York Elementary School PTO meets tonight in the elementary school library at 6 p.m.
The meeting is open to anyone interested in supporting our students and the many activities that the York PTO sponsors throughout the school year.
Please join us - 6 p.m. in the elementary school library.
January is officially School Board Appreciation Month across the U.S. However, every day we thank the York Central School Board of Education for supporting our students and staff.
Thank you Laura Geary, Kara Kane, Christine Bianchi, Kirsty Northrop, Marilyn Moore, Daniel Ayers, and Matthew Miller for your volunteer service.
High School Algebra teacher Hannah Wood says teaching in the days just prior to winter break requires doing things a little differently - thinking outside the box!
Mrs. Wood engaged her students in practicing graphing linear equations using a rope and a giant coordinate grid on the floor. The lesson ramped up the usual paper and pencil graphs by getting the students out of their seats and interacting with each other.
York Elementary students are making kindness a habit!
Hats off to Theo, Sophia, Whitney, and Jankiel for extending kindness
to their classmates!
It's the Golden Knights' Way!
To highlight Computer Science Education Week in December, York High School STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) teachers hosted a lunch and learn opportunity for students interested in computer science.
Two presenters, Rajesh Nair and Christal Chen from Google, virtually visited the STEAM floor classroom and spoke with students and shared insights into the vast world of computer science studies and careers.
York HS offers the following STEAM courses:
STEAM explorations/Programming & Problem Solving, AP Computer Science Principles, Intro to Python/Physical Computing and/or Intro to Cybersecurity, AP Computer Science A and/or Web Design and/or Intro to Cybersecurity.
January's breakfast and lunch menus are posted to the website!
https://www.yorkcsd.org/o/ycsd/page/food
Welcome to 2025 Knights!
Senior English students in Mr. Ryan Conway’s class participated in a Criminal Justice book club, reading books with criminal justice themes.
Mr. Conway took the class on a deep exploration into the criminal justice system, which included a trip behind the doors of the Wende Maximum Correctional Facility, in Alden, NY.
Prior to the Seniors going to the Wende prison, they spent a couple of hours in the York High School Library with two former inmates, Thomas Gant and Jose DiLenola. Both men were incarcerated at Attica Prison for their crimes. Since their release, both are working in capacities to help other inmates transition back into society, gain employment, and build successful relationships.
Gant and DiLenola offered frank discussions with the students and answered all of their questions. Taking full responsibility for their decisions and crimes committed, the men engaged the students in conversations about how they could have made different decisions that would have changed the course of their lives. The men encouraged the Seniors to seek assistance if they are in a struggle, and assured them that help is nearby in school and in their community.
Thomas Gant is a Reentry Coordinator in the Rochester Education Justice Initiative program at the University of Rochester. He is an accomplished writer, speaker, and facilitator. He is a returning citizen after serving 25 years of incarceration.
Jose Di Lenola is the Clemency Campaign Director with RAPP (Release Aging People in Prison Program). He was incarcerated at the age of 16 and served 26 years.
Happy New Year from York Athletics! Follow your favorite Knight!
FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2025
York/Pavilion Indoor Track & Field @ Rochester Institute of Technology, 1 p.m.
Pavilion/York Riflery @ Lancaster HS, 4 p.m.
York/Pavilion Swim/Dive @ Geneseo HS, 5 p.m.
York Boys Basketball (JV & Varsity) @ Geneseo HS, 5:30 p.m. & 7 p.m.
York Girls Basketball (Varsity only) @ Warsaw HS, 5:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2025
York Competitive Cheer @ Dansville HS, 9:30 a.m.
From all of us at York Central School - Happy New Year!
We look forward to welcoming our students and staff back on Monday, January 6, 2025.
Wishing our York students, families, and community a very happy and healthy New Year!
We can't wait to welcome back our students and staff on Monday, January 6, 2025!
December's character trait was awareness. Elementary School Principal Mrs. Kent and classroom teachers talked with the students about what it means to practice awareness, including self-awareness for others.
The Elementary School's Character Education program selects students each month who display the character trait. Congratulations to December's students who were recognized for displaying awareness.
The York CSD Music Department was brilliant in December!
Congratulations on three festive winter concerts!
Please enjoy the concert highlights in this photo gallery.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/dCcf3MUE8j3nEfMm7
Come out to support your York Golden Knights Girls and Boys Basketball team in the annual Cal-Mum Basketball Tournament, Friday and Saturday, December 27 & 28.
