SVHS Green and Gold
Community Edition - December 18, 2022
How to Translate this Newsletter - Cómo traducir este boletín
Schools will be closed for winter break starting Dec 23. We will return to normal operations on Jan 3. The Green and Gold Newsletter will return on Jan 1.
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.
SSL Opportunities Available for Students in December, January
Whether you are in need of Student Service Learning (SSL) hours, or are simply looking for a way to get involved with the community, there are plenty of opportunities for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students during the winter months.
Here are some of the notable opportunities for students to get involved with in December and January:
Warmth for the Winter
For students 15 years of age and older, SSL hours can be earned by working with the organization So What Else to help pack coats and warm garments of clothing.
The event runs December 18-22 from 4 p.m to 7 p.m. at the SWE Donation Center in Gaithersburg.
Parcel Assembly
Also available to those 15 years of age and older, the Parcel Assembly activity is another opportunity for students to work with So What Else to earn SSL hours.
“Help us fill parcels for delivery to local distribution sites in Maryland, D.C. and Baltimore,” the event website states. “Volunteers will work with SWE and fellow volunteers to assemble parcels of food/toys assembled from available food and toy donations.”
The event runs December 18-22 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the SWE Donation Center in Gaithersburg.
Making Blankets
For students seeking a meaningful, but flexible, opportunity, the City of Rockville is offering two SSL hours to students that make blankets for sick children at local hospitals.
Students 12 years of age and older can virtually participate in this activity by picking up a blanket kit and returning the completed blanket at a later date. Those interested are able to get the kit on January 9 at Rockville City Hall. The return date for the completed blanket is January 23.
Directions for making the blankets will be provided to students in the kit that is picked up.
“Students participating will need to report to the activity coordinator on a set day where blankets will be collected to receive an SSL form,” the event website states. “If you are requesting SSL hours, include your name and email with the blanket.”
Those looking to participate in this event must register by January 6.
Trail Clean Up
For students interested in helping the environment, the City of Rockville is offering a volunteer opportunity to earn SSL hours by cleaning up a local trail.
The activity is available to students 12 years of age and older, and will take place on January 16 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“In memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. participate in the National Day of Service and help to improve your community and the environment,” the event website states. “Each participant will receive gloves and a garbage bag to use for morning.”
Students must return the trash pickers in order to receive SSL hours. An adult must be present during the event for those that are under the age of 14.
Those interested must register for the event here.
Upcoming Events
- Wellness Center Family Fun Night - Dec. 20
- PTSA Meeting - Dec. 20
- Winter Concert Assembly - Dec. 22
- Winter Break – Dec. 23 - Return to school on Jan. 3
Registration Information Night – Jan. 5
- MCAP Government Assessment – Jan. 5 with Make Ups on January 6
- MCAP LS-MISA Assessment – Jan. 9 with Make Ups on Jan. 10
- MCAP ELA Assessment – Jan. 17 and 18 with Make Ups on Jan. 19 and 20
- 10 Seconds Assembly - Jan. 18
10 Seconds comes to Seneca Valley
On Wednesday, January 18, 2023, SVHS administration, the Black Student Union (BSU), the Girls of Color Alliance (GCA), and the Minority Scholars Program (MSP) will co-sponsor two productions of Imagination Stage's "10 Seconds." SVHS is honored to be one of just a small handful of schools being given the chance to share this play with our students. The experience includes a 35 minute production followed by a discussion with the cast about the issues presented in the play.
Performance One - 9:20 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.
Performance Two - 12:25 p.m. to 1:55 p.m.
About the Event
In a world where deeply rooted biases and misperceptions easily take hold, life can often feel unnerving - and can change for better or worse in a blink of an eye, depending on how we see each other. In this play, we see through the eyes of Washington, DC high school students Ray and Jimi, who navigate their young adult worlds and what it means to be young black men in the city. Ray tells the story of a day that he and Jimi will never forget, sharing not only their perspectives, but also the views of the police they encounter.
