The end of 1st semester provides an opportunity for students, staff, and parents to reflect on how the first half of the school year has gone for a student and to set goals for second semester. As adults, we can have conversations with students as young as kindergarten about the fact that the school year is half over, and we can facilitate discussions with the student about what he/she has liked/disliked, what has worked well/not worked well, and what should he/she keep doing/what should he/she start doing. An article I read recently shared some suggestions for “jump-starting” the second half of the school year. Here are the suggestions: Take stock of how the first half went academically, socially, and behaviorally. Think about ways to build on successes; how can changes be made for the better. Treat the start of second semester as a new beginning - I frequently refer to it as a clean slate!!! Talk with your child about the first half of the school year in chunks. Ask open-ended questions that encourage your child to share their thoughts rather than yes or not questions. Help your child identify 1 or 2 high impact changes that are doable and attainable for the child. Develop with your child a road map/plan for the rest of the school year and regularly check in with each other as to how the plan is going. Over the upcoming break and in the weeks before 1st semester ends, I would like to encourage you to utilize the suggestions above to have reflective conversations with your child about the first half of the school year. I would also encourage you to share with the teacher/school staff information that you feel would be helpful for them to know as they begin second semester with your child. In closing, I would like to remind parents of our drop-off procedures in the morning and our pick up procedures in the afternoon. With the arrival of colder temperatures, we have had parents coming into the building and sitting on the benches with their child(ren) until the bell rings. Parents are no longer able to wait/congregate with their children in the front lobby before school starts. Unless a student is coming in for breakfast or a parent is coming in for a meeting with me/the teacher, parents and students should not be in the building until the bell rings. Please get in to the drop-off line or stay in your car in a parking spot until it is time to enter the building. Also, PLEASE remember when dropping your child off in the morning or picking up your child at the end of the day that you need to pull forward as far as you can - this may mean pulling all the way up to the cones that are close to the end of the building near the playground. If there are no cars in front of your car, you should not be stopping in front of the main doors to have your child get out of or into your vehicle. Here are the drop-off & pick up procedures for you to review: Voyager Drop-off & Pick-up Procedures This concludes what I have to share this week, however, there are three district updates, as well as our bi-weekly note from our wonderful Elementary Counselor, Ms. Jennifer Starkey - this week she is providing information about a parent training opportunity being offered in January. Please check the list of upcoming events that are included in this newsletter. As always, please feel free to contact me at anytime. My email is naghtink@howellschools.com or you can reach me by calling the main office at 517-552-7500 ext

