http://www.yorkcountyschools.org The official website for York County Public Schools. This site contains general information about our school division and links to our school web sites. Education en-us Fri, 5 Feb 2010 00:00:01 EST Fri, 5 Feb 2010 13:30:00 EST webmaster@ycsd.york.va.us © 2010 York County School Division http://www.yorkcountyschools.org/images/YCSD_Logo_thumb.jpg http://www.yorkcountyschools.org 108 108 All York County School Division events, practices and games scheduled for February 5th and 6th have been cancelled due to inclement weather.

]]> General News Fri, 5 Feb 2010 15:00:00 EST Monday, Feb. 15, 2010, will now be a regular school day for all YCSD students. This change to the school-year calendar is needed to make up one of the instructional days cancelled due to inclement weather.

At this time, no other make-up days are being added to the school calendar.

]]> General News Thu, 4 Feb 2010 15:00:00 EST The Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership (EPPL) course faculty and staff, and the School of Education at the College of William and Mary have chosen Dr. Lucia Sebastian, Chief Academic Officer at YCSD to receive the Jo Lynne DeMary award for 2010. The prestigious award is given in recognition of distinguished leadership and contributions to the field of education. The award is named for the first recipient, Dr. Jo Lynne DeMary, an alumnus of William and Mary and the first female State Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Dr. Sebastian will receive the award at the EPPL Alumni Breakfast on February 18, 2010. Congratulations!

]]> General News Thu, 4 Feb 2010 13:30:00 EST The National Association for Music Education (MENC) announced the winners in the 2010 "Music! Just Imagine…" Essay Contest. Yorktown Middle School student, Gaelan Verry was among the top ten winners. The essay contest challenged K-6 music students to write about the ways they were inspired by music starting with the phrase "I imagine…" Of the more than 200 entries, ten were chosen as the top winners. A selection of the winners' essays will be featured in the 2010 World's Largest Concert^®, a sing-along event sponsored by MENC. The 2010 World’s Largest Concert will take place on Thursday, March 11 in schools and communities throughout the nation and around the world.

]]> General News Thu, 4 Feb 2010 13:30:00 EST Congratulations to all who participated in the York County School Division's PTA Reflections Contest!

Visual Arts: Intermediate Div, Honorable Mention - Caitlin Bertholf, GBES
Visual Arts: Junior Division, Third Place - Brooke Gorsica, YMS

Dance: Intermediate, First Place - Mackenzie Hermann, YES
Dance: Senior, Honorable Mention - Jenna Baker, QLMS

Music: Primary, Third Place - Christopher Williams, CES
Music: Intermediate, First Place - Cale Overstreet, DES
Music: Junior Division, Third Place - Tim Fary, Jr., GMS

Photography: Primary, Third Place - Emily Wilhelm, CES
Photography: Intermediate, First Place - Austin Ingram, SES
Photography: Junior, First Place - Meghan Deitz, GMS
Photography: Senior, Third Place - Brittany Ward, YHS

Literature: Primary, Honorable Mention - Lindsey Pettibon, MES
Literature: Intermediate, First Place - Mackenzie Herrmann, YES
Literature: Junior, Third Place - Cailin Chaloux, YMS
Literature: Senior, Third Place - Taylor Vollman, YHS

Film: Primary, First Place - Caroline Arnette, WMES
Film: Intermediate, First Place - Anastasia Mann, WMES
Film: Junior, First Place - Brooke Gorsica, YMS
Film: First Place - Hesuh Miriam Park, GHS

]]> General News Thu, 4 Feb 2010 13:30:00 EST Grafton Bethel Elementary School collected 259 tubes of toothpaste during their "Toothpaste for Haiti" drive. Lainey Griffin, a 3rd grader in Karen Bacon's class, shared her idea with the school and everyone wanted to help!

]]> General News Thu, 4 Feb 2010 13:30:00 EST The students at Tabb Middle School (TMS) and Tabb High School (THS) began selling and purchasing black and orange wristbands inscribed with "HELP HAITI." A donation of a minimum of $2.00 for each wristband was asked and in two days sales totaled over $1,500! The schools’ goal is $4,000 and to see a wristband on every student at TMS and THS. Because of a generous donation from Life Touch National School Studios, who underwrote the cost of the wristbands, the schools are giving 100% of their proceeds to Doctors Without Borders to help with medicine and medical supplies for the people in Haiti.

]]> General News Thu, 4 Feb 2010 13:30:00 EST The Student Council Association of Tabb High hosted their annual talent show in January. Over 1,500 students, parents, faculty and staff and community members came out to show their support for the up and coming entertainers. The venue presented 20 acts including soloists, dance groups, musical ensembles and bands. Spectators were polled to determine the best of the best. Winners of the 2010 talent show are: 1st place Dance Group - Hypnotic Control; 2nd place Vocalist - Annabel Kang; 3rd place Dancer - Dominique Louis. Twenty-five percent of the talent show proceeds will be donated to the Natasha House that supports a transitional shelter for homeless women and children. Tabb High School will team with Tabb Middle School in making a supportive contribution to assist in their continued goals to empower and equip its residents to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency.

]]> General News Thu, 4 Feb 2010 13:30:00 EST Queens Lake Middle School announces the selections for the 2010 All District Jr. Band.

• Jessica Holmes – Oboe
• R'landa Mapp – 1st Chair, Clarinet
• Joshua Dolson – Clarinet
• Rachel Perry – Alto Saxophone
• Peter McReynolds – 1st Alternate, French Horn

]]> General News Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST Members of the local Farm Bureau donated a "Learning Barn" to Magruder Elementary School. Members built a bookcase resembling a barn and filled it with agriculturally themed books for students to enjoy.

]]> General News Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST The first grade students at Dare Elementary School enjoyed getting their hands gooey during the school's Matter Day.

]]> General News Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST Congratulations to the all the students who won prizes in their respective categories at the York County School Division (YCSD) Science Fair. There were 77 projects and 84 students entered in the Junior Division (Middle School) and 100 projects and 135 students entered in the Senior Division (High School). The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners have the option of entering their winning projects in the Tidewater Science Fair to be held on March 13, 2010, at Old Dominion University. YCSD will enter 33 Junior Division projects and 28 Senior Division projects in the Tidewater Fair. Many thanks to Grafton High and Grafton Middle for hosting the science fair and to the many teachers, sponsors and volunteers for another successful fair!

]]> General News Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST Sandra Murawski, kindergarten teacher at Magruder Elementary School, discussed with her class her recent mission trip to Haiti and the events that have occurred there. After learning that Haiti needed help, her students collected $100 to donate to the cause. Some students donated part of their tooth fairy money. As a whole, Magruder Elementary collected over $1,000 for Haiti Relief through the American Red Cross.

]]> General News Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST Grafton High School Interact Club and Grafton Middle School Student Council Association and National Jr. Honor Society students distributed "It's One World! Help Haiti Now!" key chains and raised a combined $1669.64 for the American Red Cross International Response Fund. The Interact Club expects matching funds will be donated by a corporate sponsor as a result of their efforts.

]]> General News Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST David Victoria, sixth grade student at Yorktown Middle School (YMS), submitted the winning bookmark for the school's World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Reading Challenge, sponsored in conjunction with the American Library Association's Young Adult Library Services Association for Teen Read Week. David will receive a WWE DVD and a certificate for winning at the school level. His entry will also be judged at the regional level for a chance to win a trip to Wrestle Mania and $2,000 for the YMS library.

]]> General News Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST The focus of the Grafton Middle School (GMS) Explorer's club is "Waste and Conservation in America." This year GMS students are collecting shoes for the people of Afghanistan as part of an outreach program. The Explorer's Club have collected and sanitized over 150 pairs of shoes.

]]> General News Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST Grafton Bethel Elementary School (GBES) raised $2,060.92 for "Pennies for Patients", a campaign sponsored by the GBES K-Kids to support adolescent leukemia patients. Sandra Cherry's fourth grade class was the grand prize winner; raising $464.43.

]]> General News Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST Lilly Grella, an eighth grade student at Yorktown Middle School, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee in January and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship. Second place went to eighth grader John Adams, and third place was secured by eighth grader Christian Cox. The school-level Bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 22nd annual National Geographic Bee. The Bee is sponsored by the National Geographic Society. According to Laura Sanlorenzo, Yorktown Middle School teacher, the winners will now take a written test; up to 100 of the top scorers in each state will be eligible to compete in their state Bee in April 2010. The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for state champions and teacher-escorts to participate in the national Geographic Bee national championship in May 2010. The first-place national winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the Society and a trip to the Galapagos Islands courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions and the National Geographic Society.

]]> General News Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST The SCA-sponsored Red Cross Blood Drive at Grafton High School collected 66 pints of blood. The school exceeded its goal by eight pints. Over 100 Grafton High students donated blood. The drive was organized and staffed by 27 student volunteers and four faculty/staff volunteers.

]]> General News Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST The marine biology students at Grafton High School are raising 4,000 oysters this year in Back Creek. Twice a month, students leave school for two hours to perform water quality tests and monitor oyster growth. At the site, students take quantitative measurements of dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH, salinity and water temperature. After completing the water quality tests, students remove the oysters from the two Taylor rafts and then clean the rafts. The oysters are rinsed several times to remove sediment and pseudofeces. One hundred random oysters are measured and recorded. Back at school the students determine average size of the oysters and compare the abiotic data to the data from the previous trip. Students enjoy learning outside the classroom and helping the bay's ecology by restoring oysters.

]]> General News Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST York High School's annual egg drop competition took place in Cynthia Hardesty's physics class in January. Students were challenged with the task of creating a vehicle to help their egg survive two drops, first from the bottom and then from the top of the football field's bleachers while meeting mass and materials restrictions in the project. Winning projects were based on three criteria: egg survival, lightest mass & closest distance to the target. Overall winners were Andrew Watt, Brian Mucklow and Zach Warthan.

]]> General News Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST York County School Division's (YCSD) Destini Canion, fifth grade student at Bethel Manor Elementary School, placed second in the Martin Luther King Essay Contest sponsored by WAVY TV and KIDTALK. Nearly 400 entries were submitted for the contest. Newport News students, Kaila Lemons and Tyana Scott placed first and third place. The group of nine winners were featured on the January KIDTALK episode honoring Dr. King.

]]> General News Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST Students in the Yorktown Middle School Middle Years Programme (MYP), an International Baccalaureate (IB) school, are using their letter-writing skills and history skills to communicate with MYP students at the Irmak School in Istanbul, Turkey. Students in both grades 6 and 7 gathered in Drew Maloney's MYP Humanities class to open the letters and respond to their peers across the "pond". This project reinforces elements of the IB Learner Profile, encouraging students to be caring communicators, in addition to supporting the course curriculum.

]]> General News Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST Students at Yorktown Middle School (YMS) gathered to decorate and distribute boxes for a school-wide recycling program. Art instructor, Danielle Vallino is working with the Middle Years Programme area of Interaction: Community & Service, encouraged students to serve their school community while also having an impact on the environment of the world-wide community. YMS, an International Baccalaureate candidate school looks forward to expanding service activities throughout the local area.

]]> General News Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST The Virginia Board of Education awarded seven York County School Division schools the 2010 Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) incentive program that encourages advanced learning and achievement in public schools. Bethel Manor Elementary, Coventry Elementary, Grafton Bethel Elementary, Mount Vernon Elementary, Tabb Elementary, Tabb High and Waller Mill Elementary Schools were among 288 schools from 15 school divisions that earned the award. The board also awarded four York County School Division schools the 2010 Virginia Board of Education’s Competence to Excellence Award. The schools are recognized for having met all state and federal benchmarks for at least two consecutive years and are making progress toward the goals of the governor and the board. Dare Elementary, Grafton High, Magruder Elementary and York High Schools were among 281 schools from 17 school divisions that earned the award.

]]> General News Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST Seaford Elementary School formally recognized students from each class for the month of January. After nominations from staff and consideration, the students chosen are those who naturally demonstrate a caring, helpful attitude toward others and their school environment. This month's winners are as follows:

• Kindergarten: Robert Cunningham, Atharv Achurya, Micaela Brown, and Dylan Hunter
• 1st Grade: Haley Humphries, Emily Eastwood, Savannah Reed, James Kuykendall and Cam Edwards
• 2nd Grade: Hayden Head, Marco Rivero, Logan Kirkwood and Olivia Russell
• 3rd Grade: Jake Verry, Ben Wagner, Jack Weidman and Cameron Dunbar
• 4th Grade: Jacob Shelhorse, Justine Collier, Reid Winer, Jordan Usselman and Claire Harris
• 5th Grade: Joey Shematek, Colton Young, Ryan Grimmett and Adia Wyatt

]]> General News Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST To enhance mapping skills, first grade students created edible maps in class at Seaford Elementary School. The maps were made on a tortilla, with chocolate chips as mountains, a Hershey bar as the school building, blue icing as the pond, raisins as houses and broccoli as trees. Students made their maps on a board in whole groups and then placed the items on the tortilla using the directions of north, south, east and west.

]]> General News Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST 1st Place Jenna Baker, Dance Choreography
2nd Place Ariannah Kubli, Film/Video Production
2nd Place Madeline Walters, Musical Composition
2nd Place Katherine Cho, Literature
2nd Place Kylie Griffin, Photography
3rd Place Zane Cabrera, Visual Arts

The recipients will be honored at an awards ceremony at York Middle School in February.

]]> General News Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST Yorktown Middle School (YMS) will host a Community Coffee on February 2 from 9 – 11 a.m. in the YMS Media Center. Discussion topics include: Positive Responses to School Bullying, Defining What It Means to be a YMS Student and A Look at Academic Technology that Parents and Students Can Access from Home. Refreshments will be served by PTA Hospitality Committee. Questions? Contact the YMS Main Office at 898-0360.

]]> Events Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST Members of the York High School International Baccalaureate (IB) Class of 2011 were officially welcomed into the Diploma Programme at the annual IB Pinning and Graduation Ceremony in January. Each student was pinned by an IB graduate from the Class of 2009, prior to pledging to uphold the academic and ethical standards of the IB Organization. Congratulatory remarks were offered by Dr. Eric Williams, Superintendent of the York County School Division, and welcomed into the programme by Antonia Fox, York High Principal, and Michelle Cihak, IB Coordinator.

]]> General News Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST The York High School International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme awarded diplomas and certificates to the IB Class of 2009. The diplomas and certificates were awarded by the IB Organization in July 2009, based on each student's performance on the six IB examinations, internal assessments, extended essay, and Theory of Knowledge assessment, as well as completion of at least 150 Creativity Action Service hours. The Class of 2009 went well beyond the requirements, accumulating over 14,000 hours of Creativity Action Service and obtaining over $1.1 million in scholarship money. Additionally, the coveted York High Medallion was presented to Maeve Hoyt for achieving the highest scores on her IB examinations. Congratulations to the members of the Class of 2009.

]]> General News Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST Yorktown Middle School (YMS) kicks off the WATCH D.O.G.S.® (Dads Of Great Students) Program with the “Dads and Kids Pizza Night” on January 28 at Yorktown Middle School from 6 - 7 p.m. WATCH D.O.G.S.® is the safe schools initiative of the National Center for Fathering (www.fathers.com). It was created in response to the Jonesboro, Arizona school shooting in 1998, and has spread to more than 800 schools in over 30 states. Volunteers are invited to sign up to spend one day this year serving as a positive male role model and helping increase a sense of security in the building. WATCH D.O.G.S.® will engage in various activities such as welcoming students during arrival, reading to classes, tutoring small groups of students, having fun at recess or simply sitting down and connecting with students during lunch. When Watch DOGS invest a day at school, they partner with the school to meet educational goals of students. To learn more about the WATCH D.O.G.S.® call John Sims, YMS Guidance Counselor.

]]> General News Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST Congratulations to Chelsea Nobles of Tabb High School (THS) for winning second prize in the Virginia Career Education Foundation contest. Chelsea received a digital camera and Lynn Pitchford, a teacher at THS, received a cash prize of $50 for having the most students provide correct answers in the contest. The contest for the foundation received 374 entries from across the state.

]]> General News Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST The fourth graders at Tabb Elementary School added a culminating activity to their study of Jamestown and the Powhatan Indians. Each student was asked to bring one, two or three "unwanted, but still useful" items from home that they already owned and were not purchased specifically for this activity. Students were able to trade those items with other students on Barter Day. Students could make an equal exchange or an uneven exchange (two or three items for one more desirable item). Students used the time to trade for items that they desired, and many used it as a time to "shop" for siblings' Holiday presents.

]]> General News Thu, 7 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST The 2009-2010 York County Beautification Calendar will feature the artwork of eight Bruton High School Students. Each student was awarded $100 for their submissions. Congratulations to the following: Anthony Malave, Josie Tillman, Ashley Petit, Greg Butchel, Emily Demeo, Katy Rasiak, Amanda Sheets and Luciana Legaspi.

]]> General News Thu, 7 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST Students in Leann Sasamoto's pottery classes at Tabb High School were able to experience first hand the art of Raku Pottery. Raku pottery style has its origins in Japan and is hand-molded creating all "one-of-a-kind" pieces. To create the unique effects associated with Raku pottery a specific ceramic firing process is required that incorporates both fire and smoke. Students created and cleaned up the finished pieces to be placed on display in the schools art department showcase.

]]> General News Thu, 7 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 824 and the Ladies Auxiliary in Grafton presented cast awards and certificates to the winners of the "Patriots" Pen Essay Contest. The theme was "When is the Best Time to Honor our Military Heroes". The three winners, all Queens Lake Middle School students, are 3rd place - Alexis Ferebee, 2nd place - Rachel Perry and 1st place - Josh Dolson.

]]> General News Thu, 7 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST The Queens Lake Middle School's Student Council Association (SCA) collected several boxes of canned and boxed food. It was donated to the Salvation Army of Williamsburg. This event is one of the SCA’s community Outreach projects. Barbara Maxwell is the Advisor.

]]> General News Thu, 7 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST Want to send that special classmate something sweet to let them know you are thinking about them? If so, the Young Republicans at Tabb High School have what you need - Candy-Grams. The group sold candy-grams during lunch blocks in the school concession area. Money raised from this venture is being donated to the Wounded Warriors Foundation in support of our troops. This fundraiser is just one of many, including a run in the spring, planned by the group, sponsored by Cory Martin, to raise funds for the foundation.

