SVHS Green and Gold
Dr. Cohen's Newsletter to the SVHS Community
February 13, 2022 Edition
NEW: Funeral Arrangements
We have been asked to share this information on behalf of the family of Wesley Sanzone.
Our beloved boy, Wesley V. Sanzone, Jr. Wesley V. Sanzone Jr. died on January 24, 2022 at home with his father in Germantown, Maryland. He had just turned 18.
Lord Jesus, we pray to one day join him at your Tree Of Life for eternity. Amen.
Viewing open to the public: Wednesday, February 16th (11 AM -1 PM), followed by a motor procession to the cemetery. Afterwards, all are invited to his father Wesley’s home in Port Tobacco nearby for a celebration of Wes Jr.’s life into the evening.
Brinsfield Funeral Home, 30195 Three Notch Rd., Charlotte Hall, Md 20622
NEW: Summer Rise Internship Program
Calling all rising MCPS 2022-2023 juniors and seniors interested in learning about a career during the month of July. The MCPS Partnerships Unit will begin taking applications to participate in the 2022 Summer RISE program at 8AM on Wednesday, February 16. Summer RISE provides students with a four-week/50-hour, career-based learning experience and introduces students to high-demand career options that match their interests. Students must be available between July 5th through July 29th. Student registration will close at 5PM on Friday, March 4.
For more information about Summer RISE and to register as a participant, click here.
NEW: MCPS Anti-Racist Audit Survey
Dear Montgomery County Public Schools Community,
On Feb. 2, 2022, Interim Superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight shared this update on the ongoing work and commitment to address racial and systemic barriers in the school district. This email is to update you on surveys that will ask students to think about their experience in MCPS.
- All students in Grade 4 through Grade 12 will take an age-appropriate, anonymous survey in school between March 1 and March 31, 2022. Each school will decide on their date to administer the survey.
- Any parent or guardian who does not want their child to take the survey should complete this form.
- Here are some resources to help to better understand this survey:
- The video that all students will see right before they take the survey
- Brief overview of the Antiracist System Audit (also in español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ )
- Explanation of what the survey will look like
- Frequently Asked Questions (also in español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ)
Questions? Please submit them here and we will respond.
NEW: Update on Testing
Hello SVHS Community,
We are moving through our Winter testing season. MCAP Testing and Seal of Biliteracy are complete. Here are some updates to keep you in the loop.
Our English Language Learners (ELLs) will be taking the ACCESS WIDA tests beginning February 8th in the auditorium. The WIDA testing schedule is as follows:
- 2/8-9 Listening and Reading for (Grades 9 and 10) (specific students testing have been informed)
- 2/10 Writing (Grade 10)
- 2/15-16 Listening and Reading (Grades 11 and 12)
- 2/17 Writing (Grades 11 and 12)
- 2/22-3/4 Speaking (all Grades) will be assigned to specific testing locations
NEW: Registration Information for 2022-23
Counselors have greatly enjoyed meeting with students over the past few weeks to review their course requests for the upcoming school year. It is wonderful to see our students taking advantage of the amazing options that are available to them at Seneca Valley.
Parents/Guardians, if you have any questions about your student's course requests, please don't hesitate to contact your student's counselor, they are happy to assist! Also don't forget to check out our Registration Website which has loads of resources, including IB information, video presentations, and much more.
NEW: SVHS Athletics Weekly Update
Please see link below for our SVHS Athletics Weekly Update as well as MCPS Athletics Weekly Update.
NEW: Update from the College and Career Center
NEW: 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! Seniors are also welcome to attend the remaining sessions on Feb 15, Mar 15, and Mar 22. Once registered, a zoom to link will be sent to you 2 days before the workshop and 1 day before the workshop again.
Unless noted, all workshops are from 11:30 am - 12:00 pm.
Tuesday, February 15 - Military Recruitment Information Session
Tuesday, March 1 - Explore Application Types and Deadlines
Tuesday, March 15 - Resume/Interview Skills
Tuesday, March 22* - Alternative Career Fair (*10:30am - 11:30am)
Thursday, April 7 - College Essay Writing
Thursday, April 21 - Tips on Common Application
Tuesday, April 26 - Intro to Financial Aid and Scholarships
NEW: College Applications
If applicable, please keep working on your College Applications. Refer to the College Application Packet when applying. Everything you need to do for submitting college applications, including instructions, is on this document.
Already received admissions results and/or scholarships? Please update your Naviance accounts!
How to add and update admission decisions/results in Naviance (video)
How to add scholarships in Naviance (video)
Seniors - Steps to Apply for Financial Aid for College!
- ALL eligible seniors should complete the 2022-23 FAFSA regardless of income. Deadline is March 1, 2022! More information.
- If you are considering attending a college or university in the state of Maryland, complete the MDCAPS Application. Once complete, email Mr. Nalda your MHEC Number. More information.
- If you are not eligible to complete the FAFSA and plan to attend a college or university in the state of Maryland, fill out the MSFAA. More information.
Need help? Register for one of MC’s FAFSA/MSFAA Assistance Days starting Feb. 1!
NEW: Upcoming Scholarships
February 15 - Hispanic Scholarship Fund - awards ranging from $500 - $5,000; senior; must be of Hispanic heritage; U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA; min of 3.0 GPA (unweighted); plan to enroll full-time in an accredited, public or not-for-profit, four-year university in the fall; scholars are selected based on merit; submit the FAFSA or state-based financial aid forms (if applicable).
February 15 - Frontline Families Scholarship Program - awards of $2,500 & $1,000; all eligible applicants will receive awards; senior; child of a deceased frontline health care worker who died from Covid-19 while employed at a medical facility; attend a two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school in the fall; students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements and funds are available; applicants can receive the award a maximum of four times; see link for full eligibility and guidelines.
February 15 - Pepco Guiding Light Leadership Program - $2,500 scholarships will be awarded upon successful completion of the program; senior; min 3.0 GPA; willing to attend the two scheduled one-day-per-month virtual sessions; two letters of recommendation; autobiography (no more than 250 words); parental consent form; see link for all program guidelines and requirements.
February 15 - USDA 1890 National Scholars Program - full tuition, employment, employee benefits, fees, books, and room and board each year for up to 4 years to selected students pursuing a bachelor's degree at one of the 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities (see list on website); senior; U.S. citizen; min. 3.0 GPA (unweighted); study agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or other related academic disciplines; demonstrate leadership and community service; official transcript; signed application.
February 16 - Shari Simon Greenberg Community Scholarship - $1,500 awards; senior; legal U.S. resident; plan to enroll full-time in a two- or four-year college, university or vocational/technical school in Fall 2022; demonstrate academic promise and financial need; applicants evaluated based on academic promise, financial need, written response, work experience and community/extracurricular involvement.
Click here to see the SVHS Scholarships Page for more opportunities.
NEW: Next Week's College/Career Visits - Career Center (Room 2113)
Montgomery College Thu February 17, 2022 9:59 AM
Upcoming Events
The Virtual MCPS 14th Annual HBCU College Fair & Seminar Series!
The Virtual MCPS 14th Annual HBCU College Fair will take place on Friday, February 18, 2022, from 6pm - 8:30pm. Students and families can register online using the following link: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/familysupport/hbcu/
Seminar Series - these free virtual events provide students in Grades 9–12 an opportunity to learn about HBCUs, scholarship opportunities and connect with HBCU alumni.
Tuesday, February 15, 2022 6:00pm - 7:30pm - HBCU Homecoming Edition Seminar
Thursday, February 17, 2022 6:30pm - 8:00pm - To Be A Scholar - Athlete: The NCAA And You
Click here for more information about and to register for any of the seminars.
NEW: MCPS Summer RISE
Interested in learning about a career during the month of July? Rising 2022-2023 MCPS juniors and seniors are invited to register for the Summer RISE 2022 program, a 4-week/50 hour, career-based learning experience that introduces students to career options that match their interests. Students must be available between July 5th through July 29th.
Student registration opens at 8AM on Wednesday, February 16 and will close at 5PM on Friday, March 4. For more information about Summer RISE and to register as a participant, visit www.MCPS-SummerRISE.org. Summer RISE 2021 Video
NEW: ACT Virtual Practice Test - The Princeton Review
Join virtually to take a full-length practice ACT. After the test, you’ll receive a comprehensive score report detailing your strengths and weaknesses.
Be prepared with a calculator and scrap paper to work out your problems. You can also keep a bottle of water and a snack nearby, as breaks will be given just like on test day. Once registered, you will receive a Zoom link and further instructions the day before the exam.
ACT Date: Saturday, February 19, 2022 * 9am - 1pm
NEW: IB Spotlight
MYP Personal Project update: Our students have finalized their success criteria and created an action plan, and are now starting their MYP Personal projects!
How can you support your 10th grader through the MYP Personal Project?
Ask them about their project. At this point, students have chosen a topic, a learning goal, a product, completed research, and created success criteria & an action plan. They are now actually starting their personal projects! Students will have until April 5th to complete their projects.
Encourage them to see Mrs. Becraft in room 1107 if they are confused or have fallen behind. I am always happy to help!
Questions to ask your student:
- What is your learning goal and product? Why did you choose that learning goal and product?
- What topics have you researched?
- How will you determine if your project is successful? What criteria will you use to evaluate your project?
- What is your plan to meet your project deadline of Tues. April 5th? Have you started completing items on your action plan? Can I help in anyway?
Check out THIS FLYER for more information on the Personal Project!
Think Big Program: Our next Think Big Experience for 10th grade students is this Thursday, Feb. 17th. For this experience, we are honored to host a master’s class with Jakari Sherman, the choreographer with Step Afrika. He will present his own experiences with determining success criteria, action planning, and reflecting of feedback. Then, a Seneca Valley HS student and a Watkins Mill student will present their MYP Personal projects progress and he will provide feedback.
IB Career-related Program (CP) Spotlight: Our first class of IB CP seniors has been working diligently on their Reflective Project (RP). The RP, one of the core requirements of the IB CP, is a 3,000 word research paper analyzing an ethical dilemma in the student’s career pathway. Students must identity an ethical dilemma without a clear resolution, develop a research question, and identify stakeholders with multiple perspectives, before completing research to support their analysis. Students then write a research paper summarizing their research, considering the cultural implications of the dilemma, and how their recommendation to move forward. Check out some of the fascinating topic our students are researching below!
- Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Engineering Program: Should the government take measures to address the erosion of Tangier Island? When a project enters the hand of a new engineer, should the new engineer stay true to the original engineer's designs?
- Healthcare Professions: Should Children be Prescribed Antidepressants? Is it ethical for physicians to deny patient treatment based on religious beliefs? Should medical facilities use disability as a criteria to deny care when rationing supplies during COVID-19 pandemic? Should terminally ill patients be able to receive experimental drugs that have not passed phase 1 of testing by the FDA?
- Child Development Associate Program: Should minors have confidentiality when meeting with a school psychologist? Should Critical Race Theory be taught in K-12 public schools?
- Criminal Justice / Law Enforcement Program: Should the government supply police departments with militarized items for police use? Should police officers be prosecuted by the criminal justice system for incidents of lethal force? Should Judges prioritize rehabilitation over punishment in the criminal justice system?
- IT/Cybersecurity Program: Should the patriot act be renewed because of the violated rights of citizens. Should employers be able to collect and log data from an employee’s personal computer?
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!
REPEAT: Resources for Families
Mental health / crisis resources:
- Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Program: For more information on family-focused outpatient mental health services for children, adolescents and their families, visit here or call 240-777-1450.
- Screening and Assessment Services for Children and Adolescents SASCA: For information on confidential screening for substance abuse for children, and mental health and substance use assessments for children up to age 18, visit here or call 240-777-1430.
- Minority Health Services: Many of our Minority Health Initiatives have excellent resources and partner with nonprofit and community organizations to offer free mental health counseling. Explore more:
- ACCESS to Behavioral Health Services: For assistance with obtaining appropriate outpatient mental health or substance abuse services for individuals eligible through the public behavioral health system. Walk-In assessments and evaluations available Monday - Friday at 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. Learn more here or call 240-777-1770.
- EveryMind: For direct mental health services to youth, adults, older adults, families and veterans, visit here or call 301-424-0656.
- Crisis Center: For 24/7 free crisis services visit here or call 240-777-4000
- Crisis text line: Text "home" to 741-741 for free 24/7 support
- ChildLink: Early childhood services for children ages five and younger and their families. Learn more here or call 240-777-4769.
Family grief supports:
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