Principal's Newsletter - October 22, 2021

February 19, 2021

A MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL BAGDASARIAN

This year, York High School is partnering with Equal Opportunity Schools, a non-profit education organization, to examine and develop the learning culture within our schools and to develop strategies to increase participation in challenging high school coursework among traditionally underrepresented students. To support these goals, we will be encouraging all students to participate in a brief survey in the coming weeks during physical education/health class. Survey questions will address students’ views on their coursework, their school experience, and ways in which our school supports their educational goals. Results will be used to inform and improve academic support for students now and in the years to come and will provide a guide for future class selection and programming.

The survey link will be provided to your student via Google classroom, and it is accessible on any chromebook device. The survey is easy to navigate, and your student does not have to take the survey in one sitting. The survey allows students to start the survey and finish it --if necessary --later. We really want to hear your student’s feedback!

Thank you for your support with this important endeavor. We foresee only positive benefits for your student(s) and are excited to gather data that will enable us to better prepare all students to succeed. Area school districts such as Glenbard Township High School District 87, Barrington School District 220, Indian Prairie School District 204 (Naperville), Township High School 211 and Township HS District 214 have seen tremendous growth in their student achievement as a result of this partnership.

If you have any questions or concerns about the survey, or the partnership in general, please do not hesitate to contact me at sbagdasarian@elmhurst205.org.

Again, I hope you will encourage your child to take the survey. It will make a difference for all of our students!

Best regards,

Dr. Shahe Bagdasarian

Important Dates

October 27: Student late arrival day 9:25

November 3: Student late arrival day 9:25

November 4: York Distinguished Alumni

November 9: NHS Induction

November 10: Student late arrival day 9:25

November 17: Student late arrival day 9:25

November 24-26: Thanksgiving Break

OCTOBER STUDENT OF THE MONTH RECIPIENTS

Congratulations to our October Student of the Month Recipients:

Visual Arts...Olivia Gold

Business and Technology...John Frahm

Mathematics...Ian Szetela

PE/Health/Driver Ed...Thomas Veach

English...John Zitek

EL...Yoselin Lopez Lopez

Science...Stella Bilder

Industrial Technology...Aleksander Boskovic

Family and Consumer Science...Emma Brown

Performing Arts...Megan Doan

World Language...Caroline Dorion

York Athletics...Kacper Janowski

Social Studies...Lauren Moore

York Activities...Tala Eisouh

York Student Services...Tyler Skwarczek

Congratulations to these amazing students!

Live Theater Returns!

Last weekend York Drama returned to the stage for a live performance after two years. The performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time took place under a tent last weekend and was a tremendous performance by our students and staff. We are so thankful of all their hard work and dedication to pull off such a successful experience for everyone who attended. We are excited for the rest of the drama season which will include our winter show in February and spring musical in April.

FINAL EXAMS

Last school year taught us a variety of lessons about the nature of assessments and how to best measure learning. By eliminating Final Exams last year, we were able to focus our efforts at the end of the semester in making sure that students had the opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of the skills. In lieu of traditional Final Exams, we will be offering Relearning & Redevelopment days on December 21st & 22nd. We will have an alternate schedule that allows extended class periods to provide time to work with teachers at the end of the semester. Students with a grade of A going into the end of the semester will be excused from their class. Students with a grade of B or C will have the option of going to class (in coordination with the teacher). Any student earning a grade of D or F will be required to attend.

Certain courses, such as ACP, dual credit and certification courses may require a final exam. Exceptions will be made for those courses that still require a final based exam on these special circumstances. Note that teachers may assign a project that culminates the experience that students have had throughout the semester. When these exceptions are made, we will no longer use a separate category for finals but rather weigh it similar to summative assessments given throughout the semester.

Many high schools have moved into a similar model which mirrors what many universities have done. Our focus remains on student learning and time spent to administer traditional final exams should be used to reinforce, reteach and remediate any skills or topics that are essential for future success in high school courses.

ACADEMIC SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS

York High School is proud to offer a variety of academic supports throughout the day. We are committed to providing students the help that they need so that they have equal opportunities to be academically successful. Some of these programs include:

Peer Tutoring
Homework Club
Saturday Academy with Free Tutoring by York Teachers

And more!

You can see all of our academic supports here.

STAFFULTY OF THE MONTH

We are pleased to announce that our Staffulty of the Month for October are Katie Turnbull, Gaby Vazquez and Kristina Fitzgerald.

These three teachers make up our Academic Lit and English 9 co-taught team. These classes are aimed at closing the opportunity gap by supporting struggling readers. Gaby, Katie and Kristina have done a tremendous job building up these students' reading skills and confidence as they navigate their freshman year. They have also begun to develop literacy interventions that will assist these students in their academic needs. We are so proud of the hard work, dedication and effort that these three teachers have shown this year and are thankful for everything that they do each day for our school!

YEARBOOK RETAKES

Senior Walk in dates

November 18 - During the lunch periods.

