June 7, 2024 YHS Newsletter

Dear Yorktown Families,

Congratulations on making it to the last week of school! It has been a wonderful year here at Yorktown and our students have worked hard, developed skills and gained knowledge! We also want to congratulate our seniors who are graduating on Thursday at DAR Constitution Hall. We are proud of you.

The girls lacrosse team plays in the State Championship tomorrow at 12:30 pm against Robinson in Glen Allen, VA.  Let’s go Patriots!

Next week is our last week of school with an early release schedule Monday-Wednesday with final exams each day (schedule below). Students will be released at 1:00 pm. The last day of school is Wednesday, June 12th. Thank you for your continued engagement and support. Have a great last week of school!

Dr. Kevin Clark

Principal

In this message: 

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

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT YORKTOWN

Teachers and Staff Leaving Yorktown

Below you will find the names of Yorktown staff who will be moving on at the end of this school year. Thanks for everything you have done for Yorktown!Retiring: Suzanne Evans, Assistant Principal and Susan Harrison, EL Resource Teacher

Staff leaving Yorktown: 

Final Exam Schedule

Next week we begin our final exams. Please see the final exam schedule starting Friday, June 7th.

State Girls Lacrosse Playoff Information – June 8

Girls lacrosse will play in the State Championship on Saturday, June 8 at 12:30 pm against Robinson.  The game is part of the VHSL state jubilee in Glen Allen, VA at Deep Run High School..  We hope to have the game streamed on the Yorktown Boosters Youtube website

PTA Movie Night Tonight

The PTA would like to invite you to their End-of-year PTA-sponsored Movie Night June 7 in Patriot Hall, showing the iconic comedy, Mean Girls (the 2004 original). Use this link for free tickets and more info, or copy the QR code from on campus. Free popcorn, candy, & water also will be provided.  We’ll hope some of you can join us for what we think will be a nice evening, and either way, we send many thanks to all of you for everything you do!

COUNSELING CORNER

Junior Coffee With the Counselors

If you missed the presentation from the Junior team of counselors this week, you can use this link to watch or listen to the recording.

4th Quarter and Final Grades

Report cards will be attached to electronic student records and available to families in ParentVUE/StudentVUE beginning Monday, June 24th at 8:00am.

Leaving Yorktown? Let us know!

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. If your child is leaving Yorktown, please make sure they drop off their computer on June 12th from 8-1. Also ensure they return all APS materials.

Summer School 

For more information, FAQs, and the Yorktown specific form, please see the APS Summer School site. Registration for APS Summer School closes June 7th.

ACTIVITIES UPDATES

State Finals

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 Posted Online

Most fall sports will begin no earlier than August 5, 2024, with the exception of golf and cheer which will begin on 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. Specific and continually updated tryout information can be found on the Athletics website.

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.

CLASS of 2024 SENIOR UPDATES

Laptop & Materials Collection

Laptop Collection will take place June 11 (9-1) and June 12 (8-1) in the Yorktown Library. 

Yorktown High School Class of 2024 Senior Send-Off Help Needed

We still need volunteers! You don’t need to be a parent of a senior. Please submit the volunteer Request – https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D4EABA92D6-49727495-class

The PTA would like to have Gift Cards for prizes. Donation Request – https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D4EABA92D6-49741436-class

Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Location: Yorktown High School Gym

Dear Yorktown High School Seniors,

It’s time to bid farewell to our incredible Class of 2024 seniors! Immediately after the Senior Experience Seminar, please come and join us for a memorable Senior Send-Off Celebration on Wednesday, June 12th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Yorktown High School Gym.Activities Include:

🎉 Food & Drinks: Enjoy delicious snacks and refreshing beverages throughout the event

📸 Photo Booth: Capture unforgettable moments with your friends in our photo booth

🎶 Music: Groove to the beats and celebrate our seniors

🐂 Mechanical Bull: Test your skills and take a ride on the mechanical bull for some adrenaline-pumping fun – permission slip is needed to participate in this event – complete the form and submit by Tuesday, June 11 at 11:59 pm.  Parents of students under the age of 18 must sign the form. Please scan the form, and email a copy to yhsptaseniorsendoff@gmail.com, in the subject field please write your students first and last name.

👕 T-Shirts for Friends to Sign: Leave your mark on the memories by signing t-shirts for the Class of 2024 seniors

Let’s make this a fun time to remember as we celebrate the achievements and journey of our graduating seniors. We look forward to seeing you there! This event is being held the day before graduation, and in lieu of a graduation night event, to allow for personal post-graduation celebration with friends and family!

Senior Dues – Money Order or Online Payment Required

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 was April 30.  Other options – money order or online – are available after that date.  Please drop off a money order to the school treasurer, Sabrina Ashby, in the main office.  Online payments are also an option and include a small processing fee.

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.

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. More information here: https://www.apsva.us/graduation/

Graduation Name Pronunciation 

For those with names (first or last) which are commonly mispronounced, please email michael.krulfeld@apsva.us with a phonetic spelling.

Graduation Live Stream

This year’s graduation ceremony will be livestreamed on Youtube.

Graduation Translation Options

We will be offering audio translation for the Graduations at Constitution Hall.  Zoom will allow viewers to choose a language to listen to once they are in the Webinar. Families can bring headphones to Constitution Hall to listen to the Zoom audio Translation on their smartphone, while sitting in the audience if desired.

