Kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year is in full swing - visit the VES website to register:
https://ves.yorkschools.org/o/ves/page/student-registration
RE: IMPORTANT NOTICE: All Schools Early Release
Due to having no power at York Middle School, which impacts the internet for all schools, we are implementing an early release day for all schools on Friday March 7th.
The dismissal schedule is as follows:
York Middle School (YMS) and York High School (YHS): 10:45
- Buses 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 & 9
- Buses 2 & 7 will be later around 11:30am
Village Elementary School (VES) and Coastal Ridge Elementary School (CRES): 11:45
- Buses 1 ,3, 4, 5, 6, 8 & 9
- Buese 2 & 7 will be later around 12:30pm
We will lose phone & internet connectivity so cannot receive communication in the buildings.
If your students' regular dismissal plan includes riding the bus, buses will be arriving shortly and will take students home according to their usual routes.
Timothy L. Doak
Thank you to our wonderful 2024-2025 Peer Listeners! 23 York High School Juniors and Seniors have been peer mentoring students at York Middle School and at Coastal Ridge Elementary School this year. By connecting with their students, either one on one or in the classroom, they have made a great impact and have also gained valuable volunteer experience in the meantime. Here are just a few quotes from our Peer Listeners this year:
“I have really loved the connection that I have built over the past two years. Being a peer listener makes me feel special, as I can tell that my mentee always looks forward to seeing me!”
“I have enjoyed watching the student I was assigned to open up since the first time I began seeing her. She socially expanded with her peers and became more comfortable around them and me.”
“I love when I walk into the classroom of kids - some run up and give me hugs and they all get so excited when I walk in.”
“I have loved getting to know the student I work with. She has taught me to slow down and appreciate the small things around me.”
York Schools Volunteer Program
Meet Our Latest York Schools Hometown Hero: Nancy Fletcher
Nancy is one of our wonderful York Middle School Community Volunteers. We are so appreciative that Nancy chooses to volunteer each week to support our students in math. Our students and teachers enjoy seeing her weekly. Thank you, Nancy!
In the words of Nancy:
In 2017, after 40 plus years of teaching math at a large NH high school, I decided it was time to retire, to relax and enjoy family time. Acquiring part- time
employment at a local golf course seemed like a dream job. Then came the COVID
years and my husband and I became the at home teachers for our grandsons, while their parents were considered essential workers. After the boys returned to school, I missed the interaction of helping them with math or science or whatever they had to do. I noticed that I was still helping my grandsons with some math. It dawned on me that if they needed help, then there are other kids that probably did as well. So I decided to volunteer in math at YMS. I was accepted by the most wonderful 5th grade teacher, Mrs Geranis, that first year. She and I helped many of her students with math. Last year I worked with those now 6th grade students, in Ms Hammer’s class and the awesome sixth grade team. This year I have now
followed them to 7th grade in Mr. Daniels’ math class and I work with some 8th
graders in math as well, in Mrs Gould’s class. YMS is so lucky to have all of these
teachers and staff to work with the students. I volunteer, in order to give these
teachers an extra hand by answering students' questions in math when too many
hands go up or in TLT time. The best part is the acceptance of my help by all of the students who I have come to know. The quote “when one door closes another one opens” is certainly true in my case. By volunteering, I now get to do just what was my favorite part of teaching - helping students.
Due to inclement weather, there will be a 2-hour delay today, Wednesday January 29, 2025 for all schools in York.
York Schools Volunteer Program
Meet Our Latest York Schools Hometown Hero: Maclean Douris, Peer Listener
Maclean has been an incredible addition to our Peer Listener Program. He volunteers multiple times a week in a 5th grade classroom and is a true role model to the younger students. The program has many high school Juniors/Seniors who make an impact in our schools and Maclean is one of many who go above and beyond. In the words of Becky Geranis, YMS 5th grade teacher: “ Maclean shows up week after week. His 5th grade fellas can be seen scanning the hallways awaiting Maclean's arrival with anticipation and big smiles! We have noticed increased engagement in student learning AND happier 5th graders as a result of Maclean's mentorship! Thank you, Maclean!”
