YSSD May 2026 Newsletter
Message from the Superintendent
In April, students at Yorkshire Elementary celebrated the grand opening of a “beary” special place to learn and play, Yorkie Town. Students stepped into their own miniature world featuring a grocery store, veterinary clinic, doctor’s office, fire station, and café, each space designed to spark imagination and reflect the roles that keep a community running.
Yorkie Town is a miniature society where developmental play serves as the foundation for civic engagement. Through hands-on experiences, students learn that a community only thrives when its members reliably contribute. It was especially meaningful to see students dressed as firefighters, proudly stepping into the role of first responders, an early glimpse of pathways that could one day lead to programs like our high school EMT course.
This month, as we celebrate the Class of 2026, we are reminded that the same curiosity, confidence, and sense of purpose we nurture in our youngest learners are the qualities we hope to see fully realized in our graduates. Experiences like Yorkie Town reflect our commitment to inspiring a BOLD future, ensuring that every student leaves our district prepared to pursue their path and make a meaningful impact.
We are grateful for your partnership in celebrating these milestones with us. Whether your family is marking a graduation or the end of a first year, we wish you a safe, joyful, and restful summer.
Sincerely,
Scott Krauser, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools
May Celebrations and Observances
- All Month - Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, Military Appreciation Month, National Foster Care Month, and National Mental Health Awareness Month
- May 1 - National School Principals’ Appreciation Day
- May 1 - National College Decision Day
- May 1 - School Lunch Hero Day
- May 1-7 - National Physical Education and Sport Week
- May 4-8 - National Teacher Appreciation Week (we celebrate all staff)
- May 6 - National School Nurse Appreciation Day
- May 6 - Trojan Spirit Day
- May 8 - School Communicators Appreciation Day
- May 18 - National Speech Pathologist Appreciation Day
Important Dates
For a complete list of events, please refer to the District's online calendar.
No School: District Offices Closed
Monday, May 25
Early Dismissal: Last Student Day
Wednesday, May 27
12:10 p.m. - Middle and High School Dismissal
12:45 p.m. - Elementary Dismissal
Staff Professional Development/Make-Up Day
Thursday, May 28
Last Teacher Day: Teacher Directed Day
Friday, May 29
Looking Ahead to Next School Year
Transition Day for Students in Kindergarten, Grades 3, 6, and 9 - Tuesday, August 18
First Day of School for All Students - Wednesday, August 19
Upcoming Events
Trojan Theatre Presents - Little Women + The Bench
Friday, May 1, 7 p.m., York Suburban High School Auditorium
Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students.
Purchase your tickets online or at the door.
We hope you will join us for an evening of theater that reflects the creativity, perspective, and hard work of our students. Reece Busse will direct The Bench, a series of short scenes centered around the moments that unfold on a high school bench, and Ruthie Brown will direct a one-act adaptation of Little Women.
Information Session for Current Eighth Grade Families
All current eighth grade students and families are invited to attend a virtual information session on May 4th (meeting link was sent to families via email on April 13). The presentation will provide a general overview of what students need to know before starting freshmen year and include a virtual tour of the high school.
York Suburban High School Prom
Friday, May 8, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Yorktowne Hotel
This year's theme...Fairytale Garden. Tickets are $60 per person and may be purchased by juniors and seniors only in IC.
2nd Annual YSEF Mini-Golf Tournament
Saturday, May 9, 4-6 p.m., Heritage Hills Golf Resort Mini-Golf
Join us for a fun night of competitive Mini-Golf to benefit the York Suburban Education Foundation. Everyone is welcome to participate, but space is limited! For more details on registering, visit the event sign-up page.
Commencement Ceremonies for the Class of 2026
Thursday, May 21, 7 p.m., York Suburban Stadium
York Suburban High School will celebrate the Class of 2026 at the Stadium on Thursday, May 21, beginning at 7 p.m. Four tickets will be given to each member of the Class of 2026. Tickets are only needed if the event is moved indoors. All are welcome to join us if the ceremony is held outside as scheduled. The District will also broadcast the ceremony live online for friends and family who are unable to attend in person. Parents of seniors are encouraged to check out the Senior Information Newsletter for additional details about graduation and other senior milestones.
Community Partnerships
Farm-to-Family Produce Event
Friday, May 15, 3-6 p.m., hosted by York Suburban Middle School
Thanks to our community partners, Highmark Wholecare and the Central PA Food Bank, the District will host a fresh, free produce event open to all members of our community. There will also be individuals available to assist with Medicaid renewal or new Medicaid applications. No identification is required, and there are no income guidelines to participate. Join us and invite your neighbors!
Back-to-School School Supply Giveaway
Deadline to Register is Wednesday, May 27
The Impact Foundation is preparing school supply kits for York Suburban students who will be in middle school or high school next school year. If you would like your student to receive supplies, please register them using the form linked above. Items will be available for pick up on Friday, August 14, from 4-7 p.m. at Luther Memorial Church, located beside York Suburban High School.
Points of Pride
Named one of the Best Communities for Music Education...Again!
York Suburban has been recognized for the fifth consecutive year by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation as one of the Best Communities for Music Education! This national recognition is awarded to districts that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to ensuring all students have access to music education.
Thank you to our dedicated music teachers, Ashley Markey, Rebecca Lauver, Matt Husler, Brandon Nase, Ashley Thrush, and Hannah Stayer, for inspiring our students every day, and to our students, families, administrators, school board, and community members for your continued support of the arts at York Suburban.