The languages that will be translated from English are Spanish, Arabic, Amharic, and Mongolian. There is no password for viewers.

In addition, there will be simultaneous sign language interpretation on-site during the ceremony at DAR Constitution Hall

CLASS of 2025 SENIOR UPDATES

Senior Pictures 

All rising seniors have been scheduled for a senior portrait sitting at Yorktown during the week of June 10 in the afternoon or evening hours. Prestige Portraits has contacted families with additional information.

Feel free to visit the Prestige website where you can view your appointment time, find information on the different sitting options and change your appointment time if needed.  Use the search function for state and county to find and select Yorktown High School.  Then enter your student’s name to see personalized information about appointment time.  A list of all senior appointment times is also posted in the Activities Office.

We encourage all students to be photographed in June.  This will allow time for pictures to be produced for the hallway in the main entrance of the school.  There will be additional sitting opportunities in August and September which will result in a delay in those pictures being posted in the main hallway.  All sessions held at Yorktown in the next few months will allow time for inclusion in the yearbook.

Once students have their picture taken and proofs are delivered, they will have a week to select a pose for the yearbook and the main hallway. After this time, the main hallway picture will be printed and alternate poses for that picture will not be an option.

Arlington Public School’s has established that any rising 12th grade student may choose from among the options below for their senior yearbook photo:

1. Coat and tie
2. All black or black-and-white clothing
3. Tuxedos (provided by the photographer)
4. Drapes (provided by the photographer)

Please note that regardless of choice, more formal attire is encouraged.

Parking Information

We are now accepting applications for Senior parking passes for the 2024-2025 school year. If you wish to apply for a parking permit, please submit this google form application no later than Wednesday, June 12.. If you have any questions, please see Mr. Conroy

Save The Date – Graduation 2025

Graduation will be on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at DAR Constitution Hall with the time TBD.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION NEWS

Celebrate PRIDE Month

Although the month of October is LGBTQ+ History Month, an observance created by a Missouri History teacher in 1994, every day is a good day to acknowledge, celebrate, and center the histories and experiences of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community.  It is important that we create a safe and supportive school community where students feel a strong sense of belonging and connectedness (LGBTQ+ youth are at greater risk for poor mental health and violence than their non-LGBTQ+ peers; research shows that when students feel connected to a supportive school community, they do better socially, emotionally, and academically).  Below you’ll find a list of resources and events to help you and your family celebrate Pride month:

Be an Ally

31 Days, 31 Icons

Capital Pride Parade (Saturday, June 8)

Capital Pride Concert (Sunday, June 9)

Juneteenth

Juneteenth National Independence Day, one of the oldest known commemorations related to the abolition of slavery in the United States, was signed into law as a national holiday on June 17, 2021. The word “Juneteenth” is a Black English contraction, or portmanteau, of the month “June” and the date “nineteenth.” Juneteenth celebrates the date of June 19, 1865, when enslaved people of African descent located in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom from the slavery system in the United States more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation (it is important to note that enslaved people fought for their freedom and resisted their enslavement in both overt and subtle ways – read more here and here). Check out the following links to learn more about Juneteenth and where you can celebrate ‘Freedom Day’:

Why All Americans Should Honor Juneteenth

Arlington Community Juneteenth Celebration and Cookout (June 19)

Fairfax City Juneteenth Celebration (June 15)

NMAAHC Juneteenth Community Day Celebration (June 15)

Anacostia Community Museum – Juneteenth Freedom Celebration (June 19)

“When two enemies are talking, they’re not fighting” – Daryl Davis

Daryl Davis’ presentation to the YHS student body on May 28th was described by some attendees as “engaging”, “thoughtful” and “powerful.”  A student who attended remarked that “I learned a way to peacefully disagree with someone.”  During his presentation, Daryl encouraged us to to keep the following in mind when we interact with people, especially those who hold views that are contrary to our own:

1) We all want to be loved.

2) We all want to be respected.

3) We want to be heard.

4) We all want to be treated fairly.

5) We all want the same things for our family as anybody else wants for their family.

He went on to describe how truly transformative it can be if we take the time to really listen to each other (in keeping with the human desire to be heard).  Learn more about Mr. Davis here and here.  Ms. Davis’ presentation was recorded and will be made available to the YHS community soon.

TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Student Devices and Summer Learning

This summer, students will again have the option to take their devices home to continue accessing a variety of digital applications that support their learning and enrichment. Elementary students who keep their devices will need to return them on the first day of school. Starting Fri, June 7, families who do not want to hold onto the devices over the summer can opt-out through ParentVUE and leave the devices in the student’s homeroom. (To opt out in ParentVUE, click on “Edit Information” on the student information tab and scroll to the bottom of the page.) Please keep in mind that:

• Students enrolled in summer school must take their devices home to use during summer school and return them on the first day of school.
• Middle and high school students should also hold onto their devices over the summer and exchange them for new devices at their middle or high school. If you have any questions, please call your school or contact APS at 703-228-8000.

UPCOMING DATES

See YHS Calendar for more information

• June 7 –  Final Exams Start (Period 1 Exam)
• June 10 – Early Release-Final Exam Schedule (Periods 2, 3 Exams)
• June 11 – Early Release-Final Exam Schedule (Periods 4, 5 Exams)
• June 12 – Early Release-Final Exam Schedule (Periods 6, 7 Exams)