Weekly Memo

Happy Summer! And welcome to the YHS Weekly Memos, Class of 2030 students and families! As I prepare to transition into my new role as assistant superintendent, I want to thank you for an incredible year and a truly wonderful four years as your principal. Leading York High School has been an honor, and while it is bittersweet to leave this position, I am so grateful for the memories and the continued support of this community.

Looking ahead, I leave you in exceptional hands. Mr. Kyle Hodsdon will be stepping into the role of interim principal, and Mrs. Corinne Monaco will be serving as our interim assistant principal. Having worked closely with both of them, I have absolute confidence in their leadership, their vision, and their deep dedication to our students. YHS is poised for a fantastic year ahead under their guidance.

My goal for this communication is to be full of all the information you may need throughout the summer. Please refer to this if you have questions, but as always, you can call the school, and we will get back to you as soon as we can. However, we will have a limited staff, so know that we will call or return an email when we are able.

Thank you for your continued support, and I hope you have a safe, fun, and relaxing summer. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Mr. Hodsdon or Mrs. Monaco.

Thanks,

Amanda

Our school counselors (just like teachers) will be taking a much-deserved summer break! They will be unavailable June 19 - August 21, but will be back in the office on August 24. Please know that they will not be checking email during this time.

If you have a mental health emergency, call 911 or go to your closest emergency department. To speak to a mental health professional 24 hours a day, call 988

If you are eligible for summer school because you did not earn credit for a course, teachers will have already reached out to you regarding this option. School counselors will share information about options for summer classes for make-up credit (or to repeat a course) with individual families ASAP.

School counselors will be updating junior transcripts over the next few days, and they will be emailed to students and their parents no later than July 3. If you are going to visit schools before July 3, please reach out to Ms. Luby (eluby@yorkschools.org) for an unofficial transcript. Please note that this earlier transcript will not have an updated GPA or decile, but the one received after 7/3 will be up-to-date.

All student schedules will be live in PowerSchool on August 14.

We will not be making any schedule changes over the summer. If a student would like to add or drop a course, they must fill out this form first. We will only be making schedule changes for the following reasons:

1. The student has a failure from the previous semester in a prerequisite course.

2. The student completed a course previously that is on the schedule; this may include courses from summer school.

3. Classes are out of sequence.

4. Seniors are missing a graduation requirement.

No changes will be made to electives, study hall, dismissal, or lunch blocks. Level changes in a course you were recommended for will be a case-by-case review, and a meeting with the teacher may be required.

Any student who would like to add or drop a class must fill out the Google Form and will meet with their school counselor if they are eligible between 9/2 - 9/8. An administrator will then approve or deny the request by 9/11. Any withdrawals after 9/14 will be noted on transcripts as WP or WF.

We have an awesome freshmen orientation planned to welcome the Class of 2030. This will be on Monday, August 31. All 9th-grade students will spend the entire day and will become familiar with the building, meet their teachers, and have a great first day of high school. More information will be coming at the end of the summer.

We also host a parent breakfast for all Class of 2030 families the morning of orientation, so you will want to save the date.

York High School implemented a cell phone ban for the 25-26 school year before the new statewide bell-to-bell law, which goes into effect August 1. Thankfully, our students and staff will not see too many changes with this law. However, here is the information about the law and how it impacts us at YHS:

The Maine Legislature has enacted a statewide "bell-to-bell" policy restricting student use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices in all Maine public schools. The purpose of this law is to:

• Reduce distractions during the school day
• Increase student engagement and learning
• Support student mental health and well-being

Students will not be permitted to carry or access personal electronic devices during the school day. This includes:

• Between classes
• During lunch
• During study halls
• Throughout the instructional day

The law applies to personal wearable and handheld electronic devices with cellular or internet connectivity, including:

• Cell phones
• Smart watches
• Tablets
• Bluetooth earbuds
• Meta glasses
• Personal computers

What should students do with their devices?

• Power them off during first block
• Store them securely in a classroom locker

Here is the link to the 26-27 school year calendar.

Friday, August 14

• Student schedules will be live in PowerSchool

Monday, August 17

• Fall athletics practices begin

Monday, August 24

• School counselors are back in the building

Monday, August 31

• Freshman orientation (all day)
• First day for SRTC (more information will be shared re: transportation and timing)
• Freshman Parent Breakfast @ 7:30

Tuesday, September 1

• First day of school for all students (9-12)

Friday, September 4 - Monday, September 7

• No School (Labor Day)

Tuesday, September 15

• School Pictures

Wednesday, September 16

• School Pictures

Tuesday, October 20

• Picture Retakes

Congratulations to our Boys Lacrosse program for making it to the championship game for the 4th year in a row! Good luck to our team as they will compete for the state title tomorrow against Marshwood!

The game is at 7:30 at Memorial Stadium (Deering High School) on Friday, June 19.

Summer activities will begin around Monday, June 22. You will hear from head coaches soon with summer plans.

Fall practices begin for all programs on Monday, August 17.

Online registration forms are now available for 2026-2027 YHS athletics. All students wishing to participate in any athletic activity this year must have these required forms completed. Please visit https://yorkathletics.rankonesport.com/New/NewInstructionsPage.aspx to access forms. There are three requirements for participation in YHS athletics programs:

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

The Athletics Participant Form and the Emergency Information Form must be completed before participation will be allowed and this includes summer activities. Please communicate with your parents/guardians to ensure that forms are done before you begin any YHS summer activities. Physicals are required to be on file for summer activities and must be up-to-date before the start of the fall season on Monday, August 17.

Athletics Participant Form

Emergency Information

Physical Examination

Physicals are active for 13 months from the date of the exam. Email updated paperwork to ecastaline@yorkschools.org, fax to 207-351-4001 (this is a YHS Athletics specific fax line; please encourage the provider's office to use), or drop off a hard copy at the YHS front office.

Parents/guardians can go to Rank One to check on your eligibility status. Once they have logged in they will be able to see your status for each of the three requirements.

Please email Emily with any questions - ecastaline@yorkschools.org.

Phone: 207-363-3621

Website: yorkschools.org