Who may Attend
Pre-registered students from the BSU, GCA, MSP, SVHS Theatre Program, Graduation Readiness Program, and others who self-identify as interested in participating.
Please share this information with your children and provide them the registration link below if they are interested in attending one of these two 90-minute assemblies on January 18, 2023. All students are welcome to register and will be notified and sent a pass if they are selected to attend. Seating is limited to 150 participants per assembly, so if too many students register, we will hold a random lottery for the seats.
For those not attending the assemblies, we will follow the normal SEL bell schedule for the day.
Registration for Spring Semester for Dual Enrollment/Jumpstart to College continues!
The classes offered at Seneca Valley will be Administration of Justice and Intro to Human Communications. Please email Mrs. Blaine at Stacey_J_Blaine@mcpsmd.org with any questions or see her in room 2107B. As a reminder, tuition is now FREE to all students, regardless of financial status! *Students in certain dual enrollment programs will still be responsible for paying other fees—such as costs associated with course fees, books, and materials.
LIBRARY MEDIA NEWS:
Book Club Updates & Reading Promotions
- Looking for something to read over winter break? Stop by the LMC and check out our New Books display, because we’ve added quite a few. In addition, our Celebrate Celebrations holiday book display is back, along with our Winter Romances and Cold Cases & Mysteries book promotions. There is much to choose from! ❄️️
- If you’re interested in reading a compelling urban fantasy, come borrow Legendborn by Tracy Deonn. This is our Book Club’s pick for our next discussion on January 17th, and we’d love more students to join us.
- Remember that it’s never too late to join our Book Club and participate! Students may access books in ebook and audiobook format in Sora, our online reading app/platform. Directions for accessing Sora are available in the myMCPS Classroom Virtual LMC. A few print copies are also available to borrow. Please stop by the LMC or email Ms. Little for more information.
Creativity Contests
- 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.
- The Keeping It Safe (KIS) Coalition invites teams of two or more students to create and submit 30-second videos on one of three topics related to the risks and dangers of underage drinking. There is an information session on January 19th, and entries are due by March 31, 2023. Click HERE for more information and contest rules.
This Week's Notes from the SVHS College & Career Center
Seniors - Colleges Admissions Results
Remember to keep track of college admissions results and scholarship offers in Naviance! Once you hear back from colleges via email or letter, please record your results. You can also share this info with me, and I can help with input. MCPS asks us to track this information every year.
How to update admission decisions/results in Naviance (video instructions)
If you were accepted and offered a merit scholarship, congratulations! Here is how to add your offered scholarship in Naviance (video instructions)
Note: Under $ Awarded, enter the amount. If you see that your award is renewable, please multiply the amount by four (for four years of college).
Attention Seniors - Applying to Colleges!
Please review the SVHS College Application Process document and use this as a guide for applying to colleges. If you add any colleges to your list of applications, please reach out to your counselor to let them know. We want to make sure all information is submitted correctly and on time.
If you plan on applying to or have applied to Montgomery College, please also add MC to your list of schools in Naviance. This helps me and counselors keep track of where students are applying in case they need assistance. Thank you!
Curious or want to learn more about a particular college? Click this link to see where some of our SVHS staff members attended. They have volunteered to speak with students about their school and experience!
Financial Aid - FAFSA, MDCAPA or MSFAA
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), MDCAPS (Maryland College Aid Processing System), OR MSFAA (Maryland State Financial Aid Application)
Click here for more information and instructions
Montgomery Scholars Program - Application Deadline Extended to January 31
Click here for more information about the scholarship.
Upcoming Scholarships
December 31 - Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship - $1,000; 9-12 grade; legal U.S. resident; submit a 250 word essay; feel free to use something you have already written! Easy!!!
December 31 - Around the Corner from College Scholarship - 1-$1,000 award; open to current high school students (9-12 grade); US citizen, permanent resident, or with DACA status; must be planning to attend a college or university in the US; create a personalized checklist that you can use (max 10 items) to help you best prepare for college.
