The Diocese of Harrisburg has released a memo regarding COVID protocols for 2022-23 and can be read by clicking the button below.
In line with these guidelines, York Catholic Middle & High School will be observing the following COVID protocols:
Masks and/or vaccinations are not required.
Individuals with COVID positive test results will isolate 5 days past the onset of symptoms or positive test results (whichever occurs first) regardless of vaccination status and are not permitted to enter school grounds or participate in school extra-curricular activities.
If the positive individual is asymptomatic on day 5, he/she may return to school and activities on day 6.
If a member of the student’s household tests positive, the negative-testing student should continue to report to school, if asymptomatic. The family needs to make every effort to separate the student from the sick family member. The student is required to take a home COVID test on day three of exposure, and on day five. If the student tests negative and remains asymptomatic, the student stays in school.
Virtual learning will not be offered at this time.
Notifications of the number of positive cases within our school community will be included in the weekly Irish Eye e-newsletter. Close contact notifications will be made directly to the parent as warranted via email. At this time, we have been notified of 1 positive case within our school community from August 25-31.
As COVID-19 guidelines evolve, our school will continue to adapt to the recommendations issued by federal, state, Diocesan, and local entities for our area.
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Middle School Blessing & Ribbon Cutting |
We celebrated the opening of the Middle School with a ribbon cutting and a blessing by our chaplain Father John Kuchinski. Thank you to everyone who supported the Capital Campaign. We believe you will all agree that we have “Grown Today to Impact Tomorrow.” |
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The academic awards from the 2021-22 school year will be presented to students Friday, September 2, at 8:30 AM. Parents are welcome to attend.
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School will not be in session Monday, September 5,
in observance of Labor Day.
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Parents are invited to join us for our school-wide Mass on Thursday, September 8, at 10:20 AM in the auditorium.
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As you have surely encountered in your daily travels, road construction and detours are happening throughout York County. Many of these roads include routes to and from York Catholic. Queen Street, Rathton Road, Springwood Road, Susquehanna Trail, George Street, and soon-to-be Market Street, just to name a few. Students should be sure to plan accordingly and add extra time to their commute. Traffic as a result of construction, detour, or road closure will not count as an excuse to be late for school.
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Attendance Office:
717-846-8871 x1333
A parent must provide written or emailed notice of all absences from a scheduled school day.
Please review the following attendance policies:
Attendance
From Student Handbook, pages 28-30:
Absence: Attendance is required of all enrolled students during the days and hours school is in session. Parents/Guardians have the responsibility of ensuring their students attend and remain in school daily. Students may be excused for temporary absences when satisfactory evidence is provided to warrant a reasonable cause for the absence. Since daily instruction of material by the teacher is essential in our educational system, an absence of even one more day may, understandably, result in lower grades. More than ten days of accumulated absence is considered excessive. This limit does not include pre-approved educational trips or absence due to a death in the family. Students with a history of chronic absence may be required to provide a physician’s excuse prior to the accumulation of 10 days.
All Absences (within one school calendar year):
- 7 absences within the school year – An email or letter will be sent to the parent/guardian intended to raise awareness and identify root causes for the absences and explain the physician’s note requirement if absences exceed 10 days.
- 10 days throughout the school year – An email or letter will be sent to the parent/guardian informing them a Physician’s Note will be required for all future absences. Physician’s notes must be on Official Physician’s Office stationery. A note from a doctor/dentist does not guarantee the absence(s) will be excused.
Unexcused Absences (within one school calendar year)
- 2 unexcused days throughout the school year – a personal contact will be made to the parent/guardian via phone call to raise awareness and establish your preferred language and mode of communication.
- 3 unexcused days throughout the school year – written notice of truancy will be made to the parent/guardian. An Attendance Improvement Conference will be recommended.
- 4-5 unexcused days throughout the school year – An Attendance Improvement Conference will be required at which time an Attendance Improvement Plan will be developed. Truancy citations may be filed.
- 6 unexcused days throughout the school year – Referrals may be made to the York County Children and Youth. Truancy citations may be filed. Parents may be cited for truant students 14 years of age and under. Parents and/or the child may be cited for truant students 15-16 years old.
For York Catholic students, twenty days of absence is sufficient to warrant repeating the school year. The matter will be decided by the administration. Taken into consideration will be the frequencies of absences, reasons for the absences, attempts to make up work missed during the absences, etc.
