Newsroom

YCSDigest - November 3, 2020

Return to School Timeline

Over the last few weeks, the York County School Division has implemented the first stages of our Return to School plan, which guides the work of moving from mandatory school closures in March to having students and staff back in their classrooms. This Thursday, November 5, students in grades 4 and 5 will begin the Hybrid model as scheduled. Next Monday, November 9, we will also welcome sixth grade students back to our middle schools. While ninth grade students were also tentatively scheduled to return next week, we will not be able to meet that target date for our high schools.

As we have shared repeatedly since releasing our plan in July, the division’s phased return to in-person learning is dependent on the division’s ability to meet the health and operational integrity metrics, which include local and regional COVID-19 transmission rates, mitigation strategies, and availability of teachers and staff to work on-site. Staffing for on-site instruction at several high schools, coupled with a shortage of substitute teachers, is the most significant factor affecting our secondary schools.

Our Human Resources team is still reviewing Family First Coronavirus Relief Act requests to determine if accommodations can safely improve our staffing situation in order to develop new target dates for grades 7 through 12. Dr. Shandor and staff will provide the School Board with an update at the Board’s special meeting, beginning at 5 p.m., Monday, November 9. That meeting will be live streamed through the division’s YouTube channel.

In-Person Return Dates

Please note: Beginning Monday, November 9, the daily schedule for all middle school students will be modified to better align with traditional schedules as sixth graders return to the buildings. Middle school principals will share those new schedules this week.

Community Budget Sessions

The York County School Division is in the initial stages of developing the FY22 Operating Budget (July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022) and wants your input. This year, the division will hold two virtual community budget sessions. If you are interested in participating in a budget session, you can register online for one of the dates and times listed below.

Tuesday, November 10 6 - 7 p.m.
Thursday, November 12 6 - 7 p.m.

YCSD Technology Update

As we shared on October 26, the division has temporarily turned off Citrix/Go Portal access from outside the division due to a security issue. As part of the process to restore access to these network services, the IT department must disconnect all internet access to division platforms for several hours.

This work will begin at 4 p.m., Friday, November 6. While this work is completed, staff and students will not have access to email, Office 365, Teams, Canvas or Aspen – whether they are in a school/office or at home.

Food Services Important Update

The York County School Division is offering ALL students nutritious meals at no cost through June 30, 2021. Students attending school in-person can receive a free breakfast and lunch each day they are in the classroom.

Families with children ages 18 and under can also continue to receive free meals twice a week through June at our grab and go distribution sites.

Community Announcements

The York County School Division offers local businesses and organizations the opportunity to share information with students and parents regarding educational/enrichment activities, events and opportunities, which are either available to YCSD students or support division programs. These flyers are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the York County School Division or the schools, but are made available as a community service for our families.

Community announcements can also be found on the division website and each school's website.