The Viking View 12/6/19

Megan Tefft — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 13:16:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, Thanksgiving has passed and we are at the end of the first week of December! I hope everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving break. Knowing that this month of the school year is busy and stressful for everyone, I am going to keep this newsletter shorter and less meaty - I’d rather have you enjoying the season and focusing on your friends and families than reading a meaty newsletter from me!! I’ll save the meatiness for the newsletter that will go home on Friday, December 20th - even though it will get emailed on 12/20, I will encourage you to wait to read it on Friday, January 3rd...the information contained in it won’t be needed until then. In searching for a topic for this newsletter, I came across an article from Very Well Family that was entitledPreventing Holiday Stress and Anxiety in Children. Here are the pointers that they shared: Set a calm example Set up conditions for good behavior Remember the importance of routines (see Ms. Starkey’s “Counselor Corner” below) 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 and break!!! This concludes what I have to share this week, however, there is one district item, as well as our bi-weekly note from our wonderful Elementary Counselor, Ms. Jennifer Starkey - her topic this week is about the holidays and sleep in our children. Please check the list of upcoming events that are included in this newsletter, as well. As always, please feel free to contact me at anytime. My email isnaghtink@howellschools.comor you can reach me by calling the main office at 517-552-7500 ext. 46503. Sincerely, Kari Naghtin,Principal District Updates: Howell Baseball Clinics The Howell High School baseball program is offering two baseball clinics this winter. The clinics are open to children ages 6-13 and will cover all aspects of the game. Participants will rotate through hitting, pitching, fielding and agility stations. To learn more please visithttp://bit.ly/2DKzOE1. COUNSELOR’S CORNER: Sleep and the Holidays The holidays are just around the corner! While the holidays can be filled with hustle, bustle, and merriment, they can also infuse schedule changes, travel, and special events to our already busy lives. Staying well-rested can help us all stay healthy and happy during the holiday season! According to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, children ages 6-12 need 9-12 hours of sleep per night, teens require 8-10 hours, and adults benefit from at least 8 hours of sleep per night. Adequate sleep can lift our mood, reduce stress, and boost immunity. Certainly, we all want to celebrate the holidays feeling happy, stress-free, and steering clear of illnesses! The Alliance for a Healthier Generation lists the following tips to help us stay well-rested this holiday season: Try to keep a consistent schedule. Have your family go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on holiday breaks. If you are planning to travel to a time zone that is to the east of ours, have your family go to bed and wake up a little earlier than usual. If you are planning to travel to a time zone that is to the west, go to sleep and wake up a little later than usual. Avoid caffeine after lunchtime and large meals right before bed. If you want to nap over the holiday break, experts say that a 20-minute nap is the best amount of time to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go. Turn down the temperature at bedtime (even though it may be cold outside). We sleep better when the room temperature is between 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit (65-70 degrees for babies and toddlers). Stay active over the holidays! Try activities like skiing, skating, or sledding… or even walking around the mall to gift shop! ...and if you’re lookin

The Viking View 11/15/2019

Megan Tefft — Mon, 18 Nov 2019 14:30:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, Wow, what a fast-paced couple of weeks it has been here at Voyager...a fabulous book fair was put on by our VBC (thank you for transforming our Media Center into a “polar wonderland”; thank you to our Media Secretary, Tammy Meisel, and all of the volunteers who supported this activity for students, staff, and families); we’ve had two evenings of parent-teacher conferences (thank you to all of the parents who were able to attend a conference during this month - teachers are still sharing their conference percentages with me, but as they are rolling in I can tell that we will certainly be close to reaching our goal of having 100% of our students represented by at least one parent at a conference); and we threw a SNOW DAY, yes, a snow day in there to change things up during two very busy weeks!!! I know that classroom teachers have put this reminder in their newsletters, but with the arrival of the snow, I, too, would like to remind everyone of a couple of things: Please check the weather at night or in the morning. If there is snow on the ground or the temps are at freezing or below, send your child with the appropriate snow gear (hat, gloves, snow pants, coat, and boots). We go outside as long as the temperature with the wind chill is above 10 degrees. Label, label, label - It is a good idea to put your child’s name on anything that you can put your child’s name on, but is especially critical when it comes to outerwear like hats, gloves, boots, snow pants, and coats. If you can’t fit your child’s entire last name on an item consider just putting their initials on the item with a sharpie marker. It is also a good idea to label water bottles, lunch boxes, etc. When an item gets separated from its owner, having even initials to go from is extremely helpful in getting the item back to where it belongs. It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just 13 days away (when do I need to start thawing the turkey?!?!?). With the arrival of Thanksgiving and the subsequent holiday season, I began thinking about gratitude and how do we encourage a grateful attitude in our children during the holidays. I found a great article that addresses just that - “Encouraging a Grateful Heart During the Holiday Season”. Here is the link to the article: https://www.carolinapeds.com/2018/11/encouraging-grateful-heart-holiday-season/, but thought I would share the suggestions they have as bullets (you can read the article if you want more information): Be a role model Have gratitude be part of daily conversations Volunteer as a family (see Mrs. Starkey’s “Counselor Corner” below) Encourage generosity Create a “family gratitude jar” In addition to these suggestions, the article also highlighted some benefits of gratitude. One of the benefits is that there is a development of empathy. Hopefully everyone immediately thinks of “RISE-ing Up” here at Voyager - the “E” in RISE stands for empathy. When I got to the end of the article, I knew why I loved it - they quoted Piglet, friend of Winne-the-Pooh. “Piglet noticed, that even though he had a very small heart, it could hold a rather large amount of gratitude.” Here’s to finding ways for you and your children to be grateful during the upcoming holiday season. I know I am grateful for the students, staff, and families that we have here at Voyager! Reminder from my last newsletter - An employment opportunity...permanent or part-time...everyday from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., our students on a rotating basis eat lunch and partake in recess. Our teachers eat their lunch at the same time as their students. As a result, we need additional staff to be with our students during this time. Finding individuals who enjoy supervising students during lunch/recess and who are available to work 2 hours in the middle of the day is often very difficult. I am bringing this employment opportunity to your attention as a good source for filling these positions is our own parent populat

