SVHS Green and Gold
Dr. Cohen's Newsletter to the SVHS Community
September 12, 2021 Edition
A Message from Dr. Cohen
Important Updates from MCPS and SVHS re: Athletics
Click here to read the latest updates on our COVID response plan as well as important information for all fall athletes and spectators.
NEW: A letter from Ms. Murray
Dear Screaming Eagles Students and Parents!
It has been an honor to work with you over these past five years. Working at Seneca Valley has been a privilege and an experience I will not forget. I must say I have developed positive relationships with students and families that I will continue to cherish in my new role here at Seneca Valley. As you know, we have some of the best students, families, and teachers in the county. I have had the pleasure of watching students grow in maturity, be risk-takers academically, become more open-minded and caring, speak up for themselves as well as for others, reach their goals and reflect on their past as well as their present.
I have always considered myself to be a lifelong counselor. What that means is, I enjoyed keeping in contact with students once they graduated to share in their excitement and joy. When I took the job as a school counselor for Montgomery County Public Schools 15 years ago, I made a commitment to myself to always give my best to the students with whom I work. I hope I have remained true to that commitment and that you feel I have helped you (your child) in some way that has been beneficial for them.
Effective September 7, 2021, I transitioned into a new role as a Pupil Personnel Worker (PPW) for MCPS at Seneca Valley HS and Little Bennett ES. I have chosen to pursue an opportunity that I believe is well suited to my career goals at this time. And while much deliberation went into my decision and it is rather bittersweet, I am very excited about what lies ahead.
Please know that I wish you the very best in all your endeavors. I will continue to work with the Seneca Valley students, parents and community for my mission is and has always been to support students and families. As the Great Maya Angelou once said, ``My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
I will Always be Proud to be an SV Eagle!
Sabrina C. Murray
Maryland State Certified Pupil Personnel Worker
NEW: Visit our Virtual College and Career Center
This Week's Notes from the SVHS College & Career Center:
Naviance & Applying to Colleges
For those of you interested in applying to colleges, you should be working on the SVHS College Application Packet document. This document is a step-by-step guide to applying to colleges. If you need a letter of recommendation, I strongly suggest you start asking now. You do not want to wait and take a chance of missing any deadlines.
Feel free to reach out to me or your counselor if you have any questions.
FARMS - Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application
Even though MCPS will offer meals at no charge to all students for school year 2021–22, we strongly encourage Seniors to apply for FARMS status if they qualify. Why? FARMS status provides the opportunity for students to qualify for ACT/SAT testing and/or college application fee waivers. Students who plan on playing sports in college can also qualify for a waiver for fees associated with creating an NCAA Certification Account.
Questions? Reach out to your counselor or Mr. Nalda for more information.
College Application Fee Waiver News
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University:
Fee waiver code-(DBPC)
College Representative Visits at SVHS
Students interested in participating in college visits should register in Naviance. The list of college visits is available in Naviance or on the link below. Visit dates can also be seen on the SVHS College & Career Center Calendar.
To attend a college visit, students must clear their absence from class with their teacher ONE WEEK ahead of time. It is the responsibility of each student to make-up any work you may miss.
Before signing up, ask yourself: Does the college have your major? Can you afford to miss class that day to attend? How many visits have you already made this week?
Unless noted, visits will take place in the College & Career Center, Room #2113.
Next Week's College Visits
Capitol Technology University
Ben Michaels
Tue September 14, 2021
9:54 AM
Susquehanna University
Heather Pearson
Tue September 14, 2021
12:16 PM
Shenandoah University
Angie Wilson
Tue September 14, 2021
1:02 PM
Roanoke College
Kelsey Sowder
Wed September 15, 2021
12:02 PM
College Testing
Anyone interested in taking the ACT or SAT this year, please visit our ‘College Testing’ page on College & Career Center website for more information:
If you qualify and need a waiver to test for free, reach out to Mr. Nalda. Unsure if you qualify for a waiver? Reach out to Mr. Nalda or your counselor for assistance.
Upcoming Scholarships
September 15 - Notorious RBG Women Of Tomorrow Scholarship - 10-$1,000 awards; rising high school students graduating in 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025, and recently graduated 2021 seniors (female-identified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply, however applicants of any gender are eligible!); 500-800 word essay; pictures/videos/media showing your leadership in action; color headshot; academic resume; current transcript (can be official or unofficial); educator recommendation.
September 15 - The Gates Scholarship - top 300 students receive funding for full cost of attendance; this is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households; US citizen, national, or permanent resident; from at least one of the following ethnicities: African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American; min 3.3 GPA; financial need; Pell-eligible; must enroll full-time in a four-year degree program; outstanding academic record; demonstrated leadership ability; personal success skills.
September 17 - We The Future Contest - 1-$1,000 award for each project categories; grades 9-12; ages 14-19 at time of entry; U.S. Cit. or legal res.; submit an original work one of the following about America: essay, song, STEM, short film, or PSA; see link for full rules and guidelines.