Leadership York’s Future Leaders
York Suburban is proud to have two students graduating from Leadership York’s Future Leaders of York (FLY) program this school year, juniors Truett Miller and Grace Coombs. FLY’s mission is to empower students to strengthen their leadership skills, build meaningful connections with local leaders, and actively engage in their communities. Truett and Grace are great examples of our Portrait of a Graduate competencies, and we are excited to see how they use this experience to broaden their impact throughout York County.
Trojans Triumph at State TSA
Twenty-seven York Suburban High School students represented our district at the 2026 Pennsylvania Technology Student Association (TSA) State Conference, joining more than 2,500 students and advisors from across the state…and they made their mark in a big way. Our students brought home honors in Video Game Design, Forensic Science, On-Demand Video, STEM Mass Media, Materials Process, and the Technology Bowl. Way to represent, Trojans!
Envirothon Headed to States
Our High School Envirothon team represented us incredibly well at John Rudy County Park, competing against local teams, earning first place overall, and advancing to the state competition! Congratulations to (left to right) Amy Slagel (coach), Jazmine Hanna, Sophia Wile, Abby Woodrome, Chloe Makowski, Abby Makowski, and Liam Stiffler.
Scientific Success at Regional Olympiad
Several of our students took their talents to the 2026 Central Regional Science Olympiad Competition at Millersville University. Awards were earned in Materials Science, Astronomy, and Electric Vehicle. We are so proud of all our participants for their hard work, curiosity, and dedication.
Next Generation of Builders
Cole Brown, Isaiah Kyle, and Elliot Richard were recognized by the York Builders Association Workforce NOW Foundation Inc. for successfully completing their Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship in partnership with YCAL. In addition, each student completed their HBI Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT), grounded in the rigorous residential construction standards of the National Association of Home Builders. Their dedication, skill, and commitment are something to be incredibly proud of. Congratulations, Cole, Isaiah, and Elliot, we can’t wait to see where this path takes you next!
Encore Theatre Showcase Scholarship Recipients
Students from York Suburban High School took the stage on Sunday, April 26, at the Encore: York County Musical Theatre Showcase, performing scenes from their spring musical, SpongeBob. The event highlights the strength of musical theatre programs throughout York County while awarding more than $32,000 in scholarships. We are proud to share that Ana Farah was selected by York Suburban’s director, Will Jenkins, to receive a $1,000 scholarship. In addition, two of our students were recognized by Encore judges for their outstanding performances, earning a $500 scholarship each: Michela Soares and Mihai Dobson. Congratulations to Ana, Mihai, and Michela (left to right)!
Coming Together for a Cause
York Suburban High School’s 2026 Mini-THON raised $48,320.26 (almost $12,000 more than last year) to support children and families affected by childhood cancer. This accomplishment showcases our community's willingness to come together to make a difference.
School Board News
SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
Starting this month, meetings will be held in the Board Room at the Education Center.
Planning Meeting - Monday, May 11, 7 p.m.
Regular Meeting - Tuesday, May 26, 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
Board Meeting Schedule - 2026-2027 Meeting Dates and Times
NEW: York Suburban Mobile App
We've made it easier than ever for our Trojan families, students, and community members to stay connected! Our new mobile app is your one-click, one-stop shop for District and school news, upcoming events, staff contact information, and more!
Search "York Suburban SD" in your favorite app store and look for the District logo.
Food Service Department Update
End of the Year Student Balances
As we approach the end of the school year, the Food Service Department will send information to senior families with a positive meal balance to determine whether they would like the funds transferred, donated, or refunded. Positive balances for students in kindergarten through eleventh grade will be automatically carried over to the 2026-2027 school year. If your student has a negative meal balance, please remit payment by June 15. Payments can be made through School Cafe, by check made payable to YSSD Food Service Fund, or by cash remitted to your student's school office. Questions can be emailed to yssdfoodservice@yssd.org.
York Suburban is now accepting registrations for incoming kindergarten students! Once your child is enrolled, they will be eligible to participate in our Kindergarten Camp. Kindergarten Camp provides our incoming kindergarten students with a firsthand preview of what to expect during their first year of school. This experience is especially helpful for children who did not attend preschool, and all students who attend will receive a free t-shirt. Please visit our website at www.yssd.org to start the enrollment process.
District Summer Hours
District summer hours begin Monday, June 8, and run through Friday, July 31. During this time, all elementary buildings will be closed to the public. Additionally, the Education Center, High School, and Middle School will be open to the public from 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and closed on Fridays. Due to staff trainings and vacation time, please contact the building before your visit to confirm that someone will be available to assist you. Thank you!
Join Our Team
We are seeking individuals to join our Special Education team to support students of all abilities to reach their full potential. If you’re passionate about supporting learners, creating inclusive classrooms, and being part of a school community that truly cares, check out these opportunities.
- Elementary Special Education Teacher - Long-Term Substitute
- Middle School (Eighth Grade) Learning Support Teacher
- High School Marching Band Personal Care Assistant
For a complete listing of district vacancies, please visit our online application portal.
Quick Links
- 2025-2026 School Year Calendar - English and Spanish
- 2026-2027 School Year Calendar - English and Spanish
- Community Bulletin Board - The District posts approved flyers on our website. Be sure to bookmark this page for information about upcoming athletic camps and family activities.
- Employment Opportunities - We have a variety of open positions that are perfect for individuals interested in working a schedule similar to that of our students.
- Renovation and Construction Updates - Information and architect's renderings of our new intermediate school and renovated high school.
- Students and Families Portal - find links to menus, IC, electronic absence submission forms, educational trip request forms, technology support, cycle days, and more with one click!