Deserving Dukes Get MOD Pizza!

The Deserving Dukes program has been in full force for several weeks, and hundreds of students have already been recognized for their contributions to our York community!

Thanks to MOD Pizza, the Deserving Dukes program has been able to add an extra special prize for the rest of the semester. In order to show its support of York's Deserving Dukes, MOD Pizza in Elmhurst has provided the program with MOD Pizza boxes containing a lanyard, sticker, and certificate for a free pizza. Several of each week's Deserving Dukes will be randomly selected to receive a MOD Pizza prize in addition to their award.

A special thanks to MOD Pizza Elmhurst, and congratulations to our Deserving Dukes and all of our students who demonstrate excellent citizenship throughout the year!

Sophomore Benjamin Airdo was one of 5 Deserving Dukes to receive a MOD Pizza prize on Friday.

Chris Herren Comes to Elmhurst - Nov. 29 & 30

I wanted to take the opportunity to share some very important information that is published on our website about Chris Herren's visit to York High School and District 205. Please see below. The Elmhurst Commission on Youth, along with the District 205 PTA Council and D205 Foundation, welcome former NBA player Chris Herren to a community event on Tuesday, November 29, beginning at 7 PM in the York High School Campbell (Green & White) Gym. Mr. Herren will share his story of overcoming drug addiction and finding the strength to define himself as a sober man. He has spoken to students and parents across the nation about healthy, real-life strategies for handling the pressures faced by today’s teenagers. To conclude the event, Mr. Herren will field questions from the audience. Following the presentation, Mr. Herren will greet anyone interested in speaking with him. The event will not be videotaped. District 205 middle schools have committed to making this a "homework free" night, so that students and their parents can attend this special presentation. Organizations providing informational tables that evening are Rosecrance, Linden Oaks - Elmhurst and Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital. Additional sponsors of the event include Kickoff for Kids, Straight Ahead Network, L. W. Reedy Real Estate and the York, Bryan, Churchville and Sandburg PTAs. Chris Herren will also present to all York High School students in a first period assembly the following morning, November 30, where he will again emphasize the importance of being yourself and not using unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Joe Newton Celebration - November 6th

Please join us!
Coach Newton Retirement Celebration
Sunday, November 6th
York High School
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Social  1:00 p.m. Presentation in the Joe Newton Field House

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Comes To York

We are pleased to announce that York High School will be offering the opportunity to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test on Saturday, November 5th from 7:45-11:00 AM; this optional exam is the most widely-used multiple choice aptitude test battery in the world, measuring development abilities and helping predict future academic and occupational success.  

The ASVAB Career Exploration Program is a comprehensive program that is offered at no cost, with NO COMMITMENT to the armed forces, and is designed to help young people align their strengths and interests with career planning.  The program explores the following areas: General Science, Word Knowledge, Mathematics, Mechanical comprehension, Arithmetic reasoning, Paragraph comprehension, Electronic information, Assembling objects, and Shop information. 

The exam results will be mailed directly to students and to York High School, and a follow up career workshop will be offered on a future date following the test administration.  To register for this optional exam, please click on this link to complete the registration form.

8th Grade Activity Night

We wanted to remind all our parents and students that York’s 8^th Grade Activity night is tonight from 7:30pm-8:45pm.  We will be holding two sessions that parents and students will rotate through: a presentation on the Course Selection Recommendation process in the Green & White gym, and the Activity Fair in the fieldhouse.  Each session will run for approximately 30 minutes.  We will be starting promptly at 7:30pm, so please plan accordingly. 

We look forward to seeing you all tonight.  Go Dukes…and Go Cubs!

Thanks,

Mr. McGuire and Mr. Doherty

Focus 205 Reminder

On Monday, October 24, Focus 205 group meetings will be held at each of our three middle schools: Bryan, Churchville and Sandburg - from 7 to 8:30 PM. Parents of elementary and high school students are encouraged to attend their child's "feeder" middle school; parents of middle school students are invited to attend their child’s current school. Community members are also invited to participate. These meetings will involve a short formal presentation on what the future ready classroom looks like, as well as an overview of the educational alignment study conducted by architects Wight & Company last spring. This will be followed by asking for reaction from attendees to some related questions. There will be a moderator and a note taker to record comments. This feedback will help shape the Monday, December 5, Focus 205 Community Engagement Session #6 at York High School. Please join the conversation!

Elmhurst Public Library Programs

The Elmhurst Public Library now has the computer programming language True BASIC installed on four computers in the Teen Space on the 2nd floor, as well as in the Kids' Library on the 1st floor. They'll soon have Geometer's Sketchpad available also. These programs are used by many York math classes, so having them available will be a help to our students. Thanks to the Library for arranging this service!

