YSSD November 2024 Newsletter

This school year we are recognizing York Suburban students who represent the Portrait of a Graduate qualities we strive to instill in our students through our curriculum, opportunities, and experiences. This month, we are proud to spotlight our High School Intensive Learning Support students who exemplify our Community Collaborator competency.

In the Intensive Learning Support program, students rotate through non-paid work experiences with different partners throughout the community and learn pre-vocational skills as part of transition planning. Throughout the week, students deliver packages to staff at the the high school, clean the faculty room at Valley View Elementary, deliver lunch orders from Jimmy Johns to staff, and transport clothing and food donations to the Impact Foundation pantry. Not only are our students working with a diverse group of partners, they are working together cooperatively toward a common goal...a BOLD future. They truly exemplify our Community Collaborator competency. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for York Suburban.

Next month, we will spotlight a student or students who exemplify the attributes of an Effective Communicator.

Sincerely,

Scott Krauser, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools

skrauser@yssd.org

• All Month - American Indian & Alaska Native Heritage Month, National Career Development Month, and Military Family Appreciation Month
• November 3 - Daylight Saving Time Ends
• November 6 - Trojan Spirit Day
• November 6-10 - School Psychologist Appreciation Week
• November 8 - National STEM and STEAM Day
• November 11 - Veterans Day
• November 13 - World Kindness Day
• November 17-23 - Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
• November 18-22 - American Education Week
• November 21 - Children’s Grief Awareness Day
• November 22 - Substitute Educator Appreciation Day

For a complete list of events, please refer to the District's online calendar.

No School: Professional Development/Act 80 Day

Friday, November 8

No School: Professional Development/Summer Trade Day

Wednesday, November 27

No School: District Offices Closed

Thursday, November 28 - Monday, December 2

Presented by the Highmark Caring Place

November 13, 2024, 6-7:30 p.m., Middle School Cafeteria

Admission is Free

This time of year can be particularly difficult for those grieving the loss of someone special. This workshop is open to parents and caregivers who are looking for ways to support a child or teen who has experienced the death of a significant person in their lives.

Presented by York Suburban Middle School

November 22 and 23, 7 p.m., Middle School Auditorium

Admission is $5.00

Have you ever wondered how to set a table? Or how to say hello to someone you don't know? Or the best way to save money? Join us as thirteen-year-old Edwina Spoonapple (the best advice-giver in all of Paw Paw, Michigan) dishes out advice with the help of her friends and a little song and dance.

SAVE THE DATE: January 25, 6 p.m., York Suburban High School

We hope to see you there cheering on your favorite building team and supporting the Dollars for Scholars program. More details to come.

Congratulations to five of our York Suburban High School seniors who were recognized as Commended Scholars by the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. Commended students are recognized for the exceptional academic promise demonstrated by their performance on the entry qualifying test. (Left to Right) Clarence Cashour V, Dylan Dang, Lia Fogle, Ellsa Siewert, and Adam Warner

Olivia Diehl, a junior at York Suburban High School, is appearing in not one but TWO local art exhibitions. You can see Olivia's work at Creative York’s Under Construction Exhibit from October 3 to November 9 and the York Art Association’s 53rd Annual Open Juried Exhibition from November 3 to December 15. We are proud of you, Olivia. Congratulations!

Last month, our high school students had an opportunity to tour American Hydro Corporation and York Imperial Plastics, Inc. to learn more about the many career opportunities available in manufacturing. Thank you to both these local manufactures and to York County Alliance for Learning - YCAL facilitating the tours in honor of National Manufacturing Day.

PMEA District 7 Chorus auditions were held this past weekend, and we are excited to share that junior Ruth Brown (pictured) will represent York Suburban at the Festival in February 2025. Ruth placed sixth out of 86 Alto I’s to secure her spot in the choir.

Also worthy of recognition, sophomore Ethan Wolfgang placed 28th out of 95 Bass I’s. Per PMEA, the top 26 students per voice part moved on to Districts, so Ethan was very close to making the cut.

