SVHS Green and Gold
Community Edition - September 25, 2022
How to Translate this Newsletter/Cómo traducir este boletín
REMINDER
SchoolCash Online
Homecoming tickets will go on sale soon. Students must be registered to pay using the SchoolCash Online payment system. If you have not received your PIN to register, please contact communitytechsupport@mcpsmd.org.
Montgomery County Public Schools has transitioned to a new online payment system called SchoolCash Online as its preferred method of payment for all school-related fees.
SchoolCash Online helps parents/guardians and community members pay school-related fees safely, quickly, and easily. SchoolCash Online will help increase efficiency and security at schools by making payments directly into schools’ bank accounts and eliminating the need for teachers to handle money. In addition, once registered, you will be immediately informed about school activities!
Powered by KEV Group, SchoolCash Online is the industry leader in the management of school fees. The new system puts all of the school-related fees online for purchase so users can make purchases online using a credit card or e-check. A processing fee will be included on all items available for purchase, regardless of the type of payment used on SchoolCash Online or at the school.
Parents/guardians can register now at - https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/
· How to Register for SchoolCash Online | Cómo registrarse en SchoolCash Online
LGBTQ+ Youth Town Hall on Oct. 4 to Be Presented in Spanish
An LGBTQ+ Youth Town Hall will be held from 6:30–8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4. This event will be presented in Spanish.
The town hall, Providing Healthy Support Systems to Our Latino LGBTQ+ Youth, is open to parents, foster parents, caregivers, guardians, extended family members, mental health professionals and service providers who care for LGBTQ+ youth. Register to attend.
The speakers will be: Johan Orjuela, MSW, LCSW-C, manager of counseling services at EveryMind; Valeria E. Carranza, chief of staff for County Council Vice President Evan Glass; and Oscar Flores, LICSW, lead behavioral health therapist, La Clinica Del Pueblo.
Free Tutoring Available
FREE Tutoring Opportunity through our CARES Program
Our CARES Tutoring program will be starting on September 26th. Our 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.
NEW Academic Support Website and Resources
At Seneca Valley High School we have many great opportunities and resources for students to get academic support.
Check out our NEW Academic Support Website, which can also be found on our Seneca Valley High School website under Quick Links: Academic Support.
Here you can find information on:
- CARES Tutoring - our FREE after school tutoring program
- Project GRAD - our credit recovery program
- Opportunities for support during the school day
- MCPS Opportunities
- And more!
SVHS'S FIRST LITTLE LIBRARY
We are so proud to announce that we've received the donation of our first Little Library! The idea of increasing the number of little libraries around the community is something that came out of the work that Brothers With Books does. But the funding support for this specific project came from Steve Roberts, who loved the idea and wanted to donate to them in honor of his father, whose name all will see displayed directly on the library. His donation helped take their vision of donating little libraries and made it a reality.
For Brothers With Books and now for Seneca Valley HS, promoting literacy won't only be about giving young people books. It will be a demonstration of access and ensuring the reduction of barriers that make it hard for them to get ahold of books that resonate with their lives and aspirations. Little libraries create a sense of community and belongingness around literacy. It invites everyone to take part in the transfer of knowledge. Brothers With Books believes that our school community will benefit greatly from it.
*If you have gently used books that you would like to donate, please contact: Ms. Wideman: vonetta_r_wideman@mcpsmd.org or Ms. Hess: katherine_hess@mcpsmd.org
We would like to give a mighty SV SHOUT OUT to Dr. Isaac Cudjoe, Kevin Isabelle-Peete (and the BWB crew), Dr. Cohen, Ms. Riddick, Ms. Wideman, Ms. Hess, Mr. Hildebrandt (and his fabulous students), and Ms. J. Yu for all the effective efforts and communication in accomplishing Seneca Valley HS first ever Little Library. #GOEAGLES #PROMOTINGLITERACY #COMMUNITY #SVPROUD
Please enjoy reading some information on Brothers With Books:
“Brothers With Books (BWB) is a community action group fighting for equity, helping improve access, and cultivating literacy in Montgomery County, MD.
BWB uses its platform as a resource for the holistic development of youth in the community. While giving out free books is what BWB is known for, the community action group has many programs and offerings focused on promoting equity, access, and literacy.”
