Newsroom

YCSDigest - March 16, 2023

2023-24 Academic Calendar

Division staff presented draft calendars for the 2023-24 school year to the School Board during the March Work Session. In developing the options, the calendar committee and division staff considered

• state calendar requirements;
• schedules which best support student academic success;
• opportunities for staff collaboration, developing lesson plans, preparing materials and grading;
• input provided by calendar committee representatives; and
• feedback provided through the stakeholder survey.

The School Board came to consensus in support of the calendar committee’s 2023-24 academic calendar recommendation, along with key dates for the 2024-25 academic calendar. They will take action on the 2023-24 calendar at the regular monthly meeting on Monday, March 27.

The full presentation to the Board is available on the division's YouTube channel and a link to the presentation is available on the School Board agenda.

Thank a Teacher Art Contest Winner

A Grafton Middle School (GMS) student’s artwork may soon grace the desks and bulletin boards of thousands of teachers across Virginia. In a surprise ceremony this week, Allie Beatley learned she is one of three students in the state to win the Virginia Lottery Thank a Teacher Art Contest.

Nearly 700 students entered the competition, with the state selecting one winner at each level (elementary, middle, high). The winners will have their artwork featured on thank-you notes which will be distributed during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 8-12, 2023). Additionally, Allie received a $200 gift card, and GMS received $1,000 from the Virginia Lottery and $1,000 from The Supply Room for its art department.

The Virginia Lottery began the Thank a Teacher student art contest in 2017. Allie is now the third YCSD student to be honored since the contest’s inception!

Community Schools Grant

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) recently awarded YCSD with the 2023 Community School Grant. The $111,601 grant will support a partnership between YCSD and the Boys and Girls Club of the Virginia Peninsula to provide students with a variety of co-curricular experiences and activities. Funding will also be used to provide before/after school supports, incentive-based programs, professional development, activities to increase family engagement, and service-learning opportunities for students.

Virtual VA Program

The division began partnering with VVA to offer full-time K-12 virtual instruction for interested families in response to the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020-21 school year. While eligible students were able to continue enrollment through the current school year, the division will no longer offer this option as of the 2023-24 school year. If you have any questions, please contact your school’s counselor.

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.