York Central School District

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025 YORK CENTRAL SCHOOL IS ON A TWO HOUR DELAY DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER.

Mrs. Shaffer’s Third Graders Virtually Visit with Author for World Read Aloud Day February 5, 2025, was World Read Aloud Day, an event hosted by LitWorld, a nonprofit literacy organization. Mrs. Tricia Shaffer’s third-grade class participated in a virtual read-aloud session with New York Times and Bestselling Author Joanna Ho, who has authored 9 children’s books and one novel appropriate for teens. The author read her book entitled, “We Who Produce Pearls,” along with dozens of classrooms virtually joining from around the world. The book celebrates Asian-American culture and the diverse contributions made throughout history. “We Who Produce Pearls” is wonderfully and colorfully illustrated by artist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya. Students were given the opportunity to read a page from the book out loud and to ask questions of the author who told the students that she didn’t like to write when she was a student. However, she had ideas in her mind that she wanted to share and so she continued writing and got better at it. She encouraged the young students to do the same. Mrs. Shaffer’s students were very engaged in listening to the story and the discussion with the author. Scholastic website offers several recorded read-aloud books for children to listen to.

Geneseo Rotary Donated Dictionaries to York Third Graders Members of Geneseo's Rotary Club visited York Elementary School to present a dictionary to each third-grade student. Supporting education and literacy is one of the main focuses of Rotary International and Rotary Clubs in the U.S. The Dictionary Project started in 2004 and since then, Rotary Clubs across the nation have presented approximately 28 million third-grade students with a new dictionary to keep for themselves. Students learned about the guiding principles of Rotary International, also called the Four-Way Test: 1. Is it the truth? 2. Is it fair to all concerned? 3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships? 4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Thank you to Geneseo Rotary Club and members, Tim, Margie, Patti, and Steve, for visiting with our third-grade classes and presenting them with a dictionary.

The York Central School Counseling Team received the Excellence in Student Services Award, presented by the Genesee Valley School Board Association. York School Board of Education President Laura Geary received the award at the January 18, 2025, GVSBA Legislative Leadership program. The YCS Counseling and Mental Health Team of six individuals have 64 years of professional experience. They are a cohesive and collaborative team whose goal is to provide comprehensive, developmental counseling services for all students in an effort to support academic, career, and personal/social development. “The counseling and mental health team is a student- focused team who continually goes above and beyond. They are the first to volunteer when needed. They quietly work to ensure that the students and families have the support and basic needs to grow. This includes leading the efforts on food insecurity through the Knight Bites Food Pantry for the students and families. They are a cohesive team that is selfless in their time and efforts for the YCS School community. The students are very fortunate to have such a dedicated group looking out for them,” said YCS Superintendent David Furletti. Congratulations York CSD Counseling and Mental Health Dream Team! Nicole Guy - Social Worker, Grades K-3 Sheri Nevinger - Social Worker, Grades 4-5 Alyssa Zona - Social Worker, Grades 6-12 Julie Gilman - Counselor, Grades 6-8 Na’Lisa Hussar - Counselor, Grades 9-12 Stephanie Herbek - School Psychologist Megan Logsdon - CSE Director

Miss Stahl's students made predictions of their own last Friday - would the Groundhog see his shadow on Sunday or would he not see his shadow? The class predictions were split 50/50, but as we know, Punxsutawney Phil indeed did emerge from hibernation to see his shadow and therefore six more weeks of winter are predicted! We think we have the most adorable little groundhogs - don't you agree?

Welcome February 2025! Breakfast and lunch menus are posted to the York Golden Knights website and mobile app! https://www.yorkcsd.org/o/ycsd/page/food

National School Counselor Week, February 3 - 7, 2025, is a great opportunity to showcase our amazing Counselors! Thank you for your caring dedication to our students and for helping them achieve success.

Today is the first day of retirement for York Elementary School Second Grade Teacher Tara Smith. Mrs. Smith taught for 12 years at Alexander Elementary School before joining the YES faculty in 2014. The faculty, staff, and students celebrated Mrs. Smith during her last days at YES; with one of her former students saying, "I loved every day of second grade!" Mrs. Smith is looking forward to more time with her family and traveling but she will always be a Golden Knight. Congratulations and best wishes on a happy and healthy retirement, Mrs. Smith!

