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Knight News
December 13, 2019
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CEO Corner
If one change in your interactions with your children could result in increasing their lifetime earning potential by more than $1 million, would you be interested? What if that same change could result in your children living longer and healthier lives? Interested now? Despite rumblings in the news about student loans and rising tuition, earning a four-year-college degree is still the best path toward a higher paying job and a longer, healthier life.
Right now, you may be thinking about a friend or relative who earns a great living without a college degree and has never been sick a day of his life. Our world is changing and the conditions that allowed talented high school graduates to achieve above average results are disappearing before our eyes. Why gamble with your children’s futures on the hope that they will beat the odds? Take control of the situation by reframing your expectations.
We know that parents’ expectations have a strong influence on students’ own goals for post-secondary education. Put simply, if you expect your children to go to college, it is more likely that they will. With the addition of the Diploma Programme next year for students in 11th and 12th grades, we are clarifying the expectation for 100% of our students to attend college after graduation from York Academy.
We want all parents to share the expectation that their children will attend college. Every interaction with your children regarding school, no matter how minor, should support the assumption of college after high school. The idea of your children ending their school career after 12th grade needs to be as unthinkable as them dropping out after sixth grade.
While you are developing college-bound mindsets at home, we are working to ensure that all students receive the support and opportunities needed to be academically and emotionally ready for college. Next time, I’ll tell you about a program that we are developing called York Academy Scholarship+.
Here are some supporting articles for you to review:
Warm regards,
Angela Sugarek
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Student Spotlight
Congratulations to second-grader
J'yahion,
who was chosen as our "Student Spotlight." J'yahion
was nominated for embodying the
IB attribute
of being
principled
. Principled individuals act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. They take responsibility for their actions and their consequences.
So far this year, J'yahion has demonstrated what being principled is all about. He is fair, honest and takes responsibility for his actions when he makes a mistake. J'yahion knows it's okay to make mistakes but he is sure to fix them in an authentic, reflective way. As his nominee says, "He is awesome."
Way to go, J'yahion
. Keep it up!
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Winter Rock Concert
You're invited to join us for the
2nd Annual Winter Rock Concert on Wednesday, December 18 at 6:30 p.m.
in the Upper School Dennis P. Baughman Center for Creative Expression. There will be many different groups and solo performances by musicians in grades 7 - 10.
The doors will open at 6 p.m., and admission is by donation. Proceeds will benefit the performing arts at York Academy, as well as a charitable cause chosen by the students. Please bring the whole family and come rock out with our talented performers!
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All Pro Dad Meeting: December 19
Students from both schools and their male role models are invited to the next "All Pro Dad" meeting on
Thursday, December 19 from 7 - 7:45 a.m. in the Upper School cafeteria.
A light breakfast will be provided, along with coffee from
The D.E.W. Good Academy Cafe.
"All Pro Dad" is a group of dads/father figures dedicated to strengthening their relationships with the children in their lives. During each session, the adults will be encouraged to explore various attributes related to positively impacting their students, while building their capacity as community and family members.
Click here to learn more and register for the meeting. Everyone is welcome!
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PTO Updates
We'd like to thank the PTO for organizing a fun Bingo Night for our PYP families last week!
Click here to check out some pictures from the event.
Be on the lookout! Each student (K-10) will be receiving a
free pass good for one admission to Roll ‘R’ Way during the winter break! Make sure to check your child's backpack.
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Please mark your calendar for our next fundraiser! Visit
Adrenaline Entertainment Center on
Monday, December 30 from 4 - 8 p.m.
and support York Academy! The PTO will receive 15% of the proceeds from the sale of every one, two or three-hour jump pass. The event is open to all YARCS families, but spots are first come, first serve.
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Also, you can still cross some gifts off your list and help York Academy! Now through
January 8
, the PTO is partnering with Yankee Candle
®
Fundraising. There are a wide variety of candles, fragrances and decor items available. Your purchase will ship directly to your home and the PTO will receive a profit on every order. Proceeds will
help fund field trips, family events, assemblies and more.
Click here
to shop now. Our Group Name is YARCS PTO and the Group Number is 999993565. Thank you!
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YARCS Basketball Spirit Wear Store
We'd like to extend an extra chance for you to purchase York Academy spirit wear! This online store is for players on the YARCS Basketball Teams and their families, but we are sharing the link since we thought you may enjoy the items, too! All of the tops are appropriate for School Spirit Days.
