Although we made the decision to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week next week because of PSSA testing, I'd like to make sure that our teachers know that I, along with our Board of Trustees and Administration, appreciate all the good things they do. From tying a shoelace to counseling a student into college, from getting breakfast for a little one (or a big one) to giving that extra effort to make sure a student understands it - everything our teachers do is valued. I'm grateful for the difference they are making in our students, as well as for their families, our school and the future of the York Academy.

In addition, we had a nice visit today from Dr. Anne Clark, CEO for the PA Coalition for Public Charter Schools. Dr. Clark previously served as an educator and administrator in the York area, and she stopped by to drop off some treats for our teachers to thank them for all they do for our students. She visited some classrooms and witnessed first hand why York Academy teachers are exceptional.

Also, Give Local York is on Friday, and York Academy is thrilled to be part of this 24-hour movement of giving! I hope you will join me in supporting the York Academy! Please see the article below with more information.

Thank you and enjoy your evening,

Dr. Michael Lowe

Join us outside for our 2nd annual YARCS Open Air Spring Concert tomorrow night (5/5)! It will be held in the Kinsley Parking Lot (formerly Warehaus) from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Make sure to bring your own chairs! You may park around the perimeter of the Kinsley lot or at the Upper School.

Thanks to you and your children's generosity, we're thrilled to share that the Lower School is only $224 short of their $2,000 goal! If we raise that much more by Friday, Mr. Goodwin's hair will be dyed TEAL (the permanent kind)!

Our Upper School students are also raising funds through a Give Local York House Challenge! Through Friday, each House that raises $150 or more will get to Dress Down on Monday (5/9). Plus, the House that raises the most will take a field trip to Timeline Arcade!

Students are encouraged to bring in cash/change, and parents are welcomed to give now or wait to donate online on Friday. Checks may be made out to York Academy Foundation (write Give Local York on the memo line).

📣 Deadline Tonight: You can even help us win $1,000 by snapping a selfie (or short video) with this sign and posting it on Facebook TONIGHT using the hashtags #donorforaday and #givelocalyork.

👉 On Friday, you can DOUBLE the impact of your Give Local York donation thanks to some very special donors! Here are the details:

🕖 From 7 a.m. on, your donation will be DOUBLED until the $2,470 match pool is depleted thanks to the generosity of all of the members of the York Academy Foundation Board!

🕚 Starting at 11 a.m., your donation will be DOUBLED until the $1,000 match pool is depleted thanks to the generosity of York Academy parent and CEO of One Hospitality Group, Toni Calderone! Plus, proceeds from orders placed at Presto Fast Italian locations will benefit students as a bonus! Make sure to mention York Academy when you pay.

🕑 Starting at 2 p.m., donations will be DOUBLED until the $8,000 match pool is depleted thanks to the generosity of all of the members of our Board of Trustees!

Prizes will also be awarded to nonprofits during certain hours, which can make your gift go even further! Find out what's planned.

Please #UKnight with us and make a gift of any amount from Friday at midnight to 11:59 p.m.! Every dollar counts, because every child counts! Thank you.

If you’re heading downtown for First Friday during your night out, make sure to stop at York Academy’s table on N. Beaver Street. We'll be playing games and celebrating during Give Local York!

The PTO Teacher Appreciation Committee is providing a small token of appreciation to teachers each day during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 9-13). They need your assistance with donations towards this well deserved celebration. Click here to sign up to help.

According to Andre's nominee, he brings a great presence to his class. "When he masters a skill, he is humble, respectful and kind toward others who haven't quite gotten it yet," she said. "He offers help to those who need it, and truly treats his peers with respect and kindness."

It would be greatly appreciated if you click the link below and provide anonymous answers to the questions that are listed. It is also recommended that you complete a survey for each of your children because of the different needs/expectations each child may have. Think only of your one child when completing the first survey. When completing the second survey, think of only your second child. This survey will conclude on Friday, May 20. On Monday, May 23 our Climate Committee will plan to unpack the data we get from you. Please complete the survey now so it is done before May 20.

The National Spanish Honor Society invites you to color our community by participating in their service learning project. They've partnered with The Pulsera Project.

The Pulsera Project is a nonprofit organization that educates, empowers and connects Central American artisan artists with students in more than 3,000 U.S. schools through the sale of colorful hand woven bracelets, or "pulseras" in Spanish. All money raised from the service learning project is sent back to the artists and their families. Pulseras cost $5 and are being sold during lunches at the Upper School through Friday. We have hundreds to choose from, so please help us color our community!

All York Academy families (K-12), friends and community members are invited to attend a FREE Mental Health Fair on Saturday, May 14th from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Upper School Gym.

You can even plan to stay to see "The Lion King Jr." at 3 p.m. and check out the Visual Arts Show and silent auction, too!

The PTO works to fund teacher appreciation activities, field trips, family fun nights, assemblies, classroom supplies and more. If you are interested in taking a leadership role in the PTO or getting more involved, please send an email to yorkacademypto@gmail.com. Everyone is welcome!

The York Academy PTO is hosting a Roller Skating Party on Wednesday, May 11 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Roll R Way (940 Vander Avenue). Admission is $1.00 and skate rentals are $2.00. Please come out for a fun night and support the PTO!

Keystone Exams will be held for Upper School students from Monday, May 16 - Tuesday, May 24. All students are required to take the Keystone Exams to graduate. These exams will cover Algebra 1, Biology and Literature. Students should make sure to bring their laptops and charters next Wednesday (5/11) in preparation. Here is the schedule:

It's important for your child to eat breakfast, arrive on time and be ready for school on exam days. In addition, students perform best when they're testing with their peers, as opposed to testing separately in make-up sessions. It's in their best interest to be in school on testing days, so make sure they are at YARCS unless they are sick. Please note that no educational trips will be approved for students during Keystone exams. We appreciate your understanding!

This challenge was developed for and by the young people of York County, and it's an important message for us all. Check out the challenge on TikTok (@GotYourBackChallenge) throughout the month to get inspired, and click here to learn more.

The Class of 2022 is gearing up for graduation, and a number of exciting events are planned. Check out the schedule below. Please note that graduation tickets are limited.

Once again, Martin Library is offering their Summer Program at the York Academy on Thursdays from June 23 through August 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Click here for more information and to register.

The program will be held on Tuesdays from June 14 through July 26 from 9:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Click here for more information and to register.

If you love children and want to make a difference in their lives, we are looking for you! As an equal opportunity employer, we invite all qualified applicants to apply for the positions listed below.