York Catholic will be joining the nationwide celebration of Catholic Schools January 28-February 3. Students will honor service to the community, faculty/staff, and religious life throughout the week with a variety of activities including reading to children at partner schools, giving thank you gift bags to school bus drivers, and providing appreciation treats for faculty and students. Please help spread the word about the importance of Catholic schools. If you know of anyone who would like more information about enrolling their child or grandchild, please reach out to us at 717-846-8871 x1354 or dbutler@yorkcatholic.org.

Open House

Thursday, February 8, 2024

6 PM to 7:30 PM

Register to attend our upcoming in-person Open House and join us for a look at the York Catholic Middle & High School experience. Learn what life at our school is like and see all we have to offer students (grades 7-12) and their families. Space is limited and pre-registration is required to attend. Click here to pre-register 

https://yorkcatholic.org/admissions/open-house/

What You’ll Experience at York Catholic’s Open House Event:

✔ Take a tour of the newly renovated campus.

✔ Talk with York Catholic teachers and administrators.

✔ Meet current students and hear their experiences.

Did You Know? On average, YC graduates are offered over $10 million dollars in college scholarships and over 90 percent of graduates now study at 55 colleges around the country. Join us to learn how York Catholic sets students up for success and creates a place where every student is known and cared for.

Reserve your spot today! We hope to see you there!

York Catholic Middle & High School has the following employment opportunities available:  

• Instructional Support Teacher
• Substitute Teachers
• Cafeteria Aide
• Cafeteria Volunteers
• Middle School Girls Volleyball Head Coach
• Middle School Girls Volleyball Assistant Coach
• Middle School Girls Soccer Head Coach

Interested candidates can find details and application links at https://yorkcatholic.org/about/employment-opportunities/

The Knights of Columbus Educational Foundation is offering scholarship opportunities to any student whose father is a member in good standing with a Pennsylvania Knights of Columbus Council or who is a child of a deceased Knight of Columbus and was a member in good standing at the time of death. More than fifty $1000 grants will be distributed throughout Pennsylvania to students in grades 1‐12 for the 2024-25 school year.  The application deadline is January 31, 2024.

Any interested sophomore is invited and encouraged to take the PSAT 10 this spring at York Catholic. The PSAT 10 is an optional exam that mirrors the PSAT, and offers a tenth grader the opportunity to preview and practice for the actual PSAT without stress over score reporting. Scores from the PSAT 10 are not reported and do not impact college applications in any way. Students benefit from the opportunity to engage with the material and become familiar with the format of the test before taking the PSAT in October of their junior year. PSAT test scores do count; those scores are referenced to determine Merit Scholars, and free practice tests are available online through College Board. Features of the PSAT 10 are as follows:

• The PSAT 10 is a three-hour exam, featuring a math section and a reading/writing section.  
• Each section is worth 760 points for a possible total composite of 1520.  
• The math section targets algebra and advanced math problems. A spring testing session is optimal as sophomores will be concluding a year of Algebra II.

The test will be offered at York Catholic from 8 AM-12 PM on Saturday, April 13. Any interested sophomore must register by February 23. Click the button below for the registration form; forms are also available in the main office. Cost per student is $20 with checks payable to York Catholic. The registration fee is non-refundable. Questions may be directed to Kathy Hand at khand@yorkcatholic.org. 

As juniors are planning their SAT testing dates, keep in mind that the SAT will be offered at York Catholic to current juniors on March 25.  This is a great opportunity for our students to take the test in a familiar testing environment for optimal results. 

Registration and payment are due to Mrs. Hand by Friday, February 23.  Cost for the exam is $60 and checks should be made out to York Catholic. Registration for this exam is non-refundable. 

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery or ASVAB is being offered free to all interested sophomores, juniors, and seniors on March 13 from 8:30-11 AM at York Catholic.  The ASVAB Career Exploration Program is a comprehensive career planning program that includes a multiple-aptitude test, an interest inventory, and various career planning tools designed to help students explore post-high school opportunities. Students do not need to be entering the military to take the ASVAB. For answers to questions or to register, email Mrs. Maurer at jmaurer@yorkcatholic.org. The deadline to register is February 16.

