March 21, 2025 Weekly Newsletter

Dear Patriot Families,

As we approach the last three weeks of the third quarter, it is a good time to check in with your child(ren) about how they are doing in school. Teachers and staff are available during Patriot Period for support. Students should inquire about make-up or retakes for qualified assessments and ensure work is completed on time. For questions, please reach out to your child’s teachers or counselor.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dr. Kevin Clark,

Principal

In this message: 

• What’s Happening at Yorktown
• Counseling Corner
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Corner
• Activities Updates
• Senior Updates
• Upcoming Dates

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT YORKTOWN

Yorktown Music Accolades

Congratulations to the Yorktown String Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra for earning Superior ratings at District Orchestra Assessment. Orchestra will travel to NYC next week to participate in the Heritage Music Competition. Congratulations to orchestra students and teacher, Ms. Wallace.

Five Yorktown High School students were selected by audition for the All-Virginia music ensembles. The All-Virginia event will be held April 24 – 26 in Richmond.

• Nathan Cohen (12) – All-Virginia Choir
• Tessa Green (10) and Alexander Joe (12) – All-Virginia Orchestra
• Leah Kamholz (9) – All-Virginia Symphonic Band
• Nyx Hendrey (12) – All-Virginia Concert Band

Yorktown Mixed Choir competed in the Festival Disney competition last Friday (3/14) and came out on top with every award that could be won! Congrats chorus students and Ms. Mullins!

• “Gold Mickey” – Top Choir in the entire festival (out of 10 choirs)
• “Best in Class” – Category 4A (out of 5 choirs)
• Best Piano Accompanist – student Pari Blackburn
• Best Guitar Accompanist – student Silas Frickert
• Best soloist in the Solo Festival – student Bella Houston.

Yorktown Choirs receive Excellent and Superior ratings at state choir assessment at the beginning of the month. Two Yorktown High School students were selected by audition for the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Conference Honors choir ensembles. The ACDA event will be held this weekend March 19-22 in Dallas, TX.

• Colin Riley (12) – Mixed Honors Choir
• Star Perkins (10) – Treble Honors Choir

Tickets Now on Sale for Anything Goes

Set sail with Yorktown Performing Arts’ production for a night of classic Broadway entertainment. Anything Goes, the beloved musical by Cole Porter, brings humor, romance, and unforgettable songs like “I Get a Kick Out of You” and “You’re the Top” to the stage. Join us for this timeless story, sharp wit, and a score that has stood the test of time. Secure your seats today.

Show Dates: April 3 at 7 PM, April 4 at 7 PM, and April 5 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PMTickets: https://www.yhstheatre.org/tickets-shows

COUNSELING CORNER

Advisory Information

The APS SEL Survey will be administered in all advisories on Tuesday, March 25th (March 27th will be the make-up date). This survey is a requirement for all APS students unless the student has been opted out. Opting out happened through the APS Central Office last month.  Teachers have been given a list of students in their advisory that have opted out and they will not have access to the survey.

Tuesday, March 25th: 

•  All Grade Levels- SEL survey

Thursday, March 27th: 

• 9th, 10th, 12th Grades: Make-up SEL survey date, academic check ins, or students can leave with a pass
• 11th Grade assembly: Students will attend a college readiness assembly with the counseling team.

Dual Enrollment (DE) Registration

If your student(s) requested a DE course for next school year, they will be invited to complete the NOVA registration process this coming Monday or Tuesday.  This is a required step in order to take the course.  Students will receive a pass with a specific time for when they should report to the cafeteria for registration instructions.  If you have any questions, please contact Susan Rochard

Junior Night Recording

In case you missed last night’s Junior Night presentation, or you would like to watch it again, you can now view the recording.  It will also be posted on our website.Online Course Request Process 2025-26Parents/guardians, you may now view your student(s)’ course requests for the ’25-’26 school year through ParentVue.  Once you open the app, please click course requests to see the list.  If you would like to request a change to one or more courses, please use this form.

The Fine Arts Apprentice Program 

The Fine Arts Apprentice Program provides specialized experiences beyond the regular art, music and drama curriculum for selected high school students (rising 10th, 11th, or 12th graders). Opportunities for students may include ensemble works, master classes, attendance at professional rehearsals and performances, museum courses, small group instruction, seminars, exhibit and performance opportunities.Course Info: Fine Arts Apprentice; Full year, one-half credit: Fine Arts I (29290), Grades 10-11; Fine Arts II (29291), Grades 10-11; Fine Arts III (29292), Grade 12 (Prerequisite Fine Arts II or permission from the Instructor).

