January 24, 2025 Weekly Newsletter

Dear Patriot Families,

Thanks for your engagement and support as we close out the first semester. A reminder that the second quarter ends on Wednesday, January 29th. January 30th and January 31st there is no school for students as staff members have time for professional learning and grade preparation. We also have an early release day on Wednesday, February 5th, 2025.

We are preparing for the 2025-26 course selection process, which will begin for students on Tuesday, February 4th. Please review the APS Program of Studies for courses available in APS high schools, Yorktown, and the Arlington Career Center. Counselors will be meeting with all students over the next month to review course selections. More information below.

Have a great weekend!

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

Congratulations to our Special Olympics Team, once again recognized with the prestigious National Banner School recognition for 2024-2028. It is a distinction that is awarded to schools excelling in promoting inclusion and unified sports, and Yorktown is one of only 9 such schools in Virginia that has received this recognition.

This recognition highlights the exceptional efforts Yorktown has made in fostering an environment where all students, regardless of ability, are given the opportunity to thrive—both on the court and in the classroom. It’s a powerful reminder that when we come together as a community, we create spaces where everyone can succeed. Congratulations students and the Life Skills Team!

Your Voice Matters

The 2025 Your Voice Matters (YVM) survey will be open from Feb. 6 – March 6, 2025, with the opt-out window running from Jan. 6 – Feb. 6, 2025.

• The Student YVM survey will be administered on Tuesday, February 25th during Patriot Period.
• The YVM survey is now conducted annually to provide more timely insights on safety, health, well-being and engagement, aligned with the 2024-30 APS Strategic Plan.
• YVM gathers critical feedback to guide decisions that benefit the entire APS community and track progress toward strategic goals.
• All staff and all families are invited to participate.
• Conducted by Panorama Education, the survey adheres to strict privacy standards under FERPA and the Student Data Usage and Privacy Agreement.
• Families will receive an anonymous link, students will receive a link, and staff will get a direct email to ensure easy participation.

For more information, visit the APS Your Voice Matters survey page. Your feedback helps shape the future of our schools and community!

Arise and Flourish Substance Use Presentations

On February 24-28, 2025,will present about substance abuse prevention to all 11th and 12th grade students during their English class. Opt-out letter and Schedule is linked.

COUNSELING CORNER

Online Course Request Process 2025-26

Course requests will begin on February 4, 2025. This year, students will select courses in StudentVue between February 4 and February 18th, and will not submit paper Course Request Forms (CRFs). CRFs will still be distributed on February 4th so that students have a list of courses from which to choose, and they will receive instructions on how to select their courses during Patriot Period. Parents will have access to the selections on ParentVue beginning on February 19th.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fair

Our counterparts in Loudoun County have invited our students to attend their 10th annual HBCU Fair on Saturday, February 1st, from 10am-2pm at Tuscarora High School.  The event is free and open to students of all backgrounds and nationalities. It is designed to expose and educate our school communities and encourage all students to include HBCUs during the college selection process.  In addition to the HBCUs that will be in attendance, there will be college prep, community organizations, fraternities, and sororities.The address is 801 N. King St, Leesburg, VA 20176.  Please contact [email protected] or [email protected], or call 571-252-1907 with questions or for more information.

Advisory Information

Since next week is the last week of the quarter, there will be no advisory lesson. Students will check in with their Advisory teacher and may leave with a pass to visit another teacher.

APS Teen Health Fair 

In collaboration with the Arlington County School Health Bureau, APS will be hosting a Teen Health Fair on Thursday, January 30th from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm at Wakefield High School. This will be an opportunity for APS teens to receive mandated adolescent vaccines and physical exams and participate in a resource fair geared towards their health and wellness needs. Please share the Flyers below and help us spread the word to our middle and high school students and their families about this free event.

Flyers:

• Amharic Flyer
• Arabic Flyer
• English Flyer
• Mongolian Flyer
• Spanish Flyer

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION CORNER

Black History Month Activities

Black Film Fest | Thursday, February 6 | Auditorium | Patriot Period

• Featuring three short films by Black/African-American writers, directors, and actors
• Permission slip needed – students can get slips from Ms. Patrick (223)

Blacks in Business | Thursday, February 20 | Auditorium | 10:30 – 11:20

• A panel of Black/African-American business owners will share their experiences as entrepreneurs
• Permission slip needed – students can get slips from Ms. Patrick (223)

Taste of the Diaspora | Friday, February 28 | Atrium | Patriot Period

• Featuring food and music from the American South, Africa and the Caribbean

ACTIVITIES UPDATES

Club of the Week: For the Ladies

The For the Ladies Club will spread awareness of the needs of women in homeless shelters. The club will also fundraise and collect items for women’s homeless shelters to provide them with feminine and hygiene products. See Mr. Huaman for more information.

Theater VHSL Competition Play – Dress Rehearsal and Competition – Jan. 24 and 25

January 24, 2025 in the Auditorium at 6:00pm, please come to the Dress Rehearsal for the VHSL Competition One Act “Witches?! In Salem!?”, a farcical take on The Crucible by Matt Cox.  The show will run for roughly 30 minutes and our Theatre IV class would be delighted to have an audience!  Can’t make that evening?  You’re in luck – they will be performing at the VHSL Competition on January 25, 2025 at 11:15 am at George Marshall High School (7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church VA 22043).

College Signing Event – February 5

Yorktown’s annual College Student-Athlete Signing ceremony will be held on Wednesday, February 5 at 5:30 pm in the cafeteria.  All seniors who plan to participate in sports in college at any level next year are invited to be recognized.  Please email Michael Krulfeld if you plan to attend.

Seniors should invite family members, high school coaches, travel/select coaches and friends – all are welcome.  Seniors will have a chance to briefly discuss their future plans and thank others who have helped them succeed. The recognition will include a photo opportunity for families and friends!

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.

Arlington Parks and Rec Reduced Fee Events

Did you know Arlington Parks & Rec provides fee reductions for summer camps, programs, memberships, and more? Whether you have a short-term set back or something longer term, join us on Thursday, Jan. 30 from 12-2 p.m. at Arlington Mill Community Center to get your household signed up, just in time for Summer Camp registration starting this February! Learn more here.

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

This is the last week to order your 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 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)
• Wednesday, February 5th – early release for professional learning (1:00 pm)