May 2, 2025 Newsletter

Dear Patriot Families,

Next week is Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week! Thanks to our incredible teachers and staff for all your hard work and dedication to your students. This is truly an incredible team of educators and our community is so fortunate to have you. This is a great time to share notes of appreciation with your childs’ teachers.

Also, Wednesday, May 7th is School Nurse Appreciation Day. Thank you to Ginelle Ferraro, our Public Health Nurse, and Bernadette Ferdinando, our School Health Aide for all you do for our students and staff!

Reminder, Tuesday, May 6th is an NWEA Testing Day for all 9th and 10th grade students and selected 11th and 12th grade students. Bus service runs on a normal schedule and students who are finished with the test remain in their testing location until the 11:00 am dismissal. There will be grab-and-go lunch available in the cafeteria.

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

May 6 Testing Day/Asynchronous Learning Day: NWEA & AP Testing 

As part of the Virginia Literacy Act, all 9th and 10th grade students, as well as select 11th and 12th grade students, are required to sit for the end-of-year NWEA MAP Growth Reading Assessment. Families of the 11th and 12th grade students who will take this assessment will receive a separate Parent Square message so that all are aware of their students’ requirements.

Logistics:

• Transportation for arrival to school is available as usual
• Students will report to their assigned testing space by 8:20 am (English Teachers will provide room locations in class)
• Students need their CHARGED laptop to complete the assessment
• The test is untimed; Students may work on other school work when they finish but will all be dismissed at the same time
• DISMISSAL: 11 am
  • Students are released at 11 am from their assigned room
  • Any student who needs transportation will report to the cafeteria (buses will run on a regular school day schedule); all other students must leave the building

AP Testing Starts Next Week 

Dates: May 5-23 

24-25 AP Exam CalendarAP Exams are almost here! We are excited for another successful exam administration. Students have put in the work, and now they have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge on the End-of-Course exams. Please see the AP Exam Calendar (linked) and support your student on test day by encouraging them to sleep well, eat a healthy breakfast, and do their best on their exams.

• Students need their charged MacBook and charger for each exam; there are limited loaner devices
• Families will receive Parent Square messages with their students’ testing locations by test
• Students will also receive emails with their testing locations at the email they have registered with the College Board
• Students need to arrive ON TIME; Late arrivals may not be permitted to test
• Students may begin entering their assigned testing rooms at 8am for morning exams and 12:15 for afternoon exams. Please see the College Board testing rules available in student accounts
• Note that afternoon exams end AFTER the regular school day (typically by 4:30pm); students with extended time could run until 6:30 or 7pm

Drunk Driving Senior Assembly (Braylon Meade) Video Link

On Tuesday, April 29, all Yorktown seniors attended an assembly moderated by two classmates during which they heard from Braylon Meade’s parents, his girlfriend’s sister (current Yorktown senior) and his best friend’s brother (current Yorktown senior).  The impactful discussion brought silence to the room as the student-organized assembly challenged students to have a plan for avoiding drunk driving and how to talk to one’s peers and parents to make sure there are no more tragedies involving Arlington teenagers and drunk or reckless driving.

Please feel free to watch the entire presentation by accessing the video link here.  Counseling staff and our Substance Abuse Counselor, Jenny Sexton, are available as additional resources for both students and parents. Juniors will participate in this assembly on May 29th. 

Mark the Calendar: Upcoming Music Concerts

Come see our superior rated music ensembles in our upcoming end-of-year concerts!

• 5/7 : Orchestra Spring Concert
• 5/13 : Choir Spring Concert
• 5/20 : Band Spring Concert
• 5/22 : Jazz on the Lawn
• 6/3 : Chamber Band Concert

DECA Success

This past week, Sarah Hegazy, Ines Guellal, Addy Zimmerman, and Sofia Voth proudly represented Yorktown at the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Orlando, Florida – one of the most prestigious high school business competitions in the world. Sofia and Addy competed in the Hospitality Services Team Decision Making Event and Sarah and Ines competed in the Project Management Career Development Event. A big congrats to Sarah and Ines who placed in the top 18 out of all competitors globally in their event. Their hard work and dedication truly stood out on the international stage.

