October 17, 2025 Newsletter

Dear Yorktown Parents and Guardians,

As I have been visiting classes over the last few weeks I have been amazed by the student engagement and high-quality instruction in classrooms. We also appreciate students making Yorktown a phone-free learning environment. The YONDR pouches have helped us transform Yorktown for students, who are more engaged with the school community and focused on learning. Thank you for your support.

A reminder that Monday, October 20th, there is no school for Diwali.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dr. Kevin Clark, Principal

In this message: 

• What’s Happening at Yorktown
• Counseling Corner
• Activities Updates
• Senior Updates
• Technology Corner
• Upcoming Dates
• 2025-26 PTA Information

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT YORKTOWN

PTSA Meeting Tuesday, October 21 at 7:30

A reminder that October’s PTSA Meeting will be held on October 21, 2025 at 7:30 on Zoom. Ms. Sexton, Substance Abuse Counselor will be presenting on current trends and information for parents.

Teens4Change Clothing Collection – Saturday, October 18

A new school club will have a clothing collection drive on Saturday, October 18 from 9 AM to 12 PM. It will take place at the main entrance of Yorktown near the picnic tables. Families can donate new or used clothes and shoes. The purpose of this drive is to support foreign countries via Planet Aid funding.

Upcoming Music Concerts & Accolades

Fall Choir Concert  – Wednesday, October 22, 7pm Yorktown HS Auditorium

APS Marching Showcase – Tuesday, October 28, 7 p.m. @ Wakefield HS stadium

Band Chamber Music Concert – Wednesday, November 15, 7 p.m. in YHS auditorium

Silas Frickert (12) has ranked first in the state on jazz guitar—for the second year in a row—and will represent Yorktown in the All-Virginia Jazz Ensemble at the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Professional Development Conference in Norfolk on November 20.

And of course, the Yorktown Chamber Orchestra has received the honor of being selected to play at the VMEA Conference as well. Their send-off concert is Monday, November 17, 7 p.m.  in YHS auditorium.

Come see the Fall Play

This November 6th-8th, join the Yorktown Theatre department for the Fall Play. A thrilling, unnerving journey to solve the case of a mysterious, incomprehensible event—241 people fall suddenly unconscious at a high school play one year ago. But is the event entirely in the past? Tickets on sale starting 10/20 at www.yhstheatre.org/tickets-shows.

Speech & Debate Team Earns Leading Chapter Recognition

Congratulations to the YHS Speech and Debate Team, who were awarded the 2024-25 Leading Chapter in the Virginia District in recognition of outstanding accomplishment, and the highest recognition from the National Speech & Debate Association. We are one of 106 schools out of 3,000 schools nationwide.

Yorktown Equity Team

Applications are now open to join the Yorktown Equity Team! This team is made up of students, staff, and family members who reflect the diversity of our school community and are united in advancing belonging and equity for all. Guided by our mission and vision, the Equity Team examines school culture, experiences, data, and policies through an equity lens to identify and address bias and inequities while promoting practices that foster inclusion and belonging. If you are passionate about creating a more just, inclusive, and anti-racist school community where everyone feels valued and empowered, we encourage you to apply and be part of this meaningful work. If you have any questions, please contact DEI Coordinator Dr. Callie Hyder [email protected]. Apply here by Tuesday October 28, 2025.

Upcoming Student Device Reimaging Process

Starting November 12th-14th, IS will be reimaging about 650 student computers. These are students in grades 11 & 12 who have older devices. We will send out updated information next week on the process.

COUNSELING CORNER

Advisory Information

This year’s theme of Empowerment includes our work to embed Social Emotional Learning into classroom instruction. Some examples of this work were showcased this week, when the APS Social Emotional Learning Coordinator visited Yorktown to observe classroom instruction.

Teachers are embedding lessons and activities aligned with CASEL competencies into classroom instruction, a powerful combination of skills and content. In Chemistry, students practiced Responsible Decision-Making by analyzing scenarios involving chemical safety. In AP Government, students engaged in group discussions exploring Social Awareness and perspective-taking through the lens of power distribution across local, state, and federal governments.

