August 29,2024 Weekly Newsletter

Good Afternoon Patriot Families,

Thanks for a great first week of school! Students have hit the ground running and are already working hard! We appreciate our students, families, and staff for make this first week a success, even with an unanticipated two-hour delay!

Have a wonderful long weekend and Labor Day Holiday!

Dr. Kevin Clark, Principal

In this message: 

• What’s Happening at Yorktown
• Counseling Corner
• Activities Updates
• Senior Updates
• Technology Corner
• Upcoming Dates
• 2024-25 PTA Information

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT YORKTOWN

Class Meetings

This week and continuing next week we have been meeting with each class during Patriot Period to review expectations for students, safety information, and the student code of conduct. We want to emphasize the importance of Respect for Others, the Community, and Self (ROCS) and contributing positively to the Yorktown community.

We also want to thank students for doing a good job silencing and storing their phones during class time. We know this helps students focus and avoid distractions to be their best learners in class. For families who want students to leave their phones at home during school hours, we have a phone in the main office available for students who need to call home.

Please take a moment to review the APS Student Handbook with your child. Thank you for helping us start the school year on a positive note!

Attendance Updates

We encourage parents to report full-day absences via the ParentVUE website or ParentVUE mobile app. The attendance reporting feature appears as a blue button titled “Report Absence” on the ParentVUE main page.  The ParentVUE- Report Absences link will show you step-by-step how to report full-day absences in this manner.

If you have questions regarding your ParentVUE account, see the ParentVUE website.If you are unable to submit an absence via ParentVue or your child is checking in late or leaving early, you can send in a note with your student, leave a voicemail or email one of our Attendance Administrative Assistants:

Ms. Campana – 703-228-5411  Constance.Campana@apsva.us

Ms. Perez – 703-228-5410  Anai.Perez@apsva.us

Please review the APS Attendance Policy J-5.1.30 Attendance that defines excused absences:

Students learn best when they attend school regularly. Each parent/guardian or person having control or charge of a child within the compulsory attendance age is responsible for such child’s regular and punctual attendance at school as required under provisions of the law. All students must attend all regularly scheduled classes unless excused in writing by a parent/guardian or verified by a school official. Schools shall monitor and record the absences of all students.Excused AbsencesThe following are considered excused absences:

• llness (to include mental health), quarantine of student, doctor, therapy, or dentist appointment; 

• Injury; 

• Funeral; 

• Observance of a religious holiday; 

• Summons to a court of law or other legal obligation; 

• Medical procedures; 

• Military obligations; 

• Violent storms or state emergencies; 

• Suspensions; 

• Severe family emergency;

• Middle and high school students for one school day for the purpose of engaging in a civic event(advanced notice from parent required)

• High School Seniors, with prior approval from the principal or designee, for the purpose of college admission visitations, or to apply for post-graduation jobs; and

• All others approved in advance by principal or designee.

September 10: NWEA MAP Testing (Delayed start for 11th and 12th graders)

This year, all 9th and 10th grade students as well as a select few 11th and 12th graders will take the NWEA MAP Reading Assessment. This is to ensure students are able to put forth their best effort, to ensure sufficient time, and to minimize disruptions. The results of this assessment help identify students who need additional support and inform reading interventions.  On Tuesday, September 10th, testing will begin at 8:20 am and classes will begin at 11:20 am.  The details of this delayed-start schedule will go out to students and families next week through English classes and via Parent Square. Please reach out to Alesandra Bakaj (alesandra.bakaj@apsva.us) if you have any questions.

Bullying, Cyber Bullying and Safety Reporting

As we start the year, I want to remind parents and students that bullying and cyber bullying prohibited and to talk with your children about recognizing and reporting such behaviors. We encourage students who believe they are being bullied to report the issue to an adult. Information on bullying and reporting can be found here. For students who want to report anonymously, use this reporting link on the Yorktown website. Definitions below:

Bullying: Using repeated negative behaviors intended to frighten or cause harm. These Cancelmay include, but are not limited to, verbal or written threats or physical harm, intimidation, taunting, name-calling, and insults and any combination of prohibited activities. A student, either individually or as part of a group, shall not harass or bully others either in person or by use of any communication technology including computer systems, telephones, pagers, or instant messaging systems. Prohibited conduct includes verbal conduct consisting of comments regarding the race, gender, religion, physical or mental abilities, sexual orientation, or other characteristics, towards another person and /or associates of the targeted person.

Cyberbullying:

Using information and communication technologies, such as cell phone text messages and pictures and internet e-mail, social networking websites, defamatory personal websites, and defamatory online personal polling websites to support deliberate, hostile, behavior intended to harm others.

COUNSELING CORNER

Scheduling Update

We were very fortunate to be able to add several sections of classes just before school started, as a result of an increase in our student numbers.  These additions will help us ensure that as many students as possible get all the classes they request and reduce class sizes.

Counselors are continuing to make schedule changes, both based on student requests for changes, and in order to balance the number of students in each class.  Consequently, some students’ schedules could change without having made a request.  These will not be course changes, but rather a different section of the same course.  Students should regularly check their StudentVue for any updates.

As a reminder for students requesting a course change, they should complete the schedule change request form, and their counselor will reach out to them to discuss the change.  We do not make changes based on requesting a different teacher or period of the day.  Preference changes (ex. Art instead of Photo) must be completed by September 6th, and dropping the level of a course (ex. Intensified to Regular) must happen by October 4th.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we try to align the schedule in the best interest of our students.

Senior Information Night

There will be a virtual Senior Information Night for families of current seniors on Wednesday, September 18th, at 7pm.  Counselors will present information about Naviance, the Common App, college applications and post-secondary planning.  Please use this link to join the meeting.

Credit By Exam (CBE)

Does your student speak a language other than English? They may be able to receive high school credits simply by taking an exam. More information, and the link to register for the exam, can be found on the APS World Languages website. Credit by Exam registration is now open! Note: Registration will close on September 27, 2024 at 11:59 PM.

The test will be available in as many languages as are offered by the CBE.  Sometimes the list changes year-to-year. Most testing will be done on election day, November 5, at Wakefield High School, and families must provide their own transportation.  Some languages require one-on-one telephone interviews, and those will happen in November and December at Yorktown.

ACTIVITIES UPDATES

Student Activities Fairs

There will be an Activities Fairs during the lunch periods on Wednesday, September 11.  This is a great opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with the clubs and activities available at Yorktown.  Additionally, parents and students can check on upcoming club meetings during the first month of school by watching the TV Dailies at the link on the main YHS website.

Back to School BBQ

There will be a free Back to School BBQ on Friday, September 13 prior to the varsity football game against Wakefield.  All students are invited to grab some food, listen to music and engage in lawn games before heading to the game.

Ticket Prices for Athletic Events

This year, per APS policy, ticket prices will be $7 for adults, $5 for students ages 6-18 and free for those over 60 and under 6.  This applies to football, field hockey and volleyball games in the fall.  Please consider bringing exact change or purchasing tickets online at www.gofan.co  Exact change at football games will facilitate faster entry.

Yorktown General Athletics Game Attendance Information

We look forward to seeing you at upcoming events.  Please note the following:

• No backpacks or bags are allowed and no outside food or beverages can be brought into any home games.
• Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be admitted or will be asked to leave the event. Parents will be notified to pick up their child from the event.
• Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for ages 6-18, including APS high school students, at all fall sporting events (volleyball, field hockey and football).  Tickets will be sold online before the game at https://gofan.co/app/school/VA24974 as well as at the gate (exact change is preferred)

Arlington Public Schools Varsity Football Attendance Information

Varsity football games are community events.  For the safety and security of all those in attendance, in addition to the above rules, the following rules are in place:

• Only students from Yorktown and the opposing school are allowed admission without their own parent or guardian present.  IDs or StudentVUE will be checked at the gate.
• Middle-school students (and younger) must be accompanied and supervised by their parent or guardian.
• There will be designated seating areas for Yorktown students, Yorktown band and general spectators.