ATTENTION: Parents of girls between grades 5-12
The Patuxent River Links organization is currently accepting applications for their mentorship program, G.E.M.S. Representatives of The Links Patuxent River chapter attended one of our spring meetings sharing information about their G.E.M.S. program. Girls participating in the program do so at no cost to her or her family. The Links organization covers all costs. Events are scheduled throughout the school year and meetings are held monthly. This program is an opportunity for black girls to interact with positive black women who are giving back to their community. Please see the attachments for more information. The application deadline is this Friday, October 23rd. Click the following link to get more info about the program.
https://www.patuxentmdlinks.org/programs/g-e-m-s-program/
We would like to see more students from Seneca Valley get involved in this outstanding program. Please email Revonne Johnson if you know a student that may be interested in this program.
Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) testing for Reading and Math
Hello Seneca Valley High School Community,
Beginning September 29, through October 4, 2022, students in grade 9 will participate in the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) testing for Reading and Math. The MAP exam is a computer based diagnostic assessment and is designed to inform instruction, recovery and intervention, and account for learning loss, as well as determine present performance levels on math and literacy standards. MCPS wants to ensure that we have full participation to accurately assess student progress and achievement. Student attendance and participation is important so that we can assess the performance data to implement supports for student´s academic success. Students will test in their English 9 and Biology classes beginning Thursday, September 29-October 4. MAP Testing will be conducted through a Regular Bell
- MAP – Math will be administered September 29, and 30
- MAP – Reading will be administered October 3, and 4
- Make-Up Testing will be on October 6, and 7
MAP testing will be conducted digitally on electronic devices (e.g. Chromebooks). All students are required to use their own Chromebooks for MAP testing. Students should bring their chargers with them in the event that the Chromebook needs to be charged.
Parents, here is how you can help, please mark your calendars from September 29 through October 4 for the MAP Testing administration through English 9 and Biology classes. Please ensure your child charges their Chromebooks and brings it to school along with their charger. Also encourage your child to get good rest and eat breakfast as they prepare for each day.
If you have any questions, please contact Kisheena Wanzer at Kisheena_J_Wanzer@mcpsmd.org or Dr. Mike Kim at Michael_T_Kim@mcpsmd.org.
PSAT Update
The following information is about PSAT Day. We will have an adjusted bell schedule on Wednesday, October 12th for PSAT Day. All students in grade 10 and specific registered students in grade 11 will participate in the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) at Seneca Valley High School on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. By taking the PSAT/NMSQT, juniors enter competitions for scholarship programs conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, and other organizations that use PSAT/NMSQT scores.
All sophomores and testing juniors are required to report to school at the regular scheduled time and will test in specific classes. Emails with specific testing locations will be sent to student through their mcpsmd.net accounts. There will also be signs posted around the building with testing locations to assist students on test day.
Students who are not testing for the PSAT administration should follow the adjusted bell schedule. The school buses will arrive at the regular scheduled times, therefore, if students rely on bus transportation, please plan to come to school and report to the cafeteria and auditorium to participate in various activities during the time of testing. Lunch begins at 12:15 p.m. After lunch, students will follow the adjusted bell schedule with Social-Emotional Learning activities for the remainder of the instructional day. These activities will include two (45 minute) rotations:
- Academic Rotation
- Wellness Rotation
More details will follow in the upcoming newsletters. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Mike Kim at Michael_T_Kim@mcpsmd.org or Ms. Kisheena Wanzer at Kisheena_J_Wanzer@mcpsmd.org. Thank you.
LIBRARY MEDIA NEWS: CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE!
National Hispanic Heritage Month Reading Promotion
Help us celebrate LatinX history and culture — come “check out” our book promotion celebrating authors and stories from 21 Spanish speaking countries! Books featured include biographies, histories, anthologies of poetry and short stories, and fabulous works of fiction.
Book Club Discussion October 4, 2022
We had a fantastic turnout for the book club interest meeting; we recruited nearly 30 readers to participate in the One Maryland One Book statewide reading program. We still have copies of the book What’s Mine and Yours by Naima Coster for additional participants. Please stop by the LMC or email Ms. Little or Ms. Rossman for more information.
Gaithersburg Book Festival Announces Poetry Contest
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.
