May 30, 2025 Newsletter

Dear Patriot Families,

This week’s Laugh More Stress Less activities helped our students decompress from the busy last few weeks of testing. We’re in the home stretch of the school year with Senior Prom tonight and Graduation this Wednesday, June 4th. Congratulations to the class of 2025!

As a reminder, Wednesday, June 4th, is an asynchronous school day for students in grades 9-11 as staff and seniors will be involved in graduation activities. Students will not report to school and attendance will be taken by teachers based on completion of asynchronous assignments.

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

June 4 Asynchronous Learning Day Due to Graduation

June 4th is Graduation Day and is an asynchronous learning day (even) for students in grades 9-11. Seniors have graduation practice and distribution of senior items, which requires space and staff in the building. Students in grades 9-11 will complete up to 1 hr of work per block class and 30 min for 3rd period. Attendance will be taken based on completion of required asynchronous work.

Final Exam Schedule

As a reminder, please see the final exam schedule below. There are no early final exams. Students who will miss a final exam can schedule a make-up exam in the summer through the counseling office.

• Thursday 6/12 – Pd. 2 Final (Last day for ACC)
• Friday 6/13 – Pd. 1 & 3 Finals
• Monday 6/16 – Pd. 4 & 6 Finals
• Tuesday 6/17 – Pd. 5 & 7 Finals
• Wednesday 6/18 – Make-up Finals

Yorktown Yearbook Distribution

It’s finally time! The 2025 Yorktown Yearbook The Patriot is here! Distribution will occur as follows:

• Seniors: We will celebrate our seniors during the 3rd Annual Senior Distribution Night. This will be on Monday, June 2nd from 4-7pm at the Yorktown Cafeteria. This is an excellent opportunity for seniors to connect and celebrate together. We’ll have some snacks and markers for signing. If seniors are unable to attend the event, they can pick up their book at any point after June 2nd from Mr. Olsen in room 264.
• Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshman: Distribution will be June 3rd – June 6th. Books will be available for pick up before school, 3rd period, Patriot Period, and during all 5th period lunches. Books will be distributed from room 264 (Mr. Olsen’s room). If students come by during any other time, they will not be allowed to pick up their book.

Additional Copies: we do have a limited number of remaining copies of the book for purchase. They are being sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you would like to purchase one of these copies, please contact Mr. Olsen directly: [email protected].

Looking forward to sharing this year’s book! Our staff worked incredibly hard, and we are proud of the 2025 edition of the The Patriot. Sports Post-Season UpdatesThe girls soccer team and softball teams will compete in Region semifinal games next week with the soccer game at home on Monday.  Both lacrosse teams have qualified for the state playoffs and will play away on Friday, June 6.  Up to date game information can be found on the athletic website.

Yorktown’s Softball Pink Out Success!

Yorktown Softball’s annual Breast Cancer Awareness Night, better known as Pink Out, was a big success again this year—raising an impressive $11,298! That brings the running total to $55,000, with a whopping $45,000 raised in just the last four years. Not too shabby for a team that’s already busy winning on the field!

COUNSELING CORNER

New College and Career Platform: Important Steps for Current 9th-11th Graders 

Dear Students,

Heads up! Arlington Public Schools is moving to a new college and career platform called SchooLinks. It will replace Naviance. All APS students, staff, and families will lose access to Naviance on July 31, 2025. These are actions that need to be taken. Log into Naviance now to decide if you want to print or download your resume or other documents.

Below are instructions to help you download or print materials from Naviance. Here is a how-to video as well.

You can print your resume using the Resume Builder in Naviance Student. Here are the steps:

1. Navigate to the About Me section and select Resume.
2. From the info message, select Access the Previous Resume Builder.
3. Click on Print or Export Resume.
4. From My Saved Resumes, choose either Download PDF or Download DOCX for the selected resume.

When downloading the DOCX format, you can make further formatting changes or update your resume information if needed. We encourage you to use this feature to prepare resumes for job applications, scholarships, or other opportunities.