Any senior who would like to schedule a studio session should reach out to Stuart Rogers Photography at info@srphoto.com or 847-864-7322.

YORK MUSIC BOOSTERS FUNDRAISER

YMB proudly supports students in band, orchestra, choir, dance, and music production. You can help this organization provide music camp scholarships and student grants, support the York Album Project, fund special guest speakers, and more by participating in these October fundraisers:

GREENS SALE, now through 10/28: Participating band, orchestra and choir students are selling beautiful holiday wreaths and centerpieces delivered just in time for Thanksgiving. Students earn escrow money from their sales that they can use for future school-sponsored trips. More info.

PANERA EAT-n-EARN, 10/29, 4-8pm: When you enjoy dinner at Panera on October 29, a portion of your order total will be donated to YMB. See flyer for more details.

ATHLETIC UPDATES

Girls’ Tennis

York won the IHSA Sectional at Leyden. All four events (both singles and both doubles) qualified for State. Congratulations to Elizabeth Isyanov, Amelia Karr, Elizabeth Duhig, Keira Polach, Isabella Bjerkan, Lindsey White. Best wishes at State this week!

Girls’ Cross Country

The Dukes finished in 1st at the WSC Championship Meet at Lyons Township on Saturday, October 16th. Bria Bennis, Katelyn Winton, Katherine Klimek, Brooke Berger, Michaela Quinn, Maggie Owens and Allison Fitzgibbons are Back to Back WSC Champions! The girls’ will compete at the IHSA Regional on Saturday, October 23rd at Proviso West. Race time is 10:00 am.

Boys’ Cross Country

Jeff Luka and Garrett Schwan both finished in the top 16 at the WSC Championships Meet at Lyons Township. The Boys’ will compete at the IHSA Regional on Saturday, October 23rd at Proviso West. Race time is 11:00 am.

Football

Varsity 7-1 Week 8 win over Willowbrook 14-10

JV 5-1 Week 8 win over Hinsdale Central 21-6

Sophomore: 8-0 Week 8 win over Willowbrook 42-13

Freshmen A 6-1-1 Week 8 win over Willowbrook 35-13

Freshmen B 4-2 Week 8 win over Willowbrook 28-14

Freshman A and B will play Oak Park River Forest on Thursday, October 21st in theri last games of the season. Freshmen B at 5:00 pm an dFreshman A at 7:00 pm. The York Athletic Department would like to recognize Coach Phil Urbanski for his 32 years of service (30 years as a multiple sport coach) during his tenure at York. Coach Urbanski is retiring after this year. He has influenced the lives of so many students and he will be greatly missed.

York Football Alumni Night is Friday, October 22nd vs. Oak Park- River Forest. All football alums should report to the tent on the north end of the field prior to halftime. There is no sophomore game on Friday, 10/22. Varsity only at 7:00 pm. Sophomores will play St. Patrick on Saturday 10/23 at 10:00 am at York.

Boys’ Soccer

Dukes won their last conference game with a 2-1 win over Downers Grove North on 10/12 to finish with a 16-2 overall record. York will play Conant on Tuesday, October 19th at the Glenbard North Regional 5:00 pm.

York Student-Athlete of the Month for October is Kacper Janowski!

Kacper has had a wonderful month of September helping the Boys Varsity Soccer team to a record of 7-1. Kacper is a captain both on and off the field, helping to keep the team organized and focused at all times. His dominating and physical style of play sets the tone for the entire team and his effort both on and off the ball is easily noticeable to any fan watching in the stands. Kacper will continue to be a critical part of the team as they push forward in the IHSA State playoffs!

Girls’ Swim and Dive

The Dukes won their last home WSC dual vs. Downers Grove North on 10/7. The girls’ are preparing for the WSC Championship Meet at York on Friday, October 22nd. Diving is at Hinsdale Central on Thursday, October 21st at 5:00 pm.

Girls’ Volleyball

Freshman B team finished in 2nd place at the York Invite on 10/9. Varsity has matches this week vs. Oak Park River Forest and Loyola Academy. The Dukes will play in the Willowbrook Regional on Tuesday, October 26th at 6:30 pm.

National Letter of IntentSigning Day

The York Athletic Office is planning to recognize any senior student-athlete that is signing or committing to participate in collegiate athletics next year. We will have a recognition on Wednesday, November 10th at 3:30 pm in the York Commons.

UPCOMING EVENTS

On October 6th, York High School was presented with our Earth Flag that we earned through the various activities that we participate in each and every year. We were presented with the flag by members of the DuPage County Board and SCARCE Representatives. York is proud of the accomplishments of its students and staff in their efforts of protecting the environment. We have three opportunities coming up that our school and community can be a part of. Please follow the links below to learn more.

The DEA Drug Take-Back day - October 23rd

Pumpkin Smash 2021 - Saturday, November 6th 9: am to 12:00pm

Elmhurst Public Works

985 s. Riverside

The Trex Challenge - Starting Mid November