October 10, 2025 Newsletter

 Dear Yorktown Parents and Guardians,

It was a great Spirit Week and we are looking forward to the Homecoming Football Game tonight and Homecoming Dance tomorrow. We hope you come out to support our Football team, Band and Color Guard, Cheer and Dance Teams! Go Patriots! Please also make a plan with your child for the Homecoming Dance to ensure a safe and enjoyable evening.

Reminder, Monday, October 13 is a no school day for students. The following Monday, October 20th, there is no school for Diwali.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dr. Kevin Clark, Principal

In this message: 

• What’s Happening at Yorktown
• Counseling Corner
• Activities Updates
• Senior Updates
• Technology Corner
• Upcoming Dates
• 2025-26 PTA Information

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT YORKTOWN

Homecoming Dance Ticket Information

The last time to purchase Homecoming tickets in person is 3:10-3:30 pm on Friday afternoon in the Activities Office.  This includes in-person guest ticket purchases.  No physical tickets will be sold in person after 3:30 pm on Friday.

Online tickets will remain available for purchase until 3 pm on Saturday, October 11 for Yorktown students.  Guest passes must be turned in/emailed to Mr. Krulfeld by Friday night at 10 pm to receive a code to purchase the guest ticket online.  Guest codes will not be distributed after 10 pm on Friday.

Any purchases which occur after Friday afternoon online will not have technical support from YHS staff so it is strongly suggested all purchases take place before 10 pm Friday.

Please plan ahead. These events require significant planning for the Student Government Association, staff and volunteers. There is no mechanism for last minute sales for this optional event – please plan ahead and adhere to the deadlines.

Reminders:

• The Homecoming Dance will be from 8:00 to 11:00 on Saturday, 10/11 in the Gym.

• Tickets are $20 when purchased in person during lunch on Friday, October 10 or after school from 3:10-3:30 pm on October 10.  No cash sales will take place after 3:30 pm on Friday, October 10.
• Tickets are available online at www.gofan.co   Students can use their own student ID number as the required code. Digital tickets cost $22 due to a service fee.  Online tickets are available until 3 pm on Saturday, October 11
• Guests of YHS students will need to complete a guest pass before purchasing.  Guest tickets can be purchased in person or online (after submitting the guest pass form to the Activities office at which time the student will receive a code to purchase online).  No guest forms will be accepted after 10 pm on Friday, October 10.  Emailed forms can be sent to Mr. Krulfeld
• No tickets will be sold at the door under any circumstances.
• All YHS students will need to show their StudentVue or student ID at the entrance to the dance.  Guests will need to produce a form of photo identification which will be matched to the name on the guest pass.
• All bags and coats will be checked at the entrance. Students in possession of alcohol, nicotine, drugs or other items not allowed at school or under the influence will be denied entrance and have appropriate consequences. Parents should be available to pick up students as needed.

Marching Band Wins Competition

Congratulations to the Yorktown Marching Band on their performance at the Virginia Marching Band Cooperative’s Rock Ridge Regional this past Saturday. The YMB finished first in their group and were awarded best music, best visual, and best general effect.

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

On Wednesday October 15th, we will have a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration to celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latin Americans. The celebration will be held in the courtyard during Patriot Period, and it will include food, music, and dancing! By celebrating together, we hope to build deeper understanding, appreciation, and pride in the many cultures that make our school community so vibrant and unique.

Class Ring Orders for Juniors and Seniors

A representative from Herff-Jones will be at Yorktown on Thursday, October 16th from 4:00-6:30 PM near the main entrance, to take orders for Junior and Senior Class Rings. There will be samples to view and ring sizing available. Seniors will also be able to order graduation announcements during this event.

COUNSELING CORNER

Advisory Information

Tuesday, October 14: All Grades: Academic Check Ins12th Grade: Senior Help Sessions with counseling staffSigns Of Suicide Lessons for 10th GradersThis year school staff are working to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. We are using a program called SOS Signs of Suicide. The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help.

SOS has been used by thousands of schools for over 20 years. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts.

Through the program, students learn:

• that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help
• how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend
• to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend
• who they can turn to at school for help, if they need it

On October 16th and 17th, school counselors and student services team staff will visit 10th grade English classes to facilitate this year’s SOS lesson and conversation. Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video, students will complete a brief depression screening tool. This tool cannot provide a diagnosis of depression but does indicate whether a young person should be referred for evaluation by a mental health professional.

At the end of class, students will complete an exit slip which asks whether they would like to talk to an adult about any concerns. School staff will conduct brief meetings with any student asking to talk.

We encourage you to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s participation in this program please contact your child’s school counselor. If you would like to opt your student out of participating, please use this link to the SOS Opt-Out form.

Senior Virtual Support Sessions: Ready, Set, Go!

This is a series of virtual information sessions designed to support seniors—and their families—through the college application process. Hosted in collaboration with all college and career counselors across Arlington Public Schools, these sessions will cover key topics such as the Common App, essay writing support, financial aid, and more.Open to all Seniors and their families, all sessions will be listed in SchooLinks under the Events section. Be sure to register to receive the session link!

• How to Pay for College  – Thursday October 16th, 7pm

Join Jimmy Mauger, Associate Director of Financial Aid, Marymount Univ., as he explains the different ways to help pay for college. Topics include Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), CSS Profile, Scholarships, and more! Use this link to register.

