Newsroom

YCSDigest - May 8, 2024

May School Board Meetings

During the May 6 work session, division staff shared multiple reports relevant to end-of -year business of the school division, including an update on the FY25 Operating Budget, Health Insurance Rates for calendar year 2025, and changes to the Student Handbook and Conduct Code. Additional presentations included a proposal to install stop arm cameras on school buses and a review of the Middle School Arts Magnet (mSAM) program at Queens Lake Middle School. The board also engaged in discussions on School Board Policy, transportation, professional development, and the division website before adjourning for a special meeting to approve financial matters.

A planned retreat for May 10 has been canceled and is currently in the process of being rescheduled, therefore the board will meet next on Monday, May 20.

May 6 Board Meetings

Student and Staff Spotlight

Taylor Walkup-Amos, music teacher at Yorktown Elementary School, has been named a 2024 Music Teacher of Excellence by the CMA Foundation! The Music Teachers of Excellence award recognizes 30 educators nationwide each year who have shown exceptional commitment to fostering musical talent and enthusiasm in their students. This is the first time a YCSD teacher has been selected for this distinguished award.

YCSD students are headed all across the country to represent their schools in the coming weeks. Two Tabb High School students, Grace Son and Malini Dharni, are traveling to Los Angeles to compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in a few days, while the Tabb Middle and Grafton Middle schools Odyssey of the Mind teams qualified for the World Finals in Iowa later this month. Bruton and Grafton High students also earned a trip to Maryland to take part in the National History Day contest.

The Virginia Board of Education announced the 2023-24 Exemplar Performance Awards recognizing schools for high achievement and continued improvement. The awards are based on performance and practice during the 2022-23 school year and prior school years. Two YCSD schools, Seaford Elementary and York River Academy, were 64 schools from across the state honored. Also, U.S. News and World Report named Grafton High and Tabb High schools among the best schools in Virginia (23 and 29 respectively) and in the top 10% of schools nationwide!

What amazing examples of the stellar accomplishments of our students and staff!

Summer Programs

The York County School Division will offer several Summer Academy classes and enrichment opportunities for students this summer along with Extended School Year (ESY) services for students with disabilities.

If your student is interested in participating, please keep the following dates in mind:

• High School Original and Credit Recovery (virtual): June 20 – July 25 (see website for registration deadlines)
• Middle and Elementary School Summer Academy (in-person): June 20 – July 25
• Summer Enrichment Camps (in-person & virtual): Dates and duration vary from June 24 – July 27

The 2024 Summer Academy Program Catalog is available on the YCSD website. The catalog includes details and dates for each program offered. If you have questions regarding ESY services, please reach out to your student’s case manager or use the Let's Talk – AskYCSD! platform.

End of Year Student Device Collection

Schools will collect 1:1 devices at the end of the school year for students in grades 3, 4 and 12 and for any students not returning to a YCSD school next year. In August, students beginning their freshman year of high school will receive a new device and turn in their current device at that time. Parents are encouraged to inspect devices, using the Device Review Form, to prepare for any possible damage charges. Specific information regarding device collection dates will be shared by your child’s school.

As a reminder, the division offers an Accidental Damage Protection Plan (ADPP) for each device. The annual coverage plan applies to accidental damage, not intentional damage, vandalism, negligence, or loss of the device or its accessories. The ADPP open enrollment period and rates for the 2024-25 school year will be announced this summer.

Virginia Student Vaccination Requirements

Do you have a child entering kindergarten, seventh or twelfth grade in August? If so, your student may need one or more of the following immunizations in accordance with Virginia Department of Health requirements, which became effective beginning with the 2021-22 school year:

Kindergarten:

• Two doses of Hepatitis A vaccine given at age 12 months or older.

7th Grade:

• One dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) given at age 7 or older.
• One dose of Meningococcal Vaccine (MenACWY, Menactra, Menveo, or MenQuadFi) given at age 10 or older.

12th Grade:

• One dose of Meningococcal Vaccine (MenACWY, Menactra, Menveo, or MenQuadFi) given at age 16 or older.

For additional information, visit the Virginia Department of Health website.

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.