SVHS Green and Gold
Community Edition - November 13, 2022
How to Translate this Newsletter - Cómo traducir este boletín
Newsletter Summary from Dr. Cohen
SVHS CUSTOMER SERVICE FEEDBACK
WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! We'd love to get feedback from you regarding your experience in our school. We aim to please you 100% of the time. However, if we fall short, we'd like to know so that we can improve. We will use the feedback you provide to celebrate the successes of our staff and/or identify areas of growth. Please consider completing a brief survey to provide us with your valuable feedback.
Click here to complete our brief survey.
Parent/Teacher Conference Sign-Up
Parent Teacher Conference Sign-Up:
- SVHS is conducting Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences by appointment on November 21 and November 22.
- Teachers and Counselors are available during various times between 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm on both days.
- If you would like to meet with one or more of your student's teachers, please follow the instructions posted HERE to sign up for an available appointment. The conference sign-up will close on Friday 11/18/22 at 3:00 pm.
- Please contact the teacher directly or reach out to your student's administrator if you have questions or concerns about your appointment.
PLAN FOR ASSEMBLY WITH STATE'S ATTORNEY
- We want to bring to your attention the concern we all share around the impact of guns on our communities, youth and schools. They present an increasing and significant danger nationwide. As a result, Montgomery County Public Schools in collaboration with Montgomery County State’s Attorney's Office and the Montgomery County Police Department are partnering to educate our high school students about how to keep schools and students safe. This important partnership importantly rests on awareness, knowledge, and education as key ingredients in doing so.
- Through scheduled high school assemblies throughout the fall of 2022, students will be provided with information on the law and consequences if broken, strategies for youth to solve problems without weapons or violence, and the importance of vigilance and a “see something, say something” approach. The assemblies will also offer information on how to recognize signs that someone may choose violence to harm themselves or others, the anonymous Maryland Tip Line and the importance of a violence-free community.
Please talk with your child about this assembly when they come home from school on Wednesday. Please ask them to share what they learned with you and please also reinforce the message: If You See Something, Say Something.
A message from Dr. Cohen
Dear Screaming Eagle Families,
As we begin the second grading period, I am writing to update you on our collective work to keep our school a safe place to learn and grow. As the principal of Seneca Valley High School, the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families is my first priority. The key to a safe school community is for each of us to have a clear understanding of how we prepare and respond to emergency situations, and each of our responsibilities in contributing to those efforts. Over the past weeks, our administrative team engaged in updated safety and security protocol training. We shared this information with all staff, and will engage in additional training at our November staff meeting.
While the consistent understanding of emergency protocols by school staff is essential, it is equally important that our parent/guardian community be informed. To support that understanding, at our next PTSA meeting, I will share information learned at our recent safety and protocol training. In addition, I have attached a series of Frequently Asked Questions addressing shelter-in-place and lockdown to inform you in understanding and supporting school and security.
Preparing for emergency situations often raises questions and concerns. I recognize that having a clear understanding of the actions that schools are taking may better address those concerns and reassure families. Please take comfort in knowing that your children have a school staff with an unwavering commitment to keeping them safe and secure. Over the past few years, we have all been challenged with disruptions of life. I believe we can continue to meet those challenges successfully by working together as one community.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me directly at 240-740-6405, or marc_j_cohen@mcpsmd.org.
Welcome Officer Daley
I am pleased to introduce Officer Daley to you as our new Community Engagement Officer. Officer Daley is a graduate of Seneca Valley (Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle). He has coached and mentored in the community and he is excited to join us in this new role. If you see Officer Daley in the school at events, or around Germantown, please welcome him back to the Screaming Eagle family.
A Message from the PTSA President - Ms. Ramirez
Seneca Valley High School PTSA: November is Staff Appreciation Month for our Seneca Valley Teachers and Administration. We want to say Thanks for all that they do for our students and the community. Make yourself a part of this celebration by contributing a breakfast donation. (signupgenius.com)
Upcoming Events
November 15 - PTSA Meeting - Virtual
November 16 - Gun Violence Assemblies with State's Attorney John McCarthy
November 16 - Instrumental Music Cluster Concert
November 17 - Annual Flag Football Game - Juniors vs. Seniors
November 18 - Viva Voce - Senior Diploma Program Candidates
November 21 - Early Release/Parent Conferences
November 22 - Early Release/Parent Conferences
November 23-25 - Schools Closed for Thanksgiving Break
November 29 - Winter Sports Meet the Coaches Meeting
November 30 - African American Parent Council Meeting
Celebrations from the Student Recognition and Celebration Committee
Please click below to view this week's celebrations.
LIBRARY MEDIA NEWS: MoComCon is back!
