SVHS Green and Gold
Dr. Cohen/Mr. Smith's Newsletter to the SVHS Community
May 16, 2021- Edition
Update Video from Dr. Cohen
WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! As we begin to welcome students and the community into Seneca Valley High School 2.0, 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 congratulate successes of our staff and/or identify areas of growth. Please consider completing THIS brief form to provide us with your valuable feedback.
NEW: Students in the News!
The virtual senior awards ceremony is coming up soon. All awardees will be notified in the next few days.
NEW: Senior Unity Day Celebration
This event is hosted by the Class of 2021 and the SVHS PTSA. If parents or staff wish to help, monetary donations will be accepted by the PTSA. Contact Pam Staskal for more information.
NEW: SVHS Welcomes new ACES Coordinator
Tahrea Flemming Mensah, LMSW
Mrs. Flemming Mensah has joined the ACES team to serve ACES students at Seneca Valley High School. Mrs. Flemming Mensah has been fostering student success at Montgomery College (MC) since 2017 by helping students adjust to the College through leading the Peer2Peer Mentoring Program and assisting with the development and implementation of programs and services through the Student Health and Wellness (SHaW) Center to support the wellbeing and basic needs of students.
Prior to working at MC, Mrs. Flemming Mensah has served college, high school, and middle school students with learning and social difficulties by coaching and teaching various career readiness, academic, and life skills. Mrs. Flemming Mensah is very excited to join the Seneca Valley High School community and looks forward to supporting ACES students in achieving goals to positively impact their futures, families, and communities.
NEW: Attention Class of 2022!
New: 3rd Annual PRIDE Town Hall
NEW: This Week's Notes from the College & Career Center
This Week's Notes from the SVHS College & Career Center:
Senior Surveys & Final Transcripts
Have you filled out your senior survey yet?? We need ALL seniors to fill out the senior survey in Naviance ASAP!!
You must complete this survey for us to know where to send your Final Transcript!
NOTE: Final Transcripts will not be available until mid-July. We will start sending once we receive from MCPS.
College Signing Day 2021 - Seniors
In celebration of National College Signing Day 2021, we will be celebrating digitally! We are asking all seniors to share their plans for after high school!
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Upcoming Scholarships
May 21 - 2021 NAACP Scholarship Award - (deadline extended to May 21!) $1,000 awards; senior; res. of Montgomery County; min 3.0 GPA; extracurricular activities; must participate in faith-based, religious-based, or volunteer activities (if not possible due to paid employment, you can provide an explanation); 2 references; include the name of your current state Congress member and/or delegate (see link - click Lookup and enter your address); 300-word essay; 3-4 paragraph narrative essay about yourself; scholarships will be presented at the Annual Freedom Fund Dinner which will be held at Martins Crosswinds, Greenbelt, Maryland (date to be announced).
May 21 - Delegate Alonzo T. Washington Scholarship - multiple awards of $200 or more; senior; MD residents only; attend a Maryland institution this fall; 2 letters of rec.; transcript; volunteer/community service; completed FAFSA; create a video essay.
May 22 - B.Davis Scholarship - 1-$1,000 award; available to all high school juniors and seniors; write an essay of less than 1000 words on the topic: Describe the three characteristics of leadership you value most. Discuss why you believe that these traits are so important and how you feel that they are developed in an individual.
May 28 - 2021 NAEHCY Scholarship - min. of 5-$1,000 awards; senior; under the age of 21 as of September 21, 2021; eligible for McKinney-Vento assistance or have experienced homelessness while in school within the last 6 years; actively pursuing post-secondary education; undocumented students who meet these criteria are eligible; essay (500-800 words); transcript; min. of one letter of recommendation; letter from an official confirming current or former homeless status.
May 28 - Miss Utility/District One Call Scholarship Program - 1-$1,008.11 award for our area; senior; U.S. Citizen or resident; enroll in a two-year or four-year college, university or technical school; essay (500 words max); copy of transcript.
May 31 - National Hazing Prevention Week Essay Competition - 1st Place-$500, 2nd-$250, 3rd-$150, and $50 honorable mention awards; 9-12 grade; U.S. Citizen or resident; submit a 500-600 word essay about hazing.
May 31 - PB & J Scholarship - awards range from $500-$1,000; senior; for students who have experienced personal challenges that may not have allowed them to perform well academically, but who still have the drive to succeed; NO GPA requirement; essay; letters of recommendation.
