This week, we bid farewell to Mr. Patrick Gill, Theology Teacher and Spiritual Life Coordinator, who has resigned from his positions. The following faculty members have assumed his responsibilities for the remainder of the school year.

• English 9 Honors (1st Period) - Mrs. Kathy Hand, Director of Studies & English Teacher
• English 9 CP (4th Period) - Mrs. Jill Euclide, English Department Chair
• English 9 CP (8th Period) - Dr. Erin Frick, English Teacher
• Spiritual Life - Mr. Paul Miller, Director of Faculty & Theology Teacher

We thank Mr. Gill for his time here at York Catholic and wish him well on his new venture.

Both the Middle School and the High School will dismiss at 11 AM Friday, January 12.

School is closed Monday, January 15, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  

The final day of Mid-term examinations for grades 9-12 is scheduled for Friday, January 12. Middle School students will report to school for regularly scheduled classes.

Students who take more than one class in a major subject area will take the second conflict exam during the conflict time slot on the day of their scheduled exam. The high school exam schedule is as follows:

8:15 AM - report to homeroom

8:40-9:40 AM - Exam 1 - Math

9:55-10:55 AM - Exam 2 - Social Studies

11:00 AM - dismissal for high school & middle school

11:10 AM-12:10 PM - Conflict Exam

Early Dismissal

High School - High School students will dismiss at 11 AM on January 12. Students testing in the AAC may be dismissed at a later time according to documented learning needs. All students are required to leave the building at the conclusion of exams unless staying for a supervised activity.  

Middle School - Middle School students will dismiss at 11 AM on January 12. 

School districts have been notified of the 11 AM dismissal time. Please check with your bus driver to see if your bus will be operating at the 11 AM dismissal time and plan to make arrangements for alternate pick-up plans if it is not.

Once teachers have graded the mid-term exams, viewing mid-term grades in Focus is slightly different than the process used to view class grades. Parents and students wishing to view their mid-term exam grades in Focus should follow these steps:



• Log into the parent or student portal
• If there are multiple students in your family, click on student's name
• Click on "Grades" in the menu on the left
• Click the box next to "Show Exams" 
• Click on "View Detailed Report" (located next to the "Update" button)
• Select "Semester 1 Exams" from the top menu

Numerous Middle School students volunteered to participate in the annual Middle School Geography Bee scheduled for Friday, January 12, at 8:30 AM.  The 7th & 8th grade attends the event which quizzes students on their general knowledge of United States and world geography.  Questions start off as multiple choice, but as the Bee progresses, students must come up with the answer.  Each round of questions has a topic, like U.S. cities or geographical terms.  At the end of the preliminary rounds, the top 10 scores move on to the final round.  At this level, students are eliminated after they get 2 wrong answers, until we are down to 2 final contestants.  The final round questions are written and each contestant answers the same question.  The winner represents YC at the Diocesan Bee in Harrisburg and takes a written test to qualify for the State Bee.

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
• High School Boys Lacrosse Head Coach
• High School Boys Lacrosse Assistant/JV Coach
• 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/

Parents of Graduating Seniors: In your January 2024 tuition statement you will find an additional graduation fee charge.  In order to assist with the expenses associated with all of the planned activities surrounding Graduation, there is a nominal fee of $70.00 for each senior.  This fee includes a cap and gown, diploma, professional 5” x 7” photo of your graduate on stage during the conferral of his/her diploma, and Senior Breakfast expenses. Thank you in advance for your attention to these first steps toward the important celebration of your child’s years of success at York Catholic.

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.

York Catholic is offering an SAT Math Prep course for juniors interested in getting extra practice before taking the actual exam. The course will run four Saturday mornings from 9-11:15 AM in York Catholic classrooms, and will be team-taught by members of the Math Department. Class dates are as follows: January 20, 27, February 3, 10. If snow causes cancellation of any of the classes, the make-up date is February 17. Cost is $200 per student and includes the cost of the Kaplan book. Registration forms and a check made to York Catholic should be turned into Mrs. Hand in the main office by Friday, January 12.  

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. 

YC will be collecting “Pennies for Life” to support the Women's Care Center in York on Wednesday, January 17. Your donations will educate people on pro-life issues and counsel post-abortive women and men. Participants are asked to donate $1 for each year of their life in thanksgiving to God for the life He has given them, and to “give life” to another person. A baby bottle container will be placed in homerooms. Please give generously to the Pennies for Life.

York Catholic’s Blood Drive is being held on Wednesday, January 24, from 11 AM-4 PM.  Please contact our school nurse Mrs. Tiffany Brocius at tbrocius@yorkcatholic.org to schedule your blood donation time.  

