May 8, 2026 Newsletter

Dear Patriot Families,

As we celebrated Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week this week, we want to again share our gratitude for everything our teachers and staff do for our students, staff and community. Thank you to the PTSA for the treats and snacks all week and the delicious lunch today.

It’s a great time to reach out directly to teachers or staff members who are making a difference in the lives of your children. You can also use this link to send an eCard to a deserving teacher.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Dr. Kevin Clark

Principal

In this message: 

• What’s Happening at Yorktown
• Counseling Corner
• Activities Updates
• Senior Updates
• Technology Corner
• Upcoming Dates

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT YORKTOWN

Parent Presentation: Talking to Your Kids About Hate Speech

As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful school community, we will be holding a parent presentation on Talking to Your Kids About Hate Speech on Tuesday, May 12th at 7:00 PM in the Yorktown Cafeteria. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP using this Google Form.

This presentation coincides with the lessons and discussions we are facilitating with all 9th grade students on recognizing, responding to, and interrupting hate speech and harmful language. We wanted to extend this opportunity to families as well so that parents and caregivers can better understand the conversations taking place at school and continue these important discussions at home.

YHS Theater’s Little Mermaid earns Cappies Nominations

Congratulations to everyone involved in YHS Theater’s amazing production of the “The Little Mermaid” in April. Out of the 55 schools participating in Cappies program (DC high school theatre critic and award program), we are honored to receive eight Cappies nominations this year:

• Best Musical!!
• Props: Ava Check, Hunter Bombaci, Natalie Gilmore
• Costumes: Vivi Parsons, Peyton Olsen, Josie Hadges
• Hair and Makeup: Vivi Parsons, Peyton Olsen, Julia Zaiets
• Ensemble: Evil Trio (Ursula/Flotsam/Jetsam), Marney Shattuck, Sarah Lennox, Brady Knott
• Supporting Actor in a Female Role: Marney Shattuck (Ursula)
• Vocalist in a Male Role: Colin Lee (Eric)
• Vocalist in a Female Role: Elizabeth Marshall (Ariel)

Because we are nominated for best musical, the cast gets to perform “Under the Sea” at the Cappies Gala awards show on June 7th at DAR Constitution Hall! The whole gala will be televised and recorded.

AP Testing Information

Dates: May 4-22

AP 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 25-26 AP Exam Schedule 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 will receive their testing room locations from their classroom teachers
• 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 12:30 for afternoon exams. dent 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
• Students need to bring their CHARGED laptops and a charger to their exams; we have a limited number of spare devices
• Students are excused only for the scheduled time of their exams: they are expected to attend their regular classes if they are not testing. This includes morning classes before afternoon exams and afternoon classes after morning exams.
• If a student misses their scheduled exam, they need to contact Ms. Sandin immediately to arrange scheduling a make-up exam ([email protected]). Students are not automatically scheduled for a make-up exam. Absences must be excused absences according to APS policy.

Championship Crew Regatta

This Saturday, May 9, the Yorktown varsity boats will participate in the State Championships at Sandy Run Regional Park on the Occoquan River.  Racing extends from morning to late afternoon with finals in the afternoon.  Specific information on the site and event schedule (typically posted two days before the event) can be found on the VASRA website.  Good luck to all participants.

SOL Exams

End of Course SOL Testing will take place Monday, May 18 – Thursday, May 21. Students taking an SOL exam will begin testing at 8:20 a.m.  Students who are not testing may stay home in the morning and come to school later with their own transportation, classes will begin at 11:20. Students not testing but choosing to come to school at 8:20 will have the opportunity to choose between targeted study sessions with teachers, to study individually in a quiet area in the auditorium, or to meet with other students to study for their exams in the cafeteria.

Looking Ahead – Junior Class Assembly – June 3

Early in November 2022, Braylon Meade submitted all of his college essays, was poised to lead the Washington Liberty High School boys’ varsity basketball team as their point guard and was ready to cruise for the rest of his senior year with his friends and girlfriend, Christine Wilson.  Just after midnight on November 11, 2022, Braylon kissed his girlfriend good night and jumped into his car to drive home.  Braylon never made it home alive that night—an impaired student, driving 95 miles per hour, struck Braylon’s car and killed him upon impact.  Braylon’s family, friends, girlfriend, and the Arlington community were devastated by his unnecessary loss of life.

