The scores of the national Advanced Placement (AP) exams for high school students are in and York Catholic students have again excelled.

Advanced Placement (AP) courses offer high school students college level rigor with AP students dedicating long hours of study that begin during the summer months and end in May with a national exam.  AP courses are offered through College Board and graded on a scale of 1-5 with one the lowest grade possible and five the highest grade possible.  Many colleges and universities accept a score of three or higher for college credit, a motivating factor for the students enrolled.

York Catholic Advanced Placement students took a total of 64 AP exams last May in the following subjects: English Literature, U.S. Government and Politics, U.S. History, Calculus AB and BC, Chemistry, and 2D Art and Design, achieving a 94% pass rate of a 3 or higher. Of the students who took the exams, 38% scored a 5 and 36% scored a 4.

AP Scholars with Distinction are students who earn scores of 3 or higher on five or more AP exams. The following graduates from the class of 2024 have been recognized as AP Scholars with Distinction: Ethan Andrews and Miranda Kovach.

AP Scholars with Honor are students who earn scores of 3 or higher on four AP exams. The following graduates from the class of 2024 have been recognized as AP Scholars with Honor: Robert Gilbert, Chandler Miltsch, Allison Patera, Ashley Patterson, and Carina Roberts.

Back-to-School forms were due last week. If you haven’t already done so, please complete the forms now. It is critical that we have emergency information for your child on file.

York Catholic uses FamilyID.com for our online forms. If your family had a student at York Catholic last year, please continue to use that account information for your log-in and password. If you are new to YC, please create your online FamilyID account now. Complete details about setting up an account can be found by clicking the button below. 

Once your account is set-up, please click the button below to be directed to the online Back-to-School Packet for 2024-25. It should only take a few minutes to complete. 

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 Re-enrollment and Family Customized Tuition for the 2024-2025 school year. 

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. The re-enrollment fee is $350 per student. 

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)

If you completed these forms by the August 1 deadline, thank you! If you have not yet completed the forms, please do so now. 

Immunizations

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has established school immunization requirements for all students. The regulations are intended to ensure that children attending school in PA are adequately protected against potential outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. A child must have the required medically-appropriate vaccines or a plan to complete those vaccines or risk exclusion from school. 

Children in grades 7-12 need the following immunizations for attendance:

• 4 doses of tetanus * (1 dose on or after 4th birthday)
• 4 doses of diphtheria* (1 dose on or after 4th birthday)
• 4 doses of acellular pertussis* (1 dose on or after 4th birthday)
• 4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given)
• 2 doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (usually given as MMR)
• 3 doses of hepatitis B
• 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity
• 2 doses meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)
• 1st dose is given 11-15 years of age; a 2nd dose is required at age 16 or entry into 12th grade.
• If the dose was given at 16 years of age or older, only one dose is required.
• 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) – age 11 or older

* Usually given as DTaP or DTP or DT or Td

RETURNING STUDENTS

If you submitted doctor’s documentation of the administration of these vaccines previously to the York Catholic nurse, you do not need to repeat this step unless an additional booster or immunization is needed or has been given in the past year. 

• Students entering grades 10, 11, & 12 – please note the dose requirements for the MCV vaccine.
• If any of the required immunizations will not be given by August 1, 2024, please email the school nurse the dates the immunizations are scheduled to be given or have your child’s physician email or fax the date and time of your child’s appointment on your physician’s office letterhead.

NEW STUDENTS

All new students must submit doctor’s documentation of the dates the above doses were administered to the York Catholic nurse.

• If any of the required immunizations will not be given by August 1, 2024, please email the school nurse the dates the immunizations are scheduled to be given or have your child’s physician email or fax the date and time of your child’s appointment on your physician’s office letterhead.

Under Pennsylvania state law, students without the required immunizations or a plan with scheduled dates of administration on file, cannot be admitted to school.

Immunization documentation must be emailed to the school nurse or dropped off in the main office by August 1. 

