October 20, 2023 Weekly Newsletter

 Good Afternoon Patriot Families,

This week we celebrated Unity Day on Wednesday, which emphasizes the message that bullying is not acceptable and that all students deserve to be safe in school, online, and in the community. We appreciate our students, staff, and families for helping foster an accepting, inclusive, and welcoming Yorktown!A reminder that we are a little over a week from the end of the first quarter (November 6th). It is a good time to check in with your child on their progress and help make a plan for the coming weeks to get support from teachers, visit the Learning Center or utilize Paper tutoring. Thanks for your partnership in helping students finish the quarter on a positive note.

Have a nice weekend!

Dr. Kevin Clark, Principal

In this message:

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

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT YORKTOWN

Red Ribbon Week Next Week

This coming week we celebrate Red Ribbon Week. This is a substance and violence prevention awareness campaign which is observed annually during the last week in October. Red Ribbon Week aims to support families and communities in nurturing the full potential of healthy, drug- free youth. We will have our Substance Abuse Counselor & members of the YHS Teen Network Board available during lunch periods on Monday, October 23, 2023 to share information about substance abuse prevention and safe choices.

Choose Health Week

Next week is also YHS Fall Choose Health Week promoting making healthy choices. On Wednesday, 10/25, Project Peace representatives will be available during all lunch periods to promote consent and healthy relationships.

National Bully Prevention Month

October is National Bully Prevention Month. Remind students that if they  are being bullied, it’s not their fault. Be proud of who you are! Encourage them to tell a trusted adult or friend or utilize the anonymous Student Safety Reporting link found on the Yorktown website.

This Week’s Advisory Plan

Students will participate in the following lessons next week. We are continuing our focus on the “Self-Awareness” CASEL competency.

Tuesday (10/24)- Because it’s almost the end of the quarter, students can leave with a pass after they complete the following:

• 9th, 10th, and 11th Grade Advisories: Naviance Reflection
• 12th Grade:  Complete senior experience interest form (link in the senior experience canvas page)
• 12th Grade: Senior Help sessions in cafeteria

Thursday (10/26) 

• Academic Check-In Meetings or students can leave with a pass

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

October is LGBT+ History Month!

As we continue to celebrate LGBT+ History Month, it’s important to recognize that, though all youth face challenges, LGBT+ youth face unique challenges that may require differentiated support.  LGBT+ youth need to feel loved, supported, and accepted by their families.  Families of LGBT+ youth are encouraged to engage in dialogue with their children, learn the facts about gender and sexual orientation, stay involved with the school, reach out for help when needed, and ensure their kids form healthy relationships.  Read more about what families can do here.

Equity Team

Consider joining The Yorktown Equity Team!  The team works to strategically examine and identify bias, inequity, and discrimination at Yorktown in order to advocate for changes to ensure each member of our school community feels valued, respected, and empowered.  The Equity Team includes students, staff, and family members that represent the diversity of the school.Our next meeting is on Monday, November 13, 2023 at 3:30p.  Complete this form to apply.

COUNSELING INFORMATION

Yorktown Ambassadors

The counseling department is thrilled to announce a program to help welcome new/transfer students to our Yorktown community.  Aligning with the goal to “make all students feel comfortable, happy and supported at YHS”, Yorktown Ambassadors will do the following:

• Launch event – targeted to transfer students. This will take place during Patriot Period on 10/25. Ambassadors will lead the event  – introduce themselves, share information about clubs, and how they got involved at YHS. Snacks and games will be provided.
• The Ambassadors have created a form for the new students to complete at the event in order to learn more about the students’ needs and their interests.  Then the Ambassadors will connect the new student with a “buddy” to help navigate their experience at Yorktown.
• Coming soon from the Ambassadors…lunch groups for students who may need help connecting with others at lunch time, and guided tours for new students.
• The Ambassadors meet on Wednesdays during Patriot Period in the College and Career office.
• If you have questions, or for more information, please contact counselors Allison Gilbert, Jeff Stahl, Mary Armstrong, or Jeannine Devlin.

The Dream Project

Dream Project Mentoring Program

• The Dream Project mentoring program is geared toward college-ready seniors at Virginia high schools who face challenges in accessing higher education due to immigration status (including undocumented, DACA, TPS, and asylee applicant students) however the program is open to all first gen immigrant students or children of immigrants, should they need the support. Our mentors are here to help provide resources far less available to immigrants as they finish high school; our mentors assist with college applications, deciding which colleges to apply to, college visits, workshops, seminars, scholarship applications, and other college prep activities. The goal is to help our mentees gain admission and succeed in college. For 2023-24, we will offer virtual tutoring sessions, Tuesday 5-7pm, September-April. Meetings consist of an information session followed by one-on-one tutoring with individual mentors.
  • The program starts next week, but applications are being accepted on a rolling basis until November 1.
  • Flyer attached – Multilingual 
  • Application link

Signs of Suicide Lessons and Screener for 10th Graders next week

This year, school staff are working to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. We are using a program called Signs of Suicide (SOS). The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help.

