Congratulations to Tyler Spangler who was recently admitted into Mensa. Mensa is a group of high intelligence members who range in age from 2 to 106 and include engineers, homemakers, teachers, actors, athletes, students, and CEOs. To qualify for Mensa, members scored in the top 2 percent of the general population on an accepted standardized intelligence test. Tyler has been taking college courses during his time at York Catholic and will graduate a year early. He has been accepted to Temple University and will study at their campus located in Tokyo, Japan. Congratulations Tyler!

Congratulations to all of our students who achieved Honor Roll for the 2nd Marking Period.

School is dismissing at 11:30 AM on Friday, February 16, for a Faculty In-Service, and is closed Monday, February 17, in observance of Presidents Day.

Please share this information with a friend or neighbor!



Open House - TONIGHT!

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!

It’s time to celebrate York Catholic at the Green & Gold Gala! You are invited to join us for a festive evening of dinner, drinks, silent and live auctions, camaraderie, and fun. mark your calendars for Friday, April 19, from 5:30-10 PM at the Country Club of York. Tickets are $150 per person. Gather your friends and enjoy a fun night out! This event is for ages 21+. Click below to make your reservation now! The deadline is April 5.  

Class Baskets

One of the highlights of this special event is our silent auction. Our planning committee is actively coordinating gift baskets from parents of each grade but we need your help. Please consider donating a monetary gift to go toward the creation of a basket for your child's class to be auctioned off at the event. Checks should be made payable to York Catholic and dropped off at the school by Monday, March 25. If you have any questions, please contact Laurie Moir at lmoir@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x1322.



Get your business noticed! Sponsorships are available for this event. For details, contact Dave Salter, Director of Development, at dsalter@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x1325.

All proceeds raised from the Green & Gold Gala will benefit our York Catholic Fund, enabling us to invest in tuition assistance for those in need, a vibrant curriculum, technology upgrades, the arts and athletics, resources for our valued teachers, and the beautification and safety of our school.

Thank you for your support this school year as we continue to offer the finest Catholic education in the area. As we transition to planning for 2024-2025, we ask that you please read the following information thoroughly as it contains important information regarding course selection, Family Customized Tuition, and re-enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year. Links to important documents are included at the end of this article.

Course Selection

Parent Information

Please take the time to review our course catalog and grade-level course registration materials for next school year. These resources will assist as you engage in conversation with your student at home regarding their schedule options for next school year. Both resources are linked below and are also posted on the YC website at www.yorkcatholic.org in the Parents & Students section under Re-enrollment. We will continue our partnership with several colleges and elective high school entities, to include Alvernia University for College in the Classroom credit, Dual Enrollment at three local York County colleges for credit, the York County School of Technology flex program for grades 11 & 12, and the Virtual High School for elective opportunities.

After reviewing the information, please feel free to contact Mrs. Kathy Hand, Director of Studies, with any further questions you may have. She can be reached at khand@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x1313.

Student Process 

Middle School

Mrs. Kathy Hand, Director of Studies, and the Guidance Department will visit Middle School classrooms in early February regarding the course selection process for next school year. Middle School students will bring home a list of courses for the 2024-2025 school year to share with you. As part of the pre-course selection process, please review that list with them, provide the necessary parent signature, and have your student return the course selection form. Signed Middle School forms are due to homeroom teachers by Friday, February 2. Middle School students will register for courses online during Theology class in mid-February.

High School

High School students should be talking with their subject level teachers regarding appropriate course selection and level (CP, H, or AP) for 2024-2025. Students currently in grades 9 through 11 have access to the online course selection portal in FOCUS now. This will remain open until February 23. During this time, students should select their courses, and appropriate levels based on teacher recommendations, for next school year. The Studies Office will provide students with printed course selection summary forms on March 6; forms with a parent’s signature are due back to homeroom teachers by Friday, March 15.