Latin Students Compete in State Finals

This weekend Latin students competed in the VSCL State Finals Certamen. The intermediate team, composed of Camila Borisov (’27), Aydan Deach (’26), and Sydney Ross (’26) came in 3rd place. Congratulations also to the advanced team, composed of Ian Cochran, James Gallagher, Taeryn Graham, and Laura Su (all ’28) placed second at four prior certamen tournaments this year.

In addition, the Latin League Team won the Mid Atlantic 2 region, advanced to the super region round, and then competed in the national championship round. They were one of eight teams to compete in the championship out of 154 teams in the league. They ended up placing 6th in the country. Congratulations to Ian Cochran (’28), James Gallagher (’28), Taeryn Graham (’28), Spencer Johnson (’25), Hunter Schmelling (’25), Laura Su (’28), and Lynx Sword (’25).

COUNSELING CORNER

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.

May Is Mental Health Awareness Month

In 2025, Mental Health Awareness Month will be observed in May, and the theme is “Turn Awareness into Action”. This means organizations like ASCA (American School Counselor Association) and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) will focus on turning understanding of mental health issues into concrete actions to improve mental wellness. Stay tuned for some activities planned by the Counseling Department coming soon.  If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, you can reach out to your student’s counselor, or contact the NAMI resources via calling, chat or text. Please see the following additional resources:

• Virtual Parent Series on Mental Health Topics—offered by the Parent Resource Center each Thursday in May, from 12:30-1:30pm on Zoom. Topics include “How to Have ‘Real Talk’ and Build Trust with Kids” and “Recognizing Stress and Worry in Kids.”  View the flyer for more information and to register.

• Hazel telehealth services: Summertime is fast approaching, and students may need support with big routine changes, unstructured time, and the stress of new transitions. This is a reminder that Hazel health’s online therapy program is accessible all summer long and it’s free for APS students in grades 6 through 12. This Flyer (English) and Flyer (Spanish) has more information.

Financial Aid Help Desk and Webinar Series for Students and Families

Contact: Brittany Everett, Postsecondary Access and Success Specialist, [email protected] has partnered with GEAR UP Virginia and Level Up Virginia to offer a free Financial Aid Help Desk. Students and their families can text financial aid questions to 434-478-4003 to get answers from a financial aid expert within 24 business hours. Additionally, the following webinar series is designed to support students and families with financial aid information and guidance.

• Financial Aid for Current College Students Webinar
  • Date: Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 6-7 p.m.
  • Overview: Valuable insights will be shared on maintaining financial aid throughout college and staying on top of your financial responsibilities.
  • Register using the Current College Students’ Current College Students’ Financial Aid Webinar registration form.
  • Summer Steps for Financial Aid
• Date: Monday, June 24, 2025, 6-7 p.m.
  • Overview: Important information will be shared on how to complete key financial aid steps, understand deadlines, and get ready for the fall semester.
  • Register using the Summer Steps for Financial Aid Webinar registration form.

Work Permit Information

Yorktown High School DOES NOT issue work permits. Also, Virginia is not authorized to issue work permits in areas outside Virginia, (i.e. DC, MD)VIRGINIA Youth Electronic Employment Certificate Instructions

• Youth must be age 14 or age 15 to apply for an employment certificate.
• You do not begin the registration process for an employment certificate until you have a firm offer of employment.
• You will not be issued an employment certificate until you have an employer.
• You must not begin to work until you have been issued an employment certificate by the Department of Labor and Industry.

More information and forms available on the VA Department of Labor website and the counseling page on the Yorktown site

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION CORNER

Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Throughout the month of May, several communities across the D.C. area plan to host a series of captivating festivals, each showcasing the diverse traditions and customs of different AANHPI cultures.  Here are a few in our area…

IlluminAsiaThis year’s IlluminAsia Festival celebrates Asian American storytelling. Asian American and Asian diasporic cultural identity and storytelling is part of Asia’s cultural fabric, especially in the context of the United States. Storytelling connects communities to their heritage and shapes the way we understand and connect with one another. The festival events bring people together to celebrate AANHPI experiences, perspectives, and achievements in arts and culture.