Even though the 2024 color yearbooks are not distributed until May, NOW is the time to place your order for a book. Extra yearbooks are not available in May. Only what is ordered is delivered to YC for distribution. All orders are taken by phone by calling the Balfour ordering line at 1-800-944-5930 or by visiting https://www.balfour.com/pennsylvania/york/york-catholic-high-school

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.

Please be reminded of our Formal Dress Code Agreement in preparation for Prom shopping.  

For Young Women:

Gowns may not:

• Be shorter than two inches above the knee
• Be extremely low cut front or back
• Have slits higher than the knee
• Have bare midriffs or cut outs
• Have transparent or translucent material
• Have nude or flesh-tone colored material as a primary or secondary base color

For Young Men:

• Must wear a suit or sport coat, dress shirt, and tie
• Must wear dress shoes (sneakers are not permitted)
• May not wear earrings
• Must be clean shaven

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. 

Congratulations to senior Ethan Andrews (trumpet) and junior Ashton Bruno (1st chair baritone) for auditioning and being selected for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 7 District Band being held January 12-13 at Ephrata High School. The public concert is Saturday, January 13, at 2 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.

Our musical costume crew is seeking parent helpers for this year's production of "Footloose."  There are 2 ways you can help:  you can come to the YC auditorium on Saturdays in January and February, or you can pick up sewing assignments and complete them on your own time. We also need helpers who don't necessarily have sewing skills to label racks, iron and steam clothes, measure fabric, set up racks, sew buttons, hand sew, etc.  If you can help, contact Mrs. Dawn Oswald at doswald@yorkcatholic.org.

Parents of music and choral students are welcome to attend the York Catholic Music Association meeting on Tuesday, January 16, at 8 PM.  The meetings usually last approximately one hour and everyone’s input and feedback are welcomed and appreciated. Your help in planning and implementing the efforts of the YCMA are critical. 

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).

Calling all aspiring athletes! Have you ever wanted to try a new and exciting sport? Perhaps you've seen lacrosse being played and wondered what it's all about. Well, wonder no more! We're thrilled to announce the York Catholic Intro to Lacrosse Clinic being held Thursday, January 18, from 3:30-5:30 PM at the YC stadium. The clinic is designed for beginners of all ages and skill levels; boys and girls.

In this fun and relaxed environment, you'll learn the essential skills of lacrosse:



• Catching: Master the art of cradling and securing the ball in your stick.
• Throwing: Develop your throwing accuracy and power to connect with teammates.
• Shooting: Learn the proper technique to send the ball flying towards the goal.

No registration required.

For more information, contact Coach Jim Mullen at jmullen@yorkcatholic.org

Next week is Sports Officials Appreciation Week! Please extend a “thank you” to all of our athletic officials for their dedication to our students. Visit piaa.org to find out you can become an official too! 

The Knights of Columbus Free Throw Challenge will be held Saturday, January 13, at St. Joseph York gymnasium.  Registration begins at 1 PM and the competition begins at 2 PM.  All boys and girls ages 9-14 may participate.  Winners will move on to the district competition.

Volunteers are needed for this event.  Students needing service hours can request to do so.  Duties could include measuring and adjusting six basketball hoops, setting up tables and chairs for the event, lining the floor, organizing the student scoring sheets as they report by age, inflating basketballs, assisting with scoring and rebounding during the event, or taking pictures of the competition. Text or email Chairman Kelly Brown at 717-668-0509 or kbbrown79@hotmail.com.  

Students in grades K-6 are invited to Futures Night at the York Catholic on Friday, January 12, when the YC boys’ basketball team takes on York Tech. The JV game starts at 6 PM followed by the Varsity game. Futures will participate in the pre-game prayer and huddle, and become part of the welcome tunnel. Students should wear their uniform shirt for free admittance and must be accompanied by an adult.  Students will receive a free hotdog, drink, and snack courtesy of Cross Country Mortgage.

Come out and cheer your future school onto victory! 

Join us at our York Partner Schools’ Celebration Mass on Saturday, January 20, at 4 PM in the YC auditorium. Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Timothy Senior with partner students participating as lectors, cantors, servers, and greeters. Attendance at this Mass fulfills the Sunday obligation. 

Following Mass, we will move to the gym for the Battle of the Buildings at 6 PM. This is a friendly inter-partner school competition of “minute-to-win-it” games where the teachers are the competitors and the families are the fans. The York Catholic Music Association will have food and beverages available for purchase including pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken nuggets, chili, macaroni & cheese, hot pretzels, chips, candy, baked goods, soda, and water. 

As part of the Partner Schools’ Service Project, each school is collecting non-perishable food items at their school location to benefit the Catholic Harvest Food Pantry and the Southern York Food Pantry. The top three schools with the most donations will earn points for their team! The pantries are specifically looking to replenish the following items:

• ramen noodles
• tuna
• rice
• pasta
• canned goods
• soap
• no water bottles please 

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.