Middle School and High School students will dismiss at 11 AM tomorrow, Friday, January 17.

School is closed Monday, January 20, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  

Don’t you love to tell people stories about “the first time we ever did this…”? You will get your chance on January 27-28, when York Catholic Middle & High School hosts its first ever Day of Giving. This day is a celebration of the great traditions and heritage of York Catholic, and it’s an investment in the continued success as we begin 2025 and beyond.

Beginning at noon on Monday, January 27, and continuing through 6:00 pm on Tuesday the 28th, the Fighting Irish family can support our students and teachers by making a gift on our website. We will have gift challenges, class competitions, lots of videos and interviews of students, faculty, and coaches. No gift is too small.

All Day of Giving gifts will be included in our York Catholic Fund annual campaign. As you know, our students have access to a variety of extracurricular activities and clubs, and faculty members have the necessary resources to teach a substantive curriculum that might not be possible were it not for the York Catholic Fund. We look forward to hearing from you on January 27-28 and we thank you for your continued support!

Mid-term examinations for grades 9-12 are scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, Thursday, January 16, and Friday, January 17.  Middle School students will report to school all three days for regularly scheduled classes.

As a reminder, no trips will be approved during mid-term exams (Student Handbook/Agenda pg. 32). Students will not be permitted to take a make-up exam due to a trip.

Students who take more than one class in a major subject area will take the second conflict exam during the conflict time slot on the day of their scheduled exam.  The high school exam schedule is as follows:

January 15

Exam 1:  English

Exam 2:  Foreign Language 

Exam 3:  Conflict Exams 

January 16

Exam 1:  Math

Exam 2:  Social Studies

Exam 3:  Conflict Exams 

January 17

Exam 1:  Theology

Exam 2:  Science 

Exam 3:  Conflict Exams 

Time Schedule

8:15 AM - report to homeroom

8:40-9:40 AM - Exam 1

9:55-10:55 AM - Exam 2

11:00 AM - dismissal for high school

11:10-12:10 PM - Conflict Exam

Special Dismissal Schedule  

High School - High School students will dismiss at 11 AM each day.  Students testing in the AAC may be dismissed at a later time according to documented learning needs. All students are required to leave the building at the conclusion of exams unless staying for a supervised activity.  

Middle School - Middle School students will dismiss at 3 PM on January 15 and 16, and at 11 AM on January 17. 

School districts have been notified of the 11 AM and 3 PM dismissal times.  Please check with your bus driver to see if your bus will be operating at your dismissal time and plan to make arrangements for alternate pick-up plans if it is not.

Viewing mid-term grades in Focus is slightly different than the process used to view class grades. Parents and students wishing to view their mid-term exam grades in Focus should follow these steps:



1. Log into the parent or student portal
2. If there are multiple students in your family, click on student's name
3. Click on "Grades" in the menu on the left
4. Click the box next to "Show Exams" 
5. Click on "View Detailed Report" (located next to the "Update" button)
6. Select "Semester 1 Exams" from the top menu

Numerous Middle School students volunteered to participate in the annual Middle School Geography Bee scheduled for Friday, January 17, at 8:30 AM.  The 7th & 8th grade attends the event which quizzes students on their general knowledge of United States and world geography.  Questions start off as multiple choice, but as the Bee progresses, students must come up with the answer.  Each round of questions has a topic, like U.S. cities or geographical terms.  At the end of the preliminary rounds, the top 10 scores move on to the final round.  At this level, students are eliminated after they get 2 wrong answers, until we are down to 2 final contestants.  The final round questions are written and each contestant answers the same question.  The winner represents YC at the Diocesan Bee in Harrisburg and takes a written test to qualify for the State Bee.

YC will be collecting “Pennies for Life” to support the Women's Care Center in York on Wednesday, January 22. Your donations will educate people on pro-life issues and counsel post-abortive women and men. Participants are asked to donate $1 for each year of their life in thanksgiving to God for the life He has given them, and to “give life” to another person.  A baby bottle container will be placed in homerooms.  Please give generously to the Pennies for Life.

The 8th Grade Retreat is scheduled for January 23 at St. Mary’s Church. York Catholic retreats are a time to step out of the classroom for a day and focus on our relationship with God, both personally and as a student body. This is a special time for many of our 8th Graders as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation later this year. We hope all of our students will encounter God in a special way during this retreat. 