The Meade family–turned together with their shared grief and recognized that it was their duty to keep Braylon’s legacy alive.  Braylon showed courage, kindness, humor, and hard work in everything he did in his short almost 18 years of living.  The Meade family established four college scholarships in Braylon’s honor to help other WL and Arlington graduating seniors attend college.  Braylon’s friends, Charlie Taylor, and Jack Tsuchitani (YT class of 2023) created the annual Ginger Cup Golf Tournament in Braylon’s honor.  All proceeds from the 2023, 2024, 2025, and soon to be 2026 Ginger Cup, the Braylon Meade Basketball Classic, and donations from family and friends across the country fund these scholarships.

On June 3rd, 2026, the Parents of Braylon Meade–Rose and Kris will join Yorktown graduates Will Taylor and Karenna Wilson, friends of Braylon, to talk to our junior class about Braylon’s life, impaired driving, and strategies to stay safe.  Let’s keep a dialogue going among students, parents, teachers, and counselors to keep impaired driving out of our community- we can’t let this happen again.

COUNSELING CORNER

Advisory Information

Due to AP testing next week, students will stay in their 3rd period during Patriot Period Monday-Friday, but can request passes in advance to see another teacher or work independently. Teachers have been asked not to cover new content during the Patriot Period time.

Deadline Extended for Virtual Virginia Summer Classes

The following is an important update regarding course requests for Virtual Virginia.The deadline to request a virtual course through Virtual Virginia has been extended. Families may submit requests for these courses through Wednesday, May 13 at 3:00 PM. The Virtual Summer New Work for Credit Courses webpage includes approved course lists, cost details, dates.

Families must complete the appropriate form below. School counselors must approve all course selections.

• Middle School Summer Course Request Form (Rising 8th graders only)
• High School Summer Course Request Form (Rising 9th graders should use the HS form)

This will be the final opportunity to submit a request for virtual courses and allow for timely processing. Requests received after May 13th will not be considered. *Note: the extended deadline is for approved Virtual Virginia courses only and does not apply to Edgenuity or Arlington Public Schools summer school courses.  If you have questions about virtual summer options, please contact Lissa Tapia or Dr. Kristin Devaney.

Virtual Presentation About Proposed Counselor Caseload Assignment Change

Last night we offered a presentation about the proposed change to the Yorktown counselor caseloads assignments. The event was recorded but unfortunately the presentation did not show up in the recording.  You can listen to the audio of the recording using this link, and follow along using the presentation slides link. Finally, we invite you to share some feedback using this google form.

Leaving Yorktown? Let Us Know!

Families of rising 10th-12th graders, if you know that you will not be returning to APS for the 2026-27 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 prepare 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

This May, we are recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month by embracing the theme ‘More Good Days, Together.’ We know that mental health is foundational to our overall wellbeing, and that ‘good’ doesn’t have to mean happy or perfect—it means manageable and supported. At Yorktown, we are committed to fostering a culture where asking for help is seen as a sign of strength, and where we all play a role in supporting our colleagues, students, and families. Check on your neighbors, break the stigma, and know that you are not alone.  Resources are available at Mental Health America (MHA).  The counseling department, in cooperation with our Mental Health Matters club, has some fun activities planned during lunches on May 22nd. Everyone is encouraged to wear green in support of the cause.

Requests for Early/Late Final Exams

The following is a friendly reminder about requests for early and late final exams:

Students will not be permitted to take their final exams early, with the exception of families receiving military or foreign service orders.  Proof of these orders must be submitted to the counseling office.  Students may take late finals, and grades will be calculated with a zero for the final until they are taken, and then updated based upon the final exam results.  When possible, arrangements should be made in advance for any late finals. Please let your student’s teachers and counselor know if you’re making a request.

Summer School Credit Recovery Information

Registration for summer school continues to be open for credit recovery.  If your student is failing a course needed for graduation, your student has the opportunity to recover credits toward fulfilling graduation requirements by participating in the in-person summer school program. Only one credit recovery course may be taken during the 2026 summer session.Program Details:

• Dates: July 6 – July 31
• Location: Wakefield High School
• Time: 7:45AM – 12:15PM
• Cost: No cost

Registration Information:

Registration is open through June 1st via ParentVUE. Late registrations are NOT permitted, so if you are unsure if your student will pass a course, please go ahead and sign them up. They can be removed if they end up passing on the final report card. For directions on how to register, visit: Online Registrations for Pathways to Progress and Credit Recovery.You may reach out to your student’s counselor with any further questions. You can also review more information, including details about new work for credit, on the website. Changes to Course RequestsIf students wish to make a change to the courses they requested for next school year, they should complete this Change Course Request form.  Changes will be made mostly in the order in which they are received, while also prioritizing missing classes or required credits first.  Please note that changes based on teachers or class periods will not be considered.  At this point in the year, the change will be made in our student information system (Synergy) and will not be visible on the course plan in SchooLinks.  Families can now see their student requests in Synergy via ParentVue.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION UPDATES

