September 20th YHS Newsletter

September 20, 2024 

As I have visited classes this week, I have been impressed with students attentiveness and adherence to the new cell phone policy. Teachers and staff have been doing a great job engaging students and providing excellent instruction!

We look forward to seeing you next Wednesday at Back to School Night! Information below.

A reminder to please complete the Online Back-to-School Packet in ParentVUE by September 30th. Thank you for your continued support.

Have a great weekend!

Dr. Kevin Clark, Principal

In this message:

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

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT YORKTOWN

Back to School Night Wednesday, 9/25

BTSN is in-person at Yorktown High School, Wednesday September 25th from 7-9:00 p.m. Families will use StudentVue to access their students’ schedules. We will also have a drop-in session 6:30-7:00 in the Cafeteria with counselors and specialists (AP Coordinator, DEI Coordinator, Math Coach, Advanced Academics Coach, School Psychologists, School Social Workers, Substance Abuse Counselor, Bilingual Family Specialists & PSTA). See the schedule below:

Do You Need an Interpreter for Back to School Night?

As we prepare for Back to School Night on September 25th at 7 PM, we want to ensure that everyone receives the necessary support. To help us organize interpreter services, please complete our survey form.

Complete the survey here: https://forms.gle/4dJkdN6HevWxdi4Q9

Lightspeed Content Filter Weekly Activity Report and Parent Portal

With a variety of instructional tools and learning methods available to your student, your active engagement in your student’s learning is more important than ever. To help keep you informed about your student’s use of internet resources, APS has partnered with Lightspeed Systems to give you visibility into your student’s internet usage while using APS-issued devices, and more control of their use at home and after-school hours.There are two types of reports you can receive: the Weekly Online Student Activity Report and the detailed Parent Portal dashboard.  All the information in the Weekly Report and on the Parent Portal can be viewed and enabled on desktop or mobile devices.Please remember that any parental controls already set on a home network will automatically affect APS-issued devices when they connect to the home internet. If you do not currently use parental controls on your network, you can contact your internet provider for instructions on how to turn on that feature. The links below are a good place to start:

• https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/set-up-parental-controls-with-comcast-networking
• https://www.verizon.com/support/residential/internet/security/parental-controls

PTSA Day Wednesday, October 9th, 2024

This year, 10th and 11th graders, and 12th grade students taking the School-Day SAT will come to school at normal time for the PSAT or School-Day SAT. 9th grade and remaining 12th grade students will not attend school.

School Pictures – Grades 9-11

School pictures for students grade 9-11 are now available online.  To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student’s student ID number.  All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card.

Hall Sweeps/Attendance

Hall Sweeps will continue at Yorktown and will now be unannounced. Students need to be in class before the bell rings to avoid being caught in a Hall Sweep. Please continue to remind your students about the importance of being on time to class! The consequences for being caught in Hall Sweeps are as follows:

• 1st Sweep – Verbal Warning
• 2nd Sweep – Lunch Detention & 1 day suspension from after school activities
• 3rd Sweep – Afterschool Detention/Parent Letter & 1 week suspension from after school activities
• 4th Sweep – Parent Conference and further consequences as agreed upon from grade level Assistant Principal

Congratulations National Merit Semi Finalists and Commended Students

Semifinalists are the highest scoring entrants in each state and represent less than one percent of the nation’s seniors. Congratulations: Nathaniel Levin, Aaron Pease, Jack Reed 

Commended Students are being recognized for their outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT last October. Certificates are in the main office to be picked up with Ms. Wade.

Volunteer and Chaperone Information

At YHS, volunteers and chaperones play an important role in our students’ education.

 Volunteers

• help enrich education programs by mentoring students or assisting with activities that enhance instruction and promote learning.
• are unpaid individuals who donate time on an ongoing basis.

Chaperones

• are parents or family members who provide support for field trips at their child’s school but aren’t looking for longer-term volunteer opportunities.