Physicals for New Students & 11th Graders

The School Health Law of Pennsylvania requires that all children must have a medical examination upon entry into grade 11. A medical examination is also required for those children who have transferred to York Catholic into any grade. Incoming 7th grade students who attended partner schools (Holy Trinity, St. John's, St. Joseph's, or St. Rose) will have their physical information forwarded from their schools. Incoming 7th graders who did not attend one of the York partner schools will need to submit a physical form no later than August 1.

Please click the button below for the School Physical Form to be completed and signed by a private physician. Make your appointment NOW as most doctor’s offices have a 4-6 week back-up for appointment times. The athletic physical does NOT fulfill Pennsylvania’s School Physical requirement. Return the form to the school nurse no later than August 1.

Dental Exams for 7th Graders

The School Health Law of Pennsylvania requires that children receive a dental examination upon entry into grade 7. Please click the button below for the School Dental Form to be completed and signed by a private dentist. Make your appointment NOW as most dentist’s offices have a 4-6 week back-up for appointment times. Return the form to the school nurse no later than August 1.

Prescription Medication Authorization

If your child will need doses of prescription medication during the school day, please click on the button below to provide permission and details to the school nurse. This form requires a doctor's signature. Return the form to the school nurse no later than August 1.

Emergency Medication

If your child uses an inhaler or Epi-pen, please click on the button below to provide permission for your child to carry and administer these emergency medications and provide details to the school nurse. This form requires a doctor's signature. Return the form to the school nurse no later than August 1.  

We are receiving calls from the school districts asking for a final reminder to be sent to families. The school districts are finalizing bus stops and schedules and need you to let them know if you require their bus service for the upcoming school year.

If you have not already done so, please click the link below for your school district and complete the form immediately. Districts will not be able to guarantee bus service without receiving the form.

• Bus Transportation 2024-25: Central York
• Bus Transportation 2024-25: Dallastown
• Bus Transportation 2024-25: Dover
• Bus Transportation 2024-25: Eastern
• Bus Transportation 2024-25: Northeastern
• Bus Transportation 2024-25: Red Lion
• Bus Transportation 2024-25: Southeastern
• Bus Transportation 2024-25: Southern York
• Bus Transportation 2024-25: Spring Grove
• Bus Transportation 2024-25: West York
• Bus Transportation 2024-25: York Suburban

York Catholic Middle & High School uses FOCUS, an online student information system, that is the home for students’ class schedules, grades, and Lunchtime accounts. FOCUS is very easy to use and is an asset in keeping up-to-date with your child’s education and progress. For future convenience, the FOCUS logo is at the bottom of the home page of York Catholic’s website at yorkcatholic.org. Click on the logo to be directed to the FOCUS website. 

YC families and students who used FOCUS last year should use the same ID and password this school year.

Families new to YC will receive an email about creating a new account on Friday, August 9.  Students new to YC in grades 8-12 will receive their login information at orientation on August 8. 7th graders will receive their login information on the first day of school, August 21. 

York Catholic requires all families to use the Lunchtime program in order to purchase items from the school cafeteria. Through this system, parents are able to view what their students are purchasing in the cafeteria and their lunch account balances. The following policies are in place regarding Lunchtime Accounts and Balances. We encourage parents to sign up for email notification when their Lunchtime account balances are getting low.



• Parents may deposit money electronically into their child’s lunchtime account through their Focus account.  
• Checks and/or cash are not accepted in the cafeteria for food purchases during lunch periods. It is the responsibility of the student to submit a check or cash in a sealed envelope (clearly labeled with his/her name, grade, and student ID number) and place it in the Lunchtime box located in the cafeteria for the student’s account to be credited. The minimum check amount is $10. Funds may not be available for 24 hours.
• It is the student and parent’s responsibility to monitor the Lunchtime account online for balance information and retain a positive balance at all times.
• If a student has a lunchtime balance at $0.00 or below, they will only have the option to purchase a lunch consisting of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, fruit, and 8 oz. drink for $3.00.
• No refunds will be given during the school year. Seniors will be issued a refund on accounts with a balance of $5 or more after graduation unless they have a sibling enrolled at YC in which case the balance will be transferred to the sibling for the next school year. All underclassmen accounts will roll-over to the next school year.
• Report cards and Focus access will be held at the end of each quarter if Lunchtime balances are not current.