September 27 - Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest - 1-$10,000, 3-$2,500, and 5-$500 awards; senior; submit an 800-1600 word essay on Ayn Rand's novel, Atlas Shrugged; choose 1 of 3 topics to write about; see link for guidelines.
September 30 - Don't Text and Drive Scholarship - 1-$1,000 award; 9-12 grade; U.S. Citizen; 140-character message about texting while driving; top 10 selected as finalists; finalists asked to write a 500- to 1,000-word essay about texting while driving; 1 winner chosen from 10 finalists' essays.
September 30 - Easterday Poetry Award - awards ranging from $100 - $500; all U.S. high school students are eligible to enter this contest; poems must be 20 lines or less (title and spaces between stanzas do not count), unpublished, the sole work of the entrant, and not be entered in any other concurrent contest; see link for full rules and guidelines; only ONE poem per poet may be entered during any 90 day span.
Click here to see the SVHS Scholarships Page for more opportunities.
Upcoming Events
NACAC Virtual College Fair - September 12
Featuring college advisers from hundreds of colleges and universities from the US and worldwide. Sign up now for free!
Don’t miss these one-day events! Drop in on Zoom sessions from all of your favorite colleges… without leaving home. You’ll hear about programs and majors, scholarships, student life,and more. View videos, ask chat questions, and explore your options. Sign up now to get started on your college dreams!
For more information and to register:
Registration: https://virtualcollegefairs.org/
Click here for the flyer / Click this flyer to see all 2021-22 NACAC Fair Dates
How-To Video - This short video provides an overview of how students can make the most of their virtualcollegefairs.org experience.
Quick Start Guide - This one-page quick start guide describes the major features of virtualcollegefairs.org.
9TH Annual Virtual Latino College Expo - September 18
9th Annual VIRTUAL Latino College Expo™ TRAVELS ACROSS THE COUNTRY! This ONLINE experience is for students to gain access to colleges, highlighting Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), educational programs and workshops. Let us all celebrate “Hispanic Heritage Month” together. This is a FREE event.
September 18, 2021, 3:00 - 6:00 PM (EST)
Financial Aid Night for Seniors & Parents - September 23
Are your first two years of college really free in Maryland? This webinar will not only introduce the concepts of financial aid and scholarships to your students and their parents, but we will also explore key deadline dates, MD State grants, and Institutional scholarships. We will give a general overview of options for paying for college. There will also be a live question and answer period afterward.
Sept 23rd, 6 to 7:30 pm
Presented by Montgomery College - Online via Zoom Webinar
NEW: Action: Complete the Google, YouTube and Online Digital Tools Consent Form
Parents and guardians - if your student is in grade 9, new to MCPS, or if they have not previously submitted this form, please use this link to give your student(s) permission to access and use technology resources as part of their learning experience:
Please note that the link above includes two forms.
The first page is the G-Suite Additional Services & YouTube Permission Form. MCPS uses Google’s G Suite for Education Core Services to provide students with access to tools and services such as email, online storage, and web-based applications -- all students have access to these Core Services. Student access to and use of additional G Suite services and YouTube, beyond the Core Services, requires parent/guardian permission. Please read this form and indicate consent at the bottom of the page.
The second page is the Supplemental Online Digital Tools (ODT) Consent Form. This form addresses student use of 3rd party apps, such as Kahoot!, Khan Academy, Padlet, and Code.org. All of the online digital tools used by teachers are vetted for safety and privacy requirements, but may still require “affirmative parent consent” for student use. If you are comfortable with your student using these technology resources, please indicate consent at the bottom of the page.
The third page requests student and parent/guardian names.
Failure to provide consent to Additional Services and Supplemental Online Digital Tools will not result in loss of access to the G-Suite Core Services, but will limit access to other technology resources used to facilitate teaching and learning. Consent remains valid for the entire time the student is enrolled in an MCPS high school and may be rescinded at any time.
NEW: IB Spotlight
For the IB Spotlight during the second week of each month, we will provide quotes to support the ATL skill category, ATL skill cluster, and LP of the month.
ATL Skill Category Quote for SELF MANAGEMENT: “All management starts with self-management, which is the definition of intentions, actions to be taken, and quantifying of those actions.” - Julian Penccilliah
- We encourage our students to reflect on their own areas of strength and growth, and to use that reflection to create a personal, social, and academic to-do list. Students should then implement personalized self-management and organizational strategies that allow them to act on purpose- choosing items that move them on course to their to-do-lists and goals.
ATL Skill Cluster Quote for ORGANIZATION SKILLS: “Cleaning and organizing is a practice, not a product.” -Megan Francis “A good system shortens the road to the goal.” -Orison Swett Marden
- We want to encourage organizational habits for our students that help minimize their stress and maximize their time and success. It is important to remember that the organizational systems may differ from student to student as we help provide the skills for them to discover what is effective for them.
LP Quote for BALANCED: “The foundation stones for a balanced success are: honesty, character, integrity, faith, love, and loyalty.” -Zig Ziglar
- We need to understand the importance of intellectual, physical, and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for ourselves and others. For our students, we should educate and encourage healthy habits that support balance, while also providing time for students to reflect on their current well-being and providing an avenue to share their reflections with teachers.