First round games are as follows on Friday: (Saturday finals TBD, check R schools online)
11:30 AM - Boys JV vs. Wheatland-Chili
12:30 PM - Girls JV vs. Oakfield-Alabama
2:30 PM - Boys Varsity vs. Wheatland-Chili
5:30 PM - Girls Varsity vs. Oakfield-Alabama
Traditions run deep at York Central School and one of the relatively recent traditions that happens every December is called Project Elf.
Project Elf is a program that connects High School Seniors with a kindergarten student. It started in 2012, making this year’s Juniors, the first group of kindergarteners to have participated in Project Elf, said High School English teacher Ryan Conway, who heads the project each year for the Seniors.
“ Next year will be extra special as the project will have come full circle,” he commented.
Participation in Project Elf is voluntary for the Seniors, but each year nearly every Senior is excited to play Elf for their kindergarten student. Mr. Conway says there is no cost for the Seniors to play Elf due to generous donations from the York Elementary School PTO, and his own mother, Conni, who does a lot of the preparation work.
Over several weeks, the Seniors work to make a fleece blanket for their kindergarten match. They also choose a book to purchase and present to their kindergartener, along with their blanket. On the last day of school before winter recess, a really special meet-up takes place in the elementary school library. This is the day when each kindergarten student meets their Senior match and receives their blanket and book.
The matches are given time to get to know one another. The Seniors read the book they gave the kindergarteners as the young ones enjoy cozying up with their new blankets.
Later, the fun continues into the classrooms as the Seniors do holiday -themed activities with the kindergarteners.
Words cannot describe the joy that is evident in the smiles of both the Seniors and the young students.
Everyone involved in Project Elf is very proud of this tradition. YCS takes great pride in the connections they have with each other and the community. Just ask a Junior who was once that little kindergartener who received a blanket, a book, and a morning of connection with a Senior back in 2012.
Enjoy the winter recess - School Resumes Monday, January 6, 2025
Please note the District calendar is incorrect regarding the winter recess dates. (not Thursday, January 2, 2025)
On December 13, 2024, five York Central School alumni were inducted into the All Sports Hall of Fame. Additionally, the York-Leicester Recreation Department was recognized for continually providing a range of exceptional programs for youth.
Inductees to the York Central School All -Sports Hall of Fame are selected from the nominations submitted to the Hall of Fame Committee. Future nominations are encouraged and can be made by visiting the YCS website to download a nomination form (www.yorkcsd.org and click on the Athletics tab).
Read the full story on our website at:
https://www.yorkcsd.org/article/1940392
Congratulations to the 2024 YCA All-Sports Hall of Fame!
Tracy Peglowski, David Turbury, Tabetha Torrens, Andy Englert, Sarah Deuel-Rust, and the York-Leicester Recreation Department.
Please join us in celebrating the November 2024 Knights of Recognition:
Tara Scott’s K-3 Class (Tara Scott, Madeline Fox, Lourdes Colon, and Erin Fox)
“This amazing team really knows how to prepare, challenge, and inspire their students. They work together to create fun lessons that meet everyone's needs and always encourage students to step out of their comfort zones. Their positive vibes and teamwork not only lift their students, but also inspire others like myself in the school. They truly make a difference!”
James Kane - Buildings & Grounds
“Jim Kane always stepps up to whatever it may be that he is needed. He helps out with maintenance, grounds, deliveries, cleanups and more. Jim is able to complete a wide variety of tasks throughout the work day. Thanks, Jim for all that you do at York CS and over 20 years working at the district!”
Shantal Herrera
“She's always there for my children and helps them so much.”
High School students learned about careers in the nursing field and practiced some hands-on resuscitation techniques at this week's Lunch-and-Learn.
Donna Ferguson and Jennifer Ornt from UR Medicine offered valuable insights into the many options that nursing careers offer.
Called Lunch-and-Learns - the presentations are offered by career professionals during the high school lunch periods. Students are encouraged to attend to learn about a specific career.
High School Teacher Mr. Bill MacKenzie facilitates Lunch-and-Learn opportunities throughout the school year.
York Central School is hiring!
Are you an Elementary School or Earth Science Teacher?
YCSD offers strong benefits, regionally competitive salary, and a great atmosphere!
Apply today - visit our website at www.yorkcsd.org and click on the Employment Opportunities tab in the top right corner.
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York Elementary School PTO wishes to thank everyone who supported the Holiday Shoppe.
It's a joy to help our students learn the joy of giving!
