SVHS Green and Gold
Community Newsletter
Newsletter Video Summary
June 17, 2022
Through it all, we remembered who we are. We are Screaming Eagles, and that makes us part of long Tradition of Excellence. I am proud to serve as your principal, and I am grateful to our entire community for what I will choose to remember as a great year.
Marc J. Cohen, Ed. D.
Six Things to KNow from MCPS
Here are six things to know from MCPS. They include a reminder about the last day of school, celebrating Juneteenth, summer meals, reminders about COVID-19, free vaccination clinics and more.
Last Day of School Is Tomorrow, June 17
Friday, June 17 is the last day of school for the 2021-2022 school year and it is also an early release day. All of us at MCPS wish you a happy, restful and healthy summer! Please “Stay Connected” to MCPS. We will send you reminders and information about the next school year throughout the summer. We will be busy with summer school, summer graduation and planning for the MCPS Back-to-School Fair, Saturday, Aug. 27 at Westfield Wheaton mall. Mark your calendars; the fair is always a great way to start the school year!Celebrating Juneteenth
Originating in Galveston, Texas at the end of the Civil War, Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The day is also known as Black Independence Day. We encourage you to reflect on the day’s significance and have provided helpful resources below to learn more about this federal holiday. Celebrating Juneteenth is important as we are reminded that one of MCPS’ core values is equity. MCPS believes that each and every student matters and outcomes should not be predictable by race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.Learn more:
Summer School Lunch Free at MCPS Locations
Students in many summer school or recreation programs will be provided meals as part of the Montgomery County summer food program. The program ensures that students continue to receive nutritious meals during the summer months when school breakfasts and lunches are not available. The free meals will be served at approximately 175 sites throughout the county every weekday starting June 27 (start dates vary by site). All children 18 and younger, as well as persons with physical and mental disabilities up to 21 years old, are eligible to receive meals. Walk-ins will be able to go to open sites for meal service. All meals offer five components including a selection of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and must be consumed onsite. A list of locations including open sites for walk-ins will be posted in the next week.Positive COVID-19 Case Numbers Continue to Decline
This week, the county Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) data dashboard shows a drop in positive case numbers. This is in part because of the important efforts of the entire community who have been diligent in wearing masks, washing hands and testing. Please continue these excellent efforts! COVID is still among us as we celebrate the end of the year. While cases are declining, metrics still show Montgomery County with a moderate rate of transmission, so our efforts to remain vigilant are still important. Let’s keep up the great work in our collective fight against COVID-19!<If you have a child in an MCPS summer program, continue to report positive cases via this form: COVID-19 Google Reporting Form
COVID-19 shots are free and readily available. Make an appointment here.
Help a Student In Need by Donating to Annual GIVE BACKpacks Campaign
Consider donating to the 11th annual GIVE BACKpacks campaign to support the distribution of backpacks and school supplies to students in MCPS schools. We need your support, now more than ever, as the cost per backpack with supplies has increased to $15 due to supply chain and inflation issues and we have even more students who will need help accessing school supplies this fall. MCPS places orders throughout the summer with a goal of providing as many students as possible with a backpack with school supplies at the start of the school year.
Learn more and make a donation.Survey About Out-of-School Time Open Until June 30
Are you aware that there are fun activities and opportunities available for students on non-instructional days? MCPS would like to know what the experience was like for those who participated and, for those who did not, what opportunities they would take advantage of. Parents and guardians in Grades 4 through 11 are invited to complete this survey to help improve next year’s program. The survey is open through June 30.MCPS piloted the Out-of-School Time program to provide students and families with engaging options for students on days when school was not in session. These in-person and/or virtual activities supported academic skills, physical and emotional wellness, art and digital learning skills.
Learn more about the Out-of-School Time program.
End-of-Year News from SVHS Counseling Services
The Seneca Valley Counseling Services department wishes all of our students and families a happy, healthy and rejuvenating summer!