Excuses will be kept on file. Cooperation in this matter is essential because of state laws governing school attendance. Pennsylvania School Law states that “excused” absences (including partial day/lateness) include ONLY the following:
- Doctor/dentist appointments
- School scheduled educational trips
- Authorized school activities
- Illness
The school reserves the right to excuse students for any reason. Any absence with no note or approval will be marked “Non-excused” and the student will be assigned detention.
After 10 days of accumulated lateness to school (excused and/or unexcused combined), a physician’s excuse will be required for each additional absence.
Early Dismissal/Late Arrival
From Student Handbook, page 29:
When a student is absent from school, needs to be dismissed early, or will be arriving late to school, the following procedure is to be observed:
- The parent/guardian should call or email the school Attendance Secretary each day of absence by 8:30 a.m. The reason for the absence, late arrival, or early dismissal must be included in the voice mail or email.
- Upon returning to school, if an email was not sent, the student has two school days to present a parent note to the Attendance Secretary with the following information; failure to do so will result in an Unexcused Absence and assigned detention.
- Name of Student
- Date(s) of Absence
- Reason for Absence
- Signature of Parent/Guardian
- For early dismissals, a note is required in advance of the dismissal time in order for the student to leave school property. Parents picking up children must sign students out in the Main Office. If student drivers are to transport themselves, specific permission to do so must be granted by the parent in writing.
- Any student arriving to school after 10:30 a.m. is not permitted to participate in any after school events that day. Pennsylvania School Law states that “excused” absences (including partial day/lateness) include ONLY the following:
- Doctor/dentist appointments
- School scheduled educational trips
- Authorized school activities
- Illness
Tardiness
From Student Handbook, page 31:
Tardiness is lateness due to negligence. Students should not be admitted late to homeroom without a pass. Verbal warnings may be given the first and second times a student is tardy. The third tardy and all subsequent negligence of this nature for the year will result in the student being assigned to detention. If a student is tardy more than ten times during the school year, tardiness becomes a major infraction and will result in four days’ detention for each subsequent day of lateness.
College Visits
From Student Handbook, page 31:
Any student wishing to visit a college must submit a note from a parent requesting a visit to the college two days in advance. The student will then receive a college visit form from his or her Guidance Counselor. The Admissions Office of the college will verify the visit on the form. This form must be submitted upon return in order for the absence to be excused. Two college visits will be permitted per year. Students are required to obtain work in advance. Failure to follow this procedure will result in a “non-excused” absence and teachers will not be required to accept work. If the visit is two days or more, the student must obtain a trip form from the Studies Office.
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Students’ requests for courses were subject to approval by teachers. With few exceptions, these requests have been honored. Barring computer errors, we do not foresee a necessity to change rosters.
Any request for a course change must be accompanied by a written parental request, teacher approval (as originally needed), and a $25 Late Roster Change Fee. Since the Master Roster is built according to the original registration of students, we cannot guarantee admission to particular classes. For incoming new students, if an error has been made in placement, teachers will initiate the needed change and no fee will be assessed. Students requesting schedule changes must do so during the Add Drop period, which ends September 16, and no changes will be made after that date. Level changes, however, will be considered into the first quarter at the discretion of the subject teacher for any student who has been inaccurately placed in a course.
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York Catholic requires all families to use the Lunchtime program in order to purchase items from the school cafeteria. Through this system, parents are able to view what their students are purchasing in the cafeteria and their lunch account balances. The following policies are in place regarding Lunchtime Accounts and Balances. We encourage parents to sign up for email notification when their Lunchtime account balances are getting low.
- Parents may deposit money electronically into their child’s lunchtime account through their Focus account. Any deposit after 8 am will be credited to the account by the next business day.
- Checks and/or cash are not accepted in the cafeteria for food purchases during lunch periods. It is the responsibility of the student to submit a check (not cash) in a sealed envelope (clearly labeled with his/her name, grade, and student ID number) and place it in the Lunchtime box located in the cafeteria for the student’s account to be credited. The minimum check amount is $10. Funds may not be available for 24 hours.
- It is the student and parent’s responsibility to monitor the Lunchtime account online for balance information and retain a positive balance at all times.
- If a student has a lunchtime balance at $0.00 or below, they will only have the option to purchase a lunch consisting of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, fruit, and 8 oz. drink for $3.00.
- No refunds will be given during the school year. Seniors will be issued a refund on accounts with a balance of $5 or more after graduation unless they have a sibling enrolled at YC in which case the balance will be transferred to the sibling for the next school year. All underclassmen accounts will roll-over to the next school year.
