May 24, 2024 YHS Parent Square Newsletter

Dear Yorktown Families,

Congratulations to our students who took SOLs this week! Next week, we have make-up and expedited retake SOL exams. Next Tuesday, we are excited to host guest speaker, Daryl Davis, lecturer, author, human rights activist, and race relations expert. We also will have a post high school preparation presentation and work session for our 11th grade students as they prepare for college applications and other post graduation opportunities.We only have two more weeks of school and final exams! Enjoy the Memorial Day Weekend, as we honor and mourn the U.S. military personnel who gave their lives serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Have a great weekend!

Dr. Kevin Clark

Principal

In this message:

What’s Happening at Yorktown
Counseling Corner
Activities Updates
Senior Updates
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion News
Technology News
Upcoming Dates

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT YORKTOWN

Guest Speaker: Daryl Davis

YHS is honored to have lecturer, author, human rights activist, and race relations expert Daryl Davis speak to our student body on Tuesday, May 28, at 1:45 in the auditorium. Mr. Davis has traveled the world giving lectures at K-12 schools, universities, organizations, and corporations focused on how people from all walks of life can work together and embrace our differences. Central to his work is the question “How can you hate me when you don’t even know me?” From this lens, Mr. Davis has convinced more than 200 members of the Ku Klux Klan to leave and renounce the organization, collecting their robes as a reminder of the dent he has made in race relations by having conversations. The videos foundhereandhereprovide an introduction to Mr. Davis and his work. The recording will be shared with the YHS Community.

Advisory Plans

Students will participate in the following activities next week:

Tuesday (5/28):
- 9th and 10th Grades: End of year reflection activity
- 11th Grade: Junior College/Career Panel discussion: 11th grade students only will be dismissed at 10am (3rd period) to attend this assembly
- 12th Grade- End of year reflection and time for students to remediate classwork

Thursday (5/30):
- 9th, 10th, and 12th Grades: Academic check in meetings
- 11th Grade: Junior College/Career work sessions

Spring Athletics – Girls Lacrosse Regional Finals, Crew Nationals, State Track

Good luck to Girls Lacrosse, who is facing off against South Lakes tonight at home. Come support the team!

Crew is in New Jersey at the SRAA Nationals this weekend, while several members of our track team head to state competition next weekend. Good luck Patriots!

Senior Outstanding Fees or Payment for Lost Items

Next week, you may receive a notice from our school Treasurer, Sabrina Ashby, in regard to any outstanding charges for computer fees or outstanding payments that may have occurred throughout your students’ full academic years at YHS. This includes from their 9th grade to 12th grade. All Seniors MUST resolve any outstanding charges before receiving caps and gowns and graduation tickets (June 12th).

Students and Families should also ensure that the following items are not outstanding as well:

Outstanding missing or lost library books
Cafeteria accounts (Please ensure that your child’s account(s) are not in the negative.
- -Link for Cafeteria Log in/payments through MySchoolBucks:https://www.apsva.us/food-and-nutrition-services/online-payment/
- Online Payment Center – Arlington Public Schools
Any missing/lost academic/classroom textbooks or calculators
Missing/lost Athletic equipment

Yearbook Distribution

Senior distribution will be on June 3rd. It will take place from 4PM-7PM in the Yorktown Courtyard. If weather is bad/rainy, books will be distributed in the Yorktown Atrium. If seniors are unable to come June 3rd, they can stop by room 264 to pick up their book any day after that date.
Juniors, Sophom*ores, and Freshmen distribution will be June 4th– 7th. Students can come during Patriot Period or all lunches. Books can be picked up from room 264.

If you have any questions about distribution or yearbook orders, please contact Mr. Olsen:troy.olsen@apsva.us

Student Shout outs!

Shout out to Danielle McCarthy and Sarah Wilson, and the Life Skills team, who took their students to Cross-Fit for a mini-Murph Challenge! The Murph Challenge honors the sacrifice and service of fallen Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy.

