Good afternoon, Seneca Valley!!

I hope everyone had a good spring break and is ready to finish the rest of the year strong.  We will have SAT make up dates on the 24th and 25th.  Please see below for more details.

Seniors!!!  The countdown has begun and you have 24 days left!  All your work MUST be turned in by Friday May 23rd, seniors last day in order to be graded for your grades to be complete.  We will certify that all seniors have met their requirements by Tuesday May 27th.  Graduation Rehearsal is Thursday May 29th, and Graduation is Friday May 30th at 2:00pm.  Time will pass quickly so plan ahead and be prepared.

Please be sure to wear green tomorrow as we celebrate Green Schools week.  Check the flyer below to see the rest of the Green Schools spirit week activities.

Please make sure you read updates from our PTSA, Boosters, and Athletics.

I wish you all a great evening.  

Have a great Tuesday and week on purpose!

Ricardo Hernandez, Principal

SAT Make-up Testing – April 24th & April 25th

On April 24th and 25th, we will host our SAT Make-up Testing. All eligible 11th grade students who did not complete the SAT assessment on March 19th are encouraged to participate. For planning purposes, each potential tester and their caregivers received an email last week that includes a link to sign up for the assessment, free of charge. We ask that all students provide a response by April 7, 2025. Once we confirm the number of testers, we will share the full testing instructions prior to the assessment. This information will include each student’s scheduled date for the assessment, testing room number, and other logistical information. Testers are asked to arrive by 7:30am.

Please note. We will operate under our normal school hours on both testing days and will not utilize a modified bell schedule. All other students should arrive on time for first period.  For questions, you can contact Mr. Stancell at eric_stancell@mcpsmd.org.

From the Counseling department:

Summer School Registration Opened April 3

Summer school registration opens on Thursday, April 3. This year, instead of online registration, school counselors will register students who request to participate in summer school. 

Summer School Session Dates:

• Session 1: June 30 – July 18

• Session 2: July 22 – August 8

• Location: Gaithersburg High School

• Virtual options are available.

Summer school offers students the opportunity to stay on track academically or get ahead in their studies. For details about fees, other summer programs and credit recovery options, visit the MCPS Summer School website.

For initial registration, students must complete the MCPS 2025 Summer School Interest Form

For questions about summer school, please contact your student's School Counselor. 

Senior Graduation Status 

Attention seniors and families of seniors; Graduation Day is coming soon! The start of Marking Period 4 means that there are 33 days of school left for seniors before your last day on May 23rd. It's amazing how time flies!

Seniors and families of seniors, if you are at all unsure about your current graduation status, or have questions about any remaining graduation requirements, please touch base with your School Counselor. 

Seniors, we are looking forward to seeing you walk across the stage at UMBC...but you must make sure to do the work to get there!

Contact your Counselor with any questions or concerns. 

Student Service Learning Reminder

All MCPS students must earn 75 SSL hours to graduate from high school, and spring break is a wonderful time for students to earn hours! Middle school and high school students can find virtual/remote and/or in-person SSL opportunities on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center website. Students can also find SSL forms, guidelines, resources and more at the SSL Hub for Students/Families. For the High School Certificate of Meritorious Service (seniors who have 240 or more SSL hours) or the Middle School Superintendent’s SSL Award (middle schoolers who have completed the 75-hour SSL graduation requirement), students must submit MCPS Form 560-51 to their school’s SSL coordinator by Friday, April 4. All other SSL forms should be submitted on a rolling basis, but no later than the required deadline of Friday, May 30.

