The high school is pleased to have eight National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Scholars this year. The students qualified for this honor based on their performance on the PSAT/NMSQT in the Fall of 2016. The students are: Anne Baskwill, Tanner Haynes, Joshua Kerr, Ban Khuc, Maya Lehman, Kaidin Mir-Young, Katherine Mooney,  and Peyton Stuart. These eight students represent the largest number of recognized students in recent memory.   

The 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program recently announced the scholarship Semifinalists, the highest scoring entrants in each state. Finalists will be considered for a National Merit® by meeting high academic standards and all other requirements explained in the information provided to each Semifinalist.  York Suburban’s Semifinalists include:

Steven W. Burchett, Jr., son of Mr. Steven and Mrs. Deborah Burchett, of 761 S. Harlan Street, York, PA 17402

Bryce P. Gavin, son of Ms. Catherine Gavin, of 767 Grandview Road, York, PA 17403

Charlotte B. Nesbitt, daughter of Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Jennifer Nesbitt, of 198 Summit Drive, York, PA 17403

Zezette Pflaum, daughter of Mr. Kevin and Mrs. Micah Pflaum, of 984 Virginia Avenue, York, PA 17403

In addition, the following students have been selected as National Hispanic Scholars as the scored in the top 2.5% among Hispanic and Latino PSAT/NMSQT test takers in our region:

Theodore P. Gunn, son of Mr. Brian and Mrs. Eleanor Gunn, of 722 Dogwood Circle, York, PA 17403

Shae M. Melendez, son of Mr. Misael and Mrs. Ruth Melendez, of 1229 S. Ogontz Street, York, PA 17403

After nearly 32 years in public education—including 10 successful and productive years at York Suburban—Dr. Patricia Maloney announced her retirement on Monday, July 17, 2017. Her commitment to the district’s mission of educating, challenging, and preparing students to shape the future, as well as her adaptability to the new challenges of a changing education landscape have ensured that York Suburban students still rank among the top in the state.

Before Dr. Maloney joined the YS community, she had already garnered a wealth of experience in education. Beginning as a special education teacher with the Lincoln Intermediate Unit 13, she went on to fulfill varied roles such as guidance counselor, Assistant Principal, Director of Pupil Services, and Assistant Superintendent for elementary and secondary institutions. Her well-rounded career comes to a close now as the York Suburban Assistant Superintendent.

Though it is with mixed emotions that Dr. Maloney makes this transition, she is looking forward to new challenges and opportunities. She wishes to express her gratitude for the experiences and relationships she’s cultivated over the last 10 years as an integral part of the YS community.

We at YS would also like to express our gratitude. To Dr. Maloney, thank you for your dedication, passion, sense of humor, skill, and outstanding contributions to the school community that will certainly be felt for many years to come.

Submitted by Mr. Michael Mountz

College Board has released Advanced Placement (AP) exam results from the 2016-17 school year, and York Suburban High School students have earned some of the best scores in school history.  Last year, 76 students scored a three or higher on at least one AP exam, including 28.6% of all seniors.  A score of three or higher qualifies students to earn postsecondary coursework credit at most colleges and universities.

Overall, 90 students completed 131 total exams across 14 separate AP subjects.  At York Suburban, 84.4 % of AP test takers earned a score of three or higher, compared to 67.1% and 60.3% of test takers at the statewide and global levels, respectively.

College Board awarded AP Scholar recognition to 18 York Suburban students.  The AP Scholar designation is awarded to students who earn a three or higher on three different AP exams.

“At first, I took AP courses for the experience and to make sure I was prepared for college,” said Zette Pflaum, who was one of only three York Suburban students to earn AP Scholar recognition as a junior last year.  “Later, I took them with the goal of earning college credit, but the extra challenge was nice, too.  I knew if I took AP courses while still in high school, it would be easier to transfer the skills that I acquired into a college setting.”

College Board has established AP curriculum for a variety of subject areas in order to help high schools provide students with college-level coursework.  Individual teachers have considerable latitude when implementing the curriculum within their respective courses.  At York Suburban, this has led to some creative solutions when teaching complex subject matter.

Last year, York Suburban’s AP U.S. government and political science class conducted a public opinion poll of Spring Garden Township that correctly predicted Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race within half of a percentage point of the actual outcome.  Historically, AP biology classes from York Suburban have partnered with the York Water Company in order to analyze stream health and water quality at Mill Creek.  Students also visit Millersville University to complete a cadaver dissection lab.  These are just a few examples of the innovative teaching practices that can be found in York Suburban’s AP courses.

Several York Suburban courses that are not officially AP-aligned also help to prepare students for closely related AP exams.  For example, 11 students earned a three or higher on an AP language and culture exam last year after completing a corresponding level-five world language course at the high school.

York Suburban has expanded its AP-aligned course offerings in recent years and plans to continue to do so.  The high school currently offers 12 official AP courses and is in the process of developing additional courses for the 2018-19 school year and beyond.

Submitted by Dr. Tawn Ketterman, Director of Educational Services

The 2017-18 school year marks the first year of full day kindergarten for all students at York Suburban. This inaugural full day kindergarten class is a large class, totaling just over 220 students. The talented group of kindergarten teachers has been meeting since last spring to plan and prepare for the transition to a full day kindergarten experience.  

The excitement of the students, staff, and parents has been overwhelming!  Students are learning the routines and the teachers are reporting a true appreciation of the increased time afforded to teach the content, practice routines, and develop relationships. Strong connections have already developed between teachers and students!

In the classroom, students have been practicing their KidWriting and are learning pre-reading strategies and early math concepts. Students LOVE their daily time in related arts classes (Music, Art, Wellness/Physical Education, Discovery and Design, and Media) as they explore a variety of topics. Students also have time once a cycle with the guidance counselor to learn how to be respectful, responsible, a worker and a friend at school.    

The full day kindergarteners enjoy sharing lunchtime with classmates in the cafeteria each day. It’s a highlight of their day as they get to try new foods and spend time chatting with their new friends. Classes incorporate a brief rest time into every day and the children have displayed good stamina!

The new full day kindergarten program is very exciting and we are anxious to see the wonderful things this Class of 2030 will produce over their years at Suburban!