York Suburban School District strives to provide a program of education that promotes the intellectual development of students to their fullest capacities. The District has developed a sound curriculum for grades K-12 and it is continuously reviewed and revised. Teachers are engaged in ongoing professional development to ensure that the best practices are used to deliver instruction to all students.

Interesting Reads
Games that Build Brain Power
8 Brain-Building Games to Play in the Car
Great Games for Boosting Your Child's Brain Power

York Suburban School District strives to engage all students in activities that promote positive nutrition and nutrition education. Whitson’s, the District food service provider has fully embraced the mandates set forth by the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act. Additionally, the district has eliminated the availability of soda machines to students in the school buildings. Nutrition education is embedded in the Health and Wellness classes as well as Family and Consumer Sciences classes at the secondary level. The district continues to work toward the promotion of healthier eating outside of the school day.

York Suburban School District strives to engage all students in activities that promote physical fitness. All students in grades 1-12 are enrolled in some combination of Health, Physical Education, and/or wellness classes. Dependent upon the grade level, instruction takes place one, two or three times per 6-day cycle. All elementary students engage in at least one recess per day and many classrooms engage in regular physical activity under the title of Brain Breaks. Students at the secondary level have the opportunity to participate in intramural and interscholastic athletics as well as marching band and many clubs that involve fitness activities.

Interesting Reads
Why Exercise?
Activity Ideas for Fall
Activity Ideas for Winter
Activity Ideas for Spring

York Suburban School District strives to provide for the social-emotional growth and development of all students. In addition to the daily work of the classroom teachers, the district counselors provide classroom education in a variety of areas to assist students in developing a positive self-esteem and appropriate peer relationships. Additional support is provided for students with particular social-emotional needs.  The district maintains a commitment to teaching and supporting anti-bullying initiatives and activities and programs that engage students in healthy practices.

High School Guidance Page
Middle School Guidance Page

Interesting Reads
NCSL on Social and Emotional Learning
Social and Emotional Learning

Winter

Work Smarter, Not Harder
Spend your work hours on difference-making tasks and you will have a greater impact and feel more satisfied.

Stay Focused
Part of working smarter is to work with more focus. Techniques for staying focused include meditation, breathing exercises, and developing compassion. Ultimately staying focused is an inside job requiring you to energize your mind.

Love What You Do
Choose to love your job and make that choice every day!

Feel Like A Million Bucks
If you’re dragging yourself into school every day, it’s going to be hard to have an impact. To make a difference you need energy, stamina, and vitality. In short, you must feel like a million bucks to make a difference.

These winter tips originated from https://inpowercoaching.com.

Fall

Breathe
Did you know you can trick your brain into thinking everything is fine with slow, deliberate breathing?

Connect
Reach out and connect (or vent!) with your fellow teachers and co-workers and hold each other accountable for your self-care.

Take a timeout
Schedule your timeouts during times of the day when you have no interruptions. Soon you’ll look forward to this mini-recharge.

Move!
Don’t pack up your stuff and get out of town; get your body moving. Even if you don’t have time for a formal exercise plan, you can see stress-relieving benefits from a minor activity like jumping jacks in your living room.

Enjoy the great outdoors
Teachers don’t have a lot of time for long hikes or adventure trips, but being with nature can be as simple as taking a walk or stopping by a park after work.

Step away from the device
Constant digital stimulation can increase your anxiety or sense that “you aren’t doing enough.” Put down your phone and schedule some no-tech time each week.

Reflect
Think about all of the things for which you are grateful. Even when life is stormy, you can always find one bright moment.

Create a comfort kit
For those days when you’re feeling particularly defeated, a comfort kit reminds you that everything will be okay. It can include anything you love, from your favorite tea to a note from your BFF.

Pamper yourself
Set aside some time during the school year for something special. It could be a nice dinner, a manicure, or a weekend day trip, experiences that will help you refuel and recharge for the school days ahead.

These fall tips originated from https://www.teachforamerica.org/.

Summer

Stay cool and hydrated
Drink water, at least two to four cups (16-32 ounces) upon rising, and similar amounts if you are going out for activities and exercise. Carry water with you in a hard plastic container.

Protect yourself
While enjoying the sun and outdoors, protect yourself from overexposure to sunlight by wearing a hat and using natural sunscreens without excessive chemicals. Carry Aloe Vera gel for overexposure.

Keep up or begin an exercise program
Aerobic activity is important for keeping the heart strong and healthy. If you only work out in a health club, take some time to do outdoor refreshing activities -- hiking, biking, swimming, or tennis. Reconnecting with these activities will help keep your body and mind aligned.

Enjoy Nature's bounty
Consuming fresh foods that are cooling and light (fresh fruits, vegetable juices, raw vital salads, and lots of water) will nourish your body for summertime activities. Include some protein with one or two meals. There are light, nourishing proteins that don't require cooking. Most of these complement fruits and vegetables nicely: nuts, seeds, sprouted beans, soy products, yogurt, kefir, and cottage cheese. Fish and poultry are also great.

Plan a trip
Take some special summer time with your family, kids, and friends who share the enjoyment of the outdoors. If you're able, plan a fun trip for a day or longer. A few ideas include hiking in the wild, camping, playing at the river, or a trip to the beach.

Relax and breathe
You've been working hard. This is the season to slow the pace a bit and absorb the light that stimulates your hormonal message center. Leave your cell phone at home or take a week off from TV.

These summer tips originated from https://inpowercoaching.com.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Pennsylvania Department of Health required all districts to establish a Health and Safety Plan. This Plan is reviewed every six months.

YSSD Health and Safety Plan