Dual Enrollment

Registration for Dual Enrollment/Jump Start to College will open in mid-April. This program is open to all qualifying students in all grades.  Students simultaneously earn college credits from MC while fulfilling high school graduation requirements. 500approved courses are available for students to choose from with options of in-person and online learning. SVHS offers three MC courses a semester located at the high school. MCPS will cover the cost of two MC courses per fall and spring semester. Students who are interested should apply now so they will have their required college ID needed to register for classes in April! Please contact Stacey Blaine with any questions stacey_j_blaine@mcpsmd.org

Library Media Center News:   

April is a busy month in the LMC. First, it's National School Library Month and we are celebrating with a Book Hunt game on Friday, April 11 during lunch, a fundraiser sponsored by the SVHS Book Club.  The library will be closed to all but our "book hunters" who will search out 10 titles and authors under a strict time limit.  There are book giveaways and other surprises for players and one speedy hunter will win the grand prize: the popular three book Good Girl's Guide to Murder collection. Special treats will be served to Book Hunters, as well. This is a fundraiser for the SVHS Book Club, so there is a $3 donation to play! Ask for details in the LMC.

April is also National Poetry Month, so come admire our "Poet-Tree" featuring "line poems" written by students.  All students and staff are welcome to contribute a "line poem."  We give you a first line from a book to get you started-- and you do the rest! We have a special "Spring Basket" available for one lucky poet, so drop in and write a few lines for the Poet-tree.

In addition to poets and libraries, this month we celebrate Arab American culture and history. You'll find books celebrating the contributions of Arab Americans on display all month.

Want to know if SVHS has a copy of a particular book? Browsing for something to read over Spring Break? Don't forget you can search our catalog through the SVHS LMC website. Click here to start or visit https://bit.ly/42utQDb. You can also find links to SORA audiobooks and ebooks there, too!    

REMINDER:  Although students are permitted to eat lunch in the LMC's classroom section, NO OUTSIDE FOOD is allowed in the LMC. This is a longstanding library rule that will be enforced more diligently because of multiple incidents in the past several months of students bringing outside food into the LMC and leaving a mess, especially after school.  Students with outside food will be asked to eat it outside of the LMC.

Please return your overdue books!  While all students with overdue materials need to return them to the LMC, Juniors, and Seniors who plan to attend Prom should make sure they have no outstanding library obligations. Unreturned books could keep them from purchasing Prom tickets, so please return books or arrange to pay for or replace them if they have been lost.

Did you know.....

SVHS Library is open Monday- Thursday from 7AM to 4:30PM and 7AM to 3:30PM on Friday?  We're here when you are -- so come by and check out something new! 

Extracurricular Activities Information

We welcome you to engage with Seneca Valley in a new way this school year!  

Check out our non-athletic Extra Curricular Clubs and Activities!  From study groups to competitive dance to cultural celebrations to Dungeons and Dragons and beyond - there's something here for everyone!  

Reach out to sponsors of clubs you're interested in or fill out the interest form to be included in back-to-school messages about clubs. Check out our current offerings. SVHS ECA OFFERINGS

Notes From the SVHS College & Career Center

Mr. Nalda, SVHS College & Career Information Coordinator (email)  

Financial Aid - Montgomery College (MDCAPS & FAFSA)

Seniors, are you planning to attend Montgomery College?  Did you apply for the FAFSA?  Double-check your MDCAPS account to see if you have any eligible campuses listed for the “Community College Promise” Scholarship.  We are seeing that some students who only selected the Montgomery College Germantown campus will also need to select Montgomery College’s main campus (Rockville) to trigger this particular state award.  

If you log into your MDCAPS account and do not see any eligible campuses for this Community College Promise Scholarship award, go into your FAFSA account and add the Montgomery College Rockville campus to your list of schools.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Nalda.

Financial Aid - Important Reminders

Planning on going to college?  Did you fill out the FAFSA or MHEC One/MSFAA App?

It is important to check your FAFSA account, specifically the ‘FAFSA Submission Summary’ to check on any potential grants and/or loans.  If you are planning to attend a Maryland school, you should check and monitor your MDCAPS account awards as well to see if you qualify.  This is especially true if you are considering Montgomery College.  Some students may not qualify for a Pell Grant via the FAFSA, but could still be eligible for the Community College Promise Scholarship.

You should also keep track of financial aid packages from each of the schools you have been accepted to.  You may want to consider using a spreadsheet to stay organized.  Review the estimated cost of attendance after all offered aid for each school.  If you qualify for any aid from the FAFSA or MDCAPS, be sure to review this carefully to make sure these amounts are reflected correctly on these financial aid packages from each school.  If you need assistance reading and understanding the letters, feel free to reach out to me or your counselor.

