SVHS Green and Gold
Community Edition - February 26, 2023
A message from MCPS
Dear MCPS Community,
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has a road map for a comprehensive framework for school safety and well-being that details our commitment to safe, equitable and successful schools. To support this commitment, our school system is implementing a series of immediate, short-term and long-term safety, and well-being strategies.
Collaboration is critical to implementing this plan, and MCPS is working closely with staff, students, parents and the broader community, which aligns with our ongoing "All Together Now" approach to meeting the needs of all students, staff, and community members connected to MCPS.
You may read the full message here: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2022-2023/Safety-Message-20230224.html
Please help us celebrate our scholars by clicking the link below for a full listing of marking period 2 and first semester Straight A's and Honor Roll students.
Attention Seniors and Parents of Seniors
Seniors: Senior fees of $90 are due by February 28th. Please make payments through the Online School Payment System.
Parents please make sure students have completed their Student Service Learning hours (SSL). This is a graduation requirement and all hours need to be completed by April 1, 2023. Please contact Ms. Ellen Fellows, SSL coordinator about opportunities available.
Please mark your calendars for a Senior Parent meeting on March 21st. We will provide more details soon.
We are excited about graduation on June 9, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Constitution Hall, in Washington, DC. As we prepare for graduation, we would like to know if any families need sign language interpreters during the commencement exercises and upcoming senior meetings. Please let us know by contacting Ms. Kisheena Wanzer, assistant principal at Kisheena_J_Wanzer@mcpsmd.org.
FINAL NOTICE: Order the 2023 Yearbook
RESERVE YOUR YEARBOOK TODAY BEFORE WE SUBMIT OUR FINAL ORDER on 2/27
Time is running out to purchase the 2023 Seneca Valley High School yearbook. Reserve yours before Monday February 27, 2023 to guarantee your student a copy and to save the memories of this special year. This is the final call before we submit our order for printing. We will order a very limited number of extra books to sell at distribution, but we sold out last year so the only way to guarantee your yearbook is to order today. A payment plan is available at checkout when you order on jostensyearbooks.com.
CLICK HERE to place your order.
Want to purchase tickets to our home basketball playoff games?
The Boosters Need You
- If you have a student who has benefitted from the boosters because they are in a club, perform on our stage, or compete as a Screaming Eagle, this message is for you.Silent Auction donations are being accepted now through April 19th, email: BoostersSenecaValley@gmail.com to let us know about your donation.
- Next Booster meeting is scheduled for March 2nd at 6:30pm https://us05web.zoom.us/j/88544080424?pwd=WktEdTJOUGhSemwxRWtHOEJ1dUdQUT09
- Still looking for the following Executive Board replacements as the 2 year terms are ending - please email BoostersSenecaValley@gmail.com if you would like to run:
- President
- Vice President
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- Also for Boosters, please click the link below for information on our new scholarships that are ready for applications: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mumSYaWQpnEry_Y3fxXWYg6npDnn7eUv/view
This Week's Notes from the SVHS College & Career Center
Financial Aid - Last Call to Meet the March 1 Deadline!
If you plan to attend college or are thinking about it, please fill out your financial aid forms! The deadline for the state of Maryland is March 1! This includes financial aid to attend Montgomery College!
If you have not already completed, students should fill out the FAFSA (Federal Aid) and MDCAPS (Maryland State Aid) by March 1. The MDCAPS form should also be filled out if you have applied to schools in the state of Maryland, including Montgomery College.
Students who are not eligible to fill out the FAFSA may be able to fill out the MSFAA (more information in the link below).
More information and instructions
Montgomery College - Need Money Sessions
Get help with all things related to financial aid & scholarships at MC! Need help with the FAFSA & MSFAA completion? MSFAA (for undocumented students)? Have you turned in your 23-24 financial aid requirements on your MY MC account? We can even assist in applying for MC's Foundation Scholarships, the Herb Block scholarship, & DC Scholarships. Let us help you get the most grant money available for college.
Virtual sessions are held every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the month of February.
Register here for your one-on-one virtual session so you can be prepared financially for next year! | Click here for the flyer!
Next Week’s College/Career Visits to SVHS
Pennsylvania College of Technology - Wed March 1 @ 12:25 PM
Moving Forward College & Career Readiness Series for Juniors
Juniors, let's start planning! We enthusiastically invite you all to participate in the following workshops to get a head start in planning for life after high school!