Congratulations to Murphy Keller & Jamie Hayman, current (but outgoing) Co-Presidents of Best Buddies and Special Olympics who were honored at the annual SEPTA Awards with the Exceptional Ally Award for Outstanding Student Ally. These two students are truly incredible individuals who worked tirelessly to create opportunities for all students this year in both clubs.Thanks for your contributions!

Latinas Leading Tomorrow celebrated “Noche de Impacto” and four Yorktown students won the following awards:

Brillante Award: Sarah Ordaz

COUNSELING CORNER

Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Started in 1949 byMental Health America(MHA), May has become a month dedicated to raising awareness and reducing the stigma of mental health issues. About one in five people will suffer from mental illness during their lives, and everyone will face challenges that can impact their mental health. Resources and support are always available from our Counseling Department. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, APS Student Services would like to share the following resources with families:

Leaving Yorktown? Let us know!

Families of rising 10th-12th graders, if you know that you will not be returning to APS next school year, please complete thiswithdrawal formand email it to our registrar,Carol Thompson. You may also reach out to Ms. Thompson with any questions about registering or withdrawing from school. As we plan for the next school year, this will ensure we have the most accurate numbers as we build next year’s schedule.

Summer School

For more information, FAQs, and the Yorktown specific form, please see theAPS Summer School site. Registration for APS Summer School closes June 7th.

ACTIVITIES UPDATES

Spring Game Information

With spring sports season beginning, please note the following guidelines for attending. Games in the stadium will be streamed on theYorktown Boosters Youtube websiteand tickets are available atGoFanor at the gate. Tickets are $5 for adults, and students ages 6-18 are $2 at the gate. Season passes are available.

Backpacks and outside beverages are not allowed at sporting events.
High-school-age students must show a student ID or StudentVue indicating they attend a participating school.
Students younger than high school age must be accompanied by their parent/guardian.
The most up-to-date athletic schedule can be found atwww.yorktownsports.org

Home Playoff Games this Week

Date	Team	Time	Opponent
06/1//2024	Girls Varsity Lacrosse	TBD	TBD (State Tournament)

Where to find Athletics Information

Athletic Website –www.yorktownsports.org

Athletic Twitter/X – @yhssports

Athletic Instagram – @yhssports

Athletic Specific Sport Information –www.teamapp.com

Athletic Registration –https://yorktownhs-ar.rschooltoday.com/

Fall 2024 Sports Tryout Dates

For planning purposes, most fall sports will begin no earlier than August 5, 2024, with the exception of golf and cheer which might begin as early as August 1. As in past years, dance tryouts will take place in May, cross country will start mid-August, and ultimate frisbee will start approximately two weeks after school begins. Updated information can be found on theAthletics website.

Some of these dates are estimated, but they will not move any earlier. Please note playing a high school fall sport requires a commitment to be present for the duration of tryouts and daily practices thereafter. Families are advised that vacations planned after the start of fall sports will not be considered favorably during the tryout process because there is limited practice time to build a team prior to the start of scrimmages and games in mid to late August.

SENIOR UPDATES

Yorktown High School Class of 2024 Senior Send-Off Help Needed

We still need volunteers! You don’t need to be a parent of a senior. Please submit the volunteer Request –

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D4EABA92D6-49727495-class

The PTA would like to have Gift Cards for prizes. Donation Request –

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D4EABA92D6-49741436-class

Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Location: Yorktown High School Gym

Dear Yorktown High School Seniors,

It’s time to bid farewell to our incredible Class of 2024 seniors! Immediately after the Senior Experience Seminar, please come and join us for a memorable Senior Send-Off Celebration on Wednesday, June 12th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Yorktown High School Gym.Activities Include:

🎉 Food & Drinks: Enjoy delicious snacks and refreshing beverages throughout the event

📸 Photo Booth: Capture unforgettable moments with your friends in our photo booth

🎶 Music: Groove to the beats and celebrate our seniors

🐂 Mechanical Bull: Test your skills and take a ride on the mechanical bull for some adrenaline-pumping fun

👕 T-Shirts for Friends to Sign: Leave your mark on the memories by signing t-shirts for the Class of 2024 seniors

Let’s make this a fun time to remember as we celebrate the achievements and journey of our graduating seniors. We look forward to seeing you there! This event is being held the day before graduation, and in lieu of a graduation night event, to allow for personal post-graduation celebration with friends and family!