For schools you have been admitted to, you should also be on the lookout for any required forms in your school’s portal accounts or on their websites.  Make sure you are completing all required documents, especially for the school you plan on attending.  We do not want you to miss any deadlines!

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

SVHS Financial Aid Guide for Seniors 

Upcoming Scholarships 

• April 20 - Kappa Youth & Community Foundation - senior; must be an African American male student of color living in Montgomery County; accepted to college as a full-time student and will be enrolled for the fall semester; min. 2.5 GPA; active in extra-curricular activities or work-related activity; proof of college acceptance; transcript; essay; two letters of recommendation; a current photo. 

• April 21 - Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship Program - 20-$2,500 awards; senior; plan to attend a U.S. Accredited 4-Year College/University or Community College as a 1st year student in the Fall of 2025 (if selected, must provide college acceptance letter for verification); min. 3.0 cumulative unweighted GPA; household income at or below the Low-income level for the county of residence (if selected, must provide 2023 or 2024 tax return for verification); open to ALL MAJORS; employees of Cathay Bank and their immediate family members are NOT eligible; Application Form; Recommender Form; High School Transcript.

• April 21 - Dragon Hearts College Scholarship Fund - 12-$5,000 awards; senior; female student who plans to attend a U.S. Accredited 4-Year College/University as a 1st year or 2nd year student in Fall 2025 (if selected, must submit college acceptance letter for verification); min 3.2 cumulative unweighted GPA; business, economics, and STEM majors; household income at or below the Federal or State Low Income Level (must be able to show 2023 or 2024 tax return should the applicant be selected for award), if not at or below low income level, then financial need will need to be explained in an essay; Application Form; Recommender Form; High School Transcript.

• April 21 - Kao Kalia Yang Scholarship Program - 5-$5,000 awards; senior; blood descendants of Hmong race or ethnically identified as Hmong American (with citizenship or as a permanent resident); plan to attend a U.S. Accredited 4-Year College/University or Community College as a 1st year student in Fall 2025 (if selected, must submit college acceptance letter for verification); min. 2.8 cumulative unweighted GPA; household income at or below the Federal/State/County Low Income Level (must be able to show 2023 or 2024 tax return should applicant be selected for award); open to ALL MAJORS; Application Form; Recommender Form; High School Transcript; online interview (to be scheduled if selected as finalist).

• April 21 - Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund - 10-$7,500 scholarships available (per year for 4 years); senior; U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (holders of a Permanent Resident Card) and direct blood descendant of a Taiwanese citizen; plan to attend a University or College in the fall (if selected, must submit college acceptance letter for verification); min. 3.0 cumulative unweighted GPA; household income at or below the Federal/State/County Low Income Level (must be able to show 2023 or 2024 tax return should applicant be selected for award); open to ALL MAJORS; online application form; three references; official transcript.

• April 25 - Frank and Thelma Fair Foundation Scholarship - 3-$1,000 awards; senior; must attend a four-year college or university; describe how you have contributed personally/financially to achieve your academic goals. (i.e. summer jobs.); essay about your past/ present and/ or future plans towards making a difference in your community; two (2) letters of recommendation from persons other than family members. (Preferably one from a present or former teacher or employer); copy of your last school transcript; copy of your acceptance letter from the college or university.

• April 25 - Officer Noah Leotta Act Responsibly Scholarship - up to 2 awards of at least $2,000; senior; committed to pursuing a career that serves a community and the public; extracurricular activities; community service; transcript; two letters of recommendation.

• April 25 - Seneca Valley High School Boosters Scholarship* - (*deadline is noon on 4/25) 2-$1,000 scholarships; senior at Seneca Valley High School; min 3.0 GPA (unweighted); completed all Student Service Learning (SSL) hours; must earn a varsity letter on a team in their senior year OR be an active member of an SVHS sponsored club; pursue post high school education (technical school, community college or four-year university, etc.); unofficial copy of your transcript; essay of 250-500 words; see application for all instructions and guidelines.

