SVHS Green and Gold
Dr. Cohen's Newsletter to the SVHS Community
March 6, 2022 Edition
Newsletter Summary from Dr. Cohen
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:
NEW: Update #1 from MCPS
Community Message: What You Need to Know if Masks Become Optional in MCPS. The Montgomery County Board of Education has indicated that it intends to discuss the MCPS mask policy at its next meeting on March 8. This is the first of a number of messages that will help students, staff and families make this transition following any change to the mask policy.
NEW: Update #2 from MCPS
Community Message: Here is the Six Things to Know for Friday, March 4, 2022. The message includes information about COVID-19 take-home test kits, an updated COVID-19 data dashboard and more.
NEW: Girls of Color Alliance provides a critical service for the Montgomery Avenue Women's Center
NEW: Congratulations to our Black History Month Grand Finale Scavenger Hunt Winners - And Thanks to Nylah Demar-Jones for creating the scavenger hunt.
NEW: Congratulations to our African Dance Team
SVHS African Dance were guest performers on Saturday night at the UST (Unstoppable Steppers) Black History Month Production at John F Kennedy HS. They were fabulous! If you see captains Kayla Armstrong or Briana Adjei, or any of the other dancers, please congratulate them!😀
NEW: Is your student chronically late to school?
Over the last few weeks, we have seen a troubling trend of attendance issues first thing in the morning, and as a result, large numbers of students are facing detentions for being chronically late and/or are seeing significant declines in grades for assignments missed.
As a reminder: First period starts at 7:45 a.m. This is not a suggested time or an optional time. In order for students to be in class, ready to learn, at 7:45 a.m., we recommend they arrive at school by 7:35 a.m. This will allow them time to get to their lockers, greet their friends, and make their way to their seat by the bell.
Thank you in advance for reinforcing this message with your students.
NEW: Free SAT for 11th Grade Students
Hello Seneca Valley High School Community,
On Wednesday, March 23, 2022, Seneca Valley High School will be offering the FREE SAT to students in Grade 11 only (with an original year of graduation for 2023). All eligible students will receive a letter detailing specific information for the day via mcpsmd.net email accounts. There is no registration required for these students, as exams have been ordered for all eligible students.
IMPORTANT: For all students in Grade 9, 10, and 12, there will be an adjusted schedule on March 23, 2022 – in which an abbreviated schedule will be followed. Students who ride the school bus for transportation or arrive at the regular time and are not testing, are to report to the auditorium, gymnasium or cafeteria until the end of testing. There will be activities during this time.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kisheena Wanzer at 240-740-6400.
NEW: Request for Parent Support
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 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, 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
College Admissions Decisions & Results - Seniors
Already received admissions results and/or scholarships? Please update your Naviance accounts! Need help? See Mr. Nalda in the College & Career Center, Room 2113.
How to add and update admission decisions/results in Naviance (video)
MCPS SAT Day - March 23, 2022
On Wednesday, March 23, 2022, Seneca Valley High School will be offering the FREE SAT to students in Grade 11 only (with an original year of graduation for 2023). All eligible students will receive a letter detailing specific information for the day via mcpsmd.net email accounts. There is no registration required for these students, as exams have been ordered for all eligible students.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kisheena Wanzer at 240-740-6400.
The 2022 NACAC Montgomery County College Fair
The 2022 NACAC Montgomery County College Fair will take place at Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse in Boyds, MD, at the following times:
- April 5, 2022 - 9:45am - 1pm (ET) & 6:30pm - 8:30pm (ET)
- April 6, 2022 - 9:45am - 1pm (ET)
There will be over 275 colleges and universities exhibiting! Registration is required for all attendees. Register free and find updated information at the following site: https://www.nacacattend.org/fairs
Interested Juniors will have the opportunity to attend the college fair as a school field trip on the morning of April 6. Stay tuned as Mr. Nalda will release more information and details soon!
Upcoming Scholarships
March 14 - Dr. Sally K. Ride Elementary School Alumna/Alumnus Scholarship - $100 to a Graduating Senior who attended Dr. Sally K. Ride Elementary School; write a short essay (no more than 500 words) explaining how you continue to uphold the values of being “Respectful, Responsible and Determined”; submit via email to Dr. Sally K. Ride Elementary School PTA, attention: Mrs. Burgess (click here for email address).
March 14 - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority County-Wide Scholarship - senior; min 2.5 GPA; all students welcome to apply; 2 letters of recommendation; community service; submit two 300-500 word essays; transcript; photo.
March 14 - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Career/Vocational Technical Scholarship - senior; min 2.0 GPA; all students welcome to apply; 2 letters of recommendation; community service; submit two 300-500 word essays; transcript; apply to an accredited career/vocational/ tech school as a full-time student; photo.
March 15 - Blacks at Microsoft Scholarships - 4- $20,000 scholarships distributed over 4 years ($5,000 per year, renewable) & 41- $2,500 one-time only scholarships; senior; min 3.3 GPA; must be of African descent (African American or African); attend four-year school in the fall; major in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, or select business programs (see link for majors); passion for technology; leadership; financial need; 2 letters of rec.; resume; transcript; two essays; color picture.