Date: All month

Location: National Museum of Asian Art, Washington DC

Cost: Free (Some events require RSVP)Heritage India FestivalEnjoy more than 275 booths featuring the best gifts, including jewelry, arts, handicrafts, decorations, paintings, books, housewares, and apparel from some of South Asia’s top merchants. Plus, you’ll find a variety of mouthwatering cuisine from top restaurants, like South Indian curries, street foods, regional specialities, fusion food, and Indian sweets.Date: May 10-11, 2025Location: Dulles Expo CenterCost: $5 (free for children 5 years and under)

Fiesta Asia

This annual D.C. festival has been celebrating the diversity of Asian heritage and culture since 2006.

Date: May 17, 2025

Location: 400 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Cost: Free (for the street fair)

Jewish American Heritage Month

Jewish American Heritage Month is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to America and American culture.  Here are some ways to celebrate:

Capital Jewish Museum

Visit the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum!  The museum seeks to connect the past to the present through thought-provoking exhibitions, dynamic programming, and creative public experiences. Find more information here.

Smithsonian Institution

To mark Jewish American Heritage Month, the Smithsonian will showcase a selection of items in its collections that reflect the Jewish American experience as well as the significant role Jewish Americans and those with Jewish American heritage have played in shaping the nation’s history and identity.  Explore the collections here.

More Ways to Celebrate:

Read Jewish Books

Read a book celebrating Jewish culture and traditions. Here are a few resources to find good books.

•   The Jewish Book Council: Longest running organization devoted to celebrating and preserving Jewish literature.
•   Fig Tree Book: Focuses on Jewish American Literature and works from around the world

Make Jewish Food

Food is a large part of Jewish traditions. You can find different recipes online from a bunch of different Jewish communities:

• The Nosher:

This website has many traditional and nontraditional Jewish food recipes as well as history on Jewish culinary culture.

•   Jewish Food Society:

This is a nonprofit organization that collects Jewish family recipes to preserve, celebrate, and revitalize Jewish Culinary culture.

Watch Jewish Movies and TV Shows

There are many movies and television shows that celebrate Jewish heritage. Since we have so many favorites, here are a few lists others have compiled:

•   10 Movies Showcasing the Best of American Jewish Life | Reform Judaism
• 13 Essential Jewish American Films | Rotten Tomatoes 

ACTIVITIES UPDATES

Club of the Week: Asian American Pacific Islander Club

The YHS Club of the Weeks is the Asian American Pacific Islander Club. The aim of the Asian American and Pacific Islander club is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for students to experience and learn more about the vast and various cultures of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community at Yorktown. Club members engage in fun activities that embrace these cultures and promote unity in the wider Yorktown community. All students are welcome! See Mr. Yoon for more information.

New Athletic Registration

In the coming weeks, all families who are currently registered to play sports should receive an email from Arbiter or RSchool indicating a transition in the registration system we use.  This is a forced conversion as Arbiter purchased RSchool which is our current provider.  The email should include a link to create a new username and password.  Once completed, all prior information will be accessible as families begin to register for the 2025-26 school year.

New Athletic Physical Requirements

An upcoming change in state law necessitates a change in physical requirements which will benefit some families, but also will create in-season challenges for student-athletes. All physical examinations will be valid for 14 months from the date of the examination.  Families who wish to complete one physical for the entire 2025-26 school year and not risk a student being pulled mid-season due to an expired physical exam should schedule the annual physical for April 15, 2025 or later. Yorktown will continue to offer on-site physical exams as a fundraiser for our athletic training department on a date in early June with the exact date announced in mid-May.

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.

Looking Ahead – Homecoming 2025

Homecoming weekend will be October 10 and 11, 2025.  The football game is against West Springfield and the dance will be Saturday, October 11.  Please note this is a three-day weekend for students with no school on Monday, October 14.  While not ideal, it is the best viable option given the home football schedule.

SENIOR UPDATES

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/.

Senior Send Off & BBQ

The PTA is working hard to enhance this year’s traditional senior BBQ and it will be an amazing event with a live band, mechanical bulls, inflatable axe throwing, dancing and lots of food.  The event is Friday, May 16 from 11:30-1:30.  Check out this Senior Send Off & BBQ flier for more information.

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.

• May 26 – Memorial Day