Women in STEM

I sit on the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools (NCSSS) of which York High School is now an associate member.  Much of the research surrounding STEM in comprehensive high schools compel schools to engage students in rigorous, relevant, and real-world experiences.  This article is an interesting read as we grapple to find ways to not only provide STEM experiences but to engage young women in the field.  These conversations on a building and district level are becoming much more robust.  One of our school-wise goals for the 2016-2017 school year is as follows:


There will be an increase in students accessing college level experiences, career programs, internships, and / courses at York that will prepare them for life beyond graduation.

 I've also posted this article on Twitter.  For cutting edge research about STEM, please follow the National Consortium @NCSSSMST and at NCSSS.org


http://m.thebatt.com/science-technology/number-of-women-in-stem-increases/article_98cbb2de-8e8e-11e6-943b-27753a9833d5.html?mode=jqm

October 19th Testing--No Late Arrival, No Seniors in Attendance, Early Dismissal

We just wanted to remind you that on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, York Community High School will be administering a standardized assessment to all Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors from the PSAT suite of assessments published by the College Board. The tests have been paid for through the District,​ and nothing additional needs to be completed in order to register your child. October 19th is a half day for students, but it is NOT a late arrival day​. We will begin testing at 7:40 am, and students at all three grade levels, as well as students at the District 205 Transition Center will be dismissed at the conclusion of their exam at approximately 11:30.​ Since Seniors have a non attendance day, w​e encourage seniors to spend this day visiting a college, university, or other post secondary program. All bus routes will run at normal times in the morning, and will depart from York at 11:45 following the exams. A late bus will be available at 1:30 for students using extended time, and another late bus will leave York at 6:15 after athletic practices; however, please note that there will NOT be a 4:30 bus on the 19th. Breakfast will be available for purchase before school, but there will be no lunch service on this testing day. Students have received an email with their individual testing room assignment for the day and instructions regarding what to bring to the test (i.e. number 2 pencils, calculator, snack etc.). Please help your student keep an eye out for this email and ask your student if they know their testing room assignment.

FOCUS GROUPS AT ALL MIDDLE SCHOOLS OCTOBER 24th

On Monday, October 24, Focus 205 focus group meetings will be held at each of our three middle schools: Bryan, Churchville, and Sandburg from 7 to 8:30 PM. Parents of elementary and high school students are encouraged to attend their child's middle school; parents of middle school students are invited to attend their child’s current school. Community members are also invited to participate.

These meetings will involve a short formal presentation on what the future ready classroom looks like, as well as an overview of the educational alignment study conducted by architects Wight & Company last spring. This will be followed by asking for reaction from attendees to some related questions. There will be a moderator and a note-taker to record comments. This feedback will help shape the Monday, December 5, Focus 205 Community Engagement Session #6 at York High School. Please join the conversation and spread the word!

8th Grade Activity Night on 10/25/16

Dear Eighth Graders and Parents/Guardians of Eighth Graders,

On behalf of the staff and students of York Community High School, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all incoming eighth graders, the York High School Class of 2021! The last year of middle school is an exciting time for eighth grade students and their families as you complete one phase of schooling and begin the next!

Academic success in high school is greatly influenced by your placement in courses that are sufficiently challenging and appropriate to your academic needs and personal interests. Middle and high school teachers, along with curriculum administrators, have worked together to develop course selection criteria for each subject. There are a number of factors that will help us determine the most appropriate course selection for each student, including middle school scores on the PSAT 8/9 test and feedback from your middle school.

It is critical that students and parents have a clear understanding of the format and expectations for each of the assessments that contribute to course selection recommendations. In order to promote a shared understanding of this process, the middle school principals and I invite you to join us for a presentation at York on Tuesday, October 25th at 7:30 p.m. This is the same evening that we will hold the Eighth Grade Activity Fair, which provides an opportunity for students and parents to learn more about the wide variety of clubs, sports, and student organizations at York. 

Due to the large number of students and parents expected that evening, we will divide you into two groups. Families of students whose last names begin with A-L should attend the Informational Meeting at 7:3​0 p.m. in the Campbell Gym; families of students whose last names begin with M-Z should attend the Activity Fair in the field house at 7:30 p.m. Families will rotate to their other session, which will begin 8​:1​0 p.m. this will allow students and parents to attend both activities and conclude at approximately 8:45​p.m.

In addition to these large group meetings designed to highlight Activities and the York course selection process, we will have a smaller meeting conducted in Spanish that is designed to answer specific questions for those who feel more comfortable in this setting.  One of our English Language Learner instructors, Mr. Lorenzo Rubio, will host this meeting in the Yorker Room (C115) from 7:3​0 until 8:30.  The Yorker Room is located in the hall between the Field House and the Dick Campbell Gym.  As you are passing between the Course Selection Presentation and the Activity Fair, please stop in if you have questions.

