A picture says a thousand words. I can't speak right now anyway because I am very worried about my Sixers. By the time you are reading this, I could be in a dark place, so I will let the light in with a great week thanks to our thoughtful and generous PTO.

We had an appreciation week like you wouldn't believe with so many sponsors and treats- from full meals, to gift cards prizes, to decorations that must have taken hours recognizing EACH of us, and everything in between. THANK YOU for ALWAYS making us feel APPRECIATED! Another reason why the Seneca community is the best East of the Mississippi.

One more celebration from the past before looking to the future. Our students as cast and crew demonstrated amazing ownership for the better part of this year through grueling rehearsals. Great work to all students, staff, and families who were a part of this inspiring production!

• Tickets will be on sale in the mornings starting Tuesday, May 9th from 8:00-8:25AM by the auditorium.
• All students must have a completed Permission Click/paper permission slip before they can purchase their tickets.
• Tickets are $1 for the dance/s'mores OR $6 for the dance/s'mores/pizza. Pizza tickets MUST be purchased before 10 AM FRIDAY (May 12).
• Students may pay for entry to the dance/s'mores at the door with a completed permission slip/Permission Click.
• All students get a $1 discount on their ticket if they bring in a non-perishable donation for LINK.
• Students should bring money if they want to purchase snacks/treats at the dance to benefit ThunderBuddies!
• Unfortunately, students from other schools cannot attend this event.

Tryouts for Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) high school fall sports for the 2023-24 school year begin July 31, 2023. Rising ninth graders interested in trying out to participate in a high school sport, please read the following information.

Can my student try out for a high school sport?

• All first-time ninth graders are eligible immediately to participate in VHSL Athletics and Activities for the 2023-2024 school year. In addition, eighth graders may participate in a high school sport at the sub-varsity level if they turn 14 on or before August 1 of the current school year (2023-24 school year). Eighth graders who do not meet this age requirement on or before August 1 may not participate in any high school athletic program regardless of the season.
• All students must complete a VHSL physical examination after May 1 and turn it into their school’s athletic department before participating in any tryouts, practices, weight training and conditioning.
• Students also must be enrolled in at least five subjects and pass five subjects offered for credit and graduation requirements to be eligible.

How does my student signup?

Beginning June 12, eighth graders that meet the age requirement may register for one high school sport by visiting their school’s website. Parents or guardians and students must complete the online registration process and submit their VHSL physical form (dated on or after May 1) to their high school’s athletic department.

If you have questions, please reach out to your high school’s athletic director by visiting your high school’s website.

Coffee to discuss topics within Special Education. During this time, we will continue to discuss:

• SEAC (special education advisory committee)
• What it is, programs associated
• Parent Resource Services
• What it is and programs offered
• Answer questions or direct you to resources
• Connect with other parents

We will be hosting this Parent-to-Parent Coffee on a monthly basis to support and connect with each other. See you then!

-Jill Pope and Karina Andrade

Seneca’s UMHT: One of our goals is to provide families with information on community resources, access to basic needs, mental health/crisis counseling, reducing stress/anxiety, substance abuse resources, and resources to support learning. Please feel free to access the resources below as needed.

• General Resource Page

• Seneca’s Tutor List

• Free Dental Clinic

• Talk They Hear You/Spanish

We want to invite you to come and shop for FREE! We have been collecting a variety of items such as clothing, books, and miscellaneous items and much more that we think you and your family will love.

Our yard sale will be held on Friday June 02nd from 4pm-6pm and Saturday June 03rd from 9am-12pm. Please click on the link to register https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f44aaa92fabfdc43-yard1#/

So cool to see so many Mustang alumni helping out at Meadowland's Cinco de Mayo celebration. Our CORE Champions show up!

Congratulations to this week's PBIS and Attendance winners!

Nicolas Gutierrez Varias- 6

Jeremy Jimenez Casco- 7

Steven Tsalefac Forbi Bisong- 8

Jennifer Ochoa Reyes- 6

Johnny Jandres- 7

Aimee Garfield- 8

Hannah Stephen- 6

Maeve Collins- 7

Mia Schaefer- 8

You saw the opening of this newsletter. Our PTO does so much to support our students and staff. We know how hard you work and although we feel appreciated, we need to be sure you know YOU are appreciated. I've never seen anything like the support we get in my 23 year education career. I think this is the first time doing it, but we are officially honoring Ms. Julie Garrett, our PTO chair for staff appreciation, as our staff of the week. Your efforts and humility do not go unnoticed, Ms. Garrett. You spent days and nights preparing for this week prior and especially during. Trust me, it had the desired effect. You and your team have had a major impact on our morale at the end of the year and we will use this momentum to continue to be there for EACH student. THANK YOU, Ms. Garrett!

It was so much fun to celebrate Ms. Zangara's Washington Post Teacher of the Year for Seneca Nomination on Friday evening! Great work leading with a growth mindset and through positive action, Ms. Zangara!

8th Grade Promotion: Below are ways you can help to make this a great day for our 8th graders:

• Donate Money - https://srmspto.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/1366
• Donate Food - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0444a5ab2da4f85-8thgrade4#/
• Donate Your Time, Need volunteers - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0444a5ab2da4f85-srms10#/
• Purchase You've Been Bolted Signs - https://srmspto.membershiptoolkit.com/home ( scroll down to find You've Been Bolted)

Clean out your Puzzles/Board Games: We will be collecting new or gently used puzzles and board games. Please make sure that the board games have all the essential pieces and please lightly tape the boxes shut. We will have a bin for the drop off in the front lobby from 5/8 to 5/12. Thank you in advance for your donation.

Want to get involved with the PTO? There are many open positions for next year and we’d love to have you join us! Please refer to the PTO membership website for a full list https://srmspto.membershiptoolkit.com/. For more information or for any questions, please reach out to Saira Sufi sairasufi@gmail.com

Our Next PTO Meeting is THIS Wednesday, May 10 @ 9AM