Re-enrollment

New this year – we have transitioned to online re-enrollment through Simple Tuition Solutions (STS)! Instead of a paper form you have completed in previous years, you will now be re-enrolling online. Since this is our first year of using this convenient process, you will be asked for more information to establish your profile than in previous years. The online re-enrollment process is easy and won’t take more than a few minutes to complete. Your patience is appreciated as we roll out this new online enrollment process. Please share your feedback with us so we can monitor and adjust.

To re-enroll your child for the 2024-25 school year, please click the button below to be directed to our new online re-enrollment portal. We are offering a discounted early re-enrollment fee of $250 per student if paid by February 15, 2024. After February 15, 2024, the regular re-enrollment fee of $300 will be in place, with an increase to $350 after April 12, 2024. 

Please click the button below to log into your Simple Tuition Solutions (STS) portal and complete the Re-enrollment section. Please note: This must be completed on a PC or laptop; this cannot be completed using a mobile device.

To prepare for this process, be sure to have the following items ready:

• Student's Physician Name and Phone Number
• Student's Medications
• Credit card (fee) or checking account number (no fee)

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/

Students may pay $1 to wear blue or gold shirts tomorrow, Friday, February 9, in support of the Four Diamonds fight against pediatric cancer. Blue is the official color of the Four Diamonds and yellow is the color recognized to support cancer patients. Students should pay their $1 in homeroom on Friday. Uniform pants, skirts, or skorts must be worn.

Father Rettig will celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass for our students and staff on Wednesday, February 14, at 10:20 AM as we begin the Lenten season.

The 7th grade class will be enjoying a Retreat Day on Thursday, February 22. The day will be led by the NET Ministries Team based in St. Paul, MN.  

Host Families Needed

We will need host families to house and feed same-gender pairs of the NET Team for one night on Wednesday, February 21. It is a wonderful chance to get to know some faithful young Catholics in their year of service to the Church and its youth! 

Here's what would be needed:

• Host two missionaries in your home.
• Missionaries will stay overnight in your home on Wednesday, February 21. They bring their own sleeping bags and toiletries, so no spare beds are required.
• Provide dinner and breakfast for them.
• Drive them to York Catholic the morning of Thursday, February 22, to arrive by 8:15 AM.

For more information on hosting, please contact Mr. Paul Miller at pmiller@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x1341 as soon as possible.

The state of Pennsylvania requires all students entering 11th grade to get a health physical before the start of the 2024-25 school year.  Now is the time to schedule the appointment with your child’s physician as some offices do not have availability until 2-3 months from now.  Students who do not have a physical on file at York Catholic by August 1 will not be permitted to start the school year.  Please schedule your child’s appointment now.

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.

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.

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 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. 

Enjoy the musical talents of York Catholic students at the spring musical performances of “Footloose: The Musical.” Show times are Friday, March 1, at 7 PM; Saturday, March 2, at 7 PM; and Sunday, March 3, at 2 PM. Adults $12; Students (age 5-18) $10. All seats are General Admission. Tickets can be purchased at the door the night of the show or pre-purchased by clicking below.

To sign-up to volunteer at the performances for concessions and ticket sales or to donate to our concession stands needs, please click the button below

Congratulations to 8th graders Amelia Dobson (bass clarinet & clarinet) and Parker Kovach (trumpet) and 7th grader Zoe Santillo (violin) who auditioned and were selected for the York Junior Symphony Orchestra. They will be performing Sunday, March 10, at 3 PM at Dallastown Intermediate School.

The following list includes potential post-season dates that our teams may be in play. Add the dates to your calendar so you can come out to support the Fighting Irish. We will update game times, locations, opponents, and ticket information on our website as the information is determined.

Boys Basketball

Districts - 2/20, 2/23, 2/28, 3rd place 2/26

States - TBA - tentatively 3/9, 3/13, 3/16, 3/19, 3/23

Girls Basketball 

YAIAA County Tournament Quarterfinals

February 9

6 PM

vs. South Western

at West York High School

All tickets will be sold at the site; no advance sales; no online sales.

Admission Price is $6 per person.

Gates will open at 5 PM.

