Happy Sunday, Voyager families and caregivers! We have a few important dates to flag this week. Please remember that Picture Day is this Tuesday, and that we are off on Wednesday for the Veterans Day holiday.
This week, in honor of Veterans Day, we are highlighting the service of our very own Mrs. McConkey. Mrs. McConkey is a military veteran who served in the United States Air Force for eight years, and I am so proud to celebrate her. Please take a moment to join us in sending gratitude to Mrs. McConkey and to all of the veterans in our Valor community. You can read more about her service in the Campus Announcements below.
Week of November 8Voyager Weekly Principal’s Update
Upcoming events, campus announcements, and family engagement updates.
On Campus
Campus Announcements
🇺🇸 Honoring Our Veterans on Staff
Mrs. McConkey
United States Air Force
Contracting Specialist, 8 years
“The Air Force taught me to have purpose, determination, and be my best self.”
Thank you for your service!
🚀 Introducing the Valor Launch Pathway
When: Thursday, November 12, 2026 | 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Where: Zoom, join here
Details: Over the past year, a team of Valor educators, students, and families has been designing the Valor Launch Pathway (VLP), a new 12th grade option for a small group of rising 12th graders beginning in Fall 2027. The VLP offers guided self-directed, personalized learning; career-connected learning, including internships; supportive mentoring; and Compass-aligned content and community projects.
On Thursday, November 12, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. on Zoom, I’ll host a Town Hall to share why Valor is designing this pathway, what it offers, and how students can apply. The pathway is designed for current 11th graders, who will be eligible to apply in December, so the Town Hall is geared toward 11th grade students and families. That said, any Valor family curious about this innovation work is warmly welcome to join. The session will be recorded and shared afterward.
Daren Dickson
Executive Director of Innovation
📊 Preparing for MAP Testing
When: Tuesday, November 17 to Friday, November 20, 2026
Details: MAP Growth is a computer-adaptive test, so every student gets a unique set of questions based on how they answered the previous ones. Correct answers lead to harder questions, and incorrect answers lead to easier ones. By the end of the test, most students will have answered about half of the questions correctly, which is typical for an adaptive test.
Valor gives the MAP Math and Reading tests to track your scholar’s progress over their time with us. 5th graders take the test in the fall, winter, and spring. All other students take it in the winter and spring. Because the test is nationally normed, the results help inform our decisions about student placement, including whether a student needs intervention support in the morning and whether they are placed in on-grade-level or above-grade-level literary seminars. We also use this data to inform advanced math placement, such as taking Algebra in 8th grade.
How to help your scholar prepare: Make sure they are well-rested and fed, and encourage them to do their best. You can also try short sample tests to see what MAP Growth questions look like. To learn more, read 12 Common Questions Parents Ask About MAP Growth.
Valor Family Group
Family Engagement Announcements
🔄 📚 Parent Power Session: Literacy Night & Homework Support
When: Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | 6:00–7:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Where: Compass Center
Details: This session stems from our Family Valor Voice survey, where over 50% of middle school families expressed interest in learning strategies to support their children with homework. Join our interactive workshop, tailored for parents and caregivers, to gain practical tools and tips to support students in:
- Creating effective routines at home
- Fostering independence
- Increasing organization
- Resources on literature
Also earn your scholar a homework pass for attending and learning more about Valor Homework.
🔄 🌎 2nd Annual Multicultural Festival
Valor will be hosting its 2nd Annual Multicultural Festival and we would like to invite you and your family to come celebrate the many cultures and traditions that make our Valor community so incredible!
Join us for a day filled with cultural performances, food, art, music, and interactive activities representing the diversity of our community. We invite all staff and students to come celebrate, participate, share their cultures, and help make this event a memorable experience for everyone. We hope to see you there!
Event at a Glance:
When: Saturday Nov 14th
Where: Voyager Courtyard ( VCP Commons/ Dining Hall depending on weather)
Time: 11:00-2:00
Parent Power Session: Valor AI views
Thank you to all the families who joined us on Thursday for our Parent Power session, Valor & AI: What Parents Need to Know! We appreciate your engagement and thoughtful questions as we explored how AI is being used at Valor.
For those who were unable to attend or would like to revisit the conversation, you can access the session recording linked HERE, along with helpful resources outlining Valor’s AI Use & Policy, Vision & Beliefs, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
If you have any additional questions or would like further clarification, please contact Daren Dickson.
Thank you for staying informed, engaged, and connected!
