March 13, 2025 Newsletter

Dear Patriot Families,

We had another great week at Yorktown. Each year we invite guest speakers to share their experiences and stories as a source of inspiration and information for students. Today’s speaker, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland was very moving. You are welcome to view the presentation found here. Have a great long weekend as tomorrow is a no school day for students.

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

Drug and Alcohol Facts Week 

Drug and alcohol facts week is an annual health observance that inspires dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. Yorktown will observe this prevention event on Tuesday March 18, 2025. During each of the lunches, there will be stations set up, which will include the following activities:

• Drug and Alcohol Trivia
• Understanding an Overdose and How to Respond to One
• Safe versus Unsafe Substances
• Alcohol and Marijuana Goggles

Writing SOLs for 11th Grade Next Week

11th grade students will take the two part Writing SOL the week of March 17th. There is an alternate schedule with first and last blocks switched on Wednesday and Thursday. There is no Patriot Period Monday-Thursday, rather students will remain in their 3rd period classes.

Welcome New Yorktown Teachers

Last week, we welcomed two new staff members to the World Language Department. If your child has them as a teacher, please help us give them a warm Patriot welcome!

• Mr. David Spillers has joined us as our new ASL teacher.
• Ms. Bernadette Villanueva joined us as a new Spanish teacher.

COUNSELING CORNER

Rescheduled: Virtual Junior Night for Post-Secondary Planning

Families of current 11th graders, please join the counseling department for our virtual Junior Night on Thursday, March 20th, at 7pm.  The link will be coming soon.  Topics include post-secondary college and career research, the Naviance platform that students and counselors use, standardized tests, and recommendations.   We will be joined by several college admissions reps.  The meeting will be recorded and posted on our website.

Advisory Information

There is no advisory next week. Third period will be extended for all students due to SOL testing.

Online Course Request Process 2025-26

Parents/guardians, you may now view your student(s)’ course requests for the ’25-’26 school year through ParentVue.  Once you open the app, please click course requests to see the list.  If you would like to request a change to one or more courses, please use this form.

Interested in Dual Enrollment (DE) Courses Through NOVA?

We’re thrilled to share some exciting opportunities happening this spring at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)!

NOVA’s Dual Enrollment and Outreach & Recruitment team is hosting Discover NOVA – Open House events for prospective and current dual enrollment students and their families. These events will showcase academic programs, student support resources, and how to maximize dual enrollment credits—plus, attendees will get to tour the campuses!

Students can choose from any of the following campus events. Registration is now open: https://forms.gle/eHR2q5CnnN7AzKVy8.

•       Annandale Campus — March 27, 4-7 PM
•       Woodbridge Campus — April 3,  4-7 PM
•       Manassas Campus — April 24, 4-7 PM

Students who attend will be entered to win a $500 NOVA scholarship!(Nontransferable; must be used at NOVA in Fall 2025.)

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION CORNER

Women’s History Month – Amazing Women

Did you know that…

• The historic Six Triple Eight – also known as the U.S. Army’s 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion – was the largest group of Black servicewomen to serve overseas during World War II? Read more here.

• The first woman to swim the English Channel beat the men’s record by two hours?

Read more here.

• Patsy Mink was the first woman of color elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the first Asian-American woman to serve in Congress? Read more here.

Check out Women’s History Month events in Arlington here.

ACTIVITIES UPDATES

Club of the Week: Young Women Lead

The Young Women Lead club is a place to uplift and empower young women through discussions, lessons and activities on women’s health, politics and culture.  All students are  welcomed. See Ms. Graver for more information.

Intramural Futsol and Boys Volleyball

Spring intramurals are starting up and we will be offering futsol and boys volleyball.  Futsal will be on Tuesdays, starting March 18 from 3:20-4:45 pm in the main gym – all are welcome, no physical needed.  Boys volleyball will be on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:20-4:45 pm.  Boys volleyball is open to those with experience and students who are interested in learning.  We hope to have two round-robin tournaments with the other Arlington schools which, depending on the number of students attending boys volleyball intramurals, might have a team roster with limited participants.

Tickets Now on Sale for Anything Goes

Set sail with Yorktown Performing Arts’ production for a night of classic Broadway entertainment. Anything Goes, the beloved musical by Cole Porter, brings humor, romance, and unforgettable songs like “I Get a Kick Out of You” and “You’re the Top” to the stage. Join us for this timeless story, sharp wit, and a score that has stood the test of time. Secure your seats today.

Show Dates: April 3 at 7 PM, April 4 at 7 PM, and April 5 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PMTickets: https://www.yhstheatre.org/tickets-shows

Spring Turf Sports to Stream on NFHS

After many years of High Definition handheld streaming thanks to the Yorktown Athletic Boosters, we will transition to the automated NFHS Network for all stadium field sports this spring.  Lacrosse and soccer games will be available on the NFHS Network with a subscription.  The subscription to the network allows online access to home volleyball and basketball games as well as most gym and field events in Fairfax County and around the country, including playoff games.

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 this Week

Looking 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

Senior Experience

The Senior Experience Application is now open! Students need to complete the Student Application which includes the mentor application, business reference, and Parent agreement form. All required documents can be found on The Senior Experience Canvas page and must be submitted by March 14th!

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.

Graduation

Class of 2025 Graduation is at 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 4, at DAR Constitution Hall. Graduation rehearsal will take place the morning of graduation. After rehearsal, students will pick up their cap and gowns and five (5) graduation tickets. Additional graduation tickets can be requested, but are not guaranteed, between May 1st and May 11th using this google form that will be active on May 1.

UPCOMING DATES

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

• Friday, March 14 – No School for Students, Professional Learning
• Monday, March 31 – No School, Holiday – Eid al-Fitr