Weekly Memo

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are all staying safe during this storm. I am thankful we were able to have a remote learning day today to allow us to have the day of school count, but not need to worry about students and staff driving in inclement weather.

Congratulations to this week's Seacoast Student of the Week: Jack Armlin! Each week, we nominate a student from York High School to be featured in the Seacoast Online. Here is what we said about Jack:

York High School recognizes Junior Jack Armlin as our Seacoast Student of the Week, an exceptional student who exemplifies leadership, dedication, and kindness. A proud member of the National Honor Society, Jack excels academically, taking all AP classes while maintaining a high level of commitment to his studies. Outside the classroom, he is an active athlete, playing basketball, football, and spring track. Jack’s involvement extends beyond sports, as he is also part of our newly founded Model UN, contributing to the growth of this exciting program. Known for his generosity and kindness, Jack is always ready to support his peers and make a positive impact on those around him. Congratulations, Jack, for being a shining example of what it means to be a well-rounded student and leader!

Stay tuned to see who our Student of the Week is next week!!

Our course selection process is going to be starting soon and students will be choosing which classes they would like to take next year. Please review our Program of Studies and contact your student's school counselor if you have questions about courses or the best options for your student. We are working on a video to share with students about all of the electives we offer, but feel free to check out this quick video about the English electives (thank you, Logan Schrimper, for putting this together!). As always, if you need anything or have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out to Liza or me.

Thanks,

Amanda

Tis the season for delays and school cancellations. Superintendent Doak sent out the annual school closure letter back in October, but figured it was good to remind everyone about our procedures.

• If we have a two-hour delay, we start Block 1 at 9:50 (we do not send AM SRTC) and go through our entire bell schedule. If you have late arrival in your schedule Block 2 begins at 10:25.
• If school is canceled, we skip that color day and return to school the following day (all of our blue/white days are pre-determined).
• If Superintendent Doak calls a remote learning day we will follow the schedule below.

We try to notify everyone as soon as possible when there are changes to our school schedule. Superintendent Doak works closely with the highway department, the transportation department, and fellow superintendents to make the best possible decision for school cancellations.

Now that Semester 1 is completed, all juniors with an unweighted 93 GPA (or higher) will receive an email notifying them of the NHS application process.

After receiving an invitation to apply, students must complete the digital NHS Application & Essay. The NHS Application requires students to provide examples of their leadership and services to the school and community of York. Students are also required to write a 250-word essay on the digital application in response to the following prompt: "How have service and leadership opportunities played an important role in your high school career?"

Students must also submit a letter of recommendations from an adult who knows them well and can speak to their leadership, service, and character. This adult must not be a teacher at York High School as all teachers will have the opportunity to provide input in this process during the next phase. Letters of recommendation must be submitted to Mr. Hanlon through an email directly from the adult who has written on behalf of the student.

All teachers at YHS are given a rating sheet with every applicant's name listed in alphabetical order. Teachers then provide feedback on an applicant's scholarship, leadership, character, and service. Teachers also have the opportunity to provide written feedback about students as well. Teachers' rating sheets are tallied, and applicants are given an average score in each category.

A committee consisting of 5 teachers, and the NHS advisor meet to select new members. A student's application, essay, letter of recommendation, and teacher ratings are used to determine the admission of new members. The selection committee follows nationally set guidelines in selecting the candidates that best exemplify the qualities of scholarship, leadership, character, and service.

Applicants will be notified of the decision of the NHS selection committee through email when the selection process is complete.

Applicants who are not selected for admission are able to appeal the decision through an in-person interview with the NHS selection committee. The appeal committee will consist of 5 teachers, and the interview will be facilitated by the NHS advisor. A request to appeal must be made in writing to Mr. Hanlon, and students must meet to review the strength and weaknesses of their application prior to the appeal.

Tuesday, February 11 ~ MIYHS (Extended Pride) - DATE CHANGE!

Monday, February 17 - Friday, February 21 ~ February Break

Thursday, February 27 ~ Parent-Teacher Conferences @ 2:30-7:00 (sign up begins next week!)

Thursday, March 6 ~ Parent-Teacher Conferences @ 2:30-7:00

Friday, March 14 ~ Early Release Day (Dismissal @ 11:00)

Since the email went out a few weeks ago about purchasing bricks and our school-wide goal of fundraising $150,000 by March 1 -- we have sold THIRTEEN bricks (up 3 from last week!), but have also sold TWO tiles (that's $1,000 each!). We are one step (or brick!) closer to building the new facility.

As we quickly approach the end of the regular season and playoffs will soon be upon us -- please remember how to be appropriate spectators. Yes, this means students and families. We all represent York High School and we want to ensure our players on the court, the ice, the track, the mat get the best version of their fans to make sure they can focus on performing and playing.

Friday, February 7

• Boys JV Basketball at Cape/Lake/St. Doms/Traip/Wells @ 3:30 (Wells)

• Boys/Girls Indoor Track & Field at USM @ 4:30

Saturday, February 8

• Wrestling at Class B South Regional Finals (Fryeburg)
• Girls Hockey at South Semifinals (Troubh)
• Robotics at Monmouth Academy
• Girls JV Basketball at JV Tournament @ 10:00 (NYA)
• Nordic Skiing at Stark's Hill @ 11:00
• Boys Hockey at Brunswick @ 6:15

Tuesday, February 11

• Unified Basketball at Marshwood @ 3:30
• Alpine Skiing at Pleasant Mountain @ 5:15

Please use the link below to sign up for YHS Spring 2025 athletics.

Athletic Department staff and YHS head coaches will be reaching out to all student-athletes and families on rosters in the coming weeks with spring 2025 program specific information.

YHS ATHLETICS - SPRING 2025 SIGN-UP FORM

* Baseball and Softball pitchers and catchers week begins on Monday, March 24.

* All spring sports begin on Monday, March 31.

REQUIRED FORMS (completed once per school year)

The Athletics Participant Form and the Emergency Information Form must be completed before participation will be allowed. Please communicate with your parents/guardians to ensure that forms are done and you have an up-to-date physical on file before practices start. Students cannot participate unless up-to-date forms are completed.

Please visit https://yorkathletics.rankonesport.com/New/NewInstructionsPage.aspx to access forms. There are three requirements for participation in YHS athletics programs:

• Athletics Participant Form
• Emergency Information
• Physical Examination

Physicals are active for 13 months from the date of the exam. Email updated paperwork to ecastaline@yorkschools.org, fax to 207-351-4001 (this is a YHS Athletics specific fax line; please encourage the provider's office to use), or drop off a hardcopy at the YHS front office.

Your eligibility status can be checked on the Rank One website or the RankOne app.

Please contact Emily if you have any general questions about the upcoming season at ecastaline@yorkschools.org.

Principal: Amanda Suttie ~ asuttie@yorkschools.org

Asst. Principal: Liza Mockeridge ~ lmockeridge@yorkschools.org

Phone: 207-363-3621

Website: yorkschools.org