York High School Weekly Memo

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all are having a great week. It has been fun and busy here at York High School. Our drama students participated in "Generations" last night -- this was a performance with stories and songs through the decades. Great job!

Congratulations to our Boys Basketball Coach, Matt Regan, for earning his 100th win as a coach last night. We also want to recognize both Coach Regan and our Girls Basketball Coach, Jess Stacy, as they have been named the McDonald's Class B Coaches of the Year, and they will be coaching the All-Star Game next month.

Good luck to our Model UN students as they travel to Boston University tomorrow for their Model UN conference. Participating in Model United Nations (MUN) aids in student development by building confidence, public speaking skills, and learning to effectively debate. Beyond individual growth, the program sharpens interpersonal skills through intense negotiation and collaborative caucus sessions, teaching students how to bridge divides and build consensus. Model UN also provides future opportunities in global literacy, leadership, and the ability to navigate complex social dynamics. We can't wait to hear how it goes!

If any of our students go to the York Public Library, please note the Children's areas of the library will be closed tomorrow, February 6, as they prepare for their MiniGolf Fundraising event.

Enjoy the rest of your week. If you have any questions or need anything, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thanks,

Amanda

Instagram

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.

If you have any questions about the events listed below, please reach out to your student's school counselor for more information.

Second Semester Schedules & Course Scheduling

Important Reminders

Withdrawals: Any drop requests made after February 3rd at 1:00 PM must be submitted via the Course Withdrawal Request Form.
Electives & Logistics: Please note that we are unable to make changes to electives, study halls, dismissal times, or lunch blocks.
Level Changes: Level changes will only be considered if they align with the original teacher recommendation.

26/27 Course Recommendations & Course Scheduling!

HAPPENING NOW:

Teachers are making course recommendations for next year! If you have questions about the recommendation, please speak with your current teacher.
All students should be researching elective course options that interest them.
If there are any questions, reach out and have discussions with current teachers, counselors, and parents/guardians.

HAPPENING NEXT (Feb & March):

Students need to schedule an appointment to meet with their counselor to make their course requests between February 14 - March 16.
These meetings will be 15 minutes long, and students need to come prepared with knowledge of what electives they are interested in.
Being prepared for this meeting is very important and any students who are not prepared will need to reschedule.

Links you need:

Going Merry

The Going Merry Scholarship portal opens next week!

8th Grade Parent Information Night - February 24, 2026

Welcome, Class of 2030!! Join our counselors, administrators, and teachers to learn more about York High School and the transition from middle school. More information will be shared by Mr. Hislop at YMS.

Junior Parent and College Panel Night - March 24, 2026

This is an opportunity for 10th and 11th-grade students and families to ask questions about college and the admissions process with admissions counselors, what to expect in senior year, and helpful tips for college admissions.

Student Service Updates: Applications for Summer Opportunities

Hoby -Youth Leadership: https://maine.hoby.org/

Who: Current Sophomore (rising juniors)

What:One weekend at a HOBY Maine unlocks a student’s leadership potential and helps them gain the confidence to make a positive impact on the world around them. We are so excited to welcome student leaders across the state to this life-changing experience!

When: June 12-14, 2025 Location University of Maine at Farmington

RYLA: https://ryla7780.org/

Who: Current Sophomore (rising juniors)

What: RYLA Maine (District 7780) is a free, transformative 4-day leadership camp at Camp Hinds for high school sophomores, focusing on teamwork, personal growth, and leadership through challenging outdoor activities (like COPE courses), workshops, speakers, and fun, facilitated by alumni to build confidence and skills for positive community impact, with applications opening in early January 2026 and due by March 2026

When: June 21-24, 2026

Dirigo State Leadership Program: https://mainelegion.org/pages/programs/dirigo-state.php

Who: Current Juniors (rising seniors)

What: The American Legion, Department of Maine Dirigo State is a comprehensive, experiential learning, youth leadership program. It is designed after the Maine State government, where all students come together to create their own town, county, and state governing bodies. Simply put, Dirigo State is a combination of Boys State and Girls State, but that’s just the start. The Legion Family redesigned and strengthened both programs into a unique, first for the American Legion National Family, combined youth government leadership program. The Legion Family feels the union of Boys and Girls State will provide a better experience for all students and a more realistic simulation of Maine State government.

When: Sunday, June 21 to Friday, June 26, 2026

Monday, February 16 - Friday, February 20 ~ No School ~ Vacation

Thursday, February 26 ~ Parent Teacher Conferences @ 2:30-7:00

Thursday, March 5 ~ Parent Teacher Conferences @ 2:30-7:00

Thursday, February 5

Unified Basketball at Wells @ 3:30
Alpine Ski at WMC Giant Slalom @ 5:15 (Pleasant Mountain)

Friday, February 6

JV Boys Basketball at WMC End of Season Tournament @ 3:30 (Wells)
Boys/Girls Indoor Track & Field at WMC Conference Championship @ 4:30 (USM)

Saturday, February 7

Speech & Debate at NSDA Qualifying Event @ 8:30 (Poland)
Wrestling at Class B South Regional Finals @ 10:00 (Medomak Valley)
JV Girls Basketball at WMC End of Season Tournament @ 12:30 (NYA)
Nordic Ski at WMC Championship 5k Classic @ 3:30 (Stark's Hill)
Boys Ice Hockey vs Gorham @ 5:20 (USM)

Monday, February 9

Alpine Ski at WMC Giant Slalom @ 5:15 (Pleasant Mountain)

Tuesday, February 10

Unified Basketball at Marshwood @ 3:30
Girls Basketball vs Wells (Scrimmage) @ 5:00

Wednesday, February 11

Boys Ice Hockey vs Gorham @ 8:30 (Dover)

The Wildcat Gear winter sports stores are officially open. Select your team’s logo to shop and show your pride. Each purchase helps support York athletics, with 15% of sales going directly back to the programs.