REPEAT: What happens if my child has been contact traced?
When a student has been identified as quarantined, a member of our team will contact the student and a parent to explain the process and to answer any questions.
Ms. Perfetto, our attendance secretary, will email the message below to the following people:
- Student
- Parent/Guardian(s)
- Teachers
- Counselor
- Administrator
- Case Manager, if applicable
- Cheryl Requa, School Health Nurse
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Messaging to students:
Dear [Student] and Parent/Guardian(s),
Seneca Valley High School staff is here to provide support while [Student] is out on a 10-day quarantine.
We are committed to ensuring that there are opportunities for [Student] to engage in relevant learning activities and support. Please see below for how we will assist you, but do not hesitate to call the school at (240) 740-000 if you have any questions or need assistance during this time.
INSTRUCTION
- Any assignments that are missed during the quarantine period should be made up.
- Teachers will post work in Canvas while a student is out.
- Students who are well enough to complete work while in quarantine are encouraged to do so by accessing work in Canvas.
- Students may contact teachers regarding any questions related to assignments, using the information below.
SUPPORT
- MEALS for breakfast and lunch can be provided. Please contact Rory Zapor via email at Rory_Zapor@mcpsmd.org to arrange meal pick up.
- If your student needs TECH SUPPORT please contact Josh Dillow at Joshua_K_Dillow@mcpsmd.org or call the main office at (240) 740-6400.
- Our school COUNSELORS are available to support students who need to speak to someone. Please contact the school for assistance.
TEACHER OFFICE HOURS BY APPOINTMENT
Please click THIS LINK for a list of SVHS teachers, their preferred periods for office hours, and their email addresses.
- If students have questions about assignments, they should email the appropriate teachers to set up Zoom appointments.
- While teachers have designated preferred periods for support, in the event of a conflict, teachers and students will work together to find a meeting time that works for both.
- Student schedules can be found in StudentVue and ParentVue.
We look forward to the safe return of [Student] to in-person instruction. When faced with a challenge, SCREAMING EAGLES soar.
REPEAT: School Wellness Center
Student health services are now being offered at the Wellness Center! Other services will be coming soon.
REPEAT: Attendance Notes
- If a student must be absent for all or part of the day OR if students need to leave school early, please complete an attendance note and have your student turn-in the note to the Attendance Office PRIOR to the date(s) of the absence.
- If an absence is unexpected, please submit an attendance note within 3 school days of the absence to the Attendance Office. Doctor’s notes are required after 3 consecutive absences and must list all dates of the absence.
- Sending in an early dismissal note will help us to have your student ready for pick-up by the indicated dismissal time.
REPEAT: Required State Testing
Dear Seneca Valley High School Community,
Beginning September 20-24, 2021, students in grades 9 and 10 will participate in the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) testing for Reading and Math. The MAP exam is a computer based diagnostic assessment and is designed to inform instruction, recovery and intervention, and account for learning loss, as well as determine present performance levels on math and literacy standards. MCPS wants to ensure that we have full participation to accurately assess student progress and achievement. Student attendance and participation is important so that we can assess the performance data to implement supports for student´s academic success. Students will test during their Homeroom/Advisory classes beginning Monday, September 20-24. Here is the MAP testing schedule:
- MAP – Reading will be administered September 20-21
- MAP – Math will be administered September 22-23
- Make-Up Testing will be on September 24
MAP testing will be conducted digitally on electronic devices (e.g. Chromebooks). Students received new Chromebooks this year and these devices are setup and prepared for MAP testing.
Parents, here is how you can help, please mark your calendars from September 20 - 24 for the MAP Testing administration through Homeroom/Advisory classes. Please encourage your child to get good rest and eat breakfast as they prepare for each day.
Later in September, certain students will also take the WIDA Model, MCAP English, Math and the MISA exams. More information will be sent closer to those test dates.
If you have any questions, please contact Kisheena Wanzer at Kisheena_J_Wanzer@mcpsmd.org or Dr. Mike Kim at Michael_T_Kim@mcpsmd.org.
REPEAT: School Administration
Click here to learn about each member of our administrative team. Please make note of your specific administrator. You can reach out to your administrator in regards to any items and/or concerns.
REPEAT: School Counselors
Click here to find out who your child's counselor is and how to reach them. To learn about the rest of our counseling services team, please visit our counseling services website.
MCPS Code of Conduct and Student Rights & Responsibilities
The MCPS Code of Conduct and A Student's Guide to Rights & Responsibilities will be distributed to all students in September. They are also online at http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/students/rights.
Wellness Resources
The safety and wellness of our students remains a top priority. Below are resources to support the physical, social and psychological well-being of our community. If you believe your child is in crisis, please contact the Montgomery County Crisis Center at 240-777-4000. Students can also reach out to their counselor and school psychologist to set up a confidential appointment.
Waymaking Video Series
- Suicide Awareness
- Managing Stress and Anxiety for Students
- Managing Stress and Anxiety during Social Distancing
Tips on Addressing Student Grief
Tips for Preventing Youth Suicide
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