- Report cards and Focus access will be held at the end of each quarter if Lunchtime balances are not current.
Families can now add money to student lunch accounts through their Focus account. The link for Lunchtime will appear in the left side navigation menu of the Focus parent portal.
There are also salads, cold sandwiches, snack items, drinks, etc.
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Middle School Religion Books |
Students in Grades 7 & 8 purchase textbooks for their Religion course. The texts will be used in class each day and then may be kept at the end of the year as a valuable reference for the future. Textbooks and fees are listed below. The cost of the textbooks will be charged to your Simple Tuition Solutions (STS) account on September 10.
7th Grade: $25
8th Grade: $6
The Religion Department looks forward to guiding students in their faith development.
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Gym uniforms are available for purchase through the online YC Spirit Store which can be accessed on the YC website or by clicking the button below. Sports apparel is also available through the same link. Families can select their garment of choice and add whichever sports logo they prefer!
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Tomorrow, September 2, is Spirit Shirt Friday. Students may wear their favorite YC spirit shirt in place of their uniform shirt. Students still must wear the standard uniform pants or skirt. Spirit Shirt Fridays require a $1 fee payable in homeroom to support Student Council activities for all students throughout the year.
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Class of '23 Senior T-shirts |
Class of 2023 t-shirts will be on sale September 5-9 and can be purchased by clicking the button below to enter the online YC Spirit Store or accessing the store on the YC website. T-shirts are $12 for short-sleeved and $16 for long-sleeved and all ordering must be completed by September 9.
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As seniors and juniors are planning their SAT testing dates, keep in mind that the SAT will be offered at York Catholic to current seniors on October 12 and current juniors on March 23. 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 September 12 (seniors) and February 13 (juniors). Cost for the exam is $60 and checks should be made out to York Catholic. Registration for this exam is non-refundable.
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Back-to-School Night for Parents |
We hope to see you at Back to School Night Thursday, September 8, at 6 PM. The evening begins with a welcome in the auditorium followed by parents having the opportunity to follow their child’s schedule to meet the teachers and learn about class expectations. We look forward to seeing all of our parents in attendance.
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The 7th & 8th Grade students and their families are invited to the Middle School Tailgate on Friday, September 16, from 5-6:30 PM on the front lawn. Pizza, party subs, water, and paper products will be provided. There is no charge for the Tailgate. Please sign up your family by clicking the button below by September 14. When RSVPing, please indicate the number of people who plan to eat, so the correct amount of pizza and subs can be ordered. After the tailgate, families can cheer the Irish football team onto victory vs. Bermudian Springs. Kickoff is 7 PM. Cost for the game is $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens, and $3 for students. YC students get in for free with their student pass.
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Middle School Play Auditions |
Auditions for the Middle School play, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” will be held September 12 from 3:30-4 PM and September 14 from 3-4 PM in the auditorium. No experience is needed. The performance will be on Friday, November 18. For more information, contact Rachel Shanko at rshanko@yorkcatholic.org.
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September 30-October 1
Theme Days (Middle & High School student event)
Rules for Dress Down as listed in the handbook apply for this week. Students are encouraged to dress according to the following themes on the specified days:
Monday – Circus Class Colors
12 - pink
11 - red
10 - orange
9 - blue
8 - yellow
7 - green
Tuesday – Team Tuesday
Wednesday – Heroes vs. Villains
Thursday – Flannel vs. Tie-dye
Friday – Green and Gold Friday
Tours/Football Game/Alumni Band & Cheerleaders
Celebrate York Catholic’s annual Homecoming Friday, September 30! We will have an Alumni Table located by the school main entrance bus circle where we will be giving school tours from 5:30-6:30 PM. Join us for the football game versus Delone at 7 PM.
Marching Band Alumni bring your instruments and sit with the Band during this year’s Homecoming game! If you are planning on playing with the band, email cmezza@yorkcatholic.org and she will have music ready for you. If you would like your music in advance, please state that in your email along with your mailing address.
Calling all YC Cheerleader Alumni...Cheer and dance during the 3rd and 4th quarters. If you are interested in participating, please contact Heather Hoffman at hhoffman@yorkcatholic.org.