• Students or families are encouraged to email or call the Apprentice Coordinator with any specific questions – [email protected]  or 703-228-6171.
• Applications are due April 23, 2025
• Apprentice Application Information & Work Sample Guidelines
• Online applications (work sample & recommendations sent separately):

1. Fine Arts Apprentice Application 2025-26 
2. Online recommendation form:  Apprentice Program Recommendation Form
3. Step-by-Step Instructions on Application Process
4. Sample e-Portfolio

Students selected for the Apprentice Program receive a pass/fail grade and a 1/2 credit for a minimum of 75 hours of arts experience outside the school course requirements. These opportunities take place out of the school day and are often offered in the evenings and on weekends. Students are able to select opportunities of interest that work with their school commitments and extra-curricular activities. Click here to watch a video behind the scenes of the Fine Arts Apprentice Program.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION CORNER

Resources for Families

The APS Immigration Resources for Families page has been updated with additional information, including a “Family Planning” section regarding Standby GuardianshipThe Legal Aid Justice Center is offering Free Legal Consultations for Arlington Residents. APS does NOT provide legal advice, but this information can be shared with families in need.

Mental Health Fair & Screenagers Event

When: Thursday, March 20th from 6:00-8:30 PM

Where: Dorothy Hamm Middle School

What: A district-wide event to support mental health and wellness

Join the Substance Abuse Counselor team and Dorothy Hamm’s Student Services colleagues during National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week as they host middle and high school students, families, and educators. This event will be focused on mental health, technology, and youth well-being and our community partners will be participating to provide additional tools and resources. Some even highlights include:

• Mental Health Fair: Connect with local mental health and substance use providers.
• Screenagers Documentary: Watch Screenagers: Under the Influence film and examine the impact of technology on the

See Flyer here.

Dream Project CTE Scholarship 

Dream Project’s CTE Scholarship is now open and closes March 31st at 11:59pm. The Dream Project CTE Scholarship is an annual renewable $4,000 scholarship awarded to immigrant students whose career goals align with post-secondary education focused on the applied skills needed for a specific craft/profession. CTE Scholarship recipients will be chosen based on how they demonstrate interest in their planned profession, work ethic, community involvement, and resilience.

Flyers in English and Spanish.

More information and the link to apply can be found here.

Please email [email protected] with any questions about the application.

ACTIVITIES UPDATES

Club of the Week: Aerospace Club

The YHS Club of the Week is the Aerospace Club.  This club allows students to work with, experiment, and learn more about the topic of aviation and space through activities and discussion. This will also serve as a space to share ideas among students. This club also allows students to apply knowledge they obtain in school and apply it to real world situations in the aviation and space related fields. See Mr. Mower for more information.

Intramural Futsal and Boys Volleyball

Spring intramurals are up and running.  We are offering futsal and boys volleyball.  Futsal is on Tuesdays from 3:20-4:45 pm in the main gym – all are welcome, no physical needed.  Boys volleyball is on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:20-4:45 pm.  Boys volleyball is open to those with experience and students who are interested in learning.  We hope to have two round-robin tournaments with the other Arlington schools which, depending on the number of students attending boys volleyball intramurals, might have a team roster with limited participants.

Spring Turf Sports to Stream on NFHS

After many years of High Definition handheld streaming thanks to the Yorktown Athletic Boosters, we will transition to the automated NFHS Network for all stadium field sports this spring.  Lacrosse and soccer games will be available on the NFHS Network with a subscription.  The subscription to the network allows online access to home volleyball and basketball games as well as most gym and field events in Fairfax County and around the country, including playoff games.

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/

Home Events this Week

Looking Ahead – Fall 2025 Sports

For planning purposes, Fall sports will begin as early as July 31 with most beginning on August 4. Check Team App or the website for more information.

Please note, that playing a high school fall sport requires a commitment to be present for the duration of tryouts and daily practices thereafter. Families are advised that vacations planned after the start of fall sports will not be considered favorably during the tryout process because there is limited practice time to build a team prior to the start of scrimmages and games in mid to late August.

Looking Ahead – Homecoming 2025

Homecoming weekend will be October 10 and 11, 2025.  The football game is against West Springfield and the dance will be Saturday, October 11.  Please note this is a three-day weekend for students with no school on Monday, October 14.  While not ideal, it is the best viable option given the home football schedule.

SENIOR UPDATES

Senior Information

Senior information was sent out on Parent Square last week with more details about upcoming dates, events and deadlines.

Senior Dues

Senior dues are $80. Senior dues cover the cost of cap and gown, diploma, diploma covers, as well as other senior activities. Senior dues can be paid at https://arlingtonva.schoolcashonline.com/ or by cash, money order, or check (made out to Yorktown High School) and given to Sabrina Ashby in the main office.

Graduation

Class of 2025 Graduation is at 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 4, at DAR Constitution Hall. Graduation rehearsal will take place the morning of graduation. After rehearsal, students will pick up their cap and gowns and five (5) graduation tickets. Additional graduation tickets can be requested, but are not guaranteed, between May 1st and May 11th using this google form that will be active on May 1.

UPCOMING DATES

For more details, refer to the YHS or APS calendar.

• Monday, March 31 – No School, Holiday – Eid al-Fitr
• Monday, April 14-Friday, April 18 – No School, Spring Break
• Monday, April 21 – No School for students, Grade Preparation Day