September 12, 2025 Newsletter

Dear Yorktown Parents and Guardians,

This week was our first full week as a phone-free Yorktown and the impact is amazing. Students are focused on learning, well-being, and community and teachers are able to provide the best learning environments to students without being interrupted by phones. We appreciate all of our students and families for being part of this transformation.

This Wednesday was our student activities fair, where students visited with clubs and activities available to join this school year. We encourage you to discuss with your child(ren) how they plan to get involved. There are many opportunities to connect with their interests and other students with similar interests at Yorktown.

Next Friday, September 19th is the Back-to-School Barbeque at 6 in the Amphitheater by the bus loop. We invite all students to attend.  This event includes music, games and free BBQ.  Come get dinner and hang out with friends before heading to the football game.  The theme for the game is Hawaiian Shirt and the Most Themed Student Contest will once again be held for a chance to win free admission to all regular-season home sporting events at Yorktown this school year.  Come decked out!

The first PTSA meeting of the year is on Monday, September 15th at 7:30 pm on Zoom. Sign up for the newsletter to receive the link on Monday. https://site.yorktownptsa.org/newsletterHave a great weekend!Dr. Kevin Clark, PrincipalIn 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

Picture Days Grades 9-11 – September 17 &18

Save the date! Fall pictures for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will be on September 17th and 18th. Students will have their picture taken during their English class on either 9/17 or 9/18.

Patriot Period & Advisory

This Thursday, we began student choice during Patriot Period. Next week and moving forward, students report to their scheduled Patriot Period class on Tuesdays. Students have a choice of where to report to on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, but must be in a classroom or the library if they have picked up a pass in the morning. We encourage students to make a plan in advance for where they will go.

Tuesday, September 16th  

• 9th-12th Grade: Lesson make up day and relationship building

Back to School Night is September 25, 2025

We invite you to BTSN at Yorktown High School, Thursday, September 25th, from 7-9:00 p.m. See the guidance document here. Families will use StudentVue to access their students’ schedules.

There will be Counselor Welcome Sessions, one for grades 9&11th in the Auditorium, and one for grades 10&12th in Patriot Hall at 6:30. Drop-in sessions will be at 6:30-6:50 in the Cafeteria with specialists (AP Coordinator, DEI Coordinator, Math Coach, Advanced Academics Coach, School Psychologists, School Social Workers, Substance Abuse Counselor, and Bilingual Family Specialists).

BTSN begins in Patriot Period and follows a 10-minute rotation of the seven-period schedule. See the schedule below:

Hispanic Heritage Month

Each year, from September 15 to October 15, Yorktown celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. This month is a time to recognize the impact Hispanic and Latinx communities have made in shaping our nation from the arts and sciences to politics and education. The celebration begins on September 15 to coincide with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. It’s a time to learn, appreciate, and celebrate the vibrant diversity that strengthens our community here at Yorktown!

National Merit Semifinalists

Congratulations to the students below who were honored as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists!

• Kinzer, Sarah
• Rafi, Sarah
• Selinger, Samuel
• Snelbecker, Emily
• Vora, Ronan

COUNSELING CORNER

School Links

We have a new college and career platform for students this year called School Links, 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

Senior Information Sessions for Students Next Week

This coming Monday and Tuesday, September 15th and 16th, 12th grade English classes will meet in Patriot Hall, where counselors will lead a presentation covering all aspects of post-secondary planning.  Students will learn how to access our new college and career platform (School Links), how to request recommendation letters and transcripts, how to complete college applications, and other post-graduation options.

Senior Night Thursday, September 18 at 7

Senior Night for parents/guardians of current 12th graders will be Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 7-8 pm.  This will be a virtual event and counselors will present information about School Links (our new college and career platform), the Common App, college applications, and other paths for post-secondary planning.  Please use this link to join the virtual event.

September 25, 2025, is SAVE A LIFE DAY! 