We look forward to meeting with all of you on October 25th.

Sincerely,

Erin DeLuga
​Principal

*************************************************************

Estimados Padres o Guardias de Estudiantes en Octavo Grado:

De parte del personal y de los estudiantes de La Secundaria York, me gustaría extender un cordial saludo a todos los estudiantes en el octavo grado, la clase del 2021! El octavo grado es un momento emocionante para los estudiantes y sus familias, como termina una fase escolar y comienzan los preparativos para empezar la secundaria.

El éxito académico en la secundaria es muy influenciado por su colocación en los cursos que son lo suficientemente desafiante y adecuados en sus necesidades académicas y sus intereses personales. Los maestros de la escuela intermedia y la secundaria, con los administradores del plan de estudios, han trabajado juntos para desarrollar criterios de selección de cursos para cada tema. Hay una serie de factores que nos ayudarán a determinar la selección más adecuada para cada estudiante, incluyendo las calificaciones de escuela intermedia en la prueba PSAT 8/9 y información de sus escuelas intermedias.

Es fundamental que los estudiantes y los padres tengan un entendimiento claro del formato y las expectativas para cada una de las evaluaciones que contribuyen a las recomendaciones de selección de cursos. Con el fin de promover una comprensión común de este proceso, los directores de escuelas intermedias y yo, los invito a unirse con nosotros para una presentación en la Secundaria York el martes, 25 de octubre a las 7:30pm. Esta es la misma noche que vamos a tener la Noche de Actividad para Estudiantes en Octavo Grado que le dará una oportunidad a usted y al estudiante aprender más sobre la gran variedad de clubes, deportes, y organizaciones estudiantiles en York.

Debido a la cantidad de alumnos y padres de familia que esperamos esta noche, los dividimos en dos grupos. Las familias de los alumnos con apellidos que comienzan con A-L deben asistir a la reunión informativa a las 7:30 pm en el Gimnasio Campbell. Las familias de los alumnos con apellidos que comienzan con M-Z deben asistir a la Feria de Actividades a las 7:30 pm. Tendremos una segunda sesión para cada sesión a las 8:10pm, lo que permitirá a los estudiantes y padres de familia a asistir a ambas actividades y terminar aproximadamente a las 8:45 pm.

Además de tener estas reuniones de grupos grandes diseñados para mostrarle las actividades y el proceso de colocación en York, también vamos a tener una reunión más pequeña en español diseñada para responder a las preguntas específicas para los que se sienten más cómodos en este idioma. Uno de los maestros que tenemos en ELL (Aprendizaje del Idioma de Ingles), el Sr. Lorenzo Rubio, estará en esta reunión en el salón Yorker (C115) de 7:30pm a 8:30pm. El salón Yorker se encuentra en el pasillo entre la Casa de Campo (Field House) y el Gimnasio Dick Campbell. Mientras pasa de la Presentación sobre Colocación y la Feria de Actividad, por favor pase si tiene preguntas.

Esperamos verlos a todos el 25 de octubre

Sinceramente,

Erin DeLuga
Directora

Preparing for the PSAT

I am so proud of our department chairs and literacy coaches; therefore, I wanted to take a brief moment in praise of collaboration.

When I received the PSAT Student Guides, I met with Heather Saylor, our Guidance Department Chair, to talk about the quickest and best way to get the books into the hands of each and every junior and senior.  We spoke with the department chairs, and they not only agreed on a way to distribute the books, they collaborated on a way to make sure that all students became more familiar with the test.

Kevin Poduska (English), Mike DiNovo (Social Studies), Kirsten Mahoney (Science), and Sue Brown (Math) met about how to incorporate time for practice without taking away from instruction, breaking the test into parts and agreeing that today would be the day to work with the kids on the PSAT.  Jill Mueller (Special Education) reached out to make sure that we had copies for our Academic Essentials instructors, and Jessica Nall (ELL and WL) assured that our ELL Intermediate and Advanced students could also use the student guides for practice.

After deciding on the plan, our Literacy Team--Elizabeth Foran and Kristina Fitzgerald--stepped in, creating a short video for our students with strategies for the Reading Test.  It gives crucial reminders about how to tackle this challenging portion of the test: start by scanning the test first to understand the type of passage; continue by reading the questions to set a purpose for reading; finally reading the passage with the questions in mind.

I'm honored to help lead such a great team who is focused on making sure all of our students have every opportunity to succeed.  If your student would like additional practice for the PSAT, please visit www.collegeboard.org

Go Dukes!