Newsroom

YCSDigest - November 21, 2024

Cell Phone Free Education Update

An important change is coming to all schools when students return from Winter Break. Beginning January 6, 2025, the division will implement a No Cell, Bell-to-Bell policy. In accordance with Governor Youngkin's Executive Order 33, adopting a phone-free policy promotes a safe and healthy educational environment, where students can focus on learning free from outside distractions or influences.

The School Board discussed the new draft policy to govern student cell phone and personal electronic communication devices during the November Work Session and is scheduled to approve the policy during the November 25 board meeting.

The new policy will require any student, elementary through high school, who brings a personal device, (i.e. cell phone, smart watch, ear buds/headphones) to school to have the device turned off and stored throughout the school day, with additional restrictions based on school level. Exemptions for medical and other documented reasons will be permitted. The process for requesting an exemption will be communicated prior to January 6.

We encourage families to review the draft policy and support the phone free requirements by having conversations with their children at home.

Cell Phone Usage Draft Policy

Division Website Redesign Survey

YCSD is committed to strengthening communication with students, families, staff, and community members to support student success. This year, division staff are working to redesign the division's main website, yorkcountyschools.org, to ensure timely, clear, open, and consistent information is available. Your feedback is crucial in helping us identify areas for improvement. Please take a moment to complete a brief survey and share your thoughts. The survey will remain open through November 30.

Website Redesign Survey

YCSD State Honors

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has once again recognized YCSD as a Purple Star School Division. This recognition highlights our commitment to providing a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for military-connected students and their families. We're proud to be among the few divisions in Virginia where every school actively upholds the Purple Star designation.

VDOE also recently recognized Seaford Elementary and Tabb Elementary schools as recipients of the Highest Achievement Award under the board’s Exemplar School Recognition Program.

The Board of Education implemented this recognition program for schools in 2019. It was established to recognize schools for exceeding requirements created by the board or showing continuous academic improvement. This year, 92 schools in the state met the criteria for the Highest Achievement Award.

"We are incredibly proud of Seaford and Tabb Elementary schools for earning this recognition," shared Dr. Victor Shandor, division superintendent. "It showcases the dedication of our talented educators, who provide engaging and rigorous learning experiences every day, as well as the hard work and determination of our students and their families."

Tabb High Sets VHSL Record

For the fourth straight year, and the 12^th time ever, the Tabb High Field Hockey team won the Class 3 Virginia High School League (VHSL) state championship last Saturday. In addition to finishing the season undefeated, the team also set several new state records, including:

• VHSL consecutive winning streak for field hockey (68 wins set by Cox High School in 1996)
• VHSL consecutive winning streak for all sports (85 wins set by R. E. Lee's boys' basketball team in 2006)
• VHSL record for "points per game average" with a new average of 7.09 points per game (6.75 point average set by Tabb High in 2009).

The School Board will recognize these accomplishments during the November School Board meeting.

Community Announcements

The York County School Division offers local businesses and organizations the opportunity to share information with students and families regarding educational/enrichment activities, events and opportunities, which are 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 provided as a community service for our families.

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