Around Nashville
Celebrations & Community Connection
November is Indigenous Peoples’ Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous communities. This month also marks Movember and Military Family Month, alongside celebrations including los Días de los Muertos, Diwali, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Native American Heritage Day. Here are some local opportunities to connect and support our youth this month:
🔄 🗣️ NICE English Classes at Valor
When: Monday, November 9, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Where: Compass Center
Details: Free English classes for Valor families, hosted by NICE! This is a series of six English language workshops where you will learn vocabulary, grammar, and phrases. Join the WhatsApp group for information about upcoming classes. Questions? Call (629) 280-0595.
En español: Clases de inglés gratuitas para las familias de Valor, organizadas por NICE. Lunes, 9 de noviembre, de 6 PM a 8 PM, en Compass Center. Serie de seis talleres de inglés. Únete al grupo de WhatsApp para obtener información sobre las próximas clases. ¿Preguntas? Llame al (629) 280-0595.
All Children Excel Nashville
When: Friday, November 13, 2026 | 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Where: Lentz Public Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Ave
Details: Join community partners to reflect on 2026 accomplishments, shape priorities for 2027, and enjoy a free hot breakfast. All community members and supporters are welcome. Learn more at acenashville.org.
West African Dance Class for Youth
When: Every Saturday in November (starting Nov. 7) | 12:00–1:00 p.m. CST
Where: McGruder Family Resource Center, 2013 25th Ave N, Nashville
Details: Get moving, have fun, and celebrate culture! The Black Mental Health Village invites youth to participate in a West African Dance Class led by Amatullah “LaLa” Majeed. Participants will explore West African dance, express themselves through movement, and connect with cultural heritage. RSVP online today.
Fine Arts, Clubs & Enrichment
FACE: Fine Arts, Clubs & Enrichment Announcements
Valor Theatre
🔄 🎭 Valor Theatre Presents: The Wizard of Oz, Youth Edition (MS Auditions)
When: Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13, 2026
Details: Open to all 5th through 8th grade students! For more information about auditions, click here to review our Audition Information Document. Performance dates: March 4–7, 2027.
🔄 🎭 Fall Productions: Final Performance
Our fall Valor Theatre productions wrap up with a final performance on Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. One ticket gets you into BOTH shows!
- The Sound of Murder (Rated PG)
- SIX: Teen Edition (Rated PG-13)
Go Wildcats
Athletic Announcements
🏆 Athletics at a Glance: November 9 – 20, 2026
| Day | Time | Matchup | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 11/9 | 4:00 PM | 🎳 HS Bowling vs. Overton | Tusculum Bowling |
| 5:30 PM | ⚽ MS Girls Soccer (B) vs. Lipscomb | Away | |
| Tue 11/10 | 4:00 PM | 🎳 HS Bowling Regionals | Tusculum Bowling |
| 4:15 PM | ⚽ MS Girls Soccer (A) vs. Lipscomb | Away | |
| 5:30 PM | ⚽ MS Soccer (B) vs. CPA | Away | |
| Thu 11/12 | 4:00 PM | ⚽ MS Soccer (B) vs. King Academy | Ezell Road Park |
| 5:15 PM | ⚽ MS Soccer (A) vs. King Academy | Ezell Road Park | |
| Mon 11/16 | 4:30 PM | 🏀 HS Boys Basketball (JV) vs. Central Magnet | Home |
| 6:00 PM | 🏀 HS Girls Basketball (Varsity) vs. Central Magnet | Home | |
| 7:30 PM | 🏀 HS Boys Basketball (Varsity) vs. Central Magnet | Home | |
| Tue 11/17 | 3:30 PM | 🏀 HS Girls Basketball (JV) vs. FRA | Home |
| 4:30 PM | 🏀 HS Boys Basketball (JV) vs. FRA | Home | |
| 6:00 PM | 🏀 HS Girls Basketball (Varsity) vs. FRA | Home | |
| 7:30 PM | 🏀 HS Boys Basketball (Varsity) vs. FRA | Home | |
| Fri 11/20 | 6:00 PM | 🏀 MS Girls Basketball (A Team) vs. NCP | Home |
| 7:00 PM | 🏀 MS Boys Basketball (A Team) vs. NCP | Home | |
| 6:00 PM | 🏀 HS Girls Basketball (Varsity) vs. Overton | Away | |
| 7:30 PM | 🏀 HS Boys Basketball (Varsity) vs. Overton | Away |
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