SVHS Green and Gold
Dr. Cohen's Newsletter to the SVHS Community
January 23, 2022 Edition
NEW: Update from MCPS
The things to know for this week include information about the shift of 16 schools to virtual learning for 10 days, declining transportation disruptions, substitute teacher compensation, a planned student walkout, maintaining current quarantine guidelines and more.
Sixteen MCPS schools have moved to virtual learning for 10 calendar days. After an assessment of multiple operational and health factors, the following schools will participate in virtual learning from Jan. 20 through Jan. 29. This decision was made with feedback from teams of school-based leaders and parent representatives. The schools will return to in-person learning on Monday, Jan. 31. Moving forward, if any additional schools are going to transition to virtual learning, MCPS will make the announcements on Fridays, and then virtual learning will start on Mondays. No additional schools will be announced this week.
MCPS is expanding the availability of virtual instruction. MCPS has committed, on a case-by-case basis, to offer virtual instruction to students who are not in quarantine but have concerns about attending school due to COVID-19. Families interested in this option should contact their child’s school, and the absences will be excused. This option will be available through Monday, Jan. 31, and may be extended.
Transportation disruptions continue to decline. Unserved bus routes have declined from a high of 8% impacted routes to less than 0.5%. As of Jan. 19, there were 12 unserved bus routes (out of more than 1200). Thank you for your patience as we have worked to return to full service.
To address staffing challenges, MCPS has increased compensation and provided other guarantees for substitute teachers. In an important step towards continuing in-person learning, MCPS will increase salary rates for substitute teachers, effective this month. With these increases, MCPS leads the region in most categories of substitute teacher pay. Interested individuals can apply to be a substitute teacher here.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight shared COVID-19 management plans with the Montgomery County Council this week. On Jan. 18, Dr. McKnight provided an overview of the school system’s plan and responded to council members' questions. The session can be viewed here. On Jan. 19, Dr. McKnight and school system leadership engaged in a question-and-answer session with the Council’s Education and Culture Committee that can be viewed here. Topics in the sessions included mitigation measures to keep schools safe, the criteria that MCPS is using to decide whether schools should transition to virtual learning, the importance of focusing on addressing learning disruption that the pandemic has caused, and requests for additional testing and contact tracing support.
Equity Hubs will provide safe in-person experiences for PreK through Grade 5 students in schools that have transitioned to virtual learning. Virtual learning may pose a challenge for families whose children need a safe place to learn while their parents work, cannot access virtual learning from their home or who need a more structured learning environment. The Black and Brown Coalition and The Children’s Opportunity Fund have partnered with childcare providers to establish Equity Hubs as a solution.
Families whose children are engaged in virtual learning can register for all-day child care and support during virtual instruction at one of 103 Equity Hubs across Montgomery County.
Eight of the elementary schools entering virtual learning this week have partner childcare centers and will be registering students to begin on Friday, Jan. 21. MCPS pupil personnel workers will also reach out to families to help with information and the registration process. MCPS will expand these opportunities in the coming weeks to make this resource available to more families who need it. For more information, please follow up with your child’s school. Families who are interested in this opportunity can also contact their school counselor.
Student leaders in several MCPS high schools are planning walkouts on Jan. 21 to express their sentiments regarding COVID-19’s impact on their school experience. MCPS recognizes that the pandemic has dramatically affected students’ educational experiences and supports students’ desires to voice their concerns as part of engaging in civic life.
Students have been encouraged to work closely with their school’s administrators to develop a plan that will provide them an opportunity to express their views while remaining safe on campus.
Please speak with your child to let them know that leaving school property without permission or walking out of class outside of the designated time will be considered an unexcused absence.
All staff, including system leadership, are committed to engaging students in conversations regarding how to improve their educational experience; a recent example of this type of dialogue between Interim Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight and Student Member of the Board Hana O’Looney can be found here.