May 31 - Verizon Young Entrepreneur Scholarship - $1,000 award; senior; min 3.0 GPA; resident of Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Rhode Island; for business-minded students; must be accepted to an accredited college, university, or graduate program in the United States; submit either a 300–400 word essay or a 2–3 minute video answering one of three questions; transcript.
May 31 - Jon H. Poteat Scholarship - 250-$1,000 awards; for current National Technical Honor Society Members who have not graduated; awarded to members who consistently exemplify the seven character attributes of the NTHS; no application, essay, OR letters of rec.!
Click here to see the SVHS Scholarships Page for more opportunities.
Upcoming Events
2021 Southern Colleges Tour - Virtual
Southeast schools are hosting a virtual event exclusive for DMV area students to learn more about the college search process. This Zoom event features a Q&A panel and breakout room discussions with participating colleges to answer any questions they have.
Monday, May 17, 7 – 8:30pm OR Tuesday, May 18, 8 – 9:30pm
Click here to see the flyer and list of participating schools (Click here to register)
Interested in a Summer Job? This Way ONward! Summer Hiring Event
This Way ONward is a program that provides the next generation with the first jobs, mentoring, skills, and confidence they need to make their dreams a reality by partnering Boys & Girls Clubs with their local Old Navy stores. They will be hosting a virtual meet & greet with Old Navy and Boys & Girls Club staff. More information and details will be given at this event.
Wednesday May 19 @ 4pm (click to see the flyer)
Must be at least 16 years of age or older
If interested in this job opportunity, please complete the short survey on the registration page by clicking here.
Raptor Chat: Scholarship Series
Montgomery College Scholarship Programs - join us for information on MC institutional scholarships.
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 6:00 pm
Montgomery College Enrollment Information Session
Join us for general Montgomery College information for future students. Attend this session for general information about: the benefits of a Montgomery College education, academic programs and student services, how to apply and next steps, how to contact us if you have questions.
Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Pre-College / Summer Program Opportunities
A pre-college summer program offers high school students the opportunity to take classes at a college and experience college life during the summer. Many programs offer a residential and commuter option. Students can stay in dorms with their peers, or they can commute from home if they live close to the college.
Summer Programs & Internships - List of summer programs and internships created by MCPS College & Career Information Coordinators.
Terp Young Scholars - Pre-College courses offered at the University of Maryland
NEW: Update from Athletics
Good afternoon SV Nation,
Please use the information below in order to be up to date with all SVHS Athletic Information
Thank you to all of our student athletes, parent/guardians, spectators and athletic staff and administration for helping kick off the spring season successfully. It was great to see our Spring Student Athletes back in action for the first time in almost two years. They are all working hard and we are looking forward to the rest of the season.
Senior Nights:
Girls Lacrosse: Thursday May 27th, 2021 vs Magruder 7 pm. We will honor our Seniors prior to the game.
Varsity Baseball: Tuesday, June 1st, 2021 vs Rockville 3:45 pm at S. Germantown Rec Park- Field F. We will honor our Seniors prior to the game.
Coed Volleyball: Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021 vs Kennedy 5:30 pm. We will honor our Seniors prior to the game.
Varsity Softball: Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021 vs Rockville 3:45 pm at MLK MS. We will honor our Seniors prior to the game.
Boys Lacrosse, Track and Field and Cross Country: Friday, June 4th, 2021 vs Gaithersburg 7:15 pm. We will honor our Boys lacrosse student athletes prior to the game. Our Track and Field student athletes and Fall Cross country student athletes will be honored at halftime
Student Athlete Collegiate Signing Ceremony:
We are excited to announce that we will be recognizing our future Collegiate Athletes with our annual Signing ceremony on June 1st, 2021 in person in our Stadium. Specifics will be put out at a later date, but we are hoping to be able to open this to the public with increased spectator capacity.
In order to be recognized, the student athlete must have a signed scholarship or a letter of intent to attend the college or university that they will be playing at.
We are asking that those student athletes complete this google form by next Friday in order to be included in the ceremony. Any names received after that date will risk not being able to participate.