March 15 - Horatio Alger Scholarships - multiple scholarships ranging from $10,000 - $25,000; junior; U.S. Citizen; min 2.0 GPA; for high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives; enter 4-year degree in the fall after graduation (can start at a two-year school and transfer); critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adj. family income) and income verification; community service; integrity & perseverance in overcoming adversity; support form; transcript; online certification form.
March 15 - Flavorful Futures Scholarship - $5,000 award; senior; U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident; min 2.5 (unweighted) GPA; enroll part-time or full-time study at a 2-year, 4-year, college, university, trade or vocational school.
March 15 - Hispanic Scholarship Fund - (deadline extended to March 15!) 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).
Click here to see the SVHS Scholarships Page for more opportunities.
Upcoming Events
MDOT State Highway Administration Interest Sessions, March 7 - 11
Hey seniors! Looking for a career out of high school? MDOT State Highway Administration is looking to hire for positions in their Maintenance Shops throughout the State of Maryland. As a state agency, they offer a competitive benefits package, stable work, and the opportunity to learn and grow.
Our current Facility Maintenance Technician job announcement is linked here: Facilities Maintenance Technician I | Job Details tab | Career Pages (governmentjobs.com)
If you are interested in learning more about their agency and what opportunities are available at MDOT SHA, they will be hosting virtual information sessions the week of March 7th through March 11th. Students can sign up for a date and time that works best for them using the link below. They also offer the opportunity for one-on-one virtual information sessions as well if this is preferred.
Interest Session Sign-Up: https://forms.office.com/g/TiJULtGu6G
Affording College: Financial Aid 101
On March 8th, Revolution Prep will be hosting "Affording College: Financial Aid 101" with Scott Wallace-Juedes, Director of Undergraduate Financial Aid at Yale University. We realize how important this information is to families. This Free presentation can provide insight to those feeling anxious and wanting to learn more about the financial component of a college education.
Scott Wallace-Juedes leads a comprehensive conversation about the financial aid process. From the FAFSA and CSS profile to estimating costs, scholarships, grants, need-based aid, and more, families will get to ask questions and hear from a financial aid expert.
- Tuesday, March 8 @ 8pm
- Click for more information and to register
Click here to see the SVHS Homepage for more upcoming events
NEW: IB Spotlight
Approaches to Learning (ATL) Support for Time Management: IB ATL skills are academic and socioemotional skills essential for student success at SVHS, college, career, and life. In order to help our students develop key ATL skills, such as time management, we have been using these monthly & weekly calendars for our IB DP/CP students and thought they might be helpful for other students. Please feel free to copy for your student!
MYP Personal Project update: Our students had their 7th MYP Personal Project Advisory lesson last week, where they reflected on the Approaches to Learning skills (ATL Skills) students have applied during their Project. Focusing on ATL skills, we help students “learn how to learn” and perhaps even more importantly, to “learn how they learn”. At this point in the process, students should be actively working towards creating their product. Students will have until April 5th to complete their projects. Please encourage them to see Mrs. Becraft in room 1107 if they are confused or have fallen behind. I am always happy to help!
IB Student Recognition: A huge shout-out to the following IB Diploma and IB Career-related Program seniors that have been named to the Top 25: Olivia Blaner, Adryanna Blocker, Kelsey Cabanayan, Mariam Cherif, Mariana Cruz, Cindy Elias Reyes, Katerina Hernandez, Jameel Kiburi, Breanna Pagliarulo, Danny Pham, Alexa Preston, Caroline Quiroga, Lauren Seib, Sandra Sumesh, and Maria Wraback!
In the IB Classroom (photos below!): In our IB Theory of Knowledge & Extended Essay class, the core class for the IB Diploma Program, we were lucky to have senior IB Diploma Candidates Olivia Blaner, Adryanna Blocker, Mariana Cruz, Nylah Demar-Jones, and Estella Orellana Gonzalez share their experiences, advice, and encouragement to our junior IB Diploma juniors as they embark on their Extended Essay journey. The seniors were very thoughtful, reflective, and positive in their responses. In our IB Personal & Professional Skills class, the core class for the IB Career-related Program, our seniors created a writer’s lounge to help them finished their Reflective Project, a 3,000 word research paper on an ethical dilemma within their career-pathway, rough drafts. We are #SVProud of you!!
IB Diploma Program and IB Career-related Programs:
Is your student a rising junior in several IB courses? If so, they should consider the full IB Diploma – seen as the Gold Standard Preparatory Program for colleges. Students build an immense toolkit that will help them in college and beyond.
Feedback from IB Diploma Alumni:
- “My peers struggle to write papers in college, but because I did IAs* in all my classes and the EE (Extended Essay), I do not have the same challenges, as I have the skills I need.” (*Unlike other external assessments, like Advanced Placement, IB scores are a combination of authentic internal assessments (IAs), graded by SVHS teachers and moderated by IB, completed throughout the year and externally assessed exams in May.)
- “Don’t listen to others – it is very doable!”
- “ I got an abundance of credits… I have sophomore standing.”
Is your student in a career pathway and in at least one IB course? Then, the IB Career-related program may be for them.
Visit the SVHS IB Website for more information at: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/svhsibprograms/home or contact Ms. Ezerski the IB DP/CP Coordinator with your questions.
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