Families who are returning to YC this school year can use their same FOCUS ID and password they used last year. Families new to YC will receive their FOCUS account instructions via email August 9.

If you have any questions about FOCUS, please contact Deb Gingerich at dgingerich@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x1319.

York Catholic welcomes families new to the YC experience!  Join us at orientation!

New Parents (Grades 8-12) 

Thursday, August 8, from 6-7 PM

New Students (Grades 8-12) 

Thursday, August 8, from 6-7 PM

New Parents (Grade 7)

Thursday, August 8, from 7-8 PM

New Students (Grade 7)

Wednesday, August 21, from 8:15 AM-3 PM

Please click the button below to register.

Welcome to the 2024-25 School Year!

Grade 7: August 21

Grades 8-12: August 22

All Students: August 23

Students should arrive to homerooms by 8:15 AM in full uniform.  

Dismissal is at 3 PM.

Please note the following guidelines for YC school uniforms:

Items that will be retired after the 2024-2025 school year:

• White/blue polos with the old crest logo
• Blue/green sweaters with the old crest logo

Items that are NOT being retired:

• Khaki pants from Flynn O'Hara or Dennis
• Khaki shorts from Flynn O'Hara or Dennis
• Grey pants from Flynn O'Hara or Dennis
• Green/Plaid skirts from Flynn O'Hara or Dennis
• Khaki skorts from Flynn O'Hara or Dennis
• White/blue polos and blue/green sweaters with the new YC logo from Flynn O'Hara or Dennis

Please note the button down shirts do not need to be purchased through a uniform vendor. 

Dennis Uniforms can be ordered at dennisuniform.com. Purchase school uniforms now to make sure your student has everything he or she needs for the first day of school. Complete details can be found by clicking the buttons below.

Gym uniforms are available for purchase through the online YC Spirit Store which can be accessed on the YC website or by clicking the button below. Sports apparel is also available through the same link. Families can select their garment of choice and add whichever sports logo they prefer! 

Students’ requests for courses were subject to approval by teachers. With few exceptions, these requests have been honored. Barring computer errors, we do not foresee a necessity to change rosters. 

Schedules for incoming 7th graders will be mailed the week of August 5.

All other new students will receive their schedules at New Student Orientation on Thursday, August 8. 

Students in grades 8-12 will be able to access their schedules online through their Focus portal the week of August 5. 

Anyone with an outstanding balance will not have access to a schedule until their balance is paid. Any request for a course change must be accompanied by a written parental request, teacher approval (as originally needed), and a $25 Late Roster Change Fee. Since the Master Roster is built according to the original registration of students, we cannot guarantee admission to particular classes. For incoming new students, if an error has been made in placement, teachers will initiate the needed change and no fee will be assessed. Students requesting schedule changes must do so during the Add Drop period, which ends September 13, and no changes will be made after that date. Level changes, however, will be considered into the first quarter at the discretion of the subject teacher for any student who has been inaccurately placed in a course.

The Student Supply List is now available for the upcoming school year. It is posted on the website and can also be accessed by clicking the button below. The Middle School list is sorted by grade. The High School list is sorted by subject and teacher. Teacher assignments will be noted on student schedules. Some teachers will announce the supplies needed for their classes on the first day the class meets.  

Click the button below for the lists.

Students in Grades 7 & 8 purchase textbooks for their Theology course. The texts will be used in class each day and then may be kept at the end of the year as a valuable reference for the future. The cost of the textbook is $25 and will be charged to your Simple Tuition Solutions (STS) account on August 10.  The Theology Department looks forward to guiding students in their faith development.  

Students driving to school will need to register their vehicle with the school and will receive a parking pass. Please email Mrs. Laurie Moir at lmoir@yorkcatholic.org for the link to register your vehicle if you have not already done so.