December 31 - NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund Youth Essay Contest - 1st-$1,000, 2nd-$600, 3rd-$200, & 4th-$100 awards; ALL students, K-12; 1,000 word essay: "What Does the 2nd Amendment Mean to You?"
December 31 - Navy NROTC Scholarship - $180,000 towards a four-year institution's tuition and expenses; senior; minimum combined SAT score of 1100 (minimum of 540 in Math and 550 in Evidenced Based Reading and Writing); minimum combined ACT score of 44 (minimum of 21 in Math and 22 in English); valid Test Dates for the 2022 Scholarship Year are Dec 2018 to Dec 2022; must be a citizen of the United States or in process of obtaining citizenship; no criminal record of military or civilian offenses; no previous drug use; application instructions and checklist; long application, start early!!
January 05* - GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program - (*deadline is 4pm on 1/5) numerous awards of $10,000 with a possibility of up to $40,000 total (renewable, based on eligibility); senior; U.S. Citizen; min 3.0 GPA; enroll full time at a four-year school in the fall; demonstrate at school, the workplace, and within the community the attributes of leadership, integrity, drive, and citizenship.
January 09 - Ron Brown Scholars - 45-50 awards of $40,000 ($10,000 per yr for 4 yrs); senior; U.S. citizen or permanent resident; Black/African American; attend a 4 year college or university in the Fall; academic achievement; character; financial need; leadership; seriousness of purpose; service to others.
Click here to see the SVHS Scholarships Page for more opportunities.
HBCU Pathways Program (2022 - 2023)
Students in grades 9 -12 are invited to participate in the 2022 - 2023 HBCU Pathways Program to learn more about post-secondary educational choices, prepare for college transition and explore career options.
Applications are currently being accepted through December 31, 2022.
Interested? Click here for more information to apply.
Contact director@pathways2x.org with questions.
SVHS College & Career Monthly Newsletter - December-January, 2022-23
IB’ in the Classroom:
Course Information Days: As part of our Equal Opportunity School (EOS) partnership that works to ensure access and support to underrepresented students in higher level courses, SVHS students complete a survey about their perception and experiences in higher level courses, barriers to access, aspirations after SVHS, awareness about college & career readiness, and feedback on potential supports. Additionally, this survey allows us to identify students who would benefit from more challenging courses. Due to the data collected, SVHS has planned Course Information Days from Tues., Jan 3rd through Fri. Jan., 6th. We look forward to guiding your student(s) through their course options for next year and working to ensure they can soar into college and career after they leave us!
The goals of the Course Information Days are to:
- Inform and guide students on their course options for next year
- Provide an opportunity for students to discuss their course selections with their teachers
- Provide information about SVHS 11th & 12th grade IB programs (Career-related and Diploma) and Career pathways
- Encourage students to plan for their future by selecting appropriately rigorous courses
- Prepare students for registration with their counselors beginning on Monday, Jan. 9th
Schedule for the Week:
Tuesday, Jan. 3rd:
- Welcome to SVHS Course Information Week lesson during SEL!
- Students will receive their course registration cards in English class.
Wednesday, Jan. 4th:
- In each period, teachers will present and guide students on their course options for next year.
- Students will complete a course interest form for each course.
- IB Diploma (DP) interest meeting in the auditorium at lunch.
Thursday, Jan. 5th:
- Teachers review course interests with students.
- Rolling IB CP/DP information sessions for CTE students each period.
- Registration Information Night in the auditorium
- 6-7pm: 9th and 10th grade
- 7-8pm: 11th grade
Friday, Jan, 6th:
- Teachers continue reviewing course options with students.
- IB Career-related (CP) interest meeting in the auditorium at lunch
IB Alumni: We are very excited to welcome the IB Diploma Program and IB Career-related Alumni from the past three years on Thursday, December 22nd during 7th period. If you are currently in 9th or 10th grade and would like to attend, please complete this form.