On March 9, over 250 York Catholic high school students will once again join the efforts of over 200 high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools to have fun and work to conquer pediatric cancer. Based on Penn State’s successful THON, a 46-hour dance marathon, Mini-THON challenges students to stay on their feet while participating in a number of high energy activities including Zumba, Dodgeball, and Speedball. All proceeds accumulated through the efforts of Mini-THON are donated directly to The Four Diamonds at Penn State Children’s Hospital, Hershey, PA. In 10 years, York Catholic has raised over $200,000 to help conquer pediatric cancer. This year our goal is to raise $25,000 and raise awareness “For the Kids.”  

All high school students who are interested in participating should follow these 3 easy steps:

1. High School students must first join the YC Student Body Google Classroom which serves as a home base for information and forms for the event. This Google Classroom is accessible by YC students only.
2. Next, high school students can register for Mini-THON by completing the permission slip and paying the $20 registration fee on FamilyID.com during the week of February 5. All permission slips and fees must be submitted on FamilyID.com by February 9 to be able to participate. Students will be asking parents for their family’s FamilyID.com ID and password. Click the button below to be directed to the FamilyID forms.  
3. Once registered, participants will have until February 23 to raise $30 in donations. Participants are encouraged to use The Four Diamond’s Online Social Fundraising Website, DonorDrive at https://fourdiamonds.donordrive.com/event/yorkcatholichsminithon to collect their donations by clicking the button below. Students who use DonorDrive will have the opportunity to request online credit card donations from family and friends via social media platforms. As a 2nd option, cash or check donations will also be accepted and can be dropped off in the main lobby before school during the week of February 19. Students who submit donations via cash or check must also submit a Donation form with each individual donation (Donation forms are in the Google Classroom). All checks should be made out to York Catholic Mini-THON. Write “donation” on the memo line along with the student’s name. 

All money submitted for Mini-THON is non-refundable. Students may wear their Mini-THON t-shirts, sneakers, and pants or modest shorts to the event. Students are reminded of York Catholic’s Academic Eligibility Policy.

Our High School Student Council is selling Chips & Chocolate Valentine Grams. Students can purchase these treats for $1 and have them delivered to their friends on Valentine's Day! All Valentine Gram orders must be placed January 22-26 during homeroom.

The Student Council is holding a book drive to benefit the elementary partner schools in our community. Donate your gently used books that you have outgrown and help others experience the joy of reading. Donations can be dropped off in the main lobby January 29-February 2.

It is time for the class 2025 to consider the purchase of a York Catholic keepsake, a class ring! 

Visit https://www.balfour.com/pennsylvania/york/york-catholic-high-school to make your decision. The gallery is extensive with selections for everyone and the opportunity to personalize with your name and activities. Ordering is done online, with easy payment options spread over three months if needed. 

Any junior needing help with sizing should stop by Mrs. Kemp’s desk in the main office.  She has sizing rings available.

Order now and receive your ring in four to six weeks.  We will celebrate the class of 2025 as they assume leadership of the school, and will commemorate their senior status with the blessing of the rings at our traditional Junior Ring Ceremony on May 30.  

A ring purchase is not required.

Questions can be directed to Kathy Hand at khand@yorkcatholic.org.

Seniors wishing to purchase graduation announcements can place their order online with Balfour now through March 15 by clicking the button below.  Any orders placed after that time are not guaranteed timely delivery for graduation.  You are free to purchase anything you like as a family, but you do not need to purchase a tassel, cap, or gown. That order has already been placed.  If you have any questions, contact Joann Brown at jbrown@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x1317. 

The Diocese of Harrisburg is now accepting nominations from students and families to honor teachers and principals with the Golden Apple Award.  Eligibility requirements and nomination forms can be found under Resources at https://www.hbgdiocese.org/catholic-schools/golden-apple/ Click the button below to complete the online nomination form by February 2.

The Virtue=Strength program is devoted to virtue formation through school, athletics, parish, and/or the community. It is designed to be used by teachers and staff across the entire student body. Each week a different virtue is highlighted to share with our students.  Click below for the Virtue=Strength Virtue of the Week that helps parents reinforce virtue formation at home. 

District Chorus

Congratulations to junior Ashton Bruno for auditioning and being selected for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 7 Chorus being held January 26-27 at Lebanon Valley College.  The public concert is Saturday, January 27, at 5 PM.  Tickets are available at the door.