All students should park in the main YC parking lot. The Ice Rink is available for overflow parking for senior students only. 



Seniors are reminded to only park in the green area noted in the photo.

The YC parking lot is lined with directional signs and slanted spaces. One-way traffic will be observed. The entrance to the lot is by the marquee and the exit is by the softball field (with the exception of deliveries and buses for athletics and band). Directional arrows show both ways, but please adhere to the one-way traffic pattern. Also, please use forward facing parking only; do not back into the spaces. The small parking area behind the auditorium and parking in the rear of the building are for staff only.

Parents picking up students at the end of the school day should use the main parking lot, not the bus circle (it is OK to use the bus circle for morning drop-off). Cars may not park in the street or stop at the walkway from the school to the parking lot. Cars must enter the parking lot and pull forward to the end along the front of the building to wait for your student. There will be 2 rows of one-way traffic. This will keep traffic congestion off of the street.

Please add the YC website to your Favorites and visit it often:  www.yorkcatholic.org.  York Catholic uses the YC website and emails as resources for information for our parents and students.  For the website, use the Parents & Students tab to access News & Announcements, Forms & Documents, and Resources throughout the year.  Be sure to check your email every Thursday for the “Irish Eye” e-newsletter that contains important information and reminders. If it’s not showing up in your Inbox, check your Spam folder and mark info@yorkcatholic.org as a safe sender and not spam.

The Student Handbook has been updated with the following policy changes:

• Page 13) The following offenses have been added to the list of Major infractions – sexting, cyberbullying, harassment.
• Page 13) The following offenses have been added to the list of Minor infractions – selling goods without permission, possession of heavily caffeinated beverages.
• Page 14) Lunch detention has been added.
• Page 18) Hair regulation has been clarified.
• Page 20) Casual Dress has been clarified.
• Page 22) No Smart watches are permitted during school hours.
• Page 31) Senior Privilege has been added. 

The Diocese of Harrisburg offers voluntary student accident insurance to school families.  Click the button below for details.

Reading

The summer reading recommended book list ensures there is a topic for everyone’s interests, and that the summer read is a positive experience and a fun adventure. Our English Department invested time developing reading lists per grade level, to include a few classics, nonfiction, realistic and historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and dystopia. Take time with your student(s) to peruse the list, making sure their book choice meets with your parental approval. A synopsis is included with each title to assist with selection. Students will be asked to respond to a written prompt referencing their title once they are back in the classroom in late August. Honors students will still be expected to complete assigned reading above and beyond what is asked otherwise; those assignments are listed as well. We wish your family a safe and fun-filled summer, and invite all of you to pick up one of the titles listed to enjoy on the beach, by the pool, on a long car ride, or in a shady chair in the backyard. Happy reading, everyone! Click the button below for the class reading lists.

Math

Keeping students' math skills strong during the summer months helps to avoid the "summer slide" and aids in less review time when school resumes. Students should complete the summer math work that corresponds with the class they will be entering in the fall. Assignments are due August 23. Click the button below for the assignments list.

As seniors and juniors are planning their SAT testing dates, keep in mind that the SAT will be offered at York Catholic to current seniors on October 9 and current juniors on March 24. 

This is a great opportunity for our students to take the test in a familiar testing environment without the stress of taking it at an area public school. 

Registration and payment for seniors are due to Mrs. Hand by September 11. Cost for the exam is $60 and checks should be made out to York Catholic. Registration for this exam is non-refundable. 

Registration information for juniors will be available in January.

Each year YC enters into a contract with a professional photographer for the senior pictures appearing in our yearbook. All senior yearbook photos must be taken by Legacy Studios. Pictures from any other photographer cannot be accepted for the yearbook.

Legacy photographers will be at York Catholic Wednesday, August 21, to take the picture of any senior who did not have their picture taken in June.

Please click the button below to schedule your appointment time.

Please arrive prior to your scheduled appointment so you are ready for your assigned time. 

Every senior must get their picture taken, however, seniors are under no obligation to purchase the photo. If desired, students can purchase yearbook photo packages from Legacy. Legacy contributes a portion of package purchases back to York Catholic.