What is Save a Life Day? On Sep 25th, 2025, all the states East of the Mississippi River (and a few beyond) are powering up the largest day of naloxone distribution to date. On this date, Arlington County Public Schools will offer Narcan to our parents at drop-off 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.

What is Narcan?

• A fast-acting remedy for an opioid overdose. It works on any type of opioid, including heroin, fentanyl, Demerol, and OxyContin.
• It will not reverse the effects of other types of overdoses, such as cocaine or benzodiazepine medications.
• It is an opioid agonist, meaning it blocks the opioid receptors in the brain and reverses the symptoms of an opioid overdose.
• Narcan works very quickly- usually within 2-3 minutes. If it does not work within that period, then a second dose can be administered.
• Narcan will only work on opiates/opioids.

Suicide Prevention Month – September 2025

Each September, the National Institute on Mental Illness (NAMI) recognizes Suicide Prevention Month as a time to raise awareness, spread hope, and spark meaningful action around one of the most urgent mental health issues of our time.

Yorktown supports their goal to ensure that individuals, friends, and families have access to the tools, resources, and support they need to talk openly about suicide prevention, recognize warning signs, and seek help.

Their theme for the month: Start a Conversation. Be the Difference.

With one conversation, asking someone how they’re really doing — and being ready to truly listen — can save lives. Because here’s what we know: No one has to face this alone. Help exists. Healing is possible. And all it can take is for one person to start a conversation.

Additional resources:

• If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately.
• You can also chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.
• Know the Warning Signs and Risk Factors of Suicide

Credit By Exam

Registration for Credit-by-Exam (CBE) is now OPEN for the 2025-26 school year.

Note: Registration for CBE closes on September 26, 2025 at 11:59 PM.

What is Credit-by-Exam?

Arlington Public Schools allows students with the ability to comprehend and communicate in languages other than English to earn high school credits through selected world language tests. Credit-by-Exam measures students’ foreign language proficiency in order to award up to four high school foreign language credits. We use nationally-normed tests such as STAMP, AAPPL, OPI, and the WPT for most languages. It is important to note that credits cannot be duplicated on a transcript, nor can a proficiency test replace a previously earned grade taken in high school. For more information and FAQs, please see the APS World Languages website.

ACTIVITIES UPDATES

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/

Girls Flag Football Begins October 6 

Yorktown will once again offer girls’ flag football, welcoming those students who want to play at the intramural level and the more competitive level.  The group will host internal games as well as play in some local interscholastic tournaments. See Coach Kooiman in the gym for more information if you are interested.

Homecoming is October 10th Weekend!

The Homecoming football game will be on October 10th at 7 pm against West Springfield with the dance on Saturday night, October 11th.  Please note that Monday, October 13, is not a school day for students.

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 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].

School Day SAT

This year, we will be offering a School Day SAT administration on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the same day we are administering the PSAT/NMSQT. This is available to any interested senior. Students interested in taking the School Day SAT at Yorktown High School will need to register and provide payment by Friday, September 19th, 2025. Transportation will be provided using normal bus routes.

Register using this Form: https://forms.gle/vsN2CcNqpXxHfu5L9

The cost for the School Day SAT will be $60.  Students eligible for free and reduced lunch can apply for a fee waiver using the form above or by asking the counseling office (Fee waiver information here).

Payment can be made by check (payable to Yorktown High School) to Ms. Ashby in the main office or through our Online Payment system by Friday, September 19th, 2025. Online payments will be available starting this evening.

Please reach out to Brannon Burnett at [email protected] if you have any questions

UPCOMING DATES

See YHS Calendar or the APS Calendar for more information:

• Tuesday, September 23, 2025 – Holiday – Rosh Hashanah
• Thursday, October 2, 2025 – Holiday – Yom Kippur
• Wednesday, October 8, 2025 – PSAT Day & School Day SAT
• Monday, October 13, 2025 – No school for students, Professional Learning
• Monday, October 20, 2025 – Holiday – Diwali
• Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – Early Release, Professional Learning