All virtual workshops are during lunch, from 11:25 am - 11:50 am. Feel free to bring your lunch to the College & Career Center (Room 2408) to watch these presentations! Get tips and information that can help you prepare for Senior Year and beyond!
Tuesday, February 28 - Explore Application Types and Deadlines
Tuesday, March 14 - Resume/Interview Skills
Tuesday, March 21 - Tips on Common Application
Thursday, March 28 - College Essay Writing
Tuesday, April 25 - Introduction to Financial Aid
Once registered, a zoom to link will be sent to you before the workshop.
Click to register: bit.ly/4forward2023 | Click here for the flyer
Upcoming Scholarships
February 27 - Scholars Helping Collars Scholarship - 1st Prize - $1,500 award, 2nd Prize - $300 and one set of Warm Bellies Special Edition Chill Pads (10 beds) to be donated to an animal shelter, 3rd Prize - $200 and one Garden Fresh plush toy set (5 toys) to be donated to an animal shelter; senior; U.S. resident; submit an essay (500-1000 words) detailing your volunteer efforts to help animals in need; 2-3 photos of your volunteer efforts to help animals in need.
February 28 - TheDream.US National Scholarship - up to a maximum of $16,500 for an associate degree and $33,000 for a bachelor’s degree at one of our Partner Colleges (see list); senior; min 2.5 GPA; have DACA, TPS, or came to the country before November 1, 2017, and otherwise meet the DACA criteria, or came to the United States before the age of 16; significant unmet financial need; family's financial info; essays; responsibilities; application guide resource.
March 01 - Montgomery College Board of Trustees Scholarship - (priority deadline) merit-based scholarship award covers tuition and fees for one academic year (two semesters at the county resident rate; up to a maximum of 15 credits per semester, pending available funding); senior; must attend Montgomery College; minimum 3.0 weighted GPA; letter of recommendation; essay questions; application closes May 1, 2023.
March 01 - American Chemical Society Scholars Program - awards of up to $5,000; senior; min 3.0 GPA; U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident (please inquire via email if you have questions regarding asylum or DACA status), African-American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, or American Indian (please see link for more details); intending to major full-time at a two- or four-year college/university in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, chemical technology, or another chemistry-related science AND planning to pursue a career in a chemistry-related science as well (see link for more details); official transcript; 2 letters of recommendation; Student Aid Report from FAFSA.
March 01 - The Aero Club Foundation of Washington Scholarship - $5,000 awards; senior; do not have to be a U.S. Citizen to apply; demonstrate a passion for aviation with the intent to pursue an education and career in aviation or aerospace; financial need; funds may be used to pay for tuition and fees at an accredited college or university for studies in an aviation/aerospace-focused program, technical school (e.g., enrolled in a course of study in the pursuit of an FAA mechanics certificate or other comparable certificated aviation or aerospace position), or for flight training.
March 01 - Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation - senior; min. 2.0 GPA; maximum family adjusted gross income of $112,000 for the 2021 tax year; plan to attend a college or career training school listed on College Navigator website in the fall; see link for full details and requirements; must be a child of one of the following: an Active duty, reserve, or veteran U.S. Marine; a Marine killed while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps; an active duty, reserve, or veteran U.S. Navy Corpsman who is/was attached to a U.S. Marine Corps unit or who was killed while serving with a U.S. Marine Corps unit; a U.S. Navy Chaplain or Religious Programs Specialist who is/was attached to a U.S. Marine Corps unit or who was killed while serving with a U.S. Marine Corps unit.
March 01 - Foundation 649 Scholarship - 5-$4,000 awards spread over 4 years; senior; identify as Asian American / Pacific Islander; US citizen, resident, or foreign national, undocumented students are also welcome to apply; full-time student enrolling in a U.S. accredited university in the Fall; track record of involvement and interest in AAPI communities, issues, or causes; demonstrated financial need; resume; questionnaire and a short essay (1000 word maximum); 10 entrants will be selected as finalists for video call interviews by March 31, 2023.
March 02 - 2023 Metropolitan (DC) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, Poster Art Competition - monetary gifts, prizes, social media recognition and promotion, and gift cards, for first-, second- and third-place winners; for students in grades 1-12; competition categories separated by grade; this year’s theme is “What’s Going On?”; see link for rules and guidelines.