KN95 masks are being provided for students. KN95 masks for students have been delivered to secondary schools, and child-sized KN95 masks for younger students have been ordered and will be delivered to schools as soon as they arrive. We strongly encourage students and staff to wear them when inside MCPS facilities, where masks continue to be required.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight was featured on a live online question-and-answer session hosted by the NAACP of Montgomery County Parents’ Council and the Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence. On Jan. 19, Dr. McKnight addressed questions from the community regarding COVID-19 response, access to rigorous coursework, the antiracist audit, opportunity gaps, recovering learning from the pandemic, cultural competence and staff diversity. Dr. McKnight appreciated hearing the community’s experiences in MCPS schools and committed to working together to strengthen educational opportunities. You can watch a replay of that meeting here.
There is no change to student isolation or quarantine guidelines at this time. Although Montgomery County has revised recommendations concerning quarantine and isolation, MCPS is maintaining its current guidelines. As shared in a community message on Jan. 9, a decrease in the transmission or outbreak of the virus will guide whether the number of quarantine and isolation days may be reduced.
Make-up days have not been determined for recent inclement weather days. There have been four inclement weather days this month, and we will need to make up three of them based on the days of instruction in our school-year calendar. Plans for making up these days will be shared with the community in the coming weeks. The professional days scheduled for Monday, Jan. 24, and Tuesday, Feb. 1, will continue as planned.
NEW: Dads on Duty
Attention Seneca Dads. If you are still interested in participating in Dads on Duty and you have completed the volunteer training module and COVID attestation form, please consider signing up for a slot using the form below:
Dads on Duty at Seneca Valley HS: Dads on Duty Sign-Up (signupgenius.com)
To access the online volunteer training and COVID vaccination attestation, use this link: Support Guide [Volunteers and Contractors: Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect] - Google Docs
NEW: Upcoming Days off for Students
NEW: Schedule Distribution Bell Schedule
NEW: SVHS REGISTRATION INFORMATION FOR SY 22-23
Registration for next year’s classes at SVHS has begun! Last week in Advisory, Seneca Valley students received information about the 2022-23 Registration process along with a copy of their grade-specific Registration card. Students and families are encouraged to visit the SV Registration website at https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/svhsregistration/home. The website contains everything one needs to know about the process, including the SVHS Course Bulletin, course descriptions by department, links to Online Registration forms, video presentations, and much more. Students should have either their paper Registration card or Online Registration Forms completed by Wednesday, January 26th.
We know that this can be an exciting and sometimes stressful process. Should you have any questions about Registration, please don’t hesitate to contact your student’s Counselor, contact information is available on the website.
New from Mr. Nalda in the College and Career Center
NEW: SVHS College & Career Newsletter - December/January, 2021-22
NEW: Need Help with the College Application Process
- Creating a Brag Sheet
- Submitting College Applications
- Creating a Common Application Account
- Updating Naviance
- Sending SAT and ACT Scores in to Colleges
- Requesting an Official Transcript from your Counselor
- Completing and Submitting Financial Aid Forms
- Keeping Track of Admissions and Scholarships
- Searching and Applying for Scholarships
NEW: Moving Forward College and Career Readiness Series for Juniors
Tuesday, January 25 - HBCU (Historically Black Colleges) Information Session
Tuesday, February 8 - Narrow Down Your College List
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: The Virtual MCPS 14th Annual HBCU College Fair - On the Spot Interviews!
The Virtual MCPS 14th Annual HBCU College Fair will take place on Friday, February 18, 2022, from 6pm - 8:30pm. Virtual On the Spot Interviews for Seniors will take place Monday - Thursday of that week, Feb 14 - 17. In case you are unfamiliar with On the Spot Interviews, these are events where you meet with a college admissions representative and receive an immediate decision regarding acceptance.