Advisory Tuesday, October 21: 

9th & 10th Grades: Personal and Social Identities

11th & 12th Grades: Privilege and Marginalization

Post-Secondary Planning Help Sessions

Lunches Assistance

12th graders are invited to room 107, the College and Career Office, during their lunches to ask questions and get assistance with their post-secondary planning.  This includes, but is not limited to, college applications, common app accounts, Schoolinks functions, workforce and gap year questions, etc.  The sessions started this week and will continue through October.

Patriot Period Post-Secondary Work Sessions

Additionally, counselors will be holding help sessions for 12th graders in October in the cafeteria during Patriot Period regarding their post-secondary plans.  We are organizing them by Patriot Period teachers, but do recognize that most of these days are free choice days.  The schedule is below:

 Schoolinks

We have a new college and career platform for students this year called Schoolinks, which is replacing Naviance.  Please refer to the videos below for more grade specific information about the platform:

• Information and how-to video for 9th and 10th graders
• Information and how-to video for 11th and 12th graders

ACTIVITIES UPDATES

Playoff Action Begins

As fall sports enter the post-season, we encourage you to follow along and attend events if possible.  Field Hockey hosts a home playoff game tonight, Friday, at 7 pm vs. Wakefield.  If they win, they will host a semifinal game on Tuesday, October 21.  Cross country will compete in the Liberty District Championship meet on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at Noon at Burke Lake.  Cheer competes in the final night of the Liberty District Championship on Thursday, October 23 at 6:30 pm at Wakefield.

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)

Upcoming Home Events

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/

Looking Ahead – Winter Sports 

In order to participate in tryouts or any other athletic activity, students must have registered online, including uploading a valid, stamped VHSL physicals form and APS participation agreement. The VHSL physical form has changed as of April 2025 and the new form must be used moving forward. Physicals are now valid for 14 months from the date of the doctor’s signature and families are responsible for ensuring they update their student’s physical within the 14 month period or the student will be ineligible midseason. Any physical dated after May 1, 2025 will ensure eligibility for the entire 2025-2026 school year.

Winter tryouts will begin on the following dates. Basketball, gymnastics and winter cheer will conduct tryouts for at least three days, while other winter sports allow all students who show interest and commitment the first week. Students who completed the athletic registration process for the fall and need to be added to a winter sport tryout list should contact Mary Ann Mahan

All families should sign up for Stack Team App under the specific sports their student might consider playing in order to get specific information on out of season development opportunities (Green Days), interest meetings and other sport-specific information.

November 10 – Basketball, wrestling, swim/dive, gymnastics – please note November 11 is a student holiday but teams will practice/tryout

November 17 – indoor track, winter crew conditioning and cheerleading

Rifle will conduct tryouts beginning November 10, however, only members of the fall club are eligible. Club orientation has already taken place.

Looking Further Ahead – Spring and Fall 2026 Sports 

Spring sports will begin on Monday, February 23 and tryouts will continue throughout that week.

Fall 2026 sports will begin on Monday, August 3 for cheer, volleyball, field hockey and JV/V football.  Freshmen football and cross country will likely begin Monday, August 10.  Dance team tryouts are typically in late May/early June.  The start date for golf (no earlier than July 30) and girls flag football (no earlier than August 17) have not yet been finalized.

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.

Cap and Gown Orders

Senior Cap and Gown Orders are now being accepted through this google form. Students must have a cap and gown in order to walk at graduation. Because caps and gowns are included in the cost of Senior Dues, there is no payment required when placing this order. Do not wait! Please complete this order form as soon as possible. Orders must be finalized by Thanksgiving.

Senior Portraits

Senior Portrait makeups will take place at school on October 22-23. Please visit schedule.prestigeportraits.com. To locate your appointment code, enter Yorktown High School’s zip code (22207) and enter “Yorktown.” After you verify student details, you will be able to confirm your appointment. If you have any questions, please contact Lifetouch Prestige customer service (855-918-2930) or email [email protected].

UPCOMING DATES

See YHS Calendar or the APS Calendar for more information:

• Monday, October 20, 2025 – Holiday – Diwali
• Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – Early Release, Professional Learning
• Monday, November 3, 2025 – End of 1st Quarter
• Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – No School for Students – Grade preparation day
• Tuesday, November 11, – No School, Veterans’ Day