IB Fees: Please remind students to log on to School Cash at https://www.schoolcashonline.com/ to pay their IB fees. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Ezerski, the IB/DP Coordinator at Natasha_L_Ezerski@mcpsd.org or stop by her office, Room 3510.
IB Business and Personal Finance: Daniel Snapp, Financial Advisor from Edward Jones, came to speak with Mrs. North's Personal Finance and IB Business Management Classes. Mr. Snapp shared with Personal Finance students a scenario of how he helps clients make choices to reach their financial goals from buying their first house to planning for retirement. Having just completed a unit on investing, students had the opportunity to see first-hand how important it is to start saving early and consistently.
IB Business Management students learned about Mr. Snapp's journey from being a business student in high school, a well-rounded college student, to becoming a partner in an investment firm at age 26. Mr. Snapp left students with the message that the most important lessons he learned in college were how to manage his time, the value in being involved, and the significance of working hard.
Click the image below for this week's athletics updates.
Testing
Dear Seneca Valley High School Community,
The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) provides information to educators, parents and the public on student progress towards proficiency on the Maryland state content standards. Through a strong assessment system, stakeholders gain an understanding of how schools are performing and where assistance can be directed to support student growth and achievement.
For high school students, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires that states administer annual statewide assessments to all students in Math (Algebra 1), English Languages Arts (Grade 10), Science (Biology - MISA) and Social Studies (Government). Maryland also provides Alternate Assessments written to the Alternate Standards for those students who require this accommodation. Most assessments are a combination of Selected Response (multiple choice), Constructed Response (written response) and Technology Enhanced (drag and drop) test items.
Seniors who need to complete MCAP testing will be assigned during the Fall/Winter testing administration. We will test for the following:
- MCAP Government – January 5, 2023 with Make Ups on January 6.
- MCAP LS-MISA – January 9, 2023 with Make Ups on January 10.
- MCAP ELA – January 17 and 18, 2023 with Make Ups on January 19 and 20.
Students testing will be excused from classes on those specific day(s) and attendance will be reported to the attendance secretary daily.
Students testing will receive emails to their mcpsmd.net accounts with their testing locations prior to the testing day. Students testing should bring a charged Chromebook, charger, and pencils (not mechanical).
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Kisheena Wanzer or Dr. Michael Kim. Thank you!
Kisheena Wanzer
Assistant Principal
Seneca Valley High School
SAVE-THE-DATE! Registration Information Night
Thursday, January 5, 2023 In the Seneca Valley High School auditorium
Please join the Seneca Valley Counseling Services Department and select Seneca Valley staff for an important informational evening about the upcoming registration process for the 2023-2024 school year. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the amazingly diverse course offerings available at Seneca Valley!
Rising 9th Grade Students: 6-7 PM
Rising 10th, 11th & 12th Grade Students: 7-8 PM
Free Tutoring is Available
FREE Tutoring Opportunity through our CARES Program
Our CARES Tutoring 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.
Additional Free Tutoring is Available
All MCPS students have access to free, virtual tutoring services through FEV Tutor and Tutor Me Education.
Both companies offer two services:
Free on-demand tutoring for homework help, no scheduling needed
Free, scheduled tutoring for on-going support, scheduling required
Both companies record sessions, take session notes, and communicate directly with families
The difference between the two companies:
FEV Tutor - no camera for tutor or student - ideal for grades 3-12 students for whom the camera is a barrier to learning
Tutor Me Education - camera for tutor and student
Students access tutoring by using their MCPS Clever account.
For families who would like to set up scheduled, ongoing sessions, please share:
To set up tutoring sessions with FEV Tutor:
To set up tutoring sessions with Tutor Me Education:
MCPS@tutormeeducation.com or 240-618-2549 OR
Fill out their request form ** best way
Here are flyers that can be shared:
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