York High School Weekly Memo

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all are having a nice week. We have been fortunate to have such beautiful weather this September. There is a lot going on in the next few weeks here at York High School, so be sure to refer back to this memo if you have questions.

Yesterday, our Eco Club sponsored a school-wide clean-up activity during Pride. It was a great way for our student body to work together to beautify our campus.

Next week, we have our first Early Release Day with a dismissal at 11:00. This is an opportunity for our district staff to have professional development. If any student has a Blue Day late arrival, please remind them that Block 2 begins at 8:39.

If you need anything or have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thanks,

Amanda

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

This week, York High School proudly recognizes Senior Charlie Drake as our Student of the Week. Charlie truly embodies the spirit of a well-rounded Wildcat, excelling not only in academics but also demonstrating exceptional kindness and impressive athletic talent.

A dedicated and conscientious multi AP student, consistently tackling challenging coursework with enthusiasm and a consistent work ethic. His commitment to his studies is evident in his excellent grades and thoughtful contributions to classroom discussions.

Beyond his academic achievements, Charlie is celebrated for being a genuinely kind human being. He's known for his friendly demeanor, his willingness to help classmates, and his positive attitude in our building. Whether it's lending a hand to a struggling peer or offering a word of encouragement, Charlie consistently demonstrates compassion and respect for everyone around him.

Additionally, he is an impressive three-sport athlete, showcasing his versatility to our soccer, indoor track, and lacrosse teams.

Soccer coach Julie Johnson says, “Charlie is a tenacious player for us, whose energy and intensity are irreplaceable to our team. In addition to his valuable presence on the field as a player, he is a positive teammate and significant leader for the program as a whole.”

Congratulations, Charlie!

We are seeing more E-Bikes as they become more popular, but as fun as they may be, they may not always be legal or safe to ride to school. E-Bikes come in 3 different classes based on how fast they can go, the watts of the motor and whether or not they have a throttle.

A. "Class 1 electric bicycle" means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.

B. "Class 2 electric bicycle" means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle but is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.

C. "Class 3 electric bicycle" means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour.

Rules:

• You MUST be 16 years of age or older to ride a class 2 or class 3 electric bicycle.
• Follow the rules of the road.
• Ride as far to the right as possible.
• Ride single file for safety.

These laws are enforceable, which can end with a summons and the bike being towed.

Thank you for helping us keep the students safe!

Zoe Carroll '26 received notification that she won the "Rising Star" Youth award for a photography contest we submitted work for during Photo II in the spring semester: Rachel Carson Photography Contest

The theme was "Sense of Wonder" and it involved taking photographs at the Rachel Carson Conservation land. Her photograph titled "Leaves" (see attached) won this award. Her photograph will be featured on the back of the Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge 2026 calendar.

We are looking forward to having our Homecoming Dance on Friday, October 3. If any YHS student wishes to bring a non-YHS student as a guest, those dance forms need to be submitted to the Main Office by Wednesday, October 1. Students will not be allowed admittance to the dance after 8:00.

We have partnered with YORKWISE and the York Police Department to help foster a healthy and safe Homecoming, and will be having all students and guests entering the dance take a breathalyzer test. Mr. Hodsdon 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.

As some of you know, for nearly 20 years, York High School has had a strong connection with the town of Obersulm, Germany, in the form of an exchange between our two high schools. Some of you may have even participated in the exchange. Our German partners will be returning the visit this coming fall. They will arrive in York on Saturday, October 18 and leave on Tuesday, October 28.

We are still looking for host families. They all speak excellent English and are excited about learning more about York and our school. Your child does not have to speak German, just be willing to learn about another culture and provide a bed and food. They will shadow YHS students for four days in the school and take part in other field trips on the other days. Please contact the school or Frau Kyer (mkyer@yorkschools.org) for more information.

Important Dates for Seniors:
SENIOR PHOTOS ~ All photos must be submitted by December 1, 2025

SENIOR WRITE-UPS ~ Due by December 1, 2025

BABY PICTURES ~ Due February 1, 2026

All students have now received their YSD Chromebook. Please remind them they are required to keep the hard plastic case on their device. If your student is unable to access platforms that are needed for educational purposes, please reach out to us.

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

We recommend that all junior and senior families join us for our Financial Aid Night on Thursday, September 25, at YHS in the York Community Auditorium from 6 to 7:30. This is an opportunity for you to meet a representative from the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) and hear about the FAFSA and preparing for college financially.

College rep visits are starting up, and they'll be held in person or virtually this year. These visits are a great chance to talk with college representatives about their campuses and what they offer. Sometimes, the reps you meet with are the same admission counselors who will be reviewing your application!

