April 26, 2024 YHS Weekly Newsletter

Dear Yorktown Families,

This week we celebrated our fantastic art students with our Yorktown Art Show! Congratulations to all of our phenomenal art students and teachers. Next week is Laugh More, Stress Less Week and Choose Health Week with theme days, activities, and guest visitors presenting information on important health topics.

Announced at last night’s School Board meeting, Brannon Burnett will be returning to Yorktown for the next school year as Assistant Principal replacing Ms. Evans who is retiring at the end of the school year! Welcome back Mr. Burnett!

Families of rising 10th-12th graders, if you know that you will not be returning to APS next school year, please complete this withdrawal form and email it to our registrar, Carol Thompson.  You may also reach out to Ms. Thompson with any questions about registering or withdrawing from school. As we plan for the next school year, this will ensure we have the most accurate numbers as we build next year’s schedule.

Please see below information about upcoming AP Tests, and important Senior information.

Have a great weekend!

Dr. Kevin Clark

Principal

In this message: 

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

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT YORKTOWN

Laugh More, Stress Less and Choose Health Week

This year, as we prepare for testing season, the counseling department is partnering with the Choose Health Initiative to combine LMSL with Choose Health week, April 29th-May 3rd. During all lunch periods throughout the week, we’ll have tables with info on important health topics, and fun activities to help students de-stress before exam season starts. Spirit days are also planned for this week and listed below:

Monday 4/29: Acts of Kindness & Mindfulness. Wear ‘Rainbow Bright’ Colors

Tuesday 4/30: Summer Fun. Wear Luau Attire

Wednesday 5/1: Wacky Wednesday. Wear Mismatched attire

Thursday 5/2: Spotlight Thursday. Dress to impress (there will be a photo booth)

Friday 5/3: Brain Freeze Friday. Wear your comfies (it’s a half day and lunches will have a sweet treat)

Advisory Plans

This month students are being introduced to the relationship skills CASEL competency. As students develop relationship skills, they learn to communicate effectively, form positive relationships, demonstrate cultural competence, practice teamwork, resolve conflicts, and show leadership. Watch this video about social-awareness and relationship skills at home.

Students will participate in the following activities next week:

• Tuesday (4/30): 
  • 9th and 10th grades: “Laugh More, Stress Less” mindfulness activities
  • 11th Grade: Students Against Sexual Assault assembly (see below)
  • 12th Grade- Lesson and discussion regarding consent (see below)
• Thursday (5/2): Academic check-in meetings

Students Against Sexual Assault Presentation

On Tuesday, 4/30, 11th graders will participate in a presentation by Students Against Sexual Assault Club members (SASA), APS staff, Project Peace, Doorways, and ACPD. The purpose of this presentation is to provide education and resources for students regarding their rights and responsibilities to a safe school environment, healthy relationships, and prevention.

Seniors will cover an overview of consent, and what to do in real-life scenarios when things go awry. As our seniors embark on the real world, we want to have a conversation with them about situations they might actually encounter. Students who wish to opt out of this event should let their Patriot Period teacher know.

AP Testing Information

AP Exam Standard Testing Window: May 6-May 17

AP Exam Late Testing Window: May 22-24

Timing: Exams begin promptly at 8:20 am and 12:30 pm each day. Students should report directly to their assigned testing rooms when they arrive at school on the day of their exam(s). The dates and times of specific exams can be found here: 2024 AP Exam Schedule

Congratulations Tia Alfred, APS Honored Citizen Award

Congratulations to Yorktown Parent Tia Alfred who was recognized at last night’s School Board Meeting as an APS Honored Citizen for her extraordinary contributions to APS Schools. Ms. Alfred has been a committed member of the Yorktown Equity Team and Steering Committee, and has held many positions in the Yorktown PTA and in APS. Thanks for your contributions!

COUNSELING CORNER

NOVA V.I.S.I.O.N. Conference (View Into Services and Inclusive Opportunities for Nighthawks)

Tuesday, April 30, 2024: 5pm to 7pm – Via Zoom. Learn about NOVA, registering for classes, financial aid, applying for accommodations, and more. This session is designed for students (and their parents/caregivers) who are interested in learning more about Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), and accommodations available in college for students with disabilities.

