February 19, 2021
A Message From Principal Bagdasarian
Dr. Shahe Bagdasarian
The statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey has been open for parents to share thoughts about your experiences with our school. This survey provides critical input to help develop school improvement plans. The survey takes about 10 minutes. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child. 

To take the parent survey please click HERE and select the parent survey link. You will need to enter the county (DuPage) and school name. Our current response rate is 8% and we need it to be at least 20 percent to receive a report.

Students at York will take the survey on March 10th during their physical education class. Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Act 20 U.S.C. Section 1232(c) (1) (A), you have the right to review a copy of the questions on the student survey. If you do not want your son or daughter to participate in the survey, fill out a non-participation form and return it to school. Please be aware that student participation rates are one measure that the state uses in its accountability system for our schools.

The feedback will help us continue to improve our school. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Best regards,
Dr. Shahe Bagdasarian
York High School Schedule March 1 through March 26, 2021
Saliva Screener Procedures
Starting the week of March 8th, York High School will begin implementing the Saliva screening for any students who will be attending school for in-person learning, participating in athletics or in-person activities. During the week of March 8th, there will be two "drop off days". Starting on March 15th, all in-person students will submit their test samples every Friday morning before they enter school. 
 
Next week, any current in-person student will be receiving their saliva screener kits during their 3rd period class on either Monday, March 8th (for A and AB learning group students) and Thursday, March 11th for (B learning group students).  
 
These screener kits will include enough supplies for students to be able to screen each week for the remainder of the year. There are detailed instructions that students must follow when submitting their saliva sample. Please read the materials carefully. You may also visit this FAQ page for more information.  
 
Any student who is designated as a remote learner and returning to school on March 15th, or who will remain remote after the 15th and participate in athletics or in-person activities, will need to stop by school during the week of March 8th, and pick up their screener kits before March 11th. These kits will be available at the main entrance, door #3, of the school from 8:00am to 3:30pm.  
 
Please see the schedule below for more information regarding screener distribution and saliva sample drop off dates. Please contact Mr. McGuire with any questions at dmcguire@elmhurst205.org.
Spring Testing Plan for York High School
York High School students will be participating in the annual spring Illinois School Board of Education Assessments this April. Students enrolled in remote and in-person learning are required to participate in these state-mandated assessments on campus at York High School. The schedule listed below provides information for each grade level and the dates of these assessments:
 
Tuesday, April 13, 2021 
  • ALL Juniors in the Class of 2022 will be taking the SAT with Essay
  • ALL Seniors in the Class of 2021 that did NOT take the SAT with Essay in October 2020
  • ALL juniors and seniors that need to complete this graduation requirement have been pre-registered for this exam. No additional registration is required on behalf of the parent/guardian or student.
 
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
  • ALL Freshmen in the Class of 2024 will be taking the PSAT 9  
  • ALL Sophomores in the Class of 2023 will be taking the PSAT 10
  • ALL freshmen and sophomore students have been pre-registered for these exams. No additional registration is required on behalf of the parent/guardian or student.
 
Study Guides, provided by the College Board, are available for students to review and use for practice. Please click on the links below to access those resources:

 
Details about the schedule, arrival/dismissal time, and items students should bring to testing will be shared after Spring Break.
In-Person Academic Supports For Students
The following in-person support centers will be available to students from 1pm-3pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for the remainder of the semester.

  1. Learning commons
  2. Test make-up center
  3. Math lab (by appointment with teacher)

All in-person supports are available to in-person and remote students with proper health certification and adherence to saliva testing procedures.

We are committed to providing our students with access to in-person academic supports that will enhance learning throughout 2nd semester. See below for more information on two academies to better support our students!
Intervention and Enrichment Academy- Starting March 15th!
Take advantage of student check-in times that are offered on block schedule days from 1:30-3:06PM. Students should contact individual teachers to set up an appointment. 

Who can attend? Any student who has been self-certified and has been saliva screened.

Will there be food? No eating will be allowed in school. 

Who will work with the students during check-in times? Students will make individual appointments with their teachers. Students send their teacher an email to arrange an appointment. 

Is pre-registration required? Yes. Notify and receive confirmation from individual teachers. 

Where should students go when they arrive? Check in at Door #1. Students may also use the cafeteria, commons or learning commons between 12:55 and 1:30 prior to meeting with teachers. 

Transportation: A late bus will be available to take students home at 3:06 for students who participate. 

If students finish prior to 3:06, they can report to the learning commons or commons and wait for school provided transportation or parent pick-up.
York Saturday Success Academy (YSSA)
York Saturday Success Academy (YSSA) sessions are offered on from 9 a.m. until noon in the York High School Learning Commons. Students who need extra academic support will receive assistance from YHS teachers during these sessions. It is also a great time to work on group projects or have room to spread out and study. All YHS students are welcome to attend. The program is designed to help students from falling behind while providing support in their academic classes. Seniors at risk of not graduating are strongly encouraged to attend.
 
Cannot make it this Saturday? Why not take advantage of student check-in times that are offered on block schedule days from 1:50-3:06PM. Please contact individual teachers to set up an appointment. 

Who can attend? The YSSA is open to all students who need additional academic support. Students who have a D and/or F in any class are highly encouraged to attend on Saturday until their grade improves. 
How can I get to school on Saturday? Transportation will be provided for students based on request. 

