Please click below to carefully review the Diocese of Harrisburg/York Catholic Middle & High School COVID-19 Health & Safety Plan 2021-22. 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. Any changes will be communicated through the weekly Irish Eye e-newsletter.
Virtual Learning Update
Thank you for your understanding as we conducted virtual distance learning this week. With the anticipated snow tomorrow, Friday, January 7, York Catholic will remain as planned, operating a virtual Zoom instruction day beginning at 8:29 AM with no delay or cancellation. Students will be expected to log in to their Zoom classes at the beginning of each period. Teachers will be taking attendance each period as usual. We intend to return to in-person learning beginning Monday, January 10.
Testing Positive for COVID-19
Please be reminded, if a student or school employee tests positive for COVID-19, the family or individual is obligated to inform the school for the health and safety of the entire school community. This applies even when we are not in person or in session. Please email the school nurse at sdeluca@yorkcatholic.org.
Additional Source of Safety
During the Christmas break, in addition to thoroughly cleaning the building, Bipolar Ionization units were installed on all of our new air conditioning units located in the classrooms, hallways, science labs, lobby, chapel, guidance center, and media center. We were able to purchase these units because of the benefit of a health and safety grant we received.
Here are just a few of the benefits of Bipolar Ionization:
- Reduced dust and mold particles. Bipolar ions that bond with contaminants gain size and mass and drop to the floor, or return to the filter, making them easily cleaned from the air we breathe.
- Reduced odors. Bipolar ions break down odors at their source and eliminate them instead of cover them up.
- Reduced VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Bipolar ions break down toxic gasses and compounds from dangerous chemicals such as cleaning products, pesticides, paints, solvents, mold, mildew, and more.
- Reduced bacteria and viruses. Because bipolar ions negatively affect the DNA of bacteria and viruses, the users of the space will have additional protection from illness and disease.
- Reduced static electricity. Bipolar ionization naturally neutralizes the air, eliminating static charges.
- A safe, natural and environmentally friendly process. The patented bipolar ionization technology uses no chemicals, heavy metals or mercury, and produces no harmful by-products such as ozone or ultraviolet light.
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YC Christmas Cash Calendar Winners |
Congratulations to our final YC Christmas Cash winner:
December 31: $500 - Alli Stover #1469
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The in-person Christmas Concert rescheduled for this Thursday, January 6, has now been canceled. Instead, the students will be recording their songs when they return to school and will present a virtual Christmas Concert at a date to be announced.
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As students came into school to pick-up books this week, we noticed haircuts didn’t make it to the holiday To Do list. Boys are reminded of the regulations for haircuts.
- hair cannot reach over the eyebrows, ears, or back of collar
- no extreme haircuts or fads (it is at the discretion of Administration on what is considered an extreme haircut or fad)
- sideburns cannot reach below the ear lobes
- no shaven configurations/ridgelines in hair
- no unnatural hair colors, including bleaching/frosting, in males
We have been gracious with warnings, but when we return to school, detentions will be issued for non-compliance. Don’t forget to schedule your appointment now.
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Director of Admissions
York Catholic is seeking a qualified professional to recruit potential students and coordinate the admissions and enrollment process to grow the York Catholic family. Candidates should have excellent communications skills with both students and parents. Experience coordinating events is a plus as there are numerous admissions events throughout the year. Candidate will also oversee the Student Ambassadors program. Requirements: Bachelor Degree; state and federal clearances; proficient in computer skills and Google suite. Preferred Qualifications: Experience in Middle and/or High School admissions and enrollment. Please send resume, Diocesan non-teaching application, a copy of state and federal clearances, and letter of interest to Principal Katie Seufert.
Substitute Teachers
York Catholic is seeking substitute teachers as needed throughout the school year. Requirements: Bachelor Degree; state and federal clearances. Preferred Qualifications: Education degree and Certification and teaching experience in the classroom. Please send resume, certification, Diocesan application, a copy of state and federal clearances, and letter of interest to Administrative Assistant Sheila Gick.