York Catholic is accepting advertisements from supporters and local businesses for its spring musical program for “Footloose.” Prices for ads are as follows: 

• Full page (7-1/2" x 4-1/2") - $120
• Half Page (3-1/2” x 4-1/2") - $70
• Quarter Page (1-3/4 x 4-1/2) - $40
• 100-character messages - $10
• Limited cover spots are available for $300; please email for availability. 

Cover ads and full page ads include a free ticket to the show. All ads and payments are due no later than Monday, January 29, to the main office. Ads can also be emailed to musicalads@yorkcatholic.org.

Competitive Spirit Cheerleading

PIAA State Championship

January 26-27

at the Giant Center in Hershey

Competition will begin at 9 AM Friday, January 26. 

If the squad advances to the finals, championships will be held Saturday, January 27 at 9 AM. Spectators will be admitted beginning at 8 AM on both days.

General admission tickets for the Competitive Spirit Championships can be purchased by clicking the button below. Ticket prices are $8 plus processing fees.

The YAIAA is hosting a Winter Mental Health Symposium for student-athletes on Sunday, February 4, at Susquehannock High School. The event will feature a wellness fair from 2-4 PM and a presentation and question and answer session from 3-4 PM with a student panel discussing the stressors student-athletes face and how parents can assist their children to mitigate those stressors and/or how to seek assistance for their child. Registration is not required.

York Catholic High School’s Athletic Booster Club is inducting four new members into its Sports Hall of Fame. The inductees will be introduced Saturday, January 27, at approximately 4 PM between our girls’ and boys’ basketball double-header games with Berks Catholic. After the game, the inductees will be honored with a reception in the cafeteria. The Sports Hall of Fame honors former coaches and student athletes, administrators, and volunteers. Those being inducted include: Karli McFatridge ‘12 (basketball), Ava Spoden ‘11 (tennis), Anna Spoden ‘13 (tennis), Kenneth Staab ‘40 (service to country).

Boys & Girls Tennis Open Court sessions will be held at Wisehaven beginning Wednesday, January 31, from 3:30-5 PM. Additional sessions will be held February 7, 14, 21, 28. These sessions are open to both boys and girls and players are encouraged to attend as many sessions as possible. Anyone interested in learning more about the game is also welcome. Coach Renard will have plenty of extra rackets. Registration is not required for open court.

The Shooting Irish Lacrosse Club is welcoming new and returning players to register for the 2024 boys and girls spring outdoor season. Register at https://shootingirishlacrosse.sportngin.com/register/form/593148101 by February 1.

Parents, would you like to save on your State Income Tax return? Additionally, what if I told you those savings can have a direct impact on York Catholic students? Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? If you file for, and are accepted, as a Special Purpose Entity (SPE), it’s a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the tax liability on your personal tax return. Please continue reading for additional information.

Pennsylvania now allows individuals to take advantage of EITC Tax Credits (just as businesses can) whereby you have the opportunity to re-direct 90% of your personal state income taxes to York Catholic Middle & High School. 

The Special Purpose Entity (SPE) is based on tax liability, not income, therefore each taxpayer’s situation will differ. Participants must be PA residents where at least one spouse is employed or has an ownership interest in a PA for-profit business. An individual or couple filing jointly must have a state tax liability of $3,500 or more to participate. To see if you qualify for 2024, you can find your PA tax liability on Form PA-40 Line 12 of your 2023 tax return. 100% of participant contributions are distributed to the school. You have to pay these taxes regardless, so why not have a say in how your taxes are allocated? Additionally, you will receive at least a 10% personal deduction on your federal taxes. The money you re-direct to York Catholic is for educational purposes, specifically tuition assistance.

If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity to reduce your tax liability AND provide much needed assistance to York Catholic students, please follow these steps:

• Review information on the SPE program to determine if you qualify at https://www.pennsylvaniaeitc.org/frequently-asked-questions.html
• Confirm your personal state income tax liability with your accountant.
• Complete and submit the Joinder Agreement at https://yorkcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/spe-joinder-agreement.pdf

For more information about this easy tax donation, please contact Dave Salter, York Catholic Director of Development, at dsalter@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x1325.

During inclement weather that would cause a school closing or delay of schedule, York Catholic will call/text/email you through our One Call Now Emergency Notification system.  Other modes of notification include WGAL TV-8, Fox43, and the YC website.  Students from individual school districts are automatically excused if their district closes and does not provide transportation to YC.  The exceptions to this are Southern and Southeastern.  These students follow York Catholic’s delay and closing schedule.