Thank you to all of our families and caregivers for another great week!
This week I was filled with so much pride watching our 5th graders and our students who are new to Valor show up for their very first Circle. They brought so much presence and balance. I was particularly impressed by the 5th graders who presented their badgework. They did a truly phenomenal job. Moments like that remind me what makes our Valor community so special.
I also want to spotlight the AI + Human Connection Summit that Valor is hosting soon. It’s going to be an incredible learning event, giving our community a chance to understand the impact of AI in an immersive, human centered way. I hope many of you will join us.
As always, thank you for staying engaged and connected. We’re so grateful to have you as part of the Voyager family!
Week of September 20Voyager Weekly Principal’s Update
Upcoming events, campus announcements, and family engagement updates.
On Campus
Campus Announcements
🤖 Invitation to Register: AI + Human Connection Summit at Valor
When: October 7–9, 2026 (several time slots available)
Where: Valor
Details: What will it mean to be human in a world shaped by AI? Join us for a one-of-a-kind immersive experience designed to help students, families, and Valor staff explore that question together. Through live actors and interactive scenarios, you’ll step into possible futures and experience firsthand both the incredible possibilities and the real risks of a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. This special event, created in partnership with the Rithm Project, is coming to Valor for the first time ever at a school. Learn more about the Summit here. You’ll leave with new questions, new perspectives, and an opportunity to think together about how we can use AI without losing what matters most: our humanity and our connections to one another.
We invite families and students in 7th grade or above to join us in experiencing the future and helping shape what comes next for our Valor community. There are several opportunities to participate over the course of the three days. Please register using this form by selecting the time you’d like to attend. Spots will be filled on a first come, first served basis, and we highly encourage students and caregivers to register and attend together. We’ll email confirmation of registration and attendance to participants next week.
Valor Family Group
Family Engagement Announcements
🔄 🥫 2nd Annual Network Food Drive
We’re excited to partner with Second Harvest Food Bank for our 2nd Annual Network Food Drive! From September 21st through October 23rd, scholars and families are invited to help us collect food and support neighbors in our community experiencing food insecurity. Every donation makes a difference!
Most Needed Items: peanut butter, canned soup and stew, canned fruits, veggies, canned chicken, tuna, cereal, and pasta.
Drop Location: Donation boxes can be found at all campuses.
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
We’re nearing the end of Quarter 1 and looking forward to Quarter 2. With that in mind, we would LOVE to celebrate our amazing teachers and staff, who have worked so hard to set the tone for the ’26–27 school year. We’ll be hosting the Middle School Teacher Luncheon on Tuesday, October 6th from 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., along with the Voyager Teacher/Staff Appreciation Luncheon. Sign up to help here!
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Hospitality Chair for your school or the Family Engagement Manager:
Voyager Hospitality Chair: Jasmine Williamson, jasminewilliamson15@gmail.com
Family Engagement Manager: Alexis Morris, alexis.morris@valorcollegiate.org
Middle School Q1 Family Q&A Session
Thank you to all of our families who joined us for our Q1 Family Q&A sessions! We appreciate your time, questions, and continued partnership with Valor. We’ve compiled the questions discussed during the sessions along with responses from our school leadership team. Click here to view the Q&A document and review the answers. Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we work together to ensure every family feels seen, valued, informed, and connected!
Around Nashville
Celebrations & Community Connection
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! At our diverse-by-design school, honoring cultural identities beyond our own is central to our mission. When 5th through 12th graders actively learn to appreciate heritages outside their personal experience, they build essential empathy, global perspective, and the cross-cultural confidence needed to thrive in an interconnected world. Celebrating these varied stories enriches our entire community. Explore these dynamic local opportunities with your family to listen, connect, and celebrate together:
Sazón Latin Food Festival 2026: Taste of Latin America
When: Sunday, October 18, 2026 | 12:00 p.m.
Where: Bearded Iris Brewing, 101 Van Buren Street, Nashville, TN
Details: Bring the whole family to this lively outdoor celebration of Latin American and Caribbean culture, featuring curated authentic food vendors and music.
Nashville Public Library Survey
Deadline: Open through September 30, 2026
Details: Help shape the future of our local public libraries! Take the Libraries Are for Everyone Survey to share your unique thoughts, experiences, and ideas. Click here!
TNJFON Panel: “Nashville’s New Americans”
When: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 5:00–6:30 p.m.
Details: Join TNJFON for a free evening of community connection. Author Sheri Lea Sellmeyer discusses local immigrant journeys in her book, moderated by Cristina Oakeley of ¿Qué Pasa Nashville? Location provided upon free registration. Register here.
Go Wildcats
Athletic Announcements
MS Boys Basketball
🏀 Open Gym: Only a Few Spots Left!
Thank you to everyone who came out for the 3×3 Tournament!
When: Thursday, Sept 24 | 3:45–5:00 PM @ Flagship (3 spots left), and Saturday, Sept 26 | 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. @ VCP Gym (8 spots left)
Details: 25 spots available total. Please make sure your student has proper footwear and water. Sign up for either day here!
🏆 Athletics Week at a Glance: September 21–26, 2026
| Day | Time | Matchup | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 9/21 | 4:30 & 5:30 PM | 🏐 HS Volleyball (JV) vs. FRA — Jersey Night | Home |
| 6:00 PM | 🏈 HS Football (JV) vs. Nashville Christian | Home @ NCP | |
| TBD | ⛳ HS Golf (Varsity): Districts | Franklin, KY | |
| Tue 9/22 | 6:00 PM | ⚽ HS Girls Soccer (Varsity) vs. Lead — Blackout Game! First 25 students get Chick-fil-A | Rose Park |
| Wed 9/23 | 4:30 & 5:30 PM | 🏐 MS Volleyball @ USN | Away |
| 4:30 & 5:30 PM | 🏐 HS Volleyball @ East Nashville | Away | |
| Thu 9/24 | TBD | 🏐 MS Volleyball (Blue): HVAC Play-In Date | FRA |
| 5:00 PM | ⚽ HS Girls Soccer (JV) vs. KIPP Collegiate | Ezell Road | |
| 6:00 PM | ⚽ HS Girls Soccer (Varsity) vs. Battle Creek | KIPP Global | |
| — | 🏃 HS Cross Country (Varsity): MNPS Championship | Vaughn’s Gap | |
| Fri 9/25 | TBD | 🏐 MS Volleyball (Blue): HVAC Play-In Date | FRA |
| 4:15 PM | 🏃 MS Cross Country: HVAC Division AA Finals | USN River Campus | |
| 6:00 PM | 🏐 HS Volleyball (Varsity) vs. Houston HS | Briarcrest, TN | |
| Sat 9/26 | 9:00 AM | 🏐 HS Volleyball (Varsity) vs. Clarksville | Briarcrest, TN |
| 12:00 PM | 🏐 HS Volleyball (Varsity) vs. Briarcrest | Briarcrest, TN |