York High School Weekly Memo
Some thoughts for the starting school year
A Reminder about Personal Devices
This morning, during Block 2, all of our students were told the following information regarding our district’s Electronic Communication Devices Policy, JICJ. Please help us by following district policy and remind your students about this.
As you know, this policy was updated over the summer with revised language regarding cell phone use in schools. District policy prohibits the use of any electronic device with internet or cellular network connectivity that receives notifications. While you’re all familiar with our expectations around cell phones - and doing a great job following them - this policy also applies to personal laptops. Students are not permitted to use personal laptops at any district school, including York High School. Students should only use school-issued devices.
Beyond communication concerns, this update is also an important step in strengthening our district’s cybersecurity and maintaining our cyber liability insurance coverage. Our goal is to ensure a safer, more secure digital environment for students and staff by protecting sensitive data and essential instructional tools from growing cyber threats.
To review - personal laptops are not permitted at school, effective immediately. If you have your personal laptop with you today, please put it away. Teachers have been asked to collect personal laptops if they are visible, following the same procedures as with cell phones, and any consequences will be handled through the main office. This is not a change in expectations, but a clarification to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Moving forward, please leave personal laptops at home.
York High School is proud to recognize senior Nya Avery as our Seacoast Student of the Week. Both teachers and coaches commend Nya for her ingrained work ethic, which is contagious to all. One teacher remarked, “Nya is the epitome of a growth mindset; she seeks out challenges to learn and grow in every aspect of her academic and athletic life.” Another noted, “She is easily one of the nicest, most mature, and hardworking students I’ve ever met.”
A true standout both in the classroom and on the field, Nya excels in several Advanced Placement courses while shining as a multi-sport athlete in field hockey, basketball, and softball. Beyond her impressive academic and athletic commitments, she also serves as a leader for TIDALWAVSE (Teens In Drug Awareness Leading Working And Valuing Self Esteem) and is a proud member of the National Honor Society.
Her talents extend into the creative arts as well. Visual Arts teacher, David Shenett, shares, “Nya works tirelessly on her projects, devoting hours of focused effort and making it all seem effortless. She has tremendous talent and a distinct artistic style, especially in her drawing and painting work.”
York High School is honored to celebrate Nya’s many accomplishments and the integrity, kindness, and determination she models each day. We can’t wait to see where her talent and drive take her next.
Winter 2025-26 sports begin on November 17; please be sure that the three pre-participation requirements are completed and up-to-date with the YHS Athletic Department. Head coaches will be in contact with student-athletes to share program-specific information. Game schedules are available and can be found at https://yorksd.rankonesport.com/Website/Main.
REQUIRED FORMS (completed once per school year):
Online Forms can be completed at https://yorkathletics.rankonesport.com ("Proceed to Online Forms" button; choose the following two documents)
a) Athletics Participant Form - HIGH SCHOOL ONLY
b) Emergency Information - HIGH SCHOOL ONLY
PRE-PARTICIPATION PHYSICAL:
Ensure that your student has an active sports physical examination on file with the Athletic Department. Physicals are active for 13 months from the date of the exam. Please send physical paperwork to ecastaline@yorkschools.org, fax to 207-351-4001 (this is a YHS Athletics specific fax line), or drop off hardcopy at the YHS front office.
Principal: Amanda Suttie ~ asuttie@yorkschools.org
Asst. Principal: Kyle Hodsdon ~ khodsdon@yorkschools.org
Phone: 207-363-3621
Website: yorkschools.org