]]> General News Thu, 7 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST The following Yorktown Middle School students were recognized as “Most Outstanding” or “Most Improved” for the second interim period. Most Outstanding: 6th Grade - Paige Irvine and Juan Pazmino. 7th Grade - Mara Reichle and Matthew Shih. 8th Grade - Alec Mang and Kadie Aaron. Most Improved 6th Grade: Foundations of Algebra Part I - Aundrea Clark, Foundations of Algebra - Chris Huffman, Language Arts - Danielle Angell, Science - Bentley Zabicki, Social Studies- Ta'Tyana May. 7th Grade: Math 7- Kane Flannagan, Language Arts - Phillip Rollo, Science - Kyle Latulipe, Social Studies - Jonathan Showalter, Algebra - Alexx Hysell. 8th Grade: Pre Algebra - Cheyenne Taylor, Algebra I - Caelan Campbell, Geometry - Elise Watts, Language Arts - Hannah Hartman, Advanced Language Arts - Kyle Abbot, Science - Jewel Cooke, Global Studies - Jacob Arno, Encore French II - Rachel Hale, Spanish 1 - Darius Hickey and Spanish II - Kristin Smith.

]]> General News Thu, 7 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST The York County School Division has announced the students selected to participate in the Yorktown-Zweibrucken Student Exchange Program in 2010. The students will spend four weeks of the summer season in Germany. Bruton High School - Nina Shmorhun, Student Alternate - Celine Walker. Grafton High School - Ryan Bean, Kiarra Crump, Kelsey Evans and Mitchell Magee. Tabb High School - Lauren Cashman and Allison Crow. York High School - Taylor Brown, Samantha Guthrie and Kelsey Nunn. Helen Riley, of Bruton High School will be the teacher chaperone.

]]> General News Thu, 7 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST Tabb Elementary fourth grade students successfully mastered their multiplication facts with completing 100 problems in two minutes. The students were treated to a pizza lunch.

]]> General News Thu, 7 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST As a result of their outstanding artwork that illustrates inspiring new ideas and thoughts about what it means to be “green,” the following students have been named winners in the annual contest sponsored by NASA. Winners and their families, educators and administrators will be invited to attend a special award ceremony on February 5, 2010 at the Virginia Air and Space Center. The grand prize winner and the first place winners' artwork will also be featured in the 2010 Get Ready, Get Set, Go Green calendar as well as on display from February 5, 2010 to December 31, 2010 at the Virginia Air Space Center. Congratulations to:

Grafton Bethel Elementary:

• K First Place - Maile Schalm
• 2nd Grade First Place - Caroline Beard
• 3rd Grade First Place - Caitlin Allen
• 4th Grade Honorable Mention - Brianna Carden
• 5th Grade Honorable Mention - Burke Schramel

Coventry Elementary:

• 2nd Grade Third Place - Emily Wilhelm
• 4th Grade First Place - Samantha Gibbons

York High Winners:

• 9th Grade First Place - Mee Na Ko
• 10th Grade First Place - Xaier Zhang
• 11th Grade First Place - Molly Wiedemann

]]> General News Thu, 7 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST Kelsey O'Brien, senior at Tabb High School was named All-American by the NFHCA (National Field Hockey Coaches Association). The Association selected the top 30 field hockey athletes in the entire USA. She is one of only two Virginians to receive the honor this year. She is also the first York County field hockey player to be named All-American in YCSD history. Congratulations to Kelsey!

]]> General News Wed, 6 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST Beginning January 5th, final grades within .5 of the next higher letter grade will be rounded up on interim reports and report cards.

This change affects all York County School Division students in grades 3-12. Final grades for the first quarter of the 2009-10 school year will not be rounded retroactively. Semester grades will not be adversely affected by the implementation of rounding beginning with the second quarter because first and second quarter numerical grades are averaged to determine a student's final semester grade and only the semester and final grades are entered on transcripts and forwarded to colleges.

If you have any questions regarding this new policy, please contact your child's teacher or the guidance office.


FAQs

Why is this change being made? Since all teachers in grades 3-12 now use an online grade book, grades are averaged electronically, thus creating grades with decimal points. No division-wide rounding procedure was in place, and it is important that grades are calculated in the same manner regardless of which YCSD school a student attends.

Why is rounding up being implemented after school has started? Principals and teachers agreed that implementation should be sooner rather than later. Since rounding up second quarter grades would have no adverse affect on first quarter grades and on semester averages, it was determined that the procedure could be implemented second quarter.

Will my child's previous grades be rounded up? No, there will be no retroactive rounding of previous grades.

]]> General News Mon, 21 Dec 2009 9:00:00 EST The division has made some changes to the spring SOL testing dates. To ensure that tests are returned by the state’s deadline, SOL testing will begin on May 26 with the History 3 and History 4 exams. Students absent on May 26 may make-up the test on May 27. All other elementary SOL testing will be after Memorial Day and will run through June 9.

Elementary students are required to take the following SOL tests:

• Grade 3: English, Part 1 & 2; Math; History; Science
• Grade 4: English, Math, History
• Grade 5: English, Math, Science

]]> General News Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST Angela Collins' Kindergarten class at Magruder Elementary School made their second annual gingerbread house. This year, the students decided to build a castle and to donate it to a local charity for children along with a bag full of mittens, hats and candy.

]]> General News Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST The Tabb High School Debate Team took home the second place trophy from the Heritage Holiday Tournament. In the Varsity Division, Anam Jafri placed second and Austin Pierce placed fourth. In the Novice Division, Adam Barela placed third.

]]> General News Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST The Invisible Children's Club, new this year to Tabb High School, is a group of students that has undertaken the task of increasing awareness of less fortunate children. This group, sponsored by Michael Martinez has raised $2,600 over the past two weeks for their cause through an awareness campaign designed to enlighten the community to the plight of children living in war torn countries and secure donations. This money will travel to Rwanda and Uganda to help with the rebuilding of schools and to provide school supplies. The club plans on continuing its fundraising efforts throughout the school year.

]]> General News Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST The Marketing Education students at Tabb High School created over 200 cards full of thanks and well wishes for our military heroes that are unable be with us during this holiday season. Students and faculty throughout the building contributed to the postage fund.

]]> General News Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST The Tabb High School National Honor Society, sponsored by Lee Wallace and her students, baked over 3,444 cookies for the military service men and women and their families in our area this holiday season. The students donated the cookies to the Langley Officers' Spouses' Club for distribution.

]]> General News Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST The talented York High School Chorus, under the direction of Tiffany Temple, visited the York County School Board Office where they performed a sampling of their holiday concert for the staff. The Chorus then headed to the Tabb Library for another short concert.

]]> General News Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST The newly formed Builder's Club at Yorktown Middle School (YMS) gathered over 300 pounds of donated food in the inaugural Helping Hands Food Drive to benefit the Food Bank of the Virginia Peninsula. Designed to restock Food Bank shelves following the Thanksgiving holiday, students focused their efforts on collecting healthy selections for donations. The YMS Builder's Club is sponsored by the Grafton Kiwanis Club and is in its first year of operation.

]]> General News Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST The Yorktown Middle School Builder's Club gathered to make homemade holiday cards for residents of York Convalescent Home in December. Students applied their artistic and literary skills to generate a wealth of holiday cheer that will be delivered to residents of the nearby York Convalescent Home.

]]> General News Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST The York Foundation for Public Education, Inc. (YFPE) held their first annual Pie Patrol Fundraiser in November. YFPE raised over $900 and sold apple, pumpkin and pecan pies from the Jamestown Pie Company. The funds will be allocated to the Teacher and Para-Professional Scholarship Fund. Over 270 pies were delivered by YFPE board members and volunteers throughout the division. Mt. Vernon Elementary, Grafton Middle and York High schools were each awarded $150 from YFPE for being the top selling schools. Peggy Myatt, Foundation Director delivered the "check" to each winning school.

]]> General News Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST Students in Isabel Galvez's French I class at Yorktown Middle School (YMS) have formed a partnership with students in France. Exchanging letters, students are using this opportunity to build French language skills, as their French counterparts build their English language skills. This experience supports the Community and Service area interaction of YMS’s Middle Years Program.

]]> General News Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST Mid White, age 93 and great-grandmother to fourth grade student Noah Beach, visited the first grade students at Seaford Elementary School to highlight their lesson unit on learning the differences between the past and the present. Mrs. White described to students her two room school house with students between the ages of six and sixteen. She told the students about her seven mile ride to school on her pony. Mrs. White was also able to share photos, including pictures of her childhood home, for students to be able to visualize the clothing, buildings and styles of the early 1900's.

]]> General News Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST Science Fair Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 14th annual Queens Lake Middle School science fair. First, second, third and honorable mention winners are eligible to move on to the York County School Division Science Fair to be held on January 21, 2010 at the Grafton School Complex.

Lion's Club Peace Poster Contest Winners
Queens Lake Middle School announces the winners of the Peace Poster design contest. The theme this year was "The Power of Peace." The first place winner received $25.

• 1st Place – Andrea Anton
• 2nd Place – Suzanna Wright
• 3rd Place – Hunter Embry

Queens Lake Middle School Artwork
Artwork from students at Queens Lake Middle School will be on display at Trader Joe's in New Town, Williamsburg for the month of December.