SOS has been used by thousands of schools for over 20 years. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts. Through the program, students learn:

• that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help
• how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend
• to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend
• who they can turn to at school for help

On October 23rd & 24th, 10th grade students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video, students will complete a brief depression screening form. This form cannot provide a diagnosis of depression but does indicate whether a young person should seek help from a mental health professional.

At the end of class, students will complete an exit slip which asks whether they would like to talk to an adult about any concerns. School staff will conduct brief meetings with any student asking to talk.

We encourage you to visit www.mindwise.org/parents for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn. We are including:

• A youth suicide prevention handout

• Visit the 988 website for more information: English.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s participation in this program, please contact Johanna Boyers, Director of Counseling, or any of our school counselors. If you do NOT wish for your child to participate in this program, please fill out the following opt-out form: SOS Opt-Out.

ACTIVITIES UPDATES

YHS Club of the Week: YHS MATH CLUB

The YHS Club of the week is The Math Club. The Math Club brings together students interested in mathematics and promotes discussion and discovery of the theory and application of mathematics in our world. Members meet once per week and compete in math competitions. See Mr. Daniel for further information.

Save the Date: The Play That Goes Wrong! November 16-18

Get ready for the smash hit farce, The Play that Goes Wrong (High School Edition) by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, produced with permission from Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

The Story: Welcome to opening night of the Cornley Drama Society’s newest production, The Murder at Haversham Manor, where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous.

Winter Sports Tryout Information

Winter sports begin as early as Monday, November 6, for basketball, wrestling, swim/dive, rifle and gymnastics.  Cheer and track begin on Monday, November 13, with winter crew conditioning beginning on Thursday, November 16.

All students must register at least two days in advance of tryouts to participate.  Registration is done online only – no paper forms accepted.

The tryout schedule for the first few days can be accessed here.  Please note tryouts can extend all week for some sports so students should be available through Saturday, Nov. 11, for tryouts.  Tuesday and Friday are no school for students but tryouts will be held on those days.

Upcoming Home Games

Where to find Athletics Information

Athletic Website – www.yorktownsports.org

Athletic Twitter/X – @yhssports

Athletic Instagram – @yhssports

Athletic Specific Sport Information – www.teamapp.com

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

Looking Ahead – Spring Sports

Spring sports (baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, tennis, outdoor track, crew) begin on February 19th.  Parents must complete the online Registration and upload their child’s physical form by February 14th .

Please note, tryouts and practices will be held on school holidays such as Presidents’ Day (February 19th).  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).

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.

Graduation Cap & Gown Orders

Any senior who missed the Class meeting on Thursday, October 19, should visit the Student Activities office to place their order for a graduation cap & gown.

Senior Experience

A presentation was made to Seniors at the Class meeting on October 19 with details and important information on Senior Experience. This information is posted on the Senior website. Contact Ms. Sutphin with any questions.

Senior Portraits

The final portrait session on-site will be November 30-December 1. After this time, Seniors will need to self-schedule an appointment at one of the Studio locations in Hanover or Rockville. Be sure to submit your pose to the Yearbook within a week from your sitting. If you do not receive an appointment postcard in the mail, call 855-918-2930 to schedule.

Senior Portrait Gallery

Senior portraits taken in the June and August sessions have been hung in the main hallway Senior Portrait Gallery. If your picture is not up, please see Ms. Stotler in the Activities Office. Portraits taken during the September session will be hung after they are received from Lifetouch.

TECHNOLOGY CORNER

When and Where do I get my computer?

New Students: Students who recently joined YHS should be directed to Mr. Wilson’s room, 235, after first period, to set up their accounts for their computer. He will tell them when to come back to pick up their device.

Students with computer issues: Students who have computer issues during the day need to see Mr. Wilson (room 235) during their lunch period to drop off their computer. He will tell them if it will be done that day or take longer. For any computer fixed the same day, students will be directed to pick it up in the main office on their way out of the building.

UPCOMING DATES

See YHS Calendar for more information

• November 6th – End of 1st Quarter
• November 7th – No School for Students – Grade Preparation Day
• November 10th – Veterans’ Day – No School Holiday
• November 16-18 – Fall Play