Homecoming Dance (High School student-only event)
The Homecoming Dance will be held on Saturday, October 1, from 7-10 PM in the gymnasium. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $10 per student and will be on sale September 19-23 from 7:45-8:15 AM and 3-3:15 PM in the cafeteria. The Expectations Agreement is required by all students who wish to attend the dance. Any student wishing to bring a guest to the dance must also submit a Guest Permission Form. Parents and students please know the guidelines will be strictly enforced. The most recent trend of formal dress includes two-piece dresses that slightly expose the midriff. Please know that an exposed midriff at any point throughout the evening will not be permitted and the student will be required to change into something acceptable. Click the button below for the required forms. Any questions, please contact Megan Wertz at mwertz@yorkcatholic.org.
Alumni Social
The Alumni Association will be hosting a Homecoming Alumni Social on Saturday, October 1, from 6-9 PM at Central Market for ages 21+ with food from Mezzogiorno Chef Tim Spangler ‘81. The cost to attend is free with one piece of fun YC memorabilia to share. Dig out those class rings, varsity pins, district medals, band awards, pictures, trophies. We want to see what made you YC HAPPY! (memorabilia is not required for admittance). Please RSVP to alumniassociation@yorkcatholic.org for our food planning. We can’t wait to see everyone on October 1!
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Student Passes
All York Catholic students are admitted free to all home sporting events when they present their student ID at the ticket counter. Until 2022-23 student IDs are available, students should use last year's IDs. Students new to YC will be given their temporary student IDs at orientation. Students arriving at the athletic ticket counter without their student ID will be required to pay admission.
Family Passes
Parents, family members, and fans can purchase an All-Year Sports Pass. Click the button below for the form.
Go IRISH!
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If you can’t attend our sporting events this season, you can catch all of the action on our livestreams for events at the stadium and in the gymnasium.
Stadium:
Gymnasium:
Away Games:
If you forget to bookmark these links, they can be found on the YC website in the Athletics section on the Fan & Spectator Guide page.
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If you know a friend, family member, or anyone looking for a high-quality, Christ-centered education for their children who do not already attend a Catholic school, you could receive a $250 credit toward your child's tuition at York Catholic.
York Catholic's Parent Referral Program is a win-win for everyone involved. Referred students receive an outstanding education from York Catholic, while parents of the referred families get peace of mind knowing their child is gaining so much more than just a top-notch education. Families who refer someone who registers at York Catholic receive a $250 credit towards their child's tuition.
You, as parents, are our best ambassadors. In order for the Parent Referral Program to be a success, we need information about individuals who may be interested in joining the York Catholic family. All you need to do is click below to fill out the form. If the family you refer attends York Catholic through their first semester, your family's tuition will be credited $250, spread into 4 credits applied to the months of February, March, April, and May.
It really is that simple. So go ahead. Please click on the box below and allow us the opportunity to do what we love -- help to develop, nurture, and encourage children so they may grow in faith, mind, and heart. Mail or email the form to us and we will take it from there!
The Parent Referral Program is open to all parents of current York Catholic students. The tuition credit is not available for referring your own children. The $250 credit is only good toward tuition on a student's account; no cash is given, and it is non-transferrable. A referred student applies only to a new student from a non-partner school.
Thank you for all you do for our school!
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All skill levels are welcome at the York Catholic Golf Tournament on Monday, September 26, at the Out Door Country Club. Check-in starts at 8:30 AM with a Shotgun Start at 9 AM. Click the button below to register by September 2. Sponsorship opportunities are also available to get your business recognized. For more information about the tournament, contact Laurie Moir at lmoir@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x322.
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$250,000 in Matching Funds Available...We Need Your Support!
We have received a $250,000 anonymous matching grant representing 25% per dollar to help York Catholic meet the final $1 million of our Capital Campaign. In order to secure these funds we need your support by December 2022! There are many ways you can give to the campaign including a one-time gift or a pledge over multiple years. There is also the opportunity for several naming opportunities, including the Rosary Walk and bleachers, to recognize the generosity of donors. More information can be found by clicking the button below.
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Another great opening to a school year is in the books! This year was especially exciting because we revealed the newly renovated York Catholic Middle School, ready just in time for the 22-23 school year. If you have not yet seen the updates, check out our Facebook page to see the incredible transformation.
While the renovations (and air conditioning!) are much needed, York Catholic has always continued to offer our students a competitive, top notch education. It is through our donors' generous support that we are able to provide competitive academics, enriching music, arts and athletic extracurricular programs, professional development for teachers, and essential technology.