Queens Lake Middle School Holiday Concert
The Queens Lake Middle School band and choir will conduct their Winter Holiday Concert on Monday, December 14th at 6:00 PM at the Bruton High School.

]]> General News Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released a twenty page retrospective to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the first ENERGY STAR label awarded to a building. The retrospective, titled Celebrating A Decade of ENERGY STAR Buildings: 1999-2009, includes a brief history of the program and highlights four dozen of the nearly 9,000 buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR label this decade. Bruton High School is one of those mentioned in the retrospective, and is credited for its energy renovation in 2003 that included the new geothermal system. The ENERGY STAR is available for 13 types of commercial buildings, and the ENERGY STAR labeled buildings typically use 35 percent less energy and emit 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than average buildings. Bruton High’s operating costs are now significantly lower than average.

]]> General News Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST The Marketing Education program at Tabb High School has an active co-curricular DECA club this year. Newly elected officers hit the ground running and created a comprehensive program for the school year. Together with club meetings, the 80 member group planned several community service projects and wants to bring home medals from District, State and International competitions. Their first order of business was Officer Training Conference attendance. At this conference held in October, officers from District 25 DECA gathered to plan the District wide events, participate in training workshops and received their officer pins at the installation ceremony.

]]> General News Thu, 3 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST The Tabb High School Model United Nations (UN) group participated in the 23rd annual William and Mary High School Model UN Conference in November. The conference provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a realistic UN setting. Each model UN school represents a different country at the conference. The student members must learn the perspective of their country on given issues or multiple issues and then present their country's views on the issues at the conference. Congratulations to Nathan Smuckler and Austin Pierce who both won Outstanding Delegate awards, and to the team of Sam Florer and Chris Webb who won the Best Delegation award.

]]> General News Thu, 3 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST The Career Mentorship program at Tabb High School gives students the opportunity to gain first hand experience in a career field they may have an interest in pursuing after school. The program helps students secure mentors that are willing to work with the students in their chosen career field to complete a project, learn valuable skills and discover if this is really the career they want to pursue in the future. Students are required to complete a minimum of 140 hours during the school year at the job site and present a culminating product/project that reflects their learning experience at a reception for the mentors in the spring. Approximately 60 students successfully completed the application process to enter the program this year. Betty Burdick and Gwen Banks are the teacher-coordinators of the program.

]]> General News Thu, 3 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST When you visit Tabb High School on any given Wednesday afternoon you will see students in the halls carrying boxes full of recyclable paper from the classrooms to the recycling dumpster behind the building. Club Earth's members are dedicated to reducing the carbon footprint of Tabb High School and are encouraging their peers and teachers to do the same. Right now the club collects paper and cardboard and places it in the recycling dumpster at the building. In the future the club hopes to use its funds to put an infrastructure in place for the collection and recycling of plastic, glass and aluminum.

]]> General News Thu, 3 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST The Tabb High School Key Club sponsored a "Can Soup Day" drive to support the York County Food Closet and the York County Food Pantry. In a friendly school competition, students were asked to bring in cans of soup to their homeroom class. This one-day can drive brought in over 500 cans of soup. Coach Brown's seventh period class brought in the most cans of soup and will receive a prize from the Key Club. Marissa Arager, Key Club President and Michael Martinez, Key Club Sponsor, supervised the collection and drop-off of the cans of soup.

]]> General News Thu, 3 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST Volunteers from Tabb High School (THS) participated in the Feeding 2000 Thanksgiving Harvest Event. THS students and teachers were among 80 of the Youth Volunteer Corp (64 youth and 16 adult volunteers/team leaders) who participated in the Feeding 2000 Thanksgiving Harvest. Volunteers were instrumental in set up, preparation and clean up surrounding the event. Volunteers from THS included: Mike Martinez, Cory Martin, Bob Brownschidle and student volunteers: Chris DiOrio, Evelyn Seay, Jill Rinehart, Megan Sepanski and Morgan Ames.

]]> General News Thu, 3 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST The annual YCSD Science Fair will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at the Grafton School Complex. Student projects will be judged and then open to the public from 7:15 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. There will be an award ceremony at 8:00 p.m. in the auditorium.

]]> General News Thu, 3 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST Seaford Elementary School first grade teachers aged overnight and visited their students dressed as old women. The first graders read "I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie" to celebrate the Thanksgiving season. The book allowed the students to practice sequencing, rhyming and identifying details.

]]> General News Thu, 3 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST Grafton Bethel Elementary School (GBES) held its annual Turkey Shoot in November 2009. Students who completed the largest amount of baskets were given a turkey donated by Food Lion. Luanne Nicks, GBES physical education teacher and Karen Grass, GBES principal, congratulated the winners. Kindergarten winners: Madeline Amthor and Mason Thomas. First grade winners: Marisa Guajardo and Trevor Fields. Second Grade winners: Samantha Scott and Trey Kalil. Third Grade winners: Molly Fleri and Jordan Massey. Fourth Grade winners: Haley Chipchase and Mason Colls. Fifth Grade winners: Ginny Hunter and Sebastian Teubert.

]]> General News Thu, 3 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST The York County School Division received a check for $1,000 from Farmer’s Insurance Company for teachers’ professional development. Mike Lewis and Bill McArthur, from Farmer’s Insurance, presented the check to Superintendent Eric Williams during a presentation at the school board office. In the fall of 2008, Farmers donated copies of its award winning educational programs, American Promise and Across the Waves.

]]> General News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST The Tabb High School 2009 yearbook Bengal, "Out of Many...One" won Trophy Class designation, the VHSL's highest award in its annual publication critique. It received a Superior rating in all five categories: concept, coverage, design, writing and photography. Co-editors Laura Craig and Katie Kennedy led the staff of twenty-two, along with adviser Melinda Schenkkan. Staff members and section editors included Michelle Ormsbee, Grace Kuenzi, Lea Marshall, Rachel Sepanski, Lauren Keefer, Abby Fredricksen, Sophie Karatsikis, Emilee Geer, Courtney Guy, Ben Kavit, Stacey Harlow, Ashlea Weems, Dan Byers, Ryan Cummins, Matt Jacobson, Josh Milot, Colleen Patterson, Kat Grosshans, Bob Mills and Maggie Stough.

]]> General News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST Selected as one of ten winners for the Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant Program, the York High School PTSA received $1,000 for comprehensive arts education. The grant proposal, drafted by Michelle Cihak and 2008-2009 President Tammy Pack, under the direction of current President Angie Zabicki, will be matched by funds from the York High PTSA local chapter. The award was presented at the Virginia State PTA Conference by National PTA President Chuck Saylors and outgoing Virginia PTA President Melissa Nehrbass.

]]> General News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST The Tidewater Region of the Virginia Art Educators Association awarded York High School Art Teacher, Juli Semanski the Secondary Division Art Educator Award at the regional conference in November.

]]> General News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST Seaford Elementary School's Student Council Association sponsored a canned food drive in November to assist our community. Students brought in 1,217 items that were taken to the local food bank for immediate use. The top two classes were Beth Beach's first grade class with 181 cans and Jennifer Tom's third grade class who brought in 110 items.

]]> General News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST Heather Schaloff, a York High School teacher, was recently awarded a Langley Federal Credit Union Teacher Mini-Grant. The funds will be used to support the teaching of important financial concepts to her students. Gina Mancuso-Sidhu, Business Education teacher at Tabb High School is also a recipient of a Langley Federal Credit Union Mini-Grant. The $250 grant will be used to purchase materials and supplies to enhance the financial literacy of students in the Business Education Department at Tabb High School.

]]> General News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST To the NJROTC cadets of Tabb, Gloucester, and York High, who attend the 3rd Annual Joint York County BLT, it will forever have another meaning: Basic Leadership Training. BLT was a four day overnight trip to Norfolk Naval Base to see what it means to be in the Navy. This year cadets departed from Tabb High on Thursday October eighth, after school, and did not return until Sunday October eleventh. This years BLT started with ninety four cadets and had the lowest attrition rate still it ended with only eighty nine, five cadets were unable to complete the weekend events and were sent home due to sickness or injury.

The first day of BLT always seems the most stressful, but with hindsight it may now be called an easy day. Cadets are split up into four platoons; Alpha, commanded by Loren Yourgal from York and Nicholas Chigos-White from Tabb; Bravo, commanded by Ross Barnett from Tabb and Jasnique Rolle also from Tabb; Charlie, lead by Jesse Pearsall from Gloucester and Will Burns from York; and Delta, commanded by Thomas Rivera from Gloucester and Jonathan Phillips from Tabb. The cadets also met their Cadre, or leaders. This year the BLT Commanding Officer was Tabb’s very own Angela Satava. The last thing that happens before lights out is the "Junk on Bunk" inspection. That’s when the cadets empty their luggage onto their bunks and the cadre sort through it to make sure they don’t have anything they aren’t supposed to have. Over the next three days the four platoons will compete in seven graded events for the title of Honor Platoon.

Friday October ninth was an exciting day for the boots, or cadets. They learned Damage Control and were challenged to “save a sinking vessel” on the “USS Buttercup trainer.” Everyone was cold and wet! Nevertheless with great team they kept the ship afloat – Great Job!

Next on the busy schedule were two ship visits after a short bus ride the cadets were able to see what it’s like to live and work on two national assets – the Aircraft Carriers USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) built in 1977 and the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN- 75) built in 1998. In addition to experiencing the living and working conditions while on board they learned about the ships namesakes and their unique contributions. The they marched back to the barracks for two inspections!