It's a cold and snowy morning in the Genesee Valley but this afternoon this talented group of Knights will heat up the auditorium at Mount Morris High School performing in the Genesee Valley School Music Association All-County Concert! Congratulations to our Knight selected to perform today: Senior High Chorus: Devin Cunningham, Abigail Emerson, Sophie Hatfield, Grace Hopkins, Jayden Jackson, Haley Miller, Teagan Minor, and Kaylee Reimer. Junior High Band: Sylvia Llop, Avanda Coffey, Grace Northrop, Alanna Farley, Zara Hopkins, Payton Laney, Ethan Metz, Luke Myers, Charlie Schneider, and Thomas Vennard.

It's time for the York PTO Sweetheart Dance! Saturday, February 1 at YCS High School Cafeteria. No admission. Snacks and refreshments will be on sale. Carnations for sale $1. Students must accompanied by an adult at the dance. Pre-K to 2nd grade - 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 3rd grade to 5th grade - 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Groundhog Day is this Sunday, February 2! Punxsutawney Phil is the most well-known groundhog of all time. Will Phil emerge from hibernation to see his shadow, signaling six more weeks of winter? Or will Phil emerge from hibernation and NOT see his shadow, signaling spring is near! Take our Groundhog Day poll - from those who have already participated in the poll, the majority say that Phil will not see his shadow on Groundhog Day and spring is near! The Groundhog Day poll is part of the January 2025 Knightly Newsletter... scroll down and take the poll! Fingers crossed that Phil does not see his shadow! CLICK HERE: https://secure.smore.com/n/x45p8

Career Kickstart With AP Cybersecurity Courses at YCS York High School will pilot a new set of career-focused AP classes in Cybersecurity that will lead to college credit to a two or four-year college, technical school or a pathway to workforce certifications. What is AP Career Kickstart? Career Kickstart courses are career-oriented, focused hands-on training organized as pathways made up of two full-year courses designed to help students get ready for in-demand careers.The courses are aligned with workforce needs. Through AP CK pathways, your student can build technical skills along with professional skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork that will help them prepare for two- and four-year college, technical school, an apprenticeship, or a job. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, YCS will offer AP Cyber 2: Security and AP Cyber 1: Networking in the following school year. The courses will be taught in the STEAM classrooms. York HS Counseling Office will provide more information for parents/guardians and students in the coming weeks.

Hats off to Luciano and Amaya for being helpful and showing kindness. You are good role models of the Golden Knights Way!

Attention Students! Thursday, January 30, 2025, will be a cycle day D. See you tomorrow!

YORK CENTRAL SCHOOL IS CLOSED TODAY! TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2025 STUDENTS AND STAFF SHOULD NOT REPORT TO SCHOOL TODAY! STAY WARM AND SAFE KNIGHTS!

REMINDER! Chinese Lunar New Year is this Wednesday, January 29. School is CLOSED for students and teachers. Staff reports.

Elementary School students practice the Golden Knights Way! Hats off Brooks, Finley, and Dante for displaying kindness and working hard on your schoolwork. You all are good role models of the Golden Knights Way!

High School Students’ Artwork on Exhibit at RIT Four York High School students had their artwork entered in the START HERE exhibit at Rochester Institute of Technology. Ms. Liz Miller’s students, Freshman Ava Lorinzetti and Junior Tessa Rodwell, entered drawings in the exhibit. From Ms. Kate Andrzejczak’s Digital Photography class, Eli Park entered a digital photogram and Logan DioGuardi entered film photography portraits. START HERE is an annual art exhibition featuring student work selected by high school and middle school teachers in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region. START HERE is located in the Bevier Gallery on the RIT campus and is open to the public for viewing from January 17 to February 2, 2025.

York Golden Knights performed in the NYSSMA All County Festival at Warsaw CSD on Saturday. Congratulations to our Knights on being selected to perform in the concert: Senior High Jazz Band Brandon Parsons, Lena Balisciano , Ethan Metz, and Sophie Hatfield. Junior High Chorus Lorenza Dimartino, Ava Lorenzetti, Sylvia Llop, and Chloe Sunday. Elementary School Band Marielle Clark, Tucker Drum, Natalie Lorenzetti, Mia Nardi, Matthew Palmer, Benjamin Peffers, Phineas Rutherford , Michael Sexton, Brooks Tiede, and Jackson Tiede.

Ms. Ivers, Mrs. DeTar, and Ms. Standera ,- accompanied a group of high school students to the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester. The MAG docents guided the students through the many exhibits and provided information about the art. The Memorial Art Gallery is an annual trip for York High School students.