Home Games this Week

Where to find Athletics Information

Athletic Website – www.yorktownsports.org

Athletic Twitter – @yhssports

Athletic Instagram – @yhssports

Athletic Specific Sport Information – www.teamapp.com

Athletic Registration – https://yorktownhs-ar.rschooltoday.com/

Ultimate Frisbee Starts September 3 

Ultimate frisbee is an intra-county sport which is open to all interested students.  No registration is needed, however, you are expected to sign up for YHS – Boys or Girls Ultimate in Team App under 2024 Team.

The boys team will typically practice on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4-5:30 pm while the girls team will practice Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5-6:30 pm.  Games begin in late September and run through October with 1-2 games per week typically on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays.The team will be off from October 22-28.  The full game schedule is posted on www.yorktownsports.org

Interested students should plan to attend on Tuesday, September 3 on the grass fields at 4 pm for boys and 5 pm for girls.

Winter and Spring Sports

For your planning purposes, winter sports (basketball, gymnastics, swim/dive, wrestling, cheerleading, rifle, indoor track and crew winter training) begin on November 11th; which is a school holiday, and spring sports (baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, tennis, outdoor track, crew) begin on February 24th.  Students can join www.teamapp.com for specific off-season and tryout information on winter and spring sports, which will be posted as it becomes available.  Please make sure to register on the new athletic registration site before attending any off-season activities or tryouts (see information above).Homecoming is October 4th Weekend!The Homecoming football game will be October 4th at 7 pm against Centreville with the dance on Saturday night, October 5th.

SENIOR UPDATES

Off-Campus Lunch Permission 

Per Arlington School Board policy, seniors who obtain an Off-Campus Lunch Pass may leave the school grounds during their lunch period. Please complete the application for off-campus lunch privileges with your parent/guardian. Valid Lunch Pass with student name, and ID# must be on their person when students are exiting and returning to the building. Passes will be distributed to students from Dean of Students, Ms. Irwin during lunch the week of September 3-6, 2024. Off-campus lunch privileges will begin on Wednesday, September 4th for those who provide the application and pick up their pass. Students without a lunch pass will not be allowed off campus for lunch.

Be sure to bookmark the Seniors website which is linked on the Yorktown HS home page under Quicklinks and loaded with information for senior year. Find answers to your questions about these and more:

• Announcements and Rings
• Caps & Gowns
• Class Dues
• Graduation
• Graduation After-Party
• Off Campus Lunch Privilege
• Prom
• Senior Experience
• Senior Portraits
• Yearbooks

Senior Portraits

Appointments will be available for Senior Portrait retakes at school October 1, 2, and 4. After the final Senior Makeup session on-site, Seniors may then schedule an appointment at one of the Studio locations in Hanover or Rockville.

Save the Date 

Class of 2025 Graduation – 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 4, at DAR Constitution Hall.

UPCOMING DATES

See YHS Calendar or the APS Calendar for more information:

• August 26 – First Day of School K-12
• August 30 & Sept 2 – Holiday – Labor Day
• September 13 – Back to School BBQ – Bus loop

2024-25 PTSA INFORMATION

Below, see ways to connect with the Yorktown PTA this school year:

• The PTSA invites all families to subscribe to our email list to receive weekly PTSA updates and occasional email communications regarding important YHS/PTA/APS activities, events, and resources. PTSA membership is not required to receive the newsletter. Please share with families you know through social media, neighborhood listservs, etc.
• Visit the PTSA’s website for news, info, and resources for parents/guardians and families.

All are welcome and valued; all ideas, thoughts, and concerns are important; and together, we’ll do our best to support our kids and our YHS community!  Questions can be directed to Maurine Fanguy and Janet Pence at president@yhspta.org.