January 10, 2025 Newsletter

Dear Patriot Families,

Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed winter break and snow days! Wishing you and your family a productive return to school and a great 2025!

As we begin the new year, please take some time to review the new cell phone policy (more below). It is a good time to review your expectations for the upcoming year including Yorktown ROCS (Respect for Others, the Community, and Selves). We appreciate your continued partnership and engagement!

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

Cell Phone Policy Reminder

On Dec. 12, the School Board approved Policy J-30 Student Use of Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Devices. In accordance with Virginia Department of Education guidance and Governor Youngkin’s Executive Order, the new policy, effective January 6th, requires student phones and personal devices to be off and away during the entire school day at all grade levels. 

• Students will be allowed to use their phones briefly during lunch in the Library.
• Students who require the use of their phone or device as an accommodation or for a medical need may make requests through their 504 plan, Individualized Education Plan or Individualized Health Care Plan.
• In the event of an emergency, students who can safely access their phones will be able to use them.

Your Voice Matters Launches in February

The new annual Your Voice Matters Survey will launch in February and includes questions about how families, students and staff feel about the cell phone policy now that it’s in effect. Please continue to share your experiences with us so that we can adjust the policy as needed.

COUNSELING CORNER

Academic Planning Night & Electives Fair

Please mark your calendars for Thursday, January 23rd, at 7 PM when we will host Academic Planning Night with information about choosing classes for the 2025-2026 school year.  The event will take place in person in the auditorium, followed by an opportunity to ask questions of department chairs in the atrium.  While some of the presentation is geared toward rising 9th graders, all grade levels are welcome to attend. For rising 10th-12th graders, our course selection procedures will be different this year, as we transition to an online process.  Counselors will meet with students to choose classes, and parents will be able to view these selections in ParentVue in February (more instructions to come later).On Friday, the 24th, the electives fair will take place for students to review elective options.

Advisory Information

Tuesday, January 14th

• 9th-12th Grades: Regulating Emotions (RULER Lesson)

Thursday, January 16th 

• Academic Check-ins or students may leave with a pass to visit another teacher

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION CORNER

YHS Black History Month Program – Small Business Owner Panel

Yorktown will host a small business owner panel as part of our Black History Month celebration this year.  If you know of any Black, African, or African-American small business owners who may be interested in participating, please contact Ackesha Patrick, DEI Coordinator, at [email protected].

Strengthening Families Parenting Classes

The Arlington DHS Prevention Team is offering Strengthening Families parenting classes in the first half of 2025. Registration is now open and classes are FREE. Dinner is provided for the whole family and childcare is provided for children under the age of 10. Children 10 and older participate in the program with their parent(s). The Strengthening Families Program was developed by Iowa State University and is an evidence-based program.  Classes are offered in English and Spanish. Details:

• Groups meet from 6pm to 8:30pm
• Groups run for 7 consecutive weeks
• The program serves parents/caregivers and children ages 10-14
• Families with any children between the ages of 10 to 14 from all schools are welcome to register
• Locations:
  • Long Branch Elementary School (English flyer; Spanish flyer)
    • Starting on January 22, 2025
    • Register here: Strengthening Families-Long Branch location
  • Alice West Fleet Elementary School (English flyer; Spanish flyer)
    • Starting on March 12, 2025
    • Register here: Strengthening Families-Alice West Fleet location 

Dream Project Scholarship

The Dream Project offers a $3,500 scholarship renewable annually for up to five years.  The application opens on January 2, 2025 – Application here.   The deadline is February 1, 2025, and recipients will be notified on April 1, 2025. Eligibility criteria for new scholars:

• Graduated or will graduate from a Virginia high school
• Born outside the United States and whose immigration status (undocumented, DACA, TPS, or asylum applicant) creates barriers to success in college
• Plans to enroll full-time in an accredited two- or four-year university in the United States

ACTIVITIES UPDATES

Club of the Week: Community Impact Club

The YHS Club of the Week is the Community Impact Club.The purpose of the Community Impact Club is simple: to make a positive impact in our community, Arlington, and the areas surrounding it. Student members organize and take part in community clean up events to connect with our community and keep it beautiful. The club also collects clothes to upcycle them, brand them with a Yorktown logo, and donate them to local charities. All students are welcome to join and lend a helping hand to the Community Impact Club. See Ms. Akpata for more information.

Winter Sports – Spectator Information

With winter sports competition beginning this week, a schedule of events is available on www.yorktownsports.org. Many gym events are available online at www.nfhs.com Tickets for gym events are available online at www.gofan.co. Discounted student-priced tickets are $5 cash only at the gate.  Backpacks, as well as outside food or drinks, are not permitted.  Students in middle school or below need to be accompanied by their parent/guardian for admission to sporting 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/

Home Events Next Week

Looking Ahead to Spring Sports – February 24

For your planning purposes, spring sports begin on February 24th.  Students can join www.teamapp.com for specific off-season and tryout information for 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).

Looking Way 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.

SENIOR UPDATES

Be sure to bookmark the Seniors website, which is linked on the Yorktown HS homepage under Quicklinks and contains essential information for senior year. Find answers to your questions about these and more:

• Announcements and Rings
• Caps & Gowns
• Class Dues
• Graduation
• Off Campus Lunch Privilege
• Prom
• Senior Experience
• Senior Portraits
• Yearbooks

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.

Senior Experience

The Senior Experience Application is now open! All required documents can be found on The Senior Experience Canvas page and must be submitted by March 14th!

Cap and Gown Orders

Seniors can now order their cap and gown. Please stop by the Activities Office to do so. No payment is required at this time. Price is included in the senior dues.

Save the Date

Class of 2025 Graduation – 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 4, at DAR Constitution Hall.

UPCOMING DATES

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

• Wednesday, January 15th – early release for professional learning (1:00 pm)
• Monday, January 20th – No School, Dr. MLK Jr. Day
• Wednesday, January 29th – End of 2nd Quarter
• Thursday, January 30th – No School for Students (School-Based PL for Staff)
• Friday, January 31st – No School for Students (Grade Preparation Day)