The Viking View 11/1/2019

Megan Tefft — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 14:42:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, I would like to start by thanking our Voyager Booster Club for putting on a fabulous “Trunk or Treat” event on the evening of Friday, October 25th!! This was my very first “Trunk or Treat” event ever, and it was so much fun to see so many families enjoying dinner from the food trucks and enjoying the trick treating at all of the trunks!! If you weren’t able to participate this year (there was a lot going on that night), I would encourage you to catch it in the future! The first quarter of the school year ended on Friday, October 25th, and with the end of the first quarter comes the time of year when a lot of elementary schools schedule parent-teacher conferences with parents. Howell schedules parent-teacher conferences on two Thursday evenings in November. This year conferences are scheduled from 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 7th, and Thursday, November 14th (please note your conference time could be before 4:30 p.m. or after 7:30 p.m. as teachers create their own schedules; your conference may even be on a different day). Teachers have been sending/emailing reminders to parents. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have forgotten when your conference is or if you haven’t scheduled a time yet. Our goal is to have 100% of our students have at least one parent attend a conference!!! A parent-teacher conference is a face-to-face meeting between one or more teachers and one or both parents (or guardians) of a student. It is an opportunity to discuss a student's academic progress and social behavior. In gathering information for this newsletter, I came across an article entitled “How to Get the Most out of a Parent-Teacher Conference” - this article describes parent-teacher conferences as “speed-dating” in the education world!!! “You sign up for a 10-minute slot (15 if you’re lucky), the teacher pulls out a timer, and away you go... you.better.talk.fast.” Even though they are short, they can, with a little bit of pre-planning, be effective. Get your child’s input before and after the conference...let your child know that you are going to a meeting/conference with his/her teacher(s). Let your and that a conference helps the teacher and the parent work together to make sure that the school year is a successful one for him/her. If you haven’t been doing this all along, ask your child how he/she is doing in school; ask him/her if he/she knows what his/her teacher is going to share with you; ask him/her what they like the best/least about school/what is easy/hard for him/her at school. After the conference have a follow-up conversation with your child - share the wonderful things that the teacher shared, as well as the areas that need to be worked on and the plan for addressing those areas. Come prepared...think through any questions you have or concerns you might want to address; bring those questions/concerns that would be better addressed through a face to face conversation rather than ones that could be covered over the phone or through email. Prioritize the questions that you do have in case there is not enough time to address all of them. Ask this question…"How can I support my child at home?” Even if you don’t have questions/concerns, this is a question that every parent can ask. Stick to the schedule - there is another parent out in the hall waiting for their “speed-dating” session to begin...PLEASE know when your conference is scheduled to begin and when it is scheduled to end so that you can be considerate of other parents’ time that evening - arriving a couple minutes early helps to insure that your conference starts on time. If your time comes to an end and there is more to be discussed, make a quick plan to follow-up in the next day or two via phone or email. If something comes up and you are not able to make your scheduled time, please email the teacher directly or call the office at 517-552-7500, so a message can be delivered to the teacher. With all o