Creativity Contests
- MoComCon, a celebration of comics, graphic novels, and fandoms, is coming back to the Germantown Library on January 14, 2023. Students are invited to enter MoComCon art and essay contests between now and December 14th, and a cosplay contest on the day of the event. For more information and contest entry forms, click HERE.
- High school students from across the Washington Metropolitan Area are invited to submit poems to the Gaithersburg Book Festival Poetry Contest. Entries must be no longer than one page, single spaced, 12-point Times New Roman and are due by February 23, 2023. Download contest rules HERE.
Reading Promotions & Book Club Updates
- Stop by to check out our newest book promotions! Our main book display celebrates Native American Heritage Month, and we are also running a display of books offering writing advice, knowing that many of our seniors are writing and tweaking college essays. Please know that Ms. Little is happy to help find resources for and to provide feedback on college admission and scholarship essays!
- Our next Book Club meeting will take place on Monday, November 28th, during lunch in the Library Media Center. In recognition of Native American Indian Heritage Month, we plan to read and discuss the book Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angelie Boulley. In addition, students selected the dystopian novel Scythe by Neal Shusterman for this month. It’s never too late to join our Book Club and participate! Students may access books in ebook format in Sora, our online reading app/platform. Directions for accessing Sora are available in the myMCPS Classroom Virtual LMC. A few print copies are also available to borrow. Please stop by the LMC or email Ms. Little for more information!
Reminder: Please ask your students to check their MCPS gmail regularly!
- Every day over the past several weeks, students have come to the LMC for password assistance because their passwords were reset. This occurs when a student fails to change their password before it expires (passwords are valid for 365 days). In advance of the forced password reset, a student will receive multiple reminders and instructions to reset their password at 30, 15, 10, and 5 to 0 days prior to password expiration. Unfortunately, once the password is reset, staff cannot retrieve the new password for several hours, resulting in a period during which a student does not have access to their school accounts. This is one of many reasons why students should check their MCPS gmail regularly.
Dual Enrollment
Spring registration for Dual Enrollment is underway. Introduction to Human Communication and Administration of Justice will be taught at Seneca Valley next semester. Tuition is now FREE for all students! Please contact Stacey Blaine with any questions at Stacey_J_Blaine@mcpsmd.org
AP Exam Payments are Due
AP Exams payments are due by November 15, 2022. You must register for the exam through the AP link provided by your teachers. You must pay for the exam at https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/. If you have not registered for a School Cash Online account, you will need your student’s SCO PIN number. Please contact Monique_N_Riddick@mcpsmd.org for information on how to receive a PIN number. Please contact Chris_Grindley@mcpsmd.org with any questions regarding registering and ordering each AP exam.
Photos are now available
Seneca Valley High School student portraits are now online for viewing and ordering! You should have received an email from Freed Photography with your student's private gallery information. If you have not received this (check your spam too), please contact them at support@freedphoto.com or call 301.652.5452.
This Week's Notes from the SVHS College & Career Center
SVHS College & Career Monthly Newsletter - November, 2022-23
Attention Seniors - Applying to Colleges!
Please review the SVHS College Application Process document and use this as a guide for applying to colleges. If you add any colleges to your list of applications, please reach out to your counselor to let them know. We want to make sure all information is submitted correctly and on time.
Curious or want to learn more about a particular college? Click this link to see where some of our SVHS staff members attended. They have volunteered to speak with students about their school and experience!
Please reach out to Mr. Nalda or your counselor if you have any questions.
Seniors - Colleges Admissions Results
After submitting college applications, you are now waiting to hear back. Good luck! Keep track of ALL admissions results and merit scholarships for ALL colleges you applied to. Once you hear back from colleges via email or letter, please record your results in Naviance.
How to update admission decisions/results in Naviance (video instructions)
If you were accepted and offered a merit scholarship, congratulations! Here is how to add your offered scholarship in Naviance (video instructions)
Note: Under $ Awarded, enter the amount. If you see that your award is renewable, please multiply the amount by four (for four years of college).
Financial Aid - FAFSA or MSFAA
Any student planning to attend a college or trade school after graduation should fill out the FAFSA regardless of income. Even if you may not qualify for assistance in the form of a Pell Grant, you may be eligible for other types of aid. All students are pre-qualified for a student loan by filling out the FAFSA. Some scholarships also require FAFSA information as part of their application.
Students applying to schools in the state of Maryland should also create an account on the Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) to see if they qualify for any aid from the state of Maryland. Don’t forget to send Mr. Nalda your MHEC ID Number! This way, he can upload your transcript information.
Those students ineligible to apply for the FAFSA are encouraged to fill out the Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA) to receive financial aid to attend colleges or universities in the state of Maryland.
Click here for more information and instructions
Winthrop University - We Extended our FREE Application for a Limited Time!