High School Softball Head Coach
Middle School Volleyball Head Coach
Middle School Cross Country Head Coach
Candidates for all positions will be responsible for administrative duties including team registration, equipment and uniform inventory, scouting assignments, injury reports, and score reporting. The candidates will also establish team guidelines and practice schedules, coordinate team and parent meetings, and regularly communicate with players and their parents. Head coaches must attend all meetings in compliance with the PIAA and YAIAA. Please send Diocesan application for non-teaching employment, resume, a copy of state and federal clearances, and letter of interest to Athletic Director Kevin Bankos.
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Mid-Term Exam & Bus Schedules |
Mid-term examinations for grades 9-12 are scheduled for Wednesday, January 12, Thursday, January 13, and Friday, January 14. Middle School students will report to school all three days for regularly scheduled classes.
As a reminder, no trips will be approved during mid-term exams (Student Handbook/Agenda pg. 31). Students will not be permitted to take a make-up exam due to a trip.
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 exam schedule is as follows:
Time Schedule
8:15 AM - report to homeroom
8:40-9:40 AM - Exam 1
9:55-10:55 AM - Exam 2
11:00 AM - dismissal
11:10-12:10 PM - Conflict Exam
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January 12
Exam 1: English
Exam 2: Foreign Language
Exam 3: Conflict Exams
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January 13
Exam 1: Math
Exam 2: Social Studies
Exam 3: Conflict Exams
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January 14
Exam 1: Religion
Exam 2: Science
Exam 3: Conflict Exams
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Please note this special dismissal schedule:
High School - High School students will dismiss at 11 AM each day. 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 3 PM on January 12 and 13, and at 11 AM on January 14.
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School districts have been notified of the 11 AM and 3 PM dismissal times. At this time, Dover and West York will only be picking up at 3 PM. Please make arrangements for alternate pick-up plans if your district’s bus is not operating at your dismissal time. |
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Middle School STAR Assessments |
Next Wednesday, January 12, and Thursday, January 13, students in 7th and 8th grade will take the STAR Reading and STAR Math tests for their grade level. We are asking you to reinforce the importance of taking these tests seriously and doing their best work. Students should be well rested and have a substantial breakfast before coming to school on these days to promote optimal performance. These tests are used to guide instruction for the year and assist with placement. Below is a parent Q & A with further information regarding the tests.
What is STAR testing?
STAR assessments are computer-adaptive tests, meaning they continually adjust the difficulty of each child’s test by choosing each test question based on the child’s previous response. As a result educators receive accurate, reliable, and valid data quickly so they can make good decisions about instruction and intervention. Your child will take STAR Reading on Wednesday and STAR Math on Thursday. Both tests include skills-based test items, learning progressions for instructional planning, and in-depth reports, therefore bridging testing and instruction.
How can I help my child prepare for a STAR assessment?
The teacher who gives the test uses pre-test instructions to explain the test to your child. It is important for you to encourage your child to try to do his or her best on the assessment. Since STAR is a general measure of student ability in math or reading, students perform best on the assessment in the same way they perform best in school—when they have had plenty of rest, attend school regularly, and have eaten.
If you have any questions regarding the STAR Assessment, please contact Mrs. Kathy Hand at khand@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x313.
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Middle School Geography Bee |
Numerous Middle School students volunteered to participate in the annual Middle School Geography Bee scheduled for Friday, January 14, 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.
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Middle School Math Counts |
Good luck to our mathletes competing in the Math Counts competition versus other York County middle schools this Saturday, January 8, at Central York Middle School. This year’s team members include 8th graders Giovanni Caputo, Kara Dobe, McKaylee Jufer, John Kellett, John Mullen, and 7th graders Ellis Alas, Matteo Caputo, Patrick Koury, Ruth Motter, Anthony Zelis. The top 8 finishers will compete February 19 versus York and Lancaster middle schools at Millersville University.
