October 25, 2024 Weekly Newsletter

Dear Patriot Families,

This week and next week, Yorktown recognizes Red Ribbon Week with theme days, events, and sharing information about making healthy choices. We encourage families to have conversations with your children about being drug and alcohol free and making safe and healthy choices.

We also want to share that Yorktown achieved Purple Star Recognition this week for demonstrating commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. We appreciate and support our military connected students and families!

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

Yorktown Achieves Purple Star Recognition

We are proud to share that the Virginia Council on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children approved Yorktown High School as a recipient of the SY 2024-2025 Purple Star Award.

The Virginia Purple Star Designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. We are proud to serve students and families connected to the military at Yorktown by:

• Providing transition support for families entering Yorktown
• Training staff on military connected students, their strengths, needs, and supports
• Connecting students to the community throughout the year.

For questions, reach out to our point of contact, Ms. Kennedy, Counselor at heather.kennedy@apsva.us

Upcoming Fall Music Concerts

Enjoy our talented YHS students in their first concerts of the school year! All in the Auditorium.

• Orchestra – Wednesday October 30th @ 5pm
• Band – Wednesday, November 6th @ 7pm

Red Ribbon Week: October 23-29

Red Ribbon Week will be recognized October 23-29th. This annual Drug Enforcement Agent (DEA) initiative is the largest drug abuse prevention campaign in the Nation. The campaign began in 1985 following the death of DEA Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. This prevention campaign is commemorated every year to honor Mr. Camarena’s sacrifice. This year’s theme is Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free. At school, students will engage in activities that promote a drug free and healthy lifestyle.

Red Ribbon Theme Days

• Wednesday 23rd: Team up Against Drugs- wear your favorite sports team jersey or shirt.
• Thursday 24th: Follow your Dreams don’t do Drugs- wear your pajamas.
• Friday 25th: Pink Out! Wear your pink to support cancer awareness.
• Monday, 28th: Rally in Red- wear red in recognition of red ribbon week. Sign the red ribbon week pledge during lunch.
• Tuesday, 29th: Ms. Sexton, Substance Abuse Counselor Table in Atrium

We will be doing a second Narcan distribution at all of the high schools on 10/31/2024 to conclude Red Ribbon Week.

On 10/31/2024, Arlington County Public Schools will partner with the Arlington Addiction Recovery Initiative (AARI) to offer Narcan to our parents at drop-off, starting at 7:45am,  at each of the high schools! Each parent will receive an overview training and 1 box of Narcan. If you have additional questions, please email Jenny Sexton at Jennifer.sexton@apsva.us.

The Crucible is here this weekend! 

Come see this amazing production! Tickets are $10/student and $15/adult, and can be purchased at http://yhstheatre.org/tickets-shows. Tickets will be available during lunch periods for the two weeks leading up to the show.

Remaining Shows: 

• Friday, Oct. 25th: 7pm
• Saturday, Oct. 26th: 2pm and 7pm

APS Emergency Preparedness Week 

Next week is APS Emergency Preparedness Week, which aims to raise awareness about the steps we take to keep our schools safe and the importance of being prepared for any emergency. The theme this year is: “Together for Safety: One Team, One APS.”

New for this year, APS has adopted the Standard Response Protocols (SRP) from the “i love u guys” Foundation as the base for our emergency response procedures. The SRP model brings a consistent and standardized approach to emergency preparedness across APS and throughout our region. Please take a moment to review the information.

November 14th All School Assembly “Silent No More” Substance Use Prevention

For your planning purposes, please be aware that November 14th, all students will participate in an assembly (9th grade in the Auditorium, 10-12 live streamed) during 3rd period and Patriot Period. This is required and will take the place of 3rd period and PP.

Canvas Parent App Feedback Survey

Attention Parents/Families: The Canvas Mobile team is very interested in learning more about the experience for observers in the Canvas Parent App.

If you are interested to participate in this survey to provide your valuable insights, it will be appreciated and will help guide development of the Canvas Parent App in the future.