Seniors - if you are interested in participating in the On the Spot Interviews, please watch the video linked below to learn more. After watching the video, please reach out to Mr. Nalda for assistance. Please note that students interviewing must complete an online application on each college’s website before February 4 (Feb 1 for Bethune-Cookman) and more colleges are being added (see list of schools below).
More information regarding on the spot interviews (video) (as of Jan 11, 2022)
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.
If your list of college applications changes or you plan to apply to any new schools, please communicate with your counselor!
NEW: Need Financial Aid for College?
ALL Eligible Seniors should complete the 2022-23 FAFSA, regardless of income. Maryland
state deadline for the FAFSA is March 1, 2022!
If you plan on attending a college or university in the state of Maryland, you should fill out this application.
Once you have created a login, send Mr. Nalda your MHEC ID in order for him to upload your transcript/GPA Information.
For students not eligible to complete the FAFSA, you may be able to complete the MSFAA if you plan on attending a college or university in the state of Maryland.
Need help? Register for one of MC’s FAFSA/MSFAA Assistance Days starting Feb. 1!
Upcoming Scholarships
- January 25* - Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholarship Program - (*deadline 4pm on 1/25) 20-$5,000 awards for 2-year programs and 40-$10,000 awards for students pursuing 4-year degrees (renewable); senior; historically underserved students who self-identify as Black/African American, Hispanic or Latino, America Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, or Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; min 3.0 GPA; enroll full-time at a two or four-year college, university, or tech school in the fall; transcript; copy of first two pages of the most recently filed IRS Form 1040.
- January 25* - Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship Program - (*deadline 4pm on 1/25) up to 100 awards of $40,000 for college and a guaranteed paid internship at Amazon; senior; min 3.0 (unweighted); U.S. citizen, permanent residents (holders of a Permanent Resident Card), or Employment Authorized to work in the U.S.; financial need; have taken computer science classes in high school or at a college dual program, or currently be enrolled in one (if not, may take a take a qualifying exam); plan to earn a bachelor’s degree in a computer science related field of study from an accredited 4-year college or from a 2-year college intending to transfer to a 4-year college; transcript; copy of the first two pages of the most recently filed IRS Form 1040.
- January 26* - Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund - (* deadline is 5pm on 1/26) $2,500 - $20,000 awards; senior; min 2.7 GPA; be of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by U.S. Census; be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States; attend a U.S. accredited college or university in the Fall of 2022; must apply for FASFA by early April 2022; submit one letter of recommendation online.
- January 30 - Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship - 1-$1,000 award; 9-12 grade; U.S. citizen or legal resident; write a 140-character personal statement answering the following: Instead of spending time with technology, I'd rather...; top 10 applications will be selected as finalists and asked to write a 500- to 1,000-word essay about technology addiction.
- January 31 - National Ag Day Essay and Video Contest - 1-$1,000 (essay winner) & 1-$1,000 award (video winner); grade 9-12; U.S. Citizen; submit an essay (450 words or less) or video (max 2 minutes) on the following topic: Food Brings Everyone to the Table; see link for details and guidelines.
- January 31 - 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.
- January 31 - Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Science Competition - multiple prizes up to $10,000, trips, and science-related gifts; grades K-12; U.S. or Canadian Citizens; work in a group of two, three or four students; each team will select a technology that is present in the home, school and / or community and explore what the technology does, how it works and how or why it was invented; see link for full rules and guidelines.
- January 31 - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory African American Culture Club/Black Faculty and Staff Association Scholarship - senior; min 2.8 GPA (unweighted); resident of MD, Northern Virginia, or D.C.; plan to attend a four-year college or community college as a full-time student in the fall and major in a STEM program; one reference (from a teacher or counselor); 2 essays (less than 500 words).
Click here to see the SVHS Scholarships Page for more opportunities.
NEW: Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
The Virtual MCPS 14th Annual HBCU College Fair - Seminar Series!
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.
- Saturday, January 29, 2022 10:00am - 12:00pm - Overview of HBCU's Seminar
- 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.