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York Catholic is offering an SAT Math Prep course for Junior students interested in getting in some extra practice before taking the actual exam. The course will run four Saturday mornings from 9-11:15 AM in classroom 207 with Mrs. Christine Staats (Jan 22, 29, Feb 5, 12, snow makeup day is Feb 26). Cost is $200 and includes the cost of the Kaplan book. Space is limited so do not delay in submitting your registration before January 7. Checks made payable to York Catholic and permission forms should be returned to Mrs. Hand in the main office.
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Nominate Your Favorite Teacher |
The Diocese of Harrisburg is now accepting nominations from students and families to honor teachers and principals with the Golden Apple Award. Eligibility requirements can be found under the “Golden Apple Award” heading on the Schools page of the diocesan website at hbgdiocese.org. Click the button below to complete the online nomination form by January 10.
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Host Families Needed for 1 Night |
The 7th grade class will be enjoying a Retreat Day on Thursday, February 17. The day will be led by the NET Ministries Team based in St. Paul, MN.
We will need host families to house and feed same-gender pairs of the NET Team for one night on Wednesday, February 16. It is a wonderful chance to get to know some faithful young Catholics in their year of service to the Church and it’s youth! For more information on hosting, please contact Mr. Paul Miller at pmiller@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x341 as soon as possible.
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YC will be collecting “Pennies for Life” to support the Women's Care Center in York on Wednesday, January 19. This is an initiative of the Harrisburg Diocese to commemorate the anniversary of Roe v. Wade by supporting the work of local pregnancy centers. 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.
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Seniors wishing to purchase graduation announcements can place their order online with Herff Jones now through January 15 by clicking the button below. 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, click here for more information or contact Sheila Gick at sgick@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x317.
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York Catholic’s Blood Drive is being held on Wednesday, January 26, from 11 AM-4 PM. Please contact Sarah DeLuca to schedule your time at sdeluca@yorkcatholic.org.
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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
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The York Catholic Boys & Girls Cross Country Teams were awarded the YAIAA Division III Sportsmanship Award. Congratulations! |
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The SportsLeader program, which has primarily been devoted to virtue formation through athletics, has created an expanded model to serve an entire school, parish, and/or community. This new program has a new yet familiar name: Virtue=Strength. This program is an enhancement to the SportsLeader program, yet separate as it is designed to be used by teachers and staff across the entire student body.
Click below for the Virtue=Strength parent newsletter that helps reinforce virtue formation at home.
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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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Even though the 2022 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. Please do not send any money to school with your student. Balfour handles the order taking and payments allowing the yearbook advisor and staff additional time to produce the best yearbook ever. All orders are taken by phone by calling the Balfour ordering line at 1-800-944-5930 or by ordering online by clicking the button below.
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It's hard to believe that 2021 is over and 2022 is here! As we begin this new year, we reflect back on all that has occurred over the past twelve months and the incredible York Catholic family, which continues to grow larger and stronger each year.
It is because of our generous YC family that we were able to continue to offer our students a top-notch education during these unprecedented times. Our donors, families, and sponsors are who allow YC to continue to focus on what is most important -- our students.
So, we ask for your continued support in 2022. Each and every dollar truly counts as we continue to provide competitive academics, enriching music, arts and athletic extracurricular programs, professional development for teachers, and essential technology.
Please use the return envelope included in your December issue of Greensleeves or click the button below to use our online donation page.
Thank you for supporting our students!
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Students in grades K-6 are invited to Futures Night at the York Catholic basketball games!
Future girls’ basketball players are invited Friday, January 14, when the YC girls’ team takes on Fairfield.
Future boys’ basketball players and cheerleaders are invited Saturday, February 5, when the YC boys’ team takes on Hanover.
The JV games start at 6 PM followed by the Varsity games. Futures will participate in the pre-game prayer and huddle, sit behind the bench for the game, and become part of the welcome tunnel before the game. Wear your uniform shirt for free admittance to the games. Come out and cheer your future school onto victory!
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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 YCHS. The exceptions to this are Southern and Southeastern. These students follow York Catholic’s delay and closing schedule. |
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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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