We apologize for the short notice, but the store closes this Sunday night, December 15 at 11:59 p.m. The items will be delivered after the holiday break.
Click here to shop now.
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Staff Shoutout
Upper School Instructional Assistant,
Ms. Brianna Smith
, was nominated for displaying the
IB attribute
of being
caring
. Caring individuals show empathy, compassion and respect. They are committed to service and take action by making a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around them.
Ms. Smith works tirelessly to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed. In the classroom(s), she meets the needs of the students by differentiating instruction on an individual basis and providing support to the classroom teacher. Ms Smith facilitates communication between staff and students to create a positive learning environment. She cares about the students and it is evident in her interactions with them. They feel comfortable coming to her for help and she always makes herself available for them. Thank you for being empathetic and approachable, Ms. Smith. You are making a difference!
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Hats, Mittens & Scarves Needed
The Lower School office is decorated for the holidays and
we're
collecting donations of hats, mittens, and scarves
for the festive
Hat & Mitten Tree. Your child may bring them to the office and place them on the tree or you can drop them off from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The deadline is Thursday, December 19. These items will be distributed to children in need so they are ready for the cold weather. Thank you for your generosity in advance!
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Musings of the MYP Coordinator
The Middle Years Programme (MYP) includes all students in grades 6 - 10 and requires students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world, preparing them for success in further study and in life. One specific way that this is accomplished is through the Global Contexts. These Global Contexts parallel the Transdisciplinary Themes the students were introduced to in the Primary Years Programme (PYP).
The Global Contexts are:
- Globalization and Sustainability
- Identities and Relationships
- Fairness and Development
- Personal and Cultural Expression
- Scientific and Technical Innovation
- Orientation In Space and Time
Teachers use the Global Contexts by connecting these big ideas into their units. For example, when students read about Frida Kahlo in Language Acquisition they also engaged in a deeper understanding of Personal and Cultural Expression. Scientific and Technical Innovation came through the grade 10 Chemistry unit related to Movie Special Effects. You can find out more about the Global Contexts
in this video
.
If you have questions or would like more information, please feel free to
email Mrs. Carol Alvarnaz, York Academy's MYP Coordinator.
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Golden Music Stand Recipients
Mr. Michael, our Instrumental Music Teacher, loves to inspire and recognize his students. Earlier this year, he unveiled the
Golden Music Stand, which symbolizes exceptional work in instrumental music. The stand is awarded monthly as a sort of trophy to a "musician of the month" in each ensemble (Band, Orchestra, Advanced Orchestra and Wind Ensemble). Only students who are consistently prepared, on time, and perform the assigned music at a high level are eligible to receive the award. Winners earn the right to use the Golden Music Stand exclusively for an entire month of lessons and rehearsals before it moves on to another hard-working ensemble member.
Congratulations to Ele, Maddy, Tipton and Jelexiz (not pictured) on "winning gold!"
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Save the Date: Parents' Night Out
Mrs. Chester and Upper School members of our National Art Honor Society (NAHS) are hosting the next “Parents’ Night Out" on
Friday, January 3 at the Upper School from 6-9 p.m.
While you go out for dinner or relax at home, your children will play games, enjoy snacks and watch "Small Foot" in the Dennis P. Baughman Center for Creative Expression.
Students and their friends in grades K-7 are invited to join us for this fundraiser, which supports the NAHS spring field trip.
Click here to register your student(s).
Thank you in advance for your support of the visual arts at York Academy!
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2nd Trimester Clubs
We're gearing up for 2nd Trimester Clubs! All extracurricular activities will begin on Monday, January 13 and continue for eight weeks/sessions.
Click here to review the list of options (K-10). Make sure to return the completed application to the office with a check made payable to York Academy or the exact cash
by Friday, December 20. Thank you!
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Save the Dates: Musical Auditions
We’re getting ready for York Academy’s MYP spring musical,
"School of Rock,"
which is based on the 2003 movie with Jack Black! Auditions for students who are interested in singing, dancing, acting or playing an instrument in the pit band will be held during the first full week of January.
Rehearsals will begin at the end of February (pit band will start earlier). They will take place after school, typically from 4 - 6 p.m. and a calendar will be available soon. It's going to be a fun and energetic show! Make sure to save the dates:
- Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 25 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Sunday, April 26 at 3 p.m.