YCAL Partnership

The York County Alliance for Learning (YCAL), is an organization unique to York County, offering students free career exploration and job shadowing opportunities through partnerships with local businesses. With the goal of helping students make informed career decisions, YCAL’s programming is diverse and offered at over 30 different on-site host locations. YCAL is currently offering exploration opportunities in the following career fields: AC & Plumbing, Electrical, Manufacturing, Building, Healthcare, Hospitality & Sports Management, Education Water and Environmental Technology, Artistic Careers, Early Childhood Education, Information Technology, Psychology/Human Studies, Children's Therapy, Automotive Technology, CDL (Commercial Driving), Cosmetology, Mechatronics, Technology, Medical Assistant, Welding. Applications are now being accepted and space is limited. Click the button below for more information and the application form. Applications open Monday, January 20, and openings fill quickly.

Health Care Career Exploration for Middle School

UPMC is offering a virtual program for 6th-8th grade students to explore health care careers. The free online classes are offered Saturdays from 9:30-11 AM from January 25-April 26. Please click the button below to register by January 22.

The Knights of Columbus Educational Foundation is offering scholarship opportunities to any student whose father is a member in good standing with a Pennsylvania Knights of Columbus Council or who is a child of a deceased Knight of Columbus and was a member in good standing at the time of death. More than fifty $1000 grants will be distributed throughout Pennsylvania to students in grades 1‐12 for the 2025-26 school year. The application deadline is January 31. For more information and an application, visit https://kofcpennsylvania.org/catholic-school-grant.

As juniors are planning their SAT testing dates, keep in mind that the SAT will be offered at York Catholic to current juniors on March 24. This is a great opportunity for our students to take the test in a familiar testing environment for optimal results. Registration and payment are due to Mrs. Hand by Friday, February 7. Cost for the exam is $60 and checks should be made out to York Catholic. Registration for this exam is non-refundable. Questions may be directed to Kathy Hand at khand@yorkcatholic.org.

York Catholic’s Blood Drive is being held on Thursday, January 23, from 11 AM-4 PM. Please contact our school nurse Mrs. Tiffany Brocius at tbrocius@yorkcatholic.org to schedule your blood donation time.

It is time for the class 2026 to consider the purchase of a York Catholic keepsake, a class ring! 

Visit https://www.balfour.com/pennsylvania/york/york-catholic-high-school to make your choice. The gallery is extensive with selections for everyone and the opportunity to personalize with your name and activities. Ordering is done online, with easy payment options spread over three months if needed. 

Any junior needing help with sizing should stop by Mrs. Kemp’s desk in the main office.  She has sizing rings available.

Order now and receive your ring in four to six weeks.  

Questions can be directed to Kathy Hand at khand@yorkcatholic.org.

Please be reminded of our Formal Dress Code Agreement in preparation for Prom shopping.  

For Young Women:

Gowns may not:

• Be shorter than two inches above the knee
• Be extremely low cut front or back
• Have slits higher than the knee
• Have bare midriffs or cut outs
• Have transparent or translucent material
• Have nude or flesh-tone colored material as a primary or secondary base color

For Young Men:

• Must wear a suit or sport coat, dress shirt, and tie
• Must wear dress shoes (sneakers are not permitted)
• May not wear earrings
• Must be clean shaven

The Diocese of Harrisburg is now accepting nominations from students and families to honor teachers and principals with the Golden Apple Award. Eligibility requirements and nomination forms can be found under Resources at https://www.hbgdiocese.org/catholic-schools/golden-apple/. Click the button below to complete the online nomination form by February 3.

Dennis Uniforms (our previous uniform supplier) is holding a liquidation sale of their inventory January 17-19 from 10 AM-6 PM at their Catonsville , Maryland location at 1110-C North Rolling Road. Inventory is being sold at 50%. Any families with unfilled orders can bring their receipt to the sale and receive their items at that time if they are available. If the items are not available, customers will receive an additional 20% off available inventory. Customers who have unused vouchers will also receive the additional 20% discount. Click the button below for complete details.

York Catholic Middle & High School has the following employment opportunities available:  



• Business Teacher
• Substitute Teachers
• Cafeteria Aide
• Cafeteria Volunteers
• High School Boys’ Volleyball Coach
• High School Boys’ Volleyball Assistant/JV Coach
• Middle School Girls’ Soccer Coach

Interested candidates can find details and application links at https://yorkcatholic.org/about/employment-opportunities/

The YC musical costume crew is seeking parent helpers for this year's production of "James and the Giant Peach." There are 2 ways you can help: you can come to the YC auditorium on Saturdays in January and February, or you can pick up sewing assignments and complete them on your own time. We also need helpers who don't necessarily have sewing skills to label racks, iron and steam clothes, measure fabric, set up racks, sew buttons, hand sew, etc. If you can help, contact Mrs. Dawn Oswald at doswald@yorkcatholic.org.