On Saturday the cadets went to Fort Eustis to be challenged by the Obstacle course as well as the ever exhilarating Leadership Reaction Course. There, boots were faced with a series of problems and only a handful of tools to solve them. They had to use their knowledge and craftiness to overcome problems ranging from crossing a river over a bombed out bridge, evacuation of a wounded shipmate via a highline, and escaping from a POW camp over a 10 foot wall and a moat.

Sunday marked the last day of BLT, still the Honor Platoon still had more work to do to lock it up. Before breakfast the cadets had to clean the barracks from stem to stern then hold a platoon Drill meet competition. The Drill scores really tightened up the Honor Platoon race, nevertheless there had to be a winner and by two points in the end it was Bravo platoon that took the Honor Platoon award. The Graduation was held at York High. In addition to all the cadets who completed the event earning the Mini-Boot Camp Ribbons the Honor cadets and platoon members received Honor Medals. The Honor cadets from each platoon were selected by the cadre and peers for outstanding effort. The Honor cadets were: Alpha - Daniel Pierce from Tabb; Bravo - Ben Welch and William McLawhorn from Tabb and Andrew Messick from York; Charlie - Abel Pardo from Gloucester; Delta - Allison Beams from Gloucester and Rebecca Valdez and Austin Wagner from Tabb. Every cadet left BLT a bit sore and very tired but with a sense of achievement, much to the parents delight. BLT was only four days long but they were four days that none of the cadre or boots will forget any time soon!

]]> General News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST The York Foundation for Public Educators, Inc. (YFPE) awarded a total of $5,800 to five York County Schools for the 2009 Fall School Wide Initiative Grants Program. The funds are awarded for the development and design of innovative strategies that help to reshape, enhance or improve education for all students within the school. Peggy Myatt, Director of the YFPE, and YFPE Board Member Catherine Jones, along with the winning schools’ principals, presented the recipients with their grants during surprise visits of the YFPE Prize Patrol. Additional funds were awarded to the Integrated Pre-school Outreach Program (IPOP) from the YFPE Special Programs fund to be used for tuition assistance in 2009-2010.

]]> General News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST Due to the school closings because of the inclement weather, Jan. 29th, originally a Teacher/Student Holiday, will now become a teaching day.

Additionally, first semester exams would begin on Tuesday, January 26th and end on January 29th. These exams were previously scheduled to begin on Monday, January 25th and end on Thursday, January 28th.

Click here to view the new calendar.

]]> General News Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST Seaford Elementary School formally recognizes a student from each class who displays good citizenship. Each month staff members nominate students who stand out as good citizens in all of their actions at school. The students chosen are those who naturally demonstrate a caring, helpful attitude toward others and their school environment. November's winners are as follows:

Kindergarten: Zach Harbin, Krishna Patel, Alex Riddett, and Jimmy DiMaggio.
1st Grade: Chase Crawford, Ryleigh Lemonds, David Winer, Seth Porter and Ben Poteat.
2nd Grade: Brandon Tolbert, Ryan McKnight, Olivia Henkel and Tyler Kurtyka.
3rd Grade: Maggie Gundling, Jacob Camp, Ashley Dupree and Ryan Sheck.
4th Grade: Calvin Yokum, Jenny Bush, Jarrett Medford, Allison Ormsby and Ben Lofton.
5th Grade: Christina Angel, Courtney Drewry, Rain Burleson and Hanna Angel.

]]> General News Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST York High School International Baccalaureate students Abigail Chen, Wei Chang and Brian Xu won first place at the Christopher Newport University Mathematics Contest. Under the guidance of Mary Deal, Math Department Chair, the students displayed their superior math skills. Even more remarkable, the students won with only three members on their team, yet all of the competition consisted of four members per team. Congratulations Falcons!

]]> General News Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST The Tabb Middle School Girls' Basketball Team finished a perfect 12-0 season by knocking off James Blair 40-29 to win the Bay Rivers District Title. Tabb's leadership led by the team captains Erin Fenton, Brooke Mahan and Tawana Rankin lead the championship victory. Their offense produced an average of 35 points per game and the perfect season was completed by winning every game by double digits. The Lady Tiger's play was marked by unselfishness as every player scored this season and the team averaged an impressive 9.8 assists per game. Coach Clarke, "This season was a total team effort from the beginning. We had 15 players and every one of them contributed to our season and our success. They made each other better every day in practice and each game they proved that."

]]> General News Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST Waller Mill Elementary School (WMES) students are collecting canned goods from November 17-25 to donate to FISH. Every WMES student will assist in the delivery of the canned goods. FISH, a social and human services organization is located next door to the school and will receive the donations as each class comes in.

]]> General News Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST Waller Mill Elementary School Fine Arts Magnet students will participate in a school wide walkathon on November 20th. The PTA is raising money for an outdoor classroom to be built on the Waller Mill Elementary School grounds. The College of William & Mary men's gymnastics team will begin the event by helping all 321 students and their parents warm up for the walk. November is National PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month.

]]> General News Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST Jennifer Overbay's Kindergarten class at Coventry Elementary School explores a York County Fire Truck during Fire Safety Month.

]]> General News Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST The Yorktown Middle School (YMS) 7th and 8th grade chorus students auditioned with nearly 1,000 other students from across the region for the 125 available slots in Workshop District Chorus. Students selected will participate in a concert at Woodside High School under the direction of guest conductor Angela Lemare in February 2010 with other students from across the district. YMS students selected are:

Soprano: Cara Stablien
Altos: Arianna Flores-Moya, Symone Holiday, Illeana Geary, Mikayla Raimo and Celia Neser
Baritones: Tyler Milam and Connor Cole (2nd alternate)

Congratulations to all who auditioned!

]]> General News Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST Grafton Bethel Elementary students explored the world of music and melody through the Virginia Opera's "Giovanni and the Beanstalk". The cast fielded questions from the students and many wondered how it was possible to sing that loud and pretty without a microphone.

]]> General News Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST Homecoming week in October was full of fun and merriment at Tabb High School. Displays of Spirit attire from wacky-tacky to movie characters filled the halls. Students and faculty alike got into the Spirit dress days all week.

]]> General News Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST Danielle Vallino's visual art class at Yorktown Middle School students in the Middle Years Candidate Programme (MYP) constructed creative bookmarks for a cultural exchange with students in both Portugal and France. Utilizing their artistic skills, the project was completed with the support of Donna Myers, Media Specialist, in support of the International School Library Month theme, School Libraries: The Big Picture.

]]> General News Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST Congratulations to Tia Maxfield and Noah Stoner, of Queens Lake Middle School who were named to District Chorus. Noah Stoner scored a perfect 200.

]]> General News Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST The concepts of Algebra come alive for students in Robin Brockmiller's Middle Years Programme (MYP) Algebra I class at Yorktown Middle School. Students learned about stress points as they worked to solve the real-world situation of how to rescue a child stranded on an ice pond. Students developed "Cell as a City" projects, in which they were challenged with the task to create a city or other organization that contains the same functions as the organelles in a cell. They developed visual comparisons of the Scientific Method and the MYP Design Cycle in their MYP 7th grade science class with Lesley White. Through this project, students observed the similarities between the two and the frequency with which we utilize processes to solve problems.

]]> General News Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST The Reflections National Contest sponsored by the PTA announced the Yorktown Middle School winners and hosted an awards ceremony in November. Students competed in six different categories and each of the school winners go on to compete in the county level and then at the national level.

]]> General News Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST The York Foundation for Public Educators, Inc. (YFPE) awarded a total of $3,381 to several York County Schools for the Fall 2009 Innovative Instructional Grants Program. The funds are awarded for projects that are designated to motivate, enrich and enhance student learning. Peggy Myatt, Director of the YFPE, along with YFPE Board Members Catherine Jones, Carrie Dayton and Bill Monroe along with the winning schools’ principals, presented the recipients with their grants during surprise visits of the YFPE Prize Patrol.

]]> General News Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST Queens Lake Middle School is hosting a Holiday Craft Show sponsored by the PTA on November 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring music, catering and unique gifts.

]]> Events Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST Yorktown Middle School Band Director, Wayne Powell announced the following students as band students for the month of October 2009:

• Advanced Band: Huma Ashai and Tatum Conner
• Intermediate Band: Tyler Castandeda, Ethan Jones and Matthew Shih
• Beginning Band (7th and 8th): Krystal Ortiz
• Beginning Band (6th): Josh Clough, Madison Conner and Ross Millner

]]> General News Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST In October, the 5th grade students from Magruder Elementary School went on a field trip to New Quarter Park where they were able to interact with experts in the fields of forestry, geology and history. Part of the experience was spent gathering acorns for the Department of Forestry. The students enjoyed it so much they continue to gather acorns from home and school.

]]> General News Thu, 5 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) has recognized the York County School Division (YCSD) with a Golden Achievement Award for the Building Access System Launch in 2009 and an Honorable Mention for the YCSD Strategic Planning Process Announcement.

Graphic Design USA, a national magazine for creative professionals, awarded the YCSD with a American Graphic Design Award for the 2009 Pre-Retirement Planning Seminar poster, created by Keli Slusher, Multimedia Design Specialist for the YCSD Community and Public Relations Department. The competition for this category is among the largest with 8,000 plus entries and only the top 15% selected for awards. The Community and Public Relations department is under the direction of Betsy Overkamp-Smith.