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the United States. From advancements in science and technology to leadership in the arts, education, and public service, AAPI communities have shaped our nation in countless ways. This month also invites us to reflect on the diversity within AAPI identities and to commit to fostering inclusion, respect, and equity in our communities. Join us in honoring the voices, stories, and achievements that continue to inspire and strengthen us all.

Jewish American Heritage Month

Jewish American Heritage Month is observed each May as an opportunity to honor the enduring contributions of Jewish Americans to our country’s history, culture, and civic life. From literature and music to social justice movements and public service, Jewish Americans have played a vital role in shaping the fabric of our nation. This month is also a time to recognize the resilience of Jewish communities and to deepen our understanding of Jewish culture, traditions, and experiences. We encourage our community to learn, reflect, and celebrate the meaningful impact of Jewish Americans past and present.

ACTIVITIES UPDATES

Spring Sports – Spectator Information

A schedule of events is available on our athletic website. Games held in the stadium are available online on the NFHS network. Tickets for events in the gym are available online at GoFan and at the ticket booth. Regular season games are $7 for adults and $5 for students. 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. There is no charge for regular season tennis, baseball, and softball games.

Fall Schedules and Website

Fall schedules for sports are beginning to be populated on our athletic website.  We have been informed that sometime this summer, the back end of our website will be changing which will require all schedules to be transitioned to a new platform.  This should occur seamlessly, but as with any technology transfer, there might be some issues to work through.  For families involved in fall sports, we suggest making note of the schedule at the end of this school year in case any questions arise over the summer when the website scheduling function might be offline for a period of time.

Looking Ahead – Fall 2026 Sports 

Fall 2026 sports will begin on Monday, August 3, for cheer, volleyball, field hockey, and JV/V football. Freshmen football and cross country will likely begin Monday, August 10. Dance team tryouts will be on May 19 (with clinics on May 14 and May 18). The start date for golf (no earlier than July 30) and girls flag football (no earlier than August 24) have not yet been finalized. Sign up for www.teamapp.com under YHS – ‘sport name’ (i.e., – YHS – field hockey or YHS – football) for potential optional off-season opportunities this spring and summer.

Please note students who make fall athletic teams are expected to be present daily for practices and games throughout the month of August.

Reminder: All students must pass five credit-earning courses for the 2025-26 school year to be eligible for Fall 2026 sports.

Looking Ahead – Homecoming Fall 2026 – October 2 and 3

Homecoming weekend will be held October 2 and 3, 2026 with the football game on Friday, October 2 at 7 pm against Marshall and the dance on Saturday night.

Club of the Week – Automotive Engineering Club

The Automotive Engineering Club aims to enlighten its participants on the aspects of auto mechanics as well as how and why things work in cars. Implementing engineering, math, physics, etc.. The club will be able to unite all of the students who hope to major in automotive engineering or become any type of mechanic in the neighboring fields. See Dr. Ghanma or Mr. Telleria for more information.Upcoming Home Events

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/

SENIOR UPDATES

Be sure to bookmark the Seniors website, which is linked on the Yorktown HS home page under Quicklinks and loaded with information for senior year.

Senior Dues

We are still missing some Senior Dues! Senior class dues are $85. Senior families can pay their class dues using this link. All students are expected to contribute to class dues. Students will be unable to participate in Senior activities such as Senior Experience, Prom, Senior Picnic, and Graduation if they do not pay their class dues.

Senior Laptop Return

Senior laptop return will take place Thursday and Friday, May 14-15 in the ticket booth of the Atrium. Students wishing to keep their device must submit the laptop request form prior to May 15th. Students who fail to turn in their charger with their laptop will be charged $58.

Senior Experience

Seniors Experience will run from 5/18-6/8 for Seniors who have been accepted into the program. Seniors not participating in Senior Experience will need to report to school for regular attendance during those dates.

Important Dates:

Friday, May 15th

• Mandatory Senior Experience participant kick-off meeting at 11:30 AM in the auditorium.

Monday, May 18 – Monday, June 8th

• Senior Experience

Monday, May 25 – Wednesday, May 27

• APS Holidays. Seniors participating in Senior Experience are welcome to work at their internship, but it is not required.