Please observe the following guidelines regarding appearance for photos. All gentlemen must be clean shaven and wear a dress shirt, tie, and sport coat or suit jacket. Hair must be regulation length. No piercings are allowed. Ladies will be provided with a black shoulder drape for photos. Only necklaces and earrings are allowed for the yearbook picture of the young women. Hair must be of a natural color. No facial jewelry is permitted. Please reference pages 18-21 of the Student Handbook for further clarification.  

If you have any questions, please contact Legacy at 716-512-6336 or customercare@legacystudios.com.

York Catholic Middle & High School has the following employment opportunities available:  



• Science Teacher
• Math Teacher
• Substitute Teachers
• Cafeteria Aide
• Cafeteria Volunteers
• Marching Band Assistant Director
• High School Boys’ Volleyball Coach
• High School Boys’ Volleyball Assistant/JV Coach
• Middle School Girls’ Soccer Coach

Interested candidates can find details and application links at https://yorkcatholic.org/about/employment-opportunities/

We have the opportunity to have 2 German students join our YC family, a girl for semester 1 and a boy for the school year. If you are interested in becoming a host family for one of these students, please reach out to Ms. Heather Hoffman at hhoffman@yorkcatholic.org 717-846-8871 x1320.

We have a limited supply of extra 2023-24 yearbooks for sale in the main office. Cost is $65. Stop by the office Monday through Thursday from 8 AM-3 PM to purchase.

Marching Band apparel is available to purchase online now on the YC Spirit Store website. Click the button below to enter the store.

The YC Music Association is holding a Car Wash on Saturday, August 10, from 10 AM-1 PM at the York Catholic bus circle entrance. Come out and get an exterior car wash while supporting a good cause with your donation.

If you ordered a Chicken BBQ meal from the York Catholic Music Association, don’t forget to pick it up this Saturday, August 10, from 11 AM-1 PM at the high school. 

Yard signs to support your fall sports student-athlete or Marching Band musician are on sale now through August 16 through the YC Spirit Store.  The cost is $26 and can be ordered by clicking the button below.

Thursday, August 15, is the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Fr. Mark Weiss, Pastor at St. Joseph Parish Dallastown, will celebrate Mass for our fall teams at 12 noon. This Mass will fulfill the Holy Day of Obligation.

Fall Practices Open

Golf practice and varsity football heat acclimation practice began this week. All other Fall sports teams begin practice on Monday, August 12. For exact practice times, contact the head coach or Josh Cross at jcross@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x1330.

Sports Apparel

Fall sports apparel is now available to purchase online on the YC Spirit Store website. Click the button below to enter the store.

Don’t miss a minute of YC sports with an All-Year Sports Pass. Click the button below for the form. Go IRISH!

Please note: All YC students are admitted free with their student ID that they will receive the first day of school.

All skill levels are welcome at the York Catholic Golf Tournament on Monday, September 23, at Regents’ Glen Country Club. Check-in starts at 8:30 AM with a Shotgun Start at 9 AM. Click the button below to register by September 1. Sponsorship opportunities are also available to get your business recognized. Click the button below for more details and to register.  

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/2024/02/spe-flyer-and-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.

St. John the Baptist Catholic School

St. John the Baptist Catholic School has the following employment positions for the 2024-2025 school year: Part-Time Instructional Support Teacher, Part-Time Elementary Gym Teacher, Extended Care Assistant, and Substitute Teachers. Interested individuals may send cover letters and resumes to Mrs. Michelle Williams, Principal at mwilliams@sjbnf.org and complete an online application at https://www.stjnschool.org/jobs. 

St. Joseph School

St. Joseph School has the following employment positions for the 2024-2025 school year: Full-day PreK4 Teachers and Aide, Teachers for Grades 3 and 4, Instructional Support Teacher, Extended Care Director, Elementary Art Teacher (Part-time), Elementary Substitute Teacher, and Class Supervisors.  Interested individuals should complete an online application at https://sjyschool.org/careers/