October 24, 2025 Newsletter

Dear Yorktown Parents and Guardians,

As we approach the end of the quarter, please take a moment to check in with your child(ren) about how the quarter is going. Next week, Patriot Period will provide opportunities for students to meet with teachers, makeup work and complete retakes. The Learning Center is also available after school for makeups and retakes and for Math Help on Even days during lunch. Please reach out for any questions or concerns. Thank you for your partnership!

A reminder that Wednesday, October 29, is an early release day for professional learning. Students are dismissed at 1:00 pm with a full bus run.

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

Congratulations to District Champions – Field Hockey and Girls XC

The girls cross country and field hockey teams won the Liberty District Championship this week. Molly Hardwick took first overall in the championship cross country meet. Both teams will compete in regionals next week. Joining them will be two members of the men’s cross country team. Additionally, Ginger Beall and Caitlin Wright qualified for the girls state golf championship this weekend. Good luck to all participants.

Red Ribbon Week is Next Week

Red Ribbon Week is an annual Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiative, which occurs between October 23-31, 2025. Red Ribbon Week is the largest drug abuse prevention campaign in the nation. The campaign began in 1985 following the death of DEA Agent Enrique “Ki Ki” Camarena. This prevention campaign is commemorated every year to honor Mr. Camarena’s sacrifice.Yorktown Substance Abuse Counselor, Jenny Sexton, will host a Red Ribbon Week Event on October 28, 2025 during all three lunches with the following activities:

• Impairment Goggle Activity
• Substance Abuse Prevention Trivia
• Learn about Narcan from the Arlington Addiction Recovery Initiative
• Teen Network Board Table

Upcoming Music Concerts & Accolades

Congratulations to the Yorktown Marching Band on their performance at the Oakton Classic. The YMB finished in second place out of six bands in Group 3 and won the Color Guard caption award. Good luck to the marching band, which will compete in the Virginia Marching Band Cooperative State Championship this Saturday in Lynchburg. Go band!

APS Marching Showcase – Tuesday, October 28, 7 p.m. @ Wakefield HS stadium

Band Chamber Music Concert – Wednesday, November 15, 7 p.m. in YHS auditorium

Yorktown Theatre Arts Fall Production

Trap by Stephen Gregg, November 6-8 (7:00 pm evenings, 2:00 matinee on Saturday, Nov 8)An incomprehensible event: every person in the audience of a high school play falls unconscious—every person but one. Using interviews with witnesses, loved ones, first responders, and the investigators pursuing the case, a theatre ensemble brings the story of the strange event to life, documentary-style. But as the strands weave together into an increasingly dangerous web, it becomes clear that this phenomenon might not be entirely in the past. Unnerving, exhilarating, and wildly inventive, you’ve never walked into anything quite like Trap. (The play will run 90 minutes with no intermission.  Please note that due to the horror/mystery theme, this play is best for those 11+.)To purchase your tickets, please visit http://tinyurl.com/YHSTheatre

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Updates

Equity Team

Applications are now open to join the Yorktown Equity Team! This team is made up of students, staff, and family members who reflect the diversity of our school community and are united in advancing belonging and equity for all. Guided by our mission and vision, the Equity Team examines school culture, experiences, data, and policies through an equity lens to identify and address bias and inequities while promoting practices that foster inclusion and belonging. If you are passionate about creating a more just, inclusive, and anti-racist school community where everyone feels valued and empowered, we encourage you to apply and be part of this meaningful work. If you have any questions, please contact DEI Coordinator Dr. Callie Hyder [email protected]. Apply here by Tuesday October 28, 2025.

Free and Reduced Lunch Applications

Families who have been impacted by job/income loss due to the government shutdown are able to apply or reapply for Free & Reduced Meals to reflect their current situation. You can complete the application here.

COUNSELING CORNER

Advisory Information

There will be no Tuesday advisory lesson due to the end of the quarter. Students can report to any classroom Monday-Friday for academic support.

New Counselor

Please welcome new counselor, Caroline Capoccia, an experienced school counselor replacing Ms. Bourciquot.  Ms. Capoccia will be starting no later than November 3rd. Until then, Ms. Dessaso and Mr. Pinkney will continue to complete the requirements for college applications, Mr. Bryant is supporting any mental health concerns, and Ms. Boyers is managing 504s and schedule questions.  We will let you know once Ms. Capoccia has started and how to contact her.  Thank you for your patience and understanding during this transition.

End of Quarter 1 Dates

The first quarter ends on Monday, November 3rd, and there is no school for students on Tuesday, November 4th.  Grades will be viewable in ParentVue starting at 10:00am on Thursday, November 13th.

Post-Secondary Planning Help Sessions

Lunch 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:

SchoolinksWe 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

Playoff Action Update

Field Hockey will host a regional playoff game on Monday, October 27 at 7 pm, while volleyball hosts a first-round district playoff game the same night at 6 pm. The girls cross country team and select boys team members will participate in the Regional Championships next week.

Yorktown vs. Washington-Liberty Attendance Information

The varsity football game between Washington-Liberty and Yorktown will be held on Thursday, October 30, at home at 7 p.m.  Tickets will be sold online and at the gate.  Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for the students.

Yorktown students and spectators should plan to enter through the staircase on North 27th Street near the concession stand.  Exact change or online ticketing is strongly encouraged.  Additionally, arrival before 6:45 pm will ensure quicker entry.

Reminders:

• 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.
• Only students from Yorktown and W-L 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 by their parent or guardian
• Admission is $5 and tickets will be sold at the gate (exact change is preferred)

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/

Winter Sports Tryout Information

In order to participate in tryouts or any other athletic activity, students must have registered online, including uploading a valid, stamped VHSL physical 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, winter crew conditioning and cheerleading

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.

UPCOMING DATES

See YHS Calendar or the APS Calendar for more information:

• Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – Early Release, Professional Learning
• Monday, November 3, 2025 – End of 1st Quarter
• Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – No School for Students – Grade preparation day
• Tuesday, November 11, – No School, Veterans’ Day