]]> General News Thu, 5 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST Seaford Elementary School's annual Hat Day was a tremendous success again this year. Students sported everything to include the traditional baseball cap, cultural hats, firefighter helmets, soldiers, Disney characters and even one pizza hat, complete with toppings.

]]> General News Thu, 5 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST Queens Lake Middle School announces the Student Council Association Board for 2009-2010. Congratulations to the following students. Ethan Rice, President, Vice-President, Simone Williams, Treasurer, Anthony Richardson, Activity/Morale Coordinator, Shreya Patel, and Secretary, Breanna Jarvis.

]]> General News Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST Alto Saxophones: Rachel Perry and Austin Gardner
Tenor Saxophones: Scott Racoosin and R'landa Mapp
Baritone Saxophone: Joshua Dolson
Trumpets: Peter McReynolds, Kyle Clark, Jabari Pace, Bryce Baker and Mason Farley
Trombones: Isaiah Williams and Karif McCoy
Bass Guitar: Alex Norris
Drum Set: Kavron Carr and Shaquille White

]]> General News Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, performed by Theater IV, is a great story known all around the world. Grafton Bethel Elementary School's students enjoyed the frightfully hilarious musical performance. The Cultural Arts division of the Parent Teacher Association sponsored this event.

]]> General News Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST Principal Antonia Fox congratulates the National Merit and National Achievement Semifinalists at York High School.

]]> General News Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST The York High School Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) will host a Cinderella's Closet dress sale on November 7, 2009 from 9 am to 2 pm in the high school’s KIVA. This sale will provide the opportunity for all community members to purchase high-quality formal and semi-formal dresses. Dresses will be sold on a consignment-basis, with 30% of all proceeds going to the PTSA. This event is open to the public.

]]> General News Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST First graders at Seaford Elementary School recently paid tribute to the legendary Johnny Appleseed by participating in a variety of apple activities which included making apple art, listening to stories about the famous folk hero and sampling several varieties of apples that are produced in the state of Virginia.

]]> General News Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:50:00 EST Kevin Luo, a York High Class of 2009 graduate, was recently honored at the White House as a 2009 Presidential Scholar by the U.S. Department of Education. Kevin is one of three high school seniors chosen in Virginia and one of 141 chosen nationwide for their accomplishments in academics, arts, leadership, citizenship and community service. Additionally, Kevin was joined by Cynthia Hardesty, IB Physics instructor, who he named as his most influential teacher.

]]> General News Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:50:00 EST The Grafton Bethel Elementary School’s Spell-a-thon raises funds by accepting monetary pledges through family sponsors for weekly spelling tests. All participating students receive a Wendy’s Frosty card and a principal’s homework pass. Classes are also treated to popcorn and snocone parties for each grade level that raises the most money. "This is very beneficial for the school and its faculty and students. It works well because it allows the student's friends and family to donate 100% to the school instead of a small percentage from an item they didn’t want anyway." says Tina Hoffman, this year's Spell-a-thon coordinator.

]]> General News Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:50:00 EST The decision to choose products that will protect children’s health and the environment is a major undertaking in schools today. Unsafe chemicals pose a serious risk to the health of teachers, staff and students. More importantly, they have a significant adverse impact on the local environment. The York County School Division strives to continuously improve the quality of our schools and to be good stewards of the environment.

Over the years, the school division has employed environmentally friendly products for many aspects of daily cleaning. Recently the school division adopted the use of green products and diminished waste by replacing liquid soap with foam soap and by using single sheet paper towel dispensers in all restrooms. One of the most significant items now being addressed by the division is floor finishes. Floor cleaning products are a major contributor to indoor air quality. Currently Yorktown and Dare Elementary Schools are working with a consultant to evaluate the need for additional use of green cleaning products and to update techniques that will diminish chemical use and cleaning time.

Green products currently used at York County School Division:

• 3M cleaning chemicals: Neutral Floor Cleaner, All Purpose Cleaner and Glass Cleaner.
• Hand towels and toilet paper manufactured by Cascades Company and distributed locally by Riverside Paper, Inc.
• Hand soap manufactured by Kutol Company and also distributed locally by Riverside Paper, Inc.

]]> General News Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:50:00 EST Autumn was celebrated in style at Grafton Bethel Elementary School’s annual Fall Festival. Harvest crafts, a hayride and fresh made apple cider were among the many activities sponsored by the PTA. The Honor students from Grafton High School and Bill Grass, the apple cider maker, volunteered their time to help make this a successful event.

]]> General News Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:50:00 EST Tabb High School students have received national recognition for their academic performance. Alex Brown and Ryan Souther are National Commended students, Yvonne Mack and Mark Tilashalski are National Merit Semifinalists and Martina Mitchell is a National Achievement Scholarship Program Semifinalist. Congratulations to all of these achievers.

]]> General News Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:50:00 EST The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) have launched their website at Tabb High School, thanks to Bobby Jones and his construction skills. To gain access, go to the Tabb High School website site to keep up with current events, field trips and competitions.

]]> General News Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:50:00 EST Jerylyne Phillips of the Tabb High School Bowling Team has been selected a second year in a row as one of the top five female bowlers in our area to the All Star Team in the Peninsula Association of the United States Bowling Congress.

]]> General News Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:45:00 EST Tabb Elementary School’s Peer Mediation Program has been in place for 14 years. Mediators are fifth graders who have been selected by their classmates for their reliability and leadership. The mediators receive training from guidance counselor, Lynn Brothers. They assist students who are experiencing unresolved disagreements with other students. Generally the students refer themselves for mediation, but may also be referred by teachers, administrators or parents. The Peer Mediation Program creates a more peaceful school environment by teaching students non-violent ways to handle conflict.

]]> General News Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:45:00 EST York High School students were invited to participate in an art contest hosted by the Colonial Harbor. Residents voted by ballot to select the winners and prizes were awarded for first, second, and third place. First place went to Xaier Zhang and second and third place to Amanda Boyd. The staff and residents of Colonial Harbor enjoyed the event and hope to host another contest in the spring.

]]> General News Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:45:00 EST Through a partnership with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), 11th grade International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme Biology students at York High School are receiving instruction from Heidi Cotton, a VIMS scientist. The program, funded by the National Science Foundation, works to bring science to the community and what better way to do this than with students. Most recently, students began their long-term lab to study the biodiversity, water quality and sediment cores at Beaverdam Creek.

]]> General News Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:45:00 EST Members of the York High School Student Council Association traveled to Northern Virginia to participate in the Virginia Student Council Association (VSCA). Students were able to network with their counterparts from across the state, as well as further their own leadership skills.

]]> General News Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:45:00 EST Seaford Elementary School’s SCA sponsored a Cutest Pet Contest to raise money for the American Heart Association. Over 230 contestants participated by donating one dollar per entry. Pets included: cats, dogs, birds, lizards and horses. Pets were judged in three categories: Cutest Pose, Cutest Outfit and Most Unusual Pet. The contest was judged by York County School Division Superintendent, Eric Williams, Ed.D., YCSD Coordinator of Community and Public Relations, Betsy Overkamp-Smith, Seaford Elementary ACI Coordinator, Suzy Trench. Winner of the Cutest Pose was 4th grader Sean Connelly and his cat Victoria. Winner of the Cutest Outfit was 1st grader Adrienne Byrum and her dog Jake. Winner of the Most Unusual Pet was 2nd grader Kelsey Hensberger and her bearded dragons, Jagger and Spot. Each winner received a Seaford Elementary stuffed bulldog and a $10 gift card to PetCo.

]]> General News Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:45:00 EST Sandra Cherry’s fourth grade Literature Circle celebrates E. B. White's, Charlotte's Web with a pig party!

]]> General News Fri, 9 Oct 2009 9:45:00 EST An ENERGY STAR qualified school meets strict energy performance standards set by EPA and uses less energy, is less expensive to operate and causes fewer greenhouse gas emissions than its peers. The EPA's ENERGY STAR program recognizes buildings that have achieved a rating of 75 or better. This means that the building operates in the top 25% of all comparable buildings participating in the ENERGY STAR program. Prior to this year, YCSD had 6 buildings that had been recognized at least once as an ENERGY STAR Building. The following ten schools have been recognized as 2009 Energy Star buildings:

• Bruton High School – third consecutive year
• Grafton High/Middle School Complex – second consecutive year
• Mount Vernon Elementary School – second consecutive year
• Queens Lake Middle School – third consecutive year
• Seaford Elementary School – third consecutive year
• Tabb High School – first year
• Tabb Middle School – second consecutive year
• York High School – first year
• Yorktown Elementary School – first year
• Yorktown Middle School – first year

]]> General News Fri, 9 Oct 2009 9:45:00 EST Jennifer Tom’s third grade class at Seaford Elementary School celebrated their heroes by wearing their favorite jerseys on Favorite Sports Team Day.

]]> General News Fri, 9 Oct 2009 9:45:00 EST In September, the Coca Cola Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability team visited Tabb Elementary School. The volunteers read to the first grade classes of Connie Rowe and Pam O'Marah. Fourth grade students Lisanne Pearson and Dylan Winslow assisted the volunteers with the planting of two Crepe Myrtle trees.