Our counseling team is here to help you throughout the summer and our office will be open every business day from 8 AM to 3 PM. For enrollments and withdrawals, we highly recommend calling our office at 240-740-6420 to schedule an appointment time. For other questions we highly encourage making an appointment with your student's counselor if possible, as counselors do not work every day in the summer.
Our College & Career Center is also open and available throughout the summer! Please visit our website for information about upcoming college workshops and summer sessions: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/svhscccenter/home
Please join us in welcoming three new Counselors to the Screamin' Eagle family!
Ms. Gabrielle Harriston is coming to Seneca Valley from Snowden Farm Elementary School. She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Liberty University. She loves singing, listening to music, and is currently writing a book!
Ms. Jehan Khanni is coming from Roberto Clemente Middle School. She earned her bachelor's degree from Northwood University and her master's degree from Nova Southeastern University. She is currently pursuing her LPC at Johns Hopkins University. She is Jamaican, but grew up in the Middle East. She loves theatre and photography and plays the flute.
Mr. Merwyn Singh is coming from Benjamin Stoddert Middle School in Charles County. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and his master's degree from Bowie State University. He enjoys traveling, going to the beach, and cooking food from different cultures.
Counselor caseloads are shown below, for more information please visit the SVHS Counseling website at: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/svhs-counseling/home
From the College and Career Center
This Week's Notes from the SVHS College & Career Center:
Questions During the Summer?
The SVHS College & Career Center is open during the summer. Feel free to email Mr. Nalda if you have any questions or if you would like to make an appointment.
Final Transcripts - Seniors
Please note that Final Transcripts will not be available until mid-July. We will send to colleges/universities once we receive from MCPS.
College & Career Summer Workshops
Get ready for senior year by participating in Summer Workshops! Learn more about applying to colleges, financial aid, choosing the right college fit, resumes, and more! Workshops are being offered via zoom and in-person.
Click here to see the list of online, zoom workshops
Click here to see the list of in-person workshops, hosted by Mr. Nalda at SVHS
Looking for a Job or Looking to Work in the Summer?
Check out our College/Career Center’s jobs page for the latest opportunities shared with Mr. Nalda. Click on Job Opportunities to see a list of jobs.
Upcoming Scholarships
June 30 - MC Foundation Scholarship - awards range from $500 - $2,500; for all graduating seniors planning to attend Montgomery College; complete this application in order to be considered for all scholarship opportunities!
June 30 - Delete Cyberbullying Scholarship Award - $1,000 award; 9-12 grade, college student or graduate student attending or planning to enter an accredited U.S. college or university; answer one of two questions about cyberbullying in 500 words or less.
June 30 - Cirkled In “No Sweat” Scholarship - $2,500 award; currently enrolled in 8th - 12th; ages 13 and older; legal resident of the United States or the District of Columbia; create an account and tell your complete story through your profile; no GPA or minimum income requirement.
June 30 - Kaiser Permanente Health Equity Scholars Program - awards of up to $5,000; senior; U.S. citizen, national, permanent resident, undocumented immigrant or designated DACA ("Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals") recipient of the U.S.; min 2.5 GPA (unweighted); enter full-time into a two- or four-year school in the fall; interested in pursuing either a clinical career path (e.g., pharmacist, physician, practitioner, nurse) or non-clinical career path (e.g., accounting, business administration, human resources, marketing, public policy) career path in the healthcare industry; essay; copy of transcript; online letter of recommendation; full copy of the 2022-2023 school year student aid report (SAR) from FAFSA, if you're a designated DACA or undocumented immigrant student, please upload your DACA document(s) confirming that you're a designated DACA or undocumented student.
July 20 - Dog Lover Scholarship - $500 award; open to High school seniors, undergraduate students, or graduate students; U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident; submit a short essay (100-1,000 words) answering the following prompts: Why do you love dogs? How has a dog impacted your life in a positive way?
July 31 - Minecraft Scholarship - $2,000 award; currently enrolled in college or high school; U.S. Citizen; min 3.0 GPA; write a short essay of no less than 500 words about your opinion on how Minecraft can be a positive influence on education and career development.