Friday, October 18, was Dr. Greg Gulley’s last day as Indian Rock Elementary’s principal. After an incredible 21+ years, Dr. Gulley has left an unforgettable mark on our District. He’s been a leader, teacher, mentor, friend, and constant source of inspiration. We’re sad to see him go, but excited for his next adventure. Thank you for everything, Dr. Gulley!

We know that the holiday season can be a stressful time, especially financially. To support our families in need, we've partnered with the York County Food Bank and YSEF’s Impact Foundation to provide food and other essential items. We’re incredibly grateful to both organizations for their generous support and partnership, especially during the holidays.

🧡 Dates to Remember

• The deadline to apply/register for these events is Sunday, November 24.

• Both events will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Luther Memorial Church. The church is located beside York Suburban High School at 1907 Hollywood Drive.

🧡 York County Food Bank’s Give-A-Meal Program

The York County Food Bank is accepting applications from York Suburban families for its Give-A-Meal program. Qualifying families will receive a boxed meal to include shelf-stable food items and a gift card or turkey.

• Use the link below to apply for the Give-A-Meal Program.
  https://forms.gle/CPUbquyKQodtbHGT7

🧡 YSEF’s Impact Foundation Holiday Event

The York Suburban Education Foundation (YSEF)’s Impact Foundation invites York Suburban families in need to attend its Holiday Event. Winter outerwear, canned goods, dessert mixes, paper goods, and holiday gifts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. There will also be a raffle. Admission is free; however, registration is required to attend the event.

• Use the link below to sign up for a time to attend the Holiday Event.
  http://bit.ly/IFHoliday24

🧡 Additional Assistance

If your family needs additional assistance or would like to make a donation to help another family, please contact your student’s social worker: Miranda Jenkins, High School Social Worker, mjenkins@yssd.org; Brienna Derr, Middle School Social Worker, bderr@yssd.org; and Tera Hanson, Elementary School Social Worker, thanson@yssd.org.

YSEF’s Impact Foundation also provides year-round food and clothing assistance to York Suburban families in need. Visit their website at https://www.ysef.org for more information.

Again this year, families are expected to update their child's general information, emergency contacts, communication preferences, and health history in Infinite Campus. The deadline for updating those documents was Tuesday, September 3; however, many families have not yet completed their forms.

It is very important that your family's contact information be current to ensure we can reach you in an emergency. Additionally, without your child’s current health history, there could be delays in treating them should they need medical assistance.

For step-by-step directions and related documents, click here. If you have more than one student in the district, be sure to complete these tasks for each child.

Meetings are held in the High School Cafeteria and are open to the public.

COMMITTEE MEETING

Property & Finance Committee - Monday, November 18, 5 p.m.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

Planning - Monday, November 11, 7 p.m.

Regular - Monday, November 25, 7 p.m.

Related Links

In Person and Electronic Public Comment Guidelines

Board Agendas - published 24 hours before the meeting

Board Minutes - posted after Board approval

The Fall-Winter 2024 issue of Trojan Pride has updates on our construction and renovation projects, introduces our Portrait of a Graduate, provides a District finance update, and shares fun facts about students and staff.

Paper copies of Trojan Pride were mailed to all York Suburban School District residents and businesses. An electronic version, which can be translated into other languages, can be found on the District website.

• Annual Notices - School Districts are required by federal and state laws and regulations to provide several annual notices to parents and guardians. These required notices are available in our handbooks and board policies, but can can easily be referenced from the Annual Notices page on our website.
• Community Flyers - In an effort to decrease paper copies, the district posts approved flyers to the district website.
• Employment Opportunities - We have a variety of open positions perfect for individuals interested in working a schedule similar to our students.
• Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application Information - Families who may qualify are encouraged to apply for free or low cost meals this school year.
• Important Information for Families & Students - In addition to the building level handbooks, this document provides useful information for all families and will be particularly valuable for families new to the District.
  
• Renovation and Construction Updates - The District conducted two district-wide feasibility studies to review building conditions, educational goals, and enrollment capacities. Through those studies, we identified several conditions that directly impact our ability to inspire a BOLD future for ALL students. A summary of efforts to date regarding our plans to construct a new intermediate school, renovate the high school, and address capital projects district-wide can be found on our website.