Post-Secondary Planning Help Sessions

Lunches Assistance

12th graders are invited to room 107, the College and Career Office, during their lunches to ask questions and get assistance with their post-secondary planning. This includes, but is not limited to, college applications, common app accounts, Schoolinks functions, workforce and gap year questions, etc.  The sessions started this week and will continue through October.

Patriot Period Post-Secondary Work Sessions

Additionally, counselors will be holding help sessions for 12th graders in October in the cafeteria during Patriot Period regarding their post-secondary plans. We are organizing them by Patriot Period teachers, but do recognize that most of these days are free choice days.  The schedule is below:

 Schoolinks

We have a new college and career platform for students this year called Schoolinks, which is replacing Naviance.  Please refer to the videos below for more grade specific information about the platform:

• Information and how-to video for 9th and 10th graders
• Information and how-to video for 11th and 12th graders

ACTIVITIES UPDATES

Club of the Week – Latinas Leading Tomorrow

The YHS Club of the Week is Latinas Leading Tomorrow (LLT). Latinas Leading Tomorrow is a two-tiered program that uses a club format to address the needs of high school Latina students.  LLT endorses academic excellence, personal responsibility, trust among its members, and Latina empowerment. We provide a leadership skills component, career exploration, college preparation, and mentoring in a supportive environment.  LLT promotes college as the goal among its students while targeting to decrease teen pregnancy rates and dropout rates.  The club meets weekly and aims to build on the strengths of students.  Members in the club are expected to be role models in the school and community and to actively participate in the club’s activities.  See Dr. Hyder for more information.

Homecoming Football Game – student entry change in location

Yorktown students will enter through the double gates near the concession stand on North 27th Street – not through the main/usual ticket entrance.  Please have exact change ($5) or pre-purchased online tickets to speed up entry.  All others, including Yorktown parents and non-student fans, should enter through the typical main ticket booth entrance.

Yorktown General Athletics Game Attendance Information

We look forward to seeing you at upcoming events.  Please note the following:

• No backpacks or bags are allowed and no outside food or beverages can be brought into any home games.
• Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be admitted or will be asked to leave the event. Parents will be notified to pick up their child from the event.
• Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for ages 6-18, including APS high school students, at all fall sporting events (volleyball, field hockey and football).  Tickets will be sold online before the game at https://gofan.co/app/school/VA24974 as well as at the gate (exact change is preferred)

Arlington Public Schools Varsity Football Attendance Information

Varsity football games are community events.  For the safety and security of all those in attendance, in addition to the above rules, the following rules are in place:

• Only students from Yorktown and the opposing school are allowed admission without their own parent or guardian present.  IDs or StudentVUE will be checked at the gate.
• Middle-school students (and younger) must be accompanied and supervised by their parent or guardian.
• There will be designated seating areas for Yorktown students, Yorktown band and general spectators.

Upcoming Home Events

Where to find Athletics Information

Athletic Website – www.yorktownsports.orgAthletic Twitter – @yhssportsAthletic Instagram – @yhssportsAthletic Specific Sport Information – www.teamapp.comAthletic Registration – https://yorktownhs-ar.rschooltoday.com/Looking Ahead – Winter Sports In order to participate in tryouts or any other athletic activity, students must have registered online, including uploading a valid, stamped VHSL physicals form and APS participation agreement. 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.

Winter tryouts will begin on the following dates. Basketball, gymnastics and winter cheer will conduct tryouts for at least three days, while other winter sports allow all students who show interest and commitment the first week. Students who completed the athletic registration process for the fall and need to be added to a winter sport tryout list should contact Mary Ann Mahan

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.

November 10 – Basketball, wrestling, swim/dive, gymnastics – please note November 11 is a student holiday but teams will practice/tryout

November 17 – indoor track and cheerleading

November 20 – winter crew conditioning

Rifle will conduct tryouts beginning November 10, however, only members of the fall club are eligible. Club orientation has already taken place.Looking Further Ahead – Spring and Fall 2026 Sports Spring sports will begin on Monday, February 23 and tryouts will continue throughout that week.  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 are typically in late May/early June.  The start date for golf (no earlier than July 30) and girls flag football (no earlier than August 17) have not yet been finalized.

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.

Cap and Gown Orders

Senior Cap and Gown Orders are now being accepted through this google form. Students must have a cap and gown in order to walk at graduation. Because caps and gowns are included in the cost of Senior Dues, there is no payment required when placing this order. Do not wait! Please complete this order form as soon as possible. Orders must be finalized by Thanksgiving.

Senior Portraits

Senior Portrait makeups will take place at school on October 22-23. Please visit schedule.prestigeportraits.com. To locate your appointment code, enter Yorktown High School’s zip code (22207) and enter “Yorktown.” After you verify student details, you will be able to confirm your appointment. If you have any questions, please contact Lifetouch Prestige customer service (855-918-2930) or email [email protected].

UPCOMING DATES

See YHS Calendar or the APS Calendar for more information:

• Monday, October 13, 2025 – No school for students, Professional Learning
• Monday, October 20, 2025 – Holiday – Diwali
• Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – Early Release, Professional Learning