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York Middle School

The Best Middle School in Nebraska!

YMS Newsletter

Posted Date: 08/03/26 (09:20 AM)
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YMS NEWS banner with "YMS August/September Newsletter 2026-2027" text.

Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible

Welcome message from York Middle School principal, announcing the start of the school year.
Newsletter from York Middle School announcing the 'Open House' and 'First Day of School' on August 12th.
 
A letter from Jennifer Badura, YMS Counselor, introducing the CharacterStrong program.
 

A Note from the Nurse.....

As the first day of school approaches, I want to remind you of a few health related items:

  • Students entering 7th grade and students transferring from out-of-state have specific immunization/ physical and eye exam information required by the State of Nebraska. If you have questions or need more information, contact your student’s school office. The completed information is to be provided prior to the first day of the school year.
  • If your child has asthma, severe allergies, diabetes, seizures or other health concerns, please contact the school health office prior to the first week of school to review medical information for your child. Forms requesting specific information may need to be completed by you and your child’s healthcare provider. Medical information needs to be current for the school year.
  • If your student has been diagnosed with asthma or a severe allergy, and is going to carry an inhaler or epi-pen, a self-management form needs to be completed by parent/guardian and student, and a Physician signature is needed on the completed asthma/anaphylaxis action plan stating that student may self-administer.
  • If you have identified a food allergy for your student, there is a form that needs to be completed and is available through the food service department.
  • If your child has been prescribed an epi-pen, it should be available to administer if needed. Your student may carry the epipen if the above requirements are met, or a prescribed epipen should be provided to be located in the school health office.
  • When possible, prescribed and over the counter medication should be given at home. Your physician may be able to adjust the time schedule for a prescribed medication so that the medicine can be given at home before or after school. When a prescribed medication is to be administered at school, it needs to be in a container prepared by your pharmacist. The label on the container must include: the child’s name, medication name, physician’s name, current date, dosage, route and time to administer. If your physician provides samples of a prescription medication, the doctor will need to provide you with a written note including the above information if the medication will be administered at school. Any medication (prescribed or over-the-counter) must be sent in the original container or package, along with a permission form completed and signed by the parent/guardian and all medication sent to school is to be administered through the health office. Over the counter medication must be age appropriate. When sending a medication to school, please note the time that the most recent dose was given, along with your signature/date.

Thank you for your cooperation with the above. Please contact your school health office regarding any questions.

Rule 59 Protocol-

School response to breathing emergencies

All schools in Nebraska are required to be prepared to respond to life-threatening asthma and anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) emergencies during the school day.  The protocol directs school staff members to identify signs and symptoms of a breathing emergency and to respond. A specific team of staff members at each school are trained to carry out the protocol which includes calling 911 and administering auto-injectable epinephrine followed by nebulized albuterol while EMS is enroute. Epinephrine is a medication that acts as a bronchodilator and works to rapidly open the airway.  Albuterol relaxes the bronchi and helps to open the airway and move mucus out of the lungs.  

As a parent/guardian, it is your responsibility to:
  • notify the school of your student’s allergies/asthma
  • provide written medical documentation, instructions, and medications as directed by a physician and participate in the development of the asthma/allergy action plan
  • provide the school with instructions for contacting parents or other responsible adults in case of an emergency
Student responsibilities include:
  • avoiding known triggers for allergies/asthma
  • recognizing the need to have prescribed medication available at school and to use appropriately
  • reporting symptoms immediately to teacher/staff member/nurse
In the event that a student experiences a life threatening asthma attack or systemic allergic reaction, we will refer to the specific information/medication that has been provided by parent/guardian and student’s medical provider.  If there is no current medical documentation on file or no previous history of asthma or anaphylaxis, the protocol will be implemented.  If you have questions or concerns re: the protocol or your student’s health, please contact the health office.


 
2026-2027 YPS Calendar
Lunch Menu
 
Poster announcing "Open House Night" for York Middle School on Monday, August 10, 2026, from 6:00-7:00 PM.
 

Free and Reduced Lunch Information

In April, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB966 establishing the Hunger-Free Schools Act Pilot Program for SY2026-27.

This pilot program eliminates the reduced-price breakfast and lunch meal cost households pay for their student(s) in all public and non-public schools that participate in the National School Lunch and/or Breakfast Programs. A student must qualify for reduced meals either by application or direct certification in order to receive the no cost reduced meals.

Students will still be charged for a-la-carte items on their food service account as long as theyhave money on their account.
A flyer titled 'Healthy Bites' from Lunchtime Solutions, detailing school meal programs and prices.
A document detailing school food service accounts, diet modifications, snack options, and extra entrée information.
 
