Newsroom

YCSDigest - March 8, 2021

2021-22 School Calendar Feedback

The York County School division calendar committee has recommended a pre-Labor Day start to the 2021-22 school year. The committee considered multiple factors, including prior public feedback, in identifying calendar priorities. The proposal shifts the start of the school year to Monday, August 30, 2021 and the end of the school year to Friday, June 10, 2022. Identified breaks within the calendar (Thanksgiving, Winter, Spring) align with the division’s typical post-Labor Day start.

Public comment is being accepted through March 17, 2021. You can view both calendar and access the feedback form on the division website. The School Board will then vote on the 2021-22 school calendar on March 22.

Return to School Update

Dr. Jim Carroll, the division’s chief operations officer, provided updates on staff vaccination efforts and the progress to bring all grade levels into the Hybrid Model of the Flexible Framework during the March School Board work session. As of last week, almost every staff member who elected to be vaccinated has received the second dose. This means nearly 75% of YCSD will be fully vaccinated within the next two weeks, reducing the impact of staff quarantines on staffing levels.

With health metrics and staffing levels continuing to improve, the division is now in the planning stages to expand in-person learning options beyond the Hybrid Model. Nearly 70% of YCSD students are currently enrolled in the Flexible Framework Model, though schools are reporting that many students have not reported to school or are not regularly attending in-person. To ensure we have accurate attendance information, a new attendance code is now in place to track in-person attendance for students participating in the Flexible Framework. In-person attendance will be monitored over the next two weeks to determine whether a student remains in the Flexible Framework or shifts to the Virtual Academy for the remainder of the school year.

The next update regarding expanding in-person learning options will be made by March 22 at the latest.

VMPI Community Information Sessions

The Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative (VMPI) supports the Profile of a Virginia Graduate by redefining mathematics pathways for students in the Commonwealth to address the knowledge, skills, experiences, and attributes that students must attain to be successful in college and/or the workforce and to be “life ready.” 

A series of one-hour Informational Sessions are scheduled to help parents and community members learn more about the Initiative. The sessions will take place on the following dates:

• Tuesday, March 23, 2021- Why Change Mathematics Instruction?
• Tuesday, April 13, 2021- How does VMPI affect Virginia Children’s Futures?
• Tuesday, April 27, 2021- Essential Concepts in Grades 8 - 10
• Tuesday, May 25, 2021- Advanced Pathways in Grades 11 - 12

All sessions will be live streamed on the VDOE’s YouTube Channel beginning at 6:30 p.m. with a 20-minute presentation from members of the VMPI Planning Committees and include time for questions from the community. Questions participants would like to have addressed during the sessions can be submitted here.

For additional information, visit the Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative (VMPI) webpage periodically, as additional information will be added as the initiative progresses. The Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative Informational Video provides valuable information about the initiative.

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.