SVHS Green and Gold
Community Edition - August 15, 2022
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A Request from the PTSA - Help needed for Welcome Back to School Staff Breakfast
The SVHS PTSA is looking for volunteers to bring food, to help setup, to help during the breakfast, and to help clean up.
Here is the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E48A8A928A1F58-welcome
Class T-Shirts On-Sale Now!!!
These official class t-shirts are only available for a limited time, so please act soon if you want one for your student.
DIVISION OF FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES 2022-2023 UPDATES
We have some updates about the cafeteria meal service this year that we are eager to share with you. We are transitioning back to our pre-COVID meal service with a few exciting upgrades. All cafe lines now have laptops as the ‘point of service’ instead of the old cash registers. DFNS implemented a new program (NEWTON) last year which provides larger screens and special features that are easier and faster for the cafe staff to use. One example is that our students will use their MCPS student ID numbers for all meal accountability instead of the former “PIN” that they used before.
Please see included and linked here a meal service guidance document which provides best practices and information on the meal service process for SY2022. The purpose of this information sheet is to share updates on student ID numbers, lunch cards, meal service guidance and best practices.
Free and Reduced Meals
The application for the Free and Reduced-Price meals for the 2022-2023 school year is now available for families to complete. Students may qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household size and income. They may also qualify if they are receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP), Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), or Medicaid benefits. Beginning school year 2022-2023, students who qualify will not be charged that cost - meaning that reduced-price students will eat for free. Meal benefit eligibility from last school year will remain current only through the first 30 scheduled school days OR until a 2022-2023 application is processed.
To complete the online application please visit www.myschoolapps.com. For additional information and directions, you may visit MCPS’ Division of Food and Nutrition Services website at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/food-and-nutrition/meal-payments You may also contact the Division of Food and Nutrition Services directly at 240-740-7400 with any questions about the application and the process.
The Division of Food & Nutrition Services is committed to serving our students healthy and nutritious meals. Here’s to a happy and healthy year!
Register for SchoolCash Online today
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Montgomery County Public Schools has transitioned to a new online payment system called SchoolCash Online as its preferred method of payment for school-related fees such as fundraisers, field trips, obligations, etc. (Please note that the new payment system is NOT related to school cafeteria accounts)
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/
2022-2023 Lunch Expectations
Seneca Valley has one lunch period for all students, so that teachers can be available for make-up work, tutoring, and student organization meetings. The lunch period is 42 minutes long on days when we use a regular bell schedule. Students are allowed to eat in the cafeteria, in designated hallways throughout the building, in the courtyard adjacent to the media center, or in the stadium courtyard. The media center, gym, stadium bleachers, and outdoor basketball courts are also available (staff availability permitting) for student use during lunch, but food is not allowed in the gym or on the basketball courts. Students may only eat in classrooms with teacher permission. Please note that NO students will be allowed to leave campus for lunch or be allowed to order food for delivery.
Student Emergency Information and Military Recruiting/Directory Information
Student Emergency Information
Student Emergency Information should be updated through ParentVUE. Each year parents/guardians are required to complete the Annual Verification of Information through the Online Registration portal (in the right corner of your ParentVUE home screen). We highly recommend that you complete this as soon as possible. It is critically important that we have accurate parent contact information on file with the school and system as soon as possible.
Here are links to the ParentVUE Support Guide and directions for completing the annual verification of information.
A Note on Military Recruiting and Directory Information
If a parent does not wish to have his/her child’s name made available to military recruiters and/or does not wish to have their child’s directory information included in the student directory, they should complete the “Directory Information Withholding” portion of the ParentVUE annual verification of information online registration. You may also complete MCPS form 281-13 - Annual Notice for Directory Information and Student Privacy. The form must be returned to the school by Friday, September 9, 2022.Testing Accommodations for the College Board Tests (AP, SAT, PSAT)
In order to receive accommodations on these tests, a student must request the accommodations by submitting a Student Eligibility Form. The form must be completed by both parents and school officials and then mailed to the College Board at least seven weeks in advance of the student taking the first test.
The criteria established by the College Board for granting testing accommodations differs significantly from those used by Montgomery County Public Schools. Students who have an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan are not guaranteed that the College Board will provide accommodations. The College Board requires current neuropsychological testing (within the past three years) which documents the specific need for each requested accommodation. Please contact your student’s counselor in the Counseling Office (240-740-7080) in order to obtain the forms and to ask questions about this process.
SVHS FALL PLAY - Auditions and Tech Crew
The Birds of Play is ready for liftoff with the fall play, Alice In Wonderland. Follow Alice down the rabbit hole as she encounters strange and unusual characters in transcendent settings.
