York Academy Families:

If you remember from last week, students in Mrs. Reed's DP Science classes are on a quest to investigate the environmental changes that affect the Codorus Creek Watershed and the greater Chesapeake Bay. Please make sure to read the article below about their tremendous experiences traveling to Port Isabel in the Tangier Sound in Virginia earlier this week. I'm extremely proud of their actions to cultivate environmental stewardship as global citizens. Next, our juniors are headed to Codorus State Park to test the health of the creek. Students will also travel to Philip Merrill Center in Annapolis, MD. Remember to check out these activities during Watershed Week later this month.

In addition, I need to ask for more help from you. Despite my calls, some drivers are still dropping off their children in the bus lane near the playground in the mornings. This cannot continue. It is not safe for children and it is against the law to access a bus lane. The York Academy has drop off procedures using Cherry Lane in the morning. As I shared in videos (below) before the start of the school year, families should park in Small’s Field and walk their children to the playground entrance or use Cherry Lane each morning.  Thank you for your extra help with this issue.

Enjoy the evening,

Dr. Lowe

Lower School students will bring home a printed version of their Progress Reports on Friday. By accessing your Sapphire Community Portal account, you’ll be able to see all the assignments that have been graded to date and the current grade for each subject. These snapshots will give you some great information about your child’s current levels of achievement.

Upper School parents will be able to view their student’s Progress Reports through Sapphire on Friday afternoon. Each student will receive a P (Pass) or F (Fail) for each of their content classes. The report indicates strengths, areas of needed improvement, and/or thoughts about the student's behavior.

Click here to log into Sapphire. Select "Go to My Backpack for (Child), click on "Reports," and then "Progress Reports." Don't have a Sapphire Portal account set up yet? Follow these instructions. If you have specific questions about your child's academic progress, please reach out directly to their classroom or content class teacher(s).

As mentioned above, 15 seniors in Mrs. Reed's DP Science class had an unforgettable time during their trip to Port Isabel, VA in the Tangier Sound. They got to throw in their own crab pots and pull in their own catch, dredge oysters, see amazing red sponges, and test the water quality. They also visited the sinking crabbing town of Tangier and interviewed residents about how climate change has impacted the Bay - and their lives.

The students took a night hike in total darkness and listened to a local ghost story while stargazing in a clearing in the woods. The facilitators had everyone up at 5:45 a.m. to canoe on Chesapeake Bay at sunrise, followed by marsh mucking through waist high mud in the wetlands. They challenged the group to meet a water conservation goal of using less than five gallons of water per day. The students cooked, served, and cleaned the meals. There was also no-tech “green time” for them to relax, be present and have fun together. 

The students returned late yesterday afternoon - tired, but excited and motivated to hone their school-based action plans and put what they learned into practice locally. "This was a phenomenal experience and the most meaningful way to show my students that what we do on our watershed upstream has an impact on our friends downstream," said Mrs. Reed. (Click here to view more pictures.)

Please join these outstanding students on Friday, September 27 from 3- 5 p.m. on the Upper School patio. Interactive displays will be provided by the Watershed Alliance of York and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. You'll be able to engage with our students and hear about their field experiences and action plans. All families and community members are invited to stop by and celebrate their outstanding work!

Our first graders are ready to make a local and global impact, and they need your help! The annual First Grade Food Drive is happening next week (9/16-20). They’ll be collecting canned or boxed food items to benefit Catholic Harvest Food Pantry and monetary donations to support Heifer International.

Catholic Harvest Food Pantry provides monthly food distributions to 900-950 households in our community who experience food insecurity. Heifer International's mission is to end hunger and poverty worldwide through programs that support local farmers and their communities. 

All students are asked to bring a nonperishable food item or monetary donation next week. For their kindness, those who donate (either way), may dress down on Wednesday, September 25! Students who choose not to participate will be required to wear their uniforms that day. Thank you for your generosity!

Spirit Week!

As part of our Homecoming festivities next week, both schools will get to celebrate during Spirit Week! Lower School families…Please note that the themes will be slightly different, so watch for details from your child's teacher.