 COUNSELING CORNER

September 20th is National Addiction Professionals Day! Friday, September 20, 2024, is National Addiction Professionals Day! Arlington Public Schools is proud to honor our Substance Abuse Counselors (SAC) today! As the addiction crisis continues to rise in the United States, it is crucial to acknowledge the significant role of addiction professionals and their dedication to supporting their communities and the nation. National Addiction Professionals Day was established by NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, in 1992 to recognize the hard work addiction professionals commit to daily.  This annual day of recognition takes place in September as part of National Recovery Month, which aims to raise awareness and understanding of mental health and substance use disorders and celebrate individuals in recovery. For more information on Recovery Month, please visit here.  At Yorktown, we are thrilled to have the support of our SAC, Jenny Sexton, and we’re so grateful for all she does to support our community.Save A Life DaySeptember 26, 2024 is

SAVE A LIFE DAY! 

On Sep 26th, 2024, all the states East of the Mississippi River (and a few beyond) are powering up the largest day of naloxone (Narcan) 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/information sheet and 1 box of Narcan. If you have additional questions, please email our Substance Abuse counselor, 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

Everyone can play a role in preventing suicide. During National Suicide Prevention Month in September, join the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to raise awareness by sharing resources that can help you recognize the warning signs of suicide and learn how to get help. If you have any concerns about a student, no matter how small, please reach out to the student’s counselor as soon as possible.

Senior Information

This week we held a virtual Senior Grade Information Night for families of current 12th graders. Counselors shared information about Naviance, the Common App, college applications and post-secondary planning.  Please use this link to review the recording of the event, and reach out to your child’s counselor with any questions.

Counselors will also be offering help sessions to all 12th graders on Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunches on a drop-in basis in the College and Career office, room 107.  Each 12th grade Patriot Period will be assigned a date during this time to come to the cafeteria for help with applications, or any other post-secondary planning, from counselors.

Credit By Exam (CBE)

Does your student speak a language other than English? They may be able to receive high school credits simply by taking an exam. More information, and the link to register for the exam, can be found on the APS World Languages website. Credit by Exam registration is now open! Note: Registration will close on September 27, 2024 at 11:59 PM.

The test will be available in as many languages as are offered by the CBE.  Sometimes the list changes year-to-year. Most testing will be done on election day, November 5, at Wakefield High School, and families must provide their own transportation.  Some languages require one-on-one telephone interviews, and those will happen in November and December at Yorktown.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION CORNER

Hispanic Heritage Month

During Hispanic Heritage month, we recognize and celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.  Watch this video for information about why the celebration begins on the 15th of September, when it became a month-long celebration, and the difference between the terms Hispanic and Latino.

Here are some ways you can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with your family:

• Visit the National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, DC
• Cook traditional foods: Check out the World Cuisine section of AllRecipes for dishes like flan, tortillas Españolas, and carnitas
• Watch shows or movies with Hispanic main characters like Moon Knight, Gentefied, and Wednesday
• Read books by Hispanic authors, like I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, We Are Not From Here, and The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.  Find more suggestions here and here
• Go to Fiesta DC on September 28th & 29th – an annual celebration held in the District featuring a parade, festival and an attempt at making the world’s largest pupusa!
• Check out Festival Latinoamericano on September 27th at the Arlington Mill Community Center.  The festival is dedicated to celebrating the vibrant and diverse cultures that enrich our community, showcasing the rich tapestry of Latin American art, food, and culture in Arlington County, and providing a platform for local artists, chefs, and performers to share their talents and traditions with the public.

Join the Yorktown Equity Team!

The Equity Team is made up of students, staff, and families who work to actively identify bias, inequity, and discrimination at Yorktown.  We then advocate for changes while engaging in anti-bias and anti-racist practices to ensure that each member of our school community feels valued, respected, and empowered.

Join the team at www.tinyurl.com/yhs-equityteam.  Meetings will take place on the first Tuesday of each month.  The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 1st at 3:30 – 4:30pm in Ms. Patrick’s room (223). (Subsequent meetings will be held on Nov. 12, Dec. 3, Jan. 7, Feb. 4, Mar. 4, Apr. 1, May 6 and Jun. 3).  Please contact Ms. Patrick with any questions (ackesha.patrick@apsva.us).

ACTIVITIES UPDATES

Speech and Debate Success!

Congratulations to the Yorktown Speech and Debate Team for joining the prestigious 100 Club  for achieving 108 strength points last year for their communication, research, listening, writing, and organization.