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Visit The D.E.W. Good Academy Cafe
Please stop by The D.E.W. Good Academy Cafe and support our school! Make sure to check out the amazing holiday drink specials, too!
Have little ones? Come for
"Coffee & Crayons"
next Tuesday and Thursday from 8 - 10 a.m
. Enjoy coffee/tea and relax, while they color festive pictures and watch a movie. Next week's flick is "Klaus." Supplies will be provided. Make sure to use the Café entrance around the back of the Upper School. You may park in the Upper School lot or at Small's Field.
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Upper School Visual Art
Our Upper School artists are amazing! In these photos students are working on their self portrait drawings and creating watercolor experiments in preparation for completing their small pen and ink still life studies.
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Winter Concert Excellence
Congratulations to our students who participated in the Winter Concert earlier this week! We are so proud of your hard work and are thankful for our passionate music teachers: Mr. Michael, Mr. Gregory and Mrs. Rock! Here are some highlights from the show, including an outstanding performance from tenth-grade violinist, Segio. He even received a standing ovation!
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Making Science Fun
Students in our ninth and 10th grade science classes had an exciting week! In biology, the students compared cellular structures and their functions in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells by developing models such as a cake, a 3D structure or drawing a "cell as a factory."
In preparation for their final chemistry unit assessment, the students made a polymer-based material in order to learn about cross-linking in polymeric materials (ex. slime). They also investigated organic compounds and combustion by igniting carbon dioxide gas. While holding fruit rinds near an open flame, the students observed a reaction with hydrocarbons in the fruit rinds when combined with oxygen. They examined varying magnitudes of sparking, which will be used to simulate fireworks in their upcoming end of unit chapter challenge where they will integrate concepts learned in chemistry to create a movie with special effects!
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2020-21 Open House Information Sessions
Please share the dates of our Open House Information Sessions with your friends/family members who are considering applying at York Academy! We will provide an overview of the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework, outline student and parent expectations, highlight school policies, and explain the admissions process.
Saturday, January 25 at 11 a.m.
Wednesday, January 29 at 6 p.m.
Saturday, February 1 at 11 a.m.
Thursday, February 6 at 6 p.m.
No RSVP is required and tours will be held after each presentation. If you have any questions,
click here
to email us. You may also call the Lower School at (717) 801-3900 or the Upper School at (717) 900-5001.
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Join Our Team
York Academy is seeking qualified and enthusiastic individuals who are passionate about education for the following positions:
- Instructional Assistant (both schools)
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Instructor
- Girls Basketball Coach (7th & 8th Grade)
Click here
for details and share this email to anyone who may be interested.
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School Calendar Reminders
Friday, December 20
is an early dismissal and School Spirit Day. Lower School students will dismiss at 12:15 p.m. and Upper School students will dismiss at 12:30 p.m.
As a reminder, students may express their YARCS pride at no cost
on School Spirit Days when there is an early dismissal. They can wear York Academy or college themed tops and school-appropriate bottoms. Please help make sure your student exercises good judgment.
Click here
to review
the expectations
for school-appropriate attire.
There will be no school for students from
Monday, December 23 - Wednesday, January 1
. Students will return to school on
Thursday, January 2.
We hope you enjoy the holiday break!
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Save the Date: DP Information Session
York Academy invites all 10th grade students and families to attend our
Diploma Programme
Information Session on February 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Upper School. Students and families will learn about York Academy class offerings for their 11th and 12th grade years, as well as pathways for obtaining the highly coveted IB Diploma to gain an edge for college admissions!
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Through the IB Lens
The MYP is celebrating its 25th anniversary! Since 1994, over 1,500 IB World Schools in 113 countries have adopted the MYP as a means of providing an education that helps students to grow and flourish in their education and personal development. In honor of this milestone, educators share their MYP experiences and talk about the positive impact the programme has had on their school and community.
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MYP Winter Rock Concert
6:30 p.m.
Come rock out with our 7-10th graders on December 18 at the Upper School (Center for Creative Expression)!
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Early Dismissal & School Spirit Day
Lower School: 12:15 p.m.
Upper School: 12:30 p.m.
Click here
to review the guidelines for school-appropriate attire.
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Holiday Break
School is closed from Monday, December 23 - Tuesday, January 1. Classes will resume on Thursday, January 2, 2020. Happy Holidays!
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York Academy Regional Charter School
Lower School: (717) 801-3900 | Upper School: (717) 900-5001
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