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Dear Yorktown Families,
Thank you to our students and staff who participated in our Black History Month Assembly on Tuesday. Students read poetry, played music, heard stories of renowned local and international artists, and viewed videos representing this year’s theme “African-Americans in the Arts.” We appreciate the opportunity to showcase our diverse student population and also reflect the many accomplishments of African-Americans in the arts.
We also want to congratulate the Yorktown Girls Swim Team on winning their 2nd state title in 3 years! Lila Sherman’s first-place finish in the 500-yard freestyle contributed to the strong team showing. Go Patriots!
Dr. Kevin Clark, Principal
In this message:
- What’s Happening at Yorktown
- Counseling Corner
- Activities Updates
- Senior Updates
- Technology News
- Upcoming Dates
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT YORKTOWN
Your Voice Matters Survey
The survey window for families and students to provide feedback about their experiences with APS opened February 20 and will close March 22. Yorktown and APS leadership use the data from this survey to make decisions at the school and district level, so the more voices we hear the better informed we are. We want to hear from you!
Families: you will receive an email from Arlington Public Schools with the subject “Family Survey: Arlington Public Schools Wants to Hear From You” containing your unique link to the survey. You will receive emails on Mondays and Fridays encouraging you to respond until you submit the survey or until the survey window closes. Response time will take approximately 20-30 minutes, depending on the length of your responses.
Students: YHS students will have the first opportunity to provide their feedback during 3rd period on Tuesday, February 27. Third Period teachers will provide students with the link and directions for accessing the survey during that class period. If you opted your student out of the survey, they will not be able to access the link. YHS does not have a list of opt-outs as this was done at the county-level. As always, surveys are optional, and students are encouraged, but not required, to participate.
Advisory Plans
This month, students are being introduced to the social awareness CASEL competency during advisory lessons. Social awareness is the ability to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and contexts. Understanding and expressing gratitude is essential in developing social awareness skills. Learn more about how to help kids develop gratitude in this article from the Harvard School of Education.
Tuesday (2/27):
- 9th Grade: The Identity Iceberg and Me
- 10th Grade: Bias in Our Everyday Lives
- 11th Grade: Understanding and Challenging Ableism
- 12th Grade: Online Propaganda and the Proliferation of Hate
Thursday (2/29):
- Academic Check-In Meetings or students can leave with a pass
COUNSELING CORNER
Arlington Summer Camp Jobs 2024 Hiring Event Wednesday, March 6, 2-5 p.m. Opportunities for temporary summer employment with Arlington County Department of Parks & Recreation include Camp Directors, Assistant Directors, and Counselors. Salary range is $15.00 – $24.84 hourly commensurate with experience; Summer Camp Employment Opportunities
The Office of Admissions at George Mason University invites students to join them for the 37th annual Northern Virginia Regional College Fair (NVRCF)! Students will have the opportunity to meet with admissions representatives from more than 200 colleges and universities. This will be a great opportunity to get your students motivated and excited about their post-secondary plans while equipping them with the tools and information necessary to successfully navigate the college search and application process.
Northern Virginia Regional College Fair
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
George Mason University – Fairfax Campus – Eagle Bank Arena
This is a StriveScan Fair. Students can pre-register for a barcode at https://app.strivescan.com/registration. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Parking is available, free of charge, in Parking Lots A and L, directly across from EagleBank Arena. To view a campus map, click here. If you have any questions about this event, please email the Mason Admissions Events Team directly at admevent@gmu.edu.
ACTIVITIES UPDATES
Club of the Week – Student Athletes for Mental Health
The YHS Club of the week is Student Athletes for Mental Health Club. The Student Athletes for Mental Health Club plans events surrounding raising awareness for Morgan’s Message and The Hidden (Non-Profit Mental Health Organizations). The club raises awareness for mental health in athletics. The club also provides resources for mental health issues and plans events such as dedication games for different Yorktown athletic teams. It works to increase mental health awareness and resources, as well as destigmatize mental health in the Yorktown Athletic community. See Ms. Heather Kennedy for more information.
Congratulations Speech and Debate
The duo interpretive (acting) team of Hunter Schmelling and Lynx Sword placed 3rd at VHSL Super Regionals and are headed to State on March 23rd. They are also headed to our league finals (WACFL MetroFinals) this coming Saturday, February 24!
The following debaters also qualified for MetroFinals:
Varsity: Sophia Butler, Hunter Schmelling, Raika Louis & Averie FitzSimons & Pari Blackburn, Ines Guellal, Sloane Dorotheo, Maggie O’Kieffe, Andrew Dillon
Junior Varsity: James Padilla & Julian Higgins, Walter Shiu, Silas Peterlin, Michelle Klerian Hung & Jamie Black, Jocelyn Schweitzer, Emily Snelbecker, Sebastian Chipman & Jackson Danzig, Chloe Dennis &, Elijah Rozeboom
Student Government Association Spring Elections (SGA)
Are you interested in running for an SGA position as a class officer or serving on the SGA Executive Board for the school year 2024-2025? If so, application packets are available outside of room 262. All interested candidates must attend an interest meeting on Wednesday, February 28th in room 262 during Patriot Period. See Ms. Meadows for further information.
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/
Spring Sports Tryout – Track Begins February 26
Spring sports continue next week with Outdoor Track (no-cuts) on February 26. Parents must complete the online Registration and upload their child’s physical form by February 23. The last day to join track is Friday, March 1. Additional registration information and an interest form should be completed on www.teamapp.com under track/cross country.
Fall 2024 Sports Tryout Dates Announced
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 year’s past, 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.
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. If you have not yet paid your senior dues ($85) please see Ms. Ashby in the main office.
Senior Experience Reminders
Senior Experience begins May 20th and runs through June 11th, with Seniors returning to school on June 12th for the Senior Seminar. All graduating seniors are encouraged to participate in this learning opportunity. The Senior Experience Application and Mentor Application can be found on the Senior Experience Canvas home page. These documents are due on Canvas by the deadline, March 15, 2024.
Technology News
Augmentative & Alternative Communication Learning Session
The Office of Special Education’s Assistive Technology Team is partnering with the Parent Resource Center to host three AAC Family Learning Sessions at Syphax–March 7, 2024; April 24, 2024; and May 21, 2024. Two time slots are available for each date– 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm and 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Interpretation services are available.
Use this link to register: bit.ly/AACFamilyLearning
UPCOMING DATES
See YHS Calendar for more information
- Tuesday, March 5th – Super Tuesday Election Day – No school for students. School and office closed.