New Ticket Prices for Athletic Events

This year, per APS policy, ticket prices will be $7 for adults, $5 for students ages 6-18 and free for those over 60 and under 6.  This applies to football, field hockey and volleyball games in the fall.  Please consider bringing exact change or purchasing tickets online at www.gofan.co  Exact change at football games will facilitate faster entry.

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.

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/

Homecoming is October 4th Weekend!

The Homecoming football game will be October 4th at 7 pm against Centreville with the dance on Saturday night, October 5th.

Homecoming Dance Ticket Information

The Homecoming Dance is on October 5, from 8-11 PM. Tickets for the Homecoming Dance will be available online beginning September 23 at www.gofan.co using your student ID number.  Tickets will also be sold during lunches the week of September 30.  Tickets cost $20 ($22 online including the $2 service fee).  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).  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.

Winter and Spring Sports

For your planning purposes, winter sports (basketball, gymnastics, swim/dive, wrestling, cheerleading, rifle, indoor track and crew winter training) begin on November 11th; which is a school holiday, and spring sports (baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, tennis, outdoor track, crew) begin on February 24th.  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).

Girls Flag Football Intramurals 

Yorktown will be offering girls flag football as an intramural sports from October 28-November 26.  This is the inaugural season and all are welcome.  There will be an interest meeting on October 8 immediately afterschool in Patriot Hall.  We plan to offer both a competitive division and an open division if interest dictates.

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
Appointments will be available for Senior Portrait retakes at school October 1, 2, and 4. Please visit https://prestigeportraits.com/ to schedule your makeup session today. After the final Senior Makeup session on-site, Seniors may then schedule an appointment at one of the Studio locations in Hanover or Rockville.

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:

• October 3 – No School – Rosh Hashanah
• October 9 – Walk to School Day
• October 11 and 14 – No School for Students

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) has teamed up with the ARC of Northern Virginia to host an educational event centered around interactions with first responders and members of our autism community. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 19th, from 11AM – 2PM, at Kenmore Middle School, 200 S. Carlin Springs Rd.

This is an open event for members of all ages. In attendance will be sworn representatives from several jurisdictions in the area, including personnel from the fire department and various county agencies. For those that attend, we will be offering real-life scenarios, educational blocks of instruction, and information on available resources in the county.

For more information regarding the ARC of Northern Virginia, here is a link to their website: CLICK HERE.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION CORNER

Hispanic Heritage Month

During Hispanic Heritage month, we recognize and celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.  Watch this video for information about why the celebration begins on the 15th of September, when it became a month-long celebration, and the difference between the terms Hispanic and Latino.

Here are some ways you can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with your family:

• Visit the National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, DC
• Cook traditional foods: Check out the World Cuisine section of AllRecipes for dishes like flan, tortillas Españolas, and carnitas\
• Watch shows or movies with Hispanic main characters like Moon Knight, Gentefied, and Wednesday
• Read books by Hispanic authors, like I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, We Are Not From Here, and The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.  Find more suggestions here and here
• Go to Fiesta DC on September 28th & 29th – an annual celebration held in the District featuring a parade, festival and an attempt at making the world’s largest pupusa!
• Check out Festival Latinoamericano on September 27th at the Arlington Mill Community Center.  The festival is dedicated to celebrating the vibrant and diverse cultures that enrich our community, showcasing the rich tapestry of Latin American art, food, and culture in Arlington County, and providing a platform for local artists, chefs, and performers to share their talents and traditions with the public.

Join the Yorktown Equity Team!

The Equity Team is made up of students, staff, and families who work to actively identify bias, inequity, and discrimination at Yorktown.  We then advocate for changes while engaging in anti-bias and anti-racist practices to ensure that each member of our school community feels valued, respected, and empowered.

Join the team at www.tinyurl.com/yhs-equityteam.  Meetings will take place on the first Tuesday of each month.  The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 1st at 3:30 – 4:30pm in Ms. Patrick’s room (223). (Subsequent meetings will be held on Nov. 12, Dec. 3, Jan. 7, Feb. 4, Mar. 4, Apr. 1, May 6 and Jun. 3).  Please contact Ms. Patrick with any questions (ackesha.patrick@apsva.us).