Join the cast or crew. Auditions will be held September 7 and 8. Tech Crew will have meetings on September 6 and 14. Complete the Extracurricular Interest Form and Choose "Drama Club - Birds of Play" to receive more information about upcoming events, meetings, and auditions.
See Ms Fellows in room 0901 with questions about the onstage and backstage possibilities.
Joanna C Fellows
she/her
SVHS Theatre Director & ECA Director
Join Dr. Cohen and Guests for Monthly Coffee/Tea Breaks
Click here to RSVP to the first Virtual Coffee/Tea Break of the 2022-2023 School Year.
9th Grade and New Student Orientation - This is a Student only event.
9th Grade and New Student Orientation will be held on Thursday, August 25, 2022 from 7:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. School bus schedules for orientation will follow a normal morning pick-up schedule and return students home on a three-hour early dismissal schedule. There is no flexibility on the dismissal time as school buses serve multiple schools. If your child is a walker, then he/she should walk to and from school or you may drop off/pick up students at the car-rider loop in front of the school building.
This program will give students:
An opportunity to meet school staff and classmates
A chance to become familiar with the school building (finding classrooms and offices)
An overview of the academic program
Students will begin arriving at approximately 7:20 a.m. and should report directly to the auditorium by 7:45 a.m. There will be staff members stationed at various points throughout the building to help students find their way.
Mark Your Calendar - Back to School Night - Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Parent Volunteer Training
The MCPS Volunteer webpage has been updated.
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/student-leadership/volunteer.aspx
On that webpage, you will find updates for SY23 and a chart for “who needs what.” There is also a resource on the far right called: School Guidance for Volunteers. If there are any volunteers who did this process last year, then they are good for this year. Any new volunteers would need to complete the compliance measures listed below.
One-time volunteers who will ALWAYS be accompanied by MCPS staff
- One-time volunteers who will never be alone with students at the MCPS school do NOT need to complete the compliance measures.
- They WILL need to check-in and check-out of the main office and scan their driver's license/identification cards through the Visitor Management System (VMS). Once the volunteer clears the VMS, they must be badged (the VMS creates a sticker badge) and remain under supervision of an MCPS professional while with students.
Volunteers who will be attending field trips or supporting the school as a regular volunteer (This includes, but is not limited to Dads on Duty participants)
- These volunteers must complete BOTH the online child abuse and neglect training and the COVID attestation process.
- Volunteers can pull their grade sheet showing a total of 183.3%. This grade shows completion of both processes.
- They WILL need to check-in and check-out of the main office and scan their driver's license/identification cards through the Visitor Management System (VMS).
- Once the volunteer clears the VMS, they must be badged (the VMS creates a sticker badge) and remain under supervision of an MCPS professional while with students.
Volunteers who will be attending field trips or supporting the school as a frequent volunteer AND will be alone with students.
- In addition to the online child abuse and neglect training and the COVID attestation compliance measures, the volunteer must have completed the finger printing process.
- Fingerprinting/Background check (only if they are working alone with students without supervision of an MCPS staff member or other type of volunteer service, per the Volunteers regulation and FAQ )
- Fingerprinting Webpage
Visit our Virtual College and Career Center
Seneca Valley - College & Career Center
Parents and students can make an appointment with Mr. Nalda in the College & Career Center for help on getting started on a college, career or scholarship search. This is especially important for eleventh graders.
The College & Career Center holds a wealth of information and resources for students as they ponder "life after high school." Students planning to attend a post-secondary school, whether it is 2 year, 4 year, or Technical/Trade, should visit the College & Career Center.
Please update - Student Emergency Information
Student Emergency Information should be updated through ParentVUE. Each year parents/guardians are required to complete the Annual Verification of Information through the Online Registration portal (in the right corner of your ParentVUE home screen). Please complete this information by August 19, 2022. It is critically important that we have accurate parent contact information on file with the school and system.
Here are links to the ParentVUE Support Guide and directions for completing the annual verification of information.
Clubs and Activities
If you like to build, sing, strategize, compete, connect, act, lead, travel, knit, paint, dance, read, debate, imagine, volunteer, speak world languages, prepare for college and career, make a difference, or just plain hang out with likeminded individuals, Seneca Valley has a club to meet your interests!
Check out our Extracurricular Activities at https://bit.ly/SVHSeca. Complete the interest form at the top to receive information from club sponsors and invitations to beginning-of-year events and activities.
Email Ms Chilcoat Fellows at joanna_c_Fellows@mcpsmd.org for more information about our Extracurricular Activities.
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