If YC wins, they will play 2/13 at 6 PM at Red Lion vs. winner of Suburban/Central

If YC wins 2/13, they will play in the YAIAA County Championship 2/15 at 7 PM at Red Lion

Districts - 2/19, 2/22, 2/28, 3rd place 2/27

States - TBA - tentatively 3/8, 3/12, 3/15, 3/18, 3/21

Swimming

Districts - 3/1 and 3/2 at Cumberland Valley High School

States - 3/13, 3/14, 3/15, 3/16 at Bucknell University

Bowling

Districts - 2/24

Regionals - 3/1 (Individual), 3/2 (Team) 

States - 3/15 (Individual), 3/16 (Team)

Wrestling

Sectionals - 2/17 South Western

Districts - 2/23 Spring Grove

States - TBA

Boys & Girls Tennis Open Court sessions will be held at Wisehaven from 3:30-5 PM on February 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.

Online Sports Forms  

Students who played on a York Catholic Fall 2023 or Winter 2023-24 sports team:

You will be receiving an email the week of February 19 with a link to complete the required recertification forms through ArbiterSports/FamilyID.com. You do not need to complete anything until you receive that email.  

Students who did not play on a York Catholic Fall 2023 or Winter 2023-24 sports team:

Parents of athletes who wish to play a spring sport and did not participate in a fall or winter sport must complete the required online forms at ArbiterSports/FamilyID.com. Parents who set-up a FamilyID account last year should continue to use the same ID and password to access your account. To set-up a new account, please click here for the instructions. https://yorkcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ArbiterLive-FamilyID-Overview-2022-23.pdf

Students wishing to participate in spring athletics during the 2023-24 school year must have their required forms filed online at ArbiterSports/FamilyID no later than Wednesday, February 28, at 3 PM; no exceptions.

Students wishing to play a spring sport MUST verify the forms and ImPACT test are on file with Mr. Cross at jcross@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x1330 no later than Wednesday, February 28, at 3 PM.

Failure to complete the online forms by the deadline will mean the student will not be permitted to practice the first day of the season. For some sports, this could mean the student will not make the team.  

If you need technical assistance with ArbiterSports/FamilyID, contact support@arbitersports.com

or 1-800-311-4060. Support is available 5 days per week, Monday through Friday, and messages will be returned promptly.

Physicals

Students who played on a York Catholic Fall 2023 or Winter 2023-24 sports team:

You will be receiving an email the week of February 19  with a link to complete the required recertification forms through ArbiterSports/FamilyID.com. You do not need to complete anything until you receive that email.  

Students who did not play on a York Catholic Fall 2023 or Winter 2023-24 sports team:

Student-athletes are reminded that a physical is required prior to the start of the sports season. Please be sure to complete the medical information online at www.familyID.com before arriving at your doctor's appointment and only print the 2 sections indicated (sections 5 & 6) for the doctor to review and complete. PLEASE NOTE: in addition to completing Section 5 online, you will also need to complete the form that prints. The information saved in the computer does not print on the form. All physicals must be dated AFTER June 1, 2023. Co-payments apply. Physicals must be completed and uploaded to www.familyID.com no later than Wednesday, February 28, at 3 PM. If you have any questions, please contact Josh Cross at jcross@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x1330.   

Practices Begin

All spring sports teams will begin practices Monday, March 4. For exact practice times, contact the head coach or Josh Cross at jcross@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x1330.

Spring Athlete Functional Movement Assessments

Any student who is planning on playing a spring sport can participate in an optional movement assessment Thursday, February 29, from 6-8 PM in the YC gymnasium conducted by WellSpan Sports Medicine. These assessments study an individual athlete’s unique body mechanics to help identify their risk for injury. Then, Cassidy Mohar, YC’s licensed Athletic Trainer from WellSpan Sports Medicine, will work closely with the athlete to create and implement an individualized, activity-specific exercise program that will help build a solid foundation and reduce the risk of injury. Spring student-athletes should sign-up for a time by clicking the button below.

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.