March 03 - ARE Scholars (MD) STEM Scholarship - 8-$5,000 annual awards for up to two years; senior; min 3.0 GPA; planning to enroll at a two- or four-year school in Maryland, for the Fall 2023 semester, in a STEM concentrated major; Letter of recommendation; 500-1,000 word essay; transcript; recipients must be able to accept the scholarship in person at Maryland Tech Council’s Industry Awards Celebration on April 27, 2023, at 5:30 PM at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.
March 03 - President Gerald R. Ford Student Writing Challenge - awards of $500-$2,500; grade 9-12; write 500-750 words sharing what the theme of unity in diversity means to you; see link for full details.
March 05 - AFCEA DC 2023 STEM Scholarship Program - senior; U.S. citizen or permanent resident; acceptance to a U.S. accredited college or university in a four-year, full-time STEM curriculum (see link for list of majors); winners of full tuition scholarships are not eligible; copy of student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from FAFSA; summary and statement from Guidance Counselor (Please download); 2 letters of recommendation; list of activities.
March 05 - The Long Nguyen & Kimmy Duong Scholarship Program* - (application open Jan 21) awards of $3,000, $2,000 & $1,000 for Vietnamese American and Non Vietnamese American students; senior; U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident; min 3.0 GPA; must enroll in the University of Maryland, George Mason University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Northern Virginia Community College, or Montgomery College; outstanding academic achievement; strong leadership potential; demonstrated active community service; pride in culture and heritage; able to accept scholarship at awards ceremony; resume; transcript; essay; letters of recommendation; flyer; *only the first 200 applications will be accepted.
SVHS Boosters Scholarship
April 28 - 2022-23 SVHS Booster Scholarships* - (*applications due to Mr. Nalda by noon on this date!) 2-$1,000 awards; senior at SVHS; min 3.0 cumulative unweighted GPA at the end of 1st semester of senior year; plan to pursue post high school education (technical school, community college or four-year university, etc.); completed all Student Service Learning (SSL) hours; earn(ed) a varsity letter on a team in their senior year OR be an active member of an SVHS sponsored club (Club activism will be confirmed by SVHS Club Sponsor); transcript; one page essay; resume.
Click here to see the SVHS Scholarships Page for more opportunities.
Free Precollege Programs Fair @ Rockville HS
Interested in precollege programs for Summer 2023? 9th - 11th grade families are invited to attend this fair at Rockville High School on March 1, 6:30pm - 8:30pm.
6:30pm - 7:30pm: Presentations from Catholic University, Duke University, Summer Discovery, and University of Maryland.
7:30pm - 8:30pm: Open fair with precollege representatives
Register by March 1, 5pm | Flyer | Direct registration link
Summer Opportunities for Students, Grades 9-11
Click here to explore a list of additional camps, pre-college programs, and other opportunities for students for Summer 2023. If interested, please review as many opportunities have Spring deadlines to apply.
IB Spotlight
IB Alum Visit
Daniela Nemi, an IB Diploma SVHS alum and current UMD student visited with students to share her incredible experiences of studying abroad in Cuba and Ecuador. She taught students how to access these opportunities and scholarships available. She was also very encouraging and shared college tips with the students.
IB CP/DP
Have a rising junior taking one IB class next year and part of a career program - they would be perfect for the IB Career-related Program. Have a rising junior that is taking several IB classes, they can be part of the IB Diploma Program next year. Please encourage your students to see Natasha Ezerski in Room 3510 and email her at Natasha_L_Ezerski@mcpsmd.org with questions.
IB Exams:
IB exam fees are past due and need to be paid, ASAP on https://www.schoolcashonline.com/ If you have any questions, please contact Natasha Ezerski at Natasha_L_Ezerski@mcpsmd.org or visit her in Room 3510.
Donation Requests
We would love donations of snacks for mock exams, IB exams, support sessions, and/or monetary donations to support the celebration of IB students. Please contact Ms. Ezerski if you are willing to help!
LIBRARY MEDIA NEWS: SPOTLIGHT ON DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
Digital Learning Day, February 23, 2023
Last Wednesday in SEL, as part of MCPS’s ongoing commitment to teaching digital citizenship and in alignment with Digital Learning Day, students participated in a lesson on social engineering. In the context of information security, this refers to attempts such as phishing and other online scams designed to trick people into revealing personal information, usually for the purpose of fraud and/or identity theft. As a class, students watched and discussed the video What is Social Engineering? and this newscast from NBC4: 4 Online Scams Teens are Falling For and How to Avoid Them. They then had the opportunity to select three additional activities to learn about social engineering scams that target teens from this choice board. Finally, students reviewed tips for protecting themselves from phishing and online scams; HERE is an excellent article with great talking points to continue this conversation at home. If you have any questions about this lesson, or would like more information, please contact our library media specialist, Nicole Little-Cook.