]]> General News Fri, 9 Oct 2009 9:45:00 EST Representatives from the Seaford Coca Cola distribution facility visited Magruder Elementary School on the Coca Cola Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Day. They visited first grade classrooms and read Curious George Plants a Tree. Fifth grade students assisted as two Crepe Myrtles were planted in front of the school.

]]> General News Fri, 9 Oct 2009 9:45:00 EST As a part of Coca Cola’s Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Week, representatives from the Yorktown Sales Center in Seaford, VA visited each of York County School Division’s ten elementary schools on September 29th to read to students and plant trees. Students from each school assisted the Coca Cola representatives in planting two crape myrtle trees at each school site. In addition, the Coca Cola groups went from classroom to classroom reading Curious George Plants a Tree. A copy of the book was then donated to each school’s library.

]]> General News Fri, 9 Oct 2009 9:45:00 EST York County School Division is urging staff to promote energy awareness in the classroom, at home and in their daily activities. Promotional items, web resources, posters, lesson plans and basic energy saving tips have been made available to staff. Visit for information and resources.

]]> General News Fri, 9 Oct 2009 9:45:00 EST Tabb Elementary School recently recognized those students who scored a perfect 600 on their 2009 Standards of Learning tests. The 37 students were treated to a breakfast with Principal Cheryl Parr and given a certificate to acknowledge their accomplishment.

]]> General News Fri, 9 Oct 2009 9:45:00 EST The Seaford Elementary School formally recognizes a student from each class who displays good citizenship each month. Staff members nominate students who stand out in all of their actions at school. After consideration, the students chosen are those who naturally demonstrate a caring, helpful attitude toward others and their school environment. This month's winners are as follows:

• Kindergarten - Megan Freeman, Katie Nobles, Hima Prasad and Olivia Resa
• 1st Grade - Haley Auche, Olivia Burns, Lauren Gladysz, Camille Jenkins and Jenny Wagner
• 2nd Grade - Sarah Cunningham and Erin Murray

]]> General News Fri, 9 Oct 2009 9:45:00 EST The award for Middle School Youth Art was presented to Queens Lake Middle School this year at "An Occasion for the Arts" in Williamsburg. Over 600 pieces of art representing over 24 schools were on display. This is the third straight year that QLMS has won the award for middle school art.

]]> General News Fri, 9 Oct 2009 9:45:00 EST In celebration of Fire Safety Week, firefighters visited Magruder Elementary School. Students were able to see all the equipment used to fight fires, including the gear worn by firefighters when they enter houses to rescue residents.

]]> General News Fri, 9 Oct 2009 9:45:00 EST The Joint Military Services School Liaison Committee (JMSSLC) is pleased to announce that Guidance Counselors, Cary Dukes of Bethel Manor Elementary School and Lynn Kenneally of Tabb High School have each received a mini-grant to support the following programs that assist military families.

Bethel Manor Elementary School
"Breaking the Ice with Ice Cream", an ice cream social welcome for all new families - 190 new kids this year! Faculty and some "old" families helped welcome the new ones. Teachers served the ice cream in the lunch lines and raffle prizes of books and school supplies were awarded to 10 kids.
"Military Kids" Groups – All of the students at BMES are military dependents; therefore approximately 50 kids at any given time have a parent deployed. Military Kids is a support group at each grade level. Participants receive engraved, distinctive colored “dog tags” to wear while their parent is deployed. Students are able to see others wearing the dog tag at school giving them the comfort of knowing they are not alone and that others are available to talk to if needed.

Tabb High School
The Tabb High program increases opportunities to provide services to military transfer students from their unique perspective as military dependents, through group activities that will help the students themselves evaluate the kinds of services that they need. They will assist Friendship Network members in developing information sessions designed to address these needs and topics. Students will develop a video in conjunction with the Multimedia Design class, portraying their experience as a military dependent at Tabb High School. The video will then be used as a tool by new military transfer students.

]]> General News Fri, 9 Oct 2009 9:45:00 EST Congratulations to Lisa Field, Science Teacher at York High School for receiving $1,000 from the Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association (AFCEA) Hampton Roads Chapter. Lisa Field is one of nine educators who received the 2009 Science Teaching Tools Awards. Recipients are invited to attend the Chapter’s monthly luncheon at Holiday Inn in October. The AFCEA efforts encourage others to support teachers who assist students in developing an interest in math and science.

]]> General News Fri, 9 Oct 2009 9:45:00 EST Do you want to travel to Germany for four weeks? Become a part of the Yorktown-Zweibrucken Student Exchange program and spend four weeks of the summer abroad in Germany. Information and applications are available in the guidance office of each high school in the York County School Division until November 6, 2009. For more information, please contact program coordinators Sandy Hespe at 898-0469 or Darnell Veach at 898-0462.

]]> General News Mon, 5 Oct 2009 12:45:00 EST Wayne Powell, Yorktown Middle School Band Director is pleased to announce the Band Students of the Month for September 2009.

• Advanced Band - Kyle Abbott and Ethan Buck
• Intermediate Band - Young Chae, Stuart Warshawsky and Patrick Wood
• Beginning 6th Grade Band - Leigh Ann Abbott, Ryan born, Davis Price and Alex Rouin

]]> General News Mon, 5 Oct 2009 12:45:00 EST Coca Cola Enterprises (CCE) employees teamed up with students at Dare Elementary and Magruder Elementary schools to plant trees as part of a joint venture with the York County School Division to help educate students at all ten elementary schools about the importance of protecting and improving the environment. This event is part of CCE's global, company-wide initiative called "CRS in Action Week" taking place this week, where many of CCE's 73,000 employees are participating in local community events to demonstrate the company's commitment to our communities and Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CRS).

]]> General News Mon, 5 Oct 2009 12:45:00 EST Students at Tabb High School (THS) were treated to a club fair hosted by the Friendship Network. The commons was filled with displays and chatter as the students moved around the tables interacting with the various club members and sponsors during lunch blocks in September. This was the seventh annual club fair sponsored by the Friendship Network and is only one of its many efforts to welcome the new and transferring students to Tabb High School. Lynn Kenneally, the Friendship Network's sponsor says that the club fair gives the students an opportunity to get information on over 40 clubs and organizations being offered at THS.

]]> General News Mon, 5 Oct 2009 12:45:00 EST In conjunction with the International Baccalaureate (IB) community theme of "Sharing Our Humanity," the IB 11 Spanish students and the Spanish IV students participated in the International Day of Peace. Researching a visual representation of peace and then compiling their images, students applied their Spanish skills to describe the images and their relationship to the global, community theme.

]]> General News Mon, 5 Oct 2009 12:45:00 EST Michael Martinez's World History classes took a trip to the Renaissance Museum without leaving the building. Students exited the classroom, took a short imaginary bus ride and were greeted by the museum curator (Mr. Martinez) as they returned to the room. Each student was provided with museum directory and instructed to browse the exhibits and take notes on each renaissance artist's bust. Earlier in the week, teams of students in each class were given a bust (paper facsimile) of one of the notable artists of the Renaissance period. They researched the artist, recorded the information at the base of the bust and colored the bust to represent their interpretation of the artist's appearance. The museum activity was designed to help students identify renaissance artists and to be able to explain their contributions to renaissance art.

]]> General News Mon, 5 Oct 2009 12:45:00 EST Sandy Cherry's 4th grade class at Grafton Bethel Elementary School enjoyed observing the four stages of the monarch butterfly life cycle - the egg, the larvae (caterpillar), the pupa (chrysalis), and the adult butterfly. The students enjoyed feeding the butterfly sugar water as they watched closely until the butterfly flew away into the Grizzly Get-A-Way! It was truly amazing!

]]> General News Mon, 5 Oct 2009 12:45:00 EST This year, the York County School Division offers a new service for parents – edline. Through edline, parents are able to monitor their child's grades, access combined calendars and receive e-mails from schools and teachers.

The parents of middle and high school students should have received their edline activation codes at Back to School Night. If you did not attend Back to School Night and have not received your activation code, please contact your child's school.

Parents of students in grades 3-5 will receive activation codes at parent-teacher conferences in November. Grades for K-2 students will not be posted on edline, but parents of K-2 students can access all the information posted on elementary school web sites without logging in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Edline posts answers to frequently asked questions on its site through the "Help" link. To assist parents with this function, below are the most frequently asked questions and the applicable edline link.

How do I activate my account? How do I login? I’ve lost my password, how do I get a new one? I’ve received an error message, what does it mean? https://www.edline.net/HelpLoginFAQ.page

Where do the links on my homepage take me? https://www.edline.net/HelpGroupHome-student.page

How do I find my student's grades? https://www.edline.net/Support.page

My child's teacher hasn't posted grades in several days. Why not? Please contact your child's teacher to determine how often she/he will be posting grades. Some assignments will take longer to grade than others.

I live in a household separate from my child, how can I get another activation code? All you need to do is request a second parent code from your child's school. Once you activate your code, you will be able to see all of your child’s private reports.

Help Guides
Account Setup
Student/Parent Quick-Start Guide

If you have other questions about edline, please contact us!

]]> General News Mon, 28 Sep 2009 9:30:00 EST The Grafton Bethel Elementary School PTA raffled five car washes at the Teacher Luncheon, in an effort to reach 100% teacher participation.