We have extended our free application until Sunday, November 27. If your students submit their completed application and materials by the 27th, they will save $50 on the application fee, receive their decision on December 1, and be automatically considered for Winthrop scholarships. To have the fee waived, students must apply using the Winthrop application, not Common App.
Here's all we need from students:
- A completed Winthrop application
- Your unofficial high school transcript
- Your official test scores, if applying with scores
College Representative Visits in the College & Career Center (Room 2408)
Juniors & Seniors are encouraged to participate in visits to learn more about colleges and universities that may be of interest to them. Students interested in participating in visits are asked to register in Naviance (instructions).
Next week’s visits:
Moravian University - Mon November 14 @ 9:40 AM
U.S. Air Force Recruiter, Lunch Visit* - Mon November 14 @ 11:12 AM - 11:54 AM
*No registration is Naviance needed. Stop by the cafeteria anytime during lunch to learn more about the military or the U.S. Air Force.
West Virginia University - Mon November 14 @ 12:05 PM
U.S. - Navy Recruiter Visit & Presentation - Tue November 15 @ 10:30 AM
University of Arizona - Tue November 15 @ 12:55 PM
Continental Pools, Lunch Visit* - Thu November 17 @ 11:12 AM - 11:54 AM
*No registration is Naviance needed. Stop by the cafeteria anytime during lunch to learn more about jobs at Continental Pools (lifeguarding & other positions).
St Bonaventure University - Thu November 17 @ 12:05 PM
NewU University - Fri November 18 @ 10:30 AM
Paradise Pool Service, Lunch Visit* - Fri November 18 @ 11:12 AM - 11:54 AM
*No registration is Naviance needed. Stop by the cafeteria anytime during lunch to learn more about jobs at Paradise Pool Service (lifeguarding & other positions).
Click here to learn more about rep visits to campus and see the full list of schools scheduled to visit SVHS this school year!
Upcoming Scholarships
§ November 13 - Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards - up to $4000 in educational grants to fund higher education or community-based project; Youth Awards honors Latinx high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community and for their excellence in various categories (see link for categories); senior; be of Hispanic heritage (includes Spain, Brazil, Philippines); min unweighted 3.0 GPA; must enroll at an accredited higher education institution in 2023-2024; letter or recommendation; transcript; multiple essays; if selected, attendance to virtual regional awards ceremony is mandatory.
§ November 14 - Elks Most Valuable Student Award - 500 awards ranging from $1,000-$12,500 per year for four years; senior; U.S. Citizen; judged on scholarship, leadership, and financial need; top 20 national finalists traditionally win a leadership trip to interview for $20,000 - $50,000 awards; flyer.
§ November 15 - National Space Club and Foundation Keynote Scholar Application - invitation to speak at the Goddard Memorial Dinner and a $15,000 scholarship; senior; U.S. Citizen; must have the intention of pursuing a career in the STEM fields and plan to attend an accredited U.S. college or university to follow a course of study to pursue a career in the STEM field, with a preference for those with space related interests; unofficial transcript; at least 2 letters of recommendation; statement of Intent: A brief statement of 150 words or less on your study/career plans with an emphasis on STEM; video audition; see link for full guidelines and details.
§ November 17 - Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship - over 100 awards of up to $55,000/year to attend a four-year school; senior; min. 3.5 GPA (un-weighted); judged on persistence, service to others, and leadership; essays, letters of recommendation; can apply via Common App.
§ November 30 - MoreWithUs Spring 2022 Scholarship - 1-$1,000 award for high school students; senior; in one standard double-spaced page, talk about an everyday Job or volunteer position you’ve had; create a MoreWithUs profile; see link for full details and guidelines.
§ November 30 - National Honor Society (NHS) Scholarship - awards ranging from $3,200 - $25,000; senior; active NHS member in good standing; currently enrolled at a school with an affiliated NHS chapter; planning to enroll at a postsecondary college or university in fall 2023; student membership must be verified by an active NHS adviser at an affiliated NHS chapter; click here for an overview with application instructions.
Click here to see the SVHS Scholarships Page for more opportunities.
Upcoming Events
GSK’s Biopharmaceutical Apprentice Program Info Sessions
This is an opportunity for high school students interested in learning about a post-secondary Biopharmaceutical Apprenticeship opportunity with GSK. GSK Apprenticeships are full-time entry level opportunities that offer high school graduates and first year college students the opportunity to begin their careers while working towards their Associate’s degree. This Associate’s degree is fully funded by GSK, which yes, means NO COLLEGE DEBT!
An apprenticeship can be life-changing for the right student. GSK will advertise 2023 apprenticeships soon. HS students may want to attend one of the information meetings linked below in order to find out what an apprenticeship is and how to start thinking about applying when they’re eligible.