In the words of Maclean Douris:
As the youngest sibling of four, growing up, it was always a wish of mine to have a younger sibling or to be some sort of role model for younger kids. When I heard there was a chance to be a Peer Listener at the middle school—where I could form connections and, hopefully, positively impact a few kids' lives—I was really excited about the opportunity.
When I first met my buddies, I knew instantly that we would get along well. We had similar interests, such as sports and video games, and once they got a bit more comfortable around me, they became two of the funniest kids I have ever met. Whether it’s heading down to the game room with them, playing basketball 1 v. 2, or giving them fist bumps when I first come into their classroom in the morning, I’m always looking forward to seeing these two guys.
They’ve shown me that they’re super comfortable being themselves, and they always try to have fun no matter what we’re doing. They’ve also taught me everything I’ll ever need to know about Fortnite, and I’m extremely thankful that I’ll have the chance to work with them during my second semester as well.
With the upcoming early release: Reminder to sign up for a bag lunch!
(A Fan Favorite- Bosco Sticks!)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1loApAgRe5T_bavJZhXmGsy4Lyvh6FhvO8BUeuJM6Nh0/edit
Leave a legacy! Purchase a brick/paver for the new Athletic Complex
https://donate.brickmarkers.com/yhs
All 4 schools kitchens as a whole have received the lunch trailblazer award from the USDA & Action for healthy kids
Regretfully there will be no Bus 21 AM service for the immediate future. This has been caused by an ongoing shortage of qualified bus drivers within the Ledgemere organization. There will be Bus 21 PM service; the YSD Business Administrator has offered, in addition to his regular duties, to drive that portion of B21 PM route until a driver can be hired.
If you know of a potential candidate for this worthy occupation, please forward the information to the Central Office of the York School Department.
Bus Drivers Needed! The York School Department needs bus drivers for the upcoming 24-25 School Year. Our contracted bus transportation company, Ledgemere, continues to seek out individuals who are looking to make an impact with students by providing essential transportation to and from home and school. This is an excellent opportunity to earn supplemental income while contributing to our community and to York Schools! Applicants will be paid for their training time and any additional costs for qualifications are reimbursed by the York School Department for York residents. Please consider this opportunity to make a difference!
Bus Drivers Needed!
The York School Department needs bus drivers for the upcoming 24-25 School Year. Our contracted bus transportation company, Ledgemere, continues to seek out individuals who are looking to make an impact with students by providing essential transportation to and from home and school. This is an excellent opportunity to earn supplemental income while contributing to our community and to York Schools! Applicants will be paid for their training time and any additional costs for qualifications are reimbursed by the York School Department for York residents. Please consider this opportunity to make a difference!
The state of Maine will be mailing out notifications to families who are directly certified through the state system that they will be receiving SUN Bucks at the end of June.
Join us as we eat all the colors all week
Ballot Information Session, Saturday May 11, 2024 from 12:30pm - 2:30pm at the York Public Library. Get answers directly from representatives of the Budget Committee, School Committee, and Select Board.
Due to inclement weather, all schools in York will be closed on Friday April 5, 2024.
Thursday April 4, 2024 will be a Remote Learning Day for all students.
CRES students bought tickets for a dollar a piece for a chance to win one of 3 prizes by guessing the correct number of candies in a jar. There were 927 pieces of candy and the first place winner was only three pieces shy of the correct guess! The event was sponsored by our Kid's Cabinet and raised $660 for the Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital...
WTG CRES kids!
For their economics unit, our 3rd grade students designed a product and pitched the idea to the "Shark Tank" (their teachers) in the hopes of winning over investors. The "Tank" then Invested in each group's business, and the manufacturing began!
Students devised advertising, signage and displays for their products and then put them up for sale on Market Day. Each participated in the role of consumer and producer by shopping in the market and selling their items. At the end of Market Day when products were scarce, some heated bargaining took place!
Such a fun day learning how to be a savvy consumer as well as a smart manufacturer.
What a fun way to start our week with a visit from West African drummer, Namory Keita, sponsored by The Maine Humanities Council. Namory was born in 1982 in the village of Sangbarala, Guinea. At age 7 he began drumming, becoming the lead drummer for his village in 2006. As an international teacher and performing artist, Namory has been invited to many places to share his culture...including York, Maine!