The Viking View 10/18/2019

Megan Tefft — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 12:21:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, It’s definitely beginning to look and feel like fall...bulletin boards are taking on a look of fall (please check out the absolutely beautiful “fall” bulletin board that a couple of creative parents created this week in the front hallway); kindergarten classrooms have visited the farm and brought back pumpkins; and Trunk or Treat is just a week away - looking forward to experiencing this Voyager tradition for the first time with students and their families!!! It’s hard to believe that we are just about 40 days into the school year - the first quarter ends next week Friday, October 25th. In the very first bi-weekly newsletter that I sent to families, I highlighted our Voyager Behavior Expectation Matrix and our daily focus of “RISE - ing Up” in all that we do here at Voyager. During these first 8 weeks, the staff and I have taken advantage of opportunities to highlight sections of the behavior matrix. For example, as each grade level has headed out on their first field trip, I have held individual “class meetings” to highlight what it means to be an “ambassador” for Voyager when going on a field trip and reviewed the “field trip” expectations outlined in the matrix. I am currently visiting 1st grade classrooms as they prepare to walk to the fire station this next week or the week after. As we approach the end of the first quarter, I thought it would be a nice opportunity to share some ways that parents can support “RISE” outside of school. RISE represents the character traits of “Responsibility”, “Integrity”, “Safety”, and “Empathy”. As adults and parents, we can probably think of several ways to teach our children about responsibility and safety; teaching our children about integrity and empathy might be a bit more challenging. Here are some basic ideas to assist you in supporting integrity and empathy in your children. Kid-friendly definition of integrity: “Doing the right thing, even when no one is looking.” Teach values (honesty, compassion, patience, etc.) Teach empathy (more on this below) Lead by example by acting with integrity Share examples of positive moral behaviors Resources: Teaching Integrity & Character to Children and How to Teach Your Child Integrity Kid-friendly definition of empathy: “Being able to understand and care about how someone else is feeling; putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.” Empathize with your child and model empathy for others Make caring for others a priority and model high ethical expectations Provide opportunities for children to practice empathy Expand your child’s circle of concern Help children develop self-control and manage feelings effectively Resource: For Families: 5 Tips for Cultivating Empathy In addition to this information on integrity and empathy, there are a couple district items this week, as well as our bi-weekly note from our wonderful Elementary Counselor, Ms. Jennifer Starkey - her topic this week is about a wonderful community resource for parents - the Livingston County Parent Coalition. Please check the list of upcoming events that are included in this newsletter. As always, please feel free to contact me at anytime. My email is naghtink@howellschools.com or you can reach me by calling the main office at 517-552-7500 ext. 46503. Sincerely, Kari Naghtin, Principal District Updates: Coffee Chat with Superintendent MacGregor Superintendent MacGregor’s first Coffee Chat of the school year will be held on Thursday, October 24, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Howell High School Highlander Restaurant. In addition to sharing district updates and answering any questions attendees have, Howell High School administrators will be providing an overview of post-secondary planning and options. The Highlander Restaurant is located on the west side of Howell High School. To view a map of the Highlander Restaurant’s location, please click here.