Will there be food? No eating will be allowed in school. Students are encouraged to eat breakfast before attending YSSA.

Who will work with the students during YSSA? The YSSA will be staffed with York teachers from various academic departments. We will also have peer tutors available to work with students.

Is pre-registration required? Yes. Due to social distancing capacity may be limited each week. Pre-registration form HERE. The registration form will be shared with parents, students and staff in addition to being posted on our website. Students and parents will be responsible for signing up for this academy. Teachers are always welcome to share the link with families.
York Athletics Updates
Congratulations to our Competitive Dance Team for making it to State!
Badminton
There are over 50 girls participating in the program. Overall records stand at 6-0 all 3 levels. Ten seniors on varsity bring leadership and strength to the program. Athletes are having a blast learning the game of badminton thanks to our amazing coaching staff! There are 3 weeks left in our regular season, then on to Sectionals, and possibly State (waiting for IHSA board meeting decision).

Boys’ Basketball
Varsity: 5-4 overall 1-2 in WSC: Thankful for the opportunity to play. Boys have been outstanding teammates, hard workers and continue to improve everyday.    
JV: 0-1
Sophomore: 6-4
Freshman A: 6-3 overall (2-3 in WSC - Silver)
Coach Dunn has been so impressed with the positive attitudes everyday and the ability to deal with adversity. An absolutely outstanding group of young men.

Freshman B: 6-2 overall, (3-1 in WSC Silver play). This team is high-energy and practices and plays like true competitors. The athletes push each other to be better each day and are coming together as a family for the homestretch!

Girls’ Basketball
Varsity - 6-0 overall record. Currently ranked #8 in the AP 4A State Poll. We are hoping to finish the year out with a Conference Championship over the next 2 Saturdays.
JV - 1-0
Sophomore - 6-2 overall record
Freshman A - 4-2 overall record
Freshman B - 1-1 overall record

One nice fact about our program this season is that we had more girls come out than any other conference school in both the WSC Silver and Gold. We were the only school in the conference that could have played a Varsity, JV, Sophomore, Freshmen A, and Freshmen B schedule this season. 

Special Olympics Basketball
Our athletes and peers participated in several Zoom meetings throughout January. We returned to the court in February. Special Olympics of Illinois hosted a regional skills competition on 2/18. Our athletes practiced throughout February with some amazing support from our peer partners. The season culminated with the skills competition. Special Olympics established divisions based on skill level and age group. Each of our athletes finished in the top 5 in their division! The Dukes had two 1st place finishers, three 2nd place finishers, one 4th place finisher, and one 5th place finisher. The most important victory was the opportunity to compete and reconnect with teammates and peer partners. 

Girls’ Bowling
Both levels are currently 6-0 in conference with two more matches to go this season.
Sophomore JJ Bolden made York history by bowling the school’s first 300 game in practice on 2/12/21.
Senior Holly Santucci also shot the highest 3-game series in York history: a 731 (244 average for 3 games) and the team shot 1248 for a single game, which is York’s highest, and the conference’s 3rd highest single game in WSC history.
The team will be competing in a virtual conference tournament and a virtual State tournament, sponsored by New Trier High School at the end of the season!

Cheerleading 
JV - 1st at Barrington Invite, 1st at WSC Conference - a great short season for the group!! 
Varsity - 3rd at XC Invite, 8th at Marian Catholic Invite, 1st at WSC Conference! 
-Sectionals is filmed on March 4th, and we will receive results on Saturday. We need to place in Top 5 in order to advance to IHSA State. 
-2021 Varsity set a new record for highest points received at Conference invite of 92.36!

Competitive Dance
JV 
Minooka 3rd out of 7 
South Elgin 3rd out of 11 
Naperville North 6th out of 20
Conference 1st out of 7 
Stevenson 8th out of 18 
Huntley 2nd out of 17 
JV Challenge 11th out of 26

Varsity 
Minooka 4th out of 16 
South Elgin 5th out of 18 
Naperville North 7th out of 26 
Conference 2nd out of 7 
Stevenson 7th out of 27 
Huntley 9th out of 29 
Sectionals 2nd of out 15
State March 6th 

Girls’ Gymnastics
JV 1-3 high score of 110 for the season
Varsity 1-3, high score of 133 for the season

Top all around around scores:
MaryAlice Shockey- 35.25
Martha Miklyukh-32.5
Daniella Chavez-31.5

Boys’ Swimming   
Varsity 2-2
JV 2-2
The Swimming Dukes will complete their season next week 3/13 with the WSC Silver Championship. 
Congrats to Connor Groya for setting new Varsity team records in the 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke and the Frosh- Soph 200 medley relay team of Nick Maiers, Nick Kamenicka, Jeremiah Harrington, and Albert Kaci for establishing a new team record.

Go Dukes!
Congratulations York Speech Team
Congratulations to the York Speech Team for placing 4th at the IHSA State Finals on February 20th! The team includes seniors James Golen, CeCe Lampa, Charlie Kungl, Olivia Rosenberg, and junior Nathan Lee.

The coaching staff includes Kevin C. Martin, John Forsythe, Mike Kolodziej, Justin Ali, Kate Dowling, as well as York alums Joey Hansel and Laura Thoresen.

James Golen took first place in the Extemporaneous Speaking and Impromptu Speaking events.

Congratulations to the York Speech Team and coaches on a successful season!