Tuesday, June 9th

• Mandatory Final Seminar for Senior Experience during Patriot Period in Seniors’ Patriot Period classroom. Report time is 10:45 AM.

Prom – May 29   Prom will be held on Friday, May 29, at the Westin in Ballston.  Tickets will be on sale beginning May 11 online and during lunches. Tickets cost $40 per person and will be sold in person during the lunches May 11-15 as well as online from May 11-29.  Seniors must pay senior dues and satisfy any outstanding obligations (i.e., sports uniforms, computer accessories, Yondr pouch, etc.) prior to purchasing a Prom ticket or departing on Senior Experience.  Guests will need to complete a guest pass in order to purchase tickets online or in person.

Class of 2026 Graduation and Rehearsal

Yorktown’s graduation will take place at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, June 10th at 3:00 p.m. Graduation rehearsal will take place that morning at 9:00 am at Yorktown in the auditorium. Graduates will receive your cap and gown and guest tickets (5) after rehearsal.

Graduation Name Pronunciation 

For those with names (first or last) which are commonly mispronounced, please email [email protected] with a phonetic spelling.

Requesting Additional Graduation Tickets

Friday, May 1- Sunday, May 10 – Seniors can request up to one (1) additional graduation ticket using this link (link will go live on May 1 but any submission during these dates will be considered and it is not first come, first served).  All graduating seniors will receive 5 tickets with their cap and gown at graduation rehearsal.  Graduates do not need a ticket so the 5 are for friends and family.  If you anticipate needing more than 5 tickets, we encourage you to reach out to classmates in hopes they will have one or more to share.  We do not anticipate having additional tickets due to the class size, but if any are available, we will distribute up to one per graduate to those who sign up using the form and are selected, beginning May 11 and ending on Friday, May 15.

Graduation Livestream

Graduation will be broadcast on the AETV Vimeo Page and the AETV YouTube channel (both with closed captions). They will also be live on our Comcast Xfinity Channels in both HD (Ch. 1070) and SD (Ch. 70), and Verizon FiOS in SD (Ch. 41). The videos will be available at the same links after the event has ended to watch later.

Vimeo Showcase Link: https://vimeo.com/showcase/12195191

YouTube – Yorktown – Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 3:00 pm ET: https://youtube.com/live/LAKl146jYRQ

Class of 2027 Senior Portraits 

Yorktown will have a new photography vendor for the 2026-27 school year.   CADY will be reaching out to Class of 2027 families to offer options for Senior portraits.  CADY uses a model where they emphasize the studio experience and supplement with onsite picture appointments.  Their studio is in Chantilly.  Onsite dates will be June 11 and 12.  Please look for a Parent Square with additional information.

TECHNOLOGY CORNER

Bluebook Installation for AP Testing 

To prepare for upcoming AP exams, we ask all students to ensure their laptops are in peak operating condition. Please follow these requirements:

1. Install Bluebook: Open the Self-Service app on your MacBook and download Bluebook from there. Once installed, open the app to run the “Test Your Device” check.
2. Charge Daily: Arrive at school each morning with a fully charged device to prevent interruptions during testing.
3. Restart Weekly: Make it a habit to restart your laptop at least once every seven days. This ensures critical updates are processed and keeps your device running fast.

Technical Support: If your device is not working properly, see your ITC as soon as possible:

• A–K: Mr. Opperhauser (Room 279)
• L–Z: Ms. Moten (Room 287)

Senior Device Collection

Senior device collection will take place on the following dates and times:

• Thursday, 5/14: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
• Friday, 5/15: 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Please make sure you bring the following items with you:

• Your APS-issued MacBook
• Your APS-issued charger

Important reminders:

• Students who do not return a charger with their computer will be charged $58 at the collection booth. Student obligations will not be cleared until the charge has been paid or waived.
• Please make sure your device is cleaned prior to turn-in and is free of excessive crumbs, stains, or debris.
• If there are any files or documents you would like to keep after graduation, please make sure to upload them to your personal Google Drive before turning in your device. If you need assistance with this process, please see your ITC: Mr. Opperhauser in Room 279 (Last Names A-K), Ms. Moten in Room 287 (Last Names L-Z).

UPCOMING DATES

See YHS Calendar or the APS Calendar for more information.

• Monday, May 25 Tuesday, May 26 – No School – Memorial Day Holiday
• Wednesday, May 26 – No School – Eid al Adha