• April 28 - Senator Nancy J. King Senatorial Scholarship - 4-$3,000 awards (automatically renewed for up to four years, provided student maintains satisfactory progress); senior; must live in the 39th Legislative District (click here to verify); must have filled out the FAFSA or the MHEC One App/MSFAA by March 1; address on the FASFA or MSFAA application must be located in District 39; planning to attend a college or university in the state of Maryland; need a copy of first 3 pages of your FAFSA Submission Summary or One App confirmation email. 

• April 30 - High Bridge Foundation, Inc. Scholarship - two (2) $4,000 Impact Awards, five (5) $2,000 Scholarship Awards and seven (7) $1,000 Book Awards; senior; for students who are facing and overcoming personal & family hardship conditions (including financial); min 3.0 GPA (those under may apply if they demonstrate academic progress given hardship conditions); attend a trade school, community college, four-year college and/or university full time in the fall; community service; leadership; two (2) Letters of Recommendation from adults who are familiar with your hardship situation and your academic diligence, leadership skills, and/or volunteer work; three (3) essays; one (1) resume or two (2) separate lists to include (a) Special Achievements/Honors and Recognitions and (b) Extracurricular Activities/Community Involvement/Employment Experience; one (1) copy of School Transcript (unofficial or official) and Report Card through the first semester or second quarter of the 2024-2025 school year; one (1) Letter of Acceptance from a trade school, community college, college, or university.

• April 30 - Laytonsville Lions Club Scholarship - one or more scholarships of $2,000 (payable in two yearly installments of $1,000 each) and the program also provides for reimbursement to the student for $500 for books and supplies; demonstrated service to the community (school, faith based, community at large); academic record of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale; financial need; 3 letters of recommendation; Financial Statement; submit to guidance counselor to attach transcript.

• April 30 - Patuxent River (MD) Links G.E.M.S. Scholarship - graduating senior; applicant must reside in Montgomery County, MD; must have participated in the G.E.M.S Program for at least 1 program year prior to active participation in the current program year; must demonstrate a commitment to community service and have earned a minimum of 85 SSL hours; must apply and receive acceptance to a college or university.

• April 30 - Patuxent River (MD) Links HBCU Scholarship - graduating senior; applicant must reside in Montgomery County, MD; must have participated in the G.E.M.S Program for at least 1 program year prior to active participation in the current program year; must have a minimum academic cumulative GPA of 3.0; must provide documentation of accepting an offer to attend an HBCU.

• April 30 - Patuxent River (MD) Links STEM Scholarship - graduating senior; applicant must reside in Montgomery County, MD; must have participated in the G.E.M.S Program for at least 1 program year prior to active participation in the current program year; must have a minimum academic cumulative GPA of 3.0; must demonstrate an interest and a commitment to seek a degree in a S.T.E.M. major.

• April 30 - The Delegate Lesley Lopez Community Service Scholarship - graduating senior; must demonstrate significant service to the Montgomery County Maryland community; must meet residency requirements; must reside in Montgomery County, MD; and reside in Delegate Lopez’s Legislative District #39 (go to http://mdelect.net and follow the instructions to confirm); must provide proof that he or she is attending a Maryland college or university as of September 9, 2025; applicant must provide his or her Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) Identification Number; and the applicant must provide documentation of having registered with the Maryland College Aid Processing System and submitting the Free Application Federal Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA, to the MHEC.

• April 30 - Germantown Elementary School Alumni Scholarship - applicant must reside in Montgomery County, MD; must have attended Germantown Elementary School for a full year between 2011 and 2024; must be a high school senior graduating in the 2024-25 school year; must have a minimum academic cumulative GPA of 3.0; must demonstrate a history of volunteer experiences and significant service to the community. 

Click here to see the SVHS Scholarships Page for more opportunities.

Other Opportunities

EAS Carpenters Technical Centers - Open House and Apprenticeship Competition

April 23rd | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

8510 Pennsylvania Avenue, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, 20772

The EAS Carpenters Technical Centers Maryland, D.C., and Virginia invites you to their Annual Open House. Come see what true workforce development looks like through the skilled union apprentices affiliated with the EASRCC, employed by EAS Signatory Contractors.