Announcement of new digital activity passes sold online, with a link provided.
 
Information about admission prices for school activities, including varsity and 7th/8th grade games, with pricing for K-12, Adult, Family, and Senior passes.
A document detailing school hours, YMS access, and student drop-off/pick-up procedures for York Middle School.
 
A document titled 'Keep Your Student on Track in Middle and High School: Pay Attention to Attendance' from Attendance Works.
 

Bell Schedule

A YMS school schedule displays times for regular school days, early dismissal Wednesdays, and Friday assemblies.
 
Instructions for making an online payment through Infinite Campus, including screenshots of the payment process.
 
Transportation Information
 

Weather Related Emergency/School Closing Procedures

In case of a weather emergency, we will follow the same procedure that has been in practice in the past years.

That procedure is as follows:

1. Radio Station KOOL (103.5 FM 1370 AM), and KTMX-FM (104.9) will again serve as our primary source for dispensing “school closing information.” They are 24 hour stations.
2. If severe weather necessitates an early dismissal, a school cancellation, or information concerning school buses, it will be broadcast on KOOL and KTMX.
3. Bus drivers are instructed to use good judgment in determining whether a road is passable. The Transportation Department will notify parents where children can be loaded if a specific road cannot be traveled. Buses will travel the regular routes and maintain a time schedule consistent with the conditions of the roads.
4. “Emergency Messages” will be sent to our student’s parents and guardians who have an email or cell phone number listed in Infinite Campus, and the YPS Staff. Information will be posted on our website at www.yorkpublic.org, on our Facebook page at York Public Schools.
Parents and Guardians – please be sure to provide the school secretaries with your current email address and cell phone number in order to be notified!!

FILE: EBBDA POLICY ON SCHOOL DISMISSAL FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER
The York Public Schools will be closed, when in the determination of the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee, the weather conditions constitute a hazard for students going to or from school. When regular morning school bus routes cannot be run due to road conditions, yet travel in town is not seriously hampered, school may remain open. When possible a "limited service" bus route shall be run anytime school remains open and it is not possible to run regular routes. The starting time of the morning session may be delayed when necessary. When, during the school day and while school is in session, it is necessary to send bus pupils home early, school may be dismissed for all students.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ON SCHOOL DISMISSAL FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER

When school is not held or is dismissed early due to poor weather conditions, notification will be placed on the York radio station and any other such means as the superintendent may deem necessary and feasible.

When it is necessary to dismiss school due to inclement weather after the school day has started, all students should be accounted for in their homeroom by their homeroom teachers. Bus students should be dismissed first. Teachers shall be responsible for their assigned students. Before dismissing elementary town students, the teachers shall not let any student who has been transported to school go home without contacting their parents, unless they are sure other arrangements have been made. Students who have walked to school may be allowed to walk home if the teacher feels the weather does not present a hazard. Teachers will be dismissed when all of their students have been accounted for.
 

Music Notes....

Announcement welcoming Mr. Zach Weir as the new Band Director, with contact info and social media links.

Important Choir and Band Upcoming Dates for the Year

10/5 - YHS Fall Choir Concert (8th Grade only) @ YHS Theater - 7:00pm 
12/8 - Souper Band Concert - Soup @ 5:00; YMS @ 6:00PM; YHS @ 7:00PM
12/15 - YMS Winter Choir Concert @ YHS Theater - 7:00pm
3/18-3/19 - YMS Musical @ YHS Theater - 7:00pm
4/10 - YMS Honor Band
5/6 - YMS Music Concert @ YHS Theater - Band - 6:15PM, Choir - 7:00PM, Talent Show - 7:45PM
 

Student Senate

Are you interested in becoming a Student Senate member?

The campaign will begin on Monday, August 17 and run through Wednesday, August 29. Applications will be available on the first day of school in the office or see Mrs. Rodrigues. Applications must be turned in to the office or to Mrs. Rodrigues by Monday, August 17th for you to campaign and be on the ballot. This is a great way to practice leadership and have an impact on YMS! Your hard work is greatly appreciated!
 

JAG

Logo for JAG Nebraska, Jobs for America's Graduates, with text explaining the program.
 

YMS 7th 8Th Grade Volleyball 2026

A letter from the Dukes Middle School Volleyball team to players, dated July 25, 2026.
 

YMS 7th & 8th Grade Football 2026

The York Middle School football coaches are hoping you have had a great summer. As it draws to a close, we want to remind you that football season is right around the corner, and we are looking forward to having a great year. We would love to have a large number of both 7th grade and 8th grade players this fall.