York Catholic is accepting advertisements from supporters and local businesses for its spring musical program for “James & the Giant Peach.” Prices for ads are as follows: 

• Full page (7-1/2" x 4-1/2") - $120
• Half Page (3-1/2” x 4-1/2") - $70
• Quarter Page (1-3/4 x 4-1/2) - $40
• 100-character messages - $10
• Limited cover spots are available for $300; please email for availability. 

Cover ads and full page ads include a free ticket to the show. All ads and payments are due no later than Friday, January 24, to the main office. Ads can also be emailed to musicalads@yorkcatholic.org. Click the button below for the Ad Form to complete.

York Catholic is hosting Rhythm & Revelry on Saturday, March 29, from 6-9 PM. This is an over-21 Coffee House for singers, musicians, poets, and entertainers. We're looking for performers! If you would like to share your talent, please sign-up at yorkcatholic.org/rhythm-revelry.

Join us as we kick off Celebrate Catholic Schools Week at our York Partner Schools’ Battle of the Buildings on Saturday, January 25, at 6 PM in the YC gymnasium. This is a friendly inter-partner school competition of “minute-to-win-it” games where the teachers are the competitors and the families are the fans. The York Catholic Music Association will have food and beverages available for purchase beginning at 5 PM.

As part of the Partner Schools’ Service Project, each school is collecting non-perishable food items at their school location to benefit the Catholic Harvest Food Pantry and the Southern York Food Pantry. The top three schools with the most donations will earn points for their team! The pantries are specifically looking to replenish the following items:

• canned tuna (5 to 6 oz. size)
• ramen noodles 
• peanut butter (16 oz. jars)
• jelly
• toilet paper 
• hamburger helper 
• tuna helper 
• 1 pound pasta boxes
• no bottled water please

Students in grades K-6 are invited to Futures Night at the York Catholic boys’ basketball game Friday, January 24. The JV game starts at 6 PM, followed by the Varsity fame.  Futures should arrive by 6:30 PM to participate in the pre-game prayer and huddle, and become part of the welcome tunnel. Students should wear their uniform shirt for free admittance and must be accompanied by an adult. Come out and cheer your future school onto victory! 

Please share this information with a friend!

Open House

Thursday, February 6

6 PM to 7:30 PM

You Belong at York Catholic!  

Register to attend our upcoming in-person Open House and join us for a look at the York Catholic Middle & High School experience. Learn what life at our school is like and see all we have to offer students (grades 7-12) and their families. Space is limited and pre-registration is required to attend. Click here to pre-register: https://yorkcatholic.org/admissions/open-house/

What You’ll Experience at York Catholic’s Open House Event:

✔Take a private tour of the newly renovated campus.

✔ Talk with York Catholic teachers and administrators.

✔ Meet current students and hear their experiences.

Did You Know?

On average, YC graduates are offered over $10 million dollars in college scholarships and over 90 percent of graduates now study at 55 colleges around the country. Join us to learn how York Catholic sets students up for success and creates a place where every student is known and cared for.

Reserve your spot today! We hope to see you there!

It’s time to celebrate York Catholic at the Green & Gold Gala!  You are invited to join us for a festive evening of dinner, drinks, silent and live auctions, music and dancing!

Mark your calendars for Friday, April 25 , from 5:30-10 PM at the Country Club of York. Tickets are $150 per person. Gather your friends and enjoy a fun night out!  This event is for ages 21+.  Click below to make your reservation now!  The deadline is April 11. 

Class Baskets

One of the highlights of this special event is our silent auction. Our planning committee is actively coordinating gift baskets from parents of each grade but we need your help. Please consider donating a monetary gift to go toward the creation of a basket for your child's class to be auctioned off at the event. Checks should be made payable to York Catholic and dropped off at the school by Monday, March 24, marked Attn: Joann Brown. If you have any questions, please contact Joann Brown at jbrown@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x1317.

Get your business noticed!  Sponsorships are available for this event.  For details, contact Dave Salter, Director of Development, at dsalter@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x1325.

All proceeds raised from the Green & Gold Gala will benefit our York Catholic Fund, enabling us to invest in tuition assistance for those in need, a vibrant curriculum, technology upgrades, the arts and athletics, resources for our valued teachers, and the beautification and safety of our school.