During our Open House, our Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters representatives will provide tours of our training center to students and interested candidates and answer questions about our apprenticeship program. You will also see our top apprentices compete in an all-day construction competition to see if this is the career for them!

If you are a graduating senior, engineering, JROTC, construction, STEM, or other CTE student, then this open house is meant for you.

RSVP Link: https://forms.gle/Q1N1LBDuWqq8WYHo8  |  Flyer 

News from the Business and Finance Office 

Business Office: Mrs. Monique Riddick, School Business Administrator, 240-740-6413

Finance Office:  Ms. Lillian Burgos, School Financial Specialist, 240-740-6414

Finance Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

• The window is closed daily from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

• Students may visit the finance office before school, during lunch, and after school. 

Payments may be made using School Cash Online or in cash, check, and money order at the finance window.   All checks should be made payable to Seneca Valley High School or SVHS.  Please include the student’s name and ID number on all checks.  Returned check fees are $25.00 per check and are obligated toward the student’s account until paid. This includes checks collected as part of fundraisers. 

Obligations: All outstanding obligations must be paid in order for students to participate in extracurricular activities such as athletics, clubs, Homecoming and Prom.  Seniors with outstanding obligations will not be permitted to participate in senior activities including the graduation commencement ceremony.  Outstanding obligations may be viewed and paid at https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/

SchoolCash Online

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Montgomery County Public Schools has transitioned to a new online payment system called SchoolCash Online as its preferred method of payment for school-related fees such as fundraisers, field trips, obligations, etc. (Please note that the new payment system is NOT related to school cafeteria accounts)

SchoolCash Online helps parents/guardians and community members pay school-related fees safely, quickly, and easily. SchoolCash Online will help increase efficiency and security at schools by making payments directly into schools’ bank accounts and eliminating the need for teachers to handle money. In addition, once registered, you will be immediately informed about school activities!

Powered by KEV Group, SchoolCash Online is the industry leader in the management of school fees. The new system puts all of the school-related fees online for purchase so users can make purchases online using a credit card or e-check. A processing fee will be included on all items available for purchase, regardless of the type of payment used on SchoolCash Online or at the school.

Parents/guardians can register now at - https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/

PARENT VOLUNTEER TRAINING

The MCPS Volunteer webpage has been updated.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/student-leadership/volunteer.aspx

On that webpage, you will find updates for SY24-25 and a chart for “who needs what.” There is also a resource on the far right called: School Guidance for Volunteers. If there are any volunteers who did this process last year, then they are good for this year. Any new volunteers would need to complete the compliance measures listed below.

One-time volunteers who will ALWAYS be accompanied by MCPS staff

• One-time volunteers who will never be alone with students at the MCPS school do NOT need to complete the compliance measures.

• They WILL need to check-in and check-out of the main office and scan their driver's license/identification cards through the Visitor Management System (VMS). Once the volunteer clears the VMS, they must be badged (the VMS creates a sticker badge) and remain under supervision of an MCPS professional while with students.

Volunteers who will be attending field trips or supporting the school as a regular volunteer (This includes, but is not limited to Dads on Duty participants)

• These volunteers must complete BOTH the online child abuse and neglect training and the COVID attestation process.

• Volunteers can pull their grade sheet showing a total of 183.3%. This grade shows completion of both processes.

• They WILL need to check-in and check-out of the main office and scan their driver's license/identification cards through the Visitor Management System (VMS).

• Once the volunteer clears the VMS, they must be badged (the VMS creates a sticker badge) and remain under supervision of an MCPS professional while with students.

Volunteers who will be attending field trips or supporting the school as a frequent volunteer AND will be alone with students.

• In addition to the online child abuse and neglect training and the COVID attestation compliance measures, the volunteer must have completed the finger printing process.

• Fingerprinting/Background check (only if they are working alone with students without supervision of an MCPS staff member or other type of volunteer service, per the Volunteers regulation and FAQ )

• Fingerprinting Webpage