SALC- Student Athlete Leadership Council:
Attention rising junior and senior student-athletes!! Are you a great team player? Are you motivated to lead? Do you want your school and sports program to be the best it can be? MCPS Athletics wants YOU! Apply to join the MCPS Student-Athlete Leadership Council! Two student-athletes from each MCPS high school will collaborate with MCPS Athletics leaders to grow their leadership capacity while supporting the execution of MCPS athletics. For a chance to join this amazing opportunity, please contact your local school athletic director. Be part of our progression toward excellence and help R.A.I.S.E. athletics in MCPS!!
Game Operation and Site Plans:
- It is important to review our operation and site plans for each of our events. Below are links that give guidance and expectations for our home events at the stadium, in the gym, at MLK for softball games and at S. Germantown Rec Park Field F for our baseball games.
- Failure to adhere to these guidelines may lead to you being unable to attend or participate.
- Team Plans
- Softball
- Baseball
- Boys and Girls Lacrosse
- Coed Volleyball
Spectator Guidelines:
- Spectators are permitted for our athletic events under strict conditions
- Student athletes are permitted two parent/guardians fans over the age of 18 to attend their home and away contests
- If someone under the age of 18 is included they must be accompanied by a parent/guardians over the age of 18 and it will count as one of the two spectators for that student athlete.
- Spectators must be included on the spectator attendance list for that game in order to gain entrance.
- If you are not on the list, you will be denied access to the event
- Walk ups will not be permitted
- Last minute changes are not permitted, and all lists are due 24 hours in advance to your coaches
- Must remain in designated bleacher areas and cannot congregate with fans or players before, during or after the games
- Must wear a mask at all times
- Outside food and drink other than clear bottle water, is strictly prohibited
Practice Schedule:
- Please use this link to see our practice schedule for the remainder of the Spring regular season.
- This is subject to change due to weather related rescheduling of games and practices.
Game Schedules:
- Please make sure to visit our website www.svhsathletics.org and look under the team tabs for updated schedules and rosters
Academics:
- The Seneca Valley Athletic Department is extremely concerned with the academic effort being given my many of our student athletes. Though we appreciate the many obstacles that may exist due to the pandemic and adjustments in learning, it is important that we emphasize that academics must become a priority. We have many student athletes who are digging a hole that will not enable them to be successful in participating in the future and very well may have an extreme impact on their post high school career and academic choices. Though the county has temporarily removed academic eligibility for extra-curriculars, the colleges and post high school trade schools have not lowered their expectations. It is important that we all work together to ensure that our student athletes are taking their academics seriously.
- Academic Help
- A reminder that Monday – Thursday from 2:45-4:30- Ms. Emily Moseley, a math teacher at Seneca Valley is offering academic assistance to any student participating in extracurriculars in the cafeteria.
- If interested please contact your coach who will provide more information and specifics.
Stay up to date:
- Want to make sure you don’t miss any important SVHS Athletic Information?
- Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
- Make sure to visit our website www.svhsathletics.org
Thank you so much and please feel free to contact the Athletic Office if you have any questions or concerns.
NEW: IB Update
We Want to Hear from YOU!!
This parent survey is open to all and will be used to collect the data for the IB Diploma Program Self Study. The self study forms the basis of a school's evaluation process and helps to set the school's agenda for program growth over the next five years. Parents provide valuable feedback on the schools' philosophy and the implementation of the programme. Please complete by May 24th!
This month we are focusing on the ATL category on THINKING skills with the MYP cluster of TRANSFER.. Our Learner Profile attribute is KNOWLEDGEABLE.
ATL Skill Category Quote for the THINKING SKILL of TRANSFER:
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically….” - Martin Luther King
By learning to use a wide range of THINKING SKILLS, we are able to conceive different ways of looking at things and ways of solving problems we never imagined before. A key part of an IB education is integrating the understandings and knowledge one obtained in all the subjects they studied. THINKING SKILLS are transferable to all careers and allow one to adapt to our changing world.
ATL Skill Cluster Quote for KNOWLEDGEABLE:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela
When we are KNOWLEDGEABLE when we develop and use conceptual understanding and explore knowledge across a range of disciplines. KNOWLEDGE is powerful, as we engage with ideas and issues that have local and global significance. This leads to action that can guide us and move us past barriers.
NEW: SVHS Birds Of Play Present the Spring Musical: Hope Is The Thing With Feathers
REPEAT: SVHS SUMMER SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES
Seneca Valley Summer School Program
Seneca Valley High School will be offering enrichment (not for credit) courses this summer. These courses will be free to students.