MCPS Entry Level Careers Information Session
- OHRD is hosting a session this Monday, January 24th for juniors and seniors on entry-level jobs within MCPS.
- Interested in learning about available jobs in MCPS right out of high school? Juniors and seniors are invited to learn about some of the entry-level opportunities that MCPS has and the various pathways you can access.
- Join Montgomery County Public Schools Office of Human Resources and Development and the Partnerships Unit for an informational session about MCPS careers on Monday, January 24, 2022 from 11:00-12:00pm. Click here to register Now! Click here for the flyer
Summer Pre-College Programs Block Party
- This event, especially geared towards high school underclassmen and their families, will feature College Greenlight's top tips for finding and applying to summer pre-college programs, as well as presentations by three top colleges about their pre-college program offerings for summer 2022. This event is a follow up to the publication of our annual list of free/generous summer programs.
- Wednesday, January 26, 2022 | 5 PM
- More information and registration Link: https://bit.ly/3AdRAv
- Join us for this combined webinar & virtual gap year fair on Saturday, January 29, 2022, from 1:00 – 4:00pm, to get the most up to date information about planning a gap year. Whether you're dreaming of Spanish language immersion in Costa Rica, rock climbing in the American Southwest, or pursuing a virtual internship from the comfort of your living room, there are so many gap year options to choose from!
NEW: Updates from Athletics
Weekly Update - Includes MCPS Update, Spring Registration, New football coach named and Spectators still unable to attend MCPS Events
NEW: Legacy Brick Program
Order a custom engraved brick to be installed by the ticket booth on the stadium plaza. Mark your place in Seneca Valley history.
Bricks can be purchased for students, alumni, staff, coaches, clubs, or teams. Bricks will be engraved exactly as ordered - be mindful of spelling!
Payment is available on this webstore by PayPal, Credit, or Debit. If you select "Pay with Credit or Debit", you will see a PayPal guest page to enter your card numbers. (Having a PayPal account is not required to complete the purchase.)
There are a dozen brick spots left - click here to order yours before this opportunity closes:
REPEAT: Testing Updates
Hello Seneca Valley High School Community,
This email is to inform you about upcoming testing. Due to our school being virtual for two weeks, our test dates had to be adjusted.
- We will be administering the MCAP testing on January 18 – 25, 2022 beginning 2nd period. We will conduct Make-Up testing on 1/31, 2/2 and 2/3 (if necessary). An updated email regarding MCAP Make-Ups will contain details.
- Students participating in the Seal of Biliteracy will test on January 26, 2022 in Room 1601. Students participating in this test have already received information from Ms. Hanford pertaining to the Seal of Biliteracy test.
- ACCESS for ELLs WIDA testing will be administered from February 2 – 18, 2022. Further details for ACCESS WIDA testing will be in upcoming communication.
Materials needed: Students should bring Chromebooks, earbuds (with a plug in jack) that compatible with their Chromebooks, pencils and calculators.
Students and parents will be notified via MCPSMD.net email and Connect Ed messages of the test and locations to report. As a secondary reminder to students testing, first period teachers will receive passes/rosters of students testing on specific days. Ms. Perfetto, our attendance secretary will update the attendance for students testing daily.
MCAP AND SEAL OF BILITERACY TESTING:
- 1/18 and 1/19 – ELA 10
- 1/20 – ALGEBRA
- 1/21 – GOVERNMENT
- 1/25 – MISA
- 1/26 – SEAL OF BILITERACY
- 1/31, 2/2 and 2/3 – MCAP MAKE UPS
ACCESS FOR ELLs WIDA TESTING:
- 2/2 – 2/4 – WIDA 1 (Reading /Listening)
- 2/8 – 2/9 – WIDA 1 (Writing)
- 2/14 – 2/18 – WIDA 2 (Speaking)
Please contact Ms. Kisheena Wanzer or Dr. Michael Kim if you have questions.
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