The 7th Graders will checkout helmets on Thursday, August 13th at 3:15 pm & will then go practice. Boys can meet in the gym and wait for Coach Sautter & Coach McKinney. Be sure to be wearing a pair of shorts & a t-shirt & bring a water bottle.

The 8th Graders will checkout helmets, shoulder pads, and lower pads at 3:30 pm on
Thursday, August 13th & then go to the field to practice. So, wear t-shirt and shorts to checkout and bring a water bottle as well. We will have the group water station available, but it’s good to also have the water bottle handy.

Athletes must have a sports physical and a parent consent form on file at YMS BEFORE they are able to practice. So, please get those forms to the YMS Office ASAP. By NSAA rule, athletes cannot practice until they have these files completed. With our first game being Thursday, September 3rd, it’s imperative to have those files ready to go for the first day of practice. Athletes must follow the NSAA protocol for being able to practice in full pads.

It often times is more than a week before you can get in to see a doctor for a physical; so please make arrangements immediately if you have not done so already.

Practices are every non-game day from 3:30 pm to about 5:10 pm for 7th grade & 5:20 pm for the 8th grade. On Wednesdays, the athletes generally aren’t allowed into the locker room until 3:30 pm. Most times, if there is no school at YMS, there is no practice. Athletes are expected to be at practice unless there are extenuating circumstances like the athlete is sick or at a doctor’s appointment or funeral. Please contact your coach if unable to attend a practice.

The sports schedule is on the gobound.com site, and you can use the following links
as well.


Thank you and we look forward to getting Junior High football started.

Mr. Lamberty—8th Grade Head Coach
Mr. Kohmetscher---8th Grade Assistant Coach
Mr. Sautter—7th Grade Head Coach
Mr. McKinney—7th Grade Assistant Coach
 

YMS Cross Country 2026

Dear parents/guardians and middle school cross country athletes,

My name is Brittany Wiley. I have been coaching youth sports in different levels and capacities since 2004. I am very excited to coach cross country this year!

We have five cross country meets plus the optional state meet. Our cross country races take place on golf courses, in parks, or on college campuses. Races range in distance between 1 and 2 miles depending on the meet. Parents get to be active participants as they move to cheer for their runners at different points on the course.  

The first practice is on Monday, August 17 which will give us almost three weeks before our first race. We will practice every day at 3:30PM (including Wednesdays). I encourage your athletes to start conditioning/running before practices begin. It will be important for your child to be hydrated, to have a pair of good running shoes, running clothes, and to bring a water bottle to every practice. 

The Junior High Cross Country Championships on October 10 is an optional meet. Students may choose to participate and they may run in the Championship Division (more competitive) or the Open Division (less competitive) at Papillion-La Vista South High School. We will talk about this more as the season progresses.   

Important Information: 
  • Students must have a recent physical on file.
  • Parents and students must fill out the NSAA form before participating in practice.
  • Parents and students must sign a new form for all sports acknowledging serious injury and code of conduct
Practices:
  • Practices start at 3:30 PM and will end at 4:45PM. Students will change in the bathrooms near the entrance and wait in the commons for Coach WIley to arrive. Students should follow school guidelines until Coach Wiley arrives. Students need to sit quietly at tables in the common as they wait. We will meet every day of the week. 
  • Students are expected to attend all practices. Please communicate via sportsYOU app if there is a scheduling conflict for practices and/or meets.
  • Students should have all necessary clothing apparel for practices and meets (shoes, socks, weather appropriate clothing- layers are always beneficial, etc.).
  • Bring a water bottle to practice and hydrate during the day. If an athlete needs an inhaler, please let me know and make sure he/she has it available to him/her during practices & meets. 
Meets:
  • Middle school students will ride the bus to all meets outside of York. (Parents will bring athletes to the York Invite due to its starting time.) We will ride with the high school students to the Seward and Aurora meets.
  • If athletes plan to travel home with their parents after meets, they need to submit a transportation request with the school office ahead of time.
  • Athletes will wear a school-provided jersey for meets. Athletes may wear a pair of their own black or navy shorts for races. If an athlete needs a pair of shorts from the school, he/she may request one. 
  • Buy a team t-shirt for warm-ups.
 
York Middle School 2026-2027 School Supplies list for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.
 
A document outlines the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) with five actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.
A document titled 'Standard Response Protocol' provides guidance for parents during school emergencies like Secure and Lockdown.
A poster titled 'In Case of Emergency, Take Action' outlines safety protocols for students and adults.
 
Image promoting Safe2Help Nebraska, featuring smiling students and text about reporting safety concerns at school.
A list of 'Things You Can Do At Home' provides guidance for parents, including communication and safety tips.
 
 
Contact information for Kenny Loosvelt, Principal of York Dukes, including email, website, location, and phone number.