September 6, 2024 Weekly Newsletter

Good Afternoon Patriot Families,

I would like to thank all of our students for calmly and quickly responding to yesterday’s unexpected evacuation and early release. Thank you also to parents for being responsive to messaging and being patient while we determined the appropriate response to the issue.

This week, we met with our 11th grade and 12th grade classes to discuss school expectations and safety during our Class Meetings. As always, we encourage you to discuss with your kids the importance of following school expectations, being in class on time, and contributing positively to the Yorktown community by demonstrating Respect for Others, the Community and Selves. We are excited for a great year and are proud of how students have started the school year.

Next week, we will have our first lockdown drill of the year. This week’s tragic school shooting in Georgia reminds us of the importance of practicing these drills and conveying the importance of preparedness with students and our community. Additionally if students need support they can go to the counseling office. Thanks for your support for a safe Yorktown.

Enjoy the weekend!

Dr. Kevin Clark, Principal

In this message: 

• What’s Happening at Yorktown
• Counseling Corner
• Activities Updates
• Senior Updates
• Upcoming Dates
• 2024-25 PTA Information – PTA Meeting Monday @7:30

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT YORKTOWN

Meet & Greet with the Yorktown Administrative Team

Interested in meeting Yorktown’s school administrators and learning more about how you can partner with us to ensure your student is most successful? Please join the Yorktown Administration for a Meet & Greet on Friday, September 13th, from 9-10am in the Cafeteria, where we will share important information regarding school safety, attendance, and more so that we can work together to promote a positive school experience for all students and staff. Please see the flier for more information. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided. RSVP here.  We hope to see you there!

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. On Tuesday, September 10th, testing will begin at 8:20 am and classes will begin at 11:20 am.  

We ask you to remind your students of the following:

• Bring their charged laptop to school; the assessment is online
• Check which room they need to report to. If they don’t remember, have them check in with their English teacher. Counselors will be in the atrium on test day to help students find their test rooms as well.
• The assessment is ungraded, but they should still take their time and try their best

Please reach out to Alesandra Bakaj (alesandra.bakaj@apsva.us) if you have any questions.

Hall Sweeps Starting Next Week

Please remember that students should be arriving at school by 8:10 so that they can make it to their first block by 8:20. The late bell rings at 8:20, and any student arriving to class after the 8:20 bell will be marked tardy and will have to get a pass from the attendance office.

We will begin hall sweeps on Wednesday, September 11th. Hall sweeps promote on-time attendance to class. For the first week of hall sweeps, an announcement will be made to indicate that a hall sweep will occur. Any student in the hallway after the late bell will report to an administrator for a pass. Students will receive a verbal warning for their first hall sweep, but will receive consequences (lunch detention, after school detention, parent meetings, etc.) in the subsequent hall sweeps if repeatedly caught in the sweeps.

Student Activities Fair

There will be an Activities Fair 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 Next Friday!There will be a free Back to School BBQ on Friday, September 13 from 5:30-7 pm 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.  The event will be in the front of the school near the amphitheater and bus loop.

COUNSELING CORNER

Suicide Prevention Month

Everyone can play a role in preventing suicide. During National Suicide Prevention Month in September, join the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to raise awareness by sharing resources that can help you recognize the warning signs of suicide and learn how to get help. If you have any concerns about a student, no matter how small, please reach out to the student’s counselor as soon as possible.

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 Register and 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

New 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/

Last Chance – Ultimate Frisbee  

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.orgInterested students should plan to attend on Monday, September 9 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

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 11 & 12 – Fall Individual Portraits
• September 13 – Back to School BBQ – Bus loop

2024-25 PTSA INFORMATION

PSTA Meeting this Monday, September 9th, 2024 7:30Please see the information for Monday’s PTSA meeting at 7:30 pm. Zoom link:  https://zoom.us/j/91526779465?pwd=O8Sa9qZp2wPQccxczIqOdPdyugO8bT.1

• Sign up for weekly PTSA newsletters and join the PTSA – note that you need to sign up for the newsletter separately from joining the PTSA.
• The PTSA needs volunteers to support the Back to School Barbecue on September 13 before the first home football game. Sign up here to help.