There are many colleges and universities visiting, so be sure to check out all the available slots in Naviance. For virtual visits, it's important to be in a quiet space so you can have a clear conversation.

Juniors and seniors can sign up and reserve their spot through Naviance by clicking on the "What's new" window on your Naviance home page. If you need a quiet place to participate, please let Student Services know ahead of time. If you have any questions, please reach out to us in Student Services.

This year, YHS will offer the PSAT/NMSQT in digital format on Wednesday, October 8th, during the school day. The test will be administered only on that day, with no makeup days available. Students will be using their school-issued Chromebooks to take the PSAT, so please ensure they are fully charged on the morning of the test. For more information, you can read this letter regarding PSATs.

Students can utilize the valuable individual data from their PSAT to prepare for the SAT. They may also practice taking full-length digital PSAT tests using the BlueBook App. Junior students are encouraged to register to take the SAT in the spring of 2026 and potentially again in the Fall of their senior year. To register for the SAT, please visit the College Board website.

Learn about Concurrent Enrollment, PSAT and SAT, SRTC admissions, and preparing for life after high school.

Hear about the college process, what to expect in senior year, and helpful tips for college admissions.

OUR MOST POPULAR EVENT!!

This is an opportunity for 10th and 11th-grade students and families to ask questions about college and the admissions process with admissions counselors.

If you are a senior and have a study hall scheduled during the first or last block, you may be eligible for Late Arrival or Early Dismissal. If you are interested in applying, please pick up an application in the main office. Ms. DeMartini will reach out to you when your application has been approved – you must attend your study hall until you hear from her.

If you are a student driver, please park in the large parking lot near the York Community Auditorium entrance. Please remember to drive safely and respectfully while on campus. If you are dropping off your student, please do so in the front loop so your student can enter the building through the main entrance. Please do not drop off or pick up students directly after school at the YCA entrance. This will help with traffic flow and make sure everyone gets where they need to be in a timely manner.

School meals continue to be available to all students at no charge again this year, regardless of household income. Students are eligible for one breakfast and one lunch. Student lunch schedules will be based on the classes they are in for block 3. Teachers will share lunch information with students on the first day of school.

Wednesday, September 24 ~ Early Release Day (Dismissal @ 11:00)

Thursday, September 25 ~ Financial Aid Night @ 6:00 (YCA)

Monday, September 29 ~ Start of Spirit Week

Friday, October 3 ~ Homecoming Dance @ 7:00-9:00 (Guest forms due by 10/1)

Monday, October 6 - Thursday, October 9 ~ Maine Through Year Assessment (all sophomores in their English and Math classes)

Wednesday, October 8 ~ PSATs (all juniors)

Friday, October 10 ~ No School ~ Staff Professional Development Day

Monday, October 13 ~ No School ~ Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Thursday, 9/18

• Varsity Golf at Poland, Fryeburg @ 3:30
• Boys Varsity Soccer vs NYA @ 4:00
• Girls Varsity Soccer at NYA @ 4:30

Friday, 9/19

• First Team/JV/Varsity Volleyball vs Wells @ 3:30/5:00/6:45
• Varsity/JV Field Hockey vs Freeport @ 4:00/5:30
• Boys Cross Country at Lake Region @ 5:00
• Varsity Football at Leavitt @ 7:00

Saturday, 9/20

• Girls Cross Country at Manchester Invitational @ TBD
• Girls/Boys JV Soccer vs Cape Elizabeth @ 11:00/12:30
• JV/Varsity Volleyball at Messalonskee @ 11:30/1:00
• Girls/Boys Varsity Soccer vs Cape Elizabeth @ 1:00/3:00

Monday, 9/22

• Varsity Golf vs Fryeburg @ 3:30
• Varsity/JV Field Hockey vs Cape Elizabeth @ 4:00/5:30
• JV Football at Leavitt @ 5:30

Tuesday, 9/23

• Boys First Team Soccer at Marshwood @ 5:15

Wednesday, 9/24

• First Team/JV/Varsity Volleyball vs Greely @ 3:30/5:00/6:45
• Varsity Golf at Old Orchard Beach @ 3:30
• Varsity/JV Field Hockey at Yarmouth @ 4:30/6:00

York Athletic Boosters has also opened new apparel stores with SquadLocker, one general Wildcat store and two fall sports stores. Online ordering, quick turnaround, delivery to your door and the store is always open.

Principal: Amanda Suttie ~ asuttie@yorkschools.org

Asst. Principal: Kyle Hodsdon ~ khodsdon@yorkschools.org

Phone: 207-363-3621

Website: yorkschools.org