§ Session 1: Nov 16 @ 10AM | Session 2: Nov 16 @ 5PM
§ Click here for more information and the links to register
IEC Electrical Apprenticeship for current Seniors- Semester 2 Start Option
IEC Chesapeake indicated they are now able to offer the IEC Electrical School-to-Apprenticeship opportunity to current seniors that missed the original opportunity to apply and begin the program at the start of the school year.
Seniors accepted into the program would be able to start at the beginning of semester 2. Students would work for an electrical contractor Monday-Friday from 6:30-11am and take their academic classes to graduate in the afternoon at their home high school. Then 2 nights per week, they would take their Year-1 Related Instruction training at IEC Chesapeake in the evening.
Interested? Current seniors will need to complete the attached applications and include copies of the requested documents. Once your application packet is complete, please contact Ms. Skufca when ready to submit: kimberly_k_skufca@mcpsmd.org.
Job Opportunity
Target Distributing - Have a partial schedule? Target Distributing is looking for a senior with a part-time schedule to fill an opening for a Part-Time Warehouse Worker, M-F, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm; see the linked document for details.
IB’ in the Classroom:
MYP Personal Project & IB Learner Project: Both projects are an opportunity for students to explore a passion, interest, or topic of their choice with guidance and support from SVHS staff. Last week during SEL time, students reflected on their brainstorming and refined an idea in a project proposal. Please encourage your students to take advantage of this meaningful opportunity! Check out our amazing SVHS projects from last year!
- MYP Personal Project (10 graders): This is the capstone project for the IB Middle Year Program (IB MYP). 10th graders completing this project earn .5 elective credit for MYP Research Seminar on their transcript, as well as 15 SSL hours. Check out THIS FLYER for more information on the Personal Project!
- IB Learner Project (9th/11th/12th graders): This is a unique experience offered at SVHS, which supports students in completing a project similar to the MYP Personal Project. Students can earn 10 SSL hours for completing this project!
How can you support your student through the MYP Personal Project or the IB Learner Project?
Ask them about their project. At this point, students should have chosen a topic they are interested in and started to develop an idea for their learning goal and product. The learning goal is the skills or knowledge a student will learn by completing the project. The product is what students will produce by the end of the project (video, journal, art piece, event, etc.). Here is a list of product ideas in case your student is stuck!
Remind them to engage with their Project Canvas course. The course has videos of each advisory lesson, along with support materials to help guide the students through the process. Students should already be enrolled in the course, but they can always email Mrs. Becraft if they do not have access.
IB Registration: IB registrations has now been closed. If you have questions about payment in School Cash, please see Ms. Ezerski in Room 3510. It may take some time for you to see your reduced payments in School Cash.
Think Big Program: Our Think Big Staff supervisors meet last week to plan our 2nd Think Big field trip on Wed., Nov. 16th.We are excited for another great experience combining the Arts and the MYP Personal Project process!
Please review Mr. Irvin's weekly athletics update
Please use this link for this week’s SVHS Athletics Weekly Update
Free Tutoring is Available
FREE Tutoring Opportunity through our CARES Program
Our CARES Tutoring program provides high-dosage tutoring designed to:
- accelerate learning at a student's grade level or above
- support students who are performing below grade level
- provide additional support beyond classroom instruction to support student success
Program Highlights
- FREE Tutoring by SV Teachers and Support Staff
- Flexible Scheduling - After School, Evening, and Weekend hours
- In Person and Virtual Times available
- English, Math, Science, Social Studies, World Languages and More!
- Organization and General Support
Click HERE to sign up!
Contact Elizabeth_Maxey@mcpsmd.org for additional information.
Additional Free Tutoring is Available
All MCPS students have access to free, virtual tutoring services through FEV Tutor and Tutor Me Education.
Both companies offer two services:
Free on-demand tutoring for homework help, no scheduling needed
Free, scheduled tutoring for on-going support, scheduling required
Both companies record sessions, take session notes, and communicate directly with families
The difference between the two companies:
FEV Tutor - no camera for tutor or student - ideal for grades 3-12 students for whom the camera is a barrier to learning
Tutor Me Education - camera for tutor and student
Students access tutoring by using their MCPS Clever account.
For families who would like to set up scheduled, ongoing sessions, please share:
To set up tutoring sessions with FEV Tutor:
To set up tutoring sessions with Tutor Me Education:
MCPS@tutormeeducation.com or 240-618-2549 OR
Fill out their request form ** best way
Here are flyers that can be shared:
SVHS Student and Family Resources Page
Click here for a list and links to resources and supports available for students and families in the Seneca Valley Community. SVHS Student and Family Resources Page
Seneca Valley High School
Twitter: @SenecaValleyHS
Instagram: @SenecaValleyHSWebsite: www.senecavalleyhighschool.com
Location: 19401 Crystal Rock Drive, Germantown, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-6400