AP and IB Test Registration
Advanced Placement Test Registration
Advanced Placement (AP) Exams are administered through College Board. The expectation at SVHS is that all students will take the AP exams for the AP classes in which they are enrolled. To register to take an AP exam, you must submit payment no later than November 15, 2022. Registration after November 15th will incur an additional $40. If you have a financial hardship, please do not purchase at this time. Contact Chris_Grindley@mcpsmd.org and complete the required paperwork. The cost of an AP exam is $101. Make sure to record the date and time for your exam. There are NO REFUNDS for incorrect AP exam selections or missed exams.
Here is the link to register to pay for the exam: https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/
International Baccalaureate Test Registration
IB registration is open Friday, October 7th through Wednesday, November 2nd. The expectation at SVHS is that all students will take the IB exams for the IB classes in which they are enrolled. Taking the exam is an important component of all IB courses. Studies consistently show that participating in an IB course leads to greater student engagement in high school, higher college acceptance rates and increased college preparedness. On October 7th, teachers will bring their IB classes to an IB Exam Registration presentation in the auditorium. During the presentation students will begin the registration Google form, receive information about financial aid, and have an opportunity to ask questions. Please do not hesitate to contact Natasha Ezerski at Natasha_L_Ezerski@mcpsmd.org with any questions you may have about the process.
GUN EDUCATION ASSEMBLIES AT MCPS HIGH SCHOOLS
Dear MCPS High School Families,
We want to bring to your attention the concern we all share around the impact of guns on our communities, youth and schools and 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.
Here are the facts:
National data from the Gun Violence Archive reports that the number of teenagers killed or injured by guns has nearly doubled since 2014 and the number of teenagers involved in unintentional shootings has risen by 44 percent. There are alarming numbers in Montgomery County, too; 790 illegal guns have been seized this year as of Aug. 14, up nearly 75 percent since 2020, when there were 452 guns seized. In Maryland, it is illegal for anyone to possess a firearm until 21 years of age. In fact, anyone 16 or older found in possession of a gun will be charged as an adult.
What students will learn:
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.
What you need to know:
These assemblies will begin in the coming days and weeks. Schools will share specific information about when they are scheduled at your child’s high school. We appreciate your continued partnership with MCPS and as parents, guardians and caregivers, we ask that you echo these messages at home. Students must seek a trusted adult for support rather than choosing violence. Families can choose to opt-out their child from these lessons by simply contacting their school administrator.
As a reminder: there is a longstanding policy and discipline established concerning weapons brought to school. Essentially weapons of any kind may not be brought to any MCPS school. Any student found in possession of a gun or other weapon may also be subject to serious disciplinary actions in alignment with the MCPS Student Code of Conduct and potentially in violation of local, state and federal law.
We thank the State’s Attorney’s Office for its commitment and partnership; together, we can work for a safer, vibrant, thriving community.
Dr. Monifa B. McKnight
MCPS Superintendent of Schools
John McCarthy
State’s Attorney, Montgomery County
Important Resources:
Anonymous Tip Line: 1-833-MD-B-SAFE (1-833-632-7233), online at safeschoolsmd.org
In an emergency, call 911
Montgomery County Public Schools BeWell365
Join the ACES program!
Eligible 10th graders who want to go to college after high school are invited to apply to
join the ACES program! ACES stands for Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success.
Students admitted to ACES work with an ACES Coach during 11th and 12th grade to receive
the following services for FREE:
- One-on-one college application support
- Financial aid and scholarship assistance
- Preparation for college entrance exams
- Career Coaching
- Field trips to visit colleges
- Leadership development
- MUCH MORE
Students eligible for ACES, identify with at least ONE of the following:
- Will be first generation college students (first in their family to graduate from college in the U.S.)
- Live in a single-parent household
- Live in a low-income household
- Receive or qualify for free or reduced lunch (FARMS)
- Have an IEP or 504 plan
- An English language learner (if a current ESOL student, must be in at least level 3)
The application deadline for ACES is January 13, 2023. Students can use the following link
to complete the application and be sure to submit the consent form:
http://www.acesmontgomery.org/apply (scroll to the bottom of this page and click "Apply
to ACES").
For questions about ACES, contact Mrs. Tahrea Flemming Mensah, ACES Coach at
Seneca Valley High School:
Office: Room 2107A
IB Spotlight
The SVHS staff engaged in our first professional development workshop of the year by engaging in impactful conversations about Using the Inquiry Process to build Meaning with your Students! Inquiry is defined as a learning method that prioritizes student questions, ideas, and analysis in order for students to construct meaning. Inquiry is at the foundation of IB teaching practices as it brings our Anti-Biased Anti-Racist (ABAR) focus to the classroom instruction level. As an Equal Opportunity School (EOS) dedicated to ensuring access and support to all of our students in higher level coursework, we are committed to leading our instruction through an ABAR lens and incorporating student voice and perspective into our lessons. During the workshop, we went through an inquiry-driven example and explored inquiry strategies to use on our classrooms. Over the next month, staff will choose an inquiry strategy to implement with their classes and then reflect on how it went. We will then reflect on staff reflections during our next professional development workshop.
IB' Learning Spotlight: Science teacher, Teddi Bewernitz, shared a great example of inquiry in her classroom. The Driving Question Board activity in her IB Environmental Systems and Societies class allowed all of her students to share their perspective on "How Global Climate Change is Impacting Local Food Availability?" The lesson focused on encouraging, modeling, and supporting all students in being "Thinkers" by helping them recognize how their own experiences positively impact instruction
This Week's Notes from the SVHS College & Career Center
Applying to Colleges
If you plan on applying to a four-year college or university, you should be working on your college applications. Please refer to the SVHS College Application Packet document and use it as a checklist. This document is a step-by-step guide to applying to colleges.
SVHS College Information Night Recording - Presentation by SVHS Staff Explaining the college application process at SVHS.
Please reach out to Mr. Nalda or your counselor if you have any questions.
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:
Coppin State University - Tue September 27 @ 8:45 AM
Suffolk University - Tue September 27 @ 10:30 AM
Shenandoah University - Wed September 28 @ 8:35 AM
Trinity Washington University - Wed September 28 @ 9:20 AM
Wells College - Wed September 28 @ 11:00 AM
Tufts University - Thu September 29 @ 8:45 AM
Salisbury University - Thu September 29 @ 9:40 AM
St. Mary's College of Maryland - Thu September 29 @ 10:30 AM
Click here to learn more about rep visits to campus and see the full list of schools scheduled to visit SVHS this Fall!
Upcoming Scholarships
September 27 - QuestBridge National College Match - recipients are granted early admission to one of QuestBridge's college partners with a full four-year scholarship, worth over $200,000; any high school senior, regardless of citizenship, currently attending high school in the U.S. is eligible for the National College Match (should review the Additional Citizenship Requirements); have earned primarily A's in the most challenging courses available (usually including Honors, AP, and/or IB level courses); financial need as finalists typically come from households earning less than $65,000 annually for a typical household of four and have minimal assets; click link for more information.
September 30 - Niche Back To School “No Essay” Scholarship - 1-$50,000 award selected by random drawing; 9-12 grade; legal resident of the United States; see link for full rules and details.
September 30 - Notorious RBG Scholarship - 10-$1,000 awards; rising high school students graduating in 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026, and recently graduated 2022 seniors (female-identified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply, however applicants of any gender are eligible!); 500-800 word essay; pictures/videos/media showing your leadership in action; color headshot; academic resume; current transcript (can be official or unofficial); educator recommendation.
September 30 - Don't Text and Drive Scholarship - 1-$1,000 award; 9-12 grade; U.S. Citizen; 140-character message about texting while driving; top 10 selected as finalists; finalists asked to write a 500- to 1,000-word essay about texting while driving; one winner chosen from 10 finalists' essays.
Click here to see the SVHS Scholarships Page for more opportunities.
Upcoming Events
Virtual Financial Aid Night (Presented by Montgomery College)
This webinar will introduce the key concepts of financial aid and scholarships and explore deadline dates, Maryland State grants, and MC institutional scholarships. We will give a general overview of options for paying for college. There will also be a live question and answer period afterward.
§ Thursday, September 29th at 5:30 PM
Looking for a Job???
Copper Canyon Grill (Gaithersburg) - looking for high energy, fun and hard working people to work in one of Gaithersburg's premier restaurants; looking to hire food runners, bussers, and hosts; must be at least 16 years old; click on link for more information.
Update from Athletics
Please see link below for important Athletics update.
Includes
- New safety protocols at athletics events
- Winter sports registration update
- salc psa
- volunteers needed-booster club
- Fall season operation plans
- Digital ticket information
- much much more.
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