York County School Division - Back-to-School: What's New

What's New - and Improved

Mobile App Upgrade: Stay Connected Your Way

YCSD's mobile app has been upgraded! New updates make staying informed and connected easier than ever.

Families can now create password-protected accounts, follow the schools that matter most to them, receive tailored news and calendar updates in one place. Additionally, a new chat feature replaces the Remind two-way messaging platform, allowing families and students to message teachers, coaches, and staff directly in the app. The mobile app, including the chat feature, supports translation so you can communicate in the language you’re most comfortable using. Resources on how to use the YCSD app, set up your account, and use the new chat feature is available on the division website.

Download the latest version today to take advantage of these features and keep your school connections at your fingertips.

Standard Response Protocol

YCSD has adopted the I Love U Guys Foundation Standard Response Protocol (SRP) to guide staff, students and families through emergency situations. The SRP is a framework providing clear, consistent language and response actions we will take in the event of severe weather, a fire or gas leak, or criminal activity occurring on or near a school campus.

While the response actions are similar to those the division has used for years, this protocol replaces older terms like "modified lockdown" with a clear, consistent set of terms used by schools across the country.

Standard Response Protocol

a purple circle with a white door

Action: Hold in your room or area. Clear the halls.

Hold is called when the hallways need to be kept clear, even during class changes. This can be initiated for medical and safety reasons.

a blue circle with white hands in it

Action: Get inside. Lock outside doors.

Secure is called when there is a situation OUTSIDE the building that requires everyone to remain inside. Classroom activities continue uninterrupted. When a building is in Secure, students and families will be not be allowed to enter or exit the building and staff access is limited.

a white padlock in a red circle

Action: Locks, Lights, Out of Sight

Lockdown is called when there is an immediate threat to the school requiring the need to secure individual rooms and keep students quiet and in place. Teachers will lock classroom doors and turn lights out. In addition, teachers and students will move away from corridor line of sight and maintain silence.

a group of people holding hands

Action: Follow Directions

Evacuate is used when there is an unsafe situation INSIDE the building, such as a fire or gas leak, and students must be moved from one location to another. This could be another location on school grounds or another location away from the school campus.

a white figure with a roof over head

Action: Follow Directions

Shelter is used when there is an unsafe situation, such as a tornado or earthquake, requiring everyone in the building to take action for personal and physical safety.

Standard Response Protocol Resources

Code of Civility

The YCSD Student Handbook and Conduct Code now includes a Code of Civility to reflect our commitment to providing a safe, secure and caring learning environment. This code sets clear expectations for how students, staff, families, and community members interact: with honesty, kindness, and accountability.

Philosophy

We demonstrate mutual trust and respect by acting honestly and ethically. We provide safe, secure, and caring environments for students and staff. As adults, we are responsible for modeling appropriate behavior for our students.

To foster a successful partnership, we expect all students, staff, families, and community members to follow the division Code of Civility.

Expectations

We have zero tolerance for aggressive behavior. The following behaviors are considered unacceptable:

Failing to follow staff instructions
Using obscenities or speaking in a demeaning, loud, or insulting manner
Disrupting school or school division operations
Making threatening comments or gestures

Addressing Uncivil Behavior

When interactions become inappropriate or uncivil, individual may:

End or step away from a conversation or meeting
Choose not to respond to disrespectful, aggressive or harassing communications
Ask the other party to leave the premises, if appropriate
Contact a supervisor, school administrator, or law enforcement if behavior escalates or poses a safety concern

Middle School Chromebook Covers

Beginning this year, all middle school students will receive a Bump Armor case to help protect their Chromebooks. These cases will be handed out by the Information Technology team about three weeks after the school year begins.

Please note: If a case is lost or damaged, a $20 replacement fee will apply. This fee has been added to the updated device damage fee schedule.

Calendars & Schedules

Families are encouraged to plan ahead and download or print the 2025-26 student calendar to familiarize themselves with student holidays and early release days. The calendar is available on the website and in the YCSD mobile app.

New Division & School Administrators

The 2025-26 school year will begin with several new division and school administrators in our schools, as well as some veteran administrators in new roles within the division. Please join us in welcoming the following staff members to their new positions: