SVHS Green and Gold
Community Edition - February 19, 2023
Celebrating our students
A Message from the MCPS Chief Medical Officer
Dear MCPS Community,
On Saturday, Jan. 28, more than 1,500 people participated in the Family Forum on Fentanyl at Clarksburg High School. Students, family members and staff were concerned and motivated to keep our youth and communities safe from the dangers of illicit fentanyl.
Along with community partners, Montgomery Goes Purple and the Downcounty Consortium we are hosting a second Family Forum on Fentanyl at Northwood High School on Saturday, Feb. 25.
Read the full message here: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2022-2023/Community-Message-20230214.html
Attention Seniors and Parents of Seniors
Seniors
Now that the second semester has started, it's time to take care of a few things. All caps and gowns need to be ordered by Feb. 28. You will need to create an account, but the cost is covered in the graduation package, so there is no cost at the time of ordering. Use this link or the QR code below to order. Your Graduation Package is $90. It includes the cap and gown, senior t-shirt, senior picnic and other graduation items. It can be paid at SchoolCash Online. You can purchase the panoramic picture and yearbook online as well. If you would prefer to purchase the Graduation Package or panoramic with cash or check, students should bring their payments to Mrs. Wolfe in room 3522.
Seneca Valley Students in the News
Congratulations to our IB Risk-Takers of the Month
Thank you to Ms. North in our Hospitality and Tourism Management Program for making this experience possible for our students.
Congratulations to NJROTC
The SVHS NJROTC earned 7 trophies at the recent competition in Easton, MD.
This includes
- 2nd Place - Varsity Overall
- 1st Place - 1st Year Cadets
Testing Updates
WIDA TESTING
Students receiving ESOL services are participating in the ACCESS WIDA testing. We have completed the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections of WIDA. Next week, we will administer the Speaking part of this test to complete WIDA. Testing is conducted in room 1601 during 2 and 6 periods. Students will receive a pass to test at specific times.
MD SCHOOL SURVEY
We will administer the Maryland School Survey to students grades in 9 -11 on Wednesday, March 8th during SEL. More information will be shared as we approach the date.
SAT SCHOOL DAY
Here is some information about SAT School Day on March 22. All students grade 11 will take the SATs. Students who are testing have been assigned to locations from 7:45am – 12:15pm. Students will receive an email to their mcpsmd.net accounts, with their testing location the week prior to testing. For students who arrive at the regular time and are not taking the SAT, they will go to the auditorium, gymnasium or cafeteria until the end of testing. The Graduation Readiness and Physical Education departments will facilitate activities during this time for students who arrive at the regularly scheduled time and are not testing.
MCPS STRONGER STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS APP NOW AVAILABLE
The free MCPS Stronger Student mobile app is now available via the Apple and Google Play stores. The project was led by students who performed all aspects of design, building and focus grouping for the app. For secondary students, the app provides access to crisis support resources or other mental and physical health/wellness needs, including reporting incidents of discrimination. It is anonymous and confidential.
Users can access:
- Emergency and crisis contact information.
- Mental and physical health resources.
- Tools to file confidential reports about bullying, harassment and/or hate bias with MCPS.
- Information concerning student rights within MCPS.
The app, at its launch, is available in English and Spanish, but other languages will soon be available.Download via mobile device:
The Boosters Need You
- If you have a student who has benefitted from the boosters because they are in a club, perform on our stage, or compete as a Screaming Eagle, this message is for you.Silent Auction donations are being accepted now through April 19th, email: BoostersSenecaValley@gmail.com to let us know about your donation.
- Next Booster meeting is scheduled for March 2nd at 6:30pm https://us05web.zoom.us/j/88544080424?pwd=WktEdTJOUGhSemwxRWtHOEJ1dUdQUT09
- Still looking for the following Executive Board replacements as the 2 year terms are ending - please email BoostersSenecaValley@gmail.com if you would like to run:
- President
- Vice President
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- Also for Boosters, please click the link below for information on our new scholarships that are ready for applications: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mumSYaWQpnEry_Y3fxXWYg6npDnn7eUv/view
This Week's Notes from the SVHS College & Career Center
Financial Aid - Deadline For Seniors is March 1!
If you plan to attend college or are thinking about it, please fill out your financial aid forms! The deadline for the state of Maryland is March 1. It is better to have financial aid and decide not to use it, rather than not apply. There is nothing that can be done if you miss these important deadlines! This includes financial aid to attend Montgomery College!
If you have not already completed, students should fill out the FAFSA (Federal Aid) and MDCAPS (Maryland State Aid). The MDCAPS form should also be filled out if you have applied to schools in the state of Maryland, including Montgomery College.
Students who are not eligible to fill out the FAFSA may be able to fill out the MSFAA (more information in the link below).
More information and instructions
Maryland State Delegate Scholarships
The Maryland Delegate Scholarship is offered to Maryland residents who plan to attend (full-time or part-time) a two-year or four-year Maryland college, university or private career school. Eligible students must complete the FAFSA or the MSFAA in order to apply. They must also create an account on MDCAPS. See 'Financial Aid' note above for how to apply for financial aid.
Students should contact their local delegates for instructions on how to apply. To find your delegate and their contact information, please visit http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/District or mdelect.net.
EOC - FAFSA Week, Feb 20 - 24
Still need help completing the FAFSA? Montgomery College TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) is offering a special FAFSA assistance event, February 20th - 24th, online and in-person. Available to eligible Montgomery County residents, eligible to complete the FAFSA.
February 20th - 24th, 9:30am - 5:30pm
In person and Zoom appointments are available. Click here or see the flyer to complete the intake form and register for the workshop.
Montgomery College - Need Money Sessions
Get help with all things related to financial aid & scholarships at MC! Need help with the FAFSA & MSFAA completion? MSFAA (for undocumented students)? Have you turned in your 23-24 financial aid requirements on your MY MC account? We can even assist in applying for MC's Foundation Scholarships, the Herb Block scholarship, & DC Scholarships. Let us help you get the most grant money available for college.
Virtual sessions are held every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the month of February.
Register here for your one-on-one virtual session so you can be prepared financially for next year! | Click here for the flyer!
Next Week’s College/Career Visits to SVHS
Fayetteville State University - Tue February 21 @ 9:40 AM
Montgomery Village Foundation, Lunch Visit - Tue February 21 @ 11:12 AM
*No registration in Naviance needed. Stop by the cafeteria anytime during lunch to learn more about summer jobs at Montgomery Village Foundation (Lifeguards, Camp Counselors, and Youth Corp).
MD Army National Guard, Lunch Visit - Thu February 23, 2023 @ 11:12 AM
*No registration in Naviance needed. Stop by the cafeteria anytime during lunch to learn more about the military or the MD Army National Guard.
Moving Forward College & Career Readiness Series for Juniors
Juniors, let's start planning! We enthusiastically invite you all to participate in the following workshops to get a head start in planning for life after high school!
All virtual workshops are during lunch, from 11:25 am - 11:50 am. Feel free to bring your lunch to the College & Career Center (Room 2408) to watch these presentations! Get tips and information that can help you prepare for Senior Year and beyond!
Tuesday, February 28 - Explore Application Types and Deadlines
Tuesday, March 14 - Resume/Interview Skills
Tuesday, March 21 - Tips on Common Application
Thursday, March 28 - College Essay Writing
Tuesday, April 25 - Introduction to Financial Aid
Once registered, a zoom to link will be sent to you before the workshop.
Click to register: bit.ly/4forward2023 | Click here for the flyer
Upcoming Scholarships
February 20 - Gamma Alpha Eta Zeta's DreamerZ Scholarship - 1-$3,000 and 1-$500 book award; senior; identify as female; min 3.0 GPA (unweighted); accepted at a (2) or (4) year College or University; Currently living in or attending school in one of Gamma Alpha Eta Zeta Chapters service areas: Bethesda, Poolesville, Potomac, Montgomery Village, or Germantown; essay; two letters of recommendation; official transcript.
February 23 - The Coolidge Scholarship - multiple full-ride scholarship awards; juniors; U.S. Citizen or Permanent Legal resident; must enroll full time at a college or university in the fall of 2024; distinguished academic record; competitive candidates will have pursued and succeeded in the most rigorous course of study available to them; also exhibit an interest in policy.
February 27 - Scholars Helping Collars Scholarship - 1st Prize - $1,500 award, 2nd Prize - $300 and one set of Warm Bellies Special Edition Chill Pads (10 beds) to be donated to an animal shelter, 3rd Prize - $200 and one Garden Fresh plush toy set (5 toys) to be donated to an animal shelter; senior; U.S. resident; submit an essay (500-1000 words) detailing your volunteer efforts to help animals in need; 2-3 photos of your volunteer efforts to help animals in need.
February 28 - TheDream.US National Scholarship - up to a maximum of $16,500 for an associate degree and $33,000 for a bachelor’s degree at one of our Partner Colleges (see list); senior; min 2.5 GPA; have DACA, TPS, or came to the country before November 1, 2017, and otherwise meet the DACA criteria, or came to the United States before the age of 16; significant unmet financial need; family's financial info; essays; responsibilities; application guide resource.
SVHS Boosters Scholarship
April 28 - 2022-23 SVHS Booster Scholarships* - (*applications due to Mr. Nalda by noon on this date!) 2-$1,000 awards; senior at SVHS; min 3.0 cumulative unweighted GPA at the end of 1st semester of senior year; plan to pursue post high school education (technical school, community college or four-year university, etc.); completed all Student Service Learning (SSL) hours; earn(ed) a varsity letter on a team in their senior year OR be an active member of an SVHS sponsored club (Club activism will be confirmed by SVHS Club Sponsor); current member of the 2022-2023 season of the Booster Club; transcript; one page essay; resume.
Click here to see the SVHS Scholarships Page for more opportunities.
SVHS College & Career Monthly Newsletter - February, 2022-23
IB Spotlight
IB Chillin' Session:
The IB DP and IB CP students engaged in a fun Valentine's Day event this week as part of their stress-relief sessions.
IB CP/DP:
Is your student a rising junior taking one IB class next year and part of a career program? They would be perfect for the IB Career-related Program! Is your student a rising junior that is taking several IB classes next year? Encourage them to be part of the IB Diploma Program! Please email Ms. Ezerski or have the students stop by her office (room 3510). The SVHS website also provides lots of great info!
IB Exams:
IB exam fees are past due and need to be paid, ASAP on https://www.schoolcashonline.com/ If you have any questions, please contact Natasha Ezerski at Natasha_L_Ezerski@mcpsmd.org or visit her in Room 3510.
Donation Requests:
We would love donations of snacks for mock exams, IB exams, support sessions, and/or monetary donations to support the celebration of IB students. Please contact Ms. Ezerski if you are willing to help!
Academic Support Opportunities
Academic Support Center
The Academic Support Center is open during lunch Monday through Friday in room 2109. Students can receive academic support with their regularly scheduled classes and their Project GRAD (credit recovery) courses. Students can also get support with organization, time management, and planning.
CARES Tutoring
Our CARES Tutoring program is intended to provide students with ongoing high-dosage tutoring in order to provide students with the skills necessary to be successful in their classes. Students that sign up for CARES must commit to attending weekly tutoring sessions.
Our CARES Tutoring program is currently full. Students can submit this form to be added to the waitlist and will be contacted if a spot becomes available.
Virtual Tutoring Opportunities
All MCPS students have access to free, virtual tutoring services through FEV Tutor and Tutor Me Education.
FEV Tutor and Tutor Me both:
- Offer free on-demand tutoring for homework help, no scheduling needed
- Offer free scheduled tutoring for ongoing support, scheduling required
- Record sessions, take session notes, and communicate directly with families.
- Can be accessed by students through Clever
FEV tutor does not use a camera and TutorMe uses a camera for tutor and student.
To set up tutoring sessions with FEVTutor, contact mcps@fevtutor.com.
To set up tutoring sessions with TutorMe, fill out this request form. You can also contact mcps@tutormeeducation.com or call (240)618-2549.
Tutor Me Education Flyer (English)
Tutor Me Education Flyer (Spanish)
Contact Elizabeth_Maxey@mcpsmd.org if you have questions about which opportunity is best for your student.
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
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.
Seneca Valley High School
Twitter: @SenecaValleyHS
Instagram: @SenecaValleyHSWebsite: www.senecavalleyhighschool.com
Location: 19401 Crystal Rock Drive, Germantown, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-6400