Weekly Memo

Some thoughts for the starting school year

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all have had a nice week and Happy Mothers Day this weekend to all of the Wildcat Moms. We are so thankful you share your students with us. Hopefully, the sun will stay shining throughout the weekend so we can all enjoy some beautiful weather.

For our seniors, graduation is 29 days away. We have some students in grades 9-11 who will still need to make up/finish their i-Ready diagnostic. Plans have been implemented for students to take the test during their study hall, English class, or social studies class (depending on grade level and subject that needs to be completed). It is not ideal and we will continue to work to figure out a better way to complete this diagnostic in the fall. Thank you all for your patience as we navigate trying to get this data.

We have spent this week celebrating our YHS Staff! Thank you to YORKWISE, York Athletic Boosters, and Ohana by the Sea Community Cafe for sponsoring special treats for our staff. It has been a great week!

Next Tuesday (May 13), any of our students who ride the bus to school will participate in a bus evacuation drill. This will happen when they arrive to school and should only take a few minutes. Enjoy the rest of your week. If have any questions or need anything please reach out to Liza or me.

Thanks,

Amanda

A Message from School Resource Officer, Shaun Darrow

It’s that time of year when our York High School students may elect to participate in a game called Assassin. The YHS administration in conjunction with the York Police Department is looking to raise awareness of the concerns and dangers to all involved. We encourage parents to talk with their students regarding the dangers of ambushing one another with water guns late at night, in the dark.

The YPD discourages students from wearing dark clothing, hiding, and engaging in behavior that may cause concern to the general public. We want our students to have a fun, safe spring but we are concerned that this game may create unsafe situations with irreversible consequences.

If parents, guardians, or students have questions or concerns please reach out to School Resource Officer, Shaun Darrow (sdarrow@yorkschools.org).

Choices Matter - Friday, May 9

In partnership with The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety and the support of the Maine Principals’ Association, Choices Matter is a program for students using personal stories and interactive materials to inspire students to make the right choices both behind the wheel and in life. Choices Matter will be here at York High School on Friday, May 9th. The students will participate with the interactive materials during a portion of Block 3 and then the entire student body will listen to the speaker during the normal Block 4 time. This is an important message to spread to all our high school students with the perfect timing that is close to Prom and graduation celebrations.

The interactive displays include items such as impaired goggles and a driving simulator, set up to help engage students and involve them in the message.
The speaker includes traffic safety in his presentation and conversations also occur around mental health, substance use, and making smart choices in life, which ultimately plays greatly into his personal story.

Schedule:

Block 1: 7:50-8:40 (50 mins)

Block 2: 8:45-9:35 (50 mins)

Block 4: 9:40-10:30 (50 mins) <-- Notice the BLOCK change (early dismissals go to the library)

Pride: 10:35-10:50 (Brief students on schedule and activities for remainder of the day)

Block 3 Lunch/40 mins of class time/Activity

Pride: 12:50 Students report to Pride

Assembly: 12:55-1:50

Pride:1:50- 2:05 Quick Debrief and collect bags and wait for dismissal

Prom will be on Saturday, May 17. If students intend to bring a guest from another school, the guest forms must be turned into the Main Office (signed) by Wednesday, May 14 at 2:05.

In partnership with YORKWISE and York Police Department, to help foster a healthy and safe prom, we will be having all students and guests entering the prom take a breathalyzer test. Ms. Mockeridge and Dr. Suttie will be administering the tests. If students do not pass, then parents will be called to pick up their student. If students refuse to take the test, they will not be allowed admittance to the dance and parents will be called to pick them up. If parents have any questions regarding this decision please feel free to reach out to Dr. Suttie.

Road Closure

We are getting one step closer to our new stadium field, but we will need to close down a road in order to get the plumbing figured out (yay for real bathrooms!). Please take note of the message below and plan accordingly.

Spring Testing Information

Next week we begin our spring testing season. Please review the following information to see when your student will be assessing:

April 14 - May 30:

All sophomores (grade 10) will be taking the Maine Through Year Assessment (MTYA).
This is the state assessment that they took in the fall.
This is a computer-based test, and all students will be provided a district device.
Students will be taking the assessment in their math and English classes. Teachers will share with the students when they will be assessing.

April 29 - May 13:

All students in grades 9-11 will be taking the Spring i-Ready Diagnostic in their Prides.
We will have an extended Pride during all four days so that students have the opportunity to complete their assessment, without disruption. This schedule will be shared before vacation.
Students will not be provided district issued devices, so they will need to bring their own laptop charged and ready to go during all four days.
SRTC students will not be taking the diagnostic.

May 5 - May 16: