SVHS Green and Gold
Dr. Cohen's Newsletter to the SVHS Community
July 5, 2020 Edition
Welcome to Principal Intern, Scott Smith
On July 1st, Mr. Scott Smith, joined our staff as a principal intern. Many of you will remember Mr. Smith who was previously with us as an English Teacher, Staff Development Teacher, and English Department Resource Teacher.
Principal interns are experienced administrators who are selected to begin a year of preparation for the principalship. Principal interns perform many of the duties of an assistant principal while simultaneously shadowing the principal and preparing for their future role as a school system leader. An additional component of the training program includes a brief six-week takeover period, typically following winter break, where the principal intern takes full responsibility for the school while I will leave on a short term assignment at another school.
The opportunity to serve as a trainer is a professional opportunity I am pleased to accept and believe that our school and community will provide an excellent environment to prepare a future principal. Because we are growing in size next year, Mr. Smith is filling a new administrator position for the school. In the coming weeks, more information about Mr. Smith, principal intern, will be shared along with an opportunity for Mr. Smith to meet the staff, students, and community. Thank you for your continued support and collaboration.
Sincerely,
Dr. Cohen
Listen! Learn! Act!
We Will Listen: Over the next few months, we will collaborate to build a unified group of diverse parents, teachers, and students that understands the challenges and benefits of a diverse school.
We Will Learn: That group will be asked to create specific parent, teacher, and student experiences they believe must occur to encourage an environment in which racial and ethnic issues are discussed openly and productively.
We Will Act: As a part of our measured school improvement initiatives, we will engage our community in these learning experiences; we will reflect together; and we will create personal and group action steps that address racial and ethnic barriers to student achievement at our school.
First Steps:
Dozens of staff members are spending the first few weeks of summer reading and reflecting. Additionally, they are coming together virtually to discuss what they have learned and to brainstorm ways to apply that learning to our work with students and each other. Additionally, as a part of our annual "Leadership Week" for school administrators and staff leaders, we are engaging in a series of Book Studies that compel us to reflect not only on our personal mindset, but also the role we play as educational leaders in influencing others.
In case you are interested, here are the books we are using as we begin to Listen and Learn.
1. How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Antiracism is a transformative concept that reorients and reenergizes the conversation about racism— and, even more fundamentally, points us toward liberating new ways of thinking about ourselves and each other. At its core, racism is a powerful system that creates false hierarchies of human value; its warped logic extends beyond race, from the way we regard people of different ethnicities or skin colors to the way we treat people of different sexes, gender identities, and body types. Racism intersects with class and culture and geography and even changes the way we see and value ourselves. In How to Be an Antiracist, Kendi takes readers through a widening circle of antiracist ideas—from the most basic concepts to visionary possibilities—that will help readers see all forms of racism clearly, understand their poisonous consequences, and work to oppose them in our systems and in ourselves.
2. Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools by Monique W. Morris
In a work that Lisa Delpit calls “imperative reading,” Monique W. Morris (Black Stats, Too Beautiful for Words) chronicles the experiences of Black girls across the country whose intricate lives are misunderstood, highly judged—by teachers, administrators, and the justice system—and degraded by the very institutions charged with helping them flourish. Called “compelling” and “thought-provoking” by Kirkus Reviews, Pushout exposes a world of confined potential and supports the rising movement to challenge the policies, practices, and cultural illiteracy that push countless students out of school and into unhealthy, unstable, and often unsafe futures.
White Fragility: Why its so Hard for White People to Talk about Racism by Robin DiAngelo
In this “vital, necessary, and beautiful book” (Michael Eric Dyson), antiracist educator Robin DiAngelo deftly illuminates the phenomenon of white fragility and “allows us to understand racism as a practice not restricted to ‘bad people’ (Claudia Rankine). Referring to the defensive moves that white people make when challenged racially, white fragility is characterized by emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and by behaviors including argumentation and silence. These behaviors, in turn, function to reinstate white racial equilibrium and prevent any meaningful cross-racial dialogue. In this in-depth exploration, DiAngelo examines how white fragility develops, how it protects racial inequality, and what we can do to engage more constructively.
Equity Matters Dialogue
In addition to these activities, our administrative team is joining other school and system leaders in an "Equity Matters Dialogue." Equity Matters Dialogues are a space for engagement on race and culture. The dialogue will not only be an opportunity to reflect on current events in society but more importantly, what this thinking means for our personal and professional practice.
In the coming months:
We are still working on a more comprehensive engagement plan designed to involve students, staff, and the broader Seneca Valley community in this work. I have heard from so many of you already, asking how you can answer our call to action. Thank you for your commitment to our school and community. There is a lot more work to come.
Be well and stay safe.
Dr. Cohen
MCPS Summer Food Service Program Will Provide Free Meals
MCPL Summer Reading Program Open to All MCPS Students
Available Technology for Students and Staff
Wellness Resources
The safety and wellness of our students remains a top priority. Below are resources to support the physical, social and psychological well-being of our community. If you believe your child is in crisis, please contact the Montgomery County Crisis Center at 240-777-4000. Students can also reach out to their counselor and school psychologist to set up a confidential appointment.
Waymaking Video Series
- Suicide Awareness
- Managing Stress and Anxiety for Students
- Managing Stress and Anxiety during Social Distancing
Tips on Addressing Student Grief
Tips for Preventing Youth Suicide
Having trouble with your Distance Learning Technology?
Having trouble with myMCPS Classroom?
Parents/Guardians - Getting Started [Parent Portal/myMCPS Classroom] - Spanish
Parents/Guardians - Getting Started [Parent Portal/myMCPS Classroom] - English (this one includes links to translated versions in 5 languages)
Community Resources
Below is information regarding food/grocery access beyond the MCPS school meal sites:
Food Assistance Resource Map: The Montgomery County Food Council created an interactive map of food assistance providers and benefits application assistance sites in Montgomery County. It is searchable by location, food assistance type, accessibility and many other special features. This resource can give principals and families a quick view of local resources in their area. The information indicates where, when and how to access the resources. **We would caution parents and staff supporting parents to pay particular attention to how one qualifies to access food as some sites state requirements.
Weekend Bag Program: MCPS, Manna Food Center, and Women Who Care Ministries are distributing weekend backpacks with groceries to the families of MCPS students each Friday. The location of distribution sites and times are listed at the bottom of the webpage.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURECES https://www.sheppardpratt.org/news-views/story/sheppard-pratt-hosts-virtual-lunch-learn-series-for-mental-health-awareness-month/
VIRTUAL CRISIS WALK_IN CLINIC
https://www.sheppardpratt.org/care-finder/virtual-crisis-walk-in-clinic/
https://dominionhospital.com/covid-19/access-to-care/behavioral-health.dot
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT WEBSITES
1. https://www.caringmatters.org/resourcesforschools
2. https://learn.mindwise.org/social-distance
3. https://www.therapistaid.com/
4. https://www.mindfulschools.org/
5. https://www.educatingmindfully.org/
6. https://www.stressedteens.com/
7. http://mindfullifeproject.org/
8. https://centerforadolescentstudies.com/
GRIEF RESOURCE
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Seneca Valley High School
Email: marc_j_cohen@mcpsmd.org
Website: www.senecavalleyhighschool.com
Location: 19401 Crystal Rock Drive, Germantown, MD, USA
Phone: 301-353-8000
Twitter: @SenecaValleyHS