]]> General News Mon, 28 Sep 2009 7:45:00 EST Utilizing the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, by Eric Carle, Seaford Elementary School kindergartners practice learning their colors by highlighting a specific color each day.

]]> General News Mon, 28 Sep 2009 7:36:00 EST Four area schools have been recognized by the Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries, Virginia Naturally School Recognition Program. Coventry Elementary, Mt. Vernon Elementary, Seaford Elementary and Grafton Middle schools were among the 52 Virginia schools that were recognized for their efforts in supporting environmental conservation and stewardship for 2009. The schools were required to submit a plan, carry it through for the year, and then meet specific criteria to be recognized in years for their continued efforts. Coventry Elementary School and Mt. Vernon Elementary School have been recognized for five years each, Grafton Middle School for one year, and Seaford Elementary School for one year.

]]> General News Mon, 28 Sep 2009 7:22:00 EST Jerry Pallotta, a.k.a. the Alphabet Man, visited Grafton Bethel Elementary School in September. He spent the day visiting classes and talking to students about his creative and intriguing alphabet story books. Students were treated to an interesting program in which he shared various photos and stories from his books. Student Max Gonnerman won "The Skull Alphabet Book" by correctly identifying a skull from the story.

]]> General News Mon, 28 Sep 2009 7:20:00 EST The Grafton Bethel Elementary PTA kicked off the new school year by sponsoring a luncheon for all teachers and staff to encourage membership in the association. Cameras, flash drives, Starbucks gift cards and free car washes were awarded as door prizes.

]]> General News Mon, 28 Sep 2009 7:18:00 EST The PTA helped celebrate the success of over eighty students who earned a 600 on their SOL tests last spring. The students received certificates, were served donuts and juice and were congratulated for their success. Grafton Bethel Elementary School has much to celebrate with a 100% pass rate of last year’s 5th graders in reading and math.

]]> General News Mon, 28 Sep 2009 7:16:00 EST York High School is pleased to announce two of their students as semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Juliana Wu and Sang Mee Ko join the ranks of 16,000 semifinalists nationwide who are the highest PSAT scoring students from their states. Approximately 8,200 students are selected for the Merit Scholarships each year. Congratulations for an outstanding achievement.

]]> General News Mon, 28 Sep 2009 7:15:00 EST Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) will host pizza nights in September and October at YCSD elementary schools. Dads and children are invited to attend for free pizza and drinks. The sessions will demonstrate how to volunteer at schools to be an extra set of eyes and ears. Watch DOGS promotes positive male role models and is a focus group of Child Development Resources, Inc. CDR provides services to young children and families. For more information call 757-566-3300.

The session schedule is as follows:

• 9/22/09 – 6 p.m. - Tabb Elementary
• 9/23/09 – 6 p.m. - Waller Mill Elementary
• 9/24/09 – 6 p.m. - Dare Elementary
• 10/6/09 – 6 p.m. - Seaford Elementary
• 10/8/09 – 6 p.m. - Bethel Manor Elementary
• 10/8/09 – 6:30 p.m. - Grafton Bethel Elementary
• 10/08/09 - 6:30 p.m. - Magruder Elementary
• 10/22/09 – 6 p.m. - Mt. Vernon Elementary

]]> Events Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:15:00 EST The Tabb High Student Council Association (SCA) executive board officers once again remembered the fallen victims of September 11th by delivering a pizza lunch to Fire Station #2 located next to the school. The SCA has sponsored these firefighters each year since that tragic day by providing lunch accompanied by sincere gratitude for the many selfless, often heroic acts performed by firefighters everywhere, everyday.

]]> General News Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:10:00 EST An art exhibit is currently on display through the end of the month at the YCSD School Board office featuring art work created by the talented art teachers of the York County School Division. There will be a reception for the exhibit on September 17 from 4 - 5 p.m. in the School Board Office foyer located at 302 Dare Road. There are nearly fifty pieces on display.

]]> Events Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:10:00 EST The York County School Division has received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the US and Canada’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the Fiscal Year 2009 Operating Budget. The GFOA award is the highest form of recognition from the organization and is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting. To earn the award, YCSD satisfied nationally recognized guidelines to assess how well the budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communications device.

]]> General News Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:05:00 EST Waller Mill Elementary School Fine Arts Magnet teachers enjoyed refreshing Sno Cones from Grafton’s Sno Zone at the end of a day of professional development.

]]> General News Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST It's becoming an annual event - Sno Zone at Tabb High School. THS Principal, Laura Abel treats faculty, staff and their families to a refreshing Sno Zone treat to begin the new school year. Sno Zone Proprietor, Alan Pritchard delivers the frozen delicacies right to the front door.

]]> General News Fri, 4 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST The Tabb High School Spanish Honor Society filled backpacks with school supplies to help the Salvation Army provide local area students with much needed school supplies. Members of the group - Colin King, Clint Yeaman, Phebe Dunkley, Marissa Spencer and Anam Jafri filled 200 book bags.

]]> General News Fri, 4 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST Advanced Placement (AP) course curriculum is rigorous and designed to challenge even the most gifted students. Social Studies Department Chair, Melinda Sloan and AP instructor Linnea Terndrup initiated the "AP Boot Camp" this year at Tabb High to help those enrolled in AP classes. For three days in August, the boot camp recruits focused on various skills needed to be successful in AP classes as well as regular classes. The event culminated with student presentations, demonstrating the skills learned during the camp, reinforcing their knowledge and their ability to apply the lessons learned.

]]> General News Fri, 4 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST The Tabb High School Student Council Association (SCA) welcomed students to Tabb High during the New Student Orientation in September. Vice President, Stacey Harlow and Advisor, Leann Sasamoto organized the event. The commons area was filled with club and organization, booster club and local business displays with over 500 students and parents in attendance. The displays offered information on the extracurricular activities available at THS. The program began with a welcome from the SCA Vice President and the Presentation of Colors by the THS NJROTC Color Guard lead by Cadet Chief Ross Barnett. Parents and students were introduced to student leaders, administration, faculty and staff. Class President, Tom West addressed his freshman class, “We are not little kids anymore. We are in high school. More than that – we are in Tabb High School.” The THS Multimedia class created and presented a PowerPoint of opportunities, encouragement and tips for a successful start to the school year. The activities concluded with SCA guided tours of the building for the students and a question and answer session for the parents in the auditorium.

]]> General News Fri, 4 Sep 2009 11:45:00 EST Tabb High School Band Camp opened this year under the direction of Band Director Adam Waller and Drum Majors Jonathan Lucas, Kirsten Lynch, and Jill Rinehart, with over 130 members, including 38 new members. The three week camp focused on marching and maneuvering fundamentals, musical technique and the musical rehearsal of the 2009 halftime show, "Music from the Incredibles". The first week, "rookie camp", provided new members the opportunity to learn the necessary marching band techniques. Week two brought the entire band together and expanded the rehearsals to include leadership workshops for section leaders and drum majors. Tabb's Marching Band Guard lead by Captains Lauren Keefer and Katie Deleo worked along side their marching band counterparts to add visual flare and sparkle to the show. This year's Guard consists of 17 returning members and eight new members. The lineup for the 2009-2010 school year includes performances at all five home Tabb High School football games, three marching band competitions, the Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors Association State Marching Festival and the Yorktown Day Parade.

]]> General News Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:45:00 EST Discovery Camp is alive and well this summer at Yorktown Elementary Math Science Technology Magnet School. While students attend a four day camp they are learning about bugs, stars, comets, habitats and more. Students pictured are making "Comets" to learn more about Astronomy.

]]> General News Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST Penny Vaughn, 6th Grade Science Teacher from Tabb Middle School, was honored as the 2008-2009 Science Teacher of the Year. This award is co-sponsored by the Langley Chapter of the Air Force Association and the Virginia Air & Space Center. The purpose of the program is to recognize classroom teachers for their accomplishments and achievement by inspiring K-12 students to be excited about science and math, and preparing them to use and contribute to tomorrow's technologies. Vaughn was recognized at the Chapter luncheon on June 9th at the Langley AFB Officer's Club.

]]> General News Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST Grafton Bethel Elementary School K-Kids celebrated the end of a great year of school-community projects with their mentors from the Key Club at Grafton High School.

]]> General News Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST The fifth graders at Mt. Vernon Elementary School held the first York County Kids' Walk for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). The walk was held at MVES after school on May 29. Fifth grader Danielle Manicone presented the idea of a Kids' Walk to her principal, Barbara Wood. With the help of students, parents and faculty, MVES organized and held the Kids' Walk in honor of two of Danielle's classmates, Hannah Speight and Isma-il Lewis, who live with juvenile diabetes. The students raised over $2,500 for JDRF.

]]> General News Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST SubFinder on the Web is an expansion of YCSD's current SubFinder system that will allow teachers and substitutes to access their SubFinder information via the Internet. A SubFinder on the Web tutorial for teachers can be found at http://breeze.crs-ivr.com/employee58. A SubFinder on the Web tutorial for substitutes can be found at http://breeze.crs-ivr.com/substitute58. YCSD employees can access SubFinder on the web at https://subfinderweb.ycsd.york.va.us/webconnect. This link is for external access to SubFinder on the Web. If you are on a school division computer and wish to access SubFinder on the Web, please visit Sid for the internal link. Please call 898-0483 if you have questions about SubFinder on the Web.

]]> General News Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:00:00 EST