Box Tops for Education

Check your boxed and canned goods for the Box Tops for Education logo and use the Box Tops app to scan your receipt. The app will find participating products purchased at any store and instantly add cash to YC’s earnings online. Be sure to select York Catholic High School as your school of choice. Complete details can be found at https://www.boxtops4education.com/

Pennsylvania now allows individuals to take advantage of EITC Tax Credits (just as businesses can) whereby you have the opportunity to re-direct 90% of your personal state income taxes to York Catholic Middle & High School. 

The Special Purpose Entity (SPE) is based on tax liability, not income, therefore each taxpayer’s situation will differ. Participants must be PA residents where at least one spouse is employed or has an ownership interest in a PA for-profit business. An individual or couple filing jointly must have a state tax liability of $3,500 or more to participate. To see if you qualify for 2025, you can find your PA tax liability on Form PA-40 Line 12 of your 2024 tax return. 100% of participant contributions are distributed to the school. You have to pay these taxes regardless, so why not have a say in how your taxes are allocated? Additionally, you will receive at least a 10% personal deduction on your federal taxes. The money you re-direct to York Catholic is for educational purposes, specifically tuition assistance.

If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity to reduce your tax liability AND provide much needed assistance to York Catholic students, please follow these steps:

• Review information on the SPE program to determine if you qualify at https://www.pennsylvaniaeitc.org/frequently-asked-questions.html
• Confirm your personal state income tax liability with your accountant.
• Complete and submit the Joinder Agreement at https://yorkcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/spe-flyer-and-joinder-agreement.pdf

For more information about this easy tax donation, please contact Dave Salter, York Catholic Director of Development, at dsalter@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x1325.

St. John the Baptist

St. John the Baptist Catholic School has the following employment positions for the 2024-2025 school year: Part-Time Aide, Little Angels Extended Care Program and Substitute Teachers. Interested individuals may send cover letters and resumes to Mrs. Michelle Williams, Principal, at mwilliams@sjbnf.org and complete an online application at https://www.stjnschool.org/jobs.

St. John the Baptist Online Auction

St. John’s Annual Online Auction is back! This week-long virtual event that will take place online from March 26 at 8:00 AM until April 2 at 8:00 PM and is SJB’s biggest fundraiser of the year! View the auction items at https://tinyurl.com/SJBAuction2025, then start bidding on March 26.  Please share this link with friends and family as there are usually over 100 auction items to bid on. For any questions or to donate items, please reach out to SJB Development Director, Sarah Shaffer, at 717-235-3525 x213.

St. Joseph School

St. Joseph School York is seeking 1 full-time or 2 part-time custodians for afternoon/evening shift. Applicants must be able to perform basic janitorial functions such as vacuuming, dusting, mopping and sweeping floors, maintaining bathroom facilities, emptying trash, general groundskeeping and other tasks as assigned. Applicant must be able to lift 50 pounds, This position requires varying degrees of physical exertion to include lifting of at least 50 lbs., stretching, bending, and operating cleaning equipment. Flexibility, dependability, ability to take instructions, adaptability, and ability to work without supervision are required. Must be reliable, maintain confidentiality, and be trustworthy. Valid driver’s license required, and applicant(s) must pass all state and federal background checks and clearances to work around children. Prior experience in custodial setting helpful. Interested applicants should contact Ms. Melissa Preston, Principal, at principal@sjy.org or call 717-755-1797.

During inclement weather that would cause a school closing or delay of schedule, York Catholic will call/text/email you through our One Call Now Emergency Notification system.  Other modes of notification include WGAL TV-8, Fox43, and the YC website.  Students from individual school districts are automatically excused if their district closes and does not provide transportation to YC.  The exceptions to this are Southern and Southeastern.  These students follow York Catholic’s delay and closing schedule.

Congratulations to five seniors who participated in a testing competition for FBLA, Future Leaders of America, and were awarded medals at a regional conference at York College. Their medals qualify them to move forward and compete on the state level this spring in Hershey.

Congratulations to the following students (show left to right):

• Christian Ludwig - 1st Place in Advertising
• Nathan Pollard - 1st Place in Personal Finance
• Brenna McKnelly - 1st Place in Sports and Entertainment
• Everett King - 5th Place in Business Law
• Kanaye Murray - 4th Place in Cyber Security

Follow YC on social media for more updates throughout the week!

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/YorkCatholicHighSchool

https://www.facebook.com/YorkCatholicAthletics

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/yorkcatholic/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/YorkCatholicHS

https://twitter.com/YorkCathAthlet