Click the links below to see a list of enrichment courses and to register. Registration forms must be submitted by Friday, June 11. Please note that Enrichment courses are NOT for credit toward graduation and courses may be canceled if we do not have enough students enrolled.
Students that have failed a course needed for graduation will be contacted by email to view and select an option for recovering credit. Students that wish to take courses for original credit or to earn a higher grade should sign up through MCPS Regional Summer School.
During the week of June 21st you will receive an email confirming registration and the session details. We will do our best to accommodate your requests, however sessions will be based on enrollment. Students may be placed in a different session or time than requested based on enrollment.
If you have questions about the SVHS program offerings, please contact Kisheena Wanzer (Kisheena_J_Wanzer@mcpsmd.org) or Elizabeth Maxey (Elizabeth_Maxey@mcpsmd.org).
REPEAT: Return to Live Extracurricular Activities
Activity busses will be available at 4:30 each of those days, but please note that transportation to the school will not be provided for students on virtual learning that week or in whole.
All Covid practices and policies remain in full force: 6 feet distance must be kept, masks must be worn, and hands must be washed and sanitized frequently.
Sponsors may choose if they will host face-to-face engagement one day a week and/or host a special event. Sponsors are still formulating these plans, but we recommend you reach out to your club sponsor to learn more.
If you would like to participate in face-to-face extracurriculars, you must complete this google form and permission slip. These must be submitted in order to participate.
- Google Form: https://forms.gle/8yH5oUGErwnEetdj6
- Paperwork: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w6aE_DibZHBaNt5ozCfpn8QkBR9vZhK_/view?usp=sharing
Please email Joanna_c_fellows@mcpsmd.org if you have questions.
Thank you, Joanna C Fellows
REPEAT: Library Media Center Updates - Borrow books from the LMC, get a MCPL library card, and check out the Gaithersburg Book Festival!
Book borrowing is back! If you would like to learn more about checking out print books from the Library Media Center (LMC), click HERE.
The Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Inc. (FOLMC) have created an MCPL virtual library card sign up campaign: Rise Up, Sign Up to encourage more teens to use the library during the pandemic and beyond. Those that sign up (and complete the Google form) have a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the FOLMC Book Stores. Please explore these resources for more information:
The 2021 Gaithersburg Book Festival (GBF) will be held virtually, with 30+ author presentations, as well as several writing workshops for adults, teens and children scheduled throughout the month of May. Please visit the GBF website regularly and subscribe to the e-newsletter for program schedule updates. The schedule-at-a-glance can be downloaded here.
REMINDER: Counselor LIVE Chat
Counselors are now available for live chat sessions EVERYDAY via Zoom. Please use your student's sign in credentials to access the session. Click HERE to access counselor's availability. *Please note that you may be required to wait briefly in the waiting room while the counselor is meeting with another parent and/or student."
REMINDER: Where do I go for help?
We are here to support you in any way that we can. for more information about who to go to for the most commonly asked questions, please visit this link. There you will find resources for the topics listed below. We will continue to add to this list as needs evolve.
- Community Resources
- Wellness Resources
- Student Support
- Counselors
- Class Sponsors
- Technology Reminders
- Ask Your Librarian
For spirit wear purchases:
Seneca Valley Online SPIRIT WEAR!!!
Seneca Valley is excited to offer online sales of the spirit wear we used to sell on-site (and more!) through our local vendor, VerTee Shirts. Check it out!
VerTee Shirts: https://svhs.spiritsale.com (T-shirts, sweatshirts, lounge pants, fleece jackets, and masks)
SVHS Spirit Wear can also be purchased at the following sites.
Squad Locker: https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/lockers/eagles-287838
BSN: https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/maryland/germantown/seneca-valley-high-school
Want a SVHS License Plate? Please visit the School website for details. https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools//senecavalleyhs/about/ptsa/spiritsales/
Are you #SVPROUD?
- Tweet, Snap, IB, FB, etc., a pic of you repping "The Valley" by wearing your Seneca gear.
- And don't forget to use #svproud. Go Eagles!
Seneca Valley High School
Email: marc_j_cohen@mcpsmd.org
Website: www.senecavalleyhighschool.com
Location: 19401 Crystal Rock Drive, Germantown, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-6400
Twitter: @SenecaValleyHS