The Viking View 10/5/2019

Megan Tefft — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 14:12:00 GMT

Saturday, October 5, 2019 Dear Voyager Families, We had a fun week supporting the Howell High School Spirit Days. It was fun to see all the Howell spirit wear on Friday as we celebrated “Green and Gold” day! A group of 5th graders and Mrs. Gariepy and I had a great time walking in the Homecoming parade. Congratulations to the football team on a great Homecoming victory! GO HIGHLANDERS!!! Last Friday was our first ½ day of the school year. District staff were involved in professional development that afternoon. Our Kindergarten-5th grade teachers, our Special Education Teachers, and our At-Risk Teacher, and myself were focused on the implementation of our new district-wide elementary reading curriculum - Units of Study from Lucy Calkins and the Teachers College Reading & Writing Project (TCRWP) Colleagues. Right out of the gate we are working with our students on some pretty complex questions. What habits do good readers have? What does your reading life look like? How can you select a book that you’re interested in that you can also read? This program grants students more choices with their reading, and it allows for differentiation among the students (differentiation means that students can be working towards the same goal, but doing that work within a text that is at their reading level. For example, if the goal in 3rd grade is to understand how characters feel, one student can be reading a book that has only one or two characters whose feelings are tracked, but another student can be reading a book with 2+ characters to be tracked.) The level of the book is important because we want the students to functionally be able to read the text while developing their analytical skills. Teachers in their various electronic and paper communications with you have begun to share information with you relative to these questions and the new curriculum in general. You may have read about “Bends” (these are skills to be taught), creating students who have a passion for reading, building stamina as readers, and reminders to read with your child everyday (this isn’t necessarily new, as we have always known that good readers read a lot). This is all part of the “language” of the Units of Study. As our students grow academically this year, we challenge everyone to connect with their child about their reading life. You will be amazed at the level of focus your child will have when you engage with them around their reading. Did you like it? What kind of material did/do you read? How does reading impact your life? If you are struggling to find books that your child enjoys reading, please reach out to your child’s teacher. Finally, please read the classroom newsletters/information that teachers share with you regarding what our students are learning in reading this year - you can learn along with us as we develop successful readers here at Voyager! In closing, please remember that we have a student-run branch of the LOC Federal Credit Union that is open every Thursday afternoon here at Voyager. Information regarding how a student can open an account was sent home a couple of weeks ago. Please contact the main office if you need that information sent home again. Please make sure you check the list of dates included in this newsletter...there is a lot happening here at Voyager! As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need additional information about anything happening here at school! My email is naghtink@howellschools.com or you can reach me by calling the main office at 517-552-7500 ext. 46503. Sincerely, Kari Naghtin, Principal Counselor’s Corner - Mobile Dentist Program Health and wellness are both integral to success at school, and taking care of your child’s teeth is important to keep them healthy. All elementary schools in Howell are proud to work with the Mobile Dentist program, where a dentist and dental hygienists visit the schools twice pe

The Viking View 9/20/19

Megan Tefft — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 14:26:00 GMT

Dear Voyager Families, It is hard to believe that we are finishing week four of the school year and that the first of October is just around the corner. We are continuing to experience a wonderful start to the school year. This week I have met with every grade level 1st-5th grade (I met with Kindergarten students during the first week of school) to remind them that here at Voyager we RISE UP everyday! With the 2nd-5th grade students, I reminded them of the Voyager Behavior Expectations Matrix that I shared with you in my letter two weeks ago (I’m sharing it with you again this week). With 1st grade I reviewed basic behavior expectations that they can understand - as the year goes on, we will dig deeper into the behavior matrix with our 1st graders. It was obvious that our teachers had shared the matrix with the students and discussed it - students knew its purpose and the information contained in it. Students could also tell me what RISE stands for - Responsibility, Integrity, Safety, and Empathy and could provide examples of what RISING UP looks like in the cafeteria and on the playground - the two areas that I highlighted in our grade level meeting. I also talked to our 3rd graders and 5th graders about RISING UP and being “ambassadors” for Voyager as they each head out on field trips to the Howell Nature Center (5th grade was there today; 3rd grade goes there on Monday). I will discuss field trip expectations with the other grade levels prior to their first field trip. Overall, I can say that in the first four weeks our students are truly RISING UP and are contributing positively to the learning environment that we have here at Voyager. With the majority of our Voyager Vikings RISING UP on a daily basis, I haven’t in the first 18 days of school had to address the flip side of behavior very often - what happens when a Voyager Viking slips up and doesn’t RISE UP. At this point in the school year and given that I do not know the students (everyone is starting with a clean slate), most instances of not rising up that I am asked to address are handled with a conversation about what happened and a review of what is expected (reference to the behavior matrix if appropriate). If a follow-up conversation has needed to occur (a repeat infraction), an appropriate consequence has been issued (spending some time in the office with me; missing some recess or free choice time; a phone call home to a parent, or a combination of these consequences). For the first time this year, the district has included an HPS Elementary Code of Conduct within the district’s “Student Handbook” - the link above contains just pages 113-119 of the 143 page “Student Handbook”. This subsection of the larger “Student Handbook” lists the core beliefs of the district and shares examples of proactive strategies (teaching of expected behaviors, recognizing positive behaviors that students are exhibiting) and reactive strategies (consequences). Within the elementary code of conduct are charts that detail examples of behaviors and potential disciplinary actions that may result. Please be advised that the charts do not list all possible behavior infractions, and that consequences are determined in accordance with the severity of the action and may defer from/not follow the charts exactly. K-5 students are subject to the entire code of conduct, not just areas in the elementary specific section. Please carefully review the elementary code of conduct. Let your child’s teacher or I know if you have any questions about this document. If at anytime your child is sharing information with you that you find concerning or you have concerns/questions in general, please contact your child’s teacher, myself, or transportation to share your concerns with the appropriate contact for the situation at hand. In other words, if your child is reporting that he/she is having difficulty with another student and they have tried various strategies on their own (aske