Upper School Students: 

If you choose to dress down, you MUST follow the Spirit Theme of the day. That means you have to be all in! Please note that It’s not just a dress down day. If you choose to dress down but don’t match the theme of the day, you will have to change into a uniform from the uniform closet. Plus, you will not be allowed to participate in any Spirit Days going forward. 

Students from both schools who do not participate in the daily Spirit Theme should wear their full uniforms.

Homecoming Concert

Come celebrate our 9-12th grade musicians at the Homecoming Concert on Wednesday, September 18 at 6 p.m. in the Black Box Theater! The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and you may park at the Upper School or in the lot at Small's Field. Students who have been taking our Instrumental, Vocal Performance and DP Music classes will perform for you. They will be playing fun music, so bring your dancing shoes!

Homecoming Volleyball Matches: Support Our Lady Knights

Come cheer for our Upper School Lady Knights and get in on the Homecoming fun on Thursday, September 19 in the Upper School gym! The times are:

• 4 p.m. - Junior High (7th/8th Grade)
• 5 p.m. - Junior Varsity (9th/10th Grade)
• 6 p.m. - Varsity (11th/12th Grade) 

Homecoming Dance Details & Donations

The Homecoming Dance is coming up on September 21. House Council is planning an incredible disco themed night - just for students in grades 9-12. Tickets are being sold during lunches through next week. The cost/ticket is $12 and must be returned with a signed permission slip. 

In addition, a few more food and drink donations are needed for the dance. Please click here for details and consider helping out. Thank you!

It’s time to register for Lower School After-School Clubs (K-6)! Clubs provide students with exciting opportunities to explore areas of interest. They will begin the week of September 23 and run for eight weeks. Clubs are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and the deadline to register is Wednesday, September 18. 

Please note that if school is closed or there is an early dismissal, the instructor will update families on when the missed session will be rescheduled.

Last week, students in second grade held their Flapjacks and Flannels event, which was the culminating activity for their first Knowledge Domain Unit on Fairy Tales and Tall Tales. They enjoyed homemade flapjacks, Paul Bunyan style, and had a blast celebrating all they’ve learned! Click here to see more pictures.

Next Meeting

Come to the next PTO meeting on Tuesday, September 17 at 6 p.m. It will be held in the Lower School Media Center. Find out what exciting plans are in the works and get involved. Everyone is welcome!

Gift Horse Fundraiser

The PTO is hosting “Knights and Pints” at Gift Horse Brewing Company on Wednesday, September 18 from 6 - 9 p.m. They will receive 50% of all bar and food sales during the event. Please stop by and enjoy some time together while supporting our terrific PTO!

No Tricks, Only Treats: Support the Trunk or Treat Candy Drive 

The House of Sanchar and the PTO are teaming up to host the fourth annual Trunk or Treat Reading Spooktacular on October 9 from 5 - 6:30 p.m. at the Upper School.

Please consider donating candy, gift cards and more. Items can be dropped off at either office through October 8. Click here for more details and sign up now. Thanks in advance for helping to make this our most fang-tastic event yet!

The York County Office of Children, Youth and Families, in conjunction with RHI Magnesita, donated four boxes of new backpacks filled with school supplies to the York Academy. We are grateful! 

Does your child need a backpack? Lower School families should contact their teacher or grade level school counselor. Upper School families can contact the office or their grade level school counselor. 

Mrs. Barnwell (Lower School Dean of Students) and Mrs. Cunningham (School Services Coordinator & Counselor for grades 4 -6) are pictured.

Do you love ART? National Art Honor Society (9-12) and National Junior Art Honor Society (7-8) would love for you to join us! Members take art-centered field trips, participate in art-making workshops, and plan Parents' Night Out, Chalk the Walk, the spring MYP Art Show, the Art for a Cause Silent Auction, and so much more. Come create with us!

Complete this application by September 20. Mrs. Chester and Mrs. Hobbs look forward to receiving your application!

The House of Onesto is hosting a tailgate event at the Lower School on Thursday, September 26 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. (inside).

All families (K-12) are invited! Join us for food, fun and games, along with some friendly competition. Students who come will get to wear shirts in their House colors with uniform bottoms on Friday, September 27!