Black History Month Celebrations
✊🏾 Our Black History Month Reading Promotion: Honoring the Past and Inspiring the Future, will remain on display this week - please stop by to check it out! Three additional promotions - Black in Love, Black Boy Joy, and Black Girl Magic, celebrate teens being teens and will remain on display in the LMC indefinitely. #morethanamonth
🌻 The Book Club has postponed its discussion of Kindred by Octavia Butler by one week in order to give readers more time to finish the book. It will now take place on Monday, March 6th during lunch. Conveniently, this also gives more students the chance to join the club and participate -- simply access the book in ebook and/or 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.
Blind Date with a Book Drawing, 2/28
❤️ Thanks to the many students who participated in our Blind Date with a Book reading promotion! The drawing for the cup of Kisses (Hershey’s), among students who reviewed their “dates,” will take place in the LMC at the beginning of lunch on Tuesday, February 28th.
The Birds of Play are proud to present the 2023 Spring Musical, The Addams Family.
This quirky comedy expands the Addams Family universe as Wednesday falls in love, much to the chagrin of Gomez, who is forced to keep a secret from his wife - a thing he has never done! Everything will change for the family when they host Wednesday's love interest and his "normal" family for a dinner party. This show is rated PG for mild sexual references.
March 17 @ 7pm, March 18 @ 2pm, March 24 @ 7pm, March 26 @ 2pm.
Adult: $15
Student: $10
Family 5 Pack: $60
Lucky 13 - 13 adult tickets: $130
Golden Ticket (Pass to All 4 Shows): $50
Visit www.svhsbop.com for tickets. Tickets are also available for purchase at the door.
Celebrating our Screaming Eagle Wrestlers!
We would like to share a huge congratulations to our Seneca Valley screaming eagles wrestling team on their powerful performance at the 4a/3a regional wrestling tournament this weekend at Damascus High School. The team was able to make history, crowning three regional champions on Saturday. Junior, Wayne Tabb finished in first place in the 220 lb weight class; defeating Trevor Jenkins of Linganore High School three to zero. Junior, Abubakar Sherif finished in first place in the heavyweight division; defeating Joel Hopkins of Linganore High School by pin in the second period. Sophomore, Persia Seetram finished in first place in the 120 lb female division, defeating Hung Lian in the second period by pin. This is the first time in the history of the Seneca Valley wrestling program that they have had three regional champions heading to the state tournament. Please take time to congratulate our wrestlers and wish them luck at the Maryland state wrestling tournament taking place Thursday through Saturday this week.
Celebrating our indoor track and field champions
Academic Support Opportunities
Academic Support Center
The Academic Support Center is open during lunch Monday through Friday in room 2109. Students can receive academic support with their regularly scheduled classes and their Project GRAD (credit recovery) courses. Students can also get support with organization, time management, and planning.
CARES Tutoring
Our CARES Tutoring program is intended to provide students with ongoing high-dosage tutoring in order to provide students with the skills necessary to be successful in their classes. Students that sign up for CARES must commit to attending weekly tutoring sessions.
Our CARES Tutoring program is currently full. Students can submit this form to be added to the waitlist and will be contacted if a spot becomes available.
Virtual Tutoring Opportunities
All MCPS students have access to free, virtual tutoring services through FEV Tutor and Tutor Me Education.
FEV Tutor and Tutor Me both:
- Offer free on-demand tutoring for homework help, no scheduling needed
- Offer free scheduled tutoring for ongoing support, scheduling required
- Record sessions, take session notes, and communicate directly with families.
- Can be accessed by students through Clever
FEV tutor does not use a camera and TutorMe uses a camera for tutor and student.
To set up tutoring sessions with FEVTutor, contact mcps@fevtutor.com.
To set up tutoring sessions with TutorMe, fill out this request form. You can also contact mcps@tutormeeducation.com or call (240)618-2549.
Tutor Me Education Flyer (English)
Tutor Me Education Flyer (Spanish)
Contact Elizabeth_Maxey@mcpsmd.org if you have questions about which opportunity is best for your student.
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
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.
Seneca Valley High School
Twitter: @SenecaValleyHS
Instagram: @SenecaValleyHSWebsite: www.senecavalleyhighschool.com
Location: 19401 Crystal Rock Drive, Germantown, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-6400