Students Participate in Special Olympics Feet Meet

Our Meet in the Middle Feet Meet is a track & field meet for children with and without physical and intellectual disabilities for grades 6th-12th. The goal of the Feet Meet is to bring together children with and without disabilities to promote more inclusive school environments. Some of the events the athletes participated in Thursday were;

• 25 M Races (Grades 6-8) // includes Wheelchair Races
• 25 M Races (Grades 9-12) // includes Wheelchair Races
• Softball Throw (Grades 8-12)
• Standing Long Jump (Grades 6-8)
• Standing Long Jump (Grades 9-12)
• Cornhole
• LadderBall
• Basketball

COUNSELING CORNER

Advisory Information

This year, our staff is implementing the RULER curriculum during advisory period. RULER helps students to learn about and manage their emotions. This is important for success in nearly every aspect of our lives—for attention, memory, and learning, for making and keeping friends, for healthy decision-making, and for our overall well being. You can learn more about RULER and why emotions matter in this brochure.

Since next week is the last week of the quarter, students will have time on Tuesday and Thursday to get caught up on assignments, check in with their Advisory teacher, or leave with a pass to visit another teacher.

Signs of Suicide (SOS) for 10th Graders

This year student services 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.

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

On November 12 & 13 during English classes, 10th grade 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. If you do NOT wish for your child to participate in this program (10th grade families only) please complete this SOS Opt-Out form.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION CORNER

Historically Black College & University Festival 

The Alfred Street Baptist Church presents its Annual Historically Black College & University (HBCU) Festival, a hybrid event being held Friday, November 8 and Saturday, November 9. The festival is dedicated to connecting high school students and their families to HBCUs and scholarship opportunities. Many institutions will provide on-the-spot admission decisions, conduct music auditions, and waive application fees. Additionally, seminars and exhibitor presentations will be held to help students navigate the college application process, seek financial aid opportunities and acclimate them to campus life. Register here to attend.

• Friday 11/8: 4-8pm (VIRTUAL ONLY)
• Saturday 11/9: 9am-4pm (Virtual and In-Person)
• Location: The St. James, 6805 Industrial Road, Springfield, VA, USA

ACTIVITIES UPDATES

Club of the Week: Chess Club

The aim of the Chess Club is to build an outlet for Yorktown students to learn and practice the oldest strategy game in the world. Chess is a logic game that develops skills such as evaluation, tactics and problem solving.  Members teach chess skills by explaining chess strategy and playing big mock games. See Mr. Wiltshire for more information.

Winter Sports Tryout Information

Winter sports begin on November 11, which is a student holiday, for basketball and wrestling.  Other sports, such as gymnastics, swim/dive, track, cheer, rifle and crew conditioning, begin in the days following.  Please consult this schedule for exact tryout/practice times for the first three days.  Additional information can be found at this link and specific sports information is often available on Team App.  If you plan to tryout, you must be registered with a current physical before attending the first day.  Registration is only done online.

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 may enter without their 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.

Home Games this Week

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 and Looking Ahead to Spring Sports

For your planning purposes, winter sports begin as early as November 11th; which is a school holiday, and spring sports begin on February 24th.  Preliminary winter sports tryout information is now available. Students can join www.teamapp.com for specific off-season and tryout information on winter and spring sports, which will be posted as it becomes available.  Please make sure to register on the new athletic registration site before attending any off-season activities or tryouts (see information above).

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. Find answers to your questions about these and more:

• Announcements and Rings
• Caps & Gowns
• Class Dues
• Graduation
• Graduation After-Party
• Off Campus Lunch Privilege
• Prom
• Senior Experience
• Senior Portraits
• Yearbooks

Senior Portraits

Thursday, November 21st will be the last opportunity to take Senior Portraits at Yorktown. Students who have not taken their photos have been given an appointment time. Please stop by the Activities Office to view your appointment time.

Cap and Gown Orders

Seniors can now order their cap and gowns. Please stop by the Activities Office to do so. No payment is required at this time. Price is included in the senior dues.

Save the Date 

Class of 2025 Graduation – 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 4, at DAR Constitution Hall.

UPCOMING DATES

See YHS Calendar or the APS Calendar for more information:

• Monday, October 28, Tuesday October 29 – Make up Picture Day
• Wednesday, October 30 – Early Release (1:00) – Professional Learning
• Friday, November 1st – Diwali Holiday, No School for Students.
• Monday, November 4th, Tuesday, November 5th No school for students.

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

PTSA Mock ACT

APS Sophomores and Juniors are invited to take a Mock ACT October 26th at 8:30am in the Yorktown Cafeteria.  Students will get familiar with the ACT test as well as ACT testing conditions and families will receive a detailed report with their results.

This is a Junior Class fundraiser, so the suggested donation is $25.  Please bring cash or a check payable to Yorktown High School on the morning of the 26th and use the cafeteria entrance facing the bus loop on Yorktown Boulevard.

Register here by October 22nd!