Senior Dues – Money Order or Online Payment Required

Senior Dues ($85) are required to buy a Prom ticket, receive a cap and gown, and receive graduation tickets. The last date to submit a personal check for Senior Dues was April 30. Other options – money order or online – are available after that date. Please drop off a money order to the school treasurer,Sabrina Ashby, in the main office. Online paymentsare also an option and include a small processing fee.

Requesting Additional Graduation Tickets

Wednesday, May 1- Friday, May 10– Seniors can request additional graduation tickets using thislink(link is live until May 10, but any submission during these dates will be considered and it is not first come, first served). All graduating seniors will receive 5 tickets with their cap and gown at graduation rehearsal. Graduates do not need a ticket so the 5 are for friends and family. If you anticipate needing more than 5 tickets, we encourage you to reach out to classmates in hopes they will have one or more to share. Additional available tickets will be divided and distributed (to those who sign up using the form) beginning May 13 and ending on Friday, May 17.

Senior Experience and Students not Participating in Senior Experience

Monday, May 20 – Tuesday, June 11is Senior Experience. Seniors not on Senior Experience report to school for a regular school day.

Prom

Friday, May 31– Prom will be held 8-Midnight at the Westin in Ballston. Tickets are $40 and will be sold in person during the lunches May 8-17 as well as online from May 13-27.

Senior Experience Seminar

Wednesday, June 12– Senior Experience Seminar (Mandatory) at 9:30 am at Yorktown. Please report to the atrium for check-in and to find your seminar locations. Your timesheet and final outline are also due at this time and should be uploaded to the Senior Experience canvas page.

Graduation Rehearsal

Thursday, June 13– Graduation Rehearsal at 9 am at Yorktown in the auditorium (don’t be late) – you will receive your cap and gown and guest tickets (5) after rehearsal.

Graduation

Thursday, June 13– Graduation at DAR Constitution Hall at 3 pm. Seniors must arrive at DAR by 2:00 pm.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION NEWS

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Identity

Like many racial and ethnic groups, the AAPI community is far from monolithic. Many within these communities are at odds with the terms “Asian American” and “Pacific Islander” for that reason. For example, “Asian Americans comprise roughly 50 ethnic groups, who speak upward of 100 languages including Indian Americans, Chinese Americans, Taiwanese Americans, Filipino Americans, Vietnamese Americans, Korean Americans, Japanese Americans, Pakistani Americans, Cambodian Americans, Hmong Americans, Thai Americans, Laotian Americans, Bangladeshi Americans, Burmese Americans, Nepalese Americans, Indonesian Americans, Sri Lankan Americans, Malaysian Americans, Bhutanese Americans, and Mongolian Americans — and that’s just some of the diversity that exists.” This articleinvestigates the unifying and divisive aspects of both terms. Read more about Asian American identityhereand about how some groups are reclaiming their unique identities with the term “Pasifika”here. Find tips for helping your child develop a healthy ethnoracial identityhere.

TECHNOLOGY NEWS

LIGHTSPEED–Opt-in Through ParentVue

Lightspeed (content filter/weekly activity report) is now available for parents/guardians to opt-in for reports. Use the following link to find the district’s direction on how:Lightspeed Opt-in.

Need more information?Lightspeed Content Filter / Weekly Activity Report Basics.

UPCOMING DATES

SeeYHS Calendar for more information

Monday, May 27th – Memorial Day, No School
June 7th Final Exams Start (Period 1 Exam)
June 10 – Early Release-Final Exam Schedule (Periods 2, 3 Exams)
June 11 – Early Release-Final Exam Schedule (Periods 4, 5 Exams)
June 12 – Early Release-Final Exam Schedule (Periods 6, 7 Exams)

May 24, 2024 YHS Parent Square Newsletter - Yorktown (2024)