Please send requests for accommodations at least one week in advance to accommodations@nvcc.edu.

A joint venture between NOVA Accommodations and Accessibility Services and Arlington Public Schools.

View event flier and use this link to register for the event.

No Early Final Exams

Students will not be permitted to take their final exams early, with the exception of families receiving military or foreign service orders.  Proof of these orders must be submitted to the counseling office.  Students must remain enrolled in APS through at least May 23rd to avoid being automatically withdrawn before end-of-year grades are assigned.  Students may take late finals, and grades will be calculated with a zero for the final until they are taken; grades will  then be updated based upon the final exam results.  When possible, arrangements should be made in advance for any late finals.  Please contact your child’s counselor with any questions.

JumpStart2NOVA for summer 2024 is open

This program is available to seniors graduating this spring and considering NOVA in the fall. Students may select one 3 or 4 credit approved course plus SDV 100. The application closes at 5pm on Friday, May 10, 2024.

JumpStart2NOVA Information Session:

• Tuesday, April 30 from 6 pm – 7 pm
  • Register in advance for this meeting

All classes will be offered through NOVA Online and run June 3 through August 12, 2024.   First-time NOVA students will need to apply to NOVA and create an account to request the course in nvcc.dualenroll.com.  Current DE students can skip the NOVA application and go straight to nvcc.dualenroll.com, selecting term “JumpStart2NOVA 2024.”  All students will be required to upload a current high school/home school transcript and qualifying test scores if they do not have a 3.0 GPA.To learn more, please visit http://www.nvcc.edu/jumpstart/.

Summer School

For more information, FAQs, and the Yorktown specific form, please see the APS Summer School site.

ACTIVITIES UPDATES

YHS Club of the Week- Hand to Hunger

The YHS Club of the Week is Hand to Hunger, which organizes sandwich-making events throughout the year. Students raise money to pay for the supplies needed to provide meals to be delivered by the nonprofit organization Hand to Hunger directly to those in need. See Mr. Price or Ms. Bray for further information.

Spring Game Information

With spring sports season beginning, please note the following guidelines for attending.  Games in the stadium will be streamed on the Yorktown Boosters Youtube website and tickets are available at GoFan or at the gate. Tickets are $5 for adults, and students ages 6-18 are $2 at the gate.  Season passes are available.

• Backpacks and outside beverages are not allowed at sporting events.
• High-school-age students must show a student ID or StudentVue indicating they attend a participating school.
• Students younger than high school age must be accompanied by their parent/guardian.
• The most up-to-date athletic schedule can be found at www.yorktownsports.org

Home Games this Week

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/

Fall 2024 Sports Tryout Dates

For planning purposes, most fall sports will begin no earlier than August 5, 2024, with the exception of golf and cheer which might begin as early as August 1. As in past years, dance tryouts will take place in May, cross country will start mid-August, and ultimate frisbee will start approximately two weeks after school begins.

Some of these dates are estimated but they will not move any earlier. Please note 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.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Interrupting Hate Speech

The American Library Association defines hate speech as “any form of expression through which speakers intend to vilify, humiliate, or incite hatred against a group or a class of persons on the basis of race, religion, skin color, sexual identity, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, or national origin.”  Whenever hate speech is encountered, it’s important to interrupt it.  Upstanders (the opposite of a bystander) may use competitive or cooperative interruptions to address hate speech.  Competitive interruptions are intended to immediately halt the offending behavior and redirect the focus of attention while cooperative interruptions seek to keep the attention on the speaker through helpful remarks or quick questions.  The following are a few examples of each:

Competitive: “We need to address what was just said…”“I disagree with that language because…”“We’re going to stop right here.  I don’t like the tone of this conversation. Let’s refocus and discuss the tone being used.”

Cooperative: “What do you mean by that?”“It seems like there’s a lot of passion/energy behind what you’re saying.  How about we discuss this in a way that promotes understanding and dialogue.”

