September 5, 2025 Newsletter

Dear Yorktown Parents and Guardians,This week, students received their YONDR Pouches and began experiencing a Phone-Free Yorktown! We believe this will support students’ ability to focus on school, promote stronger mental health, and help us build a stronger and more engaging school community. Members of the Yorktown staff are participating in a book club reading The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt, and we invite you to join us in reading this important book. Thank you to those who joined us Wednesday evening for our parent information session. Please see the slides here.

Today was our first day with students using the pouches, and we are encouraged by the student response and support for this new process. We will be monitoring carefully and making updates, including our morning entrance, which included a short delay in processing all students entering the building. Please note that we have 24 magnets prepared to ease unlocking and dismissal. There are unlocking stations in the main hallway, atrium, and door 8. Administrators also have handheld magnets to support unlocking.

Have a great 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

Student Activities Fair

We will hold our September Activities Fair for all students during lunches on Wednesday, September 10. Club/activity representatives will be stationed at tables set up throughout the atrium, allowing our students to learn about different activity offerings and how to join.

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.

Advisory Updates & Logistics

• Advisory will occur 5 days a week. Students will report to their scheduled Patriot Period class on Tuesdays. Students will have a choice of where to report to on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but must be in a classroom.
• More information is on the Infographic linked here.

Monday, September 8th  

• 9th Grade: Study Skills
• 10th & 11th Grades: Accessing Student Email
• 12th Grade: SchooLinks review

Tuesday, September 9th 

• 9th Grade: Study Skills
• 10th-12th Grades: Academic & Time Management

Wednesday, September 10th 

• 9th Grade: Study Skills
• 10th-12th Grades: Review student goals/Academic Check Ins begin

ROCS Revamp: What’s New in the 25-26 SY?

Respecting Others, Community, and Self

• Staff can nominate students that exemplify behaviors who show respect and responsibility! ROCS Awards monthly celebrations will be held in the cafeteria with community outreach activity, certificates, Patriot Period ticket, and a small snack.
• ROCStar tickets are new! Staff can hand out tickets to students that are “caught” demonstrating positive and helpful behavior that contributes to our school community. Students who receive a ROCStar ticket can place their ticket in a dropbox outside of Dean Irwin’s office (191). Every Friday, a drawing will take place and one lucky student will receive a prize of their choice. (Gift cards, spirit wear, free fitness classes, etc.)
• There will be a monthly invite-only event during Patriot Period for ROCS award recipients & students with at least one ROCStar ticket
• The Our Class ROCS award is new and will be given out quarterly! Teachers can nominate class periods that exemplify the values of ROCS. The winning class is surprised with a banner, a treat, and a YHS computer sticker.
• The Awesome Attendance Award is new and will be given out quarterly! Dean Irwin will recognize students who have less than 1 full day absence, 3 period absences, and 3 tardies each quarter. Students will receive a certificate and a small prize!

Welcome New DEI Coordinator Dr. Callie Hyder

Welcome Dr. Callie Hyder, new DEI Coordinator!  She taught for nine years in urban, Title I Elementary school settings before leaving the classroom to pursue her doctorate in Educational Leadership and work in higher education. She has a passion for equitable and inclusive education, and she’s excited to join the Yorktown staff! In addition to being the DEI Coordinator, Callie is also the new head swim coach at Yorktown! In her free time, Callie enjoys hiking, reading, rooting for her favorite sports teams, and snuggling her two cats, Scout and Boo.

COUNSELING CORNER

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

Tonight’s Home Varsity Football Game

The varsity football team will have its home opener tonight at 7 pm vs. Jackson Reed.  Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students.  Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate.  While both cash and credit cards are accepted at the gate, there is a $1 processing fee from the vendor for credit card purchases.  Exact change typically allows much quicker entry.

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/

Ultimate Frisbee Has Started!

Ultimate Frisbee has begun and all 9th-12th grade students are welcome.  Boys will meet at 4 pm Monday, 9/8 on the baseball field, while girls will meet at 5:15 pm on Tuesday, 9/9 on the baseball field.  Ultimate practices two days a week and plays an 8 game schedule.  No experience necessary.

Interested students must register but do not need a current VHSL physical.  Please complete the registration process and upload a blank sheet of paper when it requests a VHSL physical.  Also, please join Stack Team App under YHS – (boys or girls) ultimate.

Girls Flag Football Begins October 6 – Interest Meeting on Sept. 9

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. There will be an interest meeting on September 9 at 3:15 pm in Patriot Hall.

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).  Playoff games are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 6-18.  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.

Homecoming is October 10th Weekend!

The Homecoming football game will be October 10th at 7 pm against West Springfield with the dance on Saturday night, October 11th.  Please note 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.

Off-Campus Lunch Permission

Per Arlington School Board policy, seniors who obtain an Off-Campus Lunch Pass may leave the school grounds during their lunch period. Senior Parents and students must complete this form to provide permission for their senior to leave campus for lunch.

Valid Lunch Pass with student name, and ID# must be on their person when students are exiting and returning to the building. Passes will be distributed to students from Dean of Students, Ms. Irwin after the permission form has been completed. Students without a lunch pass will not be allowed off campus for lunch.  Please see expectations below:

1. Seniors will return to campus early enough to ensure that they are not tardy to their next scheduled class.
2. Proper conduct and respect for private property, both in the immediate school neighborhood and the adjacent community, are necessary.
3. Seniors may not take underclass students off campus at lunchtime.
4. Seniors may not bring back food for non-12th grade students.

Failure to observe the above Code of Conduct may result in the revocation of this Senior privilege.

Senior Portraits

Senior Portrait makeups will take place at school 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].

Save the Date 

Class of 2026 Graduation – Wednesday, June 10, 3:00 pm at DAR Constitution Hall.

UPCOMING DATES

See YHS Calendar or the APS Calendar for more information:

• Tuesday, September 23, 2025 – Holiday – Rosh Hashanah