The Viking View 9/6/2019

Megan Tefft — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 14:24:00 GMT

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 naghtink@howellschools.com 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

The Viking View 5/24/19

Megan Tefft — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 17:04:00 GMT

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

Viking View 5/10/19

Megan Tefft — Tue, 21 May 2019 14:05:00 GMT

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

Viking View 4/26/19

Megan Tefft — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 17:30:00 GMT

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

Viking View 4/12/19

Megan Tefft — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 14:21:00 GMT

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

Viking View 3/22/19

Megan Tefft — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 15:23:00 GMT

The Voyager Viking View 03/22/2019 Dear Voyager Families, March came in like a lion and appears to be going out like a lamb. We celebrated the first day of Spring on Wednesday, and the weather is finally starting to reflect it. I hope that each and every one of you enjoys time together as a family next week during Spring Break. It is this part of the year that really starts to move quickly towards the finish line as we embark on our last quarter of the year on April 8th. May all of you have a restful and peaceful Spring Break. I look forward to seeing all the smiling faces when we return to school and friends reunite. Bond Proposal On May 7, 2019, the Howell Public Schools community will be asked to vote on a $39 million bond proposal to fund much-needed improvements to each of our 11 buildings. This is a no-frills proposal that will help the district address critical infrastructure needs, increase safety and security at our buildings, improve educational spaces, replace aging buses, and address athletic facilities that have not kept pace with the needs of our student-athletes. The bond will allow the district to address these needs while lowering the current debt millage. To learn more about the bond proposal, please visit HowellSchools.com/ForOurKids. Senior Survivor Howell High School’s annual Senior Survivor fundraiser is just over a month away. 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 carnival on Friday, April 26 at 6 p.m. in the Howell High School Field House! The carnival activities 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. 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 15th, 2019, and will be accepted through Friday, April 26th, 2019. Remember that your child’s current teacher knows the learning style that best suits your child. 2019-2020 School Year Calendar As Superintendent MacGregor shared in his email earlier today, through a collaborative effort of the Howell Education Association (HEA) and the district, we have reached an agreement on the 2019-2020 school calendar. You can view the full calendar at https://goo.gl/TzJtDB. Please note, that the district and the HEA are still working on finalizing the open house and conference schedule. The district will provide updates regarding those items as they become available. Attention Fifth Grade Parents All fifth-grade parents should have recently received an email or letter from the district regarding the upcoming Fifth Grade Reproductive Health Parent Night which is set for Thursday, April 4, 2019, at 7 p.m. at Three Fires Elementary. The letter also included information about the district approved fifth-grade reproductive health lessons that will be taught in April and May. If you are a fifth-grade parent and have not filled out the permission slip for this, please visit http://bit.ly/health5thgrade by Thursday, April 18, 2019. Counselor’s Cor

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