“I see where you’re coming from, but have you considered how that word/statement might be interpreted by others?” The following resources may be helpful in learning more about hate speech and how to address it:

• Parent’s and Educator’s Quick Guide to Hate Speech
• How to Talk to Your Children About Hate Speech
• Talking to Teens About Online Hate Speech

SENIOR UPDATES

Senior Final Exams and Optional AP Finals

Thursday, April 25 – Thursday, May 2 – Senior final exams and optional AP finals will be held as follows:

Thursday, April 25 Periods 1 and 5

Friday, April 26 Periods 2 and 4

Monday, April 29 Periods 3 and 7

Tuesday, April 30 Periods 3 and 6

Wednesday and Thursday Make Ups

Last Day for Senior Dues

Tuesday, April 30 (for personal checks) – Senior Dues ($85) are required to buy a Prom ticket, receive a cap and gown and receive graduation tickets.  The last date to submit a personal check for Senior Dues is April 30.  Other options – money order or online – are available after that date.  Please drop off a check or money order to the school treasurer, Sabrina Ashby, in the main office.  Online payments are also an option and include a small processing fee.

AP Exams

Monday, May 6 – Friday, May 17 – AP Exams and normal schedule for non-testing students. Morning AP exams will begin promptly at 8:20 a.m.  Students are encouraged to immediately go to their testing room starting at 8:00 a.m.  Afternoon AP exams will begin at 12:30 p.m. and may end as late as 4:30 p.m. for regular testing with a later end time for students with extended time.

Requesting Additional Graduation Tickets

Wednesday, May 1- Friday, May 10 – Seniors can request additional graduation tickets using this link (link will go live on May 1, but any submission during these dates will be considered and it is not first come, first served).  All graduating seniors will receive 5 tickets with their cap and gown at graduation rehearsal.  Graduates do not need a ticket so the 5 are for friends and family.  If you anticipate needing more than 5 tickets, we encourage you to reach out to classmates in hopes they will have one or more to share.  Additional available tickets will be divided and distributed (to those who sign up using the form) beginning May 13 and ending on Friday, May 17.

Senior Picnic and Last Regular School Day for Seniors going on Senior Experience

Friday, May 17 – All seniors will attend class through Patriot Period.  At that time, those seniors going on Senior Experience will go to the auditorium for information from Ms. Sutphin.  Seniors who are not attending Senior Experience can go to the lunch room or courtyard until 11:45.  At 11:45 am, all seniors are welcome at the Senior Class Picnic near the baseball and softball fields.  This free event will include BBQ lunch, a DJ, and time to enjoy with your friends and classmates.

Senior Experience and Students not Participating in Senior Experience

Monday, May 20 – Tuesday, June 11 – Senior experience starts. Seniors not on Senior Experience report to school for a regular school day.

Prom

Friday, May 31 – Prom will be held 8-Midnight at the Westin in Ballston. Tickets are $40 and will be sold in person during the lunches May 8-17 as well as online from May 13-27.

Senior Experience Seminar

Wednesday, June 12 – Senior Experience Seminar (Mandatory) at 9:30 am at Yorktown. Please report to the atrium for check-in and to find your seminar locations. Your timesheet and final outline are also due at this time and should be uploaded to the Senior Experience canvas page.

PTA Senior Send-Off Brunch

Wednesday, June 12 – At approximately 10:30 am, immediately following the 9:30 am Senior Seminar, the PTA will provide food and activities in the gyms for all seniors.  This event is free.

Graduation Rehearsal

Thursday, June 13 – Graduation Rehearsal at 9 am at Yorktown in the auditorium (don’t be late) – you will receive your cap and gown and guest tickets (5) after rehearsal.

Graduation

Thursday, June 13 – Graduation at DAR Constitution Hall at 3 pm. Seniors must arrive at DAR by 2:00 pm.

TECHNOLOGY NEWS

LIGHTSPEED–Opt-in Through ParentVue

Lightspeed (content filter/weekly activity report) is now available for parents/guardians to opt-in for reports. Use the following link to find the district’s direction on how: Lightspeed Opt-in.

Need more information? Lightspeed Content Filter / Weekly Activity Report Basics.

UPCOMING DATES

See YHS Calendar for more information

• Friday, May 3rd – Early Release (1:00 pm) Teacher Professional Learning
• Monday, May 27th – Memorial Day No School