It is our hope that you will continue to support our current students in their journey, as a York Catholic education continues to be the best option in the York area. Through the York Catholic Fund, we welcome unrestricted gifts, which are critically important as they address the financial gap between tuition dollars and the actual cost per student. Additionally, unrestricted gifts provide operating budget support, tuition assistance, and extracurricular support. Every gift, whatever the amount, is greatly valued by York Catholic!
Please click the button below to use our online donation page.
Thank you for supporting our students!
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Those Box Tops are Valuable! |
Please check your boxed and canned goods for the Box Tops for Education logos.
If your box top is marked with the logo to the left, please cut it out and send it to school.
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If it is labeled with the box top logo to the right, please scan your receipt.
Click the button below for more information and to download the Box Tops for Education app to scan your receipt. Be sure to select York Catholic High School as your school of choice.
Box Tops for Education is the major fundraiser for Middle School Student Council and Middle School activities. You don't have to buy anything or sell anything! Please try to join forces with friends, family, and neighbors to collect or scan as many box tops as possible.
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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 2022, you can find your PA tax liability on Form PA-40 Line 12 of your 2021 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, please follow these steps:
The last day to apply for 2022 is September 30, 2022, however, the available funds may run out prior to that date, so it's recommended to apply as soon as possible.
For more information about this easy tax donation, please contact Katie Seufert, York Catholic Principal, at kseufert@yorkcatholic.org.
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Futures Games - Fall
Partner school students in grades 1-6 are invited to Futures Games at York Catholic! Come out and be part of the team as you cheer for your future school! Spend time with the varsity players and coaches, listen to coach’s pregame instruction, participate in team prayer, sit together to cheer on the team, and pose with the team for a picture. No registration necessary
Boys Soccer – Sep 14 at 6:30 PM. Arrive by 5:45 PM (stadium) - NEW DATE!
Girls Soccer – Sep 15 at 6:30 PM. Arrive by 5:45 PM (stadium)
Girls Volleyball – Sep 20 at 7:00 PM. Arrive by 6:30 PM (gymnasium)
Football – Oct 7 at 7:00 PM. Arrive by 6:15 PM (stadium)
Cheerleading – Oct 7 at 7:00 PM. Arrive by 6:45 PM (stadium)
Marching Band – Oct 7 at 7:00 PM. Arrive by 5:30 PM (band room)
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Futures Cheer Clinic
YC’s Varsity Cheerleaders will be hosting a Futures Cheer Clinic for students in grades K-6 on Saturday, September 17, from 9 AM-12 PM in the gymnasium with a showcase of what was learned performed from 11:45 AM-noon. Participants will learn cheers, chants, and a dance. K-6 cheerleaders who participate will get an opportunity to join the varsity squad on the sidelines at the YC football game on October 7. Cost for one child is $25, two children are $35, and three children are $45. Registration and payment are due by September 14. For more information, contact Heather Hoffman at hhoffman@yorkcatholic.org.
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Futures Mini Band Camp
York Catholic is hosting a Futures Marching Band Camp on Saturday, September 10, from 8 AM-2 PM for any 4th, 5th, or 6th grade student who has played a band instrument for at least a year or who would be interested in color guard. Students will have the opportunity to play level-appropriate Marching Band music, as well as learn basic drill techniques, and basic color guard techniques with a little fun thrown in. A mini-show for parents will take place at 1:45 PM. Lunch, snack, flipbook, lyre, and music will be provided. Cost is $25 per child. Please bring a refillable water bottle, comfortable sneakers, bug spray, sunscreen, hat, and wear comfortable clothing. Please register by September 8 by contacting Cecelia Mezza at cmezza@yorkcatholic.org. Any 6th grade band student who attends a parochial school is welcome to play with the York Catholic Marching Band in the stands at the October 7 football game. You do not need to attend the mini camp in order to play with us. Please email Ms. Mezza at the above address if you are interested. Report time is at 5:45 PM in the YC Band Room. Students can leave at halftime or stay for the full game.
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Thank you to the Senior High School Student Council for organizing the Back-to-School Bash for our Middle School & High School students. Along with all of the games and activities, the senior sports captains led the students in a Rosary Rally to begin the new school year.
Don't miss what's going on at YC! Follow us in social media.
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Previous issues of York Catholic's Irish Eye e-newsletter can be found on the YC website at www.yorkcatholic.org. Go to Parents & Students - News & Announcements and click on the link in the right sidebar under Additional Resources.
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York Catholic Middle & High School
601 E Springettsbury Ave, York PA 17403
717-846-8871
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