You can also print your portfolio, which highlights your achievements, skills and goals, in Naviance Student by following these steps:

1. Navigate to the About Me section and select Portfolio.
2. From the Entries section, select Share and choose either New Link or Print.
3. If choosing the print option, students can manage their entries by:
   • Excluding their profile photo.
   • Removing any entries they do not want to include in the portfolio.
   • Reordering their entries.
   • Renaming the entry types by clicking the pencil icon.
4. Once the entries are finalized, select Print.
5. Share the printed version as needed.

More information coming soon about our new college, career, and work-based learning platform, SchooLinks!

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.

Advisory Information 

Tuesday, June 3rd 

• 9th & 10th Grades: End of advisory celebration and study day
• 11th Grade: Students will review a brief SchooLinks presentation

Thursday June 5th: Study day or students can leave with a pass

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION CORNER

June is Pride Month!

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. The last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as “Gay Pride Day” in the U.S., but the actual day was flexible.  (In 1994, a coalition of education-based organizations in the United States designated October as LGBT History Month.

In 1995, a resolution passed by the General Assembly of the National Education Association included LGBT History Month within a list of commemorative months). In major cities across the nation the “day” soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQ+ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world.  Check out Pride events in and around D.C. as well as Pride resources, such as Indigenizing Pride and LGBTQ+ Women Who Made History, here.  Families may find support for their children here and here.

ACTIVITIES UPDATES

Club of the Week: The Current Events Club

The YHS Club of the week is The Current Events Club. The Current Events Club will aim to combat the spread of fake or biased news among students by fostering a well-informed community. Despite our proximity to Washington DC, many teens remain unaware of current events due to biased sources and social media. Our club will address this by discussing important happenings, creating newsletters, and organizing fundraisers for causes we care about. While casual debates on passionate topics will occur, our primary focus is on education. We will watch news broadcasts and have students present articles to enhance their understanding in an engaging way. See Ms. Emmilu Olson for further information.

Spring Sports Playoff Information

All varsity teams are currently in playoff action.  Check out the schedule on the athletic website for more specific details as some teams will host depending on final regular season game results.

Fall 2025 Sports – Tryout Information

Fall sports tryout information is now posted on the athletic website.  This information will be updated throughout the summer as needed so it is recommended families check every few weeks.  Dates will not move earlier than those listed now but exact times for tryouts and practices might be slightly adjusted, especially later in July as the season approaches.

In order to participate in tryouts or any other athletic activity, students must have registered online and uploaded a valid, stamped VHSL physical form.  The VHSL physical form has changed as of April 2025 and the new form must be used moving forward.  Physicals are now valid for 14 months from the date of the doctor’s signature and families are responsible for ensuring they update their student’s physical within the 14 month period or the student will be ineligible midseason.  Any physical dated after May 1, 2025 will ensure eligibility for the entire 2025-2026 school year.

Due to a forced conversion, the online registration system and interface changed and registration is now open.  Families will need to create a new account unfortunately.  Registration information and the correct link are available at the athletic registration page.

All families should sign up for Stack Team App under the specific sports their student might consider playing in order to get specific information on out-of-season development opportunities (Green Days), interest meetings and other sport-specific 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.

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://yorktownsports.org/main/otherad?contentID=55918744

Playoff Events this Week

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 13.  While not ideal, it is the best viable option given the home football schedule.

SENIOR UPDATES

Prom

Friday, May 30 – Prom will be held 8-11:30 pm at the Westin in Ballston.

Student Backup of Files

As your student prepares for graduation on June 4th, please be aware that their school-managed Google Drive account access will no longer be available after this date. We strongly encourage them to use Google Takeout (https://takeout.google.com/) before June 4th to transfer any personal files they wish to keep to a personal Google account or other storage.

Should your student need any assistance with this process, please have them visit their assigned Instructional Technology Coordinator (ITC).

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/.

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. There are no additional tickets available so it is suggested families ask each other and get extra tickets to those in need.

Graduation Live Stream

The Class of 2025 graduations will be livestreamed by APS.  More information is available on the APS graduation website.

UPCOMING DATES

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

• Wednesday, June 4 – Graduation, Asynchronous day for students in grades 9-11.
• Friday, June 13-Wednesday, June 17 – early release days for final exams
• Friday June 18 – Make-up exams only for excused absences with documentation