Click here to see the SVHS Scholarships Page for more opportunities
Watch a Recording of the Class of 2022 Graduation
Visit the Class of 2022 SVHS Senior Class page for more info
Upcoming Events
Next Gen Next Level – “Surviving Life After High School” FREE Summer Bridge Event
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, June 21, 2022 (9am-4pm)
LOCATIONS: Kossiakoff Center at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD 20723-6099
FOR: 2022 MD High School Graduates
INFO: Attend 6 workshops with tips/tricks on “How-to Survive Life After High School includes:
Special guest star appearance by Wild ‘N Out cast member, Yvng Swag, chance to win awesome prizes, lunch is provided, giveaways, and more!
REGISTRATION & MORE INFORMATION: Please complete the e-registration form - https://forms.gle/wMzhbgLtLBjEyf6g8
Click Here to see the SVHS College & Career Center Calendar of Upcoming Events
Summer Assignments
SUMMER SCHOOL 2022 - WEBSITE!
Find information about Summer School on our new Summer School Website (link also located under "Quick Links" menu):
SVHS College & Career Center Calendar
Click here to see the latest list of SVHS College & Career Center events including college rep visits, workshops, events and more! Click on the title of each entry to see details and registration information. Check back often as dates are continually added throughout the year.
Donate Now - MCPS GIVE BACKpacks campaign
Graduation Photos
For any students and families who wish to view and purchase photos from graduation. Click the link below to access the gallery.
LGBTQ+ INFORMATION
MCPS and SVHS take pride in the level of support for both students and staff that identify in the LGBTQIA+ community. We have welcoming, affirming schools, classrooms, teams, and clubs. We value all of our children, youth, teachers, staff, and parents.
LGBT Pride Month occurs in the United States to commemorate the Stonewall riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969. As a result, many pride events are held during this month to recognize the impact LGBT people have had in the world.
I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists. – Proclamation 8529 by U.S President Barack Obama, May 28, 2010
Three presidents of the United States have officially declared a pride month. First, President Bill Clinton declared June "Gay & Lesbian Pride Month" in 1999 and 2000. Then from 2009 to 2016, each year he was in office, President Barack Obama declared June LGBT Pride Month. Later, President Joe Biden declared June LGBTQ+ Pride Month in 2021. Donald Trump became the first Republican president to acknowledge LGBT Pride Month in 2019.
Click here for resources for students and staff.
Meet the Wellness Center Staff at Seneca Valley
About SVHS
Seneca Valley High School (SVHS), home of the Screaming Eagles, is a highly engaged, diverse teaching and learning community. We are a school community on the move, constantly providing an atmosphere of growth for teachers, students, and parents alike. Rigorous academics, a rich arts program, and a full range of extra-curricular activities, contribute to making our school a dynamic place for students, staff, and parents.
Seneca Valley’s implementation of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme adds yet another dimension to our community by helping us define ourselves, using an international standard of excellence. Through this program, students are challenged to consider the importance of communication, cultural awareness, and connections between school life and the world around them.
In addition to IB, the school has industry recognized college and career programs, including: Construction Management and Architecture, Healthcare Professions, IT/Cybersecurity, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Project Lead the Way – Engineering, Automotive Technology, and many more. Our regional college and career programs give students an early edge in preparing for life after high school. Each program combines core academic curriculum with a high-demand, high-skill, career pathway aligned to today’s economy.
SVHS is a wall to wall IB world school, meaning that all SVHS students are IB students. 9th and 10th grade students participate in our IB Middle Years Program (MYP). In 11th and 12th grade, students then have the opportunity pursue the full IB Diploma (DP), IB Career-related Program (CP), or take individual IB courses.
Mission and Vision
Seneca Valley High School
Twitter: @SenecaValleyHS
Instagram: @SenecaValleyHSWebsite: www.senecavalleyhighschool.com
Location: 19401 Crystal Rock Drive, Germantown, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-6400