YSSD October 2025 Newsletter
Message from the Superintendent
This month, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who made Homecoming such a memorable celebration. From cheering along the parade route to gathering at the bonfire and joining us for the football games, your presence and energy brought our community together in a way that is uniquely York Suburban. These traditions remind us that Homecoming is not just about school spirit; it's about the strong bonds that unite our students, families, staff, alumni, and community.
A special word of recognition goes to our High School Student Council, whose creativity, leadership, and dedication made these events possible. Their planning and execution ensured that every moment reflected Trojan pride and created lasting memories for all who participated. Including myself, who had the opportunity to help light the bonfire!
Looking ahead to this month, October is National Principals Appreciation Month. This is a time to celebrate the exceptional leadership of our school principals. Our principals guide, inspire, and support their school communities every day. I encourage everyone to join me in taking a moment to thank York Suburban's team of principals for their dedication and the positive impact they have on their schools and our District. Together, we are building a place where everyone belongs and every student has BOLD future.
Sincerely,
Scott Krauser, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools
skrauser@yssd.org
October Celebrations and Observances
- All Month - National Principals Appreciation Month, Careers in Construction Month, Down Syndrome Awareness Month, National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, Filipino-American History Month, Italian-American Heritage Month, and Polish-American Heritage Month
- October 1 - Trojan Spirit Day
- October 2 - National School Custodian and Buildings & Grounds Appreciation Day
- October 5 - World Teachers Day
- October 5-11 - Fire Prevention Week
- October 6 - National Coach Appreciation Day
- October 6 - National Instructional Coaches Day
- October 13 - Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Day
- October 13-17 - School Lunch Week
- October 15 - Hispanic Heritage Month Concludes (September 15-October 15)
- October 16 - National Boss’ Day
- October 20-24 - Teen Driver Safety Week / School Bus Safety Week
- October 22 - York Suburban Unity Day / Stop Bullying Day
- October 23-31 - Red Ribbon Week / Drug-Free America Week
- October 28 - National First Responders Day
Important Dates
For a complete list of events, please refer to the District's online calendar.
No School: Professional Development/Act 80 Day
Thursday, October 2 and Friday, October 3
No School: Family Conferences
Monday, October 13
Middle School: Last Day of the First Marking Period
High School: Benchmark/Progress Report
Friday, October 24
Early Dismissal: Teacher Directed Day (p.m.)
Friday, October 31
12:10 p.m. - Middle and High School Dismissal
12:45 p.m. - Elementary Dismissal
Upcoming Events
York Suburban Unity Day
Wednesday, October 22
Unity Day was started by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center and provides us with an opportunity to stand united against bullying and in support of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. On Wednesday, October 22, all York Suburban students, teachers, administrators, secretaries, bus drivers, food service staff, parents, and community members are invited to participate and wear and share the color orange. Thank you in advance for participating!
High School Fall Concert
Thursday, October 23, 7-9 p.m.
York Suburban High School Auditorium
All are welcome to join us for an evening featuring our talented chorus, band, and orchestra students, and music educators.
York Suburban Haunted Hallways
Thursday, October 30, 6-7:30 p.m.
York Suburban High School
District kindergarten students are invited to trick or treat at York Suburban High School during this event. High School student groups will be stationed throughout the building for a safe and fun experience. Please bring cash or a non-perishable food donation for YSEF/Impact Foundation to participate.
Fall High School Play: Radium Girls
Presented by Trojan Theatre
November 6-8, 7 p.m.
York Suburban High School Auditorium
Coming Soon! Don't miss this powerful drama that brings history to life. More details about ticket sales to be shared in the next few weeks. Please save the date and plan to join us!
Points of Pride
National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalist
Mikey, we are so proud of your hard work, dedication, and exceptional scholastic achievement. Best of luck as you move forward in the scholarship competition!
Athletic Director of the Year
Remembering 9/11
Step by step, our High School EMT students walked in honor of the first responders who gave their lives on September 11, 2001. This experience allowed them to pause, reflect, and see that day through the eyes of those who ran toward danger and whose sacrifice will never be forgotten. Special thanks to Officer Rimolo, Chief Heilman from York Area United Fire & Rescue, and WPMT FOX43 for joining the EMT students and their instructors, Dev Idgunji and
Erika Hallman.
Homecoming Royalty
Updates from Food Services
Whitsons has some special pop-up events planned for secondary students during October!
High School
October 9 - Sushi Rolls
October 27 - Quinoa & Squash Harvest Salad
October 28 - Build Your Own Ramen Bowl
Middle School
October 22 - Incredibowls Grain Bowl Combinations
October 23 - Build Your Own Tacos
In addition, starting October 1, Uncrustable sandwiches will be offered as a free breakfast option in all buildings and hot chocolate milk will be available again this fall at East York and Indian Rock Elementary Schools during breakfast starting the week of October 20.
Health Services Update
Type 1 Diabetes Resources
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that can be serious if left untreated, and knowing the warning signs can make all the difference. Act 117 of 2024 ensures families have access to educational materials about type 1 diabetes. These resources are available on the District's Health Serves Department website as well as the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s website.
Building for a BOLD Future
School Board News
Meetings of the Whole Board
Planning - Monday, October 13, 7 p.m.
Regular - Monday, October 27, 7 p.m.
Meetings are held in the High School Cafeteria and are open to the public.
Related Links
Information about the Board - includes contact information
In Person and Electronic Public Comment Guidelines
Board Agendas - published 24 hours before the meeting
Board Minutes - posted after Board approval
Board Meeting Calendar - 2025 Meeting Dates and Times
We're Hiring
Join our team at Indian Rock Elementary as an Elementary Learning Support Teacher! We’re looking for a passionate educator who can create a safe, nurturing, and inspiring classroom environment to support the success of students with disabilities in grades 3-5. If you’re ready to make a meaningful difference every day, explore this opportunity and start your application on the District's employment page.
Volunteer Opportunity at the High School
On October 14, Junior Achievement of South Central PA will be at York Suburban High School with their STEM Summit Program. All sophomores will be participating in the day-long event designed to explore careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
For this day to be a success, we need volunteers. Each volunteer will facilitate one of the STEM activities for the day, with students rotating through your station. You do not need to have a STEM background to volunteer, just a willingness to empower our students. To sign up to volunteer, please contact Shannon Baker, Junior Achievement's Senior Vice President of Program Operations, at sbaker@jascpa.org. Thank you in advance for your help!
Staying Connected
Over the summer, the District transitioned to a new district-wide mass communication system, Finalsite Messages XR, to send text messages, emails, and phone calls to families, staff, and community members. To help make sure you don’t miss important updates, we recommend adding york_suburban@yssd.org to your email contacts. This small step can keep our messages from being filtered as spam or overlooked.
Quick Links
- 2025-2026 School Year Calendar - The adopted calendar can be found on the District website in English and Spanish.
- 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, and can also be easily referenced on the Annual Notices page of our website.
- Community Flyers - The District posts approved flyers on our website. Be sure to bookmark this page for information about upcoming athletic camps and family activities.
- Contact Us - Link to Building Directories and District Administration Contact Information
- 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.
- First Day of School Video for 2025-2026 - Thank you to everyone who shared their photos with us.
- 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 helpful information for all families. It will be particularly valuable for families new to the District.
- Renovation and Construction Updates - A summary of our efforts